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December 21, 2024

Former champ Thierry Jacob passes away at 59
LThe WBC announced the passing of the former 122-pound champion Thierry Jacob at the age of 59 due to cancer. From France. Jacob won the WBC super bantamweight title in 1992, defeating Mexico’s Daniel Zaragoza. He turned professional in 1984, retiring a decade later with a record of 39-6, losing his WBC title in his first defense against American Tracy Harris Patterson in New York. Boxingtalk joins the WBC in sending condolences to the family and friends of Thierry Jacob
	Former champ Thierry Jacob passes away at 59 LThe WBC announced the passing of the former 122-pound champion Thierry Jacob at the age of 59 due to cancer. From France. Jacob won the WBC super bantamweight title in 1992, defeating Mexico’s Daniel Zaragoza. He turned professional in 1984, retiring a decade later with a record of 39-6, losing his WBC title in his first defense against American Tracy Harris Patterson in New York. Boxingtalk joins the WBC in sending condolences to the family and friends of Thierry Jacob

December 21, 2024

Results from Riyadh: Fisher edges Allen
Johnny Fisher W10 Dave Allen... In a battle of two British heavyweights, held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Johnny “The Romford Bull” Fisher edged Dave Allen via split decision. Allen knocked down Fisher once but after ten rounds, the official scores were 95-94 Fisher (twice) and 96-93 Allen.
	Results from Riyadh: Fisher edges Allen Johnny Fisher W10 Dave Allen... In a battle of two British heavyweights, held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Johnny “The Romford Bull” Fisher edged Dave Allen via split decision. Allen knocked down Fisher once but after ten rounds, the official scores were 95-94 Fisher (twice) and 96-93 Allen.

By Michael Borao, Jr. | December 21, 2024

Boxingtalk’s predictions
Here are Boxingtalk's predictions for Saturday's fights in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia: Oleksandr Usyk (22-0) vs. Tyson Fury (34-1-1) II (WBC, WBA, & WBO heavyweight titles) … prediction: Usyk by decision; Serhii Bohachuk (24-2) vs. Ishmael Davies (13-1) (super welterweights) … prediction: Bohachuk by mid to late knockout; Peter McGrail (10-1) vs. Rhys Edwards (16-0) (featherweights) … prediction: McGrail by decision; Isaac Lowe (25-2-3) vs. Lee McGregor (14-1-1) ( featherweights) … prediction: McGregor by decision; Moses Itauma (10-0) vs. Demsey McKean (22-1) (heavyweights) … prediction: Itauma by early to mid-round knockout; and Johnny Fisher (12-0) vs. David Allen (23-6-2) (heavyweights) … prediction: Fisher by mid to late knockout.
	Boxingtalk’s predictions Here are Boxingtalk's predictions for Saturday's fights in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia: Oleksandr Usyk (22-0) vs. Tyson Fury (34-1-1) II (WBC, WBA, & WBO heavyweight titles) … prediction: Usyk by decision; Serhii Bohachuk (24-2) vs. Ishmael Davies (13-1) (super welterweights) … prediction: Bohachuk by mid to late knockout; Peter McGrail (10-1) vs. Rhys Edwards (16-0) (featherweights) … prediction: McGrail by decision; Isaac Lowe (25-2-3) vs. Lee McGregor (14-1-1) ( featherweights) … prediction: McGregor by decision; Moses Itauma (10-0) vs. Demsey McKean (22-1) (heavyweights) … prediction: Itauma by early to mid-round knockout; and Johnny Fisher (12-0) vs. David Allen (23-6-2) (heavyweights) … prediction: Fisher by mid to late knockout.

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December 19, 2024

Lopez calls Norman a ducker
WBO 140-pound champion Teofimo Lopez called out WBO 147-pound champion Brian Norman for avoiding big fights. Lopez tweeted, “You didn’t want to fight Boots Ennis when you had the chance. All because of money. I fought Vasiliy Lomachenko, the #1 pound for pound [fighter at the time] and returned home with less than $500K. You do not believe in yourself and that’s all a fighter needs to win… but hey, good luck on your tuneup Brian Norman.”
	Lopez calls Norman a ducker WBO 140-pound champion Teofimo Lopez called out WBO 147-pound champion Brian Norman for avoiding big fights. Lopez tweeted, “You didn’t want to fight Boots Ennis when you had the chance. All because of money. I fought Vasiliy Lomachenko, the #1 pound for pound [fighter at the time] and returned home with less than $500K. You do not believe in yourself and that’s all a fighter needs to win… but hey, good luck on your tuneup Brian Norman.”

Source: DAZN | December 19, 2024

Could there be an Usyk vs. Fury III?
Fight week is underway ahead at Riyadh Season's Reignited, live on DAZN pay-per-view, as Oleksandr Usyk and Tyson Fury prepare to go head-to-head for a second time. Seven months after Usyk bested the "Gypsy King" at the Kingdom Arena, the pair face off once again. While the boxing world anticipates the events of Saturday's showdown inside the ring, there is plenty of discussion over what the future holds for both fighters afterwards. In the build-up, Fury has made no secret that a win for himself would set up a likely trilogy fight and Frank Warren has clarified there is indeed a clause for a third fight. However, the Queensberry Promotions veteran did point out one factor which could stop this huge contest from happening if his man does indeed leave Riyadh triumphant. "It’s contracted, and whatever happens," the promoter told Boxing News. "That will be the case if Tyson wins, providing nobody retires." If Fury does emerge victorious and another bout with Usyk follows, it will be the third trilogy of his career, having fought both Deontay Wilder and Derek Chisora three times prior. The "Gypsy King" is unbeaten across those six fights, having drawn his first clash with the "Bronze Bomber" and won all other encounters.
	Could there be an Usyk vs. Fury III? Fight week is underway ahead at Riyadh Season's Reignited, live on DAZN pay-per-view, as Oleksandr Usyk and Tyson Fury prepare to go head-to-head for a second time. Seven months after Usyk bested the "Gypsy King" at the Kingdom Arena, the pair face off once again. While the boxing world anticipates the events of Saturday's showdown inside the ring, there is plenty of discussion over what the future holds for both fighters afterwards. In the build-up, Fury has made no secret that a win for himself would set up a likely trilogy fight and Frank Warren has clarified there is indeed a clause for a third fight. However, the Queensberry Promotions veteran did point out one factor which could stop this huge contest from happening if his man does indeed leave Riyadh triumphant. "It’s contracted, and whatever happens," the promoter told Boxing News. "That will be the case if Tyson wins, providing nobody retires." If Fury does emerge victorious and another bout with Usyk follows, it will be the third trilogy of his career, having fought both Deontay Wilder and Derek Chisora three times prior. The "Gypsy King" is unbeaten across those six fights, having drawn his first clash with the "Bronze Bomber" and won all other encounters.

Source: Boxxer | December 19, 2024

Jonas vs. Price unification announced
Boxxer announced a historic all-women’s world championship boxing event on Friday, March 7th at the iconic Royal Albert Hall in London. Headlined by an all-British world title unification bout, this landmark event will be broadcast live by Sky Sports and takes place as a curtain-raiser to the International Women’s Day 2025 global campaign the following day. The event will be headlined by an epic world welterweight division unification match-up between Liverpool’s new WBC and IBF champion, Natasha Jonas (pictured, 16-2-1, 9 KOs) and Cardiff’s Lauren Price (8-0, 2 KOs). Price successfully defended her WBA and IBO championships for the first time on Saturday night in Liverpool with a stoppage victory over the previously unbeaten Bexcy Mateus. Jonas added the WBC title to her IBF belt, becoming a two-weight unified champion, in her hometown headline fight against Ivana Habazin. A pioneer in women’s boxing, Jonas was the first woman to represent Great Britain in the ring when she competed at the 2012 Olympic Games in London, while Price wrote her name in the record books at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games becoming the first Welsh boxer to win Olympic gold and only the second ever female boxer from Great Britain. Tickets for Unstoppable at the Royal Albert Hall will go on pre-sale from Friday, 27th December at 10am. Fans can sign-up now for an exclusive pre-sale at Boxxer.com. More fights featuring some of the biggest names in women’s boxing will be announced soon. Unstoppable will be aired live by Sky Sports in the UK and Ireland, Peacock in the USA, and in more than 150 countries around the world. Natasha Jonas “It’s an honour to be headlining this incredible all-women’s event at such an iconic venue. It shows how far women’s boxing has come. Throughout my career, I have broken down barriers and achieved what people said I couldn’t, and there is still a lot more to come. Lauren Price has a lot of hype around her but I believe this fight is going to be a step too far for her. I’ve been in big fights, I’ve fought world champions and Olympic medallists, but she’s never faced anyone like me as a pro.” Lauren Price “I’m excited to headline such a huge occasion. I have a lot of respect for Natasha Jonas and what she has achieved in the sport, but she has the belts that I want. When I turned professional after becoming Olympic champion, I wanted to create greatness. This fight, a big all-British unification clash, Wales vs England with five world titles on the line, will help cement my legacy and show that I am number one in the division. I believe I’m too young, too quick and too good for Natasha Jonas and I will be bringing the belts back home to Wales with me.” Ben Shalom “This is a game-changing event on every level. At the very top of the show are two fantastic champions and role models, Natasha Jonas and Lauren Price, who have the chance to win it all in a massive unification fight. Fans will get to see many more of the world’s best boxers competing in career defining fights in one of the world’s most iconic venues, the Royal Albert Hall. This will be a stand out event for women’s sport at the highest level and we are also proud to be working with International Women’s Day 2025 to take positive action.” Jo Osborne, Head of Women’s Sport, Sky Sports, said: “The Unstoppable event is another incredible milestone for women’s boxing and sport as a whole. With champions like Natasha Jonas and Lauren Price headlining at the iconic Royal Albert Hall, it promises to be an unforgettable night of world-class action that we are proud to showcase to fans. We have been dedicated to investing in and elevating women’s sport for three decades, with moments like this always fantastic to be a part of.” Outside the ring, Boxxer are working with International Women’s Day 2025, which takes place the day after the event on Saturday, 8th March, to support IWD’s worldwide ‘Accelerate Action’ campaign and the call to increase the pace and urgency of achieving gender equality. Boxxer will be implementing a range of initiatives in the lead-up to the Unstoppable event that positively address gender equality matters in and around the sport. Further information on those initiatives will be announced in due course. Glenda Slingsby, Partnerships Director, International Women’s Day, said: “We believe the Unstoppable event provides an excellent opportunity to shine a light on women’s equality in sport, celebrate women athletes, and highlight both gains and challenges for women’s advancement. It presents a great collaboration with aligned aims as we mark International Women’s Day on Saturday, 8th March following the event.” Sky Sports and Boxxer have already made history together in women’s boxing with the Legacy event in October 2022. American superstar and two-time Olympic Gold medallist Claressa Shields became the first fighter in history to be crowned an undisputed champion in three different occasions when she defeated the UK’s Savannah Marshall with a unanimous points victory in front of a sold-out arena at The O2. The all-women card attracted a TV audience of more than two million in the UK and Ireland and capacity crowd of more than 20,000 – including an unprecedented 35% female fans – and is the most watched women’s sport event of all-time on Sky. This event is presented in association with official partners Betfred, That Prize Guy, Riyadh Season, Car Finance 247 and IFX Payment
	Jonas vs. Price unification announced Boxxer announced a historic all-women’s world championship boxing event on Friday, March 7th at the iconic Royal Albert Hall in London. Headlined by an all-British world title unification bout, this landmark event will be broadcast live by Sky Sports and takes place as a curtain-raiser to the International Women’s Day 2025 global campaign the following day. The event will be headlined by an epic world welterweight division unification match-up between Liverpool’s new WBC and IBF champion, Natasha Jonas (pictured, 16-2-1, 9 KOs) and Cardiff’s Lauren Price (8-0, 2 KOs). Price successfully defended her WBA and IBO championships for the first time on Saturday night in Liverpool with a stoppage victory over the previously unbeaten Bexcy Mateus. Jonas added the WBC title to her IBF belt, becoming a two-weight unified champion, in her hometown headline fight against Ivana Habazin. A pioneer in women’s boxing, Jonas was the first woman to represent Great Britain in the ring when she competed at the 2012 Olympic Games in London, while Price wrote her name in the record books at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games becoming the first Welsh boxer to win Olympic gold and only the second ever female boxer from Great Britain. Tickets for Unstoppable at the Royal Albert Hall will go on pre-sale from Friday, 27th December at 10am. Fans can sign-up now for an exclusive pre-sale at Boxxer.com. More fights featuring some of the biggest names in women’s boxing will be announced soon. Unstoppable will be aired live by Sky Sports in the UK and Ireland, Peacock in the USA, and in more than 150 countries around the world. Natasha Jonas “It’s an honour to be headlining this incredible all-women’s event at such an iconic venue. It shows how far women’s boxing has come. Throughout my career, I have broken down barriers and achieved what people said I couldn’t, and there is still a lot more to come. Lauren Price has a lot of hype around her but I believe this fight is going to be a step too far for her. I’ve been in big fights, I’ve fought world champions and Olympic medallists, but she’s never faced anyone like me as a pro.” Lauren Price “I’m excited to headline such a huge occasion. I have a lot of respect for Natasha Jonas and what she has achieved in the sport, but she has the belts that I want. When I turned professional after becoming Olympic champion, I wanted to create greatness. This fight, a big all-British unification clash, Wales vs England with five world titles on the line, will help cement my legacy and show that I am number one in the division. I believe I’m too young, too quick and too good for Natasha Jonas and I will be bringing the belts back home to Wales with me.” Ben Shalom “This is a game-changing event on every level. At the very top of the show are two fantastic champions and role models, Natasha Jonas and Lauren Price, who have the chance to win it all in a massive unification fight. Fans will get to see many more of the world’s best boxers competing in career defining fights in one of the world’s most iconic venues, the Royal Albert Hall. This will be a stand out event for women’s sport at the highest level and we are also proud to be working with International Women’s Day 2025 to take positive action.” Jo Osborne, Head of Women’s Sport, Sky Sports, said: “The Unstoppable event is another incredible milestone for women’s boxing and sport as a whole. With champions like Natasha Jonas and Lauren Price headlining at the iconic Royal Albert Hall, it promises to be an unforgettable night of world-class action that we are proud to showcase to fans. We have been dedicated to investing in and elevating women’s sport for three decades, with moments like this always fantastic to be a part of.” Outside the ring, Boxxer are working with International Women’s Day 2025, which takes place the day after the event on Saturday, 8th March, to support IWD’s worldwide ‘Accelerate Action’ campaign and the call to increase the pace and urgency of achieving gender equality. Boxxer will be implementing a range of initiatives in the lead-up to the Unstoppable event that positively address gender equality matters in and around the sport. Further information on those initiatives will be announced in due course. Glenda Slingsby, Partnerships Director, International Women’s Day, said: “We believe the Unstoppable event provides an excellent opportunity to shine a light on women’s equality in sport, celebrate women athletes, and highlight both gains and challenges for women’s advancement. It presents a great collaboration with aligned aims as we mark International Women’s Day on Saturday, 8th March following the event.” Sky Sports and Boxxer have already made history together in women’s boxing with the Legacy event in October 2022. American superstar and two-time Olympic Gold medallist Claressa Shields became the first fighter in history to be crowned an undisputed champion in three different occasions when she defeated the UK’s Savannah Marshall with a unanimous points victory in front of a sold-out arena at The O2. The all-women card attracted a TV audience of more than two million in the UK and Ireland and capacity crowd of more than 20,000 – including an unprecedented 35% female fans – and is the most watched women’s sport event of all-time on Sky. This event is presented in association with official partners Betfred, That Prize Guy, Riyadh Season, Car Finance 247 and IFX Payment

