The lawsuit for which Golden Boy Promotions sued Al Haymon was thrown out by a judge in Los Angeles, according to Dan Rafael of espn.com.

“The court concludes that plaintiffs have failed to demonstrate that there is a genuine issue of material fact as to any of their federal claims for relief,” Walter wrote in a 24-page ruling, a copy of which was obtained by ESPN.

“On behalf of our clients, Haymon Sports, LLC and its CEO, Alan Haymon, we are very pleased with the decision of the Court to grant summary judgment and dismiss all of the meritless claims filed by Golden Boy Promotions,” attorney Michael Williams, of Quinn Emanuel, said in a statement given to ESPN.

“The Court’s ruling makes clear that the efforts by Haymon Sports were intended to, and actually did, increase competition in the boxing industry, to the benefit of the boxers, other promoters, and the fans.”

“Golden Boy’s invocation of the Ali Act — which the Court recognized exists to protect boxers, not promoters — was especially hypocritical given that the Court cited evidence that confirms Haymon Sports has consistently looked to protect the interests of its boxers against one-sided and oppressive promoter contracts,” Williams said. “Any decline in Golden Boy’s business cannot be attributed to the hard work and legal activities of my clients. We remain disappointed that Golden Boy chose to use the court system to try and stifle lawful competition and make false and unsupported accusation about my clients.”

“It is undisputed that Haymon Sports has worked with promoters across the industry (including Golden Boy, Top Rank, DiBella Entertainment, and others) to secure high-paid bouts and title fights,” Walter wrote. “Since January 1, 2015, at least three fights have taken place involving Haymon managed boxers and boxers promoted by Golden Boy.”

“This evidence clearly demonstrates that when it is in the best interests of Haymon Sports’ boxers, and consistent with its fiduciary duties, Haymon Sports freely permits its boxers to participate in bouts promoted by Golden Boy and other ‘legitimate’ promoters,” Walter wrote. “Moreover, the fact that these fights were extremely lucrative for these so-called ‘legitimate’ promoters demonstrates that Haymon Sports is not attempting to harm competition by unlawfully tying out or destroying these promoters.”

“There is absolutely no evidence that Haymon Sports has ever refused a request by Golden Boy to promote one of its boxers during the covered period,” he wrote. He noted that in May 2015, a manager suggested to Golden Boy matchmaker Robert Diaz that he should try to place heavyweight contender Luis Ortiz on a PBC card to which Diaz responded, “Are you serious? You do know we have sued Haymon right?”

“Plaintiffs have been unable to present any evidence of harm to competition,” Walter wrote in his conclusion. “Instead, Plaintiffs have merely presented evidence of harm to themselves.”

According to Dan Rafael of espn.com. A potential fight between WBO Heavyweight champion Joseph Parker and Hughie Fury will head to purse bid.

The minimum bid is $1 million. Parker co-promoters Duco Events and Top Rank and Fury promoter Frank Warren could still make a deal before the purse bid takes place but if the bid goes through the promoter with the highest offer will gain promotional control of the fight and be able to pick the date and location as well as control the other logistics of the event.

Parker will be entitled to 60 percent of the winning bid, and Fury would receive the remaining 40 percent, per the WBO’s ruling at its 2016 convention.

Heavyweight Andrzej Wawrzyk tested positive for a banned substance and he is now out of his February 25th bout with Deontay Wilder, according to Dan Rafael of espn.com

Wawrzyk, who was due to challenge Deontay Wilder for his world title on Feb. 25 in the main event of a Premier Boxing Champions card on Fox in prime time, has tested positive for the anabolic steroid stanozolol.

Wawrzyk and Wilder were being randomly tested — blood and urine — under the rules of the WBC’s Clean Boxing Program, which is overseen by the Voluntary Anti-Doping Association.

According to the letter sent by VADA president Dr. Margaret Goodman notifying those involved of the positive test and obtained by ESPN, Wawrzyk was given urine tests in Warsaw, Poland, where he lives, on Jan. 15 and 16. The results of both tests, which were returned Tuesday night, were positive, and the parties were notified.

According to the VADA letter, Wawrzyk’s samples were “analyzed for anabolic agents, diuretics, beta-2 agonists, stimulants and drugs of abuse. The results of the analysis for each specimen is as follows: Adverse. Urine specimen contains stanozolol metabolites.”

“I just found out about the positive test [Tuesday night] and already every promoter with a heavyweight who can breathe is texting me or calling me trying to get the fight,” Wilder promoter Lou DiBella said. “I’m sitting here with my trusty iPad, and I am going to look at YouTube videos and rankings, and we’re just going to work. We’ll get a new opponent for Deontay. Feb 25 is going to go ahead as planned.

“But I’m just shaking my head. Deontay is just shaking his head. But we have a month before the fight, so we have time to get another opponent. The show will go on. I’m not happy about this, but I am much happier to find out now instead of finding out a few days before the fight.”

“They’re going to prevent an injury or a real problem,” DiBella said. “People have been blowing tests left and right in the program. My point of view is that there is a need for the Clean Boxing Program and VADA. And it’s working, because people are being caught.

“We have a clean champion named Deontay Wilder who has nothing to hide, and we’ll make sure when he gets in the ring, he gets in the ring with another guy who is also clean. Steroids and any kind of PED are not safe for the people taking them and not safe for the guy he is going to fight. Obviously, there is a problem, but the WBC and VADA are doing their part to help clean it up.”

According to Dan Rafael of espn.com, Bantamweight titilist will defend his title against Carlos Carlson on March 2nd in Tokyo, Japan.

“I’ll try to show a good performance and defend my belt decisively,” Yamanaka said in translated comments upon announcement of the bout. “I got knocked down in the last two defenses, so I’ll also try to hit without getting hit. I’ll hone my ‘God’s Left’ to display a fine victory.”

