Fightnews.com

By Jeff Zimmerman

Hall of Famer Andre “SOG” Ward was in Dallas at Blacklit Bookstore today for a book signing of his new book Killing the Image. After Q&A in the packed house, Ward talked about the book, his verbal sparring with Canelo, Canelo not fighting Benavidez, his take on the stacked 135-140lb divisions and much more.

Toro Promotions’ train of promising heavyweight prospects – undefeated 2020 Ukraine Olympian Tsotne Rogava (6-0, 6 KOs), Alexander “The Great” Flores (19-4-1, 17 KOs) and Kingsley “The Black Lion” Ibeh (12-2-1, 10 KOs) – all turned in knockout performances Saturday night at LumColor Phoenix Center in Ontario, California.

The 6’ 5”, 264-pound Rogava kept his undefeated pro record perfect with his sixth victory in six fights, all won by early knockouts. Rogava absolutely destroyed Antonio Brown (8-5, 8 KOs), dropping him three times in the opening round for his third straight first-round stoppage of an opponent.

Flores rebounded from his 10-round unanimous decision loss to Dante Stone this past January 4 in grand fashion, landing at will and closing the show in the third round against Josue Vargas (5-7-2, 2 KOs).

Ibeh, cousin of former heavyweight contender Ike Ibeabuchi, extended his win streak to seven with a first-round knockout of a game Derek Cardenas (9-12, 2 KOs). Ibeh decked Cardenas twice in round one.

Looks like a heavyweight showdown between recent Joseph Parker victims Deontay Wilder and Zhilei Zhang may be the co-feature for the June 1 clash between Artur Beterbiev and Dmitry Bivol for the undisputed light heavyweight title in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, according to ESPN. Another heavyweight bought between Filip Hrgovic and Daniel Dubois is also reportedly in play.

Unbeaten super lightweight Dalton “Thunder” Smith (16-0, 12 KOs) scored a sudden fifth round knockout against three-time world title challenger Jose “Chon” Zepeda (37-5, 28 KOs) to claim the vacant WBC silver title on Saturday night at the Utilita Arena in Sheffield, England. Competitive fight until Smith connected with a right hand to the belly that put Zepeda on the canvas for the count. Time was 1:25.

WBO female welterweight champion Sandy Ryan (7-1-1, 3 KOs) battered two-division former champion Terri Harper (14-2-2, 6 KOs) over four one-sided rounds. The bout was stopped by Harper’s corner after round four.

Super lightweight Campbell Hatton (14-1, 5 KOs), son of ring legend Ricky Hatton, suffered his first defeat, losing a ten round unanimous decision to Jimmy Joe Flint (14-1-2, 3 KOs). Flint retained his Central Area title by scores of 98-92, 97-94, 97-95.

Unbeaten super welterweight Ishmael Davis (13-0, 6 KOs) scored a twelve round unanimous decision over Troy Williamson (20-3-1, 14 KOs) in a final eliminator for the British title. Scores were 117-111, 116-112, 116-112.

Promoter Kris Lawrence (The Heavyweight Factory) presented an entertaining night of boxing Friday night at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Hollywood, Florida. In the main event, unbeaten WBA #6 heavyweight and former Cuban amateur heavyweight standout Lenier Pero (11-0, 8 KOs) TKO’d hard-punching 6’10 Donnie Palmer (12-4-1, 10 KOs) of Massachusetts in round one of a scheduled for 10 round bout.

Also middleweight and highly decorarted amateur Yoenlis Hernandez (3-0, 3 KOs) of Cuba dominated in his first ten round bout. He stopped the much more experienced Alfredo Rodolfo Blanco (23-12, 11 Ko’s) of Argentina in round one.

