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Golden Boy Promotions will continue its partnership with ESPN for this exciting new year with a main event featuring 126-pound contender Joseph “JoJo” Diaz, Jr. (25-0, 13 KOs) defending his NABO featherweight title against former world champion Victor “Vikingo” Terrazas (38-4-2, 21 KOs) on the Feb. 22 edition of Golden Boy Boxing on ESPN at Fantasy Springs Resort Casino in Indio, Calif. “I look forward to making my 2018 debut,” said Diaz, Jr. “And what better way than by facing a tough former world champion in Victor Terrazas! I will remind everyone why I deserve a world title shot by headlining this card exciting fashion.” Continue reading “Diaz-Terrazas collide Feb 22”

By Przemek Garczarczyk

“You could feel Murat Gassiev’s energy, his aura – instantly. Always respectful to people, to other fighters. Everything he’s doing is for his family, his friends. Every cent he makes, he sends to his Mom. He trusts her to make wise decisions about what to do with the money,” says Leo Khorolinsky, adviser to undefeated cruiserweight IBF champion Murat Gassiev in an exclusive Fightnews.com interview.

On February 3 in Sochi, Russia, “Iron” Gassiev (25-0, 18 KOs) will challenge another undefeated champ, WBA belt holder from Cuba, Yunier Dorticos (22-0, 21 KO) in World Boxing Super Series semifinal bout. Continue reading “Gassiev wants to create his own legacy”

Christina Hammer talks about progress of woman’s boxing, fight with Claressa Shields.

Unbeaten Super Flyweight Andrew “The Monster” Moloney (15-0, 10 Kos), returns for the biggest test of his professional career February 24 at St Kilda City Stadium in Melbourne Australia for “Punches in the Park 7.” Moloney puts his coveted WBA Oceania title & World rankings on the line (WBA #6, IBF #10, WBC #18) as he challenges IBF #5, WBC #11, WBO #12 Rene “The Commander” Dacquel 20 (6) – 6 -1 for his OPBF Championship. Continue reading “Andrew Moloney returns Feb 24”

By Byron Spurlock

Unified women’s super middleweight world champion Claressa Shields and undefeated IBF mandatory challenger Tori Nelson are set for their 10-round WBC and IBF world title showdown tonight in the ShoBox main event taking place at the Turning Stone Resort Casino in Verona, NY.

The 22-year-old two-time Olympic Gold Medalist Shields (4-0, 2 KOs) will face her second consecutive undefeated opponent in the former world champion Nelson (17-0-3, 2 KOs).

We caught up with Claressa in the lead up to the fight. Continue reading “Interview: Claressa Shields”

Top Rank presented a rare non-televised show on Thursday night at the Tachi Palace Casino in Fresno, California. In the main event, junior middleweight Vladimir Hernandez (10-2, 6 KOs) pounded out a close eight round unanimous decision over local favorite Danny Valdivia (14-2, 10 KOs). Scores were 77-75, 77-75, 78-77.

Also, lightweight Bryan Lua (3-0) outpointed Mario Aguirre (2-11, 2 KOs) over four, super middleweight Calvin Metcalf (8-1, 2 KOs) took a six round majority nod over Joe Louie Lopez (9-3, 6 KOs), and super featherweight Victor Morales (8-0, 4 KOs) remained unbeaten with a fifth round TKO over Edgar Cantu (7-3-2, 1 KO).

Other Action:
Isidro Ochoa W4 Gabriel Rodriguez (featherweight)
Angel Cordon TKO3 Johnny Estrada (featherweight)
Edgar Martinez W4 Javier Rodriguez (super lightweight)

Two-division world champion Lamont Peterson hosted a media workout in his hometown of Washington, D.C. Thursday as he prepares to take on unbeaten welterweight world champion Errol Spence Jr. Saturday, January 20 live on SHOWTIME from Barclays Center in Brooklyn.

“I feel great. I’m already close to weight,” said Peterson. “I’m happy and eating up to five times a day. I feel strong and I’m ready for this fight. I have to look at this as really just another big fight. When you’re at the top, you try not to make too much of each fight. We know what’s at stake. I know that when I keep it simple, that’s when I perform best. Continue reading “Lamont Peterson Workout”

On February 3, unbeaten WBO #5 heavyweight Tom Schwarz (19-0, 12 KOs) returns against Samir Nebo (10-1-1, 10 KOs) at the Erdgas Sportarena in Halle/Saale, Germany. Schwarz, who will be defending his WBO Inter-Conti title, is returning from a September neck injury that required surgery. Schwarz and Nebo faced off at the kickoff press conference at the Dormero Kongress- und Kulturzentrum.

