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WBC cruiserweight Champion Mairis Briedis (22-0, 18 KOs) and Mike Perez (22-2-1, 14 KOs) both weighed in on Friday in Riga ahead of Saturday’s WBSS quarter-final clash at Arena Riga, Latvia.

Briedis weighed 198.6 pounds, while Perez weighed 197.3 pounds.

Arch enemies Tony Bellew and David Haye will meet again on December 17 at the O2 in London. In a major upset, Bellew stopped Haye in March after Haye suffered an Achilles injury midway through the fight.

“I will have the exact same attitude I had going into the first fight – win at all costs,” said Bellew. “I will be victorious on December 17 and I will end David Haye’s career. Another loss to me closes the curtain on the Hayemaker.”

David Haye said, “He somehow won the lottery in our first fight, but believe me, he won’t win the lottery twice…on December 17, I will relish the opportunity to re-write the ending of the Haye Bellew story.”

By Boxing Bob Newman

The boxing world will descend on the unlikely locale of Baku, Azerbaijan this weekend to attend the 55th annual WBC Convention. Many delegates have already begun their journey to Azerbaijan’s capital city which lies on the west coast of the Caspian Sea. No stranger to boxing, Baku hosted the 2011 World Amateur Boxing Championships. Continue reading “Azerbaijan ready to embrace WBC”

The much anticipated November 4 fight between WBC heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder and challenger Luis Ortiz will likely be off after Ortiz tested positive for a banned substance. WBC President Mauricio Sulaiman made the announcement Monday night over social media. Expect a decision soon on another opponent.

Both fighters were required to submit to random blood and urine tests administered by VADA in the lead up to the fight. King Kong apparently tested positive for Chlorothiazide and Hydrochlorothiazide, which according to Ortiz’ camp came from his hypertension pills. Both substances are banned on the 2017 WADA Prohibited List under the “Diuretics and Masking Agents” category.

Ortiz previously failed a drug test in 2014, receiving a fine and suspension from the Nevada State Athletic Commission.

The clash between featherweights Toka Kahn “T-Nice” Clary (22-1, 15 KOs) and Braulio “El Chavo” Rodriguez (19-2, 17 KOs) for the vacant WBC Continental Americas title, which was originally scheduled for last night in Louisville, Kentucky, has been moved to October 19 at The Georgia Freight Depot in Atlanta, GA.

The fight will headline a “Special Edition” Hall of Fame Tribute and Birthday Celebration” for boxing legend Evander Holyfield, who will turn 55 years old on fight night. Continue reading “Clary-Rodriguez moved to Atlanta”

The Voluntary Anti-Doping Association (VADA) announced today that both Gennady Golovkin and Canelo Alvarez “successfully completed” their random drug testing.

Also Golden Boy has issued a statement on the PPV sales: “While everyone at Golden Boy Promotions and GGG Promotions appreciate the media’s recognition that the fight between Canelo Alvarez and Gennady Golovkin was an enormous success, the figure that is being cited by some news outlets is simply inaccurate…we expect the final numbers to be well north of current reports, and we will make a decision on reporting those numbers when we know they are accurate.”

Christian Carto 118.1 vs. Alonso Melendez 117.1
Darius Ervin 141.2 vs. David Gonzales 143
Jerome Conquest 131.9 vs. Carlos Rosario 132
Erik Spring 152.4 vs. Anthony Prescott 151.7
Maynard Allison 135.8 vs. Juan Rodriguez 140
Robert Irizarry 125.8 vs. Bryan Perez 128
Rasheed Johnson 147.1 vs. Demetrius Williams 147.2
Amir Shabazz 173.8 vs. Alan Lawrence 173.5
Brandon Robinson 168.1 vs. George Sheppard 168.5

