According to Dan Rafael of espn.com, unified Heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko will defend his belts against undefeated oPhiladelphian Bryant Jennings on April 25 at New York’s Madison Square Garden.

“I have all of the attributes naturally to be a champion that you can’t teach — heart and will,” Jennings told ESPN.com. “I’m psyched up. This is the level where I’m at. This is exactly what I planned to do. Whatever competition you are in, your goal should be to reach the top. This is the top, but now it’s about taking it to higher heights and winning.

“Yes, we are back at the Garden on April 25,” said Klitschko manager Bernd Boente said. “The fifth Klitschko fight there, fourth of Wladimir, and Wladimir is happy about it.”

“I do have great respect for Bryant Jennings and his achievements,” Klitschko said. “He has good movement in the ring and good technique. I know this will be a tough challenge. I am extremely happy to fight in New York again. I had my first unification fight here and a lot of great heavyweight matches have taken place at Madison Square Garden. It will definitely be a great fight night and I will do everything for it from my side.”

“Everybody has some weaknesses, and there is a blueprint to beat everybody,” Jennings said. “I will have to be at my best. This is heavyweight boxing, where it only takes one punch. Matching me up with Wladimir, there is an age difference. I’m a lot younger than he is. And while I may be shorter [6-foot-3 to 6-6], my arms are long and I am very athletic. But the most important thing is that I come to fight and I know how to win.

“They can say whatever they want about inexperience but I know how to win and in a lot of different ways. And I always have the ambition to find a way to win. I’m not a quitter. I have the heart and will to be a champion. I understand Klitschko is a beast in himself, but I know for sure I will be ready. This is what I fight for. We are not planning on losing. We are talking about bringing that belt home. Nothing against Deontay, but I figure a heavyweight champion from Philly is bigger than a heavyweight champion from Alabama.”

“The negotiations with Roc Nation were exhausting and unnecessary but now all is set,” Boente said.

LAS VEGAS – A lot was promised. Return to Glory, the ads said. The glory will have to wait. But there was a return of sorts. An American-born fighter has regained a version of the heavyweight title.

Deontay Wilder did it Saturday night with a unanimous decision, taking the World Boxing Council’s belt from a plodding Bermane Stiverne Saturday night at the MGM Grand.

“I’m so happy to bring the belt back to America, officially,’’ said Wilder, the first American-born champ since Shannon Briggs won a belt in the bout’s final second of a 2006 walk-off knockout of Sergey Liakhovich in a ring above the pitcher’s mound at the Arizona Diamondbacks home field in downtown Phoenix.

Briggs victory didn’t exactly re-conquer an old American possession. Then, the flag went up and came down in Banana Republic time. It’s hard to know whether Wilder’s victory will result in any real permanence. For now, however, it’s a foothold by a young heavyweight still learning his trade

“I want to be around for a long, long time,’’ Wilder (33-0, 32 KOs) said over the Haitian-born Stiverne 24-2-1, 21 KOs).

Translation: He wants to make history. He talked about history after the one- sided scorecards – 120-107, 118-109 and 119-108 – were announced.

Wilder dedicated his victory to Muhammad Ali, who turned 73 Saturday. He talked about civil rights leader Martin
Luther King, whose national holiday will be celebrated Monday.

“Martin Luther King, he shocked the world,’’ Wilder said. “I shook it.’’

Truth is, he only shook only Stivrne a few times, once in the fifth round and again in the seventh. It was in the seventh that it looked as if Wilder would keep his unbeaten record perfect. But another stoppage eluded him.

Wilder threw s a straight right, a deadly fastball, which knocked Stiverne on to his heels and backpedaling across the canvas. Only the ropes kept the Haitian’s 239 pounds from crushing a customer or two in the ringside seats. Those same ropes also might have kept him upright. He was dazed. But not done.

Stiverne, blood dripping from a cut above one eye, kept moving forward, yet never throwing, much less landing, more than a punch or two at a time.

“I just wasn’t ready,’’Stiverne said. “I didn’t cut off the ring the way I wanted to.’’

The biggest surprise was Wilder’s ability to go 12 rounds. He had never been beyond four. His elusiveness throughout the bout helped explain why he was a skinny 219 pounds at the weigh-in Friday. Wilder, 6-foot- 6 ½, trained to be quick. He was able to say away from Stiverne.

“Who can’t box, who can’t box?’’ Wilder yelled at press row after the final bell.

Maybe, Wilder can. But the jury is still out on that one.

In the 10th, there were scattered boos from the crowd of 8,453. If Wladimir Klitschko was watching the Showtime telecast from his home n Germany, he probably didn’t lose any sleep at what he saw.

The pace had slowed to a deadly crawl. In the end, however, Wilder had the smarts and conditioning to reach the finish line. He won a significant fight and got a belt for his efforts. But the real test, that test of time, is just a beginning.

WBC Super Bantamweight World Champion Leo Santa Cruz defended his crown for the fourth time with an eighth-round TKO of Jesus Ruiz and afterword called out fellow champions Abner Mares and Guillermo Rigondeaux in the co-feature of SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING.

The early rounds were close and competitive and Ruiz, a heavy underdog, seemed to be a tougher test than he looked on paper. But it was clear that Santa Cruz was landing the cleaner shaper punches. The former bantamweight world champion landed some meaningful shots and had Ruiz in trouble in the seventh and, for the first time, it appeared that he could finish Ruiz.

Santa Cruz (29-0-1, 17 KOs) came out blazing in the eighth, landed a big right cross to kick off the round and continued to tee-off on the challenger. In trouble against the ropes and not fighting back, referee Kenny Bayless jumped in and stopped the bout with Ruiz (32-6-5, 21 KOs) still on his feet at :29 of the eighth round. The champion landed 43 percent of his total punches and nearly 50 percent of his power punches, while landing an impressive 73 power shots to the body.

“Like I expected, it was a war,” Santa Cruz said. “He came prepared. We hurt him and we didn’t let the chance go away. We kept going after him and we stopped him. I hurt him with the right hand. I knew he was hurt so I went after him. I knew Kenny Bayless would stop it because he wasn’t throwing punches.

“I want the best and I want to please the fans. I want (Abner) Mares, I want (Guillermo) Rigondeaux. Hopefully our next fight is against one of the best.”

Ruiz, who only landed 22 percent of his total punches, disagreed with the stoppage.

“I want a rematch,” Ruiz said. “I don’t feel they should have stopped the fight, but I have to accept it. But I’m fine. Look at me – I’m not cut. He didn’t even drop me.”

In the opening bout of the SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING telecast, undefeated super lightweight Amir Imam floored Fidel Maldonado Jr. four times and scored a fifth-round TKO in a brawl that featured five total knockdowns.

Maldonado was the busier fighter, but Imam floored the Albuquerque resident for the fourth time in his career with a short right just a moment before the bell rang to end the second. Then, in an early candidate for Round of the Year that featured three knockdowns, Maldonado responded by knocking down Imam for the first time in his career 30 seconds into the third with a solid straight left. Imam bounced back and sent Maldonado to the canvas with a huge right with 20 seconds left in the third and then again with a straight right as part of a vicious attack with less than 10 seconds left in the round.

The action continued and Imam (16-0, 14 KOs) floored Maldonado for the fourth time in the fight with a short right followed by a left hook just seconds before the bell to close the fifth. Maldonado (19-3, 16 KOs) got up but was wobbling and referee Robert Byrd halted the contest at 2:59. Imam’s power was the difference, landing 50 percent of his power shots.

“It was a tough knockdown, but champions get up and finish the fight hard and that’s what I did,” Imam said. “I just had to stay composed and do what I had to do. “I started timing him. When I hit him with that good shot he was out. I could see it. That was the rope-a-dope. I was swinging for the fences and that was it, baby.

