Fightnews.com

By Joe Koizumi
Photos by Naoki Fukuda

Japanese national hero, WBA middleweight champion and 2012 Olympic gold medalist Ryota Murata (13-1, 10 KOs) welcomed Top Rank CEO Bob Arum’s attendance at the press conference on Friday prior to his sensational initial defense against Italian Emanuele Blandamura (27-2, 5 KOs) on this coming Sunday.

ESPN will telecast this title bout live in US on Sunday morning and show it again at night, which has motivated the defending champ Ryota, who said, “I’d like to have this fight appeal to the world. Now that I have prepared very well, I wish to do and demonstrate my best.” Continue reading “Arum has big plans for WBA 160lb champ Murata”

Terry Flanagan and Maurice Hooker will clash for the vacant WBO jr welterweight championship at the Manchester Arena on June 9 on the same card that features the return of former heavyweight world champion Tyson Fury. Flanagan is stepping up to 140 pounds after vacating his WBO lightweight world title, and is confident of becoming a two-weight world champion.

He currently holds the longest undefeated record in British boxing (33-0, 13 KOs) and will be aiming to unify the 140lb division once he triumphs at his ‘home’ Arena on June 9th.

“Winning this fight will prove that I’m a legitimate 140 pound fighter,” said Flanagan. “I’ll be looking to unify all of the belts later in the year. I’m looking for the likes of Mikey Garcia after I win the WBO belt on June 9th. It’s a massive unification fight and I hope those are the fights Frank can make. Continue reading “Flanagan-Hooker lands on Fury comeback card”

Undefeated and world ranked light heavyweight Mike Lee (20-0-0, 11 KOs), of Chicago, IL will face battle-tested Mexican Jose Hernandez (19-3-1, 9 KOs), of Lancaster, CA In the ten round main event on June 8 at the Allstate Arena in Rosemont, IL, just outside of Chicago and live on CBS Sports Network. Currently world ranked #3 by the WBO and #12 by the WBA and IBF, Lee returns to battle following a first round knockout over Aaron Quattrocchi last September. Lee opened up training camp in Santa Monica, CA earlier this month.

By Joe Koizumi
Photos by Naoki Fukuda

Unheralded underdog, Filipino southpaw Alvin Lagumbay (10-2, 9 KOs), 146.5, astoundingly wrested the WBO Asia Pacific welterweight belt as he overcame his first visit to the deck in the opening round and his second trip to the canvas after an eye-catching double knockdown, and raised himself up earlier than the badly damaged defending champ, WBO#6/IBF#9 Keita Obara (19-3-1, 17 KOs), 146.75, scoring a spectacular knockout win at 2:36 of the second round on Thursday in Tokyo, Japan.

The Filipino attempted a go-for-broke attack from the start, kept stalking the circling champ and hit the canvas with Obara’s countering left hook in the first round. The second round witnessed Lagumbay keep on swinging southpaw lefts, when the champ Obara attempted to counter him again but Lagumbay also landed a vicious, more powerful shot with his left hand.

Both hit the deck, but Lagumbay could pulled himself up, while Obara whose back of the head badly hit the canvas couldn’t resume fighting though he barely stood up wobblingly. The champ was mercilessly counted out. Continue reading “Filipino Lagumbay dethrones WBO#6 Obara after double knockdown”

By Joe Koizumi
Photos by Naoki Fukuda

Free-swinging Filipino WBO#12 Richard Pumicpic (21-8-2, 6 KOs), 125.5, proved too strong and durable for previously unbeaten Japanese prospect Yoshimitsu Kimura (9-1, 4 KOs), 125.75, as he comfortably retained his WBO Asia Pacific featherweight belt by a unanimous decision (116-112 twice, 115-13) over twelve hard-fought rounds on Thursday in Tokyo, Japan.

Pumicpic took the initiative with an opening attack and maintained his aggressiveness to the hard-hitting but less experienced 21-year-old rival throughout the contest. Kimura, handled by ex-WBA 108-pound champ Yoko Gushiken, occasionally fought back hard, but was often overwhelmed by Pumicpic’s rough-and-tumble tactics in the close quarter. The Filipino’s strong heart and abundant stamina carried him to a victory after their hot exchanges of solid punches.

