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Evander Holyfield’s Real Deal Sports and Entertainment has signed top undefeated cruiserweight prospect Fabio “Stone Crusher” Turchi (12-0, 9 KOs) of Florence, Italy, it was announced today by their COO, Eric Bentley and Turchi’s Italian promoter Mario Loreni. Most recently the 24-year-old Turchi knocked out veteran Cesar David Crenz in the fourth round on July 15, 2017, earning the vacant WBC International Silver Cruiserweight Title. His first fight under the Holyfield banner is TBA.

By Gabriel F. Cordero

Looks like former world champion Juan Manuel Marquez will be hanging up his gloves. According to ESPN’s Salvador Rodríguez, he will be announcing his retirement today on the boxing TV show “A Los Golpes.” Marquez, who will be 44 this month, hasn’t fought in more than three years. He was penciled in for August 19 at the Arena Mexico in Mexico City, but suffered a training injury. A four-division world champion, Marquez had a career mark of 56-7-1 with 40 KOs. In addition to four legendary fights against Manny Pacquiao, he faced Floyd Mayweather Jr, Marco Antonio Barrera, Joel Casamayor, Manuel Medina, Derrick Gainer, Juan Diaz, Michael Katsidis and Timothy Bradley among others. “Dinamita” is considered by many to be the second best Mexican fighter in history, just behind the legendary Julio Cesar Chavez.

Former world champion Paulie Malignaggi has quit as Conor McGregor’s sparring partner after images were leaked that showed Malignaggi on the canvas and seemingly getting pummeled by McGregor.

Malignaggi discussed the images on Twitter.

“It’s not nice to paint a pic that isn’t true, this was a pushdown in sparring, post the whole video rounds 1 through 12 UNEDITED…the UFC PI has cameras all over the gym recording 24/7. The video exists UNEDITED of rounds 1 through 12 Tuesday night, let the fans see…I came to help this camp out, not to be exploited, now you’re gonna get the truth though. Post FULL UNEDITED VIDEO FROM TUES night…I actually beat his ass, 24 hours off a flight too lol, which is why I’m saying post the vid. I try not to be petty but seems it’s late for that now…I did interview BECAUSE of the pics, I’m not your average sparring partner. You post pics with me, media will hound me, I’ve said stop with pics…Only his personal photographers allowed in the gym. Don’t just invent your own reality of things because it’s how you wish it to be buddy.” Continue reading “Malignaggi says he beat McGregor’s a** in sparring”

An additional block of tickets has been released for tonight’s ShoBox clash at MGM Grand Detroit between two-time Olympic Gold Medalist Claressa “T-Rex” Shields (3-0, 1 KO) of Flint, and WBC Super Middleweight World Champion Nikki Adler (16-0, 9 KOs) of Germany. “An extra block of $125 seats has been added to the layout,” explained promoter Dmitriy Salita. “That allows more of this great city’s boxing fans to see this historic fight live.”

Prior to March 10, 2017 the name Joshua Greer Jr.(14-1-1, 6 KOs) was not so well known by even the most hardcore boxing fan. All of that changed with one jaw dropping (no pun intended) overhand right to the chin of then-unbeaten James Smith (11-1, 6 KOs). Greer Jr. then grabbed a pillow and held it up to the crowd.

The bout was aired live on the Sho-Box series on Showtime. The knockout video went viral not just stateside but worldwide. Greer Jr. spoke with Fightnews.com® on the aftermath of the fight and his future. Continue reading “Pillow talk with Joshua Greer Jr.”

By Robert Coster

Sad news from the Dominican Republic. Veteran featherweight Geicy Lorenzo (15-36-1) has died, the result of a knockout at the hands of Jeffrey Castillo in the city of La Romana. The fight was held last Saturday and Lorenzo was taken away from the ring on a stretcher. The boxer died yesterday night at the age of 34 and will be buried tomorrow in his native city of San Cristobal. It is the first time that such a tragedy has happened in the Dominican Republic. Fightnews.com® conveys its condolences to Geicy Lorenzo’s family. RIP.

