PHOENIX, Ariz. – The fury was uninterrupted. Unrelenting from beginning to end. It lasted six rounds. It felt like 12.

Twelve rounds jammed into half that many left a mark on the bruised, bloodied faces of Adrian Servin and Edgar Ortiz, a couple of super-flyweights and Phoenix rivals whose punches created heavyweight echoes Saturday night throughout Celebrity Theatre.

There were bruises, blood, counters and courage enough for a title. In the end, there was one – Arizona’s 115-pound state title — and it went to Servin (7-0-1, 2 KOs), whose power appeared to pound out an edge in the fifth and sixth rounds of a 59-55, 60-54, 59-55 decision over Ortiz (7-2-1, 4 KOs). Ortiz drew first blood, opening up cuts near Servin’s eyes and nose in the third and fourth rounds.

In the fifth, however, Servin’s power and precision cut Ortiz near his left eye. In the sixth, a wild crowd could see in a way that Ortiz couldn’t. Clearly. But Ortiz wouldn’t blame the cut for the loss. He didn’t have to, not after unabbreviated drama in a match-making gem by Iron Boy Promotions.

The Servin-Ortiz bout was supposed to be the co-main event. But the super-flyweights took the co out of it, stealing the show from Phoenix light-heavyweights Fidel Hernandez (19-5-1, 10 KOs) and Andrew Hernandez (20-7-2, 9 KOs). They fought to a majority draw in a 10-round bout for an International Boxing Federation version of a vacant USBA title.

Best of the Undercard: Phoenix super-featherweight Alexis Zazueta (11-0, 5 KOs) relied on superior reach and power against a gritty Giovanni Norriega (2-3-1, 2 KOs), a Bakersfield, Calif., fighter who battled back in the fifth round and yet was knocked to his knees in the final round of a six-rounder he lost by unanimous decision.

After it was all over, it almost looked as if Zazueta would have to fight a double-header. He called out Phoenix rival Ryan Rydell, who climbed through the ropes as though he wanted to fight then and there. Rydell was ordered to leave the ring by the Arizona Commission. He’ll have to wait for his day with Zazueta, probably until the next Iron Boy card at Celebrity.

Second Best: Mesa lightweight Trini Ochoa (4-0, 1 KOs) and Mexican Hugo Padilla got the old Phoenix concert hall rocking and rolling in a wild fourth round full of moments when both fighters were in danger of suffering a knockout. After the last punch in wild succession of them, Ochoa prevailed, winning a unanimous decision.

The Rest: Jesus Ibarra (6-0, 3 KOs), a featherweight from Mesa, Ariz., chased, chased and chased and finally scored a six-round unanimous decision over Raymond Chacon, a Los Angeles fighter who lost for the 35th time on a record that includes 43 fights, including seven victories and a draw.

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Demetrius Andrade became a three-time, and now two-division world champion as he won the WBO Middleweight title with a 12-round unanimous decision over previously undefeated and unheralded Walter Kautondokwa at TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts.

In round one, Andrade landed a grazing left at the same time the feet got tangled and Kautondokwa fell to the canvas. Andrade landed a left while Kautondowkwa was on the ground but it was ruled a clean knockdown by referee Steve Willis. n round three, Andrade drilled Kautondokwa with a perfect left hand that sent him to the canvas for a 2nd time. In round four, both fighters landed hard shots, but it was Kautondokwa who hit the canvas. Moments later it was an inside right hook that put Kautondokwa down again.

Andrade cruised home to the victory by scores of 120-104 twice and 119-105 to raise his mark to 26-0. Kautondokwa of Namibia is 17-1.

Katie Taylor remained undefeated as she defended the IBF/WBA Lightweight titles with a 10-round unanimous decision over Cindy Serrano.

Taylor of Ireland won by scores of 100-90 on all cards, and is now 11-0. Serrano of Brooklyn, NY is 27-6-3.

Tevin Farmer retained the IBF Junior Lightweight title with a dominating 5th round stoppage over James Tennyson.

In round four, Farmer dropped Tennyson with a hard left to the body. Farmer ended things in the next round when he landed a hard left that sent Tennyson to the canvas, and the fight was stopped at 1:44.

Farmer of Philadelphia is now 27-4-1 with six knockouts. Tennyson of Ireland is 22-3.

Kid Galahad won a 12-round unanimous decision over Toka Khan Clary in a featherweight bout.

Galahad of Sheffield, England won by scores of 118-110 twice and 115-113 to raise his perfect mark to 26-0. Clary of Providence, RI is 25-2.

Tommy Coyle won a 10-round unanimous decision over Ryan Kielczewski in a lightweight bout.

In round five, Kielczewski started to bleed from his nostrils.

In round seven, Coyle scored a knockdown with a right hand.

Coyle, 136.4 lbs of Hull, UK won by scores of 99-90 98-91 and 96-93, and is now 25-4. Kielczewski, 138 lbs of Quincy MA is 29-4.

Former world champion Scott Quigg stopped Mario Briones in round two of their scheduled eight-round junior lightweight bout.

Quigg unloaded with a hard combination on the ropes and the fight was stopped at 1:12 of round two.

Quigg, 129.4 lbs of Bury, UK 35-2-2 with 26 knockouts. Briones, 130 lbs of Mexico 29-8-2.

Mark DeLuca avenged his only professional defeat by winning a 10-round unanimous decision over Walter Wright in a junior middleweight fight.

DeLuca, 153 3/4 lbs of Whittam, MA won by scores of 97-93 and 96-94 twice.

DeLuca is 22-1. Wright, 154 lbs of Seattle is 17-4.

Daniyar Yeleussinov stopped Matt Doherty in the 1st round of their scheduled six-round welterweight bout.

Yeleussinov landed several hard body shots that was followed by an explosive combination to the head and referee Arthur Mercante stopped the bout at 2:33

Yeleussinov, 148 lbs of Kazakhstan is 4-0 with two knockouts. Doherty, 146.8 lbs of Salem, MA is 8-6-1.

Niall Kennedy remained undfeated with a six-round unanimous decision over previously undefeated Brendan Barrett in a heavyweight bout.

In round four, Kennedy was cut around the left eye. In round five, Kennedy landed a hard right that staggered Barrett into the ropes and then to the canvas fir a knockdown. Barrett got to his feet with a mouse under his right eye.

Kennedy, 221 lbs of Ireland won by scores of 60-53 twice and 58-55, and is now 12-0-1. Barrett, 238 lbs of Little Egg Harbor, NJ is 7-1-2.

Rob Brant won the WBA Middleweight championship with a 12-round unanimous decision over reigning champion Ryota Murata at the Park Theatre in Las Vegas.

In round one, Murata had swelling around the left eye. Brant out worked and Murata and continued to bust Murata up with hard combinations. Murata fought back, but it seemed every time Murata would land two shots, Brant would coe back with four. Brant took just about every round as he took the fight 119-109 twice and 118-110.

Brant, 158.4 lbs of St. Paul, MN is 24-1. Murata, 159.2 lbs of Nura, JAP is 14-2.

“This is one of the best moments of my life,” Brant said. “I wasn’t thinking about punch output. I was thinking about winning,

“This was a great middleweight championship fight,” said Top Rank CEO Bob Arum. “Both fighters showed tremendous heart. Congratulations to the new champion. He deserved the win.”

Maxim Dadashev won a 10-round unanimous decision over former world champion Antonio DeMarco in a junior welterweight bout.

