NEW YORK–Teofimo Lopez became a two-division world champion with an emphatic 12-round unanimous decision over Josh Taylor to win the WBO Junior Welterweight title before a Madison Square Garden record crowd of 5,151.

The fight began with a fast pace with Taylor working the body. Lopez was able to land some “show me” right hands. Lopez started to foreshadow of things to come by landing quick and pinpoint right hands that was able to stop Taylor in his tracks. That assault came in rounds three through five, with round four being a big frame for “The Takeover” as he rocked Taylor. The two fighters took turns over the next four-rounds.

Lopez was terrific over the next three rounds as he dominant as hand speed proved to be too much. His right hand continuously found a home on the face of Taylor. In round 12, Lopez sealed the deal by hurting Taylor twice, with the latter being from a perfect right to the body that hurt Taylor.

Lopez, who was the undisputed lightweight champion, becomes a two-weight division champ by scores of 117-111 and 115-113 and is now 19-1. Taylor of Scotland is 19-1.

Xander Zayas remained undefeated by stopping Ronald Cruz in a eight-round junior middleweight bout.

Zayas dropped Cruz in the opening seconds with a powerful right hand. Zayas dominated the action and landed several hard flurry that had Cruz reeling on the ropes.

Zayas, 152.8 lbs of San Juan, PR won by scores of 80-71 on all cards and is now 16-0. Cruz, 152.4 lbs of Los Angeles, CA is now 18-3-1.

Said Zayas, “Thank you to all my Puerto Rican fans and to everyone that came out. This is a dream come true. I’m very happy to have fought during Puerto Rican Day Parade weekend. He was a tough guy. I was hitting him with everything. He didn’t want to go down. He was here to fight. He was motivated. He was tough. But we passed with flying colors. Unanimous decision. And we made the adjustments we needed to do.”

“He brought out the dog in me. I had to dig deep. I had to stay focused. I had to listen to my corner. And most importantly I had to have fun, which was the most important part. I had the crowd here cheering for me, so I was trying to stay as focused as possible.”

Robson Conceicao and Nicolas Polanco fought to a no-decision as a headbutt in round two deemed Polanco unable to continue.

Omar Rosario remained undefeated with a eight-round unanimous decision over Jan Carlos Rivera in a junior welterweight bout.

Rosario, 139.2 lbs of Caguas, PR won by scores of 77-75 and is now 11-0. Rivera, 138.4 lbs of Vieques, PR is 8-2.

Damian Knyba won an eight-round unanimous decision over Hiamann Olguin in a heavyweight fight.

Knyba, 261.4 lbs of Wodzyn, POL won by scores of 79-73 on all cards and is now 12-0, Olguin, 256.8 lbs of El Dorado, MEX is 9-6-1.

Bruce Carrington battered Luis Porozo and stopped him in round eight of their eight-round featherweight bout.

Carrington hurt Porozo in round eight and the fight was stopped at 2:17.

Carrington, 126.8 lbs of Brooklyn is 7-0 with five knockouts. Porozo. 126.4 lbs of Santo Domingo, DR is 16-7.

Henry Lebron remained undefeated with a 10-round unanimous decision over Carlos Rosario in a junior lightweight bout.

In round 10, Lebron dropped Ramos with a left hook.

LeBron, 129.2 lbs of Aguadilla, PR won by scores of 98-90 twice and 97-91 and is now 18-0. Rosario, 129.6 lbs Madrid, SPA is now 17-3.

PHILADELPHIA (JUNE 29, 2022)–On Saturday night July 23rd, a spectacular eight-round main event featuring Philadelphia contender Avery Sparrow and undefeated William Foster III will headline a huge night of boxing at The Fillmore Philadelphia.

The fantastic 11-bout card is promoted by Hard Hitting Promotions.

Sparrow of Philadelphia has a record of 11-3 with four knockouts. The 28 year-old Sparrow is an eight-year professional who has big wins over Anthony Burgin (10-2), Isaelin Florian Hernandez (6-0), Joey Laviolette (6-0), Jose Lopez (19-1-1), former world title challenger Hank Lundy (29-7-1) and his last bout, Sparrow stopped Matt Conway to win the IBA World Super Featherweight and Pennsylvania Super Featherweight title on January 15th in Conway’s backyard in Cheswick, Pennsylvania.

Foster of New Haven, Connecticut is 14-0 with nine knockouts. The 28 year-old is a seven year professional who has wins over Suliman Segawa (10-0), Angel Suarez (8-2), Jahmal Dyer (9-2), Philly-Favorite Donald Smith (10-0). In his last bout, Foster took an eight-round split decision over Edwin De Los Santos (13-0) on January 7th in Orlando, Florida. The bout was part of a ShoBox: The New Generation card.

In the co-feature, Undefeated WBA-NABA Super Featherweight and WBC Continental Americas champion Christian Tapia takes on undefeated Fernando Romero in a 10-round bout.