Below are quotes from Thursday afternoon’s press conference at the Flagship Resort in Atlantic City before Saturday night’s Boardwalk Brawls card at The Claridge Hotel in Atlantic City. The card, which is promoted by Mis Downing Promotions in association with Square Ring Promotions is headlined by super middleweight Derrick Webster (23-1, 12 KOs) of Glassboro, New Jersey taking on Lamar Harris (9-13-4, 5 KOs) of Saint Louis in a bout scheduled for eight-rounds.

Derrick Webster: “This fight is going to be very exciting. This is going to be an action-packed card. I want to thank Roy Jones, Jr. Roy always has time for anybody who wants to take a picture. I don’t know what I would do without him.” Continue reading “Webster-Harris AC final Presser”

Mauricio Herrera 145.8 vs. Jesus Soto Karass 146

Vyacheslav Shabranskyy 174.8 vs. Todd Unthank May 174.4

Venue: Fantasy Springs Casino, Indio, California
Promoter: Golden Boy
TV: ESPN

By Brad Snyder -The Undercard
Photos by Bob Ryder

Nikki Alder 166 vs. Claressa Shields 165.2
(WBC & IBF female super middleweight titles)

Vladimir Tikhonov 123.2 vs. Jesse Angel Hernandez 123.2
Ja’Rico O’Quinn 118.8 vs. Jose Elizondo 119.4
Domonique Dolton 155 vs. Antonio Chaves Fernandez 155
Antonio Urista 160.4 vs. Serdar Hudayberdiyev 156.2
James Smith 119.2 vs. Yakubu Kareem 120.8

Salita Promotions along with MGM Grand Detroit present “Battle of the Best”. ADLER vs. SHIELDS. Doors open at 7pm ET. Fights start at 8pm ET. SHOBOX:The New Generation televised fights begin 10:30 ET. Tickets are still available by visiting Ticketmaster.com. More photos

The World Boxing Association Championships Committee has ordered the teams behind current heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua and #1 ranked Luis Ortiz to start negotiations for a fight between them. According to the resolution sent on January 11th, 2017, to both parties, the winner of the Joshua-Klitschko fight had to face Ortiz after 120 days. 95 days have passed and, for this reason, the Championships Committee ordered the fight. Both parties were duly notified that, as of August 3rd, they have 30 days to reach an agreement or the fight will be called to purse bids. Joshua also owes the IBF a defense against IBF #2 Kubrat Pulev.

By Miguel Maravilla
Photos: Mikey Williams/Top Rank

Two-division world champion and WBO super featherweight champion Ukraine’s Vasyl “Hi-Tech” Lomachenko (8-1, 6 KOs) and two-time world title challenger Miguel “Escorpión” Marriaga (25-2, 21 KOs) of Columbia held the press conference Thursday at the Intercontinental Hotel in downtown Los Angeles for their fight taking place this Saturday at the Microsoft Theater at LA Live in Los Angeles live on ESPN.

Vasyl Lomachenko: “It’s an interesting fight. Marriaga is a warrior.”

Miguel Marriaga: “I am happy to be back. If they picked me as an opponent there’s a reason. I can show what I can do as a fighter like I did in my last fight. We have trained well and we have prepared to win. A win here would be huge for Colombia.” Continue reading “Lomachenko-Marriaga Final Press Conference”

By TMZSports.com

Heavyweight Shannon Briggs says he’s heartbroken Wladimir Klitschko hung up his gloves before he got the chance to fight him. Briggs famously tormented Klitschko for years … popping up on him in public places and trying to get Wlad to meet him in the ring (the paddle boarding ambush is still classic).

Klitschko just announced he’s retiring, and when TMZ Sports talked with Briggs he told us he wishes the all-time great well — but that doesn’t change the fact that he would’ve knocked him out. “I would’ve knocked him out cold! I’m sad, I’m sad he’s gone, champ!”

By Ray Wheatley – World of Boxing

Hall of Fame promoter Bob Arum has been in talks with Manny Pacquiao adviser Michael Koncz and said the rematch between WBO welterweight champion Jeff Horn and Manny Pacquiao will probably be in Australia later this year.

