Fightnews.com

Fabio Wardley 243 vs. Frazer Clarke 266
(British, Commonwealth, WBA Continental, WBO Euro heavyweight titles)

Alen Babic 217 vs. Steve Robinson 239

Ben Whittaker 177 vs. Leon Willings 177

Florian Marku 146 vs. Chris Kongo 146
Viddal Riley 198 vs. Mikael Lawal 198
Callum Simpson 167 vs. Dulla Mbabe 169

Venue: O2 Arena, London
Promoter: BOXXER
TV: Sky Sports (UK), Peacock (US)

Two-weight world champion and boxing fan favorite Oscar Valdez (32-2, 23 KOs) scored a seventh round TKO over Liam Wilson (13-3, 7 KOs) to claim the vacant WBO interim junior lightweight title on Saturday night at the Desert Diamond Arena in Glendale, Arizona. Wilson got off to a good start, boxing at a distance. However, Valdez was able to draw Wilson in close where he had the advantage. In round seven, a barrage by Valdez prompted a referee’s stoppage at 2:48.

In a grudge match for ALL the female minimumweight belts, WBC/WBA champion Seniesa “Super Bad” Estrada (26-0, 9 KOs) took a hard fought ten round unanimous decision over IBF/WBO queen Yokasta Valle (30-3, 9 KOs) to become the division’s first-ever undisputed champion. Spirited battle all the way with Estrada winning 97-93 3x.

WBC #2, WBO #5, IBF #7 lightweight Raymond “Danger” Muratalla (20-0, 16 KOs) won an uneventful ten-rounder against Xolisani Ndongeni (31-5, 18 KOs) by scores of 99-91, 98-92, 97-93.

Unbeaten 2016 Olympian and WBC #9 super lightweight Lindolfo Delgado (20-0, 15 KOs) overcame a slow start to knock out Carlos Sanchez (25-3, 19 KOs) in round seven. Sanchez down in round five and down face-first in round seven. Time was :48.

Unbeaten U.S. Olympic super heavyweight silver medalist Richard Torrez Jr. (9-0, 9 KOs) maintained his 100% knockout ratio with a first round TKO against Don Haynesworth (18-9-1, 16 KOs). A barrage of punches prompted a referee’s stoppage. Time was 2:19.

Unbeaten lightweight “El General” Emiliano Vargas (9-0, 7 KOs), the youngest son of former world champion Fernando Vargas, went the full six against survival-minded Nelson Hampton (10-9, 6 KOs). Scores were 60-54 3x.

Unbeaten local middleweight Sergio Rodriguez (11-0-1, 8 KOs) topped Sanny Duversonne (12-7-2, 9 KOs) in a six-rounder. Scores were 60-54, 59-55, 59-55.

Antonio Napolitano 159.2 vs. Ryan Young 159.2
(Canadian middleweight title)

John Michael Bianco 167.2 vs. Mate Rudan 165.9
Carolyn Redmond 146.2 vs. Claudia Lopez 146.8
Brett Beaton 162.3 vs. Leonel Castanon 161.2
Dylan Taylor 147.4 vs. Fernando bravo 146.6
Meilyn Martinez 118 vs. Soledad Macedo 117.6

Venue: Hamilton Convention Centre, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
Promoter: Daniel Otter (Three Lions Promotions)
TV: bxngtv.com

Greg Outlaw 143.6 vs. Rondale Hubbert 140.8
LeAnna Cruz 117.8 vs. Josefina Vega 116
Rashan Adams 131.6 vs. Ryan Picou 134
Deric Davis 133 vs. Yoses Vidales 134.6
Lamar Smith 142.4 vs. Anthony Young 148
Nasheed Smith 174.4 vs. Twon Smith 175.6
Hakeem Harmon 146.2 vs. Christopher Puryear 147.2
Triniadad Vargas 117.4 vs. Robin Ellis 115.8

Venue: Harrah’s Philadelphia Casino and Racetrack
Promoter: RDR Promotions
Stream: BXNGTV.com
1st Bell: 6:00 PM

Arsen Goulamirian 199.6 vs. Zurdo Ramirez 199.4
(WBA cruiserweight title)

Alexis Rocha 146.6 vs. Fredrick Lawson 146
Santiago Dominguez 146.8 vs. Jose Sanchez 149
Jose Mancilla 170.6 vs. Rueben Johnson 168.4
Joel Iriarte 146b vs. Kevin Aguirre 143

