After a slow start, Abner Cotto came on strong to take a split decision over former world title challenger Jerry Belmontes in a 10-round Jr. Lightweight bout at the American Bank Center in Belmontes’ hometown of Corpus Christi, Texas.

Belmontes controlled the early round but Cotto started to force the action over the 2nd half of the fight and won most of the inside battles and was able to get the decision by scores of 96-93 and 95-94 while Belmontes took a card at 95-94.

Cotto, 130 lbs of Aguas Buenas, PR is the cousin of current Middleweight champion Miguel Cotto and is now 18-2. Belmontes, 130 lbs of Corpus Christi, TX is now 19-5.

KeAndre Gibson scored a hard fought split decision over rugged Jose Hernandez in an 8-round Welterweight bout bout.

Gibson boxed well but had some rough moments as he was banged around in the 5th round.

Gibson, 145 1/4 lbs of Austin, TX won by scores of 79-73 and 78-74 while Hernandez took a card at 77-75.

Gibson is now 11-0-1. Hernandez, 145 1/4 lbs of Ft. Worth, TX is 14-8-1.

Oscar Cantu remained undefeated with a 6-round unanimous decision over Joseph Rios in a Bantamweight bout.

Cantu boxed efficiently and buckled Rios in the 6th round.

Canty, 116 1/4 lbs of Kingsville, TX won by scores of 60-54 twice and 59-55. Joseph Rios, 116.75 lbs of San Antonio, TX is now 13-10-2.

According to Dan Rafael of espn.com, Matthew Macklin’s August 30 title elimination bout with Sebastien Heiland has been postponed after Macklin’s trainer Jamie Moore was shot outside of Macklin’s gym in Spain.

“Due to an injury suffered to Matthew Macklin’s lead trainer, Jamie Moore, the Dublin show on Aug. 30 has been postponed until later in the year,” Matchroom Boxing promoter Eddie Hearn announced.

“I am disappointed to have to postpone my fight but in light of the circumstances and the disruption to my preparation it is the right thing to do,” Macklin said. “Every fight at this stage in my career is of huge importance and being 100 percent for the night is vital. We will make an announcement shortly on a new date and I look forward to fighting in Dublin in 2014.”

According to Dan Rafael of espn.com, WBA Super Bantamweight champion Scott Quigg will defend his title against Paulus Ambunda on September 13 in Manchester, England.

The co-feature will pit lightweight Anthony Crolla (28-4-1, 11 KOs), 27, who will be fighting in his hometown, against Gamaliel Diaz (38-11-2, 17 KOs) in a scheduled 12-round bout.

“We are excited to be back in Manchester in September for another big night,” said Matchroom Sport’s Eddie Hearn “Scott and Anthony are becoming regular fixtures at the arena with great support and both are in major fights on Sept. 13. Scott is in scintillating form and ready to stamp his authority on the division, while Anthony has another tough fight against former world champ Diaz, who mixed with the likes of Robert Guerrero, Jorge Linares and Humberto Soto before traveling to Japan to win the WBC title.”

Sergio Thompson scored a 10-round unanimous decision over Adones Aguelo in a Super Featherweight bout at Chetumal in Quintana Roo, Mexico.

Thompson, 129 3/4 lbs won by scores of 97-92 and 96-93 twice and is now 30-3. Aguelo, 129 3/4 lbs is now 21-10-2.

Luis May scored a 10-round unanimous decision over Daniel Noriega in a Bantamweight fight.

May, 117 1/4 lbs won by scores of 99-91 twice and 98-92 and is now 15-7-1. Noriega, 117 1/4 lbs is now 25-9-1.

ATLANTIC CITY–WBO Light Heavyweight champion Sergey Kovalev tuned up for a November date with Bernard Hopkins with a 2nd round stoppage over previously undefeated Blake Caparello at The Revel Hotel and Casino.

Caparello had a brief moment of positiveness when dropped Kovalev with a straight left hand in round one. In round two Kovalev sent Caparello to the canvas with a body shot. Caparello got up only to eat a flurry of punches that sent Caparello to a knee. Caparello got to his feet but it was to avail as Kovalev jumped all over Caparello and landed thudding shots until the fight was stopped at 1:47 of round two.

Kovalev, 174 lbs of Russia is now 25-0-1 with 23 knockouts. Caparello, 174 lbs of Australia is now 19-1-1.

Dmitry Mikhaylenko scored an 8-round unanimous decision over former top prospect Sechew Powell in a Jr. Middleweight bout.

Mikhaylenko, 153 lbs of Russia won by scores of 80-72, 79-83 and 78-74 and is now 17-0. Powell, 148 lbs of Brooklyn, NY is now 26-6.

Light Heavyweight contender Isaac Chilemba scored a 7th round stoppage over Corey Cummings in a scheduled 10-round bout.

Chilemba was solid throughout the fight landing hard shots as he swelled and bloodied the face of Cummings until Cummings corner stopped the bout at 2:28 of round 7.

Chilemba, 175.5 lbs of Johannesburg, SA is mow 23-2-2 with 10 knockouts. Cummings, 174 lbs of Newark, NJ is now 17-7-1.

“I feel good. It was a good fight. He was well prepared for the fight. He came out strong and took some of my best shots until he just couldn’t take anymore. I want a title shot next. I am hoping Jean Pascal is the next one; I am hoping to get a chance at him or chance at Kovalev next.”, said Chilemba

In a scheduled six round Heavyweight war, Adam Kownacki scored a 5th round stoppage over Charles Ellis.

Kownacki hurt Willis with a right hand in the 1st round. Ellis came back to rock Kownacki several times in the bout that saw many ebbs and flows. Kownacki came out guns a blazing in round five as he landed a huge combination dropped Ellis on his back with his head pounding on the canvas and the bounce off the canvas and the fight was stopped at 15 seconds of round five.

DeCarlo Perez scored a hard fought 6-round majority decision over Marcus Willis in a Middleweight bout.

