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In this week’s big fight, unbeaten WBO featherweight champion Rafael “El Divino” Espinoza (24-0, 20 KOs), who recently inked a multi-fight co-promotional agreement with Top Rank, will make the first defense of his world title against WBO #2 rated countryman Sergio Chirino (22-1, 13 KOs) on Friday inside the BleauLive Theater at the Fontainebleau Las Vegas.

The 6’1 Espinoza is the tallest world champion in featherweight history. He earned the WBO title with a stunning upset over Robeisy Ramirez last December. Espinoza canme off the canvas to rally late and drop Ramirez in the twelfth, nearly stopping him before the final bell.

The co-feature pits unbeaten junior lightweight Andres “Savage” Cortes (21-0, 12 KOs) against Abraham “El Super” Nova (23-2, 16 KOs) in a ten-rounder. The entire card will be streamed on ESPN+.

Photo: Sumio Yamada

WBA lightweight champion Gervonta “Tank” Davis delivered yet another spectacular performance, knocking out previously unbeaten Frank “The Ghost” Martin in the eighth round on Saturday night in Las Vegas.

“We did it once again. On to the next!” said Davis afterward. “Frank Martin was a great fighter. He put up a good four to five rounds. I was finding my range. (Martin) had a decent jab and was moving a lot and I just had to break him down as the fight went on.

“I knew he wasn’t getting back up because of the way he fell, and I knew he was gonna tire himself out, that was the whole gameplan.

“Now we go back to the drawing board and I want to fight all of them.”

By Ron Jackson

One of South Africa’s most promising young fighters Roarke Knapp lost in his bid for a world title when he was knocked out in the third round by Jorge Garcia Perez from Mexico in a clash for the vacant IBO junior middleweight title at Emperors Palace near Kempton Park on Saturday night. The time was 1:05.

There was very little in it through the first round as both fighters worked for an opening.
In round two the 26-year-old Knapp (17-2-1, 12 KOs) picked up the pace and scored with a big right hand just before the bell.

Coming out slowly at the bell for round three the 27 year-old Perez (30-4, 25 KOs) took command before scoring with a big left and right combination that sent Knapp down and out for the ten count by referee Deon Dwarte. Continue reading “Roarke Knapp knocked in the third round”

Unbeaten IBF #5 junior welterweight Liam Paro (25-0, 15 KOs) dethroned IBF champion Subriel Matias (20-2, 20 KOs) by twelve round unanimous decision on Saturday night at the Coliseo Juan Aubin Cruz Abreu in Manati, Puerto Rico. Slow start for Matias while Paro was quite busy. Matias rocked Paro in round six. Referee Luis Pabon deducted a point from Paro in round seven. Scores were 115-112, 115-112, 116-111. Matias was a 7:1 favorite.

Super lightweight Alfredo Santiago (15-2, 6 KOs) won a ten round unanimous decision over WBO #3, IBF #14 lightweight Angel Fierro (22–22, 17 KOs) in a bout for the WBO NABO 140lb title. Scores were 99-91, 98-92, 98-92.

Olympian flyweight Yankiel Rivera (6-0, 2 KOs) scored a ten round unanimous decision over Victor Sandoval (37-5, 23 KOs) in a bout for the WBC and WBA Continental Americas and WBO Intercontinental flyweight titles. Scores were 98-91, 98-91, 97-92. Sandoval down in round two.

Photos: Sumio Yamada

WBA lightweight champion Gervonta “Tank” Davis (30-0, 28 KOs) scored a spectacular eighth round KO against challenger Frank “The Ghost” Martin (18-1, 12 KOs) on Saturday night at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. Martin was able to outbox Davis for the first half of the fight. Tank upped the pressure midway then laid out Martin with an uppercut followed by a left hand in round eight. Time was 1:29.

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Photos: Sumio Yamada

Debuting at light heavyweight, unbeaten David “El Monstro” Benavídez (29-0, 24 KOs) went the full twelve against former world champion Oleksandr “The Nail” Gvozdyk (20-2, 16 KOs) in a matchup for the WBC interim light heavyweight title on Saturday night at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. Benavides took the fight to Gvozdyk and won pretty much every round. Scores were 116-112, 117-111, 119-109.

