In a battle of former world title challengers, Orlando Cruz scored three knockdowns en route to a 10-round unanimous decision over Romulo Koasicha in a Featherweight bout.

In round six, Cruz dropped a bloody Koasicha with a right hook. Cruz dropped him again in round six. In round ten, Cruz scored a third knockdown with a combination on the ropes.

Cruz won by scores of 100-87, and 99-88 twice and is now 23-4-1. Koasicha is 25-6.

Sammy Valentin stopped veteran Cosme Rivera in round four of their six round Welterweight bout.

Valentin dropped Rivera with a body shot and the fight was over at 1:134 of round four.

Valentin is 6-0. Rivera is 38-23-3.

Santiago Arroyo scored a 4th round stoppage over Luis Villegas in a scheduled 4-round Bantamweight bout.

Arroyo dumped Villegas with a hard right hand and the fight was stopped at 2:14.

Arroyo is 4-0. Villegas is 0-2.

DiBella Entertainment won the purse bid that will stage the IBF Jr. Lightweight title bout between Jose Pedraza and Stephen Smith, according to Dab Rafael of espn.com.

Last month, DiBella and Matchroom Boxing promoter Eddie Hearn, who promotes Smith, made a deal for the bout, which was tentatively scheduled for March 26. However, when the fight was not officially scheduled by the IBF deadline for signed contracts to be returned, another purse bid was ordered.

Usually, when that happens, it is because of a disagreement between promoters. However, this time it was over a disagreement between DiBella and Pedraza, who declined to sign for the fight.

Hearn told ESPN that he and DiBella revisited their agreement and that is why he did not bid.

“I didn’t bid because we already reached an agreement with Lou a few days ago,” Hearn said. “We are happy with the package. The purse bid number is irrelevant because of our private agreement.”

Former world champions Mike Alvarado and Juan Diaz have their opponents set for the March 19 fights in Houston, Texas, according to Dan Rafael of espn.com.

Former unified lightweight titleholder Diaz (40-4, 19 KOs), known as the “Baby Bull,” will face Mexico’s Fernando Garcia (30-7-2, 19 KOs) in a 10-round lightweight match.

Former junior welterweight titleholder Alvarado (34-4, 23 KOs), of Denver, will face Saul Corral (19-6, 10 KOs), of Mexico, in an eight-round welterweight fight that will open the Unimas telecast.

“It was a serious rotator cuff injury that caused the long layoff and this is the first step back,” Top Rank vice president Carl Moretti told ESPN.com. “He’s hoping to regain the momentum he had before the layoff when he was on the verge of a world title shot. Diaz is ready to go. He feels 100 percent. He’s really amped up to get back in the ring and get this going again. Because the fight is in Houston, there’s more motivation for him to perform as best as he can. The place holds about 3,500 and I think we’ll be full, and Diaz has always loved to fight at home.”

Alvarado has since been to rehab and is said to be clean and sober as he attempts to salvage his career.

“His issues were outside the ring, not an injury like Diaz had,” Moretti said. “But all indications are that he’s taken care of them and he’s been in the gym. We’ve had no calls or reason to doubt him. He’s stayed on the straight path and he knows he has a lot to prove to himself and to his fans. This is the first step to doing that.

“He doesn’t want to go out like he did against Rios. He has pride. It’s a different situation that Juan Diaz’s situation but how do you not give [Alvarado] another opportunity?”

Leo Santa Cruz made the first defense of the WBA Feathweight title with a fifth round stoppage over former champion Kiko Martinez at the Honda Center in Anaheim, California.

Santa Cruz dumped Martinez just seconds into the fight with a right hand. Later in the round, it was an uppercut that sent Martinez to the canvas.

In round five, Santa Cruz landed a fuselage of punches on the ropes with Martinez punching sparingly and the fight was stopped at 2:09.

Santa Cruz, 125 lbs of Los Angeles is 32-0-1 with 18 knockouts. Martinez, 125 1/2 lbs of Spain is 35-7.

Hugo Ruiz evened up the score by scoring a first round stoppage over Julio Ceja to win the WBC Super Bantamweight title.

In the first 15 seconds, Ruiz dropped Ceja with a huge right hand. Seconds later a huge barrage on the ropes forced the referee to stop the fight at 51 seconds.

Ruiz, 122 lbs of Los Mochis, MX is now 36-3 with 31 knockouts. Ceja, 121 1/2 lbs of Altizpen, MX is now 30-2.

Terence Crawford retained the WBO Jr. Welterweight title with a 5th round stoppage over Hank Lundy at a sold out Madison Square Garden Theater.

It was a close fight early with Lundy getting in a few shots.  Lundy was cut above the right eye in round four from an accidental headbutt.  In round five, Crawford caught Lundy with a left down the middle that rocked the challenger.  Crawford jumped on Lundy and the two had a heated exchange with Crawford getting the better to the point where another left hand sent Lundy Spawling to the canvas in his corner.  Lundy got up to only eat a barrage of heavy punches that forced referee Steve Willis to stop the bout at 2:09

Crawford, 139.2 lbs of Omaha, NEB is 28-0 with 20 knockouts.  Lundy, 138.2 lbs of Philadelphia is 26-6-1.

