TWENTY-FIVE PROMINENT FEMALE FIGHTERS, INCLUDING CURRENT AND FORMER BOXING CHAMPIONS, SUPPORT AMANDA SERRANO, DANILA RAMOS, AND EQUALITY IN BOXING

Press Release October 10, 2023 By DAZN  and Most Valuable Promotions-  Today Amanda Serrano and Danila Ramos, in collaboration with multiple current and former boxing champions and other prominent female fighters, released a statement titled ‘CHOICE’. The statement, supported by Most Valuable Promotions (MVP), affirms the pursuit of female fighters to achieve equal pay, promotion, and competitive opportunity in the sport of boxing.

Credit: Most Valuable Promotions/DAZN 

The statement comes on the heels of Amanda's historic decision to fight 12 rounds at three minutes each for her unified title fight vs. Danila on Friday, October 27th, 2023 at the Caribe Royale Resort in Orlando, FL. 

Amanda and Danila’s choice was supported by the Florida Athletic Commission, WBO, WBA, and IBF. Now, their colleagues are proud to amplify their decision as they stand up for this precedent and women’s future choice to compete with the same rules as men, should they so choose.

United in support of Amanda and Danila’s CHOICE statement are 25 incredible female fighters: Laila Ali, Ramla Ali, Daniela Bermudez, Evelin Nazarena Bermudez, Chantelle Cameron, Bonnie Canino, Maricela Cornejo, Franchón Crews-Dezurn, Seniesa Estrada, Shadasia Green, Miriam Gutierrez, Christina Hammer, Heather Hardy, Lisa Holewyne, Holly Holm, Natasha Jonas, Sarah Mahfoud, Christy Martin, Mikaela Mayer, Layla McCarter, Maira Moneo, Elena Reid, Krystal Rosado, Britt VanBuskirk, Ann Wolfe. 

“I want to thank all of the boxers who are supporting this message of CHOICE. We are advocating for the ability to choose,” said Amanda Serrano. “Female boxers compete in MMA with 5 minute rounds, the same as their male counterparts. Even in bare knuckle boxing, women and men compete with the same rules. Danila and I, on Friday, October 27th, are proud to make history  and compete under the same rules as male boxers. This is a fight for women everywhere to be treated the same. Thank you to the Florida Athletic Commission, the sanctioning bodies WBO, WBA, IBF, IBO, Boxlab Promotions and of course my incredible team at Most Valuable Promotions and Jordan Maldonado.”

MVP is proud to support Amanda as both a fighter and true ambassador of women’s boxing alongside the incredible women united by CHOICE. 

Material and Photo Courtesy of DAZN and Most Valuable Promotions Used with permission.

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

DAZN ANNOUNCE STAR-STUDDED TALENT LINE-UP FOR EXCLUSIVE X SERIES 010 LIVE SHOWS

Press Release October 10, 2023 By DAZN -  The biggest night in crossover boxing history lands in Manchester on Saturday, October 14 and features KSI vs Tommy Fury and Logan Paul vs Dillon Danis

 

Credit: DAZN 

DAZN to host Countdown Show followed by the main card live around the world, only on DAZN PPV

 

The biggest night ever seen in crossover boxing will have a heavyweight talent team to match, with stars from the world of sport, music and television all forming a part of DAZN’s exclusive worldwide coverage.

 

A sold-out AO Arena in Manchester plays host to a historic night of action as KSI clashes with Tommy Fury and Logan Paul goes into battle against Dillon Danis, exclusively live on DAZN PPV.

 

And DAZN’s coverage will deliver a knockout punch from the first bell until the last with several big-names involved, including Ariel Helwani, Chris Eubank Junior and Bugzy Malone, all taking to the mic, across two not-to-be-missed shows.

 

Big Zuu will be your larger-than-life host for the DAZN Boxing Countdown Show, which will be broadcast live on DAZN and Youtube in the hours leading up to the unmissable boxing double-header.

 

Zuu will be joined by co-host and reporter Roman Kemp, who will be bringing viewers a host of interviews with celebrities in attendance at this historic evening of crossover boxing action.

 

Zuhair Hassan, better known as Big Zuu, is an award-winning British chef, television personality and musician. A born-and-bred Londoner, Zuu began his career as a grime MC and BBC radio host, and has since become a regular face of the MF&DAZN X Series.

 

Roman Kemp, meanwhile, is one of the UK’s most promising broadcasters, hosting the Capital radio breakfast show, presenting the One Show and having hosted countless star-studded events including the TV Baftas and BRIT Award Red Carpet.

 

Zuu and Roman will be joined by no less than three studio guests on this unmissable Countdown Show.

 

The first is British rap icon, actor and entrepreneur Bugzy Malone, an avid boxer and fan of the sport since childhood. X Series fans will vividly remember Bugzy’s jaw-dropping ring walk with KSI at 007 in May, when ‘The Nightmare’ fought Joe Fournier in front of a packed Wembley Arena.

 

Joining Bugzy is Youtube star and crossover boxer Deji Olatunji who will share with fans a unique insight into how his brother, KSI, has been training for the biggest fight of his career to date.

 

Mike Majlak - best-selling author, YouTube star and co-host of the Impaulsive podcast with Logan Paul – will also make the journey to Manchester, taking viewers backstage inside the locker rooms of the biggest stars set to step foot in the ring on the night.

 

Completing the talent team for DAZN’s biggest Countdown show to date is Nada, host and presenter on Apple Music, and sideline reporter at the recent Sideman charity football match. Nada will be capturing all the red carpet arrivals on the night, and bringing viewers exclusive interviews from behind the scenes.

 

Kicking off at 7pm, the main DAZN PPV card will feature DAZN anchor and X Series fan favourite, Ade Oladipo taking the reins alongside two well-known names, both of whom have enjoyed recent victories inside the ring. 