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Photos: Sumio Yamada

Ia a clash between unbeaten super lightweights, former WBA champion Alberto Puello (23-0, 10 KOs) won a split decision over Gary Antuanne Russell (17-1, 17 KOs) in a bout for the vacant WBC interim 140lb title on Saturday night at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. Russell pressed the action, but Puello was often able to outmaneuver him. Scores were 118-109 Russell, 115-112, 114-113 Puello.

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Newly elevated WBC middleweight champion Carlos Adames (24-1, 18 KOs) scored a twelve round unanimous decision against Terrell Gausha (25-4-1, 12 KOs) on Saturday night at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. In a bout that never caught fire, Adames prevailed 119-109, 118-110, 118-110.

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Other Results:
Kyrone Davis W10 Elijah Garcia (middleweight)
Mark Magsayo W10 Eduardo Ramirez (super featherweight)
Justin Viloria TKO5 Angel Contreras (super featherweight)

A sellout crowd at the Cross Insurance Arena in Portland, Maine enjoyed an exciting night of boxing, returning to the venue for the first time in three decades.

In spite of losing the main event on the scales when ranked bantamweight Dylan Price was unable to make his contracted weight against tough journeyman Ernesto Irias, the co-feature turned out to be an excellent main event, with Las Vegas’s Britton Norwood, 17-5-1, 10 KOs upsetting 21-2-3 Kendrick Ball, Jr from nearby Worcester, MA over 10 exciting rounds. Continue reading “Portland, Maine Results”

WBO cruiserweight champion Chris Billam-Smith (20-1, 13 KOs) retained his title with a twelve round unanimous decision over previously unbeaten WBO #1 rated Richard Riakporhe 17-1, 13 KOs) on Saturday night at Selhurst Park, home of London’s Crystal Palace F.C. Fighting in Riakporhe’s backyard, Billam-Smith was sharp and largely neutralized the big-punching Riakporhe, who was deducted a point in round twelve. Scores were 116-111, 115-112, 115-112. Billam-Smith, who entered as more than a 2:1 underdog, avenged his only career loss.

Olympian light heavyweight Ben “The Surgeon” Whittaker (7-0, 5 KOs) mugged and showboated his way past previously unbeaten Ezra Arenyeka (12-1, 10 KOs) over ten rounds. Scores were 100-89, 99-90, 99-90.

In a surprise, WBA #6, WBC #7, WBO #11, IBF #13 light heavyweight Dan Azeez (20-1-1, 13 KOs) was held to a draw by unheralded 38-year-old Hrvoje Sep (12-2-1, 9 KOs) over eight rounds. The referee scored it 76-76.

Cruiserweight Jack Massey (22-2, 12 KOs) scored a twelve round unanimous decision over Isaac Chamberlain (16-3, 8 KOs) in a bout for the vacant European and Commonwealth titles. Scores were 115-113, 115-113, 116-112.

By Damien St.Pierre

Boxing is back in Acadiana this Saturday night at the Cajun Dome Convention Center on the campus of University of Louisiana – Lafayette.

Lafayette, LA native Keon Papillion will put his 8-0-1 record on the line in the main event of the night. Papillon is scheduled to face Julio Sanchez (5-8-2) of Houston, Texas in a 6 round bout contested at 147lbs. Continue reading “Unbeaten Papillion Headlines in Lafayette, LA”

Gervonta “Tank” Davis 133.4 vs. Frank Martin 134.4
(WBA lightweight title)

David Benavidez 174.2 vs. Oleksandr Gvozdyk 174.2
(WBC interim light heavyweight title)

Gary Antuanne Russell 138.2 vs. Alberto Puello 139.8
(WBC interim super lightweight title)

Carlos Adames 159.2 vs. Terrell Gausha 160
(WBC middleweight title)

Mark Magsayo 129.4 vs. Eduardo Ramirez 129
Justin Viloria 129.8 vs. Angel Contreras 129.8

Venue: MGM Grand Garden Arena, Las Vegas
Promoter: TBG Promotions
TV: PPV

European light middleweight Abass Baraou (16-1. 9 KOs) hammered out a twelve round unanimous decision over Macaulay McGowan (20-4-2, 5 KOs) on Friday night at the Toughsheet Community Stadium in Bolton, England. Baraou dominated the fight, but the extremely rugged McGowan somehow went the full distance. Scores were 117-111, 119-110, 118-110.