Venue: YouTube Theater, Inglewood, California
Promoter: Golden Boy
TV: DAZN

Tim Tszyu 152.8 vs. Sebastian Fundora 152.8
(WBC/WBO super welterweight titles)

Rolly Romero 139.6 vs. Isaac Cruz 138.8
(WBA super lightweight title)

Erislandy Lara 159.8 vs. Michael Zerafa 158.6
(WBA middleweight title)

Julio Cesar Martinez 111.6 vs. Angelino Cordova 111.8
(WBC flyweight title)

Serhii Bohachuk 152.6 vs. Brian Mendoza 153.2
(WBC interim super welterweight title)

Venue: T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas
Promoter: PBC
TV: Amazon Prime PPV

On Wednesday, March 27, the IBF received notification from IBF flyweight champion Jesse “BAM” Rodriguez that he is vacating his title. Rodriguez expressed his gratitude and pride in being the organization’s champion in the note to IBF President Daryl Peoples.

Angel Ayala and Dave Apolinaro were ordered to negotiate for the vacant title. They have 30 days to reach an agreement.

2016 Olympian and unbeaten pro light heavyweight Juan Carrillo (12-0, 9 KOs) knocked out Quinton Rankin (21-9-2, 16 KOs) on Thursday night at the Wayne State Fieldhouse in Detroit, Michigan. A left uppercut followed by a right uppercut finished Rankin at :20 of round three.

IBF #14-ranked super lightweight and recent world title challenger Shohjahon Ergashev (24-1, 21 KOs), entering the ring for the first time since his unsuccessful challenge for Subriel Matias’ IBF world title last year, annihilated Juan Huertas (17-5-1, 13 KOs) in round one. A left hook to the body left Huerta on the canvas writhing in pain. Time was 2:00.

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Unbeaten IBF #2, WBO #10 super middleweight Vladimir Shishkin (16-0, 10 KOs) scored a seventh round TKO against 43-year-old spoiler Mike Guy (12-8-1, 5 KOs). A barrage of punches finished Guy at the time of 2:14.

38-year-old former world title challenger Daulis Prescott (34-21, 26 KOs) was stopped in the first round by Husam Al Mashhadi (9-1, 8 KOs).

Oscar Valdez 129.7 vs. Liam Wilson 129.6
(WBO interim junior lightweight title)

Seniesa Estrada 104.2 vs. Yokasta Valle 104.3
(undisputed female minimumweight title)

Raymond Muratalla 137.1 vs. Xolisani Ndongeni 137.1
Lindolfo Delgado 140.7 vs. Carlos Sanchez 140.4
Richard Torrez Jr. 236.6 vs. Don Haynesworth 276.5
Sergio Rodriguez 163.9 vs. Sanny Duversonne 163.7
Emiliano Vargas 136.5 vs. Nelson Hampton 136
Alan Garcia 135.9 vs. Gonzalo Fuenzalida 137.9
Art Barrera Jr. 141.6 vs. Keven Soto 139.7
Ricardo Ruvalcaba 140.9 vs. Avner Hernandez Molina 140.6

Venue: Desert Diamond Arena, Glendale, Arizona
Promoter: Top Rank
TV: ESPN+

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

I had the great honor of being invited by Manny Pacquiao and the Elorde family, to be the speaker at the first edition of the annual Philippine boxing awards, called: Paquiao/Elorde Annual Awards,

This is following the 23-year tradition established by the family of the legendary world champion, Gabriel Flash Elorde, but this year they incorporated Manny due to his illustrious boxing career.

From the moment I arrived in Manila, I encountered smiles, kindness and hospitality very similar to that in Mexico. Continue reading “The Philippines and its world-class boxing”

WBA cruiserweight champion Arsen Goulamirian and challenger Zurdo Ramirez faced off at the final press conference for their clash on Saturday night at the YouTube Theater at Hollywood Park in Inglewood, California, and broadcast live on DAZN.

Arsen Goulamirian: “I am excited to fight for the first time in the United States, and of all places Los Angeles. I know Zurdo wants to be a world champion, but he’s going to have to go through me first, but he will have to face a real cruiserweight.”

Zurdo Ramirez: “I’m ready to become the first Mexican cruiserweight champion. When I made the move to this division, I knew I would have to face Arsen down the line. I feel comfortable at this weight class and will look to become the undisputed champion.”

