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“It’s been a hell of a ride” – Greg Sirb

After 33 years, legendary Pennsylvania State Athletic Commission (SAC) executive director Greg Sirb is planning to retire. His last day is September 29.

Sirb has served as executive director since January 29, 1990, making him the country’s longest-tenured executive director of a state athletic commission. Currently, Sirb is serving under his seventh Pennsylvania governor and his 14th Secretary of the Commonwealth.

Sirb will receive “special recognition” this month from the members of the Pennsylvania Senate.

Continue reading “Sirb to retire after 33 years with PA Commission”

By Joe Koizumi

Unbeaten Japanese prospect, WBC youth light fly champ Yuga Ozaki (4-0-1, 4 KOs), a fast-punching southpaw, 108, decked a very important victory over WBA#4 Sitthisak Simsri (15-2, 15 KOs), 106.75, a hard-punching Thailander, when Ozaki dropped him twice in the first round and had him in great trouble to have the ref declare a halt at 1:53 of the second round in a scheduled ten on Sunday in Osaka, Japan. Ozaki looked so sharp and smooth that he connected fast combinations to the highly regarded Thailander, quickly decking him twice in round one. Simsri had a narrow escape, and he scored with a big left midway in round two. Ozaki, however, retaliated with a furious combination to have him helpless to the ropes to cause the referee’s intervention.

Promoter: Taisei Promotions.

By Joe Koizumi

40-year-young ex-world 105-pound champ Katsunari Takayama (34-9, 12 KOs), 107.5, scored a unanimous decision (78-74 twice, 77-75) over Filipino Jerome Baloro (7-4-1, 4 KOs), 107.5, over eight fast rounds on Sunday in Osaka, Japan. For the veteran Takayama, it was his second comeback go since he failed to win the WBO light fly belt from Elwin Soto in Arlington, TX in 2021 as he recently decisioned Filipino Joel Lino this June. Faster and busier, Katsunari piled up more points and defeated the durable Filipino, seventeen years his junior.

Promoter: Taisei and Ishida Promotions.

By Joe Koizumi

WBO#1 ranked flyweight contender Riku Kano (16-3-1, 7 KOs), 112, floored Kitidech Hirunsuk (11-5, 6 KOs), 112, a durable Thailander, twice in rounds one and six, and pounded out a nearly one-sided decision (all 98-87) over ten furious rounds on Sunday in Osaka, Japan. Having renounced his WBO AP belt, Kano is patiently waiting for his turn to fight for the world belt. The sixth saw Kano drop Kitidech again but hit him while he was still on the canvas to have him penalized a couple of points therefrom. Taisei Promotions is planning to stage an eliminator with WBO#2 Olimjon Nazarov to decide the WBO mandatory challenger within this year.

Wins vacant WBO AP 112lb belt

By Joe Koizumi

Unbeaten Kento Hatanaka (15-0, 10 KOs), 112, acquired the vacant WBO Asia Pacific flyweight belt (relinquished by Riku Kano) as he eked out a close but unanimous decision (114-113, 115-112 twice) over previously undefeated Akira Hoshuyama (9-1, 4 KOs), 112, over twelve hard-fought rounds on Sunday in Nagoya, Japan.

Kento, the son of ex-WBC 122-pound champ Kiyoshi Hatanaka, scored a flash knockdown in the first round, which eventually distinguished a victory from a defeat after their give-and-take affair that fully entertained the audience.

Promoter: Hatanaka Promotions.

Boxing returns to Thunder Studios in Long Beach on September 23 with an eleven-bout card featuring the Son of the Legend, Marco Antonio Barrera Jr. making his professional debut. Barrera Jr. looks to create his own legacy as he squares off against New Yorker Sirdarious Smith (0-3 with three first round KO losses. Tickets start $70 with ringside at $150 and $200.