After headliner Dylan Price failed to make weight for the main event fight at the Cross Insurance Arena, the fight between Kendrick Ball and Britton Norwood has been elevated to main event of Saturday’s nine-bout (six professional and three amateur) card.

Britton Norwood 186.5 vs. Kendrick Ball 183.8
(USBF light heavyweight title)

Jimmy Williams 152.6 vs. Casey James Streeter 152.8
(New England super welterweight title)

Destiny Jones 143 vs. Feifilimai Faiva 134.2
Brandon Berry 149.2 vs. Aeilio Mesquita 147.6
Wade Faria 154 vs. Igor Pessoa 153.2
Marcos Romero 166.4 vs. Jonathan Gary 164.8

Venue: Cross Insurance Arena
Promoters: Banner Promotions and Portland Boxing Club
Stream: Trillertv+

Subriel Matias 140 vs. Liam Paro 140
(IBF junior welterweight title)

Yankiel Rivera 111.7 vs. Victor Sandoval 112
Angel Fierro 140 vs. Alfredo Santiago 140
Stephanie Pineiro 146.9 vs. Diana Tapia 146.8
William Ortiz 140.1 vs. Carlos Mitzael 138.6

Venue: Coliseo Juan Aubin Cruz Abreu, Manati, Puerto Rico
Promoter: Matchroom
TV: DAZN

Mayweather Promotions has announced that longtime CEO Leonard Ellerbe is stepping down and will be replaced by Richard Schaefer, who has been an executive in the boxing business for decades.

“Together, we will expand our presence by establishing Mayweather Headquarters in Los Angeles. Our goal is to elevate Mayweather Promotions to global success, supporting fighters worldwide and assisting them in making rewarding business decisions that will benefit them well beyond their boxing careers. We look forward to this new chapter and the continued global success of Mayweather Promotions.”

Chris Billam-Smith 200 vs. Richard Riakporhe 200
(WBO cruiserweight title)

Ben Whittaker 175 vs. Ezra Arenyeka 175
Isaac Chamberlain 200 vs. Jack Massey 200
Dan Azeez 178 vs. Hrvoje Sep 179
Francesca Hennessey 121 vs. Dorata Norek 119
Mitchell Frearson 164 vs. Marco Simmonds 156
Deevon Miller 198 vs. Edwin Mosquera 199
Lewie Pochetty TBA vs. Tobie Vermeire TBA

Venue: Selhurst Park, London, England
Promoter: BOXXER
TV: SKY Sports (UK), Peacock (USA)

David Benavidez and Oleksandr Gvozdyk faced off at the final press conference in advance of their PPV clash for the vacant WBC interim light heavyweight title on Saturday night at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.

David Benavidez: “I’m looking to steal the show. We got two more days till ‘El Monstro’ comes out, so I’m very excited…I didn’t feel like there was any reason to stay at 168 any longer. My main goal was to win all the belts at 168. Canelo is holding all the belts hostage and I’d been at 168 for the past 10 years so my naturally my body is getting bigger and I think this is just a perfect time to come up and I’m looking to capture all the titles in this class.”

Oleksandr Gvozdyk: “I’m going to resist the Monster…I’m going to win this fight because I’m in the best shape of my life.

IBF junior welterweight champion Subriel Matías (20-1, 20 KOs) and Liam Paro (24-0, 15 KOs) faced off at the final press conference before their world title clash on Saturday at the sold out Coliseo Juan Aubin Cruz Abreu in Manati, Puerto Rico, live worldwide on DAZN.

Subriel Matias: “I don’t think that this will go 12 rounds, everything he is showing me tells me this won’t go 12 rounds. He’s going to come to box, but he obviously wants to take that title away from me, and I want to take his undefeated record from him.”

Liam Paro: “Nothing in life comes easy and I am taking the biggest test not only for the title but with the best fighter in the division at the moment, so it’s a no-brainer for me. I’ll fight anyone and I am proving that, by coming into the Lion’s Den in Puerto Rico to take on the champion.”

WBO cruiserweight champion Chris Billam-Smith (19-1, 13 KOs) and unbeaten WBO #1 rated Richard Riakporhe 17-0, 13 KOs) faced off at the final press conference for their world title fight on Saturday night at Selhurst Park, the home of London’s Crystal Palace F.C, live on Sky Sports in the UK and Ireland and Peacock in the USA. Riakporhe holds a split decision over Billam-Smith five years ago and Billam-Smith is looking to avenge his only loss.

