Denis Shafikov earned a 2nd world title shot as he stopped Rustam Nugaev in round nine of their scheduled 12-round Lightweight title elimination bout at the Chumash Casino in Santa Ynez, California.

Early it was Shafikov’s hand speed that was giving Nugaev issues. The two continued to trade heard shots in close in round four. Nugaev started to get through with some combination’s on the ropes in the 5th. Both guys were cut, Shafikov started to leak in round six from around the right eye while Nugaev started to cut up in the 3rd round. Later in the round, Shafikov unloaded a hard combination that hurt Nugaev.

In round eight, Shafikov stepped on the gas and landed some body punches and a head punch on the ropes and the bout was stopped at 1:16 of round nine.

Shafikov, 135 lbs of Russia will now await the winner of the September 13 bout between Miguel Vazquez and Mickey Bey Jr. and now has a record of 34-1-1 with 18 knockouts. Nugaev, 134 1/4 lbs of Russia is now 27-7-1.

“Tonight Shafikov was the better man,” said Nugaev. “I couldn’t get into a good rhythm with my game plane and it showed. I still feel I have a lot of fight left in me and I promise I’ll be back to fight another day. I want to thank Gary Shaw for all that he’s done for me. I’m very disappointed I didn’t perform to my best ability tonight, but like I said…I’ll be back.”

Jose Pedraza remained undefeated by scoring a stoppage over Juan Carlos Martinez in a scheduled 10-round Jr. Lightweight bout.

Pedraza had some swelling around his right eye in round two as Martinez got in some early offense. Pedraza started getting into the bout and was the boss over the last four rounds and Martinez retired in his corner after the 6th frame.

Pedraza, 132 lbs of Puerto Rico is now 18-0 with 12 knockouts. Martinez, 129 lbs of Mexico is now 19-15-1.

“I knew Martinez was a very tough fighter coming in, but I wanted to make a statement and let the boxing world know that I’m for real,” said Pedraza. “I feel I’m ready to fight any of the champions in my weight class. I’m going to let my promoter Gary Shaw put everything together. I know I have the talent to bring a world title back home to my people of Puerto Rico. I’ll be back in the gym as soon as I return home.”

Shawn Porter 146 3/4 – Kell Brook 146 1/2
(IBF Welterweight title)
Sakio Bika 167 3/4 – Anthony Direll 168
(WBC Super Middleweight Title)
Omar Figueroa Jr. 135 – Daniel Estrada 134 1/2
(WBC Lightweight Title)

According to Dan Rafael of espn.com, IBF Middleweight champion Sam Soliman will defend his title against Jermain Taylor in October in the United States.

According to Warriors Boxing promoter Leon Margules and Lou DiBella, who are co-promoting the card, the contracts are signed for the fight to take place on Oct. 4. However, there is a good chance the fight will be moved to Oct. 8 and air on ESPN2 as a Wednesday night boxing special, one week after the network will carry the Oct. 1 title elimination bout between Curtis Stevens and Hassan N’Dam for the right to become the mandatory challenger for the Soliman-Taylor winner.

“Jermain is very excited about it,” trainer Pat Burns told ESPN.com on Wednesday. “We’ve won four fights since we got back together and Jermain has come back. I’d like to have had more fights, more activity, but that’s the business. Jermain has been maintaining himself and his weight is good. It should pay off for him. He’s already in pretty good shape.”

“We always wanted to get another opportunity. They don’t come around too often,” Burns said. “We have a second chance and it’s a blessing. He’s fortunate to have this opportunity. I know there are some who say Jermain shouldn’t get this opportunity and some that say Sam Soliman shouldn’t be fighting Jermain, but I don’t worry about the critics.

“I put them aside and let’s go ahead and see how it comes out. I think we’ll win the fight. I know Jermain will work hard. We will be prepared and let the cards fall where they may.”

“This should be a competitive fight,” said said promoter Lou DiBella, who has promoted almost all of Taylor’s fights. “Jermain came back for this kind of opportunity and he is getting it against probably the most vulnerable of the middleweight champions. It’s a winnable fight and a great opportunity. Jermain is very live to win that belt.”

