Berchelt stops Sosa in 4; Retains Super Featherweight Title
Miguel Berchelt retained the WBC Super Featherweight title with a 4th round stoppage over former world champion Jason Sosa at The Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, California.
In round two, Berchelt dropped Sosa with a hard combination. In round four, Sosa was cut over the left eye. Sosa was dropped later in the round from a body shot. Late in the round, Berchelt continued the onslaught as he was relentless with accurate power shots that forced the corner of Sosa to pull their man out of the fight at 2:56.
Berchelt, 129.8 lbs of Cancun, MEX is 37-1 with 33 knockouts. Sosa, 128.2 lbs of Camden, NJ is 23-4-4.
Javier Molina stopped Hiroki Okada in round one of a scheduled 10-round junior welterweight.
In round one, Molina dropped Okada with two right hands Seconds later, Molina ended things with a booming right hand to the head that sent Okada down, and the fight was stopped at 1:05.
Molina, 141 lbs of Norwalk, CA is 21-2 with nine knockouts. Okada, 140.8 lbs of Tokyo, JAP is 19-2.
Weigh-In Results: Miguel Berchelt vs. Jason Sosa
Miguel Berchelt 129.8 lbs vs. Jason Sosa 128.2 lbs (Berchelt’s WBC Super Featherweight world title – 12 Rounds)
Javier Molina 141 lbs vs. Hiroki Okada 140.8 lbs (Super Lightweight – 10 Rounds)
ESPN+ (6:30 p.m. ET)
Gor Yeritsyan 147.8 lbs vs. Shoki Sakai 146 lbs (Welterweight – 8 Rounds)
Alex Saucedo 139.6 lbs vs. Rod Salka 140.4 lbs (Super Lightweight – 8 Rounds)
Raymond Muratalla 135 lbs vs. Arnulfo Becerra 133.8 lbs (Lightweight – 6 Rounds)
Daniel Lewis 155.6 lbs vs. Alexis Gaytan 157 lbs (Super Welterweight – 8/6 Rounds)
Elvis Rodriguez 140.4 lbs vs. Luis Norambuena 137.4 lbs (Super Lightweight – 6 Rounds) Promoted by Top Rank, in association with Zanfer Promotions and Peltz Boxing, tickets for this world championship event are priced at $125, $85, $65 and $30 (not including applicable fees). Tickets can be purchased by visiting AXS.com, charge by phone at 888-9-AXS-TIX (888-929-7849) and in person at the Dignity Health Sports Park Box Office (Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. PT to 6 p.m. PT).
Use the hashtags #BercheltSosa and #MolinaOkada to join the conversation on social media.
Jerwin Ancajas-Jonathan Rodriguez Scrapped Due to Visa Issue
CARSON, Calif. (Oct. 31, 2019) — IBF junior bantamweight world champion Jerwin Ancajas’ title defense against Jonathan Rodriguez has been canceled due to a visa issue with Rodriguez. The main event Saturday at Dignity Health Sports Park, Miguel Berchelt’s WBC super featherweight title defense against former world champion Jason Sosa, will go on as planned.
The new co-feature will be a 10-round super lightweight tilt between 2008 U.S. Olympian Javier Molina and Japanese veteran Hiroki Okada.
Berchelt-Sosa and Molina-Okada will air live on ESPN and ESPN Deportes beginning at 10:30 p.m. ET/7:30 p.m. PT. The entire undercard, including the return of super lightweight contender Alex Saucedo against Rod Salka, will stream live on ESPN+ beginning at 6:30 p.m. ET/3:30 p.m. PT.
ESPN and ESPN Deportes, 10:30 p.m. ET/7:30 p.m. PT
Miguel Berchelt vs. Jason Sosa, 12 rounds, Berchelt’s WBC super featherweight world title
Javier Molina vs. Hiroki Okada, 10 rounds, super lightweight
ESPN+, 6:30 p.m. ET/3:30 p.m. PT
Alex Saucedo vs. Rod Salka, 8 rounds, super lightweight
Daniel Lewis vs. Alexis Gaytan, 8/6 rounds, super welterweight
Gor Yeritsyan vs. Shoki Sakai, 8 rounds, welterweight
Raymond Muratalla vs. Arnulfo Becerra, 6 rounds, lightweight
Ruben Rodriguez vs. Abram Martinez, 6 rounds, super lightweight
Elvis Rodriguez vs. Luis Norambuena, 6 rounds, super lightweight
Promoted by Top Rank, in association with Zanfer Promotions and Peltz Boxing, tickets for this world championship event are priced at $125, $85, $65 and $30 (not including applicable fees). Tickets can be purchased by visiting AXS.com, charge by phone at 888-9-AXS-TIX (888-929-7849) and in person at the Dignity Health Sports Park Box Office (Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. PT to 6 p.m. PT).
Use the hashtags #BercheltSosa and #MolinaOkada to join the conversation on social media.
Miguel Berchelt and Jason Sosa Set for Super Featherweight Slugfest
CARSON, Calif. (Oct. 31, 2019) – Three days before they launch punches at Dignity Health Sports Park, WBC super featherweight world champion Miguel Berchelt and challenger Jason Sosa joined forces Wednesday afternoon for a WBC Cares event at The Rock Boxing Gym along with super lightweight contender Alex Saucedo.
A group of local children were in attendance, as the fighters showed them basic boxing techniques, signed autographs, and gave them each a ticket to Saturday’s event.
After the boxing exhibition, the fighters and the children participated in a special Día de Los Muertos celebration, where they each wrote the name of a loved one they wanted to memorialize on a giant boxing glove.
“I feel very happy,” Berchelt said. “It’s very nice for me to teach the kids how to be disciplined so they can go far in this sport.”
“It’s a great feeling to spend time with the kids and show them what we do,” Sosa said.
Said Saucedo: “A lot of them already knew how to fight, how to box. It’s awesome to come and work with them.”
Berchelt-Sosa will headline a world championship doubleheader (10:30 p.m. ET, ESPN), as Jerwin Ancajas will defend his IBF junior bantamweight world title against Jonathan Rodriguez in the co-feature. Saucedo will take on Rod Salka in an eight-rounder (ESPN+, 6:30 p.m. ET) in his first bout since being knocked out by Maurice Hooker in a bid for the WBO 140-pound world title last November.
As the fighters prepare for Saturday’s outdoor fistic extravaganza, this is what they had to say.
Miguel Berchelt
“This will be the next classic in the Mexico versus Puerto Rico rivalry. We are two fighters who always bring excitement to the ring, and this Saturday will be no different. There are many great fights for me in the future, but I know I need 100 percent focus to beat a great former world champion like Sosa.”
“The fans who watch this fight will be the winners. When you have two warriors in the ring, great things happen. I refuse to disappoint the fans. I fight for them.”
“I had a great training camp inHermosillo, Mexico, with my trainer, Alfredo Caballero. We prepared to fight the very best version of Jason Sosa. After the fight, we can discuss the future.”
“It is no secret that Oscar Valdez is a fight I want. He is at 130 pounds now, and if we both win our next fights, let’s make it happen. There is no hesitation on my end. Lomachenko is another fight I’d gladly accept. I’m a fighter, and I want to fight the very best.”
Jason Sosa
“It is a great honor to fight for the WBC world title, and I hope to bring the belt back to Puerto Rico.”
“This fight can’t help but be a classic. I want the fans to tune in because this is boxing at its best. Berchelt and I are pure fighters, and when you have two fighters like that in the ring, special things happen.”
“You can’t help but respect a man like Berchelt who has defended his title five times. Once the bell rings, though, we will go to war.”
“I have to fight my fight. I’m a different fighter since the Lomachenko and Gamboa fights. This is a Mexico versus Puerto Rico fight, and I have to make my country proud.”
“Nobody knows what will happen until we get in the ring. It could be a Fight of the Year.”
Jerwin Ancajas
“I have been the IBF world champion for a long time, but I would like to unify the division because there are other great champions at 115 pounds. Juan Francisco Estrada, Kal Yafai and Kazuto Ioka have the other belts, so if the opportunity comes, I would love to unify.”
“I know Rodriguez is a tough fighter who won’t be intimidated. He had a great win over Felipe Orucuta in his last fight and earned a shot at the title with that performance.”
“Rodriguez has a lot of heart, and he has proven to be dangerous. Like always, I prepared for the best version of my opponent.”
Alex Saucedo
“I knew it was time to make a change after my loss to Maurice Hooker, and I spent some time with Pedro Neme in Los Angeles. It was obvious early on that he was the right person to be my new trainer. I can’t wait to show everyone the new and improved Alex Saucedo. We’ve worked on defense and head movement, but the fans will see a fighter who comes forward and gives it his all.”
“There is a great main event in Berchelt-Sosa, but my goal is to steal the show. I am not taking Rod Salka lightly, and I want the fans to go home happy. My goal is to win a world title, and my last fight was only a temporary setback.”
“There are a lot of great fights still out there for me. I took some time off, stayed in great shape and now it’s time to show everyone what I’m about.”
“Despite not fighting yet, I have had a great 2019. I had my second child, a son, and I became a United States citizen.”
ESPN and ESPN Deportes, 10:30 p.m. ET/7:30 p.m. PT
Miguel Berchelt vs. Jason Sosa, 12 rounds, Berchelt’s WBC super featherweight world title
Jerwin Ancajas vs. Jonathan Rodriguez, 12 rounds, Ancajas’ IBF junior bantamweight world title
ESPN+, 6:30 p.m. ET/3:30 p.m. PT
Javier Molina vs. Hiroki Okada, 10 rounds, super lightweight
Alex Saucedo vs. Rod Salka, 8 rounds, super lightweight
Daniel Lewis vs. Alexis Gaytan, 8/6 rounds, super welterweight
Gor Yeritsyan vs. Shoki Sakai, 8 rounds, welterweight
Raymond Muratalla vs. Arnulfo Becerra, 6 rounds, lightweight
Ruben Rodriguez vs. Abram Martinez, 6 rounds, super lightweight
Elvis Rodriguez vs. Luis Norambuena, 6 rounds, super lightweight
Promoted by Top Rank, in association with Zanfer Promotions and Peltz Boxing, tickets for this world championship event are priced at $125, $85, $65 and $30 (not including applicable fees). Tickets can be purchased by visiting AXS.com, charge by phone at 888-9-AXS-TIX (888-929-7849) and in person at the Dignity Health Sports Park Box Office (Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. PT to 6 p.m. PT).
Use the hashtags #BercheltSosa and #AncajasRodriguez to join the conversation on social media.
