Fightnews.com

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).

Super welterweights ‘King’ Callum Walsh and Dauren Yeleussinov faced off at the final press conference for their St. Patrick’s Day Weekend clash on Friday in The Theater at Madison Square Garden and broadcast live worldwide on UFC Fightpass.

Callum Walsh: “It’s an honor for me to be headlining at Madison Square Garden for the second time in four months. Fighting on St. Patrick’s Day weekend makes this extra special as a fighter from Ireland and I know the Irish will be in the house on Friday night…Tom (Loeffler) plans out who I fight, my job is to be prepared and I am for Friday night.”

Dauren Yeleussinov: “I’ve trained very hard for this fight back in Kazakhstan. I know how important a victory would be for my career and I’m coming to win. My first professional fight was in New York City and I consider it to be my second home. Going to the Empire State Building this morning was great, the fresh air all the way at the top gave me a lot of energy for Friday night.”

WBA #12 light heavyweight Radivoje ‘Hot Rod’ Kalajdzic (29-2, 21 KOs) scored a brutal tenth round knockout over 42-year-old former title challenger Sullivan Barrera (22-5, 14 KOs) on Wednesday night at the Whitesands Event Center in Plant City, Florida. Kalajdzic closed Barrera’s right eye with a punch early on. Kalajdzic dropped Barrera in round three. A barrage of punches in the final round put Barrera down for the count. Time was 2:31. Kalajdzic retained his WBA Continental North America title.

Woooooooo!

Blair “The Flair” Cobbs has signed with Hall of Fame promoter Don King. The 34-year-old Cobbs was hungry to get back into the ring. The Philadelphia, PA born welterweight, who sports a 16-1-1 record with 10 KOs, continues to hold the WBC-NABF welterweight title.

“I’m ready to return to action,” said Cobbs. “And what better way to further my career than to be with the best promoter in the game, Don King. I’m also tired of listening to all the talk out of Adrien Broner. Broner’s talk is cheap. Broner seems to be more comfortable fighting on social media than he is in the ring. There’s no reason not to get in the ring together and I’ll show him who is the boss. Continue reading “Blair “The Flair” signs with Don King”

Recent world title challenger Shohjahon Ergashev (23-1, 20 KOs) will face Juan Huertas (17-4-1, 13 KOs) in a just-added 10-round super lightweight co-main event of “Big Time Boxing USA” on Thursday, March 28, at Wayne State Fieldhouse in Detroit and streamed live on DAZN. IBF #14 Ergashev will be entering the ring for the first time since suffering his lone career defeat, a sixth-round stoppage loss against Subriel Matias for the IBF title in November of last year.

The card is topped by 2016 Olympian Juan Carrillo putting his unbeaten record on the line against Quinton Rankin in a ten round light heavyweight bout. Also featured on the telcast is IBF #2 super middleweight Vladimir Shishkin against Mike Guy in a ten-rounder.

Fomer two-time cruiserweight world champion Yuniel Dorticos (26-2, 24 KOs) signed a promotional agreement with The Heavyweight Factory (Kris Lawrence) and Warriors Boxing (Leon Margules/Luis De Cubas Sr.) on Tuesday. Prior to turning professional, Dorticos from Cuba had an outstanding amateur career. He is now based in South Florida. The goal is mutual by he and his team for him to become a three-time cruiserweight world champion. Dorticos is ranked #1 in the world by the World Boxing Association (WBA).

Radivoje Kalajdzic 174 vs. Sullivan Barrera 174
Luke Santamaria 146.6 vs. Nicklaus Flaz 146.6
Kelvin Davis 143 vs. Mario Ezequiel Sayal Lozano 143
Vershaun Lee 143 vs. Luis Vega Sanchez 144.6

Venue: Whitesands Events Center, Plant City, Florida.
Promoter: Probox Promotions
TV: Probox TV

Undisputed super middleweight champion Canelo Álvarez and challenger Jaime Munguía have commented on their May 4 PPV showdown on Amazon Prime and DAZN from T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

Canelo Alvarez: “I’m very proud and excited to be able to make this fight. A Mexican versus another Mexican is always a huge fight and it’s been a while since there’s been one like this. It’s great to give an opportunity like this to a fighter that’s earned it like Jaime has. It gives me a lot of joy that two Mexicans will be facing each other in such a big fight for the sport.”

