LAS VEGAS – Floyd Mayweather Jr. said it was his last dance. If it was, he also got the last laugh.

In what he promised was his farewell fight Saturday night, Mayweather mocked Andre Berto. Beat him. too, for most of 12-one-sided rounds for a unanimous decision that put him alongside Rocky Marciano in the historical ledger at 49-0.

Everything, including his body language, said he would not fight again. He hugged and kissed his father, Floyd Mayweather Sr., on the cheek before the start of the 12th and perhaps his final round.

After the 118-110, 117-110 and 120-108 scores were announced, he knelt at the center of the ring, pointed one of his green-gloved hands toward the ceiling and look up as if he were saying a goodbye prayer.

“My career is done,’’ Mayweather said.

After the ninth, he complained to his father about an injury to his left hand.

“It doesn’t matter whether I hurt my left hand or my right hand,’’ said Mayweather. who collected another $32 million guarantee in the sixth and final fight on his Showtime contract. “My career is over.’’

As definitive as his statement was in the wake of his victory over Berto, speculation will continue about whether he will pursue a 50th victory sometime in the spring, perhaps at a brand new Las Vegas arena scheduled to open next spring.

His decision to face Berto had been mocked the day it was announced. In the end, Mayweather managed to mock Berto, if not the mismatch, himself.

Sometimes, he moved robotically as if to mimic a tiring and clueless Berto. Sometimes, he moved as if had been hurt. He wasn’t. Mostly. He just made fun of Berto. At the strta of the 10th, Mayweather talked non-stop at Berto. Finally, referee Kenny Bayless called timeout and warned both.

“Just trash talk,’ said Mayweather, who hasn’t knocked anybody in eight years.

Berto was cheered for just about anything he attempted from the 13,395 in a crowd that began to fill a Grand Garden Arena that about 90 minutes before opening bell appeared to be nearly half empty.

In the early rounds, however, Berto must have felt like he was playing dodge-ball with a target always close enough to hit, yet always elusive enough to make him miss.

“He a great fighter,’’ said Berto, who didn’t call him greatest when as if he thought Mayweather was The Best Ever.
Berto will let history decide that one.

The rematch was supposed to settle the argument. It didn’t.

Instead, Orlando Salido and Roman Martinez have more to fight about after battling to a draw Saturday night in junior-lightweight bout on the Floyd Mayweather Jr .-Andre Berto card at the MGM Grand.

“I won this fight,’’ said Martinez (29-2-3, 17 KOs), a Puerto Rican who scored a unanimous decision over Salido in April

Salido (42-13-3, 29 KOs) was credited with a knockdown in the third. Martinez complained to no avail. Turns out, Martinez was right and referee Vic Drakulich wrong in ruling it a knockdown. Video replay showed that Salido stepped on Martinez’ foot, knocking him off balance and onto the canvas.

Later in the third, Martinez scored a legit knockdown, landing a big right that sent Salido back on his heels and onto his rear end. Salido was clearly hurt. But he was able to survive and then managed to drag the fight into the kind of bruising exchange he so often wins. He threw 1,037 punches. Martinez threw 691.

“I should have won,’’ Salido said. “That’s not fair.”

Anybody for a trilogy?

Badou Jack scored a first-round knockdown that proved to the key to a split-decision over George Groves in the first defense of his WBC super-middleweight bout.

Jonathan Oquendo of Puerto Rico and Johnny Gonzalez of Mexico opened the PPV part of the card in a super-featherweight bout that began with fireworks and then settled down into a battle of wits, survival and some blood. In the end, Oquendo (254, 16 KOs), prevailed, winning a 10-round majority decision after suffering a knockdown in the first round, knocking down Gonazlez (58-10, 49 KOs) in the second and sustaining a nasty cut on his legs ye;id in the sixth.

The Floyd Mayweather-Andre Berto show opened Saturday during the noon hour, or probably before Mayweather rolled out of bed.

In an empty MGM Grand Garden Arena, Atlanta junior-welterweight Trakwon Pettis didn’t waste any time in his pro debut. Pettis stopped Devante Seay (0-1) of Martinsville, Va., at 2:24 of the first round. He was done in time to catch a late lunch.

In the afternoon’s second matinee, London junior-welterweight Ashley Theopane (39-6-1, 11 KOs) outworked Steven Upsher (24-5-1, 6 KOs), winning a one-sided decision over the Philadelphia fighter who lost to Berto last year.

Then, Baltimore lightweight prospect Gervonta Davis (12-0, 11 KOs) took over with a fast and furious beating of Filipino Recky Delay (8-2, 5 KOs), who was down twice in the first and signaled to referee Russell Mora that he was done at 1:34 of the round.

In another afternoon beating, Romanian super-middleweight Ronald Gavril (13-1, 9 KOs) punished Scott Sigmon (25-7-1, 14 KOs) before the ringside physician ended it before the ninth.

A disciplined, patient Vanes Martirosyan waited as if he knew Ishe Smith would leap and lunge. Smith did. Not once, but twice. Martirosyan (36-2-1, 21 KOs), a middleweight from Glendale, Calif., capitalized both times, scoring knockdowns with well-timed counters late in the third round and again in the eighth for a majority decision over Smith (27-8, 12 KOs), a Mayweather-promoted fighter.

Dayton middleweight Chris Pearson (13-0, 10 KOs) rocked Canadian Janks Trotter (9-2-1. 9 KOs) repeatedly in the sixth and finally floored him in the seventh for a stoppage at 2:59 of the round.

In the last fight before the pay-per-view portion of the card, Uzbekistan junior-welterweight Sanjarbek Rakhmanov (2-0, 1 KO) rocked an overmatched, yet durable Farkhad Sharipov (4-5, 1 KO) of Kazakhstan repeatedly in scoring six-round unanimous decision.

Former world champion Peter Quillin stopped unheralded Michael Zerafa in round five of their scheduled 10-round Middleweight bout at the Foxwoods Casino Resort in Mashantucket, Connecticut.

Quillin got the better of the action over the first 4-plus rounds. In round five, Quillin landed a right hand that staggered Zerafa back and a follow-up booming right sent Zerafa crumbling to the canvas and the fight was stopped at

Zerafa was removed from the ring on a stretcher.

Quillin, 160 lbs of Brooklyn, NY is 32-0-1 with 23 knockouts. Zerafa, 162 lbs of Melbourne, Australia is 17-22.

The win for Quillin now sets up a match that has brewing for a couple years with WBA Middleweight champion, Danny Jacobs. That bout will take place on December 5 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn.

PETER QUILLIN

“It is hard to celebrate a performance like that, especially when someone is leaving on a stretcher. Unfortunately that is part of the game. I just pray that he gets better and gets home to Australia safe and sound.

“I made a bad mistake in my past when I fought Miranda. I learned that you have to give every guy credit.

“What’s important is that I’m ready for Danny Jacobs. Now it’s time for Brooklyn to see me and Danny Jacobs. We’ve waited for a long time for it.

“I like Danny because I’m a big fan of his. But business is business unfortunately.

“[To Jacobs] We can do it right here if you want to take off that suit and put on those gloves. Lets do it right now.

“I’m back in camp on Monday. I’m getting ready for Danny Jacobs.

“Right now he’s the champ, I’m the challenger. I like to be in that position. It motivates me. I fight for all the kids who were told they wouldn’t make it.”

DANIEL JACOBS, Middleweight World Champion is expected to take on Quillin on December 5.

“I’m from Brownsville in Brooklyn. I never ran and I never will.

“December 5 at Barclays Center. I’m the champion and he’s the challenger.

