Oliver McCall 251.2 – Stacy Frazier 228.4

Isaac Carbonell 175 – Antonio Louis Hernandez 175.6

Joel Mutombo 200.6 – Kevin Torian 200.2

Sean Hemphill 172,8 – Bryant McClain 172

Elon De Jesus 124.2 – Dominique Griffin 123.4

Ryan Zempoatectl 141.6 – Raymond Chacon 134.2

Promoter: Jimmy Adams Promotions

Venue: Troubadour Nashville

1st Bell 7PM CT (8 PM ET)

TV: USA Today, USA Today Sports, Countrybox247.com, itube24.com, Trillerr.TV (Marc Abrams and Albert Haynesworth on the Call)

Photos By Janet Wohler / Jimmy Adams Promotions

Jimmy Adams Promotions & Country Box “Where Music Meets Boxing” Get your tickets at countrybox247.com

Plus Countrybox247.com. ITUBE247.com and Triller.TV

November 17, 2024) –The Tuesday night at The Troubadour in Nashville, Tennessee, former WBC Heavyweight champion Oliver McCall is set to return to action as he takes on veteran Stacy Frazier in a bout scheduled for four-rounds.

AT 59 years-old, McCall will set the record for being the oldest former heavyweight champion to compete in a sanctioned fight. The record was set just four days earlier by former undisputed champion Mike Tyson when he took on Jake Paul in Arlington, Texas.

McCall, 59-14 with 38 knockouts knows that staying active over the last 19 years will separate his performance on Tuesday night from what Tyson looked like on Friday.

“I am ready. I have been training down here in Nashville for a few weeks, but I am always in shape. This will be a lot different then what fans saw on Friday. I think being active has a great deal to do with it. The only reason that I have not fought in five years was the pandemic and a few things falling through. If you look at my record, since 2005, I have fought 25 times and have been 19-6 with wins over quality fighters and have won various regional titles.

McCall is fighting with no financial motivation and he sees that the end of fighting days are near, and is already plotting his post-retirement plans.

“I want to do this for another year. That will make it 40 years as a professional boxer. Then I want to train and get into the management end of things. I want to give back and help the next generation of fighters try to become world champions. I came down here to Nashville and hooked up with the manager who brought me to the title in (Country Box) promoter Jimmy Adams. I am learning a lot about that end of the sport, and I love the fighters down here plus everything that is going on with Country Box.”

Country Box 25 will also feature eight-round bouts featuring super bantamweight Elon DeJesus (8-1-2, 7 KOs) vs. Dominique Griffin (5-7-2, 2 KOs); as well as super middleweights Sean Hemphill (16-2, 10 KOs) fighting Bryant McClain (6-5-2, 1 KO).

Six-round bouts will see light heavyweight Isaac Carbonell (8-0, 5 KOs) taking on Antonio Louis Hernandez (7-19-4, 4 KOs); Joel Mutombo (6-0, 4 KOs) vs Kevin Torian (3-2, 3 KOs) in a cruiserweight fight.

Four-Round Bouts will have Ryan Zempoaltecatl (2-0, 1 KO) fighting Raymond Chacon (10-64-1, 2 KOs);

Tickets can be purchased at countrybox247.com

The card can be see live all over the world at 8 PM ET / 7 PM CT at USA Today, USA Today Sports, Countrybox247.com and Country Box Youtube Page

By Norm Frauenheim –

Mike Tyson has been making a fool out of himself and just about everybody around him for decades. Maybe, he’ll do it again, making a fool out of Jake Paul and the rest of us who believe he shouldn’t be in a traditional boxing ring against anybody anywhere.

Any more.

But, of course, he will be Friday night on the Cowboys home field in Texas in front of an expected crowd of 80,000 and who-knows-how-many from Netflix’s subscriber population of 287.2 million, millions more than the nearly 150 million who voted in the recent presidential election. 

Don’t call it a fight, although the Texas Department of Licensing & Regulation elected to do so, but only after adding four ounces to the usual 10-ounce gloves while reducing the number of scheduled rounds from 10 to eight and subtracting a minute from each round, from three to two.

Texas, like Netflix, knows a money-maker when it sees one. In this transactional era, traditional rules and regs are just some of the numbers that can be adjusted if the projected financials are big enough. They are. 

Reportedly, Paul will walk away with $40-million, a purse that might make the accomplished Canelo Alvarez — the only traditional boxer left among the wealthy athletes near the top of Forbes’ annual rating — wonder if he’s in the wrong game.

But Tyson-Paul isn’t about boxing, although boxing surely wishes it was. Does anybody in the Tyson-Paul audience plan to watch the Oleksandr Usyk-Tyson Fury heavyweight rematch next month? Guess here: Very few. Truth is, very few probably even know it’s happening.

Usyk-Fury is a real fight. It’s intriguing, but only for a shrinking demographic that still enjoys a craft historically defined as The Sweet Science. Nothing about the 58-year-old Tyson versus a 27-year-old Paul figures to be sweet or scientific.

It’s spectacle, a Tyson speciality. It also happens to be the only thing about Tyson that hasn’t eroded over the decades. He’s feared for his punching power, and perhaps some of that is still there. It’s the last thing to go. 

But the real power, the most durable element in Tyson’s skillset — is his ongoing ability to create the kind of anticipation that precedes a spectacle and sometimes an accident. A crowd will gather for both. 

Tyson’s career as an active fighter is remembered more for what happened in defeat than victory. The infamous Bite Fight — Evander Holyfield lost part of his ear and won the fight in a DQ — defines him. It shut down the MGM Grand and the city of Las Vegas on a hot night in June 1997. 

Cabbies still driving Vegas streets tell stories about it to this day. Meanwhile, Holyfield, one of history’s great heavyweight champions, occupied an almost forgotten role in one of boxing’s most unforgettable moments, infamous because of Tyson and the genuine unpredictability he brings to any event.

Then.

And now.

