Fightnews.com

By Ray Wheatley – World of Boxing

Rugby Football legend and Australian heavyweight contender Paul Gallen (10-0-1, 5 KOs) is confident of defeating betting favorite and former WBA heavyweight champion Lucas “Big Daddy” Browne (29-2, 25 KOs) on April 21 at the Wollongong Entertainment Centre, Wollongong, NSW that will be televised on Foxtel Main Event Pay-Per-View. Browne is solid betting favorite at -210 with Paul Gallen at +175.

“I’ve heard it (the rumor) but you never know what to believe with sparring rumors. There’s another one going around that I got bashed the other day,” Gallen told Ben Damon of Fox Sports. “As it turns out Browne has been having all of his sparring filmed ahead of next week’s bout and stated he is very content with his preparation.” Continue reading “Browne favored to defeat Gallen”

Two new MTK boxing telecasts have been announced for this week on ESPN+.

The action begins Friday at Verité Social Venue in Monterrey, Mexico, as former lightweight world champion Miguel Vazquez battles Isai Hernandez in the 10-round junior welterweight main event.

The fights continue Saturday from University of Bolton Stadium in Bolton, England, as undefeated middleweight contender Danny Dignum will make the second defense of his WBO European middleweight belt in a 10-rounder against Russian veteran Andrey Sirotkin.

Vazquez-Hernandez will be an evening affair, streaming live on ESPN+ at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT. The Dignum-Sirotkin card will stream live and exclusively on ESPN+ starting at 2 p.m. ET/11 a.m. PT.

Unbeaten super middleweight Carlos Gongora (19-0 14 KOs) wants to build on his newfound fame as he prepares to defend his IBO title against Christopher Pearson (17-2 12 KOs at Hard Rock Live at Hard Rock Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood, Fl. this Saturday on DAZN. Gongora returns to the scene of his biggest win in the paid ranks, his dramatic 12th round KO victory over  Ali Akhmedov at the Hard Rock Casino in December to land the strap he puts on the line against Pearson). Continue reading “Gongora: I’ll prove I’m ready for the best”

Former world title challenger Miguel “Scorpion” Marriaga (29-4, 25 KOs) takes on Jose “Chicharo” Garcia (14-3-1, 11 KOs) in a ten-rounder on April 30 at the Fit Center in Mexico City for the WBC Fecarbox featherweight title on EstrellaTV’s monthly “Boxeo EstrellaTV” telecast.

In eight round prelims, Diego “Azabache” Torres (7-0, 7 KOs) meets Andres “Pug” Periban (9-7-1, 0 KOs) in a lightweight matchup, and Diego “Maravilla” Carmona (8-1, 7 KOs) faces Carlos “Pitbull” Zavala (5-4, 2 KOs) in a super welterweight bout.

Indonesian boxer Tibo Monabesa (21-1-2, 8 KOs) beat Filipino Toto Landero (10-5-2, 2 KOs) Wednesday night in Jakarta to claim the vacant WBC International light flyweight title. After 12 rounds of intense fighting, all three judges scored the fight for Monabesa. The scores were 117-111, 115-113 and 116-112. Continue reading “Monabesa wins WBC International title”

Light heavyweight KO artist Anthony Yarde (20-2, 19 KOs) aims to be back with bang when he meets unbeaten Emin Atra (17-0, 12 KOs) in London on April 24. Yarde last boxed in December when he was outpointed by Commonwealth champion Lyndon Arthur over 12 rounds. Their promoter Frank Warren is targeting a rematch later in 2021, but Yarde must impress against Atra in a ten-rounder, live on BT Sport.