Crawford Quotes

What did you tell Lundy after the fight?

I told him good fight and I appreciate him taking the fight

Cause I got my respect – I said he was going to respect me at the end of the fight and he was going to respect me today and I respect him back. He said good fight it’s all love and I appreciate it

Why do you get hit in eearly rounds?

Cause they are earlier rounds and we are feeling each other out. Once I make the adjustment I start touching him more

Seems like you have more power

I was killing myself to make 135 and it was taking a lot out of me. I want to thank got for the V.

I told everyone I got power in both hands and the boxing ability that I have and it’s going to take me a long way in this game

I never duck anyone and I’ll fight anybody. My manager will make the fights happen and and I will train and fight.

Hot-shot prospect, Felix Verdejo won a 10-round unanimous decision over Willian Silva in a battle of undefeated Lightweights.

Verdejo was solid throughout and won by scores of 100-90 twice and 99-91.

Verdejo, 135 lbs of San Juan, PR is 19-1.  Silva, 134.4 lbs of Sao Paulo, BRA is 23-1.

Verdejo Quotes

“I felt very goodd uring the fight. My opponent moved a lot, but I did what I had to do and got the win”

“This is a new learning experience. I will learn from this and I will keep moving forward”

Julian Rodriguez remained perfect with an 8-round unanimous decision over King Daluz in a Super Lightweight bout.

Rodriguez dropped Daluz with a right to the body in round seven and cruised home to the victory by scores of 80-71 on all cards.

Rodriguez, 141.6 lbs of Hasbrouck Heights, NJ is now 12-0.  Daluz, 140.4 lbs of Santa Cruz, Spain is 12-3-2.

Juan Carlos Torres remained undefeated with a 3rd round stoppage over Miguel Gloria in a scheduled 4-round Lightweight contst.

Torres scored a knockdown in round one and floored Gloria twice more in round two.  Gloria only lasted 20 seconds into round three before the fight was halted.

Torres, 136.4 lbs of Trujillo Alto, PR is 4-0 with three knockouts.  Gloria, 136 lbs of Albuquerque, NM is 1-2.

Christopher Diaz was impressive in scoring a 4th round stoppage over Angel Luna in a scheduled 8-round Featherweight bout.

Diaz pummeled and rocked Luna in round three with heavy blows.  In round four, Diaz landed a booming right that basically knocked Luna out on his feet.  prone in the corner, Diaz unloaded two more blows and the bout was stopped at 2:42 of round four.

Diaz, 127 lbs of Barranquitas, PR is 15-0 with 10 knockouts.  Luna, 126.8 lbs of Santiago, DR is 12-2-1.

World ranked Light Heavyweight Seanie Monaghan tuned up Janne Forsman in round five of their scheduled 10-round bout.

Monaghan landed a flurry of body shots in round four that sent Forsmann to his knees.  Monaghan continued the assault until the bout was halted at 1:34 of round five.

Monaghan, 179.8 lbs of Long Beach, NY is 26-0 with 17 knockouts.  Forsmann, 177 lbs of Vassam FIN is 21-4.

Emanuel Taylor scored a sixth round stoppage over Wilfredo Acuna in a scheduled 8-round Jr. Welterweight bout

In round six, Taylor landed a blistering combination that featured a right uppercut and left hook that sent Acuna to the canvas and the fight was waved off at 2:59

Taylor, 143.8 lbs of Baltimore, MD is 19-4-2 with 13 knockouts. Acuna, 144 lbs of Minagua, NIC is 15-19.

Scores were 116-112 twice for Frampton, who now adds the WBA 122 lb crown to his IBF title. Frampton is 21-0. Quigg of Manchester is now 31-1-2.

Ricardo Rodriguez won a 10-round unanimous decision over Miguel Cartagena in a Super Flyweight bout at The Community Center in Palm Bay, Florida.

In round six, Rodriguez dropped Cartagena with a left hook.  Rodriguez went on to win by scores of 99-90 twice and 98-91.

Rodriguez, 114 lbs is 13-3.  Cartagena, 113 lbs of Philadelphia, PA is 14-3.

Oldoer Landin stopped Alex Roman in round four of their scheduled 6-round Super Bantamweight bout.

The time of the stoppage was 2:49 for Landin, who is now 4-1-1.  Roman is 4-2.

Michael Davis stopped Daniel Rodriguez in round three of their scheduled 4-round Super Middleweight bout.

The time of the stoppage was 1:45 for Davis who ups his mark to 2-0.  Rodriguez is 2-15-1.

Undefeated Heavyweight Oscar Rivas failed an eye exam that will force that cancellation of his Saturday bout with fellow undefeated Heavyweight Gerald Washington that was to be televised on Showtime, according to Dan Rafael of espn.com.

