Adonis Stevenson destroyed Andrzej Fonfara in round two to defend his WBC Light Heavyweight title at Bell Centre in Montreal.

Stevenson dropped Fonfara in round one with hard left.  Stevenson almost finished Fonfara off in the first round as he pummeled him all over the ring.  Stevenson came out in round two by landing four hard straight lefts and Fonfara’s trainer Virgil Hunter stopped the bout 28 seconds into the frame.

This was Stevenson’s 2nd win over Fonfara as he won a unanimous decision in 2014.

Stevenson is now 29-1 with 24 knockouts.  Fonfara is now 29-5.

Eleider Alvarez won a 12-round majority decision over former world champion Jean Pascal in a light heavyweight bout.

Alvarez won the fight with better activity and used an effective jab to set up flurries.  Pascal had some success fighting in small spurts, but it was Alvarez who took the fight by scores of 117-111, 116-112 and 114-114.

Alvarez is 23-0.  Pascal is 31-5-1.

Leon Lawson Jr. was suspended by the Maryland Athletic Commission following his Sucker punch on Jose Uzcategui on May 20th, according to Dan Rafael of espn.com.

“Based on an initial investigation of events that took place on May 20, 2017 during a professional boxing show held at MGM National Harbor in Oxon Hill, Maryland, licensed second [cornerman] Leon Lawson II was summarily suspended by the Maryland State Athletic Commission as of May 23, 2017 for exhibiting unruly conduct in violation of commission regulations,” Maryland State Athletic Commission Executive Director Patrick Pannella said in a statement given to ESPN on Thursday.

“Such action is pursuant to Maryland state law authorizing the summary suspension of a licensee where the commission finds that the public health, safety and welfare imperatively requires emergency action.

“The action was taken as a result of Mr. Lawson punching professional boxer Jose Uzcategui in the face following the conclusion of the boxing contest between Mr. Uzcategui and Andre Dirrell. The Maryland State Athletic Commission’s suspension of Mr. Lawson was issued on an indefinite basis. The commission is continuing its investigation and takes this matter very seriously.”

Lawson is still wanted by police but, according to MLive.com, Lawson has agreed to turn himself in to authorities. According to the website, attorney Frank J. Manley is representing Lawson, and the lawyer said that Lawson will turn himself in and appear in Prince George’s County District Court on Friday.

“It’s important to understand that Mr. Lawson has not been on the run, but rather his attorneys have been negotiating with the authorities in Maryland to have a voluntary turn in,” Manley said, according to the website. “He looks forward to resolving this matter.”

“On Thursday, May 25 the IBF received a written request from Jose Uzcategui’s advisor, Sean Gibbons, and his promoter, Zanfer Promotions, asking for a review of the Uzcategui vs. Dirrell bout,” the IBF said in a statement. “Uzcategui’s camp claims that referee Bill Clancy made an erroneous call when ruling that their fighter deliberately punched Andre Dirrell after the bell. They have requested that the IBF review the fight and order an immediate rematch. A fighter’s safety in the ring is of great importance to the IBF and Lawson’s action will be addressed by the organization.”

Chinese born and Kazakh hopeful Kanat “QazaQ” Islam won the WBO NABO and the WBA Intercontinental junior middleweight titles in Boca Raton Florida with a unanimous decision win over Norberto “Demonio” Gonzalez of Nuevo Leon Monterrey Mexico. Styles make fights and styles made a slow start to this fight as both fighters excellent defense created a snail’s pace for the first three rounds. Islam 24-0(19KO) of Almaty, Kazakhstan compatriot, and friend Gennady Golovkin started finding his mark beyond the fourth round and his high punch output was paying nice dividends while outpunching Gonzalez 23-9(13KO). With excellent defensive awareness, Islam works sharp inside slipping and countering, however, the closeness also caused several headbutts throughout the bout to which Gonzalez often complained to the referee. By virtue of the headbutts, a couple of nasty cuts opened over Demonios’ eyes early and he fought on through the last several rounds with a blood mask and the heart of a lion. Finally, in the 12th round, a point was deducted from Islam for headbutts, albeit unintentional. QazaQ of Kazakhstan who won a bronze medal at welterweight at the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games was not able to put Gonzalez away with a KO but decisively outboxed and beat the brakes off his foe from pillar to post. The final cards read (115-112) (116-111) (120-109). There was mention after the fight that James Kirkland, who was in attendance, could be Islams’s potential next opponent.

In the co-main event, fellow Kazakh and welterweight Zhankhozh Turarov 21-0(15KO) worked his way to an impressive knockout victory while he hunted Mexican Gustavo Garibay 13-9-2(8KO) down with an aggressive and methodical attack. Turarov the rising welterweight from Kazakhstan and now fighting out of Pahokee FL entertained the pro-Kaz fans with a beautiful display of slick and strong boxing at a steady workman’s pace, a bit reminiscent of his countryman GGG. By the third round, the Mexican was visibly starting to break down where each next punch by the Kaz looked to cause more and more pain until, BOOM an overhand right that dropped Garibay like a thousand pound deadweight. Somehow, Garibay, I assume all heart, arose to take another bomb of an overhand right that put him down again. Remarkably Garibay made it to his feet yet again and started stumbling towards his corner just as the fight was called to a halt at 2:59 of round 3 and a great stoppage in this scribe’s opinion.

Opening the night of boxing was an interesting bout where someone’s 0 had to go, and that is exactly what happened after an awkward but entertaining tussle. Bruce “The Iron Lion” Lutchmedial improved 1-3 as he gave tough Christopher Salerno an ugly schoolyard beating and a new record of 0-2. From the opening bell, the Iron Lion hunted Salerno with a barrage of off angle punches, slaps and otherwise. Salerno went down twice in round two, the final time Sam Burgos stopped the bout at 1:58.

Jonathon “Popeye” Perez 37-18-1(29KO) of Barranquilla, Colombia played the part of the bull, Raul “El Cyclone de Miami” Chirino 11-6(6KO) played the matador, tonight the bull won. Popeye started and ended throwing heavy punches. Chirino had a plan to box behind his jab and move, however, the Colombian found early and often success cutting the ring off and scoring with counter punches and ultimately breaking down El Cyclone’ with body shots, uppercuts and strong hooks to the head. After taking a beating and a nasty cut opened over the left eye of Chirino in round 5 the Miami-based pugilist lost his mouthpiece for the fourth time and Frank Santore Jr waved the fight at 1:00 of round 5, officially scored a TKO win for the Barranquilla product, Popeye Perez.

Dagoberto Aguero sharpened his record to 12-0(9KO) with a quick knockout win over Mexican Gustavo Molina 24-15(9KO). The former Olympian Aguero from San Cristobal, Dominican Republic twice floored the Mexican with big right hands prompting referee Sam Burgos to call a halt to the bout at 1:38 of round 1.

Former Chinese Olympic Silver Medalist Zhilei Zhang 16-0(12KO) is huge, and he can box! Standing 6’6” tall the towering Chinese Olympian southpaw set his punches up nicely while Curtis Harper 12-5 did all he could to try and get inside the giant heavyweight. Zhilei dropped Harper with a great right hook putting an early end to the contest at 2:34 of round number one.

In an action packed crowd-pleasing heavyweight brawl between former standout college linebacker Mike Balogun and action figure chiseled Terrance Marbra the crowd was entertained with non-stop action for 6 rounds. Both fighters went down in the first round as the strong southpaw and former linebacker at Oklahoma Balogun landed a heavy straight left hand and put the Marbra down early but the Hulk of a man climbed off of the canvas to return the favor; just moments later with a right hand of his own that stunned the crowd. The back and forth affair continued and in the fourth round, Marbra again put the former footballer down. The strong Balogun rose from the canvas with a purpose and charged strong through the next two rounds putting Marbra 8-5(6KO) down and nearly out in the sixth round. The final bell found a standing room only of appreciative boxing fans. Balogun, who also appeared in two games in the NFL for the Buffalo Bills in 2010 remains undefeated with a unanimous decision victory. The scorecards read 58-53 twice and 58-54.

Leon Lawson, Jr. who sucker punched Jose Uzcategui last Saturday night was suspended by the WBA, according to Dan Rafael of espn.com.

