Fightnews.com

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.

Unbeaten IBF welterweight champion Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis (31-0, 28 KOs) will defend his world title against unbeaten mandatory challenger Cody Crowley (20-0, 9 KOs) at Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia on Saturday, July 13, live worldwide on DAZN. In his first fight as a world champion, Ennis will return to fight in his hometown for the first time since November 2018.

Boots Ennis: “I’m excited for my homecoming especially being the first to fight at the Wells Fargo Center, the biggest arena in Philly. I can’t wait to show out and put on a beautiful, dominating, crushing performance in front of my family, friends and supporters while defending and retaining my IBF world title in spectacular fashion. I’m ready to step on any and everybody that’s in my way!”

Cody Crowley: “Ten years ago, I arrived in Las Vegas with a dream of becoming world champion, unbroken by the sport. The only thing left to do is prove to the world in the City of Brotherly Love, that I am an undefeated champion, my spirit is unbeatable and I will fight for those who are too scared to fight.”

Fighters competing on the undercard for the much anticipated Canelo vs. Munguia went face-to-face Thursday at the final press conference before Canelo Promotions presents a Cinco de Mayo weekend featuring Canelo Álvarez putting his undisputed super middleweight world title on the line against unbeaten Jaime Munguía headlining a Pay-Per-View event on Prime Video on Saturday, May 4 from T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

Featured during the press conference were former world champion Mario “El Azteca” Barrios and Argentine power-puncher Fabian “TNT” Maidana, who duel for Barrios’ Interim WBC Welterweight Title in the co-main event, former world champions Brandon “The Heartbreaker” Figueroa and Jessie Magdaleno, who meet for Figueroa’s Interim WBC Featherweight Title, and WBA Welterweight Champion Eimantas Stanionis and unbeaten two-time Olympian Gabriel Maestre, who battle in the pay-per-view opener. Continue reading “Canelo-Munguia undercard quotes”

By Joe Koizumi

There will be another world title bout in Japan prior to the sensational encounter of Monster Naoya Inoue and Luis Pantera Nery on this coming May 6. Just two days before the super fight at Tokyo Dome. IBF bantamweight champ Emmanuel Rodriguez (22-2, 13 KOs), from Puerto Rico, arrived on Tuesday night in Osaka, Japan. He will face IBF#1 Ryosuke Nishida (8-0, 1 KO) at Edion Arena Osaka on May 4. Rodriguez reportedly stayed at a high altitude for four months in Mexico and directly came to Japan without returning his native Puerto Rico. The champ confidently said, “It’s hard for Nishida to beat me due to the difference of experience. I’m in very excellent shape after two hundred sparring sessions in Mexico.” Nishida may have a southpaw speedster’s chance.

BoxRec: Emmanuel Rodriguez

“Ryan has put out multiple statements denying knowingly using any banned substances — and we believe him. We are working with his team to determine how this finding came to be and will address this further once we conclude that process.” – Golden Boy

Boxing superstar Ryan Garcia has allegedly tested positive for a performance-enhancing drug on samples taken by VADA on the day of the weigh-in and day of his fight against Devin Haney, The drug is question is reportedly “Ostarine.” Garcia has denied the allegation.

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Fake news like if I was Donald trump pic.twitter.com/PVg5EW7yLd

— RYAN GARCIA (@RyanGarcia) May 2, 2024

Undisputed super middleweight champion Canelo Álvarez and unbeaten challenger Jaime Munguía squared off Wednesday at the final press conference before their Cinco de Mayo weekend PPV clash this Saturday from T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

Canelo Alvarez: “This is going to be a great Mexican war. Munguia and I both come to win, but I am going to win and win decisively…I don’t care about experience vs. youth, I’m Canelo. I have everything I need to win and I know exactly what I need to do…I feel better than ever and I’m ready for this fight…Munguia has power and he’s a good fighter. But I’m a strong fighter too and I’m gonna show everyone again on Saturday night…the fight will last as long as it lasts. One thing is for sure, you are not going to want to miss it.”

Jaime Munguia: “Canelo has a great deal of experience and has faced great fighters. I may not have the same resume, but I have youth on my side. I’m going to showcase my capabilities on Saturday night…I’m glad that he wants to knock me out, because I come with the same mentality. I’m gonna knock him out. It’s gonna be a great fight…outside the ring, Canelo has all my respect, but inside the ring, that respect goes out the window.”