November 2: Jerwin Ancajas-Jonathan Rodriguez Junior Bantamweight Title Bout Set for Miguel Berchelt-Jason Sosa Co-Feature LIVE on ESPN
CARSON, Calif. (Oct. 8, 2019) — The 115-pound fighting pride of the Philippines, Jerwin “Pretty Boy” Ancajas, will make the eighth defense of his IBF junior bantamweight world title against Mexican contender Jonathan Rodriguez Saturday, November 2 at Dignity Health Sports Park. Ancajas-Rodriguez will serve as the co-feature to Miguel Berchelt’s WBC super featherweight title defense versus Jason Sosa, and both fights will be televised live on ESPN and ESPN Deportes (Spanish) starting at 10:30 p.m. ET/7:30 p.m. PT.
The undercard will see the return of Oklahoma City’s Alex “El Cholo” Saucedo, who is looking to rebound from his first career defeat against Rod Salka in an eight-round super lightweight bout. Saucedo-Salka and the rest of the undercard will stream live on ESPN+, the leading multi-sport streaming service, beginning at 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT.
“I am looking forward to this fight because Rodriguez brings the Mexican style to his fights, and Mexican and Filipinos make the best fights,” Ancajas said. “I want to thank Top Rank, Senator Manny Pacquiao and my manager, Joven Jimenez, for their continued support. It is going to be a war, and to my Filipino fans, I look forward to putting on a show for you in Carson.”
“I plan on taking full advantage of this opportunity,” Rodriguez said. “Ancajas is a great champion, but my time is now. It is time for a new face at 115 pounds.”
Ancajas (31-1-1, 21 KOs) is one of boxing’s longest-reigning and most active champions, as only two current world champions (Deontay Wilder and Wanheng Menayothin) have more title defenses. The dynamic southpaw won the title in September 2016 and defended his belt three times apiece in 2017 and 2018. He last fought May 4 in Stockton, California, knocking out Ryuichi Funai in six rounds. This will be Ancajas’ fourth consecutive bout in California, but the first time he’s showcased his skills in Southern California. Rodriguez (21-1, 15 KOs) is a dangerous foe who has won five in a row since a split decision defeat spoiled his unbeaten record. He is coming off a career-best win June 7 in Zihuatanejo, Mexico, when he knocked out former two-time world title challenger Felipe Orucuta in the 10th round.
Saucedo (28-1, 18 KOs), who turned 25 years old in June, burst onto the world stage in 2018. He overcame cuts and a swollen face to knock out Lenny Zappavigna in front of his hometown fans at the Chesapeake Energy Arena in a Fight of the Year contender. He returned to the Chesapeake Energy Arena last November and was knocked out in seven rounds by Maurice Hooker in a failed bid for the WBO junior welterweight world title. Saucedo regrouped and enlisted the services of a new trainer, Pedro Neme. Saucedo and Neme have been working together for the past four months and have focused on refining his defensive skills. Salka (24-5, 4 KOs) has not fought since an April 2018 knockout loss to former world champion Francisco Vargas, but before the Vargas defeat, he had won five in a row.
“I am excited to finally be back in the ring,” Saucedo said. “I enjoyed my time off, but the time was right to come back. I have a new team and can’t wait to show everyone the new Alex Saucedo. On November 2, I will steal the show.”
In other undercard bouts:
Southern California native and 2008 U.S. Olympian Javier Molina (20-2, 8 KOs) hopes to extend his winning streak to four versus Hiroki Okada (19-1, 13 KOs) in a 10-round super lightweight bout. Okada fought Ray Beltran in an ESPN-televised Fight of the Year candidate in February, losing via ninth-round knockout.
“I’m pumped to be fighting an opponent like Hiroki Okada,” Molina said. “We know he’s a tough fighter, but these are the types of fights we are looking for. A win over him will get me one step closer to a world title shot, and that’s what we are aiming for. He’s coming off a loss to Beltran, so we know he’s hungry to get back in the win column. We are going to be ready for anything he brings to the table.”
2016 Australian Olympian Daniel Lewis (4-0, 3 KOs) will make his United States debut against Alexis Gaytan (6-4, 2 KOs) in a super welterweight bout scheduled for eight rounds.
Armenian welterweight knockout sensation Gor Yeritsyan (11-0, 10 KOs) will face fellow unbeaten Damien Lopez (9-0-1, 5 KOs) in an eight-rounder. The Freddie Roach-trained Yeritsyan has won four straight bouts via knockout.
Dominican knockout artist Elvis Rodriguez (4-0-1, 4 KOs) will make his fifth ring appearance of 2019 against Chilean veteran Luis Norambuena (4-4-1, 0 KOs) in a six-rounder at super lightweight.
Raymond Muratalla (8-0, 6 KOs) will fight Arnulfo Becerra (7-2, 5 KOs) in a six-rounder at lightweight.
Ruben Rodriguez (9-0, 3 KOs), from Indio, California, will see action in a six-round super lightweight bout versus an opponent to be named.
Promoted by Top Rank, in association with Zanfer Promotions and Peltz Boxing, tickets for this world championship event are priced at $125, $85, $65 and $30 (not including applicable fees). Tickets can be purchased by visiting AXS.com, charge by phone at 888-9-AXS-TIX (888-929-7849) and in person at the Dignity Health Sports Park Box Office (Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. PT to 6 p.m. PT).
Use the hashtags #BercheltSosa and #AncajasRodriguez to join the conversation on social media.
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Super Featherweight Showdown: Berchelt-Sosa Tickets on Sale Now
CARSON, Calif. (Sept. 27, 2019) —Tickets for WBC super featherweight world champion Miguel Berchelt’s title defense against former world champion Jason Sosa, Nov. 2 at Dignity Health Sports Park, are on sale now.
Berchelt (36-1, 32 KOs), the division’s longest-reigning world champion, will be making the sixth defense of the belt he won from Mexican countryman Francisco Vargas in January 2017. Former WBA super featherweight world champion Sosa (22-3-4, 16 KOs) has won three in a row since back-to-back defeats. He is seeking to become a two-time world champion in the latest chapter of the storied Mexico versus Puerto Rico fistic rivalry.
Promoted by Top Rank, in association with Zanfer Promotions and Peltz Boxing, tickets for this world championship event are priced at $125, $85, $65 and $30 (not including applicable fees). Tickets can be purchased by visiting AXS.com, charge by phone at 888-9-AXS-TIX (888-929-7849) and in person at the Dignity Health Sports Park Box Office (Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. PT to 6 p.m. PT).
Berchelt-Sosa and a world title co-feature will air live on ESPN and ESPN Deportes beginning at 10:30 p.m. ET/7:30 p.m. PT. The undercard will stream on ESPN+ starting at 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT
Dignity Health Sports Park is southern California’s home of world-class competition and training facilities for amateur, Olympic, collegiate and professional athletes. Managed by AEG Facilities, the $150 million, privately financed facility was developed by AEG on a 125-acre site on the campus of California State University, Dominguez Hills (CSUDH) in Carson, California. Dignity Health Sports Park features an 8,000-seat tennis stadium, a 27,167-seat stadium for soccer, football and other athletic competitions and outdoor concerts; a 2,000-seat facility for track & field and a 2,450-seat indoor Velodrome – the VELO Sports Center – for track cycling. Dignity Health Sports Park is home to Major League Soccer’s LA Galaxy, the five-time MLS Cup Champions. Dignity Health Sports Park is also home of the Los Angeles Chargers, United States Tennis Association’s (USTA) High Performance Training Center, the national team training headquarters for the U.S. Soccer Federation (USSF) and EXOS, an international training center for elite and professional athletes. For additional information, please visit www.dignityhealthsportspark.com.
Artur Beterbiev-Oleksandr Gvozdyk, Shakur Stevenson-Joet Gonzalez, Miguel Berchelt-Jason Sosa and Jamel Herring-Lamont Roach Jr. Highlight Top Rank’s Fall Schedule
LAS VEGAS (Sept. 13, 2019) — Three world title bouts and a highly anticipated light heavyweight unification fight are on the docket for Top Rank’s fall schedule, which will be unveiled TODAY at 12 p.m. PT at a special kickoff press conference at the MGM Grand’s KA Theatre. The press conference will feature all eight fighters, and it will be streamed live on @ESPN through the ESPN App, available to all viewers unauthenticated.
The fall schedule will kick off October 18 with the previously announced light heavyweight unification bout between IBF champion Artur Beterbiev and WBC champion Oleksandr Gvozdyk at the Liacouras Center in Philadelphia (ESPN and ESPN Deportes, 10 p.m. ET). The entire undercard will stream on ESPN+ starting at 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT.
“This is a tremendous lineup of fights that Top Rank is bringing to ESPN and ESPN+ in the fall,” said Top Rank chairman Bob Arum. “You have young superstars and established champions in the toughest fights of their careers. It doesn’t get better than that. When it’s all said and done, new superstars are going to emerge.”
October 26: Stevenson and Gonzalez to Battle for Featherweight World Title
Shakur Stevenson is only 22 years old and 12 fights into his pro career. For his first world title shot, he’ll return to the sight of many of his greatest amateur accomplishments. Stevenson will face Joet Gonzalez for the vacant WBO featherweight title Saturday, October 26 at the Reno-Sparks Convention Center in Reno, Nevada.
Stevenson and Gonzalez are the WBO’s top two contenders for the belt vacated by Oscar Valdez, who is now campaigning at 130 pounds.
Promoted by Top Rank, in association with Let’s Get It On Promotions and Golden Boy, Stevenson-Gonzalez and a co-feature will stream live and exclusively on ESPN+, the leading multi-sport streaming service, beginning at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT. The entire undercard will stream on ESPN+ starting at 6:30 p.m. ET/3:30 p.m. PT.
“I have been working for this moment my entire life, and no one is going to stop me from becoming a world champion,” Stevenson said. “I had some of my biggest amateur moments in Reno, and I can’t wait to win my first world title there. This is my time to show the world that I am the best young fighter in boxing. The Shakur Stevenson era will officially begin on October 26.”
“It’s about time I got my world title shot,” Gonzalez said. “I’ve been asking for this opportunity for a long time. Thanks to my promoter and manager, it is finally here. Shakur Stevenson has done a lot of talking. But I’ll do my talking in the ring with my fists on October 26.”
Stevenson (12-0, 7 KOs), the fighting pride of Newark, New Jersey, turned pro in April 2017 following a standout amateur career that included a 2016 Olympic silver medal for the United States. He is familiar with Reno, having won four national titles in “The Biggest Little City in the World” from 2013-2015, including his triumph at the Olympic Trials. Stevenson returned to Reno as a pro, shutting out Juan Tapia over eight rounds in February 2018 to improve to 5-0. He has fought three times thus far in 2019, including a career-best performance April 20 against former world title challenger Christopher Diaz on the Terence Crawford-Amir Khan pay-per-view undercard. He followed up the unanimous decision over Diaz with a triumphant return to Newark, where more than 5,000 fans packed the Prudential Center for his third-round stoppage over Alberto Guevara.