Twenty-seven years later, that unpredictability is still centered around Tyson. He’ll be 60 in a couple of years. Texas regulators and Netflix can alter the length of rounds and the amount of padding in the gloves. It can tamper with a lot of the numbers. But not that one. 

Father Time doesn’t negotiate. 

On the scale Thursday, Tyson, reported to be at 233 pounds, looked good, especially for a man moving from middle age into old age. Some of the photos posted on social media included one word: SCARY.

Yeah, scary for him.

I’ve been asked to pick the fight. The sure winner, of course, is Netflix. But there’s another pick, really more of a hope. Here’s hoping Tyson emerges unhurt. Guess is, he will. For all of his trash-talk, Paul, reported to be at 220 pounds, is smart enough to know that his fellow Millennials in the crowd and audience are cheering for Tyson. 

They remember him like kids remember their favorite comic-book SuperHeros. They never get old. But Tyson has. 

Father Time beats us all, perhaps because of an unforeseen injury or just because of exhaustion, or an erosion in reflexes, or some problematic pre-condition. Remember, this fight was postponed in May because of an ulcer, which Tyson said was bleeding. Tyson told New York Magazine that he was spitting up blood. He was quoted as saying: “I said to the doctor: ‘Am I going to die?’ ‘’

Scary.

A hint at what might happen, perhaps, comes from his greatest rival, Holyfield. 

Twenty-four years after The Bite Fight, a 58-year-old Holyfield lost to a mix-martial-arts fighter, Vitor Belfort, who agreed to do an exhibition just eight days before the show in 2021. 

Within two minutes of opening bell, Holyfield went down, falling to the canvas in a chaotic crash of uncoordinated legs and limbs. Holyfield got up, but without any of the instinctive reflexes he possessed a couple of decades earlier. They were gone, washed away by the years. He was finished at 1:49 of the first round. It was sad, yet inevitable.

Then. 

And probably now.

Rising heavyweight prospect Bruce Seldon Jr. looks to keep his perfect record in tact when he enters the squared circle against seven fight veteran Julio Mendoza (3-4, 2 KO’s) this Saturday in Atlantic City.

Seldon Jr., who turned professional without any amateur fights, is one of the busiest Heavyweights out there as he steps into the ring for the 4th time in 5 months as a professional.

Seldon Jr., the son of former WBA Heavyweight Champion Bruce Seldon, turned pro on June 15th with a first round knockout of Terrick Maven. The power punching prospect has followed that up two more decisive knockouts to up his record to 3-0, 3 KO’s.

The durable Mendoza, fighting out of Palm Crest, Florida owns a TKO victory over 3-1 Desmond Thompson. He has fought an array of prospects and has only been stopped once (his pro debut) in 7 fights.

Seldon Jr. vs Mendoza is part of an action packed card brought to you by New York State Boxing Hall of Fame promoter of the year Larry Goldberg’s BoxingInsider.com Promotions live from the Tropicana in Atlantic City. Limited tickets remain and are available on Ticketmaster.

PHILADELPHIA, November 7, 2024 – Two-time world title challenger Jesse Hart will defend his home turf when he battles Ricardo Luna in an eight-round light heavyweight bout in the main event on Friday, November 22 at the Liacouras Center on the University of Temple campus.

All in all, on the card will be five Philly fighters, and two Pennsylvania fighters and three New Jersey fighters within driving distance of the Liacouras Center.

Tickets, priced from $35 to $225, are available at TicketMaster here.

The show will be streamed live by PPV on Radiant TV.

“I’m looking to bring that old school feeling back…like the era when Mike Tyson, Roy Jones Jr. and Bernard Hopkins were fighting,” said Dominick Walton, CEO of Teflon Promotions. “When the best fought the best in their division in 50/50 fights.. that’s why I salute Jesse Hart, Naheem Parker, Jibril Noble, Arnold Gonzalez, Muhsin Cason etc. because they understand the mission with their mind set and their goals to be great. It brings excitement back to Philadelphia and it also puts Teflon promotions on the map.”

Jesse “Hard Work” Hart (31-3, 25 KOs), born and raised in Philadelphia, PA. is ranked No. 3 light heavyweight by the World Boxing Organization (WBO). Jesse won the NABF super middleweight title in 2014 and a year later added the IBF USBA and WBO NABO super middleweight belts with a knockout win against an undefeated Mike Jimenez. “Hard Work” made four successful defenses of the IBF and WBO titles which set him up for his first world title shot, which he lost to Zurdo Ramirez by razor thin decision. Three wins later, Hart fought a rematch with Ramirez for the same WBO world title, this time losing by majority decision. Hart is currently on a five bout win streak, last four by knockout.

“This is gonna be a great night of boxing – every fight on the card is a 50/50 match and I’m defending my number 3 WBO position,” said Hart. “It’s going to be a very exciting night.”

Ricardo Adrian “Tyson” Luna (27-12-2, 17 KOs) from Ciudad Nezahualcoyotl, México, is a former Mexican Middleweight Champion. Ricardo also challenged for the WBC USA Super Middleweight Title (twice), NABA and WBO NABO Super Middleweight titles,

In an eight round, 150 lbs. welterweight catchweight bout, Arnold Gonzalez (15-1, 7 KOs) from New York, NY, will battle Florent “The Tiger” Dervis (10-2, 5 KOs), who was born in France and now calls Boston, Mass. home. Each were undefeated till recent losses. Gonzalez made pro debut in 2019 as a welterweight and his undefeated streak of fifteen ended in his last fight. The twenty-six-year-old Dervis began his career with ten consecutive wins.

In a South Jersey versus Philly battle, Philadelphian Jibril “Pegese” Noble, (6-0, 5 KOs) will battle Naheem Parker (5-1, 2 KOs) from Camden, NJ in a six-round lightweight bout. Noble made his pro debut in Philadelphia on July 24, 2021, with a second-round knockout. Noble’s only fight that went the distance was against fellow undefeated fighter on October 21, 2023.

Parker made his pro debut in 2020 and won his first five fights.