Tom Brown, whose TGB Promotions is promoting the card, told ESPN.com that Rivas had two eye tests on Wednesday, including one by a specialist, but his right eye had issues and the commission made the decision not to license him after seeing the results on Thursday.

“I love the heavyweights. This was going to be a good fight and good test for both of these guys,” Brown said. “I feel sorry for Gerald Washington. You train so hard, you accept a fight like this and this happens. That’s who I feel for. He was willing to take on an undefeated Olympian.”

Prichard Colon, the undefeated Jr. Middleweight who has been in a coma since his fight in October, has undergone spinal surgery according to Dan Rafael of espn.com.

Colon, who was moved in mid-November to Shepherd Center, an Atlanta hospital specializing in treatment for those with brain and spinal cord injuries, had the surgery in order to place a catheter on his spine. It will administer a drug to help loosen his muscles.

“The surgery Prichard had was to help with the spasticity,” Richard Colon, Prichard’s father, said. “Thank God everything went well. Now we must wait for the awakening of our champion, Prichard. This procedure will help so he can be more relaxed.”

“We are grateful to all for such support from Day 1 and the endless prayers,” Richard Colon said. “The operation was different to the previous ones, but very necessary … in his recovery process. His response has been very positive, and we hope good things in the next few days. The prayers and support of all of you, that means a lot to all the family.”

According to Dan Rafael of espn.com, WBC Lightweight champion Jorge Linares has been stripped of his title due to an injury keeping him from defending his title against mandatory challenger Dejan Zlaticanin

Linares was reclassified WBC “Champion in Recess”.

WBC president Mauricio Sulaiman said Tuesday that Zlaticanin would be ordered to face the next leading available contender, 39-year-old Italian Emiliano Marsili (32-0-1, 14 KOs), for the vacant title. “The winner must fight Linares whenever he is ready to fight,” Sulaiman said.

In the battle of Cowboys, Donald Cerrone forced Alex Oliveira in the first round of their scheduled five round Welterweight bout at the Consol Energy Center in Pittsburgh, PA.

Cerrone got Oliverira down and got him in a front triangle choke and Oliveira tapped immediately at 2:33.

Cerrone, 170 lbs of Albuquerque, NM is 29-7-1.  Oliveira, 171 lbs of Rio de Jineriro, BRA is 13-3-1-1.

Derek Brunson stopped Roan Carneiro in the first round of their Middleweight bout.

Brunson had Carneiro on the ground and landed about 30 consecutive punches and the fight was stopped at 2:38.

Brunson, 186 lbs of Wilmington, NC is 15-3.  Carniero, 184.5 lbs of Atlanta, GA is 20-10.

Cody Garbrandt stopped Augusto Mendes in the first round battle of undefeated Featherweights.

Garbrandt dropped Mendes with an overhand right.  Garbrandt celebrated briefly but landed two more punches on the ground and the fight was stopped at 4:18.

Garbrandt, 140 1/2 lbs of Sacramento, CA is 8-0.  Mendes, 142 lbs of Glendale, AZ is 5-1.

Dennis Bermudez won a three round unanimous decision over Tatsuya Kawajiri in a Featherweight bpout.

Bermudez, 146 lbs of Lindhurst, NY won by scores of 29-28 on all cards and is now 16-5.  Kawajiri, 146 lbs of Ibaraki , JP is 35-7-2.

Chris Camozzi stopped Joe Riggs in the first round of their Middleweight bout.

Camozzi landed a jab and he followed that up with five knees to the face and Riggs fell to the canvas and the fight was stopped at 26 seconds.

Camozzi, 185.5 lbs of Englewood, CO is now 23-10.  Riggs, 186 lbs of Glendale, AZ is 41-17-1.

James Krause won a unanimous decision over Shane Campbell in a Lightweight bout.

Krause, 155.5 lbs of Lee Summitt, MO won all cards 29-28 and is now 23-7. Campbell, 156 lbs of Kelowna, BC, CAN is 12-4.

Sean Stricland stopped Alex Garcia in the final round of their Welterweight bout.

Strickland bloodied Garcia around the eye. In round three, Strickland wobbled Garcia all over the Octagon until a huge right hand dropped Garcia and the bout was stopped at 4:25 of round three.

Strickland, 170.5 lbs of Corona, CA is 17-1. Garcia, 171 lbs of Montreal, CAN is 13-3.

Oluwale Bamgbose stopped Daniel Sarafian in round one of their Middleweight bout.

Bamgbose landed a big left kick to the head that knocked Sarafian down and two hard punches later the fight was stopped at 1:00.

Bamgbose, 185 lbs of New York is 6-1. Sarafian, 186 lbs of Sao Paulo, BRA is 10-6.

Anthony Smith won a three round unanimous decision over Leonardo Augustu Leleco in a Middleweight bout.

In round two, Lelenco began to bleed from his forehead.

Smith, 185.5 lbs of Omaha, NE won by scores of 29-28 on all cards and is now 25-11. Leleco, 184.5 lbs of Salvador, BRA is 11-2-1.

