Jarrett Hurd needed a final round knockdown to pull out a 12-round split decision over Erislandy Lara to retain his IBF and capture the WBA Junior Middleweight titles at The Joint at The Hard Rock in Las Vegas.

Lara started out well as he was able to land solid left hands on the inside.  Hurd came back as he stalked the whole fight, and his pressure started to catch up to Lara.

Lara started to swell and the bleed around his left eye in round nine.  In round twelve, with Lara now bleeding badly around the right eye, Hurd landed a short left hook on the inside that sent Lara to the canvas.  Lara was not only able to get up but stood toe to toe with Hurd up until the final bell.

Hurd took two cards by the razor thin tallies of 114-113, while Lara won a card 114-113.

Hurd, 153 lbs of Accokeek, MD is now 22-0.  Lara, 153.5 lbs of Guantanamo, CUB is 25-3-2.

It was a tough one, but I went out there and did exactly what I said I was going to do – fight all 12 rounds and get the victory,” Hurd said. “I didn’t feel like that (I needed the knockdown). I feel like I was in control the whole fight, applying the pressure.

“I don’t think it had anything to do with age. I think it was me and the game plan we had to apply the pressure.”

“’Swift’ isn’t ducking anyone,” Hurd responded. “I’m No. 1 now. We’re calling the shots.”

“Besides the last round, I thought I was winning this fight easily,” Lara said. “That’s not to decide the fight. I was winning the fight. One punch in a fight doesn’t determine the fight.

“It was a great fight for the fans. I stood there, fought and it was fun. I thought I clearly won the fight. Once again a decision goes against me, but h?ey we just have to do the rematch.”

In a ugly and bloody battle, James DeGale regained the IBF Super Middleweight title with a 12-round unanimous  decision over Caleb Truax.

The bout featured a lot of holding and headbutts, but DeGale was able to land the flashier punches in spots during the fight.

In round three, DeGale was cut around the right eye from a punch.

In round seven, Truax was cut along the left eye from an accidental headbutt.  A round later, Truax was cut over his right eye.  In round ten, DeGale was deducted a point for using his shoulder.

DeGale took most of the second half of the fight, and won by scores of 117-110 and 114-113 twice.

DeGale, 167.2 lbs of Haresdon ENG is now 24-2-1.  Truax, 167.8 lbs of Osseo, MN is 29-4-2.

“Two-time world champion. It feels great,” DeGale said. “But full credit to Caleb – he shows he can mix it with the top fighters.

“I’m just happy that I’m a two time world champion and I got my IBF world title back. I’m back, Team Chunky, we’re back. Two-and-a-half years I had it and I lost it to Caleb. He embarrassed me, but we’re back.”

“I couldn’t see from my right eye, DeGale said. “I like Robert Byrd (referee), but today he was a bit wrong. I couldn’t see. But I’m just glad I got through it. I showed some heart. In my last fight, I was like a weak little kid.”

“I thought I did enough to win the fight, but I also thought I was pretty flat and didn’t get my shots off like I wanted,” Truax said. “I was just a little bit flat. I felt really good coming in but I just couldn’t get my shots off like the last fight. He never hurt me, but it is what it is.

“I gave him a rematch straight away so why not do it again.”

Julian Williams won a 12-round majority decision over Nathaniel Gallimore in a junior middleweight bout.

In round five, Williams was cut over his left eye from an accidental headbutt.

Williams had a big round eleven when he landed a big left hook that started an onslaugh of punches that had Gallimore wobbling for much of the round.

Williams, 154 lbs of Philadelphia won by scores of 117-110, 116-112 and 114-114, and is now 25-1-1.  Gallimore, 153 lbs of Chicago is 20-2-1.

Williams outlanded Gallimore 191-107.

“I wasn’t surprised a judge had a draw,” Williams said. “Sometimes when you’re fighting real close like that, it is hard for judges to score. I knew I won. Once I heard 116-112 and 117-111, I knew I won because I knew he didn’t win eight rounds.

“He is a strong fighter, but I knew he was going to do what he did. Start strong early, but I knew he wasn’t strong after six rounds.

“The hits to the body was all in the game plan. You have to go to the body in a 12 round fight.

“I didn’t really think I won the fight,” Gallimore admitted. “I just let too many early rounds go. I just gave him too many rounds. I had him hurt a couple of times, but he was tough. I should have done more combinations. I will look at the fight and review it, and will make adjustments.”

Emanuel Medina defeated Saul Corral via eight-round unanimous decision in a welterweight bout.

Medina, 146.2 lbs of Los Angeles, CA won by scores of 80-72 twice and 79-73 to keep perfect at 14-0.  Corral, 146 lbs of Sonora, MX is 27-11.

Xavier Martinez remained undefeated by stopping Jairo Vargas in round two of their scheduled six-round junior lightweight bout.

Martinez dropped Vargas in round one. In round Martinez landed a left hook that sent Vargas down again, and the fight was stopped at 1:22.

Martinez, 131 lbs of Sacramento, CA is now 11-0 with 7 knockouts. Vargas, 131.8 lbs of Richmond, VA is 6-4.

Sharone Carter scored a eight-round unanimous decision previously undefeated Ahmed Mahmood in a featherweight bout.

Scores were 79-73, 78-74 and 77-75 for Carter, 125.4 lbs of St. Louis to raise his record to 9-2. Mahmood, 124.5 lbs of Detroit, MI is 7-1-1.

Billy Dib will take on Tevin Farmer for the Interim IBF Junior Lightweight title, according to Dan Rafael of espn.com.

“Be advised that No. 3 Billy Dib and No. 4 Tevin Farmer are the two highest-ranked available contenders in the IBF junior lightweight division and have indicated a willingness to participate in this interim title fight,” the IBF wrote to representatives of Manny Pacquiao’s MP Promotions, which represents Dib, and Lou DiBella, who promotes Farmer. “In an effort to determine who the interim champion will be, the IBF is ordering that a bout should be held between Dib and Farmer for the interim title. The winner will be the interim champion and must fight IBF junior lightweight champion Kenichi Ogawa as soon as he is able to defend the title.”