Tom Schwarz: “The injury in September was a hard and painful turning point for me – but I want to go all the way up and it doesn’t matter what or who stands in the way. Samir Nebo is a great opponent with great will – but he is not going to win against me. I have built up so much aggression in recent months and need to get it out. Samir will experience it in the ring!” Continue reading “WBO #5 Schwarz back in action”

By Marco Bratusch

Italian puncher Fabio Turchi (13-0, 10 KOs), aged 24, will make a voluntary defense of his WBC International Silver belt on February 2nd at Nelson Mandela Forum in Florence, Italy, against Argentinian veteran Dario German Balmaceda (15-16-2, 11 KOs), with the two scheduled to compete in a ten-rounder. At first, Turchi was due to take on European Union (EU) cruiserweight titleholder Aleksandru Jur, as he was the official challenger, a fight for which his promoter Boxe Loreni had won the specific bid weeks ago. Unfortunately, Jur got injured at the beginning of the week and it was not easy to find a suitable replacement in less than three weeks in order to fight for the vacant belt. Continue reading “Turchi to defend WBC Int/Silver against Balmaceda”

By Ray Wheatley — World of Boxing

Australian promoter and trainer Lou Myers from the 1970’s has passed away on the Gold Coast, Queensland on Monday. Lou trained Australian light middleweight champion Shane Patrick who captured the title by outpointing Ricky Patterson over fifteen rounds at the Blacktown RSL club in 1976 with former world bantamweight champion Jimmy Carruthers working as the third man in the ring. Continue reading “Lou Myers passes”

IBF jr bantamweight world champion Jerwin Ancajas, runs for miles on jungle-like mountain paths three hours from Metro Manila. He trains at his Camp Survival on a ring with a blue MP Promotions tarp over the top of cement blocks on the dirt. “I fight for the glory of the Philippines,” Ancajas said. “Manny helps me. He talks to me.”

“Jerwin is very, very exciting. He can really punch too,” said Hall of Fame promoter Bob Arum of Top Rank.

Ancajas is making his way to the USA. He will first be in Los Angeles and will shake out there on Friday, January 26. Then he proceeds to Corpus Christi, Texas for Top Rank’s fight week. Continue reading “Ancajas poised for USA debut”

Eleider Alvarez has officially notified the WBC that he is withdrawing from the WBC-ordered Interim World Championship fight against Oleksandr Gvozdyk. The WBC Board of Governors will now look into the effect of Mr. Alvarez’ decision on the overall status of the division, and will produce an official ruling in the following days.

The WBC finds it necessary to provide, at this point, the chronological background facts that have led to the present status of the division. It is important to set the record straight by putting the facts in black and white. That way, the affected boxers and the public will have a clear idea of every occurrence that has affected the division in recent years. Continue reading “WBC light heavyweight division status clarification”

By Boxing Bob Newman at the scale

Claressa Shields 167 vs. Tori Nelson 164.75
(WBC & IBF Female Super Middleweight titles)

Shohjahon Ergashev 140 vs. Sonny Fredrickson 141

Jesse Angel Hernandez 122.5 vs. Ernesto Garza III 122.5
Apti Davtaev 245 vs. Garrett Wilson 210
Alexey Zubov 206.75 vs. Lamont Capers 194.25
Franchon Crews Dezurn 169.25 vs. Tiffany Woodard 166
Bakhtiyar Eyubov 143.5 vs. Maurice Chalmers 141.5

Venue: Turning Stone Resort & Casino
Promoter: Dmitriy Salita (Salita Promotions)
Matchmaker: Dennis Turner
Television: USA Showtime 10:00 pm
Doors open: 6:30 pm, First bell: 7:00 pm

Dillian Whyte will defend his WBC Silver Heavyweight title against Lucas Browne in a crunch clash at The O2 in London on March 24, live on Sky Sports. Whyte is hunting world honors after he landed the title in his last outing in Cardiff in December against Robert Helenius and the 29 year old puts his number one ranking in the WBC on the line against the Browne.

‘The Body Snatcher’ is gunning for WBC king Deontay Wilder with the ultimate goal to land the title and set up a huge unification rematch with old foe Anthony Joshua, and Whyte knows he must put an end to his bitter online feud with Browne in style in Greenwich.

“I can’t wait, I hate Lucas Browne and I want to hurt him,” said Whyte. “He’s said some nasty things and he’s going to have to pay for them. Continue reading “Whyte vs. Browne is on for March 24”

Photos: Stephanie Trapp/SHOWTIME

Unified Women’s Super Middleweight World Champion Claressa Shields spoke to media at a workout session in her hometown of Flint, Mich., before she departed to Verona, N.Y. to defend her 168-pound titles against undefeated IBF mandatory challenger Tori Nelson tomorrow night, Friday, Jan. 12 live on SHOWTIME.

Shields will weigh in this afternoon prior to tomorrow night’s ShoBox: The New Generation telecast from Turning Stone Resort Casino. The telecast begins at 10 p.m. ET/PT and features the battle of two undefeated 140-pound prospects Shohjahon Ergashev and Sonny Fredrickson and Jesse Hernandez making his ShoBox return against Ernesto Garza. Continue reading “Claressa Shields Final Workout Quotes & Photos”

Report/Photos: Jeff Zimmerman

IBF welterweight champion Errol “The Truth” Spence Jr. (22-0, 19 KOs) along with his trainer Derrick James hosted a full house of media Tuesday afternoon at his home gym in Dallas, R&R Boxing Club. Spence Jr defends his crown for the first time against former champion Lamont Peterson Saturday, January 20th at the Barclays Center and shown live on Showtime.

