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Golden Boy Promotions announced today the signing of the undefeated WBO #1, WBC #4 super lightweight Arnold Barboza Jr. (28-0, 10 KOs). Barboza Jr. will participate on the DAZN broadcast of the Ryan Garcia vs. Oscar Duarte card in Houston, Texas at Toyota Center on Saturday, December 2.

Arnold Barboza Jr: “I’m ready for the big fights. I’m ready for the big events, I’m ready to fight in LA where I was born and raised. I feel that Golden Boy and Oscar will deliver this for me and they stepped up and gave me what I asked for.”

Promoter Oscar De La Hoya: “The mold of a Golden Boy fighter is talent and hunger to become a world champion, which are all the qualities that Arnold Barboza Jr. possesses. We will position him to fight for a world title belt in the very near future. We’re the best in the business at building the next generation of stars and Arnold Barboza Jr. will put the 140 pound division on notice.”

Manager Rick Mirigian: “Value is not determined by those who set the price, value is determined by those who choose to pay it. Golden Boy has placed a high value on Barboza and wasted no time to show it.”

Two-weight world champion Natasha Jonas (14-2-1, 9 KOs) will defend her IBF welterweight world title against former unified world champion Mikaela Mayer (19-1, 5 KOs) on Saturday, Jan. 20 at the M&S Bank Arena in Liverpool, England, live on ESPN+ in the U.S. and Sky Sports in the UK and Ireland.

Jonas will be making the first defense of the IBF crown she claimed with an emphatic stoppage win over Canadian Kandi Wyatt earlier this year, having previously unified the WBC, WBO and IBF junior middleweight world titles.

Newly crowned British champion ‘Little Leaver’s Meat Cleaver’ Jack Cullen (22-4-1, 10 KOs) also returns to action, defending his Lonsdale strap against former foe Zak Chelli (14-2-1, 7 KOs) in a repeat of their all-action 2020 contest that ended in a draw. Continue reading “Jonas-Mayer confirmed for Jan 20”

All Star Boxing returns with its popular series “Panama Fight Night IV” on Friday December 1st featuring rising world ranked welterweight puncher WBA #11 WBO #11 Derrieck “Pretty Boy” Cuevas (26-1-1, 18 KOs) of Rio Piedras, Puerto Rico against Ecuadorian Marlon “La Furia” Aguas (14-1, 9 KOs) in a 10-round clash. The bout will air live from Centro de Combates in Panama City, Panama at 9PM / EDT on ESPN+ and ESPN Knockout.

“We are happy to be back with our 3rd show from Panama this year in a series that has already seen the rise of contenders to world champions like WBO interim jr flyweight titlist Rene “El Chulo” Santiago,” notes Tuto Zabala Jr President & CEO of All Star Boxing, Inc “Derrieck Cuevas is a young, hungry welterweight contender looking to close the year in big fashion.” Continue reading “Derrieck Cuevas returns Dec 1 on ESPN+”

The WBA world title final eliminator clash between #1 and #2 world-ranked light heavyweights Joshua Buatsi and Dan Azeez has been rescheduled for Saturday, February 3 and will be broadcast live and exclusively on Sky Sports in the UK and Ireland and Peacock in the USA.

Buatsi (17-0, 13 KOs) and Azeez (20-0, 13 KOs) were set to meet on October 21st at The O2 but a back injury suffered by Azeez in his final training session forced the postponement of their all-British showdown. The rescheduled contest will now take place at The OVO Arena Wembley due to a lack of available dates at The O2.

January 13th was held by BOXXER as the targeted date at The O2 but a clash with the light heavyweight world title contest between Artur Beterbiev and Callum Smith meant Azeez’s coach Buddy McGirt, who also trains Smith, would be unavailable.

By Gabriel F. Cordero

In an unexpected development, the WBC announced at its annual convention in Uzbekistan that it will suspend cooperation with Boxrec.com, the official boxing recordkeeper, which the WBC has supported for more than a decade. At issue is Boxrec’s handling of the bridgerweight division (200-224 lbs.), which simply hasn’t been acknowledged by Boxrec since it was created by the WBC three years ago. Current WBC world champion Lukasz Rozanski (15-0, 14 KOs) does not have any title listed. His fights are written up as heavyweight without a title and he does not appear in any rankings.

The WBC made an official request for Boxrec to support the bridgerweight classification and the decision to suspend cooperation for the time being until the update is implemented was immediately and firmly supported by the WBC Board of Governors on Tuesday afternoon during the presentation of the Boxrec representatives.

