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Undefeated former two-time WBC super middleweight champion David “La Bandera Roja’’ Benavidez welcomed a visit from his longtime promoter, Sampson Lewkowicz, to his Seattle training camp Tuesday as he finalizes preparations for a showdown against former IBF super middleweight champion Caleb “Sweethands” Plant on Saturday, March 25 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.

“La Bandera Roja has a look in his eyes like I’ve never seen before,” said Lewkowicz. “He is coming to not just beat Caleb Plant, but to destroy him.”

By David Finger

There are seldom sure things in boxing, but perhaps the closest thing to a “can’t miss prospect” you’ll find in the sport might just be the former Cuban amateur standout. Which is why so many boxing fans will be looking to the Persian Gulf this weekend when People’s Fighters Promotion hosts a card in Dubai featuring four young Cuban prospects with legitimate world championship ambitions on March 10th.

In the main event, 20-year old Jadier Herrera (9-0, 7 KOS) of Camaguey, Cuba takes on Filipino Harmonito Dela Torre (22-4, 14 Kos) in the ten round main event. Herrera comes from boxing royalty in Cuba, the grandson of the two time Olympic gold medalist Angel Herrera Vera. However Herrera has shown himself to be a legitimate world class fighter in his own right, scoring impressive wins over Franklin Manzanilla (21-8), Pablo Robles (15-2) and former OPBF bantamweight champion Mark John Yap (30-15) since turning professional in 2021. Continue reading “Cuban prospects look to shine in Dubai”

By Ray Wheatley – World of Boxing

Former IBF 130-pound champion Billy “ The Kid” Dib has been undergoing intensive chemotherapy treatment battling stomach cancer for several weeks and was given the news he was hoping for – that he is now cancer-free.

“I received the most beautiful news today,” Billy tweeted. “My scan came back clear of cancer. I am so grateful, blessed, happy and relieved.”

By Ray Wheatley – World of Boxing

Formerly world-rated super lightweight Brock Jarvis (21-1, 18 KOs) returns to action tonight following his knockout loss to WBO#3 Liam Paro. Brock faces Filipino 140-pounder Marlon Paniamogan (11-1-2, 5 KOs) at the Carriageworks, Eveleigh, Sydney, NSW televised on Foxtel Cable television network throughout Australia and promoted by George and Matt Rose.

Hall of Famer Jeff Fenech, who trains Jarvis, told Fox Sports, “I love Liam Paro and mean absolutely no disrespect saying this … but I’d put Brock back in with him today if I could. I still think Brock can beat him every day of the week. Yes, he made a mistake. Got caught.

“And we’ve worked hard to make sure that doesn’t happen again. Which is why I’ve still got the same confidence in him.”

Promoter Juan Manuel Marquez brings his promotional outfit back to Mexico this Wednesday live on Probox TV. After a successful show in Mexico City last month, Marquez heads to Sonora for the first time. The main event is a local battle between undefeated Luis “Koreano” Torres (17-0, 10 KOs) and Misael “Pinchon” Cabrera (14-1, 10 KOs) for the WBC Latino lightweight title in the main event. Bragging rights at stake as both hail from Obregon, Sonora.

The undercard will feature 6’3 super featherweight Oscar Alvarez (8-0, 7KOs) against Diego Lopez (3-1-1, 2 KOs) of Mexico City in Alvarez’s hometown.

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Watch ProBox TV Events FOR FREE (NO SIGN-UP REQUIRED) on Facebook/YouTube in English and Spanish. OR, you can watch ProBoxTV ad-free on ProBoxTV.com for $1.99/Month.

French Olympic gold medalist Tony Yoka will return in a 10-round main event this Saturday, March 11, against former world title challenger Carlos Takam at Zenith Paris in Paris, France. Yoka-Takam and undercard bouts will stream live and exclusively in the U.S. on ESPN+.

Yoka (11-1, 9 KOs) is coming off a majority decision loss to Martin Bakole last May. Gatekeeper Takam recently ended Arslanbek Makhmudov’s knockout streak by forcing him to go 10 rounds for the first time. He has lost two straight.

By Ray Wheatley – World of Boxing

WBC, WBA, IBF welterweight champion Errol Spence has offered to back WBO#4 super welterweight Tony Harrison (29-3-1,21KO’s) for $10,000 on social media to defeat WBO#1,WBC#1 super welterweight Tim Tszyu (21-0,15KO’s) on Sunday (Saturday in USA) for the WBO interim title at the Quos Bank Arena in Sydney, Australia televised on Foxtel Main Event and Kayo Sports PPV and Showtime in the USA.