Kurt Emhoff, an attorney and Soliman’s and co-manager, said Soliman has signed for the fight, deciding to fight Taylor rather than accept a unification fight against Gennady Golovkin that was also on the table.

“We got a very generous offer for this fight,” Emhoff said.

“They had the Geale fight coming up and we had to wait a little bit and then this offer came in and it blew the (offer for the) Golovkin fight out of the water,” Emhoff said. “It took Sam (17) years to win a title. He has fought everybody, but he’s going to be 41 and he was looking for the best possible financial package that was offered and that’s what we took.

“Jermain is ranked by the IBF, he’s a big name, he’s won four fights in a row and he beat Truax. So we know we have to be ready and we expect the best Jermain Taylor. He was seconds away from beating Froch. We’re taking him seriously. He’s a tough out for anybody.”

Rances Barthelemy will defend the IBF Jr. Lightweight title against Fernando Saucedo most likely at Foxwoods in Connecticut and on Showtime according to Dan Rafael of espn.com.

“I think Barthelemy is the best 130-pound fighter in the world and Saucedo is a good boxer, strong and very durable, so he should be a good test for my guy,” said Barthelemy promoter Leon Margules. “Saucedo earned his ranking and it’s a good test for Barthelemy in his first title defense.”

“Saucedo is the most talented, available fighter willing to fight Barthelemy that is in the top 15 of the IBF rankings,” Margules said. “And he is also the highest available guy, No. 3, so we are fighting him. And top 15 and he was the highest available guy, No. 3.”

Margules said another factor in making the fight is that Saucedo is promoted by Sampson Lewkowicz, with whom Margules is close.

“We do a fare amount of business together and he is a friend,” Margules said.

Former Featherweight titlist Elio Rojas won an 8-round unanimous decision over Robert Osiobe in a Super Lightweight bout at BB King’s Blues Club in New York City.

Rojas dominated the fight and Osiobe was docked a point in round 5 for holding.

Rojas, 136.6 lbs of Santo Domingo, DR won by scores of 80-71 twice and 79-72 and is now 24-2. Osiobe, 137.8 lbs of Las Vegas is now 14-10-4.

Bryant Cruz scored a 6-round majority decision over Jose Morales in a Jr. Lightweight bout.

Scores were 60-54, 59-55 and 57-57 for Cruz, 130 lbs of Port Chester, NY and is now 12-0. Morales, 130 lbs of Denver, CO is now 7-6

Louis Cruz got a tough battle but won a 6-round unanimous decision over Cameron Krael in a Super Lightweight bout.

Cruz, 140 lbs of Bronx, NY won by scores of 60-54, 59-55 and 58-56 and is now 9-0. Krael, 140 lbs of Las Vegas, NV is 5-6-2.

Junior Younan destroyed Marlon Farr just 26 seconds into their scheduled 4-round Super Middleweight bout.

Younan froze Farr with a left hook and then landed 5 unanswered blows until the bout was stopped.

Younan, 168.2 lbs of Brooklyn is now 6-0 with 5 knockouts. Farr, 167.3 lbs of Zephyrhills, FL is now 4-7.

Rafael Vazquez scored 5th round stoppage over Derrick Wilson in a scheduled 8-round Jr. Featherweight bout.

Vazquez dropped Wilson in round three and the fight was stopped at 1:20 of round round five.

Vazquez, 122.4 lbs of Brooklyn, NY is now 12-1 with 10 knockouts. Wilson, 122.6 lbs of Ft. Myers, FL is now 10-7-2.

Derrick Findley scored a mild upset as he dropped Lamar Russ twice en route to a 8-round unanimous decision in a Super Middleweight bout.

Findley dropped Russ with a big over hand right in round four. In round six, Findley suffered a grotesque Hematoma but he was able to fight through and drop Russ again in round seven from the same overhand right. Russ for his troubles was deducted a point in the 7th for holding.

Findley, 161.6 lbs of Gary, IN is now 21-13-1. Russ, 162 lbs of Fayetville, NC is now 14-2.