Dadashev, 138.6 lbs of Oxnard, CA won by scores of 98-92, 97-93 and 96-94, and is now 12-0. DeMarco, 139.6 lbs of Tijuana, MEX is 33-7-1.

“This was a great learning experience for me,” Dadashev said. “DeMarco is a true champion, and he fought with great heart and determination.”

Esquiva Falcao remained perfect by winning a 10 round unanimous decision over Guido Pitto in a middleweight bout.

Falcao, 160.4 lbs of Vitoria, BRA won by scores of 100-90 on all cards, and is now 22-0. Pitto, 158.6 lbs of Buenos Aires, ARG is 25-6-2.

Michael Conlan stopped Nicola Cipoletta in round seven of a scheduled eight-round featherweight bout.

Conland landed a flurry of punches, and the bout was stopped at 1:55.

Conlan, 126.4 lbs of Dublin, IRE is 7-0 with six knockouts. Cipoletta, 125.4 lbs of Napoli, ITA is 14-7-2.

“When you fight a guy who is negative and trying to survive, those guys are the hardest guys to look good against,” Conlan said. “He was just negative. Now, I want real opponents. I want top 10, top 15 opponents. These are the guys who are going to make me look good. These are the guys who are going to bring out the best of my technical ability. When you see guys trying to survive, it’s a lot easier to survive than fight it out.”

Vladimir Nikitin won a six-round unanimous decision over Clay Burns in a featherweight bout.

Scores were 59-55 on all cards for Nikitin, 126.6 lbs of Oxnard, CA and is now 2-0. Burns, 1256 lbs of Alexandra, LA is 5-5-2.

Good looking prospect Joseph Adorno won a six-round unanimous decision over Kevin Cruz in a lightweight bout.

Adorno scored a knockdown with a left hand in the final round, and he went on to win by scores of 59-53 twice and 58-54.

Adorno, 132.8 lbs of Allentown, PA went the distance for the 1st time and is 10-0. Cruz, 132.2 lbs of Waterloo, IA is 8-1.

Adorno said: “I felt great going the distance for the first time. I wasn’t tired at all and got the job done. I am very happy with my performance.”

Adam Lopez stopped Hector Ambriz in the eighth and final round of their featherweight bout.

The time of the finish was 1:29 for Lopez, 126.4 lbs of Glendale, CA who is now 11-1 with five knockouts. Ambriz, 126.4 lbs of Mexico is 12-8-2.

David Kaminsky stopped Noah LaCoste in round two of their scheduled four-round middleweight bout.

Kaminsky dropped LaCoste in each round, and referee Kenny Bayless stopped the bout 40 seconds into round two.

Kaminsky, 159 lbs of Los Angles, CA is 3-0 with two knockouts. LaCoste, 158.5 lbs of Houma, LA is 2-1.

* Kaminsky scored knockdown with uppercut in round 1. LaCoste stopped on his feet in the second.

Anthony Yarde stopped Walter Sequeira in round four of their scheduled 10-round light heavyweight bout.

Yarde scored three knockdowns, and the nout was stopped at 2:14 of round four.

Yarde, 173 1/2 lbs is 17-0 with 16 knockouts. Sequieira, 174 1/4 lbs is 20-5.

Joe Mullender stopped Ben Capps in round seven of their scheduled ten-round super middleweight fight.

Mullender dropped Capps with a right hand in round seven. Moments later, it was a body shot that sent Capps down, and the fight was over at 1:36.

Mullender, 160 lbs is now 11-2 with five knockouts. Capps is 15-5-2.

Johnny Garton stopped former world title challenger Gary Corocoran in round 11 of a scheduled 12 round welterweight bout.

The fight had plenty of back and forth action throughout the bout.

In round three, Garton was cut under the right eye. The cut got worse and blood streamed down and covered the face of Garton.

In round 11, Garton landed a hard right hand that staggered Corocoan back to the ropes. Garton leveled Corocoan with hard shots, and the fight was stopped at 42 seconds.

Garton 146 lbs is now 23-1-1 with 10 knockouts. Corcoran, 146 lbs is now 18-3.

In a battle of undefeated super middlewights, Zak Chelli won a eight-round decision over Umar Sadiq

In round six, Cehlli dropped Sadiq with a hard right hand. Sadiq made a furious rally in the final round, and bloodied the nose of Chelli.

Chelli won by a score of 77-74, and is now 5-0. Sadiq is 3-1.

Nathan Gorman decisioned Kamil Sokolowski in a heavyweight bout.

Gorman, 255 lbs won by a score of 79-73 and is now 14-0. Sokolowski is 5-13-2.

Hamzah Sheerez won a four-round decision over Zygimantas Butkevicius in a super welterweight bout.

Sheerez won by a score of 40-36, and is now 5-0. Butkevicius is 1-14.

PHOENIX, Ariz. — Old-school Phoenix is the theme. Old-school Arizona is at stake.

Iron Boy Promotions will stage card a Saturday at Celebrity Theatre that will neighborhood rivalries and the first state title since 2002.

Fidel Hernandez (19-5, 10 KOs) and Andrew Hernandez (20-7, 9 KOs) are scheduled for the main event. Both light-heavyweights are from Phoenix. The card also is includes the first Arizona state title since 2002. Adrian Servin (6-0-1, 2 KOs) and Edgar Ortiz (7-1-1, 4 KOs), both also from Phoenix, will fight for a flyweight belt.

Six fights are scheduled for the Iron Boy card. Doors will open at 5 p.m. (PST).

According to Dan Rafael of espn.com, Manny Pacquiao is close to a deal to face Adrien Broner on January 19th in Las Vegas.

Pacquiao made the announcement Thursday during an appearance at a news conference in Manila for the non-profit International Sports Promotion Society, which named him an ambassador.

Pacquiao said he would be fighting Broner next, either on Jan. 12 or Jan. 19. The fight, which Pacquiao termed “90 percent” done, would likely take place in Las Vegas. However, a source with knowledge of the deal told ESPN the fight would be Jan. 19, not Jan. 12, though a fight likely wouldn’t be formalized until he settled his tax issues with the U.S. government.

According to Dan Rafael of espn.com, middleweight champion Canelo Alvarez signed a 5-year. 11-fight, $365 million dollar deal with stream service DAZN.

The contract will kick off on December 15th with Canelo’s fight with super middleweight beltholder Rocky Fielding.

Alvarez’s deal is the richest athlete contract in sports history, eclipsing the 13-year, $325 million agreement that New York Yankees slugger Giancarlo Stanton signed in 2014 when he was with the Miami Marlins.

“Canelo is the highest-paid athlete in the world. He’s extremely happy,” Alvarez promoter Oscar De La Hoya told ESPN after Alvarez signed.

“This is only from my hard work,” Alvarez told ESPN shortly after he signed the paperwork. “The most important thing to me was being able to give the fans the opportunity to see me fight without having to pay the $70 or $80 for my fights on pay-per-view. That was the most important thing, more important than what I am making.

“It’s very important for me to give the fans the biggest fights and the most important fights, and I promise you I will always do that. The December fight with Fielding is a dangerous fight. I am moving up in weight, and I don’t know how my body will feel. But I always want to take on challenges, and I am very happy my fans will be able to see me fight for a small cost.”