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Source: Boxing Insider | December 19, 2024

Andy Dominguez gets the win in NYC
Andy Dominguez W8 Angel Meza Morales... Boxing Insider Promotions presented a show in New York City's Sony Hall, streamed live on DAZN from historic Times Square. The main event between Mexican flyweight Andy Dominguez (12-1), a three-time New York Golden Gloves Champion fighting out of the South Bronx, and his Mexican opponent, Angel “Geovanny “Rayito” Meza Morales (8-3-3, 6 KOs), was an old-fashioned barnburner in which Dominguez overcame a knockdown in the third round to win the fight. Dominguez clearly won the first two rounds, but the knockdown evened the fight going into the fourth, in which a confident Morales picked up the pace. Dominguez established command in sixth round and kept control through the remainder of the bout for an eight-round unanimous decision ADDITIONAL RESULTS NYPD officer Nisa Rodriguez (3-0, 1 KO) registered the best knockout of her pro career so far with a second-round stoppage of middleweight Melody Popravak (2-2-1, 1 KO). Rodriguez rocked Popravak with 30 seconds remaining in the opening round, continuing with a barrage of punches until the bell. Popravak never recovered and Rodriguez, who fights out of Manhattan, battered her with crisp combinations until the fight was halted at the 52-second mark. Popular Manhattan middleweight Jacob Solis (5-0-1, 5 KOs) fought a four-round split draw with late replacement Daniel Jefferson (5-3-1, 0 KOs). Unlike his original opponent, Solis fought a southpaw, and he never found his rhythm. Solis unsuccessfully went for the knockout in the final round, firing overhand rights that never round their mark. Promoter Goldberg announced after the fight that the Solis and Jefferson would fight in a rematch, only in a six-rounder, on February 20th. Super middleweight Donte Layne (6-0, 6 KOs), 21, kept cruising as he stopped Pachino Hill (8-8-2, 6 KOs) in the fourth round. Fighting out of Long Island, celebrated U.S. amateur boxer Layne made it a perfect 6-for-6 (6 KOs in 6 pro fights), dropping Hill with a damaging body shot in the third, followed in the fourth with a right hook that sent Hill to the canvas once again. Layne jumped on his woozy opponent, throwing an assortment of unanswered punches that forced Hill to take a knee, and the referee immediately waved off the fight. Lightweight Terell Bostic (14-2, 2 KOs), despite injuring his right hand during the fight, nearly pitched a “shutout” enroute to a one-sided eight-round unanimous decision over upset-minded Carlos Marrero (8-10-3, 1 KO). Bostic won all eight rounds on two of the three judges’ scorecards, displaying great conditioning and punching from the pocket. In the opening bout of the evening, Brooklyn lightweight Koby Khalil Williams (4-0, 3 KOs) only needed less than half of the first round to finish off Deonta Williamson (0-3), connecting with hooks from various angles to floor an overwhelmed Williamson for a technical knockout. “There is no place like New York City for boxing,” said promoter Larry Goldberg, the 2024 New York State Promoter of the Year (NYSBHOF). “It has the greatest vibe of anywhere in the world with great fans, as tough as nails, and the strongest regulations in the sport. It’s been a real privilege to promote our 10th professional boxing event in Times Square since 2022 and our third fight in a row on DAZN. We are making our return to New York City on Thursday night, February 20th, and will be announcing details shortly.”
	Andy Dominguez gets the win in NYC Andy Dominguez W8 Angel Meza Morales... Boxing Insider Promotions presented a show in New York City's Sony Hall, streamed live on DAZN from historic Times Square. The main event between Mexican flyweight Andy Dominguez (12-1), a three-time New York Golden Gloves Champion fighting out of the South Bronx, and his Mexican opponent, Angel “Geovanny “Rayito” Meza Morales (8-3-3, 6 KOs), was an old-fashioned barnburner in which Dominguez overcame a knockdown in the third round to win the fight. Dominguez clearly won the first two rounds, but the knockdown evened the fight going into the fourth, in which a confident Morales picked up the pace. Dominguez established command in sixth round and kept control through the remainder of the bout for an eight-round unanimous decision ADDITIONAL RESULTS NYPD officer Nisa Rodriguez (3-0, 1 KO) registered the best knockout of her pro career so far with a second-round stoppage of middleweight Melody Popravak (2-2-1, 1 KO). Rodriguez rocked Popravak with 30 seconds remaining in the opening round, continuing with a barrage of punches until the bell. Popravak never recovered and Rodriguez, who fights out of Manhattan, battered her with crisp combinations until the fight was halted at the 52-second mark. Popular Manhattan middleweight Jacob Solis (5-0-1, 5 KOs) fought a four-round split draw with late replacement Daniel Jefferson (5-3-1, 0 KOs). Unlike his original opponent, Solis fought a southpaw, and he never found his rhythm. Solis unsuccessfully went for the knockout in the final round, firing overhand rights that never round their mark. Promoter Goldberg announced after the fight that the Solis and Jefferson would fight in a rematch, only in a six-rounder, on February 20th. Super middleweight Donte Layne (6-0, 6 KOs), 21, kept cruising as he stopped Pachino Hill (8-8-2, 6 KOs) in the fourth round. Fighting out of Long Island, celebrated U.S. amateur boxer Layne made it a perfect 6-for-6 (6 KOs in 6 pro fights), dropping Hill with a damaging body shot in the third, followed in the fourth with a right hook that sent Hill to the canvas once again. Layne jumped on his woozy opponent, throwing an assortment of unanswered punches that forced Hill to take a knee, and the referee immediately waved off the fight. Lightweight Terell Bostic (14-2, 2 KOs), despite injuring his right hand during the fight, nearly pitched a “shutout” enroute to a one-sided eight-round unanimous decision over upset-minded Carlos Marrero (8-10-3, 1 KO). Bostic won all eight rounds on two of the three judges’ scorecards, displaying great conditioning and punching from the pocket. In the opening bout of the evening, Brooklyn lightweight Koby Khalil Williams (4-0, 3 KOs) only needed less than half of the first round to finish off Deonta Williamson (0-3), connecting with hooks from various angles to floor an overwhelmed Williamson for a technical knockout. “There is no place like New York City for boxing,” said promoter Larry Goldberg, the 2024 New York State Promoter of the Year (NYSBHOF). “It has the greatest vibe of anywhere in the world with great fans, as tough as nails, and the strongest regulations in the sport. It’s been a real privilege to promote our 10th professional boxing event in Times Square since 2022 and our third fight in a row on DAZN. We are making our return to New York City on Thursday night, February 20th, and will be announcing details shortly.”

Source: DAZN | December 19, 2024

Results from Riyadh
Chris Kongo W6 John Henry Mosquera... Oleksandr Usyk vs. Tyson Fury II doesn't happen for a few more days, but the action has already begun in the ring in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia as five fights took place on Wednesday. Headlined by Chris Kongo's points victory over John Henry Mosquera (5-21-1) of Colombia. Wednesday's event served to whet the appetites of boxing fans ahead of Saturday's massive card. Kongo, in action for the third time this year, improved to 17-2 after topping Mosquera in a six-round junior middleweight bout. The 31 year-old Kongo was in control from the opening bell, keeping his opponent moving throughout the fight. Kongo never seemed troubled by his Colombian opponent, and in the fourth round the Briton inflicted a cut over Mosquera's right eye that could have spelled doom for the 22-year-old, but Mosquera dealt with the laceration well despite being second-best from beginning to end. The fight ultimately went the distance despite Mosquera's injury, and Kongo had his hand raised by referee Bob Williams, who scored the bout 60-54 in favor of the victor. ADDITIONAL RESULTS Aadam Hamed def. Jesus Gonzalez by TKO; Abdullah Darkazanly def. Jose Aguirre on points (40-36); Levi Barnes def. Ramiro Garcia Lopez on points (40-36); and Luke Bibby def. Jordan Ellison on points (59-55).
	Results from Riyadh Chris Kongo W6 John Henry Mosquera... Oleksandr Usyk vs. Tyson Fury II doesn't happen for a few more days, but the action has already begun in the ring in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia as five fights took place on Wednesday. Headlined by Chris Kongo's points victory over John Henry Mosquera (5-21-1) of Colombia. Wednesday's event served to whet the appetites of boxing fans ahead of Saturday's massive card. Kongo, in action for the third time this year, improved to 17-2 after topping Mosquera in a six-round junior middleweight bout. The 31 year-old Kongo was in control from the opening bell, keeping his opponent moving throughout the fight. Kongo never seemed troubled by his Colombian opponent, and in the fourth round the Briton inflicted a cut over Mosquera's right eye that could have spelled doom for the 22-year-old, but Mosquera dealt with the laceration well despite being second-best from beginning to end. The fight ultimately went the distance despite Mosquera's injury, and Kongo had his hand raised by referee Bob Williams, who scored the bout 60-54 in favor of the victor. ADDITIONAL RESULTS Aadam Hamed def. Jesus Gonzalez by TKO; Abdullah Darkazanly def. Jose Aguirre on points (40-36); Levi Barnes def. Ramiro Garcia Lopez on points (40-36); and Luke Bibby def. Jordan Ellison on points (59-55).

By Scott Shaffer | December 18, 2024

Barboza vs. Caterall in negotiations
A very interesting junior welterweight bout is being negotiated between undefeated Arnold Barboza Jr. and Jack Caterall. The WBO has ordered the two to fight in an eliminator, and while no deal has yet been reached, the boxers' reprepsentatives seem to be working on it in earnest. WBO president Gustavo Oliveri tweeted "Golden Boy Boxing [Barboza's promoter] and Matchroom Boxing [Caterall's promoter] jointly requested an extension for the negotiations deadline. The teams have until December 27th to reach a deal or purse bids will be ordered." Barboza tweeted, "No one is ducking you Jack, there is literally nothing to be scared of. I would have signed my end already as well if we were fighting in the United States and everything was in my favor. We are negotiating." Both men performed well in their last fight. Barboza (31-0) defeated former champion Jose Carlos Ramirez in November, while Caterall (30-1 and arguably an uncrowned champion based on the bad decision he got against then-champion Josh Taylor) defeated former champion Regis Prograis in October.
	Barboza vs. Caterall in negotiations A very interesting junior welterweight bout is being negotiated between undefeated Arnold Barboza Jr. and Jack Caterall. The WBO has ordered the two to fight in an eliminator, and while no deal has yet been reached, the boxers' reprepsentatives seem to be working on it in earnest. WBO president Gustavo Oliveri tweeted "Golden Boy Boxing [Barboza's promoter] and Matchroom Boxing [Caterall's promoter] jointly requested an extension for the negotiations deadline. The teams have until December 27th to reach a deal or purse bids will be ordered." Barboza tweeted, "No one is ducking you Jack, there is literally nothing to be scared of. I would have signed my end already as well if we were fighting in the United States and everything was in my favor. We are negotiating." Both men performed well in their last fight. Barboza (31-0) defeated former champion Jose Carlos Ramirez in November, while Caterall (30-1 and arguably an uncrowned champion based on the bad decision he got against then-champion Josh Taylor) defeated former champion Regis Prograis in October.

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Aritifical Intelligence to serve as unofficial judge for Usyk vs. Fury II

December 18, 2024

Aritifical Intelligence to serve as unofficial judge for Usyk vs. Fury II
Turki Alalshikh (pictured), the chairman of the General Entertainment Authority of Saudi Arabia, tweeted: "For the first time ever, an Artificial Intelligence-powered judge will monitor the fight, free from bias and human error... This groundbreaking experiment, which won’t impact the official results, debuts during the biggest fight of the century, [the world heavyweight championship fight, Oleksandr Usyk vs. Tyson Fury II on December 21st [in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia]."
	Aritifical Intelligence to serve as unofficial judge for Usyk vs. Fury II Turki Alalshikh (pictured), the chairman of the General Entertainment Authority of Saudi Arabia, tweeted: "For the first time ever, an Artificial Intelligence-powered judge will monitor the fight, free from bias and human error... This groundbreaking experiment, which won’t impact the official results, debuts during the biggest fight of the century, [the world heavyweight championship fight, Oleksandr Usyk vs. Tyson Fury II on December 21st [in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia]."

