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WBA featherweight champion Leigh Wood and former IBF champ Josh Warrington faced off at the final press conference ahead of their world title fight on DAZN Saturday night.

Leigh Wood: “A KO is a possibility, I am not going to go out there banking on knocking him out, but I am going to be dominant. I know Josh is very tough, I’ve been ringside for a number of his fights, especially the Kiko fight, that sticks out for me. He got hurt and he was close to being stopped himself when he got his stoppage, so I know he can bite down and give everything he needs to, but at what cost because there will be times in this fight when he needs to work extremely hard just to win a moment, and I will make him pay for those moments.”

Josh Warrington: “I’m not offended that I am not the favorite, if anything it’s motivation. Leigh is the champion, and I’ve been given this opportunity so I am very grateful for that. What does annoy me is being written off, I’m finished, that’s given me the bit between my teeth. Last year I dominated Kiko Martinez inside seven rounds and I dominated the second half of the Lopez fight, and people are talking about how well he’s done since our fight…I know I have enough to hurt Leigh and I am very confident that he doesn’t hear the final bell.”

Welterweight Vlad “Super Bad” Panin (16-1, 9 KOs) takes on “Papelito” Victoriano Antonio Santillan (11-6-2, 8KOs) in an eight-rounder on Friday, October 20th, at the Commerce Casino in Commerce, California. Panin returns to the ring after participating in the Team Combat League, including a showdown with former WBA light middleweight world champion Austin Trout. Santillan is coming off a sixth round upset stoppage of French prospect Benjamin Dubois (11-1).

The co-main event will feature undefeated welterweight Mylik Birdsong (14-0-1, 10KOs) against fellow undefeated Jose Vargas Quintana (8-0, 6KOs) in an eight-rounder.

Lightweight knockout machine, Cain Sandoval (10-0, 10 KOs) of Sacramento, CA will battle Brooklyn’s Wesley ‘El Bongocero’ Ferrer (17-1-1, 8 KOs) in a scheduled eight-rounder on the undercard to the ‘King’ Callum Walsh vs. Ismael Villarreal title fight set for Thursday, November 9 at The Theater at Madison Square Garden and broadcast globally on UFC Fightpass.

Multiple-time world title challenger Pablo Cesar Cano (35-8-1, 25 KOs) stopped Zachary Ochoa (21-4, 7 KOs) in round six of a super lightweight fight at the Whitesands Events Center in Plant City, Florida. Cano nearly got a stoppage in round two. In round three Cano rocked Ochoa with a left hook. By round six, Cano, 34, seemed gassed, but he suddenly dropped Ochoa with a left/right combination and got the stoppage with his follow-up barrage. Time was 1:57.

In a clash between unbeaten lightweights, Jose Nunez (16-0-2, 7 KOs) won a ten round unanimous decision over Omar Salcido (17-1, 12 KOs). Nunez dropped Salcido in round three. In a wild round seven, Nunez dropped Salcido, then Salcido floored Nunez just before the bell. Scores were 95-90, 98-87, 98-89. How these scores were arrived at is one of the mysteries of the universe.

Super featherweight Jose Arellano (11-1, 6 KOs) handed the second straight loss to 6’4 Oscar Alvarez (9-2, 7 KOs) via eight round unanimous decision. The 20-year-old Alvarez, who claims an incredible 665-12 amateur record, was outworked by Alvarez, although he landed some good shots also. Scores were 77-75, 78-74, 79-73.

Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez (44-1, 30 KOs) against Joe “Common Man” Smith Jr. (28-4, 22 KOs) will now be a WBA cruiserweight eliminator match. The winner will be immediately in line for a world title fight against WBA champion Arsen Goulamirian. Scheduled for twelve rounds, the fight will take place Saturday night from The Chelsea at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas and streamed live around the world on DAZN.

