HARPER AND CHOI MEET IN SUPER-FEATHERWEIGHT UNIFICATION ON MAY 15 ON DAZN

 Press Release: April 20, 2021 By DAZN – Terri Harper will put her WBC and IBO Super-Featherweight World Titles on the line against undefeated WBA World Champion Hyun-Mi Choi on a huge night of action at the AO Arena, Manchester on Saturday May 15 that also sees the return of rising Light-Heavyweight star Joshua Buatsi plus three European Title fights, live on DAZN in the U.S. and more than 200 countries and territories and Sky Sports in the UK. 

Credit: DAZN 

 

Harper (11-0-1, 6 KOs) looked sensational as she stopped Norway's Katharina Thanderz in nine rounds to retain her WBC and IBO 130lbs crowns last time out in November at The SSE Arena, Wembley on the undercard of Katie Taylor’s win over Miriam Gutierrez. 

 

‘Belter’ clung onto her belts after a thrilling draw with Natasha Jonas at Matchroom Fight Camp back in August, but the 24-year-old produced a far more composed performance to ruthlessly halt her mandatory challenger Thanderz in just her 12^th fight. 

 

Choi (18-0-1, 4 KOs), the longest-reigning world ruler in women’s boxing, beat China’s Chunyan Xu on her professional debut in October 2008 to claim the vacant WBA Featherweight crown before making seven defences of her World Title in the following five years. 

 

The South Korean became a two-weight World Champion when she landed the WBA Super-Featherweight Title against Thailand’s Siriwan Thongmanit in May 2014, and most recently defended it against Calista Silgado on her Matchroom debut at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino.

 

“It’s exciting that our dream of becoming Undisputed Super-Featherweight World Champion is taking a step closer to reality with my first unification fight,” said Harper. “I’m looking forward to the step-up and fighting an undefeated champion.

 

“Choi is the longest-reigning female World Champion and it will be an honour to share the ring with her. I’m more than ready. I’ve been training for this fight since the new year, even with my broken hand. I don’t just want to win; I want to win in style and make a statement.”

 

"I have waited a very long time for the opportunity to fight for the WBC belt," said Choi. "I am so excited and looking forward to it. My goal has been to unify my weight division for many years and now the time has finally come.

 

"I know this fight in England will not be easy. Fighting in another country is extremely difficult but I am prepared for this adventure and challenge. I truly hope the best fighter will win. I have prepared for this opportunity my whole boxing career."

 

Croydon’s Buatsi (13-0, 11 KOs) came through the toughest test of his career as he stopped brave Croatian Marko Calic in seven brutal rounds to retain his WBA International Light-Heavyweight Title in the main event at the Marshall Arena in Milton Keynes last October.

 

The 28-year-old has since switched trainers and will now be guided by Virgil Hunter in San Francisco, the renowned coach who oversaw Andre Ward’s legendary career that ended with a perfect 32-0 record and World Titles in two divisions. 

 

Undefeated Super-Middleweight talent Lerrone Richards (14-0, 3 KOs), the former British and Commonwealth Champion, steps up his pursuit for world honours as he takes on Italy’s Giovanni De Carolis (28-9-1, 13 KOs) for the vacant EBU European Title.

 

Belfast’s Tommy McCarthy (17-2, 18 KOs) captured the vacant EBU European Cruiserweight Title after a hard-fought majority decision victory over Bilal Laggoune – he makes the first defence of his belt against Romania’s Alexandru Jur (19-4, 7 KOs).

 

Birmingham’s Gamal Yafai (18-1, 10 KOs) puts his EBU European Super-Bantamweight Title on the line for the first time against Jason Cunningham (28-6, 6 KOs) after claiming it with an impressive unanimous decision victory over Italy’s Luca Rigoldi at the Allianz Cloud in Milan.

 

Fast-rising Super-Lightweight star Dalton Smith (7-0, 6 KOs) meets Doncaster’s Lee Appleyard (16-5-1, 5 KOs) for the vacant English Title after their February clash fell through at short notice due two positive COVID tests in Appleyard’s camp. 

 

"This is a cracking card and most likely our last in the U.K. behind closed doors," said Eddie Hearn. "As Terri Harper continues her quest for Undisputed, she takes on the unbeaten champ Hyun-Mi Choi in a brilliant unification match-up. Joshua Buatsi returns to action under new trainer Virgil Hunter and we have three European Title match ups with champions Tommy MCarthy and Gamal Yafai defending and Leronne Richards going for the Super-Middleweight Title. Electric prospect Dalton Smith also steps-up in a great fight vs. Lee Appleyard for the vacant English Title as he continues his charge."