Press Release | December 18, 2024

Benavidez: "I'm gonna break Morrell's mouth"
Light heavyweight stars David “El Monstro” Benavidez and David Morrell Jr. continued their heated rivalry at a media workout in Miami on Tuesday, nearly coming to blows during their face-off before ultimately being separated by their respective teams. They will meet in the ring for Benavidez’s interim WBC title and Morrell’s WBA regular title on a PBC pay-per-view event on Prime Video taking place Saturday, February 1st at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. The showdown between Benavidez and Morrell pits two of the sports’ most exciting fighters against each other in the primes of their career, with the winner establishing himself as the future of the light heavyweight division. After a heated press conference in Los Angeles last month, the two combatants again expressed their mutual distaste for each other throughout Tuesday’s event. Tickets for the live event are on sale now through AXS.com. The pay-per-view lineup features WBC featherweight champion Brandon “The Heartbreaker” Figueroa and former unified super bantamweight champion Stephen Fulton Jr.; former 140-pound champion Isaac “Pitbull” Cruz against Angel Fierro in an all-Mexican attraction; and Jesus “Mono” Ramos Jr. and former unified champion Jeison Rosario squaring off in the pay-per-view opener at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT. Here is what the fighters had to say Tuesday from BOXR Gym in Miami: DAVID BENAVIDEZ “I don’t care about his trash talk. I’m ready for February 1st. I’m super focused on one objective, and that’s inflicting damage on David Morrell. I’m coming for the knockout. “This is all more fuel to the flame to go in there and do what I have to do. Now I’m really gonna put a beating on him. “This guy is trying to act hard. It is what it is. On February 1st, none of this matters. I’m gonna break his mouth. “I got the experience, I got the belt and I got everything I need. It’s good he’s got the Cubans with him today, because when he gets knocked out, they’re all gonna leave him. “He better do what he says he’s gonna do. We’re gonna see on February 1. I’m glad he’s talking about this being an easy fight. We’ve been in the gym and we’re working hard. When I get in the ring, I’m gonna be 100%. Everyone better get ready. “They all say the same nonsense before they get in the ring with me. Then they get in there, and it’s a different story. “The thing about this is that it’s not fake. We don’t like each other. We have everything we need for a great fight. Nobody is gonna stop me. This is my year and this is the era of David Benavidez.” DAVID MORRELL JR. “He didn’t respect me at our first press conference, so I’m giving it back to him. This is my time. I don’t need to show him any respect. “He looks like RoboCop in there. He’s got no head movement or anything. This is really an easy fight for me. I’m gonna show him the Cuban boxing skills. “I feel great and I’m very excited to be here in Miami, because it always feels like home. I can’t wait for this moment on February 1. ‘I’m 100% focused in training camp and I’ve got great support from my team and my family down in Texas with me. This is the fight of my life. A win can change everything for me. This is my moment. “I’m going to have Cuba on my mind when I enter the ring. I’m fighting for my family and for Cuba. Everything in my career has led to this. “I have to be aggressive and make sure that I make my people proud and show that Cuba is number one. On February 1, I’ll make sure everybody knows who the real boogeyman is in this division” “Everyone says things, but I’m trying to stay even keeled and work on the fundamentals. If I do that, then I’m gonna succeed.”
	Benavidez: "I'm gonna break Morrell's mouth" Light heavyweight stars David “El Monstro” Benavidez and David Morrell Jr. continued their heated rivalry at a media workout in Miami on Tuesday, nearly coming to blows during their face-off before ultimately being separated by their respective teams. They will meet in the ring for Benavidez’s interim WBC title and Morrell’s WBA regular title on a PBC pay-per-view event on Prime Video taking place Saturday, February 1st at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. The showdown between Benavidez and Morrell pits two of the sports’ most exciting fighters against each other in the primes of their career, with the winner establishing himself as the future of the light heavyweight division. After a heated press conference in Los Angeles last month, the two combatants again expressed their mutual distaste for each other throughout Tuesday’s event. Tickets for the live event are on sale now through AXS.com. The pay-per-view lineup features WBC featherweight champion Brandon “The Heartbreaker” Figueroa and former unified super bantamweight champion Stephen Fulton Jr.; former 140-pound champion Isaac “Pitbull” Cruz against Angel Fierro in an all-Mexican attraction; and Jesus “Mono” Ramos Jr. and former unified champion Jeison Rosario squaring off in the pay-per-view opener at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT. Here is what the fighters had to say Tuesday from BOXR Gym in Miami: DAVID BENAVIDEZ “I don’t care about his trash talk. I’m ready for February 1st. I’m super focused on one objective, and that’s inflicting damage on David Morrell. I’m coming for the knockout. “This is all more fuel to the flame to go in there and do what I have to do. Now I’m really gonna put a beating on him. “This guy is trying to act hard. It is what it is. On February 1st, none of this matters. I’m gonna break his mouth. “I got the experience, I got the belt and I got everything I need. It’s good he’s got the Cubans with him today, because when he gets knocked out, they’re all gonna leave him. “He better do what he says he’s gonna do. We’re gonna see on February 1. I’m glad he’s talking about this being an easy fight. We’ve been in the gym and we’re working hard. When I get in the ring, I’m gonna be 100%. Everyone better get ready. “They all say the same nonsense before they get in the ring with me. Then they get in there, and it’s a different story. “The thing about this is that it’s not fake. We don’t like each other. We have everything we need for a great fight. Nobody is gonna stop me. This is my year and this is the era of David Benavidez.” DAVID MORRELL JR. “He didn’t respect me at our first press conference, so I’m giving it back to him. This is my time. I don’t need to show him any respect. “He looks like RoboCop in there. He’s got no head movement or anything. This is really an easy fight for me. I’m gonna show him the Cuban boxing skills. “I feel great and I’m very excited to be here in Miami, because it always feels like home. I can’t wait for this moment on February 1. ‘I’m 100% focused in training camp and I’ve got great support from my team and my family down in Texas with me. This is the fight of my life. A win can change everything for me. This is my moment. “I’m going to have Cuba on my mind when I enter the ring. I’m fighting for my family and for Cuba. Everything in my career has led to this. “I have to be aggressive and make sure that I make my people proud and show that Cuba is number one. On February 1, I’ll make sure everybody knows who the real boogeyman is in this division” “Everyone says things, but I’m trying to stay even keeled and work on the fundamentals. If I do that, then I’m gonna succeed.”

Press Release | December 18, 2024

BKFC action coming to Hollywood, FL on Saturday
It’s Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship Fight Week for the final time of 2024. A pair of BKFC World Championships are on the line Saturday at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Florida, live worldwide on DAZN. In Saturday’s main event, Jared “Captain Deadpool” Warren defends his BKFC light heavyweight title for the first time against the division’s former champion, Mike “The Marine” Richman. Also, Christine “Misfit” Ferea defends her BKFC women’s flyweight title for a record fifth time against undefeated challenger Christine “La Abusadora” Vicens. Ferea is undoubtedly the most dominant female fighter in BKFC history, but Vicens is locked in to shock the world. BKFC heavyweight Leonardo "El Zombo" Perdomo will look to smash his way to 6-0 with a sixth straight stoppage victory against his toughest task yet, top Brazilian contender Levi "Pitbull" Costa. Saturday's action also includes former BKFC middleweight champion Franceso Ricchi (5-2), Bryan "El Gallo" Duran (6-1), Gee “The Cutman” Perez (4-1), Justin "Joy Boy" Ibarrola (5-0) and Edgard "The Dream Killer" Plazaola (3-0), just to name a few.
	BKFC action coming to Hollywood, FL on Saturday It’s Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship Fight Week for the final time of 2024. A pair of BKFC World Championships are on the line Saturday at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Florida, live worldwide on DAZN. In Saturday’s main event, Jared “Captain Deadpool” Warren defends his BKFC light heavyweight title for the first time against the division’s former champion, Mike “The Marine” Richman. Also, Christine “Misfit” Ferea defends her BKFC women’s flyweight title for a record fifth time against undefeated challenger Christine “La Abusadora” Vicens. Ferea is undoubtedly the most dominant female fighter in BKFC history, but Vicens is locked in to shock the world. BKFC heavyweight Leonardo "El Zombo" Perdomo will look to smash his way to 6-0 with a sixth straight stoppage victory against his toughest task yet, top Brazilian contender Levi "Pitbull" Costa. Saturday's action also includes former BKFC middleweight champion Franceso Ricchi (5-2), Bryan "El Gallo" Duran (6-1), Gee “The Cutman” Perez (4-1), Justin "Joy Boy" Ibarrola (5-0) and Edgard "The Dream Killer" Plazaola (3-0), just to name a few.

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Source: Top Rank | December 18, 2024

Top Rank library to air on Roku
Top Rank and Roku, the television streaming platform in the U.S., have launched Top Rank Classics, a 24/7 channel devoted to the sport’s most memorable showdowns and the fighters that made them possible. Top Rank Classics premieres on The Roku Channel today and features a star-studded lineup of Hall of Famers and fistic icons, including Muhammad Ali, Mike Tyson, Manny Pacquiao, Floyd Mayweather Jr., Oscar De La Hoya, and Sugar Ray Leonard. “Top Rank’s library of content is second to none among combat sports brands,” said Brian Kelly, Top Rank’s Chief Revenue Officer. “We are proud to partner with Roku to create a 24/7 content home that showcases the sport’s all-time greats and future legends.” Top Rank Classics debuts with several weeks of programming, including the three-round classic between Marvelous Marvin Hagler and Thomas Hearns, the Marco Antonio Barrera-Erik Morales trilogy, Evander Holyfield’s heavyweight gut check against George Foreman, and the 1999 Fight of the Year between Paulie Ayala and Johnny Tapia. The lineup of fights will be updated to reflect Top Rank’s roster of stars, a group of mega-talents that includes Naoya Inoue, Keyshawn Davis, Emanuel Navarrete, Teofimo Lopez, Mikaela Mayer, and Rafael Espinoza. Top Rank Classics is free on The Roku Channel within the Sports category
	Top Rank library to air on Roku Top Rank and Roku, the television streaming platform in the U.S., have launched Top Rank Classics, a 24/7 channel devoted to the sport’s most memorable showdowns and the fighters that made them possible. Top Rank Classics premieres on The Roku Channel today and features a star-studded lineup of Hall of Famers and fistic icons, including Muhammad Ali, Mike Tyson, Manny Pacquiao, Floyd Mayweather Jr., Oscar De La Hoya, and Sugar Ray Leonard. “Top Rank’s library of content is second to none among combat sports brands,” said Brian Kelly, Top Rank’s Chief Revenue Officer. “We are proud to partner with Roku to create a 24/7 content home that showcases the sport’s all-time greats and future legends.” Top Rank Classics debuts with several weeks of programming, including the three-round classic between Marvelous Marvin Hagler and Thomas Hearns, the Marco Antonio Barrera-Erik Morales trilogy, Evander Holyfield’s heavyweight gut check against George Foreman, and the 1999 Fight of the Year between Paulie Ayala and Johnny Tapia. The lineup of fights will be updated to reflect Top Rank’s roster of stars, a group of mega-talents that includes Naoya Inoue, Keyshawn Davis, Emanuel Navarrete, Teofimo Lopez, Mikaela Mayer, and Rafael Espinoza. Top Rank Classics is free on The Roku Channel within the Sports category

Source: Top Rank | December 17, 2024

Official Inoue vs. Goodman rescheduling announcement
Naoya Inoue will defend his undisputed super bantamweight world championship against unbeaten Australian Sam Goodman on Friday, Jan. 24th at Ariake Arena in Tokyo. The two were initially scheduled to fight on Dec. 24th, but Goodman suffered a cut above his left eye in sparring shortly before he was scheduled to depart for Tokyo. Inoue-Goodman will headline a live stream on ESPN+. This special early-morning broadcast will also feature the return of Yoshiki Takei (10-0, 8 KOs), who will defend his WBO bantamweight world title against Thailand’s Yuttapong Tongdee (15-0, 9 KOs). Inoue (28-0, 25 KOs) began his four-belt legacy in December 2022 when he stopped Paul Butler to unify all the bantamweight titles. Then, within a little over a year, the 31-year-old knocked out WBC/WBO champ Stephen Fulton in July 2023 and WBA/IBF king Marlon Tapales that December to achieve undisputed glory in a second weight class. He made history again in May by headlining the first boxing card at the Tokyo Dome since the historic Mike Tyson-Buster Douglas showdown, overcoming a first-round knockdown before icing former two-division world champion Luis Nery in six. In September, he registered a seventh-round TKO over one-time junior featherweight king TJ Doheny. Goodman (19-0, 8 KOs) is a 26-year-old Australian who entered the paid ranks in 2018. He went 4-0 in 2023, earning points victories over Doheny as well as then-unbeaten talents Ra’eese Aleem and Zhong Liu. He authored a fourth-round TKO against Mark Schleibs in March before decisioning previously unbeaten Thachtana Luangphon across 12 in July.
	Official Inoue vs. Goodman rescheduling announcement Naoya Inoue will defend his undisputed super bantamweight world championship against unbeaten Australian Sam Goodman on Friday, Jan. 24th at Ariake Arena in Tokyo. The two were initially scheduled to fight on Dec. 24th, but Goodman suffered a cut above his left eye in sparring shortly before he was scheduled to depart for Tokyo. Inoue-Goodman will headline a live stream on ESPN+. This special early-morning broadcast will also feature the return of Yoshiki Takei (10-0, 8 KOs), who will defend his WBO bantamweight world title against Thailand’s Yuttapong Tongdee (15-0, 9 KOs). Inoue (28-0, 25 KOs) began his four-belt legacy in December 2022 when he stopped Paul Butler to unify all the bantamweight titles. Then, within a little over a year, the 31-year-old knocked out WBC/WBO champ Stephen Fulton in July 2023 and WBA/IBF king Marlon Tapales that December to achieve undisputed glory in a second weight class. He made history again in May by headlining the first boxing card at the Tokyo Dome since the historic Mike Tyson-Buster Douglas showdown, overcoming a first-round knockdown before icing former two-division world champion Luis Nery in six. In September, he registered a seventh-round TKO over one-time junior featherweight king TJ Doheny. Goodman (19-0, 8 KOs) is a 26-year-old Australian who entered the paid ranks in 2018. He went 4-0 in 2023, earning points victories over Doheny as well as then-unbeaten talents Ra’eese Aleem and Zhong Liu. He authored a fourth-round TKO against Mark Schleibs in March before decisioning previously unbeaten Thachtana Luangphon across 12 in July.

Press Release | December 17, 2024

Weigh-in results from NYC
The official weigh-in was held for Tuesday's New York City show, presented by Boxing Insider Promotions, to be streamed live on DAZN from Sony Hall in historic Times Square.Tickets are on sale and may be purchased at the venue on fight night. Official weights are below: Andy Dominguez (11-1, 6 KOs) Bronx, NY 111.6 pounds -vs.- Angel Geovanny Meza Morales (8-2-3, 6 KOs) Mexico 110.8 (eight rounds); Kurt Scoby (15-1, 13 KOs), Wyandanch, NY 140.8 -vs.- Andrew Rodgers (9-15-3, 15 KOs), Bridgeport, CT 138.6 (eight rounds); Terell Bostic (13-2, 2 KOs), Wyandanch, NY 139.8 -vs.- Carlos Marrero (8-9-3, 1 KO), Bridgeport, CT 138.6 (eight rounds); Nisa Rodriguez (2-0, 0 KOs), NY, NY 165 -vs.- Melody Popravak (2-1-1, 1 KO), Georgia 162.8 (six rounds); Donte Layne (5-0, 5 KOs), Long Island, NY 167.8 -vs.- Pachino Hill (8-7-2, 6 KOs), Iowa 170.1 (six rounds); Jacob Solis (5-0, 5 KOs), NY, NY 163.6 -vs.- Daniel Jefferson, (5-3, 0 KOs), Michigan 162.2 (four rounds). Koby Khalil Williams (3-0, 2 KOs), Brooklyn, NY 136.8 -vs.- Deonta Williamson (0-2), St. Louis, 136 (four rounds).
	Weigh-in results from NYC The official weigh-in was held for Tuesday's New York City show, presented by Boxing Insider Promotions, to be streamed live on DAZN from Sony Hall in historic Times Square.Tickets are on sale and may be purchased at the venue on fight night. Official weights are below: Andy Dominguez (11-1, 6 KOs) Bronx, NY 111.6 pounds -vs.- Angel Geovanny Meza Morales (8-2-3, 6 KOs) Mexico 110.8 (eight rounds); Kurt Scoby (15-1, 13 KOs), Wyandanch, NY 140.8 -vs.- Andrew Rodgers (9-15-3, 15 KOs), Bridgeport, CT 138.6 (eight rounds); Terell Bostic (13-2, 2 KOs), Wyandanch, NY 139.8 -vs.- Carlos Marrero (8-9-3, 1 KO), Bridgeport, CT 138.6 (eight rounds); Nisa Rodriguez (2-0, 0 KOs), NY, NY 165 -vs.- Melody Popravak (2-1-1, 1 KO), Georgia 162.8 (six rounds); Donte Layne (5-0, 5 KOs), Long Island, NY 167.8 -vs.- Pachino Hill (8-7-2, 6 KOs), Iowa 170.1 (six rounds); Jacob Solis (5-0, 5 KOs), NY, NY 163.6 -vs.- Daniel Jefferson, (5-3, 0 KOs), Michigan 162.2 (four rounds). Koby Khalil Williams (3-0, 2 KOs), Brooklyn, NY 136.8 -vs.- Deonta Williamson (0-2), St. Louis, 136 (four rounds).

