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Last month, the WBA Championships Committee ordered a fight between WBA super flyweight champion Kazuto Ioka and #1 rated John “Scrappy” Ramirez with a February 15 deadline. Ioka, however, has reportedly petitioned the WBA for permission to instead fight a unification clash with WBC champ Juan Francisco Estrada targeted for July 3 in Tokyo.

Team Ramirez is hoping that the WBA will deny Ioka’s request and order him to fight “Scrappy” within 90-days or be stripped of the world title belt.

“It would be easy to get frustrated when you don’t get what you want,” Ramirez explained, “but I remind myself to trust the process. I know my team is doing its part and I am, too. It’s all about trusting the process and I’m a strong believer in that. I need to stay patient and focused in the gym, on my vision and my dream. Continue reading “Scrappy hopes WBA enforces title shot”

By Joe Koizumi
Photos by Naoki Fukuda

Undisputed world super bantam champion Naoya “The Monster” Inoue, who brilliantly conquered the four belts in just two bouts over Stephen Fulton and Marlon Tapales, was named Japan’s Boxing of the Year today (Monday) here in Tokyo, Japan. It was more than a unanimous decision—a shutout selection by our Sports Writers Association as well as the Japan Boxing Commission (JBC). It was the seventh acquisition (in six consecutive years) that Inoue was given the highest fistic award here in Japan. Naoya said, “I wish to keep winning until the end of my career.” We hope so.

The other recipients of prestigious awards were as follows:

• Technique: Kenshiro Teraji, WBC, WBA light flyweight ruler
• Valuable victory: Junto Nakatani, WBO junior bantam titlist
• Excellent boxers: WBA super fly kingpin Kazuto Ioka, WBA bantam champ Takuma Inoue, WBC minimum titleholder Yudai Shigeoka, IBF minimum titlist Ginjiro Shigeoka
• Efforts: former Japanese bantam champ Seiya Tsutsumi
• Knockout: Naoya Inoue
• Rookie citation: Tenshin Nasukawa
• Female Boxer of the Year: WBO junior bantam ruler Mizuki Hiruta
• Fight of the Year (world): Naoya Inoue vs. Stephen Fulton
• Fight of the Year (domestic): Seiya Tsutsumi vs. Kazuki Anaguchi (who unfortunately passed away after this grueling bout for the national bantam belt)
• Best trainer: Shingo Inoue (the father of “Monster” Naoya and Takuma Inoue)

More Photos

Former undisputed super lightweight champion Josh Taylor and archrival Jack Catterall had to be separated during their face-off at the launch press conference ahead of their grudge rematch on April 27 at the First Direct Arena in Leeds, England.

The sworn enemies have been embroiled in a heated war of words since February 2022 when Taylor won a hugely controversial split decision to retain his then-undisputed 140lb crown. The decision caused outrage among some boxing fans and the two have been at loggerheads ever since.

The International Olympic Committee has rejected a request from ring legend Manny Pacquiao to allow him to compete for a medal in the coming 2024 Paris Olympics. The IOC refused to waive the 40-year-old age limit for boxing atheletes for Pacman, who was hoping to be allowed to fight at the age of 45.

By Joe Koizumi
Photos by Naoki Fukuda

If both are brittle-chinned hard-punchers, it will become such a fight like this. The tide busily turning almost in every round, it was a see-saw bout with each almost stunning the rival each other. Former champ Kosuke Saka (23-7, 20 KOs), 130, regained the Japanese super feather belt as he finally emerged victorious via TKO route over badly-bleeding Ken Koibuchi (10-7-1, 9 KOs), 130, at 0:44 of the fifth round in a scheduled ten on Friday in Tokyo, Japan. Continue reading “Saka halts Koibuchi, regains Japanese 130lb belt”

Lightweight Carlos Maria Alanis (13-1, 5 KOs) of Argentina stopped countryman Jonathan Joel Arena (14-15, 4 KOs) on Saturday night at the Club Atletico Temperley in Rosario, Santa Fe, Argentina. Alanis implemented a steady body attack from round one and it would pay dividends in the second half of the fight. Arena fought gamely and had some moments. Alanis dropped Arena in round seven with a timely body shot. Arena beat the count but a flurry against the ropes moments later saw the referee wave off the bout and Alanis was the winner by TKO7 and the new South American lightweight champion.