Nathan Coy won a three round unanimous decision over Jonivan Webb in a Welterweight bout.

Coy, 170 lbs of Coconut Creek, FL won by scores of 29-28 on all cards and is now 15-6. Wbb, 169 1/2 lbs of Marlton, NJ is now 8-2-1.

According to Dan Rafael of espn.com. Roman “Rocky” Martinez will defend his WBO Super Featherweight crown against Miguel Berchelt on March 12 in Mexico.

“I learned from the defeat against [Moises Flores] and now I am preparing 100 percent under the tutelage of trainer Alfredo Caballero for this opportunity to crown myself as champion,” said Berchelt, who won all four of his fights in 2015 by knockout.

“We hope to go to Merida March 6th or March 7th to acclimatize Rocky there. Although we know that Merida is at sea level, we want Rocky to get used to the weather, too,” said Martinez promoter Peter Rivera. “We also hope (Zanfer Promotions) sends us the date of Rocky’s flight because there is a group of Puerto Rican fans who will make the trip to Mexico to see the fight.

“Rocky is training hard, as always, to get in the best condition for this fight and bring another victory to Puerto Rico.”

“We are working hard for Berchelt. We are confident in a victory and after this bout, we want to make a fight with [titleholder Francisco] Vargas to unify the titles,” Martinez said. “We know it will be a tremendous fight. I know that Vargas is a warrior like me who has always said he would like to face me. So after beating Berchelt, we can unify the titles.”

By Norm Frauenheim-

PHOENIX – Jessie Magdaleno jumped onto the ring post and gestured at his waist as if to say he needs a belt.

A world title belt.

His record, at least, says Magdaleno is good fit for at least a shot at one. He ‘s unbeaten. The important O on the right side of his ledger is still there after a seventh round stoppage of Filipino Rey Perez in SoloBoxeo televised bout Saturday night at Celebrity Theatre.

“I want a shot at a world title,’’ Magdaleno (23-0, 17 KOs) said after stopping Perez (20-8, 5 KOs) with a body shot at 2:51 of the seventh round. “I think it’s time.’’

If it is, it’s arrived in part because Magdaleno is going to his future. He has reunited with trainer Joel Diaz and perhaps reunited with goal that a couple years ago appeared to be a good bet.

In the first half of the televised doubleheader, Phoenix featherweight Carlos Castro (15-0, 6 KOs) needed his agile feet, long jab and toughness to win a six-round unanimous decision over rugged Rafael Reyes (6-6, 5 KOs).

Reyes employed every trick in the book – and some not in the book – in an attempt to draw Castro into brawl. Often, he succeeded by holding and landing blows right at the belt line of Castro’s trunks.

The referee never ruled that any punch was a low blow. But in the third and fourth rounds, a few were low enough to slow down Castro, who in the fifth and sixth kept his distance. The crowd booed. But Castro got the last laugh. The last cheer, too. To win, he did what he had to.
Best Of The Undercard

Best of the Undercard
Phoenix light-heavyweight Trevor McCumby entered the ring to Johnny Cash’s Folsom Prison Blues. He had Superman’s logo on his socks. He had it all, leaving poor James Freeman with no chance and only Boogie written across the back of his trunks.

Sure enough, it was Boogie down not long after the last lyric in Cash’s memorable song. McCumby (22-0, 17 KOs) walked all over Freeman (9-8, 7 KOs), dropping the Texan to his knees in the first round and stopping him at 1:48 of the second with a right hand followed by a thudding combination.
The Rest

The Rest
Phoenix junior-welterweight Luis Olivares (10-0, 7 KOs) picked up where stable mate McCumby left off, scoring a first-round knockout with a liver shot that dropped Mexican Omar Garcia (4-2-, 1 KO) onto the ring’s apron, where he stayed until the evident pain subsided.

Phoenix super-bantamweight Paul Romero (7-0, 1 KO) entertained the customers in a near-capacity crowd, scoring a unanimous decision over a bloodied Jaime Gutierrez (5-11) of Mexico.

In a back-and-forth battle of Phoenix flyweights, Luis Espinoza (2-0) scored a first-round knockdown and then relied on a punishing body shots that left red welts on Luis Guerrero’s waistline and a loss by unanimous decision on his record (0-2).

A sure sign of a well-matched card is a good swing bout and that’s what the crowd got from Houston super-featherweight Jesse Garcia (2-0, 2 KOs), who was losing when he threw a lightning-bolt of a left for a third-round stoppage of Derick Bartlemay (0-2) of Eugene, Ore.

John Vera Jr. scored a fourth round stoppage over Ayi Bruce in a scheduled eight round junior middleweight bout at the Winnavegas Casino in Sloan, Iowa.

Vera dropped Bruce in round four from a solid right hook. Seconds later, it was another right hook to the body that sent Bruce down for a second time in the round. Vera continued to work the body and scored a third and final knockdown of the round and fight and the bout was stopped at 2:00.

Vera, 153 1/2 lbs of Fort Worth, TX is 13-0 with eight knockouts. Bruce, 150 1/2 lbs of Accra, GHA is 23-13.