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Source: WBC | December 17, 2024

Cutler ends McKenna's undefeated run
Lee Cutler W10 Stephen McKenna... British junior middleweight Lee Cutler floored previously undefeated Stephen McKenna twice-- in rounds one and seven-- to score a majority decision on Saturday in Liverpool. The fight lived up to expectations and saw Cutler up his pro record to improved to 15-1-0 with 7 KOs.Cutler is part of Shane McGuigan’s gym in London coached by Josh Pritchard. McKenna, from Ireland but fighting out of Los Angeles, suffered his first loss after starting his career with fifteen wins.
	Cutler ends McKenna's undefeated run Lee Cutler W10 Stephen McKenna... British junior middleweight Lee Cutler floored previously undefeated Stephen McKenna twice-- in rounds one and seven-- to score a majority decision on Saturday in Liverpool. The fight lived up to expectations and saw Cutler up his pro record to improved to 15-1-0 with 7 KOs.Cutler is part of Shane McGuigan’s gym in London coached by Josh Pritchard. McKenna, from Ireland but fighting out of Los Angeles, suffered his first loss after starting his career with fifteen wins.

Source: WBF | December 17, 2024

Hlatshwayo wins super bantamweight bout in South Africa
Sakhile Hlatshwayo TKO3 Arnel Lubisi... Sakhile Hlatshwayo won a super bantamweight bout against more-experienced Arnel Lubisi in dominant fashion on Sunday in Dundee, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Hlatshwayo (6-0 with 4 KOs) stepped up to the plate and more than delivered on expectations. He scored two knockdowns in the first round and ended the fight in round two, forcing referee Thokozani Ncube to step in and wave it off after sending Lubisi to the canvas a third time. Hlatshwayo has spent only sixteen months in the pro ranks. Lubisi, a pro since 2017, falls to 8-8 with 5 KOs. The fight was the main event of a card promoted by Hlula Boxing Promotions.
	Hlatshwayo wins super bantamweight bout in South Africa Sakhile Hlatshwayo TKO3 Arnel Lubisi... Sakhile Hlatshwayo won a super bantamweight bout against more-experienced Arnel Lubisi in dominant fashion on Sunday in Dundee, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Hlatshwayo (6-0 with 4 KOs) stepped up to the plate and more than delivered on expectations. He scored two knockdowns in the first round and ended the fight in round two, forcing referee Thokozani Ncube to step in and wave it off after sending Lubisi to the canvas a third time. Hlatshwayo has spent only sixteen months in the pro ranks. Lubisi, a pro since 2017, falls to 8-8 with 5 KOs. The fight was the main event of a card promoted by Hlula Boxing Promotions.

Source: DiBella Entertainment | December 17, 2024

Eden Williams, daughter of former light heavyweight contender, to compete in USA Nationals
Promoter Lou DiBella announced that the Richmond Flying Squirrels, a minor league baseball team affiliated with the San Francisco Giants will sponsor Eden Williams, the 11 year-old daughter of former light heavyweight Thomas Williams Jr., as she competes in the 2024 USA Boxing National Championships. Rated #1 in the female 11-12 year-old division at 80 pounds, Eden will compete in her first National Championships tournament, taking place at the Greater Richmond Convention Center, in Richmond, Virginia. Eden is from Laurel, Maryland. Thomas Williams was 20-4 and unsuccesfully challenged Adonis Stevenson for the WBC 175-pound title. Thanks to her father, Eden has been around boxing her entire life and began competing herself at age eight. Thus far, Eden has built an amateur record of 23-2, winning the Silver Gloves three times, Junior Olympics twice, National Qualifiers tournament twice as well as the National Open tournament. Before her first match tomorrow, Eden and her parents spent some time with the Richmond Flying Squirrels at The Diamond ballpark, getting to meet the team’s front office and their mascot, Nutzy. “It’s not easy for women in boxing even if you’re a little girl and an amateur. It’s expensive to compete and pay the expenses for a family with a championship caliber daughter,” said DiBella, president of both the Richmond Flying Squirrels and DiBella Entertainment. “Thomas was a helluva fighter and he’s an old friend, and Eden is a little boxing phenom. It was nice that I could combine my two loves of boxing and baseball here to help her out. The Squirrels are proud that we were able to enable Eden to compete. She fights at 12:00 pm [Tuesday] if any Squirrels fans would like to go and see her." “I want to thank Lou DiBella and the Richmond Flying Squirrels so much for their hospitality and generosity in sponsoring Eden,” said Williams Jr. “After our original sponsor fell out at the last minute, I made one phone call to Lou and he got it done within 24 hours. Eden had a blast meeting everyone at the ballpark and especially Nutzy the mascot. This tournament will be dedicated to the Richmond Flying Squirrels and DiBella Entertainment.”
	Eden Williams, daughter of former light heavyweight contender, to compete in USA Nationals Promoter Lou DiBella announced that the Richmond Flying Squirrels, a minor league baseball team affiliated with the San Francisco Giants will sponsor Eden Williams, the 11 year-old daughter of former light heavyweight Thomas Williams Jr., as she competes in the 2024 USA Boxing National Championships. Rated #1 in the female 11-12 year-old division at 80 pounds, Eden will compete in her first National Championships tournament, taking place at the Greater Richmond Convention Center, in Richmond, Virginia. Eden is from Laurel, Maryland. Thomas Williams was 20-4 and unsuccesfully challenged Adonis Stevenson for the WBC 175-pound title. Thanks to her father, Eden has been around boxing her entire life and began competing herself at age eight. Thus far, Eden has built an amateur record of 23-2, winning the Silver Gloves three times, Junior Olympics twice, National Qualifiers tournament twice as well as the National Open tournament. Before her first match tomorrow, Eden and her parents spent some time with the Richmond Flying Squirrels at The Diamond ballpark, getting to meet the team’s front office and their mascot, Nutzy. “It’s not easy for women in boxing even if you’re a little girl and an amateur. It’s expensive to compete and pay the expenses for a family with a championship caliber daughter,” said DiBella, president of both the Richmond Flying Squirrels and DiBella Entertainment. “Thomas was a helluva fighter and he’s an old friend, and Eden is a little boxing phenom. It was nice that I could combine my two loves of boxing and baseball here to help her out. The Squirrels are proud that we were able to enable Eden to compete. She fights at 12:00 pm [Tuesday] if any Squirrels fans would like to go and see her." “I want to thank Lou DiBella and the Richmond Flying Squirrels so much for their hospitality and generosity in sponsoring Eden,” said Williams Jr. “After our original sponsor fell out at the last minute, I made one phone call to Lou and he got it done within 24 hours. Eden had a blast meeting everyone at the ballpark and especially Nutzy the mascot. This tournament will be dedicated to the Richmond Flying Squirrels and DiBella Entertainment.”

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Source: DAZN Sports News | December 16, 2024

Whyte wins when Tetteh quits on stool
Dillian Whyte TKO7 Ebenezer Tetteh ... Dillian Whyte’s heavyweight comeback continued with a second win of 2024 after Ebenezer Tetteh retired on his stool at the end of round seven. The decision to face Tetteh was seen as a chance by Whyte to make a statement with a destructive performance, and from the opening bell there was a gulf in class. After the fight, Whyte (31-3) claimed that getting rounds under his belt was vital if he was to continue being a heavyweight force. However, to fans and boxing experts, this was an underwhelming performance against Tetteh, a 23-2 opponent, but one who was knocked out in the first round by the current IBF champion Daniel Dubois in 2019. Does Whyte still have that killer instinct? Can he still be a destructive force in what is a crowded heavyweight division? Answers to these questions are likely to become clearer when Whyte plots his course for 2025. Whyte’s jab was landing early on and rocked Tetteh, who did respond with some punches of his own, albeit they were wild with very little landing. The second round was more of the same. This time it was Whyte’s body shots which were causing problems for Tetteh who was unsteady on his feet. With both men going toe-to-toe in Gibraltar, the third round was one where both fighters were already showing signs of tiredness and took their foot off the gas. While Whyte was clearly the better boxer, Tetteh did have his moments with blood trickling from his nose, but if he was to make any impact, his swinging shots needed to land. It was clear Whyte’s early damage was having its effect on Tetteh who struggled to get off his stool at the start of round five, but he carried on, and round six saw a Whyte one-two combination stun his foe. However, this momentum towards a potential stoppage was brought to a halt when he slipped on the ring canvas. Tetteh continued to battle on through despite being hit with a Whyte right hand in the seventh, and this prompted the referee and his corner to bring the fight to an end at the end of the round to protect the Ghanian from further damage.
	Whyte wins when Tetteh quits on stool Dillian Whyte TKO7 Ebenezer Tetteh ... Dillian Whyte’s heavyweight comeback continued with a second win of 2024 after Ebenezer Tetteh retired on his stool at the end of round seven. The decision to face Tetteh was seen as a chance by Whyte to make a statement with a destructive performance, and from the opening bell there was a gulf in class. After the fight, Whyte (31-3) claimed that getting rounds under his belt was vital if he was to continue being a heavyweight force. However, to fans and boxing experts, this was an underwhelming performance against Tetteh, a 23-2 opponent, but one who was knocked out in the first round by the current IBF champion Daniel Dubois in 2019. Does Whyte still have that killer instinct? Can he still be a destructive force in what is a crowded heavyweight division? Answers to these questions are likely to become clearer when Whyte plots his course for 2025. Whyte’s jab was landing early on and rocked Tetteh, who did respond with some punches of his own, albeit they were wild with very little landing. The second round was more of the same. This time it was Whyte’s body shots which were causing problems for Tetteh who was unsteady on his feet. With both men going toe-to-toe in Gibraltar, the third round was one where both fighters were already showing signs of tiredness and took their foot off the gas. While Whyte was clearly the better boxer, Tetteh did have his moments with blood trickling from his nose, but if he was to make any impact, his swinging shots needed to land. It was clear Whyte’s early damage was having its effect on Tetteh who struggled to get off his stool at the start of round five, but he carried on, and round six saw a Whyte one-two combination stun his foe. However, this momentum towards a potential stoppage was brought to a halt when he slipped on the ring canvas. Tetteh continued to battle on through despite being hit with a Whyte right hand in the seventh, and this prompted the referee and his corner to bring the fight to an end at the end of the round to protect the Ghanian from further damage.

Press Release | December 16, 2024

Matchroom announces several shows for 2025
Matchroom will kickstart 2025 with a doubleheader direct from the UK and USA on Saturday, January 25th – live worldwide on DAZN. That date features streams of two separate events and an unrivalled twelve hours of action – streamed by the global home of boxing, DAZN. It starts at Nottingham’s Motorpoint Arena where Dalton ‘Thunder’ Smith (16-0, 12 KOs) begins his charge towards greatness as he challenges Walid Ouizza (19-2, 8 KOs) for the European junior welterweight championship. On the undercard, Ellie Scotney (9-0) defends her IBF super bantamweight world title against Mea Motu (20-0, 8 KOs), whilst Conah Walker (14-3-1, 5 KOs) challenges Harry Scarff (13-3, 3 KOs) for the British & Commonwealth welterweight championships. Mark Dickinson (7-1, 2 KOs) challenges Reece Farnhill (11-0, 4 KOs) for the English super middleweight belt, whilst undefeated rising homegrown stars Ibraheem Sulaimaan (6-0, 4 KOs) and Hamza Uddin (3-0, 1 KO) return to action. Then it is over to the US, where Diego Pacheco (22-0, 8 KOs) is in a super middleweight tilt against Steven Nelson (20-0, 16 KOs) at The Cosmopolitan Las Vegas – with Cuban Olympic star Andy Cruz (4-0, 2 KOs) taking on Mexico's Omar Salcido (20-1, 14 KOs) and Pomona's Ernesto Mercado (16-0, 15 KOs) facing former champion Jose Pedraza (29-6-1, 14 KOs) on his Matchroom debut. And the big nights keep coming in Q1, as Matchroom delivers an evening of NXTGEN drama on Saturday, January 31st when 10-0 middleweight George Liddard (10-0, 6 KOs) co-headlines in London against Birmingham's Derrick Osaze (13-2, 3 KOs) and Rotherham's Junaid Bostan (10-0, 8 KOs) battles Bilal Fawaz (9-1, 2 KOs). Plus, a crop of exciting Matchroom talent will bid to extend their 100% starts to the professional ranks as Jimmy Sains (8-0, 8 KOs), Giorgio Visioli (5-0, 4 KOs), Leli Buttigieg (6-0, 1 KO), Taylor Bevan (1-0, 1 KO) and Jesse Brandon (4-0, 1 KO) feature in the capital. Eduardo ‘Rocky’ Hernandez (36-2, 32 KOs) will return to action on Friday, February 28th, when he takes on Rene Tellez Giron (20-4, 13 KOs) at the Auditorio Guelaguetza in Oaxaca, Mexico. KO artist Hernandez is back after an accidental head clash in his showdown with Thomas Mattice caused a cut to his left eye in Hermosillo back in September, ending a contest that was bubbling nicely with a technical decision win. Giron (20-4 13 KOs) is a fiery Mexican who gave undefeated Floyd Schofield a real scare when he floored him in the eleventh round of their clash in Las Vegas in November in a spirited performance. A Fight Night awaits in Belfast one day later on Saturday, March 1st, when local favorite Lewis Crocker (20-0, 11 KOs) and Limerick's Paddy Donovan (14-0, 11 KOs) light up the SSE Arena in a huge all-Irish battle. And March ends with the professional debut of Olympian Pat Brown as the cruiserweight standout headlines at Planet Ice Altrincham on the outskirts of his hometown Manchester on Saturday, March 28th. Further blockbuster nights are still to be announced for February and March across the globe – and excited promoter and Chairman of Matchroom Sport, Eddie Hearn, said: “This is how you get things started. “2025 is guaranteed to be our biggest year yet – and it’s all exclusive to fight fans on the global home of boxing, DAZN. Going back-to-back on January 25th underlines our strength worldwide with two incredible shows. “Our January 31st we have a stacked night of NXTGEN boxing in London to look forward to, which leads us to a string of exciting events across the world up until March – with plenty more blockbuster nights and unmissable fights still to be announced. Watch this space.” "We are incredibly excited to be announcing our first shows of 2025," said Alfie Sharman, VP DAZN. "Featuring some of the biggest names and best prospects in the sport, these shows will kick off an action-packed year for the platform. In 2025, DAZN promises to bring our subscribers an unrivalled schedule of world class boxing and closer to the action than ever before".
	Matchroom announces several shows for 2025 Matchroom will kickstart 2025 with a doubleheader direct from the UK and USA on Saturday, January 25th – live worldwide on DAZN. That date features streams of two separate events and an unrivalled twelve hours of action – streamed by the global home of boxing, DAZN. It starts at Nottingham’s Motorpoint Arena where Dalton ‘Thunder’ Smith (16-0, 12 KOs) begins his charge towards greatness as he challenges Walid Ouizza (19-2, 8 KOs) for the European junior welterweight championship. On the undercard, Ellie Scotney (9-0) defends her IBF super bantamweight world title against Mea Motu (20-0, 8 KOs), whilst Conah Walker (14-3-1, 5 KOs) challenges Harry Scarff (13-3, 3 KOs) for the British & Commonwealth welterweight championships. Mark Dickinson (7-1, 2 KOs) challenges Reece Farnhill (11-0, 4 KOs) for the English super middleweight belt, whilst undefeated rising homegrown stars Ibraheem Sulaimaan (6-0, 4 KOs) and Hamza Uddin (3-0, 1 KO) return to action. Then it is over to the US, where Diego Pacheco (22-0, 8 KOs) is in a super middleweight tilt against Steven Nelson (20-0, 16 KOs) at The Cosmopolitan Las Vegas – with Cuban Olympic star Andy Cruz (4-0, 2 KOs) taking on Mexico's Omar Salcido (20-1, 14 KOs) and Pomona's Ernesto Mercado (16-0, 15 KOs) facing former champion Jose Pedraza (29-6-1, 14 KOs) on his Matchroom debut. And the big nights keep coming in Q1, as Matchroom delivers an evening of NXTGEN drama on Saturday, January 31st when 10-0 middleweight George Liddard (10-0, 6 KOs) co-headlines in London against Birmingham's Derrick Osaze (13-2, 3 KOs) and Rotherham's Junaid Bostan (10-0, 8 KOs) battles Bilal Fawaz (9-1, 2 KOs). Plus, a crop of exciting Matchroom talent will bid to extend their 100% starts to the professional ranks as Jimmy Sains (8-0, 8 KOs), Giorgio Visioli (5-0, 4 KOs), Leli Buttigieg (6-0, 1 KO), Taylor Bevan (1-0, 1 KO) and Jesse Brandon (4-0, 1 KO) feature in the capital. Eduardo ‘Rocky’ Hernandez (36-2, 32 KOs) will return to action on Friday, February 28th, when he takes on Rene Tellez Giron (20-4, 13 KOs) at the Auditorio Guelaguetza in Oaxaca, Mexico. KO artist Hernandez is back after an accidental head clash in his showdown with Thomas Mattice caused a cut to his left eye in Hermosillo back in September, ending a contest that was bubbling nicely with a technical decision win. Giron (20-4 13 KOs) is a fiery Mexican who gave undefeated Floyd Schofield a real scare when he floored him in the eleventh round of their clash in Las Vegas in November in a spirited performance. A Fight Night awaits in Belfast one day later on Saturday, March 1st, when local favorite Lewis Crocker (20-0, 11 KOs) and Limerick's Paddy Donovan (14-0, 11 KOs) light up the SSE Arena in a huge all-Irish battle. And March ends with the professional debut of Olympian Pat Brown as the cruiserweight standout headlines at Planet Ice Altrincham on the outskirts of his hometown Manchester on Saturday, March 28th. Further blockbuster nights are still to be announced for February and March across the globe – and excited promoter and Chairman of Matchroom Sport, Eddie Hearn, said: “This is how you get things started. “2025 is guaranteed to be our biggest year yet – and it’s all exclusive to fight fans on the global home of boxing, DAZN. Going back-to-back on January 25th underlines our strength worldwide with two incredible shows. “Our January 31st we have a stacked night of NXTGEN boxing in London to look forward to, which leads us to a string of exciting events across the world up until March – with plenty more blockbuster nights and unmissable fights still to be announced. Watch this space.” "We are incredibly excited to be announcing our first shows of 2025," said Alfie Sharman, VP DAZN. "Featuring some of the biggest names and best prospects in the sport, these shows will kick off an action-packed year for the platform. In 2025, DAZN promises to bring our subscribers an unrivalled schedule of world class boxing and closer to the action than ever before".

