Heather Hardy sues over brain and vision damage |
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Former champion Heather Hardy has filed a lawsuit accusing leading boxing promoters and equipment companies of failing to protect her health, provide required insurance, and compensate her fairly during a career that left her with permanent brain injuries.The complaint, filed September 11th in New York state court, paints a vivid picture of Hardy’s rise from Brooklyn’s working-class neighborhoods to international stardom, and of the steep personal and financial toll that followed. Defendants in the case include promoter Lou DiBella, his company DiBella Entertainment Inc., Everlast Worldwide Inc., Boxing Insider LLC, Boxing Insider Promotions, and Frasers Group, Everlast’s corporate parent. Hardy claims these companies and individuals violated both contract terms and state athletic regulations by failing to provide her with required medical insurance and by structuring contracts that gave promoters near-total control of her career while shielding them from liability. According to the filing, Hardy, now age 43, earned her nickname “The Heat” for her aggressive style and perseverance both inside and outside the ring. She turned to boxing in her twenties while raising her young daughter, balancing jobs and training at Brooklyn’s famed Gleason’s Gym. She eventually captured the WBO world featherweight title in 2018. Here is an excerpt from Hardy's complaint: "When [former featherweight champion] Heather Hardy retired, it was not because she wished to rest on her laurels, nor, for that matter, because she wanted to retire at all. In early 2024, she was training for a bare-knuckle boxing bout when she suddenly lost her vision. When it didn’t return for several days, she saw an ophthalmologist, who informed her that the problem was not just with her eyes, it was with her brain. She then dropped out of the fight, she announced, because she 'had too much brain damage.' Media outlets reported her permanent retirement shortly after that. Today, Heather lives with chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) and frontal lobe damage. She has daily seizures, convulsions, and muscle spasms. Her vision is impaired, she cannot sleep, she cannot read maps, and she frequently cannot distinguish right from left. She suffers from debilitating anxiety, for which she takes medication... Heather supports herself at a subsistence level by coaching other boxers—at least for a couple of hours a day, before her brain damage symptoms become incapacitating—at the very Brooklyn gym that was her own professional haven for many years. Yet, in perhaps the cruelest development among many, and despite being a former world champion boxer, she cannot afford the kind of private health insurance that would give her even a minimally appropriate level of treatment. Instead, she relies on Medicaid for whatever minimal treatment it provides for her physical, neurological, and psychological symptoms." Hardy fought most of her professional bouts in New York, often at the Barclays Center and Madison Square Garden. The complaint recounts that she personally sold tickets, promoted her own events, and sometimes fought before half-empty arenas because female bouts were scheduled before audiences were allowed to enter. Yet she built a record of 24 wins and 3 losses, ranking her statistically alongside boxing greats such as Joe Frazier and Mike Tyson. Despite that success, Hardy’s lawsuit says her financial rewards never reflected her accomplishments. Data from the New York State Athletic Commission cited in the complaint show her total gross earnings from New York fights at $236,450 over a 12-year career—an average of less than $20,000 per year. Prominent male fighters, the complaint notes, routinely earned millions per bout during the same era. According to the lawsuit, Hardy’s promotional agreements incorporated New York State Athletic Commission rules requiring at least $1 million in coverage for brain injuries and $50,000 for other medical expenses. Hardy alleges she never received such coverage and was never given policy or claim information to access those benefits. The complaint describes the contracts she signed as “unconscionable” and “void as against public policy”—arguing they forced her to accept extraordinary health risks without adequate protection or representation. Hardy’s legal team also contends that by the later years of her career she was already exhibiting symptoms of cognitive decline and vision problems, and that promoters should have recognized her compromised condition. She claims the contracts she signed from 2019 through 2023 should be declared void ab initio because she lacked full capacity to consent. Her injuries culminated in 2024, when she suddenly lost her vision during training for a bare-knuckle fight. An ophthalmologist informed her that the cause was neurological, not optical, and she later announced her retirement, saying she had “too much brain damage.” She has since been diagnosed with chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), frontal lobe damage, and post-concussion syndrome. The complaint describes her current life as one of seizures, impaired vision, memory loss, and dependence on Medicaid. Now, Hardy seeks compensatory, consequential, and incidental damages for breach of contract and related claims, as well as declaratory relief to void exculpatory clauses in her contracts. She asks the court to strike any provisions that waive promoters’ responsibility for negligence or safety obligations and to award interest and legal costs. The complaint does not specify a dollar figure for damages. Beyond Hardy’s personal claims, the case challenges broader industry practices that, according to the complaint, have long undervalued and endangered female fighters. It draws parallels to the NFL’s concussion controversies and argues that boxing, too, must face a “day of reckoning” over athlete safety.
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Heather Hardy sues over brain and vision damage
Former champion Heather Hardy has filed a lawsuit accusing leading boxing promoters and equipment companies of failing to protect her health, provide required insurance, and compensate her fairly during a career that left her with permanent brain injuries.The complaint, filed September 11th in New York state court, paints a vivid picture of Hardy’s rise from Brooklyn’s working-class neighborhoods to international stardom, and of the steep personal and financial toll that followed. Defendants in the case include promoter Lou DiBella, his company DiBella Entertainment Inc., Everlast Worldwide Inc., Boxing Insider LLC, Boxing Insider Promotions, and Frasers Group, Everlast’s corporate parent. Hardy claims these companies and individuals violated both contract terms and state athletic regulations by failing to provide her with required medical insurance and by structuring contracts that gave promoters near-total control of her career while shielding them from liability. According to the filing, Hardy, now age 43, earned her nickname “The Heat” for her aggressive style and perseverance both inside and outside the ring. She turned to boxing in her twenties while raising her young daughter, balancing jobs and training at Brooklyn’s famed Gleason’s Gym. She eventually captured the WBO world featherweight title in 2018. Here is an excerpt from Hardy's complaint: "When [former featherweight champion] Heather Hardy retired, it was not because she wished to rest on her laurels, nor, for that matter, because she wanted to retire at all. In early 2024, she was training for a bare-knuckle boxing bout when she suddenly lost her vision. When it didn’t return for several days, she saw an ophthalmologist, who informed her that the problem was not just with her eyes, it was with her brain. She then dropped out of the fight, she announced, because she 'had too much brain damage.' Media outlets reported her permanent retirement shortly after that. Today, Heather lives with chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) and frontal lobe damage. She has daily seizures, convulsions, and muscle spasms. Her vision is impaired, she cannot sleep, she cannot read maps, and she frequently cannot distinguish right from left. She suffers from debilitating anxiety, for which she takes medication... Heather supports herself at a subsistence level by coaching other boxers—at least for a couple of hours a day, before her brain damage symptoms become incapacitating—at the very Brooklyn gym that was her own professional haven for many years. Yet, in perhaps the cruelest development among many, and despite being a former world champion boxer, she cannot afford the kind of private health insurance that would give her even a minimally appropriate level of treatment. Instead, she relies on Medicaid for whatever minimal treatment it provides for her physical, neurological, and psychological symptoms." Hardy fought most of her professional bouts in New York, often at the Barclays Center and Madison Square Garden. The complaint recounts that she personally sold tickets, promoted her own events, and sometimes fought before half-empty arenas because female bouts were scheduled before audiences were allowed to enter. Yet she built a record of 24 wins and 3 losses, ranking her statistically alongside boxing greats such as Joe Frazier and Mike Tyson. Despite that success, Hardy’s lawsuit says her financial rewards never reflected her accomplishments. Data from the New York State Athletic Commission cited in the complaint show her total gross earnings from New York fights at $236,450 over a 12-year career—an average of less than $20,000 per year. Prominent male fighters, the complaint notes, routinely earned millions per bout during the same era. According to the lawsuit, Hardy’s promotional agreements incorporated New York State Athletic Commission rules requiring at least $1 million in coverage for brain injuries and $50,000 for other medical expenses. Hardy alleges she never received such coverage and was never given policy or claim information to access those benefits. The complaint describes the contracts she signed as “unconscionable” and “void as against public policy”—arguing they forced her to accept extraordinary health risks without adequate protection or representation. Hardy’s legal team also contends that by the later years of her career she was already exhibiting symptoms of cognitive decline and vision problems, and that promoters should have recognized her compromised condition. She claims the contracts she signed from 2019 through 2023 should be declared void ab initio because she lacked full capacity to consent. Her injuries culminated in 2024, when she suddenly lost her vision during training for a bare-knuckle fight. An ophthalmologist informed her that the cause was neurological, not optical, and she later announced her retirement, saying she had “too much brain damage.” She has since been diagnosed with chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), frontal lobe damage, and post-concussion syndrome. The complaint describes her current life as one of seizures, impaired vision, memory loss, and dependence on Medicaid. Now, Hardy seeks compensatory, consequential, and incidental damages for breach of contract and related claims, as well as declaratory relief to void exculpatory clauses in her contracts. She asks the court to strike any provisions that waive promoters’ responsibility for negligence or safety obligations and to award interest and legal costs. The complaint does not specify a dollar figure for damages. Beyond Hardy’s personal claims, the case challenges broader industry practices that, according to the complaint, have long undervalued and endangered female fighters. It draws parallels to the NFL’s concussion controversies and argues that boxing, too, must face a “day of reckoning” over athlete safety.
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weweq |
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Alycia “The Bomb” Baumgardner (16-1, 7 KOs) turned pro in 2017 and quickly made noise, shocking the sport in 2021 when she stopped Terri Harper to win her first world titles. From there, she kept climbing: unifying the division with wins over Edith Matthysse and Mikaela Mayer, then becoming the undisputed super featherweight world champion in 2023.
She’s since defended her crown against top challengers around the world, most recently beating Jennifer Miranda on the co-main of Taylor vs. Serrano 3. Known for her power, confidence, and strong faith, Baumgardner has become a defining force in women’s boxing — and a champion pushing the sport forward.
Canadian rising star Leila Beaudoin didn’t start boxing until she was 18 — but once she did, she soared. After winning a national amateur title, she turned pro in 2019 and has since built a near-perfect record, earning the WBO International Super Featherweight title along the way.
In her latest standout performance, she dominated former world champ Elhem Mekhaled in her first title defense, showing she’s more than a prospect — she’s a real threat in the division and hungry for her next big fight.
6-ROund CRUISERWEIGHT BOUT AT 195 LBS
ANDERSON SILVA
vs.
TYRON WOODLEY
Anderson Silva vs. Tyron Woodley above a stats card
São Paulo, Brazil’s Anderson “The Spider” Silva is widely regarded as one of the greatest mixed martial artists of all time. Silva became the longest-reigning UFC middleweight champion in history, holding the title for nearly seven years from 2006 to 2013 while recording an astonishing 17-fight winning streak and 10 consecutive title defenses. Silva transitioned to boxing in 2021, defeating former world champion Julio César Chávez Jr., knocking out fellow MMA legend Tito Ortiz, and facing Jake Paul in 2022.
“I believe that change always happens for a reason,” Silva told Netflix. “I am focused on doing a good job. Always respecting my opponent and showing total respect to the boxing world.”
Tyron Woodley is an American professional fighter, actor, and media personality best known for holding the UFC Welterweight Championship from 2016 to 2019. A native of Ferguson, Missouri, Woodley’s MMA career launched with a dominant 10-0 start, leading to the fastest knockouts in welterweight title history and four successful title defenses in less than one year. Post-UFC, Woodley made waves in boxing, including blockbuster bouts with Jake Paul.
“Rising to occasions like this are the moments where legends are born,” Woodley added.
6-ROUND SUPER FEATHERWEIGHT BOUT
JAHMAL HARVEY
vs.
KEVIN CERVANTES
Jahmal Harvey vs. Kevin Cervantes above a stats card
U.S. Olympian and amateur world champion Jahmal Harvey (1-0, 1 KO) is one of the most decorated young boxers in the country. Introduced to the sport at 13, the Oxon Hill, Maryland native quickly rose through the junior and youth ranks, becoming a 10-time national champion. At just 18, he stunned the boxing world by winning gold at the 2021 Elite World Championships, the first American male to do so since 2007, and later added medals at the 2022 Continental Championships and the 2023 Pan American Games. Harvey competed in the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, reached the quarter-finals, and signed with MVP ahead of his pro debut: a knockout win in August 2025. At 22, he enters Jake vs. Joshua as one of the sport’s most promising rising talents.
On the other side of the ring is Los Angeles–based prospect Kevin Cervantes (5-0, 5 KOs), originally from Barranquilla, Colombia. Cervantes arrives with a flawless record and a reputation for all-action aggression. He started boxing at 11 to channel his energy into the ring and built a deep 87-fight amateur career before turning pro. Cervantes has since finished every opponent he’s faced, most recently scoring a first-round TKO in September 2025. Known for a pressure-heavy style inspired by Roberto “Manos de Piedra” Durán, the 25-year-old is trained by Oscar Negrete and managed by Rob Suarez. He now steps into his toughest test yet against U.S. Olympian Harvey.
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weweq
Alycia “The Bomb” Baumgardner (16-1, 7 KOs) turned pro in 2017 and quickly made noise, shocking the sport in 2021 when she stopped Terri Harper to win her first world titles. From there, she kept climbing: unifying the division with wins over Edith Matthysse and Mikaela Mayer, then becoming the undisputed super featherweight world champion in 2023.
She’s since defended her crown against top challengers around the world, most recently beating Jennifer Miranda on the co-main of Taylor vs. Serrano 3. Known for her power, confidence, and strong faith, Baumgardner has become a defining force in women’s boxing — and a champion pushing the sport forward.
Canadian rising star Leila Beaudoin didn’t start boxing until she was 18 — but once she did, she soared. After winning a national amateur title, she turned pro in 2019 and has since built a near-perfect record, earning the WBO International Super Featherweight title along the way.
In her latest standout performance, she dominated former world champ Elhem Mekhaled in her first title defense, showing she’s more than a prospect — she’s a real threat in the division and hungry for her next big fight.
6-ROund CRUISERWEIGHT BOUT AT 195 LBS
ANDERSON SILVA
vs.
TYRON WOODLEY
Anderson Silva vs. Tyron Woodley above a stats card
São Paulo, Brazil’s Anderson “The Spider” Silva is widely regarded as one of the greatest mixed martial artists of all time. Silva became the longest-reigning UFC middleweight champion in history, holding the title for nearly seven years from 2006 to 2013 while recording an astonishing 17-fight winning streak and 10 consecutive title defenses. Silva transitioned to boxing in 2021, defeating former world champion Julio César Chávez Jr., knocking out fellow MMA legend Tito Ortiz, and facing Jake Paul in 2022.
“I believe that change always happens for a reason,” Silva told Netflix. “I am focused on doing a good job. Always respecting my opponent and showing total respect to the boxing world.”
Tyron Woodley is an American professional fighter, actor, and media personality best known for holding the UFC Welterweight Championship from 2016 to 2019. A native of Ferguson, Missouri, Woodley’s MMA career launched with a dominant 10-0 start, leading to the fastest knockouts in welterweight title history and four successful title defenses in less than one year. Post-UFC, Woodley made waves in boxing, including blockbuster bouts with Jake Paul.
“Rising to occasions like this are the moments where legends are born,” Woodley added.
6-ROUND SUPER FEATHERWEIGHT BOUT
JAHMAL HARVEY
vs.
KEVIN CERVANTES
Jahmal Harvey vs. Kevin Cervantes above a stats card
U.S. Olympian and amateur world champion Jahmal Harvey (1-0, 1 KO) is one of the most decorated young boxers in the country. Introduced to the sport at 13, the Oxon Hill, Maryland native quickly rose through the junior and youth ranks, becoming a 10-time national champion. At just 18, he stunned the boxing world by winning gold at the 2021 Elite World Championships, the first American male to do so since 2007, and later added medals at the 2022 Continental Championships and the 2023 Pan American Games. Harvey competed in the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, reached the quarter-finals, and signed with MVP ahead of his pro debut: a knockout win in August 2025. At 22, he enters Jake vs. Joshua as one of the sport’s most promising rising talents.
On the other side of the ring is Los Angeles–based prospect Kevin Cervantes (5-0, 5 KOs), originally from Barranquilla, Colombia. Cervantes arrives with a flawless record and a reputation for all-action aggression. He started boxing at 11 to channel his energy into the ring and built a deep 87-fight amateur career before turning pro. Cervantes has since finished every opponent he’s faced, most recently scoring a first-round TKO in September 2025. Known for a pressure-heavy style inspired by Roberto “Manos de Piedra” Durán, the 25-year-old is trained by Oscar Negrete and managed by Rob Suarez. He now steps into his toughest test yet against U.S. Olympian Harvey.
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Watch: Olascuaga retains title via TKO |
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Anthony Olascuaga TKO4 Taku Kuwahara... In Tokyo, Anthony Olascuaga (11-1 with 9 KOs) retained his WBO flyweight championship with a fourth-round technical knockout of Taku Kuwahara (14-3 with 9 KOs). Olascuaga landed his jab at will, and then cornered a defenseless Kuwahara, peppering him with combinations until the referee stopped the fight. According to photos posted on X, a bruised Olascuaga took public transportation from the arena back to his hotel with his championship belt hanging from his arm.
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Watch: Olascuaga retains title via TKO
Anthony Olascuaga TKO4 Taku Kuwahara... In Tokyo, Anthony Olascuaga (11-1 with 9 KOs) retained his WBO flyweight championship with a fourth-round technical knockout of Taku Kuwahara (14-3 with 9 KOs). Olascuaga landed his jab at will, and then cornered a defenseless Kuwahara, peppering him with combinations until the referee stopped the fight. According to photos posted on X, a bruised Olascuaga took public transportation from the arena back to his hotel with his championship belt hanging from his arm.
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Jake Paul's moment of truth has arrived |
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Friday's big Netflix show fromMiami, Florida matches Jake Paul, the sport’s most-watched fighter whose showmanship has shattered records, with former two-time champion Anthony Joshua, who has headlined sold-out stadiums across the UK and beyond. But this didn’t come out of nowhere. In a previous interview with Netflix ahead of a since-canceled fight against Gervonta “Tank” Davis, Paul floated Joshua’s name as the kind of test he eventually wanted. “Anthony Joshua,” Paul said when asked what fight he was manifesting next. “100%. I want a challenge. I want challenges always.”
Paul has spent the last five years transforming from a YouTube disruptor to a dedicated boxer. The American pride of Puerto Rico has picked off mixed martial artists like Tyron Woodley, Anderson Silva and Nate Diaz in boxing matches. Paul’s leap into the heavyweight ranks last year, with a win over 58 year-old Mike Tyson, shattered viewership records with 108 million people tuning in. In June 2025, Paul followed that momentum with a unanimous-decision victory over former middleweight champion Julio César Chávez Jr.
Now Paul will test all of that progress against one of the most feared heavyweights of the modern era. “"This isn’t an AI simulation. This is Judgment Day,” Paul told Netflix. “A professional heavyweight fight against an elite [former] champion in his prime. When I beat Anthony Joshua, every doubt disappears, and no one can deny me the opportunity to fight for a world title. To all my haters, this is what you wanted. To the people of the United Kingdom, I am sorry. On Friday, December 19th, under the lights in Miami, live globally only on Netflix, the torch gets passed and Britain’s Goliath gets put to sleep.”
