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Both Zhilei Zhang and Joe Joyce weighed in heavier than they did for their first fight five months ago. Zhang added 9 pounds, while Joyce bulked up a whopping 25 pounds. Both were at career highs.

Zhilei Zhang 287 vs. Joe Joyce 281.2
(WBO interim heavyweight title)

Anthony Yarde 177.9 vs. Jorge Silva 178
Pierce O’Leary 139.3 vs. Kane Gardner 139.6
Zach Parker 170.9 vs. Khalid Graidia 168
Moses Itauma 237.9 vs. Amine Boucetta 296
Ezra Taylor 176 vs. Joel McIntrye 178.2
Royston Barney-Smith 131.6 vs. Engel Gomez 132
Aloys Youmbi 203.1 vs. Eric Nazarayan 203.7
Tommy Fletcher 199.2 vs. Alberto Tapia 197.5
Sean Noakes 151.7 vs. Lukasz Barabasz 154

Venue: OVO Arena, London, England
Promoter: Queensberry
TV: ESPN+ (US), TNT Sports (UK)

WBO flyweight champion Jesse ‘Bam’ Rodriguez (18-0, 11 KOs) and IBF flyweight champion Sunny Edwards (20-0, 4 KOs) came face-to-face for the first time at a launch press conference yesterday in Orlando ahead of their unification clash at the Desert Diamond Arena in Glendale, Arizona on Saturday December 16, live worldwide on DAZN. Continue reading “BAM, Sunny Kick-off Press Conference”

Undefeated junior welterweight prospect Tito Mercado (12-0, 11 KOs) of Pomona, CA returns to battle on Saturday, November 11 against former world title challenger Jeremia Nakathila (23-3, 19 KOs) of Windhoek, Namibia in the ten-round main event at the Lumcolor – Phoenix Center in Ontario, CA. Nakathila’s biggest win was a sixth round KO against former world champion Miguel Berchelt a year-and-a-half ago. He has also fought Shakur Stevenson and Raymond Muratalla among others.

“These are the types of fights I want,” said the 21-year-old promotional free agent Mercado. “Nakathila has fought numerous world class fighters and is the perfect challenge for me.”

The fight will stream on the Fight City Promotions’ YouTube Channel.

Super welterweight contenders Richardson Hitchins and Jose Zepeda faced off at the final press conference for their clash taking place on Saturday at the Caribe Royale in Orlando, Florida.

Jose Zepeda: “In the fights I have seen of him, [Hitchins] is a talented fighter and a good prospect – but he hasn’t been at this level yet. That’s why in this fight we are going to see if he can work under pressure. There are levels. Trust me when I fought for a world title for the first time against [Jose Carlos] Ramirez, the first time I got hit to the body I knew that it was a different level. It’s different stuff. So, let’s see what it’s all about and see how he handles things on Saturday night.

Richardson Hitchins:  Jose Zepeda says that I have never fought at this level. But he is forgetting that I was a kid at 22 years old with only ten professional fights and beating guys like Argenis Mendez, a guy who had already won a world title, and for every fight after that, I told anybody and everybody who they put me in the ring with that isn’t on a world championship level that it is a step down. Continue reading “Hitchins-Zepeda Final Press Conference”

As expected, Showtime will air the WBO junior middleweight world title clash between unbeaten Tim Tszyu (23-0, 17 KOs) and Brian Mendoza (22-1, 16 KOs) on October 14 (October 15 in Australia) at the Gold Coast Convention Centre, Broadbeach, Queensland, Australia.

Tszyu, the current WBO interim champion, will ascend to the full WBO championship throne when Jermell Charlo is stripped on September 30. Mendoza, the WBC interim beltholder, is coming off a huge KO win over Sebastian Fundora in April.

Heavyweights Zhilei Zhang and Joe Joyce faced off at the final press conference for their clash Saturday in London, seen on ESPN+ in the US and TNT Sports in the UK.

Zhilei Zhang: “Your team is going for a rematch, which is a big mistake and I’m going to end your career.”