Source: Fanmio | December 16, 2024

Garcia postpones exhibition due to wrist injury
Ryan Garcia has injured his wrist in training camp, temporarily postponing his exhibition showdown against Japanese kickboxing champion Rukiya Anpo that was set to take place on Monday, December 30th in Tokyo. The event will be rescheduled for a date in early 2025. “I saw Mr. Ryan Garcia on December 12th for recently aggravated bilateral wrist pain,” explained Dr. Steven Shin of Cedars-Sinai Orthopaedics in Los Angeles. “I recommend that he hold off on sparring and boxing matches for several weeks. Treatment options will be discussed with Mr. Garcia after further evaluation.” “I’ve been eagerly preparing for my upcoming exhibition fight in Japan, training hard in Dallas over the past several weeks,” said the disappointed Garcia. “Unfortunately, I sustained a hand injury during training and returned to Los Angeles to be seen by the doctor, who has advised me to postpone my December 30 exhibition.” Garcia says he does not expect the injury to prevent his eventual showdown with Anpo, who has traded increasingly nasty public barbs with Garcia throughout the past month. “This is only a temporary setback, and I sincerely apologize to my fans, [promoters] Fanmio and Rizin and Anpo for the delay,” added Garcia. “No one is more disappointed than I am. Thank you for being so supportive.” Fanmio CEO Solomon Engel says he understands that superstar Garcia must put his overall health above anything else and that he looks forward to Garcia’s return. “It’s unfortunate what happened to Ryan, and we wish him good health and a speedy recovery,” said Engel. “We look forward to announcing a new date for this exciting event very soon.” “I have been told that Ryan is out due to an injury,” said Rukiya Anpo. “I am disappointed to say the least, but knocking out an injured opponent won’t mean anything, so I wish him a speedy recovery and hope I can face the 100% version of Ryan Garcia. Get well soon and I’ll let you kiss my fist any time!” “It’s unfortunate to announce that Ryan vs. Anpo will be postponed due Ryan’s injury which occurred during training,” said Rizin CEO Nobuyuki Sakakibara. “I would like to apologize to all the fans who were looking forward to this fight on New Year’s, but we will be announcing a new date very soon in which both fighters will be able to meet at their best health and condition. We truly appreciate everybody’s understanding.” Stay tuned for an announcement on the rescheduled date.
	Garcia postpones exhibition due to wrist injury Ryan Garcia has injured his wrist in training camp, temporarily postponing his exhibition showdown against Japanese kickboxing champion Rukiya Anpo that was set to take place on Monday, December 30th in Tokyo. The event will be rescheduled for a date in early 2025. “I saw Mr. Ryan Garcia on December 12th for recently aggravated bilateral wrist pain,” explained Dr. Steven Shin of Cedars-Sinai Orthopaedics in Los Angeles. “I recommend that he hold off on sparring and boxing matches for several weeks. Treatment options will be discussed with Mr. Garcia after further evaluation.” “I’ve been eagerly preparing for my upcoming exhibition fight in Japan, training hard in Dallas over the past several weeks,” said the disappointed Garcia. “Unfortunately, I sustained a hand injury during training and returned to Los Angeles to be seen by the doctor, who has advised me to postpone my December 30 exhibition.” Garcia says he does not expect the injury to prevent his eventual showdown with Anpo, who has traded increasingly nasty public barbs with Garcia throughout the past month. “This is only a temporary setback, and I sincerely apologize to my fans, [promoters] Fanmio and Rizin and Anpo for the delay,” added Garcia. “No one is more disappointed than I am. Thank you for being so supportive.” Fanmio CEO Solomon Engel says he understands that superstar Garcia must put his overall health above anything else and that he looks forward to Garcia’s return. “It’s unfortunate what happened to Ryan, and we wish him good health and a speedy recovery,” said Engel. “We look forward to announcing a new date for this exciting event very soon.” “I have been told that Ryan is out due to an injury,” said Rukiya Anpo. “I am disappointed to say the least, but knocking out an injured opponent won’t mean anything, so I wish him a speedy recovery and hope I can face the 100% version of Ryan Garcia. Get well soon and I’ll let you kiss my fist any time!” “It’s unfortunate to announce that Ryan vs. Anpo will be postponed due Ryan’s injury which occurred during training,” said Rizin CEO Nobuyuki Sakakibara. “I would like to apologize to all the fans who were looking forward to this fight on New Year’s, but we will be announcing a new date very soon in which both fighters will be able to meet at their best health and condition. We truly appreciate everybody’s understanding.” Stay tuned for an announcement on the rescheduled date.

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Press Release | December 16, 2024

USA Amateur nationals start this week
With the 2024 USA Boxing National Championships just days away, boxers and attendees have made their final preparations for the event, which will be hosted inside the Greater Richmond Convention Center in Virginia, from Dec. 16-21. USA Boxing is proud to host the event in Richmond, VA, for the first time and will have plenty of representation from across the nation among the organization’s 65,000+ members. The 2024 USA Boxing National Championships will showcase some of the top talent from across the country, including six Olympians from the 2024 Paris Olympic Games and one Olympian from the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. There will be 1,304 boxers in competition throughout the week, representing 45 states, as well as Washington D.C. The state of Texas leads the way with 197 boxers registered, while California and Pennsylvania check in at second and third with 155 boxers and 93 boxers, respectively. Virginia will also be represented exceptionally well at the event with 47 competitors and 48 non-athlete participants for 95 total attendees. Nearly one percent of the event’s attendees hail from the greater Richmond area with 24 of the surrounding cities combining for 17 participants. All told, 2,399 participants will attend the event with an additional support of over 2,500 friends, families and fans also joining. Of the nearly 2,400 participants, 1,924 are male and 475 are female. Of the 1,304 boxers set to take the ring 1,013 are males and 291 are females. The youngest athlete competitors will enter the ring at the age of eight, while the oldest competitor is 45 years of age. The average age of athlete participants is 17 years old, while the average age of the event’s non-athlete participants is 45 years. In addition to the week’s competition, USA Boxing will also host a pair of coaching clinics while in Richmond. There will be 21 participants in the Bronze Coaching certification course and 16 participants in the Silver Coaching certification course. The USA Boxing Bronze certification course is a two-day, in person clinic that prepares coaches to train their boxers for single-day events. The USA Boxing Silver certification course is another two-day, in-person course that prepares coaches to train their boxers for domestic tournaments and multi-day events Each bout of the 2024 USA Boxing National Championships will be streamed live on USABoxing.org and the USA Boxing YouTube channel, courtesy of Parkway Productions. Tickets for the event can be purchased at will call. About USA Boxing USA Boxing was established to promote and grow Olympic-style boxing in the United States and to inspire the tireless pursuit of Olympic gold and enable athletes and coaches to achieve sustained competitive excellence. Additionally, USA Boxing endeavors to teach all participants the character, confidence and focus they need to become resilient and diverse champions, both in and out of the ring. USA Boxing is one team, one nation, going for gold
	USA Amateur nationals start this week With the 2024 USA Boxing National Championships just days away, boxers and attendees have made their final preparations for the event, which will be hosted inside the Greater Richmond Convention Center in Virginia, from Dec. 16-21. USA Boxing is proud to host the event in Richmond, VA, for the first time and will have plenty of representation from across the nation among the organization’s 65,000+ members. The 2024 USA Boxing National Championships will showcase some of the top talent from across the country, including six Olympians from the 2024 Paris Olympic Games and one Olympian from the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. There will be 1,304 boxers in competition throughout the week, representing 45 states, as well as Washington D.C. The state of Texas leads the way with 197 boxers registered, while California and Pennsylvania check in at second and third with 155 boxers and 93 boxers, respectively. Virginia will also be represented exceptionally well at the event with 47 competitors and 48 non-athlete participants for 95 total attendees. Nearly one percent of the event’s attendees hail from the greater Richmond area with 24 of the surrounding cities combining for 17 participants. All told, 2,399 participants will attend the event with an additional support of over 2,500 friends, families and fans also joining. Of the nearly 2,400 participants, 1,924 are male and 475 are female. Of the 1,304 boxers set to take the ring 1,013 are males and 291 are females. The youngest athlete competitors will enter the ring at the age of eight, while the oldest competitor is 45 years of age. The average age of athlete participants is 17 years old, while the average age of the event’s non-athlete participants is 45 years. In addition to the week’s competition, USA Boxing will also host a pair of coaching clinics while in Richmond. There will be 21 participants in the Bronze Coaching certification course and 16 participants in the Silver Coaching certification course. The USA Boxing Bronze certification course is a two-day, in person clinic that prepares coaches to train their boxers for single-day events. The USA Boxing Silver certification course is another two-day, in-person course that prepares coaches to train their boxers for domestic tournaments and multi-day events Each bout of the 2024 USA Boxing National Championships will be streamed live on USABoxing.org and the USA Boxing YouTube channel, courtesy of Parkway Productions. Tickets for the event can be purchased at will call. About USA Boxing USA Boxing was established to promote and grow Olympic-style boxing in the United States and to inspire the tireless pursuit of Olympic gold and enable athletes and coaches to achieve sustained competitive excellence. Additionally, USA Boxing endeavors to teach all participants the character, confidence and focus they need to become resilient and diverse champions, both in and out of the ring. USA Boxing is one team, one nation, going for gold

Press Release | December 16, 2024

Christine Vicens wants to win bare knuckles title for her children
The undefeated Christine Vicens believes she’s the fighter to finally dethrone BKFC flyweight champion Christine Ferea. “I am the one to beat her,” the Miami product says ahead of her showdown with Ferea on Dec. 21st at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Florida, live worldwide on DAZN. Vicens is quick to praise Ferea as the most dominant female fighter in BKFC history. Vicens knows victory won’t come easily against Ferea, who boasts a 9-1 record heading into her record fifth BKFC title defense. But she’s ready to shock the world in Hollywood. [In BKFC, the flyweight limit is 125 pounds]. “I know that I have all the tools to win — mentally and physically — and I’m ready to bring home the belt,” Vicens says. “Aside from just being super tough and technically very good, I think Christine has had a tough life in general, and that builds a lot of resilience,” she adds. “We may differ in our backgrounds, but I’ve been a fighter all of my life as well. That builds a lot of character and makes you the dog that you need to be in BKFC.” The belt won’t just be for Vicens — it will be for her family. “It’s going to be amazing. I’ve envisioned it so many times, and it’s going to be particularly special because my kids are going to be there,” says Vicens, a married mother of two boys. My kids didn’t attend my first fight because they were too young. They saw the bruises, but they wanted to see a belt. They wanted to see that prize, and in that moment something in me was triggered and winning the belt became my biggest goal.”
	Christine Vicens wants to win bare knuckles title for her children The undefeated Christine Vicens believes she’s the fighter to finally dethrone BKFC flyweight champion Christine Ferea. “I am the one to beat her,” the Miami product says ahead of her showdown with Ferea on Dec. 21st at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Florida, live worldwide on DAZN. Vicens is quick to praise Ferea as the most dominant female fighter in BKFC history. Vicens knows victory won’t come easily against Ferea, who boasts a 9-1 record heading into her record fifth BKFC title defense. But she’s ready to shock the world in Hollywood. [In BKFC, the flyweight limit is 125 pounds]. “I know that I have all the tools to win — mentally and physically — and I’m ready to bring home the belt,” Vicens says. “Aside from just being super tough and technically very good, I think Christine has had a tough life in general, and that builds a lot of resilience,” she adds. “We may differ in our backgrounds, but I’ve been a fighter all of my life as well. That builds a lot of character and makes you the dog that you need to be in BKFC.” The belt won’t just be for Vicens — it will be for her family. “It’s going to be amazing. I’ve envisioned it so many times, and it’s going to be particularly special because my kids are going to be there,” says Vicens, a married mother of two boys. My kids didn’t attend my first fight because they were too young. They saw the bruises, but they wanted to see a belt. They wanted to see that prize, and in that moment something in me was triggered and winning the belt became my biggest goal.”

