Full Report: Spivey-Vasquez

By Kurt Wolfheimer and Chris Perry at ringside
Photos: Ray Bailey

Saturday night at the Tropicana Casino and Resort in Atlantic City, New Jersey, Diane Fischer’s Dee Lee Promotions returned to the New Jersey scene in a big way with an explosive card called appropriately Super Brawl 1 which was stocked with several highly competitive bouts that entertained a raucous crowd of over thousand strong. In the ten round main event, “Dangerous” Dorin Spivey (41-6, 30 KOs) captured the NABA lightweight title, outslugging Victor Vasquez (14-6-1, 7 KOs) en-route to hard fought seventh round stoppage. Heavyweight contender Chazz “The Gentleman” Witherspoon (30-2, 22 KOs) captured the vacant IBS North American Continental title with a brutal second round knockout of David Saulsbury (7-5, 7 KOs) in the eight round co-feature of the evening. For more details and photos click here…

Full Report: Hanks-Pedro

Photos: Ed Diller/Star Boxing

Sports fans in Albany, New York turned out in droves on Saturday night as Star Boxing presented “KO AT THE TU” at the Times Union Center. In front of a loud and supportive crowd approaching 4,000 strong, heavyweight contender Joe “The Future “ Hanks (19-0, 13 KOs) defended his IBA Americas Title by second round TKO against 6’7 Cuban Rafael Pedro (21-10-1, 15 KOs).

The 28-year-old Hanks took the fight right at Pedro, pressuring the giant with piston like jabs and crunching body shots, easily winning the opening stanza. The assault continued in the second round when the proceedings ended abruptly. With Pedro attempting to fend off Hanks, he fell to the canvas after attempting a right hook. Suffering from an apparent dislocated right shoulder, Pedro informed the referee he was unable to continue and the bout was stopped at the 0:48 mark of the round. (more…)

Report/gallery: Chilemba vs. Miranda

Ringside by Anthony Springer Jr. & Andreas Hale
Photos by Chris Cozzone

After ten rounds of action, both Edison Miranda and Isaac Chilemba were covered in blood. Fortunately for Chilemba (19-1-1, 9 KOs) it was the blood of the Columbian that splattered across the ring as Chilemba earned a hard fought 10-round unanimous decision victory in the main event of ESPN’s Friday Night Fights which took place at the Texas Station in Las Vegas . . . Click here for more

Full report from Staten Island

By Matt Richardson

Local residents warmly embraced the return of professional boxing to Staten Island, NY on Thursday night at the Hilton Garden Inn, packing the ballroom there to standing room only capacity for a five bout card headlined by unbeaten junior welterweight Mike Faragon.

Faragon (17-0, 7 KO’s) made easy work out of opponent Andres Ledesma; stopping him with a left to the body in the third round. Faragon had dominated the fight to that point by out boxing and simply being quicker to the punch than Ledesma. Ledesma (18-20-1, 13 KO’s) was game but still wound up losing his second fight in a row. Perhaps best known to local boxing fans for his violent upset knockout victory over Gary Stark in the spring of 2007, Ledesma has now only won two of his last 17 fights and should probably start considering another line of work. (more…)

Boxing and legendary trainer Emanuel Steward return to the Pechanga!

Ringside by Miguel Maravilla
Photos by Melissa Jewel Photography (Courtesy of Pechanga Resort & Casino)

Emanuel Steward in association with Roy Englebrecht Promotions kicked off the boxing season at the Pechanga Resort and Casino in Temecula, CA entertaining a packed ballroom of 800-plus with a crowd-pleasing “Kronk Boxing” event.

The headliner featured Walter “School Boy” Sarnoi of Monterrey Park, CA taking on Mexicali’s Jose Miguel “El Pocho” Cota in a featherweight bout scheduled for six rounds . . . Click here for more

Report/gallery: Chris Martin vs. Teon Kennedy

Ringside by Anthony Springer Jr. & Andreas Hale
Photos by Chris Cozzone

It was a battle of quality versus quantity at The Joint inside of the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas, and neither was able to get the upper hand.

