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Undefeated super middleweight contender Erik Bazinyan (32-0, 23 KOs), ranked in the top five by all four major sanctioning organizations, scored a third round knockout over Billi Facundo Godoy (41-7, 20 KOs) on Thursday night at Casino de Montréal in Montreal, Canada. Bazinyan dropped Godoy for the count with two big right hands. Time was 2:23.

Unbeaten light heavyweight Albert Ramirez (18-0, 15 KOs) had to work hard to defeat Artur Ziyatdinov (15-2, 12 KOs) by ten round unanimous decision. Scores were 100-90, 99-91, 98-92. Judges weren’t giving Ziyatdinov anything as it was not a lopsided bout.

In a non-title bout, NABF super lightweight champion Steve “The Dragon” Claggett (38-7-2, 26 KOs) pounded on Marcos Gonzalez (23-4, 11 KOs) for two rounds and Gonzalez didn’t come out for round three. Claggett is rated WBC #8, WBO #14, IBF #15.

Rebounding from consecutive losses, Canadian female junior middleweight favorite Mary Spencer (8-2, 6 KOs) got back in the win column with a first round TKO over Sonya Dreiling (6-4, 2 KOs). Dreiling didn’t come out for round two.

Unbeaten lightweight Jhon Orobio (6-0, 6 KOs) stopped Juan Carlos Ramirez (5-5, 3 KOs) with a body shot at the end of round two.

Unbeaten super middleweight Wilkens Mathieu (7-0, 4 KOs) punished late sub Oscar Soto Quintana (6-5, 2 KOs) until Soto’s corner waved the towel in round four.

Unbeaten middleweight Moreno Fendero (4-0, 3 KOs) scored a second round KO against Ricardo Lara (22-12-2, 10 KOs). Fendero dropped Lara once in round one and twice in round two.

Undefeated super middleweight Jaime Munguia (42-0, 33 KOs) and John “The Gorilla” Ryder (32-6, 18 KOs) faced off at the final press conference ahead of their clash for the WBC silver title at the Footprint Center in Phoenix, Arizona, streamed worldwide on DAZN.

Jaime Munguia: I know that John Ryder is a tough fighter. He has lost and he has won close fights, but I’m ready. I’m ready to do this on Saturday. Y que viva Mexico!”

John Ryder: It’s been a fight long in the pipeline and I’m glad we’re fighting. It’s a fight I feel like I needed since the Canelo defeat, and I want to continue operating at the level I’ve been operating at. This is the fight to kick me on, and push me in my career.”

It’s official. The era of Amazon Prime Boxing begins March 30. The inaugural PPV event will take place at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

The lineup is:
Tim Tszyu vs. Keith Thurman
Rolly Romero vs. Isaac “Pitbull” Cruz
Erislandy Lara vs. Michael Zerafa
Sebastian Fundora vs. Serhii Bohachuk

The WBO would not sanction Tszyu-Thurman, so it will be a non-title affair.

Keith Thurman: “I’m back in action and I’m happy to be a part of this first event with PBC on Prime Video. Tszyu stands out as an exceptional fighter, and I’ve always held admiration for his performances. His distinctive style provides the perfect stage for me to exhibit the relentless dedication I’ve poured into training, refining my skills, and fortifying my mental game. This fight promises a spectacular showdown between two of the most electrifying fighters in the sport, an event that demands attention. Good things come to those that wait. Them days are over, bright lights and action are up ahead. Let’s shake up the world of boxing one more time on Prime Video.”

Tim Tszyu: “I’ve been ready and waiting to headline a historic event like this in the U.S. for a very long time and it’s an honor that I don’t take lightly. My father did it, and was at the top of the world for a decade, now it’s my turn. Thurman is a great fight, he’s tricky, tough and he’s mixed it with the very best the sport has seen. This is a new era now. It’s the Tszyu era. On March 30, everyone who tunes into this pay-per-view is going to see for themselves.” Continue reading “Amazon Prime card officially announced”

Former two-division world champion Jose “Sniper” Pedraza (29-5-1, 14 KOs) hosted a media workout yesterday at Felix Pagan Pintor Municipal Boxing Gym in his hometown of Cidra, Puerto Rico, ahead of his 10-round battle against Olympian silver medalist Keyshawn Davis (9-0, 6 KOs) on Thursday, February 8 at Michelob ULTRA Arena at Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas.