Perez, 158 lbs of Atlantic City, NJ won by scores of 59-55 twice and 57-57 to raise his mark to 12-3-1. Willis, 158.5 lbs of Fort Myers, FL is now 13-4-2.

Heavyweight Joey Dawejko looked spectacular in obliterating David Williams in just 108-seconds of the 1st round of their scheduled 8-round Heavyweight bout.

Dawejko dropped Williams three times with hard, flush punches to the head in what turned into a one round massacre.

Dawejko, 236 1/2 lbs of Philadelphia is now 11-3-2 with 4 knockouts. Williams, 233 lbs of Philadelphia is now 7-9-2.

Hakim Bryant opened up the show with a 4th round stoppage over Anthony Watson in the last round of their Middleweight bout.

Bryant dominated the action and Watson even saw the doctor during round three. In round four, Watson continued to take punishment and the fight was stopped at 38 seconds of round four.

Bryant, 155 lbs of Middletown, NJ is now 2-0 with 1 knockout. Watson, 154 lbs of Philadelphia is mow 0-2.

Daniel Lozado scored an 8th round stoppage over Antonio Tostado in a scheduled 10 round Super Flyweight bout at the A La Carte Pavilion in Tampa, Florida.

It was an exciting bout that saw Lozado score three knockdowns in round eight and the fight was stopped.

Lozano, 114 lbs is now 12-2 with 9 knockouts. Tostado, 114 lbs is now 11-3.

Andrey Klimov stopped Guillermo Avilla after round 8 of their scheduled 10 round Jr. Lightweight bout.

Klimov, 130 lbs is now 18-1 with 9 knockouts. Avilla, 130 lbs is 12-3.

Toribio Ramirez scored a 4-round unanimous decision over Cesar Cisneros in a Featherweight bout.

Ramirez, 127 lbs is now 3-1. Cisneros, 127 lbs is 4-7-2.

Former world champion Gabriel Campillo resurrected his career with a stoppage win over previously undefeated Thomas Williams Jr. due to a cut after round five of theie 12-round Light Heavyweight bout at the Little Creek Resort in Shelton, Washington.

Williams was in control of the fight as he landed some solid body shots that he followed up by flurries to the head. Campillo had some decent moments and cut Williams with a jab in round four. Campillo also was bleeding from his nose. Willimas own corner actually called the doctor in to look at the eye and the fight was stopped.

Campillo is now 24-6-1 with 11 knockouts. Williams is now 17-1.

Former world title challenger Andre Direll scored a 5th round stoppage over Vladine Biosse in a scheduled 10-round Super Middleweight bout.

It took Dirrell a round to get things going and started landing hard shots with both hands. He had Biosse against the ropes absorbing punches in round’s three and four. Dirrell turned it up in round five as he hurt Biosse with an uppercut that sent Biosse across the ring. Dirrell jumped on Biosse and landed about 9 unanswered punches until the but was stopped at 2:40.

Dirrell, 172 lbs of Flint, MI was coming off an 18-month lay off and is now 22-1 with 15 knockouts. Biosse, 172 lbs of Providence, RI is now 15-5-2.

In a six round war, Immanuwel Aleem scored a 6th round stoppage over Juan Carlos Rojas in a Middleweight bout.

Early on it looked like it would be easy for Aleem as he buckled Rojas badly in the first from an overhand right. Rojas came back to grind out a rough fight as he stood on the inside and gave as good as he received. The two continued to trade punches which was much to the delight of the fans. Rojas was docked a point after round three for unsportsmanlike actions. The fight was nip and tuck with both guys landing heavy leather and the fight was in the balance until the final seconds when Aleem landed a booming right that stunned and bucked Rojas until the referee stopped the fight at 2:45 of the final round.

Aleem, 162.6 lbs is now 10-0 with six knockouts. Rojas, 162 lbs of Mexico is now 5-7-1.

Bernard Hopkins will fight a unification bout with Sergey Kovalev provided that Kovalev wins his Saturday night fight with Blake Caparello according to Dan Rafael of espn.com.

“The fight got made in 30 hours, from the start of negotiations on Thursday to the signing of the contract [Friday] afternoon,” Kovalev’s promoter Kathy Duva said after faxing the signed agreements to Hopkins promoter Golden Boy. “It didn’t take very long. When you don’t have obstructionists in the middle of a deal, it’s not that hard to do. I felt like it was the old days. HBO did their part, we did our part and Golden Boy did their part.”

Main Events also named Golden Boy in the lawsuit, but Duva said the suit never came up in the negotiations for Hopkins-Kovalev.

“We never even discussed it, but we will probably drop them from the suit,” she said.

“Sergey has to win [Saturday] night, so I don’t want to talk too much about the fight with Hopkins,” Duva said. “But we are all elated. It is going to be the most-anticipated fight of this year, even more anticipated than some of the pay-per-view fights. It’s a big fight on HBO.

“Sergey keeps saying, ‘I’m not going to talk about it or think about Hopkins.’ He knows his job is to stay focused on Blake Caparello. But Sergey did have a smile on his face when he signed the contract. Normally, I would wait to sign the contract until after Saturday’s fight, but there were time pressures to get the contract to the IBF.”

“Since Bernard was already approved in Sergey’s contract, we never thought that whatever issues HBO and Golden Boy had were going to be an issue if we could make this fight and they weren’t,” Duva said. “We are just excited about Saturday’s fight and seeing Sergey in a really big fight.”

Brandon Rios 147 – Diego Chaves 148
Jessie Vargas 140 – Anton Novikov 139.4
(WBA Super Lightweight Title)
Jesse Magdaleno 123 – Carlos Rodriguez 123.2
Jose Ramirez 142.4 – Alfredo Romero 138.2
Erick De Leon 130.6 – Pedro Toledo 134.4
Saul Rodriguez 132.8 – Orlando Vazquez 132.2
Shane Mosley Jr. 159.6 – Jerome Jones 161
Cody Crowley 154 – Herb Begay 154

Sergey Kovalev 174 – Blake Caparello 174
(WBO Light heavyweight Title)
Isaac Chilemba 175.5 – Corey Cummings 174
Dmitry Mikhaylenko 153 – Sechew Powell 148
Adam Kownacki 258 – Charles Ellis 233
DeCarlo Perez 158 – Marcus Willis 158
Joey Dawejko 236 – David Williams 233
Hakim Bryant 155 – Anthony Watson 154

According to Dan Rafael of espn.com, former world champions Adrien Broner, Lucas Matthysse and Andre Berto will appear on a fight card in Broner’s hometown of Cincinnati on September 6 on Showtime.