“I don’t know how it’s going to go down, but it’s going to be a great fight.

“In the sport of boxing, you can’t make too many friends.

“It will be one of the biggest fights that Brooklyn has had in a long time.

“I’m a mover, I’m a power puncher and I have a high boxing IQ. He has trouble with guys that move and I can think on the fly.

“This [fight] is all the motivation I needed…what other motivation do you need to get your butt in the gym and get prepared?

“They call me the ‘Miracle Man’. It’s no secret that I have motivation to be the best I can be. Come December 5, Brooklyn is going to have a new star.”

Jermall Charlo captured the IBF Jr. Middleweight title with an emphatic 3rd round stoppage over Cornelius Bundrage.

In round one, Charlo dropped Bundrage with a perfect counter right. In round two, Charlo sent Bundrage down with all things a jab. Charlo knocked Bundrage down in round three when he landed a right and followed up with a barrage. Charlo finished the deal with a perfect right hand that sent Bundrage down for a fourth and final time an the bout was stopped at 2:33 of round three.

Charlo, 153 lbs of Houton, TX is now 22-0 with 17 knockouts. Bundrage, 153 lbs of Detroits, MI is 34-6.

Charlo landed 33-107 punches.

JERMALL CHARLO

“I’m the champion of the world. It’s all God-given. I couldn’t ask for anything better. I feel good.

“You never put a dog in a pen with a lion. I said I was going to do what I was going to do.

“This is the future. I am the future of boxing.

“I studied and I stayed ready. K-9 got cut and I stayed ready. When I turned pro seven years ago, I didn’t know this would be possible.

“I was ready for 12 rounds, and I knew he was ready for 12 rounds.

“I’ve finally made it to the championship status. To be classified as a world champion, it’s history.

“The fight went exactly how we thought it would. It was getting rough and I was ready for it. It was just a matter of time. It’s the best feeling in the world.

“I want to become even better. I want to defend my title and show everyone how good I am.”

CORNELIUS BUNDRAGE

“You win some, you lose some. The problem was, I’ve been inactive. I was in there with a good fighter who has been active and is hungry.

“I’m older and have to stay active to stay with these young guys. I’m not going anywhere. I have to stay active to see punches coming.”

2012 U.S. Olympian Marcus Browne scored a 1st round stoppage over former champion Gabriel Campillo in a scheduled 10-round Light Heavyweight bout.

Browne sent Campillo down with a hard left hand and then a body shot. Browne finished off Campillo with a straight left for a 2nd knockdown and the fight was stopped at

Browne, 175 lbs of Staten Island, NY is 16-0 with 12 knockouts. Campillo, 179 lbs of Madrid, Spain is 25-8-1.

MARCUS BROWNE

“My performance was definitely a statement to everyone in the light heavyweight division – watch out. We’re here!

“He was standing straight up and my trainer said to hit him with a nice straight jab. I threw the 1-2 and then I followed up.

“I took my time and just let it come.

“My trainer Gary Stark told me to come around the arms and that’s what I did. You can see it.”

By Norm Frauenheim

LAS VEGAS – It was advertised as Oscar Valdez’ toughest test yet. So much for advertising.

Valdez made it look easy, displaying a potent mix of smarts, timing and power for a fifth-round stoppage of Chris Avalos Friday night at The Cosmopolitan.

“Everything we did in gym, it worked,’’ said Valdez (18-0, 15 KOs), a two-time Mexican Olympian and a featherweight student whose prospects have looked better. “It was perfect.’’

A counter left was Valdez weapon of choice against Avalos (26-4, 19 KOs), a 25-uear-old Lancaster, Calif., fighter whose biggest mistake was some aggressiveness in the third.

Avalos walked straight into a left that seemed to have a delayed effect. He stumbled forward, caught himself and regained his balance, then fell backwards and onto the canvas.

It was sign of what was to come. Valdez staggered him with a left in the final second of the fourth, then finished it by landing a left that prompted referee Russell Mora to stop it 1:17 of the fifth

Philadelphia super-middleweight prospect Jesse Hart discovered that there’s only one counter to a tactic that includes more grabbing and holding than punching.

“Poise,’’ he said .

Hart (18-0, 15 KOs) relied on it while patiently mixing in an array of solid body blows for a ninth-round TKO of Aaron Pryor Jr. (19-9-1, 12 KOs), the Cincinnati son of the senior Aaron Pryor and a great junior-welterweight known as The Hawk.

Rios, Bradley

Welterweight Timothy Bradley worked as a ringside analyst for the TruTV telecast. At another side of the ring, Brandon Rios sat alongside trainer Robert Garcia. They’ll be sharing a ring on Nov. 7 at Thomas & Mack in Las Vegas.

“I’m just happy to be back,’’ said Rios, who hasn’t fought since a stoppage of Mike Alvarado on Jan. 24.

Bradley, who won a disputed decision over Jessie Vargas on June 26, will have a new corner for the first time in his a decade. He confirmed that Teddy Atlas will be his trainer instead of Joel Diaz.

By Norm Frauenheim

Las Vegas — Floyd Mayweather has his “May-Vinci “ code.

He was talking about Leonardo and not Roberta, of course.

Nobody knew who Roberta was until Friday when the tennis side of the Vinci family put together her own Leonardo Da Vinci-kind-of-masterpiece in a huge upset of Serena Williams at the U.S. Open.

The upset of Williams was an inevitable angle at the weigh-in Friday for the Mayweather-Andre Berto fight Saturday night (Showtime PPV, 8 pm ET/5 pm PT) at the MGM Grand Garden Arena. Williams’ dominance of women’s tennis is the equivalent of Mayweather’s prize-fighting reign. Williams has looked unbeatable and Mayweather has been.

The question after Berto and Mayweather stepped off the scale was inevitable.

Two huge upsets in successive days?

“Of course,’’ said Berto, who is probably as unknown to tennis fans as Roberta Vinci is to the boxing crowd.

Of course, that’s exactly what Berto would say. But the odds say something else. Berto was a 30-to-1 underdog at the MGM sports book when he stepped off the scale at 145 pounds Friday afternoon. His best shot, perhaps his only one, is the proverbial one-punch knockout. He was a 20-to-1 shot to pull that one off.

Translation: Berto, who will collect $4 million, has no chance at all. Put it this way: Chances are better that Mayweather won’t be controversial. Maybe, historical upsets come in pairs. If they do, Mayweather is headed for sainthood.

The “May-Vinci code, a take off on a popular film starring Tom Hanks, was Mayweather’s way of summing up his defensive genius before his two fights against Marcos Maidana. Nobody could crack it and nobody has. That’s why he is poised to equal Rocky Marciano’s 49-0 milestone against Berto (30-3, 23 KOs) in the sixth and final fight on a Showtime contract he signed 30 months ago.

There are potential distractions. A story by Thomas Hauser broke Thursday in SB Nation about Mayweather undergoing a banned IV after the weigh-on on the day before his victory over Manny Pacquiao on May 2. There is controversy about Arizona Cardinals assistant coach Jen Welter accepting a Mayweather invitation to the Berto fight because of his history of domestic violence.

But controversy is nothing new in the weeks and days before any Mayweather fight. It’s almost expected. Mayweather (48-0, 26 KOs) is no stranger to any of it. Perhaps, it’s part of the theater. Or perhaps it’s marketing. Or perhaps it’s just Mayweather being himself. Or maybe it all of the above.

Whatever it is, Mayweather insists he is doing it for the last time despite the chance to surpass Marciano’s record and at putting more money into a bank account that is guaranteed another $32-million for the Berto fight.

