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Nick Ball will make a second defense of his WBA world featherweight title against former world champion TJ Doheny at the M&S Bank Arena in Liverpool on Saturday March 15. The card is co-headlined by British and Commonwealth bantamweight champion Andrew Cain going up against the European champion Charlie Edwards’.

In further major championship action, Brad Strand (12-1, 4 KOs) will take on Ionut Baluta (16-5-1, 3) for the vacant WBO European super bantamweight title and Cuban super featherweight star Jadier Herrera (16-0, 14) will make a defense of his WBA Intercontinental championship belt. Super-flyweight knockout machine Jack Turner (10-0, 9) will fight over 10 rounds.

“This card is literally combustible!” stated Hall of Fame promoter Frank Warren. “There is so much at stake in all the championship fights and every one of them has got all the makings of a cracker!”

Report/Photos by Boxing Bob Newman

Firstly, more awards were verbally bestowed and will be mailed or otherwise delivered to the recipient.

• Work Horse: Anson Wainwright
• Lifetime Achievement: Don Majeski
• Commissioner of the Year: Charlie Giles
• Committee Chairman: Thanapol Bhakdibhumi
• Confederation: EBU
• MVP: Kevin Noon
• Lady of the Year: Miss Nagano (Teiken Gym)
• Commission of the Year: British Boxing Board
• Boxing Couple: Roberto & Carla Diaz
• Good Fellow Award: Mike George
• Man of the Year: Turki Alalshiekh
• Committee Member of the Year: Dr. Ricardo Monreal & Marcos Ariente
• Dr. Finerman Award: Luis Rodriguez

Continue reading “62nd Annual WBC Convention Day Three”

Lightweight Jonhatan Cardoso (18-1, 15 KOs) scored a ten round unanimous decision over Eduardo Ramirez (28-5-3, 13 KOs) on Wednesday night at the ProBox TV Events Center in Plant City, Florida. Scores were 97-93, 96-94, 96-94.

Unbeaten featherweight Luis Nunez (20-0, 13 KOs) hammered out a ten round unanimous decision over Leonardo Baez (21-5, 12 KOs). Scores were 99-91, 98-92, 98-92.

Unbeaten bantamweight Katsuma Akitsugi (12-0, 3 KOs) stopped former world title challenger Aston Palicte (28-6-1, 23 KOs) in round six. Akitsugi battered Palicte to the canvas to end it.

Unbeaten light heavyweight Dante Benjamin (10-0-1, 8 KOs) needed just 64 seconds to finish Aaron Casper (7-8-2, 5 KOs).

Weights by Brad Snyder / The Undercard

Ardreal Holmes Jr. 153.4 vs. Edwine Junior Jimenez 153.2
Joey Spencer 159 vs. Miguel Angel Hernandez 159.2
Caroline Veyre 124.6 vs. Gabriela Bouvier 125.4
Kahmel Makled 178 vs. Dominique Dunning 181
Hunter Lee 153.4 vs. Derrick Shreeve 149
Byron Rojas 113.4 vs. Robin Ellis 112.8
Pryce Taylor 264.2 vs. KeShawn Jackson 249.2
Da’Velle Smith 164.6 vs. William Townsel 160.6
Samantha Worthington 138.6 vs. Jaica Pavilus 134

Salita Promotions presents Big Time Boxing at Dort Financial Center Thursday December 12. First bell at 5:30pm with tickets available at the box office. DAZN will stream the action.

Shady Gamhour 162.8 vs. Devontae McDonald 164
Dominique Roundtree 125.3 vs. Jose Antonio Sampedro 124.4
Andrew Murphy 166.6 vs. Andres Martinez 166.9
James Wilkins 129.8 vs. Dennis Contreras 131.6
Chris Young 134.5 vs. Anthony Curtiss 136

Venue: Legends Casino Hotel, Toppenish, Washington
Promoter: Roy Jones Jr.
TV: PPV ($12.99 BLK Prime)

Italian contender Francesco Grandelli will square off against Spain’s Cristobal Lorente in the 12-round main event for Lorente’s European Union featherweight crown this Friday, Dec. 13, at the Palazzetto Dello Sport Carbonia in Carbonia, Italy.

Grandelli-Lorente and undercard bouts will stream live and exclusively in the U.S. on ESPN+ starting at 3 p.m. ET/12 p.m. PT.