Jaime Munguía: “I’m very, very happy and filled with enthusiasm for this great opportunity. I’m incredibly grateful to everyone involved who were able to make this fight a reality. We are ready to give fans a great night of boxing on Saturday, May 4. I can’t wait to demonstrate to the world that I am capable of doing great things. Viva Tijuana and Viva México!”

Note: Pre-sale tickets are available Thursday, March 14 from 10 a.m. PT until 10 p.m. PT through AXS.com by using the code: PBC

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

The long-awaited news was confirmed this past Friday, as Saúl “Canelo” Álvarez will defend his unified WBC-WBA-WBO-IBF super middleweight championship against the WBC Silver champion, Jaime Munguía, a war between Mexicans, on the traditional date on Cinco de Mayo (May 4), at T-Mobile, Las Vegas, USA.

There has not been a fight of this level between two Mexican fighters for many years. The most recent one, was between Canelo and Julio César Chávez Jr. in 2017. Every occasion in which two compatriots meet in a ring is a guarantee of great emotions, quality, and patriotic rivalry like no other. Continue reading “War Between Mexicans on May 4”

Undefeated super middleweight contender Christian Mbilli has inked a long-term co-promotional agreement with Top Rank, who will work with Eye of the Tiger. Mbilli (26-0, 22 KOs) is ranked in the top 5 of every major governing body. His ring return will be announced by Eye of the Tiger and Top Rank in the coming weeks.

“It is an honor for me that this co-promotion is taking place with Top Rank,” Mbilli said. “We all know the power of promoters and the significant role they play in the boxing world. So, with Top Rank and Eye of the Tiger joining forces, I certainly have an unbeatable team as I head towards a world championship. A big thank you to my team, which once again demonstrates their hard work with this incredible partnership!”

ESPN+ will air Queensberry Promotions’ “Magnificent Seven” card headlined by Nathan Heaney against Brad Pauls for the British middleweight title. Featured on the undercard of that event is heavyweight contender Joe Joyce (15-2, 14 KOs), rebounding from two straight KO losses to Zhilei Zhang. Joyce will face Kash Ali (21-2, 12 KOs) in a ten rounder.

By Jeff Zimmerman

Fightnews.com® caught up with WBO junior middleweight champ Tim Tszyu as he prepares to face former two-time world champion Keith “One Time” Thurman on Sat, Mar 30th at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas and the big boxing launch of Amazon Prime. Tszyu talked about growing up as the son of a legend and hall of famer, Kostya Tszyu. He talked about the verbal sparring with Thurman and predicted a KO. Tszyu gave his thoughts on Garcia-Haney and shared a desire to still fight Charlo and potential matchups with Spence, Crawford and Ortiz Jr at 154. He also dove into Paul-Tyson and the AJ knockout of Ngannou and much more in this exclusive interview.

Fan favorite Oscar Valdez (31-2, 23 KOs) is on the hunt for another world title shot. The former two-division world champion will take on Liam Wilson (13-2, 7 KOs) on ESPN+ in a special 12-round junior lightweight attraction on Friday, March 29 at Desert Diamond Arena in Glendale, Arizona.

Following a recent training session in San Diego, California, this is what Valdez had to say:

“This is definitely a crossroads fight because it will determine who gets closer to a world title opportunity. My goal for 2024 is to be a world champion again. I miss being a world champion. Boxing is my life. If you are not striving to be the best, then what are you doing in this sport? I always train hard to be the best. So, this fight means everything because winning this fight will put me one step closer to a world title shot.” Continue reading “Oscar Valdez: This Will Definitely Be A War!”