Gonzalez (23-0, 14 KOs) is a seven-year pro who has the edge in experience, and at 25 years old, is three years older than Stevenson. Like Stevenson, he had a storied amateur career, nearly qualifying for the 2012 London Olympics and winning a U.S. Junior Olympics title. Gonzalez has won three consecutive bouts by knockout since a split decision victory over former world title challenger Rafael Rivera. He last fought July 13 in Carson, California, capturing the WBO Global and WBA Continental America featherweight titles with a sixth-round stoppage over Manuel Avila. Immediately following the Avila bout, he expressed interest in fighting in Stevenson, and the two have since been engaged in a social media back-and-forth. The talking will stop — and the fight will start — on October 26.
November 2: Miguel Berchelt Set to Defend Super Featherweight World Title Versus Jason Sosa
WBC super featherweight world champion Miguel Berchelt will defend his world title for the sixth time against former world champion Jason Sosa in a can’t-miss battle Saturday, November 2 at the Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, California.
Berchelt, who has won four in a row by stoppage, is the division’s longest-reigning world champion and is ranked No. 1 by both ESPN.com and Ring Magazine.
Promoted by Top Rank, in association with Zanfer Promotions and Peltz Boxing, Berchelt-Sosa and a world title co-feature will air live on ESPN and ESPN Deportes beginning at 10:30 p.m. ET/7:30 p.m. PT. The undercard will stream on ESPN+ starting at 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT
“On November 2, there will be another classic war between a Mexican and a Puerto Rican warrior,” Berchelt said. “I will prove once again that I am the best and most spectacular super featherweight in the world. This title ain’t going anywhere.”
“I can’t express how happy and grateful I am to Top Rank and Russell Peltz for once again working together to give me another shot at becoming world champion,” Sosa said. “I am training harder than ever. I want this so bad, and I am not going to let anything stop what God has planned for me. We are incredibly focused knowing the importance of this fight. Berchelt is a strong opponent, and we are not taking his talents lightly. We both throw a lot of punches so expect an action-packed fight that will be the next chapter in the Mexico versus Puerto Rico rivalry. It’s a rivalry that’s been ongoing for years, and I plan on making my island very proud. On November 2, I plan on becoming a two-time world champion.”
Berchelt (36-1, 32 KOs) has reigned as WBC super featherweight king since January 28, 2017, the evening he dethroned Francisco Vargas via 11th-round knockout in a Fight of the Year contender. He has maintained his reputation as an all-action star, besting Miguel Roman and Takashi Miura in dominant title defenses. He last fought May 11 in Tucson, Arizona, battering Vargas in their rematch until Vargas retired on his stool following the sixth round. A native of Cancun, Mexico, Berchelt has won 15 consecutive bouts and hopes a win over Sosa will move him closer to a world title unification bout.
Sosa (23-3-4, 16 KOs), from Camden, New Jersey, is in the midst of a career revitalization following a two-bout skid in 2017. Sosa has reeled off three consecutive wins since a controversial decision loss to Yuriorkis Gamboa in November 2017, and he is now ranked in the top 10 by two of the major sanctioning organizations. He last fought August 10 in Philadelphia, knocking out Lydell Rhodes in seven rounds to earn his shot at the title.
November 9: Jamel Herring Set for Ballpark Title Defense Versus Lamont Roach Jr. in Fresno
Jamel “Semper Fi” Herring, the U.S. Marine veteran who upset Masayuki Ito in on Memorial Day weekend to win the WBO junior lightweight title, is set to honor his comrades by returning on Veterans Day weekend.
Herring will make his first title defense against the undefeated Lamont Roach Jr. on Saturday, November 9 at Chukchansi Park in Fresno, home of the Triple-A Fresno Grizzlies. This is a return engagement for Herring, who fought at Fresno’s Save Mart Center last September and had more than 1,000 active, retired and aspiring service members in the crowd cheering him on.
Promoted by Top Rank, in association with Golden Boy, Herring-Roach and a co-feature will stream live beginning at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT on ESPN+. The undercard will stream on ESPN+ starting at 6:30 p.m. ET/3:30 p.m. PT.
“Our camps have gone back and forth, and I’m just ready to get to work,” Herring said. “I have a great team, and Terence Crawford will also be in camp to make sure I’m at my best. Overall, the night means much more than trash-talking, since it’s the weekend of both Veterans Day and the Marine Corps birthday.
“I’m glad to be back in Fresno. I had a huge crowd supporting me last time I fought in the area. I know a victory here will lead to bigger and better things.”
“I know Jamel very well and he knows me,” Roach Jr. said. “I’m super excited, and I’ve been waiting for this moment my entire life. This victory will be only the beginning of my legacy. I’m here for a reason, and I can’t wait to show the world why! I will be the WBO junior lightweight world champion on November 9.”
Herring (20-2, 10 KOs) served two tours of duty with the Marines in Iraq and captained the 2012 U.S. Olympic boxing team. His pro career stalled with a 1-2 skid from 2016-2017, but after signing with Top Rank and moving down to 130 pounds, he won three straight fights to earn the title shot against Ito. His September 2018 fight against John Vincent Moralde was a particularly special occasion, as dozens of Marines lined the Save Mart Center walkway as Herring made his entrance. He shut out Moralde as the ESPN-televised co-feature, and now he returns to California’s Central Valley ready to put on a clinic under the lights.
Roach (19-0-1, 7 KOs) is one of the best young fighters to emerge from the boxing hotbed of Washington, D.C. in recent years. His only hiccup as a pro — an April 2018 draw against Orlando Cruz in Cruz’s home country of Puerto Rico — was a minor speed bump in what has been an otherwise sterling run up the ranks. He is 3-0 since the Cruz fight, winning a pair of regional belts and putting forth his best performances on high-profile cards. He last fought May 4 on the Canelo Alvarez-Danny Jacobs undercard in Las Vegas, scoring a 10-round unanimous decision over former world title challenger Jonathan Oquendo. Roach is trained by his father, Lamont Roach Sr., who has been the head man in his corner for his past five bouts.
Use the hashtags #BeterbievNail, #StevensonGonzalez, #BercheltSosa and #HerringRoach to join the conversation on social media.
Berchelt to defend Jr, Lightweight title against Sosa
WBC Jr. Lightweight champion Miguel Berchelt will defend his title against former belt holder Jason Sosa on November 2nd, according to Dan Rafael of espn.com.
The bout will take place at the Dignity Health Sports Pavilion in Carson, California and will be televised on ESPN.
“We are finishing things up,” said Top Rank VP Carl Moretti said. “The fight is agreed to. It’s just a matter of getting the paperwork done at this point.”
“Stylistically, I think it’s a can’t-miss fight,” Moretti said. “Jason looked really good in his last fight in Philadelphia, and Berchelt always looks good. Combined that with the fight being at Dignity Health Sports Park, which has a great tradition of hosting great fights, and I think you have the making of a fight-of-the-year candidate.”
“I think it leads to a bigger fight in the first quarter of 2020 for the winner,” he said. “Either a unification fight or possibly a fight against Oscar Valdez.”
Sosa stops Rhodes in 7
Former world champion Jason Sosa stopped Lydell Rhodes in round seven of a scheduled 10-round junior lightweight bout at The Liacouras Center in Philadelphia.
In round five, Sosa scored two knockdowns. the 1st one coming from a lead left hook. The 2nd was from an overhand right. In six, Sosa was cut over the right eye from an accidental headbutt. In round seven.Sosa landed a hard left hand that sent Rhodes to the canvas. After a few more punches, the corner of Rhodes stopped the fight at
Sosa, 129 lbs of Camden, NJ is 23-3-4 with 16 knockouts. Rhodes, 130.9 lbs of Las Vegas, NV is 27-4-1.
Adan Gonzales scored a stunning four-round unanimous decision over two-time Olympic Gold Medal winner Robeisy Ramirez in a featherweight bout.
In round one, Gonzales landed a smacking left hook that sent Ramirez to the canvas. Ramirez never mounted any offense, and Gonzales was able to pull the shocking upset.
Gonzales of Denver won by scores of 40-35 and 39-36 Ramirez took a card 38-37. Gonzales is now 5-2-2. Ramirez of Cuba is 0-1.
Edgar Berlanga kept his perfect 1st round stoppage streak alive by taking out Gregory Trenel in their scheduled eight-round middleweight bout.
Berlanha sent Trenel to the canvas with a hook to the ear of Trenel. The fight was stopped by referee Benjy Esteves after eating a flurry of punches at 2:24.
Berlanga, 162.3 lbs of Brooklyn is 12-0 with 12 knockouts. Trenel, 162.2 lbs of Dainvile, FRA is 11-5-2.
Weigh-In Results: Sosa vs. Rhodes/Edgar Berlanga/Robeisy Ramirez
ESPN + (10 p.m. ET)
Jason Sosa 129 lbs vs. Lydell Rhodes 130.9 lbs
(Super Featherweight – 10 Rounds)
Edgar Berlanga 162.3 lbs vs. Gregory Trenel 162.2 lbs
(Middleweight – 8 Rounds)
Paul Kroll 147.9 lbs vs. Shinard Bunch 146.6 lbs
(Welterweight – 6 Rounds)
Sonny Conto 214.5 lbs vs. Guillermo Del Rio 225.5 lbs
(Heavyweight – 4 Rounds)
Donald Smith 126.5 lbs vs. Raheem Abdullah 124.6 lbs
(Featherweight – 6 Rounds)
Jeremy Adorno 121.9 lbs vs. Fernando Robles 121 lbs
(Super Bantamweight – 4 Rounds)
Promoted by Top Rank, in association with Peltz Boxing, remaining tickets priced at $100, $55 and $35 (not including applicable fees) are on sale now and can be purchased at the Liacouras Center Box Office and www.liacourascenter.com, or by calling Peltz Boxing at 215-765-0922.
For more information, visit: www.toprank.com, www.espn.com/boxing; Facebook:facebook.com/trboxing; Twitter: twitter.com/trboxing.
Use the hashtag #SosaRhodes to join the conversation on social media.
About ESPN+
ESPN+ is the multi-sport, direct-to-consumer video service from The Walt Disney Company’s Direct-to-Consumer and International (DTCI) segment and ESPN. It reached 2 million subscribers in less than a year and offers fans thousands of live events, on-demand content and original programming not available on ESPN’s linear TV or digital networks, along with premium editorial content.
Programming on ESPN+ includes hundreds of MLB and NHL games, exclusive UFC, Top Rank boxing and PFL fights and events, top domestic and international soccer (Serie A, MLS, FA Cup, UEFA Nations League, EFL Championship, EFL Carabao Cup, Eredivisie, and more), thousands of college sports events (including football, basketball and other sports), Grand Slam tennis, international and domestic rugby and cricket, new and exclusive series, acclaimed studio shows and the full library of ESPN’s award-winning 30 for 30 films. Fans subscribe to ESPN+ for just $4.99 a month (or $49.99 per year) and can cancel at any time.