“Never. I was never worried because I’m very confident in myself,” he said. “I know how important I am to any platform I go to. I am very grateful to HBO and to Showtime for what they did for my career, but I am happy we’re moving forward and that I will be able to fight on a platform that is the future. I’ve always liked a challenge, and this is yet another challenger in my career.

“Being part of this historic deal will require me to prepare myself even more and offer fans even better performances. At the same time, I am humbled to be selected to lead this new vision for the sport of boxing, which will without a doubt be for the benefit of the fans.”

Although Alvarez is the centerpiece of the deal, De La Hoya had leverage to use Alvarez to secure dates and license fees from DAZN for his company’s non-Alvarez events. The deal, for which financial terms were not disclosed, calls for Golden Boy to put on up to 10 “high-caliber fight nights” per year that will stream live on DAZN beginning in early 2019.

Those fights would include Golden Boy’s other top fighters, including junior welterweight and former three-division world titlist Jorge Linares, junior featherweight titlist Rey Vargas, middleweight contender David Lemieux, featherweight contender Joseph Diaz Jr. and junior featherweight contender Diego De La Hoya, as well as junior lightweight Ryan Garcia and junior welterweight Vergil Ortiz Jr., two of boxing’s top prospects.

“This is huge for boxing, huge for Canelo and huge for Golden Boy,” De La Hoya said. “Golden Boy is at the forefront of something very monumental for the sport of boxing.”

“This is easily one of the best days in the growing history of Golden Boy Promotions,” De La Hoya said. “We are committed to making this sport as accessible as possible and at an affordable price for all the fans. My dream has been to make boxing a sport for all. DAZN has the perfect platform to make this dream come true, and with the biggest star in the sport at the helm of this journey, I have no doubts that we will succeed in unimaginable ways.”

“We were able to reach a conclusion of what Canelo is worth today and what he is worth tomorrow, and we worked out this deal,” De La Hoya said.

Said DAZN’s John Skipper: “We are thrilled to be exclusive partners with Golden Boy Promotions and Oscar De La Hoya. By bringing Canelo’s fights to DAZN, we will turn his pay-per-view success into a growth engine for subscribers — a truly transformational moment for our business and the entire industry.”

Cruiserweight champion Denis Lebedev and Super Flyweight beltholder Kal Yafai will defend their titles on on November 24th in Monte Carlo, and streamed on DAZN, according to Dan rafael of espn.com.

Headlining the card, which will stream live on DAZN in the United States, will be cruiserweight Denis Lebedev, a longtime titlist who had been named “champion in recess” during a 14-month layoff but is back for his second fight since returning. Lebedev (31-2, 23 KOs), 39, of Russia, will defend his version of the title against 35-year-old American Mike Wilson (19-0, 8 KOs), who will be taking a monumental step up in the level of his opposition.

In another world title bout on the card, junior bantamweight Khalid Yafai (24-0, 15 KOs), 29, of England, will defend his belt for the fourth time when he takes on Israel Gonzalez (23-2, 10 KOs), who has won two bouts in a row since losing a world title fight to Jerwin Ancajas by 10th-round knockout in February.

Heavyweight Zhang Zhilei (20-0, 16 KOs), 35, a two-time Chinese Olympian, who claimed a super heavyweight silver medal in 2008 and lost to reigning unified titleholder Anthony Joshua in the 2012 Games, will square off with Alexander Ustinov (34-2, 25 KOs), 41, a Belarus native, in a scheduled 12-round fight. In facing Ustinov, Zhang will be taking a big step up in opposition after facing a series of journeymen thus far.

In a 10-round bout on the card, light heavyweight Frank Buglioni (22-3-1, 16 KOs), 29, a former super middleweight world title challenger from of England, will fight Fanlong Meng (13-0, 8 KOs), 30, of China. Welterweight Daniyar Yeleussinov (3-0, 1 KO), 27, a southpaw who won a 2016 Olympic gold medal for Kazakhstan, will face an opponent to be determined in a six-round fight.

“I’m delighted to be back in Monaco for the third time for another fantastic night of world championship boxing,” Hearn said. “It’s always special to return to the Casino de Monte-Carlo. It’s a stunning setting that’s unique within boxing and will be broadcast and enjoyed by fight fans throughout the world.”

IBF Light Heavyweight champion Artur Beterbiev will defend his title against hard-punching Joe Smith, Jr. in December and streamed on DAZN, according to Dan Rafael of espn.com.

There were rumors that Smith would face WBA champion Dmitry Bivol, but Smith promoter Joe DeGuardia went in a new direction.

“We were in discussions for the Bivol fight, but we didn’t have a signed deal and there were still some loose ends,” DeGuardia said. “And then we got a tremendous offer for something different. I ended those Bivol talks as soon as this deal came into the fold, and I called up Main Events [which would have promoted the Nov. 24 card] and HBO to tell them.”

The fight with Beterbiev almost took place in November, but logistics pushed it to December.

“It was possible for November, but that’s slipping away, so it’s going to be in December. We are ready to roll,” said DeGuardia, who added that they have signed their paperwork.

Beterbiev co-promoter Eddie Hearn is excited about the fight.

“It’s a great, explosive fight,” Hearn, who co-promotes Beterbiev with Yvon Michel, told ESPN. “I really feel like Artur is going to make a strong charge now and he is fantastic to watch. Joe will have plenty of support as always and you mustn’t blink!”

DeGuardia is happy to have Smith involved in a world title fight be it against either of the Russian champions.

“Both are very, very difficult fights because they are both top, top fighters,” he said. “But you’re fighting for a championship. So it’s not an easy fight. You look at it and say Beterbiev, as a fan, I’d love to see. [They are like] smashing robots, two bangers who can punch. But it’s a tough fight and a good fight. I think it will resonate with the fans.”

OMAHA. Neb. – A lot was said. Terence Crawford’s answer took some time. Almost 12 complete rounds of time. But it was definitive.

Crawford delivered a thorough break down, then a beat down and finally some concussive punctuation in another performance that says there is nobody better in the pound-for-pound debate.

“I did what I said I would do,’’ said Crawford (34-0, 24 KOs), who narrowly missed Benavidez’ chin with a righthand Friday in a scuffle that began when Benavidez shoved him after both fighters stepped off the scale at the official weigh-in.

Jose Benavidez Jr. only happened to be in the way Saturday night at CHI Health Center in an ESPN televised bout. Benavidez talked his way into the fight, perhaps believing that his advantages in size would give him a chance at taking Crawford’s WBO welterweight title.

In the later rounds, however, it often looked as if Benavidez might have regretted all that talk. In the end, there wasn’t much he could say it all.

“I gave a hell of a fight against the best fighter in the world,’’ he said. “This is boxing. It happens.’’

What happened, however, ended with 18 seconds left in the fight and Benavidez slumped, speechless and beaten in almost every possible way. That’s when Crawford was declared a TKO winner. The stoppage was inevitable. Crawford made sure of it moments before the referee interceded with a right uppercut and right hook that dropped Benavidez. The Phoenix welterweight fell as though he never know what hit him. He was down, on one side ad then rolling over onto his back. His feet were tangled up. He looked helpless.

That was the idea, of course, from a Crawford whose mean streak is potent complement to all of the power he has in both hands.

“I told Benavidez that Terence would kick his ass,’’ Crawford trainer Brian McIntyre said. “That’s what he did.’’

He kept a few other promises, too.

Crawford, who is hoping for a welterweight showdown with Errol Spence Jr., promised not to shake hands with Benavidez after it was over.

“I didn’t,’’ he said.