Said Lou DiBella, “We’re going to accept the fight and figure out a way to get it on. We have to figure out a place to put and a way to get it televised,” DiBella said. “Billy’s my friend. I’ve been friendly with Billy forever but Tevin is younger, faster and fresher. Billy always gives everything he has but I think you have to favor the younger, fresher guy. This is probably the last great opportunity of Billy’s career. It’s a make or break fight for him and we know Billy is not an easy out for Tevin.”

“We accepted the IBF final eliminator against Breazeale. Unfortunately, he did not fancy boxing Kubrat so now the next ranked is Dillian Whyte,” Team Sauerland promoter Nisse Sauerland, Pulev’s promoter, told ESPN on Wednesday. “We are already in dialogue with [Whyte’s] promotional team and would love to take this fight to [Bulgarian capital] Sofia, where Pulev can sell out a stadium. It’s great news for Pulev and Whyte as both want to fight for the world title and this gives a guaranteed shot whilst providing the fans with a super fight along the way.”

“We’ve put all of our eggs in a basket with the WBC [whose belt Wilder holds] and [Whyte is] No. 1, but until the convention comes around they won’t make a move and make him the mandatory,” Hearn told ESPN. “They could also order a final eliminator, so it’s a difficult decision. It’s a good opportunity with Pulev and it’s a fight we fancy. But Whyte is also chasing Deontay Wilder, which might not materialize. I’m not sure yet what Dillian and the team want to do, but I know this: If you are the IBF mandatory you will get a world title shot against someone.”

Eddie Hearn of Matchroom Boxing is set to offer a fight for WBC Heavyweight champ Deontay Wilder to take on his fighter, IBF/WBA/WBO champion Anthony Joshua, according to Dan Rafael of espn.com.

“We’re going to put an offer together this week and look to continue the conversation with Wilder’s team,” Hearn said.

“We’ll be talking about whether Joshua fights again in July or August or we go straight into a Wilder fight in October or November,” Hearn said.

“I spoke to Stephen Espinoza to talk about mapping it out, and he said [a Joshua-Wilder fight] works best for him in September or December.”

“I said we either fight in July or August and then we see what happens, but I want to do a deal now,” Hearn said. “Even if we both fight this summer, I am looking to reach an agreement on this fight prior to our next fight, where we have already signed to fight Wilder in December. Because of the fan demand, it’s important that the fight is actually made now even if they fight one more fight.”

“What I am saying is that I want to make the Joshua-Wilder fight in 2018,” Hearn said. “The question is do we have a fight in the summer and then box Wilder in December or do we go straight into the fight in September or October. That is one of the things I will be speaking with Joshua and Rob about. But the only way I think we should have an interim fight is if the Wilder fight is signed.

“We want it. Joshua wants it bad. It’s the biggest fight in world boxing and it’s for the undisputed world championship. Nobody should be saying Joshua doesn’t want it. He wants it. Look at what he has already done in 21 fights. Nobody should doubt his desire to be in these big fights.”

According to Dan Rafael of espn.com, Caneo Alavrez has withdrawn from his May 5th rematch with Gennady Golovkin due to circumstances around his failed drug test.

“We’re going to have to cancel the May 5 rematch,” Golden Boy Promotions president Eric Gomez said at the beginning of a news conference at the company’s offices in downtown Los Angeles. “As you all know there is a hearing on April 18 and it’s extremely unlikely this will get properly resolved by then and we need enough time to promote this fight.

“Additionally, given the current regulations in Nevada we have been advised, and it is unfortunate, that Canelo won’t be cleared to fight in May. We are hopeful this matter will be resolved and we are hoping Canelo will be cleared so we can reschedule the fight for August or September.”

“I am truly shocked about what has happened and for those who have doubts and suspicions about my integrity, I have always been and always will be clean fighter,” Alvarez, speaking through a translator, said in his first public comments about the situation other than a brief statement he made two weeks ago when the positive test results were announced.

“I want to apologize to HBO, Tecate and Hennessy and all my other sponsors, the media and to everyone who is involved in the promotion of this event, and especially to the fans. I respect this sport. I will always be a clean fighter.”

“To be honest, what Golovkin or his team say doesn’t bother me at all because, No. 1, they are not doctors, not experts,” Alvarez said. “I don’t pay attention to them. It sounds more like an excuse that he doesn’t want to fight me or he’s scared.”
Golden Boy CEO Oscar De La Hoya stood up for his marquee fighter.

“I want to speak to Canelo’s character,” De La Hoya said. “I can assure you that both inside and outside the ring Canelo has always displayed a professionalism and commitment all too absent in the sport. I have known Canelo since he was a teenager and [he has] handled himself with grace and class and showed respect for the sport. He’s the model for what we want the best in our sport to be.

“I sincerely hope that given his unblemished record of having never tested positive in more than 90 tests in and out of competition, you would be willing to give Canelo fair consideration.”

“I want to clarify the situation. I have always done tests with VADA before my fights. They are voluntary,” he said. “I have always agreed to them before my fights and they have always come back negative. I am a clean fighter. On this occasion the results showed small traces of clenbuterol. How did this happen, I don’t know. Unfortunately, there is a public problem in my country of Mexico. Football, cycling, soccer, boxing — people have tested positive for clenbuterol. This can be transmitted through meat in Mexico. Contaminated meat is what caused this. That is my statement. This has happened in all sports.”

To hammer home Alvarez’s point about meat contamination, Golden Boy had Dr. Miguel Angel Nazul, the vice president of the Mexican Federation of Sports Medicine, speak at length about the issue in Mexico.

“I respect the Nevada State Athletic Commission and understand there are certain penalties and sanctions even for unintentional [positive] results,” Alvarez said. “The reality is that unfortunately the rematch will have to wait a little longer. I am truly disappointed and upset that I will not be able to take part in the rematch [on May 5]. I was very much looking forward to the fight and looked forward to proving I am the best in the world.