Travis Peterkin remained undefeated with a 6-round unanimous decision over Lamont Williams in a Cruiserweight bout.

Peterkin, 178.6 lbs of Brooklyn, NY won by scores of 60-54 and 59-55 twice and he is now 12-0. Williams, 180 lbs of Sacramento, CA is now 5-5-1.

Jonathan Alonso scored a 3rd round stoppage over Jose Gomez in a scheduled 4-round Jr. Welterweight bout.

Alonso hurt Gomez with a right to the body that crumpled him in the corner and the bout was stopped at 1:52 of round three.

Alonso, 139.4 lbs of Madrid, Spain was making his pro debut. Jose Gomez, 136.6 lbs of Kent, WA is now 3-8.

Photos by Ed Diller / Dibella Entertainment

Successful British promoter Frank Maloney has been living as a woman and is eyeing a sex change according to the Mirror in the United Kingdom.

Maloney, 61, told England’s Sunday Mirror in an exclusive interview, “I was born in the wrong body and I have always known I was a woman. I can’t keep living in the shadows. That is why I am doing what I am today. Living with the burden any longer would have killed me.

“What was wrong at birth is now being medically corrected. I have a female brain. I knew I was different from the minute I could compare myself to other children. I wasn’t in the right body. I was jealous of girls.”

Also revealed in the interview — which included a video interview and numerous pictures of Maloney dressed as a woman — is that Maloney is more than a year into the transition period, having secretly undergone hormone therapy, hundreds of hours of hair removal electrolysis, voice coaching and counseling.

“The feeling of wanting to be like and dress like a woman has always been there,” said Maloney, who has been married twice and has three children. “I consciously made the decision that I wouldn’t dress like a woman but it was a constant urge. But I have never been able to tell anyone in boxing. Can you imagine me walking into a boxing hall dressed as a woman and putting an event on? I can imagine what they would scream at me. But if I had been in the theatre or arts world, nobody would blink an eye about this transition.”

Maloney managed Lennox Lewis to Heavyweight championship.

Lewis, who hasn’t been close to Maloney for many years, showed support for him Sunday in a statement.

“I was just as shocked as anyone at the news about my former promoter and my initial thought was that it was a windup,” Lewis said. “The great thing about life, and boxing, is that, day to day, you never know what to expect. This world we live in isn’t always cut and dried or black and white, and coming from the boxing fraternity, I can only imagine what a difficult decision this must be for Kellie.

“However, having taken some time to read Kellie’s statements, I understand better what she and others in similar situations are going through. I think that all people should be allowed to live their lives in a way that brings them harmony and inner peace. I respect Kellie’s decision and say that if this is what brings about true happiness in her life, then so be it. #LiveAndLetLive.”

Ivan Najera scored an 8-round split decision over Stan Martyniouk in a Lightweight bout.

Scores were 79-73 and 78-74 for Najera. Martyniouk took a card 77-75.

Najera, 135 lbs of San Antonio, TX is now 14-0. Martyniouk, 134 1/2 lbs of Sacramento, CA is now 13-2.

Vyacheslav Glazkov barely held on to is number-two world ranking as he scored a close majority decision over Derric Rossy at the Sands in Bethlehem, PA.

Rossy boxed very well over the first half of the fight to build up was a seemingly comfortable lead. He stayed very competitive throughout the fight but Glazkov came on late and eked the fight out by to the tune of 98-92?, 96-94 and 95-95.

Glazkov, 218 1/2 lbs of Luganskk, Ukraine is now 18-0-1. Rossy, 232 1/2 lbs of Medford, NY suffers a hard luck loss and is now 29-9.

Vasily Lepitkhin remained undefeated by scoring a 5th round stoppage over Robert Berridge in a scheduled 10-round Light Heavyweight bout.

Lepitkhin dropped Berridge with a hard right cross to jaw to close round two. Lepitkhin continued to dominate and Berridge began to bleed from his nose in round four. In round five, Lepitkhin dropped Berridge from a big right hand. He sent Berridge to the canvas again from a left hand. Berridge was in bad trouble and ate a body shot and a booming right and referee Gary Rosato stopped the bout at 1:04 of round five.

