Fightnews.com

…Keeps OPBF, WBO AP 154lb belts

By Joe Koizumi
Photos by Naoki Fukuda

WBO#4, IBF#15 Takeshi Inoue (20-2-1, 12 KOs), 153.75, very barely kept his OPBF, WBO Asia Pacific regional belts as he was held to a majority draw (114-114 twice, 115-113 for Inoue) with Australian southpaw veteran Wade Ryan (22-11-1, 8 KOs), 153.25, over twelve grueling rounds on Monday in Tokyo, Japan. It was such a competitive fight as scored under the open scoring system: after the fourth all 38-38 and after the eighth 76-76, 77-75 twice for the Japanese champ. The sturdy Inoue, who had only lost to Jaime Mungia and Tim Tszyu both abroad, occasionally scored with a single solid shot at a time, while Ryan kept on landing light but busier combinations. The game Australian’s last surge made it even and Inoue failed to score a decision victory. Ryan logically deserves a rematch. Continue reading “Inoue draws with Ryan…”

WBO President Paco Valcarcel has announced that the WBO will sanction the March 30 fight between WBO 154lb champion Tim Tszyu and Sebastian Fundora. The winner must face the WBO-designated mandatory challenger (possibly Terence Crawford) within 180 days. Negotiations for the WBO mandatory commitment must be started five days after the fight. The original Tszyu-Thurman fight was not sanctioned by the WBO and was to proceed as a non-title affair.

Tszyu-Fundora will also be for WBC 154lb title. In addition, Serhii Bohachuk and Brian Mendoza meet on the same card for the vacant WBC 154lb interim belt.

By Joe Koizumi
Photos by Naoki Fukuda

This reporter have covered Japanese boxing scene for sixty years, but have never heard such a pitiful and pathetic tragedy. WBA#9, IBF#11, WBC#15 unbeaten light flyweight prospect Kanamu Sakama, only 20, passed away this Sunday, the weigh-in day of his scheduled bout to defend his Japanese youth 108-pound belt against Hyuga Oki on the undercard of the OPBF, WBO AP 154-pound title bout at the Korakuen Hall yesterday. Sakama (9-0, 8 KOs) is said to have committed suicide as he couldn’t make good condition to fight and had his bout cancelled, of which he might have too seriously felt guilty. Even if responsible for this cancellation, Kanamu need not punish himself by such an incomprehensible way. Still young, he could have re-established his career despite a single default. Continue reading “WBA#9 unbeaten Kanamu Sakama, 20, passes”

Undefeated rising star Tim Tszyu will now take on Sebastian “The Towering Inferno” Fundora for Tszyu’s WBO title (pending approval), and the vacant WBC 154-pound world title, headlining a PBC Pay-Per-View event available on Prime Video Saturday, March 30 from T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

Tszyu had originally been scheduled to face two-time world champion Keith Thurman, who was forced to withdraw after suffering a bicep injury in training. Fundora had already been preparing to compete in the pay-per-view opener before being moved up to the main event. Continue reading “Thurman out, Tszyu to defend against Fundora”

Joe DeGuardia’s Star Boxing returns to the Mohegan Sun Arena on April 6 as world rated Richie “Popeye The Sailor Man” Rivera (25-2, 19KOs) makes his long-awaited return to Connecticut, against undefeated Mathew “The Wise Man” Obinna (23-0, 23KOs), in a 10 round light heavyweight bout. Rivera is highly rated by all four major sanctioning bodies – #5 WBA, #7 WBC, #9 IBF and #14 WBO (at cruiserweight). Obinna will be making his US debut.

Toro Promotions, Inc. will showcase a heavyweight trio of talent as undefeated 2020 Olympian Tsotne Rogava (5-0, 5 KOs), Alexander “The Great” Flores (18-4-1, 16 KOs) and Kingsley Ibeh (11-2-1, 9 KOs) will fight in separate bouts this Saturday night (March 23) at LumColor Phoenix Center in Ontario, California.

