Jermall Charlo and Stephen Fulton added to Australian card |
|
A pair of former two-division champions will take their talents down under as Jermall Charlo (pictured) and Stephen Fulton Jr. return to the ring in separate undercard attractions on a PBC pay-per-view event available on Prime Video taking place Saturday, July 25th (U.S. date) from Afterpay Arena in Sydney, Australia. Three matchups will lead up to the main event between former unified welterweight champion Errol “The Truth” Spence Jr. and Australia's former junior middleweight champion Tim Tszyu. The still-undefeated Jermall Charlo will step in to face Australia’s Koen Mazoudier in a ten-round super middleweight battle, while former 122 and 126-pound champion Stephen Fulton Jr. will face Australian's Liam Wilson in a ten-round junior lightweight attraction. The pay-per-view will kick off with undefeated rising Australian Olympian Callum Peters entering the ring for ten rounds of middleweight action vs. an opponent to be named later.
"It’s an honor to headline the greatest fight card ever assembled in Australia,” said Tszyu. “It’s an enormous privilege for me because I know how rare this is for fight fans to have a card of this magnitude on home soil. Every time I step into that ring, I'm not just fighting for myself — I'm fighting for Australia and for everyone who's ever believed in me. Errol Spence Jr. is a legend of this sport, one of the greatest to ever do it, but on July 26 I get to take him out once and for all. Moments like this are history making. They are rare, you don’t want to miss it.”
"Make no mistake, this is the greatest fight card ever assembled in Australian boxing history,” said No Limit Boxing CEO George Rose. “Errol Spence Jr. and Jermall Charlo on the same card, in the same city, on the same day — that's a Las Vegas headliner every single day of the week, and we've locked it in for Sydney. This is Australia versus the USA, four times over, and every single one of those fights is legacy-defining. We've built No Limit Boxing by delivering the best events on the biggest stages, and on July 26 we deliver the biggest stage this country has ever seen. The world is sending its biggest names to Tim Tszyu's backyard, to Koen Mazoudier's backyard, to Callum Peters' backyard — and they're about to find out exactly what that means.” The event is promoted by No Limit Boxing and The Rose Brothers, Man Down Promotions and TGB Promotions.
A former champion at 154 and 160 pounds, Jermall Charlo will make his second consecutive appearance against super middleweight competition as he looks to move closer to a world title opportunity against the upset-minded Koen Mazoudier, who enters this one on a three-bout winning streak. Charlo’s (34-0, 23 KOs) quest to become a three-division champion in the stacked 168-pound division began in May 2025, as he returned from a lengthy layoff to stop veteran Thomas LaManna in six rounds. A native of Houston, Charlo first joined the ranks of world champion in 2015 with a knockout of Cornelius Bundrage, and would go on to defend the title three times, including a stoppage of then-undefeated Julian Williams in December 2016. Trained throughout his career by the renowned Ronnie Shields, Charlo would then begin a middleweight run that saw him earn the WBC championship and add victories over Sergiy Derevyanchenko, Matt Korobov, Hugo Centeno Jr. and more.
“It feels great to be back in the ring and to take my talents Down Under to Australia,” said Charlo. “Koen Mazoudier is going to be looking to make a name off me, but he underestimates how hungry I am. These guys ain’t seen nothing like this. It’s the USA vs. Australia and Jermall Charlo is coming to take over. Lock in with me on July 25 and watch me put on a show.”
A native of Blacktown, New South Wales, Australian, Mazoudier (15-4-1, 6 KOs) turned pro in 2018 after an accomplished amateur career, reeling off six consecutive victories. Of the blemishes on 30-year-old’s record, two came by narrow majority decisions, with one of his other losses eventually being avenged as he defeated Wade Ryan by unanimous decision in 2022. His other loss came at the hands of undefeated Australian star Nikita Tszyu, younger brother of Tim Tszyu. The 2024 showdown against Tszyu was within two points on two judges’ cards when the bout ended in round nine. Mazoudier has bounced back effectively, winning three-straight fights in 2025.
"I know I'm the underdog,” said Mazoudier. “Everyone knows I'm the underdog. I don't care. I'm coming to spoil the party and dethrone a legend. I've never taken a backward step in my life, and I'm sure as hell not starting on 26 July. I'm going to bring everything I've got to get the result. I’m the real life Rocky."
|
|
|
|
Jermall Charlo and Stephen Fulton added to Australian card
A pair of former two-division champions will take their talents down under as Jermall Charlo (pictured) and Stephen Fulton Jr. return to the ring in separate undercard attractions on a PBC pay-per-view event available on Prime Video taking place Saturday, July 25th (U.S. date) from Afterpay Arena in Sydney, Australia. Three matchups will lead up to the main event between former unified welterweight champion Errol “The Truth” Spence Jr. and Australia's former junior middleweight champion Tim Tszyu. The still-undefeated Jermall Charlo will step in to face Australia’s Koen Mazoudier in a ten-round super middleweight battle, while former 122 and 126-pound champion Stephen Fulton Jr. will face Australian's Liam Wilson in a ten-round junior lightweight attraction. The pay-per-view will kick off with undefeated rising Australian Olympian Callum Peters entering the ring for ten rounds of middleweight action vs. an opponent to be named later.
"It’s an honor to headline the greatest fight card ever assembled in Australia,” said Tszyu. “It’s an enormous privilege for me because I know how rare this is for fight fans to have a card of this magnitude on home soil. Every time I step into that ring, I'm not just fighting for myself — I'm fighting for Australia and for everyone who's ever believed in me. Errol Spence Jr. is a legend of this sport, one of the greatest to ever do it, but on July 26 I get to take him out once and for all. Moments like this are history making. They are rare, you don’t want to miss it.”
"Make no mistake, this is the greatest fight card ever assembled in Australian boxing history,” said No Limit Boxing CEO George Rose. “Errol Spence Jr. and Jermall Charlo on the same card, in the same city, on the same day — that's a Las Vegas headliner every single day of the week, and we've locked it in for Sydney. This is Australia versus the USA, four times over, and every single one of those fights is legacy-defining. We've built No Limit Boxing by delivering the best events on the biggest stages, and on July 26 we deliver the biggest stage this country has ever seen. The world is sending its biggest names to Tim Tszyu's backyard, to Koen Mazoudier's backyard, to Callum Peters' backyard — and they're about to find out exactly what that means.” The event is promoted by No Limit Boxing and The Rose Brothers, Man Down Promotions and TGB Promotions.
A former champion at 154 and 160 pounds, Jermall Charlo will make his second consecutive appearance against super middleweight competition as he looks to move closer to a world title opportunity against the upset-minded Koen Mazoudier, who enters this one on a three-bout winning streak. Charlo’s (34-0, 23 KOs) quest to become a three-division champion in the stacked 168-pound division began in May 2025, as he returned from a lengthy layoff to stop veteran Thomas LaManna in six rounds. A native of Houston, Charlo first joined the ranks of world champion in 2015 with a knockout of Cornelius Bundrage, and would go on to defend the title three times, including a stoppage of then-undefeated Julian Williams in December 2016. Trained throughout his career by the renowned Ronnie Shields, Charlo would then begin a middleweight run that saw him earn the WBC championship and add victories over Sergiy Derevyanchenko, Matt Korobov, Hugo Centeno Jr. and more.
“It feels great to be back in the ring and to take my talents Down Under to Australia,” said Charlo. “Koen Mazoudier is going to be looking to make a name off me, but he underestimates how hungry I am. These guys ain’t seen nothing like this. It’s the USA vs. Australia and Jermall Charlo is coming to take over. Lock in with me on July 25 and watch me put on a show.”
A native of Blacktown, New South Wales, Australian, Mazoudier (15-4-1, 6 KOs) turned pro in 2018 after an accomplished amateur career, reeling off six consecutive victories. Of the blemishes on 30-year-old’s record, two came by narrow majority decisions, with one of his other losses eventually being avenged as he defeated Wade Ryan by unanimous decision in 2022. His other loss came at the hands of undefeated Australian star Nikita Tszyu, younger brother of Tim Tszyu. The 2024 showdown against Tszyu was within two points on two judges’ cards when the bout ended in round nine. Mazoudier has bounced back effectively, winning three-straight fights in 2025.
"I know I'm the underdog,” said Mazoudier. “Everyone knows I'm the underdog. I don't care. I'm coming to spoil the party and dethrone a legend. I've never taken a backward step in my life, and I'm sure as hell not starting on 26 July. I'm going to bring everything I've got to get the result. I’m the real life Rocky."
|
Neider Valdez accepts last-minute title challenge vs. Oscar Collazo |
|
Neider Valdez (15-3-3, 12 KOs) of Monterrey, Mexico, has answered the call to challenge undefeated WBA / WBO minimumweight champion Oscar “El Pupilo” Collazo (14-0, 11 KOs) of Villalba, Puerto Rico. Valdez steps in as a late replacement for the previously announced Joey Canoy, who was forced to withdraw from the bout due to visa-related issues. The twelve-round tw-belt championship bout will stream live worldwide on DAZN on Saturday, June 20th, presented by Golden Boy Promotions in association with Miguel Cotto Promotions from Frontwave Arena in Oceanside, Calif. “My job is to stay ready for whoever my team puts in the ring,” said Collazo. “While the Canoy fight didn’t happen, my focus has shifted entirely to Neider Valdez this Saturday. Trust me, we’re about to add another unforgettable chapter to the historic Puerto Rico vs. Mexico rivalry.”
“First and foremost, I would like to thank God, Golden Boy, Cotto Promotions, and my team for this incredible opportunity. When I received the phone call, I couldn’t believe it, but without hesitation, I accepted the challenge,” said Neider Valdez. “I stay in the gym and work hard every day, always waiting for an opportunity like this. I know who Oscar Collazo is—he is the best fighter in his division today, and I have looked up to him for a long time. It is a great honor to share the ring with him on such a big stage. I am ready to deliver the performance of my life and take full advantage of this incredible opportunity.”
Valdez has built his career by facing difficult opposition and making the most out of every opportunity. His aggressive approach and punching power have helped him steadily climb the ranks, recently fighting to a majority draw in a six-round bout in Mexico. Despite falling short in a hard-fought 2024 WBA light flyweight world title bout, he now looks to further establish himself as a threat in the minimumweight division.
In the co-feature Mexico's Yair “Manotas” Gallardo (11-0, 9 KOs) will look to continue his knockout streak when he takes on Canada’s Buneet Bisla (14-1, 7 KOs) in a ten-round light heavyweight clash. Gallardo is coming off a stoppage victory over Elio Heraldo Trosch in Puerto Rico and now faces a durable Bisla, whose lone professional defeat came more than three years ago.
Also featured on the DAZN broadcast, Uzbek Olympian Ruslan Abdullaev (4-0, 2 KOs) will take on Las Vegas’ Orestes Velazquez (8-1, 7 KOs) in a ten-round junior welterweight showdown. U.S. Olympian Joshua “The Rocket” Edwards (6-0, 5 KOs) of Houston returns to action in an eight-round heavyweight contest against New Orleans’ Garreth “Da Lion” Payton (7-2, 4 KOs). Kicking off the DAZN telecast, Coachella fan favorite Cayden Griffiths (8-0, 7 KOs) will square off against Guadalajara, Mexico’s Alan Crisosto (12-6, 8 KOs) in an eight-round junior middleweight bout.
In preliminary action, Denver’s Daniel “Junebug” Garcia (13-0, 10 KOs) will put his undefeated record on the line against Miami’s Christopher Rodriguez (13-2-1, 11 KOs). Opening the evening, fellow Denver native Lorenzo Garcia will make his professional debut against Columbus, Ohio’s Tylan Smith (1-0-1) in a four-round junior welterweight contest. Tickets for Collazo vs. Valdez can be purchased at AXS.com or GoldenBoy.com.
|
|
|
|
Neider Valdez accepts last-minute title challenge vs. Oscar Collazo
Neider Valdez (15-3-3, 12 KOs) of Monterrey, Mexico, has answered the call to challenge undefeated WBA / WBO minimumweight champion Oscar “El Pupilo” Collazo (14-0, 11 KOs) of Villalba, Puerto Rico. Valdez steps in as a late replacement for the previously announced Joey Canoy, who was forced to withdraw from the bout due to visa-related issues. The twelve-round tw-belt championship bout will stream live worldwide on DAZN on Saturday, June 20th, presented by Golden Boy Promotions in association with Miguel Cotto Promotions from Frontwave Arena in Oceanside, Calif. “My job is to stay ready for whoever my team puts in the ring,” said Collazo. “While the Canoy fight didn’t happen, my focus has shifted entirely to Neider Valdez this Saturday. Trust me, we’re about to add another unforgettable chapter to the historic Puerto Rico vs. Mexico rivalry.”
“First and foremost, I would like to thank God, Golden Boy, Cotto Promotions, and my team for this incredible opportunity. When I received the phone call, I couldn’t believe it, but without hesitation, I accepted the challenge,” said Neider Valdez. “I stay in the gym and work hard every day, always waiting for an opportunity like this. I know who Oscar Collazo is—he is the best fighter in his division today, and I have looked up to him for a long time. It is a great honor to share the ring with him on such a big stage. I am ready to deliver the performance of my life and take full advantage of this incredible opportunity.”
Valdez has built his career by facing difficult opposition and making the most out of every opportunity. His aggressive approach and punching power have helped him steadily climb the ranks, recently fighting to a majority draw in a six-round bout in Mexico. Despite falling short in a hard-fought 2024 WBA light flyweight world title bout, he now looks to further establish himself as a threat in the minimumweight division.
In the co-feature Mexico's Yair “Manotas” Gallardo (11-0, 9 KOs) will look to continue his knockout streak when he takes on Canada’s Buneet Bisla (14-1, 7 KOs) in a ten-round light heavyweight clash. Gallardo is coming off a stoppage victory over Elio Heraldo Trosch in Puerto Rico and now faces a durable Bisla, whose lone professional defeat came more than three years ago.
Also featured on the DAZN broadcast, Uzbek Olympian Ruslan Abdullaev (4-0, 2 KOs) will take on Las Vegas’ Orestes Velazquez (8-1, 7 KOs) in a ten-round junior welterweight showdown. U.S. Olympian Joshua “The Rocket” Edwards (6-0, 5 KOs) of Houston returns to action in an eight-round heavyweight contest against New Orleans’ Garreth “Da Lion” Payton (7-2, 4 KOs). Kicking off the DAZN telecast, Coachella fan favorite Cayden Griffiths (8-0, 7 KOs) will square off against Guadalajara, Mexico’s Alan Crisosto (12-6, 8 KOs) in an eight-round junior middleweight bout.
In preliminary action, Denver’s Daniel “Junebug” Garcia (13-0, 10 KOs) will put his undefeated record on the line against Miami’s Christopher Rodriguez (13-2-1, 11 KOs). Opening the evening, fellow Denver native Lorenzo Garcia will make his professional debut against Columbus, Ohio’s Tylan Smith (1-0-1) in a four-round junior welterweight contest. Tickets for Collazo vs. Valdez can be purchased at AXS.com or GoldenBoy.com.
|
Weigh-in report from Long Beach, CA |
|
Here are the boxers' weights for Friday's MF Pro show in Long Beach, California (live on DAZN):
Ashton "H2O" Sylve - 140 pounds vs. Jojo Diaz - 139.4;
J'Hon Ingram - 134 vs. Devin Cushing - 134.6;
Amir Anderson - 159.6 vs. Jonas Sylvain - 159;
Ernesto Mercado - 139.4 vs. Juan Carlos Burgos - 139.6;
David Lopez - 146.2 vs. Joey Borrero - 142.8;
Kayla Gomez - 112.8 vs. Shayntain Creer - 114.4;
Ethan Smith - 166.2 vs. Jose Rodriguez - 162.4;
Daniel Mercado - 153.4 vs. Alejandro de la Rosa - 153; and
Daniel Gudino - 120.2 vs. Alejandro Herrera - 120.8.
|
|
|
|
Weigh-in report from Long Beach, CA
Here are the boxers' weights for Friday's MF Pro show in Long Beach, California (live on DAZN):
Ashton "H2O" Sylve - 140 pounds vs. Jojo Diaz - 139.4;
J'Hon Ingram - 134 vs. Devin Cushing - 134.6;
Amir Anderson - 159.6 vs. Jonas Sylvain - 159;
Ernesto Mercado - 139.4 vs. Juan Carlos Burgos - 139.6;
David Lopez - 146.2 vs. Joey Borrero - 142.8;
Kayla Gomez - 112.8 vs. Shayntain Creer - 114.4;
Ethan Smith - 166.2 vs. Jose Rodriguez - 162.4;
Daniel Mercado - 153.4 vs. Alejandro de la Rosa - 153; and
Daniel Gudino - 120.2 vs. Alejandro Herrera - 120.8.
|
Battle of unbeatens in Serbia |
|
A junior welterweight bout scheduled for Friday at Arena Lozionica in Belgrade, Serbia, saw Derrick Quaye (9-0-1) unable to make the contracted weight. Local man Tomislav Vukomanovic (13-0) successfully made weight. Following an official rules meeting involving event officials, both teams, and representatives of the fighters, it was determined that the bout will proceed as scheduled. Medical officials also confirmed that both fighters will undergo a final examination before receiving official clearance to compete. The fight is scheduled to begin at 10:00 p.m. local time and will be supervised on behalf of the WBC by Daniel Van de Wiele of Belgium.
|
|
|
|
Battle of unbeatens in Serbia
A junior welterweight bout scheduled for Friday at Arena Lozionica in Belgrade, Serbia, saw Derrick Quaye (9-0-1) unable to make the contracted weight. Local man Tomislav Vukomanovic (13-0) successfully made weight. Following an official rules meeting involving event officials, both teams, and representatives of the fighters, it was determined that the bout will proceed as scheduled. Medical officials also confirmed that both fighters will undergo a final examination before receiving official clearance to compete. The fight is scheduled to begin at 10:00 p.m. local time and will be supervised on behalf of the WBC by Daniel Van de Wiele of Belgium.
|
Crocker heads to Australia to defend vs. Paro |
|
Lewis Crocker has no issues with taking his first IBF welterweight defense to Australia to face the favored ex-junior welterweight champ, Liam Paro. The Belfast star returns to the ring next week for the first time since claiming the belt by split decision against Paddy Donovan. Promoters Matchroom lost a purse bid however to keep his first defense in Northern Ireland, sending Crocker to Queensland instead. Paro, the previous IBF light-welterweight champion, is bidding to secure two-weight status when he steps out for a home crowd. If Crocker prevails at the Pat Rafter Stadium though, the star is set for a major trilogy bout with Donovan towards the end of 2026. The latter won his final eliminator against Karen Chukhadzhian last May to confirm a second full shot at the IBF strap for himself.
|
|
|
|
Crocker heads to Australia to defend vs. Paro
Lewis Crocker has no issues with taking his first IBF welterweight defense to Australia to face the favored ex-junior welterweight champ, Liam Paro. The Belfast star returns to the ring next week for the first time since claiming the belt by split decision against Paddy Donovan. Promoters Matchroom lost a purse bid however to keep his first defense in Northern Ireland, sending Crocker to Queensland instead. Paro, the previous IBF light-welterweight champion, is bidding to secure two-weight status when he steps out for a home crowd. If Crocker prevails at the Pat Rafter Stadium though, the star is set for a major trilogy bout with Donovan towards the end of 2026. The latter won his final eliminator against Karen Chukhadzhian last May to confirm a second full shot at the IBF strap for himself.
|
DAZN unveils Saturday Fight Night |
|
This Saturday marks a major moment for DAZN with the launche of Saturday Fight Night, a new destination for premium fight nights, transforming Saturday night into weekly appointment viewing. Saturday Fight Night establishes a consistent weekly rhythm for boxing fans, delivering the sport’s biggest fighters in the biggest fights across a packed 52‑week schedule. For the first time, fans have a single destination to follow boxing’s biggest moments as they unfold - cutting through years of fragmented coverage and rival promoters with one simple promise: when it’s Saturday, premium boxing has a home on DAZN.
Built on DAZN’s relationships with the sport’s leading promoters and featuring DAZN’s best-in-class broadcast production and talent lineup, Saturday Fight Night brings the sport’s biggest fights, sharpest rivalries and breakout names together under one weekly banner, making it the world’s most consistent destination for premium boxing.