Erik Bazinyan 167.5 vs. Shakeel Phinn 167.3
(NABF, WBA Continental super middleweight titles)

Avery Martin-Duval 132.7 vs. Ezequiel Palaversic 130
Thomas Chabot 131.3 vs. Alfredo Jimenez Espino 133.4
Jhon Orobio 139.3 vs. Cristian Palma 139.7
Alexandre Gaumont 157.7 vs. Abdallah Luanja 154.5
Moreno Fendero 161.7 vs. Nicolas Luque Palacios 160.8

Venue: Cabaret du Casino de Montréal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Promoter: Eye of the Tiger
TV: ESPN+

In a clash between unbeaten light heavyweights, 2020 Olympic silver medalist Ben Whittaker (7-0, 5 KOs) will meet Ezra Arenyeka (12-0, 10 KOs) for the WBA Gold title on June 15 at South London’s historic Selhurst Park Stadium, the home of Crystal Palace F.C. live on Sky Sports in the UK and Peacock in the USA.

Whittaker has become a viral sensation on social media as a result of his flamboyant showboating and Arenyeka has vowed to punish Whittaker for what he perceives to be disrespectful behavior towards his opponents in the ring.

In the previously announced main event, WBO cruiserweight champion Chris Billam-Smith (19-1, 13 KOs) defends his world title against unbeaten mandatory challenger Richard Riakporhe (17-0, 13 KOs) as he looks to avenge his only career defeat.

By Ron Jackson

Former two time South African and three time world boxing champion Dingaan “Rose of Soweto” passed away in Mayfair, Johannesburg on Monday. He was 57. Thobela who had been unwell recently was found dead in his flat after he failed to answer telephone calls.

Born Dingaan Bongane Thobela on 24 September 1966 in Chiawelo, Soweto he did well at school and wanted to study to become a teacher, but as his boxing career took off all these plans were left behind. Continue reading “Dingaan Thobela remembered”

By Jeff Zimmerman

Fightnews.com® caught up with the undefeated #1 WBO welterweight contender Giovani Santillan (32-0, 17 KOs) who is back in action against the also undefeated Brian Norman Jr (25-0, 19 KOs) on Sat, May 18 at Pechanga Arena in San Diego and shown live on ESPN and is the co-feature to Navarette-Berinchyk. Santillan shocked the boxing world when he knocked out the former #1 contender Alexis Rocha, who was in line for a shot at Bud Crawford’s WBO title at the time. Crawford went on to take on Spence Jr. where he became the undisputed welterweight champ. Santillan is hoping a big win against Norman will propel him into a title shot at 147 this year and is open to fight the young stars at 140 looking to move up and has his sights on arguably the face of boxing now, Ryan “KingRy” Garcia.

Undisputed super middleweight champion Canelo Álvarez and challenger Jaime Munguía kicked off fight week Tuesday with Grand Arrivals in Las Vegas. They clash Saturday in a PPV card on Prime Video from T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

Canelo Alvarez: “This is a very significant and historic fight with two Mexicans fighting for all four belts for the first time. I’m looking to leave my mark and put my country up high.”

Jaime Munguía: “This is going to be an interesting fight and we’re going to come after him. We’re going to look for him in the ring, and in the end it’s going to be an amazing fight for the fans.”

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

This time, I will try to remember some things that have happened around boxing events, making it clear how destiny is marked for each of us and how boxing is full of surprises every single day and surrounding every event.

One of the great promoters in history, who I remember with great affection, Dan Goossen, adroitly navigated around a number of situations which he sailed into. A long-standing boxing family, there were 10 Goossens and naturally, their company was called Ten Goose Promotions.

Here is one of the great anecdotes. Continue reading “Every Event is Full of Memories”

Turki Alalshikh, Chairman of the Saudi Arabia General Entertainment Authority, has announced that if Deontay Wilder gets past Zhilei Zhang in good shape on June 1 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, he will face unbeaten Jared Anderson two months later in Los Angeles.

Turki Alalshikh: “The talented Jared Anderson is with us now on August 3rd Riyadh Season card at LA against the “Bronze Bomber” Deontay Wilder – if he’s ready by then to fight after 1st of June’s fight against Zhilei Zhang. I always believe that boxing would be at its peak when you have young American heavyweights like Jared Anderson which I also believe in his talent and his promising future. my advice to him ‘Focus on your future, training, and commitment and you will reach to your goals.’ Happy to collaborate with Top Rank again – Riyadh Season card 3rd of August in LA, will be one for the history!”