He then was asked if Benavidez had anything to say to him.

“He didn’t,’’ he said.

Did he gain any respect for Benavidez?

“Not at all,’’ he said.

The succinct Crawford keeps it short and blunt in every place but the ring, where he can make things long and painful.

A Prospect No More: Shakur Stevenson steps up with dazzling TKO win

A prospect began to look like a contender, all within one dazzling round.

Alvarado delivers crushing KO blow

It was a huge punch and maybe a statement. Former junior-welterweight champion Mike Alvarado (40-4, 28 KOs) delivered it with a huge right hook that put Robbie Cannon (16-14-3, 7 KOs) of Fetus, Mo., flat on his back and finished at 2:15 of the second round. Cannon, who was knocked down earlier in the same round, had to be helped up onto a stool where concerned ring-side physicians watched him until he was fully able to walk under his own power.

Carlos Adames (15-0, 12 KO), a super-welterweight from The Dominican Republic,  knocked down Josh Conley (14-3-1, 9 KOs) San Bernardino, Calif., once. Then twice. Adames could have knocked Conley down as often as he wanted. But twice was enough to know that even a third would have been too much. It was over, Adames a TKO winner at 2:15 of the second round.

Omaha light-heavyweight Steve Nelson stays unbeaten with powerful TKO

Omaha light-heavyweight Steve Nelson (12-0, 10 KOs) came into the ring wearing a mask. But there is no disguise power for his power. No way to elude it either. Oscar Rojas (17-11-1, 6 KOs) of Mexico couldn’t (17-11-1, 6 KOs). Nelson, who had Terence Crawford trainer Brian McIntyre in his corner, dropped with thunderclap of left in the fourth. Somehow, Rojas got back up and onto his feet. But he was finished. It was over moments later, a TKO at 2:50 of the the fourth round.

Former Olympian Mikaela Mayer (8-0 4 KOs) of Los Angeles scored a powerful knockdown in the seventh round. A dazed Vanessa Bradford (4-1-2) of Canadian from Edmonton, looked up and got up, but a loss had to look like an inevitability. A round later, it was. Mayer won a unanimous decision.

Lightweight Muwendo wins No. 20 with a unanimous decision

Ismail Muwendo (20-1, 12 KOs), a Minneapolis lightweight training in Omaha, scored one for a handful of local fans, scoring a unanimous decision over Andre Wilson (15-12-1, 12 KOs) of St. Jospeh, Mo., with superior reach and a measure of toughness. Muwendo was staggered by straight left hand in the third, then recovered for a 59-55 decision on all three cards.

Benavidez Sr.-trained Jose Valenzuela wins one-sided decision

Seattle super-featherweight Jose Valenzuela (2-0) helped warm up the ring for Jose Benavidez Jr. with a head-rocking, one-sided decision over a shorter Hugo Rodriguez (1-1, 1 KO) of Mexico. Benavidez’ father and trainer, Jose Sr., worked Valenzuela’s corner, the second bout on an undercard streamed by ESPN+.

Calm Before The Storm: Crawford-Benavidez card opens with Keeshawn Williams’ victory

Call it the calm before the storm.

Washington welterweight Keeshawn Williams (4-0-1, 1 KOs) opened the show with a solid, if not spectacular, unanimous decision over Ramel Snegur (2-3-1, 1 KO) of Portland, Ore., Saturday on a card that is forecast to end in a building storm between Terence Crawford and Jose Benavidez Jr.

Williams employed some well-executed body-head shots that staggered Snegur, especially in the third and fourth rounds of a 40-36, 39-37, 40-36 decision

Francsco Patera took a 12-round split decision from previously undefeated Lewis Ritson in a lightweight bout in Newcastle, England.

It was a tough fight that saw Patera come on strong and win most of the rounds in the second half of the fight.

Patera won two cards by 116-112 scores. Ritson took a card 116-112.

Patera of Belgium is now 20-3. Ritson is 17-1.

Zolani Tete retained the WBO Bantamweight title and advanced into the 2nd round of The World Boxing Super series with a 12-round unanimous decision over Mikhail Aloyan.

In round one, Tete landed a left hook that stumbled Aloyan back and his glove touched the canvas for a knockdown.

In round ten, Tete was was docked a point for holding. Later in the round, Aloyan was cut over his right eye for which the ringside doctor took a brief look. In round eleven, Aloyan was deducted a point for holding.

Tete, 116.4 lbs of South Africa, won by scores of 114-110 and 114-111 twice, and is now 28-3. Aloyan, 117.2 lbs of Russia is 4-1.

Andrew Tabiti moved to the semifinals of the World Boxing Super Seres with a 12-round unanimous decision over Ruslan Fayfer in a fight that featured undefeated fighter.

Fayfer was deducted one point in the final round for holding.

Tabiti, 199.4 lbs of Las Vegas won by score of 116-111, 115-112 and 114-113, and is now 17-0. Fayfer, 197.4 lbs of Russia is 23-1.

By Norm Frauenheim-

OMAHA, Neb. – Terence Crawford and Jose Benavidez Jr. did more than exchange insults Friday as escalating tensions led to a weigh-in scuffle that included a shove from Benavidez and a missed punch from Crawford, who threw a long right that could have knocked out ESPN’s main event Saturday had it landed.

Both welterweights face possible penalties, likely a fine that the Nebraska Commission could take directly out of their respective paychecks.

“We’re going to discuss it,’’ Brian Dunn, a Nebraska deputy commissioner, said after the wild weigh-in.

According to documents filed with the Nebraska Commission, Benavidez’s purse is $450,000. Crawford’s paycheck is $2 million, although he is expected to wind up with more $3 million after he collects a bonus from Top Rank, which signed him to a contract extension last summer.

“If this were Las Vegas, the Nevada Commission would levy significant fines,’’ said Top Rank’s Bob Arum, who warned both fighters Thursday that they would not get paid if they scuffled during the traditional nose-to-nose pose after a news conference. “This is boxing. You have to keep your emotions in check.’’

Benavidez pushed Crawford with both hands when the two were asked to face each other after both came in under the 147- pound limit – Benavidez at 145 and Crawford 145.4. Crawford then followed with right that missed as Benavidez stepped back.

Benavidez (27-0, 18 KOs) denied he started the incident at the CNI Health Center in a crowded ball room near the arena where the bitter rivals will finally face each other in a fight governed by rules, instead of chaos. The televised card is scheduled to begin at 10:30 p.m. ET (7:30 p.m. PT).

“He got in my face,’’ said Benavidez (27-0, 18 KOs), a Phoenix fighter and big underdog against Crawford (33-0, 24 KOs), the World Boxing Organization’s champion and an Omaha fighter ranked among the top two in the pound-for-pound debate. “It looked like he was trying to kiss me.’’

Crawford was not available for comment in the scuffle’s immediate aftermath. However, Crawford trainer Brian McIntyre said he would ask the Nebraska Commission to fine Benavidez. Crawford, he said, should not be penalized.

“He pushed him, Jose Benavidez pushed him,’’ McIntyre said. “I’m sorry, but if a man pushes me, I’m going to respond. He shouldn’t have touched him. Terence didn’t start it, didn’t do anything but respond. He shouldn’t be penalized. I’m going to ask the Commission to take a piece of Benavidez’ purse.’’

The scuffle was another moment in a week full of escalating tensions. The fighters exchanged words at a public workout Wednesday at an Omaha gym. The insults continued Thursday at a contentious news conference.

