Fightnews.com

By Miguel Maravilla

Three-division world champion Emanuel “Vaquero” Navarrete (38-1-1, 31 KOs) of Mexico City looks to add to his impressive resume as he takes on Ukrainian Olympian undefeated Denys Berinchyk (18-0, 9 KOs) for the vacant WBO lightweight title. Navarrete faces Berinchyk this Saturday night at the Pechanga Arena in San Diego, California live on ESPN.

“This fight represents a lot. The opportunity to become a four-division world champion. I’m looking to take advantage of this opportunity,” says Navarrete. “I’m coming to the lightweight division to win and conquer.”

Having wrapped up his camp in Tijuana, Navarrete comes in well-trimmed and ready to campaign at 135 pounds.

“I always train similar every fight is different. He is an Olympian with experience in boxing. We always put a lot of energy and put the work in 100 percent,” Navarrete said on the preparation. “The truth is I’ve been training here for six years now. There’s a lot of sparring here and I am very focused here on the task but at the same time being away from family. There are sacrifices to make in this sport to come out on top.” Continue reading “Navarrete eyes world title in fourth weight division”

Ahead of his big “Fists of Fury” event on June 7 at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Florida, the world’s greatest promoter Don King addressed the media alongside the fighters featured on the card.

Don King: “We are going to be here and bring boxing back to the fans, where it rightly belongs. I am very excited and pleased to do so. June 7 will be an exciting evening and will be second to none. We will be able to bring you Adrien “The Problem” Broner, and he is a problem, but so am I…most of these guys will fight better than they talk. That’s what they are. They are fighters. They are in the hurt business, and they don’t sit around and cry. This is the business to hurt people. We play the cards we are dealt, and we deal with them.”

The featured WBC People’s Championship has former four-division world champion Adrien “The Problem” Broner (35-4-1, 24 KOs) against fan-favorite Blair “The Flair” Cobbs (16-1-1, 10 KOs).

Blair Cobbs: “It’s none other than Blair “The Flair,” the most exciting man in boxing. I come out blazing like never before. You guys are going to see something that you’ve never seen before. Things that are going to happen to Broner are going to be things never seen before. You guys are going to see action-packed performances, and this is all that I am about. I’ve been born for this moment. I’ve been waiting for this moment for a long time. I’ve been looking for this moment for a long time. I’ve been begging for this moment for a long time. I’ve been praying for this moment for a long time. Thank you, Don King, because Don King is back in action. June 7, I’ve arrived.”

Adrien Broner: “Now look at all this clown sh*t and none of this clown sh*t will work in the ring. People say I’m a clown but I’m a different type of clown. He’s (Cobbs) a clown in the circus. I’m ‘IT.’ I’m some scary type of clown. It gets scary when you talk about me. That sh*t isn’t going to work on me. June 7, I want everyone to come out. This time I don’t need to say anything, he’s doing everything for me. I’m about to f*ck this guy up. I look at him like Bill Haney if he was a boxer, no disrespect to Bill Haney. June 7 is doomsday and I’m training good. I’m training in Las Vegas with my little brother Tank (Davis). A lot of people thought I wouldn’t show up but I’m in shape and I can’t wait to put on a great performance. So, everyone come out and we’re about to get money. Let’s go Don, we got money to make.”

* * *

In a world title fight, WBC cruiserweight champion Noel “The Dark Horse” Mikaelian (27-2, 12 KOs) of Miami will defend his title for the first time when he takes on number one challenger Ryan “The Bruiser” Rozicki (20-1, 19 KOs) from Ontario, Canada.

Noel Mikaelian: “It will be a good fight. I’ll be defending my world title. I’m looking forward to bigger fights and this one is just like a training fight.”

Ryan Rozicki: “I’m not really much of a talker, I’m here to knock him out or he’s going to knock me out. And that’s it.”

Emanuel “Vaquero” Navarrete (38-1-1, 31 KOs) will attempt to become a four-division world champion when he fights Denys Berinchyk (18-0, 9 KOs) for the vacant WBO lightweight world title this Saturday at Pechanga Arena in San Diego.