“We think it was an action that all those who love sport should reject,” WBA president Gilberto Jesus Mendoza said. “There was a blow after the bell, the product of an action that I consider involuntary, that (Uzcategui) could not stop, and then the cowardly act in which Lawson punched the boxer occurred. Therefore, as the WBC did, we suspended him indefinitely. I rejected the incident since I saw it. However, I wanted to talk to (IBF president) Daryl Peoples first to make my point because it was a match sanctioned by them and I thought it was best to talk to him first.

According to Dan Rafael of espn.com, former heavyweight champion Shannon Briggs tested positive for a banned substance in the lead up to his June 3rd WBA title fight with Fres Oquendo and now the fight is cancelled.
On Saturday, Dr. Margaret Goodman, president of the Las Vegas-based Voluntary Anti-Doping Association, which was overseeing drug testing for the bout as part of the WBA’s Fair Boxing Program, sent those involved a letter disclosing that Briggs’ urine sample collected in Hollywood, Florida, on May 14 — and analyzed on May 16 at the UCLA Olympic Analytical Laboratory in Los Angeles — had come back with elevated levels of testosterone.

According to Goodman’s letter, a copy of which was obtained by ESPN, Briggs’ A sample was “analyzed for anabolic agents, diuretics, beta-2 agonists, metabolic modulators, GHRP, hormones and related substances” and that there was an “atypical” finding: his testosterone to epitestosterone ratio was 7.89 to 1. That far exceeds the allowable threshold of 4 to 1 under World Anti-Doping Agency standards.
The Oquendo camp pushed for VADA testing when the fight was being negotiated, but according to a source with knowledge of the testing situation, the Briggs camp balked at first before finally agreeing.

David Benavidez remained perfect with am eighth round stoppage over Rogelio Medina at the Laredo Energy Center in Laredo, Texas.

In round six, Benavidez battered Medina into the ropes, which was ruled a knockdown.

In round seven, Benavidez put down Medina with a hard right hand. In round eight, Benavidez continues to batter and floored Medina for a 3rd and final time with a blistering 10-punch combination, and referee John Shorle immediately stopped the bout.

Benavidez, 167 3/4 lbs of Phoenix, AZ is now 18-0 with 17 knockouts. Medina, 166 3/4 lbs of Mexico is 37-8.

Jorge Lara remained perfect by stopping Mario Briones in round three of a scheduled ten-round featherweight bout.

In round two, Lara dropped Briones with a straight left hand. At the end of the round, it was a right hook that sent Briones down for a 2nd time. Lara finished off Briones in the next round when he landed a vicious combinatiom that had the referee stopping the bout on the ropes at 58 seconds.

Lara of Guadalajara, MX is now 29-0-2 with 21 knockouts. Briones of Aguas Calliente, MX is 28-6-2.

Austin Dulay dropped Antonio Esquivel three times en-route to a six-round unanimous decision in a junior welterweight bout.

Dulay dropped Esquivel twice in round one and once in round two, and was never threatened throughout the bout.

Dulay won by scores of 59-52 on all cards and is now 10-0. Esquivel is 10-6.

In a battle of undefeated featherweights, Adam Lopez won a six-round unanimous decision over Jordan White.

White began to bleed from his nose in round three, and over his right eye in round six.

Lopez won by scores of 60-54, and 59-55 twice and is now 7-0. White is 4-1.

Gary Russell, jr retained the WBC featherweight title with a 7th round stoppage over mandatory challenger Oscar Escandon at the MGM National Harbor in National Harbor, Maryland.

Russell dropped Escandon in round three from a swift combination that was punctuated with a left to the head.

Rusell finished off his challenger in round seven when he landed a hard combination that knocked Escandon down and referee Harvey Dock stopped the bout at 59 seconds.

Russell, 125 1/2 lbs of Capitol Heights, MD is now 28-1 with knockouts. Escandon, 125 3/4 lbs of Gilroy, CA is 25-3.

In a bout that was overshadowed by an incident that happened the fight, Andre Dirrell won the vacant IBF Interim Super Middleweight title when Jose Uzcategui was disqualified for hitting after the 8th round bell.

Uzcategui landed a left hook that landed on Dirrell’s chin that sent Direll to the canvas and the fight was ruled a disqualification.

After the bout, Dirrell’s uncle, Leon Lawson, Jr. cold-cocked Uzcategui and a melee ensued in the ring.

Dirrell, 167 1/2 lbs of Flint, MI is now 26-2. Uzcategui, 166 1/2 lbs of Tijuana, MX is 26-2.

Rances Barthelemy won a debated unanimous decision over Kiryl Relikh in a super lightweight bout.

In round five, Relikh landed a hard overhand right that buckled Barthelemy. Then a left hand clipped Barthelemy which was ruled a knockdown.

Barthelemy, 139 1/2 lbs of Las Vegas was able to win on cards 117-109, 116-110 and 115-111 despite being outlanded by a 240-137 margin.

Barthelemy is now 26-0-1. Relikh, 139 1/2 lbs of Minsk, BEL is 21-2.

NEW YORK CITY -Inside the main arena at Madison Square Garden, Terence “Bud” Crawford proved why he’s king of the lightweight mountain.  For ten consecutive rounds, Omaha’s favorite son delivered a thorough beating to former Olympic Gold Medalist, Felix Diaz.  At the end of the tenth, Diaz’s trainer Joel Diaz, intervened and stopped the contest, resulting in a TKO victory for Crawford.

Beltran One-Punch Kayos Maicelo, Stuns Garden Crowd

Brick City Bomber: Stevenson Scores First Round KO

In his second professional fight, former Olympic Silver Medalist Shakur Stevenson scored a first round TKO victory over fellow featherweight, Carlos Suarez of Argentina.  Newark’s Stevenson found his range immediately, connecting with short right hooks and straight lefts that clearly demonstrated his power.

In the third stanza of the opening round, Stevenson unleashed a barrage of punches that concluded with a left hook to the chin that sent Suarez tumbling forward until his stomach lay flat on the mat.  While the ten count was being administered by referee Arthur Mercante Jr., Suarez attempted to get to his knees, but stumbled backwards.  At that time, the 2:35 mark of the first round, Mercante decided to call a stop to the contest.

“I hit him with a straight left to the chin. That’s my money punch,” Stevenson said after the fight.   “I only wish this fight could have gone longer for my fans here.”

The perfect start to Stevenson’s pro career continues as he improves to 2-0, 2KO. Suarez’s resume now reads 6-4-2, 1 KO

Tong Hui Cruises Past Calzada

Chinese super welterweight Li Tong Hui easily outpointed veteran Daniel Calzada to earn a unanimous decision victory.

Round after round Tong Hui peppered Calzada with lefts and rights born from all angles, hardly taking any punches in return.  To his credit, Calzada, a fighter with more than 160 professional rounds in his rearview, took Hui’s punches well and never stopped trying to land something significant.

In the end, it was all Tong Hui, though.  All three judges scored the fight a shutout for the man from China, 60-54.

Tong Hui improves his record to 9-1, 6KO, while Calzada’s record now reads 14-17-3, 2KO

Lopez Knocks Rivas Out Cold

In a lightweight matchup slated for six rounds, Brooklyn-born Honduran Olympian, Teofimo Lopez, scored a scary one-punch KO victory against Ronald Rivas.  The definitive punch came courtesy of a counter left hook that exploded on Rivas chin.  The punch immediately collapsed shut down Rivas system, and collapsed him to the canvas.  Clearly out cold upon impact, referee Arthur Mercante Jr. wasted no time in calling a halt to the contest.  The official time of the stoppage came at 2:21 of the second round.

Lopez keeps both his undefeated and knockout streak intact and now boasts a professional record of 5-0, 5KOs.  Rivas drops below the .500 mark to 5-6-2, 3KO.

Ponomarev Remains Unbeaten With UD Victory

In an eight round battle between two veteran super welterweights, Abel Sanchez-trained and regular Triple G sparring partner, Konstantin Ponomarev, scored a hard-earned unanimous decision victory over Ed Paredes.

Ponomarev started slow and initially kept his distance, but as the fight progressed began to wear down and impose his will on Paredes.