Grandelli (18-3-2, 4 KOs) rebounded from his 2023 loss to Mauro Forte with a decision win over Emiliano Salvini that July and a second-round stoppage of then-unbeaten Stefan Voda in December. The 30-year-old returns home following a decision defeat versus Scotsman Nathaniel Collins on enemy turf in May. Lorente (19-0-1, 8 KOs) is an eight-year pro coming off a breakout performance against Forte, defeating him via 12-round majority decision in July to claim the European Union title. Continue reading “ESPN+ picks up Grandelli-Lorente clash”

Report and Photos: Boxing Bob Newman

Day two proved to be a long one as the ratings and mandatory defenses of both men and women were gone over. This year, the weight divisions were observed starting with strawweights and moving up towards heavyweights, rather than vice versa.

The following movements were observed:

Strawweight, Beaven Sibanda moved from #15 to #13.

Flyweight, former WBA champ Artem Dalakian moved from #15 to #11, on the condition that he comes through with his scheduled February fight.

Super Flyweight saw Don Majeski thanking the WBC for their #2 ranking of Andrew Moloney. In turn, the WBC presented Majeski with a lifetime achievement award.

Super Feathers Khalil El Hadri (#19) and William Vargas (#30) will contest the vacant WBC silver title. Michael Magnesi (#6) will face the winner.

Super Lightweight saw #3 Dalton Smith move to #2, swapping places with #2 Jack Catterall going down to #3. Promoter of both fighters Eddie Hearn of Matchroom supported the move as Catterall is going the WBO eliminator route.

Middleweight Chris Eubank, Jr. moved from #3 to #2.

Cruiserweight saw new #1 Michal Cieslak move back to #3 from whence he came, after the recent draw (12/7/24) between then #1 Ryan Rozicki and #2 Yamil Alberto Peralta, who will resume their respective positions. Champion in recess- Badou Jack took the microphone to proclaim the he is in training and boxing politics have kept him out of the ring. He is ready to take on current champion Norair (Noel) Mikaeljan, or anyone else.

Heavyweight saw WBC Silver champion Lawrence Okolie move from #5 to #4, swapping places with Martin Bakole who will now be #5.

Continue reading “62nd Annual WBC Convention Day Two – Ratings”

Jonhatan Soares Cardoso 134.4 vs. Eduardo Ramirez 135
(WBA Continental North American lightweight title)

Katsuma Akitsugi 118.2 vs. Aston Palicte 117.4
(WBA Continental North American bantamweight title)

Luis Nuñez 129.8 vs. Leonardo Baez 126.8
Dante Benjamin 173 vs. Aaron Casper 177.6
Hugo Amador Mendez 136.6 vs. Edwin Tercedo 136.2
Drake Banks 258.4 vs. Cashton Young 204.4
Mikahail Hernandez 144.2 vs. Carlos Rocha 139.2

Venue: ProBox Event Center, Plant City, Florida
Promoter: ProBox
TV: ProBox TV

Report/Photos by Boxing Bob Newman

Ermal Hadribeaj 154 vs Eddy Colmenares 154
(WBC International Super Welter)

Serkay Comert 158.7 vs Yassin Hermi 158.7
(WBC International Silver Middle)

Jose Larduet 221.8 vs Bohdan Myronets 222

Branimir Malenica 174.6 vs Benjamin Gavazi 174.8
(WBC International Silver Light Heavy)

Asley Gonzalez Macias 114.6 vs Mary Romero 113.5
(WBC Super Fly)

Esneidy Rodriguez Olmos 101.4 vs Sana Hazuki 102
(WBC Silver Atom)

Mourad Alive 259 vs Davide Brito 222.6
(WBC International Silver)

Billy Dib 134.4 vs Attila Kayabasi 136.6
Henry Green 146.6 vs Jonny Sanchez 147.2
Shokhjakhon Abdullaev 193.5 vs Dzemal Bosnjak 195.1

Venue: Grand Elyseé Hotel, Rotherbaum, Hamburg, Germany
Commission: Buns Deutsche Berufsboxer
Promoter: Ahmet Öner (Arena-Box Promotin), Ismael Özen (Universim-Box Promotion)
Matchmaker: Marlon Esteban

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By Joe Koizumi

In boxing, the eye is a vulnerable spot along with chin, jaw, temple, neck under the ear, liver, stomach, solar plexus, side of body etc. The reason why the eye is an untold and unwritten vital point might be not to make boxing look like a dangerous art of fighting. In Japan, it is common that an illustration of the above-written vulnerable spots is put on the wall of a gym. The eye, however, isn’t included in those vital points in boxing. What do I want to say? Simple. Even though we, in boxing, don’t openly say that the eye is a weakness of a boxer, trainers must coach your boxers how to protect their eyes more positively and more effectively. How? To more and more utilize ducking, head slipping, swaying back, turning/rotating the head, etc.. We have witnessed too many optical damages happening in boxing bouts, so boxing coaches should tell your boxers to protect their eyes with more skills, should we proclaim our sport to be Sweet Science. Continue reading “Eye is a vulnerable spot to be protected”