In his previous bout this past summer, Alanis went the distance versus world-ranked Liam Wilson in the latter’s native Australia. Wilson is well known for his thriller last year where he nearly upset three división world champion Emmanuel Navarette. Wilson will now face former multi división world champion Oscar Valdez next month.

Photos: Sumio Yamada

Check out this GIANT Foster-Nova photo gallery for some incredible shots + the scorecard + action from the Cortes-Chevalier, Carrington-Torres, and Vianello-Johnson fights.

Photos

Becomes IBF 130 lb. Mandatory Challenger

By Boxing Bob Newman

In an important bout that flew under the radar, IBF #3 Shavkatdzhon Rakhimov and #4 rated Eduardo Nuñez, squared off in Dushanbe, Tajikistan, to decide the #1 mandatory position at Jr. Lightweight.

Local hero Rakhimov was coming in off his lone loss 10 months ago- a tough, split decision, title-losing effort against Joe Cordina in Cardiff, Wales. Nuñez, of Los Mochis, Sinaloa, Mexico, was making a relatively quick return to the ring after blowing out Oscar Escandon in two rounds in Cancun last October.

The first half of the fight was tactical warfare as each man tried to gain their edge, taking turns coming forward while the other looked to see what his foe had to offer. By the second half of the fight, Nuñez seemed to be taking over, if ever so slightly. He began to land telling power shots on Rakhimov, who seemed unable to get off the ropes, or was hoping Nuñez would punch himself out. Nuñez was so squared up, that all his punches appeared to be hooks, whether right or left. Jabs were mostly out the window in favor of sledgehammer blows.

Rakhimov would rally in the ninth, for what would be the last time. Rakhimov got a much needed reprieve from referee Mark Nelson, who called time as he instructed Rakhimov’s corner to secure some loose tape on the glove in the tenth. But that would be it as Nuñez sensed his time had come. He came out guns blazing, raining blow after blow- 20 unanswered in all, to the head of a helpless Rakhimov, who bravely, but perhaps foolishly, never went down. Referee Nelson stepped in to rescue the battered hometowner, with only 15 seconds elapsed in the 11th. Continue reading “Nuñez overwhelms and stops ex-champ Rakhimov”

Oluwafemi Oyeleye 155 vs Wilfrido Buelvas 150
Noah Norman 133 vs Dan Van Fossen 133.8
Joshua Jones 137 vs Ryan Schwartzburg 138
Daniel Fry 224 vs Jesse Hayward 275.6
Tahmir Smalls 153 vs Bruno Leonardo Romay 150.8
Richard Johnson 155.4 vs Desmond Carr 155
Mike Scott 159.4 vs John Hawks 160
Juan Marrero 137 vs Darus Somieari 137.6
Alex James 180.6 vs Rancy Slanger 177.8
Antonio Allen 159 vs Jason Moreno 156.8

Venue: 2300 Arena
Promoter: R&B Promotions
Stream: Combatsportsnow.com
1st Bell: 7:05 PM ET

After 16 consecutive first round KOs, followed by five consecutive decision wins, unbeaten IBF #5, WBO #5, WBA #8, WBC #11 super middleweight Edgar Berlanga (21-0, 16 KOs) believes he’s ready to get another KO when he faces WBA #3- rated Padraig McCrory (18-0, 9 KOs) at Caribe Royale in Orlando, Florida, next Saturday on DAZN.

“The twelfth round of my last fight [against Jason Quigley], I feel like that’s really woken me up,” said Berlanga. “I haven’t missed anything, I know I have got the power to hurt anybody, and I feel different as a fighter, mentally, physically and spiritually. I know that there’s going to be fireworks coming from me on February 24, that’s a fact. I’m coming for the KO. He can say whatever he wants, but at the end of the day we have to go in there and tussle.

“Me at my best, nobody is f**king with me. When I am 100 percent, which you’ll see on February 24, I am unstoppable. Continue reading “Berlanga: I’m coming for the KO”

WBC junior lightweight champion O’Shaquie “Ice Water” Foster (22-2, 12 KOs) retained his world title with a twelve round split decision over Abraham “El Super” Nova (23-2, 16 KOs) on Friday night inside the Theater at Madison Square Garden in New York City. Nova got off to a good start, outworking and outmuscling Foster. But Foster took over midway and closed strong with a twelfth round knockdown. Scores were 116-111, 115-112 Foster, 114-113 Nova.