 

Middleweight boxing star Chris Eubank Junior looks to provide expert analysis on the packed fight card, joining the DAZN broadcast fresh from gaining revenge over Liam Smith in their mammoth Manchester clash. Sparring partner to KSI and recent X Series headliner Idris Virgo will complete the pundit duo on the night, analyzing all the action as this huge night unfolds.

 

Meanwhile, jetting in from the United States will be combat sports legend Ariel Helwani, the star and host of the wildly popular MMA Show. Helwani will be DAZN’s in-ring interviewer, bringing fans those iconic first interviews with fighters, just moments after their bouts end. Helwani will also join the commentary team for key fights during the card.

 

And leading that commentary team will be Todd Grisham, the voice of the X Series, who will once again guide viewers on DAZN PPV through all the action. He will be joined on co-comms by Jonathan “The Coach” Coachman, as the pair reunite to form one of the most respected commentary teams in combat sports entertainment.

 

Rounding out the DAZN PPV on-air talent team is Olivia Buzaglo, an exciting young sports news presenter and football host, who has recently made a statement in the world of combat sports, joining DAZN’s boxing and MMA on-air broadcast teams.

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, Local start times in your area, and to subscribe and order this pay-per-view card please visit: www.DAZN.com.

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

Was Warrington Fight A Featherweight Finale For Wood?

The showdown between two-time Featherweight world champion Leigh Wood and former two-time Featherweight world champion Josh Warrington was one which was highly anticipated in the United Kingdom as it was an encounter that brought together two of the top fighters in the sport and two of the top draws in the United Kingdom as well. It was also a clash between two boxer/punchers that stylistically appeared as though it could be a fight of the year candidate.

Before an enthusiastic sellout crowd in the Sheffield Arena in Sheffield, England on October 7th, Boxing fans were treated to a memorable battle. Before the battle occurred however, there were questions regarding the condition of the WBA world champion Wood, who had struggled on the day before the fight to make the 126lb. Featherweight limit. This fueled speculation that no matter the outcome, Wood, who was making the first defense of his second reign as WBA world champion, would be moving up in weight after this fight. 

For a significant portion of the bout, Wood looked like a fighter that showed all the signs of someone who struggled to make weight and perhaps was overtrained. Although Wood attempted to keep Warrington at distance by Boxing out of the southpaw stance and trying to work behind his jab, the dynamic of the fight quickly became one where it was Warrington dictating the combat and forcing the fight on the inside.

Warrington did this by fighting out of a high defensive guard as well as crouching down underneath Wood's punches. This allowed the former IBF world champion to do two things. First it limited the ability of Wood to inflict damage, and secondly it created a scenario where Warrington could not only close the distance and get in close, but it also allowed him to vary his attack by mixing offense to the body and head of the champion. Gradually as the rounds progressed, Warrington began administering a beating on Wood by landing hard, thudding hooks to the head and body, as well as being able to push Wood back and make it a rough fight on the inside. Wood would also suffer a cut over the right eye in round four from a left hook by Warrington.

It appeared as though both because of the beating that was being dished out by Warrington as well as the apparent difficulty he had in making weight that this may not have been Wood's night as he continued to take punishment, did not use head movement, and thus could not avoid the hooks that the challenger was able to land with both hands. At the midway point of the fight, I felt Warrington had won five of the first six rounds due primarily to his effective aggression and landing the harder punches of the two fighters. While he was able to stagger Wood frequently throughout the bout, the champion showed his mettle and continued to engage. Having said this, after six rounds of mostly one way action and having seen the effects of the punishment at the hands of Warrington, this observer did question in his mind whether or not a time would approach where either the referee or Wood's corner would stop the fight.

Round seven began as many of the previous rounds had with Warrington coming forward and initiating the combat. Warrington's ability to rough up the champion on the inside worked against him however, as he would be penalized a point midway through the round for rabbit punching. As the closing seconds of the round occured, suddenly without warning, Wood exploded with a vicious right hand that badly staggered Warrington followed by a brutal right hook, left hook combination to the head that sent Warrington flat on his back down on the canvas at the bell to end the round. Although Warrington in showing mettle of his own was able to get to his feet, he got up on very unsteady legs and staggered to his corner turning his back to Referee Michael Alexander as he was attempting to determine whether Warrington could continue, resulting in the fight being stopped giving Wood a come from behind knockout victory in a successful first title defense of his second reign as world champion.

In a scene that resembled Wood's knockout win over Michael Conlan in his first reign as champion, Wood did not celebrate enthusiastically as most fighters would, especially after scoring a knockout in such brutal and thrilling fashion. Instead Wood immediately approached Warrington who sat in his corner dejected and emotional after the fight was stopped and embraced his opponent, consoling him and ensuring he was okay before celebrating his victory with his corner and the crowd in attendance. An example of "Class" and "Respect" that all fighters on every level of the sport should learn from.

The resemblance of his victory over Conlan in March of last year also had one other similarity as it relates to this fight. Wood was behind on the scorecards and like the Conlan fight, was approaching the point where he needed a knockout to retain his world championship.

An obvious question is what comes next? Perhaps this victory will be the finale of Leigh Wood's time as a Featherweight. Whether or not potential unification bouts in the Featherweight division are available, will ultimately factor into his decision on whether to move up in weight remains to be seen. As thrilling as this knockout victory was and as endearing as Wood has become to some fans for engaging in memorable battles, he will need to work on his defense if he hopes for continued success regardless of where on the weight scale his next fight will take place. While it can be an asset in having the ability to take a punch and sustain significant punishment, it can also be a curse and that does not necessarily revolve strictly around the remainder of a fighter's career, but more importantly, what a fighter's life might involve when their career is over. Looking to improve on the defensive elements of the sport should be a top priority not just for Wood, but for all fighters regardless of what stage they might be in their careers.

"And That's The Boxing Truth.