Broner will face Emanuel Taylor in a scheduled 12-round bout, Golden Boy Promotions said on Thursday. Matthysse will appear in the 10-round co-feature against Roberto Ortiz. Berto will face an opponent to be named.

“Adrien Broner is a top-level talent who always elevates his game on the biggest stages, and there is never a bigger stage than in front of your hometown fans,” Golden Boy Promotions president Oscar De La Hoya said. “But with speed, power and a golden opportunity, Emmanuel Taylor is a tough test. This is a life-changing fight for him, which makes him particularly dangerous.”

“It’s always good to fight at home. It is overdue and I will never disappoint my Cincinnati fans. I’ll make sure to put on a good show for them,” said Broner, who last fought at home in July 2012, also at the U.S. Bank Arena, when he failed to make weight for a junior lightweight title defense and knocked out Vicente Escobedo in a nontitle match. “Taylor is a young, talented fighter, but he’s not ready to solve this ‘Problem’ yet.”

“This is the biggest fight of my career, and I won’t let it get away from me,” Taylor said. “All of those hours in the gym were for a moment like this, and I can’t wait to show the world what I can do in the ring.”

“The title is my only goal, and to get there, I have to beat Ortiz,” Matthysse said. “I’ve heard that he’s a tough fighter, but I’m not worried about him. I just have to make sure I’m ready.

“I respect Lucas Matthysse and know how dangerous he is, but this is my time to make a statement, and I will on Sept. 6,” Ortiz said. “I see holes in his game and I think I’m the better all-around fighter. The world will see that very soon.”

Added De La Hoya, “In the co-main event, one of the hardest punchers in the game, Lucas Matthysse, will also have to dig deep to win when he fights Roberto Ortiz. The winner of this fight should be right in line for a title shot in 2015.”

“It’s been a long time and I can’t wait to get back in the ring on Sept. 6,” Berto said. “I feel stronger and better than ever, and I’m ready to make another run at the title. But first I have business to take care of in Cincinnati, and I’ll be looking for the knockout.”

According to Dan RaFael of espn.com, IBF Super Middleweight champion Carl Froch may defend his title against Julio Cesar Chavez Jr on January 24 in Las Vegas.

“Talks have re-opened with Top Rank regarding a proposed Froch versus Chavez fight with a date of Jan. 24th penciled,” Matchroom Boxing’s Eddie Hearn, Froch’s promoter, told ESPN.com on Tuesday. “Obviously, we have the potential to make another big domestic fight against [mandatory challenger] James DeGale and even a third fight with Mikkel Kessler, but either way we have given ourselves a deadline of 10 days to two weeks to map out Carl’s future.”

“We’re well on our way to making that fight for Jan. 24,” said Chavez promoter Bob Arum.

“I’m convinced we can get it done,” Arum said. “I made a proposal that I don’t want to get into, but I think it would be acceptable.”

“Business is business. They know this would be a big event there, and what happened with Pacquiao is not an issue that would affect Chavez and Froch,” Arum said, adding that his stepson, Todd duBoef, Top Rank’s president, had smoothed things over with Bill Hornbuckle, the president and chief marketing officer of MGM Resorts.

PHOENIX — Jose Benavidez Jr. didn’t waste time. He had something to say. A message, he said.

Consider it delivered.

A first-round stoppage over Henry Auraad proved to be an explosive statement of what Benavidez hopes to do as soon as possible in a career that began with a bang, yet had been put on hold by hand problems

There were no signs that the hands will give him any more trouble. There was no caution and perhaps not a whole lot of patience in Benavidez, who threw punches at a rate and with intensity that showed no sign of brittle hands. The only one in danger of sustaining a fracture on Saturday night was Auraad.

Auraad, an unknown Colombian, never had a chance. He was just a guy standing in the way of a prospect with something to prove.

Benavidez (21-0, 15 KOs) pounced on the opportunity, overwhelming Auraad (16-9-1, 13 KOs), first with a jab that stunned the Colombian like a lightning bolt. Auraad stumbled forward. As he did, he ran straight into right hand from Benavidez. Somehow, Auraad kept his balance and stayed off the canvas. But not for long.

Benavidez immediately attacked. An avalanche of Benavidez punches buried Auraad beneath. He got up and stumbled forward. At 1:50 of the first, it was over. It was Benavidez in a TKO that said he wants world-class challenges.

Benavidez already has been mentioned as a possibility for some of the sport’s bigger names. He was on the short list for a bout with Brandon Rios, according to Top Rank matchmaker Bruce Trampler. But HBO said no to that one.

“That’s because I’ve never been scheduled for even 10 rounds,’’ Benavidez said after only his second first in his hometown. “But 10 rounds, that’s what I want. Big names are what I want. Fighting a Rios is what I need.

“Hey, it’s time, time for me to step up.’’

A swift stoppage makes it hard to make a definitive judgment on whether Benavidez is ready for the next step. His trainer and dad, Jose Benavidez Sr., had hoped for more work with a few more rounds.

“Five or six maybe,’’ Benavidez Sr. said.

But the son had a different idea all along.

“I just wanted to knock him out,’’ Benavidez said. “What do they say: They don’t pay for overtime.’’

But there would be some extra pay in a bout against a Rios.

In the co-main event, Top Rank prospect Oscar Valdez (13-0, 11 KOs), a two-time Mexican Olympian, scored a unanimous decision over Juan Ruiz (23-15, 7 KOs) that was as one-sided as it was bruising. Ruiz rushed at Valdez, a featherweight who went to grade school in Tucson. He clinched. He was penalized a point and probably could have been penalized a few more, Ruiz did it all, while also taking one big shot after another.