ESPN+ is available as an integrated part of the ESPN App (on mobile and connected devices) and ESPN.com. They are the industry-leading all-in-one digital sports platform, delivering a rich, personalized experience to tens of millions of fans every month.
Saturday: Jason Sosa Ready for Another Title Run and Robeisy Ramirez Set for Pro Debut
PHILADELPHIA (Aug. 8, 2019) — Opportunity has knocked for former WBA super featherweight world champion Jason Sosa. After Carl Frampton suffered a freak injury at the fight hotel Monday — a concrete pillar fell and broke his left hand — Sosa’s 10-rounder versus Haskell Lydell Rhodes was elevated to the main event.
Sosa, middleweight knockout artist Edgar Berlanga (11-0, 11 first-round KOs), and the professional debut of two-time Cuban Olympic gold medalist Robeisy Ramirez will headline a night of fights Saturday evening at the Liacouras Center (10 p.m. ET, ESPN+).
Two days before the fights, they stopped by the James Shuler Memorial Boxing Gym for a “Back to School Giveaway,” where dozens of local children were given backpacks for the upcoming school year.
This is what they had to say.
JASON SOSA
“It’s a blessing to be the main event, but it sucks what happened to Frampton. Stuff can happen, and we gotta always be ready and prepare for everything that is thrown our way. I’m excited to headline in Philly. It’s been a long time.”
“It gives me goosebumps just thinking about it. I know a lot of us always say, ‘you’re going to see a different fighter.’ I’ve been training hard. I’m hungry. I feel like I’ve restarted my motor and am ready to go again. I’m excited.”
“I’ve had a couple wins in a row, and after this fight, I’ll be ready to fight any of the world champions. I’ve been at that level before, and I know I can do it again.”
EDGAR BERLANGA
“I’ve been bumped up to the co-main event, which is a blessing. I’m going to go out there and give the fans the type of fight they want to see.”
“I grew up idolizing Felix Trinidad. My dad had a VHS copy of his fight with Fernando Vargas, and I watched it countless times. I’m from Brooklyn, but my Puerto Rican roots are important to me, and Trinidad continues to inspire me as a fighter.”
“I’m a knockout puncher, and it just so happens that nobody has made it out of the first round against me. I always train to go the distance, and I am always prepared for any type of fight.”
ROBEISY RAMIREZ
“It has been a long journey, but I am excited to finally be making my professional debut. Philadelphia is a great city with a lot of boxing history, and it’s an honor for me to begin my professional journey here.”
“I want to stay active, stay busy and continue to improve with the great team I have behind me.”
“I know the professional game is different from the amateurs, but I am confident I can make the necessary adjustments and become a world champion. I fought countless great fighters as an amateur, and I am ready to test myself against the best professionals.”For more information, visit: www.toprank.com, www.espn.com/boxing; Facebook:facebook.com/trboxing; Twitter: twitter.com/trboxing.
Use the hashtag #SosaRhodes to join the conversation on social media.
ESPN+, 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT
Jason Sosa vs. Haskell Lydell Rhodes, 10 rounds, super featherweight
Robeisy Ramirez vs. Adan Gonzales, 4 rounds, featherweight
Edgar Berlanga vs. Gregory Trenel, 8 rounds, middleweight
ESPN+, 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT
Paul Kroll vs. Shinard Bunch, 6 rounds, welterweight
Sonny Conto vs. Guillermo Del Rio, 4 rounds, heavyweight
Donald Smith vs. Abdur-Raheem Abdullah, 6 rounds, featherweight
Jeremy Adorno vs. Fernando Robles, 4 rounds, super bantamweight
About ESPN+
ESPN+ is the multi-sport, direct-to-consumer video service from The Walt Disney Company’s Direct-to-Consumer and International (DTCI) segment and ESPN. It reached 2 million subscribers in less than a year and offers fans thousands of live events, on-demand content and original programming not available on ESPN’s linear TV or digital networks, along with premium editorial content.
Programming on ESPN+ includes hundreds of MLB and NHL games, exclusive UFC, Top Rank boxing and PFL fights and events, top domestic and international soccer (Serie A, MLS, FA Cup, UEFA Nations League, EFL Championship, EFL Carabao Cup, Eredivisie, and more), thousands of college sports events (including football, basketball and other sports), Grand Slam tennis, international and domestic rugby and cricket, new and exclusive series, acclaimed studio shows and the full library of ESPN’s award-winning 30 for 30 films. Fans subscribe to ESPN+ for just $4.99 a month (or $49.99 per year) and can cancel at any time.
ESPN+ is available as an integrated part of the ESPN App (on mobile and connected devices) and ESPN.com. They are the industry-leading all-in-one digital sports platform, delivering a rich, personalized experience to tens of millions of fans every month.
Fractured Hand Forces Carl Frampton Out of Saturday’s ESPN+ Main Event at Liacouras Center
PHILADELPHIA (Aug. 5, 2019) — Carl “The Jackal” Frampton was forced to drop out of Saturday’s featherweight main event against Emmanuel Dominguez at the Liacouras Center after fracturing the fifth metacarpal in his left hand. The injury occurred Monday morning at the fight hotel when someone knocked over a concrete structure, which then struck Frampton’s hand.
The Jason Sosa-Haskell Lydell Rhodes 10-round super featherweight bout has been elevated to the main event, while middleweight knockout artist Edgar Berlanga (11-0, 11 KOs) will face Gregory Trenel (11-4-2, 3 KOs) in the eight-round co-feature. Two-time Cuban Olympic gold medalist Robeisy Ramirez’s highly anticipated pro debut — a four-rounder at featherweight versus Adan Gonzales — will round out the tripleheader, which begins at 10 p.m. ET on ESPN+.
Said Frampton: “I’m gutted, gutted for the people that paid their hard-earned money to make the trip to support me. I’ve spent the summer away from my family training for the fight, all a waste now because of this freak accident.”
All ticket refunds can be made at the Liacouras Center Box Office, Ticketmaster.com or call 1-800-745-3000. Ticket refunds will be valid until Wednesday, Aug. 7.
Promoted by Top Rank, in association with Peltz Boxing, remaining tickets priced at $100, $55 and $35 (not including applicable fees) are on sale now and can be purchased at the Liacouras Center Box Office and www.liacourascenter.com, or by calling Peltz Boxing at 215-765-0922.
August 10: Jason Sosa-Haskell Lydell Rhodes Pegged for Carl Frampton-Emmanuel Dominguez Co-Feature LIVE on ESPN+
PHILADELPHIA (July 31, 2019) — Former super featherweight world champion Jason Sosa won’t have to travel far for his next assignment. The native of Camden, New Jersey, will make the short drive to Philadelphia to face veteran Haskell Lydell Rhodes in a 10-round super featherweight bout Saturday, Aug. 10 at the Liacouras Center.
Sosa-Rhodes will be the co-feature to the Carl Frampton-Emmanuel Dominguez featherweight clash and will stream live on ESPN+, the leading multi-sport streaming service, beginning at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT.
The undercard will stream live on ESPN+ beginning at 6:30 p.m. ET/3:30 p.m. PT.
“I was supposed to fight July 19 against Erick De Leon, but he got injured. That doesn’t matter now. I’m ready for Rhodes,” Sosa said. “I couldn’t care less as long as my team prepares me to fight that person I’m scheduled to fight. That’s all I care about.”
“I’m going to show everyone watching on ESPN+ and all the great boxing enthusiasts in Philly that Haskell Lydell Rhodes is a top fighter,” Rhodes said. “Jason Sosa is a former world champion, and that has motivated me to show what I’m made of.
“Yes, this is short notice, but I’m an old-school guy. I’m in the gym every day.”
Sosa (22-3-4, 15 KOs) was the sport’s “Cinderella Man” of 2016, as he knocked out WBA world super featherweight champion Javier Fortuna in the 11th round of an all-action bout. Later that year, he defended the title in Monte Carlo with a unanimous decision over Stephen Smith. Back-to-back defeats to Vasiliy Lomachenko and Yuriorkis Gamboa halted Sosa’s momentum, but he has won two in a row, most recently grinding out a 10-round unanimous decision over Moises Delgadillo on Jan. 18 in Verona, New York. Rhodes (27-3-1, 13 KOs), who is now based in Las Vegas, is an eight-year pro who has never been stopped in 31 professional bouts. An Oklahoma native, Rhodes is 4-1 since an 0-2-1 skid that included competitive decision losses to Sergey Lipinets and Edner Cherry.
The following bouts are scheduled for the undercard stream:
The long-awaited professional debut of two-time Cuban Olympic gold medalist Robeisy Ramirez will come against Adan Gonzales (4-2-2, 2 KOs) in a four-round featherweight bout.
South Philadelphia-born heavyweight puncher Sonny “The Bronco” Conto (3-0, 3 KOs) will take on Guillermo Del Rio (2-2-1, 2 KOs) in a four-rounder. Conto was one of Tyson Fury’s chief sparring partners for Fury’s June 15 bout against Tom Schwarz. Conto stopped Daniel Infante in two rounds on the Fury-Schwarz card in Las Vegas.
Middleweight sensation Edgar Berlanga (11-0, 11 KOs), who has 11 straight first-round knockouts to begin his career, will face an opponent to be named in an eight-rounder.
Donald Smith (9-0, 6 KOs), a 5-foot-11 southpaw featherweight from Philadelphia, will look to notch his second victory of the year against Abdur-Raheem Abdullah (3-2, 0 KOs) in a six-rounder.
Paul “The Punisher” Kroll (4-0, 4 KOs) will look to thrill the hometown fans versus fellow unbeaten Shinard Bunch (2-0, 2 KOs) in a six-round super welterweight bout. Kroll, who turned pro last August, has three first-round knockouts on his ledger.
Jeremy “Magic Hands” Adorno (1-0, 0 KOs) will fight the upset-minded Fernando Robles (2-1, 0 KOs) in a four-round super bantamweight bout.
Promoted by Top Rank, in association with Peltz Boxing and Queensberry Promotions, tickets priced at $100, $55 and $35 (not including applicable fees) are on sale now and can be purchased at the Liacouras Center Box Office and www.liacourascenter.com, or by calling Peltz Boxing at 215-765-0922.
Use the hashtags #FramptonDominguez and #SosaRhodes to join the conversation on social media.
About ESPN+
ESPN+ is the multi-sport, direct-to-consumer video service from The Walt Disney Company’s Direct-to-Consumer and International (DTCI) segment and ESPN. It reached 2 million subscribers in less than a year and offers fans thousands of live events, on-demand content and original programming not available on ESPN’s linear TV or digital networks, along with premium editorial content.