After his thrilling draw with James DeGale this past Saturday night, Badou Jack has vacated his WBC Super Middleweight title as he will move up to Light Heavyweight, according to Dan Rafael of espn.com.

“The WBC has received official notification from WBC super middleweight champion Badou Jack, who has decided to move up in weight and compete in the light heavyweight division,” the WBC said in a statement. “Consequently, the super middleweight championship of the world has been declared vacant. The WBC is extremely proud of Badou Jack, who is our Ambassador of Good Will and Peace. He has been a role model outside the ring with his exemplary behavior and his beautiful family, his wife Jasmine, and his baby daughter, Malaniyah.

“The WBC wishes Badou Jack continuous success and the best of luck in his boxing career, hoping that one day he will compete for the light heavyweight championship of the world.”

“We looking forward to a Badou Jack and an Adonis Stevenson fightin’,” Mayweather said at the news conference after the fight with DeGale. “We gonna make that fight happen. We’re not worried about that because at Mayweather Promotions we can make anything happen.”

“I never want to be remembered as a cherry-picker,” Jack said. “Give me the best guys. If I win, I win. If I lose, I lose. I want to be tested. I want the challenges. I want the big-money fights. I don’t care who’s in front of me. Anyone. … Yeah, I’m ready to fight [Stevenson].”

Mairis Briedis and Marco Huck will meet for the vacant WBC interim Cruiserweight title on April 1st in Dortmund, Germany, According to Dan Rafael of espn.com.

“Mairis Briedis is still undefeated and has the reputation of being a very unpleasant opponent with a very hard punch,” Huck said. “I prefer opponents of this caliber, for the bigger the challenge, the better I perform. I will be preparing myself very intensely and conscientiously, because if I do my homework well, a fight is usually decided in my favor before it gets even started.”

“I am incredibly happy about the upcoming fight against Marco Huck,” Briedis said. “He is a true cruiserweight legend and already has shown a lot of incredible fights. Well, in the next fight however we will fight for the WBC (interim) title, which means for both of us all or nothing. I will regard the fight as a one-time chance so I can show my full potential. I know that Marco will also give his best. Therefore the better man may win.

Joe Louzon won a unanimous decision over Marcin Held in a featherweight fight.

Louzon, 155 lbs of Bridgewater, MA won by scores of 29-28 on two cards, while Held took a card 30-27.

Louzon is 27-13. Held, 156 lbs of Tychy, POL is 22-6.

Ben Saunders won a unanimous decision over Court McGee in a welterweight bout.

Saunder, 170 lbs of Orlando, FL won on all cards and is now 21-7-2.  McGee, 170 lbs of Orem, UT is 19-6.

Sergio Pettis won a unanimous decision over John Morraga in a flyweight bout.

Pettis, 125 lbs of Milwaukee, WI won by scores of 30-27 and 29-28 twice and is now 15-2. Morraga, 126 lbs of Phoenix, AZ is 16-6.

Badou Jack and James DeGale fought to a thrilling draw in front of 10, 128 enthusiastic fans at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York in a IBF/WBC Super Middleweight unification bout.

DeGale dropped Jack in the 1st round from a pushing straight left hand.  DeGale out boxed Jack over the 1st half of the fight as he landed quick combinations, where Jack was loading up and landing an occasional big shot on the ropes.  The effects of those punches started to show on DeGale as his face started to mark up around the 8th round.

Behind on the cards, Jack went after DeGale and landed a huge counter right hand that sent DeGale to the canvas.  DeGale was clearly hurt and it was in doubt the he would see the final bell.  Jack landed a huge combination that hurt a now very bloody DeGale.  DeGale did wise to hold on and even land a big left at the bell.

When the scores were read, it became clear that Jack needed that late knockdown as DeGale took a card 114-112, while 2 cards were even at 113-113.

Jack, 167.2 lbs of Stockholm, SWE is 20-1-3.  DeGale, 166.5 lbs of Harlesdon, UK is 23-1-1.

BADOU JACK

“He was doing a lot of running, he was throwing a lot of shit at my guard.  I thought I won the fight. I finished stronger.  His knockdown was a flash knockdown. I won the fight.

“Let’s do it again at light heavyweight. It’s time to move to light heavyweight. 

JAMES DEGALE

“I’ve got huge respect for this man, but I thought I won that.  I landed the cleanest shots.  

“Let’s do it again.  Let’s do it again in London. 

“He hit me (in the 12^th), but I was more off balance.  I respect him.  He’s a good, round fighter.  Let’s go again.”

FLOYD MAYWEATHER

“Badou Jack has got too big for 168 pounds.  We had plans after this fight to move up to light heavyweight. This is the second time in a row Badou has gotten a bad decision.  James DeGale is a hell of a fighter, but tonight he didn’t win.  At the end of the day, I don’t know what the judges are looking at.”

Gervonta Davis won the IBF Junior Lightweight championship with a 7th round stoppage over Jose Pedraza.

Davis came out landing quick and hard shots.  He mixed up between single and hard combinations that had Pedraza’s nose bleeding by the 3rd round.

Pedraza made a brief comeback in round 4 s he landed a heavy combination to the head.  That was short lived as Davis started to turn back the tide in round five.  In round six, he started landing more heavy shots to the point that Pedraza was thoroughly examined by ringside doctors before the 7th frame.  It did not last long after that as a hard body shot doubled over Pedraza, which left him oipen for a wicked uppercut that was followed by a left that dumped the champion on his backside.  Pedraza gamely got to his feet, but the bout was stopped at 2:36.

Davis, 129 lbs of Baltimore, MD is now 17-0 with 16 knockouts.  Pedraza, 129.5 lbs of Caguas, PR is 22-1.\

Amanda Serrano won a 10-round unanimous decision over Yazmin Rivas to retain the WBO Junior Featherweight championship.