In the main event of ESPN’s Friday Night Fights, Teon Kennedy’s higher work rate and Chris Martin’s sharpshooting led the judges to a stalemate as the ten round super bantamweight bout was declared a majority draw. Although judge Al Lefkowitz saw it in Kennedy’s favor 93-97, he was offset by judges Dave Moretti and Robert Hoyle who both saw it 95-95. You couldn’t really complain about either fighter having the upper hand any way you looked at it . . . Click here for more

Full Report: Ioka-Yodgoen

By Joe Koizumi
Photo: Boxing Beat

Unbeaten WBC 105-pound champ Kazuto Ioka (9-0, 6 KOs), 105, easily kept his belt as he quickly polished off　Thai challenger and WBC youth titlist Yodgoen Tor Chalermchai (8-1, 4 KOs), 104.25, at 1:38 of the first round on Saturday in Osaka, Japan.

Ioka’s left hook was a haymaker that dropped the Thailander with a thud. The referee Bruce McTavish (Philippines) promptly called a halt with the loser carried out on a stretcher.

Ioka, 22, impressively captured the WBC belt by disposing of previously unbeaten Oleydong Sithsamerchai with a single body shot in agony in the fifth round this February. The Thai challenger Yodgoen, ex-champ Oleydong’s stablemate, was also unbeaten like Ioka and a year his junior at twenty-one. (more…)

Full Report: Uchiyama-Solis

By Joe Koizumi
Photo: Boxing Beat

Unbeaten WBA super-feather champ Takashi Uchiyama (18-0, 15 KOs), 130, impressively unified the WBA 130-pound belts as he effectively outpunched WBA interim ruler Jorge Solis (40-4-2-1NC, 29 KOs), 130, and finally flattened him with a looping left hook at 0:19 of the eleventh round on Saturday in Yokohama, Japan.

The referee Roberto Ramirez (Puerto Rico) didn’t bother to count against the stretched loser and promptly declared a stoppage, so it was registered as a TKO victory for Uchiyama by our commission (not a KO win after ten count). Ramirez said afterwards, “You have a good champion.”

Thanks, Roberto. Uchiyama now scored five consecutive stoppages in world title bouts, including his title-winning twelfth round TKO over Juan Carlos Salgado in January 2010. He obviously proved he could punch harder with better precision than Solis.

Before the trick happened, the judges had tallied as follows: Levi Martinez and Rafael Ramos (both US) both 98-92, and Wansoo Yuh (Korea) 99-91, all for Uchiyama. (more…)

Full Report: Caballero-Hosono

By Joe Koizumi
Photo: Boxing Beat

Elongated Panamanian Celestino “Pelenchin” Caballero (36-4, 23 KOs), 125.25, successfully retained his WBA featherweight belt as he kept battering game but much shorter Japanese Satoshi “Bazooka” Hosono (21-2, 15 KOs), 126, from all angles and pounded out a unanimous decision over twelve furious rounds on Saturday in Yokohama, Japan.

The verdict was so lopsided as follows: Roberto Ramrez (Puerto Rico) and Levi Martinez (US) both 119-108, and Wansoo Yuh (Korea) 116-111, all for the 5’11” lanky champ. The referee was Rafael Ramos (US).

We hadn’t recently welcomed Panamanian boxers in world title bouts, but when we heard the national anthem of Panama, we couldn’t but remember such annihilations of Ismael Laguna over Guts Ishimatsu, Hilario Zapata over Shigeo Nakajima and Tadashi Tomori, plus Eusebio Pedroza over Royal Kobayashi and Spider Nemoto. When the exceptionally tall champ as a 126-pounder started fighting, he vividly reminded us of such nightmare of the Panamanian domination over our boxers. (more…)