“Last time I’m getting off a scale,’’ he said after weighing 146 pounds for what he says his final pro fight.

Really? It might take another Vinci to figure that one out.

NOTES: The televised portion of the pay-per-view card includes three fights before Mayweather-Berto. The televised card begins with Jhonny Gonzalez (58-9, 49 KOs) at super-featherweight against Jonathan Oquendo (25-4. 16 KOs). Each was at 129 pounds Friday. …Mexican Orlando Salido (42-13-2. 29 KOs) fights for the WBO’s 130-pound title against Roman Martinez (29-2-2, 17 KOs). Salido was at the junior-lightweight mandatory Friday. Martinez tipped the scales at 129.5. … In a third televised bout, super-middleweight Badou Jack (19-1-1, 12 KOs) fights for the WBC title against George Groves (22-2, 16 KOs) Jack was at 167.5 pounds. Groves, of Britain, was at 168. A crowd of about 6,000 was at the weigh-in. Many were from the UK. “I was going to say it’s great to be back in London,’’ Groves told his cheering countrymen.

Adonis Stevenson retained his WBC Light Heavyweight title with a 3rd round stoppage over Tommy Karpency in Toronto, Canada.

In Round two, Stevenson landed a crushing left that sent Karpency sprawling to the canvas. Luckily for Karpency it came just before the end of the round and he was able to get out of it. In the opening five seconds of round three, Karpency went down again and upon getting to his feet, the referee stopped the bout at 21 seconds of round three.

Stevenson, 175 lbs of Montreal is 27-1 with 22 knockouts. Karpency, 174 1/2 lbs of Adac, PA is 25-5-1.

Terrific prospect, Errol Spence Jr. remained perfect as he stopped Chris Van Heerden in round eight of their scheduled 10-round Welterweight bout.

In round one, Van Heerden started to swell around his right eye. In round four, Van Heerden began to bleed from his mouth. In the same round, referee Alan Huggins deducted a point from Van Heerden for spitting out his mouthpiece.

In round seven, Spence pounded on Van Heerden along the ropes and dropped him for the first time in his career with a chopping left. Spence scored a 2nd knock down with a flurry. In round eight, Spence pounded away on Van Heerden before Huggins stepped in and stopped the bout at 50 seconds.

Spence, 146 1/2 lbs of DeSoto, TX is 18-0 with 15 knockouts. Van Heerden, 146 1/2 lbs of South Africa is 23-2-1.

Prichard Colon remained undefeated by scoring a 4th round stoppage over former Super Lightweight champion Vivian Harris in a scheduled 6-round Super Welterweight bout.

Colon dropped Harris on stomach in round four and the bout was stopped at 1:03.

Colon of Puerto Rico is now 16-0 with 13 knockouts Harris of Brooklyn, NY is 32-11-2.

According to Dan Rafael of espn.com, Zab Judah’s Thursday night bout with Hevinson Herrera has been cancelled after a brawl at the weigh in.

The fight was to take place in Westbury, New York.

“I’ve been doing this for 25 years, and I think I’ve seen everything there is to see until the next show,” promoter Greg Cohen said. “I’ve seen guys fight at a weigh-in, a press conference, but I’ve never seen a main event fall apart because they fought at a weigh-in. It’s insane. Only in boxing can this nonsense happen.”

“They were next to each other in line, and Herrera, who doesn’t speak a word of English, apparently said something to Judah,” Cohen said. “And it ended up with Herrera kind of head-butting Zab, and then Zab punched him. Although most people think he punched him in the chest, Herrera said he got hit in the head, that his head hurts, and the kid said he can’t fight, so the doctor said he can’t fight.”

“But what are the odds that we’ll be able to find somebody who is ready to fight, on weight and is medically cleared by Thursday morning?” Cohen said. “It’s unlikely. There’s going to be disciplinary hearing for both fighters. Commissioner (Tom) Hoover made it very clear they are not taking this lightly. He was not a happy camper.”

Cohen said the rest of the card would go on as scheduled.

Austin Trout scored a 6th round stoppage over Joey Hernandez in a scheduled 10-round Jr. Middleweight bout at the Hollywood Palladium in Hollywood, California.

Trout dropped Trout with a hard left to the body and the bout was stopped at 3:00 of round six.

Trout, the former WBA Super Welterweight champion, has a record of 30-2 with 17 knockouts. Hernandez, 157 lbs of Miami, FL is 24-4-1.

Jorge Lara and Jesus Rojas fought to a technical draw after round six of their scheduled 10-round Featherweight bout.

Lara was cut from an accidental headbutt in round three. In round five, he was cut over his left eye from yet another accidental headbutt.

The cut around his right eye really started to affect Lara and the bout was stopped in the corner between round six and seven.

All three judges scored the fight even at 57-57. Lara landed 118 of 388 punches. Rojas was 68 of 340.

Lara, 123 lbs of Guadalajara, MX is 27-0-2. Rojas, 122 lbs of Caguas, PR is 22-1-2.

Ahmed Elbiali scored a 1st round stoppage over Fabiano Pena in a scheduled 8-round Light Heavyweight bout.

Elbiali dropped Pena in round one from a a hard right hand and the fight was stopped at 1:15.

Elbiali, 176 lbs of Miami, FL is 12-0 with 11 knockouts. Pena, 175 lbs of Mexico is 12-3-1.

According to Dan Rafael of espn.com, WBO Welterweight champion Timothy Bradley will take on Brandon Rios on November 7 at the Thomas & Mack Arena in Las Vegas.

The could be a slight hurdle as Sadam Ali, the WBO top-contender must take a step aside deal in order for the fight be a title fight.

“We’re confident it will all work out in the end and all parties will be satisfied,” said Top Rank vice president Carl Moretti told ESPN.com.

“I am excited to get back into the ring on Nov. 7 against a very game and very dangerous Brandon Rios,” Bradley said. “I know that he is dedicated to giving the fans what they pay for. So am I. I guarantee you that the Thomas & Mack Center will once again deliver a great match.”

Said Rios: “We’ve been looking for a big fight and at last we have it. I’ll be ready.”

“This is a great between two of the best welterweights in the world and they both have big names,” said Cameron Dunkin, Rios’ manager and Bradley’s former manager. “They’ve fought everybody. They’re both very experienced. It’s a fight that everybody is talking about and wants to see, so I am really, really excited about the matchup. Brandon is very focused on this.”

“Timothy Bradley has been around for a long time. He fought Pacquiao twice and no matter what happened the first time, if it was controversial or not, he beat him. He won. He got the title,” Rios, who lost a lopsided decision to Pacquiao in 2013 in Macau, China and then tested positive for a banned substance, said of Bradley’s massively disputed split decision win against Pacquiao in 2012. “It’s an honor to get back in the spotlight and fight a great champion.”

“As long as I get a fight, I don’t care,” Rios said. “It’s great to be fighting for a title but I don’t really care. Either way I will train my ass off and take it as a title fight because Bradley is a legit fighter and he will come to fight, especially when you put the pressure on him. When you put pressure on him, like I will do, the fighter in him will come out.”

“I didn’t care who I was going to fight. I was just happy Top Rank got me a fight after Alvarado. I didn’t care who it was,” Rios said. “It was very frustrating. I’m so pissed off, but at the end of the day I can’t let it affect me, and I can’t think about it. But I’m mad and I’m disappointed with Top Rank with the way they came about the business. Bob Arum told me after the Alvarado fight I’d be back in June and then nothing happened. It sucks the way it worked out. I like to stay active, especially after a great performance against Alvarado.”