Friday, things went off the scale.

WBO Middleweight champion Billy Joe Saunders vacated his world title after being denied a license in Massachusetts to defend against Demetrius Andrade on October 20th.

“B.J. Saunders has voluntarily vacated the WBO middleweight title and publicly apologized for his violation of the Massachusetts Athletic Commission’s anti-doping regulations,” WBO president Francisco “Paco” Valcarcel said. “Therefore, the clash between Demetrius Andrade and Walter Kautondonkwa scheduled for Oct. 20 will now be for the vacant world crown.

“Also, I will recommend to the WBO executive committee that Saunders receives a six-month suspension for his transgression. But he has to do more. He has to work with the kids there [in England] at the boys’ club, do community service, and then he has to be tested randomly and be negative all of the time. He needs a recommendation from the British Boxing Board of Control [to have the suspension lifted], and if he does all that, we are willing to put him back in the rankings after his suspension.”

Valcarcel said Saunders sent the WBO a letter to vacate the title and said that “he doesn’t have time to appeal and for that reason he relinquished the title.” Saunders could have gone through the WBO’s appeals process, but based on the sanctioning body’s typical response to similar incidents, he likely would have been stripped.

“He had the right to present all the evidence, but at the end he had to face the positive test,” Valcarcel said.

“The MSAC, in their decision to deny a license to Billy Joe, have willfully refused to properly apply the code of [the World Anti-Doping Association] to their ruling,” Frank Warren, Saunders’ promoter, said in a statement. “Further, the MSAC refused to properly consider submissions from Billy Joe’s representative despite him being present at the hearing.

“Unlike the British Boxing Board of Control, the MSAC is a state appointed governing body and therefore the decision will be appealed and challenged in the superior court at the earliest opportunity. Because of the mental anguish brought about by this case and out of respect for the WBO, Billy Joe will with a heavy heart relinquish his world title, whilst this issue is in the process of being resolved.”

IBF 115-lb world champion Jerwin Ancajas is looking for a unification bout with WBC champ Srisaket Sor Rungvisai, accroding to Dan Rafael of espn.com.

“I came to Thailand Saturday night to watch with my own eyes the champion from Thailand fight,” Ancajas said. “I liked what I saw. He is my style. I would be the matador versus the bull. He comes right at you and wants to trade big punches. I do not like fighters that move a lot so Sor Rungvisai is the perfect fight for me.

“I have been waiting a long time for a fight like this. I spoke to my promoters Joven Sports, Manny Pacquiao and Mr. Bob Arum of Top Rank Boxing and told them please get me this fight next.”

Sean Gibbons, Ancajas’ agent, said the whole Ancajas team is game for the unification bout.

“Jerwin is looking to fight the best,” Gibbons said. “He wants a signature fight. He watched the champ from ringside Saturday night and loves the fight. I love the battle of champion versus champion. Boxing is about styles and this fight is perfect for Jerwin. Someone is getting knocked out.”

“I think it would be a great fight,” he said. “As of right now we do not know the future on what would be the next fight for Srisaket. (Ancajas) would be a great fight for sure. We would like to have lots of great fights to create history for Thailand but it would be very interesting. I’d like to thank them for flying all the way from the Philippines. Mr. Sean Gibbons flew from the U.S. to be here with us. It’s a great honor for us to see them and to have them with us at the event.”

The Massachusetts Commission denied WBO Middleweight champion Billy Joe Saunders a license to defend against Demetrius Andrade on October 20th due to failed banned substance test, according to Dan Rafael of espn.com.

As soon as Saunders’ positive Voluntary Anti-Doping Association urine test came to light on Sept. 26, Matchroom Boxing promoter Eddie Hearn made a deal with Kautondokwa for him to be on standby because it was uncertain if Saunders would be issued a license. So Kautondokwa, who is from Namibia, has been in the gym training since, and Hearn told ESPN that his visa has been secured.

“I felt like it was 50-50 that he’d be licensed. Billy had his case but unfortunately he failed a VADA test which he signed up for, which the commission ruled on,” Hearn said. “We have to move on. Our focus is on Demetrius Andrade becoming middleweight champion of the world and mixing with Canelo (Alvarez), Gennady Golovkin and Danny Jacobs, all of those guys. It’s disappointing but the focus is on Andrade becoming a champion on Oct. 20.”

WBO president Francisco “Paco” Valcarcel told ESPN that the sanctioning body will send Saunders a letter asking him to show cause why he should not be stripped of the world title.

“Once you sign a contract to fight you have to comply with the contract. He didn’t comply with the rules and regulations and so he wasn’t licensed,” Valcarcel said. “It’s something he created, something he did. It wasn’t because of something that happened. But we have to give him due process.”

Even though Andrade will still fight for high stakes, Ed Farris, his manager, said Andrade is upset by the turn of events.

“Demetrius is devastated,” Farris told ESPN. “He wanted Saunders under any circumstances because he felt beating him would give him the credibility of beating the world champion. He wanted Saunders. He’s been training for him. He said that is who he wanted. He said that’s who’s going to make me better. At the end of the day, the commission did the only thing they could do. Demetrius is crushed. Down the road I guess we’ll find out if there’s ever going to be a Saunders fight, but he wanted to fight Saunders regardless of the positive test.”

Kautondokwa, who last fought in March, is an unknown fighter. He has had 16 of his fights in Namibia and one in Ghana, and never faced a notable opponent.

“He’s a handful and a bit crude,” Hearn said of Kautondokwa’s style. “It’s a very difficult situation. It’s a nightmare for Demetrius. He’s been getting ready for a slick southpaw in Saunders and now he has to go in with an orthodox puncher. The only thing we know about Kautondokwa is he’s a huge puncher.”

Hearn said he wasn’t concerned that the card would suffer with Saunders being dropped.

“Saunders isn’t a huge name for Boston,” he said. “Demetrius is the local fighter. It’s not as attractive of a fight, being honest, but the card is still very strong.”

Former heavyweight champion Tyson Fury finally entered into the WBC Clean Program ahead of his WBC Heavyweight title fight with Deontay Wilder, according to Dan Rafael of espn.com.

On Monday, Mauricio Sulaiman announced that Fury had taken care of it.

“Tyson Fury has sent WBC Clean Boxing Program enrollment forms to VADA,” he said.

Lou DiBella, Wilder’s promoter, told ESPN that he contacted Dr. Margaret Goodman, the president of VADA, on Monday about a drug-testing program specific to the bout.

“It’s very quick to start up the program,” DiBella said. “Now that Fury’s paperwork is in and he is enrolled, we can start it almost immediately. Everything will get worked out this week now that the paperwork is in and then the testing can start. As soon as I found out that Fury sent in his forms, I sent Margaret an email and we will talk about getting the program set up.”

Former heavyweight champion Tyson Fury has yet to enroll in the WBC Clean program for his December 1st title opportunity with Deontay Wilder.

“To date, VADA has not received Clean Boxing Program enrollment forms on Mr. Fury,” Dr. Margaret Goodman, the president of VADA, told ESPN. “Mr. Wilder remains enrolled in the Clean Boxing Program.”

“Fury must enroll,” Sulaiman told ESPN on Sunday. “He personally committed to me to enroll. I will write to him right now. If he doesn’t enroll the fight will not be sanctioned by the WBC.”

When made aware of the fact that Fury had not enrolled in the testing program, Shelly Finkel, one of Wilder’s managers, said he looked into it.