In the sixth round, Ponomarev seemed to stun Paredes with a straight right and kept the pressure on, stalking his injured opponent and connecting with more clean shots.  Just when it felt like Ponomarev was about to pump up the pressure even more, Paredes landed a clean left counter-hook, stopping the Russian in his tracks and thwarting his attack.

In the eighth and final round, Paredes landed his most successful shots of the match, courtesy of two straight rights.  Before the final bell sounded, Ponomarov answered those punches with vicious rights of his own, one of which momentarily wobbled Paredes.

At the end of eight, all three judges scored the bout 78-72 in favor of the Russian.

In fairness to Paredes, the wide scorecards don’t accurately reflect the closeness in which some rounds were fought.  15rounds.com scored the bout 79-73, Ponomarov, but noted four close rounds, three of which were given to Ponomarov.

With the win, the Ponomarev runs his already impressive record up to 32-0, 13KO, while Parades drops 37-7-1, 24KO.

Uzbekistan’s Olympic Hero Stays Perfect

Former Rio Olympic Gold Medalist, Fazliddin Gaibnazarov, battered Massachusett’s Agustine Mauras around the ring, three minutes at a time, for eight rounds.  In front of about fifty or so fellow Uzbekistanis cheering on their fighter, the super lightweight showcased his superior skills, rhythmically landing one punch at a time before slipping away from anything Mauras would attempt to land.

It was a near flawless performance for the southpaw as he fought nearly every minute of every round on his terms.  Perhaps the only knock against him would be that he seemed to lack a killer instinct.  Gaibnazarov was content to hit and move — which works, no question — but rarely did the ex-Olympian piece together effective combinations, save for two in the opening moments of the final round.

At the end of eight rounds, all three judges scored the bout a shutout in favor of Gaibnazarov, 80-72.

Gaibnazarov’s professional record now reads 2-0, 2KO, while the hard-nosed Maraus’ record falls to 6-3-3, 3KO.

Lebron Dominates Estrada – Scores A Second Round TKO Stoppage

In a contest slated for four rounds, Puerto Rican super featherweight Henry Lebron scored an impressive TKO victory over New Mexico’s Johnny Estrada.  After dominating the first five minutes of the match, Lebron landed a perfectly thrown left that knocked Estrada out on his feet.  Lebron instinctively followed up and connected with a straight right that would have sent Estrada to the mat if not for referee Arthur Mercante Jr.’s intervention to keep the flailing fighter upright. The fight was stopped at the :52 mark of the second round.

Lebron stays perfect with the win, moving to 2-0, 2KO, while Estrada drops to 0-2.

Nelson Makes Quick Work Of Rubio 

In a light heavyweight contest slated for six rounds, the night’s opening bout saw Terence Crawford stablemate Steven Nelson make quick work of his Mexican counterpart, Gilberto Rubio.  In just under four minutes, Nelson sent Rubio to the canvas three time en route to a second round TKO victory.

The first knockdown came courtesy of a left-hook, right-uppercut combo as the round neared conclusion.  In the second round, Nelson dug two meaty left hooks to Rubio’s liver, forcing him to a knee each time — the second of which resulted in referee Shawn Clark calling a halt to the contest at the :36 mark of the second round.

Nelson continues his ascent in the light heavyweight division and improves his record to 7-0, 6KOs. The Mexican, Rubio, sees his record drop to 7-6, 5 KOs.

Gervonta Davis retained the IBF Junior Lightweight title with an emphatic 3rd round stoppage over Liam Walsh in a battle of previously undefeated fighters at The Copper Box Arena in London, England.

In round two, Davis hurt Walsh with a hard left. Davis followed up with a barrage of hard power shots, and then dropped Walsh with hard left to the side of the head. It was just seconds after, when Davis jumped on Walsh, and after five more thudding the blows the fight was stopped at 2:11.

Davis of Baltimore, Maryland is now 18-0 with 17 knockouts. Walsh, 130 lbs of England is now 21-1.

By Norm Frauenheim-

TUCSON – He has a famous name. He has fast feet. And faster hands. Patience isn’t the first thing anybody sees in Diego De La Hoya.

Erik Ruiz never saw it at all. Ruiz only saw incoming hands and agile feet, all traveling at an inexhaustible rate that De La Hoya sustained for 10 rounds Thursday night in winning a one-sided decision at Casino Del Sol in an ESPN televised bout.

It was the kind performance that seemed to eliminate the need for much talk about what might await De La Hoya (18-0, 9 KOs). A 122-pound title fight involving one of boxing’s best-known names would be easy to put together. Easy to sell. But Diego De La Hoya is in no rush.

“I’m 22,’’ he said after scoring a near shutout of Ruiz on a card staged by Golden Boy Promotions in association with Showdown. “I’m having fun.’’

While Diego De La Hoya had fun, Ruiz only got dizzy.

With cousin Oscar De La Hoya of Golden Boy watching from ringside, Diego darted in, darted out. His jabs flowed, one after another, like water out of a high-pressure hose. He circled tirelessly in an orbit that kept him out of range from Ruiz’ power.

Only midway through the fight did Ruiz strike with a big right that rocked De La Hoya. His reaction was a smile. Yeah, he was having fun. Lots of it.

“I also was smiling because I felt confident,’’ said the fighter who lives in Mexicali. “I knew I had done the work. I had sparred with bigger guys, guys with more power.’’

If there’s a question about Diego De La Hoya, it’s his power. At 22, however, he figures to get stronger, strong enough perhaps to have a lot more fun for a very long time.

In a co-main event, super-middleweight D’Mitrius Ballard avoided upset, but not controversy.

Ballard, a Golden Boy prospect from Temple Hills, MD, scored a second-round knockdown and then survived one right hand after another to escape with a close decision over a relentless Adrian Luna.

Luna, a late stand-in, was as surprising as he was unknown. In the end, a capacity crowd of 2,000 chanted his name as if the Mexican fighter was from Tucson. After it was over, those same fans booed the scorecards – 95-94 on two and 97-92 on the third.

In the end, however, the judges decided that Ballard (17-0, 12 KOs) had done enough – just enough – by flooring Luna (18-5-1, 11 KOs) with a counter left midway through the second.

Meanwhile, Luna might have done enough to ear a ticket back to Tucson. Golden Boy and Showdown announced that they would promote another ESPN card at Casino del Sol on July 29

BEST OF THE UNDERCARD

The card got an early start with a quick finish. Julio Franco (10-, 6 KOs), a Robert Garcia-trained super-flyweight from San Antonio, opened the show. It took him 40 seconds to end it with a left hook for a stoppage of Marco Sanchez (9-5-2, 4 KOs) of Mexico.

THE REST

Roberto Manzanarez (35-1, 28 KOs), a lanky lightweight born in Phoenix and now living in Mexico, used his reach and agile feet to score a unanimous decision over Erick Martinez (13-7-1, 7 KOs), also of Mexico.

Los Angeles junior-welterweight Jonathan Navarro (9-0, 5 KOs), another Garcia-trained fighter, had power that echoed through the Casino Del Sol ballroom and overwhelmed Ricardo Fernandez (3-5-4) of Mexico throughout a six-round decision as punishing as it was one-sided.

The Cotto-Roc Nation Sports separation was amicable but came about because they simply could not agree on the money Cotto should be paid for the fight, a source with knowledge of the situation said. Cotto, the source said, wanted way more than Roc Nation Sports was willing to guarantee for such a marginal fight that likely would have lost money.

Vidal Rivera remained undefeated by winning a 4-round majority decision over Jesus Salas in a battle of undefeated lightweights.

Rivera of Camden, NJ on by scorecards of 39-37 twice and 38-38 to go to 6-0. Salas is 1-1.

Mike Hilton remained perfect by stopping Eric Cason in the first round of their scheduled four round cruiserweight bout.

Hilton dominated the action until the fight was waved off at 2:51.

Hilton of Trenton, NJ is 6-0 with six knockouts. Cason is 2-6.

Brandon Robinson stopped Phillip Legrand in round two of their scheduled four round light heavyweight bout.

Robinson dropped Legrand with an uppercut and the bout was stopped at 45 seconds of round two.

Robinson is 2-1 with 2 knockouts. Legrand is 1-5.