“I believe the key is going to be throwing a lot of punches,” said Pedraza. “I’m going to overwhelm him with a lot of punches. I’m going to use a lot of lateral movement as well. I will use all my experience. All of that is going to be key in this fight. He has youth on his side, but I have the experience. Continue reading “Pedraza warns Keyshawn”

Unbeaten welterweight Lewis “The Croc” Crocker (18-0, 10 KOs) returns against Mexican spoiler Jose Felix (40-6-1, 31 KOs) on DAZN Saturday night at Ulster Hall in Belfast, Northern Ireland. In his last fight, Felix took the “0” from previously unbeaten Gary Cully in Dublin via brutal third round stoppage. Crocker defeated Tyrone McKenna via unanimous decision last month.

Jose Felix: “My main problem against Cully was making the weight. This time there won’t be that pressure to make the weight. My battle was with the scales on that occasion but this time I think that will work to my advantage. I know my opponent will try to use that weight against me in the way that he can but I’m sure that I can go on and get this victory on Saturday night and put on a great show. Don’t take your eyes off this fight. You know that Crocker hits hard, I hit hard too – I think it will be a great fight.”

Lewis Crocker: “I’m not looking past Jose Felix but a big statement on Saturday sets me up for a big year. I’m expecting an exciting fight because I think he has the same mindset as me. This is a more dangerous fight than the McKenna one. With the McKenna one there was more pressure mentally. There’s just as much at stake with each and every fight. He’ll be full on confidence with the Gary Cully win and looking to make another upset in Ireland.”

PBC and Amazon Prime are planning their initial PPV boxing stream for March 30 at the T-Mobile Arera in Las Vegas. Fights purportedly include WBO junior middleweight champion Tim Tszyu against Keith “One Time” Thurman in a NON-TITLE bout plus WBA super lightweight champion Rolly Romero defending against Isaac “Pitbull” Cruz.

Today the Atlantic City Boxing Hall of Fame (ACBHOF) unveiled 21 honorees chosen for induction into its Hall of Fame. The 8th Annual Awards & Induction Weekend is scheduled to take place from Friday, September 27th, to Sunday, September 29th, 2024, at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Atlantic City.

Fighters: James Buster Douglas, Sergio Martinez, Paul Williams, Gerry Cooney, Mark Breland, Sharmba Mitchell, Tyrone Mitchell Frazier, Mario Maldonado and Eva Jones-Young

Contributors: James “Buddy” McGirt {Trainer}, Bruce Blair {Trainer}, Sampson Lewkowicz {Manager/Promoter}, Eric Bottjer {Matchmaker}, Randy Gordon {Media}, Guy Gargan {Media}

Posthumous: Howard Davis Jr. {Fighter}, Jay Larkin {TV Executive}, Eddie Cotton {Referee}

Pioneers: Eric Seelig {Fighter}, George Godfrey {Fighter}, Joey Giardello {Fighter}

By Miguel Maravilla

Tijuana’s undefeated former world champion Jaime Munguía (42-0, 33 KOs) returns against former interim world champion John “The Gorilla” Ryder (32-6, 18 KOs) of England. In what will be another big test for the 27-year-old Munguia as he squares off against Ryder this Saturday night at the Footprint Center in Phoenix, Arizona live on DAZN.

“This is a big challenge, it’s a tough fight. Without a doubt this is a big test,” Jaime Munguia told Fightnews.com®. “It’s obvious that all the pressure is on me but I will come out with the victory.”