Source: Top Rank | December 15, 2024

Watch: Little-known Bruno Surace KOs Jaime Munguia
Bruno Surace KO6 Jaime Munguia ... Bruno Surace stunned the boxing world. The Frenchman went on the road and knocked out Jaime Munguia with a right hand in the sixth round of the super middleweight main event Saturday evening in Munguia's hometown of Tijuana, Mexico. How big was this upset? Munguia is a former 154-pound champion and has only been defeated by the great Saul "Canelo" Alvarez and now Surace. Besides going into Munguia's hometown for the knockout, Surace had only 4 KO wins in 27 prior fights. He was also a middleweight fighting above his optimal weight class. After a quiet opening round, Munguia gave the home crowd something to cheer about in the second, knocking down Surace with a counter left hook to the chin. Surace (26-0-2, 5 KOs) survived the round, but his tendency to lean against the ropes offered Munguia (44-2, 35 KOs) an inviting target. In the sixth, Munguia offered Surace the more inviting target, leaning back with his hands down. And Surace delivered the right hand of a lifetime. Munguia attempted valiantly to reach his feet, but he could not continue. And, with one magical punch, Surace authored an upset for the ages. “I know that he is an excellent boxer. So, we worked on our counter punches," Surace said. "He is a true warrior. I want to thank him for the opportunity. This was a big experience for me. “Middleweight is my true weight class. But we’ll see if {a rematch} can happen.”
	Watch: Little-known Bruno Surace KOs Jaime Munguia Bruno Surace KO6 Jaime Munguia ... Bruno Surace stunned the boxing world. The Frenchman went on the road and knocked out Jaime Munguia with a right hand in the sixth round of the super middleweight main event Saturday evening in Munguia's hometown of Tijuana, Mexico. How big was this upset? Munguia is a former 154-pound champion and has only been defeated by the great Saul "Canelo" Alvarez and now Surace. Besides going into Munguia's hometown for the knockout, Surace had only 4 KO wins in 27 prior fights. He was also a middleweight fighting above his optimal weight class. After a quiet opening round, Munguia gave the home crowd something to cheer about in the second, knocking down Surace with a counter left hook to the chin. Surace (26-0-2, 5 KOs) survived the round, but his tendency to lean against the ropes offered Munguia (44-2, 35 KOs) an inviting target. In the sixth, Munguia offered Surace the more inviting target, leaning back with his hands down. And Surace delivered the right hand of a lifetime. Munguia attempted valiantly to reach his feet, but he could not continue. And, with one magical punch, Surace authored an upset for the ages. “I know that he is an excellent boxer. So, we worked on our counter punches," Surace said. "He is a true warrior. I want to thank him for the opportunity. This was a big experience for me. “Middleweight is my true weight class. But we’ll see if {a rematch} can happen.”

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By Scott Shaffer | December 15, 2024

Rocha and Curiel battle to a draw
Alexis Rocha D12 Raul Curiel... In a close and competitive welterweight main event on Golden Boy's Ontario, California show, Alexis Rocha and Raul Curiel fought to a majority draw. Official scores were 116-112 for Rocha and 114-114 (twice). DAZN commentator Chris Mannix scored it 115-113 for Rocha. Curiel remains undefeated at 15-0-1, while Rocha is now 25-2-1. Both boxers said they would like an immediate rematch.
	Rocha and Curiel battle to a draw Alexis Rocha D12 Raul Curiel... In a close and competitive welterweight main event on Golden Boy's Ontario, California show, Alexis Rocha and Raul Curiel fought to a majority draw. Official scores were 116-112 for Rocha and 114-114 (twice). DAZN commentator Chris Mannix scored it 115-113 for Rocha. Curiel remains undefeated at 15-0-1, while Rocha is now 25-2-1. Both boxers said they would like an immediate rematch.

By Scott Shaffer | December 15, 2024

Watch: Akhmadaliev wins by knockout
Murodjon Akhmadaliev KO3 Ricardo Espinoza Franco... In Monte Carlo, former two-belt super bantamweight champion Murodjon Akhmadaliev knocked out Ricardo Espinoza Franco in the third round with the WBA interim title at stake. More important than the secondary belt, Akhmadaliev likely put himself in position to challenge world champion Naoya Inoue next year. [Inoue is scheduled to face Sam Goodman next, but that fight just got postponed to late January.] Akhmadaliev, from Kazakhstan, is now 16-3 including the World Series of Boxing. Espinoza Franco returns to Mexico with a 30-5 mark.
	Watch: Akhmadaliev wins by knockout Murodjon Akhmadaliev KO3 Ricardo Espinoza Franco... In Monte Carlo, former two-belt super bantamweight champion Murodjon Akhmadaliev knocked out Ricardo Espinoza Franco in the third round with the WBA interim title at stake. More important than the secondary belt, Akhmadaliev likely put himself in position to challenge world champion Naoya Inoue next year. [Inoue is scheduled to face Sam Goodman next, but that fight just got postponed to late January.] Akhmadaliev, from Kazakhstan, is now 16-3 including the World Series of Boxing. Espinoza Franco returns to Mexico with a 30-5 mark.

Press Release | December 15, 2024

Dainier Pero gets first-round KO
Dainier Pero KO1 Walter Burns... Hailing from Camaguey, Cuba, and now fighting out of Las Vegas, Dainier “The Fear” Pero Dainier “The Fear” Pero (10-0, 8 KOs), is a 25 year-old heavyweight. On Sautrday, Pero scored a first-round knockdown and shortly afterwards got a technical knockout win over Walter Burns (8-3, 6 KOs). Promoted by Boxlab Promotions, Pero’s 2024 campaign consisted of five fights at the Caribe Royale Resort in Orlando, Florida. Pero delivered knockout victories in all of them: Joe Jones – 2nd Round KO on February 2nd Jose Mario Tamez – 1st Round KO on April 26th James Evans – 5th Round KO on July 26th Willie Jake Jr. – 3rd Round KO on October 19th Walter Burns – 1st Round KO on December 13th “Training with Bob Santos has elevated every aspect of my game,” said Pero. “He’s helped me focus on perfecting my power, conditioning, and strategy. His knowledge and experience are unmatched, and it shows in my performances. Las Vegas is where champions are made. Sparring with top fighters here has kept me sharp and constantly improving. The level of competition is incredible, and it’s pushed me to be my best.” Bob Santos, who has guided Pero’s spectacular rise, shared his belief in the young heavyweight’s talent. Santos compares the young gun to a bigger more powerful version of Oleksandr Usyk. “Dainier Pero is the next great heavyweight in the world,” said Santos, a seasoned trainer with over 25 years of experience working with some of the biggest names in boxing. “His power, athleticism, and high ring IQ make him stand out from everyone else in the division. He moves with the precision and agility of a young Usyk, showcasing exceptional footwork, impressive ring generalship, and true explosive power. Being named 2024 Prospect of the Year would be a well-deserved recognition of the hard work and dedication he’s put into his craft.” “Dainier Pero is a generational talent,” said Boxlab Promotions President Amaury Piedra, who sees a very bright future for his young heavyweight. “His performances in 2024 were nothing short of spectacular, and his knockout power is second to none. He’s shown he’s ready to take on the best in the division and naming him Prospect of the Year is a testament to his incredible year and limitless potential.” Pero attributes his success in 2024 to staying consistently active in the ring. Regular fights kept him sharp, allowing him to build momentum and refine his skills with each performance. He believes that consistent competition is crucial for a fighter's growth, as it not only enhances physical readiness but also strengthens mental focus and confidence. “Fighting constantly is what every fighters wants and I’m grateful to my team, my promoter for making this year one of the best for my career,” concluded Pero. “Activity is everything in this sport. Fighting five times in one year has helped me stay in rhythm and grow as a fighter. Each fight gave me an opportunity to learn and show the world what I can do. Discipline is the key to longevity in this sport. Between fights, I’m focused on eating clean, staying fit, and recovering properly. That’s how you stay ready for the next challenge.”
	Dainier Pero gets first-round KO Dainier Pero KO1 Walter Burns... Hailing from Camaguey, Cuba, and now fighting out of Las Vegas, Dainier “The Fear” Pero Dainier “The Fear” Pero (10-0, 8 KOs), is a 25 year-old heavyweight. On Sautrday, Pero scored a first-round knockdown and shortly afterwards got a technical knockout win over Walter Burns (8-3, 6 KOs). Promoted by Boxlab Promotions, Pero’s 2024 campaign consisted of five fights at the Caribe Royale Resort in Orlando, Florida. Pero delivered knockout victories in all of them: Joe Jones – 2nd Round KO on February 2nd Jose Mario Tamez – 1st Round KO on April 26th James Evans – 5th Round KO on July 26th Willie Jake Jr. – 3rd Round KO on October 19th Walter Burns – 1st Round KO on December 13th “Training with Bob Santos has elevated every aspect of my game,” said Pero. “He’s helped me focus on perfecting my power, conditioning, and strategy. His knowledge and experience are unmatched, and it shows in my performances. Las Vegas is where champions are made. Sparring with top fighters here has kept me sharp and constantly improving. The level of competition is incredible, and it’s pushed me to be my best.” Bob Santos, who has guided Pero’s spectacular rise, shared his belief in the young heavyweight’s talent. Santos compares the young gun to a bigger more powerful version of Oleksandr Usyk. “Dainier Pero is the next great heavyweight in the world,” said Santos, a seasoned trainer with over 25 years of experience working with some of the biggest names in boxing. “His power, athleticism, and high ring IQ make him stand out from everyone else in the division. He moves with the precision and agility of a young Usyk, showcasing exceptional footwork, impressive ring generalship, and true explosive power. Being named 2024 Prospect of the Year would be a well-deserved recognition of the hard work and dedication he’s put into his craft.” “Dainier Pero is a generational talent,” said Boxlab Promotions President Amaury Piedra, who sees a very bright future for his young heavyweight. “His performances in 2024 were nothing short of spectacular, and his knockout power is second to none. He’s shown he’s ready to take on the best in the division and naming him Prospect of the Year is a testament to his incredible year and limitless potential.” Pero attributes his success in 2024 to staying consistently active in the ring. Regular fights kept him sharp, allowing him to build momentum and refine his skills with each performance. He believes that consistent competition is crucial for a fighter's growth, as it not only enhances physical readiness but also strengthens mental focus and confidence. “Fighting constantly is what every fighters wants and I’m grateful to my team, my promoter for making this year one of the best for my career,” concluded Pero. “Activity is everything in this sport. Fighting five times in one year has helped me stay in rhythm and grow as a fighter. Each fight gave me an opportunity to learn and show the world what I can do. Discipline is the key to longevity in this sport. Between fights, I’m focused on eating clean, staying fit, and recovering properly. That’s how you stay ready for the next challenge.”

Source: Top Rank | December 15, 2024

Tijuana undercard results: Picasso continues to win
Alan David Picasso KO3 Yehison Cuello... On the Tijuana, Mexico undercard on Saturday, Mexican featherweight Alan David Picasso (31-0-1, 17 KOs) showed he is ready for a bigger stage by knocking out Colombian southpaw Yehison Cuello (13-3-1, 11 KOs) in the third round. Additional Results: In the junior middleweight division, Jorge Garcia (32-4, 26 KOs) won a ten-round unanimous decision over Kudratillo Abdukakhorov (20-4, 12 KOs). Official scores were 97-92 and 99-90 (twice). Junior featherweight Sebastian Hernandez (18-0, 17 KOs) stopped Sergio Martin Sosa (14-5, 3 KOs) in round seven. Junior lightweight: Juan Anacona (13-1, 6 KOs) won an eight-round unanimous decision over Christian Islas (11-3-1, 7 KOs). The scorecards read 79-73, 78-74 and 77-75.
	Tijuana undercard results: Picasso continues to win Alan David Picasso KO3 Yehison Cuello... On the Tijuana, Mexico undercard on Saturday, Mexican featherweight Alan David Picasso (31-0-1, 17 KOs) showed he is ready for a bigger stage by knocking out Colombian southpaw Yehison Cuello (13-3-1, 11 KOs) in the third round. Additional Results: In the junior middleweight division, Jorge Garcia (32-4, 26 KOs) won a ten-round unanimous decision over Kudratillo Abdukakhorov (20-4, 12 KOs). Official scores were 97-92 and 99-90 (twice). Junior featherweight Sebastian Hernandez (18-0, 17 KOs) stopped Sergio Martin Sosa (14-5, 3 KOs) in round seven. Junior lightweight: Juan Anacona (13-1, 6 KOs) won an eight-round unanimous decision over Christian Islas (11-3-1, 7 KOs). The scorecards read 79-73, 78-74 and 77-75.

By Scott Shaffer | December 15, 2024

Wins for Conwell and Ramirez in Ontario, CA
Charles Conwell TKO7 Gerardo Vergara... In a battle of undefeated junior middleweights held in Ontario, California, Charles Conwell stopped Gerardo Vergara in round seven. They had similar records, but Conwell, from Ohio, was a level above the Argentinean visitor. Vergara was durable, but Conwell (23-0 including the World Series of Boxing) won every round. In the seventh, he had Vergara (20-1) out on his feet when the referee appropriately stepped in a few seconds before the round ended. Scrappy Ramirez W10 Ephraim Bui... At Toyota Arena in Ontario, Califonia, John "Scrappy" Ramirez defeated Ephraim Bui in a super flyweight bout. It was a unanimous decision win for Ramirez, who prevailed by a trio of 97-93 scorecards. Ramirez, from Los Angeles, was coming off a loss to David Jimenez in an interim title bout. Bui came in undefeated but now has a 10-1 record.
	Wins for Conwell and Ramirez in Ontario, CA Charles Conwell TKO7 Gerardo Vergara... In a battle of undefeated junior middleweights held in Ontario, California, Charles Conwell stopped Gerardo Vergara in round seven. They had similar records, but Conwell, from Ohio, was a level above the Argentinean visitor. Vergara was durable, but Conwell (23-0 including the World Series of Boxing) won every round. In the seventh, he had Vergara (20-1) out on his feet when the referee appropriately stepped in a few seconds before the round ended. Scrappy Ramirez W10 Ephraim Bui... At Toyota Arena in Ontario, Califonia, John "Scrappy" Ramirez defeated Ephraim Bui in a super flyweight bout. It was a unanimous decision win for Ramirez, who prevailed by a trio of 97-93 scorecards. Ramirez, from Los Angeles, was coming off a loss to David Jimenez in an interim title bout. Bui came in undefeated but now has a 10-1 record.