Dave Stratton, EVP Global Marketing, DAZN, said:“Boxing has always delivered great nights, but fans deserve more consistency in knowing where to find them and what’s at stake. "Saturday Fight Night changes that. We’re giving the sport a weekly standing appointment, backed by the promoters and fighters who define it. DAZN’s promise to fans is simple: global boxing every Saturday, all year long.”
In the UK, fans will see the biggest promoters going head to head 52 weeks a year, including Matchroom Boxing, Queensberry Promotions, Boxxer, MF Pro and Misfits, with coverage presented and analysed by DAZN’s best-in-class broadcast talent including Ade Oladipo, Anna Woolhouse, Tony Bellew, Carl Frampton, Adam Smith, Darren Barker and Barry Jones.
While in the US, fans can expect to see fight nights from Matchroom USA, Top Rank, Golden Boy, Dmitry Salita, and many more, with Saturday fight night perfectly complimenting The Fight series, which has recently been launched on TNT. These fight nights will be delivered by a broadcast team that includes Kate Scott, Todd Grisham, Chris Mannix, Sergio Mora, and special guest analysts.
Saturday Fight Night brings with it a distinct new brand and visual identity that will be rolled out across every consumer touchpoint: the DAZN platform, broadcast presentation, social media channels, marketing, and in-arena. Designed to help fans navigate the sport more easily, the new unified look acts as a clear visual cue, making Saturday Fight Night content instantly identifiable wherever it appears.
To make the schedule easy to follow and instantly recognisable, Saturday Fight Night’s weekly bouts are organized into three clearly defined tiers:
Championship: The sport’s defining title fights, including contests for the four major world championships sanctioned by the WBA, WBC, IBF and WBO.
Main Event: The nights built on names, narrative and bad blood. Not for a belt, but always the fights and rivalries the whole sport is talking about.
Rising Stars: Fights featuring the next generation of boxers, before the world catches on.
|
|
|
|
DAZN unveils Saturday Fight Night
This Saturday marks a major moment for DAZN with the launche of Saturday Fight Night, a new destination for premium fight nights, transforming Saturday night into weekly appointment viewing. Saturday Fight Night establishes a consistent weekly rhythm for boxing fans, delivering the sport’s biggest fighters in the biggest fights across a packed 52‑week schedule. For the first time, fans have a single destination to follow boxing’s biggest moments as they unfold - cutting through years of fragmented coverage and rival promoters with one simple promise: when it’s Saturday, premium boxing has a home on DAZN.
Built on DAZN’s relationships with the sport’s leading promoters and featuring DAZN’s best-in-class broadcast production and talent lineup, Saturday Fight Night brings the sport’s biggest fights, sharpest rivalries and breakout names together under one weekly banner, making it the world’s most consistent destination for premium boxing.
Dave Stratton, EVP Global Marketing, DAZN, said:“Boxing has always delivered great nights, but fans deserve more consistency in knowing where to find them and what’s at stake. "Saturday Fight Night changes that. We’re giving the sport a weekly standing appointment, backed by the promoters and fighters who define it. DAZN’s promise to fans is simple: global boxing every Saturday, all year long.”
In the UK, fans will see the biggest promoters going head to head 52 weeks a year, including Matchroom Boxing, Queensberry Promotions, Boxxer, MF Pro and Misfits, with coverage presented and analysed by DAZN’s best-in-class broadcast talent including Ade Oladipo, Anna Woolhouse, Tony Bellew, Carl Frampton, Adam Smith, Darren Barker and Barry Jones.
While in the US, fans can expect to see fight nights from Matchroom USA, Top Rank, Golden Boy, Dmitry Salita, and many more, with Saturday fight night perfectly complimenting The Fight series, which has recently been launched on TNT. These fight nights will be delivered by a broadcast team that includes Kate Scott, Todd Grisham, Chris Mannix, Sergio Mora, and special guest analysts.
Saturday Fight Night brings with it a distinct new brand and visual identity that will be rolled out across every consumer touchpoint: the DAZN platform, broadcast presentation, social media channels, marketing, and in-arena. Designed to help fans navigate the sport more easily, the new unified look acts as a clear visual cue, making Saturday Fight Night content instantly identifiable wherever it appears.
To make the schedule easy to follow and instantly recognisable, Saturday Fight Night’s weekly bouts are organized into three clearly defined tiers:
Championship: The sport’s defining title fights, including contests for the four major world championships sanctioned by the WBA, WBC, IBF and WBO.
Main Event: The nights built on names, narrative and bad blood. Not for a belt, but always the fights and rivalries the whole sport is talking about.
Rising Stars: Fights featuring the next generation of boxers, before the world catches on.
|
Trujillo books second fight this month |
|
Fresh off a knockout victory, Cuban heavyweight Gustavo Trujillo (11-0, 10 KOs) will make a quick return to the ring when he faces Calvin Barnett (7-5, 4 KOs) of Port Orange, Florida, in a scheduled ten-round main event on June 28th. The fight will take place at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino, Hollywood, Florida. The event is presented by The Heavyweight Factory Promotions.Trujillo enters the bout following a first-round stoppage of veteran Sergio Ramirez Marin (22-9, 12 KOs) on May 30th. The victory marked the tenth knockout of his professional career and further solidified his reputation as a dangerous puncher.
Rather than taking time off following his latest triumph, Trujillo, the current BKB (bare knuckles) heavyweight champion, elected to remain active and continue building momentum. As he prepares for another quick turnaround, Trujillo spoke about the value of remaining active while continuing his climb through the heavyweight rankings. "Right now, activity is extremely important for me," said Trujillo. "Every time I step into the ring, I gain more experience and continue developing as a professional heavyweight. I feel great physically, I came out of my last fight healthy, and there was no reason to sit around waiting. The heavyweight division is very competitive, and I want to stay active, stay sharp, and continue proving that I belong among the top contenders. My goal is to keep building momentum and take advantage of every opportunity that comes my way."
The Cuban-born heavyweight is expected to enjoy strong local support as he competes in South Florida, an area that has embraced him throughout his professional career. Trujillo believes fighting in front of a supportive crowd provides an extra layer of motivation heading into each contest. "South Florida has become a second home for me and the fans here have supported me from the beginning," Trujillo said. "Every time I fight in this area, I can feel the energy and encouragement from the Cuban community and all the boxing fans who come out to support me. It means a lot because they understand the sacrifices that go into this sport. Their support motivates me to work harder and perform at my best. I'm looking forward to putting on another exciting show for everyone who comes out on June 28."
Trujillo understands the significance of every fight as he pursues bigger opportunities in the heavyweight division. The hard-hitting contender believes another impressive victory will move him one step closer to the elite level of the sport. "Every win matters when you're trying to reach the top of the heavyweight division," said Trujillo. "I've worked my entire life to get into this position, and now it's about continuing to climb the rankings and earning the opportunities I've been chasing. A strong performance on June 28 will keep me moving in the right direction and show the boxing world that I'm ready for bigger challenges. I respect every opponent that steps into the ring with me, but my focus is on becoming a world champion, and every fight is another step toward making that dream a reality."
Trujillo's manager, Abe Swidan of Visionary Sports Group, believes the undefeated heavyweight is positioning himself perfectly for a breakout run on the world stage. "Gustavo's career is exactly where we want it to be right now," said Swidan. "He's continuing to stay active, he's gaining valuable rounds and experience, and most importantly, he's making a statement every time he fights. Being ranked No. 14 by the WBO is a significant accomplishment, but we believe that's only the beginning. Gustavo possesses rare athleticism, tremendous punching power, and an incredible work ethic. He's still improving with every training camp, and we're confident that if he continues on this trajectory, he'll soon be knocking on the door of the top ten and eventually competing for a world championship. The future is very bright for him."
|
|
|
|
Trujillo books second fight this month
Fresh off a knockout victory, Cuban heavyweight Gustavo Trujillo (11-0, 10 KOs) will make a quick return to the ring when he faces Calvin Barnett (7-5, 4 KOs) of Port Orange, Florida, in a scheduled ten-round main event on June 28th. The fight will take place at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino, Hollywood, Florida. The event is presented by The Heavyweight Factory Promotions.Trujillo enters the bout following a first-round stoppage of veteran Sergio Ramirez Marin (22-9, 12 KOs) on May 30th. The victory marked the tenth knockout of his professional career and further solidified his reputation as a dangerous puncher.
Rather than taking time off following his latest triumph, Trujillo, the current BKB (bare knuckles) heavyweight champion, elected to remain active and continue building momentum. As he prepares for another quick turnaround, Trujillo spoke about the value of remaining active while continuing his climb through the heavyweight rankings. "Right now, activity is extremely important for me," said Trujillo. "Every time I step into the ring, I gain more experience and continue developing as a professional heavyweight. I feel great physically, I came out of my last fight healthy, and there was no reason to sit around waiting. The heavyweight division is very competitive, and I want to stay active, stay sharp, and continue proving that I belong among the top contenders. My goal is to keep building momentum and take advantage of every opportunity that comes my way."
The Cuban-born heavyweight is expected to enjoy strong local support as he competes in South Florida, an area that has embraced him throughout his professional career. Trujillo believes fighting in front of a supportive crowd provides an extra layer of motivation heading into each contest. "South Florida has become a second home for me and the fans here have supported me from the beginning," Trujillo said. "Every time I fight in this area, I can feel the energy and encouragement from the Cuban community and all the boxing fans who come out to support me. It means a lot because they understand the sacrifices that go into this sport. Their support motivates me to work harder and perform at my best. I'm looking forward to putting on another exciting show for everyone who comes out on June 28."
Trujillo understands the significance of every fight as he pursues bigger opportunities in the heavyweight division. The hard-hitting contender believes another impressive victory will move him one step closer to the elite level of the sport. "Every win matters when you're trying to reach the top of the heavyweight division," said Trujillo. "I've worked my entire life to get into this position, and now it's about continuing to climb the rankings and earning the opportunities I've been chasing. A strong performance on June 28 will keep me moving in the right direction and show the boxing world that I'm ready for bigger challenges. I respect every opponent that steps into the ring with me, but my focus is on becoming a world champion, and every fight is another step toward making that dream a reality."
Trujillo's manager, Abe Swidan of Visionary Sports Group, believes the undefeated heavyweight is positioning himself perfectly for a breakout run on the world stage. "Gustavo's career is exactly where we want it to be right now," said Swidan. "He's continuing to stay active, he's gaining valuable rounds and experience, and most importantly, he's making a statement every time he fights. Being ranked No. 14 by the WBO is a significant accomplishment, but we believe that's only the beginning. Gustavo possesses rare athleticism, tremendous punching power, and an incredible work ethic. He's still improving with every training camp, and we're confident that if he continues on this trajectory, he'll soon be knocking on the door of the top ten and eventually competing for a world championship. The future is very bright for him."
|
Berlanga to headline in New York City next month |
|
Zuffa Boxing will make its New York City debut on Sunday, July 26th with a stacked event at the Infosys Theater at Madison Square Garden. Brooklyn's Edgar Berlanga (23-2, 18 KOs) will face Montreal's Steven Butler (38-5-1, 32 KOs) in a ten-round super middleweight showdown. In the co-feature, undefeated former junior welterweight champion Richardson Hitchins (20-0, 8 KOs) will take on Ricardo Salas (24-2-2, 18 KOs) in a twelve-round welterweight contest. Hitchins surrendered his IBF title without a defeat in order to move up in weight to 147 pounds and to avoid a mandatory challenge from Lindolfo Delgado.
|
|
|
|
Berlanga to headline in New York City next month
Zuffa Boxing will make its New York City debut on Sunday, July 26th with a stacked event at the Infosys Theater at Madison Square Garden. Brooklyn's Edgar Berlanga (23-2, 18 KOs) will face Montreal's Steven Butler (38-5-1, 32 KOs) in a ten-round super middleweight showdown. In the co-feature, undefeated former junior welterweight champion Richardson Hitchins (20-0, 8 KOs) will take on Ricardo Salas (24-2-2, 18 KOs) in a twelve-round welterweight contest. Hitchins surrendered his IBF title without a defeat in order to move up in weight to 147 pounds and to avoid a mandatory challenge from Lindolfo Delgado.
|
MF Pro media workout quotes |
|
Several featured fighters to be featured on MF Pro's "Pugilist Revolution" event participated in a media workout Wednesday afternoon at Jackrabbit Boxing Gym in Long Beach, California. The event gave members of the media and local boxing fans an up-close look at many of the boxers scheduled to compete on Friday at Thunder Studios in Long Beach. The card will stream live worldwide on DAZN. Headlining the event, Long Beach native and hometown favorite Ashton "H2O" Sylve (14-1, 11 KOs) returns to familiar territory when he faces former junior lightweight champion Joseph "JoJo" Diaz (34-9-1, 15 KOs) in a ten-round junior welterweight contest. In the co-feature, undefeated super middleweight Amir "Cashman" Anderson (7-0, 7 KOs) battles fellow unbeaten Jonas Sylvain (9-0-1, 5 KOs). Also participating in the media workout were undefeated contenders Ernesto "Tito" Mercado, David "Dynamite" Lopez, Kevin Gudino, professional debutant Daniel "One Time" Mercado, and welterweight Joey Borrero.
MF Pro President Amer Abdallah expressed his excitement about the talent assembled for the promotion's inaugural United States event. "We couldn't be happier with the energy and enthusiasm we saw today at Jackrabbit Boxing Gym," said Amer Abdallah, President of MF Pro. "The fighters who participated in this workout represent hungry athletes who are determined to make their mark on the sport. From established names like JoJo Diaz to rising stars such as H2O Sylve, Amir Anderson, David Lopez, Ernesto Mercado and the rest of this talented lineup, every fighter on this card understands the importance of this opportunity. The fans in Long Beach are going to witness a tremendous night of boxing. I encourage everyone to get their tickets now because June 19 is shaping up to be a memorable evening filled with action, drama, and world-class competition."
The fighters were equally enthusiastic about their upcoming opportunities. Long Beach's own H2O Sylve (14-1, 11 KOs), from Long Beach, CA, who received strong support from the local crowd, is eager to shine in front of his hometown fans. "There's nothing like fighting in front of your hometown," said Sylve. "I've worked hard to get to this stage, and I understand what's at stake. JoJo Diaz is a former world champion and someone I've respected for a long time, but this is my moment to show how far I've come as a fighter. I want to give the fans a performance they can be proud of and continue proving that I belong among the best fighters in the division. Every day in training camp has been about preparing for this challenge, and I'm ready to leave everything in the ring."
Former champion Joseph "JoJo" Diaz (34-9-1, 15 KOs), from El Monte, CA, believes his experience will be a major factor when the opening bell sounds. "I've been in big fights throughout my career, and I know exactly what it takes to perform under pressure," said Diaz. "I respect H2O and what he's accomplished, but I'm still motivated to compete at the highest level. I'm coming to Long Beach focused, disciplined, and ready to remind people that I can still compete with anyone. Every fight is an opportunity to write a new chapter, and I'm excited for this one."
Amir "Cashman" Anderson (7-0, 7 KOs), from Syracuse, NY, enters the biggest fight of his career with confidence and determination. "This is the kind of opportunity every fighter dreams of," said Anderson. "I've worked for years to reach this point, and now it's time to take the next step. Jonas Sylvain is undefeated for a reason, and I know he'll be at his best, but I'm mentally and physically prepared for the challenge. I'm focused on delivering my best performance and showing I'm ready to become a serious contender in the middleweight division."
Ernesto "Tito" Mercado (18-0, 17 KOs), from Pomona, CA, is looking to continue his rise through the 140-pound ranks. "I want every fight to show growth and improvement," said Mercado. "My goal is to become a world champion, and that means taking every opportunity seriously. The fans deserve excitement and that's what I plan to deliver. I've had a great camp and I'm looking forward to showcasing my skills on a major platform. Of course, you guys know I’m going for the knockout!"
Welterweight David "Dynamite" Lopez (8-0, 6 KOs), from Oakland, CA, is ready to take another step toward contender status. "Every fight is important when you're building your career," said Lopez. "I'm grateful for the opportunity to compete on a card like this because it gives me a chance to perform in front of a larger audience. My focus has been on preparation, discipline, and improving every aspect of my game. On June 19, I plan to show everyone how much I've grown as a fighter. Oakland California stand up."
Daniel "One Time" Mercado (Pro Debut), from Pomona, CA, is eager to begin his professional journey. "This is something I've dreamed about for a long time," said Mercado. "All the hard work, sacrifices, and preparation have led to this moment. I know making my professional debut is just the beginning, but I want to start my career the right way with a strong performance, especially alongside of my brother “Tito”. I'm excited to finally step into the ring as a professional and show what I can do."
Joey Borrero (12-2, 9 KOs), Cupey Alto, Puerto Rico, believes his experience and determination will help him deliver a memorable performance. "I've put together an excellent training camp and I'm coming into this fight prepared for whatever happens," said Borrero. "These opportunities don't come around every day, so I intend to make the most of it. The fans can expect me to come ready to compete and give everything I have, specifically against an undefeated fighter like David Lopez."
Bantamweight Kevin Gudino (4-0, 4 KOs) is determined to continue his momentum with another knockout victory. "Every day I'm in the gym trying to get better and become a stronger fighter," said Gudino. "Each fight is an opportunity to show what I've learned and take another step toward my dreams. I'm grateful to be part of such a great event, and I'm looking forward to putting on a good performance for the fans and showing everyone what I'm capable of."
|
|
|
|
MF Pro media workout quotes
Several featured fighters to be featured on MF Pro's "Pugilist Revolution" event participated in a media workout Wednesday afternoon at Jackrabbit Boxing Gym in Long Beach, California. The event gave members of the media and local boxing fans an up-close look at many of the boxers scheduled to compete on Friday at Thunder Studios in Long Beach. The card will stream live worldwide on DAZN. Headlining the event, Long Beach native and hometown favorite Ashton "H2O" Sylve (14-1, 11 KOs) returns to familiar territory when he faces former junior lightweight champion Joseph "JoJo" Diaz (34-9-1, 15 KOs) in a ten-round junior welterweight contest. In the co-feature, undefeated super middleweight Amir "Cashman" Anderson (7-0, 7 KOs) battles fellow unbeaten Jonas Sylvain (9-0-1, 5 KOs). Also participating in the media workout were undefeated contenders Ernesto "Tito" Mercado, David "Dynamite" Lopez, Kevin Gudino, professional debutant Daniel "One Time" Mercado, and welterweight Joey Borrero.
MF Pro President Amer Abdallah expressed his excitement about the talent assembled for the promotion's inaugural United States event. "We couldn't be happier with the energy and enthusiasm we saw today at Jackrabbit Boxing Gym," said Amer Abdallah, President of MF Pro. "The fighters who participated in this workout represent hungry athletes who are determined to make their mark on the sport. From established names like JoJo Diaz to rising stars such as H2O Sylve, Amir Anderson, David Lopez, Ernesto Mercado and the rest of this talented lineup, every fighter on this card understands the importance of this opportunity. The fans in Long Beach are going to witness a tremendous night of boxing. I encourage everyone to get their tickets now because June 19 is shaping up to be a memorable evening filled with action, drama, and world-class competition."
The fighters were equally enthusiastic about their upcoming opportunities. Long Beach's own H2O Sylve (14-1, 11 KOs), from Long Beach, CA, who received strong support from the local crowd, is eager to shine in front of his hometown fans. "There's nothing like fighting in front of your hometown," said Sylve. "I've worked hard to get to this stage, and I understand what's at stake. JoJo Diaz is a former world champion and someone I've respected for a long time, but this is my moment to show how far I've come as a fighter. I want to give the fans a performance they can be proud of and continue proving that I belong among the best fighters in the division. Every day in training camp has been about preparing for this challenge, and I'm ready to leave everything in the ring."
Former champion Joseph "JoJo" Diaz (34-9-1, 15 KOs), from El Monte, CA, believes his experience will be a major factor when the opening bell sounds. "I've been in big fights throughout my career, and I know exactly what it takes to perform under pressure," said Diaz. "I respect H2O and what he's accomplished, but I'm still motivated to compete at the highest level. I'm coming to Long Beach focused, disciplined, and ready to remind people that I can still compete with anyone. Every fight is an opportunity to write a new chapter, and I'm excited for this one."
Amir "Cashman" Anderson (7-0, 7 KOs), from Syracuse, NY, enters the biggest fight of his career with confidence and determination. "This is the kind of opportunity every fighter dreams of," said Anderson. "I've worked for years to reach this point, and now it's time to take the next step. Jonas Sylvain is undefeated for a reason, and I know he'll be at his best, but I'm mentally and physically prepared for the challenge. I'm focused on delivering my best performance and showing I'm ready to become a serious contender in the middleweight division."