“I’m ready for the title shot right now. I just want to fight for the title.”

Four of the five knockdowns occurred with less than 30 seconds left in each round. After the fight, Maldonado admitted that he simply failed to protect himself when the rounds were winding down.

“I just got caught with a couple of punches,” Maldonado said. “He kept his composure and he came out with the W. I just got caught. I got lazy in there and he capitalized. He was the better man tonight. I got kind of bored at the end of the rounds and I paid for it.”

In the main event of SHOWTIME BOXING on SHO EXTREME, undefeated light heavyweight prospect Vyacheslav Shabranskyy (12-0, 10 KOs) kept his perfect record intact with a thoroughly convincing TKO victory of Garrett Wilson (13-9-1, 7 KOs).

Shabranskyy kept his distance and was very effective; landing 48 percent of his power shot and threw more than 60 punches in each round. The Ukrainian prospect scored a knockdown with a right in the closing seconds of the second and another with a clean right in the final 10 seconds of the eighth, sending Wilson face first to the canvas. Wilson beat the count but was saved by the bell as Shabranskyy unloaded more than a dozen consecutive punches.

The durable Wilson took a tremendous beating in the ninth and seemingly didn’t land a punch, forcing referee Jay Nady to stop the bout after the ninth upon suggestion of the ringside physician.

In the opening bout of the SHO EXTREME telecast, heavyweight Eric Molina (23-2, 17 KOs) defeated Raphael Zumbano (32-9-1, 25 KOs) via eighth round TKO in a one-sided affair.

Molina, who landed 76 percent of his power shots and more than 50 percent of his total punches, was connecting at will when referee Russell Mora halted the contest at 1:28 of the eighth.

In a non-televised swing bout, Cesar Quinonez (1-0, 1 KO), a Las Vegas native and the first fighter to go professional from Fernando Vargas’ gym Feroz Fight Factory, made his professional debut and scored a knockout win over Chula Vista’s Joan Valenzuela (1-2) in the second round at 2:13.

Jose Zepeda remained undefeated by scoring a 2nd round stoppage over Orlando Vazquez in scheduled 8-round Welterweight bout at the Oceanview Pavilion in Port Hueneme, California.

Zepeda dropped Vazquez in round one from a combination and in round two he registered three more knockdowns all from hard combinations and the bout was stopped at 2:03 of round two.

Zepeda, 140 1/2 lbs of La Puente, CA is now 22-0 with 19 knockouts. Vazquez, 141 lbs of Bayamon, PR is now 15-6-1.

Saul Rodriguez scored a 2nd round stoppage over Carlos Rodriguez in round two of their scheduled 8-round Lightweight bout.

Saul landed a left to the head that made Carlos take two steps to the corner and go to a knee and take the ten count at 1:02 of round two.

Saul Rodriguez 132 1/2 lbs of Riverside, CA is now 16-0-1 with 13 knockouts. Carlos Rodriguez, 133 lbs of San Bonaventura, MX is now 9-2.

Luis Sedano won a 4-round unanimous decision over Ali Gonzalez in a Lightweight bout.

Sedano, 130 1/2 lbs of Durate, CA won by scores of 40-36 twice and 39-37 and is now 4-0. Gonzalez, 131 1/2 lbs of Nogales, MX is now 6-5.

Hall of Fame Light Heavyweight / cruiserweight Virgil Hill will come out of retirement to fight Rager Cantrell on February 28 in Bismarck, North Dakota according to Dan Rafael of espn.com.

“The fight is about North Dakota. It’s going to be my last fight. I can’t think of any other way for me to express to the people of North Dakota how honored I am,” Hill told The Associated Press. “It’s just a farewell, a goodbye.”

According to Dan Rafael of espn.com, WBA Lightweight champion Richar Abril will defend against Englishman Derry Matthews on March 6 in Liverpool, England.

“Derry started his pro career with me and rejoined me in 2013, and I promised him then that I’d get him a world title shot and I’m delighted to now deliver his dream of fighting for a world title in his home city,” said promoter Frank Warren. “He has been a loyal servant to the sport in which he has won a multitude of [regional] titles and been involved in some fantastic fights, but the only thing missing has been the world title opportunity, so it is a pleasure to get him the [shot].”

“I’m looking forward to defending my title against Derry Mathews,” Abril said. “He is a tough, experienced fighter, but I plan on coming to the U.K., getting the KO and leaving with my belt.”

“It’s a dream come true for me to finally fight for the world title, but to have the opportunity to do it in my home city is unbelievable, and I thank Frank Warren, who promised he’d get me a crack at the world title when I rejoined him, for delivering me my chance,” Mathews said. “Whereas other fighters from the city have had to go overseas for their chances, Frank has got me mine on my own doorstep and now it’s down to me to deliver the goods on my side and win the title.

“I’m not underestimating Abril one bit. He’s the world champion, but I’m confident in my own abilities and I believe that I have the tools to end Abril’s reign and take the world title from him. He’s not a huge puncher, and I believe that it’s my time to take over.”

“I really felt for Anthony,” Mathews said. “Yes, we’re sporting rivals, but that was terrible what happened and I was truly gutted for him. I hope that he gets medically cleared and fit to box so that he can resume his career because he’s a tremendous fighter and person. He missed out on his shot at Abril because of what happened, but should I come through against Abril and win, then I will give him a shot at the world title. A third fight between us is a natural and would be a fantastic battle of Britain.”

Brandon Adams made quick work of Lekan Byfield by scoring a 2nd round stoppage in the scheduled 8-round Middleweight bout.

In round one Adams dropped Byfield with a hard right hand. Adams looks sharp as he continued to hurt Byfield and sent him to the canvas two more times in the 2nd frame and the fight was stopped at 1:58 of round two.

Adams, 160 lbs of Los Angeles is now 15-1 with 10 knocouts. Byfield, 158 lbs of Atlanta is now 6-7-2.

Greg Jackson got off the deck to score a 3rd round stoppage over Cornelius Whitlock in a scheduled 4-round Welterweight bout.

In round two, Whitlock dropped Jackson with a booming round house right. Jackson was hurt but was able to get out of the round and it was good that he did as Jackson ripped Whitlock with a hard shot in round three and wobbled him several times more before the fight was stopped at 1:27 of round three.

Jackson, 145 1/2 lbs of Philadelphia is now 4-1-1 with 2 knockouts. Whitlock, 145 lbs of Baltimore, MD is now 3-2-2.

2012 Olympic Bronze medal winner Taras Shelestyuk annihilated Antonio Chaves Fernandez in just 41 seconds of their scheduled 8-round Welterweight bout.

Shelestyuk buckled Fernandez badly with a right hook and then dropped him with follow up cpmbination and Fernandez did not get up. He was down for several minutes and a stretcher was brought out but Fernandez was able to get up and walk out of the ring on his own power.

Shelestyuk, 148 lbs of Los Angeles. CA via Sumy, Ukraine is now 10-0 with 7 knockouts/

Vitor Jones de Oliveira scored an explosive 1st round stoppage over Michael Doyle in a scheduled 6-round Jr. Lightweight bout.

De Oliveira, who is the nephew of the legendary Acelino Freitas, dropped Doyle with a hard right in the opneing seconds of the bout. De Oliveira finished things when jumped all over Doyle and the bout was stopped at 1:24 of round one.

De Oliveira, 132 lbs of Salvador, BRA is now 8-0 with 5 knockouts. Doyle, 126 lbs of Mobile, AL is now 2-14-1.

Cameron Allen scored a 4-round unanimous decision over Borngod Washington in a Light Heavyweight bout.