By Scott Shaffer | December 14, 2024

Jonas defeats Habazin to unify WBC and IBF titles
Natasha Jonas W10 Ivana Habazin... Natasha Jonas unified two of the major welterweight belts by defeating Croatia's Ivana Habazin at the Liverpool Exhibition Centre in England. Fighting in her hometown, Jonas improved to 16-2-1 with a wide unanimous decision win over Habazin. She beat Habazin by scores of 99-92, 99-91 and 100-90, a reflection of her dominance. Now 23-6, Habazin entered the fight with the IBF title, while Jonas had the WBC version. Jonas was also a 154-pound champion. With the win, Jonas set herself up for another unification fight against Lauren Price, who defended the WBA title on the undercard.
	Jonas defeats Habazin to unify WBC and IBF titles Natasha Jonas W10 Ivana Habazin... Natasha Jonas unified two of the major welterweight belts by defeating Croatia's Ivana Habazin at the Liverpool Exhibition Centre in England. Fighting in her hometown, Jonas improved to 16-2-1 with a wide unanimous decision win over Habazin. She beat Habazin by scores of 99-92, 99-91 and 100-90, a reflection of her dominance. Now 23-6, Habazin entered the fight with the IBF title, while Jonas had the WBC version. Jonas was also a 154-pound champion. With the win, Jonas set herself up for another unification fight against Lauren Price, who defended the WBA title on the undercard.

Source: Sky Sports | December 14, 2024

Inoue championship defense pushed back one month
According to Sky Sports, Naoya Inoue's scheduled defense of his world super bantamweight championship has been postponed one month. His fight vs. Sam Goodman of Australia initially had a Christmas Eve date but Goodman suffered a cut in sparring. Inoue, who has been undisputed in his division since knocking out Marlon Tapales a year ago, will now fight Goodman in Tokyo on Friday January 24, 2025. The new date was not yet announced by the promoter, but Sky Sports sourced an Inoue social media post.
	Inoue championship defense pushed back one month According to Sky Sports, Naoya Inoue's scheduled defense of his world super bantamweight championship has been postponed one month. His fight vs. Sam Goodman of Australia initially had a Christmas Eve date but Goodman suffered a cut in sparring. Inoue, who has been undisputed in his division since knocking out Marlon Tapales a year ago, will now fight Goodman in Tokyo on Friday January 24, 2025. The new date was not yet announced by the promoter, but Sky Sports sourced an Inoue social media post.

Source: Sky Sports | December 14, 2024

Lauren Price retains title with KO
Lauren Price KO3 Bexcy Mateus... WBA welterweight title holder Lauren Price (8-0) proved to be levels above Colombian challenger Bexcy Mateus (7-1) in Liverpool on Saturday.. As the third round ticked down, a Price left bounced Mateus off the ropes. The Colombian stood stunned still, and Price sent a cross into the jaw that knocked Mateus out. Price also holds the IBO title.
	Lauren Price retains title with KO Lauren Price KO3 Bexcy Mateus... WBA welterweight title holder Lauren Price (8-0) proved to be levels above Colombian challenger Bexcy Mateus (7-1) in Liverpool on Saturday.. As the third round ticked down, a Price left bounced Mateus off the ropes. The Colombian stood stunned still, and Price sent a cross into the jaw that knocked Mateus out. Price also holds the IBO title.

Source: Sky Sports | December 14, 2024

More Results from Liverpool: Viddal Riley back on the fast track
Viddal Riley TKO3 Dan Garber ... London rivals Isaac Chamberlain and Viddal Riley faced off in a Liverpool ring after Riley (12-0) stopped Dan Garber (7-4) in round two of their cruiserweight fight. Riley had not left the ring before it was announced that a Riley vs. Chamberlain fight is for London on February 1st. "Sounds about time to me. The paths have aligned now," Riley said. "It was perfect," Riley said of the Garber performance. "I wanted to push it and get the most out of it. Because the man that’s staring at me right now will require more than that." Mark Jeffers TKO3 Joshua Quartey... British super middleweight Mark Jeffers doesn't have too many knockouts on his record, but he stopped Joshua Quartey in round three on the Boxxer show in Liverpool. Jeffers (19-0) first found success with a right that knocked Quartey (10-1) down. A left hook to the body bowled Quartey over a second time. He only just beat that count and Jeffers swarmed all over him. A left hook thuds into the head and that's enough for the referee to end it in the third round. On January 11th, Callum Simpson fights Steed Woodall for the British and Commonwealth super middleweight titles. Jeffers wants the winner of that fight next. "I do think he beats him," Jeffers said. "Callum Simpson for me in Britain is the biggest name. It's nothing personal for me, it's business."
	More Results from Liverpool: Viddal Riley back on the fast track Viddal Riley TKO3 Dan Garber ... London rivals Isaac Chamberlain and Viddal Riley faced off in a Liverpool ring after Riley (12-0) stopped Dan Garber (7-4) in round two of their cruiserweight fight. Riley had not left the ring before it was announced that a Riley vs. Chamberlain fight is for London on February 1st. "Sounds about time to me. The paths have aligned now," Riley said. "It was perfect," Riley said of the Garber performance. "I wanted to push it and get the most out of it. Because the man that’s staring at me right now will require more than that." Mark Jeffers TKO3 Joshua Quartey... British super middleweight Mark Jeffers doesn't have too many knockouts on his record, but he stopped Joshua Quartey in round three on the Boxxer show in Liverpool. Jeffers (19-0) first found success with a right that knocked Quartey (10-1) down. A left hook to the body bowled Quartey over a second time. He only just beat that count and Jeffers swarmed all over him. A left hook thuds into the head and that's enough for the referee to end it in the third round. On January 11th, Callum Simpson fights Steed Woodall for the British and Commonwealth super middleweight titles. Jeffers wants the winner of that fight next. "I do think he beats him," Jeffers said. "Callum Simpson for me in Britain is the biggest name. It's nothing personal for me, it's business."

Source: WBA | December 14, 2024

Antonio Vargas claims WBA interim belt in Florida
Antonio Vargas TKO10 Winston Guerrero... Florida bantamweight Antonio Vargas stopped Winston Guerrero to claim the WBA interim title on a show held at the WBA Convention in Orlando's Caribe Royale Hotel. The 28-year old won in the tenth round. Vargas knocked down the Nicaraguan Guerrero in the first round, but then experienced difficulties in the second round when Winston scored a knockdown of his own. However, Vargas recovered and work little by little to win each round more convincingly. Finally, he overwhelmed his opponent so that the referee stopped the action. With the victory, Vargas is now 19-1 and in line to face WBA bantamweight champion Seiya Tsutsumi of Japan. Guerrero lost his undefeated record, but still looks good on paper at 22-1.
	Antonio Vargas claims WBA interim belt in Florida Antonio Vargas TKO10 Winston Guerrero... Florida bantamweight Antonio Vargas stopped Winston Guerrero to claim the WBA interim title on a show held at the WBA Convention in Orlando's Caribe Royale Hotel. The 28-year old won in the tenth round. Vargas knocked down the Nicaraguan Guerrero in the first round, but then experienced difficulties in the second round when Winston scored a knockdown of his own. However, Vargas recovered and work little by little to win each round more convincingly. Finally, he overwhelmed his opponent so that the referee stopped the action. With the victory, Vargas is now 19-1 and in line to face WBA bantamweight champion Seiya Tsutsumi of Japan. Guerrero lost his undefeated record, but still looks good on paper at 22-1.

Source: Top Rank | December 14, 2024

Weigh-in report from Tijuana
Here are the boxer's weights for the ESPN+ show in Tijuana on Saturday. The broadcast will start ar 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT): Jaime Munguia 169.1 pounds vs. Bruno Surace 169.1 (ten rounds); Alan Picasso 125.9 vs. Yehison Cuello 124.6 (ten rounds) Cuello replaces Picasso's original opponent, Isaac Sackey; Jorge Garcia Perez 154.3 vs. Kudratillo Abdukakhorov 158.2 (ten rounds); Sebastian Hernandez 123.6 vs. Sergio Martin Sosa 123.2 (ten rounds); and Christian Islas Roldan 130.7 vs. Juan Anacona 129.5 (eight rounds).
	Weigh-in report from Tijuana Here are the boxer's weights for the ESPN+ show in Tijuana on Saturday. The broadcast will start ar 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT): Jaime Munguia 169.1 pounds vs. Bruno Surace 169.1 (ten rounds); Alan Picasso 125.9 vs. Yehison Cuello 124.6 (ten rounds) Cuello replaces Picasso's original opponent, Isaac Sackey; Jorge Garcia Perez 154.3 vs. Kudratillo Abdukakhorov 158.2 (ten rounds); Sebastian Hernandez 123.6 vs. Sergio Martin Sosa 123.2 (ten rounds); and Christian Islas Roldan 130.7 vs. Juan Anacona 129.5 (eight rounds).

By Scott Shaffer | December 14, 2024

Report: Dennis McCann tests positive for a banned substance
Turki Alalshikh, the chairman of the General Entertainment Authority of Saudi Arabia, tweeted, "The Voluntary Anti-Doping Association (VADA) has today informed all relevant parties that [British super bantamweight] Dennis McCann [16-0-1] has returned an adverse finding following an anti-doping test conducted in advance of his upcoming bout. Mr. McCann’s scheduled fight next Saturday will no longer take place, as the relevant parties investigate the matter further. No further comment on this will be made at this time." McCann was scheduled to face Peter McGrail (10-1) next week in Saudi Arabia as part of the Oleksandr Usyk - Tyson Fury II show.
	Report: Dennis McCann tests positive for a banned substance Turki Alalshikh, the chairman of the General Entertainment Authority of Saudi Arabia, tweeted, "The Voluntary Anti-Doping Association (VADA) has today informed all relevant parties that [British super bantamweight] Dennis McCann [16-0-1] has returned an adverse finding following an anti-doping test conducted in advance of his upcoming bout. Mr. McCann’s scheduled fight next Saturday will no longer take place, as the relevant parties investigate the matter further. No further comment on this will be made at this time." McCann was scheduled to face Peter McGrail (10-1) next week in Saudi Arabia as part of the Oleksandr Usyk - Tyson Fury II show.

Source: WBC | December 14, 2024

Results from Germany: Asley Gonzalez retains title
Asley González W10 Mary Romero. ... On a boxing show held at the WBC convention at Hamburg, Germany's Grand Elysee Hotel, WBC super flyweight champion Asley González successfully defendedher title against Mary Romero. The more compact and harder hitting Gonzalez pursued the longer-armed opponent who was perpetually on the retreat. When they did exchange, the sustained combinations came from Gonzalez, who did did get caught with some hard, yet single, solitary rights. But the champion's work level, more precise punches in bunches and pressure fighting forced Romero into perpetual retreat, and Gonzalez won by unanimous decision. ADDITIONAL RESULTS Heavywight southpaw Mourad Aliev scored a sixth-round knockout of Davide Brito. Physically more imposing, Aliev was connecting and often.By round three, Brito had a nose bleed, and his mouth guard was knocked out, skidding from one side of the ring to the other. He tried to fight back sporadically, but in round six, he was trapped on the ropes and a big right dropped him. It was all over. Serkay Comert defeated Yassin Hermi by unanimous decision. By round three it had developed into an all-out war, which was continued into the following round. Comert was often fighting off the ropes and landing frequently. Hermi's face was swelling and in round six a flurry of punches dropped him and before round eight, the ring doctor had a long look at him. He fought bravely but was out punched, especially down the stretch. Ermal Hadribeaj won a majority decision over Eddy Colnenares in the junior middleweight division. The lanky much taller Hadribeaj who has an albatross-like reach, was tentative for the first three rounds. He then burst into life and thereafter followed some lively exchanges. A southpaw, Hadribeaj was constantly bobbling and weaving to avoid those ramrod long arms. He remained busier to gain the victory. Benjamin Gavazi stopped Branimir Malencia in the tenth and final round of a light heavyweight contest. Ben was catching Malencia with right hands and a variety of uppercuts. While Malencia was trying to crowd him and do damage at toe to toe range. Two left right combinations to the head in round ten, convinced Malencia’s corner to throw in the towel for TKO. Esneidy Rodriguez defeated Sana Hazuki by unanimous decision in a 102-pound contest. The taller Suri tried to keep it at distance, but was relentlessly pursued by more compact and more powerful, plus grimly determined Esneidy who landed some stinging combinations plus uppercuts. Suri had some success with long straight rights, but paid a price when Esneidy negated the range. Former champion and cancer survivor Billy Dib, won a farewell eight rounder at junior welterweight against an outclassed Atilla Kayabasi. The Z’s, namely All time Greats Carlos Zarate and Alfonso Zamora walked “Billy The Kid” to the ring, accompanied by a recording of Frank Sinatra singing MyWay. Young Bridger Walker was on Round Card duty between rounds. Billy gave us a virtuoso performance with every punch in the book reddening Atilla’s face. The gulf of experience and cascade of punches would have overcome a lesser man, by Atilla weathered it. Billy raised his hand moments before the bell to end the eighth and final round clanged.In winning his final fight, The WBC’s Champion of Hope had achieved the impossible. He and Atilla hugged each other and WBC President Mauricio Sulaiman came into the ring to say: “It’s an extraordinary dream come true. We now welcome Billy to life outside the ring.”
	Results from Germany: Asley Gonzalez retains title Asley González W10 Mary Romero. ... On a boxing show held at the WBC convention at Hamburg, Germany's Grand Elysee Hotel, WBC super flyweight champion Asley González successfully defendedher title against Mary Romero. The more compact and harder hitting Gonzalez pursued the longer-armed opponent who was perpetually on the retreat. When they did exchange, the sustained combinations came from Gonzalez, who did did get caught with some hard, yet single, solitary rights. But the champion's work level, more precise punches in bunches and pressure fighting forced Romero into perpetual retreat, and Gonzalez won by unanimous decision. ADDITIONAL RESULTS Heavywight southpaw Mourad Aliev scored a sixth-round knockout of Davide Brito. Physically more imposing, Aliev was connecting and often.By round three, Brito had a nose bleed, and his mouth guard was knocked out, skidding from one side of the ring to the other. He tried to fight back sporadically, but in round six, he was trapped on the ropes and a big right dropped him. It was all over. Serkay Comert defeated Yassin Hermi by unanimous decision. By round three it had developed into an all-out war, which was continued into the following round. Comert was often fighting off the ropes and landing frequently. Hermi's face was swelling and in round six a flurry of punches dropped him and before round eight, the ring doctor had a long look at him. He fought bravely but was out punched, especially down the stretch. Ermal Hadribeaj won a majority decision over Eddy Colnenares in the junior middleweight division. The lanky much taller Hadribeaj who has an albatross-like reach, was tentative for the first three rounds. He then burst into life and thereafter followed some lively exchanges. A southpaw, Hadribeaj was constantly bobbling and weaving to avoid those ramrod long arms. He remained busier to gain the victory. Benjamin Gavazi stopped Branimir Malencia in the tenth and final round of a light heavyweight contest. Ben was catching Malencia with right hands and a variety of uppercuts. While Malencia was trying to crowd him and do damage at toe to toe range. Two left right combinations to the head in round ten, convinced Malencia’s corner to throw in the towel for TKO. Esneidy Rodriguez defeated Sana Hazuki by unanimous decision in a 102-pound contest. The taller Suri tried to keep it at distance, but was relentlessly pursued by more compact and more powerful, plus grimly determined Esneidy who landed some stinging combinations plus uppercuts. Suri had some success with long straight rights, but paid a price when Esneidy negated the range. Former champion and cancer survivor Billy Dib, won a farewell eight rounder at junior welterweight against an outclassed Atilla Kayabasi. The Z’s, namely All time Greats Carlos Zarate and Alfonso Zamora walked “Billy The Kid” to the ring, accompanied by a recording of Frank Sinatra singing MyWay. Young Bridger Walker was on Round Card duty between rounds. Billy gave us a virtuoso performance with every punch in the book reddening Atilla’s face. The gulf of experience and cascade of punches would have overcome a lesser man, by Atilla weathered it. Billy raised his hand moments before the bell to end the eighth and final round clanged.In winning his final fight, The WBC’s Champion of Hope had achieved the impossible. He and Atilla hugged each other and WBC President Mauricio Sulaiman came into the ring to say: “It’s an extraordinary dream come true. We now welcome Billy to life outside the ring.”

