Reveco retains title over Rivera

WBA interim world flyweight champion Juan Carlos Reveco (29-1, 16 KOs) of Argentina retained his title by unanimously decisioning Julian Rivera (13-7, 2 KOs) of Mexico over 12 rounds. Reveco known for his steady body attack held true to form but Rivera fought gamely and held up to the see the final bell. Reveco fought nearly the entire fight with a cut on his right eye but it didn’t slow him down. The judges scorecards read as the following all in favor of Reveco. Reina Urbaez 120-106.5, Carlos Sucre 120-107, Jesus Cova 120-107. The fight took place at the Polideportivo Malal-hue, in Malargue, Argentina with OR Productions in association with All Star Boxing, Inc and Producciones Deportivas promoting.

Estrada KOs Brown in five

2004 U.S. Olympian Jason “Big Six” Estrada (20-4, 6 KOs) won his fourth straight fight Saturday night with a fifth-round knockout of veteran heavyweight Galen “Bad Boy” Brown (38-21-1, 23 KOs) at the Rhode Island Convention Center. Estrada-Brown was the main event on the “Big Things” card, presented by Big Six Promotions. Estrada continued displaying improved punching power, dropping Brown in the fifth, and then finishing him off with a series of stiff punches until the referee halted the action. (more…)

Oosthuizen retains IBO championship

Earlier tonight, 24-year-old red-hot undefeated super middleweight contender Thomas “Tommy Gun” Oosthuizen (21-0-1, 13KO’s) retained his IBO super middleweight championship with a dominate twelve round unanimous decision over four-time world title challenger Fulgencio Zuniga (25-6-1, 22KO’s) at the Emperor’s Palace in Gauteng, South Africa. Oosthuizen, who is promoted by Rodney Berman’s Golden Gloves and DiBella Entertainment, dominated the action throughout, seemingly having his way with the much more experienced Zuniga, winning by scores of 120-108, 119-109, 119-109. Oosthuizen is expected to return action stateside sometime in early 2013.

Klitschko dominates Wach

By Karl Freitag
Photos: www.michaelsterlingeaton.com

WBA/IBF/WBO/IBO heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko (59-3, 51 KOs) scored a one-sided twelve round unanimous decision over previously unbeaten Mariusz Wach (27-1, 15 KOs) on Saturday night at the O2 World Arena in Hamburg, Germany. “Dr. Steelhammer” was much more aggressive than usual and dominated from the opening bell. Klitschko almost couldn’t miss with his jab or right hand. Wach showed a great chin in absorbing the blows, but little offense until he rocked Klitschko with a right hand at the end of round five. That was Wach’s last hurrah as he didn’t follow-up in round six. Wlad dominated the sixth and staggered Wach late. Wlad just teed off on Wach in the seventh and somehow Wach stayed on his feet. Wlad brutally punished Wach in a one-sided eighth round and referee Eddie Cotton looked on the verge of stopping it. The champion eased up on the gas in rounds nine and ten, but came on strong again in the eleventh. The gutsy Wach, however, was determined not to be knocked out and made it to the final bell. Scores were 120-107, 120-107, 119-109.

The fight was the first time the 6’6 Klitschko has ever fought a taller opponent and the first time in nine years Wlad didn’t have the late Hall of Fame trainer Emanuel Steward in his corner. (more…)

Helenius defeats Williams

By Pasi Taavitsainen at ringside
Photos: Pasi Taavitsainen

Heavyweight contender Robert “The Nordic Nightmare” Helenius (18-0, 11 KOs) scored a workmanlike ten round unanimous decision over 40-year-old veteran Sherman “Tank” Williams (35-12-2, 19 KOs) on Saturday night at the Helsinki Ice Hall in Helsinki, Finland. Helenius was in command the whole fight, but the most exciting moment came when Williams buzzed him in the sixth with a big right hand. Scores were 99-91, 99-93, 98-93.

“I´m back,” Helenius said afterward. “This was a good comeback win for me. Williams was a dangerous opponent, he came here to fight. But I think I fought a good fight. I´m happy with my performance.”

Said Williams: “I promised to bring sunshine. We got three days of sunshine and Robert got the Conch Punch. I hurt him in the sixth but could not knock him out. In the end, he got the decision, I congratulate him. It was a good fight and he is a very good fighter.” (more…)

Weights from Rhode Island

Jason Estrada 243 vs. Galen Brown 220
Diego Pereira 142 vs. Brian Abraham 142
Jesse Barboza 239 vs. Kevin Franklin 230
Jair Ramos 141 vs. Gabriel Deluc 140
Paul Gonsalves 174 vs. Ahmad Mickens 176
Josh Beeman 139 vs. Carlos Hernandez 139
Russell Lamour 175 vs. John Downey 182
K.J. Harrison-Lombardi 167 vs. Pubilo Pena 167
Michael McLaughlin 147.5 vs. Robert Hunt 148
Julian Pollard 243.5 vs. Johnnie Davis 242

Venue: Rhode Island Convention Center, Providence, RI
Promoter: Big Six Entertainment

Weights from Bakersfield, CA

Mia St John 144 vs Tiffany Junot 142
(WBC Super Welterweight Female World Championship
Jose Diaz 169 vs JC Llamas 168.5
Josh McCartney 160 vs Darren Smith 159.5

Venue: Fight For Life Show in Bakersfield
Promoter: Roy Englebrecht Promotions
Time: 7PM

Note: Little Big Town that won CMA Group of the Year award last week will be in concert after the fights.