“I am just looking forward to getting back in action and blowing away the cobwebs,” said Yarde. “It has been a bit of a rollercoaster personal and business-wise, but I am getting back and right now I feel very good. Things are going well. I wanted the rematch with Lyndon immediately, but it didn’t work out that way. There is still a rematch clause, but for now I need to stay active. Continue reading “Yarde returns April 24”

The press conference to present the Milano Boxing Night was held at Raffaello Hotel in Milan, Italy. Promoted by Opi Since 82-Matchroom-DAZN, the event will be staged at Allianz Cloud next Friday. In the main event, Fabio Turchi (18-1 with 13 KOs) will challenge French champion Dylan Bregeon (11-0-1 with 3 KOs) for the vacant European Union cruiserweight belt on the 12 rounds distance. Undefeated super middleweights Ivan Zucco (12-0 with 10 KOs) and Luca Capuano (11-0 with 2 KOs) will fight for the vacant Italian title on the 10 rounds distance. Continue reading “Turchi-Bregeon Final Press Conference”

The three undercard bouts featuring undefeated fighters will be part of the Triller freeview stream for all fans on Saturday at TrillerFightClub.com. Here is the lineup:

Junior Younan (15-0-1, 10 KOs) vs. Jeyson Minda (14-4-1, 8 KOs)
8 rounds, super middleweight
———
Lorenzo Simpson (9-0, 5 KOs) vs. Francisco Torres (16-3-1, 5 KOs)
8 rounds, middleweight
———
Quinton Randall (7-0, 2 KOs) vs. William Jackson (13-2-2, 2 KOs)
8 rounds, welterweight

The $49.95 pay-per-view portion of the card features:
Jake Paul (2-0, 2 KOs) vs. Ben Askren (pro debut)
8 rounds, cruiserweight
Regis Prograis (25-1, 21 KOs) vs. Ivan Redkach (23-5, 18 KOs)
10 rounds, super lightweight
Steve Cunningham (29-9-1, 13 KOs) vs. Frank Mir (pro debut)
8 rounds, heavyweight
Joe Fournier (8-0, 8 KOs) vs. “Reykon” (pro debut)
6 rounds, light heavyweight

By Ray Wheatley – World of Boxing

Graham Shaw who trains Australian boxing’s biggest pay-per-view attraction Paul Gallen (10-0-1, 5 KOs) talks to Fightnews.com® about Gallen’s will clash with former WBA heavyweight champion Lucas “ Big Daddy” Browne (29-2, 25 KOs) on April 21 at Wollongong Entertainment Centre, Wollongong, NSW televised on FoxtelMain Event Pay-Per-View.

“We have been training for Lucas Browne since the fight was announced which is about ten weeks ago,” said Shaw, who previously trained former WBA, IBF middleweight champion Daniel Geale and former IBF light welterweight champion Lovemore Ndou.

“Paul Gallen didn’t have much of a break since the Mark Hunt fight. He had about three weeks break after the win over Hunt. Paul Gallen is a dedicated trainer and he is as good as anybody I have had. Continue reading “Interview: Trainer Graham Shaw”

Former WBC super welterweight world champion Tony “Superbad” Harrison shared updates from his first training camp since the passing of his father and trainer Ali Salaam, as he prepares to return to the ring in the main event on FOX this Saturday against Bryant Perrella, who will be making his 154-pound debut under the tutelage of a new head trainer Roy Jones Jr.

“I don’t really know that much about Perrella, just that he’s a southpaw,” said Harrison. “I know that he’s gotten some knockouts. But it’s mostly about how I’m going to move and step on fight night when I’m going up against a lefty. Like anyone on this level, I expect Perrella to come in there and do his best to compete with me. He’s no tune-up fight. I’m treating this fight like I’m 0–0 and this fight is for everything.” Continue reading “Harrison looking to make a statement”

Former super lightweight world title contender Petr “Zar” Petrov (41-6-2, 22 KOs) is now off Thompson Boxing Promotions’ 3.2.1 card on Sunday, April 18. Petrov was scheduled to open up the show.

The 8-round main event featuring Ruben “Ace” Torres (14-0, 11 KOs) vs. Diego Contreras (11-3, 5 KOs), will remain intact. The 8-round co-main event will now showcase Mexican power puncher, Miguel “El Explosivo” Madueño (22-0, 20 KOs) vs. Bergman Aguilar (15-6-1, 5 KOs). The opening bout will stage George “El YuYu” Acosta (10-1, 1 KO) vs. Edgar “Pito Lupillo” Ramirez (17-16-1, 14 KOs) in a super lightweight bout scheduled for 6-rounds.