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Conlan-Gill Set For December 2 In Belfast On DAZN

Press Release October 7, 2023 By DAZN - 

Two-time Featherweight World Title challenger Michael Conlan returns to the SSE Arena Belfast to take on former European and Commonwealth Champion Jordan Gill on a huge night of Irish boxing on Saturday December 2, live worldwide on DAZN. Credit: DAZN  Conlan (27-2-1, 8 KOs) was last seen in action in May when he was stopped in five rounds by Mexico’s IBF Featherweight World Champion Luis Alberto Lopez, his second successive World Title loss following his epic Fight of the Year clash with Leigh Wood in 2022. The Belfast star has linked up with Cuban-American trainer Pedro Diaz for his eagerly anticipated comeback fight and will return at Super-Featherweight has he looks to rebuild towards further World Title shots. Gill (27-2-1, 8 KOs) fights for the first time since his fourth-round stoppage loss to Spain’s two-weight World Champion Kiko Martinez at Wembley Arena back in October 2022, and the Chatteris man is hoping to throw his name back into the mix for World Title action by upsetting the local hero. A huge undercard sees Belfast Super-Welterweight contender Caoimhin Agyarko (13-0, 7 KOs) step up for the biggest challenge of his career to date against Darlington’s former British Champion Troy Williamson (20-1-1, 14 KOs), Tyrone McKenna (23-3-1, 6 KOs) and Lewis Crocker (17-0, 10 KOs) clash in a much-anticipated 147lbs all-Belfast showdown and local Super-Lightweight Sean McComb(17-1, 5 KOs) takes on Liverpool’s former British and Commonwealth Champion Sam Maxwell (17-2, 11 KOs) over ten rounds. “I’m delighted to be coming back to the SSE Arena Belfast with Matchroom Boxing and a new coaching team,” said Conlan. “I’ve had many great nights here and I’m looking forward to creating more. Jordan is a good fighter but one standing in my way to where I want to go. December 2 will be a fantastic night of boxing and I can’t wait to see you all there.” “This is a great fight,” said Gill. “I think Mick is a world class fighter, and I’m buzzing to get the opportunity to prove my skills. We’ve both had our setbacks and are hungry for World Titles. Belfast will be bouncing and I can’t wait to come over and give everyone a show!” “I can’t wait to return to the famous fighting city of Belfast for our first show since 2017,” said Matchroom Sport Chairman Eddie Hearn. “Two huge back-to-back weeks of Irish boxing as two-time World Title challenger Mick Conlan looks to get back to winning ways up at Super-Featherweight following his loss to Luis Alberto Lopez. The Irish star has a new training team in his corner, and he’ll be looking to make a statement against former European and Commonwealth Champion Jordan Gill as he targets World Title action in the competitive 130lbs division. “A brilliant main event supported by a stacked undercard as Belfast Super-Welterweight Caoimhin Agyarko faces the biggest step up of his career against former British Champion Troy Williamson, Tyrone McKenna and Lewis Crocker meet in an all-Belfast Welterweight clash and local Super-Lightweight Sean McComb takes on former British and Commonwealth Champion Sam Maxwell over ten rounds. Another huge night of boxing in store for fight fans around the world live on DAZN.” Ticket details will be announced soon.

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, Loca start times in your area, and to subscribe please visit: www.DAZN.com.

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Late Result: Cano Stop Ochoa

Press Release October 7, 2023 By ProBox TV -  Pablo Cesar Cano scored a sixth round stoppage victory over Zachary Ochoa to celebrate his 34th birthday on October 4th on ProBox TV’s Wednesday Night Fights from Plant City, Florida.

 

Credit: ProBox TV 

The multiple world title challenger has led a distinguished career to date, sharing the ring with the likes of Shane Mosley, Erik Morales and ProBox TV commentator Paulie Malignaggi, with his record improving to 35-8-1 (25 KOs) yesterday evening. Ochoa picks up a third consecutive defeat after a gutsy display in the Sunshine State, his record moves to 21-4 (7 KOs) after a second career knockout defeat.

 

It was far than a perfect start for Cano picking up a bad cut in the second round. However, Cano applied pressure just seconds later, Ochoa having to defend a gluttony of shots to survive a round that could have easily seen the fight stopped.

 

Ochoa was in trouble again in the third round from a left hook to the head, going immediately into defense mode. However, Cano was struggling with the steady flow of blood flowing from his eyebrow as he began to wear as the round came to an end.

 

In round four Ochoa got behind his jab to sway the fight towards his preferred rhythm. In round five he took full control looking as the likely winner by this stage. Cano had other plans going into round six. Ochoa was down on the canvas after a good combination from Cano, it was admirable that he made it to his feet considering the manner in which he fell down. The Puerto Rican came under fierce attack against the ropes with zero reply. The referee waved off the contest as Cano was swinging away.

 

Undercard

 

Jose Nunez defeated Omar Salcido over the ten round distance in the evening’s chief support. Salcido picked up his first defeat in the all undefeated clash in a fight the Mexican struggled to find his range. A Fight of the Year contender saw both men hit the canvas where the judges scored wide to Nunez. Scores of 98-89, 98-87 and 95-90 saw Nunez improve his record to 16-0-2 (7 KOs). Salcido goes home with a career first defeat to his name, his record moves to 17-1 (12 KOs).

 

Jose Arellano defeated Oscar Alvarez to hand the young Mexican a second straight defeat and Trevor Thomson defeated Willie Shaw, both won by unanimous-decision victory.

 

Wednesday Night Fights returns in less than two weeks with Brandon Glanton taking on Carlos Fromenta in the cruiserweight division on October 18.

Material and Photo Courtesy of: ProBox TV Used with permission.