Gowar Karya made a successful pro debut by stopping Jose Homar Rios in round three of their scheduled four round featherweight bout.

Karya jumped on Rios and the bout was stopped at 29 seconds.

Karya is 1-0. Rios is now 1-5.

Kal Yafai thrilled his hometown fans in Birmingham, England, and made the first the defense of the WBA Super Flyweight title with a 12-round unanimous decision over Suguru Muranaka.

The bout headlined another tremendous day of action AWE-A Wealth of Entertainment.

“I am thrilled to be able to bring this action-packed cards to the American fight fans,” said Charles Herring, President of AWE-A Wealth of Entertainment.

“In recent months, The super-flyweight division has been one of the divisions that has featured terrific fights, and today Kal Yafai proved that he is one of the elite in the division. Sam Eggington carried on the momentum of stopping Paulie Malignaggi, and won in another thrilling fight. We have a great Spring and Summer fight schedule that we will be excited to share with the fans very shortly.”

Yafai looked like he was going to have an early day as he sent his Japanese challenger down to the canvas in round two. Muranka proved sturdy and even had a few moments in the fight. Yafai was deducted a point in round eight for low blows, but he was comfortably ahead, and won by scores of 119-107 twice and 118-108.

Yafai is 22-0. Muranaka is 25-3.

Rising welterweight contender Sam Eggington stopped Ceferino Rodriguez in round ten of their scheduled 12-round welterweight bout.

It was an exciting fight throughout, but the taller Eggington took control of the bout and drilled Rodriguez with ahard uppercut on the inside that sent him to the canvas and the fight was stopped.

Eggington, 146.8 lbs is is 21-3 with 13 knockouts. Rodriguez, who is managed by former world middleweight champion Sergio Martinez is 24-2.

Gamal Yafai dropped Sean Davis six-times en-route to a seventh round stoppage over Sean Davis in a scheduled 10-round Super Bantamweight bout featuring Birmingham based fighters.

Yafai dropped Davis three times in the 7th round, focusing mostly on the body and the bout was stopped at 2:27.

Yafai, 121.9 lbs is now 12-0 with 5 knockouts. Davis, 121.3 lbs is nos 12-1.

Former world title challenger Frankie Gavin won a eight-round decision over Renald Garrido in a super welterweight bout.

Gavin, 148.9 lbs won a a referee score of 77-75 ans is now 24-3. Garrido, 145 lbs is 18-15-1.

Josh Kelly stopped Jony Vina in round four of their scheduled six-round welterweight contest.

In round four, Kelly dropped Vina with a right hand. Kelly continued to pound Vina and the bout was stopped at 1:27.

Kelly is 2-0 with 1 knockout. Vina is 6-2.

In a spirited battle of undefeated middleweight’s, Adam Harper won a decision over Ryan Kelly.

The referee scorecard read 97-95 for Harper, 152.9 lbs and is now 8-0. Kelly 153.9 lbs id 8-1.

PHILADELPHIA–Christopher Brooker won a workmanlike eight-round unanimous decision over veteran Oscar Riojas in a super middleweight bout that highlighted a seven bout card at a jam packed SugarHouse Casino.

The card was promoted by King’s Promotions.

Brooker was very solid throughout as he tried to work on in the inside. In round three, he landed a perfect left hook that drove Riojas into the ropes. Brooker worked inside and was the busier man throughout the contest.

Brooker of Philadelphia won by scores of 78-74 on all cards and is now 12-3. Riojas of Monterrey, Mexico is 14-8-1.

Jerome Conquest put in a solid six-rounds in winning a unanimous decision over Daniel Perales in a super lightweight bout.

Conquest of Philadelphia won by scores of 60-54 and 59-55 twice, and is now 7-2. Perales of Monterrey, Mexico is 10-10-1.

Henry Beckford scored an upset four-round majority decision over previously undefeated Blake Mansfield in a super middleweight contest.

Beckford of Coram, New York won by scores of 58-56 twice and 57-57, and is now 5-6. Mansfield of Burlington, NC is now 5-1-1.

Sam Orapeza literally had to hang on and win a four-round unanimous decision in a cruiserweight bout over Kyle McNutt.

Orapeza dropped McNutt with a perfect straight left in round one, and it looked like it was going to be Orapeza’s 2nd consecutive first round knockout. McNutt gathered himself in had a solid round two. Orapexa took control again in round four, as he scored a hard knockdown and seemed seconds away from finishing the fight. He may have punched himself out as in the last 45 seconds of the bout, McNutt battered and staggered Oarapeza all over the ring. Had the bout been 30 seconds longer, the outcome could very well have been different, but Orapeza of Philadelphia got the nod by the tune of 38-37, 39-35 and 39-36. Orapeza is now 2-0. McNutt of Battle Creek, MI is 1-3.

Jeffrey Torres won a four-round unanimous decision over Kashon Hutchinson in a lightweight bout.

Scores were 40-36 and 39-37 twice for Torres of Philadelphia, who is now 3-0. Hutchinosn of Reading, PA is 2-3.

Harold Lopez and Basyzbek Baratov fought to an exciting majority draw in a flyweight bout.

Towards the end of round three, Lopez landed a left to the body that sent Baratov to the canvas.

Lopez of Bethlehem, PA took a card 39-28 and two other scorecards read even at 38-38.

Lopez is 1-0-1. Baratov is 2-1-2.

Chaise Nelson won a four-round unanimous decision over Bryan Perez Nevarez in a featherweight bout.

At the end of round two, Nevarez dropped Nelson with a counter right hook.

Nelson of Dayton, Ohio won by scores of 39-37 and 38-37 twice and is now 5-1. Nevarez of Carolina, Puerto Rico is 2-6-1.

KINGS PROMOTIONS IS BACK THIS FRIDAY NIGHT AT THE 2300 ARENA WITH A TERRIFIC NIGHT OF BOXING HEADLINED BY LIGHTWEIGHT’S CARLOS ROSARIO AND JOSHUA DAVIS

Light Heavyweight contender Artur Beterbiev is trying to part ways with his promoter Yvin Michel, according to Dan Rafael espn.com.

“My dear friends, fans and supporters, as many of you have already heard, my lawyer has filed [Tuesday] morning a demand for Declaratory Judgment asking the Superior Court in Montreal to confirm that my promotional agreement with Groupe Yvon Michel (GYM) is effectively terminated/expired,” Beterbiev said in a statement posted on social media. “I have nothing personal against Yvon Michel and everything is fine on my end. I keep training hard to get back in the ring and become World Champion ASAP. That has always been, and will always be, my sole focus and goal in my professional [career]. Thanks for your support!”

Michel did not dispute that Beterbiev is seeking to end their contract, telling ESPN, “Beterbiev is considering his contract is terminated with GYM and he is asking a Quebec judge to confirm it. We believe otherwise and we have arguments to back it up. It may take several weeks before having a judgment. Meantime we are still Beterbiev’s promoter and we have made a deal with [Team] Sauerland representative Chris Meyer for the services of Enrico Koelling for the IBF title eliminator [to be] the mandatory contender to Andre Ward.”

“We have a tentative date for July 29 in Quebec City,” Michel said. “The date and the site may change. We are talking with PBC. We have until May 19 to deposit the contract to the IBF and make the final call for the date and place.”

Middleweight’s Taureano Johnson and Sergiy Derevyanchenko will meet in an IBF Middleweight elimination bout later this year, according to Dan Rafael of espn.com.

LAS VEGAS – The end was abrupt and unceremonious. Yuriorkis Gamboa quit on his stool after seven rounds. His comeback was over. Maybe, a once promising career was too.

Gamboa (26-2, 17 KOs), a former IBF and WBA featherweight champion, looked all of his 35 years, suffering knockdowns in the third and fourth rounds in a stunning loss to Mexican lightweight Robinson Castellanos (24-12,14 KOs) Friday night at the MGM Grand.

Gamboa, who recently signed with Golden Boy Promotions, flashed some familiar footwork and counter-punching power in the first two rounds. In the third, however, he dropped his hands and Castellanos capitalized in the round’s closing second, dropping the Cuban with a straight right hand.

During the first minute of the fourth, Castlellanos again dropped his hands and Castellano’s again took advantage of the moment, this time dropping him with long right.