There is also a new co-feature. Super middleweight Bektemir “The Bully” Melikuziev (12-1, 9 KOs) faces Alantez “SlyAza” Fox (28-4-1, 13 KOs) in a ten-rounder already scheduled on the undercard. “The Bully” will defend his WBA Intercontinental title in a 10-round fight. The original co-feature, a WBA super flyweight final eliminator between John “Scrappy” Ramirez (12-0, 8 KOs) and Ronal Batista (15-3, 9 KOs), will now take place on the October 21 Rocha-Santillan card.

Undefeated prospect Emiliano “El General” Vargas (7-0, 6 KOs) is set to return in a six-round special attraction on Thursday, November 16, at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.

The 19-year-old Vargas, the son of former junior middleweight world champion Fernando Vargas, will make his sixth appearance of the year in a lightweight fight against fellow unbeaten Cristian Olivares (10-0, 5 KOs).

The ESPN-televised doubleheader is headlined by the vacant WBC lightweight world title showdown between Shakur Stevenson and Edwin De Los Santos and the WBO junior lightweight world title battle between Emanuel Navarrete and Robson Conceição. Continue reading “Emiliano Vargas returns Nov 16”

IBO super middleweight champion Osleys Iglesias (8-0, 7 KOs) faced off against Artur Reis (11-0, 8 KOs) at the final press conference for their clash on Saturday night at the Maritim Hotel in Magdeburg, Germany.

Osleys Iglesias: “It will be a tough fight, but I also have a tough, relentless trainer (Georg Bramowski). He prepared me well for this first title defense. Well, Artur, I’m not assuming twelve rounds!”

Artur Reis: “I accept my role as an outsider. It will also help me in the fight because I have no pressure. With our plan, we’ll also uncover the world champion’s weaknesses. My many fans will support me frenetically!”

“The CallOut” reality television series kicks-off this Sunday at the West Warwick Civic Center in Warwick, Rhode Island, featuring 10 boxing exhibition matches, headlined by a rematch between Hector “Macho” Camacho, Jr., and “Furious” Freddy Curiel.

The 10 exhibition matches on the “Punching for Peace” card will be taped live and incorporated into episodes for “The CallOut” reality TV series, in addition to footage and interviews of the participants leading up to this Sunday’s matches.

The series resolves disputes of all kinds in the boxing ring. Continue reading “Camacho Jr-Curiel clash on reality series”

IBF #2 super middleweight contender Vladimir Shishkin (15-0, 9 KOs) kept his unbeaten record intact last Friday night as he stopped Ramon Ayala (25-9-1, 13 KOs) in the second round of their showdown in Miami, Florida.

“I was happy to get some work on Friday and stay sharp while I await my world title fight opportunity,” said Shishkin. “I watched the Canelo fight closely the day after my fight and feel completely ready to win when that opportunity comes. No matter what, all roads to the world title.” Continue reading “IBF #2 Shishkin says he’s ready for Canelo”

WBA featherweight champion Leigh Wood and Josh Warrington face off ahead of their clash for the world title at the Utilita Arena Sheffield this Saturday, live worldwide on DAZN.

Leigh Wood

Do you think you can knock Josh out?

“Yeah. I’ve been ringside for his last three fights, I’ve seen him get hurt. I know he’s tough. I don’t believe the people he’s been hurt by hit as hard as me and at the same time aren’t as calculated as me, so they might land a few good shots but are they good finishers? Have they got good set ups? I don’t think they have. I think Lara is a big puncher, not calculated, he doesn’t do what he needs to do. He’s not a great finisher in the sense like, gets someone hurt and knows what he’s got to do to set it up. He rushes sometimes, but I believe I’m one of the biggest punchers in the division. Not only that, I can set it up and I’m calculated.”

How does it play out?

“I believe he’s going to make the same mistakes he makes and do the same things he always does. I know that I’m going to be dominant the majority of the fight. I’m going to beat him up at times as well. I’m here to win and he’s here to win as well. I know what I need to do to win and I’m confident of doing it.”

Josh Warrington

Do you question whether or not you’ve still got what it takes to compete at the very top level? It is one win in your last four.

“If I listened to the critics I would never have got to the level that I’ve achieved now. I started off slow in my last one, and that’s it – I’ve seen better days. It were me who finished on top at the end. I still feel like I’m in my prime. I really do. I’m feeling top of my game right now.”