In a second PA vs Jersey bout, Jaclyne “The Assassin” McTamney (2-0, 1 KO) out of Southampton, PA will battle Princeton’s Ayeshia Green (0-1) in a four-round featherweight contest.

Muhsin “The Muslim Boxer” Cason (12-0, 9 KOs) was born in Baltimore and calls Philadelphia home. Muhsin has sixteen siblings and his oldest brother is former world heavyweight champion Hasim “The Rock” Rahman. “Hasim gives me insight on how to be focused and overcome the obstacles,” said Muhsin. He will fight in a six-round cruiserweight scrap. “It’s great that so many of our Philly natives get to be on one card and show their skills,” said Muhsin.

Philadelphian Rasheen Brown (12-1, 7 KOs) will fight in a six-round featherweight bout against Mexican Juan Antonio “The Wolfe” Lopez (18-17-1, 8 KOs) who currently resides in Burleson, Texas.

Allentown, PA’s undefeated Thanjhae Teasley (11-0, 5 KOs) will fight in a six-round welterweight bout.

Philadelphian Najeem Johns (5-1, 4 KOs) will fight in a four-round super lightweight bout against Danny Murray (7-7) from Lanoka Harbor, NJ.

Opening the card will be Hawaiian Lyndon Patricio (1-0, 1 KO) in a four-round bantamweight tilt.

Follow Teflon promotions

At https://www.teflonpromotions.com/

On Instagram https://www.instagram.com/teflon_promotions/

NEW YORK (November 8, 2024) – Elijah Lugo recently added another significant achievement at the 2024 World Boxing U19 Championships, winning a gold medal for Team USA.

Beginning late October and finishing up at the end last week, the tournament saw Lugo dominate his bouts, including a strong final performance against Nikita Prohovskis from Latvia, where he won by unanimous decision. This victory capped a very impressive two week plus run for Lugo, as he previously won on points and secured a technical stoppage victory (RSC) in earlier rounds. His contributions led a strong Team USA, which won multiple medals.

As previously stated, Lugo dominated the 2024 World Boxing U19 Championships from start to finish and continued to demonstrate his elite boxing prowess to go with devastating strength and power. This gold medal win follows up an impressive start to 2024, where he set Team USA’s record for knockouts. A record, which prior to Elijah, was held by none other than Nathan Lugo. His older brother.

? Nathan is represented by Split-T Management and promoted by Frank and George Warren of Queensberry Promotions. The older Lugo made his professional debut in 2024 and was featured on the streaming platform DAZN for his bouts.

Elijah Lugo, 18 years-old from Marietta, Georgia is trained by his father Michael Lugo and trains at the Lugo Boxing Club. More updates to come on Elijah’s promising career in the near future.

NEW YORK (November 5, 2024)- Trifon Petrov and Split-T Management are proud to announce the signing of Cristian Javier Pinales to a long term management agreement.

Pinales of La Romana, Dominican Republic, the 2024 Olympic Bronze Medal winner, is turning professional and plans on making his debut at the start of 2025 under the guidance of Petrov and Split-T Management.

“I am very happy to have signed with David McWater (CEO of Split-T Management) and Trifon Petrov. They represent many world champions, high level contenders and have great relationships in the sport of boxing. Working with them both will be a huge boost for my career,” said Pinales

“Cristian is a special talent and has all the necessary skills to become one of boxing greats. He has a very bright future. I am excited that he trusts David and I to guide his career moving forward. It’s a pleasure and honor to have Cristian Pinales as part of the team,” said Trifon Petrov.

“I am very excited to be working with Pinales. I believe him to be one of the best prospects to come out of the 2024 Paris Olympics. Pinales has assembled a great team to guide and support his career with Chelo, Indio, Trifon and I. Very happy to be a member of Team Pinales,” said David McWater of Split-T Management

Like his two older brothers, Pinales was an avid basketball player growing up in the Dominican Republic, but his attention shifted to boxing which eventually led him to the Silverio De Aza Boxing Club. Cristian’s many natural gifts combined with a superior work ethic quickly placed him on the world stage as an amateur culminating with an Olympic Bronze medal win.

On winning the bronze medal and representing his home country, Pinales said, “I was filled with pride representing my country at the 2024 Paris Olympics. Winning the medal for the Dominican Republic was the best thing that’s ever happened to me.”

“There was a huge welcome once I made it back home. It was absolute madness. Thousands of people were waiting at the airport to congratulate me. For the month to follow I had daily media responsibilities all over the country, including meeting the President of the Dominican Republic, which was a huge honor for me. The Olympics were a huge culmination to my amateur career. Fighting in front of tens or thousands of people in Paris and defeating some of the best boxers in the history of the sport like two-times Olympic Gold medalist Arlen Lopez showed the world I belong with the best. I am ready to make the transition to the professional ranks and keep making my country proud”

When at home in the Dominican Republic, Pinales still trains at The Silverio De Aza Boxing Club, but after turning professional he will base himself in the United States to train Bethlehem, Pennsylvania under the watchful eyes of veteran trainers Chelo Betancourt and Indio Rodriguez.

“After Pinales won a medal at the Paris Olympics, becoming a professional was the next logical step. He’s had an extremely long and successful amateur career, and now it’s time to show the world what he can do as a professional. He is a very talented fighter who can do it all in the ring. I am excited to have the opportunity to work with him alongside Indio Rodriguez,” said Betancourt.

Pinales, a father of two, looks to become a big star in boxing, “Becoming a boxer is the best decision I’ve ever made. Now I am looking forward to becoming professional, as it will be another dream come true. I believe that my combination of skill and charisma will make me a household name in the boxing world. I achieved my first goal of bringing an Olympic Medal home, now my focus shifts to my next goal, which is to bring a world title home. I can’t wait to go to work. I am ready and excited for the journey,” Pinales finished.

November 4, 2024) –Weights for Tuesday Night’s Country Box 24 show at The Troubadour Nashville.