Allen scored a knockdown in the first round and went on to win by scores of 40-35 on all cards.

Allen, 172 lbs of Battle Creek, MI is now 6-17. Washington, 172 lbs of Queens, NY is now 3-16.

NBC and Haymon Boxing announced a new fight series on Wednesday according to Dan Rafael of espn.com

The series, titled “Premier Boxing Champions” — “PBC on NBC” as executives are calling it — will include five cards on NBC on Saturday nights, six on NBC on Saturday afternoons and the remaining nine in prime time on NBC Sports Network.

[+] EnlargeDanny Garcia
Rich Kane/Hoganphotos/Golden Boy
NBC is scheduled to broadcast a junior welterweight title unification match between Danny Garcia (pictured) and Lamont Peterson on April 11.
The first two cards are high-level fights on par with the best bouts put on by premium cable networks HBO and Showtime, where most of boxing’s most significant matches have taken place for decades.

The series will kick off March 7 (9 p.m. ET) at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas with interim welterweight titlist Keith Thurman (24-0, 21 KOs) facing former two-division titleholder Robert Guerrero (32-2-1, 18 KOs) and former three-division titleholder Adrien Broner (29-1, 22 KOs) facing John Molina (27-5, 22 KOs) in the junior welterweight co-feature.

The second card, slated for April 11 at a site to be determined, is one of the most anticipated bouts in boxing — a junior welterweight title unification match between Danny Garcia and Lamont Peterson.

“I’m excited, man. It’s a dream come true for me,” Garcia said of fighting on network television. “Words can’t explain the feeling. I’m just so excited for the sport of boxing. I love it. Now it’s just finally getting the exposure it deserves.”

“We know the responsibility that comes with being in prime time on NBC,” PBC chief operations officer Ryan Caldwell said.

Said Lamont Jones, vice president of operations for the series: “When the customer goes to the grocery store and sees USDA on the steak and wants to buy it, we want it to be the same for fans seeing PBC on the telecast and knowing it’s high quality and competitive matchups.

“I think the guiding principle and guiding vision of this series is presenting compelling and high-quality matchups to the fans. … Al Haymon has more than 150 fighters, and we are just trying to make the best fights for the fans. And if that requires making matchups with fighters we don’t manage, then that is certainly possible.”

“We are looking forward to presenting the PBC on NBC to develop a new and exciting platform, which will be embraced by the millions of boxing fans across the country,” said Jon Miller, president of programming for NBC and NBCSN.

“It’s bringing the world back into boxing,” Broner said. “Right now, boxing only reaches out to certain people. That’s why certain people, when I walk around, don’t know me. They might know me from certain antics I do, but they don’t know me from boxing. With NBC coming back, it’s people that don’t follow boxing that can come back into boxing. This is definitely great for the sport, and they want me to be the LeBron of boxing.

“… This is what they needed. They needed me, and I needed NBC. It’s ‘AB’ on NBC. I’m definitely ready to put on a great show for NBC. It’s my time. Think about it, Showtime had [approximately] 21 million [subscribers] and NBC got 115 million. It’s the biggest outlet.”

According to Dan Rafael of espn.com, the long awaited much anticipated mega battle between Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather could be closer to happening as reportedly Pacquiao agreed to all terms of a proposed contract.

Pacquiao and Top Rank, his promoter, have agreed to terms for a May 2 bout, Top Rank vice president Carl Moretti told ESPN.com on Tuesday night, although Mayweather has not yet agreed to terms and it remains to be seen if he will.

“Top Rank and Manny have agreed to the terms on our side. I don’t know about the other side,” Moretti said.

According to a source involved in the negotiations, Pacquiao has agreed to a 40 percent cut of the revenue, leaving Mayweather with the remaining 60 percent of a fight most believe will shatter every boxing box office record, including the all-time pay-per-view buy record of 2.4 million (Mayweather-Oscar De La Hoya), the pay-per-view revenue record of $150 million (Mayweather-Canelo Alvarez) and the all-time gate record of $20 million (Mayweather-Alvarez).

If the fight is finalized, it would take place May 2 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Moretti said. Mayweather has had his past 10 fights there, and Pacquiao has had five of his past seven bouts there.

However, Moretti said Pacquiao (57-5-2, 38 KOs), 36, who has subjected himself (and his opponents) to random testing by the Voluntary Anti-Doping Association for his recent bouts, has gone so far as to agree to use the United States Anti-Doping Agency, which has randomly tested Mayweather (and his opponents) for years.

“I think that Manny agreed to USADA testing shows you his eagerness to make this fight,” Moretti said.

According to Dan Rafael of espn.com, Interim WBA Heavyweight champion Luis Ortiz was suspended for 8-months and fined $8.000 for failing a post fight drug test following his September 11 first round stoppage over Lateef Kayode in Las Vegas.

In addition, Ortiz, a Cuban defector living in Miami, will be required to perform 15 hours of community service aimed toward children with an anti-bullying message.

He will also be requited to produce a clean test before his next fight and the commission reserved the right to randomly drug test him for the remainder of the year at his expense.

Gilberto Mendoza Jr. of the WBA, which sanctions Ortiz’s interim title, told ESPN.com on Monday evening that once it receives the paperwork from Nevada, Ortiz will be stripped of the belt, a move that likely will cost him hundreds of thousands of dollars, if not millions.

“There is no reason why he tested positive for Nandrolone. He apologizes, he is remorseful and he is embarrassed. He has never used drugs,” Bonds told the commission before he blamed the positive test on Ortiz’s consumption of horse meat, which he said often is contaminated with Nandrolone and not uncommon for Cubans to eat.

“I came to America five years ago to accomplish my dream of becoming a world champion,” Ortiz said. “I don’t even know what this substance is. I’ve always trained very hard to accomplish my dream. I leave it all in your hands. I have faith and trust in you (the commission).”

“The only thing I know how to do is fight,” Ortiz said.

“It’s a positive test and it deserves our attention with a punishment similar to others who have some credible, and some not credible, explanations for their positive test,” commissioner Raymond “Skip” Avansino Jr. said.

Undefeated Heavyweight sensation Anthony Joshua was diganosed with a stress fracture in his back which will postpone his January 31 bout with former world title challenger Kevin Johnson, according to Dan Rafael of espn.com.

“I trained so hard over Christmas and the press conference with Johnson was so lively that I was really looking forward to putting in a great performance,” Joshua said. “It’s bad news for myself and for the fans that have bought tickets. I hope to be able to put on a fan zone at the weigh-in and the fight itself to meet the fans. I will be competing many times this year, but this injury is something that I need to get sorted as soon as possible.”

“It’s disappointing to lose Anthony from this great card, but after receiving news from the [MRI] scan, he was left with no option but to rest his back,” Hearn said. “He picked up a niggle in the Sprott camp and had a good month rest after, but it hasn’t been 100 percent in camp and the results gave him no option. He hopes to resume punching in early February and come back with a bang in Newcastle on April 4.”

Thomas Hoover has replaced Melvina Lathan as chairperson of the New York State Athletic Commission, according to Dan Rafael of espn.com.

Hoover, who will turn 74 later this month, is a former professional basketball player, having played in the NBA for the New York Knicks and the St. Louis Hawks from 1963 to 1967 as well as for the Denver Rockets, Houston Mavericks, Minnesota Pipers and New York Nets in the now-defunct ABA.

Lathan’s seven years at the helm have not been without controversies. Lathan, a former boxing judge who worked dozens of world title bouts and is known as a supporter of legalizing mixed martial arts in New York, was in charge when heavyweight Magomed Abdusalamov suffered a serious brain injury as a result of a fight at the Theater at Madison Square Garden on Nov. 2, 2013.

