Fightnews.com

By Ray Wheatley – World of Boxing

IBF mandatory lightweight contender George Kambosos spoke to Fightnews.com® about challenging undisputed lightweight champion Teofimo Lopez with Eddie Hearn becoming the promoter after Triller dropped out.

“The IBF has made their ruling – which is fantastic,” said Kambosos. “Despite all the date changes for the fight with Lopez – I remained in the gym. When you set a date, we want to fight. I don’t think these guys ( Triller) understood that. There is a lot of preparation for a big fight.” Continue reading “Kambosos-Lopez on Nov 13?”

By Joe Koizumi

Former WBA minimumweight champion Keitaro Hoshino (23-10, 6 KOs), 52, passed away on Saturday (October 9) in Okinawa, Japan. It was shocking that he died so young and sadly closed his life alone in Naha city in Okinawa. Keitaro reportedly had been struggling with his unidentified perennial sickness and finally yielded to it abruptly.

Hoshino, a short skillful speedster standing just 5”2.5”, was born in Yokohama in 1969, and experienced amateur boxing in Buso high school. Turning professional under the tutelage of ex-world flyweight ruler Susumu Hanagata in 1988, he was a very mediocre second-rater whose mark in his first six years until 1993 as a pro was just 6-5 with two KO wins and three KO losses.

No one then imagined he would become a world champ in the future. Continue reading “Ex-WBA champ Keitaro Hoshino passes”

At the age of 38, heavyweight David Price (25-7, 20 KOs) has decided to hang up the gloves, and he opened up on the decision behind it. “Well I haven’t officially announced that I’ve retired, but I have,” Price told BT Sport. “I’m not going to be fighting again. That was only officially made up in my mind about six weeks ago.

“I’m 38, and the hunger was no longer there. That’s massive, which is why your elite fighters like Tyson, like Canelo, like AJ, they have got as much money as they will ever need. But that hunger is still there. That’s because they are fighting for glory. The glory had gone in my career. You won’t see me in a boxing ring again, for a fight at least.”

This Saturday, at the Performance Arts Center in Dearborn, Michigan, light heavyweight Ali Izmailov (5-0, 3 KOs) returns to action against James Ballard (10-3, 3 KOs) in the eight-round main event. Already rated IBF #11, WBC #14, and WBO #15 at just 5-0, the 28-year-old Izmailov recently started working with trainer John David Jackson at his Action Jackson Boxing Academy in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

“The sky is the limit for him with his punching power,” said Jackson. “He’s a tremendous puncher, but he’s also got natural boxing skills. As a fighter, I don’t think he realizes his potential. I’m getting him to move his head more and throw more combinations, instead of one power punch at a time. Nothing against his old trainers, but once he learns to throw three or four shots to set them up and camouflage the hard ones, he will be unstoppable.”

Negotiations have fallen through after an agreement seemed to be in place for the mandatory title defense of WBC cruiserweight champion Ilunga Makabu against Thabiso Mchunu. Therefore the bout will go to purse bid this coming Friday, October 15.

The bid will be conducted by WBC President Mauricio Sulaiman via Zoom and only promoters registered in the WBC for the year 2021 are eligible to participate.

WBC/IBF unified light heavyweight world champion Artur Beterbiev (16-0, 16 KOs), boxing’s only world champion with a 100 percent knockout rate, will defend his world titles against WBC #1 contender and 2012 U.S. Olympian Marcus Browne (24-1, 16 KOs) on December 17 at the Bell Centre in Montreal.

Artur Beterbiev: “I want to thank Bob Arum and Yvon Michel for bringing this event to Montreal. It’s been a dream of mine to defend my titles in front of the fans who have supported me my entire pro career,” Beterbiev said. “I look forward to defending my titles in dominant fashion.”

Marcus Browne: “This is the moment in my life that I’ve been waiting for and I’m ready to take advantage of it. I know exactly what I have to do to take the titles from Beterbiev and that’s what I’m going to do. Continue reading “Beterbiev-Browne lands in Montreal”

By Miguel Maravilla

Featherweight Joet Gonzalez (24-1, 14 KOs) of Glendora, California looks to capitalize on his second world title shot as goes up against WBO featherweight champion Emmanuel Navarrete (34-1, 29 KOs) of Mexico City this Friday night at the Pechanga Arena in San Diego, California live on ESPN. We caught up with Joet Gonzalez during his camp. Here is what he had to say.

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With the cut he suffered in an altercation with Canelo Alvarez still apparent, unbeaten IBF super middleweight world champion Caleb “Sweethands” Plant continued to declare his intention on becoming the first undisputed super middleweight world champion in boxing history as he nears his PPV showdown against WBC/WBO/WBA 168-pound champion Álvarez taking place November 6 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.

