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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.

Female middleweight world titles will be on the line for all four major sanctioning bodies tonight at Detroit, Michigan’s Masonic Temple.

The officials for the WBA/IBF female middleweight championship fight between Claressa Shields and Hanna Gabriels are referee Gerard White (California), and judges Michael Ancona (Ohio), Jeremy Hayes (Toronto, Canada), Pasquale Procopio (Montreal, Canada).

The officials for the WBC/WBO female middleweight championship fight between Christina Hammer and Tori Nelson will be referee Frank Garza (Michigan), and judges Katealia Chambers (Michigan), Benoit Roussel (Montreal), Pasquale Procopio (Montreal, Canada)

The fighters had some last minute comments in advance of tonight’s Showtime-televised card, which is being presented by Salita Promotions.

Claressa Shields: “I have John David Jackson now and I’ve learned so much from him since we got together back in February. I’ve had coaches in the past who tried to change my style and game, but at the end of the day, I just have to go in there and fight like I know how to. Continue reading “Shields-Gabriels/Hammer-Nelson Final Words”

Inoue’s brother #9 Takuma to face #3 Yap in WBC 118lb eliminator; IBF 122lb champ Iwasa to meet #1 Doheny

By Joe Koizumi
Photos by Boxing Beat, Joe Koizumi

Every week some promoters make public announcements of forthcoming big events here in Japan. Ohashi Promotions, presided by former WBC/WBA 105-pound champ Hideyuki Ohashi, had a press conference on Thursday to announce a WBC bantamweight eliminator to decide the #1 official challenger to the championship that is still vacant at this moment to be disputed by the leading available contenders soon.

Unbeaten prospect Takuya Inoue (11-0, 3 KOs), the younger brother of the WBA bantam ruler “Monster” Naoya, will cope with OPBF titleholder #3 Mark John Yap (29-12, 14 KOs), a Japan-based Filipino import residing in Osaka, in Tokyo, Japan, on September 11. Yap’s OBPF belt will not be on the line. Continue reading “Japan Update”

Zlaticanin suffered both a broken nose and a broken jaw

In a shocker, former WBC lightweight world champion “Dynamite” Dejan Zlaticanin (23-2, 16 KOs) was annihilated in two rounds by massive underdog Tijuana fighter Roberto “The Rifle” Ramirez (18-2-1, 13 KOs) on Thursday night at the Melrose Ballroom in New York City. Action-packed fight. Ramirez was rocked himself but dropped Zlaticanin twice to get the second round stoppage. To give you an idea of how big of an upset this is, Ladbrokes listed Zlaticanin as a 10,000:1 favorite.

In the main event, unbeaten welterweight Mikkel Les Pierre (20-0-1, 9 KOs) halted Gustavo Vittori (20-4-1, 11 KOs) in round seven.

By Joe Koizumi

Somebody up there doesn’t like the Japanese bantamweight championship bout, which hasn’t taken place since January—with three cancellations. The national 118-pound title bout for the vacant throne of former world challenger Suguru Muranaka and Yuta Saito was scheduled to be held today (Friday), but it was abruptly cancelled yesterday since Muranaka, who reportedly failed to make weight, was hospitalized probably due to dehydration.

Before mentioning Muranaka, we pay our attention to the Japanese bantamweight title go at first. On January 18, defending champ Ryo Akaho, who had often committed an overweight incident, was hospitalized because of dehydration a couple of days before the fight and his defense with the top contender Yusuke Suzuki was therefore called off with Akaho’s belt vacant. Continue reading “Muranaka hospitalized; Japan’s bantam title bout cancelled”

Isaac Zarate 122.7 vs. Ramiro Robles 121.7
Manuel Mendez 136.5 vs. Gilberto Espinoza 135.6
Saul Sanchez 118.7 vs. Leonardo Torres 118.8
Brandon Valdes 122 vs. Jose Fabian Naranjo 122.4
George Acosta 134.9 vs. Alberto Castillo 130.7
Anthony Chavez 124.9 vs. Josafath Vazquez 124.1

Venue: Doubletree Hotel
Promoter: Thompson Boxing
TV: Facebook

Undefeated Puerto Rican contender Christopher “Pitufo” Diaz has only one goal on his mind: become a world champion. During a press conference held on Thursday afternoon at ‘The Island of Enchantment’, Díaz guaranteed that on July 28 he will leave the Kissimmee Civic Center as world champion.