 

Adam Smith, Head of Boxing Development for Sky Sports, said: “Terri Harper tops a superb night of action, live on Sky Sports, in a high-class unification clash with rival World Champion Hyun-Mi Choi.

 

“Terri is one of our leading women’s fighters – we’ve followed her journey closely – and now she aims to propel herself into elite company as a unified champion.

 

“Joshua Buatsi continues his explosive pursuit of a World Title fight and it will be fascinating to see the influence of America’s highly-regarded trainer, Virgil Hunter.

 

“Lerrone Richards, Tommy McCarthy and Gamal Yafai also return in a triple-header of European Title action, while Dalton Smith against Lee Appleyard should be an enthralling domestic clash.”

 

Material and Photo Courtesy of: DAZN Used with permission.

 

For more information about DAZN including schedules, list of compatible streaming devices/platforms/Smart TVs, availability around the world, and to subscribe please visit: www.DAZN.com. 

 

The Boxing Truth®️ is a registered trademark of Beau Denison All Rights Reserved.

Torres KO’s Contreras In 1: 3-2-1 Boxing Results From Corona, CA

 

Undefeated Jr. Welterweight prospect Rubin Torres scored a first round knockout of veteran Diego Contreras on Sunday night at Omega Products International in Corona, CA. In the main event of a three bout card, Torres scored a quick knockdown of Contreras with a short left hook to the head. While this looked like a flash knockdown to an outside observer, Torres sensed his opponent was hurt and after Contreras got up from the knockdown, he pressed forward for the finish and dropped Contreras for a second and final time with a barrage of punches highlighted by two left hooks to the body, which forced the fight to be stopped just sixty-four seconds into the fight. Official time of the stoppage was 1:04 of round one. Rubin Torres advances to 15-0, with 12 Knockouts. Diego Contreras falls to 11-4, with 5 Knockouts.

 

Also on this card:

 

Unbeaten Jr. Welterweight prospect Miguel Angel Madueno scored a first round knockout over Bergman Aguilar. Madueno, a native of Guasave, MX, who was making his United States debut was extremely aggressive from the outset and put Aguilar on the defensive immediately. Madueno’s pressure style eventually created an opening for a flush right hook to the solar plexus that sent Aguilar down in the closing seconds of round one where he was counted out by Referee Jack Reiss. Official time was 2:59 of round one. Miguel Angel Madueno advances to 24-0, with 22 Knockouts. Bergman Aguilar falls to 15-7-1, with 5 Knockouts.

 

In a Lightweight bout that began the evening, George Acosta scored a six round unanimous decision to earn the eleventh win of his career over thirty-four bout veteran Edgar Ramirez. It was a workmanlike performance for Acosta, who balanced his attack well to the body and head of Ramirez to earn a convincing decision victory. All three official judges scored every round for Acosta 60-54. George Acosta advances to 11-1, with 1 Knockout. Edgar Ramirez falls to 17-17-1, with 14 Knockouts.

 

This card, which was promoted by Ken Thompson’s Thompson Boxing Promotions as part of their growing 3-2-1 Boxing series streamed through the promoter’s YouTube channel and Facebook page provided a look at three prospects in Thompson Boxing’s stable. While those prospects George Acosta, Miguel Angel Madueno, and Rubin Torres faced what some could regard as limited opposition on this card, fights like this do serve a purpose as building blocks in the development of young fighters. Whether all three will be able to take the next steps in their respective development in future bouts remains to be seen.

 

“And That’s The Boxing Truth.”

 

The Boxing Truth®️ is a registered trademark of Beau Denison All Rights Reserved.

 

Follow Beau Denison on Twitter: www.twitter.com/Beau_Denison

SOTO DEFENDS WORLD TITLE AGAINST TAKAYAMA ON MAY 8 ON ALVAREZ-SAUNDERS UNDERCARD

 

Press Release: April 18, 2021 By DAZN – Light-Flyweight champion leads Canelo vs. Saunders undercard Elwin Soto will defend his WBO World Light-Flyweight title against Katsunari Takayamaas the chief-support bout to the blockbuster Super-Middleweight unification clash between Canelo Alvarez and Billy Joe Saunders on May 8 at AT&T stadium in Arlington, TX, live worldwide on DAZN (except Mexico). 