“I am willing to do whatever [the Nevada commission requests to prove I am a clean fighter. I will do everything in my power to prove that I never intentionally ingested clenbuterol. I have nothing to hide. I wanted to be open and transparent in this process. Because of the respect I have for this sport, I will do whatever I can to show I have not taken this and want to prove I am a clean fighter.”

“That is the fight I want and it’s the fight I want to give the fans,” he said. “As soon as I get the green light, that’s the fight I want.”

“I am looking forward to returning to Las Vegas for my 20th title defense and headlining my first Cinco de Mayo event on May 5,” Golovkin said in a statement provided to ESPN. “It is time for less drama and more fighting.”

“It saddens me people are accusing me of doing something improper,” Alvarez said. “I am proud of the career I’ve had. From here on out I will take precautions before future fights and make sure this never again happens. I am ready for what comes in the future.”

Jerwin Ancajas will defend his IBF Super Flyweight title against Jonas Sultan on May 26th, according to Dan Rafael of espn.com.

“May 26 in Las Vegas will be a real coming-out party for IBF champion Jerwin Ancajas,” Ancajas manager Sean Gibbons said. “Jerwin will headline his first [ESPN event] and fight in first fight in Las Vegas like his idol Manny Pacquiao [did so many times]. Jerwin is facing his countryman Jonas Sultan, but everyone will see on May 26 what I have had the pleasure of seeing, and that is there is only one Filipino IBF 115-pound champion, and that is Jerwin Ancajas.”

Manny Pacquiao will take on WBA Welterweight champion Lucas Matthysse on July 14th in Malaysia, according to Dan Rafael of espn.com.

“Signed, sealed, and delivered: Proud to officially announce that WBA welterweight world champion Lucas Matthysse will put his title on the line against Manny Pacquiao in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on Saturday night July 14 (U.S. time),” Golden Boy Promotions CEO Oscar De La Hoya, who promotes Matthysse, wrote on his social media.

Pacquiao will go into the fight without his longtime trainer, International Boxing Hall of Famer Freddie Roach, overseeing his camp or corner. Koncz said Pacquiao has replaced Roach with Buboy Fernandez, Pacquiao’s lifelong friend and the career-long assistant trainer who has been with him for every fight.

“That’s Manny’s decision. Manny has told me Buboy will be handling the training on this fight,” Koncz said. “What’s important to Manny is that he has one voice to listen to in the corner that he trusts, and I guess that’s Buboy for this fight.”

Asked about the reason Pacquiao decided to make a change — without notifying Roach — Koncz said, “There was some concerns Manny had in the last fight and some statements Freddie made to the media that Manny wasn’t very pleased about.”

“We are very pleased and privileged that ESPN will be part of this fight because of the tremendous viewing audience we had for the Australian fight,” Koncz said.

“We’re working together on this fight,” Koncz said. “They’ve done good for us for a long time, and we’ve done good for them for a long time. So we’re working with them on this fight. We don’t have any disputes with Top Rank. Hopefully, this fight with Matthysse is a big success and Manny is victorious, and then we can see if we can do a fight with [Vasiliy] Lomachenko with Top Rank in the fall.”

“[Arum] is invited [to the fight], and there’s no problem,” Pacquiao recently told reporters in the Philippines. “I think after my fight with Matthysse, we will talk regarding the possible Pacquiao-Lomachenko fight in the future. That is a good fight because he is a champion, and I’ll be challenged to become a champion again. At the same time, I don’t want the people to say that [the fight with Matthysse is] just a tune-up fight.”

“We had to schedule this fight so the senate wasn’t in session and wouldn’t interfere with Manny’s training,” Koncz said.

According to Dan Rafael of espn.com, unified middleweight champion Gennady Golovkin will fight on May 5th weather it is against Canelo Alvarez or not.

“GGG wants to fight on May 5 in Las Vegas, so in order to do that we have to go through the commission procedure and the official process,” Golovkin Promoter Tom Loeffler told ESPN on Monday.

“Anyone who booked a plane ticket or who was planning to come to Las Vegas for Cinco de Mayo weekend to see GGG fight, don’t cancel your ticket, because we’re planning a GGG fight on May 5, whether it’s against Canelo or somebody else,” Loeffler said.

EDITOR’S PICKS
Candidates to step in to face GGG if Canelo gets longer suspension
There’s a chance the Canelo Alvarez-Gennady Golovkin rematch won’t happen on May 5 due to Alvarez’s two positive tests. But don’t you worry. Dan Rafael has a list of possible opponents who could step in to face GGG if needed.

Refunds offered for Canelo-GGG rematch
MGM Resorts International is offering ticket buyers a full refund on tickets because of the probability that the fight will be canceled.

“We’re weighing all the options right now,” Loeffler said. “Obviously, the biggest fight in boxing is GGG and Canelo in their rematch in May. If we can’t do it then, GGG wants to stay active, but no one opponent has been selected yet.”

Lightweight world champion Jorge Linares will not have Ismael Salas in his corner when he faces Vasyl Lomachenko on May 12 at Madison Square Garden, according to Dan Rafael of espn.com.

Salas, however, is in London training one of his other top fighters, former heavyweight titleholder David Haye, for his rematch with Tony Bellew on May 5 at the O2 Arena in London.

Taking the reigns as head trainer is Carlos Linares, Jorge’s younger brother, who has been part of his team for years. Jorge Linares also will have other regulars from his team with him, including cutman and assistant trainer Rudy Hernandez and strength and conditioning coach Jorge Capetillo.

“We did not leave Salas and Salas did not leave me,” Linares said through interpreter Robert Diaz, the matchmaker for his promoter, Golden Boy Promotions. “It was just a scheduling conflict. It was a conflict that made it difficult for us to be together for this fight. I understand. I’m not upset about it at all. I have all his advice and teachings that I need to do. It’s always there in spirit, and we can talk over the phone [during training camp]. We still communicate. This is not a breakup.”