Uzbekistan’s former IBF and WBA super bantamweight world champion Murodjon Akhmadaliev (12-1, 9 KOs) attempts to become a two-time world champion when he takes on Mexican knockout artist Ricardo Espinoza Franco (30-4, 25 KOs) for the interim WBA super bantamweight world title on Saturday at the Salle Des Étoiles at Sporting Monte Carlo shown live worldwide on DAZN. This is today’s first fight week face-off.

The unbeaten 19-year-old Bonilla twin brothers continue to impress early in their professional careers. The event took place this past Friday night at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino, Hollywood, Florida with Kris Lawrence(The Heavyweight Factory) promoting.

Super flyweight Ari (2-0, 1 KO) successully defended his WBA Continental Americas title stopping previously unbeaten Nelson Rodriguez(10-1, 5 KOs) of Venezuela by TKO round 5. Twin brother Andrey(2-0, 1 KO) unanimously decisioned Claudio Lavinanza (8-4, 3 KOs) of Chile to retain his WBA Continental Americas batamweight title. scores were 100-90 by all three judges.

In an exciting battle of unbeatens it was Armando Martinez Rabi(13-0, 12 KOs) of Miami by way of Cuba taking the 0 of world-ranked and fellow Cuban Yosdiel Napoles (6-1, 5 KOs) by way of 6th round TKO. Continue reading “Late Results from Florida”

Report/Photos by Boxing Bob Newman

Leon Sala (Carlos Takam Foundation) presented a commemorative WBC belt, incorporating elements to celebrate the 59th anniversary of the Rumble in the Jungle- Ali vs Foreman in them Zaïre, Africa in 1974. A leopard print and panther teeth adorn the belt and will be presented, by Sala to the winner of Usyk-Fury II.

BoxRec.com’s Marina and Jon Sheppard delivered a comprehensive presentation on all aspects of the BoxRec site. The functionality of their site continues to grow with expansive features to benefit all involved in the sport of boxing.

Han Hoang Mai, CEO of the revamped FIGHTFAX.COM delivered his presentation on the features of their site.

Dean Lohuis elaborated on his own record keeping system – in his brain and on index cards! Continue reading “62nd Annual WBC Convention Day One Meetings”

Report/Photos by Boxing Bob Newman

Champions and celebrities alike received the red carpet treatment as they arrived at the Grand Elyseé Hotel for opening banquet of the 62nd annual WBC Convention in Hamburg, Germany tonight.

In addition to a cavalcade of world champions and select German boxers, there were also high profile figures such as Turki Alalshikh and German rocker Klaus Meine, lead singer of heavy metal band Scorpions.

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Wladimir Klitschko and Klaus Meine spoke about both boxing and the world political situation, especially in Ukraine, Klitschko’s ethnic homeland. Meine and Scorpions have recently revamped the lyrics to their hit song, “Winds of Change” to reflect the situation within Ukraine, omitting the words “Gorky Park” in favor of “Ukraina.” The WBC bestowed commemorative belts with the mural painted at the last convention in Uzbekistan, to both Klitschko and Meine, presented by Terence Crawford and Lennox Lewis. Continue reading “WBC 62nd Annual Convention Opening Banquet”

Report/Photos by Boxing Bob Newman

The emcee for this event was DAZN Boxing broadcaster, Barak “The Boxing Bully” Bess, backed up by WBC board member
Robert Lenhardt.

First up was a video WBC board of directors roll call, followed by the WBC champions roll call- male and female.

BDB president Thomas Pütz gave an enthusiastic welcome to the convention in Hamburg.

A video greeting from Hamburg Mayor Peter Tschentscher welcomed the conventional into his city, which has a rich boxing history, shown in a video.

Germany’s first world champion Max Schmeling made his home in a suburb of Hamburg as did future champs Eckhard Dagge and the Klitschko brothers. Multiple world title fights were held in Hamburg during Germany’s boxing boom in the 90s and early 2000s. Continue reading “WBC 62nd Annual Convention Opening Ceremony”

By Boxing Bob Newman

Former WBA and IBF Junior lightweight champion Brian Mitchell received an honorary belt from the WBC today during the opening of their 62nd annual convention in Hamburg, Germany. Mitchell held his other titles during the apartheid era in his native, South Africa. As a result, he was not allowed to compete for the WBC title due to their policy at the time. The WBC has recognized Mitchell’s achievements both in and out of the ring and decided it was time to recognize him at this convention.