Ernesto "Tito" Mercado (18-0, 17 KOs), from Pomona, CA, is looking to continue his rise through the 140-pound ranks. "I want every fight to show growth and improvement," said Mercado. "My goal is to become a world champion, and that means taking every opportunity seriously. The fans deserve excitement and that's what I plan to deliver. I've had a great camp and I'm looking forward to showcasing my skills on a major platform. Of course, you guys know I’m going for the knockout!"
Welterweight David "Dynamite" Lopez (8-0, 6 KOs), from Oakland, CA, is ready to take another step toward contender status. "Every fight is important when you're building your career," said Lopez. "I'm grateful for the opportunity to compete on a card like this because it gives me a chance to perform in front of a larger audience. My focus has been on preparation, discipline, and improving every aspect of my game. On June 19, I plan to show everyone how much I've grown as a fighter. Oakland California stand up."
Daniel "One Time" Mercado (Pro Debut), from Pomona, CA, is eager to begin his professional journey. "This is something I've dreamed about for a long time," said Mercado. "All the hard work, sacrifices, and preparation have led to this moment. I know making my professional debut is just the beginning, but I want to start my career the right way with a strong performance, especially alongside of my brother “Tito”. I'm excited to finally step into the ring as a professional and show what I can do."
Joey Borrero (12-2, 9 KOs), Cupey Alto, Puerto Rico, believes his experience and determination will help him deliver a memorable performance. "I've put together an excellent training camp and I'm coming into this fight prepared for whatever happens," said Borrero. "These opportunities don't come around every day, so I intend to make the most of it. The fans can expect me to come ready to compete and give everything I have, specifically against an undefeated fighter like David Lopez."
Bantamweight Kevin Gudino (4-0, 4 KOs) is determined to continue his momentum with another knockout victory. "Every day I'm in the gym trying to get better and become a stronger fighter," said Gudino. "Each fight is an opportunity to show what I've learned and take another step toward my dreams. I'm grateful to be part of such a great event, and I'm looking forward to putting on a good performance for the fans and showing everyone what I'm capable of."
|
Andrew Selby signs with BKB |
|
Bare Knuckle Boxing (BKB) has announced the signing of former British flyweight champion and Olympic standout Andrew Selby in a multi-fight agreement. This landmark move means the renowned Selby brothers - former IBF featherweight champion Lee Selby and now Andrew - will both compete in BKB, creating one of the most compelling family storylines in combat sports The Welsh boxing standout, known as "Superstar," will bring his elite technical skills, lightning-fast hands, and world-class amateur pedigree to the bare knuckle Trigon. Selby is set to make his highly anticipated debut in the coming months as he targets BKB world championship glory.
Andrew Selby, a 2012 Olympian and multiple-time World and European amateur medalist, held the British flyweight title from 2016 to 2019. He compiled a professional record of 14-1 (7 KOs) and established himself as one of Wales’ brightest talents and a key member of the famed Selby boxing family. His championship pedigree and dynamic style make him a natural fit for the raw intensity of bare knuckle.
Selby’s decision to join BKB alongside his brother Lee was driven by the promotion’s rapid growth, elite production values, and the opportunity to compete in the purest form of boxing. Andrew Selby said: “I’ve had huge success as an amateur and won the British title in the pros. Now, joining my brother Lee in BKB is a dream. Bare knuckle is the original, no-excuses version of the sport we love. I’m bringing my speed, timing, and heart to the Trigon - and we’re both coming for world titles.”
Lee Selby said: “Having my brother Andrew with me in BKB makes this even more special. We’ve always pushed each other. Now we get to chase greatness together in the most exciting combat sport on the planet.”
Mike Vazquez, BKB's founder, said: “Signing Andrew Selby and reuniting the Selby brothers is massive for us. Add in the Vargas Dynasty making their UK debuts at The O2, and it’s clear BKB is the destination for elite talent and iconic storylines. These fighters bring skill, legacy, and star power that will electrify the Trigon.”
David Tetreault, BKB CEO, said: “Andrew Selby is a game-changer with an outstanding amateur background and proven pro ability. Paired with Lee already on the roster and the arrival of the Vargas family, our lightweight and flyweight divisions are about to get extremely exciting. This is a historic moment for BKB.”
This dual Selby signing, combined with the addition of the renowned Vargas Dynasty from the United States, underscores BKB’s explosive momentum and global appeal. The Vargas family - led by legendary three-division world champion Fernando Vargas Sr. and featuring his talented sons Fernando Jr., and Amado, will make their bare knuckle debuts at a major event at The O2 in London this summer injecting fresh Mexican-American firepower into the promotion.
These signings continue BKB’s drive to attract decorated gloved boxers and deliver high-stakes, action-packed events. The promotion has already welcomed stars like Olympic gold medalist and former multi-weight world champion Yuriorkis Gamboa, former world champion Victor Ortiz, whilst former world champion Paulie Malignaggi recently vied to become a two sport world champion - falling short against Rolando Dy in Manchester.
The Selby brothers join an expanding roster featuring more than 200 fighters from over 30 countries. More major announcements are on the horizon as BKB continues its meteoric rise. From its beginnings in 2015 as BYB Extreme Fighting Series, founded by MMA pioneer Dhafir "Dada 5000" Harris and Mike Vazquez,
|
|
|
|
Andrew Selby signs with BKB
Bare Knuckle Boxing (BKB) has announced the signing of former British flyweight champion and Olympic standout Andrew Selby in a multi-fight agreement. This landmark move means the renowned Selby brothers - former IBF featherweight champion Lee Selby and now Andrew - will both compete in BKB, creating one of the most compelling family storylines in combat sports The Welsh boxing standout, known as "Superstar," will bring his elite technical skills, lightning-fast hands, and world-class amateur pedigree to the bare knuckle Trigon. Selby is set to make his highly anticipated debut in the coming months as he targets BKB world championship glory.
Andrew Selby, a 2012 Olympian and multiple-time World and European amateur medalist, held the British flyweight title from 2016 to 2019. He compiled a professional record of 14-1 (7 KOs) and established himself as one of Wales’ brightest talents and a key member of the famed Selby boxing family. His championship pedigree and dynamic style make him a natural fit for the raw intensity of bare knuckle.
Selby’s decision to join BKB alongside his brother Lee was driven by the promotion’s rapid growth, elite production values, and the opportunity to compete in the purest form of boxing. Andrew Selby said: “I’ve had huge success as an amateur and won the British title in the pros. Now, joining my brother Lee in BKB is a dream. Bare knuckle is the original, no-excuses version of the sport we love. I’m bringing my speed, timing, and heart to the Trigon - and we’re both coming for world titles.”
Lee Selby said: “Having my brother Andrew with me in BKB makes this even more special. We’ve always pushed each other. Now we get to chase greatness together in the most exciting combat sport on the planet.”
Mike Vazquez, BKB's founder, said: “Signing Andrew Selby and reuniting the Selby brothers is massive for us. Add in the Vargas Dynasty making their UK debuts at The O2, and it’s clear BKB is the destination for elite talent and iconic storylines. These fighters bring skill, legacy, and star power that will electrify the Trigon.”
David Tetreault, BKB CEO, said: “Andrew Selby is a game-changer with an outstanding amateur background and proven pro ability. Paired with Lee already on the roster and the arrival of the Vargas family, our lightweight and flyweight divisions are about to get extremely exciting. This is a historic moment for BKB.”
This dual Selby signing, combined with the addition of the renowned Vargas Dynasty from the United States, underscores BKB’s explosive momentum and global appeal. The Vargas family - led by legendary three-division world champion Fernando Vargas Sr. and featuring his talented sons Fernando Jr., and Amado, will make their bare knuckle debuts at a major event at The O2 in London this summer injecting fresh Mexican-American firepower into the promotion.
These signings continue BKB’s drive to attract decorated gloved boxers and deliver high-stakes, action-packed events. The promotion has already welcomed stars like Olympic gold medalist and former multi-weight world champion Yuriorkis Gamboa, former world champion Victor Ortiz, whilst former world champion Paulie Malignaggi recently vied to become a two sport world champion - falling short against Rolando Dy in Manchester.
The Selby brothers join an expanding roster featuring more than 200 fighters from over 30 countries. More major announcements are on the horizon as BKB continues its meteoric rise. From its beginnings in 2015 as BYB Extreme Fighting Series, founded by MMA pioneer Dhafir "Dada 5000" Harris and Mike Vazquez,
|
Mayweather facing bad check charges |
|
It's getting harder and harder to deny that Floyd Mayweather has blown through hundreds of millions of dollars he earned in his boxing career. According to ESPN and other outlets, Mayweather is now facing two felony charges over allegations that he passed a bad check in late 2024 to purchase a $200,000 watch in Las Vegas. If found guilty, Mayweather could face jail time. The felony charges come as Mayweather is showing other signs of financial distress, including coming back to fight exhibitions at age 47and multiple lawsuits. His problems include: PRIOR BOXINGTALK COVERAGE JUNE 7, 2026 [The California lawsuit]: After getting sued by Floyd Mayweather, Showtime Networks Inc. has filed on its own claims against Mayweather Promotions, LLC, saying that if Showtime owes any money to Mayweather, the money should be reimbursed by Mayweather Promotions. The legal term for Shwotime's claims is indemnification, which means that one company (in this case Mayweather Promotions) has agreed to protect another (in this case, Showtime) from certain losses, damages, or legal claims. In simple terms, if a covered problem arises, the party providing indemnity is responsible for paying the costs or reimbursing the other party for the harm it suffers.
Mayweather began this lawsuit, filing a complaint against Showtime and Stephen Espinoza in California state court seeking to recover hundreds of millions of dollars in **allegedly** misappropriated funds and damages. The undefeated boxing legend claims he is the victim of a long-running and elaborate scheme of financial fraud, breaches of fiduciary duty, and conspiracy orchestrated by his former manager and advisor, Al Haymon, with the knowing and substantial participation and aid of Defendants Showtime Networks Inc. and Espinoza, who is Showtime’s former executive. Significantly, the lawsuit does not name Haymon as defendant. Mayweather says he was deprived of at least $340 million (and potentially far more when accounting for lost investment growth)—through a web of hidden accounts, unauthorized transactions, and deliberate concealment of financial records. The lawsuit was soon removed to federal court by Showtime.
Mayweather alleges that Showtime and Espinoza facilitated Haymon’s misconduct by diverting funds intended for Mayweather into accounts controlled by Haymon or his agents. When Mayweather sought more information, he says Showtime claimed that critical financial records were “lost” or inaccessible, and the network failed to provide transparency despite clear contractual obligations and repeated requests for accounting. In addition, Mayweather alleges that Showtime still owes him $20 million from a 2015 Andre Berto fight, a payout that was deducted from Mayweather’s purse for his fight against Manny Pacquiao.In its counterclaim, Showtime alleged that there is a “Master Agreement” between itself and Mayweather Promotions, dated February 22, 2013, which covered the promotion and presentation of up to six professional boxing matches featuring Mayweather. Showtime says there are three separate provisions for indemnification under the Agreement. Showtime also takes the position that Mayweather Promotions should pay its legal fees. “Even if Showtime is not found liable under any of Mayweather’s claims, Mayweather Promotions must still indemnify Showtime for the legal fees and other costs it has been forced to incur in the course of defending itself in this action.”
MAY 26, 2026 [The New York lawsuit]: For years, Floyd Mayweather Jr. told the world he was one of boxing's most successful businessmen. He even changed his nickname from "Pretty Boy Floyd" to "Money" and constantly reminded fans that he was as skilled at making money as he was at winning fights. Now, the multi-division champion claims that millions of dollars that belonged to him ended up somewhere else. In a lawsuit filed in New York state court, Mayweather alleges that a longtime trusted advisor orchestrated a years-long scheme that diverted money, real estate proceeds, business distributions, settlement funds, jewelry, and even aircraft-related assets away from him and into accounts controlled by others. The complaint seeks at least $175 million in damages, along with punitive damages and a full accounting of where the money went.
In the New York lawsuit, the undefeated boxing legend claims he is the victim of a long-running and elaborate scheme of financial fraud, breaches of fiduciary duty, and conspiracy orchestrated by his former manager and advisor, Al Haymon, with the knowing and substantial participation and aid of Defendants Showtime Networks Inc. and Showtime’s former executive, Stephen Espinoza. Significantly, the lawsuit did not name Haymon as defendant. In that lawsuit, Mayweather says he was deprived of at least $340 million (and potentially far more when accounting for lost investment growth)—through a web of hidden accounts, unauthorized transactions, and deliberate concealment of financial records. Add the two lawsuits together, and Mayweather claims half a billion dollars have been stolen from him!
The relationship at the center of the dispute stretches back years. Mayweather alleges that Ari Rechnitz became much more than a business contact, acting as an investment manager, real estate advisor, banking liaison, and trusted confidant in handling portions of the fighter's financial affairs. The complaint claims Mayweather relied heavily on Rechnitz's guidance and trusted him to manage transactions that involved tens of millions of dollars. The lawsuit paints a picture of a sprawling financial network involving real estate deals, investment vehicles, loans, and limited liability companies. At the heart of many of the allegations is a company called Frist Apex Ventures, LLC, which Mayweather claims became a repository for funds that should have gone to him.
The most eye-catching-- but not the most financially significant-- allegations involve Mayweather's famed jewelry collection. Mayweather alleges that jewelry with an asserted value of approximately $100 million was pledged to two Miami jewelry dealers in 2025. According to the lawsuit, in exchange for $100 million in jewelery, Mayweather only received back roughly $13 million. Mayweather claims he never received an accounting of what happened to the proceeds and alleges that a substantial portion of the jewelry remains in the dealers' possession. The filing further alleges that one dealer later threatened to begin liquidating the jewelry if payment was not received. According to the complaint, Rechnitz responded to that message by agreeing to do so on Mayweather's behalf.
Among Mayweather's biggest complaints is his claim that more than $15 million in funds involving SL Green Realty Corp. were transferred away from Mayweather without his authorization. According to the complaint, those proceeds belonged to Mayweather, yet were allegedly sent to Frist Apex Ventures at Rechnitz's direction.
The lawsuit also focuses on a Las Vegas property located at 9504 Kings Gate Court. According to the filing, a Nevada company was formed in early 2025 with Mayweather listed as its sole member. Weeks later, the property was refinanced for $8.2 million. The complaint alleges that more than $2.1 million in net refinance proceeds were transferred to Frist Apex Ventures without Mayweather's authorization.
Another allegation concerns a Gulfstream G-IV aircraft. Mayweather claims that in November 2025 he signed paperwork related to the sale of the aircraft at Rechnitz's direction, but that the purchaser's information was left blank and that he never received an accounting showing where the proceeds went. The complaint alleges that proceeds from the transaction were diverted elsewhere and that neither Mayweather nor his aviation company received any of the money.
The lawsuit also cites a January 1, 2026 email that allegedly directed 80 percent of certain Manhattan real estate distributions to Mayweather Promotions while sending the remaining 20 percent to Frist Apex Ventures. Mayweather claims the email demonstrates an ongoing diversion of funds.
Legally speaking, Mayweahter has named the folling as defendants: Ari Rechnitz (Mayweather's longtime investment and real-estate advisor); Joshua Frist (who allegedly participated in various transactions and communications); Frist Apex Ventures, LLC, a company that the allegedly received and held the funds Mayweather is seeking to recover); and David Seligson, who managed some of Mayweather's businesses and supposedly carried out fund transfers at Rechnitz's direction.
Mayweather asserts claims for fraud, breach of fiduciary duty, aiding and abetting breach of fiduciary duty, conversion, accounting, unjust enrichment, and the imposition of a constructive trust. In plain terms, Mayweather is alleging that trusted associates misrepresented transactions, concealed important information, improperly controlled his assets, and benefitted from money that should have belonged to him. It is important to note that these are allegations only. The lawsuit represents Mayweather's version of events, and the defendants will have an opportunity to respond in court.
Still, the filing offers a remarkable look into the financial world surrounding one of boxing's biggest stars. For a fighter whose career earnings have long been measured in the hundreds of millions of dollars, the dispute is not about a single fight purse or promotional contract. Instead, it is a battle over what Mayweather claims was a years-long pattern of unauthorized transfers involving some of the most valuable assets associated with his business empire.
In the earlier of the two lawsuits, TMZ Sports reported that Mayweather sued Showtime and its former executive, Stephen Espinoza for $340 million. The lawsuit alleges that for Mayweather's most lucrative fights, including those against Manny Pacquiao and Conor McGregor, Showtime and Espinoza directed payments to accounts controlled by Mayweather's advisor Al Haymon, instead of to Mayweather himself. What is suspicious about the lawsuit is that Haymon himself was not sued. Should the lawsuit proceed, Haymon would certainly, at the very least, be deposed as a witness by Showtime, if not outright brought into the lawsuit as a third-party defendant.
Whether the allegations ultimately hold up remains to be seen. But with at least $175 million at stake, the two lawsuits will be closely watched to determine Mayweather's post-boxing legacy.
|
|
|
|
Mayweather facing bad check charges
It's getting harder and harder to deny that Floyd Mayweather has blown through hundreds of millions of dollars he earned in his boxing career. According to ESPN and other outlets, Mayweather is now facing two felony charges over allegations that he passed a bad check in late 2024 to purchase a $200,000 watch in Las Vegas. If found guilty, Mayweather could face jail time. The felony charges come as Mayweather is showing other signs of financial distress, including coming back to fight exhibitions at age 47and multiple lawsuits. His problems include: PRIOR BOXINGTALK COVERAGE JUNE 7, 2026 [The California lawsuit]: After getting sued by Floyd Mayweather, Showtime Networks Inc. has filed on its own claims against Mayweather Promotions, LLC, saying that if Showtime owes any money to Mayweather, the money should be reimbursed by Mayweather Promotions. The legal term for Shwotime's claims is indemnification, which means that one company (in this case Mayweather Promotions) has agreed to protect another (in this case, Showtime) from certain losses, damages, or legal claims. In simple terms, if a covered problem arises, the party providing indemnity is responsible for paying the costs or reimbursing the other party for the harm it suffers.
Mayweather began this lawsuit, filing a complaint against Showtime and Stephen Espinoza in California state court seeking to recover hundreds of millions of dollars in **allegedly** misappropriated funds and damages. The undefeated boxing legend claims he is the victim of a long-running and elaborate scheme of financial fraud, breaches of fiduciary duty, and conspiracy orchestrated by his former manager and advisor, Al Haymon, with the knowing and substantial participation and aid of Defendants Showtime Networks Inc. and Espinoza, who is Showtime’s former executive. Significantly, the lawsuit does not name Haymon as defendant. Mayweather says he was deprived of at least $340 million (and potentially far more when accounting for lost investment growth)—through a web of hidden accounts, unauthorized transactions, and deliberate concealment of financial records. The lawsuit was soon removed to federal court by Showtime.
Mayweather alleges that Showtime and Espinoza facilitated Haymon’s misconduct by diverting funds intended for Mayweather into accounts controlled by Haymon or his agents. When Mayweather sought more information, he says Showtime claimed that critical financial records were “lost” or inaccessible, and the network failed to provide transparency despite clear contractual obligations and repeated requests for accounting. In addition, Mayweather alleges that Showtime still owes him $20 million from a 2015 Andre Berto fight, a payout that was deducted from Mayweather’s purse for his fight against Manny Pacquiao.In its counterclaim, Showtime alleged that there is a “Master Agreement” between itself and Mayweather Promotions, dated February 22, 2013, which covered the promotion and presentation of up to six professional boxing matches featuring Mayweather. Showtime says there are three separate provisions for indemnification under the Agreement. Showtime also takes the position that Mayweather Promotions should pay its legal fees. “Even if Showtime is not found liable under any of Mayweather’s claims, Mayweather Promotions must still indemnify Showtime for the legal fees and other costs it has been forced to incur in the course of defending itself in this action.”
MAY 26, 2026 [The New York lawsuit]: For years, Floyd Mayweather Jr. told the world he was one of boxing's most successful businessmen. He even changed his nickname from "Pretty Boy Floyd" to "Money" and constantly reminded fans that he was as skilled at making money as he was at winning fights. Now, the multi-division champion claims that millions of dollars that belonged to him ended up somewhere else. In a lawsuit filed in New York state court, Mayweather alleges that a longtime trusted advisor orchestrated a years-long scheme that diverted money, real estate proceeds, business distributions, settlement funds, jewelry, and even aircraft-related assets away from him and into accounts controlled by others. The complaint seeks at least $175 million in damages, along with punitive damages and a full accounting of where the money went.