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

Finally, the moment awaited by the community of our sport has arrived, namely, the Annual Convention of the World Boxing Council.

The most important week in our sport, in which delegates from the 170 affiliated countries gather, combine and unite for this meeting, in which a large number of decisions are made that, year after year, revolutionize our sport, to make it safer, and project it towards integral growth.

Hundreds of people have gathered in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, in central Asia, a country that many of the attendees could not previously locate on the map…with a pin.

We have discovered and found a beautiful, hospitable, safe nation full of ancient traditions. Smiling is one of the qualities that is experienced step after step, delicious food based on organic vegetables, cheeses, bread and dishes, with influence from the East and the Arab world. Continue reading “The most important week in boxing”

Pound-for-pound star Shakur Stevenson (20-0, 10 KOs) and Dominican slugger Edwin De Los Santos (16-1, 14 KOs) hosted their public workouts today ahead of their vacant WBC lightweight world title showdown this Thursday, Nov. 16 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.

In the world championship co-feature, Mexico’s Emanuel “Vaquero” Navarrete (38-1, 31 KOs) defends his WBO junior lightweight strap against Brazilian two-time world title challenger Robson Conceição (17-2, 8 KOs).

At Monday’s media workout, this is what the fighters had to say.

Shakur Stevenson

“I can’t wait. It’s going to be very exciting. You’ve got the tough Edwin De Los Santos, but I’m here to whoop his a**!”

“We can’t think about what comes after. I’m not worried about after. We’ve got a job to do Thursday night. I’m coming here to get my belt.”

“I think that Edwin is a good fighter. I think he’s more of a boxer than what he’s trying to act like. So, he’s going to try to move around. And I’m going to figure him out by the fourth round.” Continue reading “Shakur, De Los Santos, Vacquero, Conceição Quotes”

Report/Photos: David Finger

The 61st annual WBC Convention continued for its second day on Monday with a lengthy, but throughly enjoyable, opening ceremony.

Although historically day two of the WBC Convention is one of the busier ones, with medical seminars and ratings committee meetings, this year the choice was made to go with fewer scheduled events.

It proved to be a wise decision as it allowed for what was one of the most memorable opening ceremonies in convention history.

The event kicked off with an incredible concert performed by the Bulbulcha Children’s Choir, which was conducted by Alibek Kabdurakhmanov, Director of the National Symphony Orchestra. The choir sang the National Anthem, which was followed by an introduction of a handful of local government officials including first vice president of the Uzbekistan Boxing Federation and the former President of the International Boxing Association (AIBA), Mr. Gafur Rakhimov. From there Deputy Prime Minister of Uzbekistan Archilbay Ramatov gave a speech welcoming the WBC and the attendees of the convention.

Following the introductions, WBC President Mauricio Sulaiman (alongside former light-welterweight champion Kostya Tszyu) presented a WBC belt to Deputy Prime Minister Archilbay Ramatov. Continue reading “WBC Convention Day 2 report”

Golden Boy has announced the undercard for the return of super lightweights “King” Ryan Garcia (23-1, 19 KOs) against Oscar “La Migraña” Duarte (26-1-1, 21 KOs) taking place at Toyota Center in Houston on December 2 broadcast worldwide on DAZN.

The co-main event features Ohara “Two Tanks” Davies (25-2, 18 KOs) against Ismael Barroso (24-4-2, 22 KOs) for the WBA interim super lightweight title.

Unbeaten Floyd “Kid Austin” Schofield (15-0, 11 KOs) faces Ricardo “Explosivo” Torres (17-7-3, 12 KOs) in a 10-round fight.

NABO middleweight champion Shane Mosley Jr. (20-4, 11 KOs) faces Joshua Conley (17-5-1, 11 KOs) in a 10-round fight.

Opening the DAZN card, light heavyweight Darius Fulghum (8-0, 8 KOs) will fight Pachino “Chino” Hill (8-4-1, 6 KOs). Continue reading “Kingry-Duarte undercard set”

Steve Claggett 139.8 vs. Miguel Madueno 139.7
(NABF/NABO super lightweight titles)

Steven Butler 161.9 vs. Ivan Alvarez 160.9
Fernando Galvan 178.6 vs. Iman Khataev 179.4
Jaime Lopez 173 vs. Mehmet Nadir Unal 175.5
Grzegorz Mardyla 168.6 vs. Wilkens Mathieu 169.5
Christian Lopez Lozano 160.9 vs. Moreno Fendero 163.6

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

Undefeated WBC middleweight champion Jermall Charlo discussed training camp and more ahead of his showdown against Jose Benavidez Jr., which serves as the Showtime PPV co-main event on November 25 from Michelob ULTRA Arena at Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas. Charlo-Benavidez in a 10-round non-title WBC special event as Charlo ends an over two-year layoff.