Fernando Cuza 226 – Keith Barr 210.2

Ryan Zempoaltecatl 141- Ryan Schwartzberg 141

Koby Khalil Williams 141.8 – Blake Witcher 142.4

Gianni Ligouri 140.6 – Jashawn Hunter 140.8

Promoter: Jimmy Adams Promotions

Venue: Troubadour Nashville

1st Bell 7PM CT (8 PM ET)

TV: USA Today, USA Today Sports, Countrybox247.com, itube24.com, Trillerr.TV (Marc Abrams and Albert Haynesworth on the Call)

Photos By Janet Wohler / Jimmy Adams Promotions

Jimmy Adams Promotions & Country Box “Where Music Meets Boxing” Get your tickets at countrybox247.com

Plus Countrybox247.com. ITUBE247.com and Triller.TV

By Norm Frauenheim

He’s a little guy about to embark on a second chapter, also a significant one with the potential to be the biggest in the history of fighters at the bottom — the forgotten — end of boxing’s scale.

Jesse Rodriguez’ emergence over the last year is impossible to ignore. His popularity, perhaps, is best defined by his nickname. Bam, it’s simple, descriptive and easy to remember in just about any language. Bam, it could be in a super-hero cartoon or a TV ad for some new household product. But these days it sums up a fighter whose dynamic skillset can put some rare bam into a sport in desperate need of some.

Increasingly, today’s boxing is about fights that don’t happen. Anyone interested in more exasperating speculation about Canelo Alvarez-versus-David Benavidez or Canelo-versus-Terence Crawford? Didn’t think so. Anybody interested in more dreary news about the IBF, Irrelevant Boxing Federation, stripping another fighter of another title? Didn’t think so.

There have been lots of headlines this week, celebrating the 50th anniversary of Muhammad Ali’s iconic stoppage of George Foreman in then Zaire. The stories are terrific. But, mostly, they fill a void. Nostalgia is about all boxing has these days. 

Baseball celebrated its rich history this week  with another compelling World Series between the Dodgers and Yankees while boxing remembers its colorful past while wondering whether there’s much of a future.

Increasingly, I fear, boxing’s biggest moments will be the circus-like exhibition that we’re about to witness in the 57-year-old Mike Tyson against the 27-year-old Jake Paul. A big crowd figures to gather November 15 at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Tex. A big Netflix audience is likely. 

But they’ll be watching for the same reason people stop to watch a car wreck. In Tyson-Paul, there’s a chance an accident is about to happen.

It’s a dreary landscape, mostly devoid of promise. But there is Rodriguez, unbeaten (20-0, 13 KOs) and a reason for optimism. He just renewed his deal with Matchroom, the opening step in the 115-pound fighter’s move up the pound-for-pound scale. 

Next up: A date against a so-called mandatory challenger, Mexican Pedro Guevara (42-4-1, 22 KOs) on Nov. 9 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia on a card featuring welterweight champion Jaron “Boots” Ennis against Karen Chukhadzhian.

Matchroom’s Eddie Hearn added Bam to the card after hearing complaints about Chukhadzhian in a rematch. Ennis scored a one-sided decision — 120-108 on all three scorecards —over the Ukrainian in January 2023.

Hearn countered the complaints with his newly-minted star, Rodriguez, a small fighter who figures to be a big draw for Philly’s Puerto Rican audience. In part, the Philadelphia fight is a chance for Rodriguez to further affirm the stardom he established in entertaining fights in Phoenix, the best market for little guys in the United States since Hall of Fame junior-flyweight Michael Carbajal’s memorable run in the 1990s.

The milestone moment was Rodriguez’ masterful seventh-round stoppage of Juan Francisco Estrada last June in front of a roaring crowd of about 10,000 at Footprint Center, the Suns home arena in downtown Phoenix. It was a Super Fly fight that included power — three knockdowns — two by Bam and one by Estrada. Mostly, however, it was an almost artful exhibition of boxing skill from both. 

If boxing passed out an award for Most Skillful Fight Of the Year, Rodriguez-Estrada would be this corner’s choice with light-heavyweight Artur Beterbiev’s majority decision over Dmitry Bivol on Oct. 14 in Saudi Arabia a close second. Rodriguez-Estrada was fought at the craft’s highest level.

Initially, the proud Estrada talked about a rematch. After thinking about it, however, he decided no and announced he would move up in weight. In effect, it was an affirmation of just how good Rodriguez is. 

And will be. 

The best guess is that Rodriguez will beat Guevara, a 35-year-old former champion who is perhaps best known for beating former featherweight and junior-lightweight champion Oscar Valdez Jr. as an amateur.

Then, there’s a move to unify the 115-pound title. For now, it’s not clear where that takes him. There had been talk about a fight with the winner of a projected rematch between Kazuko Ioka and Fernando Martinez, an Argentine who scored a decision over Ioka in Japan in July. 

There have confusing reports this week about whether the Irrelevant Boxing Federation had stripped Martinez of its 115-pound title. At last report, the acronym said Martinez had relinquished the belt because he wanted to proceed with the Ioka rematch instead of a so-called mandatory. I don’t know. I don’t care.

The only significant scenario here is a path for Rodriguez to secure a shot at another belt — against Ioka or Martinez or whoever — in an effort to unify one title in perhaps another step toward Naoya Inoue, maybe the most popular Japanese athlete not named Shohei Ohtani. 

For now, Rodriguez-versus-Inoue is a dream fight. Inoue, a former junior-flyweight champion, is currently fighting at junior-featherweight, 122 pounds. There’s been talk about him at featherweight, 126. Weight might be a hurdle, although  the 24-year-old Rodriguez is expected to mature. His body type suggests he can carry more weight. 

There’s also Junto Nakatani. Nakatani, unbeaten with dangerous power, is fighting at bantamweight. He looms as the most immediate threat to Inoue’s Japanese reign.

Still, Rodriguez-versus-Inoue — a cross-cultural, world-wide clash between a Mexican-American and a Japanese star — is still the Dream.