In the New York lawsuit, the undefeated boxing legend claims he is the victim of a long-running and elaborate scheme of financial fraud, breaches of fiduciary duty, and conspiracy orchestrated by his former manager and advisor, Al Haymon, with the knowing and substantial participation and aid of Defendants Showtime Networks Inc. and Showtime’s former executive, Stephen Espinoza. Significantly, the lawsuit did not name Haymon as defendant. In that lawsuit, Mayweather says he was deprived of at least $340 million (and potentially far more when accounting for lost investment growth)—through a web of hidden accounts, unauthorized transactions, and deliberate concealment of financial records. Add the two lawsuits together, and Mayweather claims half a billion dollars have been stolen from him!
The relationship at the center of the dispute stretches back years. Mayweather alleges that Ari Rechnitz became much more than a business contact, acting as an investment manager, real estate advisor, banking liaison, and trusted confidant in handling portions of the fighter's financial affairs. The complaint claims Mayweather relied heavily on Rechnitz's guidance and trusted him to manage transactions that involved tens of millions of dollars. The lawsuit paints a picture of a sprawling financial network involving real estate deals, investment vehicles, loans, and limited liability companies. At the heart of many of the allegations is a company called Frist Apex Ventures, LLC, which Mayweather claims became a repository for funds that should have gone to him.
The most eye-catching-- but not the most financially significant-- allegations involve Mayweather's famed jewelry collection. Mayweather alleges that jewelry with an asserted value of approximately $100 million was pledged to two Miami jewelry dealers in 2025. According to the lawsuit, in exchange for $100 million in jewelery, Mayweather only received back roughly $13 million. Mayweather claims he never received an accounting of what happened to the proceeds and alleges that a substantial portion of the jewelry remains in the dealers' possession. The filing further alleges that one dealer later threatened to begin liquidating the jewelry if payment was not received. According to the complaint, Rechnitz responded to that message by agreeing to do so on Mayweather's behalf.
Among Mayweather's biggest complaints is his claim that more than $15 million in funds involving SL Green Realty Corp. were transferred away from Mayweather without his authorization. According to the complaint, those proceeds belonged to Mayweather, yet were allegedly sent to Frist Apex Ventures at Rechnitz's direction.
The lawsuit also focuses on a Las Vegas property located at 9504 Kings Gate Court. According to the filing, a Nevada company was formed in early 2025 with Mayweather listed as its sole member. Weeks later, the property was refinanced for $8.2 million. The complaint alleges that more than $2.1 million in net refinance proceeds were transferred to Frist Apex Ventures without Mayweather's authorization.
Another allegation concerns a Gulfstream G-IV aircraft. Mayweather claims that in November 2025 he signed paperwork related to the sale of the aircraft at Rechnitz's direction, but that the purchaser's information was left blank and that he never received an accounting showing where the proceeds went. The complaint alleges that proceeds from the transaction were diverted elsewhere and that neither Mayweather nor his aviation company received any of the money.
The lawsuit also cites a January 1, 2026 email that allegedly directed 80 percent of certain Manhattan real estate distributions to Mayweather Promotions while sending the remaining 20 percent to Frist Apex Ventures. Mayweather claims the email demonstrates an ongoing diversion of funds.
Legally speaking, Mayweahter has named the folling as defendants: Ari Rechnitz (Mayweather's longtime investment and real-estate advisor); Joshua Frist (who allegedly participated in various transactions and communications); Frist Apex Ventures, LLC, a company that the allegedly received and held the funds Mayweather is seeking to recover); and David Seligson, who managed some of Mayweather's businesses and supposedly carried out fund transfers at Rechnitz's direction.
Mayweather asserts claims for fraud, breach of fiduciary duty, aiding and abetting breach of fiduciary duty, conversion, accounting, unjust enrichment, and the imposition of a constructive trust. In plain terms, Mayweather is alleging that trusted associates misrepresented transactions, concealed important information, improperly controlled his assets, and benefitted from money that should have belonged to him. It is important to note that these are allegations only. The lawsuit represents Mayweather's version of events, and the defendants will have an opportunity to respond in court.
Still, the filing offers a remarkable look into the financial world surrounding one of boxing's biggest stars. For a fighter whose career earnings have long been measured in the hundreds of millions of dollars, the dispute is not about a single fight purse or promotional contract. Instead, it is a battle over what Mayweather claims was a years-long pattern of unauthorized transfers involving some of the most valuable assets associated with his business empire.
In the earlier of the two lawsuits, TMZ Sports reported that Mayweather sued Showtime and its former executive, Stephen Espinoza for $340 million. The lawsuit alleges that for Mayweather's most lucrative fights, including those against Manny Pacquiao and Conor McGregor, Showtime and Espinoza directed payments to accounts controlled by Mayweather's advisor Al Haymon, instead of to Mayweather himself. What is suspicious about the lawsuit is that Haymon himself was not sued. Should the lawsuit proceed, Haymon would certainly, at the very least, be deposed as a witness by Showtime, if not outright brought into the lawsuit as a third-party defendant.
Whether the allegations ultimately hold up remains to be seen. But with at least $175 million at stake, the two lawsuits will be closely watched to determine Mayweather's post-boxing legacy.
|
Team Boxing signs regional broadcast deal with NESN |
|
Team Boxing League ("TBL") has begun a new broadcast partnership with NESN and NESN Nation that will bring TBL action to sports fans throughout New England and beyond for the remainder of the 2026 season. The first broadcast took place over the weekend. The partnership represents another milestone in TBL's continued expansion and commitment to growing the sport of team boxing. As the home of some of the region's most passionate sports fans, NESN and NESN Nation provide an ideal platform to showcase TBL's innovative team-based format and fast-paced competition to both dedicated boxing enthusiasts and new audiences. As Team Boxing League continues to build momentum nationwide, the addition of NESN and NESN Nation further strengthens the league's media presence and supports its mission to deliver compelling combat sports entertainment to fans across the country. The contract was negotiated by Vinny DiMarco of TBL Team Boxing League.
"We are thrilled to partner with NESN and NESN Nation and bring Team Boxing League to one of the most passionate sports markets in America," said Kevin Cassidy, CEO of TBL Team Boxing League. "NESN has a long-standing reputation for delivering premium sports programming, and this partnership provides a tremendous opportunity to introduce more fans to our unique team-based format while showcasing the incredible talent and competitive spirit of our athletes."
NESN is consistently one of the top-rated regional sports networks in the country with award-winning Red Sox and Bruins coverage, and recently named RSN of the Year by Cynopsis. NESN and NESN+ are delivered throughout the six-state New England region and are available anytime, anywhere, on any device on the NESN 360 app via direct subscription or TV authentication. The network is also distributed nationally as NESN National. NESN's free ad-supported streaming (FAST) channel, NESN NATION, offers 30+ hours of weekly live and original programming, including exclusive sports content, interviews, and behind-the-scenes features, available on Samsung TV Plus, Prime Video, Roku, LG, Twitch, Plex, and TCLtv+. NESN.com is one of the country's most visited sports websites with dedicated digital video production and always-on news coverage. NESN's social responsibility program, NESN Connects, is proud to support and connect its employees with charitable organizations in the Greater Boston community. NESN is owned by Fenway Sports Group (owners of the Boston Red Sox) and Delaware North (owners of the Boston Bruins).
|
|
|
|
Team Boxing signs regional broadcast deal with NESN
Team Boxing League ("TBL") has begun a new broadcast partnership with NESN and NESN Nation that will bring TBL action to sports fans throughout New England and beyond for the remainder of the 2026 season. The first broadcast took place over the weekend. The partnership represents another milestone in TBL's continued expansion and commitment to growing the sport of team boxing. As the home of some of the region's most passionate sports fans, NESN and NESN Nation provide an ideal platform to showcase TBL's innovative team-based format and fast-paced competition to both dedicated boxing enthusiasts and new audiences. As Team Boxing League continues to build momentum nationwide, the addition of NESN and NESN Nation further strengthens the league's media presence and supports its mission to deliver compelling combat sports entertainment to fans across the country. The contract was negotiated by Vinny DiMarco of TBL Team Boxing League.
"We are thrilled to partner with NESN and NESN Nation and bring Team Boxing League to one of the most passionate sports markets in America," said Kevin Cassidy, CEO of TBL Team Boxing League. "NESN has a long-standing reputation for delivering premium sports programming, and this partnership provides a tremendous opportunity to introduce more fans to our unique team-based format while showcasing the incredible talent and competitive spirit of our athletes."
NESN is consistently one of the top-rated regional sports networks in the country with award-winning Red Sox and Bruins coverage, and recently named RSN of the Year by Cynopsis. NESN and NESN+ are delivered throughout the six-state New England region and are available anytime, anywhere, on any device on the NESN 360 app via direct subscription or TV authentication. The network is also distributed nationally as NESN National. NESN's free ad-supported streaming (FAST) channel, NESN NATION, offers 30+ hours of weekly live and original programming, including exclusive sports content, interviews, and behind-the-scenes features, available on Samsung TV Plus, Prime Video, Roku, LG, Twitch, Plex, and TCLtv+. NESN.com is one of the country's most visited sports websites with dedicated digital video production and always-on news coverage. NESN's social responsibility program, NESN Connects, is proud to support and connect its employees with charitable organizations in the Greater Boston community. NESN is owned by Fenway Sports Group (owners of the Boston Red Sox) and Delaware North (owners of the Boston Bruins).
|
Introducing UK cruiserweight UK Divine Omojor |
|
Matchroom Boxing announced the signing of UK teenager Divine Omojor, who has penned a long-term promotional deal to fight on DAZN. The Geordie cruiserweight impressed on the amateur scene winning the NACs and Tri Nations as a first year senior at only 18 years of age. As Omojor, now 19, embarks on his pro journey, he will continue studying his business computing degree alongside training with amateur coach Ross Wilkinson, as Dean Lain also joins the coaching team. Omojor said: “This is a dream come true. I have grown up watching Matchroom Boxing and all I’ve wanted to do since I stepped into the gym was be part of big nights. To be part of the team is huge and it’s what I have worked towards in my boxing career. I can’t wait to get started.”
With the dream of one day headlining at St. James’ Park – the home of his beloved football club, Newcastle United – the towering 6’5” Omojor has full support of Matchroom chairman Eddie Hearn. “Divine is a hugely talented young fighter and we are thrilled to add him to our team,” said Hearn. “He is an absiolute unit already and he has a bright future ahead of him. I’m certain will make a name for himself in the professional ranks of this sport and bring some big nights to the North East. I’m excited to map out an important first year in the professional ranks for Divine.”
|
|
|
|
Introducing UK cruiserweight UK Divine Omojor
Matchroom Boxing announced the signing of UK teenager Divine Omojor, who has penned a long-term promotional deal to fight on DAZN. The Geordie cruiserweight impressed on the amateur scene winning the NACs and Tri Nations as a first year senior at only 18 years of age. As Omojor, now 19, embarks on his pro journey, he will continue studying his business computing degree alongside training with amateur coach Ross Wilkinson, as Dean Lain also joins the coaching team. Omojor said: “This is a dream come true. I have grown up watching Matchroom Boxing and all I’ve wanted to do since I stepped into the gym was be part of big nights. To be part of the team is huge and it’s what I have worked towards in my boxing career. I can’t wait to get started.”
With the dream of one day headlining at St. James’ Park – the home of his beloved football club, Newcastle United – the towering 6’5” Omojor has full support of Matchroom chairman Eddie Hearn. “Divine is a hugely talented young fighter and we are thrilled to add him to our team,” said Hearn. “He is an absiolute unit already and he has a bright future ahead of him. I’m certain will make a name for himself in the professional ranks of this sport and bring some big nights to the North East. I’m excited to map out an important first year in the professional ranks for Divine.”
|
Late result: Beaudoin claims interim strap in Quebec |
|
Leila Beaudoin W10 Paulina Angel ... Leila Beaudoin (15-2) captured the WBA interim crown at 130 pounds on Saturday night. The Canadian standout defeated Colombia’s Paulina Angel (7-3-2) via dominant unanimous decision in Quebec, where she dictated the pace and rhythm of the fight from the opening bell. Beaudoin’s command of the ring was absolute, leaving no room for debate on the scorecards. All three judges turned in identical tallies of 100-90. From the first round, the Canadian made full use of her reach advantage and superior footwork, turning the bout into a showcase of technical boxing while preventing her opponent from ever finding a comfortable range. The fight highlighted a clear contrast in styles, with Beaudoin’s ring IQ completely neutralizing Angel’s aggression. |
|
|
|
Late result: Beaudoin claims interim strap in Quebec
Leila Beaudoin W10 Paulina Angel ... Leila Beaudoin (15-2) captured the WBA interim crown at 130 pounds on Saturday night. The Canadian standout defeated Colombia’s Paulina Angel (7-3-2) via dominant unanimous decision in Quebec, where she dictated the pace and rhythm of the fight from the opening bell. Beaudoin’s command of the ring was absolute, leaving no room for debate on the scorecards. All three judges turned in identical tallies of 100-90. From the first round, the Canadian made full use of her reach advantage and superior footwork, turning the bout into a showcase of technical boxing while preventing her opponent from ever finding a comfortable range. The fight highlighted a clear contrast in styles, with Beaudoin’s ring IQ completely neutralizing Angel’s aggression. |
BKFC comes to Nashville on Friday |
|
It’s BKFC fight week in Nashville. On Friday, BKFC breaks historic new ground in the state of Tennessee at The Pinnacle, live worldwide on The BKFC App. Major rankings implications are on the line in several of BKFC’s most competitive weight classes, with the main event featuring lightweight contender Tony “Loco” Soto (6-3) against JC “Corazon” DeLeon (2-1). Undefeated featherweights Nathan “The Reaper” Rivera (5-0) and Tray “Big Dogg” Martin (1-0) collide in Friday's chief support, while fan favorite Bobby “ODB” Taylor (6-3) returns to the squared circle against Angel “OG” Hernandez (1-0). BKFC Fight Night Nashville also features the return of several other fan favorite s, including Ravon “Big Shot” Baxter, Cole Ferrell, Anthony “The Hitman” Foye and Joshua “Jigsaw” Whiteside, amongst others. Card is subject to change.
|
|
|
|
BKFC comes to Nashville on Friday
It’s BKFC fight week in Nashville. On Friday, BKFC breaks historic new ground in the state of Tennessee at The Pinnacle, live worldwide on The BKFC App. Major rankings implications are on the line in several of BKFC’s most competitive weight classes, with the main event featuring lightweight contender Tony “Loco” Soto (6-3) against JC “Corazon” DeLeon (2-1). Undefeated featherweights Nathan “The Reaper” Rivera (5-0) and Tray “Big Dogg” Martin (1-0) collide in Friday's chief support, while fan favorite Bobby “ODB” Taylor (6-3) returns to the squared circle against Angel “OG” Hernandez (1-0). BKFC Fight Night Nashville also features the return of several other fan favorite s, including Ravon “Big Shot” Baxter, Cole Ferrell, Anthony “The Hitman” Foye and Joshua “Jigsaw” Whiteside, amongst others. Card is subject to change.
|
Welcome to Collazo vs. Canoy fight week |
|
Oscar Collazo (pictured) will defend his unified WBA and WBO minimumweight belts this Saturday against challenger Joey Canoy in California, live on DAZN. The Puerto Rican champion, unbeaten across his pro career thus far, will face an opponent who could prove to be a deceptively slippery customer. The fight is set to be held at Frontwave Arena, in Oceanside, United States. Opened in 2024, the 7,500-capacity venue is the home of the NBA G League's San Diego Clippers, and has hosted other Golden Boy fight cards before. Canoy (25-5-2), from the Philippines, is a comfortable outsider to take the upset, and is available at 9/1 betting odds.
UNDERCARD BOUTS
Yair Gallardo vs. Buneet Bisla; Light heavyweight;
Ruslan Abdullaev vs. Orestes Velazquez; junior welterweight;
Joshua Edwards vs. Garreth Payton; Heavyweight; and
Daniel Garcia vs. Christopher Rodriguez; Lightweight.
|
|
|
|
Welcome to Collazo vs. Canoy fight week
Oscar Collazo (pictured) will defend his unified WBA and WBO minimumweight belts this Saturday against challenger Joey Canoy in California, live on DAZN. The Puerto Rican champion, unbeaten across his pro career thus far, will face an opponent who could prove to be a deceptively slippery customer. The fight is set to be held at Frontwave Arena, in Oceanside, United States. Opened in 2024, the 7,500-capacity venue is the home of the NBA G League's San Diego Clippers, and has hosted other Golden Boy fight cards before. Canoy (25-5-2), from the Philippines, is a comfortable outsider to take the upset, and is available at 9/1 betting odds.
UNDERCARD BOUTS
Yair Gallardo vs. Buneet Bisla; Light heavyweight;
Ruslan Abdullaev vs. Orestes Velazquez; junior welterweight;
Joshua Edwards vs. Garreth Payton; Heavyweight; and
Daniel Garcia vs. Christopher Rodriguez; Lightweight.
|
New champion alert: Estefany Alegria becomes three-belt champ at 108 |
|
Estefany Alegria W10 Evelyn Bermudez ... Mexico's Estefany Alegria is now a three-belt champion in the 108-pound division, having defeated Evelyn Bermudez of Argentina via unanimous decision. The scorecards were not close, with Alegria winning all ten rounds on one card and nine on the other two. Alegria is now 15-1, with her only loss avenged in 2024. Bermudez (22-2-1) entered as the more accomplished boxer on paper: she became a two-time light flyweight IBF and WBO champion when she defeated Tania Enriquez in 2023 and she added the WBA title to her resume with a win over Sara Bailey last year. |
|
|
|
New champion alert: Estefany Alegria becomes three-belt champ at 108
Estefany Alegria W10 Evelyn Bermudez ... Mexico's Estefany Alegria is now a three-belt champion in the 108-pound division, having defeated Evelyn Bermudez of Argentina via unanimous decision. The scorecards were not close, with Alegria winning all ten rounds on one card and nine on the other two. Alegria is now 15-1, with her only loss avenged in 2024. Bermudez (22-2-1) entered as the more accomplished boxer on paper: she became a two-time light flyweight IBF and WBO champion when she defeated Tania Enriquez in 2023 and she added the WBA title to her resume with a win over Sara Bailey last year. |
New champion alert: Panama's Nataly Delgado |
|
Nataly Delgado W10 Jasmine Artiga... With a pro record of just 21-7-2, Panama’s Nataly Delgado captured the WBA super flyweight title at MVPW 04 in Orlando, Florida. Delgado reached her championship dream by getting the better of now ex-champion Jasmine Artiga (15-1-1) in a closely-contested ten-round battle to win by unanimous decision. All three official scores were 97-93. Delgado’s sharper right hand and steady body work carried her through the championship rounds, even as Artiga rallied with strong exchanges down the stretch. Delgado picked up the WBA interim title back in July 2025, defeating Maribel Ramirez, and them defending that strap once. Delgado's mediocre record is misleading: since here last loss in 2022, she has gone 11-0-1.
|
|
|
|
New champion alert: Panama's Nataly Delgado
Nataly Delgado W10 Jasmine Artiga... With a pro record of just 21-7-2, Panama’s Nataly Delgado captured the WBA super flyweight title at MVPW 04 in Orlando, Florida. Delgado reached her championship dream by getting the better of now ex-champion Jasmine Artiga (15-1-1) in a closely-contested ten-round battle to win by unanimous decision. All three official scores were 97-93. Delgado’s sharper right hand and steady body work carried her through the championship rounds, even as Artiga rallied with strong exchanges down the stretch. Delgado picked up the WBA interim title back in July 2025, defeating Maribel Ramirez, and them defending that strap once. Delgado's mediocre record is misleading: since here last loss in 2022, she has gone 11-0-1.
|
Its MF Pro fight week |
|
MF Pro announces the (nearly0 complete fight card for "Pugilist Revolution," a professional boxing show taking place Friday, June 19th at Thunder Studios in Long Beach, California. The event will stream live worldwide on DAZN. Headlining the evening, Long Beach's own fan favorite, Ashton Sylve (13-1, 10 KOs), returns home for the biggest test of his career when he squares off against former champion Joseph "JoJo" Diaz (34-9-1, 15 KOs) of El Monte, California. This junior welterweight bout is scheduled for ten rounds... Amir “Cashman” Anderson (7-0, 7 KOs) takes on fellow unbeaten foe Jonas Sylvain (9-0-1, 5 KOs) in a ten-round middleweight clash... Junior weltertweight Ernesto “Tito” Mercado (18-0, 17 KOs) takes on veteran Juan Carlos Burgos (36-8-3, 22 KOs) in a scheduled ten-round contest.