“Offers for other fights were made to Rios and his team that were declined,” Moretti said. “Now he has as big a fight as there is, which is what his focus is on now, I hope.”

“I will be well prepared again for this big opportunity,” he said. “I’m back to my old days — happy training, hungry. I made a lot of money at a young age out of nowhere and I got a little cocky. Good thing I learned that before it was too late. You’ll see me like against Bradley the way I was against Alvarado in the third fight.”

Former world champion Anthony Dirrell won a 10-round unanimous decision over Marco Antonio Rubio in Corpus Christi, Texas.

Dirrell won by scores of 100-90 on all cards and is now 28-1. Rubio is 59-8-1.

Jamie McDonnell retained his Bantamweight with his 2nd win over former Tomoki Kameda in the last four months.

McDonnell dropped Kameda in round four with a solid 1-2 combination.

McDonnell of England won by scores of 117-110, 116-111 and 115-112 and is now 27-2-1. Kameda of Osaka, Japan is 31-2.

Daniel Rosas scored an 8th round stoppage over Jhon Germino in round eight of their scheduled 10-round Bantamweight bout at Gran Teatro Moliere in Polanco, Distrito Federal, Mexico.

Rosas beat down Germino until the fight was stopped at 2:42 of round 8.

Rosas is now 19-2-1 with 12 knockouts. Germino is 12-5-1.

Anabel Ortiz won a 6-round technical decision over Sandra Robles to retain the WBC Female minimumweight title.

Ortiz was cut over her left eye from an accidental headbutt but was ahead on all cards by 59-55 scores.

Ortiz is 18-3. Robles is 11-2.

Ivan Ochoa scored a 2nd round stoppage over Luis Najera in a scheduled 6-round Light Flyweight bout.

Ochoa is 5-2-1 with 3 knokcouts. Najera is 0-3.

According to Dan Rafael of espn.com, Roy Jones Jr. September 12 bout with Tony Moran is off after Jones did not get on his plane from Russia to Liverpool, England.

“I’m extremely disappointed and saddened by the whole thing,” said Steven Vaughan, who was promoting the fight. “We had invested a lot of money and time into this event, as we wanted to make it a great occasion for the fans and the game alike. But sadly, it wasn’t to be and legal advice is to be sought surrounding the circumstances in which it has happened.”

Hollywood, Fl – The main event at the Seminole Hrd Rock Hotel & Casino got off to a fast start and ended fast. Shannon Briggs (55-6-1) put down Michal Marrone (21-4) with a body shot in the second round and Marrone did not beat the count. Both fighters landed but Briggs, although he was cut, was stronger and walked Marrone to the ropes before landing the fight ending shot. Time of stoppage was 2:52 of the second round.

After the fight, Briggs got on the microphone and called out heavyweight kingpin Wladimir Klitschsko before thanking the crowd and the champions who attended the two day event.

The co-main event of the night featured Joshua Tufte (18-1) and Jamal Woods (7-20-3) in another eight rounder. Woods got off to a decent start and looked better 300 dollar loan than what his record would suggest by making the first four rounds close ones. Both fighters fought and landed well throughout the first half of the fight. Starting the fifth, several combinations from Woods bloodied Tufte’s nose in another good round. In round seven, Woods landed several overhand rights one of which buckled Tufte’s knees but the New Yorker stayed on his feet and probably won the last round by being more active. This was a good scrap and the crowd enjoyed it. Judge’s scorecards were 77-75 for Woods overturned by cards of 78-74 and 77-75 for Tufte.

Maurice Harris (26-19-2) and Grover Young (12-16-1) faced off in a bout scheduled for eight rounds. Young was more active and took the fight to the larger Harris and hurt him on a few occasions. In the fifth round, Harris seemed ready to go after several solid shots from Young sent him to the ropes and then hurt him again in the middle of the ring but the New Jersey native made it through. Harris did better in the seventh and both fighters put up a spirited effort in the eighth. In the end, scores were 77-75 for Harris, 77-75 for Young and a 76-76 for a draw that drew boos from the crowd. 15rounds.com had the Young winning 77-75.

For another four rounder, Erik Leander (11-2-0), from Boca Raton, Fl. Met with Antonio Robertson (3-5-1) of Washington D.C. Both fighters showed quick movements but Robertson was more accurate than the “Viking” Leander and managed to consistently land clean overhand rights to take the rounds. Leander put up a good effort in the fourth but by then, Robertson was landing well with both hands. Scores were 39-37 twice for Robertson and 39-37 for Leander. 15rounds.com had the fight 39-37 for Robertson as well.

Ernest Mazyck (8-1-0) and Terrance Marbra (7-3-0) faced off in the fourth bout. Mazyck used his considerable size and reach advantage to press the fight and looked to land hard right hands behind a very decent jab. The quicker Marbra landed a few good shots in the second round to the delight of the crowd but Mazyck’s chin held strong. Again in the third, it was the single pot shots and counter shots from Marbra that made a mark but there appeared not to be enough power behind them to hurt “Zeus” Mazyck. After a similar round four, scores were 38-38 and 40-36 and 39-37 in favor of Terrance Marbra. 15rounds.com had Marbra ahead 39-37 as well scoring only the first round for Mazyck.

Next up were Dieuly Aristilde (9-7-0) and Brandon Spencer (3-11-1) in yet another four round bout. Both fighters swung wildly to little or no effect and wound up in clinches more often than they landed. By the second round the crowd was jeering what looked more like wrestling than boxing. A right hand from Spencer sent Aristilde down early in the fourth and again with about a minute to go. Even with the two knockdowns, the bout was unpleasing to the crowd. Spencer won by scores of 38-36 on all three cards.

The second bout of the night featured undefeated Edwin Alvarez (4-0-0) against Steve Teagle (1-0-0) in another 4 rounder. Both fighters started fast but Alvarez, from Miami, Florida, seemed stronger and better poised. After a few exchanges, a body shot from Alvarez sent Teagal down for the count. Time of stoppage was 1:45.

The night of heavyweights started with local favorite Quadtrine Hill (4-2-0) facing off with Quincey Palmer (9-6-0) in a four round bout. As with the rest of the card, the 10 point-must system was in effect as was the three knockdown rule. An out of shape Palmer chased after Hill who was able to land two and three punch combinations from his southpaw stance. By round two Palmer was cut on the right cheekbone, out of air and had barely landed a significant shot. Palmer landed his best shot of the night at the beginning of round 3 only to have the fight stopped a few seconds later after a good right hand from Hill that rocked him and a follow-up barrage. Time of stoppage was 53 seconds of the third round.

According to Dan Rafael of espn.com, Former two-division champion Devon Alexander will take on Aron Martinez on ESPN in Glendale, Arizona.

The card also will feature featherweight titlist Lee Selby (21-1, 8 KOs), 28, of Wales, who will make his first title defense when he faces Mexico’s Fernando Montiel (54-4-2, 39 KOs), 36, a former three-division titlist, who has won eight fights in a row.

According to Dan Rafael of espn.com, two-division world champion Timothy Bradley has split with longtime trainer Joel Diaz.

“After his last fight, I have not heard from Tim at all. He never answered my calls or anything,” Diaz said. “Then last week, he came to the gym. He said he wanted to talk to me. I said, ‘What’s going on?’ What he said was his manager had other plans and I am not part of those plans. He tried to make some excuses, like I was doing something wrong. I said, ‘I’ve known you for a long time, you’re like my brother, but right now it’s out of your control. Your wife took over your career.’