Unbeaten WBO #15 junior lightweight Andres “Savage” Cortes (21-0, 11 KOs) scored a brutal fourth round TKO over WBO #4 Bryan Chevalier (20-2-1, 16 KOs). Cortez badly rocked Chevalier in round four and Chevalier’s corner stopped the fight. Time was 2:17.

Unbeaten featherweight Bruce “Shu Shu” Carrington (11-0, 7 KOs) scored a spectacular fourth round knockout against Bernard Torres (18-2, 8 KOs). Carrington laid out Torrez face first with a flush right hand. Time was 2:59.

Olympic heavyweight Guido “The Gladiator” Vianello (12-1-1, 10 KOs) knocked down Moses Johnson (11-2-2, 8 KOs) five times before the bout was finally stopped in round one. Johnson probably took more punishment than he needed to. Time was 2:59. Continue reading “Foster edges Nova; retains WBC 130lb title”

Sivenathi “The Special One” Nontshinga (13-1, 10 KOs) regained the IBF light flyweight title with a tenth round TKO against Adrian “Gatito” Curiel (24-5-1, 5 KOs) on Friday night at the Auditorium Guelaguetza in Oaxaca, Mexico. It was a slugfest from the opening bell with both trading bombs nonstop. Curiel often backed Nontshinga into the ropes and teed off. In round nine, Nontshinga suddenly rocked Curiel with a left hook. Nontshinga hurt Curiel again in round ten, scoring a knockdown, then getting a referee’s stoppage.

Curiel scored a shocking one-punch knockout to dethrone Nontshinga in the second round last year in Monaco. Nontshinga turned the tables in Curiel’s backyard.

* * *

Former world champion Mauricio Lara (26-3-2, 19 KOs) and Daniel Lugo (27-2-1, 18 KOs) battled to a ten round draw in a super featherweight clash.

Lugo had Lara hurt in round six, but Lara recovered and hurt Lugo in round seven. Both fighters rocked each other the rest of the way. In the end, scores were 96-64 Lugo, 95-95, 95-95.

Super bantamweight Ramon Cardenas (24-1, 13 KOs) was victorious when Israel Rodriguez Picazo (30-6, 20 KOs) couldn’t come out for round seven on Friday night at the Whitesands Events Center in Plant City, Florida. Picazo suffered a badly broken jaw. Cardenas

In a clash between unbeaten welterweights, Emiliano Moreno (9-0, 5 KOs) took a hard fought eight round unanimous decision over Axl Melendez (7-1, 4 KOs). Scores were 78-74, 77-75, 77-75.

Cruiserweight Efetobor Apochi (12-2, 11 KOs) scored a fifth round TKO against previously unbeaten Lucas Pontes da Silva (7-1, 7 KOs). Apochi dropped Pontes in round five and got a referee’s stoppage later in the round. Time was 2:33.

Unbeaten middleweight Joeshon James (9-0-2, 5 KOs) scored an eight round unanimous decision over Vaughn Alexander (18-9-1, 11 KOs). Scored 78-73 3x. James deducted a point for a forearm in round eight.

Unbeaten super featherweight “King” Robert Meriwether III (5-0, 2 KOs) outscored Carlos Rocha (3-3, 2 KOs) 40-36 3x over four rounds.

ESPN has announced that unbeaten WBO #4, WBC #6, IBF #6, WBA #12 heavyweight Jared “Real Big Baby” Anderson (16-0, 15 KOs) will return on April 13 in Corpus Christi, Texas. Real Big Baby’s opponent will be former WBA cruiserweight champion and recent Tony Yoka-conqueror Ryad Merhy (32-2, 26 KOs).

Golden Boy Promotions today announced the signing of former U.S. Olympian and WBC #1 super welterweight Charles “Bad News” Conwell (18-0, 13 KOs) to a multi-fight deal. “It’s been a long time coming!” said Conwell. “I’m happy, and can’t wait to get back in the ring. I want to thank Golden Boy, Oscar De La Hoya and Eric Gomez for the opportunity and for believing in me. Bad News is back!”