“We’re trying to figure out when will be the recess (in the Senate) is, so we can schedule the fight. We have to first find out what dates are available, then we will decide where we are going to hold the rematch but most probably in Australia again,” Arum told The Manila Times.

Pacquiao, meanwhile, denied that he is unhappy with Top Rank. “I don’t have any problem with Arum. It was the referee and the judges who had problems during the fight. I don’t want to talk about it anymore,” said Pacman.

After a wait of over two months, because of the OC Fair’s 2017 run, it is time once again to crank up the mixed martial arts and boxing action for the next Fight Club OC show on Thursday, August 24th in The Hangar at the OC Fair & Event Center in Costa Mesa, California. Two days before Mayweather vs McGregor, Roy Englebrecht Promotions will present its own boxer vs. MMA fighter clash when pro boxer Juan Bustamante (0-1) from Azusa faces pro MMA fighter Keith Berry from Murrieta in a four-round super middleweight bout. Continue reading “Fight Club OC Returns Aug 24”

Top Rank has released Episode 2 of Camp Life: Vasyl Lomachenko, the champ temporarily pauses training for a much-needed break. Loma working hard on his English. Manager Egis Klimas reveals a secret cholesterol-free meat “better than an avocado.”

To celebrate the tenth annual Briscoe Awards, Philly Boxing History has added a new category to their prestigious boxing awards. For the first time, the upcoming awards event on October 15, 2017, will include a contest to determine the “2016 Philly Boxing Photo of the Year”.

Photographers are asked to submit their photos prior to the event, where they will be exhibited. Fans and everyone attending the Briscoe Awards will be asked to vote on the shots to determine the 2016 Photo of the Year. The photographer of the winning pic will receive a Briscoe Medal at the annual event held at Xfinity Live! in South Philadelphia. Continue reading “Briscoe Awards Update”

Former two-time heavyweight world champion Wladimir Klitschko has retired. “I have achieved everything I dreamed of, and now I want to start my second career after sports,” said the 41-year-old Klitschko in a statement. He had been considering a rematch with WBA/IBF heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua later this year after their epic battle before 90,000 fans in London in April. Wlad’s two reigns as heavyweight champion were between 2000-2003 and 2006-2015. He leaves with a record of 64-5, 53 KOs.

By Marco Bratusch

Following the competitive title-bout held in Barcelona, Spain, last July 21 between co-challengers Marc Vidal (10-1-4, 4 KOs) and 42-year-old Sergio Blanco (23-4-1, 6 KOs) with the vacant European featherweight belt at stake, Blanco, who lost the fight by split decision, has now been appointed as mandatory challenger. The reason of such decision is the EBU board accepted the claim of Blanco’s promoter Gallego Prada, who pointed out that, in his view, the fight was extremely close and could have gone either ways. The winner Vidal, however, will be granted a volontary defense before the duty of taking on his official challenger in a rematch.

Italian-Ukrainian Serhyi Demchenko (18-11-1, 12 KOs) has been appointed as the new European mandatory challenger. The puncher and former European Union titlist, will thus take on German Karo Murat (31-3-1, 20 KOs), the current European champion, after a volontary defense Murat is expected to do during next November in a card promoted by SES Boxing. Demchenko and Murat already fought each other in 2009 for a vacant WBO Regional belt, with Murat winning a lopsided unanimous decision in Halle, Germany. Continue reading “EBU updates”

By Bill Green
Photos: Bill Green

For the biggest or most significant fight in his career, #3 P4P World Champion, Terence “Bud” Crawford (31-0, 22 KOs) is preparing for fellow undefeated multi-belt holder Julius Indongo (22-0, 11 KOs), in the Omaha native’s neighboring and adoptive home away from home, Colorado Springs, Colorado.

Fightnews will provide several camp updates, interviews, press quotes and all the fight week activities as we are just a few weeks away from the big unification bout scheduled for August 19th, 2017 live on ESPN 10pm ET at the Pinnacle Bank Arena located near Crawford’s hometown, Lincoln, Nebraska. Crawford vs Indongo is scheduled for 12 rounds and will be “for all the belts” something that is simply unheard of in today’s sport. Continue reading “Terence Crawford Camp Update Part 1 of 2”

By TMZSports.com

Floyd Mayweather is expecting to make more than $300 MILLION from his fight with Conor McGregor … which would break down to more than $8 MILLION per minute in the ring. The boxer spelled it all out for Showtime’s “All Access: Mayweather v. McGregor” — explaining why no other professional athlete in the world is more bankable.

