Fightnews.com

By Ron Jackson

South Africa’s Kevin Lerena should be known as ‘Mr. Courageous’ after winning the WBC interim bridgerweight title with a prior fractured rib against Senad Gashi from Pec, Kosovo in an all-southpaw clash on Saturday night at the Emperors Palace in Kempton Park.

Gashi (27-4, 26 KOs) came into the ring with a 96% knockout record and predicted that he would possibly stop Lerena (30-2, 14 KOs) on the way to the title.

However, his big talk before the fight proved to be nothing as he pushed, and fouled throughout the fight and was even knocked down in the last round. Continue reading “Lerena entered ring with broken rib”

According to well-known boxing manager Frank Espinoza, former Olympian and rising Mexican boxing star Joselito Velazquez has signed a promotional contract with Cancun-based promoter Pepe Gomez, who is a well-regarded promoter in Mexico.

“Joselito is very excited to be part of Pepe’s company,” Espinoza stated. “He had a great performance in Cancun on Pepe’s card which was televised on Televisa and the network really liked him. We expect to have him back fighting on Televisa soon.”

Velazquez, who fights as a flyweight, holds a record of 18 wins, 1 defeat and 1 draw is excited. “It was great fighting in my hometown for Pepe. I want to thank him for the great hospitality he showed us. I’m thrilled to be working with him. I think Pepe along with my manager Frank Espinoza and my trainer Carlos Barragan are an amazing team and we’re definitely going places.” Continue reading “Pepe Gomez inks Joselito Velázquez”

By Joe Koizumi
Photos by Naoki Fukuda

In a semi-windup event to the Japanese minimumweight title bout, fast-rising Kai Watanabe (11-1-1, 6 KOs), 130, barely acquired the vacant national youth super feather belt by eking out a majority decision (76-76, 77-75 twice) over previously unbeaten Shinsei Otani (7-1, 4 KOs), 129, over eight see-saw rounds on Monday in Tokyo, Japan. Watanabe, handled by ex-OPBF champ Lion Furuyama, had a tough time coping with the peek-a-boo stylist coming forward all the way, but occasionally scored with a solid shot at a time, which might be evaluated by a couple of judges. They were previous winners of the national Shinjin-o (novice king) four-round tournament: Watanabe in 2021 and Otani last year. This reporter saw it a draw.

After a long layoff for four years and a half, formerly OPBF and national 154-pound champ and world-rated Charles Bellamy (28-5-2, 18 KOs), 155, of US, made a bitter comeback attempt only to be quickly halted by JBC#1 middleweight contender Eiki Kani (8-3-3, 4 KOs), 159.75, at 1:26 of the second round in a scheduled eight. Bellamy, in 2014, dropped Jermell Charlo in round three but lost a unanimous nod in an IBF eliminator in Quebec, Montreal. The muscular 42-year-old veteran absorbed a solid one-two combo of Kani, twenty years his junior, at the chin and badly fell down with such a heavy damage that he couldn’t resume fighting properly only to be halted by the ref Tanaka. It was a shocker to see such a quick demolition of Charles, formerly invincible and world-rated.

Unbeaten super light prospect Kaiji Nakajima (5-0, 4 KOs), 138.75, looked very impressive when he dispatched Shogo Namiki (6-4-1, 4 KOs), 138.75, at 2:03 of the second session in a scheduled six. Tall, well-proportioned, fast and powerful, Nakajima, former high school baseball player, looked so greatly talented that he might be a future champion.

BoxRec: Kaiji Nakajima

Promoter: Hachioji Nakaya Promotions in association with Ohashi Promotions.

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By Jeff Zimmerman

Fightnews.com® caught up with super lightweight champ Regis Prograis ahead of his super fight with the undisputed lightweight champ Devin Haney on Sat, Dec 9 at the Chase Center in San Francisco and live on DAZN ppv. Prograis gave an early prediction on a potential Canelo vs. Benavidez showdown next year and how he plans to destroy Haney in their matchup. He also talked about the talent at 140 and what a battle with Tank would look like and much more in this exclusive interview.

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Orlando Gonzalez 130 vs. Jorge Castaneda 128.8
Marcelino Nicolas Lopez 146.4 vs. Tarik Zaina 146.2
Marques Valle 153.4 vs. Farid Ngoga 152.8
Joahnys Argilagos 117 vs. Jose Lopez 116

Venue: Whitesands Events Center, Plant City, Florida
Promoter: ProBox
TV: ProBox TV

All Star Boxing returns this Friday with an international show from Panama City, Panama. In the main event, world ranked welterweight contender WBA #11 WBO #11 Derrieck “Pretty Boy” Cuevas (26-1-1, 18 KO’s) of Rio Piedras, Puerto Rico against Ecuadorian Marlon “La Furia” Aguas (14-1, 9 KO’s) in a 10-round clash. The bout will air live from Coliseo de Combates in Panama City, Panama at 9PM / EDT on ESPN+ and ESPN Knockout.