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

Wood-Warrington Preview

One of the bigger bouts remaining on the Boxing calendar for 2023 will kick off the month of October as two-time Featherweight world champion Leigh Wood will begin his second reign as WBA world champion as he makes his first defense since regaining the title in May of this year, against former two-time Featherweight world champion Josh Warrington on Saturday, October 7th. The showdown in the 126lb. Featherweight division, which will take place at the Sheffield Arena in Sheffield, England and will be broadcast globally on digital subscription sports streaming network DAZN, has the possibility to be a sleeper candidate for Fight of the Year.

Not only does this encounter bring together two of the biggest stars that the United Kingdom currently has to offer, each with significant followings, but also two of the best the Featherweight division has to offer. Leigh Wood's recent career could probably be best described as a rollercoaster. Many likely remember his thrilling and brutal knockout of top contender Michael Conlan in March of last year. In many ways, this was a career definer for Wood, who had become world champion via the route of earning interim/regular champion status in the WBA's Featherweight ratings, but when then champion Leo Santa Cruz opted to vacate the title, it elevated Wood to world champion. Oftentimes, fighters who become champion in this way though through no fault of their own, are not given the same recognition as a fighter who wins a world championship by defeating the previous champion. Wood's victory over Conlan served as both a statement-making as well as a star-making performance for him.

As can happen in Boxing and by extension all combat sports however, there are also times where a fighter's stock can fall almost as quickly as it goes up. Wood experienced such a scenario when he was knocked out by the very dangerous Mauricio Lara in February of this year. The loss also resulted in the loss of the WBA world championship. While the loss to Lara was a case of Wood simply getting caught and subsequently stopped in a fight that he was ahead on the scorecards up to that point, it also gave him something to prove as he quickly opted for an immediate rematch in May. Although some questioned that wisdom, Wood produced a superb performance the second time around in Boxing his way to a convincing twelve round unanimous decision to regain the championship.

Now with his stock on the rise once again, Wood prepares to defend his crown against Josh Warrington. Similar to Wood, Warrington has also experienced the highs and lows that often come during a career. The former IBF world champion also has Mauricio Lara in common with Wood, as Warrington also fought two fights against him in suffering a loss and a technical draw in the rematch when the fight was stopped due to an accidental clash of heads resulting in a bad cut where Lara could not continue. Much like Wood, Warrington is a highly skilled boxer/puncher that has a full arsenal of skills.

Warrington however, will be coming into this fight off of a loss in losing the IBF Featherweight world championship in losing a twelve round majority decision in December of last year to Luis Lopez. While it is logical to suggest that this fight could be a tactical Boxing match given each fighter's skillset, one could argue that Wood does have an edge in power having scored knockouts in sixteen of his twenty-seven career wins compared to eight knockouts in thirty-one career wins. Both fighters have suffered knockout losses to the same fighter in Lara and both came as a result of being caught in fights that they were leading.

Given that both fighters have been vulnerable before, it would not surprise me to see each of them attempt to catch the other off guard by trying to land counter punches, but the possibility certainly exists that at some point this could turn into a fight where there are heated exchanges of offense. If the latter does indeed occur, it may come down to which fighter is able to land their power punches flush, that might determine who will win this battle.

"And That's The Boxing Truth."

Wood vs. Warrington takes place on Saturday, October 7th at the Sheffield Arena in Sheffield, England. The fight as well as its full undercard can be seen in the United States and globally on digital subscription sports streaming network DAZN beginning at 11:45AM ET/8:45AM PT with Before The Bell, which will feature preliminary bouts followed by the main portion of the card, which will begin at 2PM ET/11AM PT.

(*U. S. Times Only*) (*Card and Start Times Subject To Change.*

For more information about DAZN including schedules, list of compatible streaming devices, platforms, Smart TVs, availability around the world, local start times in your area, and to subscribe please visit: www.DAZN.con. 

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Late Country Box October 3, 2023 Results From Nashville, TN

Welterweight Michael Anderson scored a second round stoppage of a very "Game" Marklin Bailey on Tuesday night (October 3rd) at the Texas Troubadour Theatre in Nashville, TN. In what was the main event of promoter Jimmy Adams' monthly Country Box series for the month of October, the fight was dictated by Bailey, who tried and mostly succeeded in trying to force the combat on the inside in staying pinned to Anderson's chest and trying to back him up against the ropes.

While this approach appeared to be working as Anderson spent most of the first round and part of the second round trying to dodge punches, Anderson would turn the tables on Bailey with a short left hook midway through round two that sent Bailey staggering back to the ropes, which forced a rare standing eight count to be called by the referee, this would be followed by a second standing eight count seconds later as Anderson followed up with a barrage of punches. Following the second standing eight count, Anderson connected with a flush right hook to the jaw that forced the fight to be stopped. Official time of the stoppage was 1:58 of round two. Michael Anderson advances to 23-3-1, with 17 Knockouts. Marklin Bailey falls to 8-13, with 4 Knockouts.

 Also on this card: 

Undefeated Heavyweight Erick Arellano scored a four round unanimous decision over Mike Diorio. In what was a workmanlike performance, Arellano simply put the work in and forced the action throughout the four round bout against a durable opponent in Diorio. Official scores were: 40-36 (On all three scorecards) in favor of Arellano. Erick Arellano advances to 8-0, with 5 Knockouts. Mike Diorio falls to 1-6-1, with 0 Knockouts.

Lightweight Tobias Green scored a first round knockout of Juan Pena. Green quickly established that he had more punching power of the two fighters as he immediately began landing hard blows to the body and head from the opening bell. It would be a series of right hands to the head of Pena that would send him down to the canvas for the count late in round one. Official time of the stoppage was 2:47 of round one. Tobias Green advances to 11-3, with 4 Knockouts. Juan Pena falls to 32-12, with 23 Knockouts. 