Full Report: Taylor-Nicklow, Dirrell-Cunningham

By Francisco Salazar and Rocco Morales at ringside

Jermain Taylor was on top of the middleweight world some four years ago. Mentioned as one of boxing’s top fighters pound for pound in the world, nothing seemed to stand in the way of Taylor towards stardom. However, in a span of two years and two weight classes, Taylor suffered three brutal knockouts within four losses, leading to the former undisputed middleweight champion to step away from the sport. After a two-year hiatus, Taylor returned to the ring on Friday night, aiming to get back to where he once was in become the top fighter again in the middleweight division. Even if was at the expense of a limited fighter. (more…)

Report/gallery: Rubio ‘Vanda-lizes’ Mandalay

Ringside report & photos by Chris Cozzone

Sealing a second chance for a world title, top contender Marco Antonio Rubio tattooed the heavily-inked, always-gutsy Matt Vanda over five rounds for a TKO triumph at the tail-end of the WBC convention, last night at Mandalay Bay’s South Pacific Ballroom in Las Vegas. With a room filled with conventioneers and former kings – from Tony DeMarco to Marvelous Marvin Hagler – Rubio preyed on the “Predator,” busting him up with powerful jabs and right hands until referee Kenny Bayless called off the slaughter . . . Click here for more

Report/gallery: Guevara vs. Jimenez

Ringside report & photos by Felipe Leon

With fireworks in and outside the ring and with the sounds of banda and mariachi music feeling the night sky, Mexicali, Baja California Norte, Mexico, celebrated the re-inauguration of the Plaza Calafia with a marathon fight card presented by Erik “Terrible” Morales’ Box Latino in association with the city of Mexicali. The famous bullring was damaged during an earthquake last year and the city spared no expense in preparing the venue for its return as well as the return of boxing to the northern Mexico border town.

In the main event, Pedro “Pedrin” Guevara (16-0-1, 12KOs) remained undefeated as he defended his NABF light flyweight title versus local favorite Manuel “Menny” Jimenez (11-2-1, 5KOs). The scheduled twelve round bout was featured live on Mexican channel Televisa . . . Click here for more

Report/gallery: Peterson vs. Khan

Ringside by Gary” Digital” Williams and Tri Nguyen
Photos by Mike Greenhill

Add Lamont Peterson’s 12-round split decision victory over Amir Khan to the list of great championship bouts that were controversial in nature.

The two championship-caliber boxers put on a fight-of-the-year caliber performance that thrilled the 8,467 in attendance at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington, DC and a world-wide television audience on HBO in the United States and Sky Sports in England . . . Click here for more

Estrada Victorious In Return

Ringside Report by Scott Ploof

2004 United States Olympian and Providence, RI’s own Jason “Big Six” Estrada (17-4, 4 KOs) made his return to the heavyweight division a successful one as he easily outpointed journeyman Joseph Rabotte (11-19-1, 3 KOs) over eight rounds on Friday night at the West Warwick Civic Center in West Warwick, RI. The judges scored the bout a perfect shutout for Estrada, 80-71 twice, and 80-72. The seven bout fight card was promoted by Roland Estrada and Big Six Entertainment. All of the bouts were put together by matchmaker Mark Vaz, and all media relations were handled by Ted Panagiotis. (more…)

Sinyabi wins in five

By Ron Jackson

Macbute Sinyabi retained his SA junior featherweight title when he stopped Thabo Sonjica in the fifth round in East London on Friday night. After a sensational start to their rematch, in which Sonjica (55kg) took two counts of eight in the first minute, Sinyabi (54.95kg) had to ward off a courageous fightback from the challenger. Sinyabi, making the seventh defence of his title, turned the tide when another solid one-two combination convinced referee Lulama Mtya to stop the bout after 2 minutes 27 seconds of the fifth round. (more…)

Report/gallery: Mares-Agbeko II

Ringside by Francisco Salazar and Rocco Morales
Photos by “Big” Joe Miranda

Bantamweight Abner Mares had to endure almost five months of the same repeated rhetoric in regards to his majority decision victory against Joseph Agbeko in Las Vegas, NV. Low blow this, low blow that . . . Click here for more

Full report/gallery: Anne Sophie Mathis knocks out Holly Holm

Ringside report and photos by Chris Cozzone

There was an ominous feel to the desert mesa all week at Route 66 Casino, west of Albuquerque, during the events leading up to Holly Holm-Anne Sophie Mathis. But it had less to do with the scrapper from France and everything about the weather.