In the co-main event, All Star Boxing’s newest member and WBO Latino flyweight female champion #10 Eveling “La Colocha” Ortega (6-4 2 KO’s) of Acopaya, Nicaragua makes a quick return to the ring after a month off to face Yanissa “Reckless” Castellon (3-1) of Guatemala City but now residing in Panama City in a 6-round battle. Continue reading “Cuevas-Aguas full line-up”

Keeps Japan’s 105lb belt

By Joe Koizumi
Photos by Naoki Fukuda

Don’t you remember three-time unsuccessful world challenger Lion Furuyama? The iron-chinned southpaw puncher failed to win the world 140-pound belt, losing to Antonio Cervantes in Panama in 1973, Perico Fernandez in Roma in 1974 and Saensak Muangsurin here in Tokyo in 1976. The long-time unsung manager and handler Furuyama, now 75, found his second career fully bloomed this night, as his protégé WBA #4 Yuni Takada (13-8-3, 6 KOs), 104.75, kept his Japanese national minimum belt by defeating his grudge rival WBO #13 Katsuki Mori (11-3, 2 KOs), 105, by a unanimous decision (all 97-92) over ten hard-fought rounds on Monday in Tokyo, Japan. Also, another Lion prospect Kai Watanabe acquired the vacant Japanese youth 130-pound belt on the undercard (to be reported separately). Continue reading “Takada repeats victory over Mori”

Don King will be giving boxing fans an early Christmas gift on Saturday, December 2 with the “People’s Championship Boxing” event featuring five big title fights. The main event will be Ian Green vs Vaughn Alexander for the WBA Continental North America middleweight title. For the first time in boxing history a live professional boxing event will be streamed on four major social media platforms for FREE!

The fight card, which will be at the Casino Miami Jai-Alai, will air live at 7 pm ET on the following platforms:

Youtube: youtube.com/@DonKingProductions
Instagram: donking_official
Facebook: facebook.com/donkingproductionsinc
X: twitter.com/DonKingPrdctns

Plus the fight card will be streamed on:
Donking.com
Itube247.com
Fite.tv

By Joe Koizumi
Photos by Boxing Beat

WBA super flyweight champion Kazuto Ioka (30-2-1, 15 KOs) will defend his newly acquired belt against WBA#8 Venezuelan Josber Perez (20-3, 18 KOs) in Tokyo, Japan, on New Year’s Eve. His first defense will take place at Ota-city General Gymnasium. It was publicly announced by Shisei Promotions on Monday with an on-line appearance of the challenger Perez. Originally expected to make a long-awaited unification bout with WBC counterpart Juan Francisco Estrada on the year-end card, but the negotiation finally fell through and then Ioka’s initial defense since his acquisition of the WBA belt from Joshua Franco this June–against Perez–became an alternative card.

Ioka said at the press conference, “I had been highly motivated to fight Estrada, but I wish to fight on the customary New Year’s Eve and win over Perez very convincingly.” Perez, who once had an ambitious crack at WBA flyweight kingpin Artem Dalakian only to lose on points in February 2020, confidently said, “I’ve been always training to welcome any sudden offer to come, and wish to bring the world belt back to Venezuela.” It will be our pleasure that we can watch Ioka fight before the prosperous 2024 comes, wishing a good entertaining fight.

Super welterweight Sona Akale (8-1, 4 KOs), also known as Slink Proper, will headline a boxing card on October 9 at Element Gym in St Paul, Minnesota. , on Saturday, December 9. His opponent will be Tray Martin (3-6, 2 KOs) in a six rounder. Akale made headlines in August when he upset Nico Ali-Walsh, the grandson of Muhammad Ali, in a nationally televised fight in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

“Slink earned a lot of respect last summer for his victory, but in boxing it’s all about what have you done lately,” said trainer Quincy Caldwell. “Slink has a chance on this card to prove he’s ready to be scheduled regularly for boxing’s primetime.”

Top Rank won the promotional rights for the vacant WBA featherweight world title fight between Otabek Kholmatov and Raymond Ford. TR offered an amount of US$ 317,500.00, while giving three possible options of date and place to make the fight. The first is February 16 in New York; the second is February 17 in Riyadh; and the third is March 2, in New York.

Matchroom Boxing also participated in the bidding, offering US$ 255,555.55 in the bidding that took place through Zoom this morning.