Jermall Charlo

“I’m excited to be back – back where I belong. I’m really re-learning boxing, like in the amateurs all over again. I feel new to it. It’s a thrill at the same time. I’m putting my life on the line once again, to shock the world and let people know that I’m on top.

“A lot of people consider mental health when can’t stabilize your mind and think forward. And that’s kind of where I was at. I was in a place of not being able to explain it to anyone and kind of always shielded it and I had to fight through that through my learning experiences. The main thing I’ve learned this whole time is patience. I got ready on my own terms. I’m back in the ring on my own terms. I feel better at my own pace and I’m going to go in and face my battles on my own timing. Continue reading “Charlo: I’m back on my own terms”

The heavyweight division’s fastest-rising prospect looks to close out 2023 in crushing fashion.

Olympic super heavyweight silver medalist Richard Torrez Jr. (7-0, 7 KOs) will test himself against Curtis Harper (14-10, 9 KOs) on Saturday, December 9 at Charles F. Dodge City Center in Pembroke Pines, Florida. This will be the first scheduled eight-rounder for Torrez, who has ended all seven of his professional outings in three rounds or less. Harper is best known for walking out of the ring prior to a fight with Efe Ajagba, but otherwise has proven to be a credible journeyman.

Torrez-Harper will stream LIVE & exclusively in the U.S. on ESPN+ before the ESPN-televised doubleheader (10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT) featuring Robeisy Ramirez’s WBO featherweight world title defense against Rafael “El Divino” Espinoza and undefeated junior middleweight sensation Xander Zayas versus Spain’s Jorge Fortea.

Another busy week with Thursday night’s world title twinbill from Las Vegas being the highlight.

TUESDAY
ESPN+ has WBC #15 super lightweight Steve Claggett (36-7-2, 25 KOs) against heavy-handed Miguel Madueno (30-1, 28 KOs) from the Casino De Montreal with the NABF and NABO titles on the line. Also, two-time middleweight world title challenger Steven Butler (32-4-1, 26 KOs) against Iron Alvarez (32-14-4, 21 KOs)

WEDNESDAY
ProBox TV has a super welterweight showdown between super welterweights Guido Schramm (16-1-2, 9 KOs) and Johan Gonzalez (33-2, 33 KOs) from the Whitesands Events Center in Plant City, Florida.

THURSDAY
ESPN delivers two world title fights as Shakur Stevenson (20-0, 10 KOs) meets Edwin De Los Santos (16-1, 14 KOs) for the vacant WBC lightweight title. In the co-feature, WBO junior lightweight champion Emanuel Navarrete (38-1, 31 KOs) will defend his belt against 2016 Olympic gold medalist Robson Conceição (17-2, 8 KOs). T-Moble Arena in Las Vegas it the site of the telecast.

SATURDAY
DAZN presents unbeaten super middleweight Diego Pacheco (19-0, 16 KOs) facing former world title challenger Marcelo Coceres (32-5-1, 18 KOs) for the WBO International and USWBC titles at the YouTube Theater in Inglewood, California.

ESPN+ delivers unbeaten featherweight Nick Ball (18-0, 11 KOs) versus former world champion Isaac Dogboe (24-3, 15 KOs) from the AO Arena in Manchester, England.

Peacock will air the European title twinbill featuring fast-tracking super lightweight prospect Adam Azim (9-0, 6 KOs) challenging EBU 140lb champion Franck Petitjean (24-6-3, 6 KOs) and EBU middleweight champion Matteo Signani (32-6-3, 12 KOs) versus Tyler Denny (17-2-3, 0 KOs) + WBO #1 cruiserweight Richard Riakporhe (16-0, 12 KOs) against Dylan Bregeon (13-4-1, 3 KOs). The action comes from The Halls in Wolverhampton, England.