“Linares is a very experienced fighter,” Diaz said. “Salas has been good for him, but Jorge knows what to do for this fight, and he is very motivated. He knows how important this fight with Lomachenko is. But this is also a fight Jorge and I have been talking about for two years. Jorge picked Lomachenko to fight. He told [Golden Boy CEO] Oscar [De La Hoya] that he wanted the biggest fight, and this is it.”

“Lomachenko could have picked an easier fight,” Linares said. “But he wants to fight the best. He wants the crown. I respect Lomachenko, and I am very motivated for this fight. Like people say, I also consider him the pound-for-pound best in boxing. That’s what motivates me. I am so thankful to my team for getting me this fight. This is what I have been working for.

“I know I have to work hard, but at the same time, Lomachenko is coming up in weight. He’s the challenger and I am the champion. My thing is I am going to remain the champion after this fight and show people how good I am. This is what I have always wanted, and I am grateful to ESPN, [Lomachenko promoter] Top Rank and Lomachenko for this opportunity to show how good I am.”

Mark DeLuca stopped Ramses Agaton in round seven of their scheduled eight-round super welterweight bout at the Marina Bay Sportsplex in Quincy, Massachusetts.

In round two, DeLuca dropped Agaton with a right hand. In round three, a clash of heads caused a nasty gash around the right eye of Agaton. In round four, Agaton was deducted 2 points for a low blows, but replays showed it was actually DeLucas who landed below the belt.

In round seven, DeLuca landed a left hook to the body that sent Agaton to the canvas. Agaton got to his feet, but the fight was stopped at 2:17.

DeLuca, 154 lbs of Whitman, MA is now 21-0 with 13 knockouts. Agaton, 151 lbs of Mexico City is now 20-8-3.

When you know you’re fighting against a guy from Mexico, you’ve got to be in shape,” said Mark Deluca. “You’ve got to be ready because they don’t come in easy. He [Agaton] was very ready and game. Being patient and picking my shots was the toughest part of this fight because I didn’t want to get caught with anything. I’ll be back in the gym on Monday. I’m sure they’ll have something planned for me and I’m ready to get back in the ring.”

Jason Quigley stopped Daniel Rosario in round six of their scheduled eight-round super middleweight bout.

Rosario had his nose bloodied in round five. In the next round, Quigley dropped Roario with a perfect left hook to the body. Moments later, it was another left hook that sent Rosario down in obvious pain, and the bout was stopped at 2:51.

Quigley, 159.4 lbs of Donegal, IRE is 14-0 with 11 knockouts. Rosario, 161 lbs of San Juan, PR is 11-4.

“My new team helped me take my opponent down,”said Jason Quigley. “He was a tough kid and had never been stopped. I knew this was the perfect fight to come back and see where I’m at. I broke him down, and when I shook the ring rust out, I took him out.”

Yamaguchi Falcao remained undefeated by scoring a eight-round unanimous decision over Richar Gutierrez in a middleweight bout.

Falcao tripped on the fight of Gutierrez in the 1st round while Gutierrez was landing a combination, and it was scored a knockdown in favor of Gutierrez. In round three, Gutierrez suffered a cut around the right eye.

In round five, Falcao landed a hard combination that sent Gutierrez to the canvas.

Falcao, 159.6 lbs of Sao Paulo, BRA won by scores of 79-73, 78-72 and 78-71 to raise his perfect mark to 14-0. Gutierrez, 159 lbs of Arjona, BRA is 30-18-2.

“The fight was a bit tough because he [Gutierrez] is a bit of a dirty fighter,” said Yamaguchi Falcao. “I’m ready, though. I have big dreams, and I want my opportunity. When I fight with bigger names, I’ll know what to do.”

Damon Allen, Jr won a eight-round split decision over Alexis Del Bosque in a super lightweight bout.

Allen won two cards 78-74 and 77-75. Del Bosque took a card 77-75.

Allen, 137 lbs of Philadelphia is 15-0-1. Del Bosque, 134.2 lbs of Dallas, TX is 13-5.

Travis Gambardella stopped Lionel Young in the 4th and final scheduled round of their super middleweight bout.

Gambardella battered Young against the ropes in the 4th round, and the bout was stopped at 1:57.

Gambardella, 159 lbs of Revere, MA is 3-1-1 with 1 knockout. Young, 160.4 lbs of Brockton, MA is 1-6.

Unified Welterweight champion suffered a hand injury and now will not be fighting on May 19th, according to Dan Rafael of espn.com.

Thurman suffered a deep bruise to his left hand and has been forced to pull out of his next fight.

The potential May 5th bout between Canelo Alvarez and Gennady Golovkin is now in serious jeopardy after a hearing for Alvarez positive test for a performance enhancer has been pushed back to April 18 because Nevada State Athletic Commission executive director Bob Bennett has filed a formal complaint against Canelo Alvarez for doping violations, according to Dan Rafael of espn.com.

The complaint, signed Tuesday and made public on Thursday, all but seals the deal that Alvarez’s much-anticipated rematch with unified middleweight world champion Gennady Golovkin, scheduled to headline a major HBO PPV event on May 5 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, will be canceled. It is extremely rare for the commission to issue a complaint against a fighter for doping violations and for the fighter to go unpunished.

“After completing my investigation, I made the determination to file a complaint against Mr. Alvarez and set the matter for a disciplinary hearing during the commission’s regularly scheduled meeting on April 18,” Bennett said.

“We’re waiting for the official decision from the commission, but GGG is training and preparing for May 5 and that’s what he wants to do — fight May 5,” Golovkin promoter Tom Loeffler told ESPN. “Naturally, Canelo is the top priority and if for some reason Canelo is not available, we’ll have to weigh all the options at that point. But as of right now we’re waiting to get more direction from the commission.”

According to Dan Rafael of espn.com, Jeff Horn will defend the WBO Welterweight title against Terence Crawford on June 9th at The MGM Grand in Las Vegas.

“It’s exciting to see ‘Bud’ Crawford move up to the welterweight division. In Jeff Horn, he fights a big, rough, tough welterweight who won the title from one of the greats, Manny Pacquiao,” Top Rank chairman Bob Arum said.