Joshua has spent the last decade building one of the most accomplished heavyweight résumés in modern boxing. After winning Olympic gold for Great Britain at London 2012, Joshua rocketed through the pro ranks, claiming his first world title in 2016 with a stoppage of Charles Martin. A year later, he delivered a career-defining moment: a war with Wladimir Klitschko in front of 90,000 fans at Wembley Stadium that unified the division and cemented his place as the sport’s newest superstar.
Joshua went on to collect and defend the WBO, WBA, and IBF titles, turning Wembley into his personal home arena and racking up victories over Joseph Parker and Alexander Povetkin. His unbeaten streak ended in his 2019 US debut against Andy Ruiz Jr. at Madison Square Garden, but Joshua returned six months later in Saudi Arabia to win the rematch and become a two-time unified heavyweight champion.
Even after setbacks, Joshua never shied away from elite competition. He scored a knockout of Kubrat Pulev, went 24 rounds over two losses to pound-for-pound great Oleksandr Usyk, and rebuilt under trainer Derrick James in Dallas. Then he returned to London for a wide points win over Jermaine Franklin. He followed that with a short-notice knockout of Robert Helenius, a dominant performance against Otto Wallin in Saudi Arabia, and a ferocious second-round knockout of Francis Ngannou — a finish that many considered 2024’s Knockout of the Year.
In September 2024, Joshua fought for the IBF title again, but lost to fellow Brit Daniel Dubois. Now, still chasing his goal of becoming a three-time heavyweight world champion, he meets Jake Paul in Miami, bringing with him one of the most explosive knockout records of his era.
“Jake or anyone can get this work,” says Joshua. “No mercy. I took some time out and I’m coming back with a mega show. It’s a big opportunity for me. Whether you like it or not, I’m here to do massive numbers, have big fights and break every record whilst keeping cool, calm and collected. Mark my words, you’ll see a lot more fighters take these opportunities in the future. I’m about to break the internet over Jake Paul’s face.”
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Jake Paul's moment of truth has arrived
Friday's big Netflix show fromMiami, Florida matches Jake Paul, the sport’s most-watched fighter whose showmanship has shattered records, with former two-time champion Anthony Joshua, who has headlined sold-out stadiums across the UK and beyond. But this didn’t come out of nowhere. In a previous interview with Netflix ahead of a since-canceled fight against Gervonta “Tank” Davis, Paul floated Joshua’s name as the kind of test he eventually wanted. “Anthony Joshua,” Paul said when asked what fight he was manifesting next. “100%. I want a challenge. I want challenges always.”
Paul has spent the last five years transforming from a YouTube disruptor to a dedicated boxer. The American pride of Puerto Rico has picked off mixed martial artists like Tyron Woodley, Anderson Silva and Nate Diaz in boxing matches. Paul’s leap into the heavyweight ranks last year, with a win over 58 year-old Mike Tyson, shattered viewership records with 108 million people tuning in. In June 2025, Paul followed that momentum with a unanimous-decision victory over former middleweight champion Julio César Chávez Jr.
Now Paul will test all of that progress against one of the most feared heavyweights of the modern era. “"This isn’t an AI simulation. This is Judgment Day,” Paul told Netflix. “A professional heavyweight fight against an elite [former] champion in his prime. When I beat Anthony Joshua, every doubt disappears, and no one can deny me the opportunity to fight for a world title. To all my haters, this is what you wanted. To the people of the United Kingdom, I am sorry. On Friday, December 19th, under the lights in Miami, live globally only on Netflix, the torch gets passed and Britain’s Goliath gets put to sleep.”
Joshua has spent the last decade building one of the most accomplished heavyweight résumés in modern boxing. After winning Olympic gold for Great Britain at London 2012, Joshua rocketed through the pro ranks, claiming his first world title in 2016 with a stoppage of Charles Martin. A year later, he delivered a career-defining moment: a war with Wladimir Klitschko in front of 90,000 fans at Wembley Stadium that unified the division and cemented his place as the sport’s newest superstar.
Joshua went on to collect and defend the WBO, WBA, and IBF titles, turning Wembley into his personal home arena and racking up victories over Joseph Parker and Alexander Povetkin. His unbeaten streak ended in his 2019 US debut against Andy Ruiz Jr. at Madison Square Garden, but Joshua returned six months later in Saudi Arabia to win the rematch and become a two-time unified heavyweight champion.
Even after setbacks, Joshua never shied away from elite competition. He scored a knockout of Kubrat Pulev, went 24 rounds over two losses to pound-for-pound great Oleksandr Usyk, and rebuilt under trainer Derrick James in Dallas. Then he returned to London for a wide points win over Jermaine Franklin. He followed that with a short-notice knockout of Robert Helenius, a dominant performance against Otto Wallin in Saudi Arabia, and a ferocious second-round knockout of Francis Ngannou — a finish that many considered 2024’s Knockout of the Year.
In September 2024, Joshua fought for the IBF title again, but lost to fellow Brit Daniel Dubois. Now, still chasing his goal of becoming a three-time heavyweight world champion, he meets Jake Paul in Miami, bringing with him one of the most explosive knockout records of his era.
“Jake or anyone can get this work,” says Joshua. “No mercy. I took some time out and I’m coming back with a mega show. It’s a big opportunity for me. Whether you like it or not, I’m here to do massive numbers, have big fights and break every record whilst keeping cool, calm and collected. Mark my words, you’ll see a lot more fighters take these opportunities in the future. I’m about to break the internet over Jake Paul’s face.”
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122-pound contender Cardenas KOs Robles in five |
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Ramon Cardenas KO5 Erik Robles... Super bantamweight contender Ramon “Dinamita” Cardenas ended the year in style by scoring a one-punch “walk-off” fifth-round knockout over Erik “Terrible” Robles in the main event at the the War Memorial Auditorium in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. The event was presented by ProBox Promotions and Sampson Boxing. After a careful first round, Cardenas (26-2, 14 KOs) of San Antonio, Texas, started landing hard body shots to the midsection of the taller southpaw Robles (16-3, 10 KOs) of Baja California, Mexico, that noticeably altered the Mexican’s original fight plan. Cardenas landed a sharp right hand to the chin dropped a careless Robles for an eight count in round three and then a huge walk off right hand to the chin on an advancing Robles in round five ended matters at 1:21. “The confidence I had in myself, I knew I could get him out of there. I’m not blowing smoke up my ass, but I knew I was at another level,” said Cardenas, post-fight. “I owe this performance to my new team. In training, I made sure I was focused when I was hitting the bag or even running. I used to catch myself dozing off. I learned to stay focused from my new trainers. I kept that in my head during the fight. I’m just finishing my work to become a world champion. I know Naoya Inoue and Junto Nakatani have their plans. I’d like the winner. I want a title shot against either/or. I want to fight the best competition. Coming up in ProBox, you’re used to fighting tough guys, so when you get to that level, you’re ready. When you come back, you must show you belong at that level and I think I showed that tonight.”
Hebert Conceicao W10 Elias Espadas... In the ten-round middleweight co-feature, Olympic champion Hebert Conceicao (10-0, 5 KOs) of Brazil had things all his way while scoring a dominating unanimous decision over Mexico's Elias “Latin Kid” Espadas (23-8-1, 16 KOs). Conceicao showed off his world-class arsenal to the head and body of Espadas throughout, including landing five consecutive uppercuts to the head of the iron-chinned Mexican. As tough as they come, the durable Espadas clearly came to win but had no answers for Conceicao’s other-level offensive and defensive gifts. Espadas was cut over the left eye from a punch in round eight. Conceicao looked to have hurt his right hand during the action. Referee Michael DeJesus called a questionable knockdown of Espadas in round 10 to further bury his hopes. The scores were an academic 98-91 and two scores of 100-90.
ADDITIONAL RESULTS
In a wild eight-round middleweight slugfest, Joeshon “Shontime” James (10-1-2, 5 KOs) of Sacramento scored a majority decision over Las Vegas-based Cuban Yojanler Martinez (5-1-1, 2 KOs). A wild, chippy slugfest that could have gone anywhere at any time, Martinez got dropped for a flash knockdown from a left hook in round one but then rocked James with a series of strong right hands in round two. However, the Cuban placed several of his follow-up punches behind James’ head, which prompted Referee Tyrone Parker to penalize him a point. A frustrated Martinez threw James to the canvas during a clinch moments later. Although both men weren’t previously considered big punchers, two simultaneous right hands produced a rare double knockdown in round three, with Martinez looking a lot more dazed than James. After both fighters rose before the ten count, a confused Referee Parker needed several seconds to decide on a course of action to continue the fight. The pair settled into a rhythm of landing huge punches on each other the rest of the way in a fun fight that epitomized the ProBox TV philosophy. A score of 75-75 was overruled by scores of 77-74 and 77-73 for James.
Junior welterweight “Marvelous” Mykquan Williams (23-1-2, 12 KOs) scored a fourth-round retirement stoppage of late-sub opponent George “El Lion” Pardo (11-6, 9 KOs) from Colombia. Looking sharp from the start of the fight, Williams flashed his fast, educated jab and worked well to the body, ripping “Micky Ward-like” left hooks to Pardo’s ribcage. In a bit of a strange occurrence, Pardo appeared to voluntarily take a knee out of nowhere in round two and didn’t seem to realize that such a move constitutes a knockdown. Williams hurt the game, but outgunned, Pardo with a series of left hooks to the liver in round three and upped the slaughter in round four. After being battered relentlessly by the fast and powerful Williams, Pardo elected not to come out for the fifth round, making the official verdict a TKO 4 for Williams.
Detroit junior middlerweight Marlon “The Savage” Harrington (13-2, 11 KOs) scored an upset first-round one-punch knockout over formerly undefeated southpaw Bryan “The Hunter” Polaco (7-0, 5 KOs) of Las Vegas via Puerto Rico. The two fighters came out swinging freely. Harrington attempted to blitz Polaco early, Polaco stayed poised and inflicted a cut over the Detroiter’s left eye a minute into the fight. Suddenly, at 2:53 of round one, Harrington caught Polaco with a short right hook that left Polaco unconscious before he hit the canvas. Referee Tyrone Parker didn’t bother to count and immediately waved it off.
In the night’s opening televised bout, super bantamweight newcomer Kenyan Valle (2-0, 1 KO) got his second career victory with a first-round stoppage of Taran Ward (5-15, 3 KOs). The pair were fighting equally for the first two minutes before Valle dropped Ward with a strong right hand. The well-schooled youngster moved in and finished Ward with an extended two-fisted salvo that forced Referee Michael DeJesus to wave it off at 2:58 of the opening round.
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122-pound contender Cardenas KOs Robles in five
Ramon Cardenas KO5 Erik Robles... Super bantamweight contender Ramon “Dinamita” Cardenas ended the year in style by scoring a one-punch “walk-off” fifth-round knockout over Erik “Terrible” Robles in the main event at the the War Memorial Auditorium in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. The event was presented by ProBox Promotions and Sampson Boxing. After a careful first round, Cardenas (26-2, 14 KOs) of San Antonio, Texas, started landing hard body shots to the midsection of the taller southpaw Robles (16-3, 10 KOs) of Baja California, Mexico, that noticeably altered the Mexican’s original fight plan. Cardenas landed a sharp right hand to the chin dropped a careless Robles for an eight count in round three and then a huge walk off right hand to the chin on an advancing Robles in round five ended matters at 1:21. “The confidence I had in myself, I knew I could get him out of there. I’m not blowing smoke up my ass, but I knew I was at another level,” said Cardenas, post-fight. “I owe this performance to my new team. In training, I made sure I was focused when I was hitting the bag or even running. I used to catch myself dozing off. I learned to stay focused from my new trainers. I kept that in my head during the fight. I’m just finishing my work to become a world champion. I know Naoya Inoue and Junto Nakatani have their plans. I’d like the winner. I want a title shot against either/or. I want to fight the best competition. Coming up in ProBox, you’re used to fighting tough guys, so when you get to that level, you’re ready. When you come back, you must show you belong at that level and I think I showed that tonight.”
Hebert Conceicao W10 Elias Espadas... In the ten-round middleweight co-feature, Olympic champion Hebert Conceicao (10-0, 5 KOs) of Brazil had things all his way while scoring a dominating unanimous decision over Mexico's Elias “Latin Kid” Espadas (23-8-1, 16 KOs). Conceicao showed off his world-class arsenal to the head and body of Espadas throughout, including landing five consecutive uppercuts to the head of the iron-chinned Mexican. As tough as they come, the durable Espadas clearly came to win but had no answers for Conceicao’s other-level offensive and defensive gifts. Espadas was cut over the left eye from a punch in round eight. Conceicao looked to have hurt his right hand during the action. Referee Michael DeJesus called a questionable knockdown of Espadas in round 10 to further bury his hopes. The scores were an academic 98-91 and two scores of 100-90.
ADDITIONAL RESULTS
In a wild eight-round middleweight slugfest, Joeshon “Shontime” James (10-1-2, 5 KOs) of Sacramento scored a majority decision over Las Vegas-based Cuban Yojanler Martinez (5-1-1, 2 KOs). A wild, chippy slugfest that could have gone anywhere at any time, Martinez got dropped for a flash knockdown from a left hook in round one but then rocked James with a series of strong right hands in round two. However, the Cuban placed several of his follow-up punches behind James’ head, which prompted Referee Tyrone Parker to penalize him a point. A frustrated Martinez threw James to the canvas during a clinch moments later. Although both men weren’t previously considered big punchers, two simultaneous right hands produced a rare double knockdown in round three, with Martinez looking a lot more dazed than James. After both fighters rose before the ten count, a confused Referee Parker needed several seconds to decide on a course of action to continue the fight. The pair settled into a rhythm of landing huge punches on each other the rest of the way in a fun fight that epitomized the ProBox TV philosophy. A score of 75-75 was overruled by scores of 77-74 and 77-73 for James.
Junior welterweight “Marvelous” Mykquan Williams (23-1-2, 12 KOs) scored a fourth-round retirement stoppage of late-sub opponent George “El Lion” Pardo (11-6, 9 KOs) from Colombia. Looking sharp from the start of the fight, Williams flashed his fast, educated jab and worked well to the body, ripping “Micky Ward-like” left hooks to Pardo’s ribcage. In a bit of a strange occurrence, Pardo appeared to voluntarily take a knee out of nowhere in round two and didn’t seem to realize that such a move constitutes a knockdown. Williams hurt the game, but outgunned, Pardo with a series of left hooks to the liver in round three and upped the slaughter in round four. After being battered relentlessly by the fast and powerful Williams, Pardo elected not to come out for the fifth round, making the official verdict a TKO 4 for Williams.
Detroit junior middlerweight Marlon “The Savage” Harrington (13-2, 11 KOs) scored an upset first-round one-punch knockout over formerly undefeated southpaw Bryan “The Hunter” Polaco (7-0, 5 KOs) of Las Vegas via Puerto Rico. The two fighters came out swinging freely. Harrington attempted to blitz Polaco early, Polaco stayed poised and inflicted a cut over the Detroiter’s left eye a minute into the fight. Suddenly, at 2:53 of round one, Harrington caught Polaco with a short right hook that left Polaco unconscious before he hit the canvas. Referee Tyrone Parker didn’t bother to count and immediately waved it off.
In the night’s opening televised bout, super bantamweight newcomer Kenyan Valle (2-0, 1 KO) got his second career victory with a first-round stoppage of Taran Ward (5-15, 3 KOs). The pair were fighting equally for the first two minutes before Valle dropped Ward with a strong right hand. The well-schooled youngster moved in and finished Ward with an extended two-fisted salvo that forced Referee Michael DeJesus to wave it off at 2:58 of the opening round.
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BKFC wraps up a successful 2025 on Saturday |
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It’s the final BKFC Fight Week of 2025 on Saturday (Dec. 20th) at the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut. New England is quickly establishing itself as a hotbed for bare knuckle fighting in the United States, and Saturday’s action will be aired live worldwide on The BKFC App. Two of the sport’s best undefeated heavyweight knockout artists — Anthony “The Warrior of Christ” Garrett and Parker Porter — clash in the main event. Garrett is 3-0 in the squared circle. All of the Dallas product’s wins have come in the first round, and he holds the records for the fastest and second-fastest knockouts in the history of BKFC’s heavyweight division (12 seconds and 16 seconds, respectively). From Connecticut, Porte is looking to smash his way to 3-0 with a third straight, first-round stoppage.
Heavy-handed Rhode Island middleweight Gary “Batman” Balletto Jr., returns to BKFC in the co-feature. Balletto is the son of New England gloved boxing legend Gary “Tiger” Balletto, and is trying to up his BKFC record to 2-0 with a second straight, first-round finish. He'll fight Skyler Mauller (1-1, 1 KO) of Ohio, who hopes to live up to his last name with a second first-round finish under the BKFC banner.
Saturday’s action at the legendary Mohegan Sun features a full slate of established fan-favorite BKFC fighters, like Boston’s Peter “Slippery Pete” Barrett, Springfield, MA’s Pat “The Gorilla Ninja” Casey, Peabody, MA’s Rico DiSciullo, Worcester, MA’s “Slick” Sito Navarro, Tewksbury, MA’s Joseph “JGP” Peters, Perth Amboy, NJ’s Gabrielle Roman, Midland, TX’s Anthony Sanchez, Hurricane, UT’s David “The Sandman” Sanchez and Crystal “The Lovely” Van Wyk of Cape Town, South Africa, all LIVE worldwide on The BKFC App.
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BKFC wraps up a successful 2025 on Saturday
It’s the final BKFC Fight Week of 2025 on Saturday (Dec. 20th) at the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut. New England is quickly establishing itself as a hotbed for bare knuckle fighting in the United States, and Saturday’s action will be aired live worldwide on The BKFC App. Two of the sport’s best undefeated heavyweight knockout artists — Anthony “The Warrior of Christ” Garrett and Parker Porter — clash in the main event. Garrett is 3-0 in the squared circle. All of the Dallas product’s wins have come in the first round, and he holds the records for the fastest and second-fastest knockouts in the history of BKFC’s heavyweight division (12 seconds and 16 seconds, respectively). From Connecticut, Porte is looking to smash his way to 3-0 with a third straight, first-round stoppage.
Heavy-handed Rhode Island middleweight Gary “Batman” Balletto Jr., returns to BKFC in the co-feature. Balletto is the son of New England gloved boxing legend Gary “Tiger” Balletto, and is trying to up his BKFC record to 2-0 with a second straight, first-round finish. He'll fight Skyler Mauller (1-1, 1 KO) of Ohio, who hopes to live up to his last name with a second first-round finish under the BKFC banner.
Saturday’s action at the legendary Mohegan Sun features a full slate of established fan-favorite BKFC fighters, like Boston’s Peter “Slippery Pete” Barrett, Springfield, MA’s Pat “The Gorilla Ninja” Casey, Peabody, MA’s Rico DiSciullo, Worcester, MA’s “Slick” Sito Navarro, Tewksbury, MA’s Joseph “JGP” Peters, Perth Amboy, NJ’s Gabrielle Roman, Midland, TX’s Anthony Sanchez, Hurricane, UT’s David “The Sandman” Sanchez and Crystal “The Lovely” Van Wyk of Cape Town, South Africa, all LIVE worldwide on The BKFC App.