Joe Joyce: “Well, let’s see it then. Let’s have it…I’m looking forward to getting a victory this time around.”

Super lightweight Batyrzhan Jukembayev (21-1, 16 KOs) recovered from a first round knockdown to defeat Hugo Alberto Roldan (22-2-1, 7 KOs) over ten rounds by scores of 95-94, 96-93, 97-92 on Wednesday night at the White Sands Event Center in Plant City, Florida.

In a clash of unbeaten light heavyweights, Kareem Hackett (12-0, 6 KOs) outscored Clay Waterman (11-1, 8 KOs) over ten rounds by scores of 100-90, 99-9, 100-90.

Super welterweight Ismael Villarreal (13-1, 8 KOs) stopped John David Martinez (19-3, 16 KOs) in round two of a scheduled eight-rounder.

Conor Benn will return to the ring this Saturday in Orlando, Florida – live worldwide on DAZN. Over a year since his last fight, the British fighter (21-0, 14 KOs) will officially resume his career when he faces Mexican super welterweight Rodolfo ‘Sinaloita’ Orozco (32-3-3, 24 KOs) at the Caribe Royale in Orlando, Florida as the Hitchins-Zepeda co-main event.

Benn was provisionally suspended back in April, effective as of March 15, when his fight with Chris Eubank Jr last October was postponed.

’The Destroyer’, however, was subsequently cleared in July by UKAD and the WBC, and his provisional suspension was lifted after an independent National Anti-Doping Panel review. Continue reading “Conor Benn returns Saturday in Florida”

Former world champions Yordenis Ugas and Mario “El Azteca” Barrios showed off their skills and previewed their upcoming showdown for the WBC interim welterweight title during a media workout at DLX Boxing in Las Vegas on Tuesday. They meet on the Canelo vs. Charlo PPV undercard on September 30 from T-Mobile Arena.

Mario Barrios: “I’m gonna bring the same intensity that I bring in every fight. I feel a lot more comfortable and settled in at the weight now…I’m preparing myself to the best of my ability. We have a very good game plan that we’re getting ready for Ugas. It’s a really hard fight, but those are the type of fights that I like to take. I want to continue to test myself and my ability and my skill in the ring.”

Yordenis Ugas: “I’m not in the prediction business, but what I do is fight elite fighters, give my best every round and let the chips fall where they may…I’m just focused on my fight. I have no clue what Crawford may do with the WBC belt. I’m doing my thing and that’s what I plan to keep doing.”

By Miguel Maravilla

Golden Boy Promotions CEO Oscar De la Hoya spoke about the upcoming showdown between Santa Ana’s Alexis Rocha vs. Giovanni Santillan of San Diego. Rocha vs. Santillan takes place Saturday October 21st at the Forum in Inglewood, California live on DAZN.

De La Hoya also spoke about the card and boxing history of the Forum, the WBO’s upcoming decision on Terence Crawford, championship sanctioning bodies in boxing, California State Athletic Commission on bringing more fights to Los Angeles, Ryan Garcia and more.

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Welterweights Alexis “Lex” Rocha (23-1, 15 KOs) and Giovanni “Gallo de Oro” Santillan (31-0, 16 KOs) speak about their upcoming October 21 showdown at the Forum in Inglewood, California, live on DAZN.

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Continue reading “Interview: Alexis Rocha, Giovanni Santillan”

WBO #5, IBF #7 junior welterweight Richardson Hitchins (16-0, 7 KOs) says he’s planning to dominate former world title challenger Jose “Chon” Zepeda (37-3, 28 KOs) on Saturday night at Caribe Royale in Orlando, Florida, live worldwide on DAZN, and send a message to the big guns at 140lbs that he’s coming for them.

“Winning is number one of course, but to get the big fights I have to win and dominate,” said Hitchins.

