Paulie Ayala’s Punching out Parkinsons

By Jeff Zimmerman

Former 2x world champion Paulie Ayala hosts his annual “Punching out Parkinson’s” fundraiser, Meet the Champs VI, Saturday, February 10th at The Fort Worth Club in Fort Worth, Texas.

Ayala has been a fighter his whole life and experienced what it was like to become a champion in the ring, not once, but twice. But what he is doing with his Punching out Parkinson’s program, using a non- contact boxing workout he designed, to help those inflicted with the dreaded disease of Parkinson’s and the impact he is making on them is something special.

“Of course, it feels good to help people, but I think that community that has evolved from this program is powerful as well. There is strength in numbers and I see this group care and support each other.” Continue reading “Paulie Ayala’s Punching out Parkinsons”

By Jeff Zimmerman Former 2x world champion Paulie Ayala hosts his annual “Punching out Parkinson’s” fundraiser, Meet the Champs VI, Saturday, February 10th at The Fort Worth Club in Fort…
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New opponent for Ximinez

Roy Jones Jr. Boxing Promotions has a beIN Sports telecast on Friday at the Bomb Factory in Dallas Texas. The featured bout of the night will showcase the hometown hero and fan favorite, Ray Ximenez (16-1, 4 KOs) from Dallas Texas in an 8-round featherweight bout against Eugene Lagos (12-4, 7 KOs) from Valencia City Philippines. Ximenez was originally scheduled to face once-beaten John Vincent Moralde (also from the Philippines) but Moralde was forced to pull out due to an injury. Lagos, who was already in training camp in Los Angeles CA jumped at the opportunity to face Ximenez.

Roy Jones Jr. Boxing Promotions has a beIN Sports telecast on Friday at the Bomb Factory in Dallas Texas. The featured bout of the night will showcase the hometown hero…
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Prograis-Postol is official

Undefeated 140-pound contender Regis Prograis and former world champion Viktor Postol will face off for the vacant WBC Super Lightweight World Championship on Friday, March 9 in the 12-round main event of Showtime Boxing: Special Edition live on SHOWTIME at 10 p.m. ET/PT from Deadwood Mountain Grand in Deadwood, South Dakota.

Prograis (20-0, 17 KOs), of Houston by way of New Orleans, has scored knockouts in 13 of his last 14 fights and is a rising star in the wide-open 140-pound division. The aggressive-minded southpaw will face the toughest test of his career in Postol, a former WBC Super Lightweight World Champion with only one loss on his record. Continue reading “Prograis-Postol is official”

Undefeated 140-pound contender Regis Prograis and former world champion Viktor Postol will face off for the vacant WBC Super Lightweight World Championship on Friday, March 9 in the 12-round main…
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Savelyeva gets 10-rounder in fourth fight

In just her fourth professional fight, rising female flyweight prospect Elena Savelyeva will take the leap to 10-rounders.

Formerly one of the most decorated female amateur boxers in the world and a 2012 Olympian, Savelyeva (3-0, 3 KOs), of Pushkino, Russia, will face former world title challenger Nevenka Mikulic of Croatia on Saturday, February 10 at Qin Shi Huang Restaurant in Saint Petersburg, Russia.

“I feel great,” said Savelyeva, “Everything has gone completely according to plan. The fight itself will show what great shape I’m in. My training is always very intense, and I always have planned-out goals in mind.” Continue reading “Savelyeva gets 10-rounder in fourth fight”

In just her fourth professional fight, rising female flyweight prospect Elena Savelyeva will take the leap to 10-rounders. Formerly one of the most decorated female amateur boxers in the world…
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Berchelt set for title defense Saturday

WBC super featherweight champion Miguel “Alacrán” Berchelt has arrived in Cancun to defend his title Saturday at the Oasis Arena. Berchelt (32-1, 28 KOs) meets Maxwell Awuku (44-3-1, 30 KOs). “I am very happy to be home,” said Berchelt. “I fulfilled one of my dreams: to present myself to my people as world champion. I chose to do this fight in Cancun because I had to show my people that the result of my seven years of work is paying off. This very important for me.”