“A tough guy,’’ Valdez said. “But you learn from tough fights, especially from a guy like him.’’

From Valdez manager Frank Espinoza’s perspective, the young Mexican featherweight’s learning curve is ahead of any featherweight he has ever managed. Espinoaza has managed some of the best, including Abner Mares.

“He has a real chance to be great,’’ Espionza said.

Before the Solo Boxeo telecast, Trevor McCumby (16-0, 12 KOs), a Chicago light-heavyweight, fought a no-name Michael Gbenga, whose name wasn’t even on his trunks. No name, no chance either. McCumby landed left after left, winning every round on the cards and knocking down Gbenga (15-16, 15 KOs), of Baltimore, in the fifth round of six.

Best of the undercard:
· With Oscar De La Hoya’s first pro trainer, Robert Alcazar, in his corner, bantamweight Francisco De Vaca of Phoenix stayed unbeaten (7-0, 3 KOs), soring unanimous decision over Ernesto Guerrero (15-12, 10 KOs) of Mexico.

· Featherweight Keenan Carbajal (4-1-1, 3 KOs) threw a left hand that reminded many in the capacity crowd of another Carbajal, Michael, a Hall of Famer best known his left. It took 26 second for Keenan to throw a Carbajal-like left for a first-round knockout of Edgar Pinedo (1-1) of Mexico.

Jose Benavidez Jr. remained perfect by stopping Henry Auraad in the 1st round of their scheduled 8-round Welterweight bout at the Celebrity Theater in Phoenix, Arizona.

Benavidez scored a knockdown with a right hand. Auraad was hurt and a big flurry dropped him for a second time. Auraad got to his feet but was stumbling and the referee stopped the bout at 1:50 of round two.

Benavidez Jr., 145 3/4 lbs of Phoenix is now 21-0 with 15 knockouts. Auraad, 146 lbs of Miami, FL is now 16-9-1.

Oscar Valdez remained undefeated by scoring a 8-round unanimous decision over Juan Ruiz in a Featherweight bout.

Ruiz was deducted a point for excessive holding and Valdez won by scores of 80-71 on all cards.

Valdez, 125 1/2 lbs of Nogales, MX is now 12-0. Ruiz, 125 1/2 lbs of Newhall, CA is now 23-15.

Emmnauel Nieves made a successful pro debut with a 4-round unanimous decision over Alex Holguin in a Super Featherweight bout.

Nieves won by scores of 39-37 on all cards. Holguin of Albuquerque, NM is now 1-1.

Ola Afolabi dominated Anthony Caputo Smith and scored a stoppage after round three of scheduled 10-round Cruiser weight bout.

Afolabi bloodied the nose and left eye of Caputo Smith and dropped him in both round’s two and three and the fight was stopped following the 3rd.

Afolabi, 198.6 lbs of London, UK is now 21-3-4 with 10 knockouts. Caputo Smith, 199.2 lbs of Kennett Square, PA is now 15-4.

Dusty Hernandez Harrison scored an 8-round unanimous decision over Wilfredo Acuna in a Welterweight bout.

Harrison boxed well and won by scored of 80-72 on all cards.

Harrison, 147.6 lbs of Washington, DC is now 23-0. Acuna, 147.8 lbs of Managua, NIC is now 15-15.

Julian Rodriguez remained undefeated by scoring a body shot knockout over Yankton Southern in a Jr. Welterweight bout.

Rodriguez landed a short uppercut to the liver and Southern was down for the 10-count at 43 seconds.

Rodriguez, 141.6 lbs of Hasbrouck Heights, NJ is now 4-0 with 3 knockouts. Southern, 140.6 lbs of Springfield, MO is now 4-6.

In what was a crazy week for Tyson Fury, it got even crazier on Saturday as he pulled out of his fight against late replacement Alexander Ustinov due to an illness in his family according to Dan Rafael of espn.com.

“I’m very, very, disappointed for the fans,” said promoter Frank Warren. “After Dereck Chisora pulled out because of his hand injury, we worked very hard to secure a world-ranked opponent in Ustinov. It’s sad that his uncle Hughie is in a serious condition and our thoughts are with him. The show will still go ahead and as before it’s a great card. … We will be announcing the rescheduled date for Chisora versus Fury next week.”

David Carmona won a 10-round unanimous decision over Ricardo Rodriguez in a Super Flyweight bout at Auditorio Plaza Condesa in Mexico City, Distrito Federal, Mexico.

Carmona, 115 lbs of Mexico City won by scores of 98-92, 97-93 and 96-94 and is now 17-2-4. Rodriguez, 115 lbs of Los Angeles, CA is now 9-2.

Irving Cruz scored a 3rd round stoppage over previously undefeated Ricardo Banuelos in a scheduled 6-round Jr. Middleweight fight.

Cruz dropped Banuelos with a right hand in round two. In round three, He hurt Banuelos with a hard right hand on the ropes and dropped him with a combination and the fight was over.

Cruz, 150 lbs of Distrito, Federal, MX is now 6-2 with 5 knockouts. Banuelos, 152 lbs of Tultitlan. MX is now 2-1.

Frankie Gomez scored a 10-round unanimous decision over Vernon Paris in a Jr. Welterweight bout at the Fantasy Springs Resort in Indio, California.

Gomez scored a knockdown n round four in a bout the Gomez dominated but Paris showed heart by hanging in and landing punches of his own.

Gomez, 140 lbs of East Los Angeles, CA won by scores of 100-89 on all cards is now 18-0. Paris, 139 1/4 lbs of Blountstown, FL is now 26-2.

2012 U.S. Olympian Terrell Gausha remained undefeated with a 1st round stoppage over Ronnie Warrior Jr. in a scheduled 8-round Super Middleweight fight.

Gausha dropped Warrior with a right to the body at the end of round one and Warrior could not get up and the bout was over at 2:59 of round one.

Gausha, 157 lbs of Cleveland, OH is now 11-0 with 6 knockouts. Warrior Jr., 164 1/4 lbs of Oklahoma City, OK is now 15-9-1.