“I cannot wait to get back in the ring on June 9 and win the WBO welterweight championship,” said Crawford, who has remained in training camp in Colorado Springs, Colorado, since the injury. “Jeff Horn and his team better be ready, because they are going to see a bigger, stronger and more powerful Terence Crawford. I am going home with that belt.”

“We are excited to be fighting at MGM Grand and attempting to win another world title in a higher weight class, the welterweight division, which is stacked with talent,” McIntyre said. “We are looking forward to fighting a really aggressive and determined fighter in Jeff Horn. June 9 will be another great night for Team Crawford in Las Vegas.”

“Defending the world title successfully a second time is a must,” said Horn, who was a 2012 Olympian. “Crawford is a very talented fighter and deserves his accolades. I will be on a mission to prove the doubters wrong. Obviously, I am a very competitive guy who works really hard to achieve his goals.

“Crawford is a brilliant boxer, but I am coming to win, and I will win. Crawford’s trash talk has only inspired me that much more to shock the world once again.”

According to Dan Rafael of espn.com, MGM Resorts are giving refunds to the Canelo Alvarez – Gennady Golovkin bout, thus adding speculation that the bout could be cancelled due to Alvarez testing positive to a performance enhancer.

“Business as usual in training camp,” Golden Boy posted along with the video. “Canelo working the heavy bag under the watchful eye of (trainer Eddy Reynoso).”

“If a fan requests a refund for the Canelo-GGG 2 fight they may receive one, in full, at the original point of purchase,” an MGM Resorts International spokesman told ESPN in an email on Wednesday night.

According to Dan Rafael of espn.com, Sergio Mora will battle Alfredo Angulo on April 7th as part ofthe Erislandy Lara – Jarrett Hurd undercard in Las Vegas, according to Dan Rafael of espn.com.

“It was a fight I was trying to avoid for quite a while. Perro is a friend,” Mora told ESPN on Tuesday. “Ultimately, the more time that passed the more it made sense for both of us. He’s been inactive just as long as I have and I was not being offered anything worth accepting, so I guess we both agreed.”

Former world champion Amir Khan will be trained by Joe Goossen after Khan’s trainer Virgil Hunter came down with health issues, according to Dan Rafael of espn.com.

“Virgil Hunter experienced a health scare this week and was hospitalized,” said in a statement. “We are happy to report that he is recovering and getting stronger every day. We appreciate everyone’s thoughts and prayers and request that his privacy be respected while he recovers. There will not be any further statements made at this time as we allow him to heal.”

“Virgil wasn’t too well, so I needed someone else in with the same experience and who could help me,” Khan told ESPN on Monday. “Me and Joe spent a week together in a boxing gym in (San Francisco). I felt good working with him and glad he came at such notice. He’s helping me on a few areas and I like the work he’s doing with me. We’re breaking down the fight with me and Lo Greco and setting up a game plan to go in the fight with.”

Michael Conlan has been added to the May 12th Jorge Linares – Vasyl Lomachenko card at Madison Square Garden, according to Dan Rafael of espn.com

“Hopefully, we’ll be able to get a fight with someone undefeated because I want to step up again and show what I can do,” Conlan said. “It felt great to be in there against Berna. The fans turned out and the atmosphere was simply amazing. I wish the fight had gone on longer, but that’s the way it goes sometimes.”

“My trainer, Adam Booth, has brought back what I’m good at, which is using my boxing skills to break opponents down rather than steam in there and try to take them out quickly,” Conlan said. “It was a two-day party afterwards. I had a great time but then it was straight back in the gym and preparing for the next one. There are talks about fighting in Belfast in the summer and this fight will set that up.”

Newly crowned WBC Super Lightweight champion Jose Ramirez is mandated to face interim champion Regis Prograis, according to Dan Rafael of espn.com.

“Since Jose won the title, we’ve been busy, but he is also looking forward to enjoying these events in his honor,” manager Rick Mirigian told ESPN. “He loves his community and they love him.”

Fans would be advised not to shake his right hand too hard, however. According to Mirigian, Ramirez suffered a “tiny fracture” at the base of his thumb on his right hand during the action-packed fight with Imam.

“It’s nothing significant. The doctor said he needed to rest it for 30 days and it should be fine,” Mirigian said. “It’s a tiny fracture at the bottom of his thumb. It’s nothing that needed surgery or was that severe. The doctor just recommended he not use it for the next 30 days.”

“Consistent to the WBC ruling during the world annual convention in Baku, Azerbaijan, the WBC is hereby ordering the free negotiations period for the mandatory fight to unify the WBC and the WBC interim championships,” Sulaiman wrote.

“Once again, congratulations and we look forward to a tremendous fight, which is already of the world interest,” Sulaiman wrote.

Ramirez said he has no problem fighting Prograis next if that has to be the case. “I signed up to fight the best to become the best. I fear no one,” Ramirez said. “We know Prograis should be next and I’m willing to take on the challenge that we both deserve. I will rest and enjoy the moment for a couple of weeks, and then start where I left off.”

He’s a good fighter, but I don’t think he brings much value to the table for a big fight until someone promotes him. Let him get known somewhat and you’ve got something,” Mirigian said. “I agree with Arum that he needs the exposure, but Jose will fight him. But for a big fight to happen, I just feel this guy needs some more promotion under him.

“He needs to be built somewhat outside the ring. We’ve put the work in outside the ring as well as inside the ring. Jose is ready to fight this guy and that’s what he wants, but we’ll let Bob Arum and Top Rank make those decisions. But I agree with what Top Rank is proposing to make the fight bigger.”

Top Rank is ready to make the fight with Prograis next if it has to.

“There have been some very preliminary discussions [with DiBella] about a couple of different scenarios,” Top Rank vice president Carl Moretti told ESPN. “However it may work out, it works out. And if we have to fight Regis next, then that’s what will happen. He’s a terrific fighter, as is Jose, but I don’t view [Prograis] as a second coming of Henry Armstrong.”