Photos

Two-division world champion Jessie Vargas hosted a media workout in Las Vegas Thursday as he prepares for his main event showdown against four-division world champion Adrien Broner on Saturday, April 21 live on SHOWTIME from Barclays Center in Brooklyn. The fight will be Vargas’ second fight being guided by head trainer and former three-division world champion Mike “The Bodysnatcher” McCallum.

Vargas conducted the media workout from Mayweather Boxing Club as he prepares for the pivotal matchup against Broner. Here is what Vargas, McCallum and Mayweather Promotions CEO Leonard Ellerbe had to say Thursday. Continue reading “Vargas: I’m planning on having my hand raised”

By Ray Wheatley — World of Boxing

Former WBA, WBO, IBF heavyweight champion Tyson Fury is confident of defeating the current WBA, WBO, IBF champion Anthony Joshua. “I’m the fittest I’ve ever been. Timing, reflexes, everything is better than it’s ever been. I kid you not,” Fury said. “Everything is still there. I’m 29 years old, coming into the prime of my life, I’m stronger and faster, holding more muscle mass than ever. I’m more confident looking at the competition.”

“It’s (Joshua) going to be an easy fight, no contest. He is looking for one punch all night. Anybody who can move a little bit, and throw feints, he struggles with. He can’t land. I’d outbox him for a few rounds then I’d knock him out.”

Super welterweights Ramon “Inocente” Alvarez (25-6-3, 24 KOs), older brother of Canelo Alvarez, and Jorge “Maromerito” Paez (40-10-2, 24 KOs), son of former world champion Jorge “Maromero” Paez, clash in a crossroads bout on April 21 at the Domo del Parque San Rafael in Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico. Alvarez wants to win in front of his hometown fans. Paez says if he doesn’t win, he’ll retire.

In the co-feature, former world champion Hernán “Tyson” Márquez (43-8-2, 30 KOs) faces José “Gallito” Quirino (18-2-2, 8 KOs) in a ten round bantamweight clash.

The Zanfer Promotions card will be televised in Mexico on Box Azteca, la Casa del Boxeo.

By David Robinett at ringside
Photos: Tom Hogan – Hoganphotos/Golden Boy Promotions

In the main event from Fantasy Springs Resort Casino in Indio, California, former WBC super featherweight champion Francisco Vargas (25-1-2, 18 KOs) continued on the comeback trail, winning his second consecutive fight since losing his belt last year with a knockout of Rod Salka (24-5, 4 KOs) after Salka did not continue after round six of a scheduled ten-round lightweight bout.

Vargas, who took nearly a year off after his loss to Miguel Berchelt in January 2017, started at a measured pace, stalking Salka and looking to land his left hook to the body while Salka peppered him with light-hitting combinations as Vargas was coming in. Continue reading “Vargas batters and stops Salka in six”

WBC featherweight champion “Mister” Gary Russell Jr. (28-1, 17 KOs) will defend his title against mandatory contender Joseph “Jojo” Diaz Jr. (26-0, 14 KOs) on May 19. The card will take place in Montreal on a card that will be aired on Showtime.

Photos: Bob Ryder

Winford Harris 154.4 vs Aaron Garcia 153.2
Rydell Booker 221.4 vs Jamal Woods 246.2
Taylor Duerr 173 vs Dewayne Williams 172.6
Anthony Barnes 166.4 vs Lenwood Dozier 161
Darryl Cunningham 158.6 vs Gundrick King 162.4
Derrick Coleman, Jr 155.6 vs Raul Hernandez 151.4
Isiah Jones 164.8 vs Cameron Burroughs 164.4
Frank Martin 144.6 vs Terren Arrington 148
Josh Visel 153.4 vs Jared Chauvin 155.2
Joel Berman 133.6 vs Jermon Houck 138.4

Promoter/Matchmaker: Carlos Llinas
Venue: MotorCity Casino-Hotel
Doors Friday Night: 6:30 PM, First Bout: 7 PM