Kholmatov and Ford are the top two rated 126-pounders and will contest the world title that was recently vacated due to former champion Leigh Wood’s move up in weight.

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

We enter the final stretch of this wonderful 2023, a year full of great things for boxing worldwide.

Some of the most important fights have taken place around the world, packed arenas and stadiums, with high ratings on multiple television stations and platforms. Women’s boxing has already established itself as a great force in the sport, Saudi Arabia has already positioned itself as a reality to promote mega-cards, and the WBC reaffirmed its convening power and leadership in the sport with its recent annual Convention in Uzbekistan, which produced an extensive plan of action for 2024.

One of the great purposes for the WBC will be to continue the process of unity in all areas of boxing: respect and collaboration between promoters, platforms, organizations, and all members of this industry which is totally fragmented. Continue reading “December, the last round of 2023!”

There is under two weeks to go until Devin Haney and Regis Prograis – and the fierce rivals drew their lines in the sand ahead of the battle in an intense Face-Off that has been compelling viewing since premiering on Matchroom’s YouTube channel on Sunday. Haney and Prograis clash at Chase Center in San Francisco on December 9, live.

The “Celebration of a Life” for Colonel Bob Sheridan will take place today, Monday, Nov. 27, at 4 p.m. PT at:

The Space LV
3460 Cavaretta Court
Las Vegas, NV 89103

For those unable to attend, the event will be livestreamed at:

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Although Adrien Broner is sidelined with an injury, promoter Don King still has five action packed title fights on tap Saturday night on the People’s Championship boxing card at Casino Miami Jai Alai.

“We’ve got five spectacular and action-packed title fights ready for our boxing fans of South Florida,” said King. “And since we lost one title fight, we’ve set a holiday special price of $25 for this fantastic evening. It’s the People’s Championship.”

WBA Continental America’s Middleweight Champion Ian Green (17-2, 11 KOs), who has shown his talents at Casino Miami in the past, will defend his title against Vaughn Alexander (18-7-1, 11 KOs) of St. Louis, MO, in the main event. Continue reading “DKP lineup set for Saturday in Miami”

Boxlab Promotions is proud to announce they will host the World Boxing Association (WBA) KO Drugs fight card Friday, December 8 at the Caribe Royale Resort in Orlando, FL. The card will air live on DAZN at 7:30 PM ET.

The KO Drugs fight card precedes the 2023 WBA Convention, which takes place December 11-15 at the Caribe Royale Resort. The 2022 WBA Convention was also held at the Caribe.

“The WBA is honored to return to our home, the Caribe Royale Resort” said WBA President Gilberto Jesus Mendoza. “We are confident that our 2023 convention will be even better than last year’s. Prior to this great event, we have a spectacular KO Drugs fight card. That is the hallmark of Boxlab Promotions.” Continue reading “WBA KO Drugs card Dec 8 in Orlando”

I reminded everyone who the real champion at 168 is

“I think I just solidified myself as a dominant force here,” said David “El Monstruo” Benavídez after he defended his WBC interim super middleweight title against Demetrius “Boo Boo” Andrade. “I just reminded everyone who the real champion at 168 is. Who wants to see me versus Canelo? I’m going to be super middleweight champion of the world, three-time world champion. Now, just give me the fight that we all want to see. Who wants to see Benavídez versus Canelo?

“Everybody says I’m not this, I’m not that, I’m flat-footed, I have no defense. This guy probably applied one of the best defenses. He’s really good offensively. He could barely even hit me, so I think that says a lot on its own. I just have to keep beating who they put in front of me. I’m the best. I’m going to be the best. I’m going to be a legend by the time I’m done, so whoever you keep putting in front of me, I’ll keep knocking them down.

“Let’s give the people what they want to see. They want to see Benavídez versus Canelo.”

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Demetrius Andrade stated, “I’ll be back – back to the drawing board. I moved up in weight classes. I’ll work on my body a little more and I’ll be right back at it. I thought overall I did everything I needed to do to get the bigger man off me. David’s definitely a hell of a fighter. Nobody was even willing to get in the ring with him. I tried to become a three-division world champion. That’s not far-fetched. David was the man tonight. Benavídez is the bigger man.”

By Ron Jackson

South Africa’s Kevin Lerena won the WBC interim bridgerweight title on a unanimous 12 round points decision against Senad Gashi who was more intent on pushing and fouling throughout at the Emperors Palace near Kempton Park on Saturday night.

In a battle of southpaws there was nothing in it through the first four rounds with Lerena possibly shading rounds three and four. However, Lerena (100kg) picked up the pace in the fourth round with Gashi (99.50kg) warned for a low blow by referee Michael Griffiths from Canada.