Credit: DAZN 

 

  TICKETS ARE ON SALE AT SEATGEEK.COM

 

Soto (18-1 12 KOs) fights under the Matchroom banner for the first time on the show having penned a deal with Eddie Hearn last week. The Mexican makes the third defense of the crown he ripped from Angel Acosta in dramatic fashion with a final round KO win in California in June 2019 and has seen off the challenges of Edward Heno in October 2019 and Carlos Butrago last October.

 

The 24 year old now puts the crown on the line against the seasoned Japanese Takayama (32-8 12 KOs). The five-time Minimumweight champion made his return to professional action in December in Osaka, Japan having left the paid ranks as a World ruler in 2017 to aim for the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo – and now the 37 year old has switched his focus to becoming a two-weight World champion.

 

There’s a stacked card under the two World title fights, led by Kieron Conway defending his WBA Intercontinental Super-Welterweight title against Souleymane Cissokho.

 

Conway (16-1-1 3 KOs) picked up the title with an impressive win over Navid Mansouri at Matchroom’s Fight Camp in Brentwood, Essex in August. Conway and Cissokho (12-0 8 KOs) were due to meet on the undercard of Anthony Joshua’s win over Kubrat Pulev in London in December, but the bout had to be shelved, so Conway took his frustrations out on Macauley McGowan on that card instead, with a shut-out win over ten rounds.

 

French Olympian Cissokho shrugged off his pain at missing the original fight date on the undercard of his manager Joshua by recording his eighth KO win from 12 outings with a sixth round stoppage of Daniel Echeverria in Dallas in March, setting up a rescheduled clash with Conway that is full of intrigue and importance for their respective careers.

 

Frank Sanchez (17-0 13 KOs) let his hands go for a seventh round KO win over Julian Fernandez on the undercard of Alvarez’s win over Callum Smith in San Antonio, Texas in December, and the big Cuban Heavyweight will be looking to repeat that feat against Nagy Aguilera (21-10 14 KOs).

 

Sanchez is ranked at a lofty #6 with the WBO, and the 28 year old Eddy Reynoso charge will be plotting a route to the crunch clashes with his fellow big-hitters, but Aguilera will be planning to give him a tough night and the 34 year old comes into the bout on the back of a 21^st career win in November.

 

Mexican-American talent Marc Castro (2-0 2 KOs) makes it three Canelo undercard appearances from three since making his pro debut on the Canelo-Smith card in Texas. The stellar amateur recorded a third round stoppage that night and followed that with a second round KO in Miami on the Canelo-Yildirim bill – the 21 year old will be looking to shine on the biggest stage once again over eight rounds against an opponent to be named soon.

 

Castro’s old amateur foe Keyshawn Davis (2-0 2 KOs) made his debut at the Hard Rock Stadium and he appears alongside Castro once again in his third pro outing. The Virginia starlet grabbed a second round win that night over Lester Brown and followed that by forcing Richman Ashelley to retire after four rounds of their battle in Dubai earlier this month, and Davis will face Jose Antonio Meza (6-4 1 KO) over six rounds. It’s a family affair on the night with Keyshawn’s brother Kelvin Davis (1-0 1 KO) fights for the second time in the paid ranks after a second round KO win on his debut in December in Los Angeles, taking on Jan Marsalek (8-2 7 KOs) over six rounds.

 

Rounding off the undercard, Mexican Welterweight Christian Alan Gomez Duran (19-2-1 17 KOs) is on another Canelo undercard after stopping Angel Hernandez in three rounds in San Antonio in December, and he’ll celebrate Cinco De Mayo weekend over eight rounds against an opponent to be named soon.

 

“It’s a stacked night of action at the home of the Dallas Cowboys on Cinco De Mayo weekend,” said promoter Eddie Hearn. “Elwin Soto is a great addition to our stable and the Mexican World champion will want to dazzle on the biggest stage against the experienced Takayama.

 

“The clash between Kieron and Souleymane is a cracker, and I am thrilled for both of them that they get to perform on this stage – there will be some spice there after it was postponed in December and now, they get their hands on each other in Texas.

 

“Frank always brings the heat and he’ll be eyeing a showstopping KO, and again, Marc and Keyshawn get to shine under the brightest lights – it’s going to be a spectacular night of action, leading to the big one between Canelo and Billy Joe.”

 

Material and Photo Courtesy of: DAZN Used with permission.

 

For more information about DAZN including schedules, list of compatible streaming devices/platforms/Smart TVs, availability around the world, and to subscribe please visit: www.DAZN.com.

