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By Rick Scharmberg

Night Night Promotions held a press conference on Thursday at Delaware Park Casino in Stanton, Delaware in advance of their show “Battle for the Belts” at the Hockessin PAL Center in Hockessin, Delaware on Saturday night. In the main event, “Jolt’n” Joey Tiberi (15-2) was scheduled to face Justin Savi for a regional title. It was announced that Savi will be replaced by Kevin Womack (7-14-4), who will meet Tiberi in a six round lightweight bout. Tiberi partnered with Todd Mulvena to create Night Night Promotions, and this will be their second show to date.

“We are doing our best to put on a great show. We have a great venue in the Hockessin PAL Center, and it is Veteran’s Day weekend. There is a ten dollar discount for military, firefighters, and police,” stated Mulvena. “A portion of the proceeds will benefit The Attack Addiction organization.” Continue reading “Tiberi Jr. Faces late sub Womack on Saturday”

Junior flyweight sensation Edwin Reyes (7-2-2, 5 KOs) fighting out of Nashville by way of Guatemala, looks for his fourth straight victory when he challenges Santos “Titos” Vasquez (4-2-1, 3 KOs) of Reno, NV in the eight round main event of Tri-Star Boxing’s “Fights at the Fairgrounds” Friday, December 8th at the Fairgrounds Sports Arena in Nashville, TN.

The co-featured bout of the evening pits knockout artist Sena “African Assassin” Agbeko (19-1, 17 KOs) born in Ghana but now fighting out of Nashville, against durable veteran Juan Carlos Rojas (8-23-2, 7 KOs) of Mexico in a six rounds super middleweight showdown. Continue reading “Tri-Star returns to Nashville December 8”

Yesterday Otto Wallin went out to challenge his compatriot Adrian Granat in what will be one of the biggest domestic fights ever to take place on Swedish soil – the country that until 2013 was one among three countries in the world (the others North Korea, Jemen and Cuba) to disallow professional boxing. The fight will most likely be for the EU-title and the winner will climb further towards the top. Continue reading “Granat accepts Wallin challenge”

By Joe Koizumi
Photo by Boxing Beat

Three-time world champ Kazuto Ioka (22-1, 13 KOs) astoundingly renounced his belt before his mandatory defense with perennial top contender Artem Dalakian (15-0, 11 KOs) from Ukraine. It was publicly announced by his father/manager/trainer/promoter Kazunori today (Thursday) in Osaka. Having got married to famous and popular singer Nana Tanimura this May, Kazuto, a long-time resident in Osaka, moved to Tokyo to live with his bride—reportedly without his father’s permission. Kazuto finally decided to relinquish his belt rather than be forced to make the mandatory defense with limited preparation.

His father said, “It will be up to him whether to go on fighting or to hang up gloves for good. Kazuto may have an alternative to go for the fourth belt next year, if motivated.” It will be a waste of talent if Kazuto should call it quit at this point of his career since he is such a vastly gifted boxer-puncher with good reflexes and excellent defensive skills. Ioka remarkably proved it with such a clean and unbruised face after every fight. Kazuto Ioka, still 28, is at a crossroads in his life.

By Joe Koizumi
Photos by Naoki Fukuda

Japanese welterweight champ Toshio Arikawa (15-4, 13 KOs) returned to action after a long hiatus for a year and unified the national belts by stopping interim titlist Daisuke Sakamoto (14-9-3, 8 KOs) at 1:42 of the fifth session on Tuesday in Tokyo, Japan.

Having suffered a first round stoppage at the hand of Sakamoto three years ago, the regular champ Arikawa was once slated to defend his national belt against the grudge rival last April, but his injury prevented him from participating in a rematch and Sakamoto acquired the interim title by outhustling Kamoto Kawasaki on points this June. Arikawa overcame his ring rust and connected with solid rights and body shots to the interim champ, piling up points steadily. The champ, in round five, opened a bad gash over the left eyebrow with a vicious right and so profusely bled that the ref had the cut examined by the ringside physician and then declared a halt. Continue reading “Arikawa stops Sakamoto to unify Japanese 147lb belts”

By Joe Koizumi
Photos by Boxing Beat

Biggest news in Japan while this reporter was absent to attend the WBA convention in Medellin, Colombia, was that former WBC bantamweight champion Shinsuke Yamanaka (27-1-2, 19 KOs), 35, finally made up his mind to go on fighting in order to regain his belt from his conqueror Luis Nery (25-0, 19 KOs), 22, via fourth round TKO this September.