The 6’5, 270-pound Rogava will be in his first scheduled eight-round bout against Antonio Brown (8-4, 8 KOs) in the main event. Flores will face Josue Vargas (5-6-2, 2 KOs) in a six-round match. Ibeh, a cousin of Ike Ibeabuchi, will meet Derek Cardenas (9-11, 2 KOs) in a six-rounder.

By Jeff Zimmerman

Fightnews.com® caught up with the legendary, Hall of Fame referee Richard Steele to share his thoughts on the 34-year anniversary of Meldrick Taylor vs. Julio Cesar Chavez. Steele breaks it down and his decision to stop it with 2 seconds left in what is considered one of the most controversial stoppages of all time.

Steele also talks about Paul-Tyson, plus his work with kids through his Richard Steele Foundation & Boxing Club and his undefeated super middleweight Lester Martinez training with Bomac and Team Crawford and much more in this exclusive interview.

By Damon Gonzalez/LatinBox Sports

On Saturday night at the Fox Theatre in Redwood City, California, middleweight Petr Khamukov (12-0, 5 KOs) from Woodland Hills, California. way of Labinsk, Russia, became the NBA Continental champion after scoring an eight round majority decision win over a very tough Vaughn “The Animal”Alexander (18-10-1, 11 KOs) from Saint Louis, Missouri. No question Alexander had plans of his own taking the fight right to Khamukov, sitting in the pocket exchanging big shots throughout the contest, Khamukov made a case by staying inside throwing huge counter shots testing the will of Alexander. Khamukov was game and battled Alexander back taking the victory. Continue reading “Khamukov edges Alexander”

Former heavyweight title challenger Dillian “The Body Snatcher” Whyte (30-3, 21 KOs) returned for the first time since November 2022 to stop Christian Hammer (27-11, 17 KOs) after three rounds on Sunday at the TF Royal Hotel in Castlebar, Ireland.

In an upset, middleweight Gary “Spike” O’Sullivan (31-6, 21 KOs) returned for the first time since his world title defeat against WBA king Erislandy Lara in May 2022 only to lose an eight round decision to unheralded Sofiane Khati (15-4, 5 KOs) by a score of 77-76.

In an IBF and WBA lightweight world title eliminator, undefeated knockout machine WBA #1, WBC #1, WBO #3, IBF #6 William “El Camar”n” Zepeda (30-0, 26 KOs) put a four round beatdown against IBF #4, WBA #5, WBC #6, WBO #14 Maxi “Maximus” Hughes (26-7-2, 5 KOs) on Saturday night inside The Chelsea at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas. Zepeda’s non-stop punching gradually broke down Hughes and Hughes’ corner stopped it after round four.

Undefeated WBA #4 lightweight Floyd “Kid Austin” Schofield (17-0, 12-KOs) won by fifth round disqualification against Esteuri “El Puma” Suero (13-2, 10 KOs). Suero was deducted a point for fouls in rounds two and four, then disqualified in round five for a low blow. Time 2:07. Schofield suffered a cut over his right eye from a headbutt.

Unbeaten middleweight Eric Priest (13-0, 8 KOs) hammered out a ten round unanimous decision over Jose Sanchez (21-5-1, 12 KOs). Scores were 100-90, 99-91, 99-91.

Cruiserweight Tristan “Sweet T” Kalkreuth (13-1, 10 KOs) scored a second round KO against Marquice Weston (15-3-1, 8 KOs). A left hook finished Weston. Time was 1:33.

Pro debuting welterweight Joel Iriarte won by referee’s stoppage in round two against Bryan Carguacundo (3-6-2, 0 KOs).

WBC #12 heavyweight “Juggernaut” Joe Joyce (16-2, 15 KOs), rebounding from two straight KO losses to Zhilei Zhang, scored a tenth round knockout against Kash Ali (21-3, 12 KOs) on Saturday night at Resorts World Arena in Birmingham, England. Joyce, the 2016 Olympic silver medalist and former WBO interim world champion, came in at a career-high 286 pounds and stalked Ali from the get-go. Ali connected with some clean shots, but Joyce mainly bludgeoned him with slow, relentless punches. The end came with just seven seconds left in the fight when Joyce dropped Ali for the count.

