Fightnews.com

Undisputed super middleweight champion Saul “Canelo” Alvarez and challenger John Ryder faced off at the final press conference for Saturday’s PPV clash at Estadio Akron in Zapopan, Jalisco, Mexico.

In his biggest test in the ring yet, unbeaten middleweight Jaime Munguia (41-0, 32 KOs) will face former contender Sergiy “The Technician” Derevyanchenko (14-4, 10 KOs) in a 12-round middleweight fight on Saturday, June 10. The 12-round main event is scheduled to take place at Toyota Arena in Ontario, California, and will be broadcast live worldwide on DAZN.

“Munguia has always wanted the toughest fights — and this is going to be one of them,” said Oscar De La Hoya, CEO and Chairman of Golden Boy Promotions. “For years, Derevyanchenko has gone life and death with the division’s top middleweights and has always reached the final bell. Should Jaime get past him — and I believe he will — he is immediately in position for a world title shot.”

The 37-year-old Derevyanchenko has dropped three of his last four

Undefeated Italian southpaw Mauro Forte (17-0-2, 7 KOs) will look to avenge his draw against Francesco Grandelli (16-1-2, 3 KOs) in a 12-round rematch for the vacant European featherweight title this Friday, May 5 at the PalaSport Tivoli in Tivoli, Italy. Forte-Grandelli II and undercard bouts will stream live and exclusively in the U.S. on ESPN+. Their initial encounter ended in a split draw after 12 closely contested rounds, and the two are ready to settle unfinished business.

By Ron Jackson

South Africa’s most decorated fighter Hekkie Budler returns to action when he meets the southpaw Filipino Enrique Magasalin on Saturday night at the Unisa Hall in Ormonde, Johannesburg.

The tournament will be shown live on Supersport.

Budler, who will celebrate his 35th birthday on May 18, made his pro debut on July 5, 2007, and in compiling a of 34-4, 10 KOs, he has won the IBO All Africa junior flyweight, IBO junior flyweight, IBO strawweight, WBA interim minimumweight, WBA minimumweight, WBA super minimumweight, WBA Pan African junior flyweight, IBO light flyweight and WBC silver light flyweight titles. Continue reading “Hekkie Budler returns to action”

By Joe Koizumi
Photos by Naoki Fukuda

It was a show for the 45th anniversary of the restoration of diplomatic relations between China and Japan. Six bouts of the respective representative fought so hard that they fully entertained the crowd with four wins for Japan and two for China at the Korakuen Hall in Tokyo, Japan.

In the main event Japan’s #4 super-feather Yamato Hata (13-2, 12 KOs), 129.75, scored a one-punch knockout with a southpaw left, flattening China’s Shichao Gao (7-3-1, 3 KOs), 130, at 0:29 of the third round in a scheduled eight on Monday. Ex-Japanese youth lightweight champ Kaiki Yuba (10-2-2, 6 KOs), 145.5, was awarded a hairline majority decision (77-75, 78-74, 76-76) over Chinese lefty veteran Baishanbo Nasiyiwula (17-5-1, 7 KOs), 145.5, over see-saw eight. Continue reading “Japan vs. China competitions: 4-2”

Hometown heavyweight Joey “The Tank” Dawejko (24-10-4, 13 KOs) hammered out a six round unanimous decision over Colby Madison (11-5-2, 7 KOs) on Tuesday night in the main event at the LIVE Casino in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Dawejko rocked Madison several times and pulled away to a wide decision. Three straight wins now for the popular Dawejko.

By Ray Wheatley – World of Boxing

WBO #6 cruiserweight David Light (20-1, 12 KOs), who fought twelve rounds against WBO cruiserweight champion Lawrence Okolie on March 25, has suffered a “mild stroke” and undergone successful surgery for “clot retrieval” at Waitakere Hospital in Auckland, New Zealand.

Shortly after returning home, the 31-year-old Light underwent a CT scan that came back clear. He was diagnosed with a delayed concussion and discharged. However, after continuing to experience problems, Light returned to the hospital, where further testing revealed a blood clot. Doctors expect him to make a full recovery.

Top Rank Boxing has won the rights to promote the WBC mandatory light heavyweight fight between unified champion Artur Beterbiev and Callum Smith with a bid of $2,115,000, outbidding Matchroom by a mere $15,000!

The winner of the fight will win a 10% bonus, which is an innovation by the WBC to add incentives to the winner of the fight.

By Mauricio Sulaimán
Son of José Sulaimán / WBC President

Good morning, kids!

