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Josh Taylor and Jack Catterall once again exchange verbals ahead of May 25’s much anticipated rematch.

By Joe Koizumi
Photos by Naoki Fukuda

Unbeaten “Monster” Naoya Inoue (27-0, 24 KOs), 121.75, impressively retained his undisputed super bantamweight belts when he survived a first round visit to the deck, knocked down Luis Nery (35-2, 27 KOs), 121, back in rounds two and five, and finally scored a bad knockdown again to cause the referee’s well-received intervention at 1:22 of the sixth round on Saturday at Tokyo Dome, Japan. It was truly a give-and-take affair that fully entertained the huge crowd and oversees streaming viewers as well. Some 43,000 spectators were in attendance at the Dome.

The Tokyo Dome had been used for boxing events just twice—for the Mike Tyson versus Tony Tubbs bout at the Dome opening ceremony in 1988 and for the historical upset of Tyson’s shocking defeat by James Buster Douglas in 1990. In thirty-four years since it was “Monster” Inoue that opened the Dome’s door for a boxing promotion, though Naoya wasn’t Madonna, Michael Jackson or Taylor Swift (who lately performed four days straight at the Dome this February).

In the first round, Inoue, 31, looked too eager to demonstrate his very best performance when he began to throw a big opening shot as if he wished to finish Luis Nery, 29, with a single shot. The thick-bearded Mexican being welcomed by loud booing of the audience because of his previous overweight scandal six years ago, he stayed cautious to feel out the champ Inoue’s strategy. Continue reading “Inoue halts Nery, keeps undisputed 122lb belts”

By Joe Koizumi
Photos by Naoki Fukuda 

Unbeaten southpaw Japanese Yoshiki Takei (9-0, 8 KOs), 117.75, captured the WBA bantamweight belt as he surprisingly upset prohibitive favorite Jason Moloney (27-3, 19 KOs), 117.75, from Australia, and scored a unanimous decision over twelve rounds on Monday in Tokyo, Japan. Scored: Benoit Roussel (Canada) and Ellis Johnson (US) both 116-111, and Lou Moret (US) 117-110, all in favor of the lefty challenger. Referee was Steve Willis (US).

Moloney inexplicably stayed too cautious to positively throw combinations as usual, while Takei, formerly K-1 kickboxing titlist, remained more aggressive to the more experienced champ. Continue reading “Takei upsets Moloney, wins WBO 118lb belt”

By Joe Koizumi
Photos by Naoki Fukuda

WBA bantamweight titlist Takuma Inoue (20-1, 5 KOs), 117.75, came off the canvas in the first round, dominated the proceedings and retained his belt by a unanimous decision over WBA#1 Sho Ishida (34-4, 17 KOs), 117.75, over twelve fast rounds on Monday in Tokyo, Japan. Pinit Prayadsab (Thailand) and Kazunobu Asao (Japan) both tallied 118-109, and Michiaki Someya (Japan) saw it 116-111 all in Takuma’s favor. Referee was Luis Pabon (Puerto Rico).

The champ hit the deck with the challenger’s countering left hook over his jab in the initial session, but Takuma quickly regained his rhythm and timing from the second round on. Takuma positively mixed it up in the close range all the way, punishing the much taller Ishida with repeated uppercuts to the face. Continually nose-bleeding, Ishida couldn’t cope with Takuma’s aggression thereafter.

Photos

By Joe Koizumi
Photos by Naoki Fukuda

WBA flyweight champ Seigo Yuri Akui (20-2-1, 11 KOs), 112, successfully made his first defense as he kept stalking elusive footworker Taku Kuwahara (13-2, 8 KOs), 112, maintained the pressure and pounded out a unanimous decision over twelve rounds on Monday in Tokyo, Japan. The scores read: Pinit Prayadsab (Thailand), Jose Roberto Torres (Puerto Rico) both 117-111, and Yoshikazu Furuta (Japan) 118-110, all in favor of the aggressive champ.