Vyacheslav Shabranskyy needed 48 seconds to score 3 knockdowns en route to a 1st round stoppage over Demetrius Walker in a scheduled 6-round Light Heavyweight bout.

Shabranskyy dropped Walker with the first punch of the fight which was a straight right hand. Seconds later another right hand sent Walker to the canvas. Shabranskyy ended things with a flurry that produced a third knockdown and referee Raul Caiz Sr. stopped the bout.

Shabranskyy, 176 3/4 lbs of Hollywood, FL is 10-0 with 8 knockouts. Walker, 174 3/4 lbs of Kansas City, MO is now 7-6-1.

Jr. Middleweight Glen Tapia was denied a license just 24 hours before his bout against Salim Larbi on the Gennady Golovkin – Daniel Geale card in New York according to Dan Rafael espn.com.

The NYSAC said only that he was denied a license for medical reasons. However, Carl Moretti, vice president of Top Rank, which promotes Tapia, said the denial was because of an issue New York commission physician Dr. Barry Jordan had with Tapia’s blood work.

“The medical team in New York did not approve his blood work, which had nothing to do with HIV or hepatitis,” Moretti said told ESPN.com. “The same blood work was approved in New Jersey for his last fight a month ago. While we respect the decision we would like some further clarification in the days and weeks ahead so we can plan his next fight accordingly.”

Roberto Garcia scored a 10-round unanimous decision over Breidis Prescott in a Welterweight bout at the UIC Pavilion in Chicago, Illinois.

Garcia won despite getting dropped in round nine but hung on to win win 96-92, 96-93 and 95-94.

Garcia, 146 lbs of Mexico is now 36-3. Prescott, 146 1/2 lbs of Colombia is now 2706.

Caleb Truax scored a 10-round unanimous decision over Derek Ennis in a Middleweight fight.

Truaz, 163 lbs of Minnesota won won by scores of 99-90 and 97-93 twice and is now 24-1-2. Ennis, 160 lbs of Philadelphia is 24-5-1.

Former Notre Dame boxer, Mike Lee remained undefeated with a 6-round majority decision over Paul Gonsalves in a Light Heavyweight bout.

Lee, 178 lbs of Chicago won by scores of 58-56 twice and 59-57 and is now 13-0. Gonsalves, 176 lbs is now 7-4.

Undefeated Antoine Douglas and former world title challenger Michel Soro fought to a majority draw that headlined the 200th Episode of ShoBox: The New Generation at Turning Stone Resort Casino in Verona, New York.

The televised quadruple header was promoted by GH3 Promotions and Greg Cohen Promotions and sponsored by Modell’s Sporting Goods.

In round two, Douglas started to work the body of Soro with a combination against the ropes. In round three, Douglas was very effective working the body with both hands and then came up with a right uppercut. Moments later a power jab sent Soro to the ropes which facilitated a five punch flurry. In round four, Douglas once again sent Soro to the ropes with a hard combination.

In round six, Soro got in his best offense as he landed a three punch combination that was capped by a hard uppercut. Douglas shook it off nicely and came back to land a nice body combination of his own. In round seven, Douglas blasted Soro with a pair of right hands.

In round eight the door opened for Soro as he landed a flush right hand that wobbled Douglas to the ropes. Soro jumped on the opportunity and landed a follow up flurry and it looked like Douglas may go to the canvas but he gathered himself by throwing punches and then holding to get out of the potentially disastrous round.

In round nine, Soro carried on the momentum as he rocked Douglas several more times and had Douglas in a little trouble.

Douglas recovered enough to be competitive in the decisive 10th round but it was Soro who controlled the action with Douglas looking to counter.

Soro took a scorecard by a 96-94 tally but was overruled by two cards that read even at 95-95.

“I feel real bad but after the first couple of rounds I wasn’t feeling myself,” said Douglas.

“After being hit in the 8th round, i knew I had to respond and I would fight him again.”

Soro said, “In the first few roumd, I was stressed because I was fighting outside of home.”

“Around the 4th or 5th round, I started to relax. I know in the later rounds that experience was the difference. When I had him hurt in round eight, i just had to be more precise and had to accelerate my output a little more. This is not my best weight and I know I can do better.”

Douglas, 155 1/2 lbs of Burke, VA was fighting his 2nd consecutive former world title challenger is now 14-0-1. Soro, 157 lbs of France is now 23-1-1.

Jerry “The King’s Son” Odom won the WBC Interim FECARBOX Super Middleweight title with a spectacular 7th round stoppage over fellow undfeated Vilier Quinonez.

Quinonez landed a solid left in the opening moments of the 1st round that briefly drove Odom back. Odom finished off the round string by landing a series of right hands. After one flurry, Quinonez came out with a cut around his right eye. It was ruled from a head butt. Odom started putting punches together in round two. Quinonez settled down in round three and pecked away with his jab and came back with straight lefts. In round four, Quinonez landed a hard left but that was only the beginning of things as Odom came back to land a huge flurry that Quinonez on the ropes and Odom landed a booming right that sent Quinonez to the canvas. Odom went in for the finish and landed some hard shots but it spurred Quinonez to gather himseelf and land some lefts at the end of the round.

In round five, Quinonez forced the action and landed some good left’s to the body.

In round six, Odom rocked Quinonez with a perfect right on the ropes. That made Quinonez stumble across the ring. Odom pounced on Quinonez and in the process he suffered a cut around his left eye. In round seven. Odom started digging right’s to the body. Late in the round, Odom landed a huge hook that staggered Quinonez clear across the ring and down and the fight was stopped at 2:25 of round seven.

Odom. 167 lbs of Bowie, MD is now 12-0 with 11 knockouts. Quinonez, 167 lbs of Miami, FL is now 8-1.

Cecil McCalla remained perfect with an 8-round unanimous decision over Oscar Godoy in a Welterweight bout.