Lightweights began the evening as undefeated nineteen year old prospect Juan Davila scored a four round unanimous decision over veteran Weusi Johnson. Although Johnson would occasionally catch Davila with counter punches in the midst of some exchanges of punches throughout, Davila generally got the better of the action by initiating the combat and landing short, but effective combinations. Davila was also able to open a cut under the left eye of Johnson in the fourth and final round. Official scores were: 40-36, and 39-37 (On two scorecards) in favor of Davila. Juan Davila advances to 4-0, with 2 Knockouts. Weusi Johnson falls to 3-31-1, with 0 Knockouts.

The ninth installment of the Country Box series, with the theme of where Music Meets Boxing, also featured a live concert performed by Pop band KFHOX. The series, which debuted earlier this year and holds events on the first Tuesday of every month is also proving to be a spot for young fighters to develop and the next installment of the series scheduled for November 7th, it will be interesting to see how the series continues to evolve heading into 2024 as fighters develop into prospects as they look to progress in their respective careers.

"And That's The Boxing Truth."

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Pablo Cesar Cano Takes On Zachary Ochoa This Wednesday On ProBox TV's Wednesday Night Fights In Plant City, FL

Press Release October 3, 2023 By ProBox TV -  ProBox TV’s flagship broadcast Wednesday Night Fights returns this Wednesday. 

Credit: ProBox TV 

with Pablo Cesar Cano locking horns with Zachary Ochoa in the main event from Plant City, Florida. The pair collide in the super lightweight division over 10 rounds on October 4. 

Cano (34-8-1, 24 KOs), a two time world title challenger, comes off a third round knockout victory over Oscar Arenas Maya in his native Mexico having previously suffered a devastating second round knockout defeat to Danielito Zorrilla. The Mexican veteran has shared the ring with the likes of Paulie Mailgnaggi, Shane Mosley and Erik Morales. His standout career win came against multiple world champion Jorge Linares, scoring a first round knockout win at Madison Square Garden in 2019. Ochoa (21-3, 7 KOs) will look to get back to winning ways after consecutive points defeats to Branden Lee and Juan Jose Velsaco. 

The chief support will bring boxing fans action from the lightweight division. Mexico’s Omar Salcido Gamez (17-0, 12 KOs) squares off with Panama’s Jose Nunez (15-0-2, 7 KOs) in an all undefeated clash over 10 rounds. Gamez makes his American debut next Wednesday night on ProBox TV in fine form with four knockouts in his last four fights. Nunez picked up a wide points win in his last outing against Jose Manuel Perez two months ago in Costa Rica. His last and first American appearance ended in a draw with Aram Avagyan in 2021. 

Oscar Alvarez (9-1, 7 KOs) will take on fellow Mexican Jose Arellano (10-1, 6 KOs) at super featherweight. Both men look to get back to winning ways after both suffering career first losses in the 8 round bout.

Canadian KO artist Trevor Thonson (8-0, 8 KOs) takes on Willie Shaw (14-5, 10 KOs) over 6 rounds at lightweight. Exciting prospect De Von Williams (3-0, 3 KOs) opens the television broadcast against Nelson Morales (4-9, 1 KOs) at 143 pounds.

Material and Photo Courtesy of: ProBox TV Used with permission.

For more information about ProBox TV including schedules, list of compatible streaming devices, platforms, Smart TVs, full event archive and additional programming, and to subscribe please visit: www.ProBoxTV.com. 

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

Alvarez Proves Why There Are Weight Classes In Dominant Victory Over Charlo

 

The hype that preceded the encounter between Undisputed Super-Middleweight world champion Saul “Canelo” Alvarez and former Undisputed Jr. Middleweight world champion Jermell Charlo was largely based on the fact that for the first time in modern Boxing history, two fighters, who were undisputed world champions in their respective weight classes at the same time, would face each other as one would move up significantly in weight to challenge the other for his crown. There was however, the small wrinkle in that once Jermell Charlo entered the ring at the T-Mobile Arena on September 30th to face Alvarez, his status as an undisputed champion would no longer be current as it had been known in the weeks prior to the fight that the World Boxing Organization (WBO) would be stripping Charlo of it’s world championship in the 154lb. Jr. Middleweight division for failing to defend its championship against undefeated number one contender Tim Tszyu. A fight that was supposed to take place, but one that would not be due to Charlo opting to take a high-risk, high-reward gamble by moving up fourteen pounds and two weight divisions to challenge Alvarez.

While it is never good to see an undisputed world championship broken up for any reason, much less the business elements that be in the sport of Boxing, one could make what would be a persuasive argument that economically as things stand in the sport, the fight with Alvarez was the more financially rewarding of the two fights, despite the fact that Tszyu, much like his father, the Hall of Famer Kostya Tszyu, is rapidly becoming a star on the rise in the sport in routinely drawing massive crowds in his native Australia. Nevertheless, whenever a fighter makes a leap up the weight scale as Charlo was attempting in this fight with Alvarez, it is intriguing because of the obvious challenge that it presents in facing a fighter who theoretically is naturally bigger, and stronger at a heavier weight.

Although Alvarez has spent the majority of the last several years fighting either in the 168lb. Super-Middleweight division or briefly at the 175lb. Light-Heavyweight division, he was once a Jr. Middleweight much like Charlo, so it was conceivable at least on paper, that Charlo may be able to move up and be competitive with Alvarez if not be as dominant as he had been at 154lbs. Alvarez would show from the opening bell that he is a fighter who is truly in rare company in having the ability to move up in weight and be dominant and in doing so, also show that it is something that is not an easy accomplishment to achieve. The Super-Middleweight champion of the world immediately put Charlo on the defensive in landing short, but thudding punches and in the process applying consistent pressure. 