The 26-year-old Conwell had had trouble getting fights and didn’t fight at all in 2023, but promoter Oscar De La Hoya says Conwell’s days of inactivity are over. “We are going to bring him back the ‘Golden Boy’ way,” said Oscar. “Having him fight often and with tough competition to make sure he’s ready to chase world championship gold.”

2016 Mexican Olympian and unbeaten junior welterweight Lindolfo Delgado (19-0, 14 KOs) is set to make his 2024 debut against countryman Carlos “El Tiburon” Sanchez (25-2, 19 KOs) in a ten round special attraction on March 29 at Desert Diamond Arena in Glendale, Arizona.

Delgado-Sanchez is added to the card that features Oscar Valdez against Liam Wilson in the 10-round main event and an undisputed female minimumweight showdown between WBC/WBA champion Seniesa “Super Bad” Estrada and WBO/IBF queen Yokasta Valle. The entire card will stream live and exclusively in the United States on ESPN+.

WBA #2, WBC #3, WBO #3, IBF #5 super middleweight Erik Bazinyan (32-0, 23 KOs) will attempt to defend his NABF title for the 7th time against crosstown rival Shakeel “The Jamaican Juggernaut” Phinn (26-3-1, 17 KOs) in a ten-rounder on April 11 at the Cabaret du Casino de Montréal. The full card will be broadcast live on ESPN+.

Promoter Camille Estephan stated, “For us, it’s out of the question for Erik to wait without fighting because of the bottleneck created by the current world champion Canelo Alvarez. So we continue our journey while seeking challenges for him, and Shakeel Phinn is definitely one of them. I tip my hat to them for accepting the challenge because obviously, the aspect of a local fight adds a lot of emotions. Boxing fans, who demand these duels between the best in the country, will certainly be the big winners. I can’t wait for this evening!”

Estephan also promotes WBC #1, WBA #1, IBF #3, WBO #4 super middleweight Christian Mbilli, who, likewise, is waiting on a shot at Canelo.

Former Ukrainian Olympian Tsotne Rogava (5-0, 5 KOs) scored his third first-round knockout victory Friday night at Soboba Casino Resort in San Jacinto, California. Georgia-native Rogava, who stands 6’5” and weighs 270 pounds, unloaded a brutal body attack on John Shipman (5-6, 2 KOs), who was unable to keep Rogava at a distance. The referee halted the action when Shipman was getting used and abused by the potentially loaded heavyweight prospect Rogova.

Rogava successfully transitioned to boxing from his world class Muay Thai and kickboxing career and he has greatly benefited from being trained by Hall of Famer Joe Goossen, who has favorably compared him, style-wise, to Tyson Fury because of their enormous size and relatively nimble footwork. Continue reading “Rogava still unbeaten”

By Evan Jacobs

SOCA Fights returned to the Hangar at the OC Fair & Events Center in Costa Mesa, CA for the first show of 2024 and it was yet another great night of fights that had a little something for everyone…four boxing matches, an MMA clash, and even a sword fight!

Yes, you read that right! The event opened with some fine fencing skills on display before a very appreciative crowd. The swords moved swiftly as the audience cheered on this very intricate art form. The combatants showed strong resolve and really set the stage for the action to follow as the evening moved on. Continue reading “Fight Club OC Results”

Super lightweight Jesus “Ricky” Perez (25-5, 18 KOs) scored a hard fought split decision over former world champion Joseph “JoJo” Diaz Jr. (33-5-1, 15 KOs) on Thursday night at the Commerce Casino & Hotel in Commerce, California. After a ten round slugfest, judges had it 95-94 for Diaz, 96-94 and a ridiculous 99-90 (Lou Moret) for Perez. Diaz was deducted a point in round five for shoving Perez through the ropes. JoJo has now lost four of his last five.

The scheduled co-feature between flyweights Ricardo “El Niño” Sandoval and Jayson Mama was scrapped when Mama tested positive for Hep-C.

Super welterweight prospect Eric Tudor (10-1, 6 KOs) bounced back from his first loss with an eight round unanimous decision over Luis Ramos (6-3-1, 6 KOs). Scores were 80-72 3x.

Unbeaten super bantamweight Jorge “El Niño Dorado” Chavez (10-0, 7 KOs) outscored Diuhl Olguin (16-35-7, 10 KOs) over six rounds. Chavez recovered from a first round knockdown to win 59-54, 58-55, 58-55.