Nery tested positive afterward, but the WBC lately approved his 118-pound reign and then ordered a rematch between Nery and Yamanaka. The Japanese southpaw is willing to face the Mexican in a grudge fight and regain his belt. We expect his exito (success) in their revancha (rematch). Continue reading “Japan Update”

The six fighters that will appear Live on HBO World Championship Boxing on Saturday night at NYCB LIVE Home of the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum worked out Wednesday in New York for the media.

Daniel Jacobs: Having Chris Algieri in camp is great – it’s the second time around and it makes for a great family atmosphere. But at the same time, I am a loner. I like to be alone. I like to s=isolate myself because on fight night I am in that ring all by myself so I like to get used to being the only person leading up to the fight. On Saturday night, I just want to win impressively so I can have another fight. That is my only goal. I want to be champion again and go after the heavy hitters. Not excluding anyone, but I feel I am the best middleweight in the world and I want to prove that and Saturday night is going to be the first stepping stone. Continue reading “Jacobs-Arias Workout Quotes”

Sergey Lipinets (13-0, 10 KOs) won a hard-fought unanimous decision over Akihiro Kondo (29-7-1, 16 KOs) to win the vacant IBF Junior welterweight title this past Saturday night. It was a gutsy effort by the Union Boxing/Journeyman Management managed Lipinets who overcame a cut in route to victory. Lipinets ironically won the same title that his legendary trainer James “Buddy” McGirt did nearly 30 years ago. It did not take long for the rumor mill to start that Lipinets would be making his first defense against Adrien Broner in the first quarter of 2018. Though nothing is confirmed as of yet on such a fight, some chuckled at the notion of Lipinets being able to defeat Broner based off of his performance Saturday night. McGirt was quick to warn Lipinets doubters to not be so quick to judge. Continue reading “Lipinets-Broner in the works?”

Featherweight prospects Luis Rosa Jr. and Yuandale Evans worked out for the media today at the Thurgood Marshall Recreational Center in Cleveland, Ohio prior to their ShoBox: The New Generation 10-round main event matchup this Friday from The Masonic Temple Live Cleveland.

Here is what the fighters had to say:

Luis Rosa Jr: “He wasn’t really on my radar, he sort of came out of the woodwork. We’re looking for a world championship and this is a step closer…boxing fans can expect a powerful, fast, smart fighter. I’m the full package. I fight with both hands, we’ll see if he can take it.”

Yuandale Evans: “He’s a strong fighter that comes forward, a good body puncher. But he doesn’t have any boxing skills. He’s just a banger who keeps coming forward. Defensively, he leaves himself open with his aggressiveness. He was not on my radar. I’ve wanted to fight much tougher guys, higher-ranked guys. But once the fight was offered, I said yes. I want to fight Carl Frampton, Leo Santa Cruz, Gary Russell Jr., and a rematch with Javier Fortuna. I want to fight all the top guys because that’s where I belong.”

“My next fight without the belt was going to be discouraging,” said former WBA/IBF/WBO light heavyweight world champion Sergey Kovalev, who takes on Vyacheslav Shabranksyy on November 25 on HBO. in a bout upgraded to a WBO world title fight thanks to the retirement of Andre Ward.

“I’m really excited and ready to get my belts back,” Kovalev told reporters. “It would be really interesting and really exciting, and I would fight anybody. I was ready to fight Sullivan Barrera, but he didn’t approve the fight and we got Vyacheslav Shabranskyy. And, after this, Andre Ward vacated the title; it’s additional motivation. It’s like the most important (in) how my future boxing career is going to be. I’m really happy that this fight will be for the title and for the WBO, because this was the first title that I had already, But now this is like a new chapter in my boxing career. I am recharged. I am much stronger than last three fights and you will see November 25 in New York!”

Summary: Povetkin received a one year suspension ending December 6, 2017, after which he is on probation for one year. The previously imposed $250,000 fine was upheld, he must continue on a special testing protocol the WBC designed for him until December 6, 2018, he will eligible to be included in the WBC rankings starting in January, he must participate in a WBC doping prevention campaign.

Click here to see the full ruling

As previously reported by Fightnews.com®, unified women’s super middleweight world champion Claressa Shields will defend her 168-pound titles against undefeated IBF mandatory challenger Tori Nelson on Friday, Jan. 12 live on SHOWTIME.

A two-time Olympic Gold Medalist, Shields (4-0, 2 KOs) will face her second consecutive undefeated opponent in the main event of ShoBox: The New Generation live at 10 p.m. ET/PT from Turning Stone Resort Casino in Verona, N.Y. Continue reading “Shields-Nelson officially announced”

Swedish heavyweight rivals Otto Wallin (18-0, 12 KOs) and Adrian Granat (14-1, 13 KOs) could meet for the European Union title early next year. The 26-year-olds are ranked top two in the latest European Union ratings and are now in line to fight for the vacant title. Wallin, the current WBA Continental Champion from Sundsvall, has already accepted his position as number one challenger for the EU belt, and has implored Granat, from Malmo, who is number two in the rankings, to do the same.