On that night, in front of the fans of the city called “Little Puerto Rico” in the state of Florida, Díaz will compete for the vacant World Boxing Organization (WBO) Junior Lightweight title against Japan’s Masayuki Ito. In the co-feature, undefeated Dominican welterweight Carlos “Caballo Bronco” Adames will face Artemio Reyes of San Bernardino, California. Continue reading “Pitufo Diaz: I’ll be the best 130lber in the world”

Weights by Brad Snyder
Photos: Bob Ryder

Claressa Shields 159.6 vs. Hanna Gabriels 159.6
(WBA and IBF female middleweight titles)

Christina Hammer 159.4 vs. Tori Nelson 157.6
(WBC and WBO female middleweight titles)

Umar Salamov 174.4 vs. Brian Howard 174.4
Bakhtiyar Eyubov 146.6 vs. Nicholas Givhan 145.6
Aslamber Idigov 170.8 vs. James Ballard 171.6
Apti Davtaev 261.4 vs. Cory Phelps 246.2
Ja’Rico O’Quinn 116.2 vs. Yaqub Kareem 120.8
Leon Lawson 153 vs. Javier Frazier 155.8
Joseph Bonas 148.6 vs. Michael Klekotta 148.6

Venue: Masonic Temple in Detroit, Michigan
Promoter: Salita Promotions
TV: Showtime

Photos

Tension was set on high when WBC super featherweight champion Miguel “Alacrán” Berchelt (33-1, 29 KOs) and Jonathan Víctor “Barros” (41-5-1, 22 KOs) came face to face at the final press conference in advance of their world title clash on Saturday at the Poliórum Zamná in Merida, Yucatan, Mexico on the Casa del Boxeo, Azteca 7 in Mexico and ESPN+ in the United States.

Jonathan Barros: “I will defeat Berchelt on the patio of his own house. There will be no doubt who is the best in the ring. Starting Saturday, I will be known as Jonathan “The Executioner of Mexicans” Barros.”

Miguel Berchelt: ”It’s a good thing you come well prepared to give a great fight. I want to tell you that the title will stay at home. It will not go with you or anyone who comes to my house to take my belt. I will win for the people of Merida!”

Photos

Julian “El Niño Artillero” Yedras opened the doors for the Mexican Media on Wednesday, June 20th, exactly one month before his Boxeo Telemundo debut, to show off his great conditioning as he concludes the last 4 weeks of camp in the high altitude of Mexico City, Mexico. The media workout included a sparring session, pad work, double bag, and finished off with a few interviews for the press.

Yedras is very confident of dethroning current WBO/NABO flyweight titleholder Jonathan “Bomba” Gonzalez (20-2 12KOs) of Caguas, Puerto Rico in his U.S debut and feels’s he has the international experience to do so. Continue reading “Yedra gears up for Bomba Gonzalez”

Rising hot welterweight contender Rashidi “Speedy” Ellis (19-0, 13 KOs) of Boston, Mass. will return to the ring in a 10-round welterweight fight against rugged Panamanian warrior Alberto “Metralleta” Mosquera (25-3-2, 16 KOs) in the main event of the June 29 edition of Golden Boy Boxing on ESPN at the Oasis Arena in Cancun, Quintana Roo, Mexico. ESPN and ESPN Deportes will air the fights.

In the co-main event, Francisco Horta (16-3-1, 10 KOs) of Cancun, Mexico will face David Reyes (17-4-1, 6 KOs) of Ciudad Obregon, Mexico in an eight-round super bantamweight fight. Eduardo Nunez (10-0, 10 KOs) of Los Mochis, Mexico will battle Hiram Gallardo (6-2-1, 1 KO) of Chetumal, Mexico across six-rounds of 126-pound action in the televised opener.