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Eight-division former world champion Manny Pacquiao has addressed reports that his July 14 fight against Lucas Matthysse in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia is in jeopardy due to missed financial commitments. “The fight will proceed as scheduled,” Pacquiao told The Philippine Star. “I am training hard for the fight and I never allow any distraction to destroy my focus.” Pacquiao’s MP Promotions is the lead promoter for the event.

By Ray Wheatley — World of Boxing

Former WBO heavyweight champion Joseph Parker is confident of victory inside the distance over WBC #1 Dillian Whyte when they clash at the 02 Arena in London on July 28. “When you are fighting in someone’s backyard a decision isn’t an option for you. As soon as you go there to fight you have already lost unless you get a knock out,” Parker told Stuff.

“I think his style is perfect for us. He comes forward and throws a lot of punches. Sometimes when you focus on attacking the other person you can make a mistake and walk into a big one. Continue reading “Parker: Whyte’s style is perfect for me”

Undefeated WBO and WBC middleweight champion Christina Hammer joined some illustrious company in her American television debut on the co-main event of Shobox. With her one-sided win over former champion Tori Nelson, Hammer became the first German fighter to successfully defend a world title in the US since Max Schmeling successfully defended his heavyweight title in 1931 against Young Stribling at Municipal Stadium in Cleveland, Ohio. Hammer’s next fight is expected to be a full unification of the middleweight division against undefeated two-time gold medallist and current WBA and IBF middleweight champion Claressa Shields, in what could be the biggest fight in the history of women’s boxing.

By Robert Coster

Dominican boxing fans flocked to the Club El Million in Santo Domingo on Saturday to watch the ever popular WBA #2 jr bantamweight Norberto “Meneito” Jimenez (29-8-4, 16 KOs) win a one-sided ten round decision over Remson Robles (12-4, 6 KOs) of Venezuela. “Meneito” (the one who wiggles) decked Robles with a well-timed right-cross in the 6th round but the gritty visitor was able to survive until the final bell. The verdict was 100-90, 99-91, 99-91 in favor of the Dominican.

It was the second fight between both battlers (Jimenez had decisioned Robles in 2016). After the bout, Jimenez expressed the wish that his next fight should be for the world title. Said Meneito, “I haven’t lost a fight in seven years. I am the uncrowned world champion. My next fight should be for the title.” Continue reading “Jimenez dominates Robles, awaits title fight”

By Matt Thompson at ringside

Highly regarded defending IBA world and WBA/NABA jr middleweight champion Mark DeLuca, 21-1, 13 KOs of Whitman, MA suffered his first defeat, losing a 12-round split decision to former amateur standout Walter Wright of Seattle, WA, 17-4, 8 KOs at the Bank of New Hampshire Pavillion in Gilford, New Hampshire.

The slick-boxing Wright started well, using a fast jab and clever right hand leads to jump to an early start, but DeLuca cut the distance and bullied Wright to the ropes in the middle rounds, banging away at the body and roughing Wright up whenever he got close. Continue reading “Wright shocks DeLuca for NABA and IBA belts”

By Ron Jackson

A confident looking Thulani Mbenge of South Africa’s coming into the ring without his customary dreadlocks gave a polished performance when he stopped Diego Gabriel Chaves from Argentina in the seventh round to win the vacant IBO welterweight belt at Emperors Palace near Kempton Park on Saturday night. Continue reading “Mbenge stops Chaves, wins vacant IBO belt”

By Gabriel F. Cordero

WBC #1 rated super featherweight Miguel “Micky” Román (60-12, 47 KOs) scored a second round KO over previously unbeaten Venezuelan KO artist Michel Marcano (17-1-1, 14 KOs) on Saturday night at the Fería de Juárez in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico. A body shot finished Marcano, who was facing his first ever opponent with a winning record. Roman is WBC super featherweight champion Miguel “Alacrán” Berchelt’s mandatory challenger.

WBC super featherweight champion Miguel “Alacrán” Berchelt (34-1, 30 KOs) destroyed former champ Jonathan Víctor “Yoni” Barros (41–6-1, 22 KOs) via a third round TKO on Saturday night at the Poliórum Zamná in Merida, Yucatan, Mexico. Berchelt dropped Barros with a left hook at the end of round two, then floored Barros again in round three. Soon after, Barros’ corner entered the ring to protect their man from further damage. Barros wasn’t happy about being pulled out. Time was 1:53. It was Berchelt’s third successful defense.