Photos: Sumio Yamada

Check out some great shots in this GIANT photo gallery from Saturday’s world title twinbill featuring rematches between Emanuel Navarrete and Oscar Valdez, along with Rafael Espinoza against Robeisy Ramirez from the Footprint Center in Phoenix, Arizona. Continue reading “GIANT Navarrete-Valdez Photo Gallery”

Unbeaten local super welterweight Julian Vogel (16-0-1, 9 KOs) from “Team Germany” was able to withstand the pressure and tension in his second home match and successfully defended his WBO Youth title with a TKO victory in round eight against John Bielenberg (7-2, 4 KOs) on Saturday night at the Ballhaus Arena in Aschersleben, Germany. After two knockdowns, Bielenberg’s corner threw in the towel. Time was :53.

In a clash for the vacant WBA Continental super middleweight title, Artur Reis (13-1, 9 KOs) edged previously unbeaten stablemate Artur Henrik (9-1, 4 KOs) over ten rounds. Scores were 95-94, 96-93, 96-94 for Reis, who dropped Henrik in round nine.

By Boxing Bob Newman

WBC president Mauricio Sulaiman speaks during the opening cocktail party of the 62nd annual convention in Hamburg, Germany.

By Boxing Bob Newman

The 62nd annual WBC convention has landed in Hamburg, Germany and had its soft opening tonight with their cocktail hour at the host Hotel Grand Elyseé Hamburg. Several hundred guests were on hand, reuniting with each other in many cases after a year, along with several champs old and new.

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Terence Crawford, Alfonso Zamora, Carlos Zarate, Humberto Chiquita Gonzalez, Daniel Zaragoza, Mariana Barbie Juarez, Melvin Jerusalem and others mingled with the delegates. At this time of year, Hamburg is known for their Christmas market and that theme was on hand during the cocktail hour, in which a massive decorated Christmas tree was the central focal point.

The opening ceremonies will commence tomorrow morning at 9:00 a.m. local time with all the pageantry that has become known for WBC conventions, as well as a couple of surprises in store. Stay tuned!

By Joe Koizumi

Serving as a bridge between Japan and US for six decades, Norihiko “Nori” Takatani, 84, a long-time residing Japanese in Los Angeles, passed away of kidney disease there on Thursday. Nori, while managing his Anzen Hardware shop, at first got involved in boxing business in association with Japanese promoter Masaki Kanehira who handled such world champions as Hiroyuki Ebihara and Shozo Saijo in 1960’s. Ebihara defeated Alacran Efren Torres twice and Saijo beat Raul Rojas twice to wrest his WBA featherweight belt—all in Los Angeles. Nori Takatani assisted their campaigns as a US agent communicating with Aileen Eaton and George Parnassus.

Nori more deeply participated in boxing business, and became the manager of WBA junior middleweight champ Oscar “Shotgun” Alvarado and WBA, WBC super feather kingpin Genaro Hernandez. Genaro’s brother Rudy, who also used be Nori’s boxer under his wing, has been handling WBC bantam titlist Junto Nakatani from the beginning of his unblemished career. Nori closed his Anzen shop last year and was recently hospitalized at a nursing institution. He was a nice guy loved by everybody. May his soul rest in peace.

Richardson Hitchins (19-0, 7 KOs) dethroned IBF junior welterweight champion Liam Paro (25-1, 15 KOs) by twelve round split decision on Saturday night at Coliseo Roberto Clemente in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Hitchins outboxed Paro and pulled away to a 117-111 Paro, 116-112, 116-112 Hitchins.

IBF #4 junior lightweight Henry Lebron (20-0 10 KOs) outscored WBA #7 Christopher “Pitufo” Diaz (29-6 19 KOs) over ten rounds in a bout for the vacant IBF Latino, WBO NABO and WBA Continental Latin America titles. Scores were 97-93, 97-93, 96-94.

WBA #3, WBC #9, WBO #11 flyweight and Puerto Rican Olympian Yankiel Rivera (7-0, 3 KOs) stopped Angel Gonzalez in round four in a bout for the vacant WBC Silver, WBA Continental Americas and WBO Intercontinental flyweight titles.