WBO #5, IBF #11, WBA #12, WBC #15 middleweight Nathan Heaney (18-0-1, 6 KOs) and Brad Pauls (18-1-1, 10 KOs) battled to a hard-fought twelve round draw. Scores were 116-113 Heaney, 115-114 Pauls, 114-114. Heaney retained his British title.

Undefeated WBC #5, IBF #8, WBA #14 super bantamweight Liam Davies (16-0, 8 KOs) scored a spectacular second round KO against IBF #12 Erik Robles Ayala (15-2, 9 KOs). An uppercut followed by a left hook dropped Ayala. He beat the count, but Davies immediately floored him again to end it. Time was 1:17.

Super middleweight contender Zach Parker (24-1, 17 KOs) scored a ten round unanimous decision over former WBA world champion Tyron Zeuge (27-2-1, 15 KOs). Zeuge dropped Parker in round two and pressed the action, but judges preferred Parker’s boxing and movement. Scores were 96-94, 97-92, 98-91.

Unbeaten WBO #11 super featherweight Dennis McCann (15-0-1, 8 KOs) won a twelve round unanimous decision over Brad Strand (11-1, 3 KOs). McCann dropped Strand in round two en route to a 116-111, 116-112, 118-111.

In an upset, WBO #12 welterweight Eithan James (12-1, 0 KOs) was stopped by Owen Cooper (10-0, 4 KOs). Cooper dropped James in round one with a left hook and got the win when James’ corner pulled their man out after round nine. Cooper claimed the WBO European and English titles.

Unbeaten junior welterweight Pierce O’Leary (14-0, 8 KOs) stopped Hovhannes Martirosyan (16-1, 10 KOs) in round nine to retain his WBC International title.

By Gabriel F. Cordero

The family of ring legend Roberto “Manos de Piedra” Duran has announced on social media that the former four-division champ has been hospitalized and is suffering from a “complete atrioventricular blockage.” Reportedly Duran, 72, is in stable condition and will be given a pacemaker. The whole team at Fightnews.com® wishes Roberto a fast and full recovery.

By Ron Jackson

In one on of the leanest periods in South African boxing in recent years, fight fans are pleased to hear that two South African based Congolese, Jason Medi (6-1, 2 KOs) and Jimmy “The Beast” Mabundji (10-7, 8 KOs) will meet for the vacant World Boxing Federation (WBF) All Africa light heavyweight title at the Turfontein Racecourse in Johannesburg on Wednesday March 27. Continue reading “Boxing returns to the Turfontein Race Course”

By Damien St.Pierre at ringside

Mississippi heavyweight Travorus “Bear” Barnes (5-0) showed an impressive skill with a 2nd round stoppage of debuting Duke “Nuke” Sensley (0-1) in front of a packed crowd at the Mel Ott Center in Gretna, LA.

Barnes, who outweighed his opponent by over 30lbs landed solid shots while avoiding a wild attack from Sensley in the opening round. Sensley was ruled down in round 1 but only due to his gloves touching the mat, he didn’t look seriously hurt. The final round saw a controlling and disciplined performance from Barnes who ended the night with a flurry of punches after hurting his opponent with a right uppercut. A right uppercut also forced the bout to be stopped by referee Keith Hughes at 1:40 of the 2nd round.

Trainer Chase Dixon said in the post-fight conversation “Everyone is calling to get Bear into camp, but we plan to ease him (Barnes) back in and keep him busy”. Barnes was coming off a 2 plus year layoff. Continue reading “Bear mauls Sensley in round two”

Josh Taylor has suffered an injury in his training camp and his upcoming fight with Jack Catterall on April 27 has been postponed. The fight has been immediately rescheduled for May 25 at the same venue, the First Direct Arena in Leeds, England. Taylor beat Catterall by controversial split decision in February 2022 and this makes three times that their rematch has been postponed.

* * *

Peter McGrail’s rematch with Ja’Rico O’Quinn will now take place on April 27 at the Exhibition Centre Liverpool. Full details for this NXTGEN event will be announced by Matchroom soon.