“I’m ready for the champions because when you look at the guys Prograis or Haney fight, those are guys that I am a nightmare for any of them. I have size, reach, superb defense – I can damn near feel when a guy is about to punch. So, when you have a guy like that against a guy that doesn’t know how to defend themselves, it kind of makes it tricky for them, because I’ve been in there with guys that just stand in front of you and don’t have the ability. You get in front of a guy like Shakur Stevenson, that turns boxing into a math problem, it’s different and that’s what you face with me. I can bring that puzzle that people can’t solve, it’s algebra in the ring. Continue reading “Hitchins: I plan to dominate Zepeda”

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

It has been difficult for me to write this column, after the terrible tragedy that occurred in Tijuana.

While the tenth round was underway, the trainer and husband of Sabrina Pérez, from Argentina, suffered a devastating heart attack; He received timely medical attention by the local boxing commission, but very unfortunately Diego Arrua died minutes later after arriving to the hospital.

May he rest in peace and his memory be eternal! I wish to express my gratitude to Juan Carlos Pelayo, Nancy Rodríguez, César Castañón and the entire boxing community that supported Sabrina and Gustavo. They have travelled to Buenos Aires, and are now in the company of family and friends awaiting the arrival of beloved Diego. Continue reading “Boxing, a different sport”

Heavyweight Zhilei Zhang (25-1-1, 20 KOs) is an ever so slight favorite over Joe Joyce (15-1, 14 KOs) in their rematch this Saturday at the OVO Arena in London. Sportsbooks have the bout anywhere from pick’em to -141 for Zhang, who won the first fight by sixth round TKO. The WBO interim heavyweight title is on the line.

ESPN+ will stream the bout in the US, while TNT Sports will air the fight in the UK.

Hot 21-year-old super lightweight prospect Adam Azim (9-0, 6 KOs) will challenge EBU champion Franck Petitjean (24-6-3, 6 KOs) for the Euro belt on November 18 at The Halls in Wolverhampton, England.

Also in action is EBU European middleweight champion Matteo “Il Giaguaro” Signani (32-6-3, 12 KOs). He will defend his title against Tyler Denny (17-2, 3 KOs).

By Joe Koizumi
Photos by Naoki Fukuda

WBC, WBA light flyweight champion Kenshiro Teraji (22-1, 14 KOs), 107.25, kept his belts as he patiently kept stalking game and busy South African veteran Hekkie Budler (36-5, 11 KOs), 107.75, formerly a two-division titleholder, and finally accelerated his attack and battered the challenger to the ropes to prompt the referee’s intervention at 2:19 of the ninth round on Saturday in Tokyo, Japan. The Japanese footworker, 31, averted Budler’s busy but less accurate combinations and fought back with better precision to have the South African, 35, gradually slowing down as the contest progressed.

The tallies prior to the stoppage were as follows: Raul Caiz Jr. (US) 80-72, Jose Manzur (Mexico) and Joel Scobie (Canada) both 79-73, all in favor of the defending champ. The third man was Lupe Garcia (Mexico). Continue reading “Full Report: Teraji halts Budler”

By Joe Koizumi
Photos by Naoki Fukuda

Unbeaten Japanese southpaw Junto Nakatani (25-0, 19 KOs) , 114.75, made his first defense of the WBO 115-pound belt as he dropped Mexican Argi Cortes (25-4-2, 10 KOs), 114.5, three times–twice in the fifth and once more in the ninth—to score a lopsided decision (119-106 twice, 118-107) over twelve hot frames on Monday in Tokyo, Japan. The referee was Steve Willis (US). The challenger Cortes seemed greatly befuddled by Nakatani’s awkward southpaw style with superior height and reach to be unable to show his retaliation. But the Mexican dominated one and only round in the sixth, when he almost stunned the champ with a very solid right and had him reeling to the ropes. Nakatani had a narrow escape by grabbing the shorter challenger with his long arms. Continue reading “Full Report: Nakatani defeats Cortes”

By Joe Koizumi
Photos by Naoki Fukuda

Sensational Japanese prodigy Tenshin Nasukawa (2-0), 123, decked his second pro bout by pounding out a shutout decision (all 80-70) over Mexican bantamweight ruler Luis Guzman (10-3, 6 KOs), 122.25, over eight on Monday in Tokyo, Japan. Tenshin, 25, looked impressive as he floored the durable Guzman twice in rounds one and seven. Continue reading “Full Report: Nasukawa-Guzman”