Lepitkhin, 174 lbs of Russia is now 16-0 with 10 knockouts. Berridge, 173 1/2 lbs of Albany, NZ is now 24-2-1.

Joseph Parker remained undefeated by scoring a 3rd round stoppage over Keith Thompson in a scheduled 8-round Heavyweight bout.

Parker hurt Thompson in the 1st and Thompson began to leak blood from his nose. In round three, Parker landed a vicious right uppercut that dropped Thompson. With Thompson hurt, Parker landed a hard combination that was punctuated by a right to the head that sent Thompson down for a 2nd time and the bout was stopped at 2:41 of round three.

Parker, 228 1/2 lbs of Auckland, NZ is now 10-0 with 9 knockouts. Thompson, 220 lbs of Tuscaloosa, AL is now 7-3.

BROOKLYN–Unified Super Lightweight champion Danny Garcia did what he was supposed to do. That was destroy Rod Salka in 2 rounds at Barclay Center in a non-title bout.

After a 1st round that saw Garcia work the body, He came out in round two with full vengeance. He landed a boomimg right hand that buckled and ultimately dropped Salka. Salka get to his feet only to be dropped a 2nd time from a 3 more hard rights. Garcia continued to batter Salka until he landed a flush left hook that sent Salka down and out just as his corner threw in the towel at 2:38 round two.

Garcia, 141.75 lbs of Philadelphia is now 29-0 with 17 knockouts. Salka, 141 lbs of Bunola, PA is now 19-4.

“I came here to purge. I told everybody tonight was going to be the ‘Danny Garcia Show.’ No matter who I fought tonight, they were going to get beat. I was going to purge. I was out to kill.

“I didn’t think this was going to be an easy fight. I thought he’d try to box me. But it is not about the opponent. When I am at my best I can beat anybody and I already proved that.”

On a potential matchup with Lamont Peterson…“I leave it up to Al Haymon, but if he [Peterson] wants it. I’ll give it to him. I show up fight night and sometimes I have good nights or bad nights, but I always find a way to win.

After the fight Salka said, “I’m good. It wasn’t a tougher fight than I expected. I got caught with a shot. What am I going to do?”

Lamont Peterson defended the IBF Jr. Welterweight title with a 10th round stoppage over Edgar Santana.

Not much happened in round’s one through three. The action picked up in round four as Santana landed a couple of hooks. Peterson came back in the 5th by landed a hard left that buckled Santana. He landed many more flush punches on the ropes but Santana took them. Peterson continued to land ripping shots in the middle of the ring but Santana stood sturdy.

The continued to battle on the inside. Santana had a few moments landing his body shots but Peterson landed more and harder and would mix body/head combinations as well as uppercuts.

In round ten, Peterson started to ramp up the attack and finally after a series of shots, Santana’s corner waved off the bout at 48 seconds of round 10.

Peterson, 140 lbs of Washington, DC is now 33-2-1 with 17 knockouts. Santana. 139.5 lbs of New York is now 29-5.

“I was able to show a lot of dimensions of my game,” said 30-year-old Peterson. “I was boxing well. I fought on the inside well. I actually think I should have gotten him out of there sooner but I give myself an okay grade.

“I think it was [round] four or five. I hurt him. I didn’t finish him. I don’t know why I didn’t but I knew I hurt him –and it was over– it was just a matter of time. I just had to get the right spot, push on the gas and go forward.”

On a potential fight with Danny Garcia…“This is the fight all the fans and the media want. I’m willing to do it. Again, I’m going to say this: ‘I’m willing to do it.’ Hopefully it gets done…It makes more sense to do it at 140 but if it has to happen at 147 I have no problem.”

On his feelings during his brother’s fight…”He [Anthony] did me a favor tonight…I had to fight but that’s my brother. I was a little nervous when he was in there. Good thing is he got him out of there in the first round so I didn’t have to worry about him for too long.”

“He came in with a good game plan. He’s tougher than I expected. His style frustrated me,” said Santana.

Daniel Jacobs won the WBA Middleweight title with a 5th round stoppage of Australian Jarrod Fletcher.

