Fightnews.com

Jermaine Franklin 254 vs. Devin Vargas 235.2
Joshua James Pagan 135.4 vs. Roger Hilley 135.4
Ali Akhmedov 171.6 vs. Encarnacion Diaz 169.6
Josiah Shackleford 160.8 vs. Ja’Shar Banks 158.8

Date: Thursday, May 24
Venue: Wayne State Fieldhouse, Detroit, Michigan
Promoter: Salita Promotions
TV: DAZN

WBA #12 super lightweight Batyrzhan Jukembayev (23-1, 17 KOs) scored a fifth round TKO over 38-year-old veteran Ivan Redkach (24-6-1, 19 KOs) on Wednesday night at the ProBox TV Events Center in Plant City, Florida. Jukembayev pounded on Redkach for five one-sided rounds before the beatdown was stopped by the referee. Time was 2:18.

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Junior lightweight Jonhatan Cardoso (17-1, 15 KOs) scored a ten round split decision over Adam “Blunose” Lopez (17-6, 6 KOs). Scores were 99-91, 96-94 Cardoso, and 97-93 Lopez.

WBC cruiserweight champion Noel “The Dark Horse” Mikaelian (27-2, 12 KOs) has been forced out of his world title defense against number one challenger Ryan “The Bruiser” Rozicki (20-1, 19 KOs) from Ontario, Canada due to a cut near his eye. Mikaelian suffered the cut while preparing for his June 7 showdown. Although disappointed, Mikaelian will be ready for Don King’s next monumental fight card to return to the ring. “I’m sorry to my fans and the boxing community,” said Mikaelian. “I’ll be ready to return to action and defend my world title in time for Don King’s next massive event.”

“This is why we have so many title fights on the card,” said King. “June 7’s “Fists of Fury” will still have multiple titles on the line for boxing fans, and Mikaelian will be back to defend his title as soon as possible.”

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Featured on the “Fists of Fury” event taking place at the Hard Rock Live at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, FL, will be a highly anticipated clash between former four-division world champion Adrien “The Problem” Broner (35-4-1, 24 KOs) taking on Las Vegas’ Blair “The Flair” Cobbs (16-1-1, 10 KOs). This WBC People’s Championship bout marks Broner’s journey back to a world title opportunity while Cobbs returns to the ring for the first time in nearly two years.

Hundreds of fight fans packed into Kirkgate Market this afternoon as fight week ramped up a gear in Leeds ahead of the highly anticipated rematch between bitter rivals Josh Taylor and Jack Catterall at the First Direct Arena this Saturday, shown live on DAZN in the UK and around the world and exclusively on ESPN+ in the U.S.

Josh Taylor: “We’re finally here. It’s been a long time coming. I’m looking forward to it now. I’ve had a lot of stick but I’ve never taken it personal, but I will be taking it out on Jack on Saturday night. It’s just another boxing match. Forget the last fight, forget everything else that has gone on – this is a completely new fight. New fight, new circumstances. No belt on the line. Yes, there’s some beef there but listen, I’m a consummate professional and I’m enjoying fight week. I can’t wait to get in there on Saturday.”

Jack Catterall: “We saw each other last night at the first face-off and there wasn’t a word spoken from him. We’ll see, it might change as he’s making weight and I’m making weight at the weigh-in on Friday, but right now he’s not got much to say. I think we’re both focused on the job. For me it’s personal with Josh. It’s a fight that I believe I won. I’m excited to put that right. I still have goals and aspirations of becoming a world champion, but one step at a time. We’ve got a big fight on Saturday and that’s all I’m focused on.”

London heavyweights Joe Joyce and Derek Chisora will headline at The O2 on July 27 when the Juggernaut will be confronted by War, live on TNT Sports. It is a domestic collision that appears to have been on the table for some time, with Joyce, having been calling out the name of the veteran formerly known as Delboy since 2019.

Joyce (16-2, 15 KOs) is coming off a KO win against Kash Ali following back-to-back WBO interim title losses against Zhilei Zhang. Two-time world title challenger Chisora (34-13, 23) rebounded from his stoppage defeat to Tyson Fury in late 2022 with a decision victory over Gerald Washington. Continue reading “Joyce-Chisora clash on July 27”

Famed trainer Joe Gallagher says Lawrence Okolie will need a knockout to guarantee victory when he travels to hostile territory to challenge WBC bridgerweight champion Lukasz Rozanski for the world title on Friday in Rzeszow, Poland.

“I’ve told Lawrence he needs to knock him out,” said Gallagher. “I’ve said to him since day one that if he thinks he’s going to go over there and win on points he’s absolutely mad. That’s just not how it’s going to be. There’s going to be a hostile crowd. He’s got to look to knock him out in round one or two, even ten or eleven but he can’t let it go to points. Continue reading “Trainer: Okolie needs KO to win in Poland”

WBO #12 heavyweight contender Jermaine Franklin Jr. (22-2, 14 KOs) will appear in the 10-round DAZN main event against Devin Vargas (22-10, 9 KOs) on Thursday night at Wayne State Fieldhouse in Detroit. On Tuesday, Franklin showed off his skills at a media workout at the Kronk Gym.