Complete card results to follow

Tsotne Rogava 264.4 vs. Antonio Brown 231
Alexander “The Great” Flores 260 vs. Josue Vargas 235
Kingsley the Black Lion” Ibeh 299.4 vs. Derek Cardenas 285.4

Venue: LumColor Phoenix Center in Ontario, California
Promoter: Toro Promotions

Alejandro Paulino 134 vs. Estivan Falcao 137
(WBC silver US lightweight title)

Wilson Mascarenhas 141 vs. Braulio Rodriguez 141
Kevin Walsh 135 vs. Matt Doherty 133
Jalen Renaud 152 vs. Josniel Castro 152
Kinjo Espada 148 vs. Jeff Gonzalez 150
Tevin Regis 134 vs. Davhon Shelton 133
Jacob Marrero 135 vs. Jonathan Conde 135
Melanie Costa 125 vs. Sarah Click 126

Venue: Bally’s Twin River Lincoln Casino
Promoter: CES Boxing
TV: Swerve Combat TV

By Jeff Zimmerman

Fightnews.com® caught up with the undefeated, rising star, super lightweight and #2 2023 Prospect of The Year per Ring Magazine, Tito Mercado Jr., as he returns to the ring against veteran Deiner Berrio on Friday, April 5, as the headliner on DAZN. Mercado talked about his upcoming fight as well as the stacked 140lb division and a desire to fight the top guys, especially Devin Haney. He shared his thoughts on Canelo-Mungia, Tyson-Paul and much more in this exclusive interview.

Epic Sports & Entertainment announced today that Ihor (“The Hulk”) Shevadzutskyi (11-1, 9 KOs) will now face Kubrat “The Cobra” Pulev (30-3, 14 KOs) in a 12 rounder on March 30 at the Arena Sofia in Sofia, Bulgaria for the WBA International heavyweight title, replacing WBA heavyweight champion Mahmoud Charr (34-4, 20 KOs) who sustained a tear to the distal tendon of his bicep while sparring earlier this week and underwent surgery yesterday. Continue reading “Charr injured, new opponent for Pulev”

Unbeaten WBO junior middleweight champion Tim Tszyu and all-action Sebastian “The Towering Inferno” Fundora went face to face for the first time on Thursday, at a media workout before they meet for Tszyu’s WBO and the vacant WBC 154-pound world titles headlining a Prime Video PPV on March 30 from T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

The media workout also featured WBA super lightweight champion Rolando “Rolly” Romero, who takes on Isaac “Pitbull” Cruz in the co-main event, plus WBA middleweight champion Erislandy “The American Dream” Lara and #1 rated mandatory challenger Michael Zerafa.

Here is what the fighters had to say Thursday from Split T Boxing Club in Las Vegas:

Tim Tszyu: “This is a unification now, so I’m very grateful for that. It’s a legacy-defining type of fight. I just have to keep doing what I’m doing and one day they’ll say that the Tszyu family is the best to ever step into this boxing world…my message to the fans is definitely don’t blink during this one.”

Sebastian Fundora: “I’m just going to keep focusing on what I need to do. My original opponent Serhii Bohachuk has a lot of similarities to Tim Tszyu, so it’s no difference for me. If I stick to my plan, I’ll be successful…I want to win this fight, become unified champion and keep going from there. We want to keep moving up.”

Rolly Romero: “Cruz takes punches because he has to, it’s because he has no other option in his game. This fight is gonna be an explosion and a Mexican slugfest. I’m gonna beat him at his own game.”

Erislandy Lara: “I’ve stayed focused on everything that’s in my control and I’ve used my training camp to make sure there won’t be any rust when that bell rings…I don’t need to send a message to Michael Zerafa, he knows he has to be ready on March 30. We’ll be ready for him.”

Michael Zerafa: “I’m ready to shock the world and make a statement…I have a lot of respect for Lara, but I truly believe this fight is not going the distance. Everyone I’ve fought has said I have ridiculous power and I will show it on March 30.”