"This card represents exactly what MF Pro stands for, a blend of world-class experience, undefeated rising stars, and the next generation of champions," said MF Pro president Amer Abdallah. "From a former world champion like JoJo Diaz sharing the ring with one of the sport's brightest young talents in H2O Sylve, to championship-caliber matchups like Amir Anderson versus Jonas Sylvain and a stacked lineup of unbeaten prospects, this event showcases the incredible depth of talent we are building. As we launch our first event in the United States, we wanted to make a statement. We wanted to bring fans a card filled with meaningful fights, compelling storylines, and future stars, and we believe 'Pugilist Revolution' delivers exactly that. This is just the beginning of what MF Pro plans to bring to the American boxing market."
Doors open at 5:00 pm PT with the first fight starting at a time TBC. Tickets priced $80.00 (General Admission), $250.00 (Ringside) + applicable fees are on sale now by clicking HERE. Thunder Studios is located at 20434 S Santa Fe Ave, Long Beach, CA 90810.
UNDERCARD BOUTS:
J'Hon Ingram (9-0, 7 KOs) vs. Devin Cushing (18-0, 14 KOs) – Lightweight (10 rounds);
David Lopez (8-0, 6 KOs) vs. Joey Borrero (12-2, 9 KOs) – Welterweight (8 rounds);
Ethan Smith (4-0, 3 KOs) vs. Madrigal Rodriguez (10-10, 8 KOs) – Super Middleweight (6 rounds);
Kayla Gomez (Pro Debut) vs. Shayntain Creer (Pro Debut) – Super Flyweight (6 rounds);
Daniel Mercado (Pro Debut) vs. Alejandro Medina (4-9, 4 KOs) – Junior middleweight (4 rounds); and
Kevin Gudino (4-0) vs. TBA – Bantamweight (4 rounds).
*All Bouts Subject to Change*
|
|
|
|
Its MF Pro fight week
MF Pro announces the (nearly0 complete fight card for "Pugilist Revolution," a professional boxing show taking place Friday, June 19th at Thunder Studios in Long Beach, California. The event will stream live worldwide on DAZN. Headlining the evening, Long Beach's own fan favorite, Ashton Sylve (13-1, 10 KOs), returns home for the biggest test of his career when he squares off against former champion Joseph "JoJo" Diaz (34-9-1, 15 KOs) of El Monte, California. This junior welterweight bout is scheduled for ten rounds... Amir “Cashman” Anderson (7-0, 7 KOs) takes on fellow unbeaten foe Jonas Sylvain (9-0-1, 5 KOs) in a ten-round middleweight clash... Junior weltertweight Ernesto “Tito” Mercado (18-0, 17 KOs) takes on veteran Juan Carlos Burgos (36-8-3, 22 KOs) in a scheduled ten-round contest.
"This card represents exactly what MF Pro stands for, a blend of world-class experience, undefeated rising stars, and the next generation of champions," said MF Pro president Amer Abdallah. "From a former world champion like JoJo Diaz sharing the ring with one of the sport's brightest young talents in H2O Sylve, to championship-caliber matchups like Amir Anderson versus Jonas Sylvain and a stacked lineup of unbeaten prospects, this event showcases the incredible depth of talent we are building. As we launch our first event in the United States, we wanted to make a statement. We wanted to bring fans a card filled with meaningful fights, compelling storylines, and future stars, and we believe 'Pugilist Revolution' delivers exactly that. This is just the beginning of what MF Pro plans to bring to the American boxing market."
Doors open at 5:00 pm PT with the first fight starting at a time TBC. Tickets priced $80.00 (General Admission), $250.00 (Ringside) + applicable fees are on sale now by clicking HERE. Thunder Studios is located at 20434 S Santa Fe Ave, Long Beach, CA 90810.
UNDERCARD BOUTS:
J'Hon Ingram (9-0, 7 KOs) vs. Devin Cushing (18-0, 14 KOs) – Lightweight (10 rounds);
David Lopez (8-0, 6 KOs) vs. Joey Borrero (12-2, 9 KOs) – Welterweight (8 rounds);
Ethan Smith (4-0, 3 KOs) vs. Madrigal Rodriguez (10-10, 8 KOs) – Super Middleweight (6 rounds);
Kayla Gomez (Pro Debut) vs. Shayntain Creer (Pro Debut) – Super Flyweight (6 rounds);
Daniel Mercado (Pro Debut) vs. Alejandro Medina (4-9, 4 KOs) – Junior middleweight (4 rounds); and
Kevin Gudino (4-0) vs. TBA – Bantamweight (4 rounds).
*All Bouts Subject to Change*
|
Kenan Guzel wins by technical decision in Turkiye |
|
Kenan Guzel W5 Edem Zeyraliyev ... On Sunday, Kenan Guzel was victorious at the Bostanci Show Center in his hometown of Istanbul. In the main event of a show promoted by Tunal Academy and broadcast live on DAZN, Guzel defeated Uzbekistan´s Edem Zeyraliyev after an entertaining although anticlimactic, encounter. Guzel entered the fight with his back against the wall, as he had lost his previous bout in Thailand this past April, and would see his career in a bad spot with another defeat. And it was Zeyraliyev who started the fight best, as he controlled the action with his jab in the first round, landing to both body and head. Guzel started to find his mark in round two, and, while it was closely contested, he slowly shifted the momentum in his favour.
In round four Guzel landed a huge left hook, sending Zeyraliyev to the canvas. Most would not have been able to get up, but the brave Uzbek did, and managed to get through the round, despite Guzel trying his best to finish the job. Unfortunately round five turned out to be the last round, as Zeyraliev was cut over the right eye after an accidental clash of heads. The fifth round was completed, but the bout was halted before round six, and went to the scorecards. All three judges scored it for Guzel, making him the winner by technical cecision, as he improved his record to 7-1. Zeyraliyev drops to 6-2.
|
|
|
|
Kenan Guzel wins by technical decision in Turkiye
Kenan Guzel W5 Edem Zeyraliyev ... On Sunday, Kenan Guzel was victorious at the Bostanci Show Center in his hometown of Istanbul. In the main event of a show promoted by Tunal Academy and broadcast live on DAZN, Guzel defeated Uzbekistan´s Edem Zeyraliyev after an entertaining although anticlimactic, encounter. Guzel entered the fight with his back against the wall, as he had lost his previous bout in Thailand this past April, and would see his career in a bad spot with another defeat. And it was Zeyraliyev who started the fight best, as he controlled the action with his jab in the first round, landing to both body and head. Guzel started to find his mark in round two, and, while it was closely contested, he slowly shifted the momentum in his favour.
In round four Guzel landed a huge left hook, sending Zeyraliyev to the canvas. Most would not have been able to get up, but the brave Uzbek did, and managed to get through the round, despite Guzel trying his best to finish the job. Unfortunately round five turned out to be the last round, as Zeyraliev was cut over the right eye after an accidental clash of heads. The fifth round was completed, but the bout was halted before round six, and went to the scorecards. All three judges scored it for Guzel, making him the winner by technical cecision, as he improved his record to 7-1. Zeyraliyev drops to 6-2.
|
Late result: Cardenas defeats Martinez in Arizona |
|
Arturo Cárdenas W10 Jordan Martínez ... Super bantamweight Arturo “Rey” Cárdenas earned a convincing victory over Jordan Martínez (16-1-1) in a rematch held last weekend in Glendale, Arizona. The Mexican boxer claimed a unanimous decision after ten rounds with scores of 100-90, 98-92 and 97-93. The bout represented an important opportunity for both fighters following their draw earlier this year. This time, Cárdenas (18-0-2) made the necessary adjustments to avoid any controversy, employing intelligent boxing, sharper punch selection, and excellent distance control. From the opening rounds, the Mexican established the pace of the fight, landing precise combinations while preventing Martínez from finding consistency in his attacks. As the contest progressed, the gap between the two became increasingly evident, with Cárdenas controlling the action both offensively and defensively.
|
|
|
|
Late result: Cardenas defeats Martinez in Arizona
Arturo Cárdenas W10 Jordan Martínez ... Super bantamweight Arturo “Rey” Cárdenas earned a convincing victory over Jordan Martínez (16-1-1) in a rematch held last weekend in Glendale, Arizona. The Mexican boxer claimed a unanimous decision after ten rounds with scores of 100-90, 98-92 and 97-93. The bout represented an important opportunity for both fighters following their draw earlier this year. This time, Cárdenas (18-0-2) made the necessary adjustments to avoid any controversy, employing intelligent boxing, sharper punch selection, and excellent distance control. From the opening rounds, the Mexican established the pace of the fight, landing precise combinations while preventing Martínez from finding consistency in his attacks. As the contest progressed, the gap between the two became increasingly evident, with Cárdenas controlling the action both offensively and defensively.
|
Twitter chatter re: Boxing's presence at UFC's White House show |
|
For boxing fans, the take-away talking point of UFC's big show at the White House in Washington, D.C. was the hints UFC's sister company, Zuffa Boxing, is going to ramp up its attempt to dominate the world of prop boxing in the same way that UFC effectively controls mixed martial arts. Like the UFC, Zuffa Boxing is headed by Dana White. Among those boxers present at UFC's White House show were former champs Tyson Fury (wearing a "Donald Trump for Prime Minister" hat) and Terence Crawford as well as current contender Conor Benn. Fury, a former heavyweight champion, implied on camera that he may be headed to Zuffa Boxing for his comeback. This comment touched off an interesting Twitter exchange between boxing insiders, who perhaps are feeling threatened by the emergence of Zuffa Boxing:
MVP Promotions: "[Ex-UFC mixed martial arts champion] Conor McGregor went off on the UFC’s handling of its White House event, McGregor questioned why boxers had tickets and appeared to be featured while no MMA legends and current stars were in attendance and / or on the broadcast. MVP CEO Nakisa Bidarian publicly agreed with those comments."
MVP Promotions' CEO Nakisa Bidarian: "Parts of this tweet are very telling. MMA alums, who helped build UFC, were not afforded tickets but boxers were. Tells you everything you need to know."
McGregor: "Strange how not one MMA legend at the fights tonight yet a load of little scared-of-an-MMA-fight boxers were?"
|
|
|
|
Twitter chatter re: Boxing's presence at UFC's White House show
For boxing fans, the take-away talking point of UFC's big show at the White House in Washington, D.C. was the hints UFC's sister company, Zuffa Boxing, is going to ramp up its attempt to dominate the world of prop boxing in the same way that UFC effectively controls mixed martial arts. Like the UFC, Zuffa Boxing is headed by Dana White. Among those boxers present at UFC's White House show were former champs Tyson Fury (wearing a "Donald Trump for Prime Minister" hat) and Terence Crawford as well as current contender Conor Benn. Fury, a former heavyweight champion, implied on camera that he may be headed to Zuffa Boxing for his comeback. This comment touched off an interesting Twitter exchange between boxing insiders, who perhaps are feeling threatened by the emergence of Zuffa Boxing:
MVP Promotions: "[Ex-UFC mixed martial arts champion] Conor McGregor went off on the UFC’s handling of its White House event, McGregor questioned why boxers had tickets and appeared to be featured while no MMA legends and current stars were in attendance and / or on the broadcast. MVP CEO Nakisa Bidarian publicly agreed with those comments."
MVP Promotions' CEO Nakisa Bidarian: "Parts of this tweet are very telling. MMA alums, who helped build UFC, were not afforded tickets but boxers were. Tells you everything you need to know."
McGregor: "Strange how not one MMA legend at the fights tonight yet a load of little scared-of-an-MMA-fight boxers were?"
|
At UFC show, Fury hints at signing with Zuffa Boxing |
|
In mixed martial arts news, Justin Gaethje achieved his lifelong dream on the South Lawn of the White House on Sunday night, earning a fourth-round stoppage win over Ilia Topuria to claim the UFC lightweight (155-pound) title when Topuria declined to continue. For boxing fans, the biggest news of the show were the hints that former heavyweight champion Tyson Fury may be headed to Zuffa Boxing, which like the UFC, is headed by Dana White. Fury told a UFC broadcaster: "I think I'm going to let Dana do the speaking but it is a massive announcement." White, was asked about this at the post-fight press conference and did not deny it, saying: "We'll make an announcement soon."
Back to MMA: Gaethje had a strong first round, landing the bigger shots of the two before Topuria rallied and nearly finished the interim champion in the second, hurting him to the body multiple times before chasing a series of submissions on the canvas. From there, however, Gaethje took control, battering the previously unbeaten Georgian with heavy shots that left him an absolute bloody, swollen mess The doctor checked on Topuria before the fourth and he was allowed to continue, but when he returned to his corner following the round, the bout was halted. Gaethje weathered a second-round storm and took the fight to Topuria from there. His ability to withstand punishment and continue to push forward is unmatched and uncanny, and now, he’s the UFC lightweight champion.
Ciryl Gane is once again the interim UFC heavyweight champion, finishing Alex Pereira amidst a torrent of strikes early in the second round. In the opening round, the speed and diversity of Gane kept Pereira off rhythm and unable to get anything going beyond a smattering of low kicks, while the French heavyweight sored with the much cleaner shots. Straight out of the corner to start round two, Gane took the fight to Pereira, hurting him with a jab and then staying on the gas until he was finally able to secure the finish. Gane's should set up a rematch with undisputed champion Tom Aspinall whenever the Brit is ready to return to action.
Sean O'Malley ended Aiemann Zahabi's seven-fight winning streak in dramatic fashion, hitting a walk-off knockout to punctuate the final non-title fight of the night at UFC Freedom 250. The former champion got the better of the striking exchanges in the first, but neither man did much significant damage. In the second, Zahabi focused on landing low kicks while O’Malley started touching him with heavier shots, and a little more than a minute after the midway point of a round, a left hand sent the French-Canadian to the canvas. When Zahabi got to his feet, O’Malley landed a right hand on his jaw that put him down again and halted the action.
|
|
|
|
At UFC show, Fury hints at signing with Zuffa Boxing
In mixed martial arts news, Justin Gaethje achieved his lifelong dream on the South Lawn of the White House on Sunday night, earning a fourth-round stoppage win over Ilia Topuria to claim the UFC lightweight (155-pound) title when Topuria declined to continue. For boxing fans, the biggest news of the show were the hints that former heavyweight champion Tyson Fury may be headed to Zuffa Boxing, which like the UFC, is headed by Dana White. Fury told a UFC broadcaster: "I think I'm going to let Dana do the speaking but it is a massive announcement." White, was asked about this at the post-fight press conference and did not deny it, saying: "We'll make an announcement soon."
Back to MMA: Gaethje had a strong first round, landing the bigger shots of the two before Topuria rallied and nearly finished the interim champion in the second, hurting him to the body multiple times before chasing a series of submissions on the canvas. From there, however, Gaethje took control, battering the previously unbeaten Georgian with heavy shots that left him an absolute bloody, swollen mess The doctor checked on Topuria before the fourth and he was allowed to continue, but when he returned to his corner following the round, the bout was halted. Gaethje weathered a second-round storm and took the fight to Topuria from there. His ability to withstand punishment and continue to push forward is unmatched and uncanny, and now, he’s the UFC lightweight champion.
Ciryl Gane is once again the interim UFC heavyweight champion, finishing Alex Pereira amidst a torrent of strikes early in the second round. In the opening round, the speed and diversity of Gane kept Pereira off rhythm and unable to get anything going beyond a smattering of low kicks, while the French heavyweight sored with the much cleaner shots. Straight out of the corner to start round two, Gane took the fight to Pereira, hurting him with a jab and then staying on the gas until he was finally able to secure the finish. Gane's should set up a rematch with undisputed champion Tom Aspinall whenever the Brit is ready to return to action.
Sean O'Malley ended Aiemann Zahabi's seven-fight winning streak in dramatic fashion, hitting a walk-off knockout to punctuate the final non-title fight of the night at UFC Freedom 250. The former champion got the better of the striking exchanges in the first, but neither man did much significant damage. In the second, Zahabi focused on landing low kicks while O’Malley started touching him with heavier shots, and a little more than a minute after the midway point of a round, a left hand sent the French-Canadian to the canvas. When Zahabi got to his feet, O’Malley landed a right hand on his jaw that put him down again and halted the action.
|
IBF cancels Nontshinga vs. Suganob II purse bid |
|
The IBF announced that the Reggie Suganob vs. Sivenathi Nontshinga junior flyweight purse bid scheduled for tomorrow, June 16th, has been cancelled. There was no immediate report on whether the parties reached a voluntary agreement to fight or decided to go in another direction.
PRIOR STORY: On May 12th, the IBF ordered Regie Suganob of the Philppines and Sivenathi Nontshinga of South Africa to begin negotiations for an IBF elimination bout in the junior flyweight division. An agreement was not reached within the timeframe set forth by the IBF, so a purse bid has been scheduled for June 16th. If the fight happens, it would be a rematch. Nontshinga is 14-2 and twice held the IBF junior flyweight title. In 2023, he defeated Suganob in a first-reign title defense. Since then, Nontshinga's gone 2-2 and lost his title. Suganob is 18-1 and has won five straight since losing the title shot. The current IBF champion in this weight class is Willibaldo Garcia, who has a fight scheduled vs. Andrew Moloney this weekend.
|
|
|
|
IBF cancels Nontshinga vs. Suganob II purse bid
The IBF announced that the Reggie Suganob vs. Sivenathi Nontshinga junior flyweight purse bid scheduled for tomorrow, June 16th, has been cancelled. There was no immediate report on whether the parties reached a voluntary agreement to fight or decided to go in another direction.