“I felt strong, there was no way the Argentinean was beating me in front of my people in Yucatan,” stated Berchelt afterward. “Thank God. I feel happy and I gave them a triumph.

“Now for Micky Roman, you have to answer for everything you said. Get ready because I’m going to tear your head off. We’ll be ready to put you back into reality. You’re going to swallow every word you said about me. I will answer you with my fists and my crushing victory.” Continue reading “Berchelt crushes Barros, retains WBC 130lb title”

Undefeated super lightweight prospect Vergil Ortiz Jr. (10-0, 10 KOs) continued to impress with a third round knockout victory over former world champion Juan Carlos Salgado (27-9-1, 16 KOs) on Saturday night at The Belasco Theater in Los Angeles, California. A brutal left hook to the body finished Salgado.

In the co-main event, Hector “Finito” Tanajara Jr. (14-0, 5 KOs) outpointed Roger Gutierrez (18-2-1, 15 KOs) in an eight-round lightweight battle.

In a WBC super lightweight eliminator, unbeaten 2012 Olympian Josh “The Tartan Tornado” Taylor (13-0, 11 KOs) defeated former WBC world champion Viktor Postol (29-2, 12 KOs) at the SSE Hydro Arena in Glasgow, Scotland. Close, good action fight. Taylor dropped Postol in round ten. Correct man won, but the 118-110, 117-110, 119-108 seemed way too lopsided. Judges had Postol winning two, three, and one round against hometown hero Taylor.

2016 Olympic super heavyweight gold medalist Tony Yoka (5-0, 5 KOs) scored a tenth round TKO over tough guy Dave Allen (13-4-2, 10 KOs) on Saturday night at the Dome de Paris-Palais des Sports in Paris, France. Yoka dominated as expected and a barrage of unanswered punches prompted a referee’s stoppage.

Photos: Chris Royle

Former middleweight title challenger Martin Murray (37-4-1, 17 KOs) dethroned WBC silver middleweight champion Roberto “Amenaza” Garcia (41-4, 24 KOs) by twelve round unanimous decision on Saturday night at The O2 Arena in London. Ugly fight. Garcia was questionably deducted points in rounds two and nine by referee Hector Afu. Scores were 116-111, 118-109, 118-108.

The winner was billed as likely being made mandatory challenger for WBC/WBA middleweight world champion Gennady Golovkin, but that seems unlikely. Golovkin previously stopped Murray in a 2015 defense. Continue reading “Murray outpoints Garcia for WBC silver”

Everything is set for tonight’s big Miguel Berchelt vs. Jonathan Victor Barros WBC world super featherweight championship clash tonight on Azteca 7 (Mexico) and ESPN+ (USA).

Final Words

Miguel “Alacrán” Berchelt: “We already have the weight, now we are going to satisfy the fans. We’re going to knock out Barros and give my people from Yucatan great joy. The title stays at home,” said Berchelt, declining to give an opinion on the challenge of WBC #1 rated Micky Román, who is also in action tonight. “First things first, my mind is only on defeating the Argentinean. I don’t care about anything else.”

Jonathan Víctor Barros: “Berchelt is strong, a good fighter, but I bring experience and more heart. I’ll defeat him in front of his own people, have no doubt!”

Mexico-Argentina Tiebreaker

In all-time head-to-head matches between Mexican and Argentine boxers, the series is tied with 27 wins and 27 losses and 4 draws for each country after decades of memorable clashes.

Berchelt-Barros Officials

Referee is Michal Griffin. Judges are Stephen Blea, Mike Ross and Gerald Ritter. WBC supervisor is Abel González.

Complete Weights from Merida:

Miguel Berchelt 130 vs. Jonathan Victor Barros 130
(WBC world super featherweight championship)

Elvis Torres 131 vs. Ricardo Núñez 131
William Puch 113 vs. Abisail Palomo 113
Darwin Berrón 153.5 vs. Dayan Cartaya 153
Ulises Martin 108 vs. Cristian Pech 108
Bryan González 134 vs. Miguel Nieves 133

Venue: Poliforum Zamná, Merida, Yuc, Mx
Promoters: Zanfer, Max Boxing
TV: Azteca 7, ESPN+

WBC/WBO female middleweight champion Chistina Hammer entered the ring after Claressa Shields won the vacant WBA and IBF female middleweight titles. An emotional Shields pressed toward Hammer and some pushing and shoving ensued.