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Rohan Polanco added to Jan. 31st show |
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Rohan “El Rayo” Polanco, the Dominican welterweight with championship aspirations, will kick off his 2026 campaign against Mexican puncher Christian Gomez in a ten-round battle on Saturday, Jan. 31st at Coliseo de Puerto Rico in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Polanco-Gomez will serve as the co-feature to the junior middleweight world title unification showdown between WBO champ Xander Zayas and WBA king Abass Baraou. Tickets are on sale and can be purchased via Ticketera.com. Polanco (17-0, 10 KOs) represented his country at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021 and signed with Top Rank the following year. Initially campaigning as a junior welterweight, he stopped the likes of Keith Hunter and Cesar Francis before moving to 147 pounds. His 2025 run saw victories over Fabian Maidana and Quinton Randall.
Polanco said, “I’m not coming to play on January 31st. I'm coming to send a strong message to the division. Fighting as the co-main event at Coliseo de Puerto Rico is a great opportunity that I intend to take advantage of. I represent Dominican boxing. I'm hungry, fearless, and determined to get closer to a world title opportunity.”
Gomez (23-6-1, 21 KOs), a twelve-year pro, has earned nearly all of his victories by knockout. His biggest test came in May 2022, when he went the distance in a loss to world contender Shakhram Giyasov. The 32-year-old veteran is coming off consecutive decision losses to Nicklaus Flaz and Alberto Palmetta.
The undercard will also include the junior middleweight debut of Giovani Santillan (34-1, 18 KOs), as well as the return of Dominican middleweight Euri Cedeño (13-0-1, 12 KOs), in separate ten-rounders.
Santillan, a welterweight contender, faces Courtney Pennington. The San Diego native bounced back from his May 2024 loss to Brian Norman Jr. by defeating Fredrick Lawson and Angel Beltran. The Brooklyn-born Pennington (17-11-3, 7 KOs) is a thirteen-year pro who has given stern tests to the likes of American Olympian Charles Conwell and Canadian contender Custio Clayton.
Cedeño steps up to take on Ivory Coast native Etoundi Michel William (16-2, 12 KOs). The 26-year-old signed with Top Rank in May and has won his last six via the fast route. William broke onto the scene with a victory over eventual world title challenger Jorge Garcia in January 2023, remaining undefeated until an October 2024 loss to Mexico’s Jose Miguel Borrego. He last fought in June, dropping a ten-round decision to top American contender Troy Isley. Additional undercard fights will be announced in due course.
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Rohan Polanco added to Jan. 31st show
Rohan “El Rayo” Polanco, the Dominican welterweight with championship aspirations, will kick off his 2026 campaign against Mexican puncher Christian Gomez in a ten-round battle on Saturday, Jan. 31st at Coliseo de Puerto Rico in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Polanco-Gomez will serve as the co-feature to the junior middleweight world title unification showdown between WBO champ Xander Zayas and WBA king Abass Baraou. Tickets are on sale and can be purchased via Ticketera.com. Polanco (17-0, 10 KOs) represented his country at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021 and signed with Top Rank the following year. Initially campaigning as a junior welterweight, he stopped the likes of Keith Hunter and Cesar Francis before moving to 147 pounds. His 2025 run saw victories over Fabian Maidana and Quinton Randall.
Polanco said, “I’m not coming to play on January 31st. I'm coming to send a strong message to the division. Fighting as the co-main event at Coliseo de Puerto Rico is a great opportunity that I intend to take advantage of. I represent Dominican boxing. I'm hungry, fearless, and determined to get closer to a world title opportunity.”
Gomez (23-6-1, 21 KOs), a twelve-year pro, has earned nearly all of his victories by knockout. His biggest test came in May 2022, when he went the distance in a loss to world contender Shakhram Giyasov. The 32-year-old veteran is coming off consecutive decision losses to Nicklaus Flaz and Alberto Palmetta.
The undercard will also include the junior middleweight debut of Giovani Santillan (34-1, 18 KOs), as well as the return of Dominican middleweight Euri Cedeño (13-0-1, 12 KOs), in separate ten-rounders.
Santillan, a welterweight contender, faces Courtney Pennington. The San Diego native bounced back from his May 2024 loss to Brian Norman Jr. by defeating Fredrick Lawson and Angel Beltran. The Brooklyn-born Pennington (17-11-3, 7 KOs) is a thirteen-year pro who has given stern tests to the likes of American Olympian Charles Conwell and Canadian contender Custio Clayton.
Cedeño steps up to take on Ivory Coast native Etoundi Michel William (16-2, 12 KOs). The 26-year-old signed with Top Rank in May and has won his last six via the fast route. William broke onto the scene with a victory over eventual world title challenger Jorge Garcia in January 2023, remaining undefeated until an October 2024 loss to Mexico’s Jose Miguel Borrego. He last fought in June, dropping a ten-round decision to top American contender Troy Isley. Additional undercard fights will be announced in due course.
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Saturday: WBC Grand Prix finals |
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On Saturday, December 20th, the finals of the WBC Boxing Grand Prix will take place in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Here are the bouts:
Featherweight: Muhamet Qamili vs. Brandon Mejía. Both demonstrated that the knockout is their language. Qamili blasted Yoni Valverde Jr. with a precise and devastating combination, while Mejía did the same with a demolishing liver shot on Maite.
Junior middleweight: Mujibillo Tursunov vs Carlos Utria. One of the most anticipated fights of the tournament will pit Uzbek discipline against Colombian grit. Tursunov overcame the always complicated Danylo Lozan by majority decision in a technical and physical war. In contrast, Utria ignited the arena with an explosive first-round knockout over Ntethelelo Nkosi. Maximum anticipation for a battle that could steal the show.
Middleweight: Derek Pomerleau vs Dylan Biggs Intelligence and resistance will be tested in a final that promises to be a boxing clinic. Pomerleau survived a tough contest against the Colombian Carlos Sinisterra, taking the victory by majority decision. Biggs, for his part, convinced all five judges —a WBC innovation in this tournament— and authoritatively defeated the Frenchman Lancelot de la Chappelle by unanimous decision.
Heavyweight: Ahmed Krnjic vs Kevin Ramirez. The giants of the Grand Prix closed the semi-finals with pure fire. Krnjic imposed his power and control over the South African Keaton Gomes, taking a hard-fought split decision. But the story of the day was the Argentine Kevin Ramirez, who surprised everyone by defeating the American Dante Stone, also by split decision. A high-voltage final between two colossuses who do not know the meaning of “backing down.” The cards are on the table and the countdown has begun. This December 20th, the world will witness the outcome of this historic tournament. Only four names will be engraved on the José Sulaimán Trophy… and the rest, in the memory of all boxing fans.
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Saturday: WBC Grand Prix finals
On Saturday, December 20th, the finals of the WBC Boxing Grand Prix will take place in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Here are the bouts:
Featherweight: Muhamet Qamili vs. Brandon Mejía. Both demonstrated that the knockout is their language. Qamili blasted Yoni Valverde Jr. with a precise and devastating combination, while Mejía did the same with a demolishing liver shot on Maite.
Junior middleweight: Mujibillo Tursunov vs Carlos Utria. One of the most anticipated fights of the tournament will pit Uzbek discipline against Colombian grit. Tursunov overcame the always complicated Danylo Lozan by majority decision in a technical and physical war. In contrast, Utria ignited the arena with an explosive first-round knockout over Ntethelelo Nkosi. Maximum anticipation for a battle that could steal the show.
Middleweight: Derek Pomerleau vs Dylan Biggs Intelligence and resistance will be tested in a final that promises to be a boxing clinic. Pomerleau survived a tough contest against the Colombian Carlos Sinisterra, taking the victory by majority decision. Biggs, for his part, convinced all five judges —a WBC innovation in this tournament— and authoritatively defeated the Frenchman Lancelot de la Chappelle by unanimous decision.
Heavyweight: Ahmed Krnjic vs Kevin Ramirez. The giants of the Grand Prix closed the semi-finals with pure fire. Krnjic imposed his power and control over the South African Keaton Gomes, taking a hard-fought split decision. But the story of the day was the Argentine Kevin Ramirez, who surprised everyone by defeating the American Dante Stone, also by split decision. A high-voltage final between two colossuses who do not know the meaning of “backing down.” The cards are on the table and the countdown has begun. This December 20th, the world will witness the outcome of this historic tournament. Only four names will be engraved on the José Sulaimán Trophy… and the rest, in the memory of all boxing fans.
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Cherneka Johnson title defense heads up Friday's Tudum stream |
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UPDATE: The preliminary card will stream live on Tudum on Dec. 19 at 4:45 p.m. ET / 1:45 p.m. PT. Then, head over to watch Jake vs. Joshua live on Netflix at 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT. On Friday, December 19th from Miami, Florida, the following preliminary bouts will stream live on Tudum.com ahead of the Anthony Joshua vs. Jake Paul main card: Australia’s undisputed bantamweight world champion Cherneka “Sugar Neekz” Johnson (18-2, 8 KOs) will defend her WBO, WBA, WBC, and IBF titles against Canada’s Amanda “Bambola” Galle (12-0-1, 1 KO)... Britain’s undefeated WBC lightweight champion and 2021 Olympian “Sweet” Caroline Dubois (11-0-1, 5 KOs) returns to defend her title in a ten-round showdown against Italy’s seasoned southpaw contender Camilla Panatta (8-2-1, 1 KO)... Costa Rican star Yokasta Valle (33-3, 10 KOs) will defend her WBC minimumweight title against Yadira “La Reina” Bustillos (11-1, 2 KOs) in a ten-round championship bout... Avious “Tha Underdog” Griffin (17-1, 16 KOs) will face Justin “Stallion” Cardona (10-1, 5 KOs) in an eight-round welterweight bout... Two-time Brazilian Olympian Keno Marley will make his professional debut over four rounds in the cruiserweight division against American Diarra Davis Jr. (2-1, 1 KO).
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Cherneka Johnson title defense heads up Friday's Tudum stream
UPDATE: The preliminary card will stream live on Tudum on Dec. 19 at 4:45 p.m. ET / 1:45 p.m. PT. Then, head over to watch Jake vs. Joshua live on Netflix at 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT. On Friday, December 19th from Miami, Florida, the following preliminary bouts will stream live on Tudum.com ahead of the Anthony Joshua vs. Jake Paul main card: Australia’s undisputed bantamweight world champion Cherneka “Sugar Neekz” Johnson (18-2, 8 KOs) will defend her WBO, WBA, WBC, and IBF titles against Canada’s Amanda “Bambola” Galle (12-0-1, 1 KO)... Britain’s undefeated WBC lightweight champion and 2021 Olympian “Sweet” Caroline Dubois (11-0-1, 5 KOs) returns to defend her title in a ten-round showdown against Italy’s seasoned southpaw contender Camilla Panatta (8-2-1, 1 KO)... Costa Rican star Yokasta Valle (33-3, 10 KOs) will defend her WBC minimumweight title against Yadira “La Reina” Bustillos (11-1, 2 KOs) in a ten-round championship bout... Avious “Tha Underdog” Griffin (17-1, 16 KOs) will face Justin “Stallion” Cardona (10-1, 5 KOs) in an eight-round welterweight bout... Two-time Brazilian Olympian Keno Marley will make his professional debut over four rounds in the cruiserweight division against American Diarra Davis Jr. (2-1, 1 KO).
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Road warrior Rene Santiago edges Kyosuke Takami in unification bout |
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Rene Santiago W12 Kyosuke Takami... Puerto Rico’s Rene Santiago delivered one of the most significant victories of his career, edging Japan’s Kyosuke Takami by split decision to capture the WBA light flyweight in a hard-fought battle at the Ryogoku Kokugikan in Tokyo. The scorecards reflected the razor-thin margins of the contest: 117-111 and 115-113 for Santiago, while one judge saw it 116-112 for Takami. The bout unified Santiago’s WBA crown with the WBO title already in his possession. It was a clash of styles from the opening bell. Takami, unbeaten going in and widely regarded as one of Japan’s emerging talents, sought to impose his trademark aggression, pressing forward behind a stiff jab and digging combinations to the body. Santiago, however, displayed poise and tactical maturity, relying on footwork, rhythm changes, and sharp counterpunching to blunt the local favorite’s advances.
Takami attempted to cut off the ring and force exchanges, but the Puerto Rican answered with straight shots upstairs and well-timed hooks that repeatedly checked the champion’s momentum. The fight remained competitive through the early rounds, though Santiago began to seize control from the sixth onward by capitalizing on defensive lapses and landing the cleaner, more eye-catching punches.
In the championship rounds, Santiago returned to his original blueprint: lateral movement, straight punches, and tempo control. That tactical discipline ultimately made the difference on the scorecards, rewarding his ability to adapt and execute more effective boxing when it mattered most. With the win, Santiago capped off a stellar year, earning his second victory of the year in Japan, both over previously unbeaten champions. (He defeated Shokichi Iwata in March to become WBO champion). Despite his 16-4 record, this win cemented Santiago's status as a major player in the 108-pound division. Takami (10-1), despite the setback, showed grit and quality, and his youth suggests a swift return to the upper tier of the division.
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Road warrior Rene Santiago edges Kyosuke Takami in unification bout
Rene Santiago W12 Kyosuke Takami... Puerto Rico’s Rene Santiago delivered one of the most significant victories of his career, edging Japan’s Kyosuke Takami by split decision to capture the WBA light flyweight in a hard-fought battle at the Ryogoku Kokugikan in Tokyo. The scorecards reflected the razor-thin margins of the contest: 117-111 and 115-113 for Santiago, while one judge saw it 116-112 for Takami. The bout unified Santiago’s WBA crown with the WBO title already in his possession. It was a clash of styles from the opening bell. Takami, unbeaten going in and widely regarded as one of Japan’s emerging talents, sought to impose his trademark aggression, pressing forward behind a stiff jab and digging combinations to the body. Santiago, however, displayed poise and tactical maturity, relying on footwork, rhythm changes, and sharp counterpunching to blunt the local favorite’s advances.
Takami attempted to cut off the ring and force exchanges, but the Puerto Rican answered with straight shots upstairs and well-timed hooks that repeatedly checked the champion’s momentum. The fight remained competitive through the early rounds, though Santiago began to seize control from the sixth onward by capitalizing on defensive lapses and landing the cleaner, more eye-catching punches.
In the championship rounds, Santiago returned to his original blueprint: lateral movement, straight punches, and tempo control. That tactical discipline ultimately made the difference on the scorecards, rewarding his ability to adapt and execute more effective boxing when it mattered most. With the win, Santiago capped off a stellar year, earning his second victory of the year in Japan, both over previously unbeaten champions. (He defeated Shokichi Iwata in March to become WBO champion). Despite his 16-4 record, this win cemented Santiago's status as a major player in the 108-pound division. Takami (10-1), despite the setback, showed grit and quality, and his youth suggests a swift return to the upper tier of the division.
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Donaire reflects on loss to Tsutsumi |
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Seiya Tsutsumi W12 Nonito Donaire In Tokyo over the weekend, Seiya Tsutsumi defeated 43 year-old future Hall of Fame Nonito Donaire to retain WBA bantamweight championship. Tsutsumi won the fight, which was described by many as a war, via split decision. The official scores were 115-113 and 117-111 for Tsutsumi and 116-112 for Donaire. Tsutsumi (13-0-3) became champion last year by defeating Takuma Inoue, who now holds the WBC version of the title. If anything, Donaire, a former four-division champion, added to his legacy with this amazing effort. His record is now 43-9, and although age and the punshment he has taken over the course of his career is a big concern, his skills undeniably remain at the world level. The most dangerous moment for Tsutsumi came in the fourth round, when Donaire rocked him with a powerful right hand that left the champion visibly hurt and unsteady on his legs. Tsutsumi returned to his corner showing clear signs of distress as the crowd held its breath, sensing the possibility of a historic comeback by the Filipino icon. However, the champion responded with resilience and key tactical adjustments.
Donaire had this to say after the fight: To my fans—
First and foremost, respect to Seiya Tsutsumi. He came prepared, fought with heart, and shared the ring with me in true warrior spirit. Thank you for the battle and the respect shown throughout fight week and on fight night. I gave everything I had in that ring. I prepared with intention, discipline and pride and I leave with my head held high. While scorecards don’t reflect how I experienced that fight, I accept the result with professionalism and gratitude for the opportunity to compete at this level. From the heart, I want to thank the people who carried me through this camp. Omega Boxing—Pio Castillo and Paulo—you are the boxing family I always needed. Your belief, guidance, and care mean more to me than I can ever put into words. To my boys, thank you for your patience and for understanding my love for this game. You are my greatest motivation. To Gerry and Becky, thank you for taking care of our boys as if they were your own. Your love and support allowed us to focus and breathe.
To Jelena, an eight-time world champion who remained humble enough to be right there beside me, hitting the bag and pushing me: your time, effort, and example are deeply appreciated and will never be forgotten. And to SugarHill, thank you for showing me a different perspective and for believing in what I know I am capable of.
Diego Bandido, your photos and videos tell a beautiful story—one that captures my deepest and most cherished moments in this sport. Thank you for preserving the memories that words can’t always express. And Fuego, the outfit was absolutely amazing. You made me feel like a king when I stepped out there, and that confidence meant everything.
And to the fans, thank you for your unwavering love, respect, and belief. I stepped into that ring with honor, for my family and for all of you. To me, boxing is growth. When you stop moving, life catches up to you. Stagnation is the death of the soul and the spirit. I continuously grow, and I will continuously reach for the stars, because moving forward is my warrior’s spirit. Growing is my way of life. I am what I will myself to be, and the strength of my heart comes from all the people who love me. With gratitude, I am powerful—and I am grateful.
With respect and honor -- Mandirigma
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Donaire reflects on loss to Tsutsumi
Seiya Tsutsumi W12 Nonito Donaire In Tokyo over the weekend, Seiya Tsutsumi defeated 43 year-old future Hall of Fame Nonito Donaire to retain WBA bantamweight championship. Tsutsumi won the fight, which was described by many as a war, via split decision. The official scores were 115-113 and 117-111 for Tsutsumi and 116-112 for Donaire. Tsutsumi (13-0-3) became champion last year by defeating Takuma Inoue, who now holds the WBC version of the title. If anything, Donaire, a former four-division champion, added to his legacy with this amazing effort. His record is now 43-9, and although age and the punshment he has taken over the course of his career is a big concern, his skills undeniably remain at the world level. The most dangerous moment for Tsutsumi came in the fourth round, when Donaire rocked him with a powerful right hand that left the champion visibly hurt and unsteady on his legs. Tsutsumi returned to his corner showing clear signs of distress as the crowd held its breath, sensing the possibility of a historic comeback by the Filipino icon. However, the champion responded with resilience and key tactical adjustments.
Donaire had this to say after the fight: To my fans—
First and foremost, respect to Seiya Tsutsumi. He came prepared, fought with heart, and shared the ring with me in true warrior spirit. Thank you for the battle and the respect shown throughout fight week and on fight night. I gave everything I had in that ring. I prepared with intention, discipline and pride and I leave with my head held high. While scorecards don’t reflect how I experienced that fight, I accept the result with professionalism and gratitude for the opportunity to compete at this level. From the heart, I want to thank the people who carried me through this camp. Omega Boxing—Pio Castillo and Paulo—you are the boxing family I always needed. Your belief, guidance, and care mean more to me than I can ever put into words. To my boys, thank you for your patience and for understanding my love for this game. You are my greatest motivation. To Gerry and Becky, thank you for taking care of our boys as if they were your own. Your love and support allowed us to focus and breathe.