“Fighting in my home state again feels great. I love the energy. It’s like an aura and it feels great,” said Franklin. “What I learned in those two fights in Europe is that everything isn’t fair and don’t look to the refs to clean up everything. Fight to the best of your ability and don’t pay attention until he stops you. I was already mentally tough, but those two fights over there brought out a new ferociousness in me. Not a lot of stuff can get to me anymore. If the ref doesn’t stop me, you better get out of the way.

“I still want my rematch with Joshua, but we’re chasing belts. Hopefully, I can go after one of these top contenders like Daniel Dubois or Phillip Hrgovic or Cassius Chaney or Michael Hunter. Continue reading “Franklin: I still see myself as a top guy”

By Mauricio Sulaimán
President of the WBC – Son of José Sulaimán

When a fight meets and exceeds expectations, it is then that the world does not cease talking about the event, and the fans celebrate with joy, renewing their fascination with maximum passion for our sport.

Last Saturday, Oleksandr Usyk and Tyson Fury thrilled, giving us a fight packed with drama that, without a doubt, positions this battle among the all-time greats in history.

The heavyweight division is, by tradition, the most prestigious. The world heavyweight champion is lauded as the most powerful, revered and feared athlete in the world. This was the case for many decades; Jack Johnson, Jack Dempsey, Joe Louis, Rocky Marciano, Muhammad Ali, Mike Tyson, Evander Holyfield, Lennox Lewis, Vitaly Klishtko…

Lennox retired from boxing as WBC world champion, after his dramatic fight against Vitaly Klitschko, and Lewis was the last undisputed heavyweight champion…until now. Continue reading “A Battle for the Ages, Instant Classic”

By Damon Gonzalez / LatinBox Communications

Batyrzhan Jukembayev 139.8 vs. Ivan Redkach 140
Jonhatan Cardoso 131.4 vs. Adam Lopez 131.4
Charles Harris Jr. 141.6 vs. Kyle Erwin 141.8
Adrian Tillman 220.4 vs. Jayleen Bullock 199.2

Venue: ProBox TV Events Center, Plant City, Florida.
Promoter: ProBox
TV: Proboxtv.com

Junior welterweight arch-rivals Josh Taylor and Jack Catterall were separated by a wall of fire when they faced off for the first time during fight week ahead of their grudge rematch on Saturday night at the First Direct Arena in Leeds, England and televised on ESPN+ in the U.S. and DAZN worldwide.

Unbeaten heavyweight Johnny “The Romford Bull” Fisher (11-0, 10 KOs) will step up against former bridgerweight world title challenger Alen “The Savage” Babic (12-1, 11 KOs) when he headlines his first ever show at the Copper Box Arena in London on July 6, shown live worldwide on DAZN. Both fighters are extremely popular. Fisher has his Romford Bull Army, and the all-action Babic’s charismatic personality makes him a fan favorite inside and outside the ring.

Johnny Fisher: “I have no words other than I am locked in and ready for the hardest fight of my life.”

Alen Babic: “Johnny and his dad have definitely over-ordered this time in picking me for his next fight……I am going to enjoy teaching this posh boy some very savage lessons. I look forward to the fight but no university education can give Johnny the appetite for what’s coming his way!”

A pair of title showdowns will round out the June 15 pay-per-view event on Prime Video co-headlined Gervonta “Tank” Davis and David “El Monstruo” Benavídez taking place at the MGM Grand Garden Arena. The four-bout PPV lineup includes:

• Super lightweight Gary Antuanne Russell (17-0, 17 KOs) against former WBA champion Alberto Puello (22-0, 10 KOs) for the vacant WBC interim 140lb title
• Newly elevated WBC middleweight champion Carlos Adames (23-1, 18 KOs) against Terrell Gausha (25-3-1, 12 KOs) in the PPV opener.

As previously announced Tank Davis defends his WBA lightweight title against Frank “The Ghost” Martin, while David Benavídez makes his 175-pound debut against former light heavyweight champion Oleksandr “The Nail” Gvozdyk in a matchup for the WBC interim light heavyweight title.

By Boxing Bob Newman

All props to anyone who has held a version of the heavyweight title in boxing. There has been such buildup, pomp and circumstance leading to the May 18th match in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia between WBC champ Tyson Fury and WBO/IBF/WBA champ Oleksandr Usyk. The process has included claims that the winner would be the first undisputed heavyweight champion in 25 years, or since Lennox Lewis defeated Evander Holyfield in their rematch for the WBC/WBA/IBF titles. That win however, meant Lewis was the “unified” champ at heavyweight, but not undisputed. That’s because the reigning WBO champ at the time was Vitali Klitschko. Continue reading “Usyk is the FIRST undisputed heavy champ”

The Takeover is returning to his South Florida roots.

