Fightnews.com

By Ron Jackson

It has been reported that South Africa’s number one fighter Kevin Lerena (30-2, 14 KOs), the WBC interim bridgerweight champion, will be fighting at the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on March 8, when he meets the unbeaten Australian heavyweight Justus Huni (8-0, 4 KOs) on the undercard of the Anthony Joshua vs Francis Nganou heavyweight fight.

The current WBC Bridgerweight champion is Lukasz Rozanski (15-0, 14 KOs) from Poland who is reportedly scheduled to face Oscar Rivas in Columbia on August 13.

Despite being one of the top two fighters in the bridgerweight division, Lerena, 31, will moving into the heavyweight class to keep busy and earn a good purse on the international stage. Continue reading “Kevin Lerena to fight in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia”

By Joe Koizumi

The unbeaten Shigeoka brothers will make their second defenses on the same bill in Nagoya, Japan, on March 31. WBC minimum champ Yudai Shigeoka (8-0, 5 KOs), 26, will risk his belt against Filipino ex-titlist Melvin Jerusalem (21-3, 12 KOs). Also, IBF 105-pound ruler Ginjiro Shigeoka (10-0-1NC, 8 KOs), 24, will put his belt on the line against Filipino puncher ArAr Andales (14-2-3, 6 KOs). Continue reading “Shigeoka brothers to defend belts together”

Photos: Mikey Williams/Top Rank

Teofimo Lopez (19-1, 13 KOs) and Jamaine Ortiz (17-1-1, 8 KOs) hosted their public workouts today ahead of their showdown for Lopez’s WBO junior welterweight world title this Thursday on ESPN at Michelob ULTRA Arena at Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas.

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Ryan Shaw 117.6 vs. Vit Y 117.8
Iman Lee 132.8 vs. Devon Lee 132.2
Luis J. Rodriguez Fernandez 171 vs. Javier Frazier 175.4
Elon De Jesus 123.2 vs. Weusi Johnson 124.6
Terrell Bostic 137.8 vs. Pedro Hernandez 136
Khalil Smoot 244.4 vs. Conway Beaudry Will weigh in Tomorrow
Jacob Riley Solis 164 vs. Tracey Coppedge 157.6

Date: Tuesday, February 6
Venue: Troubadour Nashville
Promoter: Jimmy Adams Promotions
TV: Fite.tv (Marc Abrams and Albert Haynesworth on the call)
1st Bell 7PM CT (8 PM ET)

CBN Promotions, headed by former Thompson Boxing exec Alex Camponovo, has announced a deal to stream its events on Fubo Sports. The agreement will deliver monthly live boxing content to Fubo Sports, which you can stream for free on Amazon Freevee, LG Channels, Samsung TV Plus, The Roku Channel, Vizio WatchFree+, Tubi, Plex and Tablo TV.

CBN kicks off its 2024 schedule on Saturday from Thunder Studios in Long Beach, California, with super featherweight Austin Brooks (11-0, 4 KOs) against Jose Manuel Izaguirre (7-0, 3 KOs) for the WBA Continental title in the 10-round main event. The entire event will be broadcast live on ESPN Knockout and Fubo Sports.

WBO Advisory Notice: Please be advised that in the event any WBO champion (male or female) tests positive for any banned substances, it is not necessary that the WBO demonstrate intent, fault, negligence, or knowing use on the fighter’s part considering that it is the fighter’s duty to ensure that no prohibited substances enter his/her body. Fighters are fully responsible for any prohibited substances found to be present in their body.

His Excellency Turki Alalshikh, Chairman of the General Entertainment Authority in Saudi Arabia, has unveiled a special belt to be presented to the winner of WBC heavyweight champion against WBA/IBF/WBO heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk.

“This belt will wait for Fury or Usyk,” tweeted His Excellency. “Made specifically for this fight … for the first time 4 belts undisputed in the same fight … fight of the century… Ring Of Fire 18th of May 2024.”

Unbeaten 6’5, 270-pound heavyweight Tsotne Rogava (4-0, 4 KOs) will headline for the first time on Thursday night, February 15, on the “Punches and Punchlines” card at Soboba Casino Resort in San Jacinto, California. This will be the first pro boxing event at Soboba Casino in nearly five years. Rogava, a 2020 Olympian trained by Hall of Famer Joe Goossen, will take on John Shipman (5-5, 2 KOs) in the six-round main event.