Boxing needs one. 

Philadelphia, PA (October 24, 2024) — Weights for Saturday night’s RDR Promotions card at Harrahs Philadelphia in Chester, PA 

Nimal Farmer 147.8 – Ghandi Romain 145.8 

Shane Slocumb 204.4 – Ali Ellis 217.2 

Frankie Lynn 146 – Antonio Allen 145.2 

Zaire Jefferson 173.2 – Rancey Slanger 172.8 

Michael Lee 146 – Nelson Morales 146 

Ray Robinson 153.6 – Andre Byrd 152.6

Lemar Smith 144 – Jordan Drayton 144 

Tyreem Haywood 147 – Assan Tucker 139

 Devin Price 145.6 – Ismael Dixon 146

Promoter: RDR Promotions 

Venue: Harrahs Philadelphia 

1st Bell: 7 PM ET 

Stream: BXNGTV.com

Tickets are $75, $100, $130 and can be purchased at rdrboxing@yahoo.com

Bakhram Murtazaliev dropped former world champion four-times in less than three rounds and scored a third round stoppage to retain the IBF Jr. Middleweight title at the Caribe Royale Resort in Orlando, Florida.

Halfway through the opening round, Tszyu was cut on the top of his head. In round two, Murtazaliev landed a left hook that dropped Tszyu. A moment later, it was another left hook to the jaw that put Tszyu down again. Murtazaliev landed three more crushing left hooks and a right to the side of the head that put Tszyu down for a third time in the round. Halfway through round three, Murtazaliev landed another perfect left hook that dropped Tszyu hard to the canvas. Tszyu was allowed to continue, but not for long as he landed a booming right to the jaw that rocked Tszyu badly and the corner mercifully threw in towel, saving Tszyu any more damage at

Murtazaliev, 152.8 lbs of Glendale, CA is 23-0 with 17 knockouts. Tszyu, 153.4 lbs of Sydney, AUS is 24-2.

Yoenis Tellez Stops Johan Gonzalez in 7

Yoenis Tellez remained undefeated with a seventh round stoppage over Johan Gonzalez in a 10-round super welterweight fight.

In round two, Tellez started to develop some redness around his left eye.

In round six, Tellez landed a perfect straight to the jaw that buckled and dropped Gonzalez. In round seven, Tellez landed a left hook to the head that sent Gonzalez to the floor. Tellez then landed a big right hand that hurt and dropped Gonzalez and the fight was stopped at 1:57.

Tellez, 153.8 lbs of Stafford, TX is 9-0 with seven knockouts. Gonzalez, 153 lbs of Las Vegas is 35-4.

Saavedra and Tapia Battle to a Draw

Endry Saavedra and Cesar Mateo Tapia battled to a 10-round majority draw in a middleweight slugfest.

In round three, Saavedra landed a hard combination highlighted by some hard hooks that put Tapia down on the ropes. Tapia rose with a cut under his right eye. Saavedra then landed another flurry for a second knockdown from a right to the body. In round five that right eye of Tapia began to swell. Later in the round, Saavedra walked right into a booming counter right to the head that sent him to the canvas.

In round six, Saavedra began to swell under his right eye. In round nine, Saavedra landed a fuselage of body shots that wilted Tapia to a knee.

Tapia landed 128 of 387 punches. Saavedra was 208 of 558.

Tapia, 160 lbs of New South Wales, AUS won a scorecard by a 94-92 tally, while two cards were even at 93-93. Tapia is 17-0-1. Saavedra, 159.8 lbs of Tijuana, MEX is 16-1-1.

By Norm Frauenheim

An old line is as current as ever this week because of the acronyms, which continue to prove that the only thing killing boxing is boxing itself.

The IBF is redefining itself. Call it the Irrelevant Boxing Federation. The latest move dropped Thursday with news that defies common sense. Business sense, too. Then again, the IBF is in the business of collecting sanctioning fees.  But there won’t be too many more of those if the IBF continues to make baffling moves that can only shove the acronym into further obscurity.

The latest: A threat to strip Artur Beterbiev of the IBF piece of the light-heavyweight title within a week after he retained it, two other belts and added a fourth in a controversial scorecard decision over Dmitry Bivol in Riyadh. 

You didn’t have to watch the fight to know that a rematch had to be next. I didn’t watch because of another acronym, DAZN, which advertised that the undercard’s live stream would be free in the US and Canada, yet then charged $19.99. Frustrated, I just decided to say no. It was just the latest example of how boxing conducts itself. Only in boxing can a circular firing squad become a business agenda.

According to many accounts in the post-fight scuffle on social media, Bivol got robbed. Maybe. Maybe not. However, at least one of the scorecards in the majority decision says that Bivol did enough to get a rematch. One judge scored it a draw, 114-114. The other two cards favored Beterbiev, 115-113 and 116-112, a score that managed to generate a lot of the outrage. 

Whatever you think, the fight and subsequent debate left a question. The only way to get an answer is with a rematch. For a few days, at least, that seemed to be what everyone wanted.

Beterbiev, who says little, said enough to indicate he’s willing.

With Bivol and his corner, there was never much doubt. Many in the Bivol corner were shouting robbery. An attorney for Bivol petitioned the acronyms Wednesday, asking for a rematch. 

For once, there seemed to be some consensus. But — surprise, surprise — it didn’t last. The familiar chaos was back with news from the IBF that it would order Beterbiev to fight somebody named Michael Eifert. It could have ordered him to fight the Eiffel Tower for all that it mattered. Does anybody know who Michael Eifert is? Didn’t think so.

Then again, does anybody know William Scull? He’s a good name for Halloween, but as a champion, or challenger he is as unknown as Eifert (13-1, 5 KOs), an IBF challenger living in Germany who is best known for scoring a decision over a faded Jean Pascal in March 2023. 

By coincidence, perhaps, Scull (22-0, 9 KOs), a Cuban also living in Germany, fights for the first time Saturday since the IBF elevated him to the top of super-middleweight ratings after stripping Canelo Álvarez of its 168-pound belt. 