“This is obviously a hard tough fight for Jaime, I feel he will be challenged but this is what it takes to get to the next level and prove we belong with the elite to ask for the big fights,” Munguia’s co-promoter Fernando Beltran of Zanfer Promotions told Fightnews.com®. Continue reading “Munguia Expects Another Tough Test in Ryder”

MarvNation kicks off 2024 on Saturday, February 10at the C. Robert Lee Activity Center in Hawaiian Gardens, California, with a card headlined by undefeated blue chip prospect Ernesto “Tito” Mercado (13-0, 12 KOs).  Mercado will face off against Victoriano Antonio Santillan (11-6, 2 KOs) in an eight round super lightweight fight. Continue reading “Tito Mercado returns”

Andrew Murphy 167 vs. Devontae McDonald 165.6
Mandeep Jangra 130 vs. Gerardo Esquivel 133.8
Carlos Villanueva 196 vs. Alberto Rivas 184
Kamar Bray 151 vs. Kevin Davila 158.2
Josue Cadena 138 vs. Moises Molina 140.2
Bryce Wyatt 150 vs. Gerardo Ceresero 151.8

Venue: Legends Casino, Toppenish, Washington
Promoter: Roy Jones Jr Boxing
TV: DAZN

By Jeff Zimmerman

The legendary boxing manager Jackie Kallen shared her excitement of getting the call for induction into the International Boxing Hall of Fame this June in Canastota, NY. She joins her world champ, the great James “Lights Out” Toney who was part of the 2022 class. Kallen talked about her journey from entertainment reporter to boxing publicist at the famed Kronk Gym under the tutelage of the late, great trainer Emmanuel Steward where she met a young, up and coming fighter in Thomas Hearns for the first time. She also dove into the 4 Kings era of Sugar Ray Leonard, Tommy “Hitman” Hearns, Roberto Duran and “Marvelous” Marvin Hagler and so much more in this Fightnews.com® exclusive.

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Erik Bazinyan 167.9 vs. Billi Facundo Godoy 166.3
Albert Ramirez 174.8 vs. Artur Ziyatdinov 174.3
Steve Claggett 142 vs. Marcos Gonzalez Barraza 141.1
Mary Spencer 153.8 vs. Sonya Dreiling 153.2
Avery Martin Duval 131.9 vs. Jesus Gomez Adorno 129.7
Jhon Orobio 133.5 vs. Juan Carlos Ramirez Garcia 134.7
Wilkens Mathieu 173.1 vs. Oscar Soto Quintana 173.2
Moreno Fendero 163.9 vs. Ricardo Lara 163.6

Venue: Montreal Casino, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Promoter: Eye of the Tiger
TV: ESPN+

The undercard is shaping up for Top Rank’s world title twinbill on Saturday, March 2 at Turning Stone Resort Casino in Verona, New York. The main event is the vacant WBA featherweight world title showdown between Otabek Kholmatov and Raymond Ford with IBF featherweight kingpin Luis Alberto “El Venado” Lopez defending his crown against Reiya Abe in the co-feature. Kholmatov-Ford, Lopez-Abe and undercard fights will stream live and exclusively in the U.S. on ESPN+.

• Unbeaten welterweight Brian Norman Jr. (25-0, 19 KOs) will defend his WBO International title against Janelson Bocachica (17-2-1, 11 KOs) in a 10-rounder.
• Middleweight Nico Ali Walsh (9-1, 5 KOs) will make his 2024 debut in a six-rounder against an opponent to be named. The grandson of “The Greatest” starts his 2024 following a points triumph over Noel Lafargue last December in Conakry, Guinea. Continue reading “Kholmatov-Ford undercard set”

Undefeated WBC #14, IBF #15 super welterweight ‘King’ Callum Walsh (9-0, 7 KOs) will battle Dauren Yeleussinov (11-3-1, 10 KOs) in the ten-round main event on the arch 15 St. Patrick’s Day Weekend in The Theater at Madison Square Garden in New York City and broadcast live globally on UFC Fightpass. Walsh has been headlining 360 Promotions shows since his third fight. This is his second main event at MSG. Yeleussinov has lost two of his last three.