Glenn Jennings who manages Tszyu told Fox Sports.“Errol is one of these guys that spends an enormous amount of time having fights on social media, rather than in the ring. Although now there’s talk he will come up to Tim’s weight class, and we certainly hope he does. I know that’s a fight Tim would like. Continue reading “Errol Spence backs Harrison”

By Robert Coster

on a card held on Saturday in Sosua, Dominican Republic, US boxers had mixed results against local battlers. The main event saw up and coming cruiserweight Richard “Popeye the Sailor Man” Rivera ( 24-1, 18 KOs), 181lbs from Connecticut, made short work- in one round -of Ezequiel Urena,(6-5) 178 lbs; local boy Misael Vazquez (13-4), 130, snapped the unbeaten record of Malik Lewis (7-1 ), 132lbs with a 6 round unanimous decision; Dominican Brainer Vasquez (16-5, 9 KOs), 138lbs, outpointed Courtney Jackson{23-4 } over 8 rounds

Rivalta Boxing (Henry Rivalta) had their first event of 2023 this past Friday at the Double Tree Hotel by the Miami Airport & Convention Center in Miami, Florida.

Highly decorated Cuban national team member Victor Abreu (3-0, 1 KO) of Cienfuegos, Cuba defeated Cristian Perez (10-7, 7 KOs) of Venezuela. Abreu won the vacant North American Boxing Association super bantamweight title by 10 round unanimous decisión.

The 6’3 southpaw and amateur of 250 fights Yordan Barrera (2-0) defeated the more experienced Winston Campos (33-9-6, 19 KOs) of Nicaragua by 10 round unanimous decision. Barrera of Guantanamo, Cuba won the vacant North American Boxing Association super welter title in just his 2nd professional bout.

Local favorite Anthony Martinez (15-2, 13 KOS) of Miami defeated former world title challenger Santander Silgado Gelez(32-15, 26 KOs) of Colombia by 10 round unanimous decisión to win the vacant NABA Silver heavyweight title. Continue reading “Abreu, Barrera, Martinez win in Miami”

Rising prospect Isaiah Johnson remained undefeated with a six-round unanimous decision over veteran upset-specialist Antonio Sanchez in a junior welterweight bout that headlined an entertaining eight-bout card at The Newtown Athletic Club.

The show was promoted by RDR Promotions.

Johnson of New Jersey boxed very well, and had Sanchez in trouble on several different occasions, but the experienced Sanchez was able to hold off the fast and energetic Johnson. Johnson was bever challenged and cruised home with the win by scores of 60-54 twice and 59-55. Johnson is now 7-0. Sanchez of Toa Alta, Puerto Rico is 7-16-3. Continue reading “Results from Philadelphia”

Hall of Fame boxing promoter, matchmaker and publicist Robert “Bobby” Goodman passed away in peace and comfort at the hospital in Galloway, N.J. on Sunday, March 5, at the age of 83.

Goodman, who spent 25 years with Don King Productions as Vice President, Boxing Operations, Matchmaker and Director of Public Relations, was the son of another great boxing Hall of Famer, the late Murray Goodman. Bobby and his father were inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame and the New Jersey Boxing Hall of Fame, the only father-son to have achieved those honors.

Bobby also received the Boxing Writers Association of America’s James J. Walker Memorial Award for long and meritorious service in boxing in 1980. He also was inducted into the Florida Boxing Hall of Fame in 2009, the New York Boxing Hall of Fame in 2018 as well as the Atlantic City Boxing Hall of Fame in 2019. Continue reading “Hall of Famer Bobby Goodman passes”

Undefeated WBC interim super welterweight champion Sebastian “The Towering Inferno” Fundora (20-0-1, 13 KOs) will defend his title against Brian Mendoza (21-2, 15 KOs) on Saturday, April 8 live on Showtime from Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, California.

The telecast will also feature undefeated super lightweight contender Brandun Lee (27-0, 23 KOs) taking on Pedro Campa (34-2-1, 23 KOs) in the 10-round co-main event, plus undefeated featherweights Luis “The Twist” Núñez (18-0, 13 KOs) and Christian Olivo (20-0-1, 7 KOs) in the 10-round telecast opener.

Tickets for the event, which is promoted by TGB Promotions and Sampson Boxing, go on sale tomorrow.

Inoue to make ambitious invasion in 122lb division against Fulton

By Joe Koizumi
Photos by Naoki Fukuda

Time will come soon. “The Monster” Naoya Inoue (24-0, 21 KOs), Japan, will have an ambitious shot at the WBC, WBO 122-pound belts against also unbeaten Stephen Fulton (21-0, 8 KOs), US, at the Yokohama Arena in Yokohama, Japan, on May 7. Naoya, formerly undisputed bantam four-belt kingpin, will aim for his fourth division championship after he completely renounced all the 118-pound belts last month in order to have a crack against the ringwise Fulton. It was announced by Ohashi Promotions today (Tuesday) in Tokyo. Inoue, 29, confidently said, “I’m happy to have this event eventually announced publicly. It is a challenge to myself that I’ll invade into the super-bantam category and make myself in a tip-top condition. It truly motivates me that I’ll welcome the big fight at my first fight after moving up to the 122-pound class.”