To Jelena, an eight-time world champion who remained humble enough to be right there beside me, hitting the bag and pushing me: your time, effort, and example are deeply appreciated and will never be forgotten. And to SugarHill, thank you for showing me a different perspective and for believing in what I know I am capable of.
Diego Bandido, your photos and videos tell a beautiful story—one that captures my deepest and most cherished moments in this sport. Thank you for preserving the memories that words can’t always express. And Fuego, the outfit was absolutely amazing. You made me feel like a king when I stepped out there, and that confidence meant everything.
And to the fans, thank you for your unwavering love, respect, and belief. I stepped into that ring with honor, for my family and for all of you. To me, boxing is growth. When you stop moving, life catches up to you. Stagnation is the death of the soul and the spirit. I continuously grow, and I will continuously reach for the stars, because moving forward is my warrior’s spirit. Growing is my way of life. I am what I will myself to be, and the strength of my heart comes from all the people who love me. With gratitude, I am powerful—and I am grateful.
With respect and honor -- Mandirigma
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Curry and Scott discuss next week's unification rematch |
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Three months after their first fight ended in a majority draw, Olivia Curry and Kaye Scott return to the ring to face off once again for the vacant WBC and WBA middleweight titles. This time, their ten-round unification bout will headline a Salita Promotions card, broadcast on DAZN this December 20th at the Fox Theatre in Detroit, Michigan. Given that the circumstances remain largely the same, Curry expects the rematch to be a continuation of their first clash. “I think they can expect another war. I don’t think either of us is going to sit back. Even if it’s a bit more technical, I don’t see a world in which this isn’t just as explosive as the first one. I think it’s going to become that, and I’m going to make it that, because that’s my style,” Curry told The Ring in an interview.
Both fighters stayed in the pocket and traded shots for much of their first fight on September 19th. Scott, age 41, got off to a fast start and controlled much of the first half of the bout with her ability to land sharper punches compared to Curry (7-2-2, 2 KOs). In the second half, Curry’s high volume and inside work tipped the scales in her favor as the action and pace reached a fever pitch. Once the final bell rang, there was very little to separate the two, and the final scorecards reflected that. Due to the “give-and-take” nature of their ten-round duel, Curry, age 36, was not surprised that the fight was ruled a draw.
“I knew it was close,” said Curry. “I don’t like it when boxers talk like, ‘Oh yeah, for sure, I won.’ I know there’s a narrative that you’re supposed to always paint yourself in the best possible light. But no, to be honest, I went back to my corner and said, ‘I don’t know, guys. I didn’t feel like I lost, but I didn’t really feel like I won.’ Usually, if you’re truly dominating someone, you can feel it, and I didn’t feel that way. I thought, ‘I don’t know how this is going to go,’ and when I watched the tape back, I thought the draw was very fair.”
Now, armed with 20 minutes of experience against Scott, Curry believes that small adjustments from the first fight will make the difference and help her become the unified middleweight champion in the rematch.
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Curry and Scott discuss next week's unification rematch
Three months after their first fight ended in a majority draw, Olivia Curry and Kaye Scott return to the ring to face off once again for the vacant WBC and WBA middleweight titles. This time, their ten-round unification bout will headline a Salita Promotions card, broadcast on DAZN this December 20th at the Fox Theatre in Detroit, Michigan. Given that the circumstances remain largely the same, Curry expects the rematch to be a continuation of their first clash. “I think they can expect another war. I don’t think either of us is going to sit back. Even if it’s a bit more technical, I don’t see a world in which this isn’t just as explosive as the first one. I think it’s going to become that, and I’m going to make it that, because that’s my style,” Curry told The Ring in an interview.
Both fighters stayed in the pocket and traded shots for much of their first fight on September 19th. Scott, age 41, got off to a fast start and controlled much of the first half of the bout with her ability to land sharper punches compared to Curry (7-2-2, 2 KOs). In the second half, Curry’s high volume and inside work tipped the scales in her favor as the action and pace reached a fever pitch. Once the final bell rang, there was very little to separate the two, and the final scorecards reflected that. Due to the “give-and-take” nature of their ten-round duel, Curry, age 36, was not surprised that the fight was ruled a draw.
“I knew it was close,” said Curry. “I don’t like it when boxers talk like, ‘Oh yeah, for sure, I won.’ I know there’s a narrative that you’re supposed to always paint yourself in the best possible light. But no, to be honest, I went back to my corner and said, ‘I don’t know, guys. I didn’t feel like I lost, but I didn’t really feel like I won.’ Usually, if you’re truly dominating someone, you can feel it, and I didn’t feel that way. I thought, ‘I don’t know how this is going to go,’ and when I watched the tape back, I thought the draw was very fair.”
Now, armed with 20 minutes of experience against Scott, Curry believes that small adjustments from the first fight will make the difference and help her become the unified middleweight champion in the rematch.
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Tonight: Olympic champion featured on ProBox TV |
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Tonight (Thursday, December 18th) at the War Memorial Auditorium in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, ProBox TV will stream a ten-round main event featuring knockout artist Ramon Cardenas returning to US soil to face Mexico’s Erik Robles in a “don’t blink” shootout. Also, Olympic Gold Medalist Hebert Conceicao of Brazil takes on Mexico's Elias Espadas in the co-feature. There will also be ten rounds of junior welterweight action between “Marvelous” Mykquan Williams and Jair Valtierra and an eight-round middleweight battle between Yojanler Martinez and Joeshon James. The festivities begin with Puerto Rico’s undefeated Bryan Polaco running into hard-rock Marlon Harrington from Detroit. Watch it all free this Thursday night at 7 pm on Amazon, Fubo, Tubi, or Pluto TV.
PRIOR BOXINGTALK COVERAGE
Cardenas (26-2, 14 KOs) of San Antonio, Texas , is best known for his most recent fight, a valiant stand against world super bantamweight champion Naoya Inoue in May of this year, where he ultimately lost by technical knockout in the eighth round but famously knocked down the formidable champion in the second. “It’s an ideal comeback fight for Ramon,” said ProBoxTV's founder and CEO, Garry Jonas. “We don’t give tune-up fights, so it’s no walk in the park either. Ramon is a super entertaining fighter and a test like this will keep him ready. It will be a typical ProBoxTV high-action fight while it lasts!” Robles is 16-3 with 10 KOs.
Cardenas had won 14 consecutive fights before facing Inoue, including three consecutive on ProBoxTV: a TKO 6 over Israel Rodriguez Picazo (then 30-5) in February of last year, a KO 9 over Jesus Ramirez Rubio (then 22-2-3) in April of last year, and a unanimous decision over Bryan Acosta in February of this year. Cardenas also famously knocked out out formerly undefeated Panamanian Rafael Pedroza in the second round in one of the final ShoBox: The New Generation episodes.
“Training is going great,” said Cardenas. “I’m training with Manny Robles in LA and he’s a great match for me. We are fixing mistakes I’ve been making in the past, patching them up. I don’t really like watching tape of my opponents, so I don’t know much, but he has to adjust to me like I have to adjust to him. I’ve always said you can fight the same guy 100 times and every time will be different any way. People are expecting me to do good now, so I have a responsibility to show the fans that my fight with Inoue wasn’t a ‘one hit wonder.’”
Against Cardenas, 25-year-old Erik Robles will be having his first fight in the United States after turning professional in 2019 and spending his career in Mexico and the UK. The powerful slugger is best known for winning the IBO super bantamweight title against Lee McGregor (then 12-0-1) via unanimous decision in July 2023 and then registering a unanimous ten-round decision win over Cesar Vaca Espinoza (then 16-0-1) in his very next fight in December 2023.
“Training's going great,” said Robles. “We've been sparring with boxers like Christian Cruz, Logan Hernandez, Chino Quintana, and others. We've also added pool training to our preparation, which is a bonus and something different from what we normally do. We know Cardenas is an elite fighter with excellent technique and tremendous power. We all saw his performance against Inoue, and that's keeping us on high alert to continue preparing for what's coming on December 18th. It's a fight where anything can happen. He's a dangerous fighter, and so am I. The difference between us is that I have nothing to lose.”
Before turning professional in 2022, Conceicao won a middleweight gold medal at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics and took bronze in the 2019 World Amateur Championships. In just nine professional fights, Conceicao has already beaten two Brazilian countrymen and 2012 London Olympics medal-winning brothers, Esquiva and Yamaguchi Falcao. In June 2024, in just his sixth fight, Conceicao won a unanimous ten-round decision over younger brother and Silver Medalist Esquiva Falcao and, in his most recent ring appearance in September of this year, repeated the feat against older brother and bronze medalist Yamaguchi Falcao to win the Brazilian (CNB) title. In his lone ProBoxTV appearance to date in May of this year, Conceicao stopped Rowdy Legend Montgomery in two one-sided rounds.
The 35 year-old Espadas hails from Merida, Yucatán, Mexico. A 13-year professional, Espadas defeated Alan Carrillo via KO 2 in 2017. In his very next fight the following year, he KO'd Felipe Santos Pedroso in three rounds. Most recently, Espadas fought to a ten-round majority draw with undefeated Sadriddin Akhmedov in April and then lost an abbreviated five-round technical decision to streaking Irish prospect Callum Walsh in June, when the fight was stopped before it really got started in the fifth round, due to an accidental headbutt.
The night’s televised undercard will consist of a ten-round junior welterweight battle between “Marvelous” Mykquan Williams (22-1-2, 11 KOs) of Connecticut, and Jair “Kaiser” Valtierra (18-3, 9 KOs) of Mexico, as well as an eight-round middleweight slugfest Cuba’s Yojanler Martinez (5-0-1, 2 KOs) and Joeshon “Shontime” James (9-1-2, 5 KOs) of Sacramento, California.
“It’s a deep card overall,” said Garry Jonas. “Mykquan Williams vs. Jair Valtierra could be the co-main event. That’s a hell of a fight. Williams will be looking to come back from his first career loss, so Valtierra will tell the tale if he’s got what it takes. It’s ‘do or die’ for Mykquan. Is he a contender or not? And Yojanler Martinez vs. Joeshon James is a fun fight. Martinez is a ‘balls to the wall’ kind of fighter, while James is also back from his first loss. It’ll be a classic ProBoxTV crossroads battle.”
The action will start with Puerto Rico’s undefeated Bryan Polaco (7-0, 5 KOs) running into hard-rock Marlon Harrington (12-2, 10 KOs) from Detroit.
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Tonight: Olympic champion featured on ProBox TV
Tonight (Thursday, December 18th) at the War Memorial Auditorium in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, ProBox TV will stream a ten-round main event featuring knockout artist Ramon Cardenas returning to US soil to face Mexico’s Erik Robles in a “don’t blink” shootout. Also, Olympic Gold Medalist Hebert Conceicao of Brazil takes on Mexico's Elias Espadas in the co-feature. There will also be ten rounds of junior welterweight action between “Marvelous” Mykquan Williams and Jair Valtierra and an eight-round middleweight battle between Yojanler Martinez and Joeshon James. The festivities begin with Puerto Rico’s undefeated Bryan Polaco running into hard-rock Marlon Harrington from Detroit. Watch it all free this Thursday night at 7 pm on Amazon, Fubo, Tubi, or Pluto TV.
PRIOR BOXINGTALK COVERAGE
Cardenas (26-2, 14 KOs) of San Antonio, Texas , is best known for his most recent fight, a valiant stand against world super bantamweight champion Naoya Inoue in May of this year, where he ultimately lost by technical knockout in the eighth round but famously knocked down the formidable champion in the second. “It’s an ideal comeback fight for Ramon,” said ProBoxTV's founder and CEO, Garry Jonas. “We don’t give tune-up fights, so it’s no walk in the park either. Ramon is a super entertaining fighter and a test like this will keep him ready. It will be a typical ProBoxTV high-action fight while it lasts!” Robles is 16-3 with 10 KOs.
Cardenas had won 14 consecutive fights before facing Inoue, including three consecutive on ProBoxTV: a TKO 6 over Israel Rodriguez Picazo (then 30-5) in February of last year, a KO 9 over Jesus Ramirez Rubio (then 22-2-3) in April of last year, and a unanimous decision over Bryan Acosta in February of this year. Cardenas also famously knocked out out formerly undefeated Panamanian Rafael Pedroza in the second round in one of the final ShoBox: The New Generation episodes.
“Training is going great,” said Cardenas. “I’m training with Manny Robles in LA and he’s a great match for me. We are fixing mistakes I’ve been making in the past, patching them up. I don’t really like watching tape of my opponents, so I don’t know much, but he has to adjust to me like I have to adjust to him. I’ve always said you can fight the same guy 100 times and every time will be different any way. People are expecting me to do good now, so I have a responsibility to show the fans that my fight with Inoue wasn’t a ‘one hit wonder.’”
Against Cardenas, 25-year-old Erik Robles will be having his first fight in the United States after turning professional in 2019 and spending his career in Mexico and the UK. The powerful slugger is best known for winning the IBO super bantamweight title against Lee McGregor (then 12-0-1) via unanimous decision in July 2023 and then registering a unanimous ten-round decision win over Cesar Vaca Espinoza (then 16-0-1) in his very next fight in December 2023.
“Training's going great,” said Robles. “We've been sparring with boxers like Christian Cruz, Logan Hernandez, Chino Quintana, and others. We've also added pool training to our preparation, which is a bonus and something different from what we normally do. We know Cardenas is an elite fighter with excellent technique and tremendous power. We all saw his performance against Inoue, and that's keeping us on high alert to continue preparing for what's coming on December 18th. It's a fight where anything can happen. He's a dangerous fighter, and so am I. The difference between us is that I have nothing to lose.”
Before turning professional in 2022, Conceicao won a middleweight gold medal at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics and took bronze in the 2019 World Amateur Championships. In just nine professional fights, Conceicao has already beaten two Brazilian countrymen and 2012 London Olympics medal-winning brothers, Esquiva and Yamaguchi Falcao. In June 2024, in just his sixth fight, Conceicao won a unanimous ten-round decision over younger brother and Silver Medalist Esquiva Falcao and, in his most recent ring appearance in September of this year, repeated the feat against older brother and bronze medalist Yamaguchi Falcao to win the Brazilian (CNB) title. In his lone ProBoxTV appearance to date in May of this year, Conceicao stopped Rowdy Legend Montgomery in two one-sided rounds.
The 35 year-old Espadas hails from Merida, Yucatán, Mexico. A 13-year professional, Espadas defeated Alan Carrillo via KO 2 in 2017. In his very next fight the following year, he KO'd Felipe Santos Pedroso in three rounds. Most recently, Espadas fought to a ten-round majority draw with undefeated Sadriddin Akhmedov in April and then lost an abbreviated five-round technical decision to streaking Irish prospect Callum Walsh in June, when the fight was stopped before it really got started in the fifth round, due to an accidental headbutt.
The night’s televised undercard will consist of a ten-round junior welterweight battle between “Marvelous” Mykquan Williams (22-1-2, 11 KOs) of Connecticut, and Jair “Kaiser” Valtierra (18-3, 9 KOs) of Mexico, as well as an eight-round middleweight slugfest Cuba’s Yojanler Martinez (5-0-1, 2 KOs) and Joeshon “Shontime” James (9-1-2, 5 KOs) of Sacramento, California.
“It’s a deep card overall,” said Garry Jonas. “Mykquan Williams vs. Jair Valtierra could be the co-main event. That’s a hell of a fight. Williams will be looking to come back from his first career loss, so Valtierra will tell the tale if he’s got what it takes. It’s ‘do or die’ for Mykquan. Is he a contender or not? And Yojanler Martinez vs. Joeshon James is a fun fight. Martinez is a ‘balls to the wall’ kind of fighter, while James is also back from his first loss. It’ll be a classic ProBoxTV crossroads battle.”
The action will start with Puerto Rico’s undefeated Bryan Polaco (7-0, 5 KOs) running into hard-rock Marlon Harrington (12-2, 10 KOs) from Detroit.
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IBA amateur world championship roundup |
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The final contests of the IBA 2025 men's amateur boxing world championships in Dubai closed with thirteen gold medal-deciding bouts. In an opening battle of youth vs experience, it was youth that won the day, as Subhan Mamedov (Azerbaijan) secured gold at minimumweight following a 4-3 win over Edmond Khudoian (Russia). Eschewing the usual jab and move tactics associated with the amateur code, Khudoian used frenzied blasts of activity from both stances to try and throw the youngster off his stride. It worked to some degree in the first as Khudoian claimed a 3-2 split. Mamedov came out with the bit between his teeth in the second, not giving up as much ground, letting the double jab-right hands flow. The added impetus was rewarded in a 4-1 second-round split to Mamedov. Both men let their hands go with ferocious intent in the final round. The judges preferred Mamedov’s work much to the shock of Khudoian, who wandered the ring in confusion at a mere silver medal.
Hasanboy Dusmatov (Uzbekistan) is the flyweight gold medallist after defeating a brave but outgunned Bair Batlaev (Russia) 4-1. Dusmatov, an accomplished contender as a pro, has faced every challenge in a style befitting a decorated boxer and consummate professional. The smaller Dusmatov, also an Olympic champion no less, soaked up most of what the taller Russian offered, on the gloves, and fired back between the gaps. It was enough to earn the Uzbek a 4-1 split. Batlaev tried to change tack in the second and lead off before stepping back as Dusmatov swarmed and countered the counters. It worked to a point, until the quality shone through as the second round progressed and the Uzbekistan fighter picked up another 4-1 split. Batlaev lashed away with long-levered attacks in the final round. Dusmatov used his smarts to find gaps, pick away and win a 4-1 final decision despite conceding the last round by the same margin.
Saken Bibossinov of Kazakhstan picked up the bantamweight gold medal over a distraught Viacheslav Rogozin (Russia), who never stopped punching for three minutes. The ultra-confident Russian came blazing out of the traps, launching hooks and uppercuts to head and body from both hands. Bibossinov’s only moments of respite came from the referee admonishing him for low blows or pushing. Seemingly sweeping the opening round 10-9 across the board, Rogozin had to make do with a baffling 3-2 split. The 2024 youth champion took that slight personally and entered the second with another rapid-fire round. It was tempered at the close of the second when Bibossinov landed a right uppercut, which not only stopped the rampant Rogozin in his tracks but invited the ref to call a standing count. Bibossinov won the second round unanimously. Rogozin was relentless in the final round, sending the contest to a bout review, ending in the Kazakh’s favour. The Russian took his defeat with grace but looked understandably close to tears during the post-fight ceremony.
Kazakhstan’s Orazbek Assylkulov has a gold medal around his neck after posting a 5-0 UD victory over Khusravkhon Rakhimov of Tajikistan at featherweight. There was no feeling-out process as they got down to business immediately. After conceding the first session unanimously, Rakhimov aggressively started the second. His toil was scantly rewarded as Assylkulov claimed it 3-2. Boxing with a nick around the right cheek, the third round got messy, which did not help Rakhimov’s cause as the clock ran away from him.