Venue: 2300 Arena
Promoter: King’s Promotions
TV: Eleven Sports

John Vera 155.8 vs. Sunday Ajuwa 156.4
Adrain Taylor 176.8 vs. Ronald Mixon 177.6
Ivan Dychko 246.2 vs. Aubur Wright 272.8
Jose Rivera TBD vs. Alberto Navarro 136.2
Edward Vasquez 128.2 vs. Thomas Smith 129.6
Gabriel Flores Jr. 130.6 vs. Donnie Reeves 128.4

Venue: Gilley’s of Dallas, Texas
Promoter: Roy Jones Jr Boxing Promotions
TV: beIN SPORTS

The IBF has received official notification that IBF Light Heavyweight Champion Andre Ward has retired leaving that title vacant. The Artur Beterbiev vs. Enrico Koelling bout originally scheduled to be an Eliminator for the #1 position has been given formal sanction approval and will be for the IBF Vacant Light Heavyweight Championship. The bout is scheduled for November 11, 2017 in Fresno, California.

The world title rematch between World Boxing Association (WBA) middleweight champion Hassan N’Dam (36-2, 21 KOs), of France, and No. 1 contender Ryōta Murata (12-1, 9 KOs), of Japan, will be televised live to the U.S. from Tokyo, on ESPN2 and ESPN Deportes, Sunday, October 22, at 7:00 a.m. ET. Continue reading “N’Dam-Murata rematch on U.S. TV”

Former welterweight world champion “Showtime” Shawn Porter will battle Adrian Granados in the featured bout of the undercard for Deontay Wilder vs. Luis Ortiz on Saturday, Nov. 4 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, NY.

Also unbeaten contender Sergey Lipinets will take on Akihiro Kondo for the vacant IBF Junior Welterweight World Championship to open the SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING tripleheader.

And, former heavyweight champion Bermane Stiverne and former title challenger Dominic Breazeale will meet in a 10-round heavyweight attraction that will stream live via SHOWTIME Sports.

As we reported, undefeated two-time junior middleweight world champion, Demetrius “Boo Boo” Andrade makes his return to HBO when he takes on undefeated Alantez Fox in a 12 round middleweight bout that will take place on Saturday, October 21st from Turning Stone Resort Casino in Verona, New York.

The bout will be the live co-feature of an HBO Boxing After Dark tripleheader card that will feature Jazreel Corrales defending the WBA World Super Featherweight Title against undefeated Alberto Machado and Ryan Burnett taking on Zhanat Zhakiyanov (tape delay) in a Bantamweight Unification Bout. The HBO telecast will begin at 10:05 p.m. ET/PT.

Fans across the United States will have the opportunity to watch World Boxing Super Series action throughout the remainder of the quarter-finals as AT&T will broadcast this round of the tournament on AUDIENCE Network and other AT&T platforms, beginning with Saturday’s Mairis Briedis vs. Mike Perez WBC World Championship showdown from a sold out Riga Arena in Riga, Latvia. Continue reading “WBSS gets U.S. TV deal”

By Ray Wheatley — World of Boxing
Photos: Johnny Chaichotchuang

IBF#10 Sukkasem Kietyongyuh (18-7) retained the IBF Pan Pacific bantamweight title when he was awarded a twelve round unanimous decision over Joy Joy Formentera (8-3) on Wednesday at Banrattirat Village, Nonthaburi, Thailand. Kietyongyuth boxed aggressively against Formenetara who performed gamely from the southpaw stance against the champion. At the conclusion of twelve action packed rounds the score cards were 118-110, 118-110 and 116-112.

In other action 135 pound Campee Phyaom (12-3) outpointed Pantip Sithsaithong over six rounds.