Gamboa, a gold-medalist at the 2004 Athens Olympics, appeared to regain his composure and mobility late in the fifth and again in the sixth. After the seventh however, he went to his corner and seemed to almost collapse on his stool in exhaustion.

Jesus Rojas stopped previously undefeated Abraham Lopez in round eight of their scheduled 10-round featherweight bout.

In round two, Rojas dropped Lopez with a straight right hand. Rojas sent Lopez down in a round four from a hard combination.

In round eight, it was an overhand right that sent Lopez down. Rojas continued to pound away at Lopez and referee Tony Weeks stopped the bout at 1:40.

Rojas, 126 lbs of Caguas, PR is now 25-1-2 with 18 knockouts. Lopez, 126 lbs of La Puenta, CA is 22-1-1.

“It’s almost three years since I’ve fought in the U.S.; this win is the opportunity to be on the global stage, and take on world champions,” Rojas said. “I promised my father that I would become a world champion, and even though he is not with me any more, I carry on our dream. I hope that by the end of the year, I am competing for an interim title or even a world championship.”
“It’s tough to swallow, I’m still processing it, but it happens,” Lopez said. “After this, I know I’m going to go back to the drawing board and start training hard again.”

In a battle of undefeated middleweights, Yamaguchi Falcao won a 10-round unanimous decision over Morgan Fitch.

Falcao, 160 lbs of Sao Paulo, BRA won by scores of 100-90 on all cards and is now 13-0. Fitch, 161 lbs of Pittsburgh, PA is 18-1-1.

Falcao landed 157 of 494 punches. Fitch landed 71 of 303.

“It’s been five months since I’ve been in the ring since my last fight,” Falcao said. “I had a lot of trouble adjusting and finding my rhythm. It’s a journey, and I’m glad I got the win but if I want to reach my goal of fighting the big time fighters I have to improve everywhere.”

“I don’t know what happened in there,” Fitch said. “I just know that I could have done better and been more serious in there. I’m at a loss of words.”

Vergil Ortiz, Jr. remained perfect by stopping Angel Sarinana in round three of their scheduled four round super lightweight bout.

Ortiz dropped Sarinana with a perfect right uppercut in round three. Sarinan got to his feet, but was wobbly and referee Jack Reiss sopped the bout at 1:44.

Ortiz, 140 lbs of Dallas, TX is 5-0 with five knockouts. Sarinana, 139.5 lbs of Durango, MX is 7-6-2.

“I saw him get hurt in the first round when hit him in the body with a hook,” Ortiz said. “Since that moment, I was just looking for the opportunity to get the knock out, but he was a tough guy and was able to make it through. In the third round, I saw him lose he guard, and I landed my uppercut that sent him to the floor. I think after this, I’m ready to increase my rounds. I think I am ready to take on some tougher opponents.”

Former world champion Argenis Mendez won a 10-round split decision over Ivan Redkach in a junior welterweight bout at the Sportsman’s Lodge in Studio City, California.

Mendez of San Juan, DR won by scores of 96-93, 95-94 and Redkach won a card 95-94.

Mendez, 136.8 lbs is now 24-5-1. Redkach, Bkovah, UK is 20-3-1.

Stated a visibly upset Redkach, “The judges were wrong. I won that fight.

“I felt that I knocked him down and the referee didn’t call it and he took the point away and that cost me. I never felt any pain. I fought like I wanted to and I thought I did enough.

“They were wrong. This was my night.”

Said the happy and victorious Mendez, “I used my skill and my speed throughout the fight, but I waited to come forward until the fourth or fifth round. I knew he wasn’t going to be able to knock me out because I have great defense. I see every punch.

“I definitely slipped both times I went down. He didn’t even hit me.

“Ivan is a tough warrior. He throws a lot of wild punches and he hit me in the back of the head several times. I thought the scorecards were too close. I thought I won by a much larger margin.”

Brandon Figueroa remained perfect as he won a eight round unanimous decision over Luis Saavedra in a super bantamweight bout.

Saavedra began to bleed from his nose in round six.

Figueroa, 121.8 lbs of Weslaco, TX won by scores of 78-74 and 79-73 twice, and is now 12-0. Saavedra, 121.2 lbs of San Luis Potosi, MX is 7-3.

Said Figueroa, “I worked the body and tried to finish it in the later rounds, but he was a tough opponent. I knew by the third or fourth round that it was going to be a really tough fight so I kept my distance, but kept trying to punish the body.

“He is a Mexican fighter that has never been knocked down so that says a lot about him right there. I knew he was going to be tough.

“I want to wait and fight next on a card with my brother and it depends when that will be, but I will be ready.”

Countered Saavedra, “He kept hitting the body, but he couldn’t take me down. He isn’t as tough as everyone says.

“I was prepared, but the travel here took a lot out of me and I didn’t feel 100 percent today. I trained 100 percent, but I wasn’t at my best in the ring, but that is how it goes.

“I wish Brandon the best of luck in his career.”

In a back and forth brawl, Jonathan Torres won a six-round unanimous decision over Antonio Santa Cruz in a bantamweight bout.

Torres, 117.8 lbs of Tlajomulco, MX won by scores of 60-54, 59-55 and 58-56 and is now 8-5-1. Santa Cruz, 117.6 lbs of San Gabriel, CA is 5-3.

Said the victorious Torres, “I stuck to my game plan. I went forward and tried to counter every punch. If he threw one, I would try to throw five. I never really felt his power. He hit me with a good shot in the first, but after that I wasn’t fazed.

“I was motivated by all the fans cheering me on in the crowd and knowing I had a lot of people rooting for me watching at home. I really appreciate the support and can’t wait to get back in the gym.”

Stated a disappointed Santa Cruz, “He was applying a lot of pressure. He is shorter than me, so that was his game plan and it worked.

“He has good experience. This was my first six round fight. He had fought 10 rounds before. Not trying to make excuses though. He just got the better of me. I came prepared, but he did what he had to do to win.”

Claudio Marrero won the WBA Interim Featherweight championship with an emphatic 1st round stoppage over previously undefeated Carlos Zambrano at Sam’s Town Casino in Las Vegas.

Marrero dropped Zambrano with a perfect left-right, and he could not beat the count at 1:30.

Marrero of Santo Domingo, DR is now 22-1 with 16 knockouts. Zambrano of Peru is 26-1.

Nate Gallimore scored a 6th round stoppage over previously undefeated Jason Rosario in a scheduled ten round middleweight fight.

In round six, Gallimore dropped Rosario with a left hand. Moments later, a right uppercut sent Rosario to the deck. Gallimore finished the job by landing a hard left hook that was followed by a right that dropped Rosario for a 3rd and final time, and the bout was stopped at 2:15.

Gallimore is now 18-1-1 with 15 knockouts. Rosario is 12-1.

Juan Heraldez won an eight-round unanimous decision over Alfonso Olvera in a welterweight bout.

In round one, Herladez dropped Olvera with a left hook to the head.

Heraldez of Las Vegas, NV won by scores of 79-72 and 78-73 twice and is now 12-0. Olvera of Tucson, AZ is 8-4-1.

In a battle of undefeated super middleweights, Kevin Newman stopped Pablo Velez in round one of their scheduled six-round bout.

Newman landed a hard uppercut that was followed by a right that sent Velez down. Velez got to his fight, but the fight was stopped at 2:19.

Newman is now 7-0-1 with three knockouts. Velez is now 7-1-1.

Daniel Gonzalez remained undefeated by winning a four-round unanimous decision over Mario Ayala in a super bantamweight tussle.

Gonzalez won on two cards 40-36 and 39-37, and is now 3-0. Ayala us 5-4-1,

Anthony Joshua scored a thrilling 11th round stoppage over former world champion Wladimir Klitschko in front of 90,000 screaming fans at Wembley Stadium in London.

Joshua controlled the action over the first four rounds, as Klitschko did not throw much.

The fight started in round five, as Joshua came out with reckless abandon to start the round and landed some booming shots that hurt Klitschko.  Moments later, Joshua landed a combination that sent Klitschko to the canvas.   Klitschko was bleeding over the left eye. Joshua went in for the finish, but that proved show inexperience as he may have punched himself out, and Klitschko started landing and hurting the London native.  Joshua was winded and almost out on his feet as the 5th round ended.  In round six, Klitschko landed his  booming right hand that sent Joshua to the canvas.  Joshua was hurt badly and was barely able to make it out of round six.