Former world title challenger Tony Luis won an eight-round unanimous decision over Samuel Amoako.

Luis, 135 1/4 lbs of Ontario, CAN won by scores of 80-72 on all cards and is now 21-3. Amoako, 135 1/4 lbs of Silver Spring, MD is 21-8.

Jose Silveria scored a six-round unanimous decision over previously undefeated Kevin Lavalee in a Jr. Lightweight bout.

In round three, Silveria landed a right hand that put Lavalee down.

Silveria, 128 lbs of Cancun, MX won by scores of 58-55 and 57-56 and is now 19-18. Lavalee, 129 1/4 lbs of Montreal, CAN is 14-1.

Malik Hawkins scored a 1st round stoppage over Cody Peterson in a scheduled four round battle of Welterweights.

In round one, Hawkins landed a right hand that was followed by a left hook and Peterson dropped to a knee. Seconds later Hawkins scored a 2nd knockdown from a barrage of punches. The fight was stopped after a couple more left hooks that sent Peterson down for a third time and the bout was stopped at 2:03 of round one.

Hawkins, 146 3/4 lbs is 6-0 with five knockouts. Peterson, 146 lbs is 1-1.

Alexis Santiago won a 10-round Bantamweight bout at Sams Town Casino in Las Vegas.

Santiago, 120 lbs of Phoenix, AZ won by scores of 100-90, 99-91 and 98-92 and is now 21-3-1. Ruiz, 119 1/2 lbs of Oxnard, CA is 15-5.

Paul Parker won an 8-round split decision over Lionell Thompson in a Light Heavyweight bout.

In round three, Parker landed a right that made Thompson’s glove hit the canvas for a knockdown. Thompson came back in the late rounds but it was not enough as Parker took cards 76-75 while Thompson won a card 76-75.

Parker, 178 1/2 lbs of Toledo, OH is 8-1. Thompson, 177 3/4 lbs of Buffalo, NY is 16-4.

Lanell Bellows scored a 5th round stoppage over Antowyan Aikens in round five of their scheduled 8-round Super Middleweight bout.

Bellows landed a right to the jaw that sent Aikens down and he stood on his knees until referee Tony Weeks reached the count of 10 at 2:08.

Bellows, 169 3/4 lbs of Los Angeles is 15-1 with 8 knockouts. Aikens, 168 lbs of Atlantic City is 10-1-1.

Alex saucedo won a 8-round unanimous decision over Clarence Booth in a Jr. Welterweight bout at Sportsman’s Lodge in Studio City, California.

Saucedo, 141 1/2 lbs of Oklahoma City, OK won by scores of 79-73 twice and 78-74 and is now 21-0. Booth, 142 1/2 lbs of Auberndale, FL is 13-2.

Andy Vences remained undefeated with an 8-round unanimous decision over Yradley Suarez in a Super Featherweight bout.

Vences, 130 1/4 lbs of San Jose, CA won by scores of 80-72 on all cards and is now 15-0. Suarez, 131 lbs of Fort Worth, TX is 14-2.

Julio Baraza and Edson Ramirez fought to a majority draw in a Super Featherweight bout.

Scores were 96-96, 94-94 and and 96-95 for Baraza.

Baraza is 13-0-1. Ramirez is 13-2-1.

Antonio Tarver’s suspension for testing positive for a banned substance in his August bout against Steve Cunningham was upheld by the New Jersey Commission.

Tarver has continually and categorically denied using any substance.

“I’m here today to tell you I did nothing wrong for the Cunningham fight, and I’m not going to sit still and let these people destroy my life claiming I did something I did not do,” Tarver said after the hearing.

Tarver claimed somebody set him up but offered no names or evidence.

“It’s a frame job. I don’t know what or who’s behind this crap,” he said. “But all I know is I’m clean. I’m clean — period.”

According to Dan Rafael of espn.com, WBC Lightweight champion Jorge Linares suffered a fractured right hand and is fight with Djean Zlaticanin is off.

“I was told by people on my side of the table this fight wouldn’t happen when we made the deal and now it’s not happening,” said Zlaticanin promoter Lou DiBella. “The whole way everything went down makes me skeptical. But we hope to fight Linares and the proof will be in the pudding. When he is ready to come back will he fight us? We’ll see. If he doesn’t, there you go. This is very disappointing.

“Linares wants the fight,” said Golden Boy Promotions Eric Gomez of Linares. “He was fine with the fight. In fact, he kept calling us and asking us ‘When’s the fight?’ We kept leaning on Lou for the date and he kept saying he was working it out with Showtime. Linares was anxious for the fight.”

In a 4-round war, Carlos Roasrio was able to take a 4-round split decision over Victor Vasquez in a Lightweight bout.

The two traded heavy blows for the entire 12-minute fight but it was Rosario of Pennsauken, NJ that got the nod 39-37 twice while Vasquez of Yonkers, NY taking a card 39-37.