McCalla started to show his quickness in round two. Later in the round, he smacked Godoy with a good left hook to the side of the head. McCalla then landed a hard left right combination in the corner. McCalla began to sit down on his punches in round three as he landed a nice three-punch combination to the body and then blasted a right to the head. The both tried working the body on the inside and then McCalla landed a couple right hands from distance that had Godoy backing up and then holding on. Godoy tried to trade power shots but at the end of round four, he was met with a hard right from McCalla.

McCalla continued to land quick combinations on the inside. Later in round five, he ripped a perfect right that forced Godoy to hold on. In round seven, Godoy tried to mount some offense but McCalla shook it off and even motioned to the crowd that he as not affected by any of the blows.

In the 8th round, McCalla landed some sharp and had Godoy in brief trouble on several occasions but he was unable to put Godoy away.

McCalla, 147 lbs of Randallstown, MD won by scores of 80-72 twice and 79-73 and is now 19-0. Godoy, 146 lbs of Watsonville, CA is now 13-3.

“I fought a great fight. I dominated like I said so,” said McCalla. “I had my way but he is tough but I knew my rights hands would come.”

“He is tough and he took a lot of shots. I know I have things to work on but I am ready to take over.”

Said Godoy, “I couldn’t adjust to his jab but he won fair and square.”

Tony Luis pounded out an 8-round unanimous decision over previously undefeated Wanzell Ellison in a Lightweight bout.

Luis was quicker in the early going as he focused his lefts to the body. In round three, Luis continued to land lefts to the body. Later in the round, he landed a 4-punch combination in the corner that had Ellison holding on. It was more of the same in round four as Luis pushed Ellison back with a 4-punch combination.. The two finished off the round trading left hooks.

Luis continued it in round five as he landed countless left hooks and stunned Ellison with a shot to he body and two separate left’s to the body and one to the head. Luis landed some hard combinations in rond six including a beautiful double body shot-left to the head combo. Ellison was competitive and the beginning round seven but then ate a thudding left and right to the body that Luis cleaned up with a flush left to the head. Ellison fought hard down the stretch and even landed his best punches but he came up short as Luis won by score of 79-73, 78-74 and 77-75.

Luis, 135 lbs of Cornwall, ONT, CAN is now 18-2. Ellison, 133 lbs of Newark, NJ is now 11-1-1.

“I did what I had to do to win,” said Luis. “The body shots worked and they slowed down his attack. I am happy with my performance. I boxed him from the outside and outfought him on the inside”, finished Luis.

Said Ellison, I don’t know what the judges saw. It was a good learning experience. I was coming up in weight but I thought I won.”

In a battle of undefeated Lightweights, Lavisas Williams scored a 4-round majority decision over Sam Teah.

It was a close and competitive fight with Williams being credited with little better workrate over Teah landing more of the harder shots.

Scores were 40-36, 39-37 and 38-38 for Williams, 134 lbs of Rochester, NY and he is now 5-0-1. Teah, 136 lbs of Philadelphia is now 4-1.

Jorge Diaz moved up two-weight divisions and pounded out a 6-round unanimous decision over Ramon Ellis in a Lightweight bout.

Diaz showed his superior hand speed through out the bout and consistently go through with three and four punch combinations. Ellis who was the naturally bigger man tried to force a rough fight and had some success with his right and and the fight was highly entertaining with some solid two way action. Diaz got the better of those exchanges and even played to the crowd.

Diaz, 133 1/2 lbs of New Brunswick, NJ won by scores of 60-54, 59-55 and 58-56 and is now 18-3. Ellis, 134 1/2 lbs of Philadelphia, PA is now 4-12-2.

Glenn Dezurn scored a 1st round stoppage over Andre Canada in a scheduled 4-round Jr. Lightweight bout.

Dezurn landed some hard body shots and then dropped Canada with a double left hook to the body. Upon getting up, referee Paul Brown ruled that Canada would be unable to continue at 1:24 of the first frame.

Dezurn, 130 1/2 lbs of Baltimore, MD is now 4-0 with 3 knockouts. Canada, 132 lbs of Columbia, SC is now 0-2.

According to Dan Rafael of espn.com. pound for pound king Floyd Mayweather’s Mayweather Promotions received it’s promotional license in his home state of Nevada on Wednesday.

“We want to get things done the right way and continue to bring big fights to Las Vegas even when my career is over,” Mayweather, who lives in Las Vegas, told the commission. “We can continue to do record-breaking numbers after I’m gone by doing it the right way.”

“We’re very excited as a team. We’ve taken our time and that’s been the most important thing, putting the right pieces in place,” Mayweather Promotions chief executive Leonard Ellerbe told ESPN.com following the hearing. “I have a tremendous staff and we have the necessary pieces in places to be very successful.”

“Timing is everything,” he said. “We’ve been working with Golden Boy for a number of years and gained invaluable experience working hand in hand with them. We’ve taken over a number of different processes and been hands on. Now things are pretty much turn key.”

“This is the best packet I’ve seen put forward in terms of completeness,” commissioner Bill Brady told them. “This application is as good as I’ve seen.”

Added commissioner Pat Lundvall: “This is an excellent application. It demonstrates a respect for the commission.”

Commissioner Skip Avansino called Mayweather and Ellerbe “wonderful role models for the sport.”

Ellerbe said he appreciated the commission’s kind words and approval.

“They’re a very detail-oriented commission and the application you have to give them is very, very detailed,” he said. “They are the best commission in all of boxing. They look at every aspect of your business, from top to bottom. It’s like 20-some pages. We took it seriously. It’s an honor to have a license in the state of Nevada.”

Just two days after his original opponent Dereck Chisora bowed out with a fractured hand, Tyson Fury will now take on Ustinov this Saturday night in Manchester, England according to Dan Rafael of espn.com

“The first thing is I’m happy to still be fighting this Saturday and that the fans will get what they paid for and see a good fight,” Fury said. “We’ve had a hard training camp and I’m in the [best] shape of my life, expecting to knock out Chisora. But now I’m going to have take it out on Ustinov and make sure he takes the full force of my anger.