“He said he would think about it. When they were negotiating the [Brandon] Rios fight, I was calling him to see what was going on. I had to go around him and call his father so his father can contact him because I don’t even think he had a phone no more. I sensed something was going on. His wife got so involved. She didn’t want me involved in the camp.”

“He told me the last few fights things were not the same,” Diaz said. “He was upset because I would leave camp for a day or two sometimes to be with my other fighters at fights. That is my job, but I always put Tim first. I said, ‘Tim, that’s not you talking. It’s people in your ear who you live with. If we’re going to work together let me know.’ He said he would think about it, and two days later [on Sunday], he called and left a message and said he would move on and he would find another trainer.

“I couldn’t even call him. I had to go through Monica. It became an issue of his manager taking over everything. She wanted to have control and power over everything. Look, Timothy is a great guy. He has a big heart, but he has people putting things in his head. I trained this kid his whole career. Monica was really cool at first, but the switch came when she became the manager. She’d come to the gym and try to control the training. I was feeling uncomfortable. It was weird. I never had a problem with Monica, never had an argument with her.”

“I told him when he came to the gym [last week], ‘The problem is not you. I know you from the heart. You are overpowered. You gave somebody too much authority of your life,'” Diaz said. “And I said, ‘Good luck, champ.’ Even if I’m not with him I will be at his next fight and I will root for him. I have no hard feelings, but I’m going to move on.”

“It’s my call. Ain’t nobody make me do anything,” Bradley said. “I did it because I felt it needed to be done. A real man wouldn’t even blame a woman or my wife. My wife didn’t speak to Joel. I spoke to Joel. I told him what was going on.

“At the end of the day, I don’t trust him. What’s the point of being with him if you don’t trust him? If there’s no trust, then there’s no relationship.”

“Go back to the Jessie Vargas fight and go see if Joel Diaz is in the ring with me at the end of the fight,” Bradley said. “He left. Right before they announced me as winner, he just left me. He didn’t stick around for me. When we had the conversation, I asked him about it. ‘Dude, you showed me you don’t even care about me.’ The answer was he was pissed off about something else somebody did on the team and decided to leave the ring.

“I was like, ‘We’ve been together for like 10 years and you’re going to just walk away? Stand by me, bro. If it’s so easy for you to leave me like that, then it’s easy to leave anytime.’ I questioned if he cared for me.”

“He blamed my wife, but I’ve been thinking about this since the fight. I’m a loyal guy, but I kept a lot of things in and I accepted a lot of things, but after so long being Mr. Nice Guy, I had to do this because some things were bothering me.”

“I give the OK on everything,” Bradley said. “My wife is there to protect me, but it’s my decision. I make the decisions because I have to live the decisions. I don’t like that he blamed my wife.”

“I’m gonna talk to my wife and see when can we get them out to work with me,” Bradley said of them coming to his hometown of Palm Springs, California. “I’ll be fighting end of the year and I need to get someone in here.”

“Good things come to an end. It’s not a bad thing,” Bradley said. “I’m looking for change. A lot of guys change trainers. It’s nothing bad about Joel. Sometimes you just need a change. We won five world championships together. I would love to remain friends. Don’t want to make this ugly. It’s just business. I really like the guy a lot.”

IBF Welterweight champion Kell Brook will defend his crown against Diego Chaves on October 24 in Sheffield, England, according to Dan Rafael of espn.com.

“I’m so excited about boxing in my hometown of Sheffield again. London last time out [in May] was a great experience fighting in front of nearly 20,000 but I’m excited to be back there — it is my home,” Brook said. “I’m looking to excite like I always do and light up the Motorpoint Arena on Oct. 24.”

“Chaves is a rough, tough, durable fighter who is very dangerous,” Brook said. “He’s bringing something new to the table. He’s coming off a draw to Tim Bradley, was ahead on the cards against Brandon Rios until he was disqualified and gave Keith Thurman a solid fight, so we know what level he has mixed at and how good he is.

“We know Brook is a tough fighter, very technical,” Chaves said. “He is a linear fighter, very frontal. He’s not a fast fighter. He is easily bothered by body punches, and that is one of our strengths. And I believe he has problems going backwards. We saw that in his fight against Shawn Porter. When Porter charged forward, Brook had trouble adjusting to that. But we know that he is a great fighter to face, and we are going to test his punching power too, because the opponents he chose so far have not been such great punchers as the ones I have faced lately.

“I feel that my confidence grows with this challenge, knowing that I will have to face a champion like Kell Brook in his home country in England. This raises the stakes for me, going up there as an Argentine, and as a huge underdog. We know all the bad blood that exists between Argentina and England, and this will give me much more strength. I will be making history if I defeat an Englishman in his own country.”

“It’s been a busy year so far boxing Dan in March and Gavin in May. This will be my third defense in seven months but a busy fighter is a happy fighter and I’m very happy at the moment,” Brook said. “I’m looking forward to the next challenge and I’m feeling sharp after my break.

“I’ve seen some of Chaves’ quotes and it’s interesting to see he thinks he can walk me down and overrun me. I don’t think some fighters realize how big I am and how sharp and accurate I punch and I’m looking to make a major statement against him. If he does what he promises it’s going to be one hell of a fight.”

According to Dan Rafael of espn.com, the WBO Middleweight title bout between Andy Lee and Billy Joe Saunders has been postponed for a 2nd time due to a cut suffered by Saunders.

They were originally scheduled to fight Sept. 19 at Thomond Park in Lee’s hometown of Limerick, Ireland, but Lee came down with a virus and postponed the fight. It was rescheduled for Oct. 10 at Manchester Arena in Manchester, England, but now will have to wait until Saunders’ cut is healed.

“First of all I’m sorry to Andy and all the fans that this fight has had to be postponed again,” Saunders said. “It’s completely unfortunate that I got a cut during a sparring session, but there’s nothing I can do now until the specialist advises me on when I can resume training and fight again.

“I’m committed to this world title fight. I’m the WBO mandatory challenger, and the WBO have confirmed that I’ll remain the mandatory challenger. It’s just a very frustrating situation at the moment as myself and Andy just want to get in the ring and fight after all the delays.”

“Hugely disappointed for myself and for the boxing public,” Lee said. “These things happen. Me and Billy Joe Saunders will get it on when the new date is set.”

Warren said the card still will go on with the two other world title bouts already on the show. Lightweight titleholder Terry Flanagan (28-0, 11 KOs), who is from Manchester, will move into the main event as he makes his first defense, a mandatory, against Las Vegas contender Diego Magdaleno (28-1, 12 KOs). Also, England’s Liam Smith (20-0-1, 10 KOs) will face Newark, New Jersey’s John Thompson (17-1, 6 KOs), a 2015 ESPN Boxcino tournament winner, for a vacant junior middleweight world title.

“It’s a real shame that Billy has been forced out of the fight because of a cut and we await the report from the specialists so that we can look to reschedule the fight as soon as possible for the fans,” Warren said. “Whilst Saunders versus Lee has fallen through, there are two thrilling world title fights on the show with Terry Flanagan facing a dangerous first defense against tough American Diego Magdaleno, and Liam Smith has a big test against American upsetter John Thompson.

“It’s a disappointment, but I’m very optimistic that the show is still one of the best of the year, if not the best, with a top class lineup.”

By Norm Frauenheim–

LOS ANGELES – Leo Santa Cruz is always smiling.

Now more than ever.

Santa Cruz overcame some doubters and Abner Mares Saturday night, winning over nearly everyone but a judge in a majority decision for the WBA version of the featherweight title.

But there was more than just an acronym-sanctioned belt at stake. It was about turf, friendship and rivalry. It was about Los Angeles. It was about a couple of fighters who had once sparred, had moved down different career paths and came back together in a long-awaited confrontation.