According to Dan Rafael of espn.com, Golden Boy Promotions settled their lawsuit with former CEO Richard Schaefer.

As part of the settlement, Schaefer, whom Golden Boy claimed was still under an employment contract through March 2018, will be barred from promoting for an unspecified length of time, according to one of the sources. It is between one and two years, according to the source.

The sources spoke on the condition of anonymity because they were not permitted to speak publicly due to the terms of the settlement.

Schaefer also owns about 8 percent of Golden Boy stock and it would be likely that he would have to give that up as part of any settlement.

In addition to settling with Schaefer, the sources also said that De La Hoya severed ties with most of the Haymon fighters that Golden Boy had been promoting on a fight-by-fight basis in return for what one of the sources said was “substantial financial compensation” from Haymon.

“Oscar is still looking forward to the fight next week,” one of the sources said. “Yes, Golden Boy is losing some top fighters as part of this, no doubt about it. That is hard, but this is a long-term plan. Oscar is happy and comfortable with the decision, and this is the next step. He could have continued to go on like this and continued to work with Haymon but that doesn’t benefit anyone if there is no long-term plan.

“With this decision, there is a very good feeling around the office. Golden Boy still has some horses and will just do what it has proven it can do, which is to develop the younger guys it promotes.”

The sources said Golden Boy will continue to promote a handful of fighters aligned with Haymon, who still have promotional contracts with the company, including Amir Khan, Leo Santa Cruz, Lucas Matthysse and Paulie Malignaggi.

“Oscar has deals with a number of Haymon’s fighters and those will continue,” one of the sources said. “The idea is they finish their contracts and then they go somewhere else.”

“It’s no way to do business. We were totally hamstrung,” one of the sources said. “Every time there was a fight Oscar wanted to make the question was would Haymon’s guy fight him? That’s how you end up with Rod Salka [as the opponent for Garcia in one of 2014’s most egregious mismatches] and the weak guys Leo Santa Cruz has fought. We couldn’t make the fights we wanted to. What’s the point of having fighters in the stable if they don’t fight anyone?

“Oscar has been clear as a bell with what he wants to do. He wants to make the best fights possible for the fans. He has said it time and again and he means it. Oscar came to the conclusion that he couldn’t make the fights he wanted to make by continuing to do business like this. There was so much drama surrounding everything. Everyone at Golden Boy had to operate in a box. Now everyone is free.”

Darleys Perez won a 12-round unanimous decision over Jonathan Maicelo to retain the WBA Interim Lightweight title at the Chumash Casino Resort in Santa Ynez, California.

Perez scored a knockdown in round 11 and went on to win by scores of 120-107, 118-109 and 118-108.

Perez, 133 3/4 lbs of Colombia is now 32-1. Maicelo, 135 lbs of Peru is 21-2.

Francisco Santana scored an explosive 1st round stoppage over Kendal Mena in a scheduled 10-round Welterweight bout.

Santana dropped Mena with a hard left hook to the head. Moments later it was deja vu as another left hook drilled Mena in the head and he was knocked flat on his back and the fight was stopped at 1:43.

Santana, 145 3/4 lbs is now 22-3-1 with 11 knockouts. Mena, 147 lbs of the Dominican Republic is 20-1.

Jarrell Miller scored a 6-round unanimous decision over Aaron Kinch in a Heavyweight bout.

Miller, 281 3/4 lbs won by scores of 60-54 on all cards ans is now 11-0-1. Kinch, 253 lbs is 5-4-2.

Taureano Johnson scored stoppage 1 second into round six in his scheduled 10-round Middleweight bout with Alex Theran.

Johnson roughed up Theran over the first couple of rounds by crowding his opponent. In round three, Johnson unleashed a couple of hard over hand right hands. In round four, Johnson landed a right hand that sent Theran to his knees. Johnson came out strong in round five and blasted Theran twice with right hands in the first minute of the frame. Moments later, he landed another right that backed Theran into the ropes that set up a solid flurry of punches. Later in the round, Johnson landed a body shot that sent Theran down for a second time.

Just before round six, Theran was worked on in the corner and the fight was stopped after Theran claimed an ankle injury.

Johnson, 160 lbs of Miami, FL is now 17-1 with 12 knockouts. Theran, 158.2 lbs of Barranquilla, COL is now 17-2.

“I’m ready to fight Gennady Golovkin, Miguel Cotto, Jermain Taylor or any other champion out there,” said Tureano Johnson. These are the type of fights I would like to pursue. David Lemieux is also on my hit list. I’m here to take over the division. Everyone knows I should be undefeated so I’m going to leave no doubt about it every time I step in the ring. I can’t afford to be robbed again. With Gary Shaw putting me in a great position, I’m going to make the most of every opportunity. My goal in 2015 is to become a world champion.”

“Tureano Johnson is marching up the rankings and should be applauded for his fighting style.” said Gary Shaw. “He’s the type of fighter everyone wants to see. I’m going to push hard to get him back on TV, hopefully against a guy like Gennady Golovkin. Johnson is a force in the middleweight division and you will see him in some big fights coming up.”
Johnson landed 102 of 319 punches while Theran landed 57-160. All but one of Johnson;s connects were power shots.

Jerry Odom took a hard luck disqualification loss when it was ruled he hit Adam Hernandez twice after a knockdown at 30 seconds of round three in a 8-round battle of undefeated Super Middleweights.

Hernandez, 169.4 lbs of Phoenix, AZ is now 8-0-1. Odom, 168.2 lbs of Bowie, MD is now 12-1.

Kenneth Sims scored a 6-round unanimous decision over Christian Steele in a Welterweights.

Sims., 140.4 lbs of Chicago, IL won by scores of 60-54 on all cards and is now 5-0. Steele, 140 lbs of Staunton, VA is now 4-12-2.

“I’m enjoying my journey as a professional,” said Kenneth Sims Jr. “I feel I’m getting better every time I step in the ring. There is always room for improvement and I’m going to continue working hard in the gym. Gary Shaw has said there will be many opportunities for me to take my career to the next level in 2015 and I want take full advantage of everything that comes my way. I’m hoping to make a quick return back to the ring.”

“Sims Jr. is progressing nicely as a professional prize fighter,” Gary Shaw said. “I think he’ll graduate to 8-round bouts after one more fight. He seems to be making the 140 lbs weight limit with ease so we’ll keep him at Jr. Welterweight. He’s got the height and reach attributes to give anyone in the division problems. I see him having a big 2015.”
Chris Van Heerden scored a tough split decision over Cecil McCalla in a 10-round Welterweight bout.

Both guys took turns being in the lead. Van Heerden was much more active early but suffered a cut over his right eye but held on for the 97-93, 96-94 win on two cards while McCalla took a card 99-91.

Van Heerden, 145.4 lbs of Gauteng, South Africa is now 22-1-1. McCalla, 149.6 lbs of Randallatown, MD is now 20-1.

Eduardo Martinez scored a 4-round unanimous decision over Rigoberto Miranda in a Featherweight but.

Miranda was bleeding from the left eye in round four.

Martinez, 125.4 lbs of Chicago, IL is now 5-0. Miranda, 125.6 lbs of Troy, NY is now 0-3-2.

Wellington Romero needed just 84 seconds to dispatch of Leo Kreischer in a scheduled 4-round Jr. Welterweight bout.

Romero landed a big left hook that sent Kreischer down for several minutes.

Romero, 141.8 lbs of Newburgh, NY is now 5-0-1 with 3 knockouts. Kreischer, 140.8 lbs of Cleveland, OH is now 3-7-1.

Dustin Fleischer made a successful pro debut with a 2nd round stoppage over Frank Jordan in a scheduled 4-round Welterweight bout.