Report/Photo: David Finger

The legendary Panamanian former WBC world champion Roberto “Manos De Piedra” Duran stopped by in “The City of Stone”,
Tashkent, Uzbekistan to help kick off the 2023 WBC Boxing Convention. Also present was former WBC word champion Adonis “Superman” Stevenson, a fighter well remembered for his rock-hard punching power. Once introduced to Stevenson, Duran immediately took to the Haitian-born Canadian. It was a legendary meeting of “rock stars” in the Stone City.

Report/Photos by David Finger

The 61st Annual WBC Convention kicked on Sunday night in a new and exotic location of Tashkent, Uzbekistan. But despite “The City of Stone” being located about as far from the Western Hemisphere as possible, the welcome cocktail that unofficially opened the event was a packed house with many recognizable faces from Mexico and the United States.

Former Mexican word champions Julio Cesar Chavez, Daniel Zaragoza, and Humberto “Chiquita” Gonzalez, were three of the notable guests from Mexico. Continue reading “2023 WBC Convention kicks off in Uzbekistan”

Report and Photos by Bob Ryder

Albert “Prince” Bell scored a destructive second round TKO over Jayson Velez at Toledo’s Glass City Center Saturday night. Despite his post-fight statement to the contrary (“I just wanted to put on a performance”) Bell seemed much more intent on scoring a stoppage win than usual. Sometimes criticized for his perceived lack of power, Bell jumped on Velez quickly. Velez went to the mat in the first round in a flash knockdown and did not seem to be badly hurt. In the second round, however, Bell really poured it on. He opened up a bloody gash over Jayson’s left eye and floored him heavily for a second knockdown in the fight. Velez arose only to be again sent down hard requiring referee James Easter to immediately rush in and wave off the bout at 1:39 of the round. Continue reading “WBO #1 Bell Crushes Velez in Toledo”

Report/Photos: Boxing Bob Newman

It’s not uncommon to have rival boxing shows going head to head in the same area on the same night. But in a somewhat unique twist on Saturday night in Colorado, two such competing shows wound up combining into one mega event in Loveland, Colorado.

Originally, there was one event slated for Denver, promoted by Steve Mestas’ Airtight Boxing, while Loveland had a show promoted by Jeff Cisneros’ Sparta Combat League.

However, the situation was such that there were not enough officials and administrators within the Colorado Combative Sports Commission to cover both shows simultaneously. So the move was made to merge both shows together in Loveland, forming a 22 match mega event, combining boxing, kickboxing, MMA and Muay Thai, some amateurs and some pros. Fightnews.com® opted concentrate on the boxing matches for this event. Continue reading “Results from Loveland, Colorado”

For the 10th consecutive year, Bob Russo of Portland Boxing Club returned to the Portland Expo Center in Portland, Maine, for another successful, sold out event. Raising money for the New England Golden Gloves program, sponsors and fans crowded into Portland’s top sports arena for an exciting night of pro and amateur boxing.

Quirk wins New England Middleweight Title in Portland.

In the 8 round main event for the vacant New England Middleweight title, Portland Firefighter Jason Quirk, 11-0, 6 KOs got off to an early lead, outworking the determined and wild-swinging Rodrigo Lopes-Rodrigues, 8-7, 7 KOs, of Sao Paulo, Brazil via Boston. With seconds to go in the 6th round, Lopes landed a crashing overhand right, staggering Quirk in his corner. Attacking at the bell for the 7th, Lopes continued to chase Quirk around the ring, rocking him repeatedly. Quirk maintained his composure, tying Lopes up anytime he landed clean, resulting in them both falling to the canvas. Quirk seemed to regain his legs in the final round, maintaining his distance and avoiding the looping shots of Lopes. Judge Glen Feldman saw the bout 77-75 for Lopes while Martha Tremblay and Steve Weisfeld leaned 77-75 and 77-76 respectively for Quirk for the split decision win. Continue reading “Boxing Results from Maine”

Unbeaten WBA #7 super middleweight Pablo Ezquiel Corzo (17-0, 15 KOs) of Argentina defeated Carlos Rivero (24-3-1, 14 KOs) of Venezuela by first round KO on Saturday night at the Club Deportivo y Social Sportsmen Unidos in Rosario, Santa Fe, Argentina. The first two minutes of the round seemed to be a feeling out process when Corzo suddenly stunned Rivero badly with a right to the head. Rivero´s back hit the ropes then he dropped to his knees after a slight delayed reaction. Rivero was noticeably dazed and was counted out by the referee.