Photos

Frank De Alba 130.1 vs. O’Shaquie Foster 131.2
Luther Smith 199.1 vs. Elvin Sanchez 198.7
Martino Jules 128 vs. Vincent Jennings 126.7
James Robinson 156.7 vs. Greg Jackson 150.9
Jesus Perez 142.9 vs. Anthony Sonnier 143.2
Craig Callaghan 152 vs. Cesar Soriano Berumen 151.6

Promoter: King’s Promotions
Venue: Sands Bethlehem Event Center
1st Bell: 7 PM ET
TV: Eleven Sports (Delayed)

By Miguel Maravilla

Still no opponent for WBC/WBA/IBF middleweight champion Gennady Golovkin. The Golovkin Team updated the press today. GGG says he wants to fight May 5. No PPV now, regular HBO. Promoter Tom Loeffler says there are a lot of moving parts, not just getting an opponent and venue, but getting approval from the three sanctioning bodies. IBF mandatory Sergiy Derevyanchenko might be the best option, but the short promotional time frame would be disadvantageous for GGG and Derevyanchenko to be properly compensated. “At some point, we’re going to run out of time…April 18th will answer a lot of questions.”

Gennady Golovkin: “May 5th. Biggest Day. Nobody wants to fight with me. Are you serious?”

Tom Loeffler: “There is no official announcement. Gennady has mentioned to me he wants to fight May 5th. We’re under the gun to save May 5th. Continue reading “Golovkin says he wants to fight May 5”

Lightweight Romero “Ruthless” Duno (16-1, 14 KOs) of General Santos City, Philippines will fight Mexico City’s Gilberto “Flaco” Gonzalez (27-4, 22 KOs) in a 10-round lightweight fight in the main event of the May 17 ESPN2 telecast from Fantasy Springs Resort Casino in Indio, Calif.

The co-main event will feature another Philippines vs. Mexico match-up as Oscar Duarte (13-0-1, 9 KOs) of Parral, Chihuahua Mexico will fight Rey Perez (22-9, 6 KOs) in a lightweight fight scheduled for 10 rounds of action.

In the night’s TV swing bout, Dallas TX’s Alex Rincon (3-0, 3 KOs) will fight in the California fight scene for the first time when he faces a soon to be announced opponent in a four-round middleweight affair.

Unbeaten Ryan “Kingry” Garcia (14-0, 13 KOs) headlines an ESPN2-televised Golden Boy Boxing on May 4 at StubHub Center in Carson, California. Hot prospect Garcia faces seasoned Puerto Rican contender Jayson “La Maravilla” Velez (26-4-1, 18 KOs) in a 10-round super featherweight. Velez is coming off a stoppage win over former world champ “Juanma” Lopez.

In the co-main event, middleweight Gary “Spike” O’Sullivan (27-2, 19 KOs) will make his Southern California debut in a 10-rounder against TBA. That TBA will not be WBC/WBA/IBF middleweight champion Gennady Golovkin. O’Sullivan was rumored to be in the mix to step in for Canelo Alvarez, who withdrew from a rematch with GGG after an adverse drug test. But O’Sullivan has reportedly rejected fighting for the world championship on HBO and will instead opt for a lower profile undercard bout against an undetermined opponent on ESPN2.

Also scheduled are welterweight Alexis “Lex” Rocha (11-0, 8 KOs), super welterweight Ferdinand Kerobyan (8-0, 4 KOs) and super welterweight Richard “Kansas Kid” Acevedo (1-0, 1 KO).

When heavyweights Bryant “By By” Jennings and Joey “The Tank” Dawejko square off in their 10-round heavyweight bout Saturday, April 28, it will revive memories of the some of the great all-Philly matchups that helped to make the Quaker City one of the leading boxing centers in the country.

Always a leading center for boxing, Philadelphia built its reputation by matching fighters from different neighborhoods in front of large, enthusiastic crowds.