Photo: Zanfer

“I’m not really concerned that there are opponent changes, because I trained to win and I’m ready for whatever comes my way in the ring. I’m risking my crown in front my people and I just have one thing in mind. To win. I’ll go do my fight and seek to win by any means.” Continue reading “Berchelt set for title defense Saturday”

WBC super featherweight champion Miguel “Alacrán” Berchelt has arrived in Cancun to defend his title Saturday at the Oasis Arena. Berchelt (32-1, 28 KOs) meets Maxwell Awuku (44-3-1, 30 KOs).…
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Euro Update

By Marco Bratusch

Legendary boxing trainer Domenico Brillantino passed away last week in Marcianise, south Italy. Brillantino, 76, a retired aviation marshal, had run his own gym, the Excelsior Boxe, for forty years in one of the most delinquency filled areas of the country, putting his kind word and immense knowledge of the sport at the service of hundreds of endangered kids. A real social doctor, he taught the importance of the rules, the mental and physical benefits of daily workout using the boxing metaphor, helping young men to become better human beings and to look for an alternative, more positive way of dealing with problems. He also led some of his best pupils as Angelo Musone, Clemente Russo and Vincenzo Mangiacapre to step on the Olympic podiums, the greatest achievements in amateur boxing. Continue reading “Euro Update”

By Marco Bratusch Legendary boxing trainer Domenico Brillantino passed away last week in Marcianise, south Italy. Brillantino, 76, a retired aviation marshal, had run his own gym, the Excelsior Boxe,…
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Boxing Spotlight: Ja’Rico O’Quinn

Undefeated Detroit bantamweight prospect Ja’Rico “The Great Lakes King” O’Quinn (7-0-1, 5 KOs) getting ready for his fight on February 23rd in Detroit.

Undefeated Detroit bantamweight prospect Ja’Rico “The Great Lakes King” O’Quinn (7-0-1, 5 KOs) getting ready for his fight on February 23rd in Detroit.

The 12th Round: Superbowl – SuperBox!

By Mauricio Sulaiman
WBC President – Jose Sulaiman’s son

I landed in Mexico City at 5 in the morning this past Sunday after a trip to Riga, Latvia and Sochi, Russia which was a great success. After a short nap I took my son Mauricio for breakfast and then back home to do the one thing I only do once a year…. Cook SuperBowl Chili! It’s the only dish I can cook and I only do it on Super Bowl day. It is really, really good…

What a game! Incredible. That is why the Super Bowl is known as one of the greatest events of the year. The Eagles came out and won the game, they were strong, smart and took the risks that many other teams failed to do against the Patriots. They took the fight toe to toe and beat them. I was very worried to see Gronkowski in the field after being brutally knocked out only 2 weeks ago. A KO like that would have given any boxer a 45 day suspension without contact. Luckily he was not hit in the head and played an incredible game in the second half. Continue reading “The 12th Round: Superbowl – SuperBox!”

By Mauricio Sulaiman WBC President – Jose Sulaiman’s son I landed in Mexico City at 5 in the morning this past Sunday after a trip to Riga, Latvia and Sochi,…
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Joshua-Parker on Showtime

SHOWTIME will present the heavyweight world championship unification between undefeated IBF and WBA champion Anthony Joshua and unbeaten WBO champion Joseph Parker on Saturday, March 31 live from Principality Stadium in Cardiff, Wales. With the addition of Joshua vs. Parker, all four heavyweight world championship belts will be at stake in the same month on SHOWTIME as undefeated American Deontay Wilder will defend his WBC title against unbeaten Luis Ortiz on March 3 from Barclays Center in Brooklyn.

“The heavyweight division is in the midst of a renaissance, and SHOWTIME is delivering all of the pivotal bouts to our subscribers,” said Stephen Espinoza, President, Sports and Event Programing, Showtime Networks Inc. “Anthony Joshua is a global superstar, and we’re proud to present his sixth, and perhaps most challenging, world title fight to the U.S. audience. Joshua vs. Parker will be the 12th heavyweight world championship match on SHOWTIME since Deontay Wilder won his title in 2015, an undisputed industry-leading offering in boxing’s preeminent division.”