“Holly? She’ll outbox that girl like she always does,” was the general consensus. “As for that winter storm that’s supposed to hit Friday night? Eeee, that’s supposed to be a big one.” . . . Click here for more

Wlodarczyk defeats Green

Photos and report by Brett Bonetti

Krzysztof Wlodarczyk (46-2-1, 36 KOs) retained his WBC World Cruiserweight Title when he defeated a game Danny Green (31-5, 27 KOs) via TKO in Round 11 at Challenge Stadium, Perth Australia tonight. Danny Green was leading all judges’ scorecards with scores of 97-93 on two cards and 96-93 on the third at the time of the stoppage. Green started the fight the stronger and seemed to building a good lead on points especially with a great fifth round that had Wlodarczyk on the back foot. For more details and photos click here…

Grant comes from behind to win WBF belt

By Ron Jackson

South Africa’s Francois Botha was 37 seconds away from winning the WBF heavyweight belt when Michael Grant from the USA knocked him out in the twelfth round at the Montecasino near Johannesburg on Saturday night. In a rather poor fight with pushing and wrestling throughout Botha (115.24kg) had built up a points lead against the slow and ponderous Grant (113.94kg). Though rounds one to six there was very little action and it was difficult to separate the fighters. The South African shaded rounds eight and nine and had a big round number eleven when he staggered Grant on occasions and it appeared if he was going to go down. However, he managed to make it to the bell by holding and mauling against the tiring Botha. In the final round Botha made the mistake of mixing it with Grant who had been trying to throw his big right hand without success throughout the fight, when he landed a overhand right to the jaw that sent the onrushing Botha crashing flat on his back to canvas where Ingo Barrabas from Germany counted him out. (more…)

Report/gallery: Trout vs. LoPorto

Ringside by Gerardo Martinez
Photos by Jose Leon Castillo

If this past Saturday night was a test of Austin “No Doubt” Trout ‘s (24-0, 14 KO’s) TV marketability, he passed it with flying colors. In fact, most at ringside would agree that he was the frigid night’s valedictorian.

Making his debut on Showtime’s ShoBox, Trout completely dismantled his Australian opponent Frank “The Italian Stallion” LoPorto (15-5-2, 7 KOs), taking home a TKO win at 2:32 of the sixth round . . . Click here for more

Report/gallery: Pacquiao-Marquez III

Ringside by Andreas Hale
Photos by Chris Cozzone

Three epic fights and you would think we would have a clear winner in one of the most closely contested trilogies in the history of boxing.

Sorry folks, 36 rounds and we still don’t know who the definitive winner between Manny Pacquiao and Juan Manuel Marquez is. What we do know is that Juan Manuel Marquez absolutely cannot catch a break from the judges . . . Click here for more

Igarashi-Uicab: Full Report

By Joe Koizumi
Photo: Naoki Fukuda

Japanese ex-Olympian Toshiyuki Igarashi (15-1-1, 10 KOs), 112, acquired the right to have a mandatory shot at the WBC flyweight throne, as he made best use of his footwork and hand speed in winning a close but unanimous verdict over top contender Wilbert Uicab (33-6-1, 18 KOs), 112, a game Mexican, in a WBC final eliminator of twelve hard-fought rounds on Sunday in Tokyo, Japan.

The official scores were as follows: Rocky Burke and Duane Ford (both US) 116-112 and 114-113 respectively, and Ian John Lewis (UK) 116-111, all for the taller southpaw Igarashi.　The referee was Laurence Cole (US). (more…)

Yamanaka-Esquivel: Full Report

By Joe Koizumi
Photos: Naoki Fukuda

Unbeaten Japanese southpaw Shinsuke Yamanaka (15-0-2, 11 KOs), 118, acquired the WBC bantamweight belt as he finally stopped Mexican Christian Esquivel (24-3, 18 KOs), 118, at 1:28 of the eleventh round on Sunday in Tokyo, Japan.