Undisputed junior middleweight world champion Jermell Charlo held a live streamed media workout on Monday and previewed his upcoming showdown against undisputed super middleweight world champion Canelo Álvarez topping a SHOWTIME PPV Saturday, September 30 from T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. Here is what Charlo, along with trainer Derrick James, had to say Monday from his training camp in Houston:

Jermell Charlo

“I’ve been doing this my whole life and now it’s time to put on for my city. Put up or shut up and do what I do. I’m facing one of the best fighters in the world, you have to be excited for this moment.

“Now is the right time for this fight. We’re in our primes and at our best. I wanna shake the doubters off and prove to the world why I’m in this position. There’s a reason I made it this far. I’m gonna show what I’m made of. Everything I’ve done since I was eight years old, I’m putting it all on the line now. Continue reading “Jermell Charlo Media Workout”

Ten months after accepting a WBA offer to fight in a title eliminator, WBA #2 super flyweight John “Scrappy” Ramirez (12-0, 9 KOs) will finally get his opportunity October 7 in Las Vegas against WBA #7 Ronal Batista (15-3, 9 KOs). The winner will become the mandatory challenger for WBA super flyweight World Champion Kazuto Ioka (30-2-1, 15 KOs). Ramirez was initially matched against then #3 rated Sirichai Thaiyen (64-4, 42 KOs), who has since dropped to #8 in the WBA rankings.

Ramirez-Batista will be the co-featured event on a Golden Boy-promoted card to be headlined by former world super middleweight champion Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez (44-1, 30 KOs), who takes on former world light heavyweight titleholder Joe “The Common Man” Smith, Jr. (28-4, 22 KOs). All the action will be streamed live on DAZN from The Chelsea inside The Cosmopolitan.

Former IBO super middleweight world champion Carlos Gongora (21-2, 16 KOs) of Ecuador weighed in ahead of his Tuesday morning bout with his opponent heavy handed local favorite Jhon Teheran (18-3, 15 KOs) of Colombia. The two will square of Tuesday morning at the Coliseo David Sanchez de Pescaito in Santa Marta, Colombia. Both fighters successully weighed in at an agreed upon catchweight above the super middleweight limit. Gongora was accompanied by his manager Mike Criscio.

Hometown super bantamweight Ramon “Dinamita” Cardenas (22-1, 11 KOs) faces undefeated Rafael Pedroza for the WBA Continental-Latin American title in the main event of a SHOBOX: The New Generation telecast on Friday from Boeing Center at Tech Point in San Antonio, Texas. Previously ranked as high as #5 by the WBA, Cardenas has won his last 10 bouts dating back to 2017.

“Everything is going well. I never really stop training, so I’ve just kept doing what I usually do, I’m just doing more of it. This guy (Pedroza) is undefeated, so he’ll fight like it. He’ll come a little stronger than other fighters and I’m totally prepared for that. I know he’ll be dangerous for the first few rounds, but then, my experience will take over in the later rounds.” Continue reading “Cardenas in spotlight Friday”

IBF super featherweight champion Joe Cordina (16-0, 9 KOs) will defend his world title against Edward Vazquez (15-1, 3 KOs) on November 4 at the famous Casino de Monte Carlo. Also IBF light flyweight champion Sive Nontshinga (12-0, 9 KOs) puts his belt on the line for the second time against Adrian Curiel Dominguez (22-4-1, 3 KOs).

In the undercard, 2016 Olympic Bronze medallist Souleymane Cissokho (16-0, 9 KOs) defends his WBC silver welterweight title against Isaias Lucero (16-1, 10 KOs), and female super bantamweight Ramla Ali (8-1, 2 KOs) will seek redemption as she looks to avenge her only professional loss to date in a rematch with Julissa Guzman (13-2-2, 7 KOs) for the IBF Intercontinental title.

“We’re delighted to be returning to beautiful Monte Carlo for another stacked night of world title action,” said Matchroom Sport Chairman Eddie Hearn. “This will be our first fight night in Monte Carlo since 2019 and I’m thrilled to be returning with a huge world title doubleheader…we have a thrilling night of championship action in store for fight fans around the world on DAZN.”