If Granat accepts, it would set up a huge showdown between the domestic foes, and a chance for fans to see who is the number one heavyweight in Sweden.

“I’ve accepted my position to fight for the EU title, and now, it’s time for Granat to do the same,” said Wallin. “This would be a massive fight for Swedish boxing. I think we owe it to the fans to see who the best heavyweight in Sweden is. Continue reading “Wallin: Is Granat running scared?”

Hennessy Sports Statement: It has been a difficult two years but we will not stop until we have cleared Tyson Fury and Hughie Fury names.

The statement was issued in response to a BBC article in which Ukad, the UK Anti-Doping regulatory body, expressed fears that former heavyweight champion Tyson Fury could sue the organization for many millions for two years of lost earnings should Fury be cleared after an alleged positive test for a banned steroid. Fury claims the adverse result came from eating uncastrated wild boar and Ukad has unjustly damaged his career.

By Ray Wheatley – World of Boxing

WBO heavyweight champion Joseph Parker could be IBF, WBA heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua’s next opponent now that Eddie Hearn and David Higgins have had preliminary talks. Otherwise, Australia’s former WBA champion Lucas “Big Daddy” Browne will likely get the opportunity for a WBO challenge.

”There is interest from the Joshua camp which is why we’re talking to them now,” Parker told the Herald. “He’s my preferred option. Everyone wants to fight him but I honestly think in his last performance he didn’t look the best. I didn’t look the best in my last performance because of the style I had in front of me. I think his style matches mine perfectly and I honestly think I can knock him out. Continue reading “Parker-Joshua Camps In Talks…”

Evander Holyfield heads the 2018 class of the Alabama Boxing Hall of Fame. Holyfield, born in Atmore, will be inducted in the Pro Boxer category for his incredible career, which included unifying the cruiserweight belts and winning multiple titles as a heavyweight while engaging in some of history’s biggest fights against the likes of Mike Tyson, Lennox Lewis and Riddick Bowe.

Joining Holyfield is Ozark’s Byron Mitchell. Mitchell is the inductee in the Amateur Boxer Category. He won a National Golden Gloves title and competed on an international level. Continue reading “Alabama Boxing Hall of Fame 2018 Class”

By Ray Wheatley — World of Boxing

IBF #3, WBC #6, WBO #12 light flyweight Randy Petalcorin (27-2-1, 20 KOs) will clash with Indonesian champion Oscar Raknafa (13-15, 5 KOs) on Friday at the Malvern Town Hall, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. Former WBA champion Patalcorin stated, “Friday night is big fight for me. I will not underestimate Raknafa who I know is tough and he defeated former WBA world champion Muhammad Rachman and also lasted the distance with current WBO champion Kosei Tanaka. It’s a tough fight but I trained hard. I am ready.” Continue reading “IBF #3 Petalcorin in action Friday”

By Ray Wheatley — World of Boxing

WBO welterweight champion Jeff Horn says people shouldn’t count him out when he defends the championship against the mandatory contender Terrance Crawford in 2018. “Everyone should learn not to underestimate me,” Horn told The Daily Telegraph.”That’s one of my biggest strengths. People underestimate me and then I win. Nobody is going to take this belt away from me cheaply!”

Horn also discussed his promotional arrangement with Hall of Fame Promoter Bob Arum.

“Bob Arum wants one of his fighters to hold onto that belt. He’s got a two-fight deal with me, so Terence Crawford would be my last one. It depends if we are going to renegotiate a contract or whether he wants Terence to win because he’s a Top Rank fighter,” Horn said. Continue reading “Horn: Don’t underestimate me!”

The most interesting fight this weekend could be the heavyweight clash between unbeaten Jarrell “Big Baby” Miller (19-0-1, 17 KOs) and former world title challenger Mariusz Wach (33-2, 17 KOs) Saturday night on HBO. As usual, the outspoken “Big Baby” is talking up a storm. “Wach is just going to be another guy that I am going to crush,” says Miller. “Come November 11 everyone is going to know what I’m capable of doing. I am bringing a whole different kind of Big Baby, a whole different kind of animal, a whole different kind of look.