Programming on ESPN+ includes hundreds of MLB and NHL games, exclusive UFC, Top Rank boxing and PFL fights and events, top domestic and international soccer (Serie A, MLS, FA Cup, UEFA Nations League, EFL Championship, EFL Carabao Cup, Eredivisie, and more), thousands of college sports events (including football, basketball and other sports), Grand Slam tennis, international and domestic rugby and cricket, new and exclusive series, acclaimed studio shows and the full library of ESPN’s award-winning 30 for 30 films. Fans subscribe to ESPN+ for just $4.99 a month (or $49.99 per year) and can cancel at any time.
ESPN+ is available as an integrated part of the ESPN App (on mobile and connected devices) and ESPN.com. They are the industry-leading all-in-one digital sports platform, delivering a rich, personalized experience to tens of millions of fans every month.
Rivas shocks Jennings; stops him in 12
Oscar Rivas pulled off the biggest win of his career by stopping Bryant Jennings in the final round of their 12-round heavyweight at The Turning Stone Resort Casino in Verona, New York.
Rivas was the more active fighter and in round 12, he turned up the heat and stepped on the gas with a hard combination on Jennings against the ropes until he put Jennings on the canvas. With Jennings hurt, Rivas jumped on Jennings as he landed some major power punches on the ropes that snapped the head of Jennings back, and the bout was stopped at 54 seconds.
Rivas, 234 lbs of Montreal is 26-0 with 18 knockouts. Jennings, 223 1/4 lbs of Philadelphia is 24-3.
“I worked hard for this fight, and this is the result we were looking for,” Rivas said. “Before the beginning of the last round, my coach reminded me how hard we had worked, and that motivated me to leave everything in the last round. I saw that the combination of a hook and straight right hand was landing, and I kept throwing it until I knocked him down.
“I demonstrated that I’m unbeaten for a reason. Now after this triumph, the boxing world will know my name. This victory puts me closer to being among the elites of the division. I want to write my name in the history of Colombian boxing.
Said Jennings: “It is what it is.”
Shakur Stevenson remained undefeated with a 4th round stoppage over Jessie Cris Rosales in a scheduled 10-round featherweight contest.
Stevenson dumped Rosales with a hard left, and Rosales was flat on his back, and the fight was called at 1:17 of round four.
Stevenson is now 10-0 with six knockouts. Rosales is 22-2-1.
“I want Warrington. I want to go England and fight in front of the fans over there. That would be a great fight,” Stevenson said. “I know that I’m ready for a title shot. At the same time, I am still growing and improving. I have a great team behind me.”
Robson Conceicao won an eight-round unanimous decision over Hector Ambriz in a super featherweight bout.
Conceicao, 130 1/2 lbs of Bahia, BRA won by shutout scores of 80-72 on all cards, and is now 11-0. Ambriz, 130 1/2 lbs of Ensenada, MEX is 12-9-2.
Jason Sosa survived an early to knockdown to comeback and take a 10-round unanimous decision over Moises Delgadillo in a junior lightweight contest.
In round one, Sosa was cut on the bridge of the nose. In round two, Delgadillo sent Sosa down with a clipping left hook. In round three, Delgadillo started to bleed around his left eye.
In round seven, Sosa turned the tide by knocking Delgadillo down with a body punch.
Sosa, 131 lbs of Camden, NJ won by scores of 97-91 twice and 96-92 to raise his mark to 22-3-4. Delagadillo, 133 lbs of Guadalajara, MEX is 17-19-2.
“I came from behind in this fight. He surprised me and knocked me down with a good punch, but I recovered and then I managed to knock him down and take control of the fight,” Sosa said. “I did not have any amateur fights, so I’m still learning a lot with each fight.”
I want {WBC super featherweight champion Miguel} Berchelt. I want that title that he has. It would be another great war between Mexico and Puerto Rico.
Two-time Indian Olympian Vikas Krishan made a successful pro debut with a 2nd round stoppage over Steven Andrade in a scheduled six-round junior middleweight bout.
Krishan pressured Andrade from the opening bell, and in round two, a hard flurry put Andrade on the canvas. A follow up flurry had referee Benjy Esteves to stop the bout.
Krishan, 152 lbs is 1-0 with one knockout. Andrade, 151 3/4 lbs of Cartersville, GA is 3-4.
“I want to thank my team for helping me have a successful professional debut,” Krishan said. “This is only the start of my professional journey. ‘The Indian Tank’ is coming.”
Fazliddin Gaibnazarov remained undefeated by stopping Ricardo Garcia after round four of their scheduled eight-round junior welterweight bout.
In round three, Gaibnazarov dropped Garcia with a right hook.
Gaibnazarov, 141 1/2 lbs of Berobod, UZB is 7-0 with four knockouts. Garcia, 142 lbs of Reading, PA is 14-5-1.
“I want to step up my level of competition now,” Gaibnazarov said. “I am ready for the top fighters at 140 pounds. My time is coming.”
Carlos Adames remained undefeated by stopping Juan Ruiz in round three in a schedueled eight-round junior middleweight bout.
Adames dropped Ruiz with a right to the body for the 10-count at 1:57.
Adames, 156 lbs of Santiago, DR is now 16-0 with 13 knockouts. Ruiz, 155 1/2 lbs of Tijuana, MEX is 21-4.
“This is the new era of ‘El Caballo Bronco,'” Adames said. “I want to battle against the best. I already want to face a world champion. Anyone who does not want to face me, get out of the way because I’m coming for all the super welterweight world titles.”
FOLLOW KOVALEV – SHABRANSKYY LIVE!!
Follow all the action as Sergey Kovalev looks to regain the WBO Light Heavyweight title against Vyacheslav Shabranskyy. The action begins at 10 PM ET / 7 PM PT with Junior Lightweight contest between former world champions Jason Sosa and Yuriorkis Gamboa followed by a Light Heavyweight fight between Sullivan Barrera and Felix Valera
THE PAGE WILL UPDATE AUTOMATICALLY. NO BROWSER REFRESH NEEDED
Round 1: Kovalev lands a right..Good jab.Body shot..Right from Shabranskyy..BIG RIGHT AND DOWN GOES SHABRANSKYY..BIG RIGHT AND DOWN GOES SHABRANSKYY..
Round 2 Hard right from Kovalev..HARD LEFT AND SHABRANSKYY GOES DOWN..Right rocks Shabranskyy..HARD ONSLAUGHT AND THE THE FIGHT IS OVER
10-Rounds–Light Heavyweights–Sullivan Barrera (20-1, 14 KOs) vs Felix Valera ( 15-1, 13 KOs)
ROUND
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
TOTAL
Barrera
9
10
10
10
10
10
10
10
9
10
98
Valera
10
9
9
9
10
8
9
8
9
10
91
Round 1 HARD LEFT HOOK AND DOWN GOES BARRERA..RIGHT HAND AND DOWN GOES VALERA
Round 2 Left hook from Valera..Good left hook from Barrera..Valera warned for a low blow..Good right from Barrera..Barrera cut over his left eye..Hard right to body from Barrera..
Round 3 VALERA DEDUCTED A POINT FOR LOW BLOW..Left hook from Valera..Left hook to body from Barrera..
Round 4 Good overhand right from Barrera…Hard right…Right to body..right..
Round 5
Round 6 VALERA DEDUCTED ANOTHER POINT FOR LOW BLOW..Barrera lands a right. Valera lands a left..2 lefts Barrera…Good body shot..Right hand..Straight right to the chin..Hard combination
Round 7 Right from Barrera..Trading body shots..Good right from Barrera..Left uppercut
Round 8 VALERA DEDUCTED ANOTHER POINT FOR LOW BLOWS..Good uppercut from Barrera..
Round 9 BARRERA DEDUCTED A POINT FOR A LOW BLOW..Good left to body and right from Barrera..
Round 10 Big left hook from Valera..Body shot…Barrera lands a body shot..Big left hook
Round 2 2 Body shots from Gamboa..Sosa lands a left hook…Cut over Gamboa’s left eye..Good over hand right from Sosa
Round 3
Round 4 Good body shot from Gamboa..
Round 5 Hard right from Gamboa..Good right from Sosa…Right From Gamboa..
Round 6 Left from Gamboa..
Round 7 RIGHT HAND MAKES GAMBOA GLOVE TOUCH CANVAS FOR A KNOCKDOWN..Good left hook from Gamboa..Good right from Sosa..Body shot..
Round 8 Right from Sosa..Left to Body..Left..Right to body
Round 9 Right from Sosa
Round 10 GAMBOA DEDUCTED A POINT FOR HOLDING…
94-94; 95-93; 96-92 for YURIORKIS GAMBOA
Return Of The “Krusher” — Kovalev Stops Shabranskyy In 2
KOVALEV VS. SHABRANSKYY OFFICIAL WEIGH-IN Theater Lobby, Madison Square Garden
NEW YORK CITY –Sergey Kovalev (31-2-1, 27 KO) returned to pre-Andre Ward fight form and captured the WBO world light heavyweight title, blasting through Vyacheslav Shabranskyy (19-2, 16 KO), sending him to the canvas three times inside two rounds en route to a TKO victory.
After a brief “feeling-out” period, where Kovalev was momentarily backed up by a Shabranskyy jab, the 34 year-old Russian marched forward, uncorking massive right hands that seemingly landed at will. It was midway through the first when a “Krusher” right landed flush on the side of Shabranskyy’s head and sent him down to the mat for the first time.
Upon beating the count, Kovalev greeted his 30 year-old Ukrainian counterpart with more haymakers and eventually connected with an even bigger right that collapsed Shabranskyy to the mat again. The “Lionheart” beat referee Harvey Dock’s ten count and was able to survive the round.
In the second round, Kovalev picked up right where he left off, fighting as ruthless and relentless as ever, plodding forward and unloading vicious bombs that continually connected with an alarming success rate.
A left-right-left combo midway through the second sent Shabranskyy down for the third time. Again, Shabranskyy beat the ten-count, but this time he stood on extremely unsteady legs. Kovalev continued to wail on an absent Shabranskyy until referee Harvey Dock stepped between the two combatants and called a half to the bout at the 2:36 mark of round two.
It was Kovalev’s first performance since dropping two straight fights to Andre Ward, both controversial in their own right. In their first meeting, Ward scored a split decision victory, despite hitting the canvas in the second round. In their rematch, referee Tony Weeks controversially waved off the match in the eighth round after a series of borderline low-blow body shots hurt the 34 year-old Russian and left him defenseless.
Tonight also marked Kovalev’s first fight working with head trainer, Abror Tursunpulatov. Previously, Kovalev had been working with John David Jackson. Rumors of a fractured relationship between Kovalev and Jackson began to swirl between the first and second Ward fights, and in October, the inevitable parting of ways become official when Kovalev formally announced Tursunpulatov as his new coach.