By Jeff Zimmerman

Floyd Mayweather Jr spars with reporter at Canelo-Charlo post fight presser as his young phenom Curmel Moton looks on. Moton, a former amateur star, now signed under Mayweather Promotions, made his pro debut after Canelo-Charlo and won by knockout.

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

Hurrah! Mexico roared again in Las Vegas! The Mexican Independence celebration was fanfared and reverberated not on the 15th, but on September 30th, with a thrilling demonstration of greatness by the Mexican idol, Saúl Álvarez.

Canelo made a great fighter look ordinary. The masterful, maestro dominance was tremendous. He willed, exerted, and imposed himself against Jermell Charlo and it was impressive. From the moment the first bell rang, he brought to bear constant pressure and connected from round one with accurate power punches to the arms, body, and the head, forcing Jermel to mill on the retreat, obliging him to be reactive rather than proactive. Continue reading “Big Fight in Las Vegas”

Undefeated world-ranked contender Jairo “Jairito” Noriega (13-0, 3 KOs) of Badajoz, Spain has inked a promotional pact with All Star Boxing the company’s President Felix “Tuto” Zabala Jr announced Tuesday morning. Noriega joins the big stable of jr flyweights under the banner, which includes WBO world champion Jonathan “Bomba” Gonzalez.

WBA #8, WBC #7 Noriega has won important regional titles in and around the division. He defeated Angel Moreno last year on DAZN for the EBU European flyweight title, while also adding the WBC Silver light flyweight title, which landed him in the top 10. Continue reading “All Star Boxing inks Jairo Noriega”

By Ron Jackson

Jackson “M3” Van Tonder Chauke retained the South African flyweight title for the fifth time when he outpointed Thembelani Nxoshe over 12 rounds at the East London International Conference Centre in East London on Sunday afternoon, and in so doing made the SA championship belt his own property.

The 38-year-old Chauke (23-2-2, 19 KOs) proved that you never give up and with dedication and superb fitness at all times, after losing his first crack at the South African flyweight title against Lwandile Sityatha in April 2013 and then winning the SA title in his second attempt in 2019. Continue reading “Chauke wins SA chamionship belt outright”

Michael Anderson 148 vs. Marklin Bailey 149.8
Eric Bossler 152.4 vs. Terry Roscoe 156
Erick Arellano 223 vs. Mike Diorio 243
Tobias Green 133.6 vs. Juan Carlos Pena 134.6
Juan Davilla 134.2 vs. Weusi Johnson 131

Venue: Troubadour Nashville
Promoter: Jimmy Adams Promotions
Stream: FITE.TV and Countrybox247.com
1st Bell 8 PM ET / 7 PM PT
Marc Abrams and Albert Haynesworth on the call

Trainer Robert Garcia will promote a card billed as ‘House of Champions 4’ on Friday, November 17 at Chukchansi Park, home of the Fresno Grizzlies baseball team in downtown Fresno, California. The event is headlined by “The Fighting Pride of Stockton” Gabe Flores Jr, (22-2, 8 KOs) who returns to battle following an ESPN televised first round knockout on May 13. The ten-bout fight card also includes super bantamweight Vic Pasillas, (16-1, 9 KOs), junior welterweight Jorge Maravillo, (8-0, 8 KOs), lightweight Miguel Contreras, (12-2-1, 6 KOs). Opponents are TBA.

The long list of expected celebrities include former unified world champion Jose Ramirez and former four-division world champion Mikey Garcia.

A “Celebration of a Life” for Colonel Bob Sheridan will take place on Monday, Nov. 27, at 4 p.m. PT at:

The Space LV
3460 Cavaretta Court
Las Vegas, NV 89103

Remembrances will be shared by his friends and colleagues, including Don King and Mike Tyson, as well as notable broadcast partners.

The event will also be live streamed. Details to be announced soon.