Richard Riakporhe: We’re gonna see what he has left…we’re gonna see when I land a shot in the fight.

Chris Billam-Smith: He’s hoping for it. There’s no decline and you’ll see it on Saturday night.

Longtime International Promoter Felix “Tuto” Zabala held a press conference this afternoon in Managua, Nicaragua to announce the remaining details of the historic card taking place on Friday July 12 which will be headlined by Nicaragua biggest star Roman “Chocolatito” Gonzalez. Zabala of All Star Boxing has revealed the pertaining details of the event which will be Televised on ESPN+ (USA) & ESPN Knockout (Latam).

“We are pleased to confirm Hall of Fame ring announcer Jimmy Lennon Jr to this historic night of boxing, We are bringing Las Vegas to Managua” Stated CEO Tuto Zabala Jr “Chocolatito deserves this homecoming fight with all the bells and whistles,” he closed. Continue reading “Chocolatito undercard details July 12 on ESPN+”

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

Once again, I entered the time warp sun beamed, by the magic of attending a card promoted by the legendary one and only Don King, still going strong at 92 years of age, at the Hard Rock Hotel in Florida.

Everything that is his creation has a different unique vibe, and that’s just how I felt back in the ’80s.

I found people I hadn’t seen in years, their press conference and weigh-in with their unique touch, and a kilometer boxing show of 13 fights, 120 scheduled rounds, and with boxing from 3:30 in the afternoon until midnight. A Bonanza Box.

Don King looks happy, yet quiet and perhaps a little tired, but if a microphone with a camera is suddenly held up to him, that promotional genius revives, energizes and he talks until he can’t. Continue reading “Don King’s Florida Card and Boxing Hall of Fame”

WBA lightweight champion Gervonta “Tank” Davis (29-0, 27 KOs) and challenger Frank “The Ghost” Martin (18-0, 12 KOs) faced off at the final press conference for their PPV clash on Saturday at the historic MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.

Davis accused Martin of acting “fake tough” and promised an ass-whippin’.

Martin declared, “If he comes in and acts up, ya’ll gonna see him get knocked out.”

Unbeaten lightweight contender Frank “The Ghost” Martin had the media all to himself after undefeated three-division champion Gervonta “Tank” Davis failed to appear for their grand arrival ceremony at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. It is known that Davis is in town and he’s expected to turn up at Wednesday’s final press conference.

Frank Martin: “I’m feeling great. I’m locked in and I’m focused. The goal is to go in there and beat Gervonta Davis. I’m here to take his spot. I’m here for a reason. I’m here to take over…I’m different. I got speed, power, IQ, and really I have it all. You’re going to see. When it’s time to bite down, the world is gonna see…I’m gonna whoop his ass. We have Saturday to show who’s who.”

Also on hand were David “El Monstro” Benavidez and former light heavyweight world champion Oleksandr “The Nail” Gvozdyk, who meet in a matchup for the WBC interim light heavyweight title.

David Benavidez: “I’m really thankful for everyone who came out to support, this fight is for you. We’ve worked extremely hard and we’re going for the knockout this Saturday…my plan is to conquer the light heavyweight and super middleweight divisions. Whoever comes to the plate, they can get it. I’m ready to fight whoever and beat whoever.”

Oleksandr Gvozdyk: “I have a lot of experience and I have something to show him…even though he’s moving up in weight, he’s still a big guy. So I’m not thinking about that. I’m expecting him to be in the best shape of his career, just like I am.”

Subriel Matias says training camp turns him into an animal – and Liam Paro is his prey as the pair meet for Matias’ IBF World Junior-Welterweight title at Coliseo Juan Aubin Cruz Abreu in Manati, Puerto Rico on Saturday night, live worldwide on DAZN.

Matias (20-1 20 KOs) makes the second defense of his title in his first fight on home turf since November 2019, and the 32-year-old is itching to get his hands on Paro and put on a show for his adoring fans.

Paro (24-0 15 KOs) fights for his first world title on Saturday night and does so in the toughest of circumstances – on the doorstep of one of the most avoided fighters on the planet. For Matias, Saturday night is his time to be let off the leash, not just after a long training camp, but also for the first time in a ring in Puerto Rico for 1660 days – and he believes a savage performance is incoming to prove that he’s the top dog at 140lbs. Continue reading “Matias: No-one at 140lbs can beat me”