Unbeaten super welterweight ‘King’ Callum Walsh (10-0, 8 KOs) worked over game Dauren Yeleussinov (11-4-1, 10 KOs) for nine rounds before winning by referee’s stoppage on Friday night in The Theater at Madison Square Garden in New York City. The referee stopped the bout at 1:56. Walsh claimed the vacant WBC Continental Americas title.

Featherweight Feargal McCrory (16-0, 8 KOs) stopped Carlos Carlson (25-8, 16 KOs) in round three. McCrory dropped Carlson with a body shot and the referee waved it off during McCrory’s follow-up barrage. Time was 2:07. McCrory claimed the WBA Continental Americas title.

Longtime Long Island fan favorite Cletus ‘The Hebrew Hammer’ Seldin (28-1, 23 KOs) scored an eight round majority decision over Jose Angulo (16-8, 9 KOs) in a super lightweight clash. The 37-year-old Seldin dropped Angulo with an overhand right in round one. A Seldin left hand put Angulo down again in round two. After that, Angulo managed to go the full eight rounds. Seldin won by scores of 78-72, 77-73, 75-75.

Unbeaten super lightweight Reshat ‘The Albanian Bear’ Mati (15-0, 8 KOs) outscored Irving ‘Poderoso’ Macias (15-5, 10 KOs) over eight one-sided rounds. Scores were 80-72-79-73, 80-72.

Popular light heavyweight ‘Irish’ Joe Ward, (11-1, 7 KOs) scored a second round knockout against Derrick ‘Take it to the Bank’ Webster (29-5-1, 14 KOs). Webster down three times. Time was 2:25.

William Zepeda 133.8 vs. Maxi Hughes 134.6
(WBA/IBF lightweight eliminator)

Floyd Schofield 134.8 vs. Esteuri Suero 135
Eric Priest 159.6 vs. Jose Sanchez 160
Tristan Kalkreuth 198.6 vs. Marquice Weston 201.6
Joel Iriarte 145.2 vs. Bryan Carguacundo 142.8

Venue: The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas
Promoter: Golden Boy
TV: DAZN

Gabriel Flores Jr. 134.4 vs. Julian Rodarte 134.8
Fernando Vargas Jr. 152.8 vs. Brad Solomon 151.2
Lorenzo Powell 134 vs. Jose Valenzuela Alvarado 136.2*
Salvador Briceno 146.4 vs. Cameron Kreal 147.6
Jessie James Guerrero 113.4 vs. Jose Rodriguez Montemayor 115.4*

*Valenzuela Alvarado and Rodriguez Montemayor came in over the contracted weight.

Venue: Adventist Health Arena in Stockton, California
Promoter: G-Squad Entertainment
TV: YouTube
Doors open at 5:00 PM. The first bell will be at 5:45 PM PST.

Heavyweight Joe “Juggernaut” Joyce, returning from consecutive losses to Zhilei Zhang, weighed in at a career-high 286.8 pounds for tomorrow’s ten-rounder against Kash Ali, who weighed 238.1.

Other Weights:
Nathan Heaney 159.25 vs. Brad Pauls 159.75
Liam Davies 121.75 vs. Erik Robles Ayala 121.25
Zach Parker 169.25 vs. Tyron Zeuge 173.9
Dennis McCann 121.75 vs. Brad Strand 121.9
Eithan James 146.75 vs. Owen Cooper 146.5
Pierce O’Leary 139.9 vs. Hovhannes Martirosyan 140.9
Ezra Taylor 174.3 vs. Prince Oko Nartey 175.3

Venue: Resorts World Arena, Birmingham, England
Promoter: Queenberry
TV: ESPN+

WBA super lightweight world champion Rolly Romero Isaac Cruz previewed their PPV showdown on March 30 on Prime Video from T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas

Rolando “Rolly” Romero: “If you want to come right at me and get cracked, go for it…I hit harder than anyone at the weight class.”

Isaac “Pitbull” Cruz: “I want to shut Rolly’s loud mouth up and take the belt away from him.”