“I just think it was an oversight,” Finkel told ESPN. “I spoke to George Warren, (Fury promoter) Frank Warren’s son, and he said it will get taken care of immediately and don’t worry at all.”

In what should have been the most shining moment in the career of Khabib Nurmagomedov’s career might very well be it’s darkest moment.

Nurmagomedov choked out UFC superstar Conor McGregor in the 4th round to retain the lightweight championship, but what happened after well overshadow a great performance from the undefeated Russian.

Nurmagomedov took McGregor down in round’s one, two and four, almost getting a coveted stoppage in round two as he pounded away at a prone McGregor.  McGregor inched back in the fight in round three by landing some good left hands.

In round four, Khabib got McGregor down and was able to get the rear choke and McGregor tapped out at 4:04.

After the fight, Khabib climbed the cage and leaped into the crowd where McGregor’s cornermen where situated.  A melee ensued and spilled out into the crowd, causing a scary situation.  Then part of Khabib’s entourage leaped into the cage and a couple landed sucker punches on McGregor.

The situation should produce major infractions Khabib, risking his title because a lengthy suspension is warranted.

Khabib is 27-0.  McGregor is 21-4.

Tony Furguson stopped Anthony Pettis after round two of their lightweight war.

After a good round one, Furguson got caught with a huge right hand the jaw but Pettis’ head was bleeding..  The doctor came into check, but Pettis was allowed to continue.  Furgison came back to land some hard punches which caused a massive cut around the left eye of Pettis.

After the round, Pettis claimed he may have broke his hand, and the fight was stopped.

Furguson, 155 lbs of Orange County, CA is 25-3.  Pettis, 156 lbs of Milwaukee, WI is 21-8.

Dominick Reyes won a unanimous decision over former world title challenger Ovince Saint Preux in a light heavyweight bout.

In round one, Reyes rocked Saint Preux several times with hard kicks and punches.  In round three, Saint Preux was cut over his left eye from an elbow.  Reyes drilled Saint Preux with a massive left hand just as the bell sounded to end the fight.

Reyes, 204.5 lbs of Victorville, CA won by scores of 30-27 and is now 10-0.  Saint Preux, 205 lbs of Knoxville, TN is 23-12.

Derrick Lewis saw his UFC title shot going down the drain until he was somehow able comeback and same Alexander Volkoff in the final round of their heavyweight fight.

Lewis was lethargic and losing the first two-plus rounds until he landed a massive right hand the rocked Volkoff to the canvas.  Lewis pounded Volkoff until the bout was stopped at 4:49.

Lewis of Houston is now 21-5-1.  Volkoff is now 30-7.

Michelle Waterson won a unanimous decision over Felice Herrig in a strawweightbout.

Waterson won by scores of 30-27, 30-26 and 29-28 to raise her mark to 16-6.  Herrig is 14-8.

Justin Formiga won a unanimous decision over Sergio Pettis in a flyweight bout.

Formiga won by tallies of 30-26 and 29-28 twice and is now 22-5.  Pettis is 17-4.

Vicente Luque stopped Jalin Turner in the 1st round of their welterweight bout.

Luque dropped Turner with a left hand and perched to land several hard and unanswered punches until the bout was stopped at 3:47.

Luque is now 14-6-1. Turner is 7-4.

Aspen Ladd stopped Tonya Evinger in round one of their bantamweight bout.

Ladd got Evinger on the ground and pounded away until the bout was stopped at 3:26.

Ladd is now 7-0. Evinger is 19-7-1.

Scott Holtzman stopped Alan Patrick at in round three of their lightweight bout.

Holtzman pounded Patrick while on the ground, and the bout was stopped at 3:42.

Holtzman is 12-2. Patrick is 15-2.

Welterweights Jessie Vargas and Thomas Dulorme fought to a 12-round draw in the main event of Matchroom Boxing’s maiden voyage on stream service DAZN. the card took place at the Wintrust Arena in Chicago.

In round three, Vargas was cut over the right from an accidental headbutt.

In round ten, Vargas dropped Dulorme with a short left hook. Dulorme pulled even in the last ten seconds of the fight as he decked Vargas with a counter right hand.

Vargas took a card 115-111, while two cards were even at 113-113.

Vargas, 147 lbs of Las Vegas is 28-2-2. Dulorme, 146 1/2 lbs of Carolina, PR is 24-3-1.

Artur Beterbiev retained the IBF Light Heavyweight title and kept his perfect knockout streak intact by stopping Callum Johnin in the 4th round.

In round one, Beterbiev dropped Johnson with a right hand after Johnson got stuck in the ropes. In round two, it was Johnson he sent Beterbiev hard to the canvas with a short left hook. In round three, Johnson was cut over the right eye.

In round four, it was a short right to the nose that dropped Johnson in the corner. he tried to get up and got to his feet just as the referee rached the count of ten and the fight was over at 2:36.

Beterbiev, 174 1/2 lbs of Montreal via Russia is 13-0 with 13 knockouts. Johnson, 174 3/4 lbs of England is 17-1.

Jarrell Miller stopped former cruiserweight world champion Tomasz Adamek in round two of their scheduled ten-round heavyweight bout.

Miller landed a huge uppercut that sent Adamek to his knee.  He was wobbly upon getting up, and the fight was halted at 2:21.

Miller, 317 lbs of Brooklyn, NY is 22-0-1 with 19 knockouts.  Adamek of Poland is 53-6.

Danny Roman stopped Gavin McDonnell in round ten to retain the WBA Super Bantamweight title.

Roman dominated action, and in round ten, he bludgeoned McDonnell as he dropped hard with a vicious of punches and the fight was stopped.

Roman is now 26-2-1 with 10 knockouts.  McDonnell is 20-2-2.

“I wanted to go to the body,” said Roman after the fight. “We needed to break him down.”

“The right hand landed early in the fight so we knew it was going to be there,” said Roman, who is represented by long time promoter Thompson Boxing and new partner Matchroom Boxing. “I just had to wait for the right time. It was there in the tenth. I landed a strong right to his chin that buckled him. I followed up with two left upper cuts and that was it for him.”

“I’ll fight any of the other champions in this division,” Roman said. “Let’s make a unification fight. I want all the belts.”

Jessica McCaksill won the WBC Super Lightweight title with a ten-round unanimous decision over Erica Anabella Farias.

McCaskill of Chicago won by scores of 98-92, 97-93 and 96-94 and is now 6-2. Farias is now 26-3.

Anthony Sims, Jr. stopped Marlon Aguilar in round six of a scheduled eight-round light heavyweight bout.

Sims, 173 1/2 lbs of Plainfield, IN is 16-0 with 15 knockouts. Aguilar, 174 lbs of Mexico is 19-6.

In round one, Aguilar began to bleed from the nose.

Reshat Mati stopped Adan Ahumada in round three of a scheduled four-round welterweight bout.

Mati dropped Ahumada with a body shot that was followed up by a short right, and the bout was halted at 1:52.

Mati, 146 lbs of Brooklyn is 1-0 with one knockout. Ahumada, 150 lbs of Matamores, MEX is 3-6-2.

Nikita Ababiy needed just 28 seconds to dispose of Jake Henriksen in a scheduled four-round middleweight bout.

Ababiy landed a crushing body shot that put Henriksen down for the count.