Inoue described his target Fulton, saying, “He is a taller boxer with a more advantageous reach. It might be hard to finish him, but I’d like to concentrate to be victorious, I believe I am more powerful and faster than Fulton. I don’t know at this moment what game plan I will take against Fulton. Continue reading “Inoue-Fulton Kickoff Press Conference”

By Ray Wheatley – World of Boxing

WBO #4 super welterweight Tony Harrison (29-3-1,21KO’s) is confident of victory when he clashes with WBO #1, WBC #1 super welterweight Tim Tszyu (21-0, 15 KOs) on Sunday, March 12 (Saturday, March 11 in the USA) for the WBO interim 154lb title at the Quos Bank Arena in Sydney, Australia, televised on Foxtel Main Event and Kayo Sports PPV in Australia, and Showtime in the USA

“He hasn’t fought a world championship fighter yet,” Harrison told the Wide World of Sports.”I am the first one – and I am probably going to be the last because he’s going to go back to the bottom and has to rebuild this stuff back up. He’s not a weak kid but to say he’s like Kostya Tszyu, I think we’re giving him just a little too much!”

“I do think he’s strong enough to compete at the weight that he’s fighting at, but do I think he’s the strongest? Nah. Do I think he hits harder than Jermell (Charlo)? Nah. Come fight night, he’s got to prove it. He’s got to show us. All the talk is over.”

Naoya “Monster” Inoue (24-0, 21 KOs) conquered the bantamweight division. He’s now moving up in weight to capture the biggest fish at 122 pounds. Philadelphia’s WBC/WBO junior featherweight world champion Stephen Fulton (21-0, 8 KOs) will defend his titles against Japan’s pound-for-pound king Sunday, May 7, at Yokohama Arena in Yokohama, Japan. Fulton-Inoue and undercard bouts will stream live and exclusively in the U.S. on ESPN+ in a special early-morning presentation.

By Miguel Maravilla

The Philippines’ Mark “Magnifico” Magsayo (24-2, 16 KOs) and his advisor Sean Gibbons had a lot to say about his defeat to Brandon Figueroa Saturday night at the Toyota Arena in Ontario, California.

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By Miguel Maravilla

Brandon “The Heartbreaker” Figueroa (23-1-1, 18 KOs) of Weslaco, Texas talked about his win unanimous decision over Mark “Magnifico” Magsayo (24-2, 16 KOs) of the Philippines. Figueroa became the interim WBC featherweight champion winning Saturday night at the Toyota Arena in Ontario, California and held court at the post-fight presser.

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By Miguel Maravilla

Mexico’s Jose Armando Reséndiz (14-1, 10 KOs) pulled the upset as he stopped former unified super welterweight world champion “Swift” Jarrett Hurd (24-3, 16 KOs) in the tenth and final round in the co-feature middleweight bout. Resendiz spoke about his big win at the post-fight press conference.

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By Miguel Maravilla

Undefeated 19-year-old middleweight prospect Elijah Garcia (14-0, 12 KOs) of Phoenix talked about his spectacular fourth-round knockout over Amilcar Vidal (16-1, 12 KOs) from Uruguay. Here is what he had to say about his win and his plans moving forward.

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By Miguel Maravilla at ringside

Brandon “The Heartbreaker” Figueroa (24-1-1, 18 KOs) of Weslaco, Texas fought hard in winning a unanimous decision over a very tough Mark “Magnifico” Magsayo (24-2, 16 KOs) of the Philippines on Saturday night at the Toyota Arena in Ontario, California to win the WBC interim featherweight title in headlining Showtime Championship Boxing.

Off to a fast start, Magsayo connected with a short right hand, Figueroa returned the favor as he landed a huge chopping right. Magsayo attacked in round two, backing Figueroa with a right hand, fighting at close quarters Figueroa connected inside. In round three, Magsayo pressed but Figueroa landed a thudding body shot, moments later Magsayo unloaded a series of punches to score and finished strong to end the round. Staying busy in the fourth, Figueroa and Magsayo fought at close quarters inside, both connecting and having their momentum. Continue reading “Figueroa tops Magsayo for WBC interim 126 belt”

Matchroom Boxing returned to Mexico on Saturday night at the Polideportivo Arena in Culiacan, Sinaloa, Mexico. In the main event, WBO #5 rated Angel Fierro (20-1-2, 16 KOs) retained his NABO title with a fine seventh round KO over the very game Eduardo Estela (14-2, 9 KOs). Fierro dropped Estela hard in round four and battered him to the canvas again in round seven to end it. Time was 2:59.

