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Josh Warrington has today vacated his IBF world featherweight title after the IBF refused to sanction his proposed unification fight in April. Earlier this month, the proposed clash with Xu Can was delayed with a new working date of April 24. Matchroom will now look to finalize that fight or make a giant match up with WBC king Gary Russell.

Why would the IBF reject the fight? Normally they only recognize unifications with the WBA’s top world champions. Leo Santa Cruz still holds the WBA featherweight “super” title, whereas Can Xu holds the regular WBA featherweight belt. Continue reading “Warrington vacates IBF belt”

By Gabriel F. Cordero

WBC and WBA super middleweight world champion Saúl “Canelo” Alvarez (54-1-2, 36 KOs) is expected to face WBC mandatory challenger Avni Yildirim (21-2, 12 KOs) on February 27 at a site to be named in the United States.

Some sources claim that Canelo has reached an agreement with Matchroom Boxing and will defend his belts against Yildirim in Miami, Florida. Matchroom would then stage Canelo vs. Billy Joe Saunders in May.

By Ray Wheatley – World of Boxing

WBO #2, IBF #3 super lightweight Liam Paro (19-0, 12 KOs) will return to action against Terry Tzouramanis (23-4-3, 3 KOs) in Brisbane on March 5th with IBF International and WBO Global titles up for grabs.

“Terry Tzouramanis fought on the Manny Pacquiao vs Lucas Matthysse undercard in Kuala Lumpur, Malayasia against Filipino rated boxer Jayar Inson it was a very tough fight that was close and even we lost a close decistion to Inson. That bout was at welterweight with Inson, and Tzouramanis has learned a lot from the Inson bout,” said manager Peter Maniatis. Continue reading “Maniatis: Tzouramanis poised to beat Paro”

By.Gabriel F. Cordero

When IBF #1 rated junior lightweight Shavkatdzhon Rakhimov (15-0, 12 KOs) recently tested positive for COVID, it looked like his February 13 title shot against IBF world champion Joseph Diaz (31-1, 15 KOs) would be off and there was talk of Diaz facing another opponent.

However, Rakhimov tested negative on two follow-up tests and seems fit to fight. Another test will take place about a week before the fight date, and then another upon his arrival at the venue. In the meantime, Rakhimov continues training with Freddie Roach in Los Angeles.

By Ray Wheatley – World of Boxing

Sad to report former Australian middleweight Leroy Brown has passed away at the age of 32 years. Cause of death is unknown. Leroy was trained and managed by Mark “Ziggy” Moran in Narooma, NSW, Australia.  In his biggest fight, he challenged currently rated WBC #8 middleweight Dennis Hogan for the Australian national crown, dropping a ten round decision in 2014. Leroy turned professional in 2007 and retired in 2014 with a record of 11-6-2, 5 KOs.

Showtime opened 2021 with a doubleheader featuring undefeated fighters risking their Os in both corners on Wednesday night at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut.

In a clash between undefeated super lightweights, Mykquan Williams (16-0-1, 7 KOs) outworked Yeis Solano (15-1, 10 KOs) over ten rounds. Williams scored a knockdown with a jab to the shoulder in round eight. Solano was credited with a knockdown in round ten, but was also deducted a point for a low blow in the same round. Both calls appeared to be incorrect on replays and were rescinded. Scores were 97-92, 96-93, 96-93 for Williams.

In a clash between undefeated super featherweights, Jose Nunez (11-0-2, 4 KOs) and Aram Avagyan (10-0-2, 4 KOs) battled to an eight round majority draw. Scores were 77-75 Nunez, 76-76, 76-76.

Welterweight prospect Janelson Figueroa Bocachica (16-0, 11 KOs) will meet Mark Reyes, Jr. (14-0, 12 KOs) in a ShoBox: The New Generation main event bout Wednesday, February 17 live on SHOWTIME from Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn.

The co-main event will feature unbeaten Vladimir Shishkin (11-0, 7 KOs) taking on Sena Agbeko (23-1, 18 KOs) in a 10-round super middleweight matchup. In addition, Alejandro Guerrero (12-0, 9 KOs) faces Abraham Montoya (19-2-1, 14 KOs) in an eight-round lightweight bout, and Timur Kerefov (9-0, 4 KOs), will battle middleweight prospect Argenis Espana (15-1, 14 KOs) in the eight-round telecast opener.

The four-fight telecast is promoted by Salita Promotions.

Featherweight prospect Pedro Marquez has been determined unable to participate in his scheduled eight-round showdown tonight against Martino Jules due to an illness. The fight was scheduled to open tonight’s ShoBox: The New Generation telecast on SHOWTIME.

The telecast will proceed as a two-fight card beginning at 9 p.m. ET/PT and is headlined by Yeis Solano (15-0, 10 KOs) making his super lightweight debut against the first undefeated fighter of his career in East Hartford, Conn.’s Mykquan Williams (15-0-1, 7 KOs). The co-main event features Panama’s unbeaten Jose Nunez (11-0-1, 4 KOs) facing decorated amateur Aram Avagyan (10-0-1, 4 KOs) in an eight-round super featherweight matchup. Continue reading “Update on tonight’s ShoBox telecast”

The World Boxing Council has announced that it is honoring the career of Floyd Mayweather by placing his picture on each of their famed green and gold Belts. Floyd joins Muhammad Ali and Don Jose Sulaiman, as the constant images that will appear on each WBC green and gold world championship belt. Currently, each weight category’s WBC belt features the two greatest champions of the division and the sixth picture is the one from the reigning champion. Continue reading “Floyd Mayweather’s image added to WBC belts”

Former WBC super bantamweight world champion Rey Vargas is swiftly seeking to land a new world title in in a new division. For Rey, leaving the super bantamweight title was a difficult decision after making five successful defenses. But his career was put on hold when suffered a broken leg and was out of action for almost ten months. After deciding to move up to the 126lb division, the WBC ordered a fight between Vargas and featherweight champion Garry Russell Jr. Continue reading “Rey Vargas takes aim at Gary Russell Jr.”

Yeis Solano 139.5 vs. Mykquan Williams 139.5
Jose Nunez 127.25 vs. Aram Avagyan 128
Martino Jules 126.25 vs. Pedro Marquez 126.25

Venue: Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut
Promoter: Sampson Boxing and Paco Presents Boxing
TV: Showtime

Here are the annual “Best of the WBC” awards for 2020 as chosen by the WBC boxing family, friends and fans:

Knockout of the Year 
Alexander Povetkin vs. Dillian Whyte

Fight of the Year
Deontay Wilder vs. Tyson Fury 2

Dramatic Fight of the Year
Jose Zepeda vs. Ivan Baranchyk

Performance of the Year
Teofimo Lopez vs. Vasiliy Lomachenko

Comeback of the Year
Errol Spence Jr.

Revelation of the Year
Isaac Cruz
Edgar Berlanga

Boxer of the Year
Saul Alvarez
Tyson Fury

Prospect of The Year
Sebastian Fundora
Gabriel Flores Jr.

Continue reading “Best of the WBC 2020”

Middleweight Troy Isley, a 2017 World Championships bronze medalist, is set for the next step. Isley, a 22-year-old native of Alexandria, Va., signed a multi-year professional contract with Top Rank and will make his debut Feb. 13 on the Joe Smith Jr.-Maxim Vlasov undercard. Top Rank will co-promote Isley with Antonio Leonard Promotions.

Isley’s head trainer is Kay Koroma, a longtime U.S. amateur coach who has guided his boxing journey since the day he entered Alexandria Boxing Club at the age of 9.