 

The Boxing Truth®️ is a registered trademark of Beau Denison All Rights Reserved.

 

 

Andrade Defeats Williams To Retain WBO Middleweight World Championship

 

WBO Middleweight world champion Demetrius Andrade scored a twelve round unanimous decision over WBO number one Middleweight contender Liam Williams on Saturday afternoon at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Hollywood, FL. The difference in speed between the fighters was immediately apparent as the champion started fast landing combinations on a pressuring Williams. A short three-punch combination to the head wobbled the challenger in the first round, but Williams was able to stay on his feet.

 

This would change in round two when Andrade knocked Williams down with a perfectly timed one-two combination to the head. Despite looking badly hurt and under circumstances where he might have been on the verge of being stopped, Williams survived.

 

Despite being at a disadvantage in terms of hand speed, Williams was able to gradually close the distance as the fight progressed and had more than occasional success landing punches on Andrade, who is regarded as one of the most elusive fighters in the entire sport. A testament to Williams’ success in making this a rough fight continued to show in the middle and late rounds including landing a hard right hand that stunned Andrade in the late rounds.

 

Although Williams was able to make up ground, Andrade’s ability to generally get his punches off first as well as the knockdown and the early lead he was able to build ultimately led to Andrade scoring a unanimous decision to retain his WBO Middleweight world championship. Demetrius Andrade advances to 30-0, with 18 Knockouts. Liam Williams falls to 23-3-1, with 18 Knockouts.

 

Also on this card:

 

Undefeated IBO Super-Middleweight world champion Carlos Gongora scored an eighth round knockout over Christopher Pearson. In what was his first title defense of the world championship he won at the same Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in December of last year, Gongora did not face much resistance in a largely uneventful bout. The end came when the champion landed a short left hook from the southpaw stance that landed flush on the right eye of Pearson that sent him down. Although Pearson initially beat the count and got up from the knockdown , he was clearly bothered by the blow to his eye and kneeled back down and took the remainder of the ten count. Official time of the stoppage was 2:17 of round eight. Carlos Gongora advances to 20-0, with 15 Knockouts. Christopher Pearson falls to 17-3, with 12 Knockouts.

 

Also in the Super-Middleweight division, Alexis Espino scored a dominant six round unanimous decision over previously unbeaten Ty McLeod. Espino used his hand speed and combination punching to dictate the combat from the outset and appeared at times that he might have gotten a stoppage, but McLeod was able to hang in there till the final bell. Official scores were 60-54, and 59-55 (On two scorecards) for Espino. Alexis Espino advances to 8-0 with 5 Knockouts. Ty McLeod falls to 6-1, with 6 Knockouts.

 

Heavyweight Andrey Fedosov scored a first round knockout over previously undefeated Mahammadrasul Majidov. Fedosov connected with an overhand right to the head that sent Majidov down. Majidov appeared to suffer a broken right ankle during the knockdown, but attempted to continue before going down a second time and taking the full ten count. Majidov was taken from the ring on a stretcher. There is no word as of this writing as to the severity of the break of Majidov’s ankle. Official time was 1:24 of round one. Andrey Fedosov advances to 32-3, with 26 Knockouts. Mahammadrasul Majidov falls to 3-1, with 3 Knockouts.

In a battle of undefeated Jr.Welterweights Movladdin Biyarslanov scored an eight round majority decision over previously unbeaten Israel Mercado. A very competitive bout that saw several shifts in momentum, Biyarslanov’s effectiveness in the early rounds proved to be the difference as he earned the nod from two of three official judges to score the victory. Official scores were: 76-76, (Even) and 78-74, 77-75 in favor of Biyarslanov. Movladdin Biyarslanov advances to 8-0, with 6 Knockouts. Israel Mercado falls to 9-1, with 7 Knockouts.

 

Lightweight Jorge Castaneda scored an eight round majority decision over Otha Jones. Official scores were: 76-76, (Even) and 76-75, 77-75 in favor of Castaneda. Jorge Castaneda advances to 14-1, with 11 Knockouts. Otha Jones falls to 5-1-1, with 2 Knockouts.

 

In a Jr. Welterweight bout, undefeated Aaron Aponte

scored a four round unanimous decision over Javier Martinez. Official scores were 40-36 (On all three scorecards for Aponte. Aaron Aponte advances to 3-0, with 1 Knockout. Javier Martinez falls to 4-8, with 3 Knockouts.