WBO junior welterweight champion Teofimo Lopez (20-1, 13 KOs) will defend his world title against Steve “The Dragon” Claggett (38-7-2, 26 KOs) on Saturday, June 29, at the 4569-seat James L. Knight Center in downtown Miami, Florida.

In the 10-round featherweight co-feature, former WBO world champion and two-time Olympic gold medalist Robeisy Ramirez (13-2, 8 KOs) returns against Brandon Leon Benitez (21-2, 9 KOs).

The six-round televised opener sees middleweight prospect Nico Ali Walsh (10-1, 5 KOs) attempt to avenge his only pro defeat in a rematch against Sona Akale (9-1, 4 KOs).

Teofimo-Claggett, Ramirez-Benitez & Ali Walsh-Akale II will be broadcast live on ESPN.

Promoter Bob Arum: “Teofimo Lopez is among the most electrifying fighters in the sport, and I know he’s motivated to put on a show against a very tough challenger in Steve Claggett. Robeisy Ramirez wants to become a two-time world champion, and the road back starts in his adopted hometown. Nico Ali Walsh has been asking for the Akale rematch from the moment the judges’ decision came back after their first fight, and he now has a chance for revenge.”

Jack ‘El Gato’ Catterall believes that a win over arch nemesis Josh Taylor at the First Direct Arena in Leeds this Saturday will springboard him towards a long-awaited world title shot in the competitive super-lightweight division.

The bitter rivals finally rematch in a huge showdown this weekend, shown live on DAZN in the UK and around the world and exclusively on ESPN+ in the U.S., and Catterall (28-1, 13 KOs) says that a comprehensive win over former undisputed 140lbs ruler Taylor will prove that he belongs on the big stage.

“I think we’ve had two years since the fight where I’ve matured in and out of the ring,” said Catterall. “I’ve been doing a lot of developing and I think it’s my time now to prove that I do belong in these big fights. Once I beat Josh I’ll go on and win a world title. Continue reading “Catterall: I want to knock Josh Taylor out cold”

…wins vacant OPBF 147lb belt

By Joe Koizumi
Photos by Naoki Fukuda

Free-swinging hard-hitting prospect, WBC#9, WBO#4 Jin Sasaki (17-1, 16 KOs), 146.5, impressively acquired the vacant OPBF welterweight belt as he dispatched Filipino veteran southpaw Joe Noynay (23-4-2, 11 KOs), 145.75, with a vicious assault at 0:43 of the fifth round on Thursday in Tokyo, Japan. Sasaki, still 22, also made his third defense of his WBO Asia Pacific belt since he dethroned world rated Ryota Toyoshima on a first-round demolition last year. Continue reading “WBC #9 Sasaki sinks Noynay…”

By Miguel Maravilla

Atlanta’s new WBO interim welterweight champion Brian Norman Jr talks beating WBO #1 Giovanni Santillan

By Miguel Maravilla at ringside

Unbeaten Denys Berinchyk (19-0, 9 KOs) claimed the vacant WBO lightweight title with a twelve round split decision over three-division world champion Emanuel “Vaquero” Navarrete (38-2-1, 31 KOs) on Saturday night at the Pechanga Arena San Diego, California. It was a sloppy and awkward affair with Berinchyk winning 116-112, 115-113 on two cards. Navarrete was up 116-112 on the third card. Continue reading “Berinchyk edges Navarrete for WBO 135lb title”

By Miguel Maravilla at ringside

Unbeaten WBO #10 welterweight Brian Norman Jr. (26-0, 20 KOs) scored a spectacular tenth round knockout over previously unbeaten WBO #1-rated Giovani Santillan (32-1, 17 KOs) to claim the vacant WBO interim world title on Saturday night at the Pechanga Arena in San Diego, California. Norman badly busted up Santillan, then dropped him twice in round ten to end it.

Norman Jr of Atlanta, in hostile territory against hometown hero Santillan, came out boxing, working the jab and using his hand speed in the opening round, while Santillan patiently crouched and stalked looking to work his way inside. Continue reading “Norman stops WBO #1 Santillan for interim title”

By Damon Gonzalez / LatinBox

Unbeaten middleweight Petr Khamukov (13-0, 6 KOs) from Woodland Hills, California, successfully defended his (NBA) National Boxing Association title by stopping Esau Herrera de la Cruz (21-17-1, 8 KOs) from Mexico City, Distrito Federal, Mexico at the official time 1:28 seconds of round three on Saturday night at the sold out Fox Theater in Redwood, California.