The bout was stopped after a hard flurry for Fleischer, 142.4 lbs of Monmouth Beach, NJ. Jordan, 137.4 lbs of Elizabeth, NJ is now 0-3.

According to Dan Rafael of espn.com, Super Middleweight champion Andre Ward became the first big name fighter to sign with new boxing promoter Roc Nation.

Details of how the split with Goossen Promotions came about after years of legal battling were not disclosed, but Tom Brown of Goossen Promotions clearly was not happy with the result.

“That chapter is closed. I’ve moved on,” Brown told ESPN.com.

“We have signed Andre Ward and it’s something we’re very excited about,” David Itskowitch, chief operating officer of Roc Nation Sports’ boxing division, told ESPN.com. “It’s just the beginning for us but it’s a game-changer. He’s one of the best fighters in the world. Everything is coming together for us. On the same day we are having our first event, at Madison Square Garden, we are announcing our first really huge signing.”

“I wholeheartedly believe in Roc Nation Sports and I just believe that they have the vision and the power and resources to carry their vision out,” Ward told ESPN.com.

“I followed his lead on the whole situation and at the right time we talked about it and he asked how did I feel about (making the move) and he went through the steps to get to this point,” Ward said. “I felt it was the best move for me at this stage of my career.”

“We’re going to sit down and talk about when he will specifically fight and the level of opponent he will fight,” Itskowitch said. “He’s been out of the ring for a while. We’ll come up with names and come up with a date but we’re excited to give him the opportunity to show he’s one of the best in the world.”

“I kept myself in shape and I’ve stayed motivated and hungry,” Ward said. “But there’s nothing concrete now. I want to get back in the groove and consistently fight and get back on track. I don’t see what the rush is to push me to a higher weight class. I am not far off my fighting weight and I am super middleweight champion of the world and I want to defend my title.”

“I’m just excited about moving forward. It’s been a grueling two years but I can see what’s ahead in the future,” Ward said. “No regrets. Unfortunately, these things happen in the sport but it truly made me stronger as an individual and as a fighter.

“I embraced the whole process through the good and the bad and now I am on the other side of it. It can either make you, so to speak, or break you and I think it made me a stronger person.”

Ivan Redkach scored a 6th round stoppage over Yakubu Amidu in round six of their schedule 10-round Lightweight bout at the Morango Resort in Cabazon, California.

Redkach scored two knockdowns in round six and the bout was stopped at 3:00.

Redkach, 137 lbs of Shostka, UKR is now 18-0 with 14 knockouts. Amidu, 137 of Accra, GHA is now 19-6-2.

Alantez Fox won a 8-round majority decision over Patrick Day in a battle of undefeated Jr. Middlewieghts.

Scores were 80-72, 78-74 and 76-76 for Fox, 155 lbs of Forrestville, MD and is now 14-0-1. Day, 154 lbs of Freeport, NY is now 9-1-1.

Ivgen Khytrov scored 3rd round stoppage over Maurice Louishomme in round three of a scheduled 8-round Middleweight bout.

Khytrov dropped Louishomme with an overhand right in the first round. Kyhtrob continued to batter Louishimme until a roght by Khytrov knocked the moutpiece of Louishomme out and the fight was stopped at 24 seconds of round three.

Khytrov of Ukraine is now 8-0 with 8 knockouts. Louishimme, 161 lbs of Colorado Springs, CO is now 8-1-1.

Gary Shaw Productions has been absorbed by Roc Nation Sports according to Dan Rafael of espn.com

Under the agreement, Gary Shaw Productions will be absorbed into Roc Nation Sports — including most of the contracts of the 20 or so fighters he promotes — and Shaw will run Roc Nation Sports’ boxing division along with chief operating officer David Itskowitch, who joined the company before it announced in August that it would begin promoting boxing.

“Gary Shaw joins David as the heads of Roc Nation boxing, and they’ll make a great team to help lead the company through this venture,” said Roc Nation Sports spokesman Ron Berkowitz.

Shaw told ESPN.com, “I have joined the company. I really do think that they can do for a fighter what nobody else can by strength of their entertainment and music talent and the athletes they represent. When someone says they’re with Roc Nation, it really means something. They’re at the top of the game, and being with Roc Nation will elevate the boxers.”

“This was an opportunity to leave a different type of legacy in boxing,” Shaw said. “Roc Nation and Jay Z to me are as big as it gets. They are a great company with a great brand, and if I can elevate boxing and the boxers like they do with their music acts and their athletes, that would be a legacy, and that’s what I am shooting for. I am shooting to build Roc Nation Sports into a boxing powerhouse. The fighters will be in great company of guys like [Roc Nation athletes] Robinson Cano, Kevin Durant and Dez Bryant.

“It was a very good deal for me and my fighters to join Roc Nation. It’s not life-changing for me in terms of the money but it was a good deal. But I did it because I thought it was the right thing to do at the right time for me and my fighters. I think it will bring them to a whole new level. We’ll be able to get endorsements for fighters and do things other companies just can’t do.”

Former world champion Mike Alvarado was arrested on a gun charge stemming from an old warrent but his January 24 fight with Brandon Rios will go on without a hitch according to Dan Rafael of espn.com.

“We are aware of everything that went on that we can be aware of and we were told that Mike hasn’t missed any training and plans to be at the gym for his regular training as usual,” Top Rank vice president Carl Moretti told ESPN.com on Monday, after learning of Alvarado’s arrest. “We don’t condone what happened in any way and we respect the authorities. That said, we don’t anticipate a problem with the show and it is still scheduled to go ahead on Jan. 24. After that, Mike will have to deal with the legal issues.

“[This kind of publicity] doesn’t help the event. This isn’t the kind of publicity we want, but I don’t think it will affect Mike’s performance.”

Jermain Taylor will defend his IBF Middleweight title against Sergio Mora in Biloxi, Mississippi on February 6 according to Dan Rafael of espn.com.

The bout will be televised on ESPN’s Friday Night Fights.

“It’s a quality fight and it gives Jermain a chance to defend his title before his mandatory defense is due,” said Taylor’s promoter Lou DiBella said. “And for Sergio Mora, it’s the opportunity of a lifetime. He turned it down once many years ago when it was a much bigger fight and for a lot more money. But he passed on it then and I think it’s one of the great regrets that he has had. He said if he ever got the opportunity again it’s something he would want to do. This is a fight that both guys wanted.”

“We know Mora is a tough fighter and we’re going in there as if we were fighting Bernard Hopkins,” said Taylor’s trainer Pat Burns said of the legend Taylor defeated twice in 2005, including to win the undisputed title in their first fight. “You have to have that mindset or you’ll get your ass kicked. Jermain will do his work. The rest is up to the courts. But we will be focused on the task in front of us and that is the fight. When it’s time to focus on his legal situation he will.

“In terms of boxing, Jermain still has excellent speed, and speed kills, and his jab was tremendous against Soliman and his right hand looked good, his balance looked good and his defense looked good. Mora is a tough guy, but Jermain is still pretty darn sharp.”

“I think Sergio believes he has a great chance to win the fight and I thought Jermain fought very well against Soliman and has looked good in his recent fights, but the odds makers will have it closer now than they would have had it in the heyday of Jermain’s career,” DiBella said.

“Sergio left a lot of money and a huge opportunity on the table back then but things have come full circle.”