According to Dan Rafael of espn.com, newy minted IBF 140 lb. champion Mikey Garcia will elect to keep that title and vacate his WBC Lightweight title.

Garcia is now mandated to face Ivan Baranchyk.

We are going to sit down and see what can be done,” Ringstar Promotions Richard Schaefer said. “I talked to Lou. We talked about the fight and said we should wait until Mikey is back from Belize and then connect next week. So when Mike is back, Lou and I will talk. But Mikey’s intentions are to defend the title.”

Lou DiBella said he hoped that Garcia would go through with the fight with Baranchyk.

“I don’t know, but it appears they’re going to do the fight with Baranchyk,” DiBella said. “Ivan is not going to give up the opportunity he has earned to fight for the title. I did call Richard after I got the letter from the IBF, and we agreed we would talk in a week or so. We’re sitting back and waiting. We are in a good situation. Either Baranchyk will fight Mikey for the title, or he will fight for the vacant title.”

The postponed WBO Welterweight title bout between Jeff Horn and Terence Crawford has been rescheduled for June 9th at The MGM Grand in Las Vegas, according to Dan Rafael of espn.com.

The bout was postponed last week after Crawford injured his right hand in training.

According to Dan Rafael of espn.com, The Nevada Commisiion has temporarily suspended Canelo Alvarez, thus putting his May 5th rematch with Canelo Alvarez in Jeopardy pending a hearing on April 10th.

Alvarez will be required to appear at a commission hearing — either in person or via telephone — on the issue April 10, less than a month before he is to challenge Golovkin in a heavily anticipated rematch of their controversial draw at the same venue in September. ?The commission will decide at the hearing whether the fight will go ahead as scheduled.

“Mr. Alvarez is temporarily suspended by the Nevada State Athletic Commission for his adverse analytical findings, that being clenbuterol, on Feb. 17 and 20,” Nevada Commission Exexutive Director Bob Bennett said in a statement. “A commission hearing is scheduled for April 10, 2018, to hear from Mr. Alvarez.”

“We respect the Nevada State Athletic Commission’s process and will vigorously present Canelo’s case throughout,” Golden Boy Promotions spokesman Stefan Friedman said in a statement to ESPN. “Over his career, Canelo has tested clean more than 90 times and would never intentionally take a banned substance.”

“Again with Mexican meat? Come on,” Golovkin said Tuesday. “I told you, it’s not Mexican meat. This is Canelo. This is his team. This is his promotion. Canelo is cheating. They’re using these drugs, and everybody is just trying to pretend it’s not happening.

“This guy, he knows. This is not his first day in boxing. He proves he gets benefits from everyone and he can get away with it. Check him on a lie detector, and then we can find out everything.”

Speaking by phone to ESPN later Tuesday, Golovkin added, “I think it is silly to blame the meat because an athlete at this level should not be caught on the meat. I eat Mexican food all the time, and I’ve never had that problem.”

“GGG is in full training-camp mode right now, and he wants to fight May 5 regardless of what happens,” Golovkin promoter Tom Loeffler told ESPN on Friday night. “The commission did issue the temporary suspension for Canelo, but everything is subject to what happens April 10 at their hearing. On the GGG side, he’s fired up. He’s on edge for this fight. This fight was really getting red-hot and nearing being sold out after this week. On the GGG side, whenever he can get Canelo in the rematch, he’ll fight him. Gennady felt he was wronged [by the decision] the first time. That’s where some of those comments came out in the heat of the training camp this week. As soon as he can get him back in the ring, whether it’s on May 5 or on a future date, he’ll do his best to knock out Canelo. The respect he had for him in the first fight is out the window after this. All the pleasantries are out the window.”

“We definitely respect the commission for their thorough investigation. I have to commend them for what they’re doing,” Loeffler said. “Canelo has cooperated with them from [what] they’ve said, and they’ve subjected him to numerous tests since the failed tests. Whatever the commission does, Gennady would still fight May 5 if Canelo is out.

“If for some reason it’s not against Canelo, we’ll figure out the best course of action at that time, but he is training to fight May 5. We’d look at [middleweight titlist] Billy Joe Saunders or anyone else who makes sense. Hopefully, it’s Canelo. If not, we will weigh the options and meet with HBO and the people from the MGM [owner of T-Mobile Arena].”

Jose Martinez and Alex Santiago battled to their 2nd draw in a 10-round super flyweight bout in Ponce, Puerto Rico.

It was an entertaining affair with plenty of back and forth exchanges.

Each fighter took a card 96-94, and one card read even at 95-95.

Martinez, 114.8 lbs of Las Marias, PR is 20-0-2. Santiago 114.3 lbs of Tijuana, MX is 16-2-4.

“I really think that I won this fight,” said Jose Martinez. “I was all over him [Santiago]. There were some rounds he won, but I won the fight. It was a bit different this time because he was moving and boxing a bit more, but I was there to fight. It’s a draw and I respect the judges, but I will keep working hard and will see soon what my promoter has planned for me.”

“I got robbed again,” said Alejandro Santiago. “I am disappointed. I beat him in his own hometown. It’s really disappointing because I came twice to fight for this championship and both times there were draws. It’s unbelievable. I worked really hard just so that it could end in a draw.”

Lucas Fernandez survived a 1st round knockdown to come back to stop previously undefeated Joshua Franco in round nine of their scheduled ten round super flyweight bout.

In round two, Fernandez was cut around his left eye. Later in the round, Franco landed an uppercut that sent Fernandez hard to the canvas. Franco was controlling the action for the balance of the fight.

In round nine, Fernandez came back to land a had six punch flurry that hurt Franco, and the bout was stopped at 46 seconds.

Fernandez, 114 lbs of Santa Fe, ARG is now 12-1-1 with 9 knockouts. Franco, 114 lbs of San Antonio, TX is 13-1.

Josean Serra stopped Marco Sanchez in round three of their scheduled six-round super flyweight bout.

Serra dropped Sanchez in round two with a left to the body. Serra finished Sanchez with a similar shot in the next frame, and the bout was stopped at 1:27.

