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In a rare battle of undefeated boxers, Steve “The Savage” Sumpter used his athleticism to defeat James “Pitbull” Perkins in the main event of last night’s “Pandemonium at The Palladium,” presented by Granite Chin Promotions (GCP), at the famed Palladium in Worcester, Massachusetts.

Sumpter never stopped moving, Perkins kept charging forward. Sumpter (9-0, 7 KOs), fighting out of Pittsfield (MA), Sumpter won an eight-round majority decision, albeit it on contrasting judges’ scoring – two judges had Sumpter winning each round ( 80-72) but the other had it a draw, 76-76 – for the vacant IBA Americas Super Middleweight Championship. Continue reading “Sumpter defeats Perkins”

2020 Olympics gold medalist Gamal Yafai (5-0, 4 KOs) demolished Tommy Frank (15-4-1, 3 KOs) in the first round of their flyweight clash on Saturday night the Utilita Arena in Birmingham, England. Yafai dropped Frank in the first 30 seconds and forced a quick stoppage at 1:40.

Welterweight Conah Walker (12-2-1, 4 KOs) battered previously unbeaten Cyrus Pattinson (6-1, 4 KOs) Walker dropped Pattinson three times and Pattinson’s corner finally kept their man on the stool after round eight.

Unbeaten heavyweight Solomon Dacres (7-0, 2 KOs) outscored Chris Thompson (12-5-1, 7 KOs) over ten rounds by scores of 99-91, 99-91, 98-92.

Undisputed welterweight champion Terence “Bud” Crawford said on the Joe Rogan show that he wants to go up three weight divisions to fight the Canelo-Charlo winner. Crawford: “Terence Crawford vs. Canelo. That’s the biggest fight in boxing.”

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The World Boxing Association (WBA) Championships Committee ordered a super bantamweight eliminator bout between #1 rated Tomoki Kameda and #2 Murodjon Akhmadaliev. The winner of the bout will be the official challenger for the world title, which is currently held by Marlon Tapales.

Should both contenders fail to reach an agreement within the time limit or should either party refuse to sign the fight, the WBA may call for a purse bid with a 50/50 purse split for each fighter.

By Joe Koizumi
Photos by Naoki Fukuda

It was a Japan-China competition with Japan winning 4-2 over China in six bouts. But the level of Chinese boxers remarkably improved to impress the crowd on Thursday at the Korakuen Hall, Tokyo. Formerly world-rated ex-OPBF champ Hironori Mishiro (13-1-1, 4 KOs), 134.5, withstood the opening attack of China’s previously unbeaten Yong-Chao Sheng (8-1-2, 5 KOs), 134.5, effectively retaliated with good jabs and right crosses and pounded out a unanimous decision (77-75, 78-74, 79-73) over eight scrappy rounds. Mishiro had tasted an upset technical decision loss to Min-Ho Jung in Korea this April, dropping out of the world ratings with his first setback. In his comeback go Mishiro, a tall stylish jabber, was forced to mix it up by the hard-punching Chinese. Mishiro, however, took back the initiative and kept outfighting the game but less skillful Cheng to overcome his early deficits on points. Continue reading “Mishiro defeats China’s Sheng”

Trinh The Long 159 vs Chayanon Phothijun 158
(WBC Asia silver middleweight title)

Arvin Jhon Paciones 107 vs Jonathan Refugio 107
(WBA Asia light flyweight title)

Vo Hong Dat 133 vs Ernie Sanchez 135
(WBA Asia lightweight title)
Avzalbek Kuranbaev 154 vs Adam Diu Abdulhamid 155
(WBA Asia South super welterweight title)
Kellian Sisovic 139 vs Iwan Ngabalin 135
Hamad Nabil 128 vs Trieu Kim Long 123
Lu Huu Thien vs 129 Vo Thanh Tung 123
Doan Gia Thanh 117 vs Pham Quang Khai 117
Doan Gia Dai 112 vs Vo Van Thanh 118
Luigi De Crescenzo 160 vs Dang Ngoc Tuan 156
Tyler Nguyen 124 vs Phan Thanh Nhieu 124
Kayden Tran 117 vs Vo Minh Thien An 108