Spence Jr. shadowed boxed in the ring for a bit and then pounded the heavy bag for several minutes as the sound of his punches could be heard over the blaring music.

He looked fit as always as he hit the mitts of James around the ring and is not concerned about another long layoff between fights. It will be almost 8 months since Spence Jr. stopped Kell Brook to claim his first title when he climbs in the ring with Peterson later this month. Continue reading “Spence Jr: It’s a statement fight”

By Marco Bratusch

As a result of the fact that former champion Emanuele “Sioux” Blandamura suddenly relinquished his European middleweight belt just few weeks before his scheduled bout against mandatory challenger Kamil Szeremeta (16-0, 2 KOs), the European Boxing Union has approved the Polish boxer to fight for the vacant belt against Alessandro Goddi (33-2-1, 16 KOs) on the same December 27th fight night in Rome, Italy. Goddi, ranked #7 by the EBU, is a fellow stablemate of Blandamura and handled by OPI Since 82, that’s why he already got a chance versus Blandamura last June, losing a competitive decision. Rumors emerging around the Blandamura’s decision are the 38-year-old boxer might have a big opportunity and payday abroad during the first part of 2018. Continue reading “Euro Update”

A rare non-televised show for Top Rank.

Vladimir Hernandez 154.8 vs. Danny Valdivia 153.8
Bryan Lua 135.2 vs. Mario Aguirre 138
Joe Louie Lopez 166.6 vs. Calvin Metcalf 163.2
Victor Morales 127.4 vs. Edgar Cantu 127.4
Isidro Ochoa 126.6 vs. Gabriel Rodriguez 127.2
Angel Cordon 127.4 vs. Johnny Estrada 126.6
Javier Rodriguez 140.4 vs. Edgar Martinez 140

Venue: Tachi Palace Casino, Fresno, CA
Promoter: Top Rank
TV: None

Undefeated heavyweight KO artist Apti Davtaev will make his long-awaited American debut this Friday night on the untelevised undercard of two-time Olympic gold medalist Claressa “T-Rex” Shields (4-0, 2 KOs) defense of her WBC and IBF titles against undefeated mandatory challenger Tori Nelson (17-0-3, 2 KOs) at the Turning Stone Resort Casino in Verona, New York.

A recent signing of Salita Promotions, Davtaev (13-0-1, 13 KOs), from Kurchaloi, Russia, will take on Philadelphia-based veteran Garrett “The Ultimate Warrior” Wilson (18-13-1, 9 KOs) in an eight-round showcase.

Standing an imposing 6 ‘5″ and already having won the WBC Slovenian title in just his tenth pro fight, Davtaev moved from his training base in Grozny to Detroit to work with well-respected Javan SugarHill Steward at the Kronk Gym. Continue reading “Davtaev Looking to Impress in American Debut”

Report/Photos by David Finger

It’s been close to three years since Premier Boxing Champions (PBC) came to the Don Haskins Center in El Paso, Texas but boxing fans in the Sun City are still talking about the night of July 18, 2015. It was arguably the greatest night of professional boxing in the long, storied history of El Paso Boxing with a double header featuring two world championship fights and a main event featuring Mexico’s Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. taking on Chihuahua native Marcos Reyes in a ten round brawl. Rounding off that card were 14 other fights featuring some of PBC’s most popular prospects.

But if there was one complaint about the card with local fans it was this: there simply wasn’t enough local talent on the card.

Well, PBC is back in the Sun City…and they listened. Continue reading “Ortiz-Alexander Kickoff Presser”

The New York State Boxing Hall of Fame (NYSBHOF) has announced its 23-member Class of 2018. The seventh annual NYSBHOF induction dinner will be held Sunday afternoon (12:30-5:30 p.m. ET), April 29, at Russo’s On The Bay in Howard Beach, New York.

“This day is for all these inductees who worked so hard for our enjoyment,” NYSBHOF president Bob Duffy said, “and for what they did for New York State boxing.”

Living boxers heading into the NYSBHOF include (Spring Valley) IBF Cruiserweight World Champion Al “Ice” Cole (35-16-3, 16 KOs), (Long Island) WBA light heavyweight Lou “Honey Boy” Del Valle (36-6-2, 22 KOs), (Central Islip) IBF Junior Welterweight World Champion Jake Rodriguez (28-8-2, 8 KOs), (Brooklyn) world lightweight title challenger Terrence Alli (52-15-2, 21 KOs), and (Buffalo) undefeated world-class heavyweight “Baby” Joe Mesi (36-0, 29 KOs). Continue reading “2018 NYBHOF Inductees announced”