Fightnews.com

Photos: Francisco Perez/Ringstar Sports

The World Boxing Super Series makes its USA debut on Saturday with a very attractive cruiserweight quarterfinal showdown between WBA world champion Yunier Dorticos and Dmitry Kudryashov at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas. Also seeing action are once-beaten cruiserweights Keith Tapia and Lateef Kayode, who meet in a WBSS reserve match, plus former world champion Nonito Donaire, who battles Mexico’s Ruben Garcia Hernandez.

Sadly no U.S. television for this very TV-worthy fight card, but the action will be streamed at worldboxingsuperseries.com. Dorticos and Kudryashov faced off at Wednesday’s press conference.

Yunier Dorticos: “I’m happy to be a part of this great event. On Saturday night you will see what I’m all about. Saturday is going to be an explosive matchup and I will leave with my belt.”

Dmitry Kudryashov: “I know that I have a very tough opponent in front of me. We’ve worked so hard to prepare my body and mind for 12 rounds of war. There is no way I can lose this fight.” Continue reading “Dorticos-Kudryashov Final Presser”

Photos: Mikey Williams/Top Rank

WBO featherweight champion Oscar Valez faced off with challenger Genesis Servania and WBO super middleweight champ Zurdo Ramirez faced off with #1 contender Jesse Hart at Wednesday’s final press conference in Tucson.

The two world title fights take place Friday night on ESPN. Click here for more photos…

Undefeated WBC Heavyweight World Champion Deontay “The Bronze Bomber” Wilder and Cuban southpaw Luis “The Real King Kong” Ortiz spoke about their upcoming November 4th title clash.

“I’ve been waiting for this moment for a long time and I’m excited that the time has come to meet Luis Ortiz,” said Wilder. “Ortiz is considered the boogeyman of the sport and I am the hardest hitter in boxing. When you put us together in a ring, you will get one of the best heavyweight fights in a long time. I will unify the division. This I promise. This is the first step towards unifying. Any heavyweight that gets in my way is getting knocked out.”

“Wilder has been doing a lot of talking about me and this fight,” said Ortiz. “I’m tired of hearing it. I’m not that big on talking. I like to do all my talking in the ring and that’s what I plan to do. I respect him. I know he hits hard, but I hit hard too. It’s going to be a great fight. I can’t wait to get in the ring and shut him up in front of everybody at Barclays Center on SHOWTIME on November 4.”

Legendary world middleweight champion and boxing Hall of Famer Jake LaMotta, who later became the central character in the Martin Scorsese-directed Academy Award-winning film Raging Bull (1980) starring Robert De Niro, passed away in Miami, Florida today (September 20) at the age of 95. LaMotta’s fiancé of 25-years, Denise Baker, confirmed that LaMotta died of Dysphagia pneumonia at Palm Garden Nursing Home, in Miami, Florida, where he was given hospice care in recent weeks by Seasons Hospice. Continue reading “Jake LaMotta passes away at age 95”

By Marco Bratusch

Former WBO cruiserweight champion Krzysztof Glowacki (27-1, 17 KOs) is set to fight Italian Leonard Damian Bruzzese on September 30 at the Arena Riga, in Latvia, on the undercard of the highly anticipated Briedis-Perez clash, a fight valid as the third quarter-final bracket for the World Boxing Super Series tourament. The boxing night will be promoted by Sauerland Events. Continue reading “Glowacki-Bruzzese on Sept 30 in Latvia”

Photos: Mikey Williams/Top Rank

Undefeated WBO world champions Oscar Valdez and Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez and #1 contender and mandatory challenger Jesse “Hard Work” Hart took paer in a media workout on Tuesday in Tucson, Arizona.