We are all still children, as we celebrate Children’s Day in Mexico on April 30. This weekend, we celebrated that so cherished date which defines our lives by pampering the young ones while never losing sight of the magic of life that childhood gives us. A priceless gift.

Imagination, restlessness, and that wonderful fresh ability to be amused, which with the passing of the years gradually dissipates, dilutes and is sadly, eventually and inevitably lost. Let’s not take anything or everything for granted, and let’s retain a taste so as to enjoy the simple things of life, such as sunrise, sunset, birdsong and the running of the water via a freshet of Spring.

Mexico is going through a great forward impetus in sports and it is cause for great celebration, since sport is a vital element enabling and facilitating the combat of so many of society’s suffering ills. Continue reading “It’s Time Canelo Returns…It’s Fight Week!”

By Brad Snyder/The Undercard

Unbeaten heavyweight Jared “The Real Big Baby” Anderson formally announced his upcoming fight against Zhan Kossobutskiy today at the Glass City Pavilion in Toledo. He was joined by Hall of Fame Promoter/Top Rank Chairman Bob Arum, Toledo Mayor Wade Kapszukiewicz and Toledo-born first responder DeAndre Ware, who will see action on the undercard.

Jared Anderson: “I’ve been in the gym going crazy. As you can see, my body shows it. My fights show it. My power shows it. I’m going to keep pushing and stay on track so that this train keeps going.”

Bob Arum: “I’m happy to be here because this is Jared Anderson’s hometown. We told him that one day he would fight his first main event here in Toledo. Jared is here. And just because he’s here doesn’t mean that he gets a piece of cake. He is fighting a very, very tough competitor because we believe that Jared will be the future heavyweight champion of the world. But to do that, he’s got to fight really tough guys. And we’ve gotten him an opponent from Kazakhstan who is 19-0 with 18 knockouts.”

The date and the next opponent of WBC #5 heavyweight terror Arslanbek Makhmudov (16-0, 15 KOs) are now known. The current NABA and NABF heavyweight titleholder will face undefeated 6’8 Raphael Akpejiori (15-0, 14 KOs) on July 1st in the co-feature of the Top Rank gala featuring Jared Anderson (14-0, 14 KOs) against Zhan Kossobutskiy (19-0, 18 KOs) at the at Huntington Center in Toledo, Ohio. The event will be broadcast live on ESPN+.

Arslanbek Makhmudov: “Fighting for the first time in the United States, the Mecca of boxing, represents a major opportunity for me, not only because it will give me the opportunity to showcase my talent on the world stage, but also because it brings me one step closer to my dream of becoming world champion. I have dedicated my life to boxing, worked hard and made every sacrifice to get to this crucial moment in my career. I am ready. I’m ready to fight the best, and to give a memorable show to the boxing fans around the world.”

Raphael Akpejiori: “I’ve been preparing myself physically and mentally, and I can’t wait for the bell to ring to show the world what Raphael Akpejiori is made of! I don’t expect this fight to be easy, but I have been preparing for this moment for a long time. I am used to working hard. I’m used to adversity, obstacles and pain. This is just a new chapter, and I am more than ready. This is an opportunity to represent the African continent on a global scale, and I don’t intend to disappoint.”

Matchroom and DAZN have announced a three-year extension to their broadcast deals in the USA and Mexico. The deal comes days before Canelo Alvarez defends his undisputed super middleweight crown against John Ryder in $54.99 pay-per-view fight on the network.

“I am delighted to announce this extension to our deal with DAZN in the US and Mexico,” said Matchroom boss Eddie Hearn. “DAZN’s schedule is, without doubt, the best in the sport, and our big nights in the States and all-action cards in Mexico are a massive part of that. This new deal means more undisputed, unified, and world title blockbusters, more 50-50 wars with the top contenders and more showcasing the best-rising talent in the region – and we’re ready to provide further thrilling action and value for the DAZN subscribers.”