King’s Promotions David Gonzales scored a 4th round stoppage of his scheduled six-round Super Lightweight bout.

After a furious exchange in round four, Gonzales unloaded with a serious left to the body that put Vasquez down for the ten count at 49 seconds of round four.

Gonzales, 142.7 lbs of Philadelphia is now 7-0-2 with 2 knockouts. Vasquez of Yonkers, NY is 4-2.

Jamontay Clark remained undefeated by beating down Elvin Perez at 2:44 of the sixth and final scheduled round of his welterweight bout with Elvin Perez.

Clark dominated the bout and in round six landed a heavy barrage of punches and the fight was stopped.

Clark, 149.3 lbs of Cincinnati, OH is 9-0 with 6 knockouts. Perez, 149.9 lbs of Costa Rica is 28-13-4.

Jordan White scored an explosive 84-second knockout over Manuel Rubalcava in a scheduled 4-round Featherweight bout.

In round one, White scored a knockdown from a combination. Seconds later, the fight was ended when White deposited Rubalcava with a thudding right hand and the fight was immediately stopped at 1:24.

White of Washington, DC is 2-0 with 2 knockouts. Rubalcava, 119.3 lbs of Tamaaulipas, MX is 2-16.

According to Dan Rafael of espn.com, former Heavyweight title challenger Chris Arreola has been suspended for 90 days following testing positive for Marijuana for his December 12 bout with Travis Kauffman.

“He tested positive in the postfight drug test, and we changed it to a no-decision,” said Susan Stanford the public information officer for the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation, which oversees boxing in the state, confirmed Arreola’s positive test.

“I found out about this [Monday], and I’m very disappointed,” Henry Ramirez, Arreola’s longtime trainer, told ESPN.com. “It’s extremely frustrating. The fight with Kauffman was a good win for Chris. It was a close fight, an entertaining fight, and now to have the win changed to a no-decision — the second time this has happened — is a big disappointment.”

Carlos Ocampo scored a 5th round stoppage over Charlie Navarro in a scheduled 10-round Welterweight bout.

In round three, Ocampo dropped Navarro with a left hook. Ocampo continued the assault until the bout was stopped at 37 seconds after a second knockdown.

Ocampo of Mexico is 18-0 with 12 knockouts. Navarro of Venezuela is 25-9.

Stephen Thompson announced himself as a contender as he stopped former world Welterweight champion Johny Hendricks in the first round of their scheduled 5-round Welterweight bout at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.

Thompson landed a perfect right hand that hurt Hendricks and continued to land punched and a couple of massive kicks until Hendricks was on the ground. two punches later and the fight was stopped at 3:31

Thompson, 170 lbs of Simpsonville, SC is 12-1. Hendricks, 170 lbs of Fort Worth, TX is 17-4.

Roy Nelson won a unanimous decision over Jared Rosholt in a Heavyweight bout.

Nelson, 258 lbs of Las Vegas won by scores of 30-27 twice and 29-28 and is now 21-12. Rosholt, 245 lbs of Arlington, TX is 14-3.

Ovince Saint Preux won a unanimous decision over Rafael Feijao in a Light Heavyweight bout.

Saint Preux, 206 lbs of Knoxville, TN won by 30-27 scores on two cards & 29-28 and is now 19-7. Feijao, 205 lbs of Rio de Jineiro, BRA is 12-7-1.

Joseph Benavidez won a 3-round unanimous decision over Zack Makovsky in a Flyweight bout.

Benavidez, 125 lbs of Sacramento, CA won by scores of 30-27 twice and 29-28 and is now 24-4. Makovsky, 125 lbs of Philadelphia, PA is 19-7.

Misha Cirkunov choked out Alex Nicholson in round two of their Light Heavyweight bout.

Cirkunob locked in a rear naked on Nicholson who already had a jaw injury and he tapped out at 1:28.

Cirkunov, 206 lbs of Toronto, CAN is 11-2-1. Nicholson of Orlando, FL is 6-2.

Mike Pyle scored a 3rd round stoppage over Sean Spencer in a Welterweight bout.

In round three, Pyle landed a reverse punch and landed some vicious knees to the face until the bout was stopped at 4:25.

Pyle, 170 lbs of Las Vegas is 27-11-1. Spencer, 170 lbs of Dallas, TX is 12-5.

Josh Burkman won a 3-round unanimous decision over KJ Noons in a Welterweight bout.

Both guys had bloody noses but Burkman won by scores of 30-27 on all cards.

Burkmann, 156 lbs is 28-12-1. Noons, 156 lbs of San Diego is 13-9-1.

Derrick Lewis stopped Damian Grabowski in round one of their Heavyweight bout.

Lewis pounded Grabowski on the canvas that opened up a nasty cut on the top of the head. After more punishment the fight was stopped at 2:17.

Lewis, 263 lbs of Houston, TX is 14-4-1. Grabowski of Opole, POL is 20-3.

Justin Scoggins with a 3-round unanimous decision over Ray Borg in a Flyweight bout.

Borg was bleeding from the nose in the 2nd round.