Also 112 pounder Suphakit Khampha (7-4) scored a third round knockout over Kengkla Sudjai in a scheduled six round bout. Continue reading “IBF#10 Kietyongyuth defeats Formentera”

Back in July, Belfast’s Super-Flyweight contender Jamie Conlan got to scrutinize IBF Champion Jerwin ‘Pretty Boy’ Ancajas from ringside, while supporting brother Michael in Brisbane, Australia. The feisty Filippino southpaw, beaten just once in 29 with 18 kayos, appeared ruthless whilst destroying Japan’s Teiru Kinoshita in seven. Conlan faces Ancajas for the World title at the SSE Arena Belfast on Saturday November 18, live on BT Sport and BoxNation.

Here’s what Conlan had to say on his next opponent:

“I got to see the first round and then the final couple of rounds from ringside and Jerwin was very impressive. Studying from close up, rather than on TV you get to hear the thud of a fighter’s punches. It can be daunting. Continue reading “Conlan: Ancajas might be the weakest champ”

By David Finger

WBO September ratings were recently released, and as expected the biggest shake up in the classifications took place in the 154-pound division. The junior middleweight division was one of two divisions in which new champions were crowned after Miguel Cotto won a unanimous decision over Yoshihiro Kamegai for the vacant belt on August 26th. With the win Cotto’s previous position as the #1 ranked contender passed over to the undefeated 22-year old Magomev “Black Lion” Kurbanov (12-0, 9 KOs). Kurbonov was arguably the biggest winner in the September rankings, jumping up from #8 to #1 on the heels of a unanimous decision victory over Stepan Horvath on September 9, 2017. That fight was for the vacant WBO International belt. Horvath, who was ranked at #5 in the August ratings, dropped out of the September rankings after his loss to the “Black Lion”. Other big winners in the 154-pound division were Kanat Islam (25-0, 20 KOs) who moved up from #7 to #3 after his impressive stoppage over previously undefeated prospect Brandon Cook on September 9th. Cook entered the fight ranked #13 by the WBO but drops out of the classifications after the loss. Continue reading “Margarito cracks WBO top 10, setting up Cotto clash”

By Marco Bratusch

The anticipated first and voluntary defense of European super middleweight champion Hadillah Mohoumadi (22-4-1, 16 KOs) is finally landing on November 10 in Paris, France, against his well-known countryman Christopher Rebrassé (25-5-3, 6 KOs). Both fighters are promoted by Malamine Koné’s MK Events, a company that recently won the EBU 2016 promoter of the year award. Continue reading “Mohoumadi-Rebrassé Euro clash Nov 10 in Paris”

Hard-hitting Polish contender Mateusz Masternak (39-4, 26 KOs) will battle once-beaten Stivens Bujaj (16-1-1, 11 KOs) in a 10-round World Boxing Super Series cruiserweight reserve match on Saturday, October 21 at Prudential Center in Newark, N.J. Additional action will feature a 10-round super welterweight bout between unbeaten Polish contender Maciej Sulecki (25-0, 10 KOs) and former title challenger Jack Culcay (22-2, 11 KOs).

The October 21 event is headlined by IBF champion Murat “Iron” Gassiev and former world champion Krzysztof Wlodarczyk squaring-off in World Boxing Super Series cruiserweight quarter-final action.

By Przemek Garczarczyk

“Mariusz Wach is definitely a step up. I know his weaknesses, and seemingly everyone knows mine… until they realize how big and well conditioned, hard-hitting I am. I’m going hard (at him). It’s going to be fun,” says undefeated heavyweight contender “Jarrell “Big Baby” Miller (19-0, 17 KOs).

Big Baby talks about his (hopefully) upcoming fight against 6’7 Mariusz Wach (33-2, 17 KOs), shares some interesting opinions about WBA/IBF heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua and jokingly explains why he doesn’t want to have “normal” fans… Continue reading “Jarrell Miller: Same man 24/7, telling the truth”

Statement from WBO President Francisco “Paco” Valcarcel: Greetings all, I would like to update everyone on the situation here in Puerto Rico. As of today, everyone from the WBO family is safe, conditions here are tough without the daily essentials like electricity, water and gasoline but at least we have our health which is more important than any commodity.