It was their rematch since Akui scored a tenth and final round knockout over Kuwahara in then defending his national flyweight belt in 2021. The champ proved again he’s more powerful in swapping punches to force the challenger to stick his circling strategy. Taku occasionally attempted to respond to Seigo’s aggression, but his retaliation was not enough to take back the initiative and overcome his deficits on points.

Photos

By Joe Koizumi
Photos by Naoki Fukuda

In the curtain raiser of the Inoue-Nery gigantic promotion at Tokyo Dome, former IBF junior feather champ TJ Doheny (26-4, 20 KOs), 121.75, decked an easy TKO victory over previously unbeaten Filipino Bryl Bayogos (7-1-1, 2 KOs), 121.5, at 2:51 of the fourth round in a scheduled eight on Monday. Doheny quickly caught the still nervous and stiff Filipino and dropped him with solid body shots twice in the third, and followed up so furiously that the referee called a well-timed halt in round four, when Bayogos fell down again. Continue reading “Ex-IBF champ Doheny stops Filipino Bayogos”

WBA light heavyweight champion Dmitry Bivol will still be fighting on the June 1 megacard taking place in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Although his undisputed showdown against WBC/IBF/WBO champ Artur Beterbiev was postponed to to an injury suffered by Beterbiev, Bivol will now reportedly face unbeaten IBF #2 rated Malik Zinad (22-0, 16 KOs).

By Joe Koizumi
Photos by Naoki Fukuda

The weigh-in ceremony for the quadruple world title event took place at Tokyo Dome Hotel on Sunday in Tokyo, Japan. The weigh-in results and the officials of the respective title bouts are as follows:

Undisputed super bantamweight title bout
Naoya Inoue (Japan) 121.75
Luis Nery (Mexico) 121

Referee Michael Griffin (Canada); judges Benoit Roussel (Canada), Jose Roberto Torres (Puerto Rico), Adam Height (Australia); supervisors WBC Duane Ford (US), WBA Won Kim (Korea), WBO Leon Panoncillo (US), IBF Tsuyoshi Yasukochi (Japan)

WBO bantamweight title bout
Jason Moloney (Australia) 117.75
Yoshiki Takei (Japan) 117.75

Referee Steve Willis (US); judges Lou Moret (US), Ellis Johnson (US), Benoit Roussel (Canada); supervisor Leon Panoncillo (US)

WBA bantamweight title bout
Takuma Inoue (Japan) 117.75
Sho Ishida (Japan) 117.75

Referee Luis Pabon (Puerto Rico); judges Pinit Prayadsab (Thailand), Kazunobu Asao (Japan), Michiaki Someya (Japan), supervisor Won Kim (Korea)

WBA flyweight title bout
Seigo Yuri Akui (Japan) 112
Taku Kuwahara (Japan) 112

Referee Raul Caiz Jr. (US); judges Jose Roberto Torres (Puerto Rico), Pinit Prayadsab (US), Yoshikazu Furuta (Japan); supervisor Won Kim (Korea)

Promoter: Ohashi Promotions in association with Top Rank and Teiken Promotions.
TV: Amazon Prime Video in Japan, ESPN+ in US

Photos

By Miguel Maravilla

Undisputed super middleweight champion Canelo Álvarez and Jaime Munguia talk about their epic clash on Saturday night at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

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Set your alarm clock. FOUR world title fights will stream live in the U.S. on ESPN+ Monday morning starting at 4AM ET/1AM PT

Naoya Inoue 121.75 vs. Luis Nery 121
(undisputed super banatamweight title)

Jason Moloney 117.75 vs. Yoshiki Takei 117.75
(WBO bantamweight title)

Takuma Inoue 117.75 vs. Sho Ishida 117.75
(WBA bantamweight title)

Seigo Yuri Akui 112 vs. Taku Kuwahara 112
(WBA flyweight title)

Venue: Tokyo Dome, Tokyo, Japan
Promoter: Ohashi Promotions in association with Top Rank and Teiken Promotions
TV: ESPN+

After retaining his undisputed super middleweight title against Jaime Munguia in Las Vegas, world champion Canelo Alvarez discussed his place in boxing history and his plans for what comes next.