What impressed me about this fight was Alvarez’ ability to not only apply pressure on Charlo, who tried to use lateral movement to be elusive and offset that pressure, but more specifically, the way he was able to cut off the ring. This limited Charlo’s ability to move and also established a clear pattern for which the fight would be fought. Alvarez, pushing Charlo back, landing hard punches and controlling the tempo of the combat from start to finish. A pattern that also limited Charlo’s offensive output. In some ways, Alvarez’ approach in this fight brought back memories of a legendary world champion Julio Cesar Chavez Sr. in terms of how Alvarez looked to gradually break Charlo down. It seemed as though similar to so many opponents that Chavez fought over his Hall of Fame career, that Alvarez was on the verge of doing that in the seventh round when he connected with a right hand that forced Charlo to take a knee.

To Charlo’s credit, he was able to survive and as the fight progressed did try to land something in an attempt to turn the ebb and flow in his favor. It just was not Charlo’s night as Alvarez would close out the fight to earn a convincing twelve round unanimous decision to retain his Undisputed Super-Middleweight championship of the world. 

Ultimately, this proved to be a fight that can be summed up as a bigger fighter besting a smaller fighter. In terms of his performance, it is arguable that in addition to moving up fourteen pounds for this fight that inactivity in addition to time needed to recover from a broken hand, likely worked against Charlo in this fight. Jermell Charlo can hold his head up high however, for performing well and going the distance under circumstances where some may have been discouraged to the point where they might not have wanted to finish the fight. Charlo is still a unified world champion in the Jr. Middleweight division holding the world championships of the World Boxing Council (WBC), World Boxing Association (WBA), and International Boxing Federation (IBF). Coming out of this fight, Charlo has stated that he intends to move back down to 154lbs. and the obvious fight to make would be with Tim Tszyu, who is now recognized as the WBO’s Jr. Welterweight world champion in what would be an opportunity for Charlo to fully unify the division twice, something that has not been done in the history of the sport. 

When that potential fight could take place will depend on two things. The most obvious among them is Tszyu is scheduled to make his first title defense on October 14th against current WBO number two rated contender Brian Mendoza in Broadbeach, Australia. Charlo will obviously have to wait for the outcome of that fight before any potential plans could be set in motion for a fight between him and Tszyu. The second and perhaps more serious issue depending on one’s perspective might be the current state of the Premier Boxing Champions (PBC) group of promoters, whom Charlo currently fights under. It is no secret to those that follow the sport that several fighters who have fought under the PBC banner for several years have begun to seek opportunities fighting under different promoters and different television and streaming networks that currently do not have broadcast deals with the PBC. This in addition to what has been an increasingly sporadic list of dates for the PBC to stage cards through its existing broadcast deal with United States premium cable network Showtime as well as persistent speculation that the network’s parent company Paramount Global is intending to exit the sport of Boxing at the conclusion of 2023, in a similar way as former longtime rival and one of the sport’s prominent players HBO had done at the conclusion of 2018 following a significant merger and restructuring of its then parent company AT&T and WarnerMedia. Paramount has been undergoing a significant restructuring of itself and its properties including Showtime over the course of 2023 and if a decision has indeed been made to back out of Boxing as many have speculated, it will likely put the PBC in a dire situation after previously losing its broadcast deal with Fox Sports here in the United States, who subsequently did not broadcast any Boxing programming either on Fox television stations throughout the country or on Fox Sports branded cable networks throughout 2023.  While if indeed Paramount does pull the plug on Showtime’s thirty-seven year involvement in the sport, and such a decision could likely be tied to an overuse as well as overpricing of the outdated pay-per-view model, in terms of the immediate impact on the fighters such as Charlo, who are affiliated with the PBC, it may lead to even more sporadic in ring activity, which has already proved to have at best mixed results for fighters who have sought opportunities under different promoters and networks.

As for Saul Alvarez, his victory over Jermell Charlo was the first in a three-fight agreement with the PBC and if the PBC group of promoters do indeed lose their broadcast deal with Showtime, it will be interesting to see if Alvarez attempts to return to digital subscription sports streaming network DAZN, who have broadcast many of his bouts since December 2018 either as part of its subscription service or on a pay-per-view basis, and perhaps if that previous working relationship might lead to the PBC seeking a deal with the network or at least as a means of fulfilling the remaining two fights in its deal with Alvarez. While obviously, we do not know currently who those potential fights will be against, Alvarez for his part says he just wants to fight and it is likely given that Alvarez is the undisputed champion of the Super-Middleweight division that he will spend his next few fights fulfilling his mandatory defense obligations of the various titles he holds. After previously scoring a twelve round unanimous decision over previous WBO number one contender John Ryder earlier this year, that would leave Alvarez with three defenses to fulfill obligations to the IBF, WBC, and WBA, before the process refreshes for a new slate of mandatory challengers. Who those fights will be against and on what broadcast/streaming platform is obviously up in the air.

Although as of this writing there is no word as to how successful the Alvarez-Charlo bout did in terms of pay-per-view buys at an $85 price point through Showtime Pay-Per-View here in the United States, with another longtime television network that overall has been good for Boxing appearing to be nearing an exit, Boxing’s Pay-Per-View problem and what appears to be an unwillingness of some promoters and maybe even some fighters, who have been conditioned to the belief that pay-per-view is the only way to earn additional revenue, even as evidence of the need to change continues to become more clear, remains an issue for the sport as 2024 nears. 

“And That’s The Boxing Truth.”

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Alvarez-Charlo A Landmark Moment In Boxing History?

There are numerous stories throughout Boxing history where world champions in one weight division in seeking a challenge will opt to move up in weight to fight for another world championship. While the fact that there are multiple world sanctioning organizations and thus, multiple world championships per weight division has made the process of a champion moving up to challenge for another world title a bit easier, it is still an accomplishment that can prove difficult to pull off. 

In the case of former Undisputed Jr. Middleweight world champion Jermell Charlo, he is preparing to take what some would call a bigger risk as he will move up in weight by two weight divisions to challenge Undisputed Super-Middleweight world champion Saul "Canelo" Alvarez for the Undisputed Super-Middleweight championship of the world on September 30th at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, NV.