Scull fights for Canelo’s former piece of the undisputed title against an unbeaten Russian named Vladimir Shishkin, (16-0, 10 KOs) in Falkensee, a town west of Berlin. Will anybody see it? Put it this way: There won’t be any speculative stories about the pay-per-view count. No television or streaming is planned.

In effect, the IBF stripped Canelo of the belt and itself of his drawing power. The numbers are smaller, but the IBF could be taking a similar step in a baffling move, a so-called order that Beterbiev fight an unknown or risk losing his 175-pound belt. 

Common sense dictates that the IBF — or any other acronym arrogant enough to issue orders, designate mandatories and call itself a ruling body  — threatens to strip Beterbiev of only if he declines to do an immediate rematch.

Anything else is a down payment on irrelevancy.

NOTES

Speaking of rematches, a couple of them were formally announced this week. Top Rank will stage Emanuel Navarrete-versus-Oscar Valdez Dec. 7 in Phoenix in a rematch of Navarrete’s punishing decision over Valdez in a dramatic junior-lightweight title bout August, 2023 at Glendale’s Desert Diamond Arena. 

The card, aptly called Scores 2 Settle, will also include Rafael Espinoza versus Robeisy Ramirez in a featherweight rematch of Espinoza’s majority-decision victory in December.

The ESPN card has been in the news for months. The only difference will be the site. Initially, it was believed that Navarrete-Valdez would go back to Glendale. But it was announced this week that they’ll do the sequel at Footprint Center, the NBA Suns home in downtown Phoenix. 

Omar Salcido stopped former interim world champion Chris Champion in round nine of their 10-round lightweight bout at the ProBox Event Center in Plant City, Florida.

Salcido landed the more telling blows throughout the fight. He was able to get through with some hard shots that had Colbert on unsteady legs on a couple of occasions and Colbert held on several times over the second half of the fight. In round nine, Salcido continued to pressure Colbert and Colbert’s corner stopped the bout at 1:02.

Salcido, 136 lbs of Sonora, MEX is 20-1 with 14 knockouts. Colbert, 136.8 lbs suffered his second consecutive stoppage loss as he was stopped by Jose Valenzuela earlier this year. The Brooklyn native falls to 17-3

Tsenbaatar Erdenbat won a 10-round unanimous decision over Frency Fortunato in a junior lightweight bout.

Erdenbat, 130 lbs of Los Angeles won by scores of 100-90 and 98-92 twice and is now 11-0. Fortunato, 129.8 lbs of Santo Domingo, DR is 15-2,

Najee Lopez stopped Ismael Ocles in round three of an eight-round light heavyweight bout.

In round three, Lopez landed a left hook to the river that delayed Ocles falling to a knee for the 10-count at 38 seconds.

Lopez, 176.2 lbs of Atlanta is 12-0 with nine knockouts. Ocles, 173.4 lbs of Quito, ECU is 15-17-2.

David Navarro won a eight-round unanimous decision over previously undefeated Mykell Gamble in a featherweight bout.

In round seven, Gamble was deducted a point for his mouthpiece coming out numerous times.

Navarro, 127.2 lbs of Mexico won by scores of 78-73 twice and 77-74 and is now 7-1. Gamble, 128 lbs of Cincinnati is 7-1.

By Norm Frauenheim

Power and perfection define Artur Beterbiev. Truth is, that’s about all we really know about him. The two elements are linked like numbers in an astonishingly simple equation, a record that says a lot about him and perhaps says everything he wants to say about himself.

Twenty fights, twenty victories, twenty knockouts. 

Challenge that one at your own peril. Dmitry Bivol (23-0, 12 KOs) will, of course, Saturday (main event, DAZN/ESPN+, 6 pm ET) in Saudi Arabia in a light-heavyweight fight as significant as any in the division since the first Andre Ward-Sergey Kovalev bout eight years ago.

Yet, Ward-Kovalev 1, marketed as Pound For Pound, was different on so many other levels. Mostly, there was personal enmity, even before Ward won a hotly-debated decision — 114-113 on all three cards — over Kovalev in November 2016. 

It was as controversial as any over the last decade. But the controversy was fitting. Ward and Kovalev didn’t like each other. Actually, like is a polite way of describing it. But it is a four-letter word. 

The hostility, marked by equal amounts of contempt and abundant suspicion, helped make the fight marketable. Seven months later, it also spawned a rematch, which ended with Ward winning an eighth-round TKO in a sequel as forgettable as the first was memorable.

On the insult scale, Beterbiev-Bivol isn’t even close, although Bivol promoter Eddie Hearn tried to change that this week. First, Hearn insulted Beterbiev, calling him “arrogant.’’

At an earlier newser, Hearn told TNT Sports, “Beterbiev said about three words, I found it quite arrogant.”

Beterbiev, Hearn then added, limited his answers to the media to about one word.

“I think he just went ‘good,’ ‘’ Hearn said. “You’re getting paid an absolute fortune, the entire world’s media here, you owe us a little bit more than that. He couldn’t care less. In a way I respect it, but in a way, I think it’s a little disrespectful.”

At the final newser Thursday in Riyadh, Hearn continued the theme, all in an apparent attempt to break through Beterbiev’s taciturn defense.

For a moment, it looked as if Hearn was getting through.

Beterbiev looked at Hearn and said during the live-streamed newser:

“You talk a lot.”

Hearn’s quick counter:

 “It’s my job. You should try it.”

End of conversation. 

It wasn’t surprising. Statues are more quotable than Beterbiev. But we knew that. He’s memorable more for how he fights than anything he’s ever said. But here’s another number: 39. He’s within four months of turning 40. That includes recent injuries. A knee injury forced Beterbiev to postpone the original date with Bivol, June 1.

He’s beyond prime time, and time might be the only thing that can undo his reign of perfection. He’s the favorite to leave Riyadh with the undisputed light-heavyweight title. Then, it’s back to Montreal and quiet anonymity. 