Emanuel Navarrete: “Each fight is different. Each opponent is different. Denys is an Olympian. He has a lot of experience in boxing. That’s the part we have to defeat. That’s the hardest part on Saturday. However, we always work the same. We always strengthen certain things that have been seen as weak in previous fights. But we always put a lot of energy into each training camp. We always have that mentality to work at 100 percent, and this camp wasn’t the exception. We worked hard, and Saturday will be a great fight night for all those watching at Pechanga Arena.”

Denys Berinchyk: “I’m happy for Emanuel that he was the king in three divisions, but this is my division. You will see a great, exciting fight on Saturday night.”

* * *

The co-feature between hometown hero Giovani Santillan (32-0, 17 KOs) and unbeaten Brian Norman Jr. (25-0, 19 KOs) will now be for the vacant WBO interim welterweight title. If Santillan wins, he will become only the second San Diego-born world champion in history, following Paul Vaden in 1995.

Giovani Santillan: “I’ve been looking forward to something like this happening ever since my first fight at Pechanga San Diego back in 2021. I’ve been saying that I want to bring world title fights for myself here in San Diego. Me being born and raised here, it’s an honor for this to happen. I’m excited. I just found out this morning {that the fight would be for the WBO interim title}. I’m ready.”

Brian Norman Jr: “We’re in his hometown. Everything is against me in this fight. But once again, this is where I shine the best. I thrive off of negativity. I love this opportunity. I love this moment…he’s number one, plain and simple. You saw what he did to Alexis Rocha to earn his spot, so I have to earn mine. He did his thing. Time for me to do mine.”

WBC heavyweight champion Tyson Fury (34-0-1, 24 KOs) refused to look at WBO/IBF/WBA heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk (21-0, 14 KOs) during the face-off following the final press conference for their PPV clash on Saturday at the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Neither fighter had much to say during their turn at the mic. They were both very respectful and serious.

Tyson Fury: “I’m ready. I’ve got nothing to say apart from I’m ready for a good fight. And if it’s tough or easy, either way, I’ll be ready.”

Oleksandr Usyk: “I’m excited. I’m grateful for His Excellency, the reason this fight happened. Let’s make history!”

This is what WBC heavyweight champion Tyson Fury (34-0-1, 24 KOs) and WBO/IBF/WBA heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk (21-0, 14 KOs) had to say at Wednesday’s media workout, three days before all the belts will be at stake on PPV from the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Tyson Fury: “I’m on top of the world, baby! Who wouldn’t be enjoying it? I’m in the great Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. This is the main event. It is the undisputed heavyweight championship of the world…we’re looking forward to putting on a fantastic show for the world to watch.”

Oleksandr Usyk: “I feel good. Each event brings with it a new experience. It’s always a wonderful, great, and new experience for the team. I don’t have a final message for him. I will save it for Saturday.”

As Emanuel “Vaquero” Navarrete (38-1-1, 31 KOs) prepares to make history, he’s received overwhelming support from some of Mexico’s most revered boxing legends.

Canelo Alvarez, Juan Manuel “Dinamita” Marquez, Erik “El Terrible” Morales, Leo Santa Cruz, and Jorge “El Travieso” Arce have all extended their support to the 29-year-old fighting pride of San Juan Zitlaltepec, who will attempt to join this elite group of Mexican boxers who have captured world titles in four different weight divisions.

Navarrete will fight Ukrainian Olympian Denys Berinchyk (18-0, 9 KOs) for the vacant WBO lightweight world title this Saturday at Pechanga Arena in San Diego. Continue reading “Mexican legends inspire Navarrete”

By Joe Koizumi
Photos by Naoki Fukuda

Incredible story! Japan’s most popular news show named “Sunday Morning” of TBS television–this Sunday–revealed an untold surprising episode of “Monster” Naoya Inoue’s behavior after his very first knockdown in his career that he suffered in the opening session at the hand of Luis Nery at the Tokyo Dome.

While Naoya was sitting on the stool in the corner after the first, he was watching a big screen that replayed Nery’s left hook dropping him. Monster reportedly carefully watched the orbiting patch of Nery’s vicious left hand so that he would never take the punch again.

Is that true? Usually it is said a boxer after hitting the deck becomes temporarily unclear in thinking because of the cobwebs. Monster Inoue, however, did analyze Pantera Nery’s punching angle and timing of his countering shot in the first—thanks to the big screen replay at the Dome.