Weights from Davenport, Iowa

Jordan Shimmell 213 vs. Clinton Boldridge Tba
Travis Thomas 144 vs. Alroic Carson Tba
Limberth Ponce 166 vs. Nick Christensen 173
Joe Perez 130 Brian Strickland Tba
George Carter 153 vs. Alex Deleon 150
Joe Jordan 174 vs. Jason Medina 174
Leondard Overstreet 149 vs. Gilbert Venegas 153

Venue: Dance Land Ballroom, Davenport, Iowa
Promoter: Calkins Sports Productions (Cint Calkins) Armer Boxing (Phil Armer)

Weights from Millville, NJ

Thomas LaManna 154 vs. Erick Hernandez Perez 148
Gilbert Alex Sanchez 155 vs. Abdel Malik 152
Jon Bolden 237 vs. Dennis Benson 239
Amir Shabazz 176 vs. Abdellah Smith 175
Antoine Douglas 162 vs. Cesar Lopez 162
Joshua Nieves 133 vs. Moses Molina 131.5

Venue: New Jersey Motorsports Park
Promoter: Vincent M. Ponte of Gulfstream Boxing Promotions
Doors open at 6p and first bout is at 7p.

Weights from Reading, PA

Photo: Jeff Julian

Grayson Blake 156 vs Robert Sockwell 156
Yordenis Ugas 143 vs Dedrick Bell 138
Jeremy Stauffer 188 vs Elvin Sanchez TBD
Frank DeAlba 131 vs Benjamin Burgos 130.5
Aaron Bratton 256.5 vs Aaron Kinch 262
Davin Huffman 136.5 vs Charles Mack 137

Venue: Riveredge Restaurant & Inn, Reading, PA
Promoter: Kings Promotions

Weights from Malargue, Argentina

Juan Carlos Reveco 112 vs. Julian Rivera 112
(WBA Flyweight Title)
Yesica Marcos 126 vs. Pabla Morales 128

Venue: Polideportivo Malal-hue, Malargue, Argentina
TV: TYC Sports (Latin America and USA)
Promoter: OR Productions in Association with All Star Boxing, Inc and Producciones Deportivas
Tickets: SOLD OUT

Kato keeps Japanese 135lb belt

By Joe Koizumi

OPBF#1 ranked Japanese lightweight champ Yoshitaka Kato (23-4-1, 7 KOs), 135, looked very fine as he kept his national belt by annihilating top contender Shoji Kawase (29-5-5, 17 KOs), 134.25, by dropping him with a vicious right cross three times to chalk up a well-received stoppage at 2:53 of the fifth round on Saturday in Tokyo, Japan. Kato, making his third defense, sent the challenger to the deck twice in the fourth and once more in the fatal fifth, when the ref didn’t hesitate to call a halt. Kato, whose idol is Kostya Tszyu, had been regarded as a busy but not-so-dangerous puncher, but he looked like a Thunder from Down Under this night. (more…)

Maciel KOs Clayton in round 4

Former world title challenger Javier Maciel (24-2, 16 KOs) of Argentina ranked by the WBO at #7 at 154 stopped Anderson Clayton (39-8, 34 KOs) of Brazil in round four. The end came just seconds before the end of round four when Maciel scored a vicious left hook to the body which dropped Clayton. The referee then issued the full 10 count while Clayton stayed down. The bout took place at the Ce.De.M. Nº 2 of Caseros in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Mario Margossian/Argentina Boxing Promotions promoted the event with TyC Sports.

Night of the Olympians Results

By David Robinett at ringside
Photos: Tom Casino / Showtime

Unbeaten featherweight contender and 2008 United States Olympian Gary Russell Jr. (21-0, 13 KOs) scored a spectacular third round KO over late sub Roberto Castaneda (20-3-1, 15 KOs) in the main event on Friday night at the Fantasy Springs Resort Casino in Indio, Calif. A right hook to the jaw laid out Castaneda. Time 1:25.

2012 Olympian super middleweight Terrell Gausha (1-0, 1 KO) scored a one-sided second round KO over Dustin Caplinger (2-4, 1 KO). Caplinger down twice in round three. Time 1:55.