Clarissa Shields: “I’m just tired of Hammer disrespecting me all the time. She comes into the ring after all my rights, talks trash, and then she goes in there and looks like [crap] against Nelson. I’m sick of it. But I let her know I’m more than ready for a fight against her. She wanted me to lose tonight, but I wanted her to win because I want to fight her. We have to unify now…hopefully it’s next. I don’t need no rest. I could have whipped her tonight. I’m just so sick of her and her whole team.”

Christina Hammer: “I’m really looking forward to fighting Claressa. She will try and fight me on the inside but my footwork and my reach will make the difference. The fight with Claressa will be a game-changer. It will be the biggest women’s fight ever. I would like to fight her at a neutral site.”

Sad news. WBC President Mauricio Sulaiman has reported the passing Sam Macias, the former Nevada State Athletic Commission member and President of the North American Boxing Federation.

Well known boxing official Pete Podgorski has resigned his position as a Chicago City Committeeman. Pete was first elected Committeeman (R) 36th Ward Chicago in March of 2012 from a field of four candidates. After city re-zoning put Podgorski’s residence in Chicago’s 38th Ward, he was re-elected Committeeman 38th Ward in March of 2016. He is passing on the position to the younger generation.

Former interim WBO interim middleweight champion Avtandil Khurtsidze is facing up to forty years in prison after being found guilty on racketeering, wire fraud and other charges.

By Gabriel F. Cordero

Micky Roman 129.50 vs. Michel Marcano 129.80

Diana Fernández 112.65 vs. Olga Julio 111.55
Bryan Flores 137 vs. Flavio César Ramos 134.20

Venue: Feria de Juarez en Plaza de la Mexicanidad
Promoter: Promociones del Pueblo
TV: Televisa (Mexico)

Claressa Shields: “I’m the greatest of all-time. I showed who I am. Now, I’m really dangerous because you can even put me down, and I’ll still come back to win!”

By Brad Snyder at ringside
Photos: Bob Ryder

It was the fight women’s boxing needed on a big showcase — SHO Boxing Special Edition. Two-time Olympic Gold Medalist and current unified women’s super middleweight champion Claressa Shields (6-0, 2 KOs) overcame getting dropped in the 1st Round to win by UD (97-92, 98-91, 97-92) against current unified women’s junior middleweight champion Hanna Gabriels (18-2-1, 11 KOs) on Friday night at the at the Masonic Temple in Detroit, Michigan.

With Shields hitting the canvas early, it appeared Gabriels may have a chance to play spoiler, but Shields landed a strong jab and powerful combinations, as both fighters traded blows throughout the later rounds. Gabriels appeared to gas out a bit at the end, and Shields looked healthy and in better shape. Continue reading “Shields pushed, but defeats Gabriels”

By Brad Snyder at ringside
Photos: Bob Ryder

Christina Hammer did her part to keep the dream of a Shields vs. Hammer super women’s fight alive. Hammer (23-0, 10 KOs) dominated Tori Nelson (17-2-3, 2 KOs) over ten rounds to win by unanimous decision (100-90, 99-91, 99-91) on Friday night at the at the Masonic Temple in Detroit, Michigan.

Nelson, who now has gone the distance with Shields and Hammer, had the will, but Hammer’s size and strength dictated the fight. Hammer retained her WBC and WBO middleweight world championships. It was a very familiar outcome, just as Shields dominated Nelson earlier this year in New York. Continue reading “Hammer dominates Nelson”

By Brad Snyder at ringside
Photos: Bob Ryder

Light heavyweight Umar Salamov (21-1, 16 KOs) scored a ninth round KO over Brian Howard (13-2, 10 KOs) on Friday night at the at the Masonic Temple in Detroit, Michigan. An uneventful eight rounds quickly changed in the ninth round. Salamov connected with a vicious right hook that landed cleanly that finished Howard, who fell into the ropes at the 53 second mark. The knockout win gives Salamov the IBF North American light heavyweight championship.