Scoggins, 125 lbs of Spartenburg, SC won by scores of 30-27 twice and 30-26 and is now 11-2. Borg, 125 lbs of Albuquerque, NM is 9-2.

Diego Rivas scored an explosive 2nd round knockout over Noad Lohat in a Featherweight bout.

Rivas caught Lohat with an explosive jumping kick on the jaw that slumped Lohat down to the canvas and after a couple punches the fight was stopped at 23 seconds of round two

Rivas, 144 lbs of Chile is 7-0. Lohat, 145 lbs of San Jose, CA is 10-1.

Dimash Niyazov won a 6-round unanimous decision over James Lester in a Jr. Welterweight bout at the Masonic Temple in Detroit.

Niyazov won by scores of 59-54 and 58-55 twice to raise his mark to 9-0-3. Lester is 10-10.

James Smith scored a 2nd round stoppage over Antwan Robertson in a scheduled 6-round Bantamweight bout.

Robertson was credited with a flash knockdown in round two when he landed a hard right that rocked Smith. A moment later, Smith landed a hard right that sent Robertson to the deck and the fight was stopped.

Smith is 9-0 with 6 knockouts. Robertson is 10-15-1.

Edward Willaims won a 6-round unanimous decision over Angel Figueroa in a Welterweight bout.

Williams of Detroit won by scores of 60-54 twice and 59-55 and is now 11-1-1. Figueroa id 4-3.

Eudy Bernardo scored a 2nd round stoppage over Ben Odamattey in a scheduled 6-round Lightweight bout.

Bernardo sent Odamattey down in round one from a volume of punches. Bernardo continued the assault ans scored a second knockdown in round two and the fight was stopped at 1:18 of round two.

Bernardo of Santo Domingo DR is 21-0 with 15 knockouts. Odamattey is 16-13-3.

James Ballard remained undefeated with a 3rd round stoppage over Nathan Bedwell in a scheduled 4-round Light Heavyweight bout.

ballard landed a barrage of hard punches and Bedwell did not punch back and the fight was stopped at

Ballard of Detroit is 6-0 with 3 knockouts. Bedwell is 5-16.

Emilio Salas scored a 2nd round stoppage over Karinn Davis in a scheduled 4-round Cruiserweight bout.

Salas scored a knockdown in round with a left. In round two, Davis went down from a flurry of punches. Davis went down moments later from another flurry of punches which was more from exhaustion and the bout was stopped at 2:16.

Salas is 5-1-1 with 3 knockouts. Davis is 2-6.

Serdar Hudayberdiyev scored a 4th round stoppage over Kevin Shacks in the final round of their Super Welterweight bout.

In round two, Hudayberdiyev dropped Shacks with a right to the body. Seconds later Hudayberdiyev was docked a point for pushing. In round three, Hudayberdiyev scored another knock down from a right. Hudayberdiyev dropped Shacks again in round four with a right uppercut. Moments later the fight was stopped at 1:33 after another hard shot backed Shacks up.

Hudayberdiyev of Turkistan is 1-0 with 1 knockout. Shacks is 0-2.

Kane Heron scored a 1st round stoppage scored a 1st round stoppage over Brian Otey in a scheduled 4-round Welterweight bout.

Heron scored 3 knockdowns in the 1st round and the fight was stopped.

Herron of Ontario, Canada is 3-0 with 2 knockouts. Otey of Landing, MI is 0-2.

World championship trainer Richie Giachetti passed away on Wednesday in Ohio, according to Dan Rafael of espn.com.

He trained Larry Holmes, Mike Tyson, James “Buster” Douglas, Aaron Pryor, Esteban De Jesus, Earnie Shavers, Riddick Bowe, Michael Dokes, Oliver McCall, Greg Page, Jean-Marc Mormeck, Steve Cunningham and Julian Jackson.

According to Dan Rafael of espn.com, WBO Super Bantamweight champion Nonito Donaire will defend his title against Zsolt Bedak on April 23rd at the Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City, outside of Manila in Donaire’s native Philippines.

“It’s a great opportunity for Nonito to defend his world championship in his homeland against a world-ranked and extremely capable opponent,” Top Rank’s Carl Moretti said of the fight, which is being promoted by Filipino television network ABS-CBN.

Harold Calderon won a 4-round unanimous decision over Javier Garcia in a Welterweight bout.

Calderon, 147.8 lbs of Miami won by scores of 40-36 twice and 39-37 to keep his undefeated mark at 9-0. Garcia, 147 lbs of Guro, PR is 7-11-1.

Dyah Davis stopped Edgar Perez after round two of their scheduled 6-round Light Heavyweight bout.

Davis scored two knockdowns in round two and the fight was stopped in the corner after the rounds.

Davis, who was fighting less than a month after the death of his father Howard Davis Jr. is now 23-4-1 with 11 knockouts. Pere, 181.6 lbs of Chicago is 6-18-3.

David Grayton survived a 1st round knockdown to comeback and stop Daniel Souza Santos after round two of their scheduled 8-round Welterweight bout.