The fight, which can be seen here in the United States on Showtime Pay-Per-View, has been marketed as the first time in Boxing history that two undisputed champions have faced off against each other. Charlo will technically still be the undisputed champion of the 154lb. Jr. Middleweight division when he enters the ring to face Alvarez, when the bell rings for round one, he will no longer be an undisputed champion of the Jr. Middleweight division as he will be stripped of the World Boxing Organization (WBO) championship for failing to defend his title against undefeated WBO number one contender Tim Tszyu.

The technicalities and elements of the business of Boxing aside, Charlo is nevertheless attempting something that few have attempted by leaping up two divisions to challenge one of the best pound for pound fighters in the world in Alvarez, as well as one of the top drawing cards in the sport. What type of fight we might see from a stylistic standpoint may come down to who is able to dictate the pace early on as both Alvarez and Charlo are boxer/punchers who can do a little of everything, but each also has the ability to adapt during the course of a fight. 

While some may point to the weight issue in that Charlo is moving up fourteen pounds to face Alvarez, this observer feels the more telling issue might be Charlo's lack of activity going into this encounter. Charlo has only fought twice in the last two years and while that is due to both his suffering a broken hand while in training for a scheduled title defense against Tim Tszyu, as well as the current state of the Premier Boxing Champions (PBC) group of promoters that have seen many of those who have fought under the PBC banner seek other opportunities in an attempt to stay active, the biggest enemy of any fighter is inactivity and this in addition to the moving up fourteen pounds might work against Charlo.

In contrast to his challenger, Alvarez has been quite active for a fighter considered to be on the elite level of the sport in fighting six times over the last two years with the only blemish coming against undefeated WBA Light-Heavyweight world champion Dmitry Bivol in May of last year in a failed attempt by Alvarez to become a two-time Light-Heavyweight world champion. Despite that setback and otherwise being dominant in the 168lb. Super-Middleweight division over that stretch, there are some who might wonder if Alvarez is approaching the twilight of his career in that he has only scored one knockout during that stretch, which came against Avni Yildirim in February 2021. Although some might question whether Alvarez might be in decline because of a perception that he might not be able to end a fight inside the distance, he has nevertheless been dominant and in comparison, he would appear to have the advantage going into this fight.

It can be all too tempting at times to fall into the hype they surrounds a fight. In this case, this could be viewed as a landmark moment in the history of the sport because of the fact of at least on the surface of two undisputed champions facing each other, but with Boxing fans once again being asked to shell out funds at an expensive price to see this encounter, one can only hope that it turns out to be a competitive fight if not a great one. With so many events of a similar price falling to live up to such hype, a competitive bout where each fighter brings the best of what they have into the ring would be seen as a success even if it is at the expense of the Boxing fan.

"And That's The Boxing Truth."

Alvarez vs. Charlo takes place on Saturday, September 30th at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, NV. The fight can be seen on Showtime Pay-Per-View in the United States for $84.99 at 8PM ET/5PM PT and will be available through traditional cable/satellite providers and the Showtime app on mobile, tablet, and connected streaming devices and Smart TVs. Contact your cable/satellite provider or visit www.SHO.com/PPV for information on how to order and view this event via the Showtime app as well as a list of compatible devices. 

(*Card and Start Time Subject To Change.*)

(*Check your local listings Internationally.*)

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Zhang Makes A Statement With Brutal KO

When it comes to rematches where there was a conclusive outcome in the previous meeting, more often than not, the subject going into the return encounter will be whether it will be repeat or revenge. Often such a subplot is centered on the fighter who was defeated and whether or not they can change the outcome the next time around. Perhaps those of us in the media should start approaching rematches from a slightly new perspective.

A perspective such as whether the fighter who emerged victorious in the previous encounter can produce the same outcome in a rematch being a victory, and could they do so in an even more convincing fashion. When top Heavyweight contender Zhilei Zhang scored a convincing sixth round stoppage of undefeated top contender and former Olympic Gold medalist Joe Joyce earlier this year, it was a convincing stoppage as the effects of the punishment he was able to dish out was such that it caused significant swelling to Joyce's right eye to the point where he could not see, thus forcing the stoppage. Despite the clear victory, Joyce, a fighter known for both his punching power and his ability to absorb punishment, was never knocked off his feet. This in addition to Zhang being the first fighter to defeat Joyce as a professional, fueled demand for a rematch.

A rematch that would take place on September 23rd at the historic Wembley Arena in London, England. As was the case the first time around and perhaps in spite of his dominant performance in April of this year when these two fighters met, Zhang was viewed as a significant underdog. While no one should ever diminish the enthusiasm and fandom of a Boxing fan, it was hard to gloss over what Zhang was able to do in the first fight even though there were some who were of the opinion that Joyce may have been able to turn things around in that fight as it progressed into the middle and late rounds, had it not been for the condition of his eye. It is certainly possible for a fighter to have what this observer often refers to as "A Bad Night At The Office" because fighters, like the rest of us, are only human. For yours truly however, I could not simply dismiss Zhang as a favorite going into the rematch based simply on a "What Might Have Been" possibility. It is also worth noting in taking nothing away from Joyce's reputation, Zhang had a lot of the same attributes going into the first fight including punching power and Olympic pedigree as a former Silver medalist in the 2008 games as a Super Heavyweight.

Nevertheless, with a lot of the buzz going into the rematch centered on Joyce and some merely dismissing what he had done in the first encounter, I was interested to see what Zhang would try to do to attempt to improve on an impressive performance. From the opening bell, it was clear that there was only one fighter in the ring that was prepared in all aspects for the second meeting and that fighter was Zhilei Zhang. 