Dalton Smith 139.6 vs. Jose Zepeda 139.6
(WBC silver super lightweight title)

Sandy Ryan 146.2 vs. Terri Harper 145.9
(WBO female welterweight title)

Campbell Hatton 139.7 vs. James Flint 139
Ishmael Davis 153.8 vs. Troy Williamson 158.2
Nico Leivars 121.3 vs. Piotr Mirga 121.1
Liam Cameron 174.8 vs. Hussein Itaba 173.3
Emmanuel Buttigieg 157.2 vs. Bartlomiej Stryczek 156
Connan Murray 158 vs. Edgar Kemsky 156.6

Date: Saturday, March 23
Venue: Utilita Arena, Sheffield, England
Promoter: Matchroom
TV: DAZN

Lenier Pero 248.8 vs. Donnie Palmer 308.4
Yoenlis Hernandez 158.8 vs. Alfredo Rodolfo Blanco 158.4
Yosdiel Napoles 134.6 vs. Yesner Talavera 138
Montaser Ontaser Aboughaly 147.4 vs. Raul Garcia Jr. 149.4
Alexander Hernandez 160 vs. Gustavo Franca 161.2
Mohamed Hammaoui 163.6 vs. Milton Volter 175.2
Kamar Bray 147.8 vs. Ramon De La Cruz Sena 146.4

Date: Friday, March 22
Venue: The Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino, Hollywood, Florida
Promoter: Kris Lawrence (The Heavyweight Factory)

Lawrence Okolie will challenge Lukasz Rozanski for the WBC bridgerweight championship on Friday, May 24th at the Podpromie Arena in Rzeszow, Poland, live on Sky Sports in the UK and Peacock in the USA. Former WBO cruiserweight king Okolie bids to become a two-weight world ruler by taking on the undefeated Rozanski in the champion’s backyard.

Lawrence Okolie: “I’m excited to go to Poland and test myself yet again on away ground. Rozanski is a good champion, with an explosive style, but I’m coming to do some serious damage. He has never seen power like mine.”

Lukasz Rozanski: “I’m defending my World Title in my own backyard, in my city, fighting against a former World Champion. It’s a fantastic fight, for moments like these, I’ve trained hard all my life.”

By Bob Ryder

Albert Bell 131 vs Jonathan Romero 131
(10 Round Main Event. Bell currently ranked #1 by WBO)

Antwan Jones 179 vs Vicente Martin Rodriguez 176.5 8 Rounds
James Evans 227 vs Dennis Vance 280 6 Rounds
Angelo Snow 147 vs Ryan Venable 145 4 Rounds
David Craddock 138 vs Kevin Walker 134.5 4 Rounds
Justin Spalding 155.5 vs Johnny Morrison 159 4 Rounds
Jeffrey Hudson 118 vs Khendal Moore 119 4 Rounds

Venue: Glass City Center, Toledo, Ohio
Doors open Friday night at 7 PM with first fight at 8 PM
Promoter: Vick Green (Pulse Boxing)
Tickets at door and Ticketmaster.com

Former world title challenger and WBA #4 rated middleweight Thomas “Cornflake” LaManna (37-5, 16 KOs) will fight for the WBA gold middleweight title against WBA #9 super welterweight Johan “Chelo Manotas” Gonzalez (34-2, 33 KOs) in a twelve-round bout on Saturday, June 8 at Bally’s Atlantic City. The event is being promoted by Main Events in association with LaManna’s Rising Star Promotions.

“Working with Main Events is a real honor,” said LaManna. “We’ve been talking about a fight like this for months, almost a year. Thankfully Main Events can see my mission and they can see my drive between fighting and promoting and I’m glad they got behind mean they are taking a chance with me and I’m looking forward to continuing with them in the future.” Continue reading “LaManna to fight for WBA gold”

Super lightweights Dalton Smith and Jose Zepeda faced off at the final press conference for their clash on Saturday night at the Utilita Arena in Sheffield, England, live on DAZN.

Dalton Smith: “We haven’t looked at Jose as a sliding fighter, he’s only lost at world level, none of those losses have been on the way down. That’s why we took this fight and we’ve prepared for the best of Jose…it’s a jump in class but you’ve seen the level that I’ve progressed through, I’ve been ready for that level for probably two fights now, so this is the perfect time for me now to propel myself and chase those bigger things.”