I would like to inform all convention attendees that the 30th Annual 2017 WBO Congress Cruise on October 23, leaving from the Port of Miami is a GO. We have established a temporary office in Orlando, Florida so we can finish all the last minute preparations for the WBO Congress. This week I will announce the address and the phone number of our office in Orlando so we can continue to provide our services to all. God Bless and I look forward to spending time with all of you in October.

In what figures the best fight of the coming weekend, WBC cruiserweight world champion Mairis Briedis (22-0, 18 KOs) risks his world title and undefeated record against Mike “The Rebel” Perez (22-2-1, 14 KOs) on Saturday when the World Boxing Super Series (WBSS) tournament continues with more quarterfinal action from Riga Arena in Riga, Latvia.

Mairis Briedis: “This is a big thing. For Latvia, this will be the first major world championship bout in history, so I hope to see a sold-out arena. From my previous experience with the Latvian crowd, I can really tell Mike Perez that boxing in front of a Riga crowd will not be easy for him. The boxing community around the world will learn how passionate and loud Latvia fans can be! My preparation camp has been going very well so far and I can assure my fans that I’ll be at my best when the 30th of September arrives.” Continue reading “Breidis-Perez tops weekend action”

WBA super welterweight “regular” champion Demetrius Andrade (24-0, 16 KOs) vs. Alantez Fox (23-0-1, 11 KOs) has reportedly been added to the October 21 at Turning Stone in Verona, NY. The bout is looking like a non-title affair at middleweight. This would be the second fight of 2017 for Andrade, the first time he’s had multiple fights in one year since 2013.

Headlining is the WBA super world super featherweight title fight between Jezreel Corrales (22-1, 8 KOs) and Alberto Machado (18-0, 15 KOs). HBO will televise.

In a clash between unbeaten featherweight prospects, Leduan Barthelemy (13-0-1, 7 KOs) and Eduardo Ramirez (20-0-3, 7 KOs) battled to a hard-fought ten round draw on Tuesday night at the Cannery Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas. Scores were 97-93 Barthelemy, 96-94 Ramirez, and 95-95. Ramirez pressed the action.

In an entertaining eight-round slugfest, featherweight prospect Alejandro Salinas (9-1, 8 KOs) defeated previously unbeaten Duarn Vue (12-0, 4 KOs). Scores were 80-72, 79-73, 77-75.

In a hotly contested showdown between unbeaten lightweight prospects, Bryan Figueroa (13-0, 5 KOs) outpunched Ivan Jimenez (7-1-1, 4 KOs) over six rounds. Scores were 58-56 across the board.

All Star Boxing Inc has announced the signing of 22 year old, undefeated welterweight prospect Alejandro “Bad Boy” Barboza (11-0, 7 KOs) of Jamay, Jalisco, Mexico to an exclusive promotional agreement. Barboza is trained and managed by Fernando Garcia who has signed other fighters with All Star in the past. Bad Boy Barboza is a well sought out prospect in his region of Jalisco. He is looking to make his U.S debut on the Telemundo Network on November 3rd in Kissimmee, Florida. Continue reading “All Star Boxing Inks “Bad Boy” Barboza”

On Tuesday, September 26, the World Boxing Association presented its 96th World Convention, which will be held in Medellín, Antioquia, Colombia, from October 30 to November 2. The Colombian press was pleased to know that the Convention’s Medical Seminar and Forum for journalists will take place at the University of Antioquia, a respected educational institution. In addition, the popular neighborhoods of Antioquia will be visited.

However, it was the presence of Mexican Saul “Canelo” Alvarez which surprised the audience. He marked his arrival at the venue in the middle of the conference and was a great surprise to the attendees.

“I am very happy to be in the city, to support this event, because I believe that boxing can help people. From now, I want the WBA to invite me to their convention (laughs)”, Canelo said. Continue reading “Canelo attends WBA meeting in Colombia”