Venue: Saigon Sports Club, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Promoter: Jenny Do(Shadow Entertainment)

In an exciting 10 round main event unbeaten Christopher Lopez (16-0-2, 10 KOs) of Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico and countryman Brandon Gamez (12-2-1, 10 KOs) of Los Mochis, Sinaloa, Mexico fought to an action packed draw. The event took place at the Plaza de Toros in Cancun Mexico and was televised on ESPN KNOCK OUT. The fight had several heated exchanges including a fan pleasing final round. The offical scores were 97-93 for Lopez and 95-95 twice.

By Scott Foster at ringside

Friday night Most Valuable Promotions, in conjunction with Boxlab Promotions, DAZN and the Caribe Royale Resort in Orlando, FL, presented the second installment of their “Most Valuable Prospects” series. 29-year-old Junior welterweight prospect Nestor Bravo (21-0-1, 15 KOs), hailing from Arecibo, Puerto Rico, headlined the card facing his most dangerous foe to date, Will Madera (17-2-3, 10 KOs), who was fresh off an impressive showing in a points loss to heralded Brandun Lee (26-0, 23 KOs). This 10-round bout was contested for the vacant WBA Continental Latin America title.

Bravo, a switch-hitting puncher with a natural left hook, gave away the opening round before settling into a grove, consistently dictating the distance with his jab and corking left hooks. Madera flashed in the 5th & 7th rounds, but Bravo controlled the remainder of the bout. While the scores varied 99-91 & 96-94 x2, all 3 judges tabbed Bravo as the new WBA Jr. welterweight Continental Latin America champion. Continue reading “Bravo cruises to biggest win of career”

Undefeated super lightweight Kurt Scoby (13-0, 11 KOs) stopped previously unbeaten Narciso Carmona (10–1, 6 KOs) out of Sevilla, Spain, in round six on Friday night at the OTE Arena in Atlanta. A barrage of unanswered punches prompted a referee’s stoppage.

Unbeaten super middleweight Shawn McCalman (14-0, 7 KOs) hammered out an eight round unanimous decision over Money Powell IV (13-2, 8 KOs). Sores were 79-73, 78-74, 78-74.

Super bantamweight Lorenzo Parra (23-1, 17 KOs) defeated Javon Woodard (12-2, 10 KOs) by split decision. After the scheduled eight rounds the bout was scored a draw. Per OTX rules, they fought an overtime round with Parra winning 86-85, 86-85, 85-86.

The WBC Board of governors has ruled to cancel the order which was issued during the last annual convention calling for a final elimination bout between Deontay Wilder and Andy Ruiz jr to determine the mandatory challenger of the division.

The WBC will evaluate the current situation in the division in order to review the viable options and if necessary, issue a new ruling during the WBC annual convention to be held in Uzbekistan in November.

The super bantamweight collision between unbeaten Dennis “The Menace” McCann (14-0-1, 8 KOs) and Ionut “Il Capo” Baluta (16-4-1, 3 KOs) ended in a technical draw after a ninth round head clash on Friday night at the historic York Hall in London. Scores were 86-85 McCann, 86-86, 86-86. The WBO Intercontinental title remains vacant.

By Gabriel F. Cordero

Officials are set for the August 26 clash between WBA/IBF/WBO heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk and WBA regular champion Daniel Dubois, taking place at the Tarczynski Arena in Wroclaw, Poland.

The referee will be Luis Pabón (Puerto Rico). Judges are the venerable Stanley Christodolau (South Africa), Pawlo Kardyna (Poland), and Leszek Jankowiak (Poland).

Usyk is currently running as about a 12:1 favorite.

Galal Yafai 111.8 vs. Tommy Frank 111.5
(WBC International flyweight title)

Solomon Dacres 239.7 vs. Chris Thompson 238.1
Cyrus Pattinson 146.5 vs. Conah Walker 146.9
Aaron Bowen 162.9 vs. Wilmer Baron 165.5
Jordan Flynn 129.6 vs. Kane Baker 129.8
Khaleel Majid 142.6 vs. Alessandro Fersula 141.2

Venue: Utilita Arena, Birmingham, England
Promoter: Matchroom
TV: DAZN

Jeter Promotions is proud to announce the signing of former top-five rated middleweight Immanuwel Aleem to an exclusive promotional Contract.