Tapia of Coamo, Puerto Rico has a record of 14-0 with 12 knockouts. The 28 year-old is a five-year veteran. He won the WBA-NABA title with a second round stoppage over Mason Menard (36-5). He then stopped Iron Alvarez (14-0) in 10-rounds. In his last bout, Tapia won a 10-round unanimous decision over Luis Lebron (18-2-1) to capture the WBC Continental Americas title on March 12th in Philadelphia.

Romero of Puebla, Mexico is 11-0 with 10 knockouts. The 22 year-old Romero is a four-year professional and is coming off a first round stoppage over Victor Valencia Diaz on October 16, 2021 in Mexico. This will be the United States debut for Romero as all of his fights have been in Mexico.

In six-round bouts:

Jan Carlos Rivera (5-1, 4 KOs) of Philadelphia takes on Nelson Perez (5-0, 2 KOs) of Marlboro, Massachusetts.

Jeremy Cuevas (13-1, 10 KOs) of Philadelphia takes on an opponent to be announced in a lightweight bout.

Dezmond Lucas (5-1, 2 KOs) of Bronx, New York fights Jocksan Blanco (4-0, 2 KOs) of Caracas, Venezuela in a welterweight contest.

Carlos Ramos (15-2. 10 KOs) of Madrid, Spain takes on an opponent to be named in a super featherweight fight.

Tahmir Smalls (8-0, 5 KOs) of Philadelphia will fight an opponent to be named in a welterweight fight.

In four-round bouts:

David Garcia (3-0, 1 KO) of Crescent City, Florida will take on an opponent to be named in a heavyweight bout.

Carlos Rosario (3-0, 2 KOs) of Winter Haven, Florida takes on an opponent to be named in a lightweight fight.

Chris Echevarria (0-1) of Aguada, Puerto Rico fights an opponent to be named in a bantamweight fight

Juan Davilla of Philadelphia makes his pro debut against an opponent to be named in a lightweight bout.

Tickets are now on sale for $60, $75, $100 and $175 and can be purchased at The Fillmore Philadelphia, www.filmorephilly.com Hard Hitting Promotions Social Media and Ticketmaster.com

Teofimo Lopez won the undisputed Lightweight title with a 12-round unanimous decision over Vasiliy Lomachenko at the MGM Grand Conference Center in Las Vegas.

Lopez dominated the first seven rounds as he boxed well and kept Lomachenko from the outside. Lopez featured some solid body work and landed some quick combinations that forced Lomachenko to do next to nothing.

Lomachenko came alive in the middle to late rounds and landed some quick shots that edged him closer in the fight. Lopez bit down and had a big final frame that solidified the victory by scores of 119-109, 117-111 and 116–112/

Lopez landed 183 of 659 punches. Lomachenko was 141 of 329.

Lopez is now 16-0. Lomachenko is 14-2.

Said Lopez, “I had to dig deep, man. I’m thankful. I’m grateful. And each and every day, I take that in. I thank God first because I couldn’t do it without him.
 
“I’m a fighter. I gotta dig in deep. I knew he was coming. I didn’t know if they had him up on the scorecards or not, and I love to fight. I can bang, too. I don’t care, man. I’ll take one to give one. That’s what a true champion does. I find a way to win.
 
“You just gotta keep pressuring him, press the gas, stick the jab and don’t really give him that opportunity to set up. Every time he did want to throw, I had something ready for him.”

Barboza Decisions Saucedo

Arnold Barboza Jr. scored the biggest win of his career as he remained undefeated by winning a 10-round unanimous decision over former world title challenger Alex Saucedo in a junior welterweight bout.

In round one, Saucedo began to bleed from the nose that was caused by a headbutt.

In round seven, Barboza slipped, but it was correctly ruled a knockdown when officials went to the instant replay.

That was the only blip for Barboza, as he won by scores of 97-92 twice and 96-93.

Barboza landed 218 of 941 punches. Saucedo was 183 of 691.

Barboza, 140 lbs of South El Monte, CA is 25-0. Saucedo, 140 lbs of Oklahoma City is 30-2.

Barboza said, “This was like a championship fight to me. It’s all because of my father {head trainer Arnold Barboza Sr.}, not me. I did this for kids and my father. My dream is to get a house for my kids. I came that much closer today.
 
“I want a championship fight. No more messing around. No more tune-up fights.”

Berlanga stops Bellows in 1st; Keeps KO streak alive

Edgar Berlanga made it 15-for-15 in opening round stoppage as he took out Lanell Bellows in their scheduled eight-round super middleweight bout.

Berlanga cut Bellows with a hard left hook. Bellows was hurt, and Berlanga smelled blood and landed some more heavy shots and the fight was stopped in 79 seconds.

Berlanga, 169 lbs of Brooklyn is 15-0 with all 15 knockouts in the 1st round. Bellows, 169 lbs of Las Vegas is 20-6-3.

Berlanga said, “I saw with the first shot that I cut him open and the look in his eyes, he didn’t want to be in there. From the beginning, once I got in the ring, I looked in his eyes… he didn’t want to be in there. So I had to get him out.”