“I believe Jennings vs. Dawejko is the biggest all-Philly matchup in 36 years,” said promoter J Russell Peltz. That goes back to 1982 when Jeff Chandler successfully defended his WBA bantamweight title by knocking out former high school classman Johnny Carter in six rounds at the Civic Center. We’ve had some good ones since then, but none as big as Chandler vs. Carter. Continue reading “Jennings-Dawejko: A Philly throwback fight”

By Ray Wheatley — World of Boxing

Former WBA, WBO, IBF heavyweight champion Tyson Fury will return to the ring on June 9 under promoter Frank Warren.”There will be no rush,” Warren said to London’s Daily Mail. “We want Tyson to be in the best possible physical and mental condition. I will be choosing the opponents, but the day for Joshua will happen. Tyson is a great boxer and all he needs is to get fighting fit to regain the titles he never lost in the ring and are rightfully his. The Joshua fight will happen after three or four fights. When the time is right, we will press the button.”

Trainer Kevin Cunningham, the former St. Louis police officer who has worked with former world champions Devon Alexander and Cory Spinks and now the trainer of four-division world champion Adrien Broner and unbeaten former champion Gervonta “Tank” Davis, spoke about working with Broner in West Palm Beach, Florida. Broner fights former welterweight champion Jessie Vargas on April 21 live on SHOWTIME from Barclays Center in Brooklyn.

On his relationship with Adrien Broner…

“I’ve known Adrian Broner for a very long time. I think I’ve known him since he was like eight years old and 60 pounds. He’s always been an extremely talented fighter. When he was a kid he was one of the most talented kids. He has always had boatloads of talent.” Continue reading “Cunningham: Broner ready to take career seriously”

Last time we saw “Lightning” Rod Salka (24-4, 4 KOs), he was getting laid out by a much larger Danny Garcia in a heavily criticized 2014 Showtime fight. Since then Salka has won five straight and tonight he steps up again against exciting former world champion Francisco “El Bandido” Vargas on ESPN2 from Fantasy Springs Resort Casino in Indio, Calif.

Online sportsbooks have the WBC #2 rated Vargas favored by as much as 50:1, but Salka sees this fight as his chance to beat a name fighter his own size. “I’m excited to be at 130 pounds,” said Salka in the lead up to the fight. “Francisco Vargas stands in the way of me fighting [Miguel] Berchelt, so he has to be eliminated.”

Tall order, but tonight we’ll see if he can do it.

Three-division world champion Donnie Nietes, the longest reigning Filipino world champion ever, has announced that he relinquished his world flyweight belt and moving up to super flyweight.

“Today, I have made my decision to move up to 115 and vacate my IBF Flyweight world title,” said Nietes in a statement. “This is the challenge I have been waiting for. to go up in weight is never easy but this is my dream to become a four-division world champion and to fight all the big names at super flyweight.

“I would like to sincerely thank the IBF for giving me the opportunity to be a world champion of their organization and the WBO for putting me now as the #1 contender to fight for the vacant WBO super flyweight title.” Continue reading “Nietes to vacate IBF flyweight title”

By Ray Wheatley — World of Boxing

WBA#5 lightweight George Kambosos has signed with DiBella Entertainment and will be making his USA debut on May 5. “I have been a fan of George Kambosos from afar for a long time; he is a genuine talent,” said Lou DiBella, President of DiBella Entertainment. “George is not only one of the most talented prospects in boxing, but he possesses the charisma and the character to become a star. I will continue to heavily promote George in Australia, but I have no doubt of his ability to conquer the United States and inevitably become a force the world over.” Kambosos is trained by fellow Australian Justin Fortune in Los Angeles.

Veterans Cosme “Chino” Rivera (43-24-3, 29 KOs) and Miguel “Titere” Vazquez (39-6, 15 KOs) will clash for the vacant WBF Mexican welterweight title on Friday night at the Parque Revolucion in Rivera´s hometown of Culiacan, Mexico. The 41-year-old Rivera is coming off victories in his two most recent outings, while the ten years younger former IBF lightweight champ Vazquez returns after being stopped for the first time in his career after moving up to jr welterweight against Josh Taylor last November in Scotland. He is now moving up to yet another new weight class. The card is promoted by Promociones Boxisticas Culiacan.