In the co-feature, super lightweight Jimmie “El Chingon” Nunez (5-2, 5 KOs) faces Kenekuk De La Rosa (2-1, 1 KO) in a six-rounder. Also, undefeated 6’1 super featherweight prospect Nilo Guerrero (7-0, 6 KOs) meets Dan Hernandez (3-4, 2 KOs) in a six-round bout.

By Joe Koizumi
Photos by Naoki Fukuda

Hard-punching ex-champ Goki Kobayashi (7-1, 5 KOs), 104.75, regained the WBO Asia Pacific 105-pound belt as he dropped compatriot Yuri Kanaya (5-2, 1 KO), 105, three times and finally halted him at 2:27 of the third round in a schedule twelve on Saturday in Tokyo, Japan. Having been in a boxing team of the same high school, they were more than intimate friends but Kobayashi, two years his junior at 25, exploded a vicious left hook to floor the game senior in the second, and decked him twice more with furious combos in the fatal third. Kobayashi forfeited his WBO AP belt by an upset decision to Filipino Jake Amparo last August. Though aiming to regain it from Amparo in a direct rematch, the newly crowned champ renounced the belt to decline a rematch with the Japanese. Kobayashi looked sharp and speedy enough, and we wondered why he had lost his belt to Amparo. Kobayashi is worth watching. Continue reading “WBC#8 Kobayashi regains WBO AP 105lb belt”

By Joe Koizumi
Photos by Naoki Fukuda

Formerly world rated flyweight JBC#2 Ryota Yamauchi (11-3, 10 KOs), 112, impressively scored a one-punch knockout of Filipino Arnold Garde (12-15-5, 6 KOs), 111.25, at 1:16 of the second round in a scheduled eight on Friday in Tokyo, Japan. Having failed to win the WBO 112-pound belt via eighth-round stoppage by unbeaten champ Junto Nakatani two years ago, Ryota mixed it up with the free-swinging Filipino banger, and his single short uppercut had him on the deck to have him unable to beat the count. Continue reading “Ex-world challenger Yamauchi finishes Garde”

WBO #12 world ranked Tobias ´Pitbul’ Reyes (14-0-1, 13) of Argentina stopped Eduardo Ajito (13-2, 7 KOs) of Peru Saturday night at the Club Deportivo Jorge Newbery, in Galvez, Santa Fe, Argentina. Reyes applied a very controlled offensive attack from the opening bell, mixing both head and body shots on the game Ajito. It was a steady breakdown of Ajito as each round passed. Ajito did not answer the bell for round six. Reyes retained his WBO Latino flyweight title.

WBO #14 super welterweight Chordale “The Gift” Booker (22-1, 10 KOs) outpointed former world title challenger Greg “The Villain” Vendetti (23-6-1, 12 KOs) over ten rounds on Saturday night at the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut. Vendetta pressed the action while Booker used stick and move tactics. Booker closed strong to win 98-92, 99-91, 99-91. Booker lost his WBC US super welterweight title on the scale Friday.

Featherweight Ricky de los Santos (12-1, 3 KOs) outscored Nathan Martinez (8-3, 2 KOs) over eight rounds to claim the vacant WBC USA Silver 126lb belt. Scores were 79-73, 78-74, 78-74.

Unbeaten middleweight Francis “Frank the Tank” Hogan (16-0, 14 KOs) scored an eight round unanimous decision over Dormedes Potes (14-5-1, 10 KOs) to claim the vacant WBC USA Silver 160lb belt. Hogan dropped Potes in rounds three and seven en route to a 80 3x win. Continue reading “Booker beats Vendetti”

In a clash of unbeaten heavyweights, WBO #6, WBA #11, IBF #12, WBC #15 rated Fabio Wardley (17-0, 16 KOs) and 2020 Olympic bronze medalist Frazer Clarke (8-0, 6 KOs) will collide on Easter Sunday, March 31, at the O2 Arena in London. Wardley will be defending his British and Commonwealth titles. Sky Sports will televise in the UK and Ireland and Peacock in the USA.

Fabio Wardley: “I’m absolutely buzzing to be headlining what will be a massive show at the iconic O2 Arena, I’ve fought there a lot before so it’s like a home away from home for me. As a seasoned former Olympian, Frazer Clarke is definitely the most well-schooled boxer I’ll have ever faced, but there’s some lessons you can’t learn in school… And I’ve got more than enough firepower in my arsenal to lay him flat on his back, just like all my other opponents.”