Elijah Williams 143 vs. Marko Bailey 142.4
Deion Pruitt 173 vs. Marcell Sims Jr. 179.8
Eric Arellano 232 vs. Martez Poe 201.6
Kevin Torian 201.4 vs. Daquanti Johnson 201

Venue: Troubadour Nashville, Nashville, Tennessee
Promoter: Jimmy Adams Promotions
Free Stream: countrybox247.com / FITE.TV (Marc Abrams & Former NFL All-Pro Albert Haynesworth on the call)
1st Bell: 7 PM CT (8 PM ET)

Joey Dawejko 262.1 vs. Colby Madison 252.4
Brendan O’Callaghan 155.4 vs. Roudly Lolo 154.3
Tyler Zwicarowsi 156.3 vs. Vincent Floyd 161.5
Christopher Burgos 140.8 vs. Tyree Arnold 143
Darin Holiday 119.9 vs. Emanuel Moreno 118.8

Venue: Live! Casino & Hotel Philadelphia
Promoter: King’s Promotions
Stream: BXNGTV.com
1st Bell: 7:00 PM

As the boxing world descends upon Guadalajara, México for Canelo-Ryder fight week, Canelo Promotions will show off two of their young undefeated prospects on ProBox TV Wednesday night.

The originally announced card has now been reshuffled with the main event of super featherweight Jonathan Lopez (10-0, 7 KOs) from Orlando, Florida, against Osvaldo Nuñez (5-4, 0 KOs) from Morelia, Michoacan, Mexico, in a ten-round clash. The co-feature is super welterweight Lazaro Lorenzana (10-0, 8 KOs) of San Diego, California against Alexis Rios (4-2-1, 1 KO) from Zapopan, Jalisco, Mexico, in an eight-round bout. Also, a pair of six-rounders will feature Oscar Hernandez (4-1, 2 KOs) against Joseph Morales (2-1-1, 1 KO) at super bantamweight, and Cesar Ortiz (5-0, 5 KOs) against Antonio Gonzalez (3-5, 1 KO) in a lightweight matchup.

Undisputed super middleweight champion Saul “Canelo” Alvarez (58-2-2, 39 KOs) is a whopping -1800 favorite to retain his WBC, WBA, IBF, and WBO belts against WBO mandatory challenger John Ryder (32-5, 18 KOs) in the big fight of the coming weekend at the 50,000-seat Estadio Akron in Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico. The bout can be seen on DAZN PPV for $54.99 if you’re a subscriber.

In the co-feature, WBC flyweight champion Julio Cesar Martinez (19-2, 14 KOs) defends against Ronal Batista 15-2, 9 KOs). Other notable bouts include light welterweight contender Steve Spark (16-2, 14 KOs) against Gabriel Gollaz Valenzuela (26-3-1, 16 KOs), and combacking former WBC light heavyweight champion Oleksandr Gvozdyk (18-1, 14 KOs) against Ricards Bolotniks (19-6-1, 8 KOs).

Local prospects will highlight undercard action in Detroit on June 3 for the rematch between undisputed female middleweight world champion Claressa Shields and four-division world champion Hanna Gabriels from Little Caesars Arena and streamed on DAZN in the U.S. and Canada.

The lineup will see middleweight Da’Velle Smith (5-0, 4 KOs) take on fellow unbeaten Kahydlian Woods (4-0, 3 KOs) in a six-round showdown, super lightweight Joshua Pagan (5-0, 2 KOs) battling the undefeated Ronnell Burnett (9-0, 5 KOs) in a six-round attraction, middleweight Joseph Hicks Jr. (6-0, 5 KOs) in an eight-rounder vs. TBA, and super welterweight Gheith Karim (9-0, 3 KOs) against Marlon Harrington (8-1, 7 KOs) scheduled for eight rounds.

The step-up fight for former amateur stand-out Hugo Noriega (7-0, 4 KOs) in his first professional 10 round bout was a successful one Saturday night. Noriega defeated Jean Rivera-Pacheco (8-2, 1KO) of Puerto Rico in the main event to win the vacant WBA Fedcaribe welterweight title by unanimous decisión. Scores were 96-94, 100-90, 98-92. The event took place at the Miccosukee Indian Gaming Resort in Miami, Florida with M&R Boxing Promotions (Laura Ching) promoting. Continue reading “Miccosukee Saturday night results”

By Jeff Zimmerman

Fightnews.com® caught up with “The Ghost” Frank Martin as he was scouting fellow lightweight sensation William Zepeda who finished Jamie Arboleda with three body shot knockdowns in round two. Martin also shared his thoughts on the Tank-KingRy fight and what he would do to Tank if they ever fight.

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By Jeff Zimmerman

Unbeaten lightweight William “El Camarón” Zepeda (28-0, 24 KOs) and unbeaten featherweight Victor Morales Jr. (18-0-1, 9 KOs) comment on their impressive knockout wins Saturday night in Arlington, Texas.