ESPN has announced that plans for a fight for the vacant WBC lightweight title between Shakur Stevenson and Frank Martin is off. A deal was reached between the teams prior to a WBC purse bid, but Martin camp reportedly rejected the contract.

The title is vacant because former champ Devin Haney is moving up to challenge WBC super lightweight champion Regis Prograis, reportedly December 9 in San Francisco.

The WBC released its new ratings on Saturday and there was some reshuffling at lightweight. Stevenson will face the top available contender for the vacant belt.

1 Shakur Stevenson
2 Frank Martin
3 Vasyl Lomachenko
4 Isaac Cruz Jr.
5 William Zepeda
6 Edwin de los Santos
7 Jamaine Ortiz
8 Shuichiro Yoshino
9 Raymond Muratalla
10 George Kambosos Jr.
11 Maxi Hughes
12 Keyshawn Davis
13 Denys Berinchyk
14 Zaur Abdullaev
15 Artem Harutyunyan

Report/Photos: Boxing Bob Newman

The 53rd annual NABF convention came to a close at the Caribe Royale hotel in Orlando, Florida tonight in traditional fashion. The annual awards banquet was held in the Caribbean ballroom where delicious buffet was served and a cache of awards were presented as follows:

Loyalty award: Troyce Stamley
Loyalty award: Lucy Rogers
Loyalty award: Lee Rogers
Commission of the Year award: California
Lifetime achievement award: Creighton “Jay” Nady
Lifetime achievement award: Don Majeski
Promoter of the year: Jimmy Burchfield Sr.
Promoter of the year: Eye Of The Tiger
Appreciation award: Barry Lindenman
Appreciation award: Kevin Scott
Worker of the year award: Bob Newman
Cat Is Still Gray In The Dark award: Chris Migliore

Photos

The WBO Championship Committee has elevated WBO super lightweight champion Teofimo Lopez to super champion status. The super champion designation grants Lopez extra benefits, such as 1) Extension of time for mandatory title defense, 2) Eligibility to be considered for designation as mandatory challenger in higher or lower divisions, 3) More favorable splits in purse bids.

By Boxing Bob Newman

Hall of Fame former champ and current ESPN boxing analyst Timothy Bradley spoke with Fightnews.com® regarding his views on a meeting of the minds of the media, ring officials and the fans, in hopes of getting everyone on the same page!

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Report/Photos: Boxing Bob Newman

Day 2 of the 53rd NABF annual convention in Orlando, Florida kicked off with a quick leadership award for Mike Mazzuli who had to depart back home and wouldn’t be on hand for the awards banquet Saturday night.

Judge David Sutherland was introduced to speak on his journey through the boxing world of officiating and his advice on navigating the sometimes choppy waters therein.

The keynote speaker on the morning was former world champ and current ESPN boxing analyst and Hall-of-Famer Timothy Bradley.

Bradley gave a very moving speech on officiating. Bradley asked, “If a fighter can be disciplined and held accountable for fouls, not making weight and other infractions, why can’t officials be held to same?” Bradley is in favor of real time scoring like in other sports. Baseball, hockey, basketball and other sports have real time scoring- everyone knows the scores as the competition is ongoing. Continue reading “NABF 53rd Annual Convention Day 2 Report”

Unbeaten lightweight Bader “The Master” Samreen (9-0, 8 KOs) scored an impressive fifth round TKO over Jose Paez (16-3-2, 12 KOs) on Saturday night at the Mubadala Arena in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. Samreen dropped Paez in round four and got a referee’s stoppage in round five. Time was 1:37.

Unbeaten super flyweight Sultan Al Nuaimi (10-0, 6 KOs) recovered from a first round knockdown to defeat Jemsi Kibazange (18-6-3, 5 KOs) over ten rounds. Scores were 96-93.

Unbeaten cruiserweight Mohammed “The Destroyer” Bekdash (26-0, 23 KOs) blew away Musa Ntege (8-5, 6 KOs) in the first round. After three knockdowns, the fight was stopped at 1:38. Bekdash was lucky he didn’t get disqualified when he hit Ntege behind the head while Ntege was on the canvas after the first knockdown.

