Fightnews.com

By Ray Wheatley – World of Boxing

Former WBA super-middleweight champion Anthony “The Man” Mundine (48-10, 28 KOs)will be in action against Michael Zerafa (27-4, 16 KOs) on March 13 at the Bendigo Stadium, Bendigo, Victoria, Australia. “I’ll shock the world when I knock this (Zerafa) cat out,” the 45-year-old Mundine told Mike Colman of the Daily Mail.

“I’ve still got what it takes. When I fought Horn I had to come down from 83 kilos (183 pounds.) to 71 kilos (156 pounds) for the weigh-in and they had in the contract that I couldn’t be more than 74 kilos (163 pounds) before the fight. Continue reading “Mundine vows to knock out Zerafa”

ESPN+ has a fight card on Friday at 2PM ET/11AM PT from University of Bolton Stadium in Bolton, England. In the main event, Sean “The Public Nuisance” McComb (11-0, 5 KOs) faces Gavin Gwynne (12-2, 2 KOs) in a 12-round tilt for the vacant Commonwealth lightweight title.

In other streaming action:

Samuel Antwi (12-1, 5 KOs), who has won five straight since the lone defeat of his career, will fight Darren Tetley (20-1, 9 KOs) in a 10-rounder for the vacant English welterweight title. Continue reading “ESPN+ picks up UK card on Friday”

Salita Promotions has signed undefeated heavyweight “Gentleman” George Arias (15-0, 7 KOs) to a co-promotional agreement, along with DiBella Entertainment. Arias is trained and managed by Leon Washington Jr. and advised by Andre Rozier and has been inactive since October 2019 due to the pandemic. He will finally return to action tomorrow night at the Mohegan Sun Casino in an off-TV bout against Joel Caudle (8-4-2, 5 KOs) over six rounds.

Janelson Bocachica 146.5 vs. Mark Reyes Jr. 147
Vladimir Shishkin 169 vs. Sena Agbeko 168.75
Alejandro Guerrero 135 vs. Abraham Montoya 135

George Aries 227.5 vs. Joel Caudle 246
Timur Ketefuv 161.5 vs. Fernando Faries 164.5

Note: The previously announced middleweight matchup between Timur Kerefov (9-0, 4 KOs) and Argenis Espana (15-1, 14 KOs) will no longer take place. Kerefov will now face Fernando Farias (10-0-2, 4 KOs) in an eight-round middleweight non-televised scrap.

Venue: Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn.
Promoter: Salita Promotions
TV: Showtime

Two-time super middleweight world champion Anthony “The Dog” Dirrell (33-2-1, 24 KOs) takes on Kyrone “Shut It Down” Davis (15-2, 6 KO) in a 12-round WBC super middleweight world title eliminator to headline FOX PBC Fight Night live on Saturday, February 27 from the Shrine Auditorium and Expo Hall in Los Angeles.

“I feel great, camp has been great and it feels good to get back in the ring with everything that’s been going on in the world,” said Dirrell. “Kyrone Davis has fought some good guys but with me being me, he’s biting off a little more than he chew. Fans can look forward to a knockout on February 27. I’m not playing, I’m going to make a statement.” Continue reading “Anthony Dirrell: I’m going to make a statement”

Former four-division world champion Adrien “The Problem” Broner (33-4-1, 24 KOs) previews Saturday’s showdown with Jovanie Santiago (14-0-1, 10 KOs) in a 12-round super lightweight bout on Showtime from Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut.

On his matchup with Jovanie Santiago…

“Santiago is hungry. He’s still undefeated and he definitely doesn’t want to lose. It’s going to be a great fight. He’s definitely going to come to fight. Anybody that has a chance to fight an Adrien Broner to put their career up another step, they’re going to bring their A-game. I’m just training my hardest and I’m going to come in and be ready on February 20. Continue reading “Broner: I have a lot more in the tank”

By Jeff Zimmerman

Exclusive interview with rising star Gabriel Flores Jr., who faces Jayson Velez next Saturday as co-main on ESPN under Berchelt-Valdez.

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By Ray Wheatley – World of Boxing

Things are heating up between WBO #2, IBF #3 light middleweight Tim Tszyu (17-0, 11 KOs) and WBC #8 middleweight Dennis Hogan (28-3-1, 7 KOs) who will clash on March 31 at the Newcastle Entertainment Centre, New South Wales, Australia.

“As they say, he’s world class. But I think he’s just under that world class because he’s never been able to get to the top,” said Tszyu. “But look, I need to beat a ‘Dennis Hogan’ to be where I want to be. I see another confident opponent who doesn’t know what they’re running into. Continue reading “Tzsyu planning to take Hogan’s soul”

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

Yesterday the World Boxing Council celebrated its 58th anniversary since its foundation back in 1963. By coincidence, it was founded on St. Valentine’s day, but without a doubt that has been the concept that has defined our WBC … friendship and unity.

The world is going through an unimaginable situation, a pandemic that has changed our way of life and that has left us with great uncertainty wondering about what the future of humanity holds. Continue reading “The 58 Years of the WBC”

Watch Part 2 of Blood, Sweat and Tears: Berchelt vs. Valdez, a two-part, behind-the-scenes look at the fighters’ camps.
Click here for Part 1

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Undefeated junior middleweight Serhii ‘El Flaco’ (18-0, 18 KOs) and former world title challenger Brandon ‘The Cannon’ Adams, (22-3, 13 KOs) talk about their March 4 clash at the Felix Pagan Pintor Gym in Guaynabo in Puerto Rico, live on NBC Sports Network. They were supposed to fight two months ago, but the bout was postponed due to Bohachuk testing positive for COVID-19. Continue reading “Bohachuk, Adams finally set for showdown”

The first 2021 installment of RJJ Boxing on UFC Fight Pass will feature middleweight John “The Phenom” Vera returns (19-1, 11 KOs) against Cleotis “Mookie” Pandarvis (21-7-2, 9 KOs) in an 8-rounder on March 4th from Biloxi Civic Center in Biloxi, Mississippi.

In the co-feature, heavyweight Michael Seals (24-3, 8 KOs) faces Demetrious Banks (10-9-1, 5 KOs). In a battle of undefeated super featherweights, Eridson Garcia (10-0, 7 KOs) meets Jose Miguel Diaz Valenzuela (6-0, 1 KO) in a six-round match. Continue reading “Boxing back in Biloxi March 4”

Former IBF featherweight champion Josh Warrington talks about his shock defeat against Mauricio Lara at The SSE Arena in London on Saturday night.

“Obviously, I’m hurting inside. I’ve lost my unbeaten record. That’s something I have treasured and it is a dent. Anyone who knows me can tell you I stand proud…good luck to Mauricio Lara who is a serious opponent for anybody. He is heavy-handed and holds power that will trouble any featherweight. Will we meet again in a boxing ring? Who knows. We only fought a couple of days ago. But, if the chance comes I will jump at it. Continue reading “Warrington: I’m hurting inside”

By Jeff Zimmerman

Unbeaten two-time WBC super middleweight champion David Benavidez (23-0, 20 KOs) talks with Fightnews.com® in an exclusive interview as he prepares to face Ronald Ellis (18-1-2, 12 KOs) on Saturday, March 13.

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By Ray Wheatley – World of Boxing

WBO#5 heavyweight Junior Fa (19-0, 10 KOs) is focused on defeating former WBO heavyweight champion Joseph Parker (27-2, 21 KOs) on February 27 at the Spark Arena, Auckland, New Zealand. “If I beat Parker, then I can face Derek Chisora, if they’re there… and it looks like they are there,” Fa said to News Hub. “I don’t mind not having the spotlight. It gives me more time to do what I do, which is train hard and focus on the gameplan. Continue reading “Fa: All the pressure is on Parker”

By Ray Wheatley – World of Boxing

WBO #2 Liam Paro (19-0, 12 KOs) will clash with Victorian, Terry Tzouramanis (23-4-3, 4 KOs) on March 5 in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. “Today Victoria went into Stage 4 COVID restrictions. Even stage 50 restrictions won’t stop us from having a crack at the IBF/WBO super lightweight titles on March 5th in Brisbane to fight Liam Paro,” said trainer Ben Chua. Continue reading “COVID will not stop Tzouramanis”

By Ron Jackson

Legendary, boxing trainer, manager and promoter Mzi Mnguni died in an East London hospital on Saturday morning. He is one of the most successful South African manager-trainers of all time and as owner of one of the biggest stores in Mdantsane near East London was also a very successful businessman. Continue reading “RIP trainer/manager/promoter Mzi Mnguni”

Former IBF lightweight champion Richard Commey (30-3, 27 KOs) scored an explosive sixth round KO over Jackson “El Fenix” Marinez (19-2, 7 KOs) on Saturday night inside the Bubble at MGM Grand Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas. Commey steadily broke down Marinez. He came out aggressively in round six, finally dropping him with a right hand. Marinez continued but was brutally knocked out by a massive right hand. Time was 2:35.

Commey said, “When I first started, I started very slow because I’ve been away for more than a year, so I had to take my time a little bit just to get my rhythm. My corner was telling me to do something. They saw that punch that took him down.” Continue reading “Commey brutally KOs Marinez”

Former IBF jr lightweight champion Joseph Diaz Jr. (31-1-1, 15 KOs) and IBF #1 Shavkat Rakhimov (15-0-1, 12 KOs) battled to a twelve round draw on Saturday night at Fantasy Springs Resort Casino in Indio, California. Diaz started strong. Rakhimov seemed in command midway, but ran out of gas down the stretch as Diaz took over. Scores were 115-113 Diaz, 114-114, 114-114. Diaz lost the title on the scale on Friday, so only Rakhimov was eligible to win the belt, which now remains vacant.

“I’m a little upset. I felt I had done enough to win the fight,” said Diaz. “It was a close fight. It wasn’t my best performance. I didn’t make weight. I lost the belt on the scales. I want to apologize to everyone. I want to apologize to all my fans. It was a mistake on my behalf. No excuses, but I’ll be back. Continue reading “Diaz/Rakhimov draw, IBF belt remains vacant”

Former interim WBA welterweight champion Diego Chaves (28-6-1, 23 KOs) won his first bout Saturday night since 2018. He defeated journeyman and fellow countryman Marcelo Fabian Bzowski (11-14-3, 0 KOs). Chaves controlled the early rounds but sent Bzowski crashing to the canvas early in round five with a right hand. Bzowski beat the count but withstood punishment from Chaves for about two minutes until the bell ended the round. Bzowski was game down the stretch but Chaves cruised to the 8 round unanimous decision victory. The officical scorecards read 80-73, 79 1\2, and 78-75 1\2. Continue reading “Diego Chaves rebounds with win in Argentina”

Unbeaten junior middleweight Brian Castano (17-0-1, 12 KOs) dethroned WBO world champion Patrick Teixeira (31-2, 22 KOs) by twelve round unanimous decision on Saturday night at Fantasy Springs Resort Casino in Indio, California. Castano, who was a 6:1 favorite coming into the fight, put the pressure on early and never let up. Big punch statistic advantages for Castano, who nearly stopped Teixeira in the final round. Scores were 120-108, 119-109, 117-111.

“I am very happy. We did a great job with my team,” said Castaño. “It was a good fight. We all mistakes, and I have to fix things here and there, but a fight is a fight. Each fight is different, and I understand that. I knew Teixeia very well going into this fight. He is very strong, and he has a lot of heart. He is a great person. This was one of the greatest wins of my career. Not anyone can be a world champion, and I was able to do it twice. So I am very happy.”

21-year-old heavyweight knockout artist Jared “The Real Big Baby” Anderson (8-0, 8 KOs) looked like he was going the distance for the first time against Kingsley Ibeh (5-1-1, 4 KOs) on Saturday night inside the Bubble at MGM Grand Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas. That was until he finally laid out Ibeh with under a minute left in the fight. A left hook ended it at 2:19 of the sixth round.

“We will keep fighting prospects and people who say they can’t be beat,” stated Anderson. “I am here to fight the best. Since everyone wants it, why not give it to them? I wanted the Ibeh fight because I saw him push many prospects. The knockout came, and I made a statement.” Continue reading “Big Baby Anderson moves to 8-0, 8 KOs”