It was almost over in round as Jacobs landed a left and rocked Fletcher for most of the first frame. Fletcher came back to have a nice round three.

Fletcher was having a good round five with his right hand until he ate a hard combination that sent him reeling. Jacobs jumped on Fletcher and landed a big left hook that sent Fletcher sprawling into the ropes and on to the canvas and the fight was stopped at 2:58 of round five.

Jacobs, 159 1/2 lbs of Brooklyn is now 28-1 with 25 knockouts. Fletcher, 159.25 lbs of Queensland, Australia is now 18-2.

Jim Gray asked Jacobs if he even thought about boxing when he was on his deathbed. “My son, my baby boy, was my first priority. But getting back into the ring was my second motivation. Boxing taught me to have the mental strength to overcome anything. And that’s what I did.”

“My advice [to others fighting cancer] is to be strong. But even if you can’t beat it, be happy. Be grateful that we even have this life.

“I wanted to pace myself. I didn’t want to punch myself out. I respected him. But I didn’t see any way that he could defeat me. I was sitting down on my punches and throwing in bunches. He was a tough customer. I hope he’s okay.

“I want to fight Peter Quillin in Brooklyn right here at the Barclays Center. The Brooklyn fans deserve it and it’s going to happen soon hopefully.

After the bout, Fletcher told Gray, “I’m good. I got caught with the shot. That’s boxing. I’m going to go back to the drawing board. He’s a good fighter. I’m disappointed in my performance. It is what it is.”

Sadam Ali survived an anxious moment but remained undefeated by pounding out a 10-round split decision over Jeremy Bryan in a Welterweight battle

Bryan rocked Ali in round four to the point where he buckled and almost went down. It was at the end of the round so he could not capitalize on it. Ali came back in round five by hurting Bryan with an over hand right that had Bryan holding on. In round nine, Ali dropped Bryan with a hard over hand right.

Ali, 146.6 lbs of Brooklyn won by scores of 96-93 twice while Bryan won a card 96-93 and is now 20-0. Bryan, 145.4 lbs of Paterson, NJ is now 17-4,

Ali said, “I knew it wouldn’t be easy. I never underestimated him. I just wanted to feel strong in the ring. My legs were kind of not there, but I was good mentally. I just have to work around it.

“I just didn’t feel myself. This all falls back on my performance. I just happened to get the decision and I’m ready to go back to the gym and work on a few things. Whatever Golden Boy has planned for me is what I’m going to do.

“[The fans are] my motivation. That’s what gives me the power. I just want to perform better next time. You’ll see a better Sadam Ali.”

Zachary Ochroa fought a tough fight but won a 6-round unanimous decision over Luis Cervantes in a Super Lightweight fights.

Both guys gace as good as they got in spots as Cervantes tried to rough up Ochoa in the corner but Ochoa was able to use his boxing ability to win by scores of 60-54 twice and 59-55.

Ochoa, 140 lbs of Brooklyn is now 8-0. Cervantes, 139.6 lbs of Palm Springs, CA is now 7-8-3.

“I knew he was going to come out tough, he’s a veteran so as soon as I got in there I took my time,” said Ochoa. “My legs cramped up a little bit but hey, I’m at Barclays Center let me give everybody a show. I dug down and I fought my heart out.

“I just have to go to the gym and keep working at my craft. I’m only 21 and I’m still learning.”

Former Lightweight title challenger Anthony Peterson destroyed Edgar Riovalle in round one of their scheduled 10-round bout.

Peterson floored Riovalle with a hard right to the chin and the fight was stopped at 2:41 of round one.

Peterson, 137 lbs of Washington, DC is now 34-1 with 22 knockouts. Riovalle, 144.4 lbs of Mexico City, MX is now 37-19-2.

“Tonight was a demonstration of the rust being taken off,” said A. Peterson. “I just caught him with a good shot. It’s boxing. It could have been me. Sometimes it’s the calculation of punches. You can misjudge a punch. He just got caught.”

2012 U.S Olympian Marcus Browne needed just 28 seconds to dispose of Paul Vazquez in their scheduled 10-round Light Heavyweight bout.