Toward the end of the virtual presser, Romero and Cruz went back and forth in Spanish and declared that their matchup would be “the most exciting fight of the year.”

More quotes

Undefeated knockout machine William “El Camarón” Zepeda (29-0, 25 KOs) and his opponent, former IBO beltholder Maxi “Maximus” Hughes (26-6-2, 5 KOs) hosted a press conference today in Las Vegas. They collide on Saturday in a 12-round IBF and WBA lightweight eliminator at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas and broadcast around the world on DAZN.

William Zepeda: “When I was younger, kids around me would ask when will you fight in Vegas to make fun of me. Well, now I can answer them. I’m fighting in Vegas this Saturday. I know Maxi Hughes is a great opponent, and that’s why we’re fighting him. And I’m just thankful with my teammates, Carlos Duarte, my team, my father, all my people from Jiquipilco where I trained every single day for this fight. I want to thank Golden Boy, I want to thank Eric and thank everybody for being here. I am ready for everyone in the lightweight division!

Maxi Hughes: “So very happy to be here. I’m here because of merit. The IBF have ordered me and William to fight, so you know, both of us are here on merit. Because we are the best next people in mind going forward. You know, William, we’ve watched him, we know what he’s about. And we’ve shown him that respect in our preparation. My team down here have put the working day in, day out, and on Saturday night, we’ll get that win and be a step closer to a world title.”

Callum Walsh 154 vs. Dauren Yeleussinov 154
Feargal McCrory 129 vs. Carlos Carlson 128.6
Cletus Seldin 142.4 vs. Jose Angulo 143.6
Joseph Ward 172.6 vs. Derrick Webster 174.2
Reshat Mati 143 vs. Irving Macias 143
Giovanni Scuderi 213 vs. Brandon Carmack 276.6
Nisa Rodriguez 166 vs. Jozette Cotton 167.4

Venue: Madison Square Garden Theater, New York City
Promoter: 360 Promotions
TV: UFC Fightpass

Heavyweight Ali Feliz, who won gold at the U.S. Olympic Team Trials in December, has signed a multi-year professional promotional pact with Top Rank. Feliz, who is managed by James Prince and co-promoted by Antonio Leonard, will make his pro debut in a four-round clash against an opponent to be named on Saturday, April 13 at American Bank Center in Corpus Christi, Texas, on the ESPN+-streamed undercard of the Jared Anderson-Ryad Merhy heavyweight main event.

Feliz’ father and trainer, Fernely Sr., had a notable 15-year tenure as a heavyweight pro, and his older brother, Fernely Jr., is an unbeaten prospect in the same division.

“Ali Feliz is one of the most gifted young heavyweights to turn pro in quite some time,” said Top Rank Chairman Bob Arum. “He has tremendous amateur and family pedigree, which will serve him well as he climbs the professional ranks.”

By Joe Koizumi
Photos by Naoki Fukuda

One of the most influential promoters here in Japan is Hideyuki Ohashi without doubt—along with Akihiko Honda of Teiken Promotions-and it is Ohashi (the promoter/manager of “Monster” Naoya Inoue) that strongly supports the restoration of Korean fraternity financially. Ohashi enthusiastically did it in Seoul, Korea on March 1, and did so again in Tokyo on Tuesday with each four Japanese and Koreans hotly exchanging gloves at the Korakuen Hall. Continue reading “Japan-Korea tourney held in Tokyo”

Two world title fights featuring Australian challengers have been added to the card headlined by the vacant IBF lightweight world title showdown between Vasiliy Lomachenko and George Kambosos Jr. on Sunday, May 12 (May 11 in the U.S.) at RAC Arena in Perth, Western Australia. ESPN will televise.

Mexican standout Carlos Cuadras (42-5-1, 28 KOs) will defend his WBC interim super flyweight world title against former world champion Andrew Moloney (26-3, 16 KOs), and, in a female bantamweight world title tilt, WBA champion Nina Hughes (6-0, 2 KOs) looks to turn back the challenge of one-time world champion Cherneka “Sugar Neekz” Johnson (15-2, 6 KOs).