It was personal. It was dramatic. It was a crowd pleaser. In the end, it belonged to Santa Cruz (31-0-1, 17 KOs) who in the middle rounds began to capitalize on a three-inch advantage in reach with a jab that forced Mares (29-2-1, 15 KOs) to back pedal out of victory and into defeat.

“I stayed outside with the jab,’’ Santa Cruz said. “We were able to take control.

“My dad told me that we could beat him by boxing. We want to be aggressive but tonight we had to box him too and that’s how we got it done.’’

Mares started fast, perhaps because of nervous energy or a sense that he couldn’t let Santa Cruz develop a rhythm that would allow him to use his long jab. With his early aggression, Mares led on the scorecards after two rounds.

“It was a close fight, but I thought I won the fight,’’ Mares said. “I thought I pulled it off.

“My plan was to box him, but I started out really fast. I felt good but my corner told me to box more, so I did that. It was a good fight.’’

At times, it also was hard to score. One card reflected that. Respected Max Deluca scored it a draw, 114-114. Jesse Reyes and Steve Morrow had it 117-111, each for Santa Cruz. Deluca’s card opens the door for a rematch.

“If he wants the rematch I’ll give him the rematch,’’ Santa Cruz said. “I want to fight the best. I want the big fights.”

It’s no surprise that Mares is interested in a sequel.

“I’m more than willing to have a rematch,’’ he said. “It was a close fight. I knew he had never faced a fighter like me and he proved today he’s a great fighter.”

The bout, an epic LA showdown, began with sound. Then, fury. The crowd of 13,109 roared when Mares appeared on the PBC stage with a black bandana covering his lower face and a red bandanna on his left arm. He wore trunks that said “This Is My Town’’ and looked like a man determined to prove exactly that.

Then, it was Santa Cruz’ turn. He stepped off the same stage and walked toward the ring with a smile impossible to hide.

Through the first three to four rounds, Santa Cruz didn’t have much time to smile. Mares, bloodied at the top of his head in a butt during the third, repeatedly rushed him, trying to draw him into a withering inside battle, By the fifth, however Santa Cruz’ smile was more evident than ever, mostly because he knew his jab was beginning to work.

In the end, there was only that smile. His smile.

His town, too.

Best Of The Undercard
Mexican super-bantamweight Julio Cesar Ceja was down on the canvas. Down on the scorecards, too. But he celebrated in the end.

Ceja (29-1, 27 KOs) was on the brink of defeat when he unleashed a lethal left that leveled fellow Mexican Hugo Ruiz (35-3, 30 KOs) in the fifth round of a 122-pound bout for the WBC’s interim version of the title.

Somehow, Ruiz, who floored Ceja in the third, got up. But it didn’t take long to see that he was badly hurt. Referee ended Raul Caiz ended at 2:34 of the round.

The Rest

Lightweight Alejandro Luna (19-0, 14 KOs) stayed unbeaten and near the front of the line for a title shot by overwhelming Sergio Lopez (18-10, 12 KOs) in a bout stopped at 34 seconds of the fourth by Lou Moret.

Former junior-middleweight contender Alfredo Angulo (24-5, 20 KOs) put a buzz into the Staples crowd with a performance that has made him popular. He spilled blood, most of it belonging to Hector Munoz, an Albuquerque fighter who was finished after five rounds of a scheduled 10 at super-middleweight.. Angulo, 2-1 since a 2014 loss to Canelo Alvarez, battered Munoz (22-16-1, 14 KOs), 4-16 over his last 20 fights, from start to finish, from pillar to post.

Welterweight Jessie Roman (20-2, 10 KOs) knocked around fellow Californian Hector Serrano (17-5, 5 KOs) for six rounds, knocked him down in the seventh and was declared a unanimous decision winner after eight.

A foul-filled fight ended appropriately: In a disqualification. Middleweight Jonathan Batista (14-7, 7KOs) of the Dominican Republic threw low blows at Argentine Brian Castano (13-0, 9 KOs) until the referee wouldn’t let him throw another one. In the fifth, he threw his last one in fight that ened in a DQ at 5:15 of the round.

Buenos Aires middleweight Alan Castano (9-0, 6 KOs) overwhelmed Thomas Howard (8-5, 4 KOs) of Trenton, Mich., with power and punches, prompting a stoppage referee Pat Russell at 4:11 of the fourth round.

Los Angeles junior-welterweight Anthony Flores (9-0, 5 KOs) threw punches at what sometimes looked to be an uninterrupted rate, out-working and out-scoring Curtis Morton (3-5-3) of New York for majority decision.

Super-middleweight Paul Mendez (20-2-2, 10 KOs) of Delano, Calif., had an easy afternoon of work, forcing Mexican Andrik Saralegui (19-3, 15 KOs) to quit after two rounds.

Bantamweight Isaiah Najera (1-1) of Yakima, Wash., got roacked early, yet celebrated in the end with a four-round majority decision that spoiled Antonio Santa Cruz’ debut.

In an empty arena, Los Angeles junior-featherweight Jose Gomez (3-0) opened the show with a matinee bout, scoring a unanimous decision over Mexican Manuel Rubalcava, who might have trouble getting licensed the next time he applies. He’s 2-14.

Jorge Paez Jr. won a 10-round majority decision over previously undefeated Daniel Echevarria at El Domo in San Luis Potosí, Mexico

Paez scored a knockdown in round one from a left hand.

Paez, who was coming off losing to Jose Benavidez Jr. for the WBA Interim Super Lightweight title, won by scores of 95-94, 95-93 and 94-94 and is now 39-6-2. Echevarria is 18-1.

Yazmin Rivas retained the WBC Female Bantamweight crown with a 10-round unanimous decision over Kandy Sandoval.

Rivas, 118 lbs won by scores of 97-93 twice and 96-94 and is now 34-8. Sandoval, 116 3/4 lbs is now 9-7.

Following their draw on July 18, Darley Perez and Anthony Crolla will rematch on November 21 in Manchester, England for Perez’WBA Lightweight title, according to Dan Rafael of espn.com.

“I’m so pleased for Anthony that he gets another bite of the cherry on Nov. 21 in his home city,” said Eddie Hearn, Crolla’s promoter. “I haven’t found anyone yet who didn’t feel that he won the first fight, but that’s in the past now and he has to make this count. I feel like he is destined to win a world title and on Nov. 21 on a huge night for Manchester and British boxing, I truly believe his dreams will come true.”

“I believe Darleys is the superior fighter,” Perez co-promoter Gary Shaw said. “This time, there will be no question who wins the fight and is still the WBA champion. I want to commend the WBA for ordering the rematch on this controversy of who won the fight. I also want to thank Eddie Hearn, who was a gentleman during this process. Thompson Boxing and Gary Shaw will leave England with the winner — Darleys Perez.”

Bryan dropped Rossy in round one when a right hand hurt Rossy. Bryan followed up with a hard combination that sent Rossy to the canvas.

DeCarlo Perez won a 10-round unanimous decision over previously undefeated Juan Ubaldo Cabrrera in a Middleweight bout

In round one, Cabrerra was cut over the right eye from a punch. Cabrerra was docked a point in round seven for hitting behind the head.

Perez, 160 1/2 lbs of Atlantic City, NJ won by scores of 98-91 twice and 97-92 and is now 15-3-1. Cabrerra, 160 lbs of Santo Domingo, DR is 23-1.

Joey Dawejko scored a 1st round stoppage over Natu Visinia in a scheduled 8-round Heavyweight bout.