Ababiy, 159 lbs of Brooklyn is 1-0 wit one knockout. Henriksen, 160 1/2 lbs of Fargo, ND is 2-3.

Matt Cameron stunned heralded prospect Nkosi Solomon by winning a four-round unanimous decision in a heavyweight bout.

In round three, Cameron dropped Solomon with a hard right hand. In round four, Solomon was docked a point for holding. Seconds later, it was a left hook that dropped Solomon for a 2nd time.

Cameron, 221 lbs of Chicago won by scores of 39-33 on all cards and is now 3-1-1. Solomon, 217 1/2 lbs of Brooklyn is 0-1.

Jack Catterall won a 12-round unanimous decision over Ohara Davies in a junior welterweight clash.

Catterall, 139.9 lbs won by scores of 118-110 and 115-113 twice, and is now 23-0. Davies, 139.9 lbs is 18-2.

Heavyweight prospect Daniel DuBois remained undefeated by decisioning former world title challenger Kevin Johnson in a 10-round bout.

DuBois, 239 lbs won by a 100-91 score, and is 9-0. Johnson, 256 lbs is 32-11-1.

Nicola Adams won the WBO Interim Flyweight title with a 10-round unanimous decision over Isabel Millan.

Adams, 111.9 lbs won by scores of 97-93 twice and 96-94, and is now 5-0. Millan, 110.4 lbs is 22-5-1.

Sam Bowen stopped Horacio Cabral in round four of their scheduled 12-round super featherweight bout.

Bowen dropped Cabral in the 4th round, and the bout was stopped.

Bowen, 129 lbs is 14-0 with 10 knockouts. Cabral is 21-3.

According to Dan Rafael of espn.com, Shakur Stevenson will fight Viorel Simion on October 13th in Omaha, Nebraska.

was due to fight Duarn Vue in his first scheduled 10-round bout, However, Vue (14-1-2, 4 KOs), 32, of Madison, Wisconsin, withdrew from the fight on Wednesday because of a detached retina.

“He will test Shakur Stevenson from the opening bell to the final bell,” Top Rank vice president Carl Moretti told ESPN. “Shakur has trained to go 10 rounds, and he’ll need it.”

According to Dan Rafael of espn.com, NBC is nearing a television deal with NBC.

The kickoff show is being contemplated for Dec. 29 on NBC in Atlantic City, New Jersey, with subsequent shows ticketed for NBC Sports Net.

In a surprising move, Canelo Alvarez will take on WBA Super Middleweight champion Ricky Fielding on December 15th at Madison Square Garden, according to Dan Rafael of espn.com.

“I’m very excited to announce my next fight. Next December 15th at the New York MSG,” Alvarez wrote on social media. “Taking a big challenge. I will fight for the world title at 168 pounds versus Rocky Fielding, the current WBA champion!”

No word of what broadcast outlet that bout will be aired on.

In a back and forth war that saw over 2,200 punches thrown, Oscar Negrete and Joshua Franco battled to a ten-round split draw in a bantamweight bout at The Hanger at The OC Fair Event Center in Costa Mesa, California

In round seven, Negrete began to swell under his right eye.

The two trades punches through the fight that saw the fighters be separated by one punch as Negrete landed 352 of 1111 punches, while Franco landed 351 of 1146 punches. The scores were indicative as each fighter won a card 96-94, and 3rd card was even at 95-95.

Negrete, 118 lbs of Los Angeles is 18-1-1. Franco, 117.4 lbs of San Antonio is 14-1-1.

“It was a great fight, but I felt I won,” said Oscar Negrete. “He [Franco] threw a lot of punches, but I blocked most of them. To tell the truth, it made me uncomfortable when he threw a lot and then suddenly clinched. He’s very talented. I give him my respect. He is a warrior. It ended in a draw, but we’ll see if we get the rematch.”

“I can’t complain. It was a close fight,” said Joshua Franco. “I landed the better shots and hurt him with clean punches. He kept throwing and throwing, which is not what I expected, but I adjusted. I would love a rematch.Danielito Zorrilla stopped Dakota Linger in round two of a scheduled eight-round bout of previously undefeated super lightweights.

In round two, Zorrilla landed three crushing uppercuts that busted up the nose of Linger that caused an eight-count. Referee Thomas Taylor stopped the bout at 2:59.

Zorrilla, 140 lbs of Toa Baja, PR is 9-0 with eight knockouts. Linger, 139.4 lbs of Buckhannon, WV is 10-1-2.

“I did well and fought calmly, like a professional,” said Danielito Zorrilla. “I was comfortable and worked well. I have to talk to my promoter to see what’s next, but I want to fight before the year ends.”Jousce Gonzalez and Ivan Delgado fought to a six-round majority draw in a super featherweight bout.

In round four, blood started to come out of the nose of Delgado.

Scores were 58-56 for Gonzalez and two cards were 57-57.

Gonzalez, 129.6 lbs of Glendora, CA is 8-0-1. Delgado, 128.6 lbs of South Central Los Angles, CA is 12-1-2.

Gonzalez outlanded Delgado 104-80.

“It was a good fight, but I won,” said Jousce Gonzalez. He’s a tough fighter, but I felt I landed more shots and controlled the fight at a distance.”

“I felt I did enough to win,” said Ivan Delgado. “He missed most shots, while landed harder and cleaner punches.”
Carlos Caraballo stopped Felipe Rivas in the 6th and final round round of their bantamweight bout.

In round two, Caraballo dropped Rivas with a jab to the body. In round four, Rivas started bleeding from his mouth.

Caraballo continued to pound away on Rivas until the fight was stopped at 1:47 of round six.

Caraballo, 118 lbs of Guayanilla, PR is now 9-0 with nine knockouts. Rivas, 117.8 lbs of Nogales, MEX is 17-22-4.

“I did a good job and finished matters in the last round,” said Carlos Caraballo. “He did his job. He came out hard and he worked, but I did enough to make the referee end the fight.”

Former heavyweight title holder, Joseph Parker will be back in action on December 15th in his native New Zealand, According to Dan Rafael of espn.com.

“Whoever they put in front of me I need to get the job done — and get it done well,” Parker said. “Having experienced what it is like to reach the pinnacle of the sport, and then come back down again after a couple of tough defeats, I’m more motivated than ever to get back on top.

“I could have and should have won that fight [against Whyte], but that’s boxing. It’s now time to get back to work. I can’t wait to fight again in Christchurch. I’ve got really good memories from my last time there [a fourth round KO of Solomon Haumono in July 2016]. It’s a great homecoming for me.”

Said Kevin Barry, Parker’s trainer: “After a five-year undefeated run that took Joseph all the way to winning the WBO world title we now find ourselves in very unusual territory — coming off back-to-back losses. Joe has never been in this position before and needs a top performance.”

Duco Events promoter David Higgins said there were other possibilities for Parker’s return, but the team felt it would be good for Parker to fight at home again after the back-to-back road losses.

“We had plenty of options for Joseph’s return fight after a couple of tough but highly credible losses,” Higgins said. “But Christchurch was a clear front-runner from very early on. We’ve got great partners in the city.”

Lightweight champion Mikey Garcia has reached a deal to take on Richard Commey, avoiding a purse bid, according to Dan Rafael of espn.com

“We had to come to a decision and a conclusion here — either Mikey would have to give up his IBF title or defend it against Commey and the decision was to defend it,” promoter Rochard Schaefer told ESPN. “Now we have to select a date and a site. We have a little time to do that. I’ll be working on that with (Garcia adviser Al) Haymon and (Commey promoter) Lou DiBella during this week and next.”

