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Undefeated former two-weight world champion Shakur Stevenson secured his shot at the WBC lightweight title with a commanding sixth-round TKO against Shuichiro Yoshino on Saturday night.

“He felt my power,” said Stevenson. “I sat down on a couple punches and dropped him. Honestly, I wanted the ref to let it go on a little bit longer. I had just caught my second wind. I was going to put him out.

“Newark’s main name is the Bricks. And tonight, I had bricks in my hands. We did what we were supposed to do. We settled our business. And now we’re going to enjoy it with the family.

“Just tell all those other lightweights to get ready. I’m waiting for them. I can’t wait for them to finish the fights they’ve got going on, and then it’s my turn. Continue reading “Stevenson: I had bricks in my hands”

Rising contender Brian Mendoza scored a spectacular upset win, blasting out the previously unbeaten WBC interim super welterweight champion Sebastian “The Towering Inferno” Fundora on Saturday night.

“I never quit,” said Mendoza. “I kept going. You can beat me all you want, but if you don’t kill me, I’m coming back. They didn’t kill me in my career and it’s too late now, I’m getting better each time. I want to thank Fundora for taking this fight. He didn’t need to take it. It was really risky for where he was at.”

Having scored back-to-back knockouts to earn this fight, Mendoza (22-2, 16 KOs) connected on a picture-perfect left hook early in round seven that badly hurt Fundora (20-1-1, 13 KOs), and followed up with a powerful left-right combo that put Fundora down for good. Continue reading “Mendoza: You’ll never see me give up”

“I’m good, for one second I turned off, but I guess that’s boxing, it happens,” said former WBC super welterweight champion Sebastian “The Towering Inferno” Fundora after his stunning seventh round KO loss to 10:1 underdog Brian Mendoza on Saturday night.

“You just get caught with a punch. I did some punching and then I got caught you know. He was throwing that overhand right all night and I was dodging and dodging, but in boxing the second you fall asleep, you get punished.

“It was a good punch. I didn’t recognize that moment, but I’m fine. I’m healthy now, and I’ll be back. I’ll be back to take over the division and this is a step up and a step down. It happens, but I’ll be back. I’m not sorry I took this fight, this is boxing. We gotta fight and we have to make these good fights. Congratulations to Brian Mendoza, he did his thing, but like I said, I’ll be back.”

Unbeaten heavyweight contender Jared “The Real Big Baby” Anderson (14-0, 14 KOs) says he’s ready for the top names in the division after crushing George Arias on Saturday night.

“I’m the best heavyweight in the world,” proclaimed Anderson. “I don’t give a f**k what nobody is talking about. You hear me? I made that look easy man because he helped me make it look easy. He wasn’t throwing punches for real. I kept my defense right. My jab was on point. It was an easy night.

“I want those top names. I want those top contenders. Everybody who keeps calling people out, put my name on the list now. I’m not ducking. I’m not running. And you goin’ to catch this smoke.”

In a shocker, super welterweight Brian Mendoza (22-2, 16 KOs) knocked out previously undefeated WBC interim champion Sebastian “The Towering Inferno” Fundora (20-1-1, 13 KOs) in the seventh round on Saturday night at the Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, California. Mendoza chopped down the 6’6 Fundora with a left hook/right hand/left hook to end it. Fundora was counted out at :39.

At the time of the sudden KO, 10:1 favorite Fundora was up on the cards 60-54, 60-54, 59-55.

Unbeaten former WBC super fly champion Jesse “BAM” Rodriguez (18-0, 11 KOs) claimed the vacant WBO flyweight crown with a twelve round unanimous decision over Cristian Gonzalez (15-2, 5 KOs) on Saturday night at the Boeing Center at Tech Port in San Antonio, Texas. BAM pressed the action while Gonzalez pecked away from the outside. Scores were 118-110, 117-111, 116-112.

Former two-division world champion Shakur Stevenson (20-0, 10 KOs) stopped Shuichiro Yoshino (16-1, 12 KOs) in round six of a WBC lightweight title eliminator at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey. Stevenson dominated the fight, dropping Yoshino in rounds two and four, and got a referee’s mercy stoppage in the sixth. Time was 1:35.