* * *

Golden Boy CEO Oscar De La Hoya announced a multi-year, multi-event agreement between Golden Boy Promotions and Hollywood Park that will commence with Goulamirian-Ramirez and bring future boxing events year-round to the Los Angeles area.

Fighters competing on the inaugural PBC Pay-Per-View event available on Prime Video featuring four world title fights went face-to-face on Thursday at the final press conference before they enter the ring this Saturday, March 30 from T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

Tim Tszyu vs. Sebastian Fundora
(WBO/WBC super welterweight titles)

Tim Tszyu: “The show goes on and destiny awaits. Saturday night we get to fight for the belts. It’s all about collecting belts and collecting legacy. We’re going to show that the Tszyu name is the greatest boxing family of all time…of course he’s got height, but we all bleed the same blood. There’s no difference between us. I’m taking inspiration from Mike Tyson and everything he did into this fight…this is step one to where I want to be. There’s plenty of big super fights to be made in the near future.”

Sebastian Fundora: “This is the moment and the time for me to become world champion. My sister did it six months ago, and now it’s my turn…I expect the best from Tim Tszyu. This is the best fight you can make in the division. He’s number one right now and we’ll crown a new champion on Saturday night. ”

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Rolly Romero vs. Isaac Cruz
(WBA super lightweight title)

Rolly Romero: “Everybody thinks this is gonna be a difficult fight, but I think this is gonna be an easy fight. He’s gonna run right into something, because he’s stupid…he’s gonna throw and throw and throw again. He does the same stuff over and over again. I’m ready for it…I’m not giving you the belt, but I can give you the chihuahua chain after the fight.”

Isaac Cruz: “If he thinks I’m stupid, then he’s even stupider. If he thinks I’m just gonna lay down, he’s very mistaken. He’s gonna realize it on Saturday night…Rolly was talking trash during the face off, but his bark is far stronger than his bite. I just want to hit him repeatedly in the face when the time comes…I’m here to wipe Rolly’s smile off his face and take his belt. That’s it. Isaac Cruz is going to be the new world champion.”

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Erislandy Lara vs. Michael Zerafa
(WBA middleweight title)

Erislandy Lara: “I prove my worth inside of the ring and Zerafa will see that on Saturday night. I’m excited to be back, because I feel ready and strong…I’m gonna work hard in the ring and I feel like I’m gonna knock him out. I think it’s gonna happen before the sixth round.”

Michael Zerafa: “Saturday night ends with me as the new WBA world champion. Mark my words. …hopefully we’re coming back to Australia with three world titles, one for myself and two for Tim. Now it’s time to do it.”

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Julio Cesar Martinez vs. Angelino Cordova
(WBC flyweight title)

Julio Cesar Martinez: “I’m ready to face anybody at any time. I say it all the time and I mean it. Everyone will see what I mean on Saturday night…I want to give the fans a great fight. I’m coming out one thousand percent ready and it’s going to be fireworks.

Angelino Cordova: “Whatever Martinez brings, I’ll be ready. I’m very confident in myself and all of the training we’ve done for this fight.”

By Miguel Maravilla

Opportunity has knocked for Coachella, California’s Sebastian “The Towering Inferno” Fundora (20-1-1, 13 KO’s) as he squares off against WBO super welterweight champion Tim Tszyu (24-0, KO’s) of Australia. Fundora seeks redemption as he fights for Tszyu’s WBO title and the vacant WBC super welterweight title this Saturday, March 30 from T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas live on PBC Pay-Per-View event.

“This is it. I’m just focused and ready. I have had a great training camp. Now just waiting for fight night, I cant wait,” Fundora said.

Fundora was in the closing phases of his preparation when he got the call to step in. Holding his training camp in Coachella, California.

“I was already training for my fight with Bohachuk. Then I got the notice to step in. I am ready,” Fundora on his preparation. Continue reading “Sebastian Fundora Focused & Ready”

By Joe Koizumi

The WBC president Mauricio Sulaiman, very well-known thanks to his father Don Jose’s legacy, participated in a ceremony at the JBC office on Tuesday to hand the WBC belt to the newly crowned bantamweight champion Junto Nakatani who acquired his third division belt on his demolition of Alejandro Santiago on February 24. Sulaiman praised Junto’s finest performance, saying, “Nakatani is a new pride of the WBC since he impressively dethroned the strong titleholder Santiago who had defeated the legendary Nonito Donaire to his credit. Junto, still young and very well gifted with his good height and reach, may grow up as the formidable bantam champion of the WBC.” Mauricio visited Japan on his way back from the Philippines where he met the national hero Manny Pacquiao last week.