By Boxing Bob Newman

Former pro fighter Bryant Pappas’ Valid Boxing LLC presents “Mayhem In Martinsburg” this Saturday, October 7, at the Berkeley Recreation Center in Martinsburg, West Virginia. The show will feature not only up-and-coming pro fighters, (8 pro bouts) but also 2 amateur bouts, one male and one female and a kickboxing bout as well.

This is Pappas’ second promotional outing in the “Mountain State” and he’s looking to give the fans a good show. “We’re hoping to give opportunities to both the fighters and the fans in this neck of the woods,” said Pappas. Along with undefeated fighters Marco Suarez (lightweight, 6-0-2, 2 KOs) and Iman Lee (super feather, 7-0, 5 KOs), Lee’s brother Emanuel makes his pro debut at super bantam, as will Nick Papanicolas at super light. Continue reading “Mayhem In Martinsburg, WV, This Saturday”

Broadway Boxing, presented by DiBella Entertainment, returns to the Edison Ballroom in New York City, on Tuesday, November 7, for “Heroes On The Hudson” to support the veterans of the United States Armed Forces. The evening will kick off with five amateur bouts, each featuring an NYPD officer or military veteran, and will conclude with four world-class professional bouts. In the main event, former WBO junior lightweight world champion and US Marine, Jamel Herring (23-4, 11 KOs) returns to the ring for the first time in over a year to begin his quest for a second world title versus the unbeaten Nick Molina (13-0, 5 KOs). The professional boxing portion of the card will air live exclusively on DAZN.

“I thought I could stay away, but I miss the excitement and action of a good fight. And of course, I’ve missed the fans,” said Herring. “But what’s really driving me is the opportunity to fight on Veterans Day week to honor the men and women I served with. This event is for a great charitable cause, and my focus is to become a world champion yet again. I can’t wait to step back into the ring and give it my all.”

Promoter Oscar De La Hoya revealed to ESPN that junior welterweight Ryan Garcia will return against Oscar Duarte. Duarte has a record of 26-1-1, 21 KOs and it will be a big step up for Duarte. The fight will take place on December 2 at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas and be streamed on DAZN.

Back in March, Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez came in overweight for the first time during his long career for his scheduled fight with Gabe Rosado, which resulted in the bout being canceled, as well as the former world super middleweight champion’s reputation taking a tough hit.

Ramirez (44-1, 30 KOs) plans to prove himself against Joe “The Common Man” Smith, Jr. (28-4, 22 KOs), the former light heavyweight world champion, this Saturday night in the 12-round main event on a card presented by Golden Boy Promotions, to be streamed live on DAZN from The Chelsea inside The Cosmopolitan in Las Vegas.

“The cancellation of the Rosado fight was definitely a disappointing and challenging moment in my career,” Ramirez admitted. “It was the first time I missed weight and I take full responsibility for it. I understand that it had an impact on both the fight itself and my reputation. I want to sincerely apologize to my fans, my team, and everyone who was looking forward to the fight. Continue reading “Zurdo: I’ve learned from my mistakes”

Pretty good fights this Saturday and it’s a DAZN doubleheader.

First DAZN has the WBA featherweight title fight between champion Leigh Wood (27-3, 16 KOs) and Josh Warrington (31-2-1, 8 KOs) from The Utilita Arena in Sheffield, England. Wood is a 3:1 favorite.

Later that night, DAZN presents Zurdo Ramirez (44-1, 30 KOs) against Joe Smith Jr. (28-4, 22 KOs) from The Chelsea inside The Cosmopolitan in Las Vegas. Zurdo is about a 2:1 favorite.

Photos: Sumio Yamada

Check out this GIANT Canelo-Charlo photo gallery for some incredible shots.

Photos

By Miguel Maravilla

After dominating Jermell Charlo (35-2-1, 19 KOs), Mexican superstar and undisputed super middleweight champion Saul “Canelo” Álvarez (60-2-2, 39 KOs) addressed the media at the post-fight press conference on his Saturday night at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

The fight matched undisputed super middleweight champion against undisputed super welterweight champion.

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By Jeff Zimmerman

Roy Jones Jr’s reaction to Canelo’s win over Jermell Charlo and who he likes next for biggest star in boxing.

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