Jose Zepeda: “Dalton is a young fighter stepping up because he wants to see if he’s at the top level, and I guess we’re going to have to see on Saturday…everyone finds out when they step up a level. I remember when I fought Jose Ramirez, it was the first time that I boxed at the top level and in the first round, as soon as I threw the jab, I knew that I was in there on another level. I think he’s going to find out soon and I give him and his team props for jumping this high and if he believes it, well, we’re going to see on Saturday.”

By Miguel Maravilla

In what will be the biggest fight of his career, the fight former world champion Jaime Munguía (43-0, 34 KOs) of Tijuana, Mexico has dreamed of his entire boxing life. Munguia will face fellow Mexican and superstar, undisputed super middleweight world champion Saul “Canelo” Álvarez (60-2-2, 39 KOs) of Guadalajara. The Mexican showdown goes down Saturday, May 4 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas live on PBC Pay-Per-View event on Prime Video.

“This is obviously going to be a great fight and a Mexican war. I am proud to be headlining this event,” Jaime Munguia said. “I’m ready for this stage. We’re ready for everything and we’re going to have a great fight that night. “We’re very confident,” Munguia added. Continue reading “Munguia: I’m ready for this stage”

Kris Lawrence (The Heavyweight Factory) will present a boxing card this Friday night at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino, Hollywood, Florida. In the main event, unbeaten WBA #6 heavyweight and former cuban amateur standout Lenier Pero (10-0, 7 KOs) will take on 6’10 Donnie Palmer (12-3-1, 10 KOs) of Massachusetts in a scheduled ten round bout.

Also, middleweight and highly decorated amateur Yoenlis Hernandez (2-0, 2 KOs) of Cuba is scheduled to have his first ten round bout against TBA in just his third professional bout. Hernandez had approximately 300 amateur fights and won gold twice at the World Games. Continue reading “Boxing back at the Hard Rock”

By Miguel Maravilla

Mexican superstar and undisputed super middleweight world champion Saul “Canelo” Álvarez (60-2-2, 39 KOs) of Guadalajara is set for his Cinco De Mayo weekend showdown as he takes on fellow Mexican former world champion Jaime Munguía (43-0, 34 KOs) of Tijuana. The Mexican showdown goes down Saturday, May 4 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas live on PBC Pay-Per-View event on Prime Video. Canelo displayed the utmost respect to Munguia as they faced off Tuesday afternoon to officially announce the fight.

“This fight is a great source of pride for me because it’s all about Mexico. With our styles, this will be a great fight for Mexican boxing. The fans will be the winners. Cinco de Mayo weekend in Las Vegas,” Alvarez said. Continue reading “Canelo: I know what I’m in for May”

Undisputed super middleweight champion Canelo Álvarez and unbeaten challenger Jaime Munguía went face-to-face for the first time Tuesday at a press conference in Los Angeles before they collide on May 4 on Prime Video PPV from T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

 

Canelo Alvarez: “This fight is a great source of pride for me, because it’s all about Mexico. I’m proud to have my country featured this way in front of the whole world. The fans are going to be the biggest winners on May 4 and we invite everyone to what’s gonna be a big party for Mexico.”

Jaime Munguia: “I’m very thankful to Canelo and everyone who made this fight happen and brought us to this special day. We’ve been working really, really hard for this fight because it’s going to be such a big fight for Mexico.”

Jose Zepeda hopes that a big win over WBC #13 super lightweight Dalton Smith will springboard him toward a fourth shot at world honors. The three-time world title challenger looks to inflict a first professional loss on Sheffield’s Smith in an intriguing main event at the Utilita Arena this Saturday on DAZN.

“This is going to be a hell of a fight,” said Zepeda. “One thing we know; we have to win big. I have to win this fight. I’m still here because I want new opportunities. I want my fourth chance (at a world title). I’m already 34-years-old; that’s why I’m taking hard fights. I want a hard fights, and I am planning my way back with this fight.