Dawejko hurt Visini with a over hand right that buckled Visinia. Dawejko jumped on his prey and unleashed a flurry on the ropes that caused a standing 8-count. Visinia was able to continue but only for a short time as a follow up flurry of punches and referee Russell Mora stopped the fight 75 seconds into the bout.

Dawejko, 236 3/4 lbs of Philadelphia is no 16-4-1 with 9 knockouts. Visinia, 273 lbs of Clinton, IL is 11-2.

According to Dan Rafael of espn.com, Kenny Bayless will be the 3rd man in the ring when Floyd Mayweather takes on Andre Berto on September 12 in Las Vegas.

Andrzej Fonfara will take on Light Heavyweight champion Nathan Cleverly on October 16 in Chicago and will be televised on Spike TV, according to Dan Rafael of espn.com.

“I’m excited to return to my hometown of Chicago on this big fight night against a world-class fighter like Nathan Cleverly,” said Fonfara, 27. “This will be a tough fight for both of us. Cleverly is a solid fighter, and it’s no fluke that he was a world champion and that he defended his belt so many times. Our fighting styles guarantee that everyone can expect fireworks on Oct. 16th.”

“I want this fight (against Cleverly) to be a quick stop on my way to a rematch with Adonis Stevenson,” Fonfara said.

“This is a major platform for me to prove that I am more than capable of becoming world champion again,” Cleverly said. “If I beat Fonfara, it’s a doorway fight to the world title and establishing myself as one of the best light heavyweights once again.

“Fonfara is a good fighter. He’s tall, has power and has moved up through the levels in his career. I am looking forward to coming over to Chicago, and I am very confident that our styles will blend well for a really exciting fight.”

According to Dan Rafael of espn.com, Roy Jones Jr. will not be taking on Danny Santiago in Sint Marteen as the card is postponed due to weather concerns with Hurricane Danny.

“They were worried about the hurricane, so the fight was postponed and they said it would be rescheduled at a later date,” Santiago’s manager HeidiJasper told ESPN.com on Wednesday. “The promoter, Archie Keaton Entertainment, and I were supposed to get together to figure out when to reschedule the fight, but now it looks like Hurricane Erika might hit the island so we haven’t been able to meet yet.

“But I have spoken to [Jones manager] McGee Wright, and he said Roy is as eager to fight Danny as much as Danny is to fight Roy, but we can’t control the weather.”

“This is a big deal for Danny,” Jasper said. “He feels like it’s the second postponement of the fight. So Danny is disappointed, but what can you do.”

Dimash Niyazov remained undefeated by scoring a 6-round unanimous decision over Ariel Duran in a Jr. Welterweight bout.

In round five, Niyazov dropped Duran with a perfect counter right.

Niyazov, 134.8 lbs of Brooklyn, won by scores of 58-55 twice and 59-54 and is now 8-0-3. Duran, 135.8 lbs of Queens, NY is 8-8-1.

Gary Beriguette scored a 4-round unanimous decision over Anton Williamson in a Jr. Middleweight bout.

Beriguette, 149.4 lbs of Brooklyn, NY won by scores of 39-36 on all cards and is now 7-0. Williamson, 148.8 lbs of Brooklyn, NY is 1-5.

Irish Olympic silver medal winner John Joe Nevin stopped Victor Capaceta after round three of their scheduled 4-round Jr. Welterweight bout.

Nevin dominated the action until Capaceta’s corner had enough.

Nevin, 135.6 lbs of Mullinger, Ireland is 4-0 with 3 knockouts. Capaceta, 135.2 lbs of Tijuna, Mexico is now 4-8/

Tresean Wiggins scored a 3rd round stoppage over Kevin Womack Jr. in a scheduled 4-round Welterweight bout.

Wiggins dominated the action and landed a vicious combination in the corner that sent Womack to a knee and the fight was stopped at 1:18 of round three.

Wiggins, 148.4 lbs of Newburgh, NY is 7-1 with 6 knockouts. Womack. 145.4 lbs of Baltimore i 7-8.

Bahtiyar Eyubov remained perfect as he stopped Cory Vom Baur in round two of the scheduled six-round Welterweight bout.

Eyubov dropped Baur in round one from a hard left hook. Eyubov continued the assault until the bout was stopped at 1:08 of round two.

Eyubov, 143 lbs of Brooklyn is 8-0 with 8 knockouts. Vom Baur, 142.8 lbs of Camas, WA is 2-4.

Giorgi Gelashvili stopped Deloren Gray-Jordon in round two of their scheduled four-round Welterweight bout.

The two traded heavy shots that thrilled the crowd in round one until Gelashvili landed a left hook that dropped Jordon. In round two, Glashvili landed about twenty unanswered blows until the bout was stopped at 1:18 of round two.

Gelashvili, 142.8 lbs of Brooklyn, NY is 2-0 with 2 knockouts. Jordon, 142.6 lbs of Cleveland is 0-2.

Junior Wright scored a 6-round unanimous decision over Harvey Jolly in a Cruiserweight bout.

Wright controlled the action and scored a knockdown in round six from a right hand.

Wright, 198.8 lbs of Evanston. IL won by scores of 59-54 on all cards and is now 14-1-1. Jolly, 185.2 lbs of Nashville, TN is 14-23.

New York City firefighter, Jose De La Rosa won a 4-round unanimous decision over Kamal Muhammad in a Welterweight bout.

De La Rosa won by scores of 40-36 on all cards and is now 3-0. Muhammad is 0-5.

Emilo Salas scored a 2nd round stoppage over Glenn Thomas in a scheduled 4-round Heavyweight bout.

Salas dropped Thomas with a left hand and the fight was stopped at 42 seconds of round two.

Salas, 201 lbs of San Sebastia, Puerto Rico is 3-1-1 with 1 knockout. Thomas. 201 lbs of East Stroudsberg, PA is 1-5.

Emilo Salas scored a 2nd round stoppage over Glenn Thomas in a scheduled 4-round Heavyweight bout.

Salas dropped Thomas with a left hand and the fight was stopped at 42 seconds of round two.

Salas, 201 lbs of San Sebastia, Puerto Rico is 3-1-1 with 1 knockout. Thomas. 201 lbs of East Stroudsberg, PA is 1-5.

Neil Magny won a 3-round split decision over Erick Silva in a Welterweight bout.

Magny won by scores of 30-27 and 29-28 while Silva won a card 29-28/

Magny, 170.5 lbs of Denver, CO is 16-5. Silva, 171 lbs of Brazil is 18-6-1.

Patrick Cote stopped Josh Burkman in round three of a thrilling Welterweight bout.

The two exchanged huge blows in round three until Cote landed a perfect right that dropped Burkman. Cote jumped on Burkman and landed 10 unanswered blows on the ground until the bout was stopped at 1:26 of round three.

Cote, 170 lbs of Montreal is 23-7. Burkman, 170 lbs of Draker, UT is 28-12-1.

Francisco Trinaldo scored an upset 1st round stoppage over Chad Laprise in a Lightweight bout.

Trinaldo knocked down Laprise and moments later landed unaswered shots from behind on a prone Laprise and the fight was stopped at 2:23.

Trinaldom 155.5 lbs of Brasilia, BRA is now 18-4. Laprise, 155.5 lbs of Montreal is 11-1.

Olivier Aubin Mercier won a 3-round unanimous decision over Tony Sims in a Lightweight bout.

Mercier, 155 lbs of Montreal won by scores of 30-27 twice and 29-28 and is now 8-1. Sims, 155.5 lbs of Denver, CO is 12-3.