2012 Olympian jr middleweight Errol Spence Jr. (1-0, 1 KO) scored a third round TKO over Jonathan Garcia (3-4, 1 KO). Garcia started fast, but Spence was soon in control, dropping Garcia in the third and getting the stoppage moments later. Time was 2:41.

2012 Olympian cruiserweight Marcus Browne (1-0, 1 KO) scored a third round TKO over Codale Ford (2-1, 2 KOs). Browne dropped Ford with a body shot in the third and got the stoppage with his followup barrage. Time was 1:04.

2012 Olympian super heavyweight Dominic Breazeale (1-0, 1 KO) scored an explosive 66 second first round KO over Curtis Tate (4-4, 4 KOs). Tate was down twice.

2004, 2008, 2012 Olympian bantamweight Rau’Shee Warren (1-0) won a four round unanimous decision over Luis Rivera (1-2, 0 KOs). Scores were 40-36, 38-37, 38-37. Rivera was credited with a knockdown of Warren in round four that should have been ruled a slip. (more…)

Martirosyan, Lara make weight

Photos: Chris Farina / Top Rank

Vanes Martirosyan 153 vs. Erislandy Lara 153.5
(WBC super welterweight eliminator)
Mikey Garcia 128.5 vs. Jonathan Victor Barros 128.5
Jesse Magdaleno 123 vs. Jose Silveira 121
Jesse Hart 167.5 vs. Josh Myers 165
Terence Crawford 136.5 vs. Sidney Siqueira 137.5

Venue: Wynn Resort, Las Vegas
Promoter: Top Rank
TV: HBO
more weights and photos

Full Report: John/Yordan retain titles

Photos and story by Brett Bonetti

Indonesian World Champions Chris “The Dragon” John and Daud “Cino” Yordan both retained their world titles in great fights at Marina Bay Sands in Singapore on Friday night. In a world title fight where “Someones 0 had to go”, it was undefeated WBA world featherweight champion Chris “The Dragon” John (48-0-2, 22 KOs) that successfully defended his title for the 17th time against the previously unbeaten Chonlatarn Piriyapinyo (44-1, 27 KOs). (more…)

Weights from Ecatepec, Mexico

By Gabriel F. Cordero

Humberto Soto 147 vs. Jose Lopez 146
(WBF welterweight title)
Yesica Chavez 108 vs Kannittha Kokietgym 105.1
Antonio Lozada 140 vs Edgar Llanes 140

Venue: Estadio de Futbol Morelos y Pavón
Promoter: Promociones del Pueblo
TV: Televisa

photos

Dec 8 Philly kick-off presser

Photos: John Di Santo

A press conference was held to officially announce the next installment of the NBC Sports Network “Fight Night” boxing series. On December 8, 2012, a Philly-centric fight card will take place at Temple University’s Pearson / McGonigle Hall on Broad Street in North Philly. The NBCSN broadcast will begin at 9PM ET. North Philly native and #5 heavyweight contender Bryant Jennings, 15-0, 7 KOs, takes on Bowie Tupou, 22-2, 16 KOs, of Tonga, in the 12-round main event with Jennings’ USBA heavyweight title on the line. The 10-round junior lightweight co-feature bout is an intriguing face off between North Philadelphian Teon Kennedy, 17-2-2, 7 KOs, who’s coming off a world title challenge, and the undefeated Texan Jerry Belmontes, 17-0, 5 KOs. Kennedy is moving up in weight for the fight. (more…)

McKenzie stops Maccarinelli

Commonwealth light heavyweight champion Ovil McKenzie (21-11, 10 KOs) scored a highly controversial second round TKO against former WBO cruiserweight champion Enzo Maccarinelli (35-6, 27 KOs) on Friday night at the Olympia in Liverpool, England. After Maccarinelli laid on the ropes and absorbed some not particularly heavy punches from McKenzie, referee Ian John Lewis inexplicably waved it off to the surprise of both McKenzie and Maccarinelli.

Froch vs. Mack PPV promo video

IBF super middleweight champion Carl “The Cobra” Froch (29-2, 21 KOs) defends his title Saturday, November 17 against American challenger Yusaf Mack (31-4, 17 KOs) at Capital FM Arena in Nottingham, United Kingdom in the”True Brit” main event. “True Brit,” presented by Matchroom Boxing, will be distributed in the United States by Integrated Sports Media for live viewing at 3:00 PM/ET – 12:00 PM/PT on both cable and satellite pay-per-view via iN Demand, DIRECTV, DISH Network and Avail-TVN for a suggested retail price of $29.95.