PRIOR STORY: On May 12th, the IBF ordered Regie Suganob of the Philppines and Sivenathi Nontshinga of South Africa to begin negotiations for an IBF elimination bout in the junior flyweight division. An agreement was not reached within the timeframe set forth by the IBF, so a purse bid has been scheduled for June 16th. If the fight happens, it would be a rematch. Nontshinga is 14-2 and twice held the IBF junior flyweight title. In 2023, he defeated Suganob in a first-reign title defense. Since then, Nontshinga's gone 2-2 and lost his title. Suganob is 18-1 and has won five straight since losing the title shot. The current IBF champion in this weight class is Willibaldo Garcia, who has a fight scheduled vs. Andrew Moloney this weekend.
|
Oshae Jones and Elia Carranza battle to a draw |
|
Oshae Jones W10 Elia Carranza... In a closely-contested rematch, champion Oshae Jones retained her IBF and IBO junior middleweight titles at MVPW 04, fighting Elia Carranza to a split draw (96-94, 94-96, 95-95). Jones boxed behind her jab and busy combinations across 10 rounds, while Carranza’s pressure and right hand kept the bout razor-thin. The result settles nothing between the two after Jones’ narrow split-decision win in their first meeting last July. Known for her footwork and fight IQ, Jones had a successful amateur career, picking up an Olympic bronze medal, a Pan-American Games gold medal, and several youth titles. Jones picked up the IBF and IBO titles with a November 2024 win over Femke Hermans.
|
|
|
|
Oshae Jones and Elia Carranza battle to a draw
Oshae Jones W10 Elia Carranza... In a closely-contested rematch, champion Oshae Jones retained her IBF and IBO junior middleweight titles at MVPW 04, fighting Elia Carranza to a split draw (96-94, 94-96, 95-95). Jones boxed behind her jab and busy combinations across 10 rounds, while Carranza’s pressure and right hand kept the bout razor-thin. The result settles nothing between the two after Jones’ narrow split-decision win in their first meeting last July. Known for her footwork and fight IQ, Jones had a successful amateur career, picking up an Olympic bronze medal, a Pan-American Games gold medal, and several youth titles. Jones picked up the IBF and IBO titles with a November 2024 win over Femke Hermans.
|
Tiara Brown retains featherweight title |
|
Tiara Brown W10 Hannah Rapp... WBC featherweight champion Tiara Brown retained her title at MVPW 04, outworking previously unbeaten Hannah Rapp in a grueling, in-close battle to win by unanimous decision. Official scores were 97-93 and 99-91 (twice). Much of the fight played out at close range, where Brown’s sharper inside combinations and body work gave her the edge across the ten rounds. Brown's record moves up to 21-0; Rapp, a Purdue alumna, suffers her first loss and falls to 8-1-1. Known as “The Dark Menace,” Brown has a blend of power, speed, and technical skill. She was a three-time USA Boxing gold medalist and earned gold and bronze at the IBA Women’s World Championship in 2012 and 2014, respectively. |
|
|
|
Tiara Brown retains featherweight title
Tiara Brown W10 Hannah Rapp... WBC featherweight champion Tiara Brown retained her title at MVPW 04, outworking previously unbeaten Hannah Rapp in a grueling, in-close battle to win by unanimous decision. Official scores were 97-93 and 99-91 (twice). Much of the fight played out at close range, where Brown’s sharper inside combinations and body work gave her the edge across the ten rounds. Brown's record moves up to 21-0; Rapp, a Purdue alumna, suffers her first loss and falls to 8-1-1. Known as “The Dark Menace,” Brown has a blend of power, speed, and technical skill. She was a three-time USA Boxing gold medalist and earned gold and bronze at the IBA Women’s World Championship in 2012 and 2014, respectively. |
Italian update: Argiolas defeats Buremi |
|
Sebastiano Argiolas W8 Simone Buremi... On Saturday night in Narcao, Italy, junior middleweight Sebastiano Argiolas defeated fellow Italian Simone Buremi. Argiolas had to dig deep against a determined Buremi who showed from the start that he had come to win. It was a grinding fight for both boxers, but the champion had more success in the exchanges and his superior experience often helped him edge the close rounds in his favor. After a competitive fight it went to the cards, with judges Piero Atzorio, Angelo Brioccia and Eleonora Zanzi scoring it 77-75, 78-74 and 79-73, all for Argiolas, who improved his professional record to 11-1-1. Buremi drops to 6-2, but will have learned a lot from the experience and can come back even stronger. Broadcast live in Italy by SKY TV, the fight was the main event of a show promoted by Bazooka Events.
|
|
|
|
Italian update: Argiolas defeats Buremi
Sebastiano Argiolas W8 Simone Buremi... On Saturday night in Narcao, Italy, junior middleweight Sebastiano Argiolas defeated fellow Italian Simone Buremi. Argiolas had to dig deep against a determined Buremi who showed from the start that he had come to win. It was a grinding fight for both boxers, but the champion had more success in the exchanges and his superior experience often helped him edge the close rounds in his favor. After a competitive fight it went to the cards, with judges Piero Atzorio, Angelo Brioccia and Eleonora Zanzi scoring it 77-75, 78-74 and 79-73, all for Argiolas, who improved his professional record to 11-1-1. Buremi drops to 6-2, but will have learned a lot from the experience and can come back even stronger. Broadcast live in Italy by SKY TV, the fight was the main event of a show promoted by Bazooka Events.
|
Star Boxing's June 27th card details |
|
In less than two weeks, Star Boxing returns to The Paramount NY in Huntington for another action-packed night at Rockin' Fights 54 takes center stage on on Saturday, June 27th. Long Island bus driver, "Haitian Sensation" Wendy Toussaint (17-4, 7 KOs) will headline the card against Oakland southpaw Aaron Cooley (17-5, 7 KOs) in the ten-round main event. Toussaint is coming off a courageous loss at Madison Square Garden against contender Austin "Ammo" Williams. The opportunity came on just one day's notice while Toussaint was working his regular shift as a Long Island bus driver, as he traded the driver's seat for the bright lights of Madison Square Garden to face one of boxing's top middleweight contenders in a bout two weight classes above his championship division.
Long Island veteran Terell Bostic (18-3, 4 KOs) returns to The Paramount for the first time in seven years, stepping back into the building where he launched his professional career with his first five pro fights. The Wyandanch native will compete in an eight-round showdown against Spain's Kevin Castillo (6-2-1), bringing his hometown pride back to the Rockin’ Fights stage as he looks to make a statement in front of his local fans.
Also featured is a clash between two Rockin’ Fights fan favorites, as Micky Scala (13-1, 7 KOs), coming off a first-round knockout win last month, takes on Long Island’s Zay Flaherty (8-1, 4 KOs) in a matchup reminiscent of the old-school Italian vs. Irish rivalries that helped build boxing in New York.
The card will also feature the return of US Marine Corps veteran and Hofstra graduate student Peter Latorre (6-0, 6 KOs), who delivered an exciting knockout of the night at Rockin' Fights 53. He returns looking to make another statement in front of the hometown crowd. Latorre will face battle tested Peruvian Cesar Diaz (10-2, 5 KOs) in a 8 round bout.
Long Island knockout artist Ralph Clemente (4-0, 4 KOs) is also back in action after his own devastating stoppage victory at RF 53. Clemente will face Kasimu Yakubu (3-3), fighting out of Missouri City, Texas.
Finally, Alexander Garcia will make his debut against Polish MMA/MuayThai fighter Pawel Zawistowski in a four-round bout. Garcia is a former golden gloves champion and is returning to the ring for his professional debut after being forced out of the sport due to injuries. Garcia is a graduate of New York University’s (NYU) Stern School of Business.
|
|
|
|
Star Boxing's June 27th card details
In less than two weeks, Star Boxing returns to The Paramount NY in Huntington for another action-packed night at Rockin' Fights 54 takes center stage on on Saturday, June 27th. Long Island bus driver, "Haitian Sensation" Wendy Toussaint (17-4, 7 KOs) will headline the card against Oakland southpaw Aaron Cooley (17-5, 7 KOs) in the ten-round main event. Toussaint is coming off a courageous loss at Madison Square Garden against contender Austin "Ammo" Williams. The opportunity came on just one day's notice while Toussaint was working his regular shift as a Long Island bus driver, as he traded the driver's seat for the bright lights of Madison Square Garden to face one of boxing's top middleweight contenders in a bout two weight classes above his championship division.
Long Island veteran Terell Bostic (18-3, 4 KOs) returns to The Paramount for the first time in seven years, stepping back into the building where he launched his professional career with his first five pro fights. The Wyandanch native will compete in an eight-round showdown against Spain's Kevin Castillo (6-2-1), bringing his hometown pride back to the Rockin’ Fights stage as he looks to make a statement in front of his local fans.
Also featured is a clash between two Rockin’ Fights fan favorites, as Micky Scala (13-1, 7 KOs), coming off a first-round knockout win last month, takes on Long Island’s Zay Flaherty (8-1, 4 KOs) in a matchup reminiscent of the old-school Italian vs. Irish rivalries that helped build boxing in New York.
The card will also feature the return of US Marine Corps veteran and Hofstra graduate student Peter Latorre (6-0, 6 KOs), who delivered an exciting knockout of the night at Rockin' Fights 53. He returns looking to make another statement in front of the hometown crowd. Latorre will face battle tested Peruvian Cesar Diaz (10-2, 5 KOs) in a 8 round bout.
Long Island knockout artist Ralph Clemente (4-0, 4 KOs) is also back in action after his own devastating stoppage victory at RF 53. Clemente will face Kasimu Yakubu (3-3), fighting out of Missouri City, Texas.
Finally, Alexander Garcia will make his debut against Polish MMA/MuayThai fighter Pawel Zawistowski in a four-round bout. Garcia is a former golden gloves champion and is returning to the ring for his professional debut after being forced out of the sport due to injuries. Garcia is a graduate of New York University’s (NYU) Stern School of Business.
|
Bam! Rodriguez KO's Vargas in six |
|
Jesse Rodriguez KO6 Antonio Vargas... Just as Antonio Vargas was steadily connecting against Jesse Rodriguez, 'Bam' cranked up the heat. That led to Rodriguez dropping Vargas with a left hand in the fifth round and again with an explosive right-left combination the next frame to record a sixth-round knockout at Desert Diamond Arena in Glendale, Arizona, and live on DAZN. The win gave Rodriguez the WBA bantamweight world title, making him a three-division champion. [*-Editor's note: the WBA bantamweight title really belongs to Seiya Tsutsumi of Japan. Tsutsumi was the WBA champion but recently got demoted to champion in recess by the WBA for no apparent reason, while Vargas was promoted from interim champion to champion, seemingly to facilitate Rodriguez gaining the opportunity to become a thre-division champion].
The victory continues to raise Rodriguez on the pound-for-pound lists, something that will only increase the groundswell for a mega clash with undisputed world super bantamweight ruler Naoya Inoue. To that prospect, Rodriguez (24-0, 17 KOs) simply stated to DAZN's Chris Mannix: "I'm ready for whoever, whenever."
|
|
|
|
Bam! Rodriguez KO's Vargas in six
Jesse Rodriguez KO6 Antonio Vargas... Just as Antonio Vargas was steadily connecting against Jesse Rodriguez, 'Bam' cranked up the heat. That led to Rodriguez dropping Vargas with a left hand in the fifth round and again with an explosive right-left combination the next frame to record a sixth-round knockout at Desert Diamond Arena in Glendale, Arizona, and live on DAZN. The win gave Rodriguez the WBA bantamweight world title, making him a three-division champion. [*-Editor's note: the WBA bantamweight title really belongs to Seiya Tsutsumi of Japan. Tsutsumi was the WBA champion but recently got demoted to champion in recess by the WBA for no apparent reason, while Vargas was promoted from interim champion to champion, seemingly to facilitate Rodriguez gaining the opportunity to become a thre-division champion].
The victory continues to raise Rodriguez on the pound-for-pound lists, something that will only increase the groundswell for a mega clash with undisputed world super bantamweight ruler Naoya Inoue. To that prospect, Rodriguez (24-0, 17 KOs) simply stated to DAZN's Chris Mannix: "I'm ready for whoever, whenever."
|
New champion alert: WBA elevates David Jimenez at 115 |
|
The WBA, through its Championships Committee, has officially designated David Jiménez as the new WBA super flyweight champion after Jesse Rodríguez vacated the title to move up to the bantamweight division and challenge Antonio Vargas. [Rodriguez knocked out Vargas on Saturday to claim WBA recognition at 118 pounds]. Jiménez 18-1 and 34 years old, is not truly worthy of world championship recogniition although he holds a solid 2024 win over John "Scrappy" Ramirez. He also lost a close flyweight title challenge to Artem Dalakian in 2023. Recently, Jimenez has three wins in WBA interim title fights and, according to the WBA "was elevated to full champion status in recognition of his accomplishments and standing within the sport." The WBA Championships Committee also named Ramírez as the division’s mandatory challenger. As a result, negotiations must begin for a world title showdown between Jiménez and Ramírez. The conditions and deadlines governing the mandatory championship bout will be announced in the coming days in accordance with the WBA’s internal regulations.
|
|
|
|
New champion alert: WBA elevates David Jimenez at 115
The WBA, through its Championships Committee, has officially designated David Jiménez as the new WBA super flyweight champion after Jesse Rodríguez vacated the title to move up to the bantamweight division and challenge Antonio Vargas. [Rodriguez knocked out Vargas on Saturday to claim WBA recognition at 118 pounds]. Jiménez 18-1 and 34 years old, is not truly worthy of world championship recogniition although he holds a solid 2024 win over John "Scrappy" Ramirez. He also lost a close flyweight title challenge to Artem Dalakian in 2023. Recently, Jimenez has three wins in WBA interim title fights and, according to the WBA "was elevated to full champion status in recognition of his accomplishments and standing within the sport." The WBA Championships Committee also named Ramírez as the division’s mandatory challenger. As a result, negotiations must begin for a world title showdown between Jiménez and Ramírez. The conditions and deadlines governing the mandatory championship bout will be announced in the coming days in accordance with the WBA’s internal regulations.
|
Alvarez stops Stankovic in Arizona |
|
Ronnie Alvarez TKO7 Filip Stankovic ... Middleweight Ronnie Alvarez (7-0, 6 KOs) scored a seventh-round TKO over Filip Stankovic (9-4, 6 KOs) on Saturday at Desert Diamond Arena in Glendale, Arizona. The scheduled eight-round contest took place on the undercard of the event headlined by the bantamweight world championship clash between Jesse "Bam" Rodriguez and Antonio Vargas. From the opening bell, Alvarez, a native of Cuba now fighting out of Orlando, Florida, showcased a mature and disciplined performance beyond his years. Utilizing a relentless body attack, sharp combination punching, and intelligent ring generalship, Alvarez systematically broke down Stankovic over the course of seven rounds.
The undefeated Alvarez controlled the pace throughout the contest, repeatedly landing punishing shots to the midsection that gradually drained the resistance from his opponent. By the middle rounds, Stankovic had few answers for Alvarez's pressure and precision. Sensing his opponent fading, Alvarez increased his output in the seventh round, unleashing a barrage of punches that forced the referee to step in and halt the contest midway through the frame. The victory marked Alvarez's sixth knockout in seven professional wins.
Reflecting on his dominant performance and seventh-round stoppage victory, Alvarez expressed satisfaction with the way he executed the game plan from start to finish. "This was exactly the type of performance I wanted to give,” said Alvarez, who is co-promoted with Boxlab Promotions, Warriors Boxing and Dreambigg Promotions. “We had a great game plan coming in, and I stayed patient while breaking him down. I wasn't looking for one big punch. I wanted to keep touching the body, keep applying pressure, and make him work every second of every round. Once I saw him slowing down, I knew it was only a matter of time. Getting the stoppage feels great, but what makes me happiest is showing that I can dominate a fight and stay disciplined while doing it. Every time I step into the ring, I want people to see improvement, and I think I showed that tonight."
When discussing his long-term goals, Alvarez made it clear that he remains focused on climbing the rankings one step at a time. "I'm hungry to keep moving forward. Every fight is another opportunity to prove that I belong among the best young fighters in the division. I know I still have a lot to learn, but I'm willing to put in the work every day. My goal is to keep taking on tougher challenges, keep winning, and eventually earn my place in the rankings. Nothing is going to be handed to me, and I don't expect it to be. I'm ready to earn everything through hard work and performances like this."
Alvarez believes this latest triumph provides further validation that he is progressing toward bigger opportunities in the middleweight division. "A win like this gives me confidence because it shows that everything we're doing in the gym is paying off. Stankovic was a tough opponent with experience, and I was able to control the fight from beginning to end. I think this performance shows that I'm ready to keep stepping up the level of competition. There are a lot of talented fighters out there, and I want to keep proving that I'm one of the names people should be paying attention to. This is a big step forward for my career, but it's only the beginning."
With another victory now on his résumé, Alvarez is eager to continue his active schedule. Looking ahead, the unbeaten prospect hopes to return to action as soon as possible. "I'm ready to get back in the ring whenever my team says it's time. I feel great, I love staying active, and I believe that's one of the best ways for a young fighter to keep developing. If it was up to me, I'd be back in training next week. I want to stay busy, keep learning, and keep building momentum. The more experience I get now, the better prepared I'll be when the biggest opportunities come my way."*
Boxlab Promotions President Amaury Piedra believes the young middleweight is progressing exactly as envisioned. Piedra praised Alvarez's maturity, patience, and commitment to the developmental process, noting that performances like Saturday's are signs of a fighter headed in the right direction. "Ronnie continues to demonstrate steady growth every time he enters the ring,” said Piedra. “We are seeing a young fighter who is not only physically gifted, but also developing the ring IQ required to succeed at higher levels of the sport. His willingness to learn, remain patient, and trust the process is exactly why we are so excited about his future. His performance was another important step forward, and I firmly believe he is progressing in the right direction toward becoming a significant player in the middleweight division."
|
|
|
|
Alvarez stops Stankovic in Arizona
Ronnie Alvarez TKO7 Filip Stankovic ... Middleweight Ronnie Alvarez (7-0, 6 KOs) scored a seventh-round TKO over Filip Stankovic (9-4, 6 KOs) on Saturday at Desert Diamond Arena in Glendale, Arizona. The scheduled eight-round contest took place on the undercard of the event headlined by the bantamweight world championship clash between Jesse "Bam" Rodriguez and Antonio Vargas. From the opening bell, Alvarez, a native of Cuba now fighting out of Orlando, Florida, showcased a mature and disciplined performance beyond his years. Utilizing a relentless body attack, sharp combination punching, and intelligent ring generalship, Alvarez systematically broke down Stankovic over the course of seven rounds.
The undefeated Alvarez controlled the pace throughout the contest, repeatedly landing punishing shots to the midsection that gradually drained the resistance from his opponent. By the middle rounds, Stankovic had few answers for Alvarez's pressure and precision. Sensing his opponent fading, Alvarez increased his output in the seventh round, unleashing a barrage of punches that forced the referee to step in and halt the contest midway through the frame. The victory marked Alvarez's sixth knockout in seven professional wins.
Reflecting on his dominant performance and seventh-round stoppage victory, Alvarez expressed satisfaction with the way he executed the game plan from start to finish. "This was exactly the type of performance I wanted to give,” said Alvarez, who is co-promoted with Boxlab Promotions, Warriors Boxing and Dreambigg Promotions. “We had a great game plan coming in, and I stayed patient while breaking him down. I wasn't looking for one big punch. I wanted to keep touching the body, keep applying pressure, and make him work every second of every round. Once I saw him slowing down, I knew it was only a matter of time. Getting the stoppage feels great, but what makes me happiest is showing that I can dominate a fight and stay disciplined while doing it. Every time I step into the ring, I want people to see improvement, and I think I showed that tonight."
When discussing his long-term goals, Alvarez made it clear that he remains focused on climbing the rankings one step at a time. "I'm hungry to keep moving forward. Every fight is another opportunity to prove that I belong among the best young fighters in the division. I know I still have a lot to learn, but I'm willing to put in the work every day. My goal is to keep taking on tougher challenges, keep winning, and eventually earn my place in the rankings. Nothing is going to be handed to me, and I don't expect it to be. I'm ready to earn everything through hard work and performances like this."
Alvarez believes this latest triumph provides further validation that he is progressing toward bigger opportunities in the middleweight division. "A win like this gives me confidence because it shows that everything we're doing in the gym is paying off. Stankovic was a tough opponent with experience, and I was able to control the fight from beginning to end. I think this performance shows that I'm ready to keep stepping up the level of competition. There are a lot of talented fighters out there, and I want to keep proving that I'm one of the names people should be paying attention to. This is a big step forward for my career, but it's only the beginning."
With another victory now on his résumé, Alvarez is eager to continue his active schedule. Looking ahead, the unbeaten prospect hopes to return to action as soon as possible. "I'm ready to get back in the ring whenever my team says it's time. I feel great, I love staying active, and I believe that's one of the best ways for a young fighter to keep developing. If it was up to me, I'd be back in training next week. I want to stay busy, keep learning, and keep building momentum. The more experience I get now, the better prepared I'll be when the biggest opportunities come my way."*
Boxlab Promotions President Amaury Piedra believes the young middleweight is progressing exactly as envisioned. Piedra praised Alvarez's maturity, patience, and commitment to the developmental process, noting that performances like Saturday's are signs of a fighter headed in the right direction. "Ronnie continues to demonstrate steady growth every time he enters the ring,” said Piedra. “We are seeing a young fighter who is not only physically gifted, but also developing the ring IQ required to succeed at higher levels of the sport. His willingness to learn, remain patient, and trust the process is exactly why we are so excited about his future. His performance was another important step forward, and I firmly believe he is progressing in the right direction toward becoming a significant player in the middleweight division."
|
Tommy Fury beats strongman Eddie Hall |
|
Tommy Fury W6 Eddie Hall... In a crossover fight at AO Arena in Manchester, England, and live on DAZN pay-per-view, Tommy Fury and Eddie Hall battled each other for six rounds, despite a a 107.8-ound weight discrepancy between the two. Hall, the former World's Strongest Man, came in at 325.6 while Fury weighed a career-high 217.8. But the size advantage proved to be futile at the end of the day. Fury fought smart in the last four rounds of the fight and used his superior boxing skills to overwhelm Hall and keep him at bay to win a majority decision. Official scores were 57-57, 59-56 and 58-56. DAZN News scored the fight 58-56 in favor of Fury.