Unbeaten welterweight Jacob Macalooy (8-0, 4 KOs) from San Diego, CA., won by six round unanimous decision over Xavier Madrid (5-4, 2 KO’s) from Albuquerque, New Mexico. Macalolooy showed quicker hands, not allowing Madrid to get off any good shots. Score was 60-54 3x.

The fight card presented by Westside Promotions.

“I believe I won that fight,” said former WBC heavyweight champion Tyson Fury (34-1-1, 24 KOs) after losing a split decision to Oleksandr Usyk (22-0, 14 KOs) in a clash for the undisputed heavyweight title on Saturday evening in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

“I believe he won a few of the rounds,” said Fury. “I thought I won a majority of them, and what can you do? These are one of those decisions in boxing. We both put on a good fight, the best we could do. And, you know, his country’s at war, so people are deciding with the country at war. But make no mistake, I won that fight in my opinion and I’ll be back. We have a rematch clause.

“We go back, have a little rest up, spend some time with our families, and get it back on in October. I’m not going to sit here and cry and make excuses.”

By Miguel Maravilla at ringside

2020 Olympic Heavyweight silver medalist Richard Torrez Jr. (10-0, 10 KOs) of Tulare, California continued his KO streak as he stopped previously unbeaten Brandon Moore (14-1, 8 KOs) on Saturday night at the Pechanga Arena in San Diego, California. Torres came out swinging for the fences as Moore clinched and kept him close. Moore shoved Torres to begin round two and referee Thomas Taylor issued a warning. Later in the round, Torres caught Moore with a right but Moore stayed in the pocket and a brawl ensued briefly. The fighting continued in the third as Torrez and Moore went at each other with Torres backing Moore and catching him solidly at the end of the round. Moore began to back away as Torrez closed the distance and caught him with solid straight shots. Torrez sent Moore to the canvas to start the fifth. Moore appeared to be out but continued. The offense continued from Torres and he attacked and finished Moore forcing referee Thomas Taylor to stop the fight at 1:39 of the fifth.

The son of former world champion Fernando Vargas, junior welterweight Emiliano Vargas (10-0, 8 KOs) of Las Vegas scored a sixth round stoppage over Angel Varela (10-3, 7 KOs) of Sonora, Mexico. Vargas was strong from the opening bell attacking Varela much of the fight. Vargas finished him off in the sixth and final round as referee Ray Corona stepped in to stop the fight. The time of the stoppage 1:01. Continue reading “Torrez Jr., Vargas remain unbeaten”

In a long-awaited bout for the undisputed heavyweight championship of the world, WBA/IBF/WBO champion Oleksandr Usyk (22-0, 14 KOs) took the belt of WBC champion Tyson Fury (34-1-1, 24 KOs) by twelve round split decision on Saturday night at the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Usyk pressed the action and made Fury work every moment. Fury did good work to the body while Usyk connected with a straight left hands to the head. The 6’9 Fury began to find his range in round four, connecting from long range. Fury hurt Usyk with body shots in round six. Usyk adjusted with several good connects to shade round seven. Usyk repeatedly connected with Fury in round eight. Usyk rocked Fury and dropped him in round nine. Fury was reeling and barely survived. Fury attempted to box from a distance in rounds ten and eleven. In the final round, both had their moments. Scores were 115-112, 114-113 Usyk, 114-113 Fury.

Usyk became the third man to achieve undisputed status in two divisions, joining Terence Crawford and Naoya Inoue.

The title may only be undisputed for a short time as the IBF won’t permit the automatic rematch.

In a rematch between former champions for the vacant IBF cruiserweight title, unbeaten Jai Opetaia (25-0, 19 KOs) regained the belt with a twelve round unanimous decision over Mairis Briedis (28-3, 20 KOs) on Saturday night at the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Opetaia was in command for first five rounds, then broke the 39-year-old Briedis’ nose with a left hook in round six. Hopeless behind on the cards, Briedis rocked Opetaia in round ten and came on in the championship rounds. It was too little, too late, however. Scores were 117-111, 116-112, 116-112.

Opetaia previously won the IBF title against Briedis two years ago, but was forced to vacate the title to take a Saudi money fight rather than fighting the injured Briedis in a rematch. Briedis then had two IBF title fights fall through and Opetaia landed the shot to regain his old belt.

Unheralded junior lightweight Anthony Cacace (22-1, 8 KOs) dethroned previously unbeaten IBF world champion Joe Cordina (17-1, 9 KOs) by eighth round TKO on Saturday night at the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. In round three, the 35-year-old Cacace hit Cordina on a break, then dropped him moments later – nearly getting a stoppage. Cordina recovered somewhat between rounds. Cacace later pummeled Cordina on the ropes in rounds six and seven. The bout was stopped by the referee after more punishment in round eight. Time was :39. Cordina was a 7:1 favorite.