 

Demetrius Andrade has been cast in the role of the odd world champion out in the Middleweight division as despite being an unbeaten two-division world champion, he has struggled to secure lucrative opportunities against the other marquee attractions in and around the 160lb. Middleweight division. This can be attributed to both his overall skillset as well as not having a Boxing style that is universally appealing. Andrade’s title defense against Liam Williams was the first time that he was not allowed to coast his way to either a stoppage or a shut out decision.

 

 While a win is still a win and Andrade did indeed do what he needed to do to retain his portion of the World Middleweight championship, the fact that he was hit more than occasionally and was given a difficult fight by w determined challenger might give the other world champions in the Middleweight division and perhaps even current WBC/WBA Super-Middleweight world champion Saul “Canelo” Alvarez the evidence that fighting Andrade is a viable option. Quite frankly, Andrade is long overdue for a lucrative payday that a fighter of his skillset and accomplishments has earned. It remains to be seen whether the politics of the sport will allow him to get the opportunity he deserves.

 

“And That’s The Boxing Truth.”

 

The Boxing Truth®️ is a registered trademark of Beau Denison All Rights Reserved.

 

Follow Beau Denison on Twitter:www.twitter.com/Beau_Denison

 

Macedonian Prodigy Trajche Ilioski Wins By 1st Round TKO In Pro Debut

 Press Release April 17, 2021 By Dragon Fire Boxing – “The Macedonian Machine” Trajche Ilioski made his presence known to the professional boxing community by destroying 13 fight veteran Ramiz Dzafic of Bosnia i Herzegovina in under 1 minute into the first stanza at the famed Sport Hall in Tetovo Macedonia.  

Credit: Dragon Fire Boxing 

Ilioski started with intent and delivered an impressive a series of crisp jabs followed by a overhand right to set the tone very in the opening stanza and was more if the same and an over hand right ended the contest. 

Ilioski opened up about his pro debut and what's in store in the future.
"I'm pleased with my debut, I really wanted to make a statement and it was good to get the stoppage. Darko (Catleski) and I have worked very hard in this pandemic and I very greatfull just to get in the ring, I have really missed it. 

Now I will get straight back to the gym and keep working. My manager Tony Tolj and Darko will work out my next fight and we will keep climbing and show the world what Macedonia can do!" 

Manager Tony Tolj discussed his clients debut. 

"I'm very happy with his debut, he showed real class and maturity for an 18 year old, he was a bit wild at times but he's just starting. It was very difficult with so many fight cancellations but he finally debuted and I couldn't be more prouder. Macedonia have qualified for the European Cup in soccer for the first time, there are some many diamonds in the rough in that region and I truly believe this will usher in the start of a Golden age of Macedonian boxing."

 

Material and Photo Courtesy of: Dragon Fire Boxing Used with permission.

 

For more information about Dragon Fire Boxing please visit Dragon Fire Boxing’s official Facebook page: www.facebook.com/DragonFireBoxing.

 

The Boxing Truth®️ is a registered trademark of Beau Denison All Rights Reserved.

 

 

Turchi Wins European Championship

 Fabio Turchi scored a hard fought twelve round unanimous decision over previously unbeaten Dylan Bregeon to win the vacant European Cruiserweight championship on Friday night at the Allianz Cloud in Milan Italy. Bregeon, who entered the bout as the French Cruiserweight champion, did a masterful job through the first five rounds of the fight by using his height and reach to control the distance between himself and Turchi by landing straight left hands and right jabs from the southpaw stance as Turchi came forward and moving to maintain distance where he had the advantage. The ebb and flow began to change in round six when Turchi was able to close the gap between himself and Bregeon. 

 

It was during these sequences that Turchi appeared to get the better of the combat when he was able to get on the inside and land more than occasionally. Although the tide had clearly turned in Turchi’s favor in the middle rounds, Bregeon remained very competitive and was able to counter Turchi effectively in spots even when the combat was fought on the inside. This dynamic continued until the final bell where Turchi earned a unanimous decision as all three judges scored the bout by the narrow margin of seven rounds to five or 115-113 in points in his favor. Fabio Turchi advances to 19-1, with 13 Knockouts. Dylan Bregeon falls to 11-1-1, with 3 Knockouts.