Jon Jones 205 – Daniel Cormier 205
(UFC LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHT TITLE)
Donald Cerrone 155.5 – Myles Jury 155.5
Nate Marquardt 185.5 – Brad Tavares 185
Kyoji Horiguchi 125 – Louis Gaudinot 125
Hector Lombard 170.5 – Josh Burkman 171
Danny Castillo 156 – Paul Felder 156
Cody Garbrandtb 135.5 – Marcus Brimage 136
Jared Connonier 235 – Shawn Jordan 261
Rodrigo Damm 156 – Evan Dunham 155.5
Omari Akhmedovs 170.5 – Mats Nilson 171
Alexis Dufrense 138 – Marion Reneau 135.5

Dmitry Chudinov will defend his WBA Interim title against Chris Eubank Jr. as part of the Tyson Fury – Christan Hammer card in London, according to Dan Rafael of espn.com.

Promoter Frank Warren also announced that Jr. Bantamweight champion Zolono Tete will defend against Paul Butler in Liverpool on March 6.
“It’s been a busy Christmas period, but I’m delighted to secure world title fights for Chris and Paul early in the new year, which is fantastic news for them,” Warren said. “For Chris, it was a close fight against Billy and the loss to a big rival would have been hard to take, but he now has a great opportunity to go straight back into the ring and claim [an interim] world championship belt and prove that he’s learned from the loss and show that he’s the real thing.

“I believe that Paul is a super talent, and I’m especially pleased to deliver him a second and history-making world title opportunity against Tete, which should have happened in October. He gets the chance now, and I’m sure he’ll grab the opportunity with both hands.”

WBO Mandatory Heavyweight contender Tyson Fury will risk his position when he takes on Christian Hammer on February 28 in London according to Dan Rafael of espn.com

“I’ve said all along I’m not like these other fighters in the division who pussyfoot around, take soft touches and call themselves fighters,” Fury said. “I could have taken an easy job at the O2 Arena to keep my position safe for my world title fight against Klitschko, but that’s not what Tyson Fury is about or what the public want to see from someone who has promised from day one to win the world heavyweight title.

“On paper, it’s a dangerous job against Hammer. He’s highly ranked, he brings a big punch with him, he’ll have ambitions of his own to beat me and grab himself a world title shot against Klitschko, and I’m sure he’ll be full of confidence coming over here.”

Said Warren: “Fury will have his hands full with Hammer, who could create a huge shock if he wins. It’s a risky fight for Fury, who’s within touching distance of Klitschko and the world title. But Fury needs to keep active by fighting until Klitschko gets his fight in April out of the way and then comes to the table to negotiate the fight with Fury or the fight goes to purse bids. Fury needs to concentrate on Hammer and leave the talk of Klitschko until after he’s dealt with Hammer.

“Training for Hammer will start in early January and this year is a big one for me and the world title is in my sight,” Fury said. “My focus will be on Hammer now. He’s my priority and the man in the way of my dream. There’s no messing about in the heavyweight division. One punch can turn everything upside down. That goes for him and for me, but I’ve got two things that other fighters lack, a fighting heart and massive balls. I love to fight. If I go down, I get up and win, that’s why people love me and want to see me fight. Tyson Fury will never lose, simple.”

“I’m grateful for this fantastic opportunity to fight Tyson Fury, and I’ll be in the best shape of my life. This is a golden opportunity for me to get the No. 1 position to fight Klitschko for the world title if I can beat Fury,” Hammer said. “I love to fight bigger, taller, men, and [the 6-9, 265-pound] Fury is perfect for me. It will be a hard fight, but I’ve got every confidence that I’ll surprise everyone with a win in his backyard.”

Andy Ruiz jr. remained undefeated by scoring a 10-round unanimous decision over former world champion Sergei Liakhovich in a Heavyweight bout at he Celebrity Theater in Phoenix, Arizona.

Ruiz, 267 3/4 lbs won by scores of 99-91, 98-92 and 96-94 and is now 24-0. Likahovich, 231 1/4 lbs is now 26-7.

Daniel Echevarria scored a 6-round unanimous decision over Noe Lopez in a Super Lightweight bout.

Echevarra, 139 1/2 lbs won by scores of 60-54 twice and 59-55 and is now 16-0. Lopez, 135 1/2 lbs is now 19-12.

WBA Interim Super Featherweight champion Bryan Vasquez stopped Sergio Thompson in 9 rounds at Arena Quequi in Cancun, Quintana Roo, Mexico.

The title was not on the line and Thompson got stripped for weighing in 3 pounds over the mandated 130 pound limit.

The time of the stoppage was 3:00 of round nine for Vazquez 133 lbs of Costa Rica ans is now 34-1 with 18 knockour. Thompson 130 lbs of Mexico is now 30-4.

Judith Rodriguez scored a 10-round unanimous decision over Salma Canales in a Super Flyweight bout.

Rodriguez won by scores of 99-91, 98-92 and 97-93 and is now 8-7. Canales is 0-10-1.

Ricardo Perez stopped Carlos Ortega in round 9 of their scheduled 12-round minimumweight bout.

Perez scored a knockdown in round three and finished the bout with a booming left hook that sent Ortega to the canvas and the fight was stopped at 44 seconds of round nine.

Perez, 105 lbs is now 7-2 with 6 knockouts. Ortega, 105 lbs is now 10-4-2.

Jesus Cuellar retained the WBA Interim Featherweight title with a 5th round stoppage over Ruben Tamayo and the Little Creek Casino in Shelton, Washington.

in round four, Cuellar sent Tamayo o the canvas with a right hand. Just moments later body shot sent Cullerar down for a 3nd tine in the round. Cuellar dropped Tamayo with another body shot in round five and the bout was stopped at 1:48 of round five.

Cuellar, 126 lbs of Argentina is now 26-1 with 20 knockouts. Tamayao, 124 1/2 lbs of Mexico is now 25-5-4.

“I’m very happy I could close out the year headlining on national television on SHOWTIME and also on Argentina’s public channel. That was a dream come true.’’
Cuellar doesn’t know what’s next, but says he wouldn’t mind a fight against former three-time world champion Abner Mares.

“I really wanted to make a good impression on the fans tonight and I’m looking forward to fighting often again next year,’’ Cuellar said. “There are a lot of possibilities, but I think the fighter I’d like to fight is Abner Mares, who I met recently in Las Vegas. He approached me and we took a picture together and then he tweeted it out, saying he wanted to fight me. Well, I’d like to fight him, too. It would be a really exciting fight for the fans.’’
Cuellar, a six-time Argentine national amateur champion and two-time South American amateur champion, is unbeaten as a professional since suffering his lone loss in October 2011.

His trainer, Robert Garcia, says Cuellar is still a work-in-progress and will continue to improve.

“We haven’t seen the best of Cuellar, not by a longshot,’’ Garcia said. “He’s making good progress from fight to fight, but still has things to learn. Little by little, though, he is getting better. There is not a fighter as dedicated as he is. He’s very disciplined, trains hard, spars hard and does everything to the extreme.

“With more time, I really expect great things out of him.’’

Former world title challenger Gary Russell Jr. pounded out an easy 10-round unanimous decision over veteran Chris Martin in a Featherweight bout.

Russell dominated the action showing blistering hand speed and hard combinations. Russell continued to pepper Martin with short, quick punches and Martin, who tried hard just did not have the speed to compete with Russell. The bout was never in question as Russell won by scores of 100-90 twice and 99-91.

Russell, 126 1/2 lbs is now 25-1. Martin, 126 lbs of Chula Vista, CA is now 28-5-3.

Russell landed 293-845 punches. Martin was 67-353

“I’m O.K., pretty cool with the result and my performance,’’ said the talented, quick-fisted Russell who dominated from the outset. “I wanted to totally outbox Martin and I did. I wanted to get in some rounds, get some of the ring rust off and I did that too. I felt real comfortable in there. I wanted to box and show good ring generalship. It’s going to be a big 2015 for me.’’