“I don’t think I need to be any more motivated than I already am to fight for the undisputed super middleweight championship of the world. It’s a fight that we both obviously want to win. Maybe Canelo’s emotions boiled over at the press conference and I reacted. Those things happen,” said Plant.

More quotes…

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

Saturday, October 9, produced one of the all-time great fights in history when Tyson Fury and Deontay Wilder gave themselves to the world boxing fans with an extraordinary fight that has entered the list of the most dramatic contests in the sport.

The experts are comparing it with those that today are remembered with awe and nostalgia: Ali vs. Frazier, Ali vs. Foreman, or Tyson vs. Holyfield. Continue reading “Thank You Fury, Thank You Wilder”

Fight fans are invited to attend a book signing party for “Thirty Dollars and a Cut Eye” by Hall of Fame boxing promoter/author J Russell Peltz on Thursday, October 21 at the 2300 Arena in Philadelphia. Books will be available for purchase. Masks required.

Former four-division world champion Adrien Broner was arrested over the weekend in Covington, Kentucky, on an outstanding warrant due to missing a court date. He was released on bond the same day.

Anthony Joshua has officially exercised his rematch clause for a return fight against conqueror Oleksandr Usyk.

Ring legend Marco Antonio Barrera will face José Luis Castillo in an exhibition on Friday, October 29, at the Arena Theater in Houston, Texas. Barrera-Castillo will take place on the third session of the WBC’s “Big Belt Championship” tournament for four-round fighters. Part of the proceeds will go to support amateur boxing by creating a series of tournaments to boost young fighters’ careers. Continue reading “Barrera-Castillo to clash in exhibition”

By Ray Wheatley – World of Boxing

IBF #3 cruiserweight Jai Opetaia (20-0, 16 KOs) has been mandated by the IBF to receive a cruiserweight championship opportunity before April 14, 2022, it has been reported by Fox Sports. “This is what I’ve been working towards for my whole life, I’m finally going to tick the box,” Opetaia told the network.

“People are excited about getting a world title shot. But I’m going in there to win, not just participate. I’m bringing the belt home.” Continue reading “IBF #3 Opetaia to get title shot by April”

There were originally two world light flyweight world title fights announced for DAZN’s Mikey Garcia undercard on Saturday, but one of those 108lb encounters is now off.

WBO light flyweight king Elwin Soto (19-1, 13 KOs) is still putting his crown on the line against Jonathan “Bomba” Gonzalez (24-3-1, 14 KOs), however, WBA light flyweight ruler Esteban Bermudez is no longer defending his strap against unbeaten Jesse ‘Bam’ Rodriguez. Rodriguez (13-0, 9 KOs) now clashes with Jose Alejandro Burgos (18-4-1 15 KOs). Continue reading “DAZN undercard update”

Former world champion Mikey Garcia (40-1 30 KOs) makes a welcome return to action in a catchweight clash at 145lbs against Sandor Martin (38-2 13 KOs) on Saturday night at Chukchansi Park in Fresno, CA, live worldwide on DAZN. When Garcia steps through the ropes, it will be 596 days since his last fight against Jessie Vargas.

“It’s been a year and a half since my last fight, so I am excited to get back in there,” said Garcia. “I am looking forward to giving my fans a chance to see me again, especially here in Cali, it’s my home state but I haven’t fought much here.

“I want to pursue big fights, title fights, and be recognized as one of the best fighters in the world once again. This is another step in that direction. Continue reading “Mikey Garcia: I want to pursue big fights”

Bluemoon Entertainment will stream its first live boxing card on October 29 from Aquaclientes, Mexico, headlined by an exhibition between future Hall-of-Famer James Toney and former contender Jeremy Williams. However, unlike the recent rash of celebrity boxing events, Toney-Williams won’t be a pay-per-view “cash grab.” You can see the stream free of charge by registering at www.bluemoonentertainment.com.

Beginning November 12, the BlueMoon platform will carry ESPN KnockOut, one of the most popular boxing shows across Latin America, as part of a content and sponsorship deal with the program’s lead promoter BxStrs Promotions. The partnership will carry a total of 48 fight cards over 24 months, the opening November 12 card in Puerto Vallarta will be followed by shows from Tijuana on November 26 and La Paz on December 17.

Today’s scheduled WBA purse bid for the fight between WBA featherweight champion Leigh Wood (25-2, 15 KOs) and mandatory challenger Michael Conlan (16-0, 8 KOs) has been postponed for seven days at the request of the promoting companies involved in the negotiation.

Eddie Hearn, representative of Matchroom Boxing and Carl Moretti, who represents Top Rank, sent an email requesting the extension to WBA President Gilberto Jesus Mendoza and the WBA Championships Committee reporting that they are very close to reaching an agreement and that this week it will be finalized.