By Boxing Bob Newman

Sad to report the passing of former world champion Dingaan Thobela. “The Rose Of Soweto” held two versions of the lightweight title- WBO from 1990-1991, the WBA in 1993 and incredibly, jumped up 5 divisions to annex the WBC Super Middleweight title in 2000! In a career that spanned 20 years, Thobela would face 11 world champions, going 3-7-1 in that run and 40-14-2, 26 KOs overall.

Thobela had an undisclosed illness recently and hadn’t been answering phone calls, prompting family to have police conduct a wellness check at his flat in Mayfair, outside Johannesburg, where his body was found. He leaves behind his common-law wife Sandra and two children Ntombi and Dingaan Thobela Jr. Thobela was 57. Rest In Peace champ.

The July 20 clash between Mike Tyson and Jake Paul will not be an exhibition and the result will go on their official professional records.

“Mike Tyson wanted it to be a pro fight. Netflix wanted it to be a pro fight. So I agreed to make it a pro fight,” announced Paul today on social media.

Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation has reportedly agreed to sanction the Tyson-Paul fight as a professional eight-rounder with two-minute rounds, 14-ounce gloves, and no headgear.

Undisputed super middleweight champion Canelo Álvarez opened as a 6:1 favorite over Jaime Munguía and the odds haven’t changed much since then. Álvarez remains around -600 at most sportsbooks.

If you want to see the featured fighters in person for this Saturday’s big Canelo-Munguia card in Las Vegas, the grand arrivals are open to the public and will take place at 2PM tomorrow (Tuesday) in the MGM Grand Lobby.

• 2:30 PM – Eimantas Stanionis / Gabriel Maestre
• 2:45 PM – Brandon Figueroa / Jessie Magdaleno
• 3:00 PM – Mario Barrios / Fabian Maidana
• 3:15 PM – Jaime Munguía
• 3:30 PM – Canelo Álvarez

Tom Loeffler’s 360 Promotions has announced the signing of lightweight contender Karlos Balderas, (14-2, 12 KOs) to an exclusive promotional contract. The 2016 United States Olympian, trained by Robert Garcia and David Balderas, will return to action on Saturday, June 7 against Gilberto Espinoza Zarate, (13-2, 8 KOs), of Tijuana, Mexico in a scheduled eight rounder at the Chumash Casino Resort hedlined by ‘King’ Callum Walsh.

Unbeaten super welterweight contender Vergil Ortiz Jr. (21-0, 21 KOs) made quick work of former world title challenger Thomas Dulorme on Saturday night to set up a mouth-watering August 3 showdown with former WBO junior middleweight champion Tim Tszyu.

“I know you’re watching this fight, Tim Tszyu. Just know I’m ready!” said Ortiz. “I just want to fight the best…they bring me opponents and I knock them out.”

The debut card of Dominic Walton’s Teflon Promotions was one to remember. A huge lineup of Philadelphia’s biggest name fighters and future stars saw action on Saturday at the Liacouras Center on the campus of Temple University.

In the main event, heavyweight Andrew “Beast” Tabiti (21-2, 17 KOs) demolished Junior “Hurricane” Wright (20-5, 17 KOs). In the co-feature, light heavyweight Jesse “Hard Work” Hart (31-3, 25 KOs) stopped Daniel Aduku (15-5, 11 KOs) in round five. Other notables in action included heavyweight Joey “Tank” Dawejko (28-11, 15 KOs), who halted Walter Burns (7-2, 5 KOs) after three rounds, and super lightweight “Hammerin’ Hank” Lundy (32-14, 14 KOs), who won a six round split decision over Juan De La Cruz (11-23-1, 7 KOs).

Other Results:
Nikita “White Chocolate” Ababiy TKO1 Jesus Cruz Silva (middleweight)
Muhsin Cason TKO1 DeShon Webster (cruiserweight)
Dylan Price TKO2 Sebastian Franzolini (bantamweight)
Juan Rivera TKO1 DeAndre Menser (super lightweight)
Juan Marrero KO1 Daniel McCall (lightweight)
Seifullah Jihad Wise W4 Aaron Newmones (welterweight)
Tariq Green D4 Rancy Slanger (middleweight)