By Brad Snyder-The Undercard
Photos by Bob Ryder

Cruiserweight Derick Miller (13-0, 8 KOs) continues his winning streak at Motor City Casino Sound Board in Detroit on Friday night. Miller faced Fernando De Almeida (10-10, 10 KOs) scored three knockdowns in the 2nd Round to come out victorious by TKO at the 2:11 mark. Continue reading “Night of Knockouts XXVII”

Salita Promotions has announced that heavyweights Otto Wallin (25-1, 14 KOs) and Murat Gassiev (30-1, 23 KOs) will clash for the WBA intercontinental title on September 30th. The bout will take place at the Regnum Carla Resort in Antalya, Turkey.

Wallin, 32, has won five straight since suffering his only loss against Tyson Fury. Former cruiserweight champion Gassiev, 29, is 3-0 as a heavyweight. His only loss is to Oleksandr Usyk.

By Boxing Bob Newman

Newly crowned NABF super featherweight champion Jordan “Short Dog” White received his belt at the NABF convention in Orlando and took the time to reflect on his past, his current status and future in the fight game.

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Unbeaten WBC #1, WBA #3, IBF #4, WBO #6 super middleweight Christian Mbilli (25-0, 21 KOs) overpowered Demond Nicholson (26-6-1, 22 KOs) on Friday night at the Casino Lac-Leamy in Gatineau, Quebec, Canada. Mobile dropped Nicholson in both rounds one and two. Mbilli finally floored Nicholson for the count in round four. Time was 1:56. Mbilli successfully defended his WBC Continental and WBA International titles.

NABF champion and WBC #15 super lightweight Steve “The Dragon” Claggett (36-7-2, 25 KOs) dealt a one-sided ten round beatdown to Carlos Sanchez (24-2, 19 KOs). In a brawl, Claggett dropped Sanchez with a body shot in round four. Claggett floored Sanchez again with a head shot in round six. Another body shot knockdown in round seven. Scores were 98-89, 99-88, 99-88.

In a clash between unbeaten middleweights, local hero Alexandre Gaumont (9-0, 6 KOs) outscored Ulices Tovar Rivera (8-1, 5 KOs) over eight. Judges had it 79-73 3x.

Rigoberto Hermosillo 127.8 vs Alexis De Luna 127.9
Emiliano Moreno 143.9 vs Levy Garcia Benitez 144.5
Juan Sanchez 146.9 vs Roberto Patron 144.7
Kevin Salgado 146.2 vs Osvaldo Negrete 142.9
Nelson Oliva 161.9 vs Selim Martinez 161.6
Tayden Beltran 136 vs Francisco Duque 135.5
Sean Brewer 122.8 vs Deiniel Santiago Alegre 122.6

Venue: Infinite Reality Studios
Promoter:
TV: FOX Deportes

By Boxing Bob Newman

Boxing has lost another luminary this week as long-time judge and administrator Herb Santos, Sr. passed while on a trip to Portugal. During the NABF convention Friday morning, both NABF president Duane Ford and WBC president Mauricio Sulaiman lauded Santos, Sr. for his integrity, professionalism and kindness.

Santos was a veteran of some 20 world title fights, with his most memorable being the 1985 Marvelous Marvin Hagler vs. Thomas “Hitman” Hearns fight for the undisputed middleweight championship of the world.
Santos had been a member of the NABF, WBC Supervisor, Chairman of the Nevada State Athletic Commission from 1987-88. Continue reading “Herb Santos Passes”

Report/Photos: Boxing Bob Newman

The official business of the 53rd NABF annual convention in Orlando, Florida got underway in the Caribbean Hall this morning. Board member and emcee Joanna Aguilar introduced former NABF champion Oscar Cantu, now an ordained minister, to lead the opening prayer.

After the playing of the Canadian, Mexican and American national anthems, Aguilar introduced members of the NABF board. Continue reading “NABF 53rd Annual Convention Day 1 meetings”