Undefeated heavyweight Jared “The Real Big Baby” Anderson (14-0, 14 KOs) stopped previously unbeaten George Arias (18-1, 7 KOs) in three one-sided rounds. Anderson rocked Arias in round three and Arias’ corner wouldn’t let him come out for round four.

U.S. Olympic silver medalist Keyshawn Davis (8-0, 6 KOs) impressively stopped the very tough former world title challenger Anthony “Can You Dig It” Yigit (26-3-1, 10 KOs) in round nine. Davis dropped Yigit with a body shot at the end of round eight and got a referee’s stoppage in round nine. Time was :21.

More results…

Unheralded super bantamweight Marlon Tapales (37-3, 19 KOs) dethroned previously unbeaten unified WBA/IBF champion Murodjon Akhmadaliev (11-1, 8 KOs) on Saturday night at the Boeing Center at Tech Port in San Antonio, Texas. Tapales won the early rounds and held on 115-113, 115-113 on two cards. The third judge had it 118-110 Akhmadaliev. Akhmadaliev was a 5:1 favorite.

42-year-old former heavyweight title challenger Chris “The Nightmare” Arreola returned in a non-televised bout on the Fundora-Mendoza undercard on Saturday night at the Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, California. Arreola (39-7-1, 34 KOs) laid out Mathew McKinney (13-7-3, 9 KOs) with a right hand in round two. Time was 1:01.

Unbeaten WBO #2, WBC #4, IBF #6 heavyweight contender Frank “The Cuban Flash” Sanchez (22-0, 15 KOs) made quick work of Daniel “The Mountain” Martz (20-11-1, 17 KOs). Sanchez dropped Martz three times in the first round to end it.

Undefeated super lightweight KO artist Brandun Lee (28-0, 23 KOs) scored a ten round unanimous decision over Pedro “Roca” Campa (34-3-1, 23 KOs). Fierce toe-to-toe action all the way in an extraordinary slugfest. The bout was a lot more competitive than the judges’ scores of 99-91, 97-93, 98-92.

In a clash between undefeated featherweights, Luis “The Twist” Núñez (19-0, 13 KOs) scored a ten round unanimous decision over Christian Olivo (20-1-1, 7 KOs). Seemingly close fight, but not on the judges cards. Scores were 98-92, 100-90, 97-93.

Undefeated two-time Olympian and WBA #6 welterweight Gabriel “Captain” Maestre (5-0-1, 4 KOs) was victorious when former welterweight and super lightweight champion Devon Alexander “The Great” (27-8-1, 14 KOs) didn’t come out for round four. Alexander was down in round two and never in the fight.

Super featherweights Adrian Corona (9-1-2, 2 KOs) and Jerry Perez (14-2-1, 11 KOs) battled to a spirited eight round draw.

WBA #3 featherweight Raymond “Savage” Ford (14-0-1, 7 KOs) took apart former world champion Jessie Magdaleno (29-2, 18 KOs) over twelve rounds. Magdaleno down in rounds four and eleven. Scores were 119-107, 119-107, 116-110.

Super featherweight Thomas “Gunna Man” Mattice (21-3-1, 15 KOs) pulled victory from the jaws of defeat. Behind on all three scorecards, a flurry of punches by Mattice prompted a controversial stoppage by referee Rafael Ramos in the tenth and final round against previously unbeaten IBF #15 Ramiro Cesena (16-1-1, 13 KOs). Time was 1:35.

Unbeaten WBA #1 rated super welterweight Israil Madrimov (9-0-1, 6 KOs) outscored Raphael Igbokwe (16-4, 7 KOs) over ten rounds. Scores were 100-90, 9-91, 99-91.