Unbeaten lightweight Joshua Garcia (7-0, 4 KOs) scored a first round KO against Eric Lozada (1-1-1, 0 KOs). A flush right hand finished Lozada. Time was 1:45.

Pro debuting middleweight Sasha Tudor (0-0-1, 0 KOs) and Josias Gonzalez (2-2-1, 0 KOs) battled to a four round draw. Scores were 39-37 Gonzalez, 39-37 Tudor, 38-38.

Adrian Curiel 107.5 vs. Sivenathi Nontshinga 108
(IBF light flyweight title)

Mauricio Lara 130 vs. Daniel Lugo 129.75

Venue: Auditorium Guelaguetza in Oaxaca, Mexico
Promoter: Matchroom
TV: DAZN

Victor Hernandez 124 vs. Jose Edgardo Garcia 125
(NABA USA Featherweight Title)

Marklin Bailey 138 vs. Rondale Hubbert 142
Jaquan Carty 162 vs. Orlando Salgado 161.5
Elijah Williams 144 vs. Clay Burns 139
Aaron Lopez 137 vs. Raymond Chacon 133.5
Trevor Thonson 135.5 vs. Mike Fowler 134
Joshua Baker 180 vs. Ricardo Beceril 180
Khalid Twati 118.5 vs. Ira Terry 118
Tayvien Alpough 114 vs. Malcolm Speight 115
Aaron Cypress 188 vs. Shabios Lynch 180
Paul Anthony 137 vs. Keasen Freeman 140

Venue: John T. Rhodes Sports Complex
Promoter: Christy Martin Promotions
Stream: TrillerTV Powered By Fite (Marc Abrams, Ron Borges in the call)
1st Bell: 6 PM ET

The DAZN undercard is set for the March 16 IBF and WBA lightweight eliminator featuring between knockout machine William “El Camarón” Zepeda (29-0, 25 KOs) and Maxi “Maximus” Hughes (26-6-2, 5 KOs) at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas.

• Undefeated and highly regarded lightweight Floyd “Kid Austin” Schofield (16-0, 12-KOs) will take on Esteuri “El Puma” Suero (13-1, 10 KOs) in the ten round co-feature.
• In a WBA featherweight final eliminator, Victor “El Tornado” Morales, Jr. (19-0-1, 9 KOs) faces Luis “The Twist” Nunez (19-0, 13 KOs) in a ten-rounder.
• In a bad-blood rematch, Marlen Esparza (14-1, 1 KO) will put her unified WBA, WBC, WBO female flyweight titles on the line against Gabriela “Chucky” Alaniz (14-1, 6 KOs) in a ten round fight.
• Opening the broadcast, cruiserweight Tristan “Sweet T” Kalkreuth (12-1, 9 KOs) meets Marquice Weston (15-2-1, 8 KOs) and middleweight Eric Priest (12-0, 8 KOs) faces TBA.

O’Shaquie Foster 130 vs. Abraham Nova 129
(WBC super featherweight title)

Bryan Chevalier 129 vs. Andres Cortes 130
Bruce Carrington 125.6 vs. Bernard Torres 125.4
Guido Vianello 242.2 vs. Moses Johnson 248.4
Isaah Flaherty 158.4 vs. Julien Baptiste 158.2
Ofacio Falcon 130 vs. Edward Ceballos 129.6
Tiger Johnson 140.4 vs. Paulo Galdino 141.8
Euri Cedeno 159 vs. Antonio Todd 158.6
Arnold Gonzalez 150 vs. Charles Stanford 147.6

Venue: Madison Square Garden Theater, New York City
Promoter: Top Rank
TV: ESPN

Bitter rivals Josh Taylor and Jack Catterall finally meet in a rematch at the First Direct Arena in Leeds on April 27, shown live on DAZN in the UK and around the world and exclusively on ESPN+ in the US.

Josh Taylor: “I’ve never run from anyone in my life, especially not Jack Catterall. He has spent the last two years running from promoter to promoter while living off my name. Jack should be careful what he wishes for because he’s getting battered on April 27. I am going to enjoy every second of this. See you soon, Jack.”

Jack Catterall: “I get asked every day of my life multiple times a day, ‘when are you fighting Taylor again?’. This isn’t about belts, this is personal to me and I can’t wait to get my hands on him. I don’t like him, I don’t respect him and on April 27 I’m going to end him.”