Former WBC flyweight champion Charlie Edwards (18-1, 7 KOs), now campaigning at bantamweight, will face Georges Ory (17-3-1, 2 KOs) headlining a Wasserman Boxing event at London’s York Hall on April 12. The bout will be a ten-rounder for the WBC Silver International belt. Edwards is the bother of former IBF flyweight champion Sunny Edwards.

On the same night, unbeaten super middleweight Lerrone Richards (18-0, 4 KOs) meets Steed Woodall (18-2-1, 11 KOs) over 10 rounds with the WBO Intercontinental title up for grabs.

Tom Loeffler’s 360 Promotions has announced the full fight card for the St. Patrick’s Day Weekend boxing event this Friday, March 15 in The Theater at Madison Square Garden and broadcast live worldwide on UFC Fightpass. The seven-fight card is headlined by unbeaten super welterweight ‘King’ Callum Walsh (9-0, 7 KOs) against Dauren Yeleussinov, (11-3-1, 10 KOs) in a scheduled ten-rounder for the vacant WBC Continental Americas title.

Other bouts:

• In a ten-rounder for the WBA Continental Americas super featherweight title, Feargal McCrory (15-0, 7 KOs) takes on Carlos Carlson (25-7, 16 KOs) winner of two of his last three fights by knockout.
• Light heavyweight ‘Irish’ Joe Ward (10-1, 6 KOs) faces Derrick ‘Take it to the Bank’ Webster (29-4-1, 14 KOs) over eight rounds.
• Super lightweight Reshat ‘The Albanian Bear’ Mati (14-0, 8 KOs) meets Irving ‘Poderoso’ Macias, (15-4, 10 KOs) in an eight-rounder.
• Longtime Long Island fan favorite, super lightweight Cletus ‘The Hebrew Hammer’ Seldin, (27-1, 23 KOs), currently riding a six-fight winning streak, battles Jose Angulo (16-7, 9 KOs) in an eight-rounder.
• Six-time New York City Women’s Golden Gloves champion Nisa Rodriguez makes her pro debut in a four-round super middleweight affair against Jozette Cotton (0-3-1).
• Opening up the card, undefeated heavyweight Giovanni Scuderi (9-0, 4 KOs) faces Brandon Carmack, (7-3-2, 4 KOs), of Kansas City, MO.

By Brad Snyder-The Undercard
Photos by Bob Ryder

Carlos Llinas and CLIP Promotions showcased ten fights at the Sound Board at Motor City Casino in Detroit, Michigan. The undercard had some very competitive fights, but it was the main event for the vacant WBC Silver Cruiserweight title that was the focus of the evening’s event. Cruiserweight Derick Miller Jr. (16-0, 8 KOs) in his toughest challenge to date was able to defeat Adrian Taylor (13-3-1, 5 KOs) by UD. The win exhibited Miller’s cardio and much improved combinations. Promoter Carlos Llinas, after the fight, admitted that, “Miller has to increase his quality of fights and stay active. Best he has ever looked.. and we are heading in the right direction with Derick.” Continue reading “Night of Knockouts XXIX”

By Joe Koizumi
Photos by Naoki Fukuda

WBA#4 Yuni Takada (14-8-3, 6 KOs), 105, was a huge prefight favorite due to his latest surge, but had a very tough time coping with fleet-footed speedster JBC#1 Shunsuke Isa (13-6-1, 2 KOs), 105, and managed to keep his Japanese minimum belt by a unanimous decision (96-92 twice, 97-91) over ten speedy rounds on Friday in Tokyo, Japan. After the fifth, the open scoring system indicated Takada widely leading on points: all 49-46 in his favor. Takada, handled by three-time world 140lb challenger Lion Furuyama, decked the soft-punching challenger with a solid right in round six. But it was Isa that amazingly displayed a last surge, battered the champ and dropped him with a furious combination in the closing seconds of the final tenth. The champ Takada was barely saved by the bell that came to his rescue. Isa deserves a rematch. Continue reading “WBA #4 Takada barely keeps Japanese 105lb belt”

Former super welterweight world champion “King” Carlos Molina (39-14-2, 13 KOs) knocked out Cristian Arrazola (20-19-3, 16 KOs) in the third round on Saturday night at the Auditorio Municipal in Quiroga, Michoacan, Mexico. A straight right put Arrazola on all fours to end it. In addition to fighting in the main event, Molina was also the promoter.