Former world champion Joseph “JoJo” Diaz Jr. (33-4-1, 15 KOs) will kick off the first Golden Boy Fight Night on DAZN card of 2024 in a 10-round super lightweight main event against Jesus “Ricky” Perez (24-5, 18 KOs) on February 15 at the Commerce Casino & Hotel.

“I am excited to let the boxing world know I’m back on track,” said Diaz. “My comeback continues on February 15. After this, I want all the top guys.”

Also in action will be flyweight Ricardo “El Niño” Sandoval (23-2, 16 KOs), super bantamweight Jorge “El Niño Dorado” Chavez (9-0, 7 KOs), and super welterweight Eric Tudor (9-1, 6 KOs) in separate bouts against opponents to be named.

Kris Lawrence (The Heavyweight Factory) presented an entertaining night of boxing this past Saturday night loaded with international talent at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino, Hollywood, Florida. The eight round round main event saw 6′8, 284lb heavyweight Christian Thun (9-1, 7 KOs) of Germany get back into the win column with at third round TKO over Jason Bergman (27-21-2, 18 KOs). Continue reading “Late Results from Florida”

By TMZ.com

Heavyweight contender Jarrell “Big Baby” Miller appeared to be in good spirits during his arrest earlier this month … with new police video, obtained by TMZ Sports, showing the boxing star was actually cracking jokes while in handcuffs.

Miller was confronted by Hollywood Police Dept. officers in Florida back on Jan. 2 … after he had been accused of body-slamming a car dealership employee, before stealing a [repossessed] truck right off the lot.

According to police documents, officers were able to find Miller via a tracker that had been placed in the vehicle … but body camera footage shows he was in a jovial mood despite the allegations against him. Continue reading “Big Baby Miller Update”

By Joe Koizumi

It was true that after the tenth round, all the judges (from left, Jeremy Hayes, Omar Mintun, and Jun-Bae Lim) tallied 94-94, so it was truly a last two-round fight.

Ring legend Roy Jones Jr., now a trainer and promoter, will have two of his prized fighters from the training camp on his farm in Pensacola headline a fight card at Legends Casino in Toppenish, Washington on Thursday night, streamed live on DAZN.

In the main event, undefeated hometown favorite super middleweight Andrew Murphy (7-0, 5 KOs) will fight in an eight-round bout defending his NBA Americas title against Devontae McDonald (5-3, 1 KO. In the co-main, super featherweight Mandeep Jangra (6-0, 4 KOs) will fight Gerardo Esqivel (5-3-1, 1 KO) for the vacant NBA Intercontinental title in a ten-rounder.

Matchroom Boxing today announced four upcoming boxing cards, all to be streamed worldwide on DAZN.

March 23
Utilita Arena, Sheffield, England
Dalton Smith (15-0, 11 KOs) vs. Jose Zepeda (37-4, 28 KOs)
(super lightweight)
Sandy Ryan (6-1-1, 2 KOs) vs. Terri Harper (14-1-2, 6 KOs)
(WBO female welterweight title)
Campbell Hatton (14-0, 5 KOs) vs. James Flint (13-1-2, 3 KOs)
(super lightweight)

April 6
Fontainebleau Las Vegas
Richardson Hitchins (17-0, 7 KOs) vs. Gustavo Daniel Lemos (29-0, 19 KOs)
(IBF super lightweight final eliminator)
Diego Pacheco (20-0, 17 KOs) vs. Shawn McCalman (15-0, 7 KOs).
(super middleweight)

April 13
AO Arena, Manchester, England
Jordan Gill (28-2-1, 9 KOs) vs. Zelfa Barrett (30-2, 16 KOs)
(super featherweight)
Rhiannon Dixon (9-0, 1 KO) vs. Karen Elizabeth Carabajal (21-1, 3 KOs)
(Vacant WBO female super lightweight title)

April 27
Exhibition Centre, Liverpool, England
Peter McGrail (8-1, 5 KOs) vs. Ja’Rico O’Quinn (17-1-1, 9 KOs)
(super bantamweight – REMATCH)

Announcements on ticket details and further undercard additions will be made in the coming weeks.