Aleem, 29 years-old of Richmond, Virginia has a record of 18-3-2 with 11 knockouts.

“I am excited to sign with Jeter Promotions. I have been in the gym with Tony Jeter for the last decade. He has always been great and very hospitable. I see him doing his own shows and he wanted to promote me early on. But now is the right time for that to happen,” said Aleem. Continue reading “Jeter Promotions inks Immanuwel Aleem”

Nestor Bravo 140 vs. Will Madera 139.9
(WBA Continental Latin America super lightweight title)

Damian Lescaille 146 vs. Hugo Noriega 146.6
(WBA Continental Latin America welterweight title)

Krystal Rosado 114.1 vs. Tarrethia Dixon 114.9
Julian Smith 139.3 vs. Julio Rosa 139.4
Elijah Flores 144.8 vs. Elijah Williams 144.1
Lorenzo Medina 233.4 vs. Antonio Torres 255.2
Alexander Rios Vega 140.9 vs. Javier Ailla 136.1
Antraveous Ingram 152.4 vs. Orlennis Licea 152.7

Venue: Caribe Royal, Orlando, Florida
Promoter: Most Valuable Promotions in association with BoxLab Promotions
TV: DAZN

WBO middleweight champion Janibek Alimkhanuly (14-0, 9 KOs) and IBF middleweight champion Vincenzo Gualtieri (21-0-1, 7 KOs) will meet in a world title unification on ESPN, according to the network. The bout, which has also been confirmed by Gualtieri’s promoter AGON, will take place on October 14 in Rosenberg, Texas. This bout would unify half the 160lb division with Jermall Charlo holding the WBC belt and Erislandy Lara holding the WBA strap.

2020 Olympics gold medalist Gamal Yafai (4-0, 3 KOs) and Tommy Frank (15-3-1, 3 KOs) faced off at the final press conference for Saturday’s flyweight clash on DAZN from the Utilita Arena in Birmingham, England.

Galal Yafai: “I want to say he’s underestimating me as a professional fighter. I heard something about how they think I’m a good amateur fighter but not a good professional fighter just yet. We’ll see on Saturday. I think I’m ready for those world level opportunities now but it’s just the experience…Tommy doesn’t have any pressure on him. He’s expected to lose. Every top athlete has to deal with pressure.”

Tommy Frank: “I just believe it’s everything for a reason. I believe I’ve got this opportunity for a reason. Coming off a loss I didn’t think I was going to get it. I did get it and I just believe this is a chance of a lifetime. Ultimately, I want a call back from you (Eddie Hearn) to get on more of these shows.”

Dennis McCann 121.7 vs. Ionut Baluta 121.6
(WBO Intercontinental super bantamweight title)

Nathaniel Collins 125.7 vs. Raza Hamza 126
Ryan Garner 128.3 vs. Juan Jesus Antunez 129.3
Raven Chapman 125.7 vs. Lila Furtado 123.6
Umar Khan 128.8 vs. Kevin Trana 127.5
Khalid Ali 155.7 vs. Nikola Stoyanov 153.5
Joel Kodua 151.9 vs. Eligio Palacios 156.6

Venue: York Hall, London
Promoter: Queensberry
TV: TNT Sports (UK)

Statement from undisputed women’s 130lb world champion Alycia Baumgardner:

On August 12, 2023, I was informed that an “A Sample” provided on July 12, 2023 resulted in an “Adverse Analytical Finding” of mesterolone and methenolone acetate metabolites, two substances I’ve never heard of or used in any way. The sample provided immediately after my fight on July 15, 2023 tested clean and negative for all banned substances, as did my sample on June 16, 2023, which makes the July 12th result essentially impossible.