Vargas Decisions Casteneda

Josue Vargas won a 10-round unanimous decision over Kendo Casteneda in a junior welterweight bout.

In round two, Vargas dropped Casteneda with a straight left. Later in round three, Castenda began to bleed from his nose.

In round six, Casteneda started bleeding from his mouth.

Vargas outlanded Casteneda 226-112

Vargas, 142 lbs of Bronx, NY won by scores 100-89, 99-90 and 98-91 to raise his mark to 18-1. Casteneda, 142 lbs of San Antonio, TX is 17-3.

Vargas said,“He was a tough customer, tougher than I thought he was going to be, but my father told me to stay composed, stay calm. I dropped him, but that doesn’t mean nothing, just stay relaxed because that’s how I got disqualified when I was 18 years old.
 
“I’m very close to fighting these guys, like Zepeda, Pedraza, any of these guys. You name it, I’ll get in there with them.”

Enrique Vivas stopped John Vincent Moralde in a scheduled eight-round featherweight bout.

In the opening seconds, Vivas dropped Moralde with a body shot. Vivas then landed a huge right that drove Moralde back to the ropes. Two hard body shots later sent Mralde down and the fight was stopped at 1:16.

Vivas, 128 lbs of Motebello, CA is 20-1 with 11 knockouts. Moralde, 127 lbs of the Philippines is 23-4.

Quinton Randall won a six-round unanimous decision over Jan Carlos Rivera in a fight featuring undefeated welterweights.

Randall, 147 lbs of Houston, TX won by scores of 59-55 and 58-56 twice and is now 7-0. Vivas, 146 lbs of Puerto Rico is 4-1.

In a battle of undefeated welterweights, 17 year-old Jahi Tucker won a four-round unanimous decision over Charles Garner.

In round two, Garner started bleeding from the nose.

Tucker, 145 lbs of Deer Park, NY won by scores of 40-36 on all cards, and is now 2-0. Garner, 142 lbs of Buffalo, NY is 1-1.

PHILADELPHIA–Heavyweight Darmani Rock remained undefeated after Maurenzo Smith retired on his stool after round two of their scheduled eight-round heavyweight bout at The Met Philadelphia.

The bout headlined an eight-bout card that was promoted by Hard Hitting Promotions and Live Nation.

Rock dominated the abbreviated bout by using his quick jab, and in round two started mixing in some hard right hands. Smith never seemed to be in serious trouble but for some reason pulled the plug on the bout following the 2nd frame.

Rock of Philadelphia is now 17-0 with 12 knockouts. Smith of Houston is 21-12-4.

Jeremy Cuevas stopped Rondale Hubbert in round four of their scheduled six-round super lightweight bout.

In round three, Cuevas whacked Hubbert with a huge left that sent him to the canvas. Seconds later, it was a booming left that sent Hubbert down a second time. Hubbert was sent to the deck again in the round with a left to the body.

Cuevas ended thing with another body shot in the 4th frame that put Hubbert down again, and referee Benjy Esteves stopped the bout at 1:46.

Cuevas of Philadelphia is now 12-1 with nine knockouts. Hubbert of Minneapolis, MN is 13-10,

Gadwin Rosa stopped Danny Flores in round two of their scheduled six-round super featherweight bout.

Rosa landed hard head and body shots until referee Eric Dali stopped the fight at 1:10.

Rosa of Ocala, FL is 11-1 with nine knockouts. Flores of Mexico City is 15-18.

Christian Tapia remained perfect by stopping Jorge Santos in round two of a six-round super featherweight contest.

Tapia dropped Santos with a thudding left hook to the body for which Santos could not beat the 10-count at 1:56.

Tapia of Coamo, PR is 10-o with nine knockouts. Santos of Monterrey, MEX is 7-9.

Benjamin Sinakin stopped Ferris Golden in round three of a scheduled four-round light heavyweight bout.

Sinakin battered Golden in the 3rd frame until the fight was stopped at 1:43.

Sinakin of Philadelphia is 5-0 with three knockouts. Golden of Findley, Ohio is 1-1.

In an action filled round, Jan Carlos Rivera stopped Ricardo Escaeda in their four-round welterweight bout.

After a furious exchange to begin the bout, Rivera floored Escaeda with a thunderous left hand.. Moments later, it was a crushing left to the head that sent Escaeda down on his back, and the fight was stopped at 1:43.

Rivera of Philadelphia is 4-0 with four knockouts. Escaeda of Monterrey, Mexico 4-17-1.

Alejandro Jimenez remained undefeated with a four-round unanimous decision over Jerrod Minor in a bantamweight fight.

Jimenez of New Hope, PA won by scores of 40-36 and 39-37 twice, and is now 5-0-1. Minor of Philadelphia is 1-8-2.

Saleem Kelly remained undefeated with a four-round unanimous decision over Jordan Rosario in a welterweight contest.

Kelly, 148 3/4 lbs of Cliffwood, NJ won by scores of 40-36 on all cards and is now 2-0. Rosario, 146 3/4 lbs of Jersey City, NJ is 3-10.