Serrano, 1208 lbs of Brooklyn, NY won by scores of 97-93, 98-92  and 99-91  and is now 31-1-1.  Rivas, 121.5 lb so Torreon, MX is 35-10-1.

Immanuwel Aleem scored a stunning 6th round stoppage over Ievgen Khytrov in a scheduled 10-round middleweight bout.

Aleem dropped Khytrov in round’s three and six with powerful left hooks, and then finished him off with hard flurry on the ropes.

Aleem, 158.5 lbs of Richmond, VA is 17-0-1 with 10 knockouts.  Khytrov, 159.5 lbs of Brooklyn is 14-1.

Thomas Dulorme stopped Brian Jones in the 6th round of their scheduled 8-round welterweight bout.

Dulorme, 145.8 lbs of Carolina, PR is now 24-2 with 16 knockouts.  Jones, 144.5 lbs of Los Angeles is now 13-7.

Adam Kownacki stopped Joshua Tufte in the 2nd round of their scheduled 8-round heavyweight bout.

Kownacki, 257.8 lbs of New York, NU is 15-0 with 12 knockouts.  Tufte, 265.8 lbs of Kernerville, NC is 19-2.

Noel Murphy remained perfect with a 6-round unanimous decision over Maxito Sainvil in a welterweight bout.

Murphy, 146.4 lbs of Woodlawn. NY won by scores of 60-54 twice and 59-55 and is now 8-0.  Sainvil, 148.8 lbs of Nyack, NY is 4-1-1.

Kenny Robles made a successful pro debut with a 4-round unanimous decision over Latorie Woodberry in a welterweight bout.

Robles, 144 lbs of Staten Island, NY won by scores of 40-36 and 39-37 twice and is now 1-0.  Woodberry, 141.6 lbs of Roanoke, VA 1-3-1.

As always, a huge Cuban crowd came out tonight to support their beloved Erislandy “The American Dream” Lara at Hialeah Park Racing and Casino in Miami. With constant chants of Cuba and a heavy dose of Pitbull background music, the party got started early. In the main event the packed house was treated with the super welterweight world champion Lara (24-2-2, 14 KOs) dismantling former world champion Yuri Foreman (34-3, 10 KOs) to retain his WBA strap for the fifth time live on Spike TV. The consensus best fighter at 154-pounds, Lara did his thing in controlling distance and pace early while easily out boxing the former world champion Yuri Foreman. Foreman, an ordained rabbi was never in the fight and had a hard time catching one of boxing’s slickest boxers. In round three after Lara landed a couple shots and an entanglement of feet, a knockdown was incorrectly scored for Lara. It was a mood point as in round four Lara put a left uppercut deep into Foremans midsection that dispensed the Brooklyn-based native of Brelarus Foreman on the canvas with no hopes of beating the count.

The live televised coverage kicked off with former super middleweight world champion Anthony “The Dog” Dirrell (30-1-1, 24 KOs) battling Hungary’s Norbert Nemesapati (24-5, 17 KOs) in a 10-round bout. Dirrell set an early pace moving Nemesapati back with strong right hands and body shots. The Hungarian was able to create a couple occasional early exchanges, but Derrell’s power was too much as he was visibly breaking Nemesapati. By the third round it was a seek and destroy mission as Dirrell hunted his prey and landed a variety of uppercuts, body shots, right hands, hooks, and I may have seen him throw the kitchen sink at one point. Dirrell virtually beat Nemesapati into a submission as he felt no need to come out for round seven for more of what was a constant in the fight, and that was a clear show of a difference of skill level.

Dirrell has seen more adversity than most throughout his career as his time in boxing has been seriously jeopardized twice, first in December 2006 when he was diagnosed with non-Hodgkins lymphoma and was sidelined for 20 months and again in May 2012 when he broke his lower left leg and left wrist in a motorcycle accident. The Flint, Michigan-native never let that hold him down as he kept winning fights and working his way up the professional ranks. In 2014 he won his first championship when he defeated defending champion Sakio Bika. His road back to a 168-pound title has seen him dominate former title challengers Marco Antonio Rubio last September and Caleb Truax in April.

Juan Carlos Payano 18-1 (9KO) put on a display of “all things boxing” on his way to a TKO win over Isao Carranza 15-8-1(5KO) with the end coming at 1:16 of the 7th round. Payano was coming off of the first loss of his career and a super close majority decision loss at the hands of Rau’shee Warren in June of 2016.

Early results from Hialeah Park: Premier Boxings Lara vs Foreman Undercard results

Dennis ‘The Surgeon” Galarza improved to 14-2(8KO) with a TKO victory over Edgardo Rivera 7-5-2-(5KO) to open Warriors Boxing’s Lara v Foreman from Hialeah Park in. From the opening jab Galarza, from Orlando surgically dissected Rivera with shots from every angle and finally into submission when Sam Burgos finally stepped in and stopped the action in the third round.

Light heavyweight Robert Daniels Jr 2-0(2KO) made easy work out of easy work Antonio Alicea 0-2. Daniels wins by KO in just 25 seconds in the first round knocking out a very timid and out of shape Alicea.

Someone’s O had to go when Miguel Cruz 14-0 (11KO) faced off with Alex Martin 13-1(5KO) in a battle of unbeaten’s. Martin established an early lead with precise straight left hands, slick distance, smart defense, and counter-punching. Cruz pressured to offset the slick counter puncher making for an entertaining tactical fight. The split decision victory was for Miguel Cruz.

Photo Credit Amie DiDia

According to Dan Rafael of espn.com, former world heavyweight champion Shannon Briggs will take on Fres Oquendo for the WBA Heavyweight title.

No date or venue has been announced.