Should it be really true, he must be a Monster.

Unbeaten heavyweight prospect Thomas Narmo (7-0, 7 KOs) of Norway is ready to test his skills against other heavyweight prospects. The 6’6 giant-sized Norwegian is a former professional hockey player and is scheduled for a tuneup fight in June. All of his wins have been inside the distance and the 30-year-old is anxious for bigger opportunities in the immediate future. Fightnews.com® spoke with Narmo as he is in training for his upcoming bout.

What led to your pursuit of a career in boxing?

I used to play professional hockey and then MMA. My knees were giving out and it turns out my potential was bigger in boxing than MMA. I just was not aware of it. Continue reading “Q&A Heavyweight Thomas Narmo”

On Tuesday at Boulevard Riyadh City, WBC heavyweight champion Tyson Fury (34-0-1, 24 KOs) and WBO/IBF/WBA ruler Oleksandr Usyk (21-0, 14 KOs) made their grand arrivals. Fury (34-0-1, 24 KOs) and Usyk (21-0, 14 KOs) will battle for the undisputed heavyweight crown this Saturday at Kingdom Arena. The winner becomes the division’s first undisputed champion in the four belt era.

Tyson Fury: “I predict that somebody’s ‘0’ has got to go. And it’s going to be that team over there, unfortunately for them. Oleksandr Usyk is a great fighter. Olympic gold medalist, cruiserweight world champion, heavyweight world champion. But, unfortunately for him, he has to come against the great Tyson Fury in the era of me. I’m really looking forward to Saturday night….even if he had 20 million people screaming his name, they cannot fight for him on the night. And when there’s two men in there on the night, it’s going to be very daunting when he has the undertaker in the ring with him.”

Oleksandr Usyk: “I feel good. I’m very happy to be here. Saturday is a special day because I will have the opportunity to become undisputed for a second time. It’s great. It’s very good for me. It’s very important for my country. I like that…I have a plan. It’s a better plan. And it’s a great plan.”

Former four-division world champion Adrien “The Problem” Broner’s status was in doubt, but it looks like he will show up to face once-beaten welterweight Blair “The Flair” Cobbs face-to-face in a preview of their special WBC People’s Championship matchup that will be part of six title fights in a press conference this Thursday. The two will be joined by WBC cruiserweight champion Noel “The Dark Horse” Mikaelian (27-2, 12 KOs) of Miami and #1 challenger in Ryan “The Bruiser” Rozicki (20-1, 19 KOs) from Ontario, Canada, promoting a night of fights entitled “Fists of Fury” promoted by Don King Productions.

By Mauricio Sulaimán
President of the WBC – Son of José Sulaimán

By the time this column is published, I will be on my way to the biggest fight in the heavyweight division this century.

Tyson Fury, world champion of our WBC, will face the Ukrainian, Oleksandr Usyk, who holds the other three recognized belts in boxing. These types of fights are called undisputed, that is, for the undisputed title, which refers to the fact that there is no other person who is called world champion of that division.

The undisputed champion is actually somewhat unusual. Decades ago, this phenomenon occurred when the WBC and WBA champions faced each other. Then came the IBF, and finally, the WBO. So, to make history and to be considered undisputed you must possess all four belts.

It is even more difficult to remain as undisputed champion, due to the regulations, which are different within the four organizations, which lead any of them to order their own mandatory fight. Continue reading “The Unified Champions”

By Boxing Bob Newman

The New York State Boxing Hall of Fame (NYSBHOF) has announced its 16-member class of 2024. The 12th Annual NYSBHOF induction dinner will be Sunday afternoon (12:30-5:30 p.m. ET), September 15, 2024, at Russo’s On The Bay in Howard Beach, New York.

Tickets are priced at $175 per person and includes a complete brunch and cocktail hour upon entry, starting at 12:30 p.m. ET, as well as a 7-course dinner (prime rib, fish, or poultry) and open bar throughout the event. Tickets are available to purchase by contacting NYSBHOF president Jack Hirsch at (516) 790-7592 or [email protected]. Ads for the NYSBHOF program are available, ranging from $500 to $110. Continue reading “NYS Boxing Hall of Fame Announces Inductions”

WBC heavyweight champion Tyson Fury versus WBA/IBF/WBO heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk has turned into a pick’em fight in their undisputed heavyweight title showdown this Saturday on PPV from the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The “Gypsy King” and Usyk are both currently -110. Fury opened as a -135 favorite.