SHOWTIME will present the heavyweight world championship unification between undefeated IBF and WBA champion Anthony Joshua and unbeaten WBO champion Joseph Parker on Saturday, March 31 live from Principality Stadium…
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Full Report: Higa-Fuentes

By Joe Koizumi
Photos: Naoki Fukuda

Unbeaten Japanese hard-puncher Daigo Higa, 112, extended his unblemished mark to 15-0, 15 KOs when he successfully retained his WBC flyweight belt by a quick demolition of Mexican Moises Fuentes (25-5-1, 14 KOs), 111.75, at 2:32 of the opening session on Sunday in Naha, Okinawa, Japan. Higa, making his second defense, swarmed over the taller Mexican, formerly two-division champ, and exploded a very vicious right to the midsection, dropping him on all fours in agony. Referee Len Koivisto, Canada, tolled a fatal ten against the crestfallen loser.

Novelist Norman Mailer wrote a report titled “Ten Thousand Words A Minute” on the first round knockout of Sonny Liston over Floyd Patterson in 1962, Without having such an eloquent pen of Norman it might be hard to write up ten thousand words a minute for the 152-second blitzkrieg in Okinawa. Continue reading “Full Report: Higa-Fuentes”

By Joe Koizumi Photos: Naoki Fukuda Unbeaten Japanese hard-puncher Daigo Higa, 112, extended his unblemished mark to 15-0, 15 KOs when he successfully retained his WBC flyweight belt by a…
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Roy Jones Jr. poised for last fight

Boxing legend Roy Jones Jr. makes his final walk to the ring on Thursday night at the Bay Center in Pensacola, Florida, on UFC FIGHT PASS, the UFC’s digital streaming service. The 49-year-old Jones (65-9, 47 KOs) will face Scott Sigmon (30-11-1, 16 KOs) in the cruiserweight main event. The card features both boxing and MMA bouts and is presented by Jones’s own organization, Square Ring Promotions.

Roy Jones Jr: “Ya’ll musta forgot I always said that my final fight would be in my hometown of Pensacola. I meant it then, and I mean it now. This is where it all began for me, this will be my 75th professional fight, and it will be my last one. I have been friends with Dana White for years and am so excited for UFC FIGHT PASS to be streaming this event.”

Boxing legend Roy Jones Jr. makes his final walk to the ring on Thursday night at the Bay Center in Pensacola, Florida, on UFC FIGHT PASS, the UFC’s digital streaming…
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Horn targets Crawford, then Canelo

By Ray Wheatley — World of Boxing

WBO welterweight champion Jeff Horn has big plans. “The Hornet” is confident he has the style and power to upset WBO mandatory contender Terrence Crawford on April 14 in Madison Square Garden just like he defeated boxing legend Manny Pacquiao last year. After that, he plans to clean out the welterweight division then step up to middleweight for a super fight against Canelo Alvarez in Las Vegas.

”I know Crawford is a terrific boxer,” Horn told boxing writer Grantlee Kieza. “But there are a lot of guys out there with his sort of speed and skills and I’m not overawed. A lot of people say he’s the best in the world right now, but my whole career has been about fighting guys people said were way better than me and proving them wrong. Continue reading “Horn targets Crawford, then Canelo”

By Ray Wheatley — World of Boxing WBO welterweight champion Jeff Horn has big plans. “The Hornet” is confident he has the style and power to upset WBO mandatory contender…
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Kieza receives ASC Award

By Ray Wheatley — World of Boxing

Congratulations to Fightnews.com® contributor Grantlee Kieza, who received the ASC Media award last Friday for Australia’s best sports feature story which was called “Prized Fighter” about Jeff Horn on the eve of the Manny Pacquiao fight.

By Ray Wheatley — World of Boxing Congratulations to Fightnews.com® contributor Grantlee Kieza, who received the ASC Media award last Friday for Australia’s best sports feature story which was called…
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Higa sinks Fuentes in one to keep WBC 112lb belt

By Joe Koizumi

Unbeaten Japanese hard-puncher Daigo Higa, 112, extended his unblemished mark to 15-0, 15 KOs when he successfully retained his WBC flyweight belt by a quick demolition of Mexican Moises Fuentes (25-5-1, 14 KOs), 111.75, at 2:32 of the opening session on Sunday in Naha, Okinawa, Japan. Higa, making his second defense, swarmed over the taller Mexican, formerly two-division champ, and exploded a very vicious right to the midsection, dropping him on all fours in agony. Referee Len Koivisto, Canada, tolled a fatal ten against the crestfallen loser.