Vsevolod Shumkov of Russia forced his lightweight bout with Uzbekistan’s Abdumalik Khalokov to a bout review and grabbed gold with both hands, courtesy of a 4-3 victory fueled through pure will to win. After a rought-and-tumble opening round, Khalokov cleaned up with 10-9s. The onus was on Shumkov in the second and he responded with two-fisted pumping pressure as Khalokov scrapped to push him off. Khalokov still won it 3-2. Shumkov put it all on the line in the final round, launching wide hooks as Khalokov walked a time-wasting tightrope of holding and grappling. Former world champion Denis Lebedev jumped to his feet at the conclusion, roaring his approval at the efforts of both men, particularly his compatriot, who pushed himself over the line.
Ilia Popov of Russia outworked Omar Livaza (Kyrgyzstan) to take gold at junior welterweight. An all-action first ended with Popov washing all five cards 10-9. Backfoot mover Livaza needed some front-foot motion to grab some love on the cards in round two. Popov suffered a cut to the right eye in round two as Livaza upped the offensive output even more. A tight second round between the two southpaws saw Popev maintain his advantage with a 4-1 split. Livaza needed final-round urgency, but his refusal to abandon basic boxing fundamentals cost him any chance of top podium placement at light-welterweight.
Uzbek boxing royalty Asadkhuja Muydinkhujaev will need to clear some more space in his trophy cabinet after defeating Evgenii Kool (Russia) by a 5-0 shutout at welterweight. Muydinkhujaev seized every card in the opener, despite Kool enjoying brief moments of success. Kool pushed the pace in round two, pinning the Uzbek as best as he could, trying to find a space to land the same body punches that caused his previous tournament victims so much trouble. Swift-moving Muydinkhujaev was skilled in the art of evading such attacks. Muydinkhujaev scored another 5-0 mop-up in the second as the experienced champion’s round management paid dividends. A pro winner yesterday, Nico Ali Walsh, handed out the awards.
Ablaikhan Zhussupov (Kazakhstan) turned his string of bronze medals into a gold, defeating Russia’s Sergei Koldenkov 4-1 in the middleweight final. After 90 seconds of feeling out, Zhussupov discovered his timing to tonk the Russian as Koldenkov tried to find a little encouragement. The Kazakh won 4-1 to start off. Koldenkov seemed wary of opening up as Zhussupov’s hand speed proved superior. Unable to go punch-for-punch, the Russian’s timing needed to be perfect. His second round lifeline was removed as Zhussupov won 4-1 again. Koldenkov raised the pace at the close of the final round, trying to pin down Zhussupov, who decided to jump on his bicycle and see out the contest. He had done enough by split decision to become the champ, despite losing the third by a 5-0 margin.
Yet another Russia vs. Kazakhstan, southpaw versus southpaw contest, this time at super middleweight, saw Russia’s Ismail Mutsolgov prevail 5-0 over Sabyrzhan Akkalykov to become world champion. Artur Beterbiev awarded the winner his spoils. Akkalykov was intent on making a first-round impression on his bearded foe. The Kazakh fighter would’ve been pleased with his output, only to suffer a deflation as the judges totalled 5-0 across the board in favour of Mutsolgov. At the close of the second round, Mutsolgov opened his arms in exasperation, willing his red-vested opponent to engage. Mutsolgov need not worry as he got the second 4-1 anyway. Needing something gigantic in the final round, Akkalykov required a rapid-motion delivery and a pile of 10-8 totals to swing it to bout review. Try as he might, the Kazakhstan boxer couldn’t manage that feat. The scoring in the first session killed any competitive momentum.
One of the tournament standouts, Javokhir Ummataliev (Uzbekistan), had taken a notable semi-final scalp by eliminating Arlen Lopez of Cuba. His task was to follow up on that success against Dzhambulat Bizhamov, Russia, at light heavyweight. Ummataliev was smiling around the 45-second remaining mark of round one, indicating how pleased he was with the opening round. It was an untidy first session. The Uzbek landed all of the eye-catching blows, taking the opener 3-2, which was kind to Bizhamov as his opponent’s shots appeared to find a home whether delivered straight or curved. Bizhamov swayed the advantage in his favour with a strong second round. There was not much to chew on from either fighter, leaving rounds open to the five judges’ interpretation. Ummataliev tagged the torso as Bizhamov’s nose oozed blood. Bizhamov claimed world championship status by a 5-0 unanimous after a lot of tangled exchanges that were open to interpretation.
The new IBA cruiserweight king is Sharabutdin Ataev (Russia), who achieved back-to-back world championship golds by toppling Aleksei Alfiorau (Belarus) by a 5-0 unanimous decision. The confident and accomplished Ataev made it his business to pin Alfiorau against the ropes and let the heavy shots rip. There was plenty of leather landed, much to the delight of the vocal Russian faithful. The Belarusian southpaw wandered around the ring waiting for a moment to attack that never arrived. Patient Ataev controlled the opener, scoring a 4-1 split success. It was left all for Alfiorau to do in the following two rounds. Ataev’s slow and steady pressure served him well in the second, as the Russian covered up when necessary and let his shots go at the right moments, picking up more points with his compact style.
In a heavyweight battle of the big men, Muslim Gadzhimagomedov of Russia [the WBA bridgerweight champion as a pro] kept on rumbling towards his Uzbek opponent, Turabek Khabibullaev, to snatch a 5-0 unanimous decision victory. After an untidy first three minutes, Gadzhimagomedov went to the corner 4-1 up, even though much of his forward stalking appeared to bear little fruit. Khabibullaev’s arcing left hand landed on a couple of occasions, but it was not enough to please the five scorers. The Russian’s big frame sagged to the canvas more than once as Khabibullaev tried to use his extra hand speed. While not much of Gadzhimagomedov’s front-foot marching was effective, a final-second step-up grabbed him a clean sweep in the second session. These two big units tired in the third as they wrestled, understandably unable to replicate the heat and intensity of their smaller boxing counterparts earlier in the evening. Gadzhimagomedov’s lumbering squeeze won out across the whole nine minutes to become a three-time world titlist.
In the final Dubai throwdown, at super-heavyweight, David Surov (Russia) set a pace that Arman Makhanov (Uzbekistan) could not match. Surov won by second-round stoppage. Taller Makhanov was struggling to get his timing down, finding his punches sliding around shoulders and off into the air. Surov’s grinding pressure told. Once he got his right hand going, he appeared to have discovered a replicable honey punch. A clipping right prompted the referee to issue a round one count, securing a 5-0 brush up. Needing a big second round in this battle, Makhanov’s woes continued when he was dished up another couple of standing counts. It was enough to end the contest, providing the first and only stoppage of the finals, as the Uzbek corner decided their man needed saving.
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IBA amateur world championship roundup
The final contests of the IBA 2025 men's amateur boxing world championships in Dubai closed with thirteen gold medal-deciding bouts. In an opening battle of youth vs experience, it was youth that won the day, as Subhan Mamedov (Azerbaijan) secured gold at minimumweight following a 4-3 win over Edmond Khudoian (Russia). Eschewing the usual jab and move tactics associated with the amateur code, Khudoian used frenzied blasts of activity from both stances to try and throw the youngster off his stride. It worked to some degree in the first as Khudoian claimed a 3-2 split. Mamedov came out with the bit between his teeth in the second, not giving up as much ground, letting the double jab-right hands flow. The added impetus was rewarded in a 4-1 second-round split to Mamedov. Both men let their hands go with ferocious intent in the final round. The judges preferred Mamedov’s work much to the shock of Khudoian, who wandered the ring in confusion at a mere silver medal.
Hasanboy Dusmatov (Uzbekistan) is the flyweight gold medallist after defeating a brave but outgunned Bair Batlaev (Russia) 4-1. Dusmatov, an accomplished contender as a pro, has faced every challenge in a style befitting a decorated boxer and consummate professional. The smaller Dusmatov, also an Olympic champion no less, soaked up most of what the taller Russian offered, on the gloves, and fired back between the gaps. It was enough to earn the Uzbek a 4-1 split. Batlaev tried to change tack in the second and lead off before stepping back as Dusmatov swarmed and countered the counters. It worked to a point, until the quality shone through as the second round progressed and the Uzbekistan fighter picked up another 4-1 split. Batlaev lashed away with long-levered attacks in the final round. Dusmatov used his smarts to find gaps, pick away and win a 4-1 final decision despite conceding the last round by the same margin.
Saken Bibossinov of Kazakhstan picked up the bantamweight gold medal over a distraught Viacheslav Rogozin (Russia), who never stopped punching for three minutes. The ultra-confident Russian came blazing out of the traps, launching hooks and uppercuts to head and body from both hands. Bibossinov’s only moments of respite came from the referee admonishing him for low blows or pushing. Seemingly sweeping the opening round 10-9 across the board, Rogozin had to make do with a baffling 3-2 split. The 2024 youth champion took that slight personally and entered the second with another rapid-fire round. It was tempered at the close of the second when Bibossinov landed a right uppercut, which not only stopped the rampant Rogozin in his tracks but invited the ref to call a standing count. Bibossinov won the second round unanimously. Rogozin was relentless in the final round, sending the contest to a bout review, ending in the Kazakh’s favour. The Russian took his defeat with grace but looked understandably close to tears during the post-fight ceremony.
Kazakhstan’s Orazbek Assylkulov has a gold medal around his neck after posting a 5-0 UD victory over Khusravkhon Rakhimov of Tajikistan at featherweight. There was no feeling-out process as they got down to business immediately. After conceding the first session unanimously, Rakhimov aggressively started the second. His toil was scantly rewarded as Assylkulov claimed it 3-2. Boxing with a nick around the right cheek, the third round got messy, which did not help Rakhimov’s cause as the clock ran away from him.
Vsevolod Shumkov of Russia forced his lightweight bout with Uzbekistan’s Abdumalik Khalokov to a bout review and grabbed gold with both hands, courtesy of a 4-3 victory fueled through pure will to win. After a rought-and-tumble opening round, Khalokov cleaned up with 10-9s. The onus was on Shumkov in the second and he responded with two-fisted pumping pressure as Khalokov scrapped to push him off. Khalokov still won it 3-2. Shumkov put it all on the line in the final round, launching wide hooks as Khalokov walked a time-wasting tightrope of holding and grappling. Former world champion Denis Lebedev jumped to his feet at the conclusion, roaring his approval at the efforts of both men, particularly his compatriot, who pushed himself over the line.
Ilia Popov of Russia outworked Omar Livaza (Kyrgyzstan) to take gold at junior welterweight. An all-action first ended with Popov washing all five cards 10-9. Backfoot mover Livaza needed some front-foot motion to grab some love on the cards in round two. Popov suffered a cut to the right eye in round two as Livaza upped the offensive output even more. A tight second round between the two southpaws saw Popev maintain his advantage with a 4-1 split. Livaza needed final-round urgency, but his refusal to abandon basic boxing fundamentals cost him any chance of top podium placement at light-welterweight.
Uzbek boxing royalty Asadkhuja Muydinkhujaev will need to clear some more space in his trophy cabinet after defeating Evgenii Kool (Russia) by a 5-0 shutout at welterweight. Muydinkhujaev seized every card in the opener, despite Kool enjoying brief moments of success. Kool pushed the pace in round two, pinning the Uzbek as best as he could, trying to find a space to land the same body punches that caused his previous tournament victims so much trouble. Swift-moving Muydinkhujaev was skilled in the art of evading such attacks. Muydinkhujaev scored another 5-0 mop-up in the second as the experienced champion’s round management paid dividends. A pro winner yesterday, Nico Ali Walsh, handed out the awards.
Ablaikhan Zhussupov (Kazakhstan) turned his string of bronze medals into a gold, defeating Russia’s Sergei Koldenkov 4-1 in the middleweight final. After 90 seconds of feeling out, Zhussupov discovered his timing to tonk the Russian as Koldenkov tried to find a little encouragement. The Kazakh won 4-1 to start off. Koldenkov seemed wary of opening up as Zhussupov’s hand speed proved superior. Unable to go punch-for-punch, the Russian’s timing needed to be perfect. His second round lifeline was removed as Zhussupov won 4-1 again. Koldenkov raised the pace at the close of the final round, trying to pin down Zhussupov, who decided to jump on his bicycle and see out the contest. He had done enough by split decision to become the champ, despite losing the third by a 5-0 margin.
Yet another Russia vs. Kazakhstan, southpaw versus southpaw contest, this time at super middleweight, saw Russia’s Ismail Mutsolgov prevail 5-0 over Sabyrzhan Akkalykov to become world champion. Artur Beterbiev awarded the winner his spoils. Akkalykov was intent on making a first-round impression on his bearded foe. The Kazakh fighter would’ve been pleased with his output, only to suffer a deflation as the judges totalled 5-0 across the board in favour of Mutsolgov. At the close of the second round, Mutsolgov opened his arms in exasperation, willing his red-vested opponent to engage. Mutsolgov need not worry as he got the second 4-1 anyway. Needing something gigantic in the final round, Akkalykov required a rapid-motion delivery and a pile of 10-8 totals to swing it to bout review. Try as he might, the Kazakhstan boxer couldn’t manage that feat. The scoring in the first session killed any competitive momentum.
One of the tournament standouts, Javokhir Ummataliev (Uzbekistan), had taken a notable semi-final scalp by eliminating Arlen Lopez of Cuba. His task was to follow up on that success against Dzhambulat Bizhamov, Russia, at light heavyweight. Ummataliev was smiling around the 45-second remaining mark of round one, indicating how pleased he was with the opening round. It was an untidy first session. The Uzbek landed all of the eye-catching blows, taking the opener 3-2, which was kind to Bizhamov as his opponent’s shots appeared to find a home whether delivered straight or curved. Bizhamov swayed the advantage in his favour with a strong second round. There was not much to chew on from either fighter, leaving rounds open to the five judges’ interpretation. Ummataliev tagged the torso as Bizhamov’s nose oozed blood. Bizhamov claimed world championship status by a 5-0 unanimous after a lot of tangled exchanges that were open to interpretation.
The new IBA cruiserweight king is Sharabutdin Ataev (Russia), who achieved back-to-back world championship golds by toppling Aleksei Alfiorau (Belarus) by a 5-0 unanimous decision. The confident and accomplished Ataev made it his business to pin Alfiorau against the ropes and let the heavy shots rip. There was plenty of leather landed, much to the delight of the vocal Russian faithful. The Belarusian southpaw wandered around the ring waiting for a moment to attack that never arrived. Patient Ataev controlled the opener, scoring a 4-1 split success. It was left all for Alfiorau to do in the following two rounds. Ataev’s slow and steady pressure served him well in the second, as the Russian covered up when necessary and let his shots go at the right moments, picking up more points with his compact style.
In a heavyweight battle of the big men, Muslim Gadzhimagomedov of Russia [the WBA bridgerweight champion as a pro] kept on rumbling towards his Uzbek opponent, Turabek Khabibullaev, to snatch a 5-0 unanimous decision victory. After an untidy first three minutes, Gadzhimagomedov went to the corner 4-1 up, even though much of his forward stalking appeared to bear little fruit. Khabibullaev’s arcing left hand landed on a couple of occasions, but it was not enough to please the five scorers. The Russian’s big frame sagged to the canvas more than once as Khabibullaev tried to use his extra hand speed. While not much of Gadzhimagomedov’s front-foot marching was effective, a final-second step-up grabbed him a clean sweep in the second session. These two big units tired in the third as they wrestled, understandably unable to replicate the heat and intensity of their smaller boxing counterparts earlier in the evening. Gadzhimagomedov’s lumbering squeeze won out across the whole nine minutes to become a three-time world titlist.
In the final Dubai throwdown, at super-heavyweight, David Surov (Russia) set a pace that Arman Makhanov (Uzbekistan) could not match. Surov won by second-round stoppage. Taller Makhanov was struggling to get his timing down, finding his punches sliding around shoulders and off into the air. Surov’s grinding pressure told. Once he got his right hand going, he appeared to have discovered a replicable honey punch. A clipping right prompted the referee to issue a round one count, securing a 5-0 brush up. Needing a big second round in this battle, Makhanov’s woes continued when he was dished up another couple of standing counts. It was enough to end the contest, providing the first and only stoppage of the finals, as the Uzbek corner decided their man needed saving.
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Weigh-in report from Ft. Lauderdale |
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Here are the boxers' weights for ProBoxTV’s ‘Merry Fistmas’ event at War Memorial Auditorium in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, Thursday night at 7 pm ET:
Ramon Cardenas 124 pounds -vs.- Erik Robles 123.6;
Hebert Conceicao 160.4 -vs.- Elias Espadas 160.2;
Joeshon James 163.4 lbs -vs.- Yojanler Martinez 165.4;
Mykquan Williams 141.6 -vs.- Camilo Rodriguez Pardo 141.5;
Bryan Polaco 153.2 -vs.- Marlon Harrington 153.2; and
Kenyan Valle 123.6 -vs.- Teran Ward 128.
TV: ProBoxTV 7:00 pm EST
Promoters: Garry Jonas (ProBox Promotions) Sampson Lewkowicz (Sampson Boxing)
Matchmakers: Ramiro Hernandez, Daniel Rubin
Tickets: available from the ProBoxTV website or directly from Seat Geek.
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Weigh-in report from Ft. Lauderdale
Here are the boxers' weights for ProBoxTV’s ‘Merry Fistmas’ event at War Memorial Auditorium in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, Thursday night at 7 pm ET:
Ramon Cardenas 124 pounds -vs.- Erik Robles 123.6;
Hebert Conceicao 160.4 -vs.- Elias Espadas 160.2;
Joeshon James 163.4 lbs -vs.- Yojanler Martinez 165.4;
Mykquan Williams 141.6 -vs.- Camilo Rodriguez Pardo 141.5;
Bryan Polaco 153.2 -vs.- Marlon Harrington 153.2; and
Kenyan Valle 123.6 -vs.- Teran Ward 128.
TV: ProBoxTV 7:00 pm EST
Promoters: Garry Jonas (ProBox Promotions) Sampson Lewkowicz (Sampson Boxing)
Matchmakers: Ramiro Hernandez, Daniel Rubin
Tickets: available from the ProBoxTV website or directly from Seat Geek.
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Terence Crawford says he's "stepping away from competition" |
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Undefeated, multi-division champion Terence Crawford announced his retirement today. The future Hall of Famer posted a YouTube video saying, "Every fighter knows this moment will come. You just never know when... I've spent my whole life chasing something. Not belts, not money, not headlines, but that feeling you get when the world doubts you but you keep showing up and keep proving them wrong. This sport gave me everything... and I did it all my way. And I've made peace with what's next. Now, its time. Thank you... I'm stepping away from competition. Not because I'm done fighting but because I won a different kind of battle, the oen where you walk away on your own terms. This isn't goodbye, its just the end of one fight and the beginning of another."
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Terence Crawford says he's "stepping away from competition"
Undefeated, multi-division champion Terence Crawford announced his retirement today. The future Hall of Famer posted a YouTube video saying, "Every fighter knows this moment will come. You just never know when... I've spent my whole life chasing something. Not belts, not money, not headlines, but that feeling you get when the world doubts you but you keep showing up and keep proving them wrong. This sport gave me everything... and I did it all my way. And I've made peace with what's next. Now, its time. Thank you... I'm stepping away from competition. Not because I'm done fighting but because I won a different kind of battle, the oen where you walk away on your own terms. This isn't goodbye, its just the end of one fight and the beginning of another."