According to Dan Rafael of espn.com, Manny Pacquiao will defend the WBO Welterweight title against Jeff Horn on April 22, most likely in Australia (Although promoter Bob Arum is fielding offers from other countries such as Dubai).

“Horn and his management have agreed on the purse and now we’re working on a site,” Arum said. “We’ll know the location of the fight in the next few days.”

“Once we have a location then I’ll fly over to the Philippines to meet with Manny and finalize everything on our side,” Arum said. “But he is going to fight Jeff Horn.”

“I thought he was a really rugged guy. He’s a good fighter,” Arum said. “Does he beat Manny? Probably not, but he’s going to give him a good fight. He has a very pleasing personality.”

Initially, Arum said he wanted to bring Horn to the United States and match him with either Timothy Bradley Jr. or Jessie Vargas, both former welterweight world titleholders he promotes, with the idea that if Horn beat one of them he would then make a fight with Pacquiao later in 2017.

But “the Aussies wanted to do the fight right away and the people in the Middle East [in the UAE] find him acceptable as an opponent for Manny, so why crap around with putting him in with a Vargas or Bradley?” Arum said. “Why? Maybe it will enhance the number of pay-per-view buys in the United States? Maybe it won’t. Maybe the fight won’t even be a pay-per-view in the United States. Why screw around with bringing him to the United States and fighting Bradley and Vargas? Why? Where? HBO has no money.

“There really wasn’t any incentive [to go after a bigger name]. Horn was a good enough opponent and the only way we would have switched is if there was more money to be made with someone else, like if we went to the Middle East and fought Amir Khan. We spoke to Khan and he told us he wouldn’t be available to fight Manny until November [because he is coming off an injury] and wanted a tuneup fight.”

“I am excited about the prospect of facing a legend in Manny Pacquiao,” Horn told ESPN. “I know a lot of people in America don’t know too much about me, but after [April 22] they most certainly will.

“But U.S. pay-per-view is a minor consideration,” Arum said. “I would hope to sell it to free television whether to [subscription-based] HBO or a terrestrial network. What we’re waiting on is there are various regions in Australia and they’re all bidding on the fight and tourist boards are putting up money and there are sponsorships. What we can get from that will determine how viable it is to do the fight in Australia and where we do it in Australia.”

“My goal is to have Pacquiao fight as many times as we can get away from the senate duties as possible,” Arum said. “So the idea is if he fights in April and he stays in boxing shape we can fight perhaps again in July. We have an offer in Russia. And then we have an offer and would be interested in fighting [fellow welterweight titleholder] Kell Brook in England in probably October. That’s a big fight.

“We did world tours with Muhammad Ali and that’s what I’m going to do with Manny. It’s good for him to fight all over. He might be president of the Philippines someday and fighting around the world is good for that possibility.”

Roman Gonzalez will defend the WBC Super Flyweight title against Srisaket Sor Rungvisai on March 18th at Madison Square Garden as the co-feature bout on the Gennady Golovkin – Daniel Jacobs Middleweight unification bout, according to Dan Rafael of espn.com.

“Many people consider Sor Rungvisai more dangerous or just as dangerous as Cuadras. This is not an easier fight than a rematch with Cuadras,” Gonzalez U.S. representative Tom Loeffler told ESPN. “Roman and his team decided to fight Srisaket with the winner having to fight Cuadras.”

“He is a very dangerous opponent for Roman and even though many of the U.S. fans might not know him, the boxing people know him,” Loeffler said. “When we have the combination of GGG and Chocolatito in arguably the toughest fights of their career on the same card, that’s the type of value we want to provide for the fans that come to Madison Square Garden or the fans who buy the card on HBO PPV.”

“This will be their fifth appearance on the same broadcast together. It’s a great combination when you have the two best pound-for-pound fighters in the world on the same show,” Loeffler said. “The fans can see the talent level these guys have. All four of these fighters are extremely talented. That’s a winning combination for the fans.”

Amanda Nunes solidified herself as a star and turned out the lights on the career of Ronda Rousey as she annihilated Rousey in just 48 seconds at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

The writing was on the wall from the 1st punch as Nunes landed a right hand that rocked Rousey backwards.  Nunes was patient and continued to pummel the face of Rousey as she took clean, hard shots until referee Herb Dean mercifully stopped it at 48 seconds.

Nunes , 135 lbs of Brazil is now 14-4.  Rousey, 135 lbs of Vemice, CA is 12-2.

In a highly anticipated grudge match, Cody Garbrandt won the UFC Bantamweight title with a unanimous deicison over long time champion Dominick Cruz

The two exchanged heavy blows throughout the affair.  In round three, Cruz was cut over his left eye from a headbutt.  Garbrandt took control of the fight in that round as he landed some bug shots, but champion tried to mount offense.  In round three, Garbrandt dumped Cruz on his back on three separate occasions from hard punches.

Garbrandt, 135 lbs of Sacramento, California coasted down the stretch and won by scores of 48-46 twice and 48-47 and is now 11-0.  Cruz, 135 lbs of San Diego is 22-2.

Former Bantamweight champion TJ Dillashaw battered John Lineker over three rounds en route to a unanimous decision.

Dillashaw dominated with hammer punches and in round two was close to stopping Lineker.

Scores were 30-26 on all cards for Dillashaw, 136 lbs of Denver, CO and is now 15-3.  Lineker, 135 lbs of Brazil is 29-8/

Dong Hyun Kim took a split decision over Tarec Saffiedine

It was a lackluster affair, but Kim got the victory as he took two cards 29-28 while Saffiedine took a card 30-27.

Kim is now 22-3-1-1.  Saffiedine is 16-6.

Ray Borg won a unanimous decision over Louis Smolka in a flyweight bout.

In round one, Smolka was bleeding from his right eye, and dominated with takedowns.