It’s official. Undisputed super middleweight champion Canelo Alvarez will face Jaime Munguia on May 4 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. Interestingly it will be PBC who will promote the PPV event on Prime Video after Canelo walked away from them last week but was unable to work out a deal with Matchroom.

Canelo made the announcement on social media: Mexican war cry. See you on May 4 at the T-Mobile in Las Vegas.

In a clash between world-ranked junior flyweight contenders, undefeated WBC #5, WBA #7, WBO #12 Jairo Noriega (14-0, 3 KOs) scored a twelve round unanimous decision over WBO #7, WBA #8, WBC #8 Azael “Candelilla” Villar (20-3-4, 15 KOs) on Friday night at the Pharaohs Casino in Managua, Nicaragua. Villar pressed the action but was largely frustrated by the mobile Noriega. Noriega wins the WBO Latino title.

By Brad Snyder / The Undercard

Derick Miller Jr. 193 vs. Adrian Taylor 199
Savannah Tini 147 vs. Timmecia Phillips 144.2
Samuel Rizzo 129.7 vs. Nikolai Buzolin TBA
Justin LaceyPierce 144.3 vs. Tray Martin 143.9
Justin Johnson 169.4 vs. Lamar Bolden 168.6
Tadale Harris 174.1 vs. Brendan Kotex 169.1
Kevin Carree Jr. 157.2 vs. Darius Carr 157.1
Cory Mulhern 175.4 vs. Davis Carr Jr. 181.5
Katriel Young 165.1 vs. Ashaun Bates 171.9
Christopher Thompson 172 vs. Mason Partlow 178

Venue: Sound Board in Motor City Casino
Promoter: CLIP International Promotions

Promoter Carlos Llinas has the vacant US WBC silver cruiserweight title on the line for his main event in Detroit, MI at the Sound Board inside the Motor City Casino. The main event has Detroit native Derick Miller Jr. (15-0, 8 KOs) vs. Adrian Taylor (13-2-1, 5 KOs) of Dallas, Texas. Continue reading “Weights from Detroit + Preview”

Former two-time unified heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua (28-3, 25 KOs) annihilated MMA superstar and WBC #10 rated Francis Ngannou (0-2) in two rounds on Friday night at the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Joshua dropped Ngannou in the first round with a right hand, then used the same punch to floor Ngannou twice in round two to end the fight. Time was 2:38. Ngannou was out cold.

Ngannou previously gave WBC heavyweight champion Tyson Fury all he could handle, but Joshua comprehensively destroyed him.

Former world champion Joseph Parker (35-3, 23 KOs) dethroned WBO interim heavyweight champion Zhilei Zhang (26-2-1, 21 KOs) by twelve round majority decision. Zhang dropped Parker in round three and eight, but Parker ultimately outboxed and outworked an exhausted Zhang in a tactical fight. Scores were 113-113, 114-112, 115-111. After the fight, Parker revealed that Zhang has a rematch clause so it looks like they’ll be running this back.

WBC featherweight champion Rey Vargas (36-1-1, 22 KOs) barely kept his title with a twelve round draw against #1 contender Nick Ball (19-0-1, 11 KOs) The lanky Vargas towered over the 5’2 Ball and dominated the first six rounds. Ball rocked Vargas in round seven, then dropped him in round eight and again in round eleven. In the end, judges had it 114-112 Vargas, 116-110 Ball, 113-113.