However, there’s a sense that Father Time’s arrival at Beterbiev’s doorstep will come in the form of the 33-year-old Bivol, a fellow Russian who is given a real chance at an upset in a fight noteworthy for how it sets up the 175-pound division.

It was announced this week that David Benavidez, a Phoenix-born fighter, and David Morrell, a Cuban living in Minnesota, have agreed to fight. When and where, however, aren’t certain. January 25 or a date in February are mentioned. But time and place are subject to what happens in Riyadh. 

Benavidez holds an interim belt at 175 pounds, which makes him a mandatory challenger — whatever that means — for the Beterbiev-Bivol winner. Benavidez would have to beat Morrell to keep his place in line. 

Then again, Canelo Alvarez could always cut in line. Canelo, who Benavidez has been been pursuing for years, began talking about Bivol in September, before and after his one-sided decision over Edgar Berlanga in a solid defense of the undisputed title at 168 pounds. Bivol beat Canelo a couple of years ago.

The potential scenarios provide several talking points for what Beterbiev-Bivol means. One Example: Beterbiev, still aggressive and powerful at 39, beats Bivol with a stoppage, another notch in his perfect record. Then, Benavidez beats Morrell with his trademark energy and volume punching. Next, Beterbiev-Benavidez, a fight with the kind of fireworks that could ignite a classic. It would be an instant talker, which for now Beterbiev-Bivol is not.

Even Bivol, a pragmatic and patient tactician,  is careful not to speculate about anything beyond Saturday. Beterbiev, of all people, spoke for both of them Thursday.

“It’s not my business,’’ he said when asked for his thoughts about possibilities beyond Bivol.  “I have a fight this Saturday. I’m only focused on this fight.”

A fight that’s bound to generate lots of talk, no matter what anybody says.

Or doesn’t say.

“On behalf of Entrobox, I’m excited to announce we have reached this agreement with Stadium. As a practitioner in the sport and decades of industry knowledge, Stadium is the perfect partner for EntroBox as we share the same foundational principals by preserving the integrity of boxing, in honoring its history and people as we drive into the next era through its massive reach across the U.S. and the World”, said Ron Johnson (“The American Dream”).

“We are thrilled to welcome EntroBox to Stadium’s growing roster of sports programming,” said Stadium Senior VP of Programming , David Scott. “Their approach to the sport, impressive mix of talent and strategic vision provides a unique and exciting complement to our existing lineup, especially given Stadium’s renewed focus on serving the fight sports community. We look forward to partnering with Ron and his team.”

With live matches set to begin this October on Stadium and Select Regional Sports Networks, EntroBox’s schedule will be announced on a future date. Complementing live matches, EntroBox will also work closely with the Stadium digital team to supply short-form content.

About ENTROBOX LLC

EntroBox (Entertainment/Boxing) is a sports and entertainment company that produces live boxing events and industry content for digital platforms and network tv distribution. Through decades of knowledge and performance from its executives, Entrobox is the next evolution in boxing’s DNA that links this quintessential sport to the ever-changing digital world, by combining both professional and amateur athletes with celebrities, influencers and entertainers on its platform. For more information visit www.EntroBox.com 

About Stadium

With a reach of over 165 million subscribers across YouTube TV, Amazon, SamsungTV Plus, TCL Channel, VIDAA/Hisense, Tubi, FuboTV and others, Stadium is an interactive sports network that mixes the power of fan engagement with best-in-class daily live programming. Free for viewers since starting the first 24/7 Fast channel, Stadium is the only sports content source to offer this blend of programming, fan-led interactions, and experience-driven content.

www.watchstadium.com

BETHLEHEM, Pa. – September 23, 2024 — In what is surely one of the best fights of 2024, James Bernadin won a eight-round split decision over Matt Conway in a war in front of an enthusiastic crowd at Wind Creek Event Center.

The fight headlined a seven bout card promoted by King’s Promotions.

The fight was fought in the pocket from the opening bell. Bernadin was able to establish himself with the harder punches, but Conway not only took them, but it seemed to only spur him on and light a fire underneath him.

The right eye of Conway started to swell as early as round two., and eventually closed later in the fight.

That did not deter the Pittsburgh native as he continued to fight back and have success with his flurry punches. The two battled down the stretch which was much to the delight o all who were in attendance

To no surprise, the eighth and final round saw the two toe-to-toe for the whole three minute period had deservedly had the fans on their feet for several minutes following the final bell.

Bernadin of Lancaster, PA won by scores of 78-74, 77-75 and 76-76 and his record is now 13-2-1. Conway of Pittsburgh is 22-5.

Good looking middleweight Euri Cedeno stopped Aro Schwartz at 43 seconds of round two of their eight round bout.

Cedeno of the Dominican Republic is 10-0-1 with nine knockouts. Schwartz of Germany is 23-9-1.

Joseph Adorno stopped Luis May at the end of round two of their eight-round super lightweight bout.

Adorno of Allentown, PA is 20-4-2 with 17 knockouts. May of Mexico is 22-19-1.

Julian Gonzalez remained undefeated with an eight-round unanimous decision over Oscar Barajas in a junior lightweight bout.

Gonzalez of Reading, PA won by scores of 78-74 twice and 77-75. Barajas of Toms River, NJ is 7-10-1.

Adam Atiyeh won a four-round unanimous decision over Jonathan Wiles in a heavyweight bout.

Atiyeh of Bethlehem, PA won by scores of 40-36 on all cards and is now 2-0. Wiles of Philadelphia is 0-.

Brittany Sims stopped former world champion Nancy Franco in round one of their eight-round bantamweight bout.

Sims of Salem, Oregon is 7-3 with four knockouts. Franco of Mexico is 19-21-2.

Devon Young remained perfect with a first round stoppage over Kaleb Slaughter in a heavyweight bout.