By Rocky Morales at ringside

In an upset, Armando “Toro” Resendiz (14-1, 10KO) stopped former unified world champion, Jarrett “Swift” Hurd (24-3, 16KO) in the final round of a scheduled ten round middleweight bout on Saturday night at the Toyota Arena in Ontario, California.

Resendiz pushed the action from the beginning with Hurd content to mostly throw counterpunches that enjoyed early success. It was a rough fight with Resendiz warned for head butts and Hurd twice warned for low blows.

By the middle rounds, the superior activity of Resendiz was the difference maker as Hurd was unable to find the counter punches to keep Resendiz at bay.

The eighth round saw Hurd’s face start swelling up like a balloon and he was bloodied, as well.

The ninth round was all Resendiz as Hurd looked like a shell of his former self. Only after the ninth round did Resendiz finally show some celebratory emotion as if he finally knew he had the fight in the bag.

Just as the tenth round started, the ringside doctor called a halt to the action to examine Hurd. After a few seconds, the doctor informed the referee that Hurd was unable to continue due to a severe laceration on his lip and, with that, the referee waved off the fight.

By way of knockout at 0:05 of the tenth round, Resendiz is the winner and instant middleweight title contender. Resendiz suddenly looks like a logical choice for a Jermall Charlo comeback fight / title defense.

By Miguel Maravilla and Rocky Morales at ringside

Opening the Showtime Championship Boxing telecast on Saturday night at the Toyota Arena in Ontario, California, undefeated 19-year-old middleweight Elijah Garcia (14-0, 12 KOs) of Phoenix scored a spectacular fourth round knockout over Amilcar Vidal (16-1, 12 KOs) from Uruguay. It was a feel out opening round as Vidal and Garcia starting things off. The southpaw Garcia connected with a solid straight left in round two, snapping Vidal’s head but Vidal kept coming. Garcia continued to fire away as he finished the round strong. Bleeding from the nose in the third, Garcia kept working away as Vidal stood in the pocket chipping away. Jabbing away and staying in close quarters in round four, Garcia rocked Vidal with a as he dropped him forcing referee Jack Reiss to stop the fight at 2:17 of the fourth.

Former world title challenger, Terrell Gausha (23-3-1, 12 KOs) impressively stopped tough but basic Brandyn Lynch (13-1-1, 10 KOs) by way of ninth round knockout in a scheduled 10 round super welterweight bout. The two fighters started out slowly but by the middle rounds it was a battle of Gausha’s skills against Lynch’s aggression. Gausha was just on another level and despite Lynch’s best efforts, it was Gausha who was landing the cleaner punches.

As the rounds progressed, Gausha turned up the intensity and with Lynch’s forward charging efforts, it was a lot of Gausha counterpunches doing the most damage. Early in the ninth round, Gausha landed a perfectly timed and place right cross to the chin that sent Lynch crashing to the canvas. Lynch got up on very unsteady legs to an indecisive referee who seemed torn between stopping it and allowing it to continue.

Although a stoppage would have been justified, the ref allowed action to continue, only for Gausha to land three clubbing right hands that deposited Lynch on the canvas, once again.

A stoppage at this point would again have been justified, but in for a penny – in for a pound, the referee allowed it to continue once again. Gausha again hammered Lynch to the canvas with the referee finally waving off the fight.

Time of the stoppage was 0:50 of the ninth round. With the victory, Gausha rebounds nicely from his loss to Tim Tszyu and puts himself back in title contention. Continue reading “Garcia, Gausha victorious”

Two important WBA eliminators took place on Saturday night at the Utilita Arena in Newcastle, England.

In a WBA super lightweight eliminator, Ohara Davies (25-2, 18 KOs) brutally stopped Lewis Ritson (23-3, 13 KOs) in round nine with a body shot. Ritson went down for a count of ten and then some.

In a WBA featherweight final eliminator, Thomas Patrick Ward (33-1-1, 5 KOs) was abused over five rounds by Otabek Kholmatov (11-0, 10 KOs). Ward was on the canvas three times before his corner threw in the towel in round five.

IBF #8, WBO #11, WBA #13 heavyweight Agit Kabayel (23-0, 15 KOs) came off the canvas to score a wild third round kayo over Agron Smakici (19-2, 17 KOs) to begin his second reign as EBU European champion on Saturday night at the Ruhrcongress in Bochum, Germany.

In round two, Smakici rocked Kabayel, who fell into the ropes and receives a count. Smakici tried to finish him unsuccessfully and was staggered himself late in the round. In round three, Kabayel stepped on the gas and dropped Smakici twice to end it.