Sad to announce the passing of former welterweight world champion Tony DeMarco at the age of 89. Hall of Famer DeMarco was a big draw in New England and headlined many times in the old Boston Garden, where in 1955 he dethroned Johnny Saxton to win the world title. He lost the belt two months later in a war with Carmen Basilio. DeMarco was an icon in Boston. There is a street named after him and a statue located in Boston’s historic North End. He retired in 1962 with a record of 58-12-1, 33 KOs and was a popular personality on the local boxing scene for many decades.

D4G Promotions announced a show Dubai next month – with Badou Jack, Rocky Fielding, Ohara Davies and Muhammad Waseem all in action. The event will take place at MotoSpace on November 26 and will be broadcast live in the US on ESPN+.

In the main event, Golden Contract winner Ohara Davies (22-2, 16 KOs) faces a tough test against hard-hitting Ismael Barroso (23-3-2, 21 KOs) for the WBA Gold super lightweight title, with the fight also serving as a WBA super lightweight title eliminator.

Badou Jack (24-3-3, 14 KOs) will make his return, as the two-weight world champion looks to begin his quest towards claiming world honors in another division, as he moves up to cruiserweight to take on Johnny Muller (23-9-2, 14 KOs). Continue reading “Jack, Fielding, Davies, Waseem headline in Dubai”

Probellum, the new boxing venture of Richard Schaefer, has signed WBC bantamweight champion Nonito Donaire (41-6, 27 KOs) to a promotional contract. A four-weight world champion, the 38-year-old Donaire has also claimed world honors at flyweight, super-bantamweight, and featherweight.

The ‘Filipino Flash,’ joins Regis Prograis, Badou Jack, Eimantas Stanionis, Arthur Biyarslanov, Taras Shelestyuk, Ricky Burns, Eduardo Hernandez and Brandon Moore in the Probellum stable.

News on when Donaire will have his first fight after signing with Probellum will be announced in the near future.

By Karl Freitag

Explore the facts and figures of Fury-Wilder 3.

According to CompuBox, Fury landed 150 out of 385 punches, while Wilder connected on 72 of 355. Fury had the edge in power shots 114-63.

At the time of the stoppage, Fury was ahead on the cards 95-92, 94-92, and 95-91.

Attendance at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas was 15,820. The live gate and PPV numbers weren’t available at press time.

Fury is now 31-0-1, 22 KOs, Wilder is 42-2-1, 41 KOs.

According to numbers filed with the Nevada State Athletic Commission, Fury’s purse was $6 million and Wilder’s purse was $4 million, however, both fighters are reportedly guaranteed many millions more.

The Fury-Wilder trilogy totaled 30 rounds and 9 knockdowns with Fury going 2-0-1.

WBC heavyweight champion Tyson Fury says archrival Deontay Wilder refused to shake his hand after their fight Saturday night in Las Vegas.

“I went over to shake his hand and say ‘well done,’ and he was like ‘no, I don’t respect you.’

“I was like ‘How can you say I cheated when you know in your heart and your whole team knows you got beat fair and square?’ He’s just a sore loser. I’m sure he won’t be the first one and he won’t be the last one.”

Photos: Sumio Yamada

Check out this GIANT Fury-Wilder photo gallery for some incredible shots.

Photos

“Like the great John Wayne said, ‘iron and steel,’ baby,” said WBC heavyweight champion Tyson Fury after knocking out Deontay Wilder Saturday night in Las Vegas. “I give God the glory for the victory. [Wilder] is a tough man. He took some big shots tonight. And I want to say that if it wasn’t for SugarHill, America and Detroit’s own, I wouldn’t have gotten through that fight tonight. He said, ‘get your jab working, big guy, and throw that right hand down the middle. That’s how the big dogs do it.’

“It was a great fight tonight, as good as any trilogy in history. October 9, 2021, will go down in history, I hope. I always said I was the best in the world and he was the second-best. Don’t ever doubt me. When the chips are down, I will always deliver.”

No excuses from former world champion Deontay Wilder after coming up short in a heroic bid to regain the heavyweight title against WBC heavyweight champion Tyson Fury Saturday night in Las Vegas.

“I did my best, but it wasn’t good enough,” said The Bronze Bomber.

“I’m not sure what happened. I know that in training he did certain things, and I also knew that he didn’t come in at 277 to be a ballet dancer. He came to lean on me, try to rough me up…and he succeeded.”

By Miguel Maravilla at ringside

Undefeated WBC heavyweight champion Tyson Fury (31-0-1, 22 KOs) scored a spectacular eleventh round knockout over former champ Deontay Wilder (42-2-1, 41 KOs) in their third fight on Saturday night at at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. Fury dropped Wilder in round three. Wilder came back to drop Fury twice in round four. Both continued to try to land big shots as the bout progressed. Fury hurt Wilder in round seven. Fury knocked down Wilder again in round ten, but Wilder rallied at the end of the round. Fury went for the finish in round eleven and battered Wilder to the canvas to end it. Time was 1:10. Continue reading “Fury KOs Wilder in classic”