“I always beat people on Plan A – I don’t even have to go to Plan B but I am going to pull tricks out of the hat so I can show people what a real heavyweight looks like with the skills I have. Nobody moves like me in the heavyweight division. My ring IQ is definitely unbeatable and on November 11 you are going to see a different style of Big Baby and it’s going to be fun…I am the Big Baby, but I am going to give him the pacifier and put him in the crib!”

Undefeated WBC #10 rated featherweight Luis Rosa (23-0, 11 KOs) will face Yuandale Evans (19-1, 14 KOs) in a 10-round matchup in the main event of ShoBox: The New Generation on Friday from the Masonic Temple & Performing Arts Center in Cleveland.

In the co-feature, Radzhab Butaev (7-0, 6 KOs) will take on Janer Gonzalez (19-0-1, 15 KOs) in an eight-round welterweight matchup. Heavyweight Junior Fa (12-0, 7 KOs), who owns two amateur victories over current WBO heavyweight champion Joseph Parker, will face Fred Latham (9-0-2, 5 KOs) in an eight-round bout. And, in the opening bout, undefeated 2016 U.S. Olympian Charles Conwell (5-0, 5 KOs) is in a six-round super welterweight matchup against Roque “Rocky” Zapata (4-1-3, 0 KOs).

Middleweight contender Daniel Jacobs is joined by nutritionist/training partner/sometimes sparring partner/former world champion Chris Algieri for a circuit training workout. Jacobs incorporates circuit training into his regular training schedule a few times a week, under the auspices of Davod “Scooter” Honic at CEA Sports in Port Washington, Long Island.

Jacobs faces Luis Arias on HBO Saturday night at the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum on Long Island, NY.

Former unified featherweight champion Yuriorkis “El Ciclon de Guantanamo” Gamboa (27-2, 17 KOs) will step in to fight Jason “El Canito” Sosa (20-2-4, 15 KOs) in a 10-round super featherweight fight at the Theater at Madison Square Garden in the televised opener to Kovalev vs. Shabrankskyy. The event takes place Saturday, Nov. 25 and will be televised live on HBO. Gamboa is replacing Robinson “Robin Hood” Castellanos, who pulled out of this fight due to an injury.

“This should be a solid fight between two guys, the same size, who like to hurt people,” said Russell Peltz, Hall of Fame Promoter of Peltz Boxing Promotions.”It’s a better matchup, style-wise, than the one between Jason [Sosa] and Robinson Castellanos.”

By Mauricio Sulaiman
WBC President – Jose Sulaiman’s son

I am growing a mustache for the first time in my life. This is to join the Prostate Cancer Awareness Month and the campaign “Movember.” We all need to take a step forward and make sure we all take prevention as a norm and have regular medicals. Cancer is our enemy but if detected early can be battled and defeated.

What a statement by our proud WBC Heavyweight Champion Deontay Wilder. While a few choose to criticize and question Stiverne, I praise Wilder. Athletic, strong and fast. I have not seen a heavyweight throw the jab with such sharpness and precision since Larry Holmes.

Stiverne was timing the jab and was moving his head very well waiting for the right moment to counter, the came the Bomb, a right hand which connected right on the chin through Stiverne’s gloves and down he went. Wilder stood on top of him screaming “get up,” made me remember Muhammad Ali, but Wilder screamed with such fury and anxiety, it was no show, it was real…. Stiverne got up and was dropped again and again. First round Knockout, just like the good old times of Mike Tyson! Continue reading “The 12th Round: Movember”

By David Finger

Hobbs, New Mexico has already emerged as one of the State’s unexpected hotbeds of professional boxing since Isidro Castillo and his School of Hard Knocks Promotions hosted its first professional boxing show back in July of 2010. And on Saturday, November 4th School of Hard Knocks returned to its roots as Joey Alday, 164, demolished last minute sub Michael Sanchez, 166, in a mere 1:02 seconds of the opening round. The card was held at Club la Sierra, the same venue of Castillo’s first promotion. Continue reading “Undefeated Alday crushes late sub in Hobbs”

By Flattop

Two-time Gold Medalist and WBC/IBF super middleweight champion Claressa Shields (4-0, 2 KOs) returns to the ring on January 12th as the main event of the first ShoBox of the year at the Turning Stone Casino in Verona, NY. Shields will make a major step-up in competition as she faces UBF/WIBA super middleweight champion Tori “Sho Nuff” Nelson (17-0, 2 KOs). Nelson scored a second round TKO of Latashia Burton this past Saturday in a non-title affair. The next day Nelson tweeted “Alright Claressa Shields contract is signed now get your training in baby girl!!!” Shields countered: “don’t you worry your pretty head about that.” Continue reading “Shields returns January 12th to ShoBox”