ADDITIONAL RESULTS:
Matt Floyd and Anthony Taylor went to a no-contest;
Armz def. Big Stacks by TKO at 1:15 of the fourth round;
Ibiza Final Boss def. Jordan McCann by majority decision;
Jade Jones def. Federikita by knockout at 0:59 seconds of the second round;
Swarmz def. Biel by TKO at 1:48 of the second round;
Adam Brooks def. Rahim Pardessi by unanimous decision; and
Sheena Bathory def. Tina Snows by knockout at 1:09 of the first round.
|
|
|
|
Tommy Fury beats strongman Eddie Hall
Tommy Fury W6 Eddie Hall... In a crossover fight at AO Arena in Manchester, England, and live on DAZN pay-per-view, Tommy Fury and Eddie Hall battled each other for six rounds, despite a a 107.8-ound weight discrepancy between the two. Hall, the former World's Strongest Man, came in at 325.6 while Fury weighed a career-high 217.8. But the size advantage proved to be futile at the end of the day. Fury fought smart in the last four rounds of the fight and used his superior boxing skills to overwhelm Hall and keep him at bay to win a majority decision. Official scores were 57-57, 59-56 and 58-56. DAZN News scored the fight 58-56 in favor of Fury.
ADDITIONAL RESULTS:
Matt Floyd and Anthony Taylor went to a no-contest;
Armz def. Big Stacks by TKO at 1:15 of the fourth round;
Ibiza Final Boss def. Jordan McCann by majority decision;
Jade Jones def. Federikita by knockout at 0:59 seconds of the second round;
Swarmz def. Biel by TKO at 1:48 of the second round;
Adam Brooks def. Rahim Pardessi by unanimous decision; and
Sheena Bathory def. Tina Snows by knockout at 1:09 of the first round.
|
Ex-champ Guts Ishimatsu passes away |
|
The WBC announced the death of former lightweight champion Guts Ishimatsu Suzuki, who passed away at 76 years of age due to pneumonia on June 2nd in Tokyo. The sad news was disclosed by his relatives. Ishimatsu left an indelible mark on the history of Asian pugilism, by becoming the eleventh world champion in the history of Japan and the first to conquer the lightweight crown for his country. Ishimatsu’s path toward great glory was defined by resilience. Following tough setbacks in Panama during his first world title attempts against legends Ismael Laguna (1970) and Roberto Durán (1973), Ishimatsu never gave up. His definitive win arrived on April 11, 1974, when he shocked the world by dethroning Mexico's Rodolfo González by way of knockout, a feat he would repeat in 1976 in an exciting rematch. Throughout his solid reign, he successfully defended the WBC belt on five occasions, highlighting his historic and heroic victory via unanimous decision over the legendary former champion Ken Buchanan in 1975. After leaving a professional record of 31 victories (17 by way of fast track), 14 defeats, and 6 draws, he officially retired from the ring in 1978.
Boxingtalk sends its deepest sympathies to the friends and family of Guts Ishimatsu.
|
|
|
|
Ex-champ Guts Ishimatsu passes away
The WBC announced the death of former lightweight champion Guts Ishimatsu Suzuki, who passed away at 76 years of age due to pneumonia on June 2nd in Tokyo. The sad news was disclosed by his relatives. Ishimatsu left an indelible mark on the history of Asian pugilism, by becoming the eleventh world champion in the history of Japan and the first to conquer the lightweight crown for his country. Ishimatsu’s path toward great glory was defined by resilience. Following tough setbacks in Panama during his first world title attempts against legends Ismael Laguna (1970) and Roberto Durán (1973), Ishimatsu never gave up. His definitive win arrived on April 11, 1974, when he shocked the world by dethroning Mexico's Rodolfo González by way of knockout, a feat he would repeat in 1976 in an exciting rematch. Throughout his solid reign, he successfully defended the WBC belt on five occasions, highlighting his historic and heroic victory via unanimous decision over the legendary former champion Ken Buchanan in 1975. After leaving a professional record of 31 victories (17 by way of fast track), 14 defeats, and 6 draws, he officially retired from the ring in 1978.
Boxingtalk sends its deepest sympathies to the friends and family of Guts Ishimatsu.
|
Ex-marine Peter Latorre looks to go 7-0 in two weeks |
|
"Voodoo" Peter Latorre (6-0, 6 KOs) is making a name for himself on the Long Island boxing scene, and on June 27th he returns to The Paramount in Huntington, New York looking to deliver another memorable performance at Star Boxing's Rockin' Fights 54. Inside the ring, Latorre has been perfect thus far, stopping every opponent he's faced, including a big knockout win at Rockin' Fights 53. Outside the ring, Latorre is a United States Marine Corps infantry veteran who dedicated himself to service long after his military career ended. Today, he is pursuing dual Master's degrees in Mental Health Counseling and Rehabilitation Counseling at Hofstra University while serving as president of the school's Student Veterans Association, helping fellow veterans navigate life after service and advocating for mental health awareness. The discipline, resilience, and work ethic that carried Latorre through the Marines now fuel his pursuit of success in professional boxing. Every fight represents another step toward his championship aspirations and another opportunity to inspire others through his journey.
Latorre will face battle tested Peruvian Cesar Diaz (10-2, 5 KOs) in an eight-round bout on a show headlined by Long Island bus driver Wendy "Haitian Fire" Toussaint (17-4, 7 KOs) who faces off against Aaron Coley (17-5, 5 KOs). Also featured on the seven bout card is a can’t-miss clash between two Rockin’ Fights fan favorites, as Micky Scala (13-1, 7 KOs), coming off a first-round knockout win, takes on Long Island’s own Zay Flaherty (8-1, 4 KOs) in a matchup reminiscent of the old-school Italian vs. Irish rivalries that helped build boxing in New York. Tickets are on sale now.
|
|
|
|
Ex-marine Peter Latorre looks to go 7-0 in two weeks
"Voodoo" Peter Latorre (6-0, 6 KOs) is making a name for himself on the Long Island boxing scene, and on June 27th he returns to The Paramount in Huntington, New York looking to deliver another memorable performance at Star Boxing's Rockin' Fights 54. Inside the ring, Latorre has been perfect thus far, stopping every opponent he's faced, including a big knockout win at Rockin' Fights 53. Outside the ring, Latorre is a United States Marine Corps infantry veteran who dedicated himself to service long after his military career ended. Today, he is pursuing dual Master's degrees in Mental Health Counseling and Rehabilitation Counseling at Hofstra University while serving as president of the school's Student Veterans Association, helping fellow veterans navigate life after service and advocating for mental health awareness. The discipline, resilience, and work ethic that carried Latorre through the Marines now fuel his pursuit of success in professional boxing. Every fight represents another step toward his championship aspirations and another opportunity to inspire others through his journey.
Latorre will face battle tested Peruvian Cesar Diaz (10-2, 5 KOs) in an eight-round bout on a show headlined by Long Island bus driver Wendy "Haitian Fire" Toussaint (17-4, 7 KOs) who faces off against Aaron Coley (17-5, 5 KOs). Also featured on the seven bout card is a can’t-miss clash between two Rockin’ Fights fan favorites, as Micky Scala (13-1, 7 KOs), coming off a first-round knockout win, takes on Long Island’s own Zay Flaherty (8-1, 4 KOs) in a matchup reminiscent of the old-school Italian vs. Irish rivalries that helped build boxing in New York. Tickets are on sale now.
|
Introducing middleweight Amir “Cashman” Anderson |
|
Middleweight Amir “Cashman” Anderson (7-0, 7 KOs) of Syracuse, New York, is ready to face fellow unbeaten foe Jonas Sylvain (9-0-1, 5 KOs) of Boynton Beach, Florida, in a scheduled ten rounder on Friday, June 19th at Thunder Studios in Long Beach, California. The bout will be part of MF Pro's inaugural U.S. event, 'Pugilist Revolution,' live on DAZN. For Anderson, who has stopped every opponent he's faced as a professional, the bout represents an opportunity to announce himself on a major stage and prove he belongs on boxing's top prospects list. After months of preparation, Anderson believes this training camp has elevated him to another level. Discussing the work he put in during camp, Anderson expressed confidence that fans will see the best version of him on fight night.
"This was probably the best training camp I've had as a pro," said Anderson "I put in a lot of hard work every day and made sure I was ready for a big opportunity like this. Everyone around me has seen how serious I've been about this fight. I'm not flying across the country just to pick up another win. I want people to see what I'm capable of and remember my name. When that bell rings, fans are going to see a fighter who's motivated, determined, and ready to show he belongs at the next level."
Standing across the ring will be Sylvain, another undefeated fighter looking to preserve his perfect record. Anderson welcomes the challenge and views the matchup as exactly the type of fight he has been seeking. When asked about facing Sylvain, Anderson made it clear that he respects his opponent's accomplishments but believes this fight will reveal who is ready for the next level.
"Jonas has done what he needed to do to stay undefeated, and I respect that,” stated Anderson. “He's a good fighter and this is the type of fight that will change the direction for both of us. But when we get in the ring, it's going to come down to who wants it more. I've worked too hard and waited too long for an opportunity like this to let it slip away. This is a big fight with a lot on the line, and I plan on making the most of it. I believe my work ethic, my strength, and my mindset are going to be the difference. These are the fights that can take your career to the next level, and I'm ready to show everyone that I'm the fighter who's ready for that step."
The event will also mark Anderson's first professional appearance in California, a destination long associated with some of boxing's most memorable moments and biggest stars. The Syracuse native is embracing the opportunity to compete on the West Coast and showcase his talent in front of a new audience. "Fighting in California for the first time is something I'm really excited about,” continued Anderson. “This state has such a rich boxing history, and a lot of legendary fighters have built their names here. To have my first fight in California happen on a major card and in front of a DAZN audience makes it even more special. I want the fans out there to remember my name when the night is over. Whenever you get the chance to perform in a new market, it's an opportunity to grow your fan base and show people what you're all about. I'm looking forward to putting on a performance that gets people talking."
With DAZN cameras broadcasting the event worldwide, Anderson understands the significance of the exposure and the impact a victory could have on his future. Anderson believes a strong performance against an undefeated opponent on a global platform could be the breakthrough moment that accelerates his rise in the middleweight division.
"This is the kind of opportunity I’ve been waiting for," said Anderson. "I'm fighting another undefeated guy on DAZN, so I know a lot of people will be watching. A win in this fight can open a lot of doors for me and show my promoter, the fans, and everyone in the division that I'm ready to take the next step. I've put in too much hard work to let this opportunity slip away. I plan on going out there, taking care of business, and showing everyone that I'm a fighter they need to pay attention to. June 19 is my chance to prove I belong among the best up-and-coming fighters in the sport."
|
|
|
|
Introducing middleweight Amir “Cashman” Anderson
Middleweight Amir “Cashman” Anderson (7-0, 7 KOs) of Syracuse, New York, is ready to face fellow unbeaten foe Jonas Sylvain (9-0-1, 5 KOs) of Boynton Beach, Florida, in a scheduled ten rounder on Friday, June 19th at Thunder Studios in Long Beach, California. The bout will be part of MF Pro's inaugural U.S. event, 'Pugilist Revolution,' live on DAZN. For Anderson, who has stopped every opponent he's faced as a professional, the bout represents an opportunity to announce himself on a major stage and prove he belongs on boxing's top prospects list. After months of preparation, Anderson believes this training camp has elevated him to another level. Discussing the work he put in during camp, Anderson expressed confidence that fans will see the best version of him on fight night.
"This was probably the best training camp I've had as a pro," said Anderson "I put in a lot of hard work every day and made sure I was ready for a big opportunity like this. Everyone around me has seen how serious I've been about this fight. I'm not flying across the country just to pick up another win. I want people to see what I'm capable of and remember my name. When that bell rings, fans are going to see a fighter who's motivated, determined, and ready to show he belongs at the next level."
Standing across the ring will be Sylvain, another undefeated fighter looking to preserve his perfect record. Anderson welcomes the challenge and views the matchup as exactly the type of fight he has been seeking. When asked about facing Sylvain, Anderson made it clear that he respects his opponent's accomplishments but believes this fight will reveal who is ready for the next level.
"Jonas has done what he needed to do to stay undefeated, and I respect that,” stated Anderson. “He's a good fighter and this is the type of fight that will change the direction for both of us. But when we get in the ring, it's going to come down to who wants it more. I've worked too hard and waited too long for an opportunity like this to let it slip away. This is a big fight with a lot on the line, and I plan on making the most of it. I believe my work ethic, my strength, and my mindset are going to be the difference. These are the fights that can take your career to the next level, and I'm ready to show everyone that I'm the fighter who's ready for that step."
The event will also mark Anderson's first professional appearance in California, a destination long associated with some of boxing's most memorable moments and biggest stars. The Syracuse native is embracing the opportunity to compete on the West Coast and showcase his talent in front of a new audience. "Fighting in California for the first time is something I'm really excited about,” continued Anderson. “This state has such a rich boxing history, and a lot of legendary fighters have built their names here. To have my first fight in California happen on a major card and in front of a DAZN audience makes it even more special. I want the fans out there to remember my name when the night is over. Whenever you get the chance to perform in a new market, it's an opportunity to grow your fan base and show people what you're all about. I'm looking forward to putting on a performance that gets people talking."
With DAZN cameras broadcasting the event worldwide, Anderson understands the significance of the exposure and the impact a victory could have on his future. Anderson believes a strong performance against an undefeated opponent on a global platform could be the breakthrough moment that accelerates his rise in the middleweight division.
"This is the kind of opportunity I’ve been waiting for," said Anderson. "I'm fighting another undefeated guy on DAZN, so I know a lot of people will be watching. A win in this fight can open a lot of doors for me and show my promoter, the fans, and everyone in the division that I'm ready to take the next step. I've put in too much hard work to let this opportunity slip away. I plan on going out there, taking care of business, and showing everyone that I'm a fighter they need to pay attention to. June 19 is my chance to prove I belong among the best up-and-coming fighters in the sport."
|
Report: McGregor took PED's on advice of top doctor |
|
The New York Times reports that UFC fighter Conor McGregor (who boxed Floyd Mayweather in 2017) used performance-enhancing drugs in the aftermath of a badly broken leg in 2021. The Times did not have direct evidence of a positive test, but quoted a McGregor social media post in which the former mixed martial arts champion seemed to admit it: “Everything was fully disclosed before I began." McGregor withdrew from the UFC testing program for a period lasting until 2023. The Time wrote, "During that process, officials learned that McGregor had indeed taken banned drugs while outside the pool, according to the two people." McGregor is believed to be planning a comeback, either in MMA or bare knuckles boxing.
McGregor broke his left leg during a fight against Dustin Poirier in 2021. According to the report, McGregor's request to take otherwise banned substance(s) (known as a "therapeutic use exemption"), had the support of one of the most prominent sports doctors in the world, according to the doctor himself. McGregor then engaged in an active effort to evade scrutiny from antidoping officials. The times identified the doctor as Neal ElAttrache, one of the most removed sports surgeons in the world.
The Times said the exemption to take the performance enhancing substance was never granted and McGregor then withdrew from the UFC’s antidoping program, which meant he was no longer subject to drug testing. In October 2025, the UFC suspended McGregor for missing tests, but it has since reduced the term of the suspension.
|
|
|
|
Report: McGregor took PED's on advice of top doctor
The New York Times reports that UFC fighter Conor McGregor (who boxed Floyd Mayweather in 2017) used performance-enhancing drugs in the aftermath of a badly broken leg in 2021. The Times did not have direct evidence of a positive test, but quoted a McGregor social media post in which the former mixed martial arts champion seemed to admit it: “Everything was fully disclosed before I began." McGregor withdrew from the UFC testing program for a period lasting until 2023. The Time wrote, "During that process, officials learned that McGregor had indeed taken banned drugs while outside the pool, according to the two people." McGregor is believed to be planning a comeback, either in MMA or bare knuckles boxing.
McGregor broke his left leg during a fight against Dustin Poirier in 2021. According to the report, McGregor's request to take otherwise banned substance(s) (known as a "therapeutic use exemption"), had the support of one of the most prominent sports doctors in the world, according to the doctor himself. McGregor then engaged in an active effort to evade scrutiny from antidoping officials. The times identified the doctor as Neal ElAttrache, one of the most removed sports surgeons in the world.
The Times said the exemption to take the performance enhancing substance was never granted and McGregor then withdrew from the UFC’s antidoping program, which meant he was no longer subject to drug testing. In October 2025, the UFC suspended McGregor for missing tests, but it has since reduced the term of the suspension.
|
Vargas vs. Rodriguez final presser quotes |
|
Jesse 'Bam' Rodriguez will bid to become a three-weight champion against WBA bantamweight title holder Antonio Vargas this Saturday. Other bouts on the Glendale, Arizona card include Elif Turhan defending her IBF women's lightweight title against Gabriela Tellez; In the 122 pound division, Arturo Cardenas faces Jordan Martinez; and Adrian Rodriguez vs. Elias Terreza at lightweight. Here are the final press conference quotes from Arizona:
Promoter Eddie Hearn
“Welcome everybody to the wonderful Desert Diamond Arena in Glendale, Arizona, which has become one of our favorite places to visit, and Phoenix is becoming a real fight city. We’re going to have well over 10,000 in attendance on Saturday night, our biggest crowd ever in Phoenix, and more importantly for me, one of the cards of the year, a World championship double header, as pound-for-pound star Jesse ‘Bam’ Rodriguez looks to try and win a third division world championship against the WBA [bantamweight] king Antonio Vargas. The undercard is sensational, what a night of boxing.
“I said to Jordan Martinez just a few minutes ago, every one of these six fighters up here for the undercard press conference is undefeated, and that will change on Saturday night. We’ve got World championship action up here, a local derby, and the rematch of a brilliant fight.
“What a week we’ve got here for DAZN, and what a few months we’ve got coming up. I’ve said it time and time again, the zone firmly established as the global home of boxing. Every worthy promoter in the world is now on the platform with the best schedule boxing has ever seen. And for us at Matchroom, what a couple of weeks and months coming up. Saturday, a huge night in Glendale, Arizona. But in two weeks time for me, one of the fights of the year. Another pound-for-pound star on the Matchroom roster, as Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis takes on Xander Zayas for the unified World championship at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn.
“We’ll be announcing another show this weekend for July 18 with one of the most exciting young fighters of the world in Los Angeles, before we head to Jeddah for the return of Anthony Joshua against Kristian Prenga before he hopes to fight Tyson Fury in November later this year. And of course, September 5 already announced, over 80,000 people at Croke Park in Ireland for the final fight of Katie Taylor’s incredible career.
“But now we focus on what is for me one of the cards of the year on Saturday night, live and exclusive on DAZN around the world.”
Antonio Vargas
“I do believe things are going to go in my favor. I’ve trained hard for this fight, and I look forward to proving to the world who I am. I’m just focused on Bam. I know after I beat him, it opens up so many more doors for me. So, I’m tunnel vision right now and I’m just focused, just to get this win and get that out the way and then whatever comes after that comes.
“I’m really excited. I’ve trained my whole life at this moment, and I believe this will be one of many more moments to come. I’m prepared and I want to give the fans a good fight. I’m fighting one of the best fighters in the boxing right now, so I’m really excited to put a good performance on for the fans.”
Jesse Rodriguez
“Always ready to go. Always 100 per cent ready mentally, physically. This is just another step in my career. I’ve been training just as hard as any other fight. I never look past any opponent. I know each opponent is coming to take what I have, but I make sure that doesn’t happen every time I step inside the gym and give 110 per cent and I’m just ready to go out there and give the fans a great fight.
“I’m constantly trying to challenge myself. If it’s not a World title fight, then it really doesn’t interest me, even if it’s just a simple defense, it doesn’t get me going inside the gym. So, when I got the opportunity to fight Antonio Vargas for another World title in another weight division, I was on goal right away. Antonio is an Olympian, he’s a World champion, the fact that I’m able to move up to a new weight class and that be my first fight, it means everything to me. I’m ready to go out there and capture the moment.
“I feel like I haven’t even shown 50 per cent of what I’m capable of, but the tougher the opponent, then the better my performance. Antonio is going to bring out another percentage of Bam Rodriguez, and I can’t wait to go out there and show it. I’m feeling much better at this weight class, much sharper, stronger and faster.
“Just expect another spectacular performance and I’m ready to go out there and make it happen.”
Robert Garcia, Rodriguez’s trainer
“I think Bam is ready to compete at 118lbs, we have to look at Vargas as a great challenge, and we always focus on what’s next for us. We don’t look ahead of time because there is that challenge for us. We have to step take it step by step, there’s so much talk about future fights in new way and all that but for us right now, the most important fight is is is Vargas so we don’t look ahead of time, we want to take our time, we want to make sure he he looks and feels good at 118.