Serra, 114 lbs of Ponce, PR is now 12-1 with eight knockouts. Sanchez, 115 lbs of Mexicali, MX is 12-7-3.

Danielito Zorilla scored two knockdowns en route to a six-round unanimous decision over Clifford Gray in a welterweight bout.

Zorrilla dropped Gray in round four with a counter right. In round five, it was a straight right that sent Gray to the Canvas.

Zorilla, 146 lbs of Toa Baja, PR won by scores of 60-52 on all cards and is now 5-0. Gray, 146 lbs of Miami, FL falls to 1-4.

Whyte cut Browne over his left eye in round one from a right hand. Whyte continued to batter Browne over the next five rounds with an assortment of body punches and ripping hooks to the head. Whyte had a a little blood from the nose in round five.

In round six, Browne’s left eye was a bloody mess and that was coupled with cuts from his nose and mouth. Whyte landed a right over the top that was followed by a left to the jaw that sent Browne down and out on his stomach. Browme would lay motionless on the canvas for several minuted and would eventually need oxygen.

The time of the stoppage was 37 seconds for Whyte, 254.2 lbs of London, UK, who now seeks a world title bout with a record of 23-1 with 17 knockouts. Browne, 264.5 lbs of Sydney, Australia is now 25-1.

Professional boxing returned to the Seminole Hard Rock and Casino in Hollywood Florida tonight with “Rumble at the Rock” as presented by Kris Lawrence and The Heavyweight Factory.

In a crowd pleasing main event Pilipino Reymart “GenSan Assassin” Gaballo 19-0(17KO) fought his way to a WBA title with a well-earned unanimous decision victory over St Louis’s Stephon “Showstopper” Young 18-1-3(7KO). Young ended up on the canvas once in the lone knockdown early in the fight, a round which saw Young barely make it out of. Gaballo controlled pace throughout the fight, with aggression and a straight right hand that was very accurate. Young fought off of his back foot from the knockdown on until round 11 where the St Louis product seemed to dig deep change his fight plan and finally let his hands go. A very strong finish to the fight had Young winning the last two rounds but clearly not enough for the victory as Gaballo had control of rounds 2 through 10 and ultimately was crowned WBA champion of the Bantamweight division by way of a unanimous decision.

Former WBA World Super Bantamweight Champion Juan Carlos Payano 19-1, (9 KOs) came off the canvas in round three to comeback and claim the NABO Intercontinental Super Bantamweight title in a unanimous decision win over previously undefeated Philippine “Magic” Mike Plania 14-0, (7 KOs) Thirty-three-year-old southpaw Payano, a native of the Dominican Republic, who now lives in Miami, is in the third fight of his mission to regain his world championship. He has now notched three solid victories since splitting a pair of championship fights with top-level bantam Rau’shee Warren. After 10 rounds of a competitive match the official cards read 96-93, and two at 97-92 for Payano.

Two time Olympic Bronze medalist Ivan Dychko 8-0(7KO) demolished Stephan Kirnon 2-1(2KO) in under one minute. The 6’9” Dychko connected with nearly every punch through the fight and a final combination that put the Miami based fighter on his back for several minutes. Where it seemed too easy for Dychko, his superior skills shined impressively tonight.

Fast-rising Hawaiian welterweight prospect Logan “Korican Kid” Yoon (10-0, 10 KOs) stepped up in competition tonight and won the NABO Super Lightweight title when he faced Mexican former two-time world champion Juan Carlos Salgado (27-7-1, 16 KOs) The Korican Kid found out the same punches that took out his previous opponents, did not seem to affect the Mexican former champion, however this did not slow his attack as he kept a high accurate punch output outpointing Salgado in a spirited affair while going the distance for the first time in his young career. A strong finish by Yoon made for exciting final rounds that included the only knockdown of the fight in round nine. This prospect is officially turning into a contender. The cards read 98-91 ad 97-92 100-89.

The action got started early with a familiar name as Roberto Duran Jr 1-0-(1KO) made a successful debut with an impressive knockout win over Miguel Morales. Duran Jr. the oldest son of the legend Roberto Duran, picked his shots throughout the four-round tussle ultimately setting a beautiful uppercut that put Morales to the canvas midway through round four. Morales able to rise to his feet was met with 3 more power shots that again showed him the canvas. Official time was 2:21 in round 4.

Jorge De Jesus Romero from Miami kept the train rolling with a knockout win over Szilverszter Ajtai 12-10-9. Romero was too much for the Hungarian Ajtai. The stoppage came at 2:01 of the 2nd round.

Boca Raton Steve “The Ambassador” Geffrard 17-2(12KO) picked up a nice hometown KO win over Zoltan Sera 38-19(20KO). Geffrard hunted Sera down with sharp jabs, strong right hands, uppercuts and left hooks to the body. Sera threw wild haymakers and often held on for dear life after each combination the American Born Haitian Geffrard threw. Geffrard put Sera on the floor a few times through the bout until Sam Burgos finally waved a stop to the fight at 39 seconds of round four with an official TKO win for Steve Geffrard

Kazakhstan born Mussa Tursyngaliyev 8-0(7KO) won the NABA USA title tonight with a 3rd round TKO win over Luis Hinojosa. Tursyngaliyev, now fighting out of Miami showed his enormous power from the start of round one against Dominican fighter Luis Hinojosa 31-14. Hinojosa is as game as they come eating leather without ever taking a step back, exception only when getting knocked back or knocked down. By the advice of his corner the fight was called after the third round officially a TKO title win for Tursyngaliyev.

Sam Rodriguez 5-2(3KO) of Palm Bay Florida came to fight as the underdog and pulled off the upset over crowd favorite Jessy Cruz 12-7. In a very entertaining back and forth battle putting Cruz on the canvas on his way to a unanimous decision win.

Harold Calderon 15-0(9KO) from Miami kept his perfect record in tact with a 3rd round TKO win over tough Ronald Montes 18-8(16KO) from Barranquilla COL. Calderon seemed to have problems with the awkward Montes however the punishment he took in the first three rounds were enough for his corner to wave his fighter off at the end of the third officially giving Calderon a TKO win.