Good looking Jr. Middleweight prospect Julian Williams dominated Jarmar Freeman and scored an 8th round stoppage in a scheduled 10-round bout.

Williams dominated the fight by using his exceptional handspeed and combination punching for which Freeman had no answer for.

In round seven, Williams landed a perfect right hand that sent Freeman to a knee. Williams landed a huge flurry that sent Freeman down for a second time in the round. In round eight, Williams landed about six right hands that crumbled Freeman in the corner and the fight was stopped at 29 seconds of round eight.

Williams, 153 3/4 lbs of Philadelphia is now 18-0-1 with 11 knockouts. Freeman, 153 1/4 lbs of Wilson, NC is now 13-4-2.

“I knew he’d be tough, but it feels good to win by knockout,’’ said Williams, the new WBC Continental Americas 154-pound champion. “It’s crazy but this was my fourth scheduled 10-round and fourth knockout.

“Tonight, I just wanted to show patience and pace myself. My last fight was very disappointing to me. I rushed everything. I know I have to keep improving. When I watch tapes of my fights, I am not looking to admire myself but to see where I can improve.

“I’d like to improve 25 percent each time out. A lot of prospects get satisfied with early success, but I’m not like that. The 154-pound division is loaded. The top five guys, even the bottom five are all really tough. I want to be ready for all of them when my turn comes up.’

Punch stats saw Williams lands 136-367. Freeman was just 22-172

Julius Jackson scored a 9th round stoppage over Jonathan Nelson in a scheduled 10-round Super Middleweight bout.

Jackson scored a knockdown in round one when he landed a series of rights that stunned Nelson and then he took a knee. Jackson dominated the first half of the fight as he landed power shots from distance.

Nelson had a brief comeback with some good counter shots in round six. Jackson came back to have a solid round seven and then dropped Nelson from a perfect right in round eight. The fight was stopped a round later after Jackson landed a few more telling blows at 28 seconds of round nine.

Jackson, 168 lbs of Virgin Islands is now 19-0 with 15 knockouts. Nelson, 167 1/2 lbs of Little Rock, Arkansas is now 19-2.

Jackson landed 186-468 punches while Nelson was just 68-200

“He was a tough fighter, much tougher than I thought,’’ said Jackson, 27, a five-year-pro and the son of former WBA Super Welterweight and two-time WBC Middleweight Champion Julian “The Hawk” Jackson and the older brother of super middleweight and fellow-2008 Olympian John Jackson. “He could take a punch. I don’t think I hit him that hard at the end. I feel a combination of punches may have worn him down a little.

“These are the kinds of fights I want, and hope to have. I want to prove myself to myself and these are the kinds of fights that will do it. I am happy with my performance tonight.’’

Offered Nelson, “I’m disappointed in losing but I think I gained a few fans along the way. I will definitely learn from this fight.’’

Marcos Rogerio de Lima scored a 1st round stoppage over Igor Pokrajac in a Light Heavyweight bout.

de Lima landed a huge right that dropped Pokrajac with a booming right and pounced on him and the fight was stopped at

de Lima, 205 lbs of Brazil is 13-3. Pokrajic, 206 lbs of Croatia is now 25-12-1.

Renalto Moicano scored a 2nd round chokeout of Tom Niinimaki in a Featherweight bout.

The bout came to an end at 3:30 from a rear naked choke.

Moicano, 146 lbs of Brazil is 9-0-1. Niinimaki is now 21-8-1.

Hacran Diaz scored 3-round unanimous decision over Darren Elkins in a Featherweight bout.

In round three, Elkins was bleeding from the mouth. Dias won by scores of 29-28 twice and 30-27.

Dias, 146 lbs of Brazil is now 22-3-1. Elkins, 145 lbs of Indiana is now 19-5.

Leandro Issa scored a 2nd round submission over Yuta Sasaki in Bantamweight bout.

The choke came at 4:13 of round two for Issa, 135 lbs of Brazil and is now 13-4. Sasaki, 135 lbs of Japan is now 18-2-2.

An old year ends Saturday night at Celebrity Theatre with prospects thinking about next year and a heavyweight champion hoping to restore lost promise on a UniMas-televised card staged jointly by Top Rank and Iron Boy Promotions.

Andy Ruiz Jr. (23-0, 17 KOs) looks to extend his unbeaten record and nine-knockout streak against Sergei Liakhovich with a victory a performance that might propel him into the ranks of heavyweight contenders next year.

Liakhovich (26-6, 16 KOs), a Scottsdale heavyweight and a onetime holder of the WBO title, is looking for a second straight victory after three successive losses, including a scary knockout at the hands of Deontay Wilder. Five of Liakhovich’s losses have been by stoppage.

The card (6 p.m. MST) also includes featherweight prospect Oscar Valdez, unbeaten light-heavyweight Trevor McCumby and the American debut of David Benavidez, the young brother of Phoenix junior-welterweight Jose Benavidez Jr., who won the WBA’s interim title last Saturday over Mauricio Herrera in Las Vegas.

Valdez (14-0, 12 KOs), a former Mexican Olympian who went to school in Tucson, faces Jean Sotelo (19-13-2, 10 KOs).

Valdez manager Frank Espinoza, who is known for his work with some of the biggest names in the featherweight division, foresees 2015 as a year in which Valdez gets more media exposure as he moves into position for a shot at a title in 2016.

McCumby (17-0, 13 KOs), of Phoenix, faces Milton Nunez (28-11-1, 25 KOs), also of Colombia.

Meanwhile, David Benavidez fights in the U.S. for the first time. He wasn’t eligible for a license until his birthday Wednesday when he turned 18. He has been fighting professionally in Mexico for the last couple of years. His official record is 6-0, all by KO.

He’s bigger than his brother. He’ll be fighting as a light-heavyweight Saturday against Azamat Umarzoda (1-6-2) of Las Vegas.

“Me and my brother, we kind of have different styles,’’ said David Benavidez, who says he often spars with his brother. “Everytime we spar, I try to knock him out. In sparring, I’m about 180 pounds and he’s 150. He takes my punches real well. I’ll hit him with clean shots and he walks right through.

“He’s more of a boxer-puncher. I can be a puncher-brawler. But I can box, too. Depends on who I’m fighting.’’

Adonis Stevenson retained the WBC Light Heavyweight title with a 5th round stoppage over Dmitry Sukhotsky at Colisee de Quebec in Quebec City, Quebec, Canada.

In round two, Stevenson dropped Sukhotsky with a straight left. In round five, Stevenson dropped Sukhotsky three times all from hard left hands with the final being a crushing shot to the jaw the left Sukhotsky on the canvas for several minutes at 2:42 of round five.

Stevenson, 174 1/2 lbs of Montreal is now 25-1 with 21 knockouts. Sukhotsky, 173 1/2 lbs of Russia is now 22-3.

“I gave a beautiful knockout for SHOWTIME,” Stevenson said. “I just used my speed, my movement. I have the power and I know the knockouts are going to come. I’m not going to force it. I was just waiting for him and, bang, I caught him. I wanted to hit him with my left hand and it worked.

“I’m the big champion. He has to come to me,” said Stevenson of any challengers. “I’m the man in the light heavyweight division. They have to come to me. My job is to go in the ring and knock everybody out. I’m a ‘Superman.’”

In a rematch of Welterweights, Jo Jo Dan eked out his 2nd split decision win over Kevin Bizier to earn the number-one spot in the IBF.

It was a tough fight early as Bizier getting the better of the action.

In round seven, Bizier knocked Dan with a good left hook. Later in the round, Bizier was cut over the right eye from an accidental clash of heads. Dan steadied himself and upped his workrate over the second half of the fight. It was that volume punching that proved to be the difference as he won by scores of 115-112 Dan, 114-113 Bizier, 114-113 Dan.