Mauricio also visited Ohashi Gym in Yokohama, where he delivered the award of the WBC Boxer of the Year to “Monster” Naoya Inoue and his handler Hideyuki Ohashi as well on the next day.

The opponent has changed, but the stakes are just as high for Australian standout Andrew Moloney. Pedro Guevara will now fight Moloney for the vacant WBC interim junior bantamweight world title on Sunday, May 12 at RAC Arena in Perth, Western Australia.

Guevara replaces former world champion Carlos Cuadras, who was forced to withdraw from the fight due to a torn Achilles suffered in training. Moloney-Guevara will be the co-feature to the vacant IBF lightweight world title showdown between Vasiliy Lomachenko and George Kambosos Jr.

Former WBA featherweight champion Nicholas “Axe Man” Walters (29-1-1, 22 KOs), now campaigning at lightweight, scored a ten round unanimous decision over 4:1 favorite Joseph “Blessed Hands” Adorno (18-4-2, 15 KOs) on Wednesday night at the Whitesands Events Center in Plant City, Florida. Walters, 38, who returned from a six-and-a-half year layoff last year, outworked Adorno in most rounds. Adorno was deducted a point for a punch after the bell in round nine. At the end, Walters won by scores of 95-94, 97-92, 98-91 as he claimed the WBA Continental Americas lightweight title.

Super lightweight Starling Castillo (19-1-1, 13 KOs) hammered out a ten round split decision over Jesus Saracho (13-2, 11 KOs). Scores were 98-92, 99-91 Castillo, 96-94 Saracho.

Super lightweight Omar Juarez (15-2, 5 KOs) scored a hard fought ten round unanimous decision over Clarence Booth (21-109, 13KOs). Juarez punctuated the fight with two knockdowns in round ten. Scores were 98-90, 98-90, 99-89.

The ESPN+ clash between Oscar Valdez (31-2, 23 KOs) and Liam Wilson (13-2, 7 KOs) has been upgraded to a WBO interim junior lightweight world title fight on Friday night at Desert Diamond Arena in Glendale, Arizona. Here’s what they had to say at the final press conference.

Oscar Valdez: “I’m going to be ready. I was preparing myself for a world championship fight. Then we got the news that it’s now for an interim title. So, I’m more than excited and prepared, and we’re going to show that…Liam Wilson is a dangerous fighter. But that makes it more exciting. And the interim title adds fuel to the fire. I’m very motivated, and I will do everything possible to win this fight.”

Liam Wilson: “I’m glad he was there {for my fight against Navarrete}. The whole world saw what happened. I should have already become world champion. This fight between me and Valdez should have already happened. I won the belt that night. It wasn’t awarded to me. But that’s just the way things played out. But, we’re here now and we’re going to settle the score.”

Juan Carrillo 175.4 vs. Quinton Rankin 174.2
Shohjahon Ergashev 141.2 vs. Juan Huertas 138.8
Vladimir Shishkin 169.6 vs. Mike Guy 169.8
Husam Al Mashhadi 153.6 vs. Daulis Prescott 154.4
Nadim Salloum 169 vs. William Townsel 166.6
Josiah Shackleford 159.4 vs. Antwion McCollough 157

Venue: Wayne State Fieldhouse in Detroit, Michigan
Promoter: Salita Promotions
TV: DAZN (8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT)

By Héctor Villarreal

Shuan Boxing continues to make history as the most important promotional company in the Dominican Republic, announcing a seven regional tiltle card headed by former WBA interim minimumweight champion, undefeated Erick “Mini Pacman” Rosa (6-0, 2 KOs), invading the light flyweight division to face Mexican Yudel “El Guerrerito” Reyes (16-2, 6 KOs) for the WBA Gold title.

“Erick Rosa is currently ranked #1 by WBA, so this fight would be followed by a world championship match against Japan´s Kenshiro Teraji” said promoter Belgica Peña. “I´m very grateful to WBA and WBO for giving us the opportunity to present such a historic event, scheduled for Friday, April 5th at the Fencing Pavillion of the Olympic Center in Santo Domingo”, she added. Continue reading “Rosa-Reyes heads 7-title card in DR”

On May 25th, #1 super middleweight contender Christian “Solid” Mbilli (26-0, 22 KOs) will attempt to continue his worldwide conquest at the Gervais Auto Center in Shawinigan. Facing him will be Mark “Kid Dynamite” Heffron (30-3-1, 24 KOs). ESPN+ will televise.