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

The most popular topic in recent times has undoubtedly been boxing in Saudi Arabia after the arrival of a character who has captivated worldwide attention.

His Excellency Turki Alalshikh is the Chairman of the general entertainment authority of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Popularly known as Turki, he put together two events never before seen in the boxing world. Continue reading “His Excellency Turki Alalshikh – Boxing in Saudi Arabia”

By Joe Koizumi
Photos by Naoki Fukuda

WBC, WBA light flyweight champion Kenshiro Teraji (23-1, 14 KOs), 107.5, barely retained his belts as he exchanged a knockdown with ex-WBA titlist Carlos Canizales (26-2-1, 19 KOs), 107.75, and finally eked out a majority decision over twelve grueling rounds on Tuesday in Osaka, Japan. The official tallies were as follows: Omar Mintun (Mexico), Jun-Bae Lim (Korea) both 114-112 for Teraji, Jeremy Hayes (Canada) 113-113. The referee was Luis Pabon (Puerto Rico).

It might be Teraji’s toughest bout in his career except his one and only losing fight to Masamichi Yabuki.

Teraji, a versatile boxer-puncher with good footwork and jabbing, started comfortably, and decked Canizales with a countering right midway in round two.

The Venezuelan, however, turned loose and had the Japanese reeling to the ropes to score a knockdown back in the third.

After that, it became a give-and-take war. Continue reading “Teraji edges Canizales, keeps WBC, WBA 108lb belts”

By Joe Koizumi
Photos by Naoki Fukuda

Formerly kick-boxing prodigy Tenshin Nasukawa (3-0, 1 KO), 121, was awarded a TKO victory over WBA#14 bantam Luis Robles (15-3-1, 5 KOs), 119.5, at the end of the third round when the Mexican complained of his right leg pain and abruptly quit fighting on the stool in a scheduled eight-round semi-final to the world title twin bill on Tuesday in Osaka, Japan. Nasukawa, a fast-punching Japanese southpaw, showed his progress in his third pro bout as he outhustled the game Mexican in the first three rounds, winning points with ease. Probably Robles had the right ankle cramped in the third, and became unable to go on. Continue reading “Unbeaten Nasukawa TKOs WBA #14 Robles”

By Joe Koizumi
Photos by Naoki Fukuda

Japan’s Seigo Yuri Akui (19-2-1, 11 KOs), 112, wrested the WBA flyweight belt as he kept stalking the previously unbeaten defending champ Artem Dalakian (22-1, 15 KOs), 111.25, Ukraine, from pillar to post, winning a unanimous decision (116-112, 117-111, 119-109) over twelve speedy rounds on Tuesday in Osaka, Japan. Dalakian kept circling to display his fast footwork and versatile upper body mobility rather than throwing punches to the willing mixer. Each had a tough time catching and punching the contestant, but it was Akui that remained more positive and aggressive, throwing more punches to the opponent. It was a question why Dalakian paid too much respect to WBA#1 Akui’s vaunted power punching and failed to be more aggressive to win points enough to defend his belt. The referee was Gullermo Perez (Panama). Continue reading “#1 Akui dethrones WBA 112lb champ Dalakian”

By Joe Koizumi
Photos by Naoki Fukuda

Unbeaten Juiki Tatsuyoshi (15-0-1, 10 KOs), 119.5, earned a majority decision (77-75 twice, 76-76) against JBC#10 bantam Yuki Yonaha (13-6-1, 8 KOs), 120, over eight speedy rounds on Tuesday in Osaka, Japan. Juiki, 27, former WBC three-time 118-pound champ Joichiro’s son, appeared after a five-month hiatus, changed his style and displayed quick-fire combinations to the more experienced foe throughout the contest. Yonaha, 31, former amateur boxer with a 50-13 mark, had dropped a decision to former kick-boxing prodigy Tenshin Nasukawa in his sensational pro debut last April. We look forward to Juiki’s progress in his forthcoming bouts. Continue reading “Unbeaten Tatsuyoshi Jr. defeats Yonaha”