WBO middleweight champion Demetrius “Boo Boo” Andrade arrives for fight week in Miami, Florida.

Undefeated super lightweight Omar “El Relampago” Juárez (10-0, 5 KOs) will now take on Argentina’s Elías “El Macho” Araujo (21-2, 8 KOs) in a 10-round showdown that serves as the FOX co-main event this Saturday from Shrine Auditorium and Expo Hall in Los Angeles. Veteran Jessie Román was originally scheduled to face Juárez, but was forced to withdraw due to injury.

The broadcast is headlined by former WBC super welterweight world champion Tony “Superbad” Harrison against Bryant “Goodfella” Perrella.

Mandatory challenger Liam Williams (23-2-1, 18 KOs) says he has the power and the heart to knock out WBO middleweight king Demetrius Andrade (29-0, 18 KOs) at Hard Rock Live at Hard Rock Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood, Fl. on Saturday April 17, live worldwide on DAZN.

“I don’t think he has the same intensity as me,’ said Williams. “I wear my heart on my sleeve. I can punch harder than him. I have a better engine than him. I’m going to bring it all on the night and I don’t think he has the answers.

“He’s a clown. I don’t think he’s wired up right, he’s got a screw loose. His mannerisms, the way he acts and talks on his interviews, he’s just a little bit strange and I can’t put my finger on it. He’s an oddball. Continue reading “Williams: Andrade is a clown”

6’5 super welterweight Sebastián “The Towering Inferno” Fundora (16-0-1, 11 KOs) will look to strengthen his case as an elite up-and-coming Mexican-American contender when he takes on Jorge “El Demonio” Cota (30-4, 27 KOs) on the Ruiz-Arreola pay-per-view undercard on May 1 from Dignity Healthy Sports Park in Carson, California.

“I’m not like the other fighters Cota has faced,” said Fundora. “I want to make my own statement in the ‘Towering Inferno’ way. I expect him to come 100% ready for me, but his past experience won’t help him. This is a totally different fight for him. Continue reading “Fundora: Cota is nothing different”

Rising lightweight star Ryan “Kingry” Garcia (21-0, 18 KOs) will defend his WBC interim lightweight title against former WBA super featherweight champion Javier “El Abejon” Fortuna (36-2-1, 25 KOs) in a 12-round battle on Friday, July 9. Information regarding the venue and the undercard will be announced shortly. The fight will be streamed live exclusively on DAZN worldwide.

Ryan Garcia: “Fortuna is eager and will be ready, but so will I. No one can beat me in the lightweight division, period. I’m going to show the world who I am.”

Javier Fortuna:  “Ryan Garcia should take this fight very seriously and train properly because he will be facing, by far, the best fighter of his career. Hopefully on fight night, there will be no excuses for his loss. I expect this fight to be a war while it lasts, but I have too much of everything for Ryan Garcia. His last fight showed how easy he is to hit. And his power won’t mean anything to me. But mine will put him to sleep.”

The legends exhibition tour rolls on. Former heavyweight champion Evander Holyfield, 58, couldn’t get Mike Tyson in the ring, so instead Evander will meet “The Clones Colossus” Kevin McBride, 47, the man who defeated Tyson in Iron Mike’s final fight in 2005. The eight round exhibition bout will reportedly take place on the June 5 Triller card topped by Teofimo Lopez vs. George Kambosos.

WBO middleweight champion Demetrius Andrade (29-0 18 KOs) has warned mandatory challenger Liam Williams (23-2-1 18 KOs to back up his talk on Saturday night at Hard Rock Live at Hard Rock Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood, Fl., live on DAZN.

“It’s one thing to be hyping yourself up and the fight,” said Andrade. “But you got to be concerned with what you are saying and back it up because at the end of the day, I don’t have two losses, I have never lost. They call him ‘The Machine’, but when I am done with him, he’ll be ‘The Rust Bucket. Continue reading “Andrade vows to dominate Williams”

Boxing Hall of Famer Joe Calzaghe believes 3:1 underdog Liam Williams (23-2-1, 18 KOs) has what it takes to dethrone unbeaten WBO middleweight champion Demetrius Andrade (25-0, 18 KOs) on Saturday night at Hard Rock Live at Hard Rock Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood, Florida, live worldwide on DAZN.