Prior to tonight’s devastating loss, Shabranskyy was having himself a solid 2017, scoring back to back stoppage wins over Larry Pryor and Todd Unthank May, respectively. Those wins were enough to land him his first title shot tonight against Kovalev.
Shabranskyy’s only other loss came courtesy of Sullivan Barrera in December 2016.
Barrera, who scored a unanimous decision victory earlier in the night against Dominican, Felix Valera, is certainly a candidate to fight for Kovalev’s title in the near future.
“It’s my goal to be the best in the division,” Kovalev said afterward. “Here tonight was great boxing for me and I love boxing and I want to make great fights.
Bombs Away — Barrera Scores UD Win Over Valera
Sullivan Barrera (21-1, 14 KO) out-slugged and earned a ten round unanimous decision victory over Felix Valera (15-2, 13 KO) in a light heavyweight contest marred by low-blows.
There were fireworks from the opening bell and midway through the bout’s first round, the free swinging Dominican, Valera, caught his Cuban counterpart with a monster left hook that sent Barrera down the canvas. The 35 year-old Barrera was able to shake the knockdown and score one of his own later in the round right as the bell sounded, when a glancing Barrera shot sent an off-balance Valera to the mat.
The first of four point deductions administered by referee Mike Ortega, Jr. for low blows came in the second round when Valera nailed Barrera below the waistline for the second time. Valera would also be deducted a point in the sixth and eighth rounds. Barrera was deducted a point for low blows in the ninth.
It was a bombs away type affair, with both fighters swinging wildly at times, knowing that they possessed the power to end the fight with one punch. But time and time again, however, it was Barrera who landed the more meaningful, significant shots.
In an attempt to rattle Barrera flamboyant Valera tried anything he could to disrupt the always-composed Cuban. The 29 year-old Dominican flailed his arms wildly, stuck his tongue out at Barrera, and even jumped up and down — all to no avail.
At the end of ten, all judges scored the bout widely for Barrera. Don Ackerman had it 98-88, Tom Schreck 97-89, and Glenn Feldman 97-90.
It was another solid win for Barrera, whose only defeat came at the hands of Andre Ward in March 2016. Barrera last fought in July against Joe Smith, Jr., where much like tonight, he rose off the canvas to score a unanimous decision victory.
For the durable Valera, it was his second professional defeat, the other coming courtesy of undefeated superstar, Dmitry Bivol.
Gamboa Earns Controversial Decision Over Sosa
Yuriorkis Gamboa (28-2, 17 KO) scored a controversial ten round majority decision victory against Jason Sosa (20-3-4, 15 KO) in what many viewed as a make or break fight for the former three-division world champion.
It was clear early on that the 35 year-old former Olympic Gold Medalist’s gameplan was to stick-and-move, get-in and get-out. Conversely, Sosa’s plan was to plod forward, apply as much pressure as he could, while landing the bigger, more significant power punches.
After a first round where both fighters staked their flag, Sosa unloaded a looping right that caught Gamboa on the button as the second round drew to a close. Any Sosa attempt to throw follow up shots were quickly squandered by the dinging of the bell.
Gamboa got right back to work in the middle rounds, however, staying true to his stick-and-move gameplan, landing a few shots, then slipping most of Sosa’s return-fire.
Sosa began to swing the momentum back his way in the sixth, and in the seventh, a Sosa left hook clipped an off-balance Gamboa whose gloved fist made contact with the canvas. Referee Ron Lipton immediately ruled a knockdown.
The final three rounds saw good action, with Sosa coming forward, and Gamboa trying to hit and move.
In the tenth round, referee Ron Lipton controversially deducted a point from Gamboa for holding.
At the conclusion of ten, judge Robin Taylor scored the contest even, 94-94. She was overruled by judges John McKaie and Don Trella, who scored the bout 95-93 and 96-92, respectively. 15rounds.com scored the fight 95-94 for Gamboa.
Sosa was initially slated to face Robinson Castellanos (24-13, 14 KO), who scored an upset TKO win against Gamboa in May. However, an injury earlier this month forced the Mexican to withdraw, and Gamboa was called in as a late replacement.
The win makes it two straight for “El Ciclon” since suffering that shocking defeat to Castellanos.
For Sosa, the tough-luck loss his is second in a row, the other coming back in April courtesy of Vasily Lomachenko.
“It was a good fight. I didn’t have enough time to train. I only had three weeks. I didn’t have time to get ready. I needed 2 or 3 more weeks to lose the weight correctly,” Gamboa said afterward.
He continued, “Of course the decision was good. I think won every round. Except for the knockdown and the point deduction.”
Sosa also spoke afterward, saying, “I was a fun fight. I took some breaks but I thought I did enough to win. I know I did enough to win the fight.”
Murtazaliev Destroys Galvan In 5, Wins IBA Super Welterweight Title
Bakhram Murtazaliev (11-0, 9 KO) methodically broke down Carlos Galvan (16-6-1, 15 KO) before closing the show in spectacular fashion in the fifth round of a super welterweight contest slated for ten.
The heavy-handed Russian, who operates under the tutelage of Sergey Kovalev’s new trainer, Abror Tursunpulatov, stalked his Colombian counterpart round after round. Like waves on a shore, Murtazaliev kept coming forward, forcing Galvan to fight going backwards, something he was clearly uncomfortable doing.
After four rounds of systematically crushing Galvan’s will, the 24 year-old Russian broke through in the fifth, sending Galvan to the mat with a vicious one-two. About a minute later, Murtazaliev finished off his wounded foe with a thundering left hook to the liver that put Galvan on the mat for good. Referee Ricky Gonzalez opted not to administer a ten-count and instead, called a stop to the contest at the 1:31 mark of round five.
It was the fourth stoppage defeat in six overall losses for Galvan. It was also his fourth time fighting in the United States, and his fourth loss.
Galarza Grabs UD Win In Return To Ring
Brooklyn’s Frank Galarza (18-2-2, 11 KO) returned to the ring after a fourteen month layoff and scored a unanimous decision win over Chicago’s Jamie Herrera (15-5-1, 8 KO) in an eight round super welterweight contest.
The victory was hard-earned and well-deserved for Galarza, who had dropped his previous two contests — a TKO loss to Jarrett Hurd and a majority decision loss to veteran Ishe Smith, a fight that saw Galarza hit the canvas in the second round.
It was a gutsy affair between two veteran prizefighters who each were coming off lengthy layoffs. For Galarza, who in July inked a new promotional deal with Main Events, the fight marked just his second fight in the last twenty-four months, and the first since September 2016. For the Mexican-American Herrera, it was just his first fight since November 2016, when he suffered UD loss to Taras Shelestyuk.
The fight was a back and forth contest, with a predictable, but entertaining ebb and flow. Round after round, both fighters willingly engaged, eating a few shots before landing their own. But while both fighters enjoyed success over the duration of the contest, it was the 33 year-old Galarza who punches landed cleaner and with more frequency.
In the fifth round, a Galarza right hand opened up a cut over his 28 year-old counterparts left eye. In the seventh, a booming right to the body by Galarza hurt Herrera, hunching him forward where he was met with a flurry of Galarza lefts and rights until Herrera was able to weather the storm.
The Chicagoan’s high-pressure style was both a blessing and a curse for him in that it seemed to slowly wear down Galarza, but also left him vulnerable to Galarza stick-and-move pot-shots as he tried to work his way inside his reach. At the end of eight rounds, all three judges scored the contest for Galarza. Robin Taylor scored it a shutout 80-72, while referees John McKaie and Allen Nace saw it 78-74 and 79-73, respectively.
“I feel good after a 14 month layoff, shaking off some ring rust. I’m so grateful for Main Events to put me on their card,” Galarza remarked afterward.
He continued, “Hopefully I’ll be back in the Garden soon. It felt great, it was where I belong. It felt right. Not many places you can call home, but this is one for me.”
Galarza also acknowledged his legion of fans in the crowd tonight. “I’m grateful for my supporters, for people who waited it out for me,” he said. “As a Brooklyn native, a person from New York who’s been around, they support me and that’s the best thing.”
Nursultanov Stays Perfect, Hands Moon First Loss Inside Two
In a battle that pitted two undefeated middleweights against one another, Kazakhstan’s Meiirim Nursultanov (5-0, 4 KO) made quick work of Marietta, Georgia’s Eric Moon (7-1, 6 KO), stopping him inside two rounds.
It was all Nursultanov from start to finish, as he pressured and battered Moon from the opening bell. Midway through the second, Nursultanov pinned Moon against the ropes and wailed away, mixing shots to the body and head. At the 1:54 mark of the second round, referee Ricky Gonzalez decided Moon had eaten too many uncontested shots and called a halt to the contest.
The win makes it four kayos in five professional fights for the Egis Klimas managed, Main Events promoted, Nursultanov.
Thunder In His Hands, LeShawn Rodriguez Stops Duarte In 3
In a middleweight contest slated for six, former New York Golden Gloves Champion and 2016 US Olympic alternate “Lightning” LeShawn Rodriguez (8-0, 7 KO) powered his way past Sao Paolo’s Brazil’s Alex Duarte (13-3-1, 10 KO) en route to a third round KO victory.
It was an impressive display of patience, prowess, and power from the 24 year-old New York native, who balanced his attack, working to both the head and body of his 37 year-old counterpart.
Midway through the second, Rodriguez ripped a left to the body that put Duarte on his knees. The Brazilian beat Steve Smoger’s ten count and was able to survive the round.
In the third however, a Rodriguez left-right combo to the body and head, sent Duarte to the canvas for good, where he was unable to beat Smogers count. The official time of stoppage was the 1:48 mark of round three.
It was Duarte’s third loss of his career, all of which have come via stoppage.
“It feels good always to win, but to win by knockout is better, sensational, spectacular,” Rodriguez said afterward. “I felt at home. A lot of people came out to see me. This is the first time I’ve fought in New York since I turned pro.”
Gogokhia Stays Perfect, Decisions Abreau
Enriko Gogokhia remained perfect (7-0, 3 KO) with a unanimous decision win over Jose Antonio Abreau (13-3, 8 KO) in a six round welterweight contest.
Action picked up toward the end of the second round when the southpaw, Gogokhia, floored his Dominican counterpart. The 29 year-old Abrea beat the ten count and was immediately met with a barrage of punches as the round drew to a close.
In the next few rounds, the Egis Klimas managed Gogokhia, pressed his foot on the gas and forced the action, continually getting the better of the boxer’s exchanges.
In the end, all three judges scored it widely for the 26 year-old Georgian native, Gogokhia. Scores were 60-53 and 59-54, twice. The judges’ decision resulted in Abreau’s third career loss, all of which have been on US soil.