 

Also on this card:

 

In a battle for the vacant Italian Super-Middleweight championship undefeated Ivan Zucco scored a sixth round stoppage over previously unbeaten Luca Capuano. Zucco applied steady pressure on Capuano from the outset. A bout that quickly developed into a contrast between a puncher in Zucco and a boxer in Capuano, both men had sucvess, but as the fight progressed Zucco’s power became the distance in landing some heavy body shots and forcing Capuano backward. In round three Zucco stunned Capuano with a left hook behind a right jab from the southpaw stance. This set off a barrage of offense for a period of time, but Capuano was able to survive. In rounds four and five, Capuano was able to slow the pace slightly, but did not land anything to discourage Zucco from coming forward. 

 

Zucco was able to land another flush left hook behind a right jab late in round six. Essentially, the same sequence that had Capuano hurt in round three, this would have a similar result as Capuano was able to survive the round, but quit in his corner at the conclusion of round six giving Zucco the victory and the Italian Super-Middleweight championship. Ivan Zucco advances to 13-0, with 11 Knockouts. Luca Capuano falls to 11-1, with 2 Knockouts.

 

Former European Lightweight champion Francesco Patera scored a hard fought eight round unanimous decision over late substitute opponent Nicola Henchiri. In his first bout since a bout with COVID-19 in December, Patera had to contend with a difficult opponent that came to fight, held his own throughout, and left an impression that he may have gotten the better of the action at the conclusion of a very competitive eight round bout. Patera however, was able to do enough in spots, was more accurate with his offense, and was able to earn the unanimous decision as a result. Official scores were: 79-74, and 78-74 (On two scorecards) in favor of Patera. Francesco Patera advances to 24-3, with 8 Knockouts. Nicola Henchiri falls to 9-4-2, with 0 Knockouts.

 

 

Jr. Middleweight Samuel Nmomah remained unbeaten by scoring an eight round unanimous decision over Kassimou Mouhamadou. A very tactical bout where both fighters had periods of success early in the fight, Nmomah was able to pick up his pace over the second half of the fight and landed several hooks and right hands that seemed to give him the edge. Nmomah’s surge in the second half of the bout proved to be the difference that allowed him to earn the decision victory. Official scores were: 79-73 (On two scorecards) and 77-75 in favor of Nmomah. Samuel Nmomah advances to 15-0, with 4 Knockouts. Kassimou Mouhamadou falls to 7-3, with 3 Knockouts.

 

 

Undefeated Jr. Welterweight Armando Casamonica pounded out a one-sided six round decision over a “Game” veteran Matija Petrinic. Casamonica had Petrinic on the defensive from the outset and kept him from being able to get off consistently. At the conclusion of the six round bout all three judges scored every round in favor of Casamonica 60-54. Armando Casamonica advances to 2-0, with 0 Knockouts. Matija Petrinic falls to 1-6, with 0 Knockouts.

 

Undefeated Featherweight Mauro Forte in a non-televised preliminary bout by scoring a six round unanimous decision over Cristian Narvaez. Mauro Forte advances to 15-0-1, with 5 Knockouts. Cristian Narvaez falls to 16-25-6, with 1 Knockout.

 

Former European Flyweight champion Mohammed Obbadi now competing in the Jr. Bantamweight division began the evening by scoring a six round decision over Joel Sanchez. Mohammed Obbadi advances to 22-1, with 13 Knockouts. Joel Sanchez falls to 4-16-1, with 2 Knockouts. 

 

Fabio Turchi’s victory over Dylan Bregeon now opens the door to a potential rematch with the only man to defeat him Tommy McCarthy, who scored a twelve round split decision over him in October 2019. McCarthy is scheduled to face Alexandur Jur of Romania on May 15^th in Manchester, England. What makes this interesting and a bit confusing is McCarthy is also recognized by the European Boxing Union (EBU) as its Cruiserweight champion and McCarthy’s bout with Jur is scheduled to be a title defense. 

 

While unclear as of this writing as to whether Fabio Turchi did in fact win the European championship with his victory over Bregeon or if it gave him some sort of interim status for the title that McCarthy holds, if McCarthy is successful against Jur next month a rematch between himself and Turchi is one of the more attractive bouts that could be made in the Cruiserweight division outside of the world championship picture. Although the Cruiserweight division has long struggled for consistent exposure and mainstream appeal here in the United States for the last thirty-five years outside of the era when Evander Holyfield was the division’s central figure before moving onto Heavyweight, the division has thrived internationally. Fighters such as Fabio Turchi and Tommy McCarthy could well be the next focal points of the division in time and while there is a quiet depth of world champions and top contenders, a rematch of a very close fight could be the second chapter in a great rivalry that will elevate both fighters as well as the Cruiserweight division.