Other Results:
Marc Castro TKO7 Ricardo Lopez (lightweight)
Khalil Coe KO3 James Quiter (light heavyweight)
Jesus Martinez D4 Jose Lopez (super bantamweight)

By Joe Koizumi

WBC, WBA light-flyweight champion Kenshiro Teraji (21-1, 13 KOs), 107.25, impressively kept his belts when he finally caught up with game and durable challenger Anthony Olascuaga (5-1, 3 KOs), 107, US, and chalked up a fine TKO victory at 0:58 of the ninth round in a scheduled twelve on Saturday in Tokyo, Japan. Olascuaga was a last-minute substitute for WBO titlist Jonathan Gonzalez who had suffered pneumonia to cancel the highly expected unification bout with Teraji. Olascuaga was a much better replacement as he showed his power (he is a legitimate flyweight) and fighting spirit. After their see-saw processing in the middle of the contest Teraji accelerated his attack and finally dropped the challenger with a flurry of punches in round nine, when good referee Mark Nelson wisely declared a well-timed halt.

Promoter: Teiken Promotions.

(More to come)

By Joe Koizumi

Monster Inoue’s younger brother, Takuma Inoue (18-1, 4 KOs), 118, acquired the vacant WBA bantamweight belt as he earned a unanimous decision (116-112, 117-111, 118-110) over Venezuelan Loborio Solis (35-7-1, 16 KOs), 117.5, over twelve close rounds on Saturday in Tokyo, Japan. Despite the unanimous verdict it wasn’t an easy victory for Takuma, 27, who couldn’t show his usual speed and skills only to mix it up in the close quarter and repeated clinching with the 41-year-old veteran.

(More to come)

By Joe Koizumi

Former kick-boxing superstar Tenshin Nasukawa, 122, successful made an international style debut as he outscored JBC#2 Yuki Yonaha (12-5-1, 8 KOs), 121.75, by a nearly shutout decision (60-53 twice, 59-53) over six rounds on Saturday in Tokyo, Japan. The second saw Tenshin, a fast-handed southpaw, connect with a right hook to the neck, flooring the more experienced ex-university boxer Yuki. Nasukawa, 24, sometimes had his foe at bay, but couldn’t finish the game and durable rival, 32, who refused to go down again. The talented Nasukawa, sharp and speedy, may become a better boxer with more experience, which we look forward to seeing in the future.

Promoter: Teiken Promotions.

By Joe Koizumi

Up-and-coming hard-puncher WBA#10 Jin Sasaki (15-1-1, 14 KOs), 146.5, successfully kept his WBO Asia Pacific welterweight belt as he put on a give-and-take performance and finally flattened WBO#8 Keita Obara (26-5-1, 23 KOs), 146.75, at 1:13 of the third round in a scheduled twelve on Saturday in Tokyo, Japan. In an encounter of the KO artists Sasaki, from the outset, took the initiative to have the veteran Obara on the defensive. In round two it was Obara that connected with a solid right counter, dropping the aggressor to the deck. The third, however, witnessed Sasaki, fifteen years his junior at 21, explode a vicious left uppercut to the side of the belly, flooring Obara in agony. Obara barely beat the count, but absorbed a wicked right to the jaw to be flattened so badly that the ref didn’t bother to count at his second knockdown (to be registered as TKO by the JBC).

Promoter: Teiken Promotions.

By Joe Koizumi

Southpaw speedster IBF#3 Reiya Abe (25-3-1, 10 KOs), 125.75, easily defeated former world champ IBF#7 Kiko Martinez (44-12-2, 31 KOs), 125.25, by winning a unanimous decision (119-109 twice,117-111) over twelve monotonous rounds on Saturday in Tokyo, Japan. Abe, ex-Japanese champ, had the upper hand almost all the way against the slower and sluggish Spaniard, who looked to fail to bring his fighting spirit and zip from Spain. He was just a shell of the old Kiko, who previously halted our hero Hozumi Hasegawa here in 2014. Kiko kept stalking the Japanese footworker only to absorb his southpaw counters to have the nose bridge bleeding from the fifth on. Abe wasn’t as sharp as usual, but was an obvious winner since Kiko was least aggressive. The ref was Albert Earl Brown.

Promoter: Teiken Promotions.

By Ray Wheatley – World of Boxing

Three-time world champion Lovemore Ndou talks to Fightnews.com® about Tim Tszyu, George Kambosos, Canelo Alvarez, and Miguel Cotto.