“Chisora will now see what he was going to get on the night — knocked out. Strangely, I’m going to break the man who broke Chisora’s hand. Full credit for Ustinov for taking the fight. He’s a big lad. More importantly he’s a credible world-ranked opponent and he must fancy his chances. We’re two gladiators, but he’s going to feel what it is like against a world-class heavyweight like me.”

“Under the circumstances, Ustinov is a brilliant replacement for Chisora at this late stage,” said promoter Frank Warren. “He’s fit and ready after training and sparring for two weeks with Chisora at his gym, he’s got a great record, like Fury he’s giant of a man, and has got some serious knockout punch power. Ustinov is world-ranked inside the top 10 of two major governing bodies and didn’t hesitate about fighting Fury, which shows his confidence.

“Fury’s been preparing for a shorter man in Chisora and he’ll have to adjust his preparations, but with two huge men in the ring throwing big punches, anything can happen.”

According to Dan Rafael of espn.com, Matthew Macklin is set to take part in a Middleweight title elimination bout on August 30 again Jorge Sabstien Heiland in Dublin, Ireland.

“It’s great to have an eliminator to put me straight back in the frame for another world title fight,” Macklin said. “I’m sure [Heiland] will be coming to Ireland with his own world title ambitions. It’s a must-win fight for me, and it doesn’t matter what he brings to the ring on Aug. 30, he won’t be beating me.

“For the last few years now all my fights have been in the U.S., and while it’s been great having big fights in New York and Las Vegas, I’ve definitely missed fighting at home,” Macklin said. “There’s a huge appetite among boxing fans to see big-time boxing back in Dublin, and there’s no atmosphere in the world like an Irish fight night. I know that Eddie can deliver the big fights for me in Dublin, so it’s a very exciting time for me.”

“I can’t wait for our first show in Dublin. The fans are in for a real treat,” said Macklin co=promoter Eddie Hearn . “It’s a stacked card with Matthew in a hugely important fight that puts him in a great position to challenge for another world title.

“We’ve seen Matthew denied of what I believe was a victory in Germany against Sturm and a great performance against Sergio Martinez. The Cotto fight would be a great event. He is straight back in at the deep end against Heiland, but let’s be honest — he wouldn’t want it any other way.”

Chinese Gold Medal winner Zou Shiming tuned up for a possible world title shot with a 10-round unanimous decision over Luis De La Rosa in a Flyweight bout at the Cotai Arena at the Venetian in Macau, China.

Shiming was in control of the bout and De La Rosa suffered a cut over his left eye due to an accidental Headbutt.

Shiming, 111 lbs of China won by scores of 99-91 twice and 97-93 and is now 5-0. De La Rosa, 110 1/2 lbs of Colombia is now 22-4-1.

Rising Super Middleweight contender Gilberto Ramirez annihilated Junior Talipeau in the first round of their scheduled 10-round bout.

Ramirez dropped Talipeau with a huge uppercut in round one and then dropped Talipeau two more times before referee Mark Nelson stopped the bout 1:58.

Ramirez, 167 lbs of Mazelton, MX is now 29-0 with 23 knockouts. Talipeau, 167 lbs of Sydney, Aus is now 20-3-1.

Guillermo Rigindeaux scored an explosive 1st-round stoppage over Sid Looknongyangtoy to retain the WBA and WBO Super Bantamweight title.

The two clashed heads and Looknongyangtoy went down very hard. Seconds later when Looknongyangtoy and Rigondeaux touched gloves, Rigondeaux landed a hard combination that dropped Looknongyangtoy to the canvas and the fight was over at 1:44.

Rigondeaux, 121 1/2 lbs of Cuba is now 14-0 with 9 knockouts. Looknongyangtoy, 122 lbs of Thailand is now 63-3-1. All three of his losses have come in world title bouts.

Former world champion Brian Viloria scored a 5th round stoppage over Jose Alfredo Zuniga in a scheduled 10-round Flyweight bout.

Viloria dominated the action and landed a huge left to the body that sent Zuniga down for the count at 1:42 of round five.

Viloria, 112 1/2 lbs of Hawaii is now 34-4 with 20 knockouts. Zuniga, 112 1/2 lbs of Mexico is 11-6-1.

In a battle of undefeated Jr. Middleweights, Kuok Kun NG remained unbeaten with a 6-round unanimous decision over Beau O’Brien.

Scores were 60-54 twice and 59-55 for NG, 153 lbs of Macau, CHN and is now 5-0. O’Brien, 153 lbs of New Zealand is now 4-1-1.

Photos by Chris Farina / Top Rank

Jonathan Vidal scored an 8th round stoppage over Juan Kantun in a scheduled 10-round Super Flyweight bout at the Kissimmee Civic Center in Kissimmee, Florida.

Vida dropped Kantun with a right hand and Kantun was not able to beat the 10 count at 2:44 of round 8.

Vidal, 115 lbs is now 18-2 with 10 knockouts. Kantun is now 21-7-3.

Emanuel De Jesus scored a stoppage at the end of round four over Juan Aguirre in a scheduled 6-round Jr. Middleweight bout.

De Jesus, 150 3/4 lbs is 11-0 with 7 knockouts. Aguirre, 149 3/4 lbs is 6-13-1.

Jayron Santiago scored a 3rd round stoppage over Sam Rodriguez in a scheduled 4-round Featherweight fight.

Santiago scored a knockdown in round one and the fight was stopped at 2:59 of round three.

Santiago, 123 3/4 lbs is 3-0 with 2 knockouts. Rodriguez, 123 1/2 lbs is 2-1.

Former world title challenger Mercito Gesta stopped Luis Areceo after round six of their scheduled 10-round Jr. Welterweight bout at Longshoreman’s Hall in San Francisco, California.

Gesta dominated the bout as he bloodied the nose and swelled the face of Arceo. After round six, the ringside doctor stopped the fight citing too many head blows.

Gesta, 138 1/2 lbs of Cebu, Philippines is now 28-1-1 with 16 knockouts. Arceo, 137 lbs of Tijuana, MX is now 28-13-4.