In a ten round light heavyweight fight, Aslambek Idigov (13-0, 5 KOs) unanimously defeated James Ballard (10-2, 3 KOs) by UD. Ballard, who appeared to injure his left hand, could not convince the judges to see many rounds his way, as the scores were (97-93, 100-90, 100-90). Continue reading “Shields-Gabriels Undercard Results”

By Brad Snyder

Ten Count Promotions along with Jackie Kallen and Thomas “Hitman” Hearns present Pro Boxing live from the International Banquet Center at the Atheneum Suite Hotel in Detroit Mi on Saturday. Fights begin at 7PM. Tickets available at the door or by Neptix.com

Taylor Duerr 177.7 vs. Leroy Jones 177.7
Derrick Coleman 161.9 vs. Deantuan Jackson 169.4
Ardreal Holmes 155.4 vs. Domonique Foster 155.4
Cedric Paul 162.5 vs. Antonio Hernandez weigh in later
Christion White 145.1 vs. Terrence Arrington 148.7
Paolo Parente 208.4 vs. Daniel Henry 249.5

Photos

Vergil Ortiz Jr 139.4 vs. JC Salgado 139.8

Hector Tanajara Jr 135 vs. Roger Gutierrez 134.2
Ferdinand Kerobyan 154 vs. Edgar Garcia 150.4
Meiirim Nursultanov 163.6 vs. Josue Obando 164

Venue: Belasco Theater, Los Angeles
Promoter: Golden Boy
TV: ESPN2

Miguel Berchelt 130 vs. Jonathan Víctor Barros 130
(WBC super featherweight title)

Venue: Poliforum Zamná in Mérida, Yucatan, Mexico
Promoter: Zanfer Promotions
TV: ESPN+ (USA), Azteca 7 (Mexico)

Photos

Martin Murray lashed out at WBC silver middleweight champion Roberto “Amenaza” Garcia ahead of their big clash on Saturday night at London’s o2. The feuding fighters clashed after both weighing in for Garcia’s title defense against the St Helens man, where the mandatory position for Gennady Golovkin’s WBC crown is at stake.

After weighing in the pair had an intense 15 second stare just inches apart, but when they turned to face the press and TV cameras, Murray saw red. He muttered, then shoved the Mexican sending him hurtling. It sparked a furious reaction from Garcia’s trainers and calm was only restored when security guards separated the teams.

Roberto Garcia 158 vs. Martin Murray 159.6
(WBC Silver middleweight title

Anthony Yarde 174.5 vs. Darius Sek 174.5
(WBO IC & European light heavyweight title

Daniel Dubois 236.5 vs. Tom Little 250
(English heavyweight title)

Paul Kamanga 139.25 vs. Ohara Davies 139.3
(WBC International super lightweight title)

“As far as I am concerned, everything is fine,” said ring legend Manny Pacquiao, responding to rumors that his fight against WBA welterweight champion Lucas Matthysse is headed to a postponement or even cancellation. “Lucas Matthysse and I are getting ready to give the fans their money’s worth and July 15 will be huge for boxing in Malaysia.”

Pacquiao has delegated management of MP Promotions, the lead promoter of his July 15 (July 14 in the US) battle at the Axiata Arena in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, to his trusted lieutenants and assigned a team to take care of business and logistics as he concentrated in training alone.

Marketing and sales head Arnold Vegafria echoed Pacquiao’s sentiments. Vegafria, who was monitoring news online on a plane heading back to the Philippines from New York City, said that all concerned decision makers were in agreement with each other.

“Everyone is on board. Everyone understands the situation and the fight is going as planned,” said Vegafria. Continue reading “Pacquiao says Matthysse fight still a go”

Jaime Munguia (29-0, 25 KOs), the newly-crowned WBO junior middleweight world champion of Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico, will make the first defense of his title against former world champion Liam “Beefy” Smith (26-1-1, 14 KOs) in a 12-round main event Saturday, July 21 at The Joint at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, Las Vegas. The fight will be televised live on HBO.

“I’m proud and excited that this Mexican Kid from Tijuana [Munguia], who’s the hottest fighter in boxing today, will once again fight on July 21 against the tough Liam Smith,” said Fernando Beltran, CEO of Zanfer Promotions. “I know he will prevail again in spectacular fashion like he always does.”

In the co-main event, Alberto “Explosivo” Machado (19-0, 16 KOs) will put his WBA super featherweight world title on the line as he faces undefeated #1 Contender Rafael “Sweet Pea” Mensah (31-0, 23 KOs) in a 12-round battle.

The rest of the card will be announced shortly.