Valerie Latourneau scored a 3-round unanimous decision over previously undefeated Maryna Moroz in a Straweight bout.

Latourneau, 116 lbs of Coconut Creek, FL won by scores of 29-28 twice and 30-27 and is now 8-3. Moroz, 115 lbs of Ukraine is 6-1.

Frankie Perez scored 54 second stoppage over Sam Stout in a Lightweight bout.

Felipe Arantes scored a 1st round submission over Yves Jabouin in a Bantamweight bout.

Arantes made Jabouin submit with an armbar.

Arantes, 135.5 lbs of Sao Paulo, BRA is 17-7-1-2. Jabouin, 135.5 lbs of Montreal is 20-11.

Nikita Krylov scored a 1st round submission over Marcos Rogerio de Lima in a Light Heavyweight bout.

de Lima had Krylov in a choke for much of the first minute until Krylov turned it around and had de Lima in a rear naked choke and he tapped out at 2:29.

Krylov, 205.5 lbs of Donestk, UKR is 19-4. de Lima. 205 lbs of Sao Paulo, BRA is 13-4-1.

Chris Kelades won a 3-round split decision over Chris Beal in a Flyweight bout.

Kelades, 125.5 lbs of Cole Harbour, CAN won by scores of 29-28 twice and Beal took a card 30-27.

Kelades is 9-2. Beal, 126 lbs of Ventura, CA is 10-2.

Misha Cirkunov scored a 1st round stoppage over Daniel Jolley in a Light Heavyweight bout.

Cirkunov pounded Jolley from behind until the bout was stopped at 4:45 of round one.

Cirkunov is 10-2.

Vic Pasillas stopped Andres Tapia after round three of their scheduled 8-round Super Bantamweight bout

Pasillas dropped Tapia in round three from a combination. After the round, the fight was stopped in the corner.

Pasillas, 121 lbs of East Los Angeles is 11-0 with 4 knockouts. Tapia, 124 1/2 lbs of Mexicali, MX is now 8-5-2.

Ricardo Perez got off the deck to come back to stop Noe Medina in round 9 of their scheduled 12-round Light Flyweight bout at Playa del Carmen in Quintana Roo, Mexico.

Medina scored a knockdown in round two with a short left hook.

Perez came on strong and rocked Medina throughout and turned it up in round nine until the fight was stopped at 1:01 of round two.

Perez, 107 lbs of Canvun, MX is now 9-2 with 8 knockouts. Medina is 5-4.

Edgar Jimenez scored an upset victory via a 10-round majority decision over previously undefeated Ivan Morales in a Bantamweight bout.

It was a back and forth war but it was Jimenez win by scores of 97-93 twice and 95-95 to raise his mark to 20-11-2. Morales, the brother of former legendary champion Erik Morales is now 28-1.

WBC Heabyweight champion Deontay Wilder will defend the WBC Heavyweight title on September 26 against unheralded Johan Duhaupas in Birmingham, Alabama, according to Dan Rafael of espn.com.

“I know my opponent has great size, and that’s what we’re looking for in opponents,” the 6-foot-7, 229-pound Wilder said of the 6-5, 242-pound Duhaupas. “He has a great record, and he’s never been knocked out — until he faces me. I know Duhaupas is tough and he comes to fight, and that’s exactly what we need.”

“Fighting at home last time exceeded my expectations, and coming back again is a blessing upon my life,” Wilder said. “I’m looking forward to bringing more boxing to Alabama and introducing the entire state to this great sport.”

Said Lou DiBella, who is promoting the card on behalf of the PBC, “Deontay Wilder is one of the brightest stars in boxing. It’s great for boxing to have an American heavyweight champion make a defense in his hometown, on free television, in prime time. In heavyweight years, Deontay is a young champion, and it’s great to see him fighting so often and continuing to grow and improve as a champion.”

“I am very happy to be challenging Deontay Wilder for the heavyweight world title,” said Duhaupas, who did not appear at the news conference but spoke in a pre-taped video. “This is a huge opportunity, and I will make the most of it on Sept. 26. Deontay is a good boxer, but I have the heart of a lion and the mental fortitude to handle anything in the ring.

“Fighting in the U.S. was a dream for me, and now I’ll achieve it. Fighting against Deontay Wilder is the next logical step for me. I’ve been dreaming about [fighting for a world title] for 15 years, boxing and training for 15 years, and now I can do it. Deontay is very dangerous. He is a huge champion, but I can be a huge champion, too, and I’ll do it.”

“From Holmes in ’85 to Wilder in ’15, NBC Sports continues its rich boxing heritage with a heavyweight championship fight in prime time,” said Jon Miller, the president of programming for NBC Sports. “This broadcast will introduce Deontay to a whole new group of sports fans, which is what we set out to do when we first partnered with PBC.”

In the junior welterweight co-feature, former lightweight titleholders Omar Figueroa Jr. (25-0-1, 18 KOs) and Antonio DeMarco (31-5-1, 23 KOs) will meet in a scheduled 12-round bout.

Terence Crawford will defend the WBO Lightweight title against Dierry Jean on October 24 in Crawford’s hometown of Omaha, Nebraska, according to Dan Rafael of espn.com.

I’m excited to be able to bring these types of fights to Omaha. This is what Omaha, Nebraska, has been missing for decades,” Crawford told ESPN.com on Thursday. “I’m just happy to bring some excitement to the city instead of the people watching the news and hearing about all the negativity going on.”

“I just can’t wait. I want this. I’m hungry,” Jean said. “Crawford is the HBO darling who is supposed to be the next big thing, but I will hurt him. Mark my words. I will be crowned world champion on Oct. 24th.”

“His lone loss was in his first world title challenge, and he doesn’t want to miss his chance for a world title this time,” said Camille Estephan, Jean’s manager. “Dierry wants to fulfill his potential, and I believe he’s learned from his world title shot experience in January 2014. It’s great that we have a chance at redemption, and Oct. 24 will be his moment. This fight has the makings of a great battle for the fans.”

“I’m excited about the fight,” Crawford said. “A lot of people don’t know who he is but I know him. He’s a great, solid fighter. No walk in the park. I’m just ready. I watched [Peterson-Jean] live [on television]. I watched it as a fan, but there was always that possible chance of us fighting. On that particular day, I wasn’t looking at him like I’ll fight him one day but I knew that day may come.

“He put up a great fight against Peterson. He made it very exciting. He showed a lot of heart, showed a lot of skill, showed a lot of determination. You can’t take anything away from the guy. I will be totally prepared for whatever Dierry Jean brings to the ring.”

Said Cameron Dunkin, Crawford’s co-manager with Brian McIntyre, “This is a big fight for Terence. Dierry Jean is an excellent fighter and Terence knows it. Terence is very focused and is training harder than ever anticipating a very competitive fight. Believe me, Terence will be ready.”

“I was willing to fight the IBF champion [Cuenca] to unify our titles,” Crawford said. “You know me. I was willing to fight anybody. I got some names — Orozco, Soto — but they’re fighting each other. Herrera came up. [My managers] brought up Cuenca. I was like, ‘OK, I’m ready to face him in a unification fight.’ But I let my managers do their job. Dierry Jean got the fight.

“I never predict a knockout. I only predict victory. As long as my hand is raised at the end of the fight, I’m happy with that.”

Johnathan Arellano scored a fifth round stoppage over Mike Oliver in a Jr. Welterweight bout

In round four, Oliver was dropped with a big left hook. Just seconds into round five, Oliver was not able to continue and the fight was stopped at

Arrellano is 16-6-2 with 4 knockouts. Oliver is 26-6-1.