“When I retire, my numbers will say what position I’m in,” said Canelo. “I know there’s a lot of great Mexican fighters in the past, but I’m the best fighting right now. I’m gonna rest and enjoy my family. If the money is right, I can fight right now. I’ve fought everyone and I can do what I want.”

Regarding the fight with Munguia, Canelo said, “This win means a lot. I’m glad that I gave him this opportunity. Munguia is a great guy and a great champion. He’s gonna have a great career. I’m very proud that the whole world is watching us Mexicans.

“I took my time. I have a lot of experience. Munguia is a great fighter. He’s strong and smart. But I have 12 rounds to win the fight and I did. I did really good and I’m proud of it. He’s strong, but he’s a little slow. I could see every punch. That’s why I’m the best.”

By Miguel Maravilla at ringside

Undisputed WBC/WBA/IBF/WBO super middleweight champion Canelo Álvarez (61-2-2, 39 KOs) scored an exciting twelve round unanimous decision over previously unbeaten former 154lb champion Jaime Munguía (43-1, 34 KOs) on Saturday night at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. Munguía was more than willing to exchange with Canelo and often got the better of the early exchanges.

The turning point came when Canelo dropped Munguia at the end of round four with a right uppercut.

The momentum then changed to begin the fifth as Munguia fought at a calmer pace. Canelo began to counter effectively with solid shots and swing with the uppercut. Continue reading “Canelo defeats Munguia, still undisputed”

By Miguel Maravilla at ringside

WBC interim welterweight champion Mario “El Azteca” Barrios (29-2, 19 KO’s) won a hard fought unanimous decision against Argentina’s Fabián “TNT” Maidana (22-3, 16 KO’s), the younger brother of former world champion Marcos Maidana, in the Canelo-Munguia co-feature on Saturday night at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. The Argentinian Maidana applied the pressure early on as Barrios boxed patiently looking for openings. An overhand right in the third by Barrios found its mark as sent Maidana to the canvas.

Barrios continued to box behind the jab and stalk Maidana, connecting boldly in the process at the halfway mark in the sixth. It was the Azteca that appeared to be conquering his way to victory, passed the halway mark in the seventh Barrios kept at it applying the pressure. Despite boxing effectively, Barrios’s right eye was shut heading into the eighth Continue reading “Barrios beats Maidana, keeps WBC interim title”

By Miguel Maravilla at ringside

WBC interim featherweight champion Brandon “The Heartbreaker” Figueroa (25-1-1, 19 KO’s) of Weslaco, Texas scored a knockout over hometown former world champion Jessie Magdaleno (29-3, 18 KO’s) on Saturday night at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. A crunching body shot by Figueroa put Magdaleno down on his knees. Referee Allen Huggins reached a ten count at 2:59 of the ninth.

By Miguel Maravilla at ringside

WBA welterweight champion Eimantas Stanionis (15-0, 9 KO’s) of Lithuania handed two-time Olympian Gabriel Maestre (6-1-1, 5 KO’s) from Barcelona, Venezuela his first defeat in winning a twelve round unanimous decision on Saturday night at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

Neither shyed away in the opening bell as Stanionis and Maestre exchanged at a fast pace. Picking up where they left off, Stanionis and Maestre worked inside and let their hands go in round two. Staying busy in the third, Stanionis applied pressure as Maestre held his ground and mixed it up. Stanionis began to land big in the fourth as he connected with a hard right, the Venezuelan went downstairs to the body. Continue reading “Stanionis retains WBA welterweight title”

By Miguel Maravilla at ringside

Phoenix’s super welterweight Jesus Ramos (21-1, 17 KO’s) returned to the ring with a late stoppage of Venezuela’s Johan Gonzalez (34-3, 33 KO’s). It was a tough battle for Ramos as he suffered a cut on the right eye from an accidental head-butt. Gonzalez kept coming and applied pressure late in the fight. However a left by Ramos dropped Gonzalez late in the fight as he was up but Ramos finished him dropping him a second time as the referee waved it at 2:56 of the ninth.