In another big fight on Saturday, three-division champion Emanuel Navarrete is a 6:1 favorite to defeat Denis Berinchyk to claim the vacant WBO lightweight title on ESPN from the Pechanga Arena in San Diego, California.

Teams of WBC heavyweight champion Tyson Fury, and WBA/IBF/WBO champion Oleksandr Usyk ran into each other in their Riyadh hotel and things quickly escalated. Both groups began chanting the name of their fighter, then Tyson Fury’s father, John Fury, headbutted Stanislav Stepchuk, a member of Team Uysk. Security separated the groups. After the incident, John Fury emerged with blood streaming down his face from a cut on the forehead. He later apologized.

Reigning Massachusetts 168lb champion Bernard Joseph (8-1-1, 5 KOs) added another title belt to his growing collection, capturing last Saturday night’s inaugural “Granite Chin Box Off” super middleweight tournament, which headlined the “Rumble at the Rink” pro boxing event, presented by Granite Chin Promotions (GCP), in front of a packed Quincy Youth Arena in Quincy, Massachusetts.

The “Granite Chin Box Off” tournament was created by GSP president Chris Traietti, featuring four fighters in a pair of three-round semifinal matches, with the winners squaring off in the five-round main event. Continue reading “Joseph wins super middle tourney”

Undefeated super middleweight Junior Younan (20-0-1, 12 KOs) scored a highlight reel first round knockout over Ricardo Adrian Luna (26-12-2, 17 KOs) to capture the vacant WBA Continental America Gold title on Saturday night at the Paramount Theatre in Huntington, New York. The knockout came at 2:53 in the first round as Younan won his Star Boxing debut.

Photos: Sumio Yamada

Check out this GIANT Lomachenko-Kambosos photo gallery for some incredible shots + the scorecard + action from the Guevara-Moloney and Johnson-Hughes fights.

Photos

Former WBA heavyweight champion Lucas “Big Daddy” Browne has announced his retirement from professional boxing. Browne suffered a defeat to Hemi Ahio on the undercard of the Lomachenko v Kambosos card, leaving his final record at 31-6 with 27 KOs.

“I am incredibly proud of what I’ve accomplished in the ring, and I am deeply thankful to all the fans who have supported me along the way,” said Browne. “I hope you were entertained, win lose or draw. It’s been an incredible journey and I’m excited to embark on the next chapter of my life with my family and continue to contribute to the sport through my gym.” Continue reading “Lucas Browne retires”

Former three-weight world champion Vasiliy Lomachenko (18-3, 13 KOs) scored an eleventh round knockout against former unified champion George Kambosos Jr. (21-3, 10 KOs) to claim the vacant IBF lightweight title on Sunday morning at RAC Arena in Perth, Western Australia. The skillful Loma befuddled Kambosos with his movement and progressively broke him down. Loma dropped Kambosos twice in round eleven to end it. Time was 2:49.

In a clash between former world champions, Pedro Guevara (42-4-1, 22 KOs) scored a twelve round split decision over Andrew Moloney (26-4, 16 KOs) to claim the vacant WBC interim super flyweight title. Guevara outworked Moloney to win 115-113, 115-113 on two cards. Moloney won 116-113 on the third card. After the fight, an angry Moloney announced his retirement.

Former world champion Cherneka Johnson (16-2, 6 KOs) dethroned previously unbeaten WBA female bantamweight champion Nina Hughes (6-1, 2 KOs) by ten round majority decision. Hughes was originally declared the winner by ring announcer Lieutenant Dan Hennessy, however the score was announced again moments later with Johnson winning. Scores were 95-95, 96-94, 98-92.