Christian Mbilli: “No matter where he comes from and who he is, my opponent will have to arrive ready because on May 25th, I will once again demonstrate why I belong with the elite of the super-middleweights. Mark Heffron is just another boxer on my path. I respect him, but I won’t be gentle with him, just like with the others. I am convinced that we will deliver quite a fight in Shawinigan, but victory is the only option for me!”

In the co-main event, heavyweight Arslanbek “The Lion” Makhmudov (18-1, 17 KOs) will return from his first loss to face Junior Fa (20-3, 11 KOs). ”

Arslanbek “The Lion” Makhmudov: Honestly, I am happy. It’s good work on the part of my team to already secure a new big fight, and especially a fight that will be excellent. I’ve already faced him in a very close fight that he won when we were amateurs, so I am more than determined to avenge that defeat.”

IBF junior welterweight champion Subriel Matías (20-1 20 KOs) makes a homecoming return to Puerto Rico when he defends his world title against unbeaten Liam Paro (24-0, 15 KOs) at the Coliseo Juan Aubín Cruz Abreu in Manatí on Saturday June 15, live worldwide on DAZN.

Subriel Matías: “I am super excited to be able to be in front of my people defending the title that we had such a hard time getting. The mentality will always be the same and in front of my people I don’t even have to say it, they know me. The Pride of Maternillo.”

Liam Paro: “I’ve waited my whole life for this opportunity. Fighter’s fight and I can’t wait to fight the boogeyman in his backyard.”

June 15 represents Matchroom’s first event in Puerto Rico, and it’s the first fight with Matías after he signed a co-promotional deal with Matchroom and Fresh Productions.

Super lightweight KO artist Eduardo ‘Rocky’ Hernandez (34-2, 31 KOs) makes his return to the ring against Daniel Lugo (27-2-1, 18 KOs) at Palenque de la Féria National de San Marcos in Aguascalientes, Mexico on Saturday May 11, live worldwide on DAZN, with Erika Cruz defending her WBA super bantamweight title against Nazarena Romero in the co-feature.

Hernandez was part of one of the fights of the year in October when he took on O’Shaquie Foster for the WBC title, falling agonizingly short in Cancun after an incredible 11th round led to a final round stoppage win for defending champion Foster, with Hernandez ahead on the cards.

“People have been counting me out since my loss,” said Hernandez. “On May 11, I will make a statement – ‘Rocky Never Left’.”

By Joe Koizumi
Photo by The Won Promotions

Ohashi Promotions of Japan announced its international campaign abroad as promoter Hideyuki Ohashi, former WBC/WBA minimum champ, will stage the WBO Asia Pacific super lightweight title bout between defending champion Daishi Nagata (19-3-2, 6 KOs) of Japan and unbeaten Korean southpaw challenger Yong-Uk Yong (6-0, 5 KOs) in Seoul, Korea, on June 7. Nagata under Misako Promotions lately unified the OPBF and WBO AP 140-pound belts by defeating Koki Inoue on points this February, but he will put only the WBO AP belt on the line for his this title bout in Korea. Continue reading “WBO AP 140lb champ Nagata to defend in Korea”

Don King’s newly signed welterweight Blair “The Flair” Cobbs (16-1-1, 10 KOs) has officially teamed up with boxing coach Justin Gamber.

“I’m really liking the way things are going with Coach Justin,” stated Cobbs, who is training out of Las Vegas. “We’re putting in the work, day in and day out, and I can feel myself improving with each session. Together, I believe we’re unstoppable.”

A fight with Adrien Broner is being worked out behind the scenes and an announcement on who Blair Cobbs will fight next will be revealed shortly. Wooooooooooo!

By Boxing Bob Newman

Said to report the unexpected passing on Monday, March 22, of former female boxer Alesia Graf. Born Alesia Klimovich in Gomel, Belarus, Graf relocated to Stuttgart, Baden-Würtemburg, Germany and turned pro in 2004. “The Tigress” would rattle off 11th straight wins until running into future Hall of famer. Alicia, Ashley, getting dropped and coming out on the short and of a 10 round split decision. She would challenge for the WBC Super Fly title twice, WBC Bantam title and WBO Super Bantam titles, losing all in hard fought efforts. She would win WIBF and GBU titles along the way, finishing a respectable 29-8, 13 KOs record. Graf was 43 years old. Rest in peace champion.