Dan, 146 3/4 lbs of Romania is now 34-2 and is line for IBF champion Kell Brook. Bizier, 146 3/4 lbs of Montreal is now 23-2.

“Yes, of course (I’d fight Bizier again), but first I want to fight Kell Brook,” Dan said. “I hope we’ll make an exciting fight like this one.”

After the fight, Bizier (23-2, 16 KOs) was disappointed to again be on the losing end of a close split-decision.

“All the close rounds went to Jo Jo,” Bizier said. “We knew we had to win those last two rounds and I guess they gave it to him. When I hurt Jo Jo in the seventh I hurt my right hand. At that point, I was fighting with one hand.

“Let’s fight again. Why not? The first two fights were close. I don’t know why, but the judges just seem to give the close rounds to him.”

Former world title challenger Andre Dirrell scored a 12-round unanimous decision over Derek Edwards in a Super Middleweight bout.

Dirrell dominated the bout ,mostly from the southpaw stance. He landed some hard flurries with the best being in round eight when he landed a blistering combination where he snapped the head Edwards back several times. He rocked Edwards in round ten as he landed some thudding uppercuts. In round twelve. Edwards had s light glimmer of hope when he landed a hard left hook that momentarily stunned Dirrell. He could not capitalize and Dirrell came home with the victory by scores of 119-109, 120-108 and 119-107.

Dirrell, 167 3/4 lbs of Flint, MI is now 24-1. Edwards, 167 lbs of Winston Salem, NC is now 27-4-1.

Punch stats saw Dirrell 225-591. Edwards 47-269

“I want to perfect my craft as far as fighting southpaw,” Dirrell said. “I was shooting the left hand. This guy has a tough, tough head so I’m not going to doubt my power one bit. I’m glad to walk away with a victory. My knuckle was hurting but it wasn’t bad enough that I couldn’t throw it. This boy could take a punch.

“I’m getting there. I’m proud of my performance, but it was a tough 12 rounds.”

“I believe he’s scared to fight me,” Dirrell said. “It’s too risky a fight to take. But I’m going to push it to the best of my ability. There’s a win on his record that’s questionable to everyone in the world. Give me the rematch. Prove to your fans that you beat me and try to do it again. Step in the ring with Andre Dirrell and you’re going to see what I’m all about.”

Super prospect Artur Beterbiev remained undefeated but was knocked down to come back and score a 2nd round stoppage over previously undefeated Jeff Page Jr. in a scheduled 10-round Light Heavyweight bout.

In round one, Page landed a right that sent Beterbiev to the canvas. In round two, Beterbiev landed some head shots that rocked Page and sent Page to the deck. He sent Page down later in the round from another hard round. Beterbiev finished things seconds later when he dropped Page for a third and final time and the fight was stopped at 2:21 of round two.

Beterbiev, 174 1/2 lbs of Russia now 7-0 with 7 knockouts. Page, 174 1/4 lbs of Wichita, KS is 15-1.

“I felt a bit sleepy before the fight and I don’t think I was concentrating for a fraction of a second (in the first round),” Beterbiev said. “I got angry after the knockdown and decided to go forward. I have a lot to learn in professional boxing, but I’m looking forward to the experience.”

When asked if he thinks he could beat WBO/WBA/IBF Champion Sergey Kovalev, who he defeated as an amateur, Beterbiev was noncommittal.

“I beat him (Kovalev) as an amateur so I can’t say much,” Beterbiev said. “It’s hard to say right now.”

According to Dan Rafael of espn.com, world Heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko will defend his titles on April 25 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn.

“The fight will be at the Barclays Center and we are very, very pleased,” Bernd Boente, Klitschko’s manager, told ESPN.com on Wednesday night. “The contract is not signed yet but we have a handshake deal and we are getting everything finalized. It’s a really good deal for both sides. We are all looking forward to a big event.”

“The Barclays offer was better (than Madison Square Garden’s),” Boente said. “We really like the people at the Garden. I really like Joel Fisher (executive vice president of MSG Sports). We had fights with Wladimir and (older brother) Vitali there, but the overall cooperation is better with Barclays. They are putting huge marketing money into this and that is important.”

Boente and Brett Yormark, the Barclays Center CEO, held talks about the arena hosting a Klitschko defense as the arena’s first boxing event in 2012, but it fell through because, at the time, the arena had an exclusive deal with Golden Boy Promotions to put on boxing events and Klitschko was not interested in cutting it in when it had nothing to do with his career. Now that Golden Boy is no longer exclusive, Boente said he and Yormark made a deal.

“They really want to have this event. I had meetings with the Garden and Barclays and Brett really wanted a Klitschko fight,” Boente said. “Remember, they wanted to open the arena with one of Wladimir’s fights. We are really excited to go there. I’ve been through the whole arena. It’s fantastic, a great arena. It’s one the best arenas I’ve seen.”

Klitschko typically trains in the Austrian mountains for his fights but Boente said that Klitschko, who resides in Hollywood, Florida, will train there, which will keep him closer to his fiancé, actress Hayden Panettiere, who gave birth to their first child, a girl named Kaya, on Dec. 9.

“A review on the year: The birth of my daughter, two successful championship defenses and many other achievements on the way,” Klitschko wrote on his Instagram account on Monday. “It was a great year and I’m looking forward to 2015. I’m ready to take on new challenges!”

WBO number-one ranked Heavyweight Tyson Fury will be back in action on February according to Dan Rafael of espn.com.

“It’s great to have my first fight of the year up and announced so now I can go away, have a break over Christmas and then get back in the gym with a goal to aim for,” Fury said. “When I haven’t got a fight lined up, I find it hard to concentrate. I need that focus to aim toward, and at least I know I’m fighting on Feb. 28 and then I’ve got the WBO world title fight next. I’ll have my opponent confirmed shortly, and then I’ll let my trainer and uncle, Peter, get on with setting up the training camp and fight plans.”

“The win against Chisora was very satisfying because I showed that I’m not just a crash, bang, wallop fighter. I can box clever and take someone apart clinically,” Fury said. “I’m now the mandatory challenger to Klitschko, and there’s no way he can dodge me. He can either vacate the title or defend the title against me. Either way I’m going to fight for the world title this summer. Klitschko can have his fight in [April], but then he knows he’s got me next. He’s run from me for the last two years and now knows that I’m reality and I’m next.

“He can be a fighting man and show the world he’s not scared by defending his title against me or prove what I’ve been saying about him for the last few years by vacating the title without fighting me. Ideally, I want to fight the man who is holding the belt, the champion, this so-called great Wladimir Klitschko. I don’t want the vacant belt. I want Klitschko.”

“I emailed Klitschko’s business manager, Bernd Boente, to try and cut through all the tape and make the fight for March, but I’ve not had a response back from them yet,” Warren said. “That’s fine, but they’ll have to sit down and negotiate after Klitschko has had his fight or we can go to purse bids. Either way, Fury’s going to fight for the world title this year.

“We’ll have Tyson’s opponent confirmed shortly, but the main thing is that he keeps busy as he’s only fought twice in a year and a half and this next fight will keep him active before he fights again in the summer. Tyson is the mandatory challenger to Klitschko, and it’s a position we want to preserve. Klitschko is the long reigning champion, the guy who holds [three of the four major] belts, and ideally we want him to defend the title against Tyson.

“Obviously, [titleholder] Bermane Stiverne and Deontay Wilder fight on Jan. 17 and the winner of that could be another potential avenue for Fury, and if an opportunity comes up there, then it will be worth exploring, but it’s Klitschko who we want.”