On Friday at Tucson Arena, Valdez will defending his WBO featherweight title against the WBO #4 Genesis Servania, while WBO super middleweight champion Ramirez will take on Hart in a grudge match. Continue reading “Valdez, Ramirez set to defend belts”

Referee Marcus McDonnell will now work Saturday’s WBO heavyweight title fight between champion Joseph Parker and Hughie Fury in Manchester, England. The Parker camp complained that the British Boxing Board of Control (BBBofC) appointed British referee Terry O’Connor rather than a neutral referee as per WBO rules. The BBBofC at first resisted making a change, but then switched out O’Connor for another British referee in McDonnell. The Parker camp, however, had better hope O’Connor didn’t take his ouster personally – the BBBofC reassigned O’Connor as one of the judges!!!

The WBO Championship Committee has denied the request of Zou Xuan Sports of China on behalf of Chinese boxing icon Zou Shiming for an immediate rematch against WBO flyweight champion Sho Kimura. Hand-picked opponent Kimura shockingly knocked out and dethroned Shiming in his first defense on July 28 in Shanghai, China. The 36-year-old Shiming had recently hooked up with trainer Robert Garcia and hoped to get quick revenge against Kimura, whose win was a colossal upset.

Unbeaten IBF #12 lightweight contender Mario Barrios (20-0, 12 KOs) scored a seventh round TKO over Naim Nelson (13-4, 1 KO) in a super welterweight bout on Tuesday night at the Sands Bethlehem Events Center in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. Nelson was in distress for most the fight due to a left shoulder injury. He bravely fought on, but finally couldn’t take the pain anymore in round seven and the bout was called off.

Unbeaten lightweight Thomas Velasquez (9-0-1, 5 KOs) and Tyrome Jones (4-2-1, 1 KO) fought to a six round draw. Scores were 59-55 Jones, 59-55 Valezquez, 57-57.

Light heavyweight prospects Earl Newman (10-0-1, 7 KOs) and Paul Parker (8-2-1, 4 KOs) battled to an eight round draw. Scores were 79-73 Newman, 77-75 Parker, 76-76.

Photos: Erick Ramirez/Ringstar Sports

Three-division world champion Leo Santa Cruz hosted a media workout Tuesday at the new Team Watson Boxing Club in Lake Balboa, Calif. as he prepares to defend his featherweight titles against Chris Avalos on Saturday, October 14 in the main event of Premier Boxing Champions on FOX and FOX Deportes from StubHub Center in Carson, Calif.

Televised coverage begins 7:30 p.m. ET/4:30 p.m. PT with four-time world champion Abner Mares defending his 126-pound belt against once-beaten Andres Gutierrez.

Also in attendance was lightweight Ivan Redkach, who trains with Santa Cruz and will compete in an undercard bout on October 14.

Here is what the participants had to say Tuesday:

LEO SANTA CRUZ

“Now we both get another fight first, I’m pretty sure we will both win and the fans win by seeing us again as well. Continue reading “Leo Santa Cruz speaks”

By Przemek Garczarczyk

After trainer John David Jackson ripped former WBA/IBF/WBO light heavyweight champ Sergey Kovalev (30-2, 26 KO) and accused him of quitting in his rematch with Andre Ward, I was wondering what “Krusher’s” response to Jackson various accusations will be. We all know that Kovalev does not know what political correctness is, so it was very refreshing to hear that the top light heavyweight contender take the high road. “The coach should help you in the ring. I didn’t feel that with Jackson,” stated Kovalev, who also politely explained (with manager Egis Klimas) why he’s on the hunt for new man in the corner. Judge for yourselves.

Embattled boxing judge Adalaide Byrd is not under suspension or been reprimanded in any way according to NSAC executive director Bob Bennett. Byrd has been taking a lot of heat from fans and media after scoring Saturday’s superfight 118-110 for Canelo Alvarez. “She feels terrible that she saw it differently from the other two judges,” Bennett told the Las Vegas Review. “She explained what she saw and she feels shattered.”