Both guys landed some good shots over the next several rounds, until Joshua started in onslaught in the 11th round.

Joshua started it with a massive uppercut that rocked and stunned Klitschko badly.  Joshua jumped on Klitschko and landed big shots that sent Klitschko down.  Klitschko got to his feet, but dumped my more heavy shots again.  Joshua finished the fight by landing a flurry of punches on a defeated Klitschko, and referee David Fields stopped the bout at 2:25.

Joshua, 250 1/2 lbs of London is now 19-0 with 19 knockouts.  Klitschko, 240 1/2 lbs is now 64-5.

Middleweight champion Gennady Golovkin will not fight in June, but instead see how the May 6 fight between Canelo Alvarez and Julio Cesar Chavez, Jr. shakes out, according to Dan Rafael of espn.com

“Gennady is not going [to] fight in June,” Golovkin Promoter Tom Loeffler told ESPN during the Anthony Joshua-Wladimir Klitschko open workout at Wembley Arena on Tuesday. “It was a quick turnaround after the Jacobs fight, and we would have liked to have done a fight with Billy Joe Saunders, but it was just too quick of a turnaround. So we’ll see now, when Gennady is ready to fight, what the biggest opportunities are.”

“They still are anxious to have him. They want him to be there, and Gennady wanted to fight over there, but it would have been too quick of a turnaround,” Loeffler said. “It was 12 hard rounds [with Jacobs].”

“We’ll see what happens. If Chavez wins, we’d love to have a Chavez fight, also,” Loeffler said. “If Canelo wins, that would be the priority. I’m still in contact with Golden Boy. I speak to [Golden Boy president] Eric Gomez probably like twice a week. We’ll see what happens on May 6 and see if we can make a deal.”

According to Dan Rafael of espn.com, WBO Heavyweight champion Joseph Parker will defend his title against Razvan Cojanu on May 6th. Cojanu will replace Hughie Fury who had to pull out with an injured back.

Yordenis Ugas stopped Nelson Lara in round two of their scheduled ten round super welterweight bout at The Fitgerald’s Casino in Tunica, Mississippi.

Ugas, who was a last minute replacement overwhelmed the smaller Lara, and landed an uppercut that dropped Lara. Lara got up, but he was bleeding from his left eye and referee Bill Clancy stopped the bout at 20 seconds.

Ugas, 153.2 lbs of Santiago, CUB is 19-3 with 9 knockouts. Lara, 152.4 lbs of Caazo, NIC is 17-8

“I always stay ready in the gym and I was in great shape to deliver a spectacular performance tonight,” said Ugas. “I wanted to attack the body and make this a short night. I’m happy I was able to give the fans a knockout.

“I want any of the world class fighters in the welterweight division,” said Ugas. “I’m ready to fight anyone and prove that I’m as good as any fighter out there.”

Levan Ghvamichava won a ten round unanimous decision over Oscar Molina in a welterweight bout.

Ghvamichava controlled the bout with his pressure, but suffered a cut over his right eye in the final round.

Ghvamichava, 149 lbs of the Georgia Republic won by scores of 98-92 twice and 97-93. and is now 18-3-1. Molina, 149 lbs of Norwalk, CA is 13-2.

CARSON, Calif. – It was tactical. It was punishing. It was exhilarating. And exhausting.

In the end, Oscar Valdez Jr., did it all and endured it all, relying on wits, stubborn poise and educated footwork in the beginning and inexhaustible guts in the end for a signature victory over tough and powerful Miguel Marriaga Saturday night at StubHub Center.

Valdez (22-0, 19 KOs) tested himself repeatedly and perhaps in ways he didn’t have to in retaining his WBO featherweight title with a 119-108, 116-111, 118-109 decision.

“Oscar made it a little harder on himself than he needed to, but he’s fighter at heart,’’ his trainer, Manny Robles, said.

It’s that heart that delivered a statement Valdez wanted to make. Before opening bell, Valdez said he was as good as Leo Santa Cruz, Carl Frampton, Gary Russell Jr., Abner Mares and the other elites at the top of the featherweight division. After his stirring triumph over Marriaga (25-2, 21 KOs), they’ll have to make room him at the head table.

For most of nine rounds, Valdez’ sustained a tactical brilliance that kept Marriaga chasing, yet mostly missing with a powerful right hand. It was in the 10th that Valdez began to walk straight into harm’s way. Marriaga landed that right. Off-balance, Valdez countered with quick left that knocked down Marriaga.

The round ended with one wild exchange after another. Both fighters walked back their corners, looking dazed and exhausted. But it continued in the 11th. When the bell sounded for the 12th, Valdez walked out to meet Marriaga. He said something before the first punch was thrown.

“I told him this is a great fight and let’s finish it with great round,’’ said Valdez, the –two-time Mexican Olympian who was born in Nogales and went to school in Tucson.

That’s what they did with punching exchanges that brought a StubHub crowd of more 5,000 to its feet. After it was all over Marriaga walked over to Valdez as he wearily stood in the middle of the ring doing interviews.

“You are a great champion,’’ Marriaga said as he also said thanks. “You’re a great fighter.’’

An elite one, too.

Gilberto Ramirez wins dull decision in comeback

Gilberto Ramirez needed test drive. It wasn;t exciting. Then again, a test drive isn’t supposed to be. In his first fight in a year, he just wanted to test his healed right hand and put himself back in the mix.

Mission accomplished.

Ramirez (350-, 24 KOs) scored a unanimous decision over Max Bursak (33-5-1, 15 KOs) , retaining his WBO super-middleweight title in his first defense.

“Who’s next? Ramirez said after a dull 12 rounds.

Jessie Hart said he should be. Hart approached press row and yelling:

“It’s got to happen now! We can’t wait. We’re both in our prime. Jesse Hart wants Gilberto Ramirez now.”

Ramirez says he’d like a fight Gennady Golovkin.

“I want to prove myself as a pound-for-pound fighter,’’ he said.

Technically, Stevenson does what he has to in debut decision

There were boos. There was blood. There might have been an injury. Welcome to the pros, Shakur Stevenson.

Within just five rounds, Stevenson got an introduction to what every professional sees throughout a career. The 2016 Olympic silver medalist from Newark emerged with the victory everybody expected. But it wasn’t exactly pretty. It goes into the book as a technical unanimous decision over Edgar Brito (3-3-1, 2 KO)

There wasn’t anything technical about Stevenson’s superior hand speed or Brito’s edgy toughness. Both were there, obvious from the beginning and jarring midway through the fight. In the third round, Stevenson had his back on the ropes. Brito , a Phoenix featherweight, lunged, leading with his head. It was intentional and – karma-like — it only bloodied Brito, who was left with a long gash above one eye.

Before the scheduled sixth and final round, it was suddenly over. Ring physician Dr. Eddie Hernandez looked at the blood poring into Brito’s right eye and ended it amid grumbling from a surprised StubHub crowd. There was no doubt on the scorecards. Stevenson won every round.

“It was great work,’’ said Top Rank’s Bob Arum, who signed Stevenson a few months ago in what was hailed as promotional coup. “He did what he had to. He’ll get better.’’

On Stevenson manager Andre Ward’s report card, the debut rated an A.

What was unclear, however, was whether Stevenson hurt his left hand. He shook it over the last rounds as if the hand was hurting. He danced around questions about whether he had in fact sustained an injury during a night that will probably be remembered as a learning experience.

Magdaleno impressive in first defense

First, there was the evidence. Then, there was the promise.

Jessie Magdaleno delivered both, including a right and left, in scoring a second-round stoppage of Adeilson Dos Santos on the pay-per-view opener of a Top Rank produced card.

“I’m going to be a champion for a very long time,’’ Magdaleno (25-0, 18 KOs) said after retaining the WBO’s 122-pount belt in his first defense.

There were no arguments, especially from Dos Santos (18-3, 14 KOs), a Brazilian who went down midway through the second from long right hook and for the last time from a left uppercut to the chin at 51 seconds of the round.

Who’s next? Anybody with a belt, Magdaleno said.

Magdaleno’s most-wanted list appears to be topped by Guillermo Rigondeaux, the Cuban who has bored everybody who has watched him and beaten everybody who has faced him.

Best of the Undercard

Junior-welterweight Fazliddin Gaibnazarov, a 2016 Olympic gold medalist from Uzbekistan, had never fought as a pro. Never won as a pro. Gaibnazarov, who signed with Manager of the Year Egis Klimas, also says he had never been knocked down. Let’s just say he made a quadruple debut Saturday.

Gaibnazarov answered his first pro bell, hit the canvas for the first time seconds later, got up for the first time and went on to claim his debut victory with a crushing knockout of Puerto Rican Victor Vazquez (7-3, 3 KOs) at 1:28 of the second round.

The Rest

Russian welterweight Alexander Besputin (7-0, 5 KOs) won every round, for a one-sided scorecard victory over Colombian Breidis Prescott (30-10, 20 KOs), known as the “Khanqueror” in better days. Since he exposed Amir Khan’s chin with stunning stoppage in 2008, Prescott is 10-10.

Russian junior welterweight Maxim Dadashev (7-0, 6 KOs), another prospect on Klimas’ deep roster, threw a left-handed shot that echoed through a still-empty StubHub Center, knocking Bilal Mahasin (9-4-1, 1 KO) onto his back and out of consciousness at 2:09 of the third round.

Mexican Mahonri Montes (31-6-1, 20 KOs) scored fifth-round knockdown that proved to be the pirvotal difference in a wild, split decision over Francisco Santana (24-6-1, 12 KOs) of Santa Barbara, Calif., in the final bout on the non-televised part of the card.

Keenan Smith stopped Edgar Gabejan in round seven of their scheduled eight round super lightweight bout that headlined a six bout card at The Claridge Hotel in Atlantic City.

The show was promoted by GH3 Promotions and D and D Management.

Smith dominated the action, as Gabejan was reduced to lunging holding and even went to the canvas several times for slips. Smith was able to score a knockdown in round seven from a flurry of punches. Smith was fully in control and stepped on the gas in the seventh, as he dropped Gabejan for a second time from a flurry of body punches. Gabejan got to his feet, but he had taken enough punishment and the fight was stopped at 1:43.

Smith of Philadelphia is now 11-0 with five knockouts. Gabejan of the Philippines is 27-34-7.

Kenneth Sims, Jr. remained undefeated by stopping Israel Villela in round three of their scheduled six-round super lightweight bout.

Sims battered a tough Villela, and then in round two cut him around the right eye. In round three, Sims landed three flush blows, and the bout was stopped at 1:03.

Sims of Chicago is 12-0 with 4 knocouts. Villela of Cancun, MX is 6-5-2.

Heavyweight’s Tyrell Wright and Dan Pasciolla fought to a 6-round draw.

Both fighter’s took a card 58-56, and a third card read even at 57-57.

Wright of Jersey City, NJ is 9-0-2. Pasciolla of Brick, NJ is 9-2-2.

John Bauza needed just 17 seconds to destroy Francis Gakpetor in the scheduled six-round super lightweight bout.

Bauza decked Gakpetor with a hard 1-2 and and the fight was over soon as he hit the gorund.

Bauza of North Bergen, NJ is 6-0 with three knockouts. Gakpetor of Ghana is 2-4-1.

iDylan Price stopped Chris Nelson in round three of their scheduled four round super flyweight bout.

Price started to beatdown Nelson in round two, and in round three battered Nelson until putting him down with a body shot, and the fight was stopped at 2:37.

sPrice of Sicklerville, NJ is 2-0 with two knockouts. Nelson of Kentucky is 1-4.

Emmanuel Rodriguez made a successful pro debut with a four-round split decision over Jaxel Marrero in a bantamweight bout.

Rodriguez of Newark, NJ took two cards by 39-37 tallies, while Marrero took a card 39-37.

Marrero of Puerto Rico falls to 1-8-2.

BROOKLYN, NY — In an ugly fight marred by headbutts, Shawn Porter scored a hard-nosed TKO stoppage over Andre Berto.

After a first round where both fighters jockeyed for position, the action picked up in the second round. Early in the second round, Porter charged forward and pinned Berto against the ropes. Once Berto had nowhere to go, Porter went to work. The Akron, Ohio native unloaded shots with both hands, finding success to the body and head of Berto. At some point during the inside exchange, a clash of heads caused a deep cut over Porter’s right eye. With about twenty seconds left in the round, both fighters threw right hands, but it was Porter’s punch that landed with impact, catching Berto high atop his head and sending him to the mat.

The following rounds played out like a street fight with Porter continuously bull-rushing Berto, forcing the action to take place inside the proverbial phone booth. Towards the end of the fourth round, both fighters received cuts courtesy of headbutts. Berto’s cut appeared just above his left eye and Porter’s fresh gash left him with slits over both eyes.

It was clear that Porter wanted to fight close, to fight nose-to-nose. Somewhat surprisingly, Berto seemed helpless to prevent Porter’s forward charges. In the past, Berto has uncoiled fight-ended uppercuts that would have been the perfect remedy to Porter’s head-down bull-rushes. Tonight, those punches never landed because they were never thrown.

Henceforth, the brawl continued through the middle rounds with Porter continuing to do his best work in tight spaces. Seemingly all of round eight was spent with Berto’s back to the ropes while Porter banged away at his body.

In the ninth round, Porter kept the heat on, firing away while charging forward. After a combination of punches, some of which got through Berto’s defense cleanly, a straight right sent Berto flailing backward where he was held upright by the ropes. Referee Mark Nelson scored a knockdown and administered a count.

In complete control of the fight, Porter kept his foot on the gas and continued to rain down punches on a defenseless Berto. At the 1:31 mark of the ninth round, referee Mark Nelson decided Berto had been punished enough and called a halt to the bout.

After the fight, Porter spoke about the headbutts. “I got to clean up those head butts. We tried to use the whole ring, but sometimes in the heat of the battle, I’m a fighter and Mr. Berto is a fighter as well, those head butts were just the two of us going in and fighting,” he said.

Berto, clearly upset about the headbutts also spoke after the contest. “I have to give him credit, but he’s a rough fighter. He has great skills but, at the same time, he’s going to be rough and try to handle me anyway he can…We had a good, competitive fight until the head butts got to be a little too much for me. But I thought it was a really good fight before that.”

With the TKO loss, Berto suffers his fifth professional defeat. Porter’s record improves to 27-2, 17KO.

Jermell Charlo made a statement. In what was arguably the biggest fight of his career, Charlo one-punch KO’d Charles Hatley to retain his WBC Welterweight Championship. It was a scary ending to a fight that seemed to be leading up to that dramatic moment from the get-go.

The opening round started slow with neither fighter landing any punches of significance. The fighters continued to jockey for position through much of the second round, but as it drew to a close Charlo unleashed a straight right that caught Hatley where the neck meets the collarbone and sent him stumbling backwards to the ropes. Charlo hustled toward the off-balance Hatley, but the bell sounded before Charlo could inflict any more damage.

Charlo, perhaps gaining confidence from how the previous round concluded, started round three aggressively. About a minute into the round, Charlo rocked Hatley with a huge one-two – the right landed flush on the side of Hatley’s head and set him crashing hard to the canvas. Hatley beat the ten count, regained his legs, and was able to escape further punishment for the rest of the round.

Rounds four and five saw Charlo turn up the heat and keep the pressure on. He controlled the pace and tempo of both rounds and continued to look for openings where he could unleash that straight right.

Charlo came out of the corner in round six like a man possessed. From the bell Charlo let both hands fly, unleashing a swarm of punches that seemed to overwhelm Hatley. Hatley decided to try and bang back with Charlo, but during an exchange near the corner of the ring Charlo delivered a murderous right that knocked Hatley out cold before his body hit the canvas. Referee Harvey Dock immediately stopped the bout. The official time of stoppage was :32 of round six.

“I used that jab to set up the right hand,” Charlo said after the fight. “I knew Charles Hatley goes down and he gets back up – he’s a warrior – and I knew I had to get in there and be a lion.”

With that spectacular KO victory, Charlo continues to win and do so in style. His record now reads 29-0, 14KO. Hatley, who was coming off two solid wins against veterans Saul Roman and Anthony Mundine, suffers his first defeat since 2012 and drops to 26-2-1, 18KO.

Home crowd favorite Amanda Serrano became boxing’s first female fighter to capture five world titles when she stopped her Dominican counterpart Dahiana Santana in the seventh round of their bantamweight title bout. Serrano fought slick fight, landing her punches and moving out of danger. Only once, early in round four, did Santana pose any threat of danger when she landed a hard left hook, which momentarily wobbled Serrano. Later in that same round, Santana would have a point deducted for holding.

In the seventh round, Serrano continued to apply pressure and after a seemingly mild flurry of punches, referee Benjy Esteves, Jr. decided Santana had endured enough punishment and stopped the contest at the 1:14 mark of round 8.

After the bout, Serrano spoke about what becoming the first female to win five world titles means to her. “It means everything to me…we’ve worked so hard for this moment. To be the first fighter to do so and the first Puerto Rican to do so…I’m so proud to be Puerto Rican,” she said, fighting back tears. “It feels so good to be Boricua, it’s in my heart…I can retire today and be the happiest woman alive.”

The history-making victory boosts Serrano’s professional record to 32-1-1, 24 KO. Santana’s record now stands at 35-9, 15KO.

The first of Showtime Extreme’s televised bouts saw two heavy-handed KO artists slug it out for six-plus rounds until Jose Miguel Borrego finally finished off John Delperdang via TKO.

Borrego controlled the action in the first round, continuously planting vicious shots to both sides of Delperdang’s exposed torso. During the one-minute interval between the first and second rounds, both fighters’ must have decided it was worth taking a shot to land one. The ensuing rounds saw a perpetual give and take that at times had the early arriving Brooklyn crowd on it’s feet.

Borrego’s most successful punch of the night was his left uppercut – a punch that he landed at will throughout the fight – and a punch that caused Delperdang’s nose to break and leak blood from round three on.

Few and far between, Delperdang’s best moments came courtesy his left-hook, which he was able to land periodically during the middle rounds.

Although the middle rounds saw some explosive exchanges between the two fighters, the tide turned for good in round six when Borrego continued his onslaught of uppercuts, mixed with sharp combinations that Delperdang had no answer for.

In the seventh round, Borrego sensed blood in the water and kicked up the pressure. Borrego was on Delperdang from the bell, landing at will and backing his opponent to the ropes. Borrego stalked his Delperdang from one end of the ring to the other until he was able to land a fight-ending uppercut that caused referee Eric Dali to step between fighters and call a stop to the bout. The time of stoppage was 2:01 of the seventh round.

Borrego wins for the second time on US soil, both by stoppage, and improves his record to 12-0, 11KO. Delperdang has now lost two consecutive bouts and his record now reads 10-3, 9KO.

In the night’s third contest, Brooklyn’s Jason Sosa scored a crowd-pleasing TKO win over Emmanuel Valadez. Sosa started the fight composed and aggressive, fighting on his terms and forcing Valadez back on his heels. Midway through the opening round, Sosa landed a crisp left hook that found Valadez’s chin and dropped him to the mat.

Sosa continued to wear down his foe over the next round a half until he fired an overhand right that rocketed over Valadez’s defense and sent him crashing to the canvas. Before Valadez had a chance to beat the ten count, referee Alan Harkins stopped the bout at the 1:55 mark of round three.

With the win, Sosa remains undefeated and bolsters his record to 8-0-1, 3KO. Valadez still has yet to the go the distance in any of his seven professional fights. His record drops to 3-4, with all four losses coming by knockout.

Joseph Williams improved his unblemished record to 12-0 with a third round TKO victory against battle-tested veteran Felipe Romero. Williams controlled the fight from the onset, applying pressure and varying his punches, scoring freely behind his jab.

Midway through the third round Williams landed a heat-seeking right that sent Romero stumbling from one corner to another. As Williams walked down his prey to inflict more punishment, Benjy Esteves Jr. jumped between fighters and called a halt to the contest at the 2:43 mark of the third round. Williams joins the likes of David Benavidez, Oleksandr Usyk, and Krzysztof Glowacki as fighters who have TKO’d the hard-nosed Mexican. The loss drops Romero’s record to 19-13-1.

Staten Island’s Kenny Robles defeated Latorie Woodberry via first round TKO. It was the second time Robles has scored a victory over Woodberry in 2017. They first met at the Barclay’s Center in January where judges awarded a unanimous decision victory.

This time, after being touched early in the fight’s opening minute, Robles turned up the pressure and after landing a series of punches, staggered Woodberry. Robles never let up and Woodberry never recovered. Referee Eric Dali jumped in to stop the contest at the 1:53 mark of the opening round.

Robles moves to 2-0, 1 KO, with both wins coming against Woodberry in Brooklyn. Woodberry’s record now stands at 1-4-1.

Former Haitian Olympian, Richardson Hitchins scored a four round unanimous decision victory over Alex Picot. Hitchins controlled the bout from start to finish and seemingly scored at will, but will likely be disappointed that he was unable to stop his Puerto Rican counterpart. Hitchins starts his career 2-1, 1KO, while Picot falls to 2-3-1.

According to Dan Rafael of espn.com, Hughie Fury has withdrawn from his May 6th WBO World Heavyweight title fight with Joseph Parker.

“Duco Events was today notified by the World Boxing Organization that mandatory No. 1 challenger Hughie Fury has an injury and will be unable to challenge champion Joseph Parker for the heavyweight title on May 6th in Auckland,” Duco Events spokesman Craig Stanaway said. “The World Boxing Organization has, therefore, advised Duco Events to investigate the possibility of Joseph Parker making a voluntary defense of his heavyweight title against an opponent ranked in the top 15 of the (WBO) world rankings. Duco Events is currently investigating all options.”

“It’s disappointing to say the least,” Carl Moretti, vice president of Parker’s co-promoter Top Rank, told ESPN. “Have to really wonder if Fury really wanted the opportunity in the first place.”

Michael Perez won a 10-round split decision over Marcelino Lopez in a junior welterweight bout at the Turning Stone Resort Casino in Verona, New York.

Perez built up a nice lead, but in round eight he was dropped by a perfect left hook. In round nine, Perez started to bleed over his right eye.

Perez, 141 lbs of Newark, NJ won by scores of 97-92 and 96-93, while Lopez took a card at 96-93.

Lopez is 25-2-2. Lopez, 140 lbs of Buenos Aires, ARG is 31-2-1.

“I won the fight for sure,” said Perez. “My plan was to go in and box him, and work him with my jab. I knew I won, but know I could’ve been better if I had more rest before. Next time I fight, I’m going to the best I can be.”

Rashidi Ellis won a 10-round majority decision over John Karl Sosa in a welterweight bout.

Ellis, 147 lbs of Boston, MA won by scores of 97-93 twice and 95-95 and is now 18-0. Sosa, 147 lbs of Caguas, PR is 13-3.

“In the fight, I worked on my jabs and punches the most,” said Ellis. “I’m happy with the decision, but I know my opponent got to me in a lot of the rounds. In the end, I gave it my all.”
“I was planning on going in to defeat him,” said Sosa. “My corner kept telling me to move, and I listened. I felt the fight was much closer than the judges scored it.”

Eddie Gomez won an eight-round unanimous decision over Dennis Dauti in a welterweight bout.

Gomez, 146.75 of Bronx, NY won by scores of 79-73 and 77-74 twice, and is now 20-2. Dauti, 146 lbs of Nausa, GRE is now 14-2.

“I love fighting on the East Coast in front of all my family, friends and fans,” said Gomez. “In boxing, there are always ups and downs, but I’m just glad to be back and have the victory tonight.”

Jimmy Garcia stopped Albert Tulley in the 1st round of their scheduled four round light heavyweight bout.

Garcia dropped Tulley once, and the bout was stopped at 1:47.

Garica, 164.25 lbs of Syracuse, NY is 5-0 with three knockouts. Tulley, 170.25 lbs of Governor, NY was making his pro debut.

“My plan was to go in there to box and win,” said Garica. “I did just that by outboxing him whenever he went at me. Every time I hit him, I hit back and it worked.”