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Naoya “Monster” Inoue is a man of few words, but his devastating knockouts, climb up the pound-for-pound rankings and cult hero status among combat sports fans have elevated the Japanese prodigy to main event status. Inoue will defend his WBA and IBF bantamweight world titles Saturday against Filipino mandatory challenger Michael “Hot and Spicy” Dasmarinas from The Theater at Virgin Hotels Las Vegas. Inoue, who also captured titles at light flyweight and junior bantamweight, is 15-0 in world title bouts and looks to continue his dominance against a man who has not tasted defeat since 2014.

Bob Arum

“Monster is back in the United States, and he’s fighting a tough Filipino. And I know from experience how tough Filipino fighters are. So this should be a very, very enjoyable fight. I can’t wait for Saturday night because the fists will be flying.” Continue reading “Inoue-Dasmarinas Final Press Conference”

Unbeaten WBC Middleweight World Champion Jermall Charlo went face-to-face with the hard-hitting Juan Macias Montiel Thursday during the final press conference before they meet live on SHOWTIME this Saturday from Toyota Center in Houston, Texas.

“This is my hometown, and I’m going to stay champion,” – Charlo

“If he wants to trade punches with me, he’s going to be sorry that he chose that strategy,” – Montiel

Full Quotes

It’s official. Triller confirmed today that former world champion Oscar De La Hoya will return to the ring to face former UFC superstar Vitor Belfort on September 11 in Las Vegas.

Oscar De La Hoya: “I am ready to return to the ring and I am proud to be part of Triller and Verzuz and their game-changing model of reimagining the boxing business as four-quadrant entertainment. I have nothing but the utmost respect for a champion like Vitor Belfort as we show the world what high level boxing is all about. It was incredibly important to me my comeback was on this date as it represents such an important moment in history for me, my fans and the world’s culture. This is much bigger than just me and this event, for all those with ties and or roots in and to Mexico.”

Vitor Belfort: “It will be a pleasure to represent MMA again, this time in the ring against one of the biggest names in the history of boxing. It will be a war not to be missed and a fight my kids will be talking about. This is certain to make combat sports history.”

Undefeated WBC super featherweight world champion Oscar Valdez has signed a new multi-fight promotional agreement with Top Rank.

Valdez (29-0, 23 KOs), a two-time Mexican Olympian, turned pro with Top Rank following the 2012 London Olympics and continues a partnership that has seen him win world titles in two weight classes and become one of the faces of Top Rank on ESPN. Continue reading “Valdez inks multi-fight contract with Top Rank”

By Jeff Zimmerman

Fightnews.com® caught up with former middleweight champ Rob Brant who returns to the ring Saturday, June 26 at Virgin Hotels, Las Vegas to face former Olympian and undefeated Zhanibek Alimkhanuly on the undercard of Lomachenko vs. Nakatani. Brant shared his challenging path to a world title when he beat Japanese star Ryota Murata in Oct 2018 only to lose the rematch less than a year later in July 2019 and his focus to get back in the title hunt. Brant also discussed what it’s like training with Team Crawford including Bomac and Coach Red and what a potential Crawford vs. Spence Jr. mega showdown would like if it ever took place – as he has sparred both champs.

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Ring legend Oscar De La Hoya, 48, will take on former UFC champion Vitor Belfort in an eight-round exhibition on September 11, likely in Las Vegas. The Triller PPV event will be the Golden Boy’s first appearance in the squared circle since facing Manny Pacquiao in 2008. Belfort, 44, was last seen in an MMA match in 2018.

Interestingly in the opening odds from BetOnline.ag, De La Hoya is the underdog!

Oscar De La Hoya EVEN (1/1)
Vitor Belfort -140 (5/7)

Note: “This is an exhibition fight. Winner will be graded only by KO, TKO, DQ due to referee stoppage OR an official winner by decision rendered at the venue. If goes distance and no official winner, all wagers will be No Action.”

By Przemek Garczarczyk

“I’m looking for a knockout,” said Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. before Saturday’s clash against MMA legend Anderson Silva. “I know he’s not a better boxer than me. For a reason – he boxed less. He’s 45, a little old, but Marquez knocked out Pacquiao when he was 42. I don’t want to talk about his age, but I want to work on his body – age affects the legs. First three rights you want to find out who is the fighter and who isn’t. But I also want to knock him out in the first second of the first round. It’s a real fight!”

–

By Ron Jackson

South Africa’s Ludumo Lamati from Mdantsane but now based in Johannesburg meets Jose Martin Estrada Garcia of Mexico in a clash for the vacant IBO junior featherweight belt at Emperors Palace near Kempton Park on Saturday.

The talented Lamati (17-0-1, 10 KOs), who is listed at #37 by the IBO goes into the fight as the underdog against the #12 rated Garcia (12-1-1, 6 KOs). Continue reading “Lamati-Garcia meet for vacant IBO belt”

By Ray Wheatley – World of Boxing

Former world-rated super middleweight Rohan Murdock (24-2, 17 KOs) returns to the ring against veteran Les Sherrington (38-15, 22 KOs) on Saturday at the Nissan Arena, Nathan, Queensland, Australia.