(More to come)

By Joe Koizumi Unbeaten Japanese hard-puncher Daigo Higa, 112, extended his unblemished mark to 15-0, 15 KOs when he successfully retained his WBC flyweight belt by a quick demolition of…
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Hurricane Futa Upsets WBC#12 Sarukhanyan

By Joe Koizumi

Unheralded Japanese puncher Hurricane Futa (24-7-1, 15 KOs), 134.25, surprisingly captured the WBC international lightweight belt as he floored defending champ WBC#12 Vage Sarukhanyan (17-2-1, 4 KOs), 134.75, twice in rounds three and seven, stopping him in the seventh round beneath the Gassiev-Dorticos unification bout on Saturday in Sochi, Russia.

Hanging both hands down and moving around, Futa finally exploded a trademark countering left hook to badly deck the heavily favored Russian to prompt the referee to declare a halt. It’s really an upset.

Continue reading “Hurricane Futa Upsets WBC#12 Sarukhanyan”

By Joe Koizumi Unheralded Japanese puncher Hurricane Futa (24-7-1, 15 KOs), 134.25, surprisingly captured the WBC international lightweight belt as he floored defending champ WBC#12 Vage Sarukhanyan (17-2-1, 4 KOs),…
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WBO#9 Sueyoshi stops Osato to keep Japanese 130lb belt

By Joe Koizumi

Japanese super-feather champ, WBO#9 Masaru Sueyoshi (17-1, 11 KOs), 130, barely kept his national belt when he came off the canvas in round three and finally halted top contender Ken Osato (13-2-1, 4 KOs), 130, because of a bad gash at 2:25 of the eighth round in a scheduled ten on Saturday in Tokyo, Japan.

Photo: Boxing Beat

The lanky champ had a very narrow escape in the closing seconds of the third, when he took a solid overhand right of the challenger and unexpectedly hit the deck. But Sueyoshi came back hard to be leading on points by open scoring system—all 48-46 for Sueyoshi after the fifth. Continue reading “WBO#9 Sueyoshi stops Osato to keep Japanese 130lb belt”

By Joe Koizumi Japanese super-feather champ, WBO#9 Masaru Sueyoshi (17-1, 11 KOs), 130, barely kept his national belt when he came off the canvas in round three and finally halted…
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Higa, Fuentes Make Weight

By Joe Koizumi
Photos by Naoki Fukuda

Unbeaten WBC flyweight champion Daigo Higa (14-0, 14 KOs) tipped the beam at the 112-pound class limit, while his Mexican challenger Moises Fuentes (25-4-1, 14 KOs) scaled in at 111.75 pound on Saturday in Okinawa, Japan. Higa, 22, is very much willing to extend his KO streak to fifteen, saying, “If I cannot knock him out despite my victory, I’ll be an ordinary champ. If victorious by knockout, I have something as the champion. Should I lose, I’ll be only a boxer with no crown.”

After the weigh-in was over, the promoter and Higa’s manager, Yoko Gushiken (who previously defended his WBA 108-pound belt on thirteen occasions to his credit) kindly gifted tacos, Mexican food, to Fuentes, 30, who smilingly received it with pleasure. Is that a diplomatic language? Continue reading “Higa, Fuentes Make Weight”

By Joe Koizumi Photos by Naoki Fukuda Unbeaten WBC flyweight champion Daigo Higa (14-0, 14 KOs) tipped the beam at the 112-pound class limit, while his Mexican challenger Moises Fuentes…
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Ramirez batters Ahmed to keep WBO 168lb title

Photos: Sumio Yamada

WBO super middleweight champion Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez (37-0, 25 KOs) scored a one-sided six round beatdown over previously unbeaten WBO #4 challenger Habib Ahmed (22-1, 17 KOs) on Saturday night at the American Bank Center in Corpus Christi, Texas. The bout was waved off by referee Laurence Cole with Ahmed under heavy fire. Time was 2:31. It was Zurdo’s first KO since 2014.