“Bam is incredible. His talent, his discipline, he’s so dedicated to the sport and to what he’s doing that I don’t know how far he can take it. I don’t think we’ve seen the best of Bam yet, the best still to come, and our first step is Vargas on Saturday. We’ll show what Bam can do and from there everybody will see you we’re not making up stories; they will see that Bam is looking better every single time he steps in the ring.”
Arturo Cardenas
“This time I know I’m really well prepared mentally and physically. So, like last fight, I know I have won that fight, but it happens. I’m more than ready for this fight.
“I don’t really care what he always says about me to be honest. I’m more focused on the fight. I’m more focused on winning this fight and I’m just really happy and anxious for this fight. It’s a must, just get him out the way and now looking on the big fights, getting them belts.”
Jordan Martinez
“I feel like I should have took the first fight. He thinks the same, but I’m just here to show that there’s really levels to this.
“There’s more pressure but it doesn’t phase me, because at the end of the day, the bell rings and it’s me and him only. I’m just ready to fight so we could get this out the way and so I can come out victorious and take what was mine in the first place.
“He didn’t win the last fight at all. I beat his ass with just a jab. That’s what I’m saying. I just beat him with a jab. And this time, he thinks he going to knock me out? He ain’t knocking nobody out. I expect him to apply more pressure, but he’s slow as hell. He can’t even touch me.
“It’s a sportsmanship, I know we’re going all out, and this is going to be a war, but we’re taking that belt back home.
“I just got to get him out the way. He ain’t somebody I’m really chasing. He’s just somebody that has to be in my position so I could get to the next level, and that’s all I’m doing, just moving him out my way.”
IBF women's lightweight champion Elif Turhan
“I’m very happy to be here. Discipline is everything on boxing. She’s young, I know this, but we will see how great fighter she is. The World championship fight is my target all the time and I got it, but this is not the final destination, I need other belts.
“Everybody talking about this being an easy fight, I don’t think like this because she’s unbeaten, she’s been fighting six, seven, eight before being 19 years old, I know everything about her. I am not relaxed on this fight like unification fights. When I see her eyes, I can understand she is ready to fight. I must defend my belt with war.”
Gabriela Tellez
“Thank you to Matchroom, DAZN, my promoter, BoxLab, I’m ready for this opportunity. I’m not scared of no challenge. This is a big challenge, but everybody got to take that step, and I feel like I’m ready for that. They see a lot of potential in me. I’ve been working with Jose, I’ve been working with Junior Lopez for years now, they know me for years and they know I’m ready for this for this challenge. I could box, I could fight, I could do it all. I feel like you seen it before and you gonna see it again come Saturday night.”
Adrian Rodriguez
“This is everything to me right now. When you talk about this stage and this opportunity, a victory here and in style in front of 12,000 on Saturday night, I’m excited for this. I’m excited to get down and show the people, you know, who the I am. I want to be there, I want to represent, not just by talking about my actions. I know I’m a good fighter. I know I could take him down easily.”
Elias Terraza
“I want to give a thank you to Eddie Hearn and Kevin Rooney from Matchroom for giving me the opportunity to be on a card like this, I can’t wait for Saturday. I’m super excited. Come Saturday night, you guys can expect a KO from me.
“We’re both local fighters. I really don’t know him and I know he doesn’t know me, we’re both from different rival promoters, so I think that’s going to be a big play coming into the fight, seeing who is the better fighter from which promotion, come Saturday night, you guys going to see who who’s going to get the knockout and for sure it’s going to be me.”
|
|
|
|
Vargas vs. Rodriguez final presser quotes
Jesse 'Bam' Rodriguez will bid to become a three-weight champion against WBA bantamweight title holder Antonio Vargas this Saturday. Other bouts on the Glendale, Arizona card include Elif Turhan defending her IBF women's lightweight title against Gabriela Tellez; In the 122 pound division, Arturo Cardenas faces Jordan Martinez; and Adrian Rodriguez vs. Elias Terreza at lightweight. Here are the final press conference quotes from Arizona:
Promoter Eddie Hearn
“Welcome everybody to the wonderful Desert Diamond Arena in Glendale, Arizona, which has become one of our favorite places to visit, and Phoenix is becoming a real fight city. We’re going to have well over 10,000 in attendance on Saturday night, our biggest crowd ever in Phoenix, and more importantly for me, one of the cards of the year, a World championship double header, as pound-for-pound star Jesse ‘Bam’ Rodriguez looks to try and win a third division world championship against the WBA [bantamweight] king Antonio Vargas. The undercard is sensational, what a night of boxing.
“I said to Jordan Martinez just a few minutes ago, every one of these six fighters up here for the undercard press conference is undefeated, and that will change on Saturday night. We’ve got World championship action up here, a local derby, and the rematch of a brilliant fight.
“What a week we’ve got here for DAZN, and what a few months we’ve got coming up. I’ve said it time and time again, the zone firmly established as the global home of boxing. Every worthy promoter in the world is now on the platform with the best schedule boxing has ever seen. And for us at Matchroom, what a couple of weeks and months coming up. Saturday, a huge night in Glendale, Arizona. But in two weeks time for me, one of the fights of the year. Another pound-for-pound star on the Matchroom roster, as Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis takes on Xander Zayas for the unified World championship at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn.
“We’ll be announcing another show this weekend for July 18 with one of the most exciting young fighters of the world in Los Angeles, before we head to Jeddah for the return of Anthony Joshua against Kristian Prenga before he hopes to fight Tyson Fury in November later this year. And of course, September 5 already announced, over 80,000 people at Croke Park in Ireland for the final fight of Katie Taylor’s incredible career.
“But now we focus on what is for me one of the cards of the year on Saturday night, live and exclusive on DAZN around the world.”
Antonio Vargas
“I do believe things are going to go in my favor. I’ve trained hard for this fight, and I look forward to proving to the world who I am. I’m just focused on Bam. I know after I beat him, it opens up so many more doors for me. So, I’m tunnel vision right now and I’m just focused, just to get this win and get that out the way and then whatever comes after that comes.
“I’m really excited. I’ve trained my whole life at this moment, and I believe this will be one of many more moments to come. I’m prepared and I want to give the fans a good fight. I’m fighting one of the best fighters in the boxing right now, so I’m really excited to put a good performance on for the fans.”
Jesse Rodriguez
“Always ready to go. Always 100 per cent ready mentally, physically. This is just another step in my career. I’ve been training just as hard as any other fight. I never look past any opponent. I know each opponent is coming to take what I have, but I make sure that doesn’t happen every time I step inside the gym and give 110 per cent and I’m just ready to go out there and give the fans a great fight.
“I’m constantly trying to challenge myself. If it’s not a World title fight, then it really doesn’t interest me, even if it’s just a simple defense, it doesn’t get me going inside the gym. So, when I got the opportunity to fight Antonio Vargas for another World title in another weight division, I was on goal right away. Antonio is an Olympian, he’s a World champion, the fact that I’m able to move up to a new weight class and that be my first fight, it means everything to me. I’m ready to go out there and capture the moment.
“I feel like I haven’t even shown 50 per cent of what I’m capable of, but the tougher the opponent, then the better my performance. Antonio is going to bring out another percentage of Bam Rodriguez, and I can’t wait to go out there and show it. I’m feeling much better at this weight class, much sharper, stronger and faster.
“Just expect another spectacular performance and I’m ready to go out there and make it happen.”
Robert Garcia, Rodriguez’s trainer
“I think Bam is ready to compete at 118lbs, we have to look at Vargas as a great challenge, and we always focus on what’s next for us. We don’t look ahead of time because there is that challenge for us. We have to step take it step by step, there’s so much talk about future fights in new way and all that but for us right now, the most important fight is is is Vargas so we don’t look ahead of time, we want to take our time, we want to make sure he he looks and feels good at 118.
“Bam is incredible. His talent, his discipline, he’s so dedicated to the sport and to what he’s doing that I don’t know how far he can take it. I don’t think we’ve seen the best of Bam yet, the best still to come, and our first step is Vargas on Saturday. We’ll show what Bam can do and from there everybody will see you we’re not making up stories; they will see that Bam is looking better every single time he steps in the ring.”
Arturo Cardenas
“This time I know I’m really well prepared mentally and physically. So, like last fight, I know I have won that fight, but it happens. I’m more than ready for this fight.
“I don’t really care what he always says about me to be honest. I’m more focused on the fight. I’m more focused on winning this fight and I’m just really happy and anxious for this fight. It’s a must, just get him out the way and now looking on the big fights, getting them belts.”
Jordan Martinez
“I feel like I should have took the first fight. He thinks the same, but I’m just here to show that there’s really levels to this.
“There’s more pressure but it doesn’t phase me, because at the end of the day, the bell rings and it’s me and him only. I’m just ready to fight so we could get this out the way and so I can come out victorious and take what was mine in the first place.
“He didn’t win the last fight at all. I beat his ass with just a jab. That’s what I’m saying. I just beat him with a jab. And this time, he thinks he going to knock me out? He ain’t knocking nobody out. I expect him to apply more pressure, but he’s slow as hell. He can’t even touch me.
“It’s a sportsmanship, I know we’re going all out, and this is going to be a war, but we’re taking that belt back home.
“I just got to get him out the way. He ain’t somebody I’m really chasing. He’s just somebody that has to be in my position so I could get to the next level, and that’s all I’m doing, just moving him out my way.”
IBF women's lightweight champion Elif Turhan
“I’m very happy to be here. Discipline is everything on boxing. She’s young, I know this, but we will see how great fighter she is. The World championship fight is my target all the time and I got it, but this is not the final destination, I need other belts.
“Everybody talking about this being an easy fight, I don’t think like this because she’s unbeaten, she’s been fighting six, seven, eight before being 19 years old, I know everything about her. I am not relaxed on this fight like unification fights. When I see her eyes, I can understand she is ready to fight. I must defend my belt with war.”
Gabriela Tellez
“Thank you to Matchroom, DAZN, my promoter, BoxLab, I’m ready for this opportunity. I’m not scared of no challenge. This is a big challenge, but everybody got to take that step, and I feel like I’m ready for that. They see a lot of potential in me. I’ve been working with Jose, I’ve been working with Junior Lopez for years now, they know me for years and they know I’m ready for this for this challenge. I could box, I could fight, I could do it all. I feel like you seen it before and you gonna see it again come Saturday night.”
Adrian Rodriguez
“This is everything to me right now. When you talk about this stage and this opportunity, a victory here and in style in front of 12,000 on Saturday night, I’m excited for this. I’m excited to get down and show the people, you know, who the I am. I want to be there, I want to represent, not just by talking about my actions. I know I’m a good fighter. I know I could take him down easily.”
Elias Terraza
“I want to give a thank you to Eddie Hearn and Kevin Rooney from Matchroom for giving me the opportunity to be on a card like this, I can’t wait for Saturday. I’m super excited. Come Saturday night, you guys can expect a KO from me.
“We’re both local fighters. I really don’t know him and I know he doesn’t know me, we’re both from different rival promoters, so I think that’s going to be a big play coming into the fight, seeing who is the better fighter from which promotion, come Saturday night, you guys going to see who who’s going to get the knockout and for sure it’s going to be me.”
|
Evelin Bermudez to defend her titles this weekend |
|
Argentina's Evelin “La Princesita” Bermúdez will defend her WBA / WBA / WBO light flyweight championships this Saturday at the Caribe Royale in Orlando, where she will face dangerous Mexican Estefany Alegría (14-1) in a matchup fueled by the longstanding boxing rivalry between Argentina and Mexico. Bermúdez (22-1-1) enters the bout backed by extensive championship experience and a skill set that has made her one of the division’s standout fighters. The Argentine titleholder possesses excellent hand speed, a sharp left jab, and the footwork necessary to dictate distance and tempo throughout a fight. “La Princesita” understands that the key to retaining her black-and-gold belt will be maintaining her composure, boxing laterally, and countering with precision whenever Alegría attempts to close the gap.
Alegría, meanwhile, arrives with plenty of ambition and the warrior mentality that has long defined Mexican boxing. A physically strong and durable competitor, she thrives on constant pressure and rarely gives her opponents a moment to breathe.
From the opening round, the challenger is expected to press forward aggressively, cut off the ring, and force Bermúdez into exchanges at close range. Alegría’s strategy will likely focus on attacking the body early in an effort to reduce the champion’s mobility as the fight moves into the second half. The key to the fight will be who succeeds in imposing the pace. If Bermúdez can control the action from long range, manage the timing, and consistently make her opponent miss, she will put herself in a strong position to retain her title on the scorecards. However, if Alegría is able to break through the Argentine’s defense and land her heavier shots on the inside, the possibility of a new champion emerging at 108 pounds becomes very real.
PRIOR BOXINGTALK COVERAGE
SEPT. 26, 2025: Evelin “La Princesita” Bermúdez (22-1-1, 8 KOs) proved why she’s at the very top of women’s boxing, adding the WBA light flyweight championship to the WBO and IBF versions already in her possession with a stunning first-round TKO over Sara Bailey (6-1, 0 KOs) last weekend at the Hard Rock Casino in Ottawa. From the opening bell, the Argentinean wasted no time. Bermúdez unleashed a blistering combination that left Bailey unable to respond. At just 1:47 of the round, a straight right hand crashed cleanly to Bailey’s face, sending her to the canvas and forcing the referee to step in immediately, waving off the contest in the face of Bermúdez’s clear dominance. The emphatic finish not only reaffirmed Bermúdez’s offensive firepower but also increased her status to that of a three-belt champion. Bailey, previously known as Sara Haghighat-Joo, was overwhelmed by the pace and firepower of “La Princesita.” The loss drops her to 6-1.
|
|
|
|
Evelin Bermudez to defend her titles this weekend
Argentina's Evelin “La Princesita” Bermúdez will defend her WBA / WBA / WBO light flyweight championships this Saturday at the Caribe Royale in Orlando, where she will face dangerous Mexican Estefany Alegría (14-1) in a matchup fueled by the longstanding boxing rivalry between Argentina and Mexico. Bermúdez (22-1-1) enters the bout backed by extensive championship experience and a skill set that has made her one of the division’s standout fighters. The Argentine titleholder possesses excellent hand speed, a sharp left jab, and the footwork necessary to dictate distance and tempo throughout a fight. “La Princesita” understands that the key to retaining her black-and-gold belt will be maintaining her composure, boxing laterally, and countering with precision whenever Alegría attempts to close the gap.
Alegría, meanwhile, arrives with plenty of ambition and the warrior mentality that has long defined Mexican boxing. A physically strong and durable competitor, she thrives on constant pressure and rarely gives her opponents a moment to breathe.
From the opening round, the challenger is expected to press forward aggressively, cut off the ring, and force Bermúdez into exchanges at close range. Alegría’s strategy will likely focus on attacking the body early in an effort to reduce the champion’s mobility as the fight moves into the second half. The key to the fight will be who succeeds in imposing the pace. If Bermúdez can control the action from long range, manage the timing, and consistently make her opponent miss, she will put herself in a strong position to retain her title on the scorecards. However, if Alegría is able to break through the Argentine’s defense and land her heavier shots on the inside, the possibility of a new champion emerging at 108 pounds becomes very real.
PRIOR BOXINGTALK COVERAGE
SEPT. 26, 2025: Evelin “La Princesita” Bermúdez (22-1-1, 8 KOs) proved why she’s at the very top of women’s boxing, adding the WBA light flyweight championship to the WBO and IBF versions already in her possession with a stunning first-round TKO over Sara Bailey (6-1, 0 KOs) last weekend at the Hard Rock Casino in Ottawa. From the opening bell, the Argentinean wasted no time. Bermúdez unleashed a blistering combination that left Bailey unable to respond. At just 1:47 of the round, a straight right hand crashed cleanly to Bailey’s face, sending her to the canvas and forcing the referee to step in immediately, waving off the contest in the face of Bermúdez’s clear dominance. The emphatic finish not only reaffirmed Bermúdez’s offensive firepower but also increased her status to that of a three-belt champion. Bailey, previously known as Sara Haghighat-Joo, was overwhelmed by the pace and firepower of “La Princesita.” The loss drops her to 6-1.
|
Featherweights headline at Turning Stone |
|
Featherweight boxing comes to the Turning Stone Resort Casino in New York this Friday night as Vic Pasillas and Ryan Lee Allen square off at 126 pounds. In the chief support, Kenmon Evans and Zachary Randolph will clash at cruiserweight. Pasillas is 18-1 overall, and 2-0 since a three-year layoff. He will take on Allen (12-9-1). A southpaw with an eye-catching style, Pasillas has logged valuable experience on major fight cards and is known for his upright stance, sharp combinations, and polished technical skills. Allen enters the matchup coming off a loss but in excellent physical condition. He brings an aggressive, pressure-heavy approach to the ring. The key question in this contest will be whether Pasillas can capitalize on his experience and counterpunch effectively, or if Allen can overwhelm him with relentless pressure at close range.
In the cruiserweight contest, Evans and Randolph have similar career records, though Evans is on a better run right now. Evans (14-4-1) is known for his tremendous physical strength, disciplined fundamentals, and a devastating right hand capable of ending a fight at any moment. He has built a reputation as a dangerous puncher who rarely needs the scorecards. Across the ring, Randolph (14-3-1) presents a difficult challenge. A skilled and durable boxer, he excels at controlling range behind an effective jab and possesses the tactical discipline necessary to frustrate aggressive opponents. The matchup shapes up as a classic battle between knockout power and technical precision. In a fight where both men possess the tools to take control, a single defensive mistake could prove decisive.
|
|
|
|
Featherweights headline at Turning Stone
Featherweight boxing comes to the Turning Stone Resort Casino in New York this Friday night as Vic Pasillas and Ryan Lee Allen square off at 126 pounds. In the chief support, Kenmon Evans and Zachary Randolph will clash at cruiserweight. Pasillas is 18-1 overall, and 2-0 since a three-year layoff. He will take on Allen (12-9-1). A southpaw with an eye-catching style, Pasillas has logged valuable experience on major fight cards and is known for his upright stance, sharp combinations, and polished technical skills. Allen enters the matchup coming off a loss but in excellent physical condition. He brings an aggressive, pressure-heavy approach to the ring. The key question in this contest will be whether Pasillas can capitalize on his experience and counterpunch effectively, or if Allen can overwhelm him with relentless pressure at close range.
In the cruiserweight contest, Evans and Randolph have similar career records, though Evans is on a better run right now. Evans (14-4-1) is known for his tremendous physical strength, disciplined fundamentals, and a devastating right hand capable of ending a fight at any moment. He has built a reputation as a dangerous puncher who rarely needs the scorecards. Across the ring, Randolph (14-3-1) presents a difficult challenge. A skilled and durable boxer, he excels at controlling range behind an effective jab and possesses the tactical discipline necessary to frustrate aggressive opponents. The matchup shapes up as a classic battle between knockout power and technical precision. In a fight where both men possess the tools to take control, a single defensive mistake could prove decisive.
|
Tonight: Spence vs. Cornejo rematch |
|
Today (June 12th), Yakama Legends Casino in Toppenish, Washington will host a middleweight rematch between Canada's Natasha Spence and American veteran Maricela Cornejo. Spence (10-8-2) enters the ring on a two-fight win streak determined to impose her physical strength. The Canadian is known for her forward pressure, preferring to work at mid-range while delivering powerful punches. Standing across the ring will be Cornejo (19-8), whose extensive experience on boxing’s biggest stages remains one of her greatest assets. The Washington native is a tall, technical boxer with an excellent reach, allowing her to dictate the pace from long distance. She has lost two straight including a six-round encounter vs. Spence last year, a result that she will be looking to reverse.
|
|
|
|
Tonight: Spence vs. Cornejo rematch
Today (June 12th), Yakama Legends Casino in Toppenish, Washington will host a middleweight rematch between Canada's Natasha Spence and American veteran Maricela Cornejo. Spence (10-8-2) enters the ring on a two-fight win streak determined to impose her physical strength. The Canadian is known for her forward pressure, preferring to work at mid-range while delivering powerful punches. Standing across the ring will be Cornejo (19-8), whose extensive experience on boxing’s biggest stages remains one of her greatest assets. The Washington native is a tall, technical boxer with an excellent reach, allowing her to dictate the pace from long distance. She has lost two straight including a six-round encounter vs. Spence last year, a result that she will be looking to reverse.
|