“We made a deal for the fight, a real deal,” DiBella told ESPN. “Mikey Garcia isn’t walking through Richard Commey. Richard Commey is a tough fighter. He’s the kind of fighter who is a high-risk, no-reward type of opponent. But anyone who knows anything about boxing knows Richard Commey is a good fighter and top lightweight contender but obviously he is not bringing big money to the table. But Garcia wants to keep his title so he has to fight Commey. You got to give the guy credit. Mikey’s not afraid of anyone. It’s a great opportunity for Commey to prove himself.”

“Mikey has plenty of options at 135, 140 or even 147 pounds,” Schaefer said. “But that’s the beauty of things when you’re a talented fighter like Mikey. He decided to do this fight now but going forward he can have a big fight in any of those three weight classes. Mikey knows this is a tough fight. It’s a helluva fight, one of those fights where their styles will make a good fight. They seem made for each other.

“And what it shows you is that Mikey is the kind of fighter who doesn’t shy away from fighting anybody. He is willing to take on the best in each division. He’s the kind of fighter who is looking for the biggest challenges. So now I will be talking with Lou so we can finalize the details within the IBF time frame.”

Christina Hammer has an undisclosed medical issue that has postponed her November 17th middleweight unification bout with Claressa Shields in Atlantic City, according to Dan Rafael of espn.com.

“I told Claressa that I will have all the discussions necessary with all the relevant parties to try meet her desire to fight in 2018, but those discussions haven’t taken place yet,” Mark Taffet, Shields’ manager, told ESPN.

“We were informed it is not an injury but a medical condition for which she will be treated and expects to fully recover,” Taffet said. “We are just beginning discussions with Hammer’s team, [Shields’ promoter] Salita Promotions, Showtime and Boardwalk Hall so we have nothing further to report at this time.”

Brandon Figueroa remained undefeated by stopping former world title challenger Oscar Escandon in the 10th and final round of their super bantamweight bout at the Citizens Business Bank Arena in Ontario, California.

In round 10, Figueroa landed a perfect uppercut that dropped Escandon on his front. Escandon tried to get up, but fell right back down, and the bout was stopped at 1:42.

Figueroa, 122.4 lbs of Werlasco, Texas is now 17-0 with 12 knockouts. Escandon, 123 lbs of Colombia is 25-5.

Joe Joyce remained undefeated by stopping Iago Kiladze in round three of a scheduled 10-round heavyweight bout.

In round two, Joyce dropped Kiladze with a hard right in the corner. In round three, it was a left body shot that sent Kiladze to the canvas. Joyce finished the bout in round five with a hard left hook that sent Kalidze to the canvas, and the fight was over at 41 seconds.

Joyce, 263 lbs of England is 6-0 with six knockouts. Kiladze, 218 lbs of Georgia Republic is 26-4.

Joey Spencer remained perfect with a 1st round stoppage over Cory Macon in a middleweight bout.

Spencer dominated from the opening bell as he repeatedly hurt Macon and then landed a booming right that sent Macon down for the count at 2:36.

Spencer, 155.8 lbs of Union City, CA is 5-0 with five knockouts, Macon, 153 lbs of Durham, NC is 0-3.

In a battle of undefeated heavyweights, Efe Ajagba needed one right hand to dispose of Nick Jones in their scheduled six-round bout.

Ajagba landed a hard right that sent Jones down face-first, and the bout was stopped at 2:25.

Ajagba, 238 lbs of Ugehlli, Nigeria is 7-0 with six-knockouts. Jones, 213.6 lbs of Okunulgee, OK is 7-1.

Stephen Fulton remained undefeated with an eight-round unanimous decision over German Meraz in a featherweight bout.

In round eight, Fulton dropped Meraz with a right to the body.

Fulton, 126 lbs of Philadelphia won by scores of 80-71 on all catds, and is now 14-0. Meraz, Meraz, 125.8 lbs of Agua Prieta, MEX is 61-50-2.

Jesse Rodriguez won an eight-round unanimous decision over Edwin Reyes in a light flyweight bout.

Rodriguez, 107.6 lbs of Los Angeles won by scores of 80-72 twice and 79-73 to go to 7-0. Reyes, 107.4 lbs of Las Vegas is 8-4-3.

Kody Davies won an eight-round unanimous decision over Jerhed Fenderson in a light heavyweight bout.

Davies, 175 lbs of England won on all cards by 80-72 cards is now 7-0. Fenderson, 174.8 lbs of Las Vegas is 4-7.

Omar Juarez made a successful pro debut with a unanimous decision over Matt Gaver in a super lightweight bout.

Arnold Alejandro stopped Francisco Camacho in round five of their scheduled six-round featherweight bout.

Camacho was bleeding from the right side of his head in round three.

In round five, Alejandro landed a hard left that drove Camacho to the corner. Alejandro followed up with a combination that floored Camacho, and the bout was stopped at 1:50.

Alejandro, 125.6 lbs of Dallas, TX is 8-0 with seven knockouts. Camacho, 124.4 lbs of Matamores, MEX is 7-9-1.

Jose Balderas remained undefeated with a four-round unanimous decision over Ivan Martino in a bantamweight fight.

Balderas, 118.3 lbs of Santa Maria, CA won by scores of 40-36 twice and 39-37 and is now 5-0. Martino, 118.3 lbs of San Felipe, MX is 3-3.

Former three-division world champion Jorge Linares stopped Abner Cotto in round three of a scheduled 12-round super lightweight bout at The Fantasy Springs Resort Casino in Indio, California.

In round two, Linares put Cotto down with a hard right hand. I round three, Liares landed another perfect that sent Cotto hard down to the canvas. Cotto continued, and ate a big body punch for which he complained that it was a low blow. Linares jumped on Cotto and they both fell to ground. Cotto got up but wobbled into the ropes and the bout was stopped at 1:31.

Linares, 137.4 lbs of Barinas, VEN is 45-4 with 28 knockouts. Cotto, 137.8 lbs of Aguas Buenas, PR is 23-4.

Romero Duno scored three-knockdowns en-route to an eight-round unanimous decision over Ezequiel Avilez in a lightweight bout.

In round one, Dino dropped Avilez with a perfect short right uppercut.

In round six, Duno landed a big right that made Avilez gove hot the mat for a knockdown. Moments later it was a perfect left hook that put Avilez on the seat of his pants.

Duno, 134.4 lbs of General Santos City, PHL won by scores of 78-71 on all cards, and is now 18-1. Avilez, 134.6 lbs of Ensenada, MEX is 16-3-3.

Travell Mazion annihilated Alan Zavala in the 1st round of their scheduled eight-round super welterweight bout.

Mazion dominated and then landed a huge left hook that sent Zavala on his back for the 10-count at 2:39

Mazion 153.2 lbs of Autsin, TX is 14-0 with 12 knockouts. Zavala, 152.6 lbs of Tijuana, MEX is 15-3.

Oscar Duarte stopped Roger Gutierrez after round four of their scheduled eight-round lightweight bout.

In round four, Gutierrez was docked two points for an intentional headbutt. Gutierrez seemed to do that out of desperation and after the round, he could not continue.

Duarte, 134 lbs of Parra, MEX is 15-0 with 10 knockouts. Gutierrez, 134.4 lbs of Maricaibo, MEX is 19-4-1.