“I saw his record; I know he’s 15-0. I know he’s a big star in the UK. I think it’s a good chance for me to get back to the top. I know he’s good and he seems like a star over there in the UK. He’s energetic inside that ring. He likes to move and he’s kind of fast. I know he likes to come forwards to that’s going to make it a great fight. I do believe it’s going to be a great fight. Continue reading “Zepeda: I want my 4th chance at a world title”

Emanuel “El Vaquero” Navarrete (38-1-1, 31 KOs) will take on Denys Berinchyk (18-0, 9 KOs) for the vacant WBO lightweight title on Saturday, May 18 at Pechanga Arena San Diego. Navarrete will attempt to join Mexican-born standouts Erik Morales, Jorge Arce, Juan Manuel Marquez, Leo Santa Cruz, and Canelo Alvarez in becoming a four-weight world champion.

Emanuel Navarrete: “Capturing a world title is a unique challenge, but the possibility of doing it four weight classes is a goal that fills me with motivation and gratitude. It will be an honor to join that select group of Mexican warriors who have made their mark in boxing history. And to be able to do it in front of fans in San Diego and from Tijuana will be an unforgettable experience. Feeling their support and energy in the ring will propel me to do my best and secure this victory for Mexico.”

* * *

In the welterweight co-feature, local hero Giovani Santillan, the WBO #1 contender, returns in front of the hometown fans against an opponent to be named.

Giovani Santillan: “After my last win, I’m excited to keep the ball rolling. I showed everyone what I could do and earned the WBO #1 ranking. I am looking forward to continuing with those types of performances and showing why I deserve a title shot. I want to gain more fans in San Diego, grow the fan base in my hometown, and pave the way for other fighters from my city. There hasn’t been a San Diego-born champion in a long time, and I want to be the next one.”

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

Boxing is one of the very few sports that defines the winner through subjective appreciation of the officials, named judges.

In our sport, three judges score the actions, and this is done round after round. In essence, each round is a completely different fight from the other.

Unlike diving or gymnastics, boxers have no idea what the judges have scored.

Divers and gymnasts see their score, immediately following their participation, and thus can strategize for their next competitive move. They have the ability to decide to take higher risk which by virtue can generate more points, a higher score.

The boxing judge has an unenviable job, as they are seldom recognized until there is a controversial decision, and then they can be pointed out as corrupt, blind, incompetent and even criminal, when it is thought that they performed inadequately.

The difference between a judge’s scoring and everyone else’s scores has a significant amount of variables which at the end could make the difference in opinions, let’s look into it : Continue reading “Boxing judges and a few bits to analyze”

Epic Sports & Entertainment announced today that the WBA heavyweight title fight between WBA heavyweight champion Mahmoud Charr (34-4, 20 KOs) and former world title challenger Kubrat Pulev (30-3, 14 KOs) scheduled for March 30 at the Arena Sofia in Sofia, Bulgaria will be streamed live by DAZN.

John Wirt, President of Epic Sports, said, “we are thrilled to be in business with DAZN and are excited that boxing fans around the world will have the opportunity to witness live the first ever heavyweight world championship being held in Bulgaria. We will be announcing the full undercard shortly but can confirm that the co-feature bout will be between Kubrat’s brother, former Olympic bronze medalist Trevel Pulev (18-1, 14 KOs) versus Rolly Lambert Fogoum (16-2, 12 KOs).”

In the big fight this weekend, unbeaten WBC #13 super lightweight contender Dalton “Thunder” Smith (15-0, 11 KOs) steps up against three-time world title challenger Jose “Chon” Zepeda (37-4, 28 KOs) on DAZN Saturday from the Utilita Arena in Sheffield, England. The WBC silver belt will be on the line.

In his last fight, Smith scored a spectacular one-punch knockout in the seventh round against Sam Maxwell. Zepeda is best known for his “2020 Fight of the Year” classic against Ivan Baranchyk. Smith is a 3:1 favorite.