Young of Aiken, SC is 5-0 with four knockouts. Slaughter of Cincinnati is 4-10-1.,

TO WATCH THE SHOW INCLUDING THE BERNADIN – CONWAY FIGHT OF THE YEAR CANDIDATE CLICK HERE

COLLINGSWOOD, NEW JERSEY (September 19, 2024)–On Saturday night November 2nd, Teflon Promotions will stage a big night of boxing at The Scottish Rite Auditorium in Collingswood, New Jersey.

In the six-round main event, undefeated cruiserweight Muhsin Cason takes on Alvin Varmall Jr.

Cason of Philadelphia via Las Vegas, has a record of 12-0 with nine knockouts. The 30 year-old Cason is a six-year veteran and has wins over Nathaniel Copeland (1-0), Montez Brown (8-1) and his last bout when he stopped Lamont Capers in two rounds on April 27th Philadelphia.

Varmall of Catskill, New York is 17-1 with 14 knockouts. The 32 year-old is a 11 year-professional and has wins over Antonio Mignella (3-0) and Jesse Vice (1-0),. In his last outing, Varmall stopped Billy Cunningham in four-rounds on August 19, 2023 in Biloxi, Mississippi.

The co-feature will be a six-round super welterweight bout between James Martin (10-4) of Philadelphia. and Delen Parsley (13-2, 4 KOs) of Brooklyn, New York.

In Four-Round Bouts:

Tariq Green (5-2-2, 3 KOs) of Philadelphia takes on Keithland King (5-2, 5 KOs) of Washington, New Jersey in a middleweight bout.

In a battle of undefeated super welterweights, Aason Anderson (6-0, 4 KOs) of Dundalk, Maryland squares off with Martin Sollano (5-0, 2 KOs) of Amarillo, Texas .

Ashwin Trail (0-1) of Pennsylvania fights debuting Julio Dos Santos of AMarillo, Texas in a heavyweight bout.

Undefeated fighters in featherweight Jaclyne McTamney (2-0, 1 KO) of Southampton, PA and heavyweight Paul Koon (4-0, 1 KO) of Philadelphia will see action against opponents to be named.

Tickets for this outstanding evening are priced between $75 and $200 and can be purchased at the following link.

CLICK TO ORDER TICKETS

Daniel DuBois retained the IBF Heavyweight Title with a stunning fifth round stoppage over former two-time world champion Anthony Joshua in front of 96,000 spectators at Wembley Stadium in London.

Im round one, DuBois foreshadowed of things to come as he landed a perfect right to the jaw that put Joshua down. At the end of round three, DuBois landd a left hand that buckled Joshua bacly into the ropes. DuBois followed up with three more had punches that put Joshua on the deck just before the bell sounded to end the round. In the beginning of round four, DuBois sent Joshua down again when he landed the first right hand of the round that put Joshua down again.

In round five, Dubois landed a perfect right to the jaw that plummeted Joshua on the canvas and the fight was halted at 59 seconds.

DuBois is now 22-2 with 21 knockouts. Joshua is 28-4.

Sheeraz Stops Denny in 2

Hamzah Sheeraz took out Tyler Denny in round two of their 12-round middleweight fight.

In round two, Sheeraz landed a big shot to the temple that put Denny down. Denny got to his feet but the feet was waved off at 2:05

Sheeraz, 196.6 lbs is 21-0 with 17 knockouts. Denny, 159.9 lbs is 19-3.

Buatsi Drops Hutchinson Twice; wins Split Decision and Captures Interim Light Heavy Title

Joshua Buatsi won the WBA Interim Light Heavyweight Title with a 12-round split decision over Willy Hutchinson.

In round five, Buatsi was cut around the right eye from a headbutt. At the end of round six, Buatsi hurt Hutchinson with a hard right that was followed up by a flurry and and then finished off by a right to the body that put Hutchinson on the deck.

Hutchinson had a good round seven, but it was marred by having a point deducted for leading with his head. Later in the round, he was cut over his left eye. In round nine, Buatsi dropped Hutchinson again with a little inside left to the body.

Buatsi landed 264 of 600 punches. Hutchinson was 209 of 556.

Buatsi won by scores of 117-110 and 115-110. A third card was out of wack and gave it to Hutchinson 113-112.

Buatsi, 174.7 lbs of London is now 19-0. Hutchinson, 174.9 lbs of Carstairs, Scotland is 18-2.

Anthony Cacace Decisions Josh Warrington

IBF Super Featherweight champion Anthony Cacace defended his crown in a non-title bout over former featherweight champion Josh Warrington via 12-round unanimous decision.

Cacace landed 127 of 452 punches. Warrington was 107 of 395.

Cacace, 129.8 lbs of Belfast, NI won by scofres of 118-110 and 117-111 twice and is now 23-1. Warrington, 129.8 lbs of Leeds, ENG is 31-4-1.

Josh Kelly Decisions Ishmael Davis

Josh Kelly won a 12-round majority decision over late-replacement Ishmael Davis in a middleweight fight.

Despite being cut over his eft eye in round 11, Kelly won by scores of 115-113, 115-114 and 114-114.

Kelly landed 97 of 331 punches. Davis was 84 of 338.

Kelly, 159.1 lbs of Sunderland, ENG is 16-1-1. Davis, 159.7 lbs of Leeds, ENG is 13-1.

Padley Decisions Chamberlain

Big underdog Josh Padley scored a big upset by scoring a 10-round unanimous decision over hot-prospect Mark Chamberlain in a super lightweight bout.

In round three, Chamberlain was cut around the right eye which was caused by an accidental headbutt. In round four, Chamberlain had another cut opened up around the same eye.

In round eight, Chamberlain landed a big uppercut that was followed by a left hook to the jaw that put Chamberlain on the canvas.

Padley landed 85 of 250 punches. Chamberlain was 80 of 351.

Padley, 139.6 lbs of Dorncaster, ENG won by scores of 96-92 twice and 95-93 and is now 15-0. Chamberlain, 139.9 lbs of Portsmouth, ENG is 16-1.