Lightweight Marc Castro (13-1, 8 KOs) suffered his first loss, dropping a ten round split decision against Agustin Quintana (21-1-2, 13 KOs). Scores were 97-93, 97-93 for Quintana, 96-94 for Castro.

Welterweight Jalil Hackett (9-1, 7 KOs) also came up short, losing a ten round split decision to Jose Roman Vazquez (14-1, 6 KOs). Scores were 96-94, 96-94 for Vazquez, 96-94 for Hackett.

WBC #1 cruiserweight Ryan Rozicki (20-1-1, 19 KOs) and #2 rated Yamil Peralta (17-1-1, 9 KOs) battled to a twelve round draw in a clash for the vacant WBC interim title on Saturday night at the Centre 200 in Nova Scotia, Canada. Former world title challenger Rozicki pressed the action and did damage to the body while Peralta fought defensively. Despite his left eye being closed, Rozicki landed some big shots in round eleven. Scores were 115-113 Rozicki, 114-114, 114-114.

The pair have now fought a total of 24 hard fought rounds in their two bouts. The only winning scorecard in this bout was in favor to Rozicki 115-113 while the other two judges had it even 114-114. Rozicki’s promoter Dan Otter (Three Lions Promotions) thought his guy (the puncher) beat Peralta (the boxer) at his own game. “Ryan outboxed the boxer” stated Otter.

Rozicki previously edged Peralta by controversial decision two years ago, but this time Rozicki landed the harder shots and seemed to be the winner.

Unbeaten Sam Arnold(11-0, 7 KOs) scored a highlight reel second round knockout of previously unbeaten Julian Delgado (4-1, 1 KO) to win the vacant WBC youth intercontinental super middleweight title.

In a rematch, WBO junior lightweight champion Emanuel Navarrete (39-2-1, 32 KOs) defends his strap against former two-division king Oscar Valdez (32-3, 24 KOs) on Saturday night at the Footprint Center in Glendale, Arizona. Navarrete dropped Valdez in round one with a shot to the temple. Another knockdown by Navarrete at the end of round four. The end came in round six when Navarrete floored Valdez again with a body shot. Time was 2:42.

In another rematch, WBO featherweight champion Rafael Espinoza (27-0, 23 KOs) scored a sudden sixth round TKO over Robeisy Ramirez (14-3, 9 KOs) to retained his belt. Espinoza connected with a right hand to the head and Ramirez indicated that he could no longer continue. Time was :12. Ramirez corner cited an Espinoza elbow in round four gave him double vision and he couldn’t go on.

U.S. Olympic super heavyweight silver medalist Richard Torrez Jr. (12-0, 11 KOs) was again impressive, getting a third round referee’s stoppage against Issac Muñoz (18-2-1, 15 KOs).

Welterweight contender Giovani Santillan (33-1, 18 KOs) mauled Fredrick Lawson (30-6, 22 KOs) for three minutes and Lawson called it quits at the end of round one.

Unbeaten junior welterweight contender Lindolfo Delgado (22-0, 15 KOs) scored a fifth round TKO against Jackson Marinez (22-4, 10 KOs).

The 12 round main event saw former world title challenger Denzel Bentlely (21-3-1,17 KOs) decision Brad Pauls (19-2-1,11 KOs) at the Wembley Arena, Wembley, London, United Kingdom. It was a good scrap with both having their moments. Bentley had a break through in round 10 when a hard jab to the eye saw Pauls awkwardly go to canvas in pain by the punch. Pauls would beat the count but Bentely pounced on him looking to stop him. Pauls would surivive the round but Bentley was in hot pursuit until the bouts end. The judges cards were 117-110, 116-111 and 115-112 all to Bentley who retained his WBO int middleweight title and won the British and European middleweight titles.

Former cruiserweight/bridgerweight world champion Lawrence Okolie (21-1, 16 KOs), now campaigning at heavyweight, destroyed Hussein Muhamed (18-2, 14 KOs) in the first round. A right hand finished Muhamed at 1:14. Okolie wins the vacant WBC silver title.

Heavyweight David Adeleye (13-1, 12 KOs) needed just 70 seconds to annihilate Solomon Dacres (9-1, 3 KOs) in the first round. A left hook put Dacres down and out.

Unbeaten lightweight Sam Noakes (16-0, 14 KOs) scored a one-sided twelve round unanimous decision over Ryan Walsh
(29-5-2, 13 KOs) Scores were 119-109, 120-108, 120-108. The bout was for the British, Commonwealth and WBO International lightweight titles.