 

“And That’s The Boxing Truth.”

 

The Boxing Truth®️ is a registered trademark of Beau Denison All Rights Reserved.

 

Follow Beau Denison on Twitter: www.twitter.com/Beau_Denison

 

 

 

ANNOUNCEMENT: JAIME MUNGUIA TO NOW RETURN ON JUNE 19 LIVE ON DAZN

 

Press Release: By DAZN – LOS ANGELES (April 15, 2021) – Middleweight contender Jaime Munguia (36-0, 29 KOs) will now make his highly anticipated return to the ring on June 19 live on DAZN at The University of Texas at El Paso’s Don Haskins Center. His initial return date of April 23 has been rescheduled following an elbow injury suffered by D’Mitrius Ballard (20-0-1, 13 KOs).

 

Additional details for the event, including his opponent, will be announced shortly.

 

Tickets for the event will be honored for the rescheduled date. For more information, please call the UTEP Box Office at(915)-747-5234.

 

Material Courtesy of: DAZN Used with permission.

 

For more information about DAZN including schedules, list of compatible streaming devices/platforms/Smart TVs, availability around the world, and to subscribe please visit:www.DAZN.com.

 

The Boxing Truth®️ is a registered trademark of Beau Denison All Rights Reserved.

 

 

Turchi-Bregeon Weights From Milan, Italy

  Official weights for Friday’s Matchroom Boxing Italy / OPI Since 82 promoted card at the Allianz Cloud, took place earlier today in Milan, Italy. The weights for the entire card, which will be headlined by a battle between Fabio Turchi and Dylan Bregeon for the vacant European Cruiserweight championship, and will all be televised globally by digital subscription sports streaming network DAZN are as follows.

 

Main Event: Vacant European Cruiserweight championship – 12Rds.

 

Fabio Turchi 199lbs. vs. Dylan Bregeon 197lbs. 

 

Vacant Italian Super-Middleweight championship – 10Rds.

 

Ivan Zucco 167 1/2lbs. vs. Luca Capuano 167lbs.

 

 Lightweight – 8Rds.

 

Francesco Patera 137 1/4lbs. vs.  Nicola Henchiri 137 1/4lbs.

 

*Featherweight – 6Rds.

 

Mauro Forte 126 1/4lbs. vs. Cristian Narvaez 128lbs.*

 

(* Narvaez two pounds over the 126lb. Featherweight limit. Fight will go on as scheduled as of this writing.) 

 

*Jr. Middleweight – 8Rds. 

 

Samuel Nmomah  156lbs. vs. Kassimou Mouhamadou 157lbs.

 

(*Both fighters over the 154lb. Jr. Middleweight limit. Fight will go on as scheduled as of this writing.)

 

*Jr. Welterweight – 6Rds.

 

Armando Casamonica 140 1/4lbs. vs. Matija Petrinic 142 1/4lbs.

(* Petrinic two pounds over the 140lb. Jr. Welterweight limit. Fight will go on as scheduled as of this writing.)

 

*Jr. Bantamweight – 6Rds. 

 

Mohammed Obbadi 116 1/4lbs. vs. Joel Sanchez 121 3/4lbs.

 

(*Both fighters over the 115lb. Jr. Bantamweight limit. Fight will go on as scheduled as of this writing.)

 

 

Turchi vs. Bregeon takes place tomorrow night (Friday, April 16^th) at the Allianz Cloud in Milan, Italy. The entire card can be seen globally on digital subscription sports streaming network DAZN beginning at 1:30PM ET/10:30AM PT (U.S. Time.) For more information about DAZN including schedules, list of compatible streaming devices/platforms/Smart TVs, availability around the world, and to subscribe please visit: www.DAZN.com. Check listings for local start times internationally.

 

The Boxing Truth®️ is a registered trademark of Beau Denison All Rights Reserved.

 

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Smith-Vlasov Thoughts

The battle for the vacant WBO Light-Heavyweight world championship between top contenders Joe Smith Jr. and Maxim Vlasov was one that like many saw complications and subsequent delays due to the ongoing global COVID-19 epidemic. In this case, there was a delay of eight weeks from the original date of February 14^th in Las Vegas and the rescheduled date of April 14^th in Tulsa, OK.

 

Beyond the obvious question that follows a fight that has been delayed under the circumstances of the ongoing COVID-19 crisis of how will the delay impact the fighters involved, the delay also allowed the fight to be moved from the closed confines of the MGM Grand Conference Center in Las Vegas to the Osage Casino in Tulsa where a crowd of around five-hundred spectators following COVID-19 protocols, which included temperature checks, as well as a mandate of wearing face masks were allowed to attend. 