Grayton, 146.4 lbs of Washington, DC is 14-0 with 10 knockouts. Santos, 147.2 lbs of Sao Paulo, BRA is 14-10.

Jesus Lule won a 4-round unanimmous decision over Jamar Saunders in a 6-round Featherweight bout.

Lule, 132.4 lbs of Fort Myers, FL is 8-15-1. Saunders, 131.2 lbs of Atlanta, GA is 5-15-1.

Ray Lampkin remained undefeated by scoring a 3rd round stoppage over Darryol Humphrey in a scheduled 6-round Lightweight bout.

The time of the stoppage was 1:37 of round three for Kampkin, 139.2 lbs of Portland, OR 9-0 with 3 knockouts. Humphrey, 143 lbs of Mount Morris, MI is 2-4.

Hakeem Atkinson won a 4-round unanimous decision over Farid Aghayev in a Middleweight bout.

Scores were 39-36 and 38-37 for Atkinson, 163.6 lbs of Atlanta, GA, who is now 2-1. Aghayev, 163.4 lbs of Miami is 2-1-1.

Ramon Alvarez scored a 9th round stoppage over James Winchester in a scheduled 10-round Jr. Middleweight bout.

In round six, Winchester was deducted a point for hitting behind the head.

In round nine, Alvarez clocked Winchester with an overhand fight that sent him sprawling onto the bottom rope and the fight was stopped at 2:16.

Alvarez, 155 3/4 lbs of Guadalajara, MX is 23-4-2 with 15 knockouts. Winchester, 155 3/4 lbs is 17-12.

Dmitry Mikhaylenko remained undefeated by winning a 10-round unanimous decision over late-replacement Karim Mayfield in a Welterweight bout.

In round three, Mikhaylenko was cut around with left eye.

Mikhaylenko of Russia won by scores of 100-90 twice and 99-91 and is now 21-0. Mayfield of Oakland, CA is 19-3-1.

Mikhaylenko landed 220-778 punches while Mayfield was 104-487.

Anthony Johnson destroyed Ryan Bader in the 1st round of their Light Heavyweight bout at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey.

Bader missed on a takedown and Johnson gained dominant position and pounded on Bader until the fight was stopped at 1:26.

Johnson, 205 lbs of Boca Raton, FL is 21-5. Bader, 205 lbs of Tempe, AZ is also 21-5.

Ben Rothwell scored a 2nd round stoppage over former UFC Heavyweight champion Josh Barnett.

Rothwell got Barnett in a guillotine choke and Barnett tapped out at 3:48 of round two.

Rothwell, 265 lbs of Kenosha, WI is 36-9. Barnett, 241 lbs of Fullerton, CA is 34-8.

Jimmy Rivera won a three round unanimous decision over Yuri Alcantara in a Bantamweight bout.

Rivera, 135 lbs of Ramsey, NJ won by scores of 29-28 on all cards and is now 19-1. Alcantara,

Bryan Barberena won via 2nd round submission over previously undefeated teen-sensation Sage Northcutt.

Barberena was cut on his forehead in round one, but he got Northcutt in a front triangle-choke and Northcutt tapped at 3:06 of round two.

Barberena, 170 lbs of Glendale, AZ is 11-3. Northcutt, 170 lbs of Katy, TX is 7-1.

Taric Saffiedine won a three round unanimous decision over Jake Ellenberger in a welterweight bout.

Safiedine, 170 lbs of Brussels, BEL is 16-4. Ellenberger, 170 lbs of Lake Forest, CA is 30-11.

Diego Ferreira won a mountainous decision over Olivier Aubin-Mercier in a Lightweight fight.

Ferreira, 156 lbs of Pharr, TX won by scores of 30-27 and 29-28 twice and is now 12-2. Aubin-Mercier, 155 lbs of Montreal is 8-2.

Rafael Natal scored a third round stoppage over Kevin Casey in a Middleweight bout.

The end came at 3:37 of round three for Natal. 185 lbs of New York, NY and is 21-6-1. Casey, 185 lbs of Hawthorne, CA is 10-3-2.

Wilson Reis won a three round unanimous decision over Dustin Ortiz in a Flyweight bout.

Reis, 126 lbs of San Diego won by scores of 30-27 on all cards and is mow 20-6. Ortiz, 125 lbs of Franklin, TN is 15-5.

Alexander Yakovlev knocked out George Sullivan in the first round of their Welterweight bout.

Yakovlev landed a big left followed by a crushing right that sent Sullivan down and the bout was stopped after Yakovlev landed three shots on the ground at 3:59.

Yakovlev, 171 lbs of Fairfield, NJ is 23-6-1. Sullivan, 171 lbs of Fairfield, NJ is 17-5-1.

Alex Caceras won a three round unanimous decision over Masio Fullen in a Featherweight bout.

Scores were 30-27 on all cards for Caceras, 145 lbs of Miami and is now 11-8-1. Fullen, 145 lbs of Guadalajara, MX is 10-6.