Bennett also dismissed charges of corruption leveled by ESPN commentator Teddy Atlas. “Anyone reporting corruption couldn’t be any further from the truth. Adalaide is a woman of integrity and a judge many around the world have requested for.” Continue reading “118-110 judge feels terrible, shattered”

By Mauricio Sulaiman
WBC President – Jose Sulaiman’s son

It would be impossible not to dedicate this week’s column to Gennady “GGG” Golovkin. Saturday night in Las Vegas at the T-Mobile Arena, Golovkin finally received the world recognition as the best fighter in the middleweight division and one of the best in the world. Saul Canelo Alvarez fought GGG to a very entertaining fight which had the sold-out arena chanting throughout the fight hoping that Alvarez would bring those glory days of Mexican warriors like Sanchez, Chavez, Morales, Barrera and Marquez back and win the fight of his life precisely on Mexican Independence Day. It didn’t happen.

It was GGG the one fighting “Mexican Style” going forward at all times, dominating the action and trying to engage in a brawl which eventually happened during the last three rounds. Alvarez decided to be the aggressor on the tenth, too late in my personal opinion. Continue reading “The 12th Round: GGG – Champion of Champions”

By David Finger

Fightnews.com® is sad to report the passing of former heavyweight contender David Bey. According to WPVI, an ABC affiliate in Philadelphia, Bey was working as a Pyle driver with Local Carpenters’ 179 in Camden, New Jersey. He was killed on Wednesday, September 13th, in an industrial accident at the Camden Towers when he was reportedly hit by a steel sheet Pyle.

Bey is perhaps best remembered by boxing fans for his 1985 IBF world title fight against Larry Holmes. Holmes beat the then-undefeated Bey by way of tenth round TKO. But many boxing fans nonetheless remembered the gritty performance from Bey, who rocked Holmes in the second round. Holmes was later quoted by Sports Illustrated as saying Bey “got my attention” in the second round of the fight. Continue reading “David Bey passes”

Mario Barrios 140.9 vs Naim Nelson 140.8
Earl Newman 178 vs Paul Parker 177.5
Thomas Velasquez 131.1 vs Tyrome Jones 132.1
Juan Sanchez 124.9 vs Gorwar Karyah 125.8
Ryan Wilczak 154.3 vs Devin Mcmaster 152.9
Antonio Russell 117.8 vs Cristian Renteria 120.2
Jeffrey Torres 140.4 vs Latorie Woodberry 141.8
Antuanne Russell 138.5 vs Jesus Lule 139.7

Promoter: King’s Promotions
TV: FS1 & FOX Deportes
Venue: Sands Bethlehem Event Center, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania

It’s official. On Wednesday in New York City, undefeated WBC heavyweight world champion Deontay Wilder (38-0, 37 KOs) and unbeaten top contender Luis Ortiz (27-0, 23 KOs) will announce their Showtime Championship Boxing showdown taking place Saturday, November 4 in an event presented by Premier Boxing Champions from Barclays Center in Brooklyn.

Hard Hitting Promotions will present a card at the SugarHouse Casino in Philadelphia on Friday night September 22 featuring the return of Philly’s own heavyweight star Joey “The Tank” Dawejko (17-4-4, 10 KOs) against Demetrius Banks (9-1, 4 KOs) in the eight-round main event of the evening. Dawejko, who is training at the famed Wild Card Gym with Freddie Roach and Marvin Simodeo, makes his return to the “City of Brotherly love. “I love fighting in Philly. I have trained hard and feel focused,” said Dawejko. I am in great shape and I hope to show my friends and family an explosive knockout.” Continue reading “Dawejko face Banks in Philly”

By Rick Scharmberg

“Joltin’” Joey Tiberi (15-2, 8 KOs) returns to the ring on Saturday, November 11th at the Hockessin PAL Center in Hockessin, Delaware. In the co-feature, cruiserweight Lamont “The Problem Solver” Singletary (8-2, 5 KOs) is scheduled to fight in an 8 rounder. Both opponents will be announced shortly, and both bouts will be contested for regional titles in “The Battle for the Belts!” Continue reading “Tiberi Jr. Returns Nov. 11th”

Coach Ahmet Öner is ready to send his boxer Avni Yildirim (16-0, 10 KOs) into war against Chris Eubank Jr. (25-1, 19 KOs) on October 7 at the Hanns-Martin-Schleyer-Halle in Stuttgart, Germany. The former light heavyweight, now coach and manager, believes that his fighter can go all the way to win the World Boxing Super Series tournament. The first obstacle is Chris Eubank Jr., but Öner does not see the British IBO Champion as a serious threat.