Browne landed a flurry of punches and the bout was stopped just as a body shot put Vazquez on the canvas.

Browne, 176.4 lbs of Staten Island, NY is now 12-0 with knockouts. Vazquez, 174.2 lbs of Oakland, CA is now 10-6-1.

“We knew he wasn’t supposed to be in the ring with me so we took care of him and handled our business. I caught him with a straight left and then he crumbled. I’m happy with my performance. You see me smiling don’t you?”

Prichard Colon scored a 6-round shutout in his Jr. Middleweight bout with Lenwood Dozier.

Scores were 60-54 on all cards for Colon, 150 lbs of Orocovis, PR and is now 11-0. Dozier, 154.2 lbs of Washington, DC is now 9-7-1.

““I wasn’t looking to just continue getting knockouts. Most importantly we just wanted to win. I learned to be patient. I’m not afraid to go the distance. I’m young with a lot of learn.

D’Mitrius Ballard scored a 1st round stoppage over Barry Trotter in a scheduled 6-round Super Middleweight bout.

Ballard landed a huge flurry in the corner and the bout was stopped at 2:35.

Ballard, 169 lbs of Temple Hills, MD is now 6-0 with 5 knockouts. Tritter, 168.4 lbs of Columbia, MD is now 2-2.

“I got him out of there,” said D’mitrius Ballard, “There are a couple of things that I need to work on but I am prepared for anything and I will be back on Monday.”

According to Dan Rafael of espn.com, the postponed rematch between Heavyweights Tyson Fury and Dereck Chisora has been rescheduled for November 22.

“It’s been a rollercoaster few weeks, but I’m delighted to say that the fight is definitely on with Chisora and Fury ready to clash,” said promoter Frank Warren. “It was an extremely unfortunate set of circumstances that caused Chisora to pull out with a fractured hand and then Fury’s uncle’s tragic condition. Despite the setbacks, they were both determined to fight each other and I believe that we could see a genuine old fashioned ring war between them.”

“Chisora is now going to get a beating twice as bad than the one that he was going to get for pulling out,” Fury said. “All Chisora is to me is an obstacle and I’ve got to smash through him to get where I want to be, and that’s fighting for the world title. He’s messed me around and now I’m going to make him pay. I’m happy for the fans who will get to see me crush Chisora for the second and final time and send him into retirement.”

Said Chisora: “The important thing is we have a new date for the fight. … It’s on and Fury and I will finally give the fans what they want to see, a fight. What happened with my hand has happened and the timing of the injury was terrible. It couldn’t have happened at a worse time and, of course, Fury had personal issues going on with him. I just want to fight Fury, get revenge, beat him good and proper, and move on to fight Klitschko for the world title.”

Edgar Ortega scored a 10-round majority decision over Daniel Rosario in a Welterweight bout at the Jose Cuervo Salon, in Polanco, Distrito Federal, Mexico.

Scores were 98-92, 97-93 and 95-95 for Ortega, 147 lbs and is now 15-1. Rosario, 146 lbs is now 8-1.

Emmanuel Navarrete scored a 4th round stoppage over Emmanuel Dominguez in the final round of their Super Bantamweight bout.

Navarrete, 121 lbs is 8-1 with 8 knockouts. Dominguez, 121 lbs is 10-3.

Giovanni Andrade scored a 4-round unanimous decision over Luis Najera in a Super Flyweight bout.

Andrade, 106 lbs is 2-1. Najera was making his pro debut.

Former Light Heavyweight champion will come back to the ring on September 29 against Jonathon Banks in Hidlago, Texas according to Dan Rafael of espn.com

Also on the card will be the pro debut of Middleweight Antonio Tarver Jr.

“It’s a good fight, he’s a solid guy, and with the long inactivity a lot of questions will be answered,” Tarver said of his fight with Banks. “Totally stoked about my son’s pro debut. He’s a spitting image of a young me with a more aggressive, fan-friendly style with speed and power.”