“It was a good fight, good opponent with a good record,” Gogokhia said afterward. “It was harder because the opponent was ready and he also wanted to win. I was just getting started by the last round. Still, a victory is a victory.”
Villareal Kicks Off Pro Campaign With Win
The undercard of Sergey Kovalev vs. Vyacheslav Shabranskyy kicked off with the successful debut of former two-time New York Golden Gloves champion, Ismael Villareal (1-0). The former amatuer standout scored a unimous decision victory over Race Sawyer (0-5) in a four round super welterweight contest.
Villareal, who fights out of John’s Gym in the Bronx is trained by his father, former welterweight Otilio Villareal, who over his 32 bout pro career, shared the ring with the likes of Zab Judah, Kermit Cintron, and Hector Camacho.
Villareal controlled the contest bell to bell, bruising and battering Utah’s Sawyer with head snapping blows. The 21 year old Bronx debutant would have benefitted by putting in more work to his foe’s body, but that was not on the agenda tonight.
All in all, Villareal won’t have too much to complain about tonight. The Ecuadorian-American pitched a shutout on all three judges scorecards. Don Trella had it 40-35, and John McKaie and Robin Taylor scored it 40-36.
After the contest, Villareal did speak about having some debut butterflies.
“It totally felt different than the amateurs,” he said. “There were so many more people looking at me. I was trying to look good, I was focused on the knockout because it was my very first professional fight.
“I learned I have to work harder and be careful not to get hit.”
HBO SERVES UP A THREE-COURSE THANKSGIVING FEAST WHEN WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING®: SERGEY KOVALEV VS. VYACHESLAV SHABRANSKYY AND SULLIVAN BARRERA VS. FELIX VALERA AND YURIORKIS GAMBOA VS. JASON SOSA IS SEEN SATURDAY, NOV. 25
HBO Sports celebrates the holiday weekend with an action-packed tripleheader, including the return of light heavyweight powerhouse Sergey Kovalev, when WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING: SERGEY KOVALEV VS. VYACHESLAV SHABRANSKYY AND SULLIVAN BARRERA VS. FELIX VALERA AND YURIORKIS GAMBOA VS. JASON SOSA is seen SATURDAY, NOV. 25 at 10:00 p.m. (ET/PT) from The Theater at Madison Square Garden in New York City. The HBO Sports team will call all the action, which will be available in HDTV, closed-captioned for the hearing-impaired and presented in Spanish on HBO Latino.
The fights will also be available on HBO NOW, HBO GO, HBO On Demand and affiliate portals.
The main event features the return of the feared Sergey Kovalev (30-2-1, 26 KOs) as he battles heavy-handed Vyacheslav Shabranskyy (19-1, 16 KOs) for a vacant light heavyweight title in a scheduled 12-round bout. Following a light heavyweight title reign that spanned more than three years and featured eight successful defenses, polished Russian knockout artist Kovalev, 34, is eager to reclaim the belts he lost in 2016 to future Hall of Famer Andre Ward.
Standing in his way is Ukraine’s Shabranskyy, 30, who turned pro in 2012 after a long amateur career in his home country and has been knocking out top contenders on the way to his biggest fight to date. Both men have been active lately, this being Kovalev’s tenth fight since Jan. 2014 and Shabranksyy’s tenth fight since Jan. 2015. The bout marks Kovalev’s 11th appearance on HBO, while Shabranskyy is making his debut on the main channel after fighting on HBO Latino in 2015.
In the co-main event, one of the top light heavyweight contenders, Sullivan Barrera (20-1, 14 KOs) of Miami via Cuba, closes out his tremendous 2017 by taking on Felix Valera (15-1, 13 KOs) of the Dominican Republic in a ten-round fight. Barrera, 35, is fresh off the biggest win of his career, a unanimous decision victory over Joe Smith Jr. in July and hopes to set himself up for another title shot in 2018 by defeating Valera. Making his U.S. debut, the hard-punching Valera, 29, seeks an upset that would insert him into the light heavyweight championship conversation.
In the opening bout, former unified featherweight champion Yuriorkis Gamboa (27-2, 17 KOs) of Miami, Florida squares off against Camden, NJ native Jason Sosa (20-2-4, 15 KOs) in a scheduled ten-round super featherweight contest. Gamboa, 35, is an accomplished veteran with success at all levels, including a gold medal at the 2004 Olympics while representing Cuba and a dominating stretch as a world champion in the pro ranks. Sosa, 29, looks to bounce back after a difficult loss to junior lightweight champion Vasyl Lomachenko and return to the championship ranks. Sosa is making his third HBO appearance, while the bout marks Gamboa’s tenth fight on HBO.
Immediately following the boxing action, HBO Sports presents a half-hour special spotlighting the career of all-time great Miguel Cotto, who is slated for his professional farewell against Sadam Ali on Saturday, Dec. 2 at Madison Square Garden in a fight to be seen on HBO.
Follow HBO boxing news at hbo.com/boxing, on Facebook at facebook.com/hboboxing and on Twitter at twitter.com/hboboxing.
All HBO boxing events are presented in HDTV. HBO viewers must have access to the HBO HDTV channel to watch HBO programming in high definition.
The executive producer of HBO Sports is Rick Bernstein; producer, Thomas Odelfelt; director, Johnathan Evans.
® WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING is a registered service mark of Home Box Office, Inc.
FORMER UNIFIED FEATHERWEIGHT CHAMPION YURIORKIS “EL CICLON DE GUANTANAMO” GAMBOA STEPS IN TO FIGHT JASON “EL CANITO” SOSA
LOS ANGELES (Nov. 6, 2017) Former unified featherweight champion Yuriorkis “El Ciclon de Guantanamo” Gamboa (27-2, 17 KOs) will step in to fight Jason “El Canito” Sosa (20-2-4, 15 KOs) in a 10-round super featherweight fight at the Theater at Madison Square Garden in the televised opener to Kovalev vs. Shabrankskyy. The event takes place Saturday, Nov. 25 and will be televised live on HBO World Championship Boxing beginning at 10:00 p.m. ET/PT.
Gamboa, a 35-year-old native of Guantanamo, Cuba, is an Olympic Gold Medalist who shot to the top of the Featherweight rankings to win two world titles, defeating the likes of Orlando “Siri” Salido and Daniel Ponce De Leon before officially moving up to 130 pounds. Gamboa has also faced stiff competition as a super featherweight, with wins against Darleys Perez and Rene “El Gemelo” Alvarado under his belt. Gamboa is replacing Robinson “Robin Hood” Castellanos, who pulled out of this fight due to an injury.
“I’m excited for this great opportunity to fight Sosa on the undercard of Kovalev-Shabranakssy,” said Gamboa. “A win over Sosa on HBO could push me back into title contention. I’m a fighter with many aspects and dimensions, and that’s what I’ll bring in my fight against Sosa. For my my last fight, I wasn’t prepared well. This time I will be very much prepared, so I can walk away with my hand raised.”
“I’m excited for Gamboa,” said Zeferino Ramirez of ZR Entertainment. “This is the fight we wanted. And I expect big things in 2018. He’ll be ready for any 130-pound champion if he is successful on November 25.”
The 29-year-old Sosa, of Camden, NJ, is the former WBA World Super Featherweight Champion. He earned his title by handing Javier “El Abejon” Fortuna his first loss as a pro with an 11th-round knockout in Beijing, China in June 2016. Sosa successfully defended his title with a 12-round decision win over Stephen Smith in Monte Carlo in November 2016 before returning several months later in a tough fight against Vasyl “Hi-Tech” Lomachenko in April 2017. Sosa is also known for fighting to an impressive majority draw against former WBA Super World Featherweight Champion Nicholas “Axe Man” Walters and for stopping former world title challenger Jerry “The Corpus Christi Kid” Belmontes in only one round.
“People think we have an easier opponent in Gamboa since Castellanos beat him, but we’re not buying into that,” said Sosa. “Maybe Gamboa didn’t take Castellanos seriously. We expect to see the very best Gamboa on Nov. 25. Having said that, this is not about who we are fighting; this is about why. We are fighting to make Puerto Rico proud after what all the people who live there have been through recently.”
“This should be a solid fight between two guys, the same size, who like to hurt people,” said Russell Peltz, Hall of Fame Promoter of Peltz Boxing Promotions.”It’s a better matchup, style-wise, than the one between Jason [Sosa] and Robinson Castellanos.”
Kovalev vs. Shabranskyy is a 12-round fight for the vacant WBO Light Heavyweight World Title promoted by Main Events and Krusher Promotions in association with Golden Boy Promotions. Barrera vs. Valera is a 10-round light heavyweight fight promoted by Main Events in Association with Shuan Boxing Promotions. Gamboa vs. Sosa is a 10-round super featherweight fight promoted by Golden Boy Promotions in association with Peltz Boxing and ZR Entertainment. The event will take place on Nov. 25 at the Theater at Madison Square Garden in New York City, and will be televised live on HBO World Championship Boxing beginning at 10 p.m. ET/PT.
Reminder to news media: The deadline to apply for Fight Week credentials is Friday, November 17. Fill out the credential application at http://www.emcevents.com/kovalevshabranskyy.html
JASON “EL CANITO” SOSA TO CLASH WITH ROBINSON “ROBIN HOOD” CASTELLANOS ON TELEVISED UNDERCARD OF KOVALEV VS. SHABRANSKYY AT THE THEATER AT MADISON SQUARE GARDEN IN NEW YORK CITY
NEW YORK CITY (Oct. 19, 2017) Two of the most experienced fighters in the stacked 130-pound division will continue the heated Puerto Rico vs. Mexico rivalry when Jason “El Canito” Sosa (20-2-4, 14 KOs) takes on Robinson “Robin Hood” Castellanos (24-13, 14 KOs) in a 10-round super featherweight fight at the Theater at Madison Square Garden on the televised undercard for Kovalev vs. Shabrankskyy. The event takes place Saturday, Nov. 25 and will be televised live on HBO World Championship Boxing beginning at 10:00 p.m. ET/PT.
Although the competition between Puerto Rico and Mexico runs deep in the ring, Latinos and Hispanics come together and support each other in times of need. In light of the natural disasters affecting Mexico and the Caribbean, a portion of the proceeds of the ticket sales form this event will be donated to relief efforts for Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico and the earthquake in Mexico City when ticket buyers use the code LATINOSUNIDOS to purchase their tickets through Ticketmaster.
“With the terrible natural disasters that have impacted Puerto Rico and Mexico recently, it was incredibly important to us that we find opportunities in boxing to give back to those affected,” said Oscar De La Hoya, Chairman and CEO of Golden Boy Promotions. “Though Puerto Rico and Mexico are rivals when it comes to boxing we stand together united to help these communities recover and rebuild their lives.”