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By Przemek Garczarczyk

Journeyman heavyweight Curtis Harper (14-8, 9 KOs) gained viral fame when he left the ring without even throwing a punch vs. Efe Ajagba (“I’m not proud about that,” said Curtis), but many don’t know that what he cares about is fighting for charity, mental awareness and he wants to be best possible husband and father. Harper also loves to fight (“I’m the guy who fights undefeated rivals”), being in the ring since he was 13 years old. On Saturday, Curtis fights Polish prospect Damian Knyba (10-0, 6 KO) in Newark’s Prudential Center, on the undercard of “Top Rank” Shakur Stevenson-Shuichiro Yoshino main event. And Harper is sure what will happen: “I will win.”

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Colombian Brandon Valdes captured the vacant World Boxing Association (WBA) Fedebol featherweight title and fan favorite super welterweight Neeco “Rooster” Macias had a TKO win in his comeback fight last night at the famed Emerald Queen Casino in Tacoma, Washington. Continue reading “Valdes, Rooster Macias victorious”

Unbeaten super lightweight Bryan Flores (24-0-1, 13 KOs) recovered from a first round knockdown to earn a ten round split decision over Shinard Bunch (20-2-1, 16 KOs) on Friday night at the Cache Creek Casino in Brooks, California. Bunch dropped Flores in round one and dominated the early rounds, but Flores took over midway. Scores were 96-93 Bunch, and 97-92, 95-94 for Flores.

Super welterweight Guido Schramm (16-1-1, 9 KOs) came on strong late to defeat previously unbeaten Jahyae Brownn (13-1, 9 KOs) by majority decision. Scores were 95-95, 98-92, 97-93.

In a clash of unbeaten super welterweights, Raul Garcia (12-0-1, 10 KOs) and Robert Terry (9-0-1, 3 KOs) both retained their Os. After eight rounds, judges scored it 77-75, 75-77, 76-76.

By Joe Koizumi
Photos: Naoki Fukuda

WBC, WBA world light-flyweight title bout
Champion Kenshiro Teraji (20-1, 12 KOs) 107.25
Anthony Olascuaga (5-0, 3 KOs) 107

WBA world bantamweight title bout for vacant belt
Takuma Inoue (17-1, 4 KOs) 118
Liborio Solis (35-6-1, 16 KOs) 117.5

Kick-boxing superstars international style debut
Tenshin Nasukawa 122
Yuki Yonaha (12-4-1, 8 KOs) 121.75

WBO Asia Pacific welterweight title bout
Champion Jin Sasaki (14-1-1, 13 KOs) 146.5
Keita Obara (26-4-1, 23 KOs) 146.75

IBF featherweight eliminator
Kiko Martinez (44-11-2, 31 KOs) 125.25
Reiya Abe (24-3-1, 10 KOs) 125.75

Venue: Ariake Arena, Tokyo, Japan
Promoter: Teiken Promotions
TV: ESPN+

Photo

Sebastian Fundora 153.3 vs. Brian Mendoza 153.5
(WBC interim super welterweight title)

Brandun Lee 141.3 vs. Pedro Campa 141.2
Luis Núñez 125.9 vs. Christian Olivio 125.4

Gabriel Maestre 150.1 vs. Devon Alexander 152.5
Adrian Corona 134.3 vs. Jerry Perez 134.9
Frank Sanchez 247.4 vs. Daniel Martz 275

Venue: Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, California
Promoter: TGB Promotions
TV: Showtime, Showtime Sports YouTube Channel and SHowtime Boxing Facebook page

Jesse Rodriguez 111.4 vs. Cristian Gonzalez 112
(WBO flyweight title)

Murodjon Akhmadaliev 121.6 vs. Marlon Tapales 121.8
(WBA, IBF super bantamweight titles)

Raymond Ford 126 vs. Jessie Magdaleno 126
Thomas Mattice 129 vs. Ramiro Cesena 130
Israil Madrimov 158.8 vs. Raphael Igbokwe 160
Marc Castro 133 vs. Ricardo Lopez 133.6
Khalil Coe 175.8 vs. James Quiter 174.8
Jesus Martinez 119.4 vs. Jose Lopez 118.4

Venue: Boeing Center at Tech Port in San Antonio, Texas
Promoter: Matchroom
TV: DAZN