Frazer Clarke: “Finally, the fight that I wanted and the fight that the British public wanted. The talking is over, it’s here. Headlining the O2 Arena for the British and Commonwealth Titles is something I’ve dreamed of. I’m ready to take out Fabio Wardley and bring the titles back to Burton upon Trent. There’s been a lot of back and forth but now we can settle it like men.”

Unbeaten welterweight Conor “The Destroyer” Benn (23-0, 14 KOs) scored a twelve round unanimous decision over Peter Dobson (16-1, 9 KOs) on Saturday at The Chelsea at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas. Benn simply teed off for the first few rounds. Dobson woke up midway and got into the fight. Benn remained the sharper puncher and pulled away to a 119-109, 118-110, 118-110 verdict.

In a clash between unbeaten middleweights, Austin ‘Ammo’ Williams (16-0, 11 KOs) broke down and stopped late sub Armel Mbumba-Yassa (10-1, 7 KOs) in the seventh round of a bout for the WBA International title. Williams dropped Mbumba-Yassa in round six and laid him out with a crushing left to end it. Time was 2:52.

Unbeaten Heavyweight Johnny “The Romford Bull” Fisher (11-0, 10 KOs) stopped Dmytro Bezus (10-2 5 KOs) in the first round. A barrage of punches prompted a referee’s stoppage at 2:51. Continue reading “Benn defeats Dobson, Ammo gets KO”

In a WBA light heavyweight final eliminator, #1 Joshua Buatsi (18-0, 13 KOs) scored a twelve round unanimous decision over #2 Dan Azeez (20-1, 13 KOs) on Saturday night at London’s OVO Arena. Buatsi built a lead in a slow-paced tactical fight. Buatsi was credited with two knockdowns in round eleven, assisted by Azeez having difficulty with a slippery ring. Buatsi punished a desperate Azeez in the final stanza to win 116-110, 117-109, 117-109.

Unbeaten European super lightweight champion Adam Azim (11-0, 8 KOs) was victorious when Enock Poulsen (14-1, 5 KOs) couldn’t continue after sustaining a shoulder injury in round five. Time was 2:39.

Olympian light heavyweight Ben Whittaker (6-0, 5 KOs) outclassed Khalid Graidia (10-14-5, 2 KOs) for four rounds, then opened up and got the stoppage at 1:57 of round five. The usual showboating by Whittaker against a limited opponent. Graidia down in round two and five. Continue reading “Buatsi earns WBA title shot”

The undisputed heavyweight championship clash between Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk has been rescheduled for May 18 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The bout was pushed back from February 17 after Fury suffered a cut in sparring.

Former WBA super welterweight champion champion Austin “No Doubt” Trout defeated Luis “Baboon” Palomino via unanimous decision to claim the vacant BKFC welterweight world title on Friday night at the sold-out Hard Rock Live in Hollywood, Florida. Judges scored it 49-45 across the board in favor of Trout, who dropped Palomino in the fourth round. Before running into Trout, Palomino was considered by many to be the pound-for-pound best among bare-knuckle fighters.

“This wouldn’t feel as good if it wasn’t against a prime champion like ‘Baboon.’” Trout said afterward. “I don’t think any win would be worthy of how I’m feeling now if it wasn’t against the king of BKFC … I’m going to be here for a long time, so get tired of me – I’m not going anywhere.”

Chordale Booker 155 vs. Greg Vendetti 154
(WBC USA super welterweight title)
Note: Booker was one pound over the weight limit. The title has been vacated and can only be won by Vendetti.

Ricky de los Santos 125.5 vs. Nathan Martinez 125.5
Francis Hogan 160 vs. Dormedes Potes 160
Alejandro Paulino 129.25 vs. D’Angelo Keyes 129
Christian Robles 111.5 vs. Angel Gonzales 111
Kevin Walsh 134.75 vs. Darrell Rivera 135.5
Carlos Vanegas Nunes 125.25 vs. Jaden Webb 125.25
Slawomir Bohdziewicz 197 vs. Bruno Saraiva 188.25
Chad Leoncello 219 vs. Harold Roy 248
James Maner 164 vs. Miguel Torres 164

Date: February 3
Venue: Mohegan Sun Arena, Uncasville, Connecticut
Promoter: CES Boxing
TV: Swerve Combat

Welterweight “Super Bad” Vlad Panin (18-1, 10 KOs) outworked Quashawn Toler (17-2, 12 KOs) over ten rounds on Friday night at the Red Owl Boxing Arena in Houston, Texas. Panin was simply busier and largely neutralized Toler. Scores were 97-93, 96-94, 98-92 as Panin claimed the WBA Continental USA belt.