“I mean, am I the highest-paid athlete out there? And just coming back? We not talking about no contract. We not talking about no contract for no 4 years, or no contract for no 5 years. I can do it in 36 minutes. $300 (million) or better. In 36 minutes.”

Not a bad deal.

As for Conor, the UFC fighter is expecting to rake in around $100 mil for the August 26 superfight — but it’ll be the largest payday an MMA fighter has ever made … so he’s not complaining either.

Report, Photos by Joe Koizumi

Let’s get ready to rumble again. WBA middleweight champ Hassan N’Dam N’Jikam, France, will face #1 ranked 2012 Olympic gold medalist Ryota Murata again in Tokyo, Japan, on October 22. It was publicly announced with Hassan’s attendance under Teiken Promotions before many press people and television cameras as well. They battled with N’Dam victorious with a disputed split decision here last May, and the WBA ordered a direct rematch due to the controversy. Continue reading “WBA 160lb champ N’Dam, Murata to collide again”

By Brad Snyder-The Undercard
Photos: Bob Ryder

WBC Super Middleweight Champion, Nikki Adler (16-0, 9 KO’s) and 2X Olympic Gold Medalist, Claressa Shields (3-0, 1 KO) held the final press conference at the MGM Grand Detroit, Wednesday afternoon. Along with the WBC belt on the line, the vacant IBF belt will be at stake, as well.

Claressa Shields said at the podium, “This is a dream come true for me. When I was 11 years old, they did not even have women in the Olympics, yet. That was my dream. I wanted to be the first woman to win a Gold medal in boxing.” Continue reading “Adler vs. Shields Press Conference”

In 2009, and after winning two in a row, Light Heavyweight contender Prince Badi Ajamu walked away from the ring at age 37. Ajamu, who was a perennial contender had a record of 27-3-1 with 15 knockouts, but decided that he needed some time away from competitive action. Fast forward eight years, Ajamu steps back in the ring as he takes on Edgar Perez in the six-round co-feature bout this Saturday night at the Claridge Hotel in Atlantic City.

The card, which will headlined by super middleweight Derrick Webster (23-1, 12 KOs) of Glassboro, New Jersey taking on Lamar Harris (9-13-4, 5 KOs) of Saint Lois, Missouri in a bout scheduled for eight rounds, is promoted by Mis Downing Promotions and Square Ring Promotions. Continue reading “Prince Badi Ajamu, 45, launches comeback”

Top undefeated prospect and NABO junior welterweight champion Maurice “Mighty Mo” Hooker (22-0, 16 K0s) will make his highly anticipated homecoming on Saturday, August 19th in Dallas, TX in the main event of “A Knock out Affair” Round XXV vs Courtney “Lion Heart” Jackson at the Omni Dallas Hotel.

Promoted by The Undercard Promotions LLC, in association with Roc Nation Sports, Hooker vs Jackson will be a 10 round NABO Jr. Welterweight Championship title fight. Currently ranked #2 with the World Boxing Organization and #4 with the International Boxing Federation, Hooker will be making his 5th title defense vs the undefeated Jackson of Homestead, Florida who brings a very solid record of 17-0, 10 KO’s. Continue reading “Hooker homecoming on Aug 19”

By Gabriel F. Cordero

A source has revealed to Fightnews.com® that WBA Headquarters, located in Panama City, could be moving to Medellin, Colombia. The organization has been based in several countries, most recently in Panama, where it moved in 2007 from Venezuela due to the socio-political situation there. Through its renowned “WBA KO Drugs,” program, the WBA has played a key role in the development of boxing in Panama and many other countries in Central America and South America with world champions hailing from Nicaragua, Costa Rica and Peru among others. Still just a rumor at this point, the situation is expected to be addressed next Tuesday.