 

The limited number of spectators were treated to one of the best fights in what has been deemed the “COVID-era” by some. For twelve rounds, Smith and Vlasov engaged in a grueling battle fought at an extremely high pace from the opening bell that was frankly exhausting to watch.  A pace that was established and maintained throughout the entire twelve round world championship bout by Vlasov.

 

Although it is very rare to see a twelve round bout fought at such a high pace all the way through, some might say it was more surprising under these circumstances due to Vlasov’s testing positive for COVID-19 during the week of the originally scheduled bout in February, which led to the postponement. For his part, Vlasov claimed in the days leading up to this fight eight weeks after the postponement that he had experienced no symptoms consistent with the COVID-19 virus and that he believed the instance of his testing positive for the virus was a case of s false positive. 

 

Whatever the case might be in regard to what led to the initial postponement, it certainly appeared to this observer that Vlasov did not seem to have any problems that would give the impression that he were coming off of a bout with COVID-19. Nevertheless, it was a testament to his conditioning that he could set and maintain such a pace.

 

Many of the rounds in this fight were extremely close. The dynamic of the combat was Vlasov pressing the action, seemingly throwing more punches, but Smith landing the harder punches of the two fighters. As this observer has often said over the years when it comes to close fights it will often boil down to what a judge prefers in their own individual criteria based on clean punching, effective aggression, ring generalship, and defense.

 

While when discussing close fights I almost always reference the aforementioned criteria, this was a fight where all the above was clearly illustrated between the two boxers and enough criteria/evidence exists where one could make an argument for either fighter as having won this fight.

 

For Maxim Vlasov, beyond his greater activity and bringing the fight to Smith, he used an unorthodox style, which he used a lot of lateral movement specifically in his upper body as well as throwing punches at every conceivable angle. It was this approach that disrupted Smith from getting into a consistent rhythm and that I felt gave him a slight edge over the first half of the fight.

 

The difference that gradually began to emerge as the bout progressed was the harder punches Smith was able to land as well as the effective work he was able to execute to Vlasov’s body. At the conclusion of the twelve round world championship bout, I felt a sense that it could go either way, the usual feeling that follows a close fights in every sense of the word.

 

In all honesty if one were to ask my opinion as to who I felt won this bout, this is an instance where I could not provide a solid answer one way or another based on the arguments that can be made for both men. This had all the appearance of a fight that could be determined by a round either way, or one that could have ended up being scored a draw. Simply put, it was that close.

 

The official scoring of a majority decision was one that was adequate in this observer’s view based on what took place when the two fighters were in the midst of combat. While this is not always the case when three official judges render scores that make up a majority decision, this was the type of bout where frankly no other ruling would have been appropriate. Although I personally couldn’t distinguish a clear winner as I ended up with an even scorecard 114-114, two judges turning in scores of 115-112 and 115-113 or seven rounds to five is about as narrow a margin as it gets. If one of those scores had a round scored in favor of Vlasov, you arrive essentially at the same 114-114 score as I and the third official judge David Sutherland saw the bout. The exception one could point to is the scorecard of Judge Gerald Ritter, who turned in the 115-112 scorecard. The one difference between his scorecard and the 115-113 scorecard of Judge Pat Russell was that he scored the eleventh round 10-8 in favor of Smith, resulting in the one point difference in an otherwise seven rounds to five scorecard.

 

In that round, Smith did get the better of the action and Vlasov appeared to be fatigued in what was a grueling bout. While I did not feel a 10-8 score was warranted in that round, Smith did win the round and Ritter’s scoring of that round is likely a case of one’s discretion. No matter how one saw that round, it does not change that it was a close bout that certainly deserves a rematch.

 

In previewing this bout back in February, I questioned whether or not this bout would signal the beginning of a new era for the 175lb. Light-Heavyweight division. While I would not necessarily suggest that the question was answered as the division looks for it’s next central figure, fights that are fought in the way that Smith-Vlasov was does indicate that whomever emerges atop the Light-Heavyweights in an emerging post-Sergey Kovalev era, the division will be in good hands. 

 

“And That’s The Boxing Truth.”

 

The Boxing Truth®️ is a registered trademark of Beau Denison All Rights Reserved.

 

Follow Beau Denison on Twitter: www.twitter.com/Beau_Denison