“Demetrius is a slippery customer with bags of skill, but I think Liam needs to get in there, get close to him, unsettle him, make him work and not give him one second’s rest,” said Calzaghe. “If he does that, I think he could take the belt on points and even force a late stoppage. It’ll be a hard night’s work, but he’s got the tools to get it done and I’d love to see him bring the belt back to Wales.”

After his 80-second win over Samuel Vargas on Saturday, unbeaten welterweight contender Conor Benn called out former world champion Amir Khan. “Give me a proper test,” Benn told Sky Sports. “Give me Amir Khan. I know he’s too busy on reality shows and all that. But listen, if he wants it, he can get it.”

Khan responded via Twitter: “Conor well done. Great kid, wish him the best. At his age, I was a world champ. Maybe if he had some belts that fight would make sense but he’s got a long way to go yet.”

By Ray Wheatley – World of Boxing

Hall of Famer Colonel Bob Sheridan talks to Fightnews.com® about the “Rumble in the Jungle” when Muhammad Ali regained the heavyweight championship by knocking out George Foreman in eight rounds in Kinshasa, Zaire on October 30, 1974.

Sheridan broadcast the live pay-per-view on closed-circuit television, also known as theatre television, to venues across the world. The fight had a record estimated 50 million viewers on closed-circuit television worldwide, grossing an estimated $100 million in revenue.

In total, including closed-circuit and free television, the fight was watched by an estimated television audience of 1 billion viewers worldwide – about a quarter of the world’s 4 billion population in 1974. Continue reading “Colonel Bob Sheridan: “Rumble in the Jungle”

WBO #12 junior middleweight Carlos “Chema” Ocampo (29-1, 19 KOs) scored a second round KO over Iván “Demolisher” Matute (30-4, 25 KOs) on Saturday night at the Grand Hotel in Tijuana, BCN, Mexico. A vicious body attack by Ocampo put Matute on the canvas three times in the second round. Official time was 1:52. Matute spent a few minutes on the deck writhing in pain, but eventually got up with an ice pack on his liver.

Judge Dave Sutherland had the bout 114-114 even, while judges Pat Russell and Gerald Ritter had Smith up 115-113, 115-112 respectively.

The three judges unanimously agreed on nine of the twelve rounds, with Smith ahead five rounds to four.

Round one (Vlasov), round four (Smith), round six (Vlasov), round seven (Smith), and round eight (Smith). All three gave Vlasov the ninth and tenth rounds. All three gave Smith the final two rounds, with Ritter giving Smith a 10-8 in round eleven.

Former WBA flyweight world champion Juan Carlos Reveco (40-4, 19 KOs) returned to the ring for the first time in over 3 years. His last appearance was in February 2018 losing in a world title opportunity versus hen world champion Donnie Nietes. The 37-year-old Reveco ground out a dominating but hard-earned unanimous decision victory over local journeyman Jeremias Javier Ulibarre (8-12-1, 1 KO) on Saturday night at the Club Atlético Talleres, Villa Gobernador Galvez, Santa Fe, Argentina. The official scores were 60-55, 60-54, and 60-53.5 all in favor of Reveco. Continue reading “Ex-champ Reveco returns with win in Argentina”

Undefeated WBO #7, IBF #9, WBC #12 welterweight Jaron “Boots” Ennis (27-0, 25 KOs) overpowered and knocked out former world champion and IBF #3 rated Sergey Lipinets (16-2-1, 12 KOs) on Saturday night at the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut. A Lipinets slip in round four was incorrectly ruled a knockdown. No mistake about the knockdown in round six, however. A straight left put Lipinets down and out. Time was 2:11. Another dominant and impressive performance by Ennis.

“I’ll always be hard on myself when I look back at my performance,” said Ennis. “My goal is to keep getting better, sharper, faster and stronger so I can become world champion. As long as I keep fighting top guys, I’m happy. I feel like I will be world champion by the end of this year or beginning of next year. Patience is the key though. Continue reading “Ennis KOs Lipinets in six”