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Andrew Cain gets elimination shot in his hometown |
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British and Commonwealth bantamweight champion Andrew Cain and Mexico City's Alejandro González (19-6-3) are set to collide on February 7th in a WBC final eliminator at 118 pounds. (The WBC bantamweight title is currently held by Takuma Inoue of Japan). Cain will be fighting in his hometwon, in support of a main event featuring another local hero, Nick Ball, defending the WBA featherweight championship. Cain (14-1) is known for his aggression and punching power, and will seek to use his home advantage to secure his first world title shot. Although he has never been in a scheduled twelve rounder, González will not be an easy opponent. Mexican fighters are known for their bravery, technique and ability to withstand punishment, qualities that “Azteca” will put to the test on hostile territory.
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Andrew Cain gets elimination shot in his hometown
British and Commonwealth bantamweight champion Andrew Cain and Mexico City's Alejandro González (19-6-3) are set to collide on February 7th in a WBC final eliminator at 118 pounds. (The WBC bantamweight title is currently held by Takuma Inoue of Japan). Cain will be fighting in his hometwon, in support of a main event featuring another local hero, Nick Ball, defending the WBA featherweight championship. Cain (14-1) is known for his aggression and punching power, and will seek to use his home advantage to secure his first world title shot. Although he has never been in a scheduled twelve rounder, González will not be an easy opponent. Mexican fighters are known for their bravery, technique and ability to withstand punishment, qualities that “Azteca” will put to the test on hostile territory.
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Ex-champ Akui returns with KO in Tokyo |
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Seigo Yuri Akui KO3 Vincent Lacar... At the Ryogoku Kokugikan in Tokyo, former WBA flyweight champion Seigo Yuri Akui competing in an eight-round bout at super flyweight, secured a knockout victory over Vincent Lacar of the Philippines in the third round. He successfully rebounded from his loss to Kenjiro Teraji in March. The fight was decided in the third round. Akui cornered Lakal on the ropes and landed a right, and Lakal went down without needing a left counter. Lakal got back up, but the ten count was reached. Akui's record is 22 wins, 3 losses, and 1 draw. His opponent, Lakal, who lost, has a record of 10 wins and 2 losses.
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Ex-champ Akui returns with KO in Tokyo
Seigo Yuri Akui KO3 Vincent Lacar... At the Ryogoku Kokugikan in Tokyo, former WBA flyweight champion Seigo Yuri Akui competing in an eight-round bout at super flyweight, secured a knockout victory over Vincent Lacar of the Philippines in the third round. He successfully rebounded from his loss to Kenjiro Teraji in March. The fight was decided in the third round. Akui cornered Lakal on the ropes and landed a right, and Lakal went down without needing a left counter. Lakal got back up, but the ten count was reached. Akui's record is 22 wins, 3 losses, and 1 draw. His opponent, Lakal, who lost, has a record of 10 wins and 2 losses.
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Welcome to Joshua vs. Paul fight week |
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On Friday, Dec. 19th, boxing disruptor Jake Paul challenges former two-time heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua in a career-defining fight from Most Valuable Promotions that will stream exclusively on Netflix. The fight, which is scheduled for eight rounds, takes place at the Kaseya Center in Miami. Prelims begin at 4:45 p.m. ET / 1:45 p.m. PT, streaming live on Tudum. The main card will stream live globally on Netflix at 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT (included in all plans). Netflix and Most Valuable Promotions have finalized the full fight card. The latest addition brings a major spotlight opener to the main card: U.S. Olympian and amateur world champion Jahmal Harvey will face undefeated Kevin Cervantes in a six-round junior lightweight bout. Harvey, coming off a knockout win in his pro debut, now steps onto the global stage on Netflix. The main card will also feature Anderson Silva vs. Tyron Woodley, plus a stacked lineup of world-class women’s bouts.
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Welcome to Joshua vs. Paul fight week
On Friday, Dec. 19th, boxing disruptor Jake Paul challenges former two-time heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua in a career-defining fight from Most Valuable Promotions that will stream exclusively on Netflix. The fight, which is scheduled for eight rounds, takes place at the Kaseya Center in Miami. Prelims begin at 4:45 p.m. ET / 1:45 p.m. PT, streaming live on Tudum. The main card will stream live globally on Netflix at 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT (included in all plans). Netflix and Most Valuable Promotions have finalized the full fight card. The latest addition brings a major spotlight opener to the main card: U.S. Olympian and amateur world champion Jahmal Harvey will face undefeated Kevin Cervantes in a six-round junior lightweight bout. Harvey, coming off a knockout win in his pro debut, now steps onto the global stage on Netflix. The main card will also feature Anderson Silva vs. Tyron Woodley, plus a stacked lineup of world-class women’s bouts.
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WBC findings re: Matias positive ostarine test |
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On November 15th, VADA notified WBC junior welterweight champion Subriel Matías and the WBC of an adverse analytical finding consistent with the presence of Ostarine in a urine sample collected from him on November 9th. Several anti-doping result management authorities have set thresholds for the presence of Ostarine under which a positive result is not considered an adverse finding. Findings under the threshold are considered atypical, whereupon the athlete is cleared after a cursory review. For example, the New York State Athletic Commission, which is the jurisdiction where the upcoming Matías v. Smith WBC championship bout will take place on January 10th, does not consider a concentration below 0.1 ng/ML to be an adverse finding. The reported concentration of Ostarine in Matías’ sample was 0.085 ng/mL, which is below that threshold.
The WBC conducted an expedited but thorough investigation following the prescriptions of its Clean Boxing Program protocol. Matías and his team were fully cooperative with every aspect of the process. The process concluded with the WBC and Matías entering into an Adjudication Agreement which requires him to comply with the following conditions:
A. Probation for one (1) year from the date of the sample collection;
B. Undergo additional random anti-doping testing during the probationary period at his own expense;
C. Participate in a nutrition education program designed and conducted by the WBC Nutrition Committee;
D. Participate in social responsibility activations such as visiting boxing gyms to speak about the dangers of consuming potentially contaminated nutritional supplements; and
E. Be suspended indefinitely without further inquiry if a sample collected from him results in an adverse finding during his probationary period.
Unfortunate, inaccurate, and speculative information was reported last week regarding Matías when the results of his B sample became available. It is important that the public recognizes that, in the anti-doping testing context, B sample results are overwhelmingly the same the A sample ones. The contents of the A sample container and those of the B sample are exactly the same. The testing of the B sample contents is just confirmatory of the A Sample one. The B sample test results, therefore, do not represent a new or additional adverse finding nor a new violation of any rules.
During its annual convention, the WBC ruled to modify the Clean Boxing Program Protocol. The modifications are necessary due to the fact that there is a definite link between most of the adverse finding results and actual or alleged contamination of supplements boxers use. The WBC will publish and implement its new Clean Boxing Program Protocol starting in February of 2026.
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WBC findings re: Matias positive ostarine test
On November 15th, VADA notified WBC junior welterweight champion Subriel Matías and the WBC of an adverse analytical finding consistent with the presence of Ostarine in a urine sample collected from him on November 9th. Several anti-doping result management authorities have set thresholds for the presence of Ostarine under which a positive result is not considered an adverse finding. Findings under the threshold are considered atypical, whereupon the athlete is cleared after a cursory review. For example, the New York State Athletic Commission, which is the jurisdiction where the upcoming Matías v. Smith WBC championship bout will take place on January 10th, does not consider a concentration below 0.1 ng/ML to be an adverse finding. The reported concentration of Ostarine in Matías’ sample was 0.085 ng/mL, which is below that threshold.
The WBC conducted an expedited but thorough investigation following the prescriptions of its Clean Boxing Program protocol. Matías and his team were fully cooperative with every aspect of the process. The process concluded with the WBC and Matías entering into an Adjudication Agreement which requires him to comply with the following conditions:
A. Probation for one (1) year from the date of the sample collection;
B. Undergo additional random anti-doping testing during the probationary period at his own expense;
C. Participate in a nutrition education program designed and conducted by the WBC Nutrition Committee;
D. Participate in social responsibility activations such as visiting boxing gyms to speak about the dangers of consuming potentially contaminated nutritional supplements; and
E. Be suspended indefinitely without further inquiry if a sample collected from him results in an adverse finding during his probationary period.
Unfortunate, inaccurate, and speculative information was reported last week regarding Matías when the results of his B sample became available. It is important that the public recognizes that, in the anti-doping testing context, B sample results are overwhelmingly the same the A sample ones. The contents of the A sample container and those of the B sample are exactly the same. The testing of the B sample contents is just confirmatory of the A Sample one. The B sample test results, therefore, do not represent a new or additional adverse finding nor a new violation of any rules.
During its annual convention, the WBC ruled to modify the Clean Boxing Program Protocol. The modifications are necessary due to the fact that there is a definite link between most of the adverse finding results and actual or alleged contamination of supplements boxers use. The WBC will publish and implement its new Clean Boxing Program Protocol starting in February of 2026.
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WBA reelects Mendoza to a five-year term |
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In a surprise to no one, the WBA’s 104th Annual Convention in Orlando, Florida saw the reelection of Gilberto Jesús Mendoza as president of the organization for a new five-year term. With this mandate, Mendoza extends a leadership run that now spans a full decade at the helm of boxing’s oldest sanctioning body. According to the WBA: "The election unfolded in an atmosphere of total consensus. There were no opposing candidates and no formal objections. Board members, commission representatives, promoters, officials, and international delegates all voiced unanimous support for the president’s continued tenure. [The] institutional unity reflected the organization’s confidence in the direction Mendoza has charted for the WBA in recent years.
"In his remarks following the proclamation, Mendoza expressed his gratitude for the support and emphasized that the WBA is in a period of modernization, global expansion, and internal strengthening. He highlighted the importance of continuing to invest in officials’ education programs, social initiatives such as KO to Drugs, and the consolidation of regional titles as a development pathway for emerging talent around the world.... With unanimous backing, Gilberto Jesús Mendoza begins his third presidential term with a defined roadmap and a renewed commitment to guiding the WBA through an increasingly competitive global landscape."
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WBA reelects Mendoza to a five-year term
In a surprise to no one, the WBA’s 104th Annual Convention in Orlando, Florida saw the reelection of Gilberto Jesús Mendoza as president of the organization for a new five-year term. With this mandate, Mendoza extends a leadership run that now spans a full decade at the helm of boxing’s oldest sanctioning body. According to the WBA: "The election unfolded in an atmosphere of total consensus. There were no opposing candidates and no formal objections. Board members, commission representatives, promoters, officials, and international delegates all voiced unanimous support for the president’s continued tenure. [The] institutional unity reflected the organization’s confidence in the direction Mendoza has charted for the WBA in recent years.
"In his remarks following the proclamation, Mendoza expressed his gratitude for the support and emphasized that the WBA is in a period of modernization, global expansion, and internal strengthening. He highlighted the importance of continuing to invest in officials’ education programs, social initiatives such as KO to Drugs, and the consolidation of regional titles as a development pathway for emerging talent around the world.... With unanimous backing, Gilberto Jesús Mendoza begins his third presidential term with a defined roadmap and a renewed commitment to guiding the WBA through an increasingly competitive global landscape."
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Artiga retains title by defeating Silva |
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Jasmine Artiga W10 Stephanie Silva... In Orlando as part of the WBA’s 104th annual convention, Jasmine Artiga (15-0-1) successfully defended her WBA super flyweight title with a unanimous decision victory over Venezuela’s Stephanie Silva (10-2). The scorecards were 99-91, 97-93 and a lopsided 100-90. From the opening bell, Artiga set a brisk pace, built around a sharp jab, intelligent footwork, and a precise sense of timing. Her game plan was clear: control the distance, avoid unnecessary exchanges and wear Silva down with clean, consistent punches. The American champion showed notable maturity, managing her energy efficiently while maintaining the initiative in every round. Silva entered the fight with a reputation as an aggressive pressure fighter capable of shifting momentum through sheer intensity. Instead, she ran into an opponent who neutralized her from the outset. Every attempt by the Venezuelan to close the gap was met with accuracy from Artiga, who countered with combinations to the head and body, forcing Silva to operate in reverse far more than usual.
As the rounds progressed, the gap between the two became increasingly evident. Artiga not only landed more often, but did so with greater clarity and authority. Her defense—anchored by subtle waist movement and lateral steps—frustrated Silva’s attacks, preventing her from ever establishing a sustained rhythm. Even in moments when Silva tried to force exchanges, the champion responded calmly, selecting the right shots and refusing to be drawn into disorder.
The final stretch of the bout was a showcase of complete control by Artiga. Fully aware of her advantage, she stayed tactically disciplined, taking no unnecessary risks. Silva, game until the final bell, searched for a rally that never materialized, limited by the champion’s precision and defensive structure.
When the final bell sounded, there was no debate inside the venue.
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Artiga retains title by defeating Silva
Jasmine Artiga W10 Stephanie Silva... In Orlando as part of the WBA’s 104th annual convention, Jasmine Artiga (15-0-1) successfully defended her WBA super flyweight title with a unanimous decision victory over Venezuela’s Stephanie Silva (10-2). The scorecards were 99-91, 97-93 and a lopsided 100-90. From the opening bell, Artiga set a brisk pace, built around a sharp jab, intelligent footwork, and a precise sense of timing. Her game plan was clear: control the distance, avoid unnecessary exchanges and wear Silva down with clean, consistent punches. The American champion showed notable maturity, managing her energy efficiently while maintaining the initiative in every round. Silva entered the fight with a reputation as an aggressive pressure fighter capable of shifting momentum through sheer intensity. Instead, she ran into an opponent who neutralized her from the outset. Every attempt by the Venezuelan to close the gap was met with accuracy from Artiga, who countered with combinations to the head and body, forcing Silva to operate in reverse far more than usual.
As the rounds progressed, the gap between the two became increasingly evident. Artiga not only landed more often, but did so with greater clarity and authority. Her defense—anchored by subtle waist movement and lateral steps—frustrated Silva’s attacks, preventing her from ever establishing a sustained rhythm. Even in moments when Silva tried to force exchanges, the champion responded calmly, selecting the right shots and refusing to be drawn into disorder.
The final stretch of the bout was a showcase of complete control by Artiga. Fully aware of her advantage, she stayed tactically disciplined, taking no unnecessary risks. Silva, game until the final bell, searched for a rally that never materialized, limited by the champion’s precision and defensive structure.
When the final bell sounded, there was no debate inside the venue.
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Cardona talks about this weekend's Netflix fight |
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Justin “The Stallion” Cardona (10-1, 5 KOs) has wrapped up training camp as he readies himself for the biggest opportunity of his professional career. Cardona will face dangerous Avious Griffin (17-1, 16 KOs) in an eight-round welterweight bout on Friday, December 19th at the Kaseya Center in Miami, Florida. The bout will take place on the Anthony Joshua vs. Jake Paul card promoted by Most Valuable Promotions (MVP) and broadcast live globally on Netflix. Cardona emphasized that consistency and preparation have been the foundation of his growth, noting that the camp has sharpened his conditioning, timing, and confidence heading into fight night. Reflecting on the work he’s put in behind closed doors, Cardona expressed gratitude for the process and the people around him. “This camp has probably been the most focused and disciplined of my career,” said Cardona on his recent training camp. “Every day, my team pushed me to get better — not just physically, but mentally. We didn’t cut corners. We studied, we worked, and we stayed humble. I’m thankful to have a team that believes in me and holds me accountable, because that’s what prepares you for moments like this.”
Acknowledging the challenge Griffin presents while remaining confident in his own preparation, Cardona spoke respectfully of his opponent. Rather than overlooking the danger, Cardona made it clear that respect and readiness are central to his mindset heading into the bout. “Avious Griffin is a strong, explosive fighter with a lot of knockouts, and I respect what he’s done in the ring,” Cardona said regarding Avious Griffin and his power. “Anyone with that record deserves respect. At the same time, I trust my preparation and my skills. I’ve trained for every scenario, and I’m ready to go in there and compete at the highest level.”
Focused on performance rather than outcomes, trusting that results will follow, Cardona added that he remains grounded. For Cardona, this fight represents more than just another victory, it’s a defining opportunity. “A win on this stage would mean everything,” Cardona explained on what a win would mean for his career. “I’ve worked my whole life for opportunities like this. It would show that the sacrifices, the setbacks, and the long nights were worth it. But more than anything, it would open the door to bigger opportunities and allow me to keep building toward my goals the right way.”
Cardona concluded by emphasizing that he plans to make the most of the moment — not with words, but with performance. “I’m extremely grateful to MVP for believing in me and giving me this platform,” said Cardona on fighting on MVP’s global Netflix event. “Fighting on a global event like this, on Netflix, is something most fighters only dream about. I don’t take it for granted. I’m proud to represent myself, my family, and my team on a stage that reaches fans all over the world.”
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Cardona talks about this weekend's Netflix fight
Justin “The Stallion” Cardona (10-1, 5 KOs) has wrapped up training camp as he readies himself for the biggest opportunity of his professional career. Cardona will face dangerous Avious Griffin (17-1, 16 KOs) in an eight-round welterweight bout on Friday, December 19th at the Kaseya Center in Miami, Florida. The bout will take place on the Anthony Joshua vs. Jake Paul card promoted by Most Valuable Promotions (MVP) and broadcast live globally on Netflix. Cardona emphasized that consistency and preparation have been the foundation of his growth, noting that the camp has sharpened his conditioning, timing, and confidence heading into fight night. Reflecting on the work he’s put in behind closed doors, Cardona expressed gratitude for the process and the people around him. “This camp has probably been the most focused and disciplined of my career,” said Cardona on his recent training camp. “Every day, my team pushed me to get better — not just physically, but mentally. We didn’t cut corners. We studied, we worked, and we stayed humble. I’m thankful to have a team that believes in me and holds me accountable, because that’s what prepares you for moments like this.”
Acknowledging the challenge Griffin presents while remaining confident in his own preparation, Cardona spoke respectfully of his opponent. Rather than overlooking the danger, Cardona made it clear that respect and readiness are central to his mindset heading into the bout. “Avious Griffin is a strong, explosive fighter with a lot of knockouts, and I respect what he’s done in the ring,” Cardona said regarding Avious Griffin and his power. “Anyone with that record deserves respect. At the same time, I trust my preparation and my skills. I’ve trained for every scenario, and I’m ready to go in there and compete at the highest level.”
Focused on performance rather than outcomes, trusting that results will follow, Cardona added that he remains grounded. For Cardona, this fight represents more than just another victory, it’s a defining opportunity. “A win on this stage would mean everything,” Cardona explained on what a win would mean for his career. “I’ve worked my whole life for opportunities like this. It would show that the sacrifices, the setbacks, and the long nights were worth it. But more than anything, it would open the door to bigger opportunities and allow me to keep building toward my goals the right way.”
Cardona concluded by emphasizing that he plans to make the most of the moment — not with words, but with performance. “I’m extremely grateful to MVP for believing in me and giving me this platform,” said Cardona on fighting on MVP’s global Netflix event. “Fighting on a global event like this, on Netflix, is something most fighters only dream about. I don’t take it for granted. I’m proud to represent myself, my family, and my team on a stage that reaches fans all over the world.”