Unbeaten super featherweight Neri Ariel Cruz Romero (17-0, 9 KOs) of Argentina decisioned veteran Miguel Arevalo Mejia (21-4-1, 7 KOs) of Mexico Friday night at the Club Unión Eléctrica, in Cordoba, Cordoba, Argentina. Romero had not fought in nearly a year and half but showed no signs of ring rust. He completely dominated the game Arevalo with a variety of punches and a controlled aggressive offense. A clash of heads in round six resulted in Romero being cut over his left eyebrow. The referee immediately deducted a point from Arevalo. The official scorecards were 100-89, 99-90, and 97-92 all in favor to Romero for the unanimous decisión win. Romero won the vacant WBO Latino title.

In a spectacular upset, super lightweight Julian “Quiet Storm” Smith (8-2, 5 KOs) halted previously unbeaten WBA #10 rated Orestes “Tsunami” Velazquez (8-1, 7 KOs) after nine rounds on Friday night at the Caribe Royale Resort in Orlando, Florida.

Smith dropped Velazquez in round one, then staggered Velazquez in round two and rocked him again in round three. Velazquez started to hold excessively in round four and the ref let him get away with it for the next few rounds. In round eight, Velazquez was cut during a clinch, then deducted a point for holding, then was knocked down. Smith dropped Velazquez twice in round nine and the bout was stopped after the round. Very inspirational performance by Smith, who is legally deaf. He wins the WBA International title.

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Unbeaten super lightweight Ashton “H20” Sylve (11-0, 9 KOs) scored a one-sided ten round unanimous decision over Estivan Falcao (13-3, 7 KOs). Sylve dropped Falcao in round ten to punctuate a 99-90, 99-90, 100-89 win. Sylve wins the WBC Youth title.

By Joe Koizumi
Photo: Naoki Fukuda

Pitifully Japanese boxer Kazuki Anaguchi (6-1, 2 KOs), 23, passed away yesterday (Friday) evening in Tokyo, Japan. Anaguchi, an unbeaten southpaw boxer-puncher, demonstrated a gallant performance in the semi-final to support the undisputed super bantam title bout of Naoya “The Monster” Inoue and Marlon Tapales, but failed to win the national bantamweight belt from also unbeaten WBA#3 Seiya Tsutsumi on December 26. Continue reading “Japanese title challenger Anaguchi passes”

Teofimo Lopez (19-1, 13 KOs) will defend his WBO junior welterweight world title against Jamaine Ortiz (17-1-1, 8 KOs) on Thursday, February 8 on ESPN from the Michelob ULTRA Arena at Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas.

Following a recent training session at the Top Rank Gym in Las Vegas, Lopez said he’s been training for six months. “I’ve gotten faster. I’ve gotten much stronger. My I.Q. is much sharper. And it’s because I haven’t stopped training since August of last year. And I’m not going to stop. After I beat Jamaine Ortiz, then I will keep staying in the gym.”

“The end result is that ‘The Showman’ is returning. There will definitely be a knockout. It’s not going the distance. I’m not going to leave it in the judges’ hands at all. So, everyone tune in, and get your popcorn ready.”

Conor Benn 150.6 vs. Peter Dobson 150.6
Austin Williams 159.8 vs. Armel Mbumba-Yassa 159.8
Johnny Fisher 242.8 vs. Dmytro Bezus 270
Khalil Coe 175.8 vs. Gerardo Osuna 175.2
George Liddard 162.4 vs. Andrew Buchanan 164.4
Jimmy Sains 165.4 vs. Alejandro Avalos 161.6

Venue: The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas
Promoter: Matchroom
TV: DAZN

• Unified heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk is still preparing to fight on February 17. Promoters are hoping to find a suitable opponent. IBF mandatory challenger Filip Hrgovic has been mentioned as a possibility.
• Fury’s cut happened in the same area around the right eye where he had previously suffered a bad cut against Otto Wallin some years back.
• The boxer who cut Tyson Fury in sparring is reportedly heavyweight Agron Smakici (20-2, 18 KOs).
• Tyson Fury posted on Instagram: “Can’t help getting injured in sparring but what I can say [is] Usyk was in trouble. I am in fantastic shape. I will reschedule soon as I can. 2024 a massive year for team GK.
• Usyk’s promoter Alexander Krassyuk responded, “Wish you soonest recovery. God sent you a sign. Think of retirement, brother.”