On the strength of a 7th round knockdown, Emanuel Robles remained undefeated by stopping Jonathan Chicas via 8-round split decision in a Welterweight bout.

It was an even fight until Robles dropped Chicas with a left uppercut in the 7th.

Robles, 142 lbs of San Diego won two cards by 76-75 scores while Chicas took a third card 76-75.

Robles is now 11-0-1. Chicas, 142 lbs of San Francisco, CA is now 13-2.

7-foot Chinese import Taishan scored a 2nd round stoppage in his pro debut over Alex Rozman in a scheduled 4-round Heavyweight bout.

Taishan dropped Rozman in round one from a jab. He scored a 2nd knockdown in round from another jab. Taishan scored a 3rd knockdown from a right hand and the fight was stopped at 1:58 of round 2.

Taishan, 287 lbs of Beijing, CHN is 1-0 with 1 knockout. Rozman, 255 lbs of Moline, IL is now 2-7.

Emanuel Taylor scored a 10-round unanimous decision over Karim Mayfield in a Jr. Welterweight bout at the Paramount Theater in Huntingtin, New York.

Mayfield did well with the right hand over the first two rounds. Taylor turned it around and boxed well using his jab and angles to take control of the fight.

Mayfield scored a flash knockdown in round eight from a right to the side of the head. Taylor was not hurt and was able to seize the 9th and 10th rounds to come out with the victory by scores of 97-92 and 95-94 twice.

Taylor, 141.5 lbs of Edgewater Arsnel, MD is now 18-2. Mayfield, 143 lbs of San Francisco is now 18-2-1.

Cletus Seldin dominated Bayan Jargal for three round but had to settle for a no-contest after a cut over Jargal’s right eye due to an accidental headbutt caused the stoppage in their scheduled 8-round Jr. Welterweight bout.

Seldin was all over Jargal but unfortunately the fight did not go to the full 4 rounds needed for the fight to become official.

Seldin, 140.8 lbs of Huntington, NY is now 13-0, 1 No-contest. Jargal, 141.2 lbs of Mongolia is now 17-5-3, 1 No-contest.

Anthony Karperis scored a 4-round unanimous decision over Ariel Duran in a Jr. Welterweight bout.

Karperis, 138.8 lbs won by scores of 39-37 on all cards and is now 7-2. Duran is now 7-7-1.

According to Dan Rafael of espn.com, former pound for pound king Roy Jones Jr. will fight on July 26 in Latvia.

He will take on Courtney Fry (18-5, 6 KOs) in a 12-round Cruiserweight bout.

“I know he’ll give it all he got, which is what I want from any opponent,” Jones said. “I want to go out and do my thing and take what I’ve been doing in the gym to the boxing ring.”

The fight is the main event of a card that is also scheduled to feature long-faded heavyweight James Toney (76-9-3, 46 KOs), Jones’ one-time rival and a former three-division titleholder. They met in a 1994 super middleweight world championship fight that Jones won by one-sided decision to claim the 168-pound belt.

Toney, 45, is scheduled to fight 6-foot-9, 330-pound Evgeny Orlov (15-12-1, 11 KOs), 35, of Russia. KP Promotion, which is putting on the card, initially wanted to match Jones with Toney in a rematch, but Jones said he had no interest.

“I’m not doing that. For what reason? What do I gain from that? What am I gaining from that fight,” Jones said. “I already beat him and beating him again does nothing for me. Besides, I want to fight for the cruiserweight title. I ain’t interested in going up to heavyweight again.”

“You do think about it but it’s hard to leave when you know you still got it. I know I still got it,” he said. “I’m very much looking forward to [going to Latvia].”

Jones has not recorded a knockout victory since stopping former super middleweight titlist Jeff Lacy in the 10th round in August 2009.

“I will get one this time,” Jones said.

According to Dan Rafael of espn.com, former Super Welterweight titlist Austin Trout will return against Daniel Dawson on August 22 that will serve as the season finale of ESPN’s Friday Night Fights.

No venue has been set but promoter Dan Goossen said it will take place in Southern California.

“It’s good to be back. I want to get back where I was,” Trout told ESPN.com on Tuesday from his training camp in Houston after finishing a workout. “I was at the top and that’s where I belong. I’ve been motivated to come back but I got even more motivated after watching the fight [between Canelo Alvarez and Erislandy Lara] on Saturday night.”

“It was more just a matter of me taking some time off. I needed it,” Trout said of the reason for his extended layoff. “I had one hell of a year in 2013. Canelo started it. It was a great fight, a great experience. It was a close fight, but it was my first loss and I took it hard.

“And then I got married almost right after that [May 26]. The marriage was the best part of my year, but my grandmother died right after the ceremony, and I was very close with my grandmother. It was very tough.”

Trout’s fight with Lara was grueling and he was sent to a hospital afterward for a CT scan and observation.

“I had to go to get checked out. It was a tough fight, but I was fine,” Trout said. “Lara had me frustrated. I couldn’t get my rhythm. I wanted to engage but he only engaged when he wanted to engage. He was tough to fight.”

“Hopefully, it will be the eliminator, but I won’t put too much worry on it,” Trout said. “My motivation is to show that I’m back and that I haven’t gone anywhere. I had a bad year and let’s leave it at that — a bad year.”

“There’s way too much at junior middleweight,” he said. “I don’t have to kill myself to make weight. I feel like I can clean up at 154 pounds. I’m going to work my way back. Besides, I can’t leave 154 without getting my rematches. I just want to work my way back and prove that I’m the best.”

The 36-year-old Dawson (40-3-1, 26 KOs), who lost a 2010 world title fight by 10th-round knockout to Sergey Dzinziruk, will be fighting for the first time in 11 months.

“To me this is an incredible opportunity to showcase my abilities at an elite level in my sport,” Dawson said. “I am aware of the challenge in Austin Trout and I believe my team and I are ready and focused on our winning game plan.

“I have great confidence entering this contest due to the fact that I was afforded a full training camp, compared to my 10-day preparation against Sergey Dzindziruk in Los Angeles in 2010. I have spent the last four years reinventing myself.”