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Brown and Tellez post wins in Orlando |
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Kevin Brown W10 Amos Cowart ... On Saturday night at the Caribe Royale Resort in Orlando, Florida, Kevin Brown (9-0, 3 KOs) junior welterweight Kevin Brown cruised to a unanimous decision victory over lte replacement Amos Cowart (13-3-1, 10 KOs) [after repeat offender Cletus Seldin reportedy failed yet another drug test]. The judges scored the bout 100-90 across the board, as Brown controlled the pace from start to finish, using sharp footwork, slick defense, and pinpoint combinations to neutralize Cowart’s offense. After the fight, Brown reflected confidently on his dominant performance. “I felt in control from the opening bell,” Brown said. “Cowart's a tough veteran, but I knew if I stuck to my fundamentals, stayed sharp, and dictated the tempo, I could shut him down, and that’s exactly what I did. This was another step forward for me. Staying undefeated and defending my title in a clean sweep just shows that I’m on the right path. I want to be back in the ring as soon as possible, maybe early spring 2026. I’m hungry to keep pushing up the ranks and proving I belong at the top.”
Yoenis Tellez TKO5 Kendo Castaneda... In a scheduled eight-round bout, junior middleweight Yoenis “El Bandolero” Tellez (11-1, 8 KOs) bounced back from his first career loss, stopping the always-game Kendo Castaneda (21-13, 9 KOs) in the fifth round. From the opening bell, Tellez, who is co-promoted by Boxlab and Warriors Boxing, imposed his will, applying consistent pressure and walking Castaneda down with a mix of power shots and relentless body work. By round five, the accumulation proved too much, prompting the referee to step in and wave off the contest. “I needed this one, not just for my record, but for my spirit,” Tellez said. “After my last fight, I went back to the gym with a chip on my shoulder. I made adjustments, put in the hard work, and it all paid off. Getting the knockout felt great, but more than that, I felt like myself again. I’m still one of the best in this division, and this was just the beginning of my comeback. I want to stay active and be back in the first quarter of 2026. The goal is a world title — nothing less.”
Amaury Piedra, President of Boxlab Promotions, praised both fighters for their impressive performances and potential to lead the next generation of contenders. “Kevin Brown showed why he’s one of the most technically sound prospects in the sport,” said Piedra. “He made a quality opponent look outclassed, and that’s not easy to do. As for Tellez…what a comeback. He showed the heart of a real warrior... Both of these young men have incredibly bright futures, and we at Boxlab are proud to be part of their journeys.”
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Brown and Tellez post wins in Orlando
Kevin Brown W10 Amos Cowart ... On Saturday night at the Caribe Royale Resort in Orlando, Florida, Kevin Brown (9-0, 3 KOs) junior welterweight Kevin Brown cruised to a unanimous decision victory over lte replacement Amos Cowart (13-3-1, 10 KOs) [after repeat offender Cletus Seldin reportedy failed yet another drug test]. The judges scored the bout 100-90 across the board, as Brown controlled the pace from start to finish, using sharp footwork, slick defense, and pinpoint combinations to neutralize Cowart’s offense. After the fight, Brown reflected confidently on his dominant performance. “I felt in control from the opening bell,” Brown said. “Cowart's a tough veteran, but I knew if I stuck to my fundamentals, stayed sharp, and dictated the tempo, I could shut him down, and that’s exactly what I did. This was another step forward for me. Staying undefeated and defending my title in a clean sweep just shows that I’m on the right path. I want to be back in the ring as soon as possible, maybe early spring 2026. I’m hungry to keep pushing up the ranks and proving I belong at the top.”
Yoenis Tellez TKO5 Kendo Castaneda... In a scheduled eight-round bout, junior middleweight Yoenis “El Bandolero” Tellez (11-1, 8 KOs) bounced back from his first career loss, stopping the always-game Kendo Castaneda (21-13, 9 KOs) in the fifth round. From the opening bell, Tellez, who is co-promoted by Boxlab and Warriors Boxing, imposed his will, applying consistent pressure and walking Castaneda down with a mix of power shots and relentless body work. By round five, the accumulation proved too much, prompting the referee to step in and wave off the contest. “I needed this one, not just for my record, but for my spirit,” Tellez said. “After my last fight, I went back to the gym with a chip on my shoulder. I made adjustments, put in the hard work, and it all paid off. Getting the knockout felt great, but more than that, I felt like myself again. I’m still one of the best in this division, and this was just the beginning of my comeback. I want to stay active and be back in the first quarter of 2026. The goal is a world title — nothing less.”
Amaury Piedra, President of Boxlab Promotions, praised both fighters for their impressive performances and potential to lead the next generation of contenders. “Kevin Brown showed why he’s one of the most technically sound prospects in the sport,” said Piedra. “He made a quality opponent look outclassed, and that’s not easy to do. As for Tellez…what a comeback. He showed the heart of a real warrior... Both of these young men have incredibly bright futures, and we at Boxlab are proud to be part of their journeys.”
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Croatia's Marko Calic gets big road win in Poland |
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Marko Čalić W10 Nikodem Jezewski ... Croatia's Marko Čalić (17-2, 10 KOs) got a big road win at the Hala 100-lecia Sopotu, Poland. The bridgerweight defeated the hometown fighter Nikodem Jezewski (26-3-1, 12 KOs) by unanimous decision after ten rounds, via scorecards of 98-92, 98-93 and 96-94.
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Croatia's Marko Calic gets big road win in Poland
Marko Čalić W10 Nikodem Jezewski ... Croatia's Marko Čalić (17-2, 10 KOs) got a big road win at the Hala 100-lecia Sopotu, Poland. The bridgerweight defeated the hometown fighter Nikodem Jezewski (26-3-1, 12 KOs) by unanimous decision after ten rounds, via scorecards of 98-92, 98-93 and 96-94.
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Introducing Tyler, Texas' Adrian Salazar |
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Split-T Management signed amateur standout Adrian Salazar to an exclusive management contract. Salazar, from Tyler, Texas, was a 2022 USA Boxing National champion and 2023 National Golden Gloves champion. His amateur career spanned over 50 bouts and he was a three-time Texas State Golden Gloves champion. “I chose to sign with Split-T Management and David McWater because they have a proven track record of developing elite fighters and guiding them from the amateur level to the top of the sport," said Salazar, who competed at welterweight in the amateurs. "David understands boxing at every level—from the amateurs to world championships—and he knows how to move fighters the right way. I wanted a team that believes in my potential, matches my ambition, and can put me in the best position to succeed. Split-T has that reputation, and I’m confident they can take my career to the next level.”
Salazar continued: “My style is a blend of IQ, pressure, and precision. I’m aggressive when I need to be, but I stay smart behind my jab and use angles to control the pace. I like to break opponents down with sharp combinations, stay defensively responsible, and show that I can adapt to any style in front of me. I’m a well-rounded fighter with a champion’s mindset.”
David McWater, founder and CEO of Split-T Management stated: “Adrian has a style and maturity that is much wiser than most 22 year old young men. He has the tools and, more importantly, desire and work ethic necessary to become a world champion. I have no doubt that a championship belt will one day be strapped around his waist.”
The hard hitting lefty is eager to get his career going towards that goal and will make his professional debut at the start of 2026.
“Fans can expect an explosive, high-energy fight every time I step into the ring. I’m a powerful southpaw who presses the action, breaks opponents down, and looks for clean, damaging shots. I bring excitement—smart pressure, sharp counters, and the kind of power that can change a fight at any moment. When I’m in there, I’m coming to dominate and give fans a performance they’ll remember.”
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Introducing Tyler, Texas' Adrian Salazar
Split-T Management signed amateur standout Adrian Salazar to an exclusive management contract. Salazar, from Tyler, Texas, was a 2022 USA Boxing National champion and 2023 National Golden Gloves champion. His amateur career spanned over 50 bouts and he was a three-time Texas State Golden Gloves champion. “I chose to sign with Split-T Management and David McWater because they have a proven track record of developing elite fighters and guiding them from the amateur level to the top of the sport," said Salazar, who competed at welterweight in the amateurs. "David understands boxing at every level—from the amateurs to world championships—and he knows how to move fighters the right way. I wanted a team that believes in my potential, matches my ambition, and can put me in the best position to succeed. Split-T has that reputation, and I’m confident they can take my career to the next level.”
Salazar continued: “My style is a blend of IQ, pressure, and precision. I’m aggressive when I need to be, but I stay smart behind my jab and use angles to control the pace. I like to break opponents down with sharp combinations, stay defensively responsible, and show that I can adapt to any style in front of me. I’m a well-rounded fighter with a champion’s mindset.”
David McWater, founder and CEO of Split-T Management stated: “Adrian has a style and maturity that is much wiser than most 22 year old young men. He has the tools and, more importantly, desire and work ethic necessary to become a world champion. I have no doubt that a championship belt will one day be strapped around his waist.”
The hard hitting lefty is eager to get his career going towards that goal and will make his professional debut at the start of 2026.
“Fans can expect an explosive, high-energy fight every time I step into the ring. I’m a powerful southpaw who presses the action, breaks opponents down, and looks for clean, damaging shots. I bring excitement—smart pressure, sharp counters, and the kind of power that can change a fight at any moment. When I’m in there, I’m coming to dominate and give fans a performance they’ll remember.”
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Salita Promotions to formally announce Shields vs. Dezurn rematch on Tuesday |
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On Tuesday, Salita Promotions and Wynn Records will host an in-person press conference in the Times Square area of New York City to officially announce a bout between Claressa Shields (17-0, 3 KOs) and Franchon Crews-Dezurn (10-2, 2 KOs) for the women's world heavyweight championship. The fight, a rematch, is set for Sunday, February 22nd at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, streaming live on DAZN. Shields and Dezurn made their pro debuts against each other in 2016, with Shields winning a four-round decision. Shields went on to win world titles in several weight classes while Dezurn is a two-time champ at super middleweight.
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Salita Promotions to formally announce Shields vs. Dezurn rematch on Tuesday
On Tuesday, Salita Promotions and Wynn Records will host an in-person press conference in the Times Square area of New York City to officially announce a bout between Claressa Shields (17-0, 3 KOs) and Franchon Crews-Dezurn (10-2, 2 KOs) for the women's world heavyweight championship. The fight, a rematch, is set for Sunday, February 22nd at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, streaming live on DAZN. Shields and Dezurn made their pro debuts against each other in 2016, with Shields winning a four-round decision. Shields went on to win world titles in several weight classes while Dezurn is a two-time champ at super middleweight.
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IBF calls for Adams vs. Agyarko purse bid |
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On November 20th, the IBF junior middleweights Brandon Adams and Caoimhin Agyarko to begin negotiations for an IBF eliminator for the organization's #1 contender position. An agreement was not reached within the time set forth by the IBF, so a purse bid has been scheduled for Tuesday, December 30th at 12 Noon. At 26-4, Adams is highly qualified for this opportunity. He has two wins over the highly touted Serhii Bohachuk, who last year held the WBC interim title after his first loss to Adams. Agyarko, from Ireland, is 19-0 including the World Series of Boxing. He has also legitimately earned this opportunity. The IBF junior middleweight champion is Bakhram Murtazaliev of Russia, who is scheduled to defend his title in January vs. Josh Kelly.
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IBF calls for Adams vs. Agyarko purse bid
On November 20th, the IBF junior middleweights Brandon Adams and Caoimhin Agyarko to begin negotiations for an IBF eliminator for the organization's #1 contender position. An agreement was not reached within the time set forth by the IBF, so a purse bid has been scheduled for Tuesday, December 30th at 12 Noon. At 26-4, Adams is highly qualified for this opportunity. He has two wins over the highly touted Serhii Bohachuk, who last year held the WBC interim title after his first loss to Adams. Agyarko, from Ireland, is 19-0 including the World Series of Boxing. He has also legitimately earned this opportunity. The IBF junior middleweight champion is Bakhram Murtazaliev of Russia, who is scheduled to defend his title in January vs. Josh Kelly.
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Mikaelian tops Jack to regain cruiserweight title |
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Noel Mikaelian W12 Badou Jack... Noel Mikaelian (28-3, 12 KOs) regained the WBC world cruiserweight championship by defeating Badou Jack (29-4-3, 17 KOs) in California over the weekend. The fight was a rematch of a disputed decision that Jack won by majoriy decision in May. The judges’ scorecards were 115-111 and 116-110 (twice) of the new champion. Mikaelian a/k/a Norair Mikaeljan controlled the fight with his defining jab and fast offense. Both men were penalized one point. The fight was presented by Bash Boxing and 555 Media. Mikaelian's win opens up the possibility of unification with IBF champion Jai Opetaia.
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Mikaelian tops Jack to regain cruiserweight title
Noel Mikaelian W12 Badou Jack... Noel Mikaelian (28-3, 12 KOs) regained the WBC world cruiserweight championship by defeating Badou Jack (29-4-3, 17 KOs) in California over the weekend. The fight was a rematch of a disputed decision that Jack won by majoriy decision in May. The judges’ scorecards were 115-111 and 116-110 (twice) of the new champion. Mikaelian a/k/a Norair Mikaeljan controlled the fight with his defining jab and fast offense. Both men were penalized one point. The fight was presented by Bash Boxing and 555 Media. Mikaelian's win opens up the possibility of unification with IBF champion Jai Opetaia.
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New champion alert: Jose Salas claims vacant bantamweight title |
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Jose Salas TKO7 Landile Ngxeke ... In Mexico City over the weekend, Jose "Chapulin" Salas claimed the vacant IBF bantamweight championship. Salas defeated South Africa's Landile Ngxeke by seventh-round technical knockout. The stoppage was premature, as the referee jumped in while Ngxeke was taking long range punches in a corner but was not particularly hurt or even close to going down. Salas, a southpaw from Tijuana is now 17-0. Ngxeke, who had not lost since 2022, falls to 16-2-1. The title became vacant when Junto Nakatani moved up to super bantamweight to pursue a Japanese super fight vs. Naya "Monster" Inoue.
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New champion alert: Jose Salas claims vacant bantamweight title
Jose Salas TKO7 Landile Ngxeke ... In Mexico City over the weekend, Jose "Chapulin" Salas claimed the vacant IBF bantamweight championship. Salas defeated South Africa's Landile Ngxeke by seventh-round technical knockout. The stoppage was premature, as the referee jumped in while Ngxeke was taking long range punches in a corner but was not particularly hurt or even close to going down. Salas, a southpaw from Tijuana is now 17-0. Ngxeke, who had not lost since 2022, falls to 16-2-1. The title became vacant when Junto Nakatani moved up to super bantamweight to pursue a Japanese super fight vs. Naya "Monster" Inoue.
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Cordina and Nicholson win by decision |
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Joe Cordina W12 Gabriel Flores Jr.... Wales' Joe Cordina (19-1) scored a unanimous decision victory over Gabriel Flores Jr. (27-3) on Saturday night to keep his title bid on track for 2026. The former IBF junior lightweight champion won for the second time this year at lightweight in convincing fashion in Stockton. This win sets Cordina up for a potential mandatory challenge for the WBO crown held by Abdullah Mason.
Skye Nicolson W10 Yulihan Luna... Skye Nicolson moved closer to a super bantamweight title fight with Ellie Scotney after defeating Mexico's Yulihan Luna on Saturday. Luna, a former two-division champion, falls to 25-5-1. The Australian claimed a unanimous decision victory in Stockton to move to 15-1 and claim the WBC interim crown. That tees up a potential clash with the Briton, who currently reigns as unified champion, and puts Nicolson in the frame for two-weight glory.
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Cordina and Nicholson win by decision
Joe Cordina W12 Gabriel Flores Jr.... Wales' Joe Cordina (19-1) scored a unanimous decision victory over Gabriel Flores Jr. (27-3) on Saturday night to keep his title bid on track for 2026. The former IBF junior lightweight champion won for the second time this year at lightweight in convincing fashion in Stockton. This win sets Cordina up for a potential mandatory challenge for the WBO crown held by Abdullah Mason.
Skye Nicolson W10 Yulihan Luna... Skye Nicolson moved closer to a super bantamweight title fight with Ellie Scotney after defeating Mexico's Yulihan Luna on Saturday. Luna, a former two-division champion, falls to 25-5-1. The Australian claimed a unanimous decision victory in Stockton to move to 15-1 and claim the WBC interim crown. That tees up a potential clash with the Briton, who currently reigns as unified champion, and puts Nicolson in the frame for two-weight glory.
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Hrytsiv stops Radchenko in Ukraine |
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Oleksandr Hrytsiv TKO2 Serhiy Radchenko... Heavyweight Oleksandr Hrytsiv defeated Serhiy Radchenko by technical knockout in the second round of their bout held in Lviv, Ukraine. Both men are Ukrainian. The contest, which was expected to be competitive, turned out to be one-sided from the opening bell. Hrytsiv (12-0) demonstrated his superiority and punching power, completely dominating the action. The champion set a pace that Radchenko (11-9) could not match. The fight culminated prematurely in the second round when Hrytsiv cornered his opponent, forcing the referee to intervene and stop the contest. Radchenko, who was coming off a loss to WBC brodgerweight champion Kevin Lerena gave a performance was labeled as disappointing by several analysts present. They noted that the challenger appeared unwilling to compete at the level required for this fight.
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Hrytsiv stops Radchenko in Ukraine
Oleksandr Hrytsiv TKO2 Serhiy Radchenko... Heavyweight Oleksandr Hrytsiv defeated Serhiy Radchenko by technical knockout in the second round of their bout held in Lviv, Ukraine. Both men are Ukrainian. The contest, which was expected to be competitive, turned out to be one-sided from the opening bell. Hrytsiv (12-0) demonstrated his superiority and punching power, completely dominating the action. The champion set a pace that Radchenko (11-9) could not match. The fight culminated prematurely in the second round when Hrytsiv cornered his opponent, forcing the referee to intervene and stop the contest. Radchenko, who was coming off a loss to WBC brodgerweight champion Kevin Lerena gave a performance was labeled as disappointing by several analysts present. They noted that the challenger appeared unwilling to compete at the level required for this fight.
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Kalinowski gets big domestic win in Poland |
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Kajetan Kalinowski TKO8 Pawel Stepien... In a showdown that will be remembered as the “Fight of the Year” in Poland, held at the Hala 100-lecia Sopotu, light heavyweight Kajetan Kalinowski emerged victorious, defeating Pawel Stepien by technical knockout in the eighth round. The bout was a highly contested battle from the opening bell. Both fighters showed incredible tenacity, exchanging blows and keeping the audience on the edge of their seats throughout every round. Kalinowski (12-1) managed to impose his will in the eighth round, forcing the referee to stop the contest. Despite the loss, Stepien (20-2-2) proved to be an exceptional fighter, leaving absolutely everything in the ring and contributing to what was a memorable boxing spectacle.
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Kalinowski gets big domestic win in Poland
Kajetan Kalinowski TKO8 Pawel Stepien... In a showdown that will be remembered as the “Fight of the Year” in Poland, held at the Hala 100-lecia Sopotu, light heavyweight Kajetan Kalinowski emerged victorious, defeating Pawel Stepien by technical knockout in the eighth round. The bout was a highly contested battle from the opening bell. Both fighters showed incredible tenacity, exchanging blows and keeping the audience on the edge of their seats throughout every round. Kalinowski (12-1) managed to impose his will in the eighth round, forcing the referee to stop the contest. Despite the loss, Stepien (20-2-2) proved to be an exceptional fighter, leaving absolutely everything in the ring and contributing to what was a memorable boxing spectacle.