It was a very furious give-and-take affair, though Yamanaka continually had the upper hand on the game Mexican. The 29-year-old Japanese southpaw utilized his trademark left hand to take the initiative from the start, winning points steadily. In the fourth, Esquivel, 26, turned so aggressive that he connected with solid lefts and rights in the fourth. (more…)

Aoh-Boschiero: Full Report

By Joe Koizumi
Photos: Naoki Fukuda

WBC super-feather champ Takahiro Aoh (22-2-1, 10 KOs), a Japanese southpaw, barely kept his belt as he eked out a split decision over previously unbeaten Italian Devis Boschiero (29-1-1, 14 KOs), 129.5, over twelve heats on Sunday in Tokyo, Japan.

Duane Ford (US) and Anek Hongtongkam (Thailand) both saw the close affair 115-113 for the defending titlist Aoh, while Ian John Lewis (UK) saw it 116-113 for Boschiero. The referee was Laurence Cole (US). (more…)

Diaz gets GSP next

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For more on the UFC, visit www.UFC.com 

Diaz pounds Penn into retirement

Octagonside by Anthony Springer Jr.
Photo by Jed Jacobsohn/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images 

Nick Diaz and BJ Penn went out and had a battle for the ages at UFC 137. With the winner likely earning the next shot at Georges St-Pierre, the former Strikeforce welterweight champion rose to the occasion.

As questioned swirled about Diaz’ motivation ahead of the Penn fight, the Stockton native came in and did what he does best. After a slow first round, Diaz dominated the final two frames to take a unanimous decision win. (more…)

Rodriguez-Rosinsky Photo/Report

By Peter Czymbor at ringside
Photos by Emily Harney

In the second fight of his career under the guidance of new trainer Ronnie Shields, super middleweight prospect Edwin “La Bomba” Rodriguez (20-0, 14 KOs) of Worcester, MA was forced to go the distance against the incredibly tough former amateur standout Will Rosinsky (14-1, 8 KOs) of Queens, NY in the ten-round main event of the DiBella Entertainment “Octoberfist” card that was televised on Friday’s SHOWTIME ShoBox series from the Foxwoods Resort Casino at Mashantucket, Connecticut. (More)

Report/gallery: Battle at the Ballpark

Ringside by Gerardo Martinez
Photos by Jose Leon Castillo

If El Paso’s Jennifer Han does not have a fan club president yet, she better get one soon as she spent more time using her hands outside of the ring signing autographs for fans Saturday night at “Battle at the Ballpark” than against her sub par opponent, DJ Morrison, who retired on her stool ten seconds into the fourth round . .. Click here for more

Report/gallery: Dawson-Hopkins

Ringside by Francisco Salazar & Rocco Morales
Photos by “Big” Joe Miranda

The title of the boxing promotion from Saturday night between Bernard Hopkins and Chad Dawson was “Believe It or Not.”

Seems like a creative idea, as there were fight fans who believed Hopkins would successfully defend his world title belt three months shy of his 47th birthday.

And there were people who believed that Dawson was going to have a career-defining fight against Hopkins, and become a three-time world title holder with a victory over the future Hall of Famer . .  Click here for more

Report/gallery: Nava-Matthysse

Ringside report & photos by Felipe Leon

With the Tijuana Municipal Auditorium filled to the hilt, homegrown “Aztec Princess” Jackie Nava (25-4-3, 11 KOs) made her triumphant return to her native city as she dominated the relentless Soledad Edith “Guerrera” Matthysse (9-3-1, 1 KO) over ten rounds in the Saturday, October 8th, main event. The marathon fight card was presented by Zanfer Promotions and Top Rank and broadcast live in Mexico on the Azteca channel. After fighting to a hard earned draw and then suffering a loss in her two wars with Ana Maria Torres earlier this year, Nava earned her first win of the year with a dominant display of speed and technique against the over matched but courageous Argentinean . . . Click here for more