Since starting his career in August of 2016 John David Martinez has put together a nice, but untested unbeaten record of 9-0. Pretty Boy Martinez added another win to his record, this one was questionable as he was awarded a majority decision win over Jose Cortes to the displeasure of the crowd. I had the fight a draw the same as judge number one 57-57 where the other two judges scored 58-56.

Special Guests included former heavyweight champions Michael Moorer, Riddick “Big Daddy” Bowe Evander “The Real Deal” Holyfield and Timberland.

Ryan Garcia viciously stopped Fernando Vargas in the 1st round of their scheduled 10-round super featherweight bout at The Fantasy Springs Resort in Indio, California.

Garcia landed a right hand that was followed by a left hand that sent Vargas plummeting on his back, and the bout was stopped at 2:55.

Garcia, 129.6 lbs of Victorville, CA is 14-0 with 13 knocmouts. Vargas, 129.2 lbs of Tijuana, MX is 33-16-3.

Eddie Gomez scored a 2nd round stoppage over KeAndre Gibson in a sched 10-round welterweight bout.

Gomez landed a perfect counter right to the jaw that sent Gibson down. Gibson got up but wobbled toward the referee and the bout was stopped at 54 seconds.

Gomez, 147 lbs of Bronx, NY is now 21-3 with 12 knockouts. Gibson, 146.2 lbs of St. Louis, MO is 18-2-1.

Aaron McKenna stopped Jose Palacios in the 1st round of their scheduled four-round super welterweight bout.

McKenna dropped Palacios with a left to the liver. McKenna continues to land hard shots until Palacios pointed to his head and the bout was stopped at 2:46

McKenna, 149.6 lbs of County Monaghan, IRE is 2-0 with one knockout. Palacios, Chihuahua, MX is 1-2.

Rumors abound the UFC could be pursuing Heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua to sign a boxing contract, according to reports from Gareth Davies of the Morning Telegraph.

Dana White is making a bid to sign Joshua to a multi-fight deal that could be worth upward of $500 million, according to a report Wednesday in the United Kingdom’s Daily Telegraph.

“Listen, I’m riding with Eddie (Hearn). I’ve been riding with Eddie. He got me from the get-go,” Joshua said. “I’m not into the UFC, so I don’t know what their plans are. … I’m interested because we can all work together. Remember, mine and Eddie’s relationship is a really good working relationship. And I’m sure Eddie has an interest in working with Dana White. If it’s good business, it makes sense.

“We’ll listen and 100 percent, if it makes sense we’re all ears, man. I’m happy that Dana is coming into the game. Hopefully, he can add some excitement and we can progress forward and make some good money and make some good fights.”

“If Dana White wants to speak to us, obviously Anthony is with us, we’re willing to talk to anybody,” Hearn said on Wednesday night’s media call. “We do great business with everyone — Bernd Boente, Duco Events. I work with Top Rank, Golden Boy, Al Haymon. We work with anyone if the business is right.”

Then Hearn drew a big laugh when he added, “In the meantime, I’ll sign [UFC top draw] Conor McGregor and it will all be fair.”

The sources declined to speak on the record because the fight is not yet signed, but the HBO-televised bout is likely to take place as soon as June 23 but not later than the end of the July. It is expected to take place at the Hulu Theater at Madison Square Garden, site of Kovalev’s most recent two fights.

Terence Crawford hurt his right hand, which will force the postponement of his April 14th Welterweight title bout with undefeated champion Jeff Horn, according to Dan Rafael of espn.com.

“He hurt his hand hitting a guy on top of the head gear,” promoter Bob Arum said. “We’ve gotten him treated by the best hand doctors. He had an MRI, and there is no ligament tear, thank God. The doctor prescribed two weeks of rest, and then he should be ready to go. We’ll put the fight sometime in late May or early June, but that depends on how Terence’s hand is feeling.”

“The hand is in the process of healing and one thing with Terence is he loves to train so he’s been training and running and doing what he can do without using the hand,” McIntyre said. “This is a little road bump. We’re gonna stay out here in Colorado Springs and once we get word from the doctor we’ll be ready to go. We’ll see how Terence feels and we’ll talk to Top Rank about a new date, but we’re definitely going to stay in camp and keep training. The guy he was sparring with has a hard head. When we do come back we’ll come back stronger and more determined.”

“This is his first injury,” Arum said of Crawford. “He was disappointed but he didn’t want to take a risk and go in without having a bad wing.”

According to Dan Rafael of espn.com, the much anticipated lightweight championship bout between Jorge Linares and Vasyl Lomachenko will happen on May 12th at Madison Square Garden.

The fight will be televised at 8 PM ET. The time of the bout was a sticking point as Golden Boy Promotions (Linares promoter) has the replay of the previous week Camelo Alvarez – Gennady Golovkin rematch plus a live fight featuring Sadam Ali scheduled for 10 PM that night on HBO, and the promoter did not want to promote against one of it’s fights on a different network.

After negotiating, ESPN agreed to move the time up for the Linares – Lomachenko bout to satisfy all parties.

According to Dan Rafael of espn.com, IBF Lightweight champion Robert Easter, Jr. has been ordered to rematch Richard Commey.

“Your mandatory defense is due on or before March 30, 2018,” the IBF wrote. “The leading available contender is No. 1 Richard Commey. … Negotiations should start immediately and be concluded by April 12, 2018. If you are unable to reach an agreement by April 12, 2018, the IBF will call for a purse bid to determine who will promote the bout, when and where.”

Commey knocked Luna down twice in the sixth round before referee David Fields waved it off at 1 minute, 54 seconds.

“He was exactly what I expected and if I had connected on more of my punches in the beginning I think the fight would have been over earlier,” Commey said. “I was really trying to work on what we had been focusing on in camp but I just wasn’t performing well at the start of the fight.

“It is the greatest feeling to get the win on my 31st birthday. I am looking forward to fighting for the 135-pound world title and becoming champion.”