To be abundantly clear, I know that I never have, never would, and never will take this or any other drug. Not only would doing so be unethical, but it would also be completely contrary to how I’ve trained my entire career. Continue reading “Baumgardner: Result essentially impossible”

By Miguel Maravilla

Mexican superstar undisputed super middleweight champion Saul “Canelo” Álvarez (59-2-2, 39 KOs) is set to defend his crown against undisputed super welterweight champion Jermell Charlo (35-1-1, 19 KOs), taking place Saturday, September 30 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas live on Showtime Pay-Per-View.

Wrapping up the two-city press tour in Los Angeles Wednesday, Canelo spoke about the tour which kicked off Tuesday in New York. Continue reading “Canelo Interview”

By Miguel Maravilla

Undisputed super welterweight champion Jermell Charlo (35-1-1, 19 KOs) of Houston, Texas talked about his upcoming showdown with undisputed super middleweight champion Saul “Canelo” Álvarez (59-2-2, 39 KOs), taking place Saturday, September 30 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas live on Showtime Pay-Per-View. Wrapping up the press conference tour that began Tuesday in New York, Charlo held court with the media following the LA Press Conference at the Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills, California. Continue reading “Jermell Charlo Interview”

By Miguel Maravilla

Boxing superstar, undisputed super middleweight champion Saul “Canelo” Álvarez of Mexico and Houston’s undisputed super welterweight champion Jermell Charlo wrapped up their press conference tour Wednesday afternoon in Los Angeles to announce and promote their showdown. The two fighters met face to face once again at the Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills, California. Canelo and Charlo square off Saturday, September 30 from T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas live on Showtime Pay-Per-View.

Canelo Alvarez: “I always say that outside of the ring, I look like I’m an easy opponent. But when fighters step in the ring with me, it’s completely different. It’s not the same watching me from outside the ring as it is actually being inside the ring with me. I’m a different guy.”

Jermell Charlo: “He’s gonna find out that I’m the big Charlo. I am what I say I am. Canelo will see that I pack good punching-power, that I have good lateral movement and that I’m a ring general, just like he is. He’ll see that it won’t be a walk in the park. He says he’s gonna be better in this fight, and it’s the same thing for me.”

Continue reading “Canelo-Charlo LA Press Conference”

With the unfortunate postponement of the Beterbiev-Smith clash, this weekend’s biggest Saturday boxing action is on DAZN featuring a flyweight clash between 2020 Olympics gold medalist Gamal Yafai (4-0, 3 KOs) and Tommy Frank (15-3-1, 3 KOs) from the Utilita Arena in Birmingham, England.

Despite being a 25:1 underdog, Frank is confident he’ll have too much for Yafai.

“I think they’re overlooking me,” insisted Frank. “I have a lot of respect for Galal and Robert McCracken and he’s got a good team around him. So, I don’t think they personally will be overlooking me but I just get the sense that, in general, maybe by Matchroom and others. Of course, that’s all because he’s an Olympic gold medallist and it’s to be expected, in a way – so it doesn’t worry me. Continue reading “Frank: I’m going there to spoil the party”

The WBC has received a notification of an adverse finding resulting from an anti-doping test conducted in a sample collected from WBC and undisputed female super featherweight world champion Alycia Baumgardner. The sample collection that resulted in the adverse finding took place in relation with the July 15 bout between Baumgardner and challenger Christina Linardatou.

The adverse finding in question arose from a sample collection and anti-doping test administered by Drug Free Sport, and not as part of the WBC Clean Boxing Program. Accordingly, the WBC will initiate notification, investigation, and results management procedures for WBC world championship bouts consistent with the WBC Rules & Regulations.

The OTX Summer Boxing Series is back for Week 3 on Friday night at OTE Arena in Atlanta and live on DAZN. The main event sees undefeated super lightweight fight Kurt Scoby (12-0, 10 KOs) against Narciso Carmona (10-0-1, 6 KOs) out of Sevilla, Spain, in a ten-rounder. In the co-feature, super middleweight Money Powell IV (13-1, 8 KOs) will fight Shawn McCalman (13-0, 7 KOs). Also, super bantamweight Javon Woodard (12-1, 10 KOs) will face Lorenzo Parra (22-1, 17 KOs).