“This fight with Banks will tell me if I have the ability at 45 to truly make a run and conceivably fight for the heavyweight championship of the world,” Tarver said. “My quest starts with a tough fight. Banks is a guy raised in the sport. He can box. He has skills. But it’s a challenge I got to step up to. I want this type of fight. I need to realize if I can do it. I believe I can. This fight is a step closer for me.

“I wish I had more activity, but I’m just glad to be back. I want to show I still have it. I know my brand took some hits (over the drug suspension). I’m not naive. But I still got fight in me and the passion to fight. I’m not a shot fighter. I’ve been training hard and I know I can still do this. I don’t take Banks lightly. If I’m victorious, I will just look for my next opportunity. I am coming back to make a statement, but I was never retired or anything.

Tarver is very much looking forward to his son’s debut on the card.

“He’s been training really hard. He started boxing about three years ago and we’ve been taking it slow,” Tarver said. “I see a transformation in him and I think he’s ready at this stage. It’s time for him to get going if he is going to make his own imprint on boxing.

“I didn’t want to force him to box but he had an itch to box. He’s been around boxing his whole life.”

Tarver Jr. had only a handful of amateur fights while his father had hundreds, was a 1996 U.S. Olympian and one of the most decorated amateurs in U.S. history.

“He’s had on-the-job training,” Tarver said. “He’s a quick learner. He took it upon himself to do this. He has determination. I’m not trying to push him. He wants to challenge himself.”

Willie Nelson scored a 10-round unanimous decision over Luis Grajeda in a Jr. Middleweight bout at the Churchill County Fairgrounds in Fallon, Nevada.

Nelson used his long size to box well on the outside. He did get caught and hurt on occasion from a nice uppercut from Grajeda.

Nelson, 154 3/4 lbs of Cleveland, OH won by scores of 98-92 on all cards and is now 23-1-1. Grajeda, 154 3/4 lbs of Mexico is now 17-3-2.

Jason Escalera defeated his 2nd consecutive undefeated opponent by scoring a 8-round unanimous decision over Norbert Nemesapati in a Super Middleweight bout.

Nemesapati rocked Escalera seconds into the fight with a hard right. Escalera returned the favor in round two as he landed hard right of his own and later in the round connected on a flush uppercut. In round three, Escalera dropped Nemesapati with a body shot. Escalera was never challenged and went on to win by scores of 79-72, 78-72 and 78-83.

Escalera, 168 lbs of Union City, NJ is now 15-2-1. Nemesapati, 165 lbs of Hungary is now 14-1.

Zhang Zhilei scored a dubious 1st round stoppage over Curtis Tate in a scheduled 4-round Heavyweight bout.

Zhilei dropped Tate with a left to the shoulder and Tate went down like a ton of bricks at 17 seconds of round one.

Zhilei is 1-0 with 1 knockout. Tate is now 7-5.

Monty Meza Clay scored a thrilling 10th round stoppage over Alan Herrera in the final scheduled round of their Lightweight bout.

Meza Clay got the better of the many exchanges in the first half of the fight.

Meza-Clay dropped Herrera in round six from a barrage of punches. In round eight Herrera was cut over the right eye and later in the round he was wobbled from a hard right. Herrera came back in round nine to hurt Meza Clay with a right hand.

In round two, the two traded heavy leather until Clay’s right hands got through repeatedly and continued to snap the head of Herrera back with hard and flush punches until referee Rick Staggewald stopped the bout at 2:00 of round 10.

Meza Clay, 136 1/2 lbs of Pittsburgh is now 36-3 with 22 knockouts. Herrera, 138 lbs is 32-7.

Former amateur standout Ievgen Khytrov annihilated Willie Fortune 30 seconds into their scheduled 8-round Middleweight bout.

Khytrov jumped all over Fortune and the bout was stopped.

Khytrov, 160 1/2 lbs of Ukraine is now 6-0 with 6 knockouts. Fortune, 160 1/2 lbs of Detroit is 17-2.

Danny Garcia 141 3/4 – Rod Salka 141
Lamont Peterson 140 – Edgar Santana 139.5
(IBF Jr. Welterweight title)
Daniel Jacobs 159 1/2 – Jarrod Fletcher 159 1/4
(WBA Middleweight championship)

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.