6’4, 279 pound heavyweight Don Haynesworth Jr. (18-8, 16 KOs) returned with a 3rd round TKO over journeyman Anthony Trotter in Greensboro, North Carolina on Saturday night. After sending the 240 pound Trotter to the canvas twice in the 2nd stanza, Haynesworth landed another big, straight right dropping Trotter again early in the 3rd round. Referee Dale Frye officially stopped the onslaught at 1:10 of round 3.

The victory marked Haynesworth’s 2nd straight win since dropping bouts to notables Zhilei Zhang, Guido Vianello and Dempsey McKean. The 7 bout card was promoted by local Walter Johnson to honor Veterans Day at the Greensboro National Guard Armory.

Unbeaten lightweight Ernesto “Tito” Mercado (13-0, 12 KOs) scored a second round TKO over former world title challenger Jeremia Nakathila (23-4, 19 KOs) on Saturday night at the LumColor “Phoenix Center” in Ontario, California. Mercado dropped Nakathila in round two and got a referee’s stoppage with his follow-up barrage. Nakathila complained about the stoppage – which did seem quick. Regardless, Mercado continues to impress.

Sons of ring legends were in action Saturday night at Thunder Studios in Long Beach, California.

Unbeaten super welterweight Fernando Vargas Jr (13-0, 12 KOs), son of Hall of Famer Fernando “Feroz” Vargas, impressively demolished Wilfrido Buelvas (24-18, 18 KOs). Vargas dropped Buelvas in round one and finished him with another knockdown in round two. Time was :52.

Featherweight Michael Bracamontes (8-1-1, 4 KOs) won an eight round unanimous decision over Jose Luis Castillo Jr (27-4, 20 KOs), son of two-time world champion Jose Luis Castillo. Close, competitive fight but two judges somehow had it a shutout. Scores were 80-72, 80-72, 78-74.

Irma Garcia (23-5-1, 4 KOs) outscored Stephanie Silva (8-1, 0 KOs) over ten rounds for the vacant IBF female super flyweight title. Scores were 99-90 3x. Garcia dropped Silva in round five.

In a charity exhibition match, heavyweight legends Donovan “Razor” Ruddock (40-6-1, 30 KOs) and James “Lights Out” Toney (77-10-3, 47 KOs) boxed for six rounds on Saturday night at the National Indoor Sports Centre in Kingston, Jamaica. Ruddock, 59, and Toney, 55, both fought without headgear or T-shirts. Rounds one and two were three minute rounds. After round two, the Jamaican commission switched the bout to two minute rounds. Toney was much quicker and busier, while Ruddock landed the occasional power shot. The affair was declared a draw afterward.

In the co-feature, unbeaten WBA #10 super featherweight Abel Mendoza (39-0, 30 KOs) pounded on 42-year-old Aristides Perez (34-25-3, 19 KOs) for three rounds and Perez didn’t come out for round four.

Light heavyweight Jermaine Bowen (4-3, 1 KO) got a sixth round referee’s stoppage against 46-year-old local favorite Tsetsi Davis (18-9, 5 KOs).

Pro debuting welterweight DJ Ruddock, 34, son of Razor Ruddock, battled to a four round draw with Juezier Heron (1-0-1, 0 KOs). Scores were 38-38, 38-38, 39-37 Heron.

Middleweight Richard Holmes (20-13, 10 KOs) was victorious when Jose Julio (24-17-1, 16 KOs) couldn’t continue after round four.

WBA #6 super bantamweight Shabaz Masoud (12-0, 4 KOs) was lucky to win a split decision against Jose Sanmartin (34-8-1, 21 KOs) on Saturday night at the Utilita Arena in Newcastle, England. Sanmartin pressed the action, threw more punches and harder punches, but judges preferred the work of Masoud. Scores were 96-94 for Sanmartin, 96-94 and an outrageous 98-92 for Masoud, who retained his WBA Intercontinental belt.

Walter Johnson Promotions will host a seven-fight card tonight (Nov 11) at the National Guard Armory in Greensboro, North Carolina. Headlining the show will be undefeated Joseph Jackson (18-0, 15 KOs) taking on seasoned veteran Dedrick Bell in a scheduled eight round bout. The card also features Chris Fuentes Perez 2-0 against Demarcus Fitzgerald 2-1 in a six round bout, as well Heavyweight Don Haynesworth Jr. (17-8, 14 KOs) attempts to make a comeback against journeyman Anthony Trotter 6-11. There are also four undercard bouts. There will be a live stream at www.bigsports.tv and ko-nation-streaming.weebly.com