By Joe Koizumi
Photo by Boxing Beat

Japanese southpaw veteran Yuki Nonaka (36-12-3, 10 KOs), 168, former OPBF and WBO AP middleweight champ, proved too fast and strong for WBO AP#14 light heavyweight Thoedsak Sinam (21-12, 17 KOs), 167, scoring a shutout decision (all 80-70) over eight one-sided rounds on Sunday in Sakai, Japan. Nonaka, a clever southpaw technician, outjabbed and outpunched the slower Thailander all the way, winning all rounds with ease. Nonaka, 45, proved he can still fight well.

Promoter: Mitsuki Promotions.

By Joe Koizumi

WBC, WBA light flyweight champion Kenshiro Teraji (22-1, 14 KOs), 107.25, kept his belts as he patiently kept stalking game and busy South African veteran Hekkie Budler (36-5, 11 KOs), 107.75, and finally accelerated his attack and battered the challenger to the ropes to prompt the referee’s intervention at 2:19 of the ninth round on Saturday in Tokyo, Japan. The Japanese footworker averted Budler’s busy but less accurate combinations and fought back with better precision to have the South African gradually slowing down at the game progressed.

Promoter: Teiken Promotions.

(More to come)

By Joe Koizumi

Unbeaten Japanese southpaw Junto Nakatani made his first defense of the WBO 115-pound belt as he dropped Mexican Argi Cortes three times–twice in the fidth and once more in the ninth—to score a lopsided decision (119-106 twice, 118-107) over twelve hot frames on Monday in Tokyo, Japan. Cortes seemed greatly befuddled by Nakatani’s awkward southpaw style with superior height and reach to be unable to show his retaliation.

(More to come)

By Joe Koizumi

Sensational Japanese prodigy Tenshin Nasukawa (2-0), 123, decked his second pro bout by pounding out a shutout decision over Mexican bantamweight ruler Luis Guzman (10-3, 6 KOs), 122.25, over eight on Monday in Tokyo, Japan. Tenshin looked impressive as he floored the durable Guzman three times in rounds one, seven and eight.

(More to come)

By Joe Koizumi

Fast-rising super bantam prospect WBO AP#3 Ryuya Tsugawa (11-1, 7 KOs), 122, displayed a good form in finally demolishing GAB#3 Filipino Jhunrille Castino (13-4, 4 KOs), 121.25, at 2:08 of the seventh round in an eight-round main event on Sunday in Sakai, Osaka Prefecture, Japan. They incessantly exchanged hot rallies from the outset with Tsugawa winning each session by a close margin. It was Tsugawa, Japan’s youth champ, that turned loose so furiously in the seventh that he battered Castino from all angles and finally sank him to the deck. The ref called a halt without bothering to count as Castino was apparently unable to beat the count. Tsugawa, 23, looked promising with good technical improvements.

Promoter: Mitsuki Promotions.

By Joe Koizumi
Photos by Naoki Fukuda

WBC, WBA light flyweight title bout
Kenshiro Teraji 107.25
Hekki Budler 107.75


WBO junior bantamweight title bout
Junto Nakatani 114.75
Argi Cortes 114.5

Tenshin Nasukawa 123
Luis Guzman 122.25

Fight venue: Ariake Arena, Koto-ku, Tokyo
Promoter: Teiken Promotions
TV: ESPN+

Continue reading “Teraji, Budler, Nakatani, Cortes make weight”

By Miguel Maravilla at ringside

Unbeaten WBA #2, WBC #5, IBF #6, WBO #7 lightweight William “El Camarón” Zepeda (29-0, 25 KOs) battered and stopped two-time world title challenger Mercito “No Mercy” Gesta (34-3-3, 17 KOs) on Saturday night headlining on Mexican Independence Day at the Commerce Casino & Hotel in Commerce, California. Zepeda attacked with non-stop punching and relentless pressure from the opening bell. Gesta was under fire until his corner stopped it midway through round six. Continue reading “Zepeda bludgeons Gesta”