FNF gearing up for 2013

ESPN’s Friday Night Fights series returns January 4 when IBF #5 super featherweight Rances “Kid Blast” Barthelemy (17-0, 11 KOs) takes on fellow undefeated WBA #8 contender Arash Usmanee (20-0, 10 KOs) at Stage 305 in the Magic City Casino in Miami, Florida. In the co-featured televised bout, unbeaten junior middleweight Jonathan “Mantequilla” Gonzalez (15-0-1, 13 KOs) takes on Derek “Pooh” Ennis (23-3-1, 13 KOs). The undercard, which will be announced shortly, will feature several young local and international talent. Tickets went on sale today.

Weights from Los Angeles

Photos: Big Joe Miranda

Abner Mares 121.8 vs. Anselmo Moreno 120.8
(WBC super bantamweight championship)
Leo Santa Cruz 117.6 vs. Victor Zaleta 117
(IBF bantamweight championship)
Nathan Cleverly 174.4 vs. Shawn Hawk 173.8
(WBO light heavyweight championship)
Alfredo Angulo 154 vs. Raul Casarez 153.8

Venue: Staples Center, Los Angeles, Calif
Promoter: Golden Boy
TV: Showtime

(more…)

Top Rank inks Jose Ramirez

Hall of Fame promoter Bob Arum and Todd duBoef announced the signing of Méxican-American amateur sensation Jose Ramírez to an exclusive long-term promotional agreement with Top Rank today. Ramírez, arguably the crown jewel of the 2012 U.S. Olympic Team, will make his professional debut, in a four-round lightweight bout, on the undercard of the Manny Pacquiao – Juan Manuel Márquez 4 welterweight event, Saturday, December 8, at the MGM Grand Garden Arena. Pacquiao-Márquez 4 will be produced and distributed Live on HBO Pay-Per-View, beginning at 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT.

“I feel very blessed to have the team that I have around me and that Top Rank will make my team even stronger,” said Ramírez. “I feel I’m in great hands with Top Rank and they care about their fighters.” (more…)

Vitali to make decision by December 17

WBC heavyweight champion Vitali Klitschko says he will make his decision on whether to become a fulltime member in the Ukrainian Parliament or continue his boxing career by December 17. “Maybe I’ll have a few more fights or I’ll concentrate on my political work,” the 41-year-old Vitali told RTL. “In any event, I have the heart of a boxer. Boxing was, is and always will be in my heart.”

Helenius-Williams official weigh-in

Video by Pasi Taavitsainen

Robert Helenius 249.3 vs. Sherman Williams 265.9

Venue: Ice Hall, Helsinki, Finland
Promoter: Sauerland Event
TV: Epix

Chris John retains WBA title for 17th time

Undefeated WBA Fighter of the Decade Chris “The Dragon” John (48-0-2, 22 KOs) successfully defended his WBA featherweight “super” championship against previously unbeaten Chonlatarn Piriyapinyo (44-1, 27 KOs) on Friday night at the Marina Bay Sands in Singapore. John outboxed Piriyapinyo over the first half of the fight. Piriyapinyo had his best moments in rounds seven and eight, but John reasserted himself in round nine. Both fighters rocked each other in round twelve. Scores were 117-111, 119-109, 119-109. It was future Hall of Famer John’s 17th successful title defense.

IBO featherweight champion Daud “Cino” Yordan (30-2, 23 KOs) scored a twelve round unanimous decision over Choijiljavyn “Choi” Tseveenpurev (36-6, 24 KOs) to defend his title. Yordan overcame a spirited effort by Tseveenpurev to win by scores of 117-111, 119-110, 118-110 on Friday night at the Marina Bay Sands in Singapore.

More to come from Brett Bonetti…

Japan Update

By Joe Koizumi

It is incredible that there happened three more shows on the same day of November 3 in addition to a world title doubleheader in Sendai, Japan, featuring the WBC bantam and fly title bouts with Shinsuke Yamanaka and Toshiyuki Igarashi having emerged victorious.

In Osaka, local prospect Atsushi Kakutani (12-3-1, 5 KOs), 110, impressively defeated WBA#9 light-flyweight contender Rey Lorito (15-12, 8 KOs), 110.25, by a unanimous decision (all 78-74) over eight hard-fought rounds. Lorito made a good start, but the taller Kakutani found his range from the fourth to dominate the following rounds with more accurate combinations in the daytime.

At night in Osaka, ex-OPBF super-welter champ Yuki Nanaka (27-8-2), 159.75, proved sharper and stronger than Korean super-middle ruler Kyungsuk Kwak (10-7, 7 KOs), 159.75, winning a unanimous nod (79-74, 79-75 and 77-75) over eight heats in a separte show (by another promoter).

On the same night in Tokyo, Japanese super-light champ Shinya Iwabuchi (20-3, 16 KOs), 140, kept his national belt by finishing ex-titlist Shinya Nagase (20-5-2, 10 KOs), 140, at 2:51 of the seventh session in a scheduled ten. (more…)