By Scott Shaffer | December 14, 2024

Boxingtalk salutes cancer survivor and ex-champ Billy Dib
Boxingtalk salutes former IBF featherweight champion and cancer survivor Billy Dib. This week at the WBC convention, Dib won a farewell eight rounder at junior welterweight against Atilla Kayabas (12-17). According to the WBC, "Billy gave us a virtuoso performance with every punch in the book reddening Atilla’s face. The gulf of experience and cascade of punches would have overcome a lesser man, by Atilla weathered it. Billy raised his hand moments before the bell to end the eighth and final round clanged. In winning his final fight, The WBC’s Champion of Hope had achieved the impossible." WBC President Mauricio Sulaiman came into the ring to say: “It’s an extraordinary dream come true. We now welcome Billy to life outside the ring.” Boxingtalk wishes Dib a healthy and rewarding life.
	Boxingtalk salutes cancer survivor and ex-champ Billy Dib Boxingtalk salutes former IBF featherweight champion and cancer survivor Billy Dib. This week at the WBC convention, Dib won a farewell eight rounder at junior welterweight against Atilla Kayabas (12-17). According to the WBC, "Billy gave us a virtuoso performance with every punch in the book reddening Atilla’s face. The gulf of experience and cascade of punches would have overcome a lesser man, by Atilla weathered it. Billy raised his hand moments before the bell to end the eighth and final round clanged. In winning his final fight, The WBC’s Champion of Hope had achieved the impossible." WBC President Mauricio Sulaiman came into the ring to say: “It’s an extraordinary dream come true. We now welcome Billy to life outside the ring.” Boxingtalk wishes Dib a healthy and rewarding life.

Press Release | December 14, 2024

Robert Guerrero III to fight for fifth time this year
Super featherweight Robert Guerrero III (4-0, 2 KOs) is gearing up for his fifth fight of 2024 as he takes on Eduardo Tarango (0-1) of El Paso, Texas, in a four-round bout this Sunday, December 15th at the Boeing Center at Tech Port in San Antonio, Texas. The teenage Guerrero is already carving out a legacy, following in the footsteps of his father, multiple-division champion Robert “The Ghost” Guerrero. Nicknamed “El Pistolero,” Guerrero IiI is looking forward to closing out a busy year with a victory against Tarango. “This has been an incredible year for me,” said Guerrero III. “Fighting five times in 2024 has kept me sharp and helped me gain valuable experience. I’m excited to end the year strong and show everyone how much I’ve grown as a fighter. Training with my grandfather Ruben has been a blessing. He’s been in my corner since day one, and his experience is invaluable. He’s always pushing me to be better, and I’m confident our hard work will show in the ring on Sunday.” Robert “The Ghost” Guerrero shared his thoughts on his son’s development, saying, “Robert is getting better every time he steps in the ring. Because he’s been staying busy, its making him a great prospect. It’s very important to fight regularly because you have to stay sharp in this game. Watching him grow into a young rising star is one of the greatest joys of my life. He’s carrying on the Guerrero name with pride, and I know he’ll make a big statement on Sunday.” This will be the third fight consecutive fight taking place in Texas for Guerrero III, and he is happy to be making a name for himself in the Lone Star State. “Texas has been amazing for my career,” concluded Guerrero III. “The fans there are rowdy and bring a lot of energy when I fight, and I’m honored to be fighting in San Antonio once again. I want to make a name for myself here and become someone they can cheer for in the future. A win on Sunday will set the tone for 2025. I want to keep building my record and proving that I belong in this sport. Each fight is a stepping stone, and I’m determined to keep climbing the ranks.”
	Robert Guerrero III to fight for fifth time this year Super featherweight Robert Guerrero III (4-0, 2 KOs) is gearing up for his fifth fight of 2024 as he takes on Eduardo Tarango (0-1) of El Paso, Texas, in a four-round bout this Sunday, December 15th at the Boeing Center at Tech Port in San Antonio, Texas. The teenage Guerrero is already carving out a legacy, following in the footsteps of his father, multiple-division champion Robert “The Ghost” Guerrero. Nicknamed “El Pistolero,” Guerrero IiI is looking forward to closing out a busy year with a victory against Tarango. “This has been an incredible year for me,” said Guerrero III. “Fighting five times in 2024 has kept me sharp and helped me gain valuable experience. I’m excited to end the year strong and show everyone how much I’ve grown as a fighter. Training with my grandfather Ruben has been a blessing. He’s been in my corner since day one, and his experience is invaluable. He’s always pushing me to be better, and I’m confident our hard work will show in the ring on Sunday.” Robert “The Ghost” Guerrero shared his thoughts on his son’s development, saying, “Robert is getting better every time he steps in the ring. Because he’s been staying busy, its making him a great prospect. It’s very important to fight regularly because you have to stay sharp in this game. Watching him grow into a young rising star is one of the greatest joys of my life. He’s carrying on the Guerrero name with pride, and I know he’ll make a big statement on Sunday.” This will be the third fight consecutive fight taking place in Texas for Guerrero III, and he is happy to be making a name for himself in the Lone Star State. “Texas has been amazing for my career,” concluded Guerrero III. “The fans there are rowdy and bring a lot of energy when I fight, and I’m honored to be fighting in San Antonio once again. I want to make a name for myself here and become someone they can cheer for in the future. A win on Sunday will set the tone for 2025. I want to keep building my record and proving that I belong in this sport. Each fight is a stepping stone, and I’m determined to keep climbing the ranks.”

December 13, 2024

Q&A with Ivana Habazin on the eve of her unification fight
On December 14th, WBC welterweight champion Ivana Habazin will be fighting IBF champion Natasha Jonas in a unification bout that will take place in Jonas' hometown of Liverpool, England. In the lead-in to the fight, Boxxer President, Ben Shalom has been talking about a big unification fight in March between Jonas and WBA champion Lauren Price, both of whom are promoted by Boxxer. [Habazin is not promoted by Boxxer]. Given the fact that the unification fight between Habazin and Jonas has not taken place, talk of Jonas and Price is premature and potentially concerning to Habazin. She had this to say: Q: Ivana, how do you feel about Ben Shalom talking about staging a unification fight in March between Jonas and Price given the fact your fight with Jonas has not taken place yet? A: As a regining champion, this talk by Mr. Shalom is very disrespectful. I have reason to be concerned that the outcome of my fight with Natasha has already been determined. Q: Do you think their will be “hometown cooking” and another controversial decision in Liverpool as was the case when Natasha fought Mikaela Mayer in January? [Mayer, now the WBO champion, lost to Jonas by split decision]. A: Given Mr. Shalom’s remarks, it is only logical that this is something very troubling to me. As you know, controversial decisions against opponents in fighter’s hometowns has been something that has given our sport a black eye. Just look at the [IBF junior welterweight title] fight between Richardson Hitchins and Liam Paro that happened last week. Hitchins clearly won the fight, yet one judge scored the fight 117-111 for Paro. How in the world can that judge be allowed to keep judging fights? Q: Putting aside your concerns about the scoring, how do you feel about the upcoming fight itself? A: I respect Natasha as a champion. However, neither Natasha or I score fights. Judges are easily swayed by promoters who pay their fees, travel, meals, and lodging. Only in boxing does this exist. Many times these judges want to get future assignments, so in my opinion, they judge for the hand that feeds them. Look, I’ve been around long enough to know that I will need to flip the script and do all possible to keep a possible decision out of the judges hands. But, it is crazy that I may need to KO Natasha to get a fair decision. That is wrong and these controversial decisions by unscrupulous judges has to stop if our sport is to be respected for fair and unbiased judging. Q: I’m sure that the boxing world will be watching both the fight and the judging carefully. Are there any parting words that you would like to express? A: I would like to thank the WBC and my fans for their support. I also would also like to give thanks to Round 4 Round at the Amir Khan Academy for their hospitality during my stay in Bolton. The fight will be shown on SKY TV so I hope everyone having access can watch. Thank you.
	Q&A with Ivana Habazin on the eve of her unification fight On December 14th, WBC welterweight champion Ivana Habazin will be fighting IBF champion Natasha Jonas in a unification bout that will take place in Jonas' hometown of Liverpool, England. In the lead-in to the fight, Boxxer President, Ben Shalom has been talking about a big unification fight in March between Jonas and WBA champion Lauren Price, both of whom are promoted by Boxxer. [Habazin is not promoted by Boxxer]. Given the fact that the unification fight between Habazin and Jonas has not taken place, talk of Jonas and Price is premature and potentially concerning to Habazin. She had this to say: Q: Ivana, how do you feel about Ben Shalom talking about staging a unification fight in March between Jonas and Price given the fact your fight with Jonas has not taken place yet? A: As a regining champion, this talk by Mr. Shalom is very disrespectful. I have reason to be concerned that the outcome of my fight with Natasha has already been determined. Q: Do you think their will be “hometown cooking” and another controversial decision in Liverpool as was the case when Natasha fought Mikaela Mayer in January? [Mayer, now the WBO champion, lost to Jonas by split decision]. A: Given Mr. Shalom’s remarks, it is only logical that this is something very troubling to me. As you know, controversial decisions against opponents in fighter’s hometowns has been something that has given our sport a black eye. Just look at the [IBF junior welterweight title] fight between Richardson Hitchins and Liam Paro that happened last week. Hitchins clearly won the fight, yet one judge scored the fight 117-111 for Paro. How in the world can that judge be allowed to keep judging fights? Q: Putting aside your concerns about the scoring, how do you feel about the upcoming fight itself? A: I respect Natasha as a champion. However, neither Natasha or I score fights. Judges are easily swayed by promoters who pay their fees, travel, meals, and lodging. Only in boxing does this exist. Many times these judges want to get future assignments, so in my opinion, they judge for the hand that feeds them. Look, I’ve been around long enough to know that I will need to flip the script and do all possible to keep a possible decision out of the judges hands. But, it is crazy that I may need to KO Natasha to get a fair decision. That is wrong and these controversial decisions by unscrupulous judges has to stop if our sport is to be respected for fair and unbiased judging. Q: I’m sure that the boxing world will be watching both the fight and the judging carefully. Are there any parting words that you would like to express? A: I would like to thank the WBC and my fans for their support. I also would also like to give thanks to Round 4 Round at the Amir Khan Academy for their hospitality during my stay in Bolton. The fight will be shown on SKY TV so I hope everyone having access can watch. Thank you.

Former champ Thierry Jacob passes away at 59

Former champ Thierry Jacob passes away at 59

Results from Riyadh: Fisher edges Allen

Results from Riyadh: Fisher edges Allen

Boxingtalk’s predictions

Boxingtalk’s predictions

Lopez calls Norman a ducker

Lopez calls Norman a ducker

Could there be an Usyk vs. Fury III?

Could there be an Usyk vs. Fury III?

Jonas vs. Price unification announced

Jonas vs. Price unification announced

Andy Dominguez gets the win in NYC

Andy Dominguez gets the win in NYC

Results from Riyadh

Results from Riyadh

Barboza vs. Caterall in negotiations

Barboza vs. Caterall in negotiations

Aritifical Intelligence to serve as unofficial judge for Usyk vs. Fury II

Aritifical Intelligence to serve as unofficial judge for Usyk vs. Fury II

Benavidez: "I'm gonna break Morrell's mouth"

Benavidez: "I'm gonna break Morrell's mouth"

BKFC action coming to Hollywood, FL on Saturday

BKFC action coming to Hollywood, FL on Saturday

Top Rank library to air on Roku

Top Rank library to air on Roku

Official Inoue vs. Goodman rescheduling announcement

Official Inoue vs. Goodman rescheduling announcement

Weigh-in results from NYC

Weigh-in results from NYC

Cutler ends McKenna's undefeated run

Cutler ends McKenna's undefeated run

Hlatshwayo wins super bantamweight bout in South Africa

Hlatshwayo wins super bantamweight bout in South Africa

Eden Williams, daughter of former light heavyweight contender, to compete in USA Nationals

Eden Williams, daughter of former light heavyweight contender, to compete in USA Nationals

Whyte wins when Tetteh quits on stool

Whyte wins when Tetteh quits on stool

Matchroom announces several shows for 2025

Matchroom announces several shows for 2025

Garcia postpones exhibition due to wrist injury

Garcia postpones exhibition due to wrist injury

USA Amateur nationals start this week

USA Amateur nationals start this week

Christine Vicens wants to win bare knuckles title for her children

Christine Vicens wants to win bare knuckles title for her children

Watch: Little-known Bruno Surace KOs Jaime Munguia

Watch: Little-known Bruno Surace KOs Jaime Munguia

Rocha and Curiel battle to a draw

Rocha and Curiel battle to a draw

Watch: Akhmadaliev wins by knockout

Watch: Akhmadaliev wins by knockout

Dainier Pero gets first-round KO

Dainier Pero gets first-round KO

Tijuana undercard results: Picasso continues to win

Tijuana undercard results: Picasso continues to win

Wins for Conwell and Ramirez in Ontario, CA

Wins for Conwell and Ramirez in Ontario, CA

Jonas defeats Habazin to unify WBC and IBF titles

Jonas defeats Habazin to unify WBC and IBF titles

Inoue championship defense pushed back one month

Inoue championship defense pushed back one month

Lauren Price retains title with KO

Lauren Price retains title with KO

More Results from Liverpool: Viddal Riley back on the fast track

More Results from Liverpool: Viddal Riley back on the fast track

Antonio Vargas claims WBA interim belt in Florida

Antonio Vargas claims WBA interim belt in Florida

Weigh-in report from Tijuana

Weigh-in report from Tijuana

Report: Dennis McCann tests positive for a banned substance

Report: Dennis McCann tests positive for a banned substance

Results from Germany: Asley Gonzalez retains title

Results from Germany: Asley Gonzalez retains title

Boxingtalk salutes cancer survivor and ex-champ Billy Dib

Boxingtalk salutes cancer survivor and ex-champ Billy Dib

Robert Guerrero III to fight for fifth time this year

Robert Guerrero III to fight for fifth time this year

Q&A with Ivana Habazin on the eve of her unification fight

Q&A with Ivana Habazin on the eve of her unification fight