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Pacheco defeats Sadjo via decision |
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Diego Pacheco W12 Kevin Lele Sadjo ... Diego Pacheco defeated French-Cameroonian Kevin Lele Sadjo in a twelve-round super middleweight battle of unbeatens at Adventist Health Arena in Stockton, California on Saturday night. The fight was streamed live on DAZN. Sadjo, eleven years older than Pacheco and much shorter, started slowly but came on strong in the middle rounds, including a knockdown with a left hand that caught Pacheco off balance. Sadjo (26-1) also cut Pacheco over the right eye. Pacheco rallied in rounds eleven and twelve but appeared very apprehensive as he awaited the announcement of the verdict. Pacheco's performance did not live up to expectations, but his grandmother passed away this week, so Boxingtalk wil cut him some slack.The judges looked after Pacheco, giving him the unanimous decisionn win by wider-than-reality scores of 117-110, 116-111 and 115-112. Punchstats showed a more accurate picture of the bout, favoring Pacheco in punches landed, 128-117. The 24 year-old Pacheco (25-0) is now seeking a fight against ex-154 pound champion Jaime Munguia in Pacheco's hometown of Los Angeles.
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Pacheco defeats Sadjo via decision
Diego Pacheco W12 Kevin Lele Sadjo ... Diego Pacheco defeated French-Cameroonian Kevin Lele Sadjo in a twelve-round super middleweight battle of unbeatens at Adventist Health Arena in Stockton, California on Saturday night. The fight was streamed live on DAZN. Sadjo, eleven years older than Pacheco and much shorter, started slowly but came on strong in the middle rounds, including a knockdown with a left hand that caught Pacheco off balance. Sadjo (26-1) also cut Pacheco over the right eye. Pacheco rallied in rounds eleven and twelve but appeared very apprehensive as he awaited the announcement of the verdict. Pacheco's performance did not live up to expectations, but his grandmother passed away this week, so Boxingtalk wil cut him some slack.The judges looked after Pacheco, giving him the unanimous decisionn win by wider-than-reality scores of 117-110, 116-111 and 115-112. Punchstats showed a more accurate picture of the bout, favoring Pacheco in punches landed, 128-117. The 24 year-old Pacheco (25-0) is now seeking a fight against ex-154 pound champion Jaime Munguia in Pacheco's hometown of Los Angeles.
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Dante Kirkman continues to build his record |
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Dante Kirkman W6 DePriest Johnson ... Stanford University graduate Dante “The Inferno” Kirkman (7-0, 3 KOs), delivered another winning performance this past Thursday night, scoring a unanimous decision victory over DePriest Johnson (4-9, 0 KOs) as part of Roy Englebrecht’s acclaimed Fight Club OC series in Orange County, California. The judges scored the six-round middleweight bout cleanly 60-53 across the board in Kirkman's favor. From the opening bell, Kirkman showcased technical precision, athletic dominance and dictated the pace of the fight. Johnson, known for his grit and durability, struggled to keep up with the 24-year-old’s tempo as Kirkman pressed forward with confidence and control. In the sixth and final round, Kirkman sealed his dominant performance by dropping Johnson with a barrage of body shots, followed by a flurry of punches to the head. Johnson beat the count and survived the round, but it was his third staright loss.
“This was exactly the kind of performance I wanted to deliver,” said Kirkman afterwards. “I’ve worked hard to not just win, but to excite and leave no doubt. From the moment the first bell rang, I knew I could take control. I wanted to show people that I’m not just another undefeated fighter padding a record — I’m here to make a real statement.”
“Finishing the year 7-0 feels great, especially with the momentum we’ve built,” he added on closing out 2025 undefeated and staying busy. “I’ve stayed active, stayed in the gym, and that’s been the key. I'm excited about my growing fan base in Los Angeles, and this was exactly the kind of performance I wanted to deliver for them. I believe these formative years are where the habits are made. Every fight, every round, every sparring session — it all adds up.”
On what this win did for his career and how he wants to continue the momentum into 2026 Kirkman stated, “Beating a guy like Johnson, tough, experienced, and ring savvy, adds another layer to my development. Each win is a building block, and this one reinforced that I can break opponents down systematically. Going into 2026, I want to elevate. Step up the competition, get on more televised cards, and keep refining my craft. This isn’t just about the destination; it’s about the journey and evolving into the best version of myself inside and outside the ring.”
On when he wants to return to the ring Kirkman concluded saying, “Ideally, I’d like to be back in the first quarter of 2026, late February or early March would be perfect. My body feels good, I’m healthy, and my mind is sharp. The team and I will sit down, review the options, and plot out the next steps. But believe me, the fire is burning hotter than ever.”
With a degree from Stanford and a mind wired for strategy, Kirkman hopes to be the kind of athlete who can lead boxing into its next era.
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Dante Kirkman continues to build his record
Dante Kirkman W6 DePriest Johnson ... Stanford University graduate Dante “The Inferno” Kirkman (7-0, 3 KOs), delivered another winning performance this past Thursday night, scoring a unanimous decision victory over DePriest Johnson (4-9, 0 KOs) as part of Roy Englebrecht’s acclaimed Fight Club OC series in Orange County, California. The judges scored the six-round middleweight bout cleanly 60-53 across the board in Kirkman's favor. From the opening bell, Kirkman showcased technical precision, athletic dominance and dictated the pace of the fight. Johnson, known for his grit and durability, struggled to keep up with the 24-year-old’s tempo as Kirkman pressed forward with confidence and control. In the sixth and final round, Kirkman sealed his dominant performance by dropping Johnson with a barrage of body shots, followed by a flurry of punches to the head. Johnson beat the count and survived the round, but it was his third staright loss.
“This was exactly the kind of performance I wanted to deliver,” said Kirkman afterwards. “I’ve worked hard to not just win, but to excite and leave no doubt. From the moment the first bell rang, I knew I could take control. I wanted to show people that I’m not just another undefeated fighter padding a record — I’m here to make a real statement.”
“Finishing the year 7-0 feels great, especially with the momentum we’ve built,” he added on closing out 2025 undefeated and staying busy. “I’ve stayed active, stayed in the gym, and that’s been the key. I'm excited about my growing fan base in Los Angeles, and this was exactly the kind of performance I wanted to deliver for them. I believe these formative years are where the habits are made. Every fight, every round, every sparring session — it all adds up.”
On what this win did for his career and how he wants to continue the momentum into 2026 Kirkman stated, “Beating a guy like Johnson, tough, experienced, and ring savvy, adds another layer to my development. Each win is a building block, and this one reinforced that I can break opponents down systematically. Going into 2026, I want to elevate. Step up the competition, get on more televised cards, and keep refining my craft. This isn’t just about the destination; it’s about the journey and evolving into the best version of myself inside and outside the ring.”
On when he wants to return to the ring Kirkman concluded saying, “Ideally, I’d like to be back in the first quarter of 2026, late February or early March would be perfect. My body feels good, I’m healthy, and my mind is sharp. The team and I will sit down, review the options, and plot out the next steps. But believe me, the fire is burning hotter than ever.”
With a degree from Stanford and a mind wired for strategy, Kirkman hopes to be the kind of athlete who can lead boxing into its next era.
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Weigh-in report for Jack vs. Mikaelian II |
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Badou Jack will defend his WBC cruiserweight world title against Noel Mikaelian tonight (Saturday). Jack weighed in at 199.8 pounds while Mikaelian weighed in at 199.8. Jack is a familiar face within the WBC. His first professional world title came in 2015, when he defeated Anthony Dirrell by majority decision. With that victory, he became the WBC super middleweight world champion. His reign included four successful defenses before he vacated the belt to move up in weight and seek new challenges. In 2023, he received the opportunity to fight for the WBC cruiserweight title against Ilunga Makabu. After stopping Makabu in the twelfth round, Jack became a world champion once again. Jack was later named champion in recess and, in 2025, returned to face Mikaelian, who held the cruiserweight world title at the time, defeating him by majority decision.
Mikaelian has a strong history in the division. In 2023, he defeated Ilunga Makabu by third-round TKO to become the WBC cruiserweight world champion. Two years later, he lost his title to Badou Jack.
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Weigh-in report for Jack vs. Mikaelian II
Badou Jack will defend his WBC cruiserweight world title against Noel Mikaelian tonight (Saturday). Jack weighed in at 199.8 pounds while Mikaelian weighed in at 199.8. Jack is a familiar face within the WBC. His first professional world title came in 2015, when he defeated Anthony Dirrell by majority decision. With that victory, he became the WBC super middleweight world champion. His reign included four successful defenses before he vacated the belt to move up in weight and seek new challenges. In 2023, he received the opportunity to fight for the WBC cruiserweight title against Ilunga Makabu. After stopping Makabu in the twelfth round, Jack became a world champion once again. Jack was later named champion in recess and, in 2025, returned to face Mikaelian, who held the cruiserweight world title at the time, defeating him by majority decision.
Mikaelian has a strong history in the division. In 2023, he defeated Ilunga Makabu by third-round TKO to become the WBC cruiserweight world champion. Two years later, he lost his title to Badou Jack.
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Watch: Gassiev KOs Pulev for WBA regular title |
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Murat Gassiev KO6 Kubrat Pulev... Murat Gassiev knocked out 44 year-old Kubrat Pulev in round six of their heavyweight battle in Dubai. With the win, Gassiev, a former cruiserweight champion, takes the WBA regular heavyweight championship back to Russia. Pulev was ahead on the scorecards at the time of the knockout.
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Watch: Gassiev KOs Pulev for WBA regular title
Murat Gassiev KO6 Kubrat Pulev... Murat Gassiev knocked out 44 year-old Kubrat Pulev in round six of their heavyweight battle in Dubai. With the win, Gassiev, a former cruiserweight champion, takes the WBA regular heavyweight championship back to Russia. Pulev was ahead on the scorecards at the time of the knockout.
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Boxlab to stream tonight's show from Orlando |
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Boxing trainer Bob Santos is stepping into a new role ringside, this time behind the microphone. Santos will join the broadcast team for Boxlab Promotions’ “Night of Champions XIII,” at the 104th annual WBA convention at the Caribe Royale Resort in Orlando, Florida.vThe event, scheduled for Saturday, December 13th, will be streamed live on Boxlab Promotions’ official YouTube channel, bringing fans around the world closer to the action. Headlining the card will be a twelve-round bout between Cuba's Kevin “Alfa” Brown (8-0, 3 KOs) and Cletus “The Hebrew Hammer” Seldin (29-1, 23 KOs), with the WBA 14-pound interim title on the line.Santos will be joined at the broadcast desk by veteran sports journalist Claudia Trejos and Dan Canobbio, forming a dynamic and insightful trio. Here are Santos' thoughts
On entering this new chapter in his career:
“I’ve dedicated my life to boxing, from developing world champions in the gym to being in the trenches during the biggest nights of their careers. Stepping into the broadcast booth is a new chapter I’m truly excited about. It’s an opportunity to share my perspective, to educate and engage fans in a different way, and to continue contributing to the sport I love from another angle.”
On working with Claudia Trejos and Dan Canobbio:
“Claudia and Dan are true professionals with a deep respect for the game. I’ve followed their work for years and admire how they bring the stories of fighters to life with clarity and passion. I look forward to the chemistry we’ll build as a team and the insights we can offer together. I believe our different perspectives will give fans a rich and well-rounded experience.”
On being given the opportunity by Boxlab Promotions and Amaury Piedra:
“I’m incredibly grateful to Amaury Piedra and the entire Boxlab Promotions team for believing in me and offering me this platform. Amaury is not only a respected figure in the business of boxing, but someone who understands the importance of elevating the sport both inside and outside the ring. It’s an honor to be part of this event and this convention, and I’m ready to bring my full passion and experience to the broadcast.”
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Boxlab to stream tonight's show from Orlando
Boxing trainer Bob Santos is stepping into a new role ringside, this time behind the microphone. Santos will join the broadcast team for Boxlab Promotions’ “Night of Champions XIII,” at the 104th annual WBA convention at the Caribe Royale Resort in Orlando, Florida.vThe event, scheduled for Saturday, December 13th, will be streamed live on Boxlab Promotions’ official YouTube channel, bringing fans around the world closer to the action. Headlining the card will be a twelve-round bout between Cuba's Kevin “Alfa” Brown (8-0, 3 KOs) and Cletus “The Hebrew Hammer” Seldin (29-1, 23 KOs), with the WBA 14-pound interim title on the line.Santos will be joined at the broadcast desk by veteran sports journalist Claudia Trejos and Dan Canobbio, forming a dynamic and insightful trio. Here are Santos' thoughts
On entering this new chapter in his career:
“I’ve dedicated my life to boxing, from developing world champions in the gym to being in the trenches during the biggest nights of their careers. Stepping into the broadcast booth is a new chapter I’m truly excited about. It’s an opportunity to share my perspective, to educate and engage fans in a different way, and to continue contributing to the sport I love from another angle.”
On working with Claudia Trejos and Dan Canobbio:
“Claudia and Dan are true professionals with a deep respect for the game. I’ve followed their work for years and admire how they bring the stories of fighters to life with clarity and passion. I look forward to the chemistry we’ll build as a team and the insights we can offer together. I believe our different perspectives will give fans a rich and well-rounded experience.”
On being given the opportunity by Boxlab Promotions and Amaury Piedra:
“I’m incredibly grateful to Amaury Piedra and the entire Boxlab Promotions team for believing in me and offering me this platform. Amaury is not only a respected figure in the business of boxing, but someone who understands the importance of elevating the sport both inside and outside the ring. It’s an honor to be part of this event and this convention, and I’m ready to bring my full passion and experience to the broadcast.”
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Pacheco vs. Sadjo preview |
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Kevin Lele Sadjo is confident he can knock out Diego Pacheco when the pair meet in Stockton, California on Saturday night. Broadcast live on DAZN, Pacheco is looking to continue rising through the ranks at super middleweight, but Sadjo poses a different test for the American. Sadjo is a man known for his knockout power, with 23 of his 29 wins coming by way of knockout, and he will be aiming to make that 24 this weekend. Sadjo and Pacheco faced the media on Thursday at the final fight week press conference, and the former was not afraid to reveal his intention to knock out Pacheco within eight rounds. "This fight is not going the distance, I will win before the eighth round," Sadjo said. "I have prepared for ten weeks, the last time I fought in England, I only had a few days to prepare for the fight. This time it’s different."
Sadjo's intentions to stop Pacheco should make for an entertaining affair at the Adventist Health Arena, but Pacheco has proven in the past that a front-foot approach will play into his hands. Pacheco is not afraid to showcase his own punching power with 18 knockouts on his undefeated 24-fight record, but he has to be wary of the threat Sadjo poses.
Replying to Sadjo's ambitious prediction, Pacheco will embrace his opponent's all-action approach and hopes to show that he is worthy of a world title shot. "I hope Kevin Lee Sadjo comes looking for the knockout, that’s perfect for me," Pacheco replied. "I know he’s a great fighter, I know he’s strong, but being strong doesn’t win fights. Come December 13th, you’re going to see the best fighter in the division Diego Pacheco do what he does and that’s going to be the DP Show."
If Pacheco manages to get past Sadjo, then there is a chance he could face Jaime Munguia in the first half of 2026. The hard-hitting Mexican is a former Canelo Alvarez opponent, but he is experiencing a mixed run of form, losing two of his last four fights. With Munguia being someone who has formed a reputation for being a big puncher, taking on Sadjo is the perfect warm-up if a meeting with Munguia did present itself in the near future.
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Pacheco vs. Sadjo preview
Kevin Lele Sadjo is confident he can knock out Diego Pacheco when the pair meet in Stockton, California on Saturday night. Broadcast live on DAZN, Pacheco is looking to continue rising through the ranks at super middleweight, but Sadjo poses a different test for the American. Sadjo is a man known for his knockout power, with 23 of his 29 wins coming by way of knockout, and he will be aiming to make that 24 this weekend. Sadjo and Pacheco faced the media on Thursday at the final fight week press conference, and the former was not afraid to reveal his intention to knock out Pacheco within eight rounds. "This fight is not going the distance, I will win before the eighth round," Sadjo said. "I have prepared for ten weeks, the last time I fought in England, I only had a few days to prepare for the fight. This time it’s different."
Sadjo's intentions to stop Pacheco should make for an entertaining affair at the Adventist Health Arena, but Pacheco has proven in the past that a front-foot approach will play into his hands. Pacheco is not afraid to showcase his own punching power with 18 knockouts on his undefeated 24-fight record, but he has to be wary of the threat Sadjo poses.
Replying to Sadjo's ambitious prediction, Pacheco will embrace his opponent's all-action approach and hopes to show that he is worthy of a world title shot. "I hope Kevin Lee Sadjo comes looking for the knockout, that’s perfect for me," Pacheco replied. "I know he’s a great fighter, I know he’s strong, but being strong doesn’t win fights. Come December 13th, you’re going to see the best fighter in the division Diego Pacheco do what he does and that’s going to be the DP Show."
If Pacheco manages to get past Sadjo, then there is a chance he could face Jaime Munguia in the first half of 2026. The hard-hitting Mexican is a former Canelo Alvarez opponent, but he is experiencing a mixed run of form, losing two of his last four fights. With Munguia being someone who has formed a reputation for being a big puncher, taking on Sadjo is the perfect warm-up if a meeting with Munguia did present itself in the near future.
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Nataly Delgado wins WBA interim trinket |
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Nataly Delgado W10 Arlen Lisset Sánchez... Nataly Delgado (19-7-2, 5 KOs) secured a unanimous decision victory over Mexico’s Arlen Lisset Sánchez (8-8-4, 1 KO) to claim the WBA interim super flyweight title. Jasmine Aratga remains the WBA super flyweight champion. The bout, staged before an energized crowd in Panama, showcased Delgado’s technique, discipline, and ring IQ. The official scores 98–91 and 99–90 (twice) in favor of the Nicaraguan-born Panamanian resident. From the opening bell, Delgado executed a well-prepared game plan, using her jab to command range, firing crisp combinations, and stifling every offensive attempt Sánchez tried to mount. The Mexican fighter came forward with pressure early, but quickly found herself dealing with a composed opponent who controlled the tempo and punished each advance with precision.
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Nataly Delgado wins WBA interim trinket
Nataly Delgado W10 Arlen Lisset Sánchez... Nataly Delgado (19-7-2, 5 KOs) secured a unanimous decision victory over Mexico’s Arlen Lisset Sánchez (8-8-4, 1 KO) to claim the WBA interim super flyweight title. Jasmine Aratga remains the WBA super flyweight champion. The bout, staged before an energized crowd in Panama, showcased Delgado’s technique, discipline, and ring IQ. The official scores 98–91 and 99–90 (twice) in favor of the Nicaraguan-born Panamanian resident. From the opening bell, Delgado executed a well-prepared game plan, using her jab to command range, firing crisp combinations, and stifling every offensive attempt Sánchez tried to mount. The Mexican fighter came forward with pressure early, but quickly found herself dealing with a composed opponent who controlled the tempo and punished each advance with precision.
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