The 29-year-old Sosa, of Camden, NJ and of Puerto Rican descent, is the former WBA World Super Featherweight Champion. He earned his title by handing Javier “El Abejon” Fortuna his first loss as a pro with an 11th-round knockout in Beijing, China in June 2016. Sosa successfully defended his title with a 12-round decision win over Stephen Smith in Monte Carlo in November 2016 before returning several months later in a tough fight against Vasyl “Hi-Tech” Lomachenko in April 2017. Sosa is also known for fighting to an impressive majority draw against former WBA Super World Featherweight Champion Nicholas “Axe Man” Walters and for stopping former world title challenger Jerry “The Corpus Christi Kid” Belmontes in only one round. Sosa’s aggressive style should produce fireworks against Castellanos.
“Hurricane Maria devastated Puerto Rico,” said Sosa. “I have been living there for the last few months and I opened a business there. Now to see the destruction and devastation that my people are going through, it breaks my heart. It was very difficult for me to leave and begin my training camp back in New Jersey to get ready for the fight against Castellanos. This fight is important for many reasons. It is the beginning of the road to becoming champion again and it is my way of giving Puerto Rico a reason to smile and be proud. They are my biggest supporters and that little island shows me so much love. I can’t do much but I can show them that this win is for them. I want to thank Castellanos and HBO for this opportunity.”
Castellanos is a battle-tested warrior who is coming off a spectacular performance against current WBA Super World Super Featherweight Champion Jezreel “El Invisible” Corrales in July of this year. The 35-year-old native of Guanajuato, Mexico also handed super bantamweight contender and world title challenger Ronny Rios his first career loss, stopping him by TKO in October of 2014. Before challenging for a world title, Castellanos stopped Cuban former unified WBA and IBF Featherweight Champion Yuriorkis “El Ciclon de Guantánamo” Gamboa on the May 5 edition of Golden Boy Boxing on ESPN. After having been so close to winning a world title in his last outing, Castellanos will look to make sure that he gets another crack at the top of the division with a victory on Nov. 25.
“What has happened in Mexico and Puerto [Rico] has been devastating,” said Castellanos. But it has also reminded us that we are strong and united. The crisis won’t be resolved from one day to another, but however long it takes we will lift ourselves up. I know little about Jason [Sosa], but I know that he was a world champion. He has already accomplished a dream that I am still looking to accomplish. I know that I’ll need a victory to fight for a world title again. Both of us will have to leave everything in the ring, and I hope that the people in New York really enjoy our fight.”
Tickets are currently on sale and are available at ticketmaster.com and the Madison Square Garden Box Office. Use the code LATINOSUNIDOS when purchasing your tickets to donate a portion of the proceeds to hurricane relief efforts in Puerto Rico and the rebuilding efforts in Mexico following the earthquake in Mexico City. The donations will go to the Hispanic Federation’s Unidos fund and to Habitat for Humanity Mexico.
To make a direct donation for hurricane relief, please visit the Hispanic Federation’s website: https://hispanicfederation.org/unidos/. To make a direct donation for earthquake relief in Mexico, please visit the website of Habitat for Humanity and direct your donation to “2017 Mexico Earthquake Response”: https://www.habitat.org/donate/?link=878.
Kovalev vs. Shabranskyy is a 10-round light heavyweight fight promoted by Main Events and Krusher Promotions in association with Golden Boy Promotions. Sosa vs. Castellanos is a 10-round super featherweight fight promoted by Peltz Boxing and Golden Boy Promotions. The event will take place at the Theater at Madison Square Garden in New York City, and will be televised live on HBO World Championship Boxing beginning at 10:00 p.m. ET/PT.
PHILLY BOXING STARS EXPECTED AT 10TH ANNUAL BRISCOE AWARDS
PHILADELPHIA – The 10th Annual Briscoe Awards will be presented tomorrow, Sunday, October 15, 2017, at Xfinity Live! Philadelphia, beginning at 1:00 PM. The event is typically attended by local boxers – past and present, other boxing people, and sports fans. Expected to attend this year are the award winners, Jason Sosa, Jesse Hart, Tevin Farmer, Bernard Hopkins, Damon Allen Jr., Jaron Ennis, Christian Carto, Tyrone Brunson, Dylan Price, and Taneal Goyco.
Additionally, former and current boxing stars like Jeff Chandler, Charles Brewer, Stanley “Kitten” Hayward, Dick Turner, Nate Miller, Charlie “Choo Choo” Brown, Curtis Parker, Mike Everett, Buster Drayton, Jacqui Frazier-Lyde, Ivan Robinson, Mike Rossman, Sidney “Sweat Pea” Adams, Hall of Fame promoter J Russell Peltz, and others typically attend.
Former two-time cruiserweight champion, Steve “USS” Cunningham will serve as the celebrity co-host of the event.
Tickets are available at the door and cost $5. Xfinity Live! is located at 1100 Pattison Avenue, South Philadelphia.
ABOUT THE BRISCOE AWARDS ON OCTOBER 15 FROM 1-4 PM
The Briscoe Awards are named in honor of legendary Philly middleweight Bennie Briscoe and the trophies given away – the Briscoe Statue and the Briscoe Medal – all bear the deceased icon’s likeness. The event brings together the local boxing community, including the award winners, their families, past and present boxers, fight fans, other boxing people, and general sports fans.
This is the tenth year for the Briscoe Awards, which are presented by Philly Boxing History Inc., a 501(c)3 Non-Profit Organization, dedicated to preserving and celebrating Philadelphia’s great boxing legacy. Past winners at the Briscoe Awards include Bernard Hopkins, Danny Garcia, Steve Cunningham, and many others.
The event returns to Xfinity Live! Philadelphia, the central hub of Philly’s sports stadiums, located at 1100 Pattison Avenue in South Philadelphia. Admission is $5, and tickets can be purchased at the door as well as BriscoeAwards.com or by calling 609-377-6413. Everyone is welcome.
For more information, please call John DiSanto, 609-377-6413 / johndisanto@phillyboxinghistory.com.
The 10th Annual Briscoe Awards will be held on Sunday, October 15, 2017, 1-4 PM, at Xfinity Live!, 1100 Pattison Avenue in South Philadelphia.
JASON SOSA NAMED “2016 PHILLY FIGHTER OF THE YEAR”
PHILADELPHIA – Camden, NJ junior lightweight Jason Sosa, takes home the Briscoe Award as the “2016 Philly Fighter of the Year”, on Sunday at the annual awards event presented by Philly Boxing History Inc., a non-profit organization dedicated to honoring and celebrating the Philadelphia fight scene – past and present.
Sosa upended the boxing world in 2016 by raising his game to the championship level and pulling off two upsets that few experts gave him the slightest chance of winning.
First, Sosa traveled to China to face WBA champion and heavy betting favorite Javier Fortuna for the WBA belt. Fortuna was skilled and carried a points lead into round eleven. However, Sosa’s “no quit” attitude keeps him in the fight until the very last bell. In the 11th, Sosa shocked Fortuna, and everyone watching, with a TKO victory that made the Camden fighter a world champ.
Five months later, Sosa defended his crown in Monte Carlo against another betting favorite, Stephen Smith of Liverpool. Sosa dropped Smith in the second and kept his title with a unanimous decision.
On the strength and significance of these two victories, Sosa led the pack among all other Philly-based boxers, and earned the biggest award at the 10th Annual Briscoe Awards, which will be presented on Sunday, October 15, 2017, at Xfinity Live! Philadelphia, 1:00 PM.
ABOUT THE BRISCOE AWARDS ON OCTOBER 15 FROM 1-4 PM
The Briscoe Awards are named in honor of legendary Philly middleweight Bennie Briscoe and the trophies given away – the Briscoe Statue and the Briscoe Medal – all bear the deceased icon’s likeness. The event brings together the local boxing community, including the award winners, their families, past and present boxers, fight fans, other boxing people, and general sports fans.
This is the tenth year for the Briscoe Awards, which are presented by Philly Boxing History Inc., a 501(c)3 Non-Profit Organization, dedicated to preserving and celebrating Philadelphia’s great boxing legacy. Past winners at the Briscoe Awards include Bernard Hopkins, Danny Garcia, Steve Cunningham, and many others.
The event returns to Xfinity Live! Philadelphia, the central hub of Philly’s sports stadiums, located at 1100 Pattison Avenue in South Philadelphia. Admission is $5, and tickets can be purchased at BriscoeAwards.com or by calling 609-377-6413. Everyone is welcome.
For more information, please call John DiSanto, 609-377-6413 / johndisanto@phillyboxinghistory.com.
The 10th Annual Briscoe Awards will be held on Sunday, October 15, 2017, 1-4 PM, at Xfinity Live!, 1100 Pattison Avenue in South Philadelphia.
BRISCOE AWARD WINNERS ANNOUNCED
PHILADELPHIA – Philly Boxing History announced the winners of the 10th Annual Briscoe Awards, which will be presented on October 15, 2017, at Xfinity Live! in Philadelphia. The annual event is a celebration of the best accomplishments of the Philly fight scene.
JASON SOSA, who won the WBA world junior lightweight championship and defended it later in the year, was named the “2016 Philly Fighter of the Year”.
The “2016 Philly Fight of the Year” award will go to JESSE HART and DASHON JOHNSON, for their exciting super middleweight 10-rounder. Hart won the decision, but had to come off the floor to do it.
Other Briscoe Award winners include:
TEVIN FARMER – Prospect of the Year
DAMON ALLEN JR. – The One to Watch
JARON ENNIS – Rookie of the Year
DYLAN PRICE – Amateur of the Year
TEVIN FARMER – Performance of the Year (W10 Ivan Redkach)
TYRONE BRUNSON – Knockout of the Year (KO4 Carlos Hernandez)
TANEAL GOYCO – Upset of the Year (TKO5 Jerry Odom)
BERNARD HOPKINS – Honorary Retirement Award
CHRISTIAN CARTO – Everett Brothers Award
Also one photographer’s individual work will be recognized as the “Photo of the Year” in an exhibit and contest held at the live event on October 15th.
Former welterweight contender GIL TURNER, will be named the sixth honoree of Philly Boxing History’s Gravestone Program.
ABOUT THE BRISCOE AWARDS ON OCTOBER 15 FROM 1-4 PM
The Briscoe Awards are named in honor of legendary Philly middleweight Bennie Briscoe and the trophies given away – the Briscoe Statue and the Briscoe Medal – all bear the deceased icon’s likeness. The event brings together the local boxing community, including the award winners, their families, past and present boxers, fight fans, other boxing people, and general sports fans.
This is the tenth year for the Briscoe Awards, which are presented by Philly Boxing History Inc., a 501(c)3 Non-Profit Organization, dedicated to preserving and celebrating Philadelphia’s great boxing legacy. Past winners at the Briscoe Awards include Bