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Several images through social media have shown the physical transformation of former heavyweight champion Andy Ruiz, who has not fought since December 2019 when he lost the WBA, IBF and WBO belts against Anthony Joshua. In June 2019, he shocked the world by knocking out Joshua at Madison Square Garden, New York, but there was a big difference when he returned to the ring for the rematch later that year and was several pounds over compared to his first fight.

Since that loss, Ruiz has made several changes in his career, most notably joining Team Canelo to train with Eddy Reynoso and focus on losing weight to improve his mobility and boxing style. Continue reading “Andy Ruiz Update”

By Joe Koizumi

A charity event named “Legends” was very sensational and successful on Thursday in Tokyo, Japan. WBA, IBF bantam champ “The Monster” Naoya Inoue (20-0, 17 KOs) looked too sharp, strong and smart, as expected, for ex-WBC flyweight ruler Daigo Higa (17-1-1, 17 KOs), giving him a lesson all the way for three three-minute exhibition sessions at the Yoyogi First Gymnasium, originally constructed for the Olympic Games. Inoue proved he was excellent and effective in offense and defense against the onrushing hard-puncher Higa. Continue reading ““Monster” Inoue, Uchiyama shine in charity event”

By Ray Wheatley – World of Boxing

Promoter Eddie Hearn could be placing a bid on the IBF lightweight title bout featuring undisputed champion Teofimo Lopez and IBF mandatory contender George Kambosos that will be held at IBF Headquarters on February 18. “What happens is these governing bodies, they give you a period of time to negotiate and if you can’t come to an agreement, it goes to purse bids,” Hearn said on DAZN’s Ak & Barak Show.

“That period of time now has expired, so there will be a purse bid for that coming up in about a week’s time. Which is really interesting because then it becomes an open marketplace. Right? So, all of a sudden, DAZN, PBC, Top Rank, of course, can bid for this fight.”

On February 26 at Allianz Cloud in Milan, unbeaten IBF International welterweight champion Maxim Prodan (18-0-1 with 14 KO) will defend against former Italian champion Nicola Cristofori (11-2-2 with 1 KO) over the 10 rounds distance in an event promoted by Opi Since 82-Matchroom-DAZN.

Maxim Prodan is well known in Milan where he fought 15 times at historic Principe theater, once at Superstudio Più and twice at Allianz Cloud and built a fan base win his aggressive fighting style. Nicola Cristofori is from Ferrara and is well known and followed by the local media in his hometown. Continue reading “Prodan-Cristofori clash Feb 26”

With a little over a month for his unification fight against Juan Francisco Estrada, the World Boxing Association (WBA) Super Flyweight Super Champion, Nicaraguan Román González, is getting ready in Coachella, United States, and feels better than ever for the highly anticipated fight on March 13th at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas.

“Chocolatito” has had a great recovery in his career to regain the 115-pound belt, and now he will have his second fight against Estrada, current WBC champion, whom he already defeated in 2012. Continue reading “Chocolatito getting ready for Estrada rematch”

Hall of Fame promoter Bob Arum says WBC/WBO light heavyweight champion Artur Beterbiev could face Joe Smith Jr. if Smith wins the WBO light heavy belt this weekend.

“If Joe Smith Jr. is victorious Saturday night against Vlasov on ESPN, and if Artur Beterbiev successfully defends his unified crown against Adam Deines on March 20 – also on ESPN – We could see a ferocious, bombs away, 3-belt battle later in 2021,” stated Arum via Twitter.

World Title Fights
Joe Smith Jr. is a -310 favorite to defeat Maxim Vlasov (+255) for the vacant WBO light heavyweight title.

IBF junior lightweight champion Joseph “JoJo” Diaz is a -200 favorite to retain his belt against Shavkatdzhon Rakhimov (+170).

Challenger Brian Castano is a -650 favorite to dethrone WBO junior middleweight champion Patrick Teixeira (+475).

Other notable fights
Former IBF featherweight champion Josh Warrington is a heavy -2150 favorite to beat Mauricio Lara (+1300)

Former IBF lightweight champion Richard Commey is a -310 bet against Jackson Marinez (+255)

Mauricio Lara says he is ready to go to war with former IBF featherweight world champion Josh Warrington at The SSE Arena, Wembley on Saturday February 13, live on Sky Sports in the UK and on DAZN in the U.S. and more than 200 countries and territories.

The 22-year-old from Mexico City is ranked in the top ten in the world with the IBF and is currently enjoying a ten-fight winning streak that stretches back to May 2018 when he suffered only his second career loss at the hands of Eliot Chavez. Continue reading “Lara promises war against Warrington”