Other Results:
Hemi Ahio TKO1 Lucas Browne (heavyweight)
Joseph Goodall TKO10 Faiga Opelu (heavyweight)
Imam Khataev KO6 Ricards Bolotniks (light heavyweight)

All-action WBC #3 super featherweight Eduardo “Rocky” Hernandez (35-2, 32 KOs) scored a seventh round TKO over rugged Daniel Lugo (27-3-1, 18 KOs) on Saturday night at the Palenque de la Feria in Aguascalientes, Mexico. Lugo hurt Hernandez in round three, but Rocky woke up after that, pressing the action and beating up Lugo the rest of the way. The referee finally waved it off at 2:17 of round seven. Hernandez was a round away from winning the WBC title last October against O’Shaquie Foster before being stopped in the final round.

WBA female super bantamweight champion Erika Cruz (17-2-1, 3 KOs) and unbeaten mandatory challenger Nazarena Romero (13-0-2, 7 KOs) battled to a ten round draw. Scores were 97-93 Romero, 97-93 Cruz, 95-95. Cruz retains the title.

2020 Olympic gold medalist Lauren Price (7-0, 1 KO) dethroned former undisputed female welterweight champion Jessica “CASkilla” McCaskill (12-4-1, 5 KOs) to claim the WBA title by eight round techical decision on Saturday night at the Utilita Arena in Cardiff, Wales. McCaskill tried to make it a brawl, but Price was always a step ahead. The bout was sent to the judges at the start of round nine due to swelling caused by a cut over McCaskill’s left eye. Scores were 90-82 3x.

Heavyweight Hughie Fury (28-3, 16 KOs), cousin of WBC heavyweight champion Tyson Fury, scored a second round TKO over Patrick Korte (Patrick Korte (21-4-1, 18 KOs). A barrage of punched prompted a referee’s stoppage at 2:06.

Other Results:
Rhys Edwards W10 Thomas Patrick Ward (featherweight)
Mark Jeffers TKO5 Darren Johnstone* (super middleweight)

Unbeaten 6’7 heavyweight Mourad Aliev (11-0, 8 KOs) had no problems with Dilan Prasovic (17-4, 14 KOs) on Saturday night at Motorworld in Cologne, Germany. Aliev dropped Prosovic in round two and twice in round three to end it. Time was 2:43. Aliev retained his WBC silver international silver title.

Unbeaten heavyweight Jose Larduet (13-0, 11 KOs) scored a fourth round KO against Luis Jose Marin Garcia (15-6, 10 KOs). Larduet needs to step up the competition.

WBC #15 super middleweight Serhat Guler (6-0, 5 KOs) knocked out Carlos Galvan (20-13-2, 19 KOs) with a body shot in round three.

Unbeaten super middleweight Leon Bauer (21-0-1, 11 KOs) outpointed Dominik Ameri (22-24, 9 KOs) over eight rounds. No scores announced.

By Mark Vaz

One of boxing’s true nice guys, Art Jimmerson, 60, passed away unexpectedly on Tuesday in Los Angeles. On his way to work at the UFC gym where he was employed as a trainer, he passed out in his car at a stop sign, and never regained consciousness, succumbing to what was likely an aneurism or heart attack. Continue reading “Art Jimmerson passes”

Report/Photos: Damon Gonzalez

Undefeated welterweight Arnold Gonzalez (15-0, 6 KO’s) from New York, NY. became the WBA Fedecentro champion after defeating Esneiker “La Maravilla” Correa (15-5-1, 13 KO’s) from Los Teques, Venezuela, on Friday night at the Seneca Niagara Casino & Hotel, Niagara Falls, New York. For the most part, the fighters remained in the center of the ring trading big shots till Correa gassed out in round five and told referee Charlie Fitch he couldn’t continue.

Female super bantamweight Mikiah Kreps (8-0, 3 KO’s) from Niagara Falls, NY. Took a hard fought eight round unanimous decision over Melissa Oddessa Parker (6-3, 2 KO’s) from Brooklyn, NY. Judges official scores were 78-74, 77-75, 79-73.

Super Bantamweight Alexander Castellano (10-1-2, 2 KO’s) from Tonawanda, NY, executed well in his six round unanimous decision victory over a very tough Miguel Carrizo (3-3-2, 2 KO’s) from Buenos Aries, Argentina. Judges official scores 59-55, 58-56, 59-55. Continue reading “Arnold Gonzalez wins WBA Fedecentro belt”