Super welterweight Vito Mielnicki (18-1, 12 KO’s) of New Jersey defeated Ronald Cruz (19-4-1, 12 KO’s) of Los Angeles over ten rounds. Mielnicki dropped Cruz with a left hook in the third. Cruz was down once again in the fourth. Cruz displayed toughness bouncing off the canvas and hanging in. It was all Mielnicki the second half of the fight as he worked his way to the decision. 99-89, 98-90, and 96-92.

Undefeated Mexican super bantamweight Alan Picasso (28-0-1, 16 KO’s) of Mexico City remained unbeaten as he scored a fifth round stoppage over Damien Vasquez (17-4-1, 10 KO’s) of Las Vegas. Timenof the stoppage was 2:11. Picasso is rated WBC #2 in the 122lb division.

Undefeated Cuban super middleweight William Scull (22-0, 9 KO’s) won a clear unanimous decision over Sean Hemphill (16-2, 10 KO’s) of New Orleans. Scull scored a knockdown in rout to the decision win. Judges scores were 79-72, 78-73, and 76-75. Scull is the IBF #1 super middleweight and mandatory challenger for a shot at the title.

Light heavyweight Lawrence King (16-1, 13 KOs) rolled over Anthony Holloway (7-5-3, 6 KOs) in a six rounder. Scores were 59-55 3x.

Mexican lightweight Adrian Torres (9-0, 6 KO’s) won a unanimous decision over Arsen Poghosyan (3-2-1, 2 KO’s). Torres dominated as all three judges scored the bout 60-54.

In the opening bout from T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. Lightweight prospects Julian Bridges (5-0, 2 KO’s) of Antioch, California and San Diego’s Jabin Chollet (9-1, 7 KO’s) squared off. It was Bridges that boxed his way to a unanimous decision victory. All three judges scored the bout 59-55.

Taking advantage of having all the boxing press corps in town to cover the Canelo-Munguia fight, Gervonta “Tank” Davis, Frank “The Ghost” Martin, David “El Monstruo” Benavidez and Oleksandr “The Nail” Gvozdyk held a press conference in Las Vegas on Saturday to officially announce their upcoming pay-per-view event on Prime Video taking place June 15 from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. (More to come)

By Joe Koizumi
Photos by Naoki Fukuda

A big press conference of the forthcoming quadruple world title promotion featuring the undisputed world super bantamweight title bout between “Monster” Naoya Inoue and “Pantera” Luis Nery took place on Saturday in Yokohama, Japan.

The headliner was Top Rank CEO Bob Arum, who emphasized the bigness and importance of this event, saying “Historically this is the most important boxing event for Japanese fans. International superstar Naoya Inoue will put all his belts on the line against Mexican challenger Luis Nery at the Tokyo Dome. This is a very international attraction that all boxing fans over the world are greatly anticipating.”

Undisputed world 122-pound champion Inoue said, “I’m mentally and physical fit for the tremendous event of my life. I’ll show my best and knock out Luis Nery.”

Challenger Luis Nery said, “I have perfectly prepared for this big event. I am already under the limit. I will also demonstrate my power and knock out Inoue.” Continue reading “Inoue-Nery Press Conference in Tokyo”

By Joe Koizumi

Unbeaten southpaw speedster IBF#1 Ryosuke Nishida (9-0, 1 KO), 118, astoundingly dethroned IBF bantamweight champ Emmanuel Rodriguez (22-3, 13 KOs), 117.75, by winning an upset unanimous decision (115-112 twice, 117-110) over twelve speedy rounds on Saturday in Osaka, Japan. Nishida, less experienced and less powerful, was an undoubted underdog, but produced such an upset with his cleverness and positiveness. Ryosuke, formerly a Kinki university amateur boxer, had upset ex-WBC flyweight champ Daigo Higa in his fourth pro bout, which made him enter the world ratings. Rodriguez, four years his senior at 31, might have underestimated the Japanese challenger due to his very low knockout ratio, and he was less aggressive only to aim at a solid counter at a time in the beginning of the contest. Nishida, on the other hand, diligently put on a workman-like aggression and took the initiative for the first two rounds. Though the champ was in command in round three, Nishida found it groundbreaking and effective to score with body attacks from the fourth, when he surprisingly dropped the Puerto Rican on hands and knees. Continue reading “Nishida upsets Rodriguez, wins IBF 118lb belt”

A lawyer for promoter Oscar De La Hoya has sent a cease and desist letter to the Canelo legal team demanding that Canelo stop claiming that De La Hoya is stealing from boxers and also retract said allegations. The Golden Boy released the following…

Re: Defamation of Oscar De La Hoya and Golden Boy Promotions

As you know, at yesterday’s press conference your client, Canelo Alvarez, falsely accused my client, Oscar De La Hoya, of stealing from boxers. He said this outrageous lie not once, but several times — both in English and Spanish and it has now been republished to millions around the world. Continue reading “Oscar demands that Canelo retract statements”

By Joe Koizumi

IBF bantamweight champion Emmanuel Rodriguez (22-2, 13 KOs), from Puerto Rico, made weight at 117.75, a quarter pound under the limit on Friday in Osaka, Japan, while Japanese challenger IBF#1 Ryosuke Nishida (8-0, 1KO) scaled in at the class limit 118. Their encounter will take place at Edion Arena Osaka this Saturday evening.

The officials are as follows: referee Danrex Tapdasan (Philippines); judges Carl Zappia (Australia), Gil Co (Philippines) and Sanong Uomin (Thailand).

The promoter is KWORLD3 (AKA Kameda) Promotions.

The highly anticipated undisputed light heavyweight world title showdown between WBC/IBF/WBO champion Artur Beterbiev and WBA ruler Dmitry Bivol — scheduled for Saturday, June 1 at Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia — has been postponed after the 39-year-old Beterbiev suffered a ruptured meniscus in training.

The plan is to reschedule Beterbiev-Bivol before the end of the year. Meanwhile, it was confirmed that the accompanying 5 vs. 5 Tournament between Matchroom and Queensberry fighters including Deontay Wilder vs. Zhilei Zhang will still take place on the June 1 date.

Canelo Álvarez 166.8 vs. Jaime Munguía 167.4
(undisputed WBC/WBA/IBF/WBO super middleweight title)

Mario Barrios 146.6 vs. Fabian Maidana 146.2
(WBC interim welterweight title)

Brandon Figueroa 125.4 vs. Jessie Magdaleno 128.6
(WBC interim featherweight title)
Note: Magdaleno missed weight – not eligible for the title

Eimantas Stanionis 146.6 vs. Gabriel Maestre 146.8
(WBA regular welterweight title)

Venue: T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas
Promoter: TGB Promotions
TV: PPV (Prime Video or DAZN)

Former USA amateur star proudly reps Iraq & the Middle East, makes pro debut May 18

By Jeff Zimmerman

Fightnews.com® caught up with former USA amateur star, Jonny “Magic” Mansour, who proudly represents the Middle East and his Iraqi family, makes his long-awaited pro debut on a Top Rank card May 18 at Pechanga Arena in San Diego and shown live on ESPN+. The card is headlined by Navarette-Berinchyk with the co-feature Santillan-Norman Jr. Mansour was a 2023 National Golden Gloves winner and 2X USA Olympic Trials participant.

He talks about his unique path to boxing led by his Uncle Jack without the initial backing of his parents who migrated from Iraq and wanted Jonny to pursue the family business. Mansour delves into his relationship with Ryan Garcia and the aftermath of his fight with Devin Haney and talks about getting tips from Canelo at his gym in San Diego plus gives his prediction for Canelo-Mungia this Saturday and much more in this exclusive interview.

Undefeated WBC #3, WBA #3, WBO #3, IBF #7 super middleweight Erik Bazinyan (32-0-1, 23 KOs) and Shakeel Phinn (26-3-2, 17 KOs) battled to a ten round draw on Thursday night at Casino de Montréal in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Bazinynan got all he could handle from Phinn, who pressed the action and seemed to do more. Scores were 97-93 Phinn, 96-94 Bazinyan, 95-95.