Shakur Stevenson 134.4 vs. Shuichiro Yoshino 135
(WBC lightweight title eliminator)

Jared Anderson 247.4 vs. George Arias 236.6
Keyshawn Davis 134.2 vs. Anthony Yigit 134.8
Damian Knyba 258.2 vs. Curtis Harper 267.6
Troy Isley 159.2 vs. Roy Barringer 157.8
Bruce Carrington 126.4 vs. Brando Chambers 125.6
Kelvin Davis 142.2 vs. Nelson Morales 142.8
Antoine Cobb 143.8 vs. Jaylan Phillips 142.2

Venue: Prudential Center, Newark, New Jersey
Promoter: Top Rank
TV: ESPN, ESPN+

Shakur Stevenson 134.4 lbs. vs. Shuichiro Yoshino 135 lbs
(WBC Lightweight Title Eliminator — 12 Rounds)
Judges: Lynne Carter, John Signorile and Robin Taylor
Referee: Allen Huggins

• Jared Anderson 247.4 lbs vs. George Arias 236.6 lbs
(WBO International & US WBC Heavyweight Titles — 10 Rounds)

• Keyshawn Davis 134.2 lbs vs. Anthony Yigit 134.8 lbs
(WBO Intercontinental & US WBC Lightweight Titles — 10 Rounds)

(ESPN+, 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT)

• Damian Knyba 258.2 lbs vs. Curtis Harper 267.6 lbs
(Heavyweight— 8 Rounds)

• Troy Isley 159.2 lbs vs. Roy Barringer 157.8 lbs
(Middleweight — 8 Rounds)

• Bruce Carrington 126.4 lbs vs. Brando Chambers 125.6 lbs
(Featherweight — 8 Rounds)

• Kelvin Davis 142.2 lbs vs. Nelson Morales 142.8 lbs
(Junior Welterweight — 6 Rounds)

• Antoine Cobb 143.8 lbs vs. Jaylan Phillips 142.2 lbs
(Welterweight — 4 Rounds)

Undefeated knockout artist William “El Camarón” Zepeda (27-0, 23 KOs) will return to the ring after pulling an upset against Joseph Diaz, Jr. last October 2022 and is now scheduled to defend his WBA Continental Americas lightweight title against former world champion challenger Jaime “Jaimito” Arboleda (19-2, 14 KOs). The two fighters will participate in a 12-round lightweight fight on DAZN April 29. The event, originally headlined as Eimantas Stanionis versus Vergil Ortiz, Jr., will still take place at College Park Center at The University of Texas at Arlington campus.

“In an absolutely stacked lightweight division, I don’t think there is anyone I would favor over Zepeda,” said Chairman and CEO of Golden Boy Oscar De La Hoya. “But other fighters have been favored over Arboleda before and ended up tasting defeat. To get to the next level, Zepeda must continue to use the volume of punches and relentlessness that have made him a force to be reckoned with.” Continue reading “Zepeda-Arboleda collide April 29”

In an upset, unbeaten flyweight Angelino “Huracán” Cordova (18-0-1, 12 KOs) scored a ten round unanimous decision over former world champion and 3:1 favorite Angel “Tito” Acosta (23-4, 22 KOs) on Thursday night at the Fantasy Springs Resort Casino in Indio, California. Cordova was busier while Acosta landed the harder shots. Cordova was cut over the left eye in a third round head clash and was deducted a point in round four for a rabbit punch. Acosta landed some big shots late. Scores were 96-93, 95-94, 95-94 for Cordova, who became the new WBO International flyweight titleholder.

“I thought it was a great fight, we were two warriors inside the ring,” said Cordova. “It wasn’t an easy fight, I had to use a lot of boxing IQ. I felt that I was able to connect my punches effectively and was able to move around easily. I am open to whatever opportunity comes next.”

“I am very disappointed with the results of this fight,” said Acosta. “What was most important was the work we were able to put in during training camp that was shown inside the ring. Cordova was a tough opponent, but kept hitting me behind the head. We’re going to take a brief break, and then get back to training. I felt like I won this fight, I want the rematch.” Continue reading “Cordova surprises ex-champ Acosta”