Photos

Photos: Sumio Yamada WBO super middleweight champion Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez (37-0, 25 KOs) scored a one-sided six round beatdown over previously unbeaten WBO #4 challenger Habib Ahmed (22-1, 17 KOs)…
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Ancajas KOs Gonzalez to retain IBF 115lb title

Photos: Sumio Yamada

In his U.S. debut, IBF junior bantamweight champion Jerwin “Pretty Boy” Ancajas (27-1-1, 19 KOs) retained his world title with a tenth round KO over IBF #9 challeger Israel Gonzalez (20-2, 8 KOs) on Saturday night at the American Bank Center in Corpus Christi, Texas.

Ancajas dropped Gonzalez in round one. The bout ended in round ten with two more knockdowns by the champion, who is hailed as the next Manny Pacquiao. Time was 1:50.

Photos

Photos: Sumio Yamada In his U.S. debut, IBF junior bantamweight champion Jerwin “Pretty Boy” Ancajas (27-1-1, 19 KOs) retained his world title with a tenth round KO over IBF #9…
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Undercard Results from Corpus Christi, Texas

Photos: Sumio Yamada

Former world title challenger and WBO #1 rated Jesse Hart (23-1, 19 KOs) demolished Thomas Awimbono (24-8-1, 20 KOs) in the first round on Saturday night at the American Bank Center in Corpus Christi, Texas. Hart dropped Awimbono twice to promptly end it. First with a right uppercut, then with a right/left combination. Time was 1:28. Hart is the son of Philadelphia boxing legend Eugene “Cyclone” Hart.

Former WBA interim super lightweight champion Jose Benavidez Jr. (26-0, 17 KOs) reappeared to the ring for the first time since 2016 with an eight round TKO over Matthew Strode (24-6, 9 KOs). Benavidez returned after taking a gunshot to the leg. He is the older brother of current WBC super middleweight champion David Benavidez.

Continue reading “Undercard Results from Corpus Christi, Texas”

Photos: Sumio Yamada Former world title challenger and WBO #1 rated Jesse Hart (23-1, 19 KOs) demolished Thomas Awimbono (24-8-1, 20 KOs) in the first round on Saturday night at…
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WBSS: Gassiev KOs Dorticos, unifies WBA/IBF

The cruiserweight semifinals of the popular World Boxing Super Series (WBSS) concluded Saturday when undefeated IBF world champion Murat “Iron” Gassiev (26-0, 19 KOs) scored a spectacular twelfth round KO over previously unbeaten WBA world champion Yunier “The KO Doctor” Dorticos (21-1, 20 KOs) at the Bolshov Ice Dome in Sochi, Russia.

Both fighters came out aggressively and landed big shots. Dorticos applied pressure, while Gassiev landed cleaner shots. As the fight progressed, Gassiev took control as Dorticos slowed down. Dorticos tried to rally in round eleven but got rocked and had to hold on. Gassiev dropped Dorticos three times in round twelve. The end came when Gassiev blasted Dorticos through the ropes with eight seconds left in the bout.

WBA/IBF champion Gassiev will advance to the WBSS championship final in Saudi Arabia this May to fight WBO/WBC champion Oleksandr Usyk (14-0, 11 KOs) in a bout to crown an undisputed cruiserweight champion and unify all four major championship belts.

The cruiserweight semifinals of the popular World Boxing Super Series (WBSS) concluded Saturday when undefeated IBF world champion Murat “Iron” Gassiev (26-0, 19 KOs) scored a spectacular twelfth round KO…
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Okolie defeats Chamberlain in grudge fight

2016 Olympian cruiserweight Lawrence Okolie (8-0, 6 KOs) scored a clearcut ten round unanimous decision over previously unbeaten Isaac Chamberlain (9-1, 4 KOs) on Saturday in a grudge match at The O2 in London. Scores were 98-89, 96-90 and 97-89. Chamberlain was down in rounds one and six. He also had a point deducted for holding.