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David Stevens post fight interview
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Ronnie Shields post fight interview
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Tristan “Sweet T” Kalkreuth & Coach Bullet post fight interview
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By Jeff Zimmerman

The Golden Boy Oscar De La Hoya was in Arlington, Texas to promote Zepeda-Arboleda on DAZN and shared his thoughts on his star Ryan Garcia after his tough loss to Tank Davis last weekend, his lunch with David Benavidez, and much more!

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By Jeff Zimmerman at ringside

Undefeated lightweight knockout artist William “El Camarón” Zepeda (28-0, 24 KOs) destroyed Jaime “Jaimito” Arboleda (19-3, 14 KOs) in two brutal rounds on Saturday night in the College Park Center at The University of Texas at Arlington campus. The aggressive Zepeda dropped Arboleda three times with body shots in round two to end it. Time was 2:16. Zepeda successfully defended his WBA Continental Americas title.

“We prepared for a complicated fight, he was hungry to make a point,” said Zepeda. “We had planned to go to the body the first couple of rounds and end it at the top, but we were able to finish the job early with just getting him at the body. I will prove to the world that I am the best at 135. I want to fight the best world champions out there. I signed up for boxing not ballet.”

In an unexpected firefight, unbeaten featherweight Victor Morales, Jr. (18-0-1, 9 KOs), a 2:1 underdog, spectacularly crushed Diego De La Hoya (24-2, 11 KOs) in two rounds. Morales busted up and dropped De La Hoya twice in round two to end it. Oscar’s nephew was counted out at 1:08.

Super welterweight Frederick “General Okunka” Lawson (30-3, 22 KOs) edged Estevan “Manos De Oro” Villalobos (16-2-1, 12 KOs) over ten rounds by scores of 96-94, 96-94, 97-93. Villalobos nearly stopped Lawson in the tenth round, but it was too little, too late..

Unbeaten super middleweight David “Dynamite” Stevens (13-0, 9 KOs) got all he could handle from 38-year-old former world title challenger Marco Periban (26-7-1, 17 KOs), winning an eight round unanimous decision. Scores were 78-73, 78-73, 77-74. Steven down in round three.

Former middleweight title challenger Brandon Cook (25-2, 17 KOs) overcame a fourth round knockdown to edge Gino Godoy (29-3, 18 KOs) by ten round split decision on Saturday night at the Pickering Casino Resort in Pickering, Ontario, Canada. Close fight. Scores were 95-94, 95-94 for local favorite Cook, 96-93 for Godoy, who came in from Argentina.

Report/Photos: Scott Foster

Saturday night Reyes Fire Fist Boxing, in conjunction with the Hilton Carillon in St. Petersburg, FL, continued their championship series, “Fire on the Bay.” Headlining the eight-bout card, Ireland-born/Florida-based WBA #4 middleweight Conner “The Kid” Coyle (19-0, 9 KOs) made the second defense of his NABF title, dispatching the typically durable Christian Fabian Rios (23-17, 3 KOs). Coyle showed patience early, establishing the jab to control the movement of the southpaw Rios. By the middle rounds, steady bodywork from Coyle began to sap the strength of Rios, allowing for more exchanges that were typically punctuated by Conner’s lead right hands. At the conclusion of the scheduled ten rounds, all judges saw the bout the same, 100-90 for Coyle who retained his NABF title and now appears poised to vie for the world title. Continue reading “Coyle tops Rios in St Pete”

Jeff Zimmerman at ringside

Tristan Kalkreuth 201.6 vs. Jonathan Rice 224.6

In a back-and-forth battle, heavyweight Tristan “Sweet T” Kalkreuth (10-1, 7 KOs) out of Duncanville, TX, won a hard-fought unanimous decision against Jonathan Rice (2-3, 2 KOs) from nearby Cleburne over six rounds. Rice took the fight to Kalkreuth early and had some success with head shots as Kalkreuth spent time on the ropes. As the fight wore on, Kalkreuth unleashed his jab and shots to the body to slow down the bigger Rice. Both guys had their moments throughout the fight, but the cleaner shots by Kalkreuth proved to be the difference. Kalkreuth told Fightnews.com immediately after the fight that he was sticking to cruiserweight and did not want to fight these big boys anymore. Rice outweighed Kalkreuth by almost 25lbs. Coach Bullet for Team Kalkreuth was also happy with his performance as he predicted at the weigh-ins that the jab would be the difference. The scores read 59-55 on all three cards. Continue reading “Zepeda-Arboleda Early Results – Non TV”