If one were to ask yours truly to describe Zhang's approach to someone who was only a casual observer of the sport, the best words I could use are"Patient" and "Surgical." Perhaps because he came in twenty pounds heavier than he was in the first fight, Joyce hardly threw any punches, was hesitant and did not appear willing to engage. Zhang simply took his time and took advantage of whatever openings Joyce gave him. Rather than being overly aggressive, which might have been a strategy of Joyce's corner, Zhang simply bided his time. He also was able to do something in the first two rounds that had not been done to Joyce before, he staggered him with both his left and right hands. 

After seeing that Joyce did not want to let his hands go and the reaction his body showed to being hit, my immediate thought was the fight would not last long and that clearly Joyce made a bad decision to invoke a rematch so soon after taking a significant beating five months earlier. No sooner did that thought cross my mind, the fight ended in brutal fashion. Late in the third round, Zhang connected with a perfectly timed right hook to the jaw that sent Joyce down hard face first on the canvas. If Zhilei Zhang's victory in the first fight was convincing, his one punch knockout over a previously iron-chinned Joyce should be viewed as an emphatic statement-making performance in proving that the outcome of the first fight was not a fluke.

While Zhilei Zhang is one step from fighting for a world championship as the WBO's number one Heavyweight contender, this second loss for Joe Joyce should probably serve as a cautionary tale for fighters and more specifically those who are tasked with the responsibility of looking out for the long-term well-being for those fighters to not rush into a rematch even if you might be contractually entitled to one as Joyce was here.

Clearly Joyce was not recovered from what he suffered physically from in the first fight and now there may be cause for concern as to whether he should continue on with his career. There have been countless fighters who have lost back to back fights or even more than that and have been able to rebound throughout the history of Boxing, but when a fighter shows obvious signs of not having punch resistance, nor the ability to throw punches consistently, it is time to seriously consider the fighter's health and what the goal might be for life after Boxing.

"And That's The Boxing Truth."

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Can Joyce Even The Score?

An old saying that any Boxing fan is likely to hear at some point is anything can happen in Boxing and that especially holds true for the Heavyweight division. At this time last year, Joe Joyce was an undefeated Heavyweight contender, who was riding high following the biggest win of his career in becoming the first fighter to stop former Heavyweight world champion Joseph Parker inside the distance. Just as it appeared that Joyce was on the verge of fighting for a world championship within a short time, he ran into a wall that brought his road to a world title to a halt.

The wall came in the form of 6'6 Heavyweight contender Zhilei Zhang. When the two Heated giants met in April of this year, it would be Zhang who would emerge victorious stopping the previously unbeaten "Knockout Artist" Joyce in six rounds. In a rare simple instance in the sport, Joyce exercised his rematch clause, which will take place without much delay or bucket between the two fighters or their camps on Saturday, September 23rd at the historic Wembley Arena in London, England. A rematch that can be seen in the United States on digital subscription sports streaming network ESPN+.

There are two questions that surround this rematch. The first question is one that could be asked in two parts. Is Joyce coming back too soon from a loss where frankly he suffered significant punishment before being stopped and whether there is wisdom in seeking an immediate rematch against Zhang. Question two is one that could be both simple or complex to answer. Will the outcome of the rematch be different than the first fight?

Prior to the first encounter, Joyce had firmly established himself as not only one of the Heavyweight division's feared "Knockout Artists," but as someone with a granite chin. One need look no further than his fight with Joseph Parker nearly one year to the day coincidentally of this rematch with Zhang for an illustration of Joyce's ability to take a punch as Parker regularly connected with hard punches, in particular with his right hand that often landed flush on the jaw and chin of Joyce. Punches that would have ended the night for most Heavyweights that Joyce was somehow able to walk through and keep coming forward. 

One could argue however, that it is that very ability, the ability to take a punch that led to his downfall against Zhang in April. Zang was able to frequently land his left hand and right hook from the southpaw stance throughout the first fight. Although Joyce showed an often granite chin as he had done throughout his career, this was the first time in his career where he would be staggered by an opponent and, despite having some moments throughout and seemingly being able to out throw Zhang, he did not have an answer to avoid what Zhang was throwing at him and to be more specific, he had no way to defend and protect himself against what Zhang was able to land. The effects of the punishment dished out by Zhang became apparent as Joyce's right eye became cut and badly swollen resulting in the fight being stopped in round six.

As this rematch approaches Joyce must show some improvement in his ability to evade punches this time around. It is possible that Joyce's right eye may not be fully healed with only five months between the first fight and the second encounter. With this in mind, it may be likely that Zhang will look to target the right eye of Joyce early on, knowing what damage he was able to cause as well as the narrow period of time Joyce has had to heal from the first fight.

Although Joyce was heavily favored going into fight one, Zhang had only suffered one defeat, a narrow twelve round unanimous decision to Filip Hrgovic in August of last year. A fight that many, including this observer, felt Zhang deserved the decision. Even though it may have been possible that some, including perhaps even Joyce himself, underestimated Zhang back in April, it would be a mistake to write off what occurred the first time these two fighters were in the ring as merely a bad night at the office for Joyce.

Going into fight two, it is Zhang with the theoretical advantages and it is Joyce in the position of trying to avenge the only loss of his professional career. Nevertheless, one of the appeals of the sport of Boxing is indeed anything can happen and with much on the line for both fighters as well as the potential future of the division, this fight is truly must see. Whether Joe Joyce can even the score is a question that will be answered on September 23rd.

"And That's The Boxing Truth." 

Zhang vs. Joyce 2 takes place on Saturday, September 23rd at the Wembley Arena in London, England. The fight can be seen here in the United States on digital subscription sports streaming network ESPN+ beginning at 5PM ET/2PM PT.

ESPN+ is available through the ESPN app on mobile, tablet, and connected streaming devices, and Smart TVs. For more information about ESPN+ including schedules, list of compatible streaming devices, platforms, Smart TVs, and to subscribe please visit: www.ESPNPlus.com. 

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