The 31-year-old Lerena began to dominate through rounds six, seven and eight scoring with his right hand jab, with Gashi only intent on fouling and pushing. Lerena remained in control in rounds nine ten and eleven with little coming back from the 33-year-old Gashi. Continue reading “Kevin Lerena wins WBC interim title”

Bring on Canelo!

In a clash between undefeated super middleweights, WBC interim champion David “El Monstruo” Benavidez (28-0, 24 KOs) stopped two-division champion Demetrius “Boo Boo” Andrade (32-1, 19 KOs) in six rounds on Saturday night at the Michelob ULTRA Arena at Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas.

The quicker Andrade had success swarming Benavidez with rapid-fire punches. Benavidez, however, dropped Andrade hard in round four and continued to batter Andrade in rounds five and six. The bout was stopped after round six.

In a grudge match, undefeated WBC middleweight champion Jermall Charlo (32-0, 22 KOs) scored a ten round unanimous decision over José Benavídez Jr. (28-3-1, 19 KOs) in a non-title WBC special event on Saturday night’s Benavidez-Andrade card at the Michelob ULTRA Arena at Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas. Returning after nearly 2 1/2 years, Charlo was stronger than the aggressive Benavidez and won most of the rounds. Benavidez was wobbled in the tenth. Scores were 98-92, 99-91, 100-90.

IBF junior welterweight champion Subriel Matías (20-1, 20 KOs) stopped previously unbeaten mandatory challenger Shohjahon Ergashev (23-1, 20 KOs) after round five on the Benavidez-Andrade card Saturday night at the Michelob ULTRA Arena at Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas. Good start for Ergashev, but Matias’ pressure started paying dividends in round four. The fight was stopped after more punishment in round five.

Mandatory challenger Lamont Roach (24-1-1, 9 KOs) dethroned WBA super featherweight champion Héctor Luis Garcia (16-2, 10 KOs) by twelve round split decision on the Benavidez-Andrade card Saturday night at the Michelob ULTRA Arena at Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas. Roach rocked Garcia in round eleven and dropped him in round twelve to win 114-113, 116-111 on two cards. The third card was 114-113 Garcia.

In a WBC super featherweight title eliminator, Muhammadkhuja Yaqubov (21-1, 11 KOs) scored a ten round unanimous decision over Pablo Vicente (23-2, 17 KOs). Yaqubov is now the mandatory challenger for WBC champion O’Shaquie Foster.

Super lightweight Michel (La Zarza Ali) Rivera (25-1, 14 KOs) outboxed former world champion Sergey Lipinets (17-3-1, 13 KOs) over ten rounds. Scores were 97-93, 97-93, 96-94.

Super welterweight Vito Mielnicki Jr. (16-1, 11 KOs) annihilated Alexis Salazar (25-6, 10 KOs) in the first round. Salazar down three times.

Female star Katie Taylor (23-1, 6 KOs) avenged her loss to undisputed super lightweight champion Chantelle Cameron (18-1, 8 KOs) with a ten round majority decision on Saturday night at the 3Arena in Dublin, Ireland. Cameron suffered a gash on her forehead from a headbutt. Good two-way action with the quicker Taylor pulling away to a 95-95, 98-92, 96-94 verdict.

Lightweight Gary Cully (17-1, 10 KOs) took a ten round split decision over Reece Mould (18-2, 6 KOs) in a bout for the WBA Continental Europe title. Rebounding from a shock loss to Jose Felix in May, Cully won on two cards 96-93 and 97-93. Mould was up 97-93 on the third card.

Unbeaten welterweight Paddy Donovan (12-0, 9 KOs) knocked out Danny Ball (13-2-1, 6 KOs) in the fourth round in a bout for the WBA Continental title. Donovan dropped Ball, then sent him to the canvas again after a furious assault. Time was 2:41. Continue reading “Taylor dethrones Cameron in rematch”

Photos: Emily Harney

David Benavidez 167 vs. Demetrius Andrade 167.5
(WBC interim super middleweight title)

Jermall Charlo 166.5 vs. Jose Benavidez Jr 161.75
(163lb catch weight, non-title)

Subriel Matias 139.75 vs. Shohjahon Ergashev 139.75
(IBF junior welterweight title)

Hector Luis Garcia 129.5 vs. Lamont Roach 129.5
(WBA super featherweight title)

Sergey Lipinets 139.4 vs. Michel Rivera 138.8
Vito Mielnicki Jr 153.2 vs. Alexis Salazar 152.8

Venue: Michelob Ultra Arena, Las Vegas
Promoter: TGB Promotions
TV: PPV, Showtime YouTube/Facebook pages

More Photos