Unbeaten super welterweight Ted Cheeseman (13-0, 8 KOs) pounded out a ten round unanimous decision over veteran Carson Jones (40-13-2, 30 KOs). Scores were 99-91, 99-91 and 100-89. Cheeseman claimed the WBA International belt. Jones missed wight so wasn’t eligible for the belt.

Olympic bronze medallist Joshua Buatsi (4-0, 3 KOs) blew away Jordan Joseph (7-2-1, 2 KOs) in two rounds.

2016 Olympian cruiserweight Lawrence Okolie (8-0, 6 KOs) scored a clearcut ten round unanimous decision over previously unbeaten Isaac Chamberlain (9-1, 4 KOs) on Saturday in a grudge match at…
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WBO #6 Schwarz stops Nebo in four

Photos: Team SES / P. Gercke

WBO #6 heavyweight Tom Schwarz (20-0, 13 KOs) predicted a fourth found KO over Samir Nebo (10-2-1, 10 KOs) and he got it on Saturday at the Erdgas Sports Arena in Halle (Saale), Germany. Schwarz threw a barrage of punches prompting Nebo to turn away and the bout was stopped at 1:50 of round four. Nebo protested to no avail.

In the co-feature, former world title challenger Robin Krasniqi (47-5, 17 KOs) defeated Bartlomiej Grafka (20-28-3, 9 KOs) by unanimous decision in a super middleweight bout. Scores were 78-75, 78-76, 79-73. Krasniqi returned ten months after his decision loss to Arthur Abraham. Continue reading “WBO #6 Schwarz stops Nebo in four”

Photos: Team SES / P. Gercke WBO #6 heavyweight Tom Schwarz (20-0, 13 KOs) predicted a fourth found KO over Samir Nebo (10-2-1, 10 KOs) and he got it on…
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Undercard Results from Sochi, Russia

In a WBSS cruiserweight substitute fight, WBO #2, WBA/WBC #3, IBF #6 rated Maksim Vlasov (42-2, 25 KOs) punished WBC #5 Olanrewaju Durodola (27-5, 25 KOs) for ten rounds. Durodola didn’t come out for round eleven. Vlasov is now WBA International and WBC silver champion.

Former world champion and WBA #3 super middleweight Fedor Chudinov (16-3, 11 KOs) gave late sub Timo Laine (21-10, 6 KOs) a one-way beating for seven rounds. Laine didn’t come out for round eight. Chudinov retained his WBA International belt.

In a clash for the WBA International bantamweight title, reigning beltholder and WBA #7 rated Mikhail Aloyan (4-0, 0 KOs) scored a close ten round split decision over previously unbeaten WBA #8 rated Alexander Espinoza (15-1-2, 7 KOs). Scores were 96-94, 96-95 Aloyan, 96-94 Espinoza. Aloyan is a two-time Olympic medalist and former amateur world champion.

In a WBSS cruiserweight substitute fight, WBO #2, WBA/WBC #3, IBF #6 rated Maksim Vlasov (42-2, 25 KOs) punished WBC #5 Olanrewaju Durodola (27-5, 25 KOs) for ten rounds. Durodola…
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Ellis, Younan open to rematch

By Bill Green at ringside

Undefeated super middleweight prospects Ronald Ellis and Junior Younan fought to a split draw in the main event of ShoBox on Friday night at the WinnaVegas Casino Resort in Sloan, Iowa. At the midway point, Ellis was behind on every card, but he won four of the final five rounds on all three cards to keep his “O” intact.

“I thought I pulled it out,” said Ellis. “I closed the show at the end. I was pressuring him and the fans know I won. In the eighth, he landed a couple of shots but he wasted his energy. As you saw, he didn’t do anything the rest of that round, and after that round he had nothing left. He was running from the start, so I knew I could land shots on him anytime. My only regret is I wish that I got him out of there. It’s all knockouts from here on out. I would definitely fight him again, but I’ll do whatever my promoter lines up for me.” Continue reading “Ellis, Younan open to rematch”

By Bill Green at ringside Undefeated super middleweight prospects Ronald Ellis and Junior Younan fought to a split draw in the main event of ShoBox on Friday night at the…
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