Borg won by scores of 30-27 and 30-26 twice and is now 10-2.  Smolka, 125.5 lbs of Hawaii is now 11-3.

Neil Magny won a unanimous decision over former welterweight champion Johny Hendricks.

Magny, 171 lbs of Denver, CO won on all cards by 29-28 scores and is now 19-6.  Hendricks, 173.5 (2.5 over the weight limit) is now 17-6.

Antonio Carlos Junior won a unanimous decision over Marvin Venntori in a middleweight bout.

Junior, 186 lbs of Coconut Creek, FL won by scores of  29-28 on all cards  and is now 8-2-1.  Venntori, 186 lbs of Italy is 11-3.

Alex Garcia knocked out Mike Pyle in the 1st round of their welterweight bout.

Garcia landed a crushing overhand right that sent Pyle down and out at 3:34.

Garcia, 170 1/2 lbs of Montreal is 14-3.  Pyle is 27-13-1.

Niko Price choked out Brandon Thatch in the 1st round of their welterweight bout.

After an early choke attempt by Thatch, Price turned the tables and made Thatch tap out at 4:30 from an arm triangle.

Price, 170 lbs of Cape Coral, FL is 9-0.  Thatch, 170 lbs of Denver, CO is 11-5.

Follow all the action as Amanda Nunes defends the UFC Bantamweight title against the come-backing Ronda Rousey.  The action kicks off at 8 PM ET / 5 PM PT that will feature another world title bout when Dominick Cruz defends his Bantamweight title against Cody Garbrandt in a grudge match.

NO BROWSER REFRESH NEEDED..PAGE WILL UPDATE AUTOMATICALLY 

Round 1 Nunes destroying Rousey with punches ALL OVER THE CAGE..ROUSEY IN SERIOUS TROUBLE ASND SHE IS HURT…FIGHT OVER IN 48 SECONDS

Round 1 Cruz gets in a right..Garbrandt lands 2 more rights..and another..Good leg kick from Cruz..Garbrandt gets in a kick to the body and a leg kick..Good right…right and left from Cruz..Takedown from Garbrandt..

Round 2 Good right from Cruz..Combination from Garbrandt..Right stuns Garbrandt..Counter right from Garbrandt..Kick to the body..left hook..Kick to the body and good combination..kick to body and counter right

Round 3 Garbrandt scores with a right and left..Cruz cut over left eye (Headbutt)  ..Right from Garbrandt..Hard left..Good right from Cruz..Big right from Garbrandt..Inside leg kick from Cruz..Big knee hurts Cruz…Jab from Garbrandt..Left and right uppercut from Cruz..Right from Garbrandt..Kick from Cruz..Granrandt counters..Good left from Cruz

Round 4 Good kick from Cruz…Garbrandt counters..Big right drops at Cruz…he points at Cruz and Cruz gets up..Big left from Cruz..Straight from Garbrandt..Big right drops Cruz again.. and again from a right hand…

Round 5 Kick from Garbrandt…right..Right from Cruz..

48-46 Twice and 48-47 for THE NEW CHAMPION–CODY GARBRANDT

Round 1 Lineker catches a head kick..Good takedown by Dillashaw…Step in right hand..Inside kick

Round 2 Good takedown from Dillashaw…Dillashaw  has Lineker on the ground..Dillashaw landing hammer strikes on the ground..Continuing to hammer Lineker..Dillashaw lands 9 elbows and punches..Lineker taking a lot of punishment

Round 3 Front kick to the chest by Dillashaw..Takedown..Landing punches from behind..Dillashaw has Lineker in a calf crank..Body shot from Lineker..Overhand left..body

30-26 on all cards for Dillashaw

Round 1: Early exchange..Saffiedine has Kim’s back standing.Knee to the head by Saffiedine..Good right..Good right..Kick to the head..Knee…trip..

Round 2 Saffiedine lands a knee..Body kick..Good right from Kim..Nice kick and knee from Saffiedine..

Round 3  Big uppercut from Kim, kick from Saffiedine..Elbow..Good body kick..and a knee..knee.

30-27 SAFFIEDINE…29-28 KIM. TWICE…SPLIT DECISION

Round 1: Smolka jabbing..Borg gets a takedown..Borg dropping elbows…Smolka bleeding from his right eye..Takedown from Borg..Full mount…Borg has the left arm..2 hard shots with Smolka on the ground

Round 2 Borg lands a strong leg kick and a right hand..Takedown from Borg..Borg lands a big punch while Smolka on the ground…

Round 3 Borg gets the back of Smolka..Borg has a front choke on Smolka..Spinning elbow

30-27 and 30-26 twice for Ray Borg

Round 1:Left from Hendricks..Hendricks has Magny on his back,,Magny has Hendricks in a sitting triangle..Magny striking in the triangle

Round 2 Hendricks takes down Magny.

Round 3 Hendricks gets another takedown…Knee by Magny..Hendicks lifts Magny up and gets a takedown..Magny has a triangle from his back

29-28 on all cards for Magny

Round 1: Venttori gets poked in the eye…Nenttori pokes Junior in the eye..Junior lands a kick..take down

Round 2 Venttori has Junior down and in a Guillotine..Ground and pound

Round 3 Junior gets a takedown..Kick to the head…Takedown..left hand and a knee

29-28 on all 3 cards for Junior

Round 1: Good kick from Garcia..Exchanging jabs...HUGE OVER HAND RIGHT KNOCKS PYLE OUT

Round 1 Good inside leg kick for Thatch..Thatch has Price in a choke..Price ecscapes..Price has a arm triangle..Price has Thatch in a rear naked choke…THATCH TAPS FROM AN ARM TRIANGLE

Lightweight contender Fleix Verdejo will return to the ring on February 3rd against Oliver Flores in Puerto Rico, in what will be his 1st bout since suffering injuries in a motorcycle accident, according to Dan Rafael of espn.com.

“To fight once again at the Roberto Clemente Coliseum is the continuation of a dream for me and also the opportunity to show the world that I’m ready to bring a world title to my island,” Verdejo said. “I can’t wait for Feb. 3. I want to share my joy with my people, and I also want to send a direct message to the WBO world champion, Terry Flanagan, that I’m not a tuneup fight for anyone.”

Ricky Marquez, Verdejo’s manager and trainer, said Verdejo will be as good as new despite the accident.

“We return to the island to clear all the doubts about Felix’s total recuperation and to show that the inactivity, instead of affecting him, has strengthened him physically and mentally,” Marquez said.

In the scheduled eight-round co-feature, featherweight prospect Christopher Diaz (19-0, 11 KOs), 22, of Puerto Rico, will take on Efrain Esquivias (17-5-1, 10 KOs), 33, of Carson, California. Esquivias has lost three fights in a row but is very experienced. He sent former junior featherweight world champion Rafael Marquez into retirement with a ninth-round knockout in a 2013 featherweight fight.

“I want to give the people that believe in me a big win,” Diaz said. “I want my fans from (hometown) Barranquitas and all the municipalities from the mountain to get to the Roberto Clemente Coliseum on Feb. 3, because I’m in charge of the fireworks in this party.”

“It’s big news for me. I am very excited,” Golovkin said. “I think it’s a very big fight and great fight for you guys to watch. Danny is an amazing fighter. He is a tough opponent and No. 2 in the middleweight division. He is my toughest opponent. Hopefully, I fight three times next year. There are big plans for 2017 (but) right now I am focused on Jacobs and I am here to fight.

“I’m excited about facing GGG and proving I’m the best middleweight in the world,” Jacobs said in a statement to ESPN. “On March 18 I’m bringing all the belts back to Brooklyn with me.”

Mickey Gall stopped Sage Northcutt in the 2nd round of their welterweight bout.

Gall sent Northcutt to the canvas with a right hand, He was able to get behind and make Northcutt tap with a rear naked choke at 1:40.

Gall, 170 lbs of Green Brook, NJ is 4-0. Northcutt, 170 lbs of Katy, TX is 8-2.

Urijah Faber wrapped up his certain Hall of Fame career with a unanimous decision over Brad Pickett in a featherweight bout.

Faber, 136 lbs of Sacramento, CA won all cars 30-26 and will end his career with a record of 34-10. Pickett, 136 lbs of East London, England is 26-13.

Alan Jouban won a unanimous decision over previously undefeated Mike Perry in a welterweight bout.

In round three, a welt started to form on Perry’s left leg from the continuous leg kicks of Jouban.

Jouban, 170.5 lbs of Los Angeles won by scores of 30-27 twice and 29-28 and, now is 15-4. Perry, 170 lbs of Orlando, FL is 9-1.

Joe Smith Jr ended the legendary career of Bernard Hopkins when he knocked Hopkins out of the ring in the 8th of their scheduled 12-round light heavyweight bout at the Forum in Inglewood, California.

In round one, Smith wobbled Hopkins with a right to the top of head.  In round two, Smith was cut inside his left eyebrow from an accidental headbutt.  Hopkins fought his way back into the fight as he occasionally landed his trademark right hand and some nice uppercuts on the inside.

Smith was bombing away with his right hand and startled but never had Hopkins in much trouble.  That changed in the 8th round, when Smith rocked Hopkins with a right hand.  A follow up combination drilled Hopkins out of the ring.  Hopkins fell on the back of his head, and could not beat the 20 count of referee Jack Reiss and Hopkins was stopped for the 1st time in his illustrious 28 year career.

Smith 174 lbs of Long Island, NY is now 23-1 with 19 knockouts.  Hopkins, 174 lbs of Philadelphia will wind up his career with a record of 55-8-2.

Joseph Diaz, Jr. remained perfect by winning a 10-round unanimous decision over Horacio Garcia in a featherweight contest.

Diaz used superior handspeed and body work to control the action and outland Garcia by a 266-116 mark.

Diaz, 126 lbs of South El Monte, CA won by scores of 100-90 on all cards,  and is now 23-0.  Garcia, 125.8 lbs of Guadalajara, MX is 30-2-1.

Oleksandr Usyk retained the WBO Cruiserweight title with a 9th round stoppage over Thabiso Mchunu

Usyk started to open up in round five and in round six, dropped Mchunu with a hard combination.  Usyk continued to build his lead and then in round nine, he landed a hard straight left that sent Mchunu to the canvas.  Mchunu was able to continue, but not for much longer as a left to the top of the head put Mchunu down for a 3rd and final time.  Referee Lou Moret stopped the bout at 1:53.

Usyk, 199.6 lbs of Kiev, UKR is now 11-0 with 10 knockouts.  Mchunu, 198.6 lbs of Cato Ridge, SA is 17-3.

Jason Quigley remained undefeated by stopping Jorge Melendez in the 1st round of their scheduled 10-middleweight bout.

Quigley dropped Melendez with a short right in the 1st round. Quigley dropped Melendez a short time later with a five punch combination. Melendez went down for a 3rd time in the round from a right. Melendez was able to continue, but just for a brief time as he landed a big flurry that forced the corner to stop the fight at 2:42.

Quigley, 159.6 lbs of Donegal, IRE is 12-0 with 10 knockouts. Melendez, 158.6 lbs of Manati, PR is 28-8-1.

Ryan Garcia remained undefeated by scoring a 2nd round stoppage over Antonio Martinez in a scheduled 6-round lightweight bout.

Martinez was cut over his left eye in the 1st round from a huge flurry of punches by Garcia. Garcia scored a knockdown at the end of the round from a right hand. In round two, Garcia dropped Martinez with a left hand. Garcia continued the onslaught and landed a bug right hand that forced the referee to stop the bout at 2:00

Garcia, 131.4 lbs of Victorville, CA is 7-0 with 6 knockouts. Martinez, 131.4 lbs of Durango, MX is 6-8.

Bernard Hopkins 174 – Joe Smith, Jr. 174
Joseph Diaz Jr. 126 – Horacio Garcia 125.8
Oleksandr Usyk 199.6 – Thabiso Mchunu 198.6
(WBO Cruiserweight title)
Jason Quigley 159.6 – Jorge Melendez 158.6
Ryan Garcia 131.4 – Antonio Martinez 131.4
Carlos Morales 130 – Charles Huerta 130
Cristian Gonzalez 134.6 – Jonathan Perez
Roberto Rivera 133 – Ivan Delgado 131.4

According to Dan Rafael of espn.com, there has been some talks about a possible fight between Mexican superstars Canelo Alvarez and Julio Cesar Chavez, Jr. for a fight next May.

“We’re in talks, we’ve been talking for about a month,” Eric Gomez, president of Golden Boy Promotions, Alvarez’s promoter, said. “There’s interest on both sides.”

The biggest obstacle is the weight. If a deal is hammered out the weight would probably 164 or 165 pounds. Alvarez has never boxed above 155 pounds. Chavez has been 167½ or heavier for his past five fights dating to 2013.

“The catchweight is being negotiated,” Gomez said. “Canelo has a limit he wants, they have a limit Chavez wants, so it’s being negotiated.”

“It would be a good fight. The Mexican fans would really get behind it,” Gomez said. “It’s two really big names. We’re far apart, but we’re in talks. Hopefully, we can make it.”

He had some bad people in his life making bad decisions and giving him bad advice,” said Sean Gibbons, Chavez’s longtime matchmaker. “Julio was derailed from the path that he needed to be on. He’s back on the right path. He made weight comfortably for Britsch. He made the weight so easy. The contract was 169 but he said, ‘I’m coming in under to show that I’m back and serious.’ He proved to the people he’s serious and that he’s for real. The time is right and he can make the weight. The fight with Britsch was to prove to the public that he is ready for Canelo or (Gennady) Golovkin.”

“Due to dehydration, Antonio was taken to the hospital as a precaution (Thursday) morning,” Golden Boy Promotions spokesman Stefan Friedman told ESPN. “He is doing well and we look forward to his returning to action in the near future.”

“His blood sugar was a little high at 240,” Frank Espinoza, Orozco’s manager, told ESPN. “His heart rate was amazing at 39 beats per minute, so he was released and (we were) told to monitor him with fluids.”

2016 U.S. Olympian Antonio Vargas has sigbed with Top Rank, according to Dan Rafael of espn.com.

“We had a lot of offers from promoters from all over the world and we were considering several of them when Top Rank made their offer,” Vargas said. “It’s a dream come true to be signed by Top Rank.”

“My first couple of fights as a pro, if I can, I want to fight at 115 [pounds], get a little title shot, then move up to 118,” Vargas said. “But I’m growing. I remember in the amateurs, at the Olympics, making 114 was really hard for me. But if I can’t make 115, I’ll fight at 118 for my first couple of fights.”

“I like to bring the fight,” Vargas said of his style. “I can box — I can be nice — but I just love to throw punches and let the fans see a good fight. I’ve been working with my trainer, Tito Ocasio, the last couple of months now, since I came back from the Olympics. He’s more of a professional-style coach. He’s trained several world champions. I decided to train with him because he’s one of the best professional coaches in Florida right now.”

“Antonio is an extremely gifted amateur who will flourish in the pro ranks,” Top Rank’s Carl Moretti said. “Combine that with his popularity in the Central Florida region, where Top Rank will be promoting numerous shows with our partners All-Star Boxing, [and it] should catapult Antonio quickly as an attraction.”

“I’m extremely happy for Antonio to have this opportunity with Top Rank,” said Vargas’ manager, Dave McWater of Split T Management. “He’s worked his whole life to be the best, and in signing with Top Rank he is now with the best.”

The state of New York has found an insurance carrier to help underwrite policies for bigger events, according to Dan Rafael of espn.com.

The reason is because of new insurance regulations for combat sports in the state that went into effect on Sept. 1, as part of the law that legalized mixed martial arts in New York. When the law was implemented, boxing promoters were left without any available insurance policy to buy to cover the events, leaving the sport dead in New York since the last card took place on Coney Island in Brooklyn on Aug. 21.

New York’s Department of Financial Services, the state agency that worked with the insurance industry, has approved a policy that the United States Fire Insurance Co. is getting set to make available to promoters. It is expected to be in place in time for the first card on the commission’s schedule to take place. That is the card co-promoted by DiBella Entertainment and Mayweather Promotions and headlined by the Badou Jack-James DeGale super middleweight title unification bout on Jan. 14 (Showtime) at Barclays Center in Brooklyn.

“It is our understanding that a combat sports insurance policy has been approved with an insurance carrier [United States Fire Insurance Co.] and will soon be made available to promoters,” NYSAC spokesman Laz Benitez told ESPN on Tuesday.

“There will be insurance for the Jan. 14 card at Barclays Center, but this is not solving the long-term problem,” promoter Lou

DiBella said. “It’s potentially phenomenally expensive. I don’t have all the final details, but my understanding of the insurance is that it would be available for the Jan. 14 card and will allow the highest-level fights to take place, but it does nothing to help the club shows or any grassroots New York boxing to take place. This is a temporary fix. I’m looking for a permanent fix.”

“This policy will allow the biggest fights to take place, but it does nothing to address the more serious problem of club shows or small regional television cards,” DiBella said. “You’re not going to see a ‘ShoBox’ card in New York with this insurance policy. I’d say 90 percent of the shows that normally happen in New York won’t be possible to take place under this policy because of the cost.

“Why would a promoter come to New York for that cost when they can go elsewhere for a lot less money?”

Abner Mares won the WBA Featherweight title with a 12-round split decision over defending champion Jesus Cuellar at the Galen Center in Los Angeles, California.

Mares was the more active fighter and he floored Cuellar with a hard right in round 11.

Mares won by scores of 117-110 and 116-111. Cuellar took a card 115-112.

Mares of Guadalajara, MX is 30-2-1. Cuellar of Bueno Airies, Argentina 28-2.

Jermall Charlo retained the IBF Junior Middleweight title with an emphatic 5th round stoppage over previously undefeated Julian Williams.

In round two, Charlo scored a knockdown from a jab that put Williams on the seat of his pants. In round five, it was a perfect counter right uppercut that dropped Williams face first. Williams got to his feet, but it was only for a few seconds as a big combination dropped him for a 3rd and final time at 2:06.

Charlo of Houston, Texas is 25-0 with 19 knockouts. Williams of Philadelphia is 22-1-1-1.

Lando Vannata scored vicious 1st round knockout via a roundhouse kick over John Makdessi.

The time of the stoppage was 1:40.

Misha Cirkunov submitted Nikita Krylov in the 1st round of their light heavyweight bout.

Cirkunov dropped Krylov with a left hand then was able to get Krylov in a Guillotine and he tapped at 4:38.

Cirkuonv, 205 lbs of Toronto, ONT, CAN is 13-2. Krylov, 206 lbs of Donetks, UKR is 21-5.

Oliver Abin-Mercier submitted Drew Dobert in the 2nd round of a lightweight fight.

Mercier had Dober on the back and got his under the chin for the rear naked choke at 2:57.

Mercier, 156 lbs of Montreal, QUE, CAN is 10-2. Dober, 156 lbs of Denver, CO is 17-8-1.

Viviane Pereira won a split decision over Valerie Latourneau in a strawweight bout.

Pererira won two cards by s29-28 tallies while Latourneal took a card 29-28.

Pereira, 114 lbs of Brazil is 12-0. Latourneau, 117.5 lbs of Coconut Creek, FL is 8-6.

Matthew Lopez won a unanimous decision over Mitch Gagnon in a bantamweight bout.

Lopez, 136 lbs of Lake Forest, CA won by scores of 29-28 and 29-27 twice and is now 9-1. Gagnon, 135.5 lbs of Sudbury, ONT, CAN is 12-4.

Anthony Joshua retained the IBF Heavyweight title with a 3rd round stoppage over Eric Molina at a sold out crowd at the Manchester Arena in Mancherster, England.

Joshua floored Molina with a powerful right in the 3rd round. Molina was hurt and ate a huge combination and the fight was stopped at

Joshua will now fight Wladimir Klitschko in Wembley Stadium, and now has a record of 18-0 with 18 knockouts. Molina is now 25-4.

The bid would be on December 19th.

“Still planning to have a deal done with Jacobs before the bid deadline,”said Golovkin promoter Tom Loeffler, who was traveling in Germany, told ESPN by email after the purse bid order was announced.

The bout will take place at the Dallas Cowboys training facility in a venue that holds around 12,000 fans.

“Miguel is back in the ring and we are all excited,” said Cotto Promotions Bryan Perez. “Like he always does, Miguel wants to go in the ring and put on a great show.”

“We tried to do other fights, but you know how the business is,” Perez said. “Kirkland was there, he was willing to fight Miguel, he makes good fights, and we made the fight. Miguel will do his best to give a great show and an exciting fight.”

“Miguel can’t wait to start training with Freddie,” Perez said. “I think the year off was good for Miguel, but he is ready to fight again.”

“It’s a beautiful place,” Perez said. “We’re excited to be the first big sports event there other than football.”

According to Dan Rafael of espn.com, Richard Scahefer’s Ringstar Sports has signed Olympic Bronze Medal winner Misael Rodriguez.

“After I came back from the Olympics, I knew that it was time to start my professional career,” Rodriguez said. “I am excited to have signed with Ringstar Sports. I have always appreciated Richard Schaefer’s approach on developing talent into boxing stars. When the time came, picking my promoter was easy. I knew that this is where I wanted to be.”

“He’s very exciting,” Schaefer said. “He’s not as polished or advanced as Carlos Balderas, but he is exciting and he comes to fight, and that is what I like. While I appreciate the sweet science, fans like to see toe-to-toe action, and that is his style.

“He’s going to be the ultimate entertainer and will follow in the footsteps of some of the great Mexican warriors who go and thrill the fans. We are going to take it slow, but he has that ‘it’ factor. He knows how to entertain. His personality, his laugh, his smile — absolutely incredible and that is what really attracted me. He’s a nice, polite, kind young man who loves to entertain fans.”

Schaefer said Rodriguez likely will fight professionally either in the 160-pound middleweight division or 154-pound junior middleweight division. His pro debut, Schaefer said, probably will take place in February in Los Angeles on the same card on which the Balderas brothers will have their pro debuts.

“I’m thrilled to be adding another promising young potential superstar in Misael Rodriguez to the Ringstar lineup,” Schaefer said. “This is a young man who has overcome every obstacle thrown his way. He is mentally strong, has great skills and I expect him to have a very long, successful career. I’m looking forward to helping Misael and his family achieve their goals, and I hope to make him a household name in the sport.”

“I look forward to showing the world the passion and heart I have for the sport I love,” Rodriguez said. “Becoming a world champion has always been a childhood dream, and now it is my No. 1 goal.”

The WBA has ordered Fedor Chudinov to fight George Groves for the vacant Super Middleweight title, accrding to Dan Rafael of espn.com.