“I do not fear Eubank Jr. He has nothing to stop Avni. Eubank is a kid, a spoiled kid who thinks he is a brave tough guy, he is not. Continue reading “Oner: Eubank Jr. is a spoiled kid”

WBO #4 heavyweight Tom Schwarz (19-0, 12 KOs) will now face Ali “Sultan” Baghouz (10-0-1, 6 KOs) on September 30 at the Maritim Hotel in Magdeburg, Germany. Baghouz stepped in after original foe Marcin Siwy suffered a hand injury in sparring last week that will require surgery. The WBO Intercontinental title fight will be televised in Germany on MDR.

WBO heavyweight champion Joseph Parker and challenger Hughie Fury both vowed to win by knockout before facing off at today’s press conference in advance of Saturday’s PPV clash in Manchester, England.

Things turned ugly when Parker’s promoter David Higgins got into a shouting match with Hughie’s father and manager Peter Fury over the BBBoC’s decision to use a British referee rather than a neutral referee as per WBO rules. Both Parker and his trainer Kevin Barry stated they plan to go through with Saturday’s fight despite the referee dispute.

By Miguel Maravilla

WBO featherweight champion Oscar Valdez (22-0, 19 KOs) of Tucson, Arizona by way of Nogales, Sonora, Mexico will make his homecoming as he takes on undefeated Filipino Genesis Servania (29-0, 12 KOs) this Friday at the Tucson Convention Center in Tucson, Arizona headlining the latest edition of Top Rank on ESPN. We caught up with the champ during camp where he spoke to us about his preparation and upcoming fight.

“I am ready for this fight I am facing Genesis Servania, a tough Filipino fighter who is ranked fourth in the WBO. We are pretty excited for this and try to give it our best,” Valdez told Fightnews.com®. Continue reading “Valdez gearing up for homecoming title defense”

By Ray Wheatley — World of Boxing

WBO #10 featherweight Luke Jackson (15-0) outpointed Mexico’s Humberto de Santiago (14-4-1) over ten rounds at the Hobart Town Hall, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia on Saturday to successfully defend the WBO Oriental crown. Promoter Grant Brown said after the bout, “The win over Santiago should get Lucas a top six rating and we are focused on a WBO title shot against Oscar Valdez.”

Report and photos by Ricardo Ibarra

Adding his ninth consecutive knockout win, undefeated cruiserweight Patrick Ferguson (9-0, 9 KOs) stopped Missouri’s Gary Tapusoa (9-7-1, 8 KOs) in the third of a scheduled ten rounds on Saturday night at the Oregon State Fair and Expo in Salem, Oregon, highlighting Rogue Promotions’ second installment of its mixed boxing/MMA series ‘Arena Wars: Total Kombat.’ Ferguson, of Spokane, Washington, picked Tapusoa apart over the course of three rounds, dropping him once in the second and three times in the third before the referee waved it off. Continue reading “Ferguson stops Tapusoa in three”

Former WBC middleweight world champion Julio Cesar Chavez Jr has announced via Twitter that he is returning to the ring on November 11 at The Forum in Los Angeles. The “Son of the Legend” will face former world champion Anthony Dirrell (30-1-1, 24 KOs) in the super middleweight division. Junior (50-3-1, 32 KOs) is coming off a bad loss to Canelo Alvarez in May. Dirrell is 3-0 since losing his WBC super middle belt to Badou Jack in 2015.