Murdock is coming off a loss against WBO#1 super middleweight Zach Parker in England 15 months ago. Sherrington’s claim to fame is a victory over former world champion Luis Yory Boy Campas in 2012. Continue reading “Murdock-Sherrington collide Saturday”

By Bob Caico

2019 IBHOF inductee Don Elbaum celebrated his “milestone” 90th birthday in his hometown of Erie, PA. “This is just a wow night for me put together by my son Kip and my cousin. Age won’t slow me down though. I’m looking to do something big by the end of year,” said the birthday boy.

Mauricio Sulaimán, President of the WBC, in the company of twin world champions Jermall and Jermell Charlo, presented Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner with the WBC Freedom belt. The belt commemorating Juneteenth will also be awarded on Saturday to the winner of the match between the undefeated WBC middleweight champion Jermall “Hit Man” Charlo and Mexican Juan Macias Montiel. Mayor Turner also presented the Charlo brothers with a special certificate naming June 19 Charlo Brothers Day.

Former world champion Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. and MMA legend Anderson “The Spider” Silva faced off Wednesday at the final press conference in Guadalajara, Mexico, for their PPV fight on Saturday in an event titled “Tribute to the Kings.”

Other matchups include Julio Cesar Chavez vs. Hector Camacho Jr. and Omar Chavez vs. Ramon Alvarez. Chavez and Camacho had a fierce staredown, but no pushing this time. PPV price is $39.99.

Starts business with Thomas Hearns Jr.

By Héctor Villarreal

On the day of his 70th birthday, the legendary boxer Roberto “Manos de Piedra” Duran, attended the Pedro Alcazar gym in his native city of Panama, accompanied by two of his children, as well as Tommy Hearns’ son and business partner. Harlan Bivens.

“We are like one family and that includes Marvin Hagler Jr. and Ray Leonard Jr. with whom we are also in conversation together with the Durans to start a business partnership that includes boxing activities, which is why I am here for the first time observing Panamanian boxers in their main training center, “said Thomas Hearns Jr. Continue reading “Duran turns 70”

Hostilities between Julio Cesar Chavez and Hector Camacho Jr. resumed at a public workout where thousands of fans showed up at the Plaza de la Liberacion in downtown Guadalajara, Mexico on Tuesday.

Also on hand were Anderson “The Spider” Silva, Ramon Alvarez, Omar Chavez, and Julio Cesar Chavez Jr.preparing for their upcoming fights, live on PPV Saturday, June 19th in an event titled “Tribute to the Kings”.

In the second fight of his comeback after a four-year layoff, former five-time world champion Felix Sturm will engage in a true battle of the generations. At the age of 42 and with 50 professional fights under his belt, Sturm is scheduled to battle up- and coming prospect James Kraft on Saturday night over ten rounds at the Universum Gym in Hamburg, Germany. Kraft is 18 years younger than Sturm and holds a spotless record of 19-0-1 with ten knockouts. But can his youth prevail against the experience of the veteran Sturm, who has had more world title fights (23) over the course of a 20-year professional career than Kraft had fights in total (20)? Continue reading “Felix Sturm returns Saturday”

Women super featherweights will quest for the Muhammad Ali Trophy in Season III of the World Boxing Super Series. After the high demand from broadcasters, fans, and sponsors WBSS AG announced Season III of the World Boxing Super Series, one tournament, one weight class, and one winner to be the first woman trophy holder.

By Ray Wheatley – World of Boxing

Australian heavyweight champion Justis Huni (5-0, 4 KOs) scored a tenth round knockout against previously unbeaten Rugby League legend Paul Gallen (11-1-1, 6 KOs) on Wednesday night at the ICC Exhibition Centre, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. The taller Huni often managed to keep the hard-charging Gallen from getting inside while landing hard blows himself. Huni staggered Gallen several times but Gallen showed tremendous heart and proved to be incredibly tough. Huni finally dropped Gallen in round ten and the bout was halted.

Justis Huni said afterward, “A big shout out to Gal. He’s an awesome competitor very tough very strong. Continue reading “Huni halts Gallen in ten”

By Joe Kozumi

I have just read through a fantastic elaboration—a biography titled “EDER JOFRE Brazil’s First Boxing World Champion” written by Christopher J. Smith. It was lately published by Win By KO Publications in Iowa city, IA. It is of no less than 605 pages with a great many pictures of Eder Jofre.

The very first part I rushed to read was a description on a non-title affair between NBA world bantamweight champion Jofre and world #2 ranked flyweight Sadao Yaoita in Sao Paulo in 1961. It was reported uncrowned champ Yaoita, our Japanese national hero who had inflicted the first defeat to world flyweight titlist Pascual Perez in 1959, showed a good performance, but was finally caught and finished by the hard-punching champ Eder, still young at twenty-five climbing up to his prime years later. Since we, Japanese fans, couldn’t see any footage of this bout, we could only imagine the processing of the fight with a short report from Brazil and suppose the spectacular strength of the winner Eder. Continue reading “EDER JOFRE Brazil’s first boxing world champion”

Joe Joyce will risk his lofty world rankings and guaranteed future heavyweight title shot when he goes to battle with Carlos Takam at The SSE Arena, Wembley on July 24, live on BT Sport. This event will be presented by Frank Warren’s Queensberry in association with Joe DeGuardia’s Star Boxing.

Joyce (12-0, 11 KOs) is back in action for the first time since his tenth round win against Daniel Dubois last November when he captured the vacant European title and relieved Dubois of his British and Commonwealth titles. Victory against former world title challenger Takam (39-5-1, 28 KOs) will cement Joe’s status as the next WBO mandatory challenger.

Lightweight challenger George Kambosos Jr. said via social media that he will make undisputed champion Teofimo Lopez pay for postponing the fight after testing positive for Covid.

“Absolutely devastated! I’ve been away from my kids for 13 weeks. I flew my pregnant wife over to be by my side, I put every bit of my life into this camp with my team. I would have been undisputed champion this weekend, I know it and you know it. Your actions and decisions have affected not only our fight but everyone involved in this fight! Pure irresponsibility on your whole side. Our time will come and I promise you and the world that I’m going to take you out worse than ever for everything. You can run but you can’t hide! As hard as it is to comprehend this right now, I remain focused on the end goal. I will be champion of the world. Thank you to everyone for the support worldwide.”

By Ray Wheatley – World of Boxing

ICC Exhibition Centre, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.

Unbeaten middleweight Issac Hardman (11-0, 9 KOs) stopped Emmanuel Carlos (12-2, 7 KOs) in round four of a bout for the IBF Australasian, WBO Oriental, and Australian domestic titles. Hardman dropped Carlos in round four and got the stop with his follow-up barrage.

In a grudge match between unbeaten middleweights, Andrei Mikhailovich (16-0, 9 KOs) scored a second round KO over Alex Hanan (13-1, 7 KOs). Hanan down twice in round two.

Unbeaten featherweight Sam Goodman (9-0, 5 KOs) punished Nort Beauchamp (18-5, 3 KOs) until the bout was halted in round six.

Unbeaten cruiserweight Jason Whateley (9-0, 8 KOs) scored a fourth round TKO over 44-year-old Victor Oganov (32-9, 30 KOs).

With the postponement of Teofimo Lopez vs. George Kambosos, we now have one less boxing viewing choice for Saturday. It’s still a full slate, however, with ESPN, DAZN, Showtime, and two PPV shows running at approximately the same time.

Which main event will be the most competitive?

ESPN – Naoya Inoue vs. Michael Dasmarinas
(WBA/IBF bantamweight titles)
Inoue is a 30:1 favorite

Showtime – Jermall Charlo vs. Juan Macias Montiel
(WBC middleweight title)
Charlo is a 40:1 favorite

DAZN – Jaime Munguia vs. Kamil Szeremeta
(middleweight)
Munguia is a 6:1 to a 12:1 favorite

Chavez Tripleheader PPV
Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. vs. Anderson Silva
(light heavyweight)
Junior is -450 and Silva is +350

PPV stream
Harold Calderon Takes vs. Jeovanis Barraza
(welterweight)
No odds listed

Triller PPV
Teofimo Lopez vs. George Kambosos
(WBA/WBC/IBF/WBO undisputed lightweight title)

By Ray Wheatley – World of Boxing

Unbeaten Australian welterweight prospect Hassan Hamdan (2-0) will be in action against Jack Moore (2-0) in the main event at Bankstown City Paceway at Condell Park, NSW on Saturday. Promoter Paul Nasari told Fightnews.com “Hassan is one of the best prospects in Sydney. His father Nader was a world-rated middleweight and extended world champions Robert Stieglitz Anthony Mundine and Arthur Abraham. Hassan is following in his father Nader’s footsteps. Continue reading “Hamdan and Beekin in action Saturday”

By Miguel Maravilla

The stage is set for WBC heavyweight champion Tyson “The Gypsy King” Fury and former heavyweight champion Deontay “The Bronze Bomber” Wilder as they stood face-to-face for the first time in over a year as they held the press conference in Los Angeles to announce their showdown. The champ was all fun as Wilder did not speak and was serious. Fury and Wilder will continue their rivalry on Saturday, July 24, live on pay-per-view from T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. Continue reading “Fury-Wilder III Press Conference”

WBC Heavyweight World Champion Tyson “The Gypsy King” Fury and former longtime heavyweight champion Deontay “The Bronze Bomber” Wilder squared off for a long and intense face-to-face stare down Tuesday in Los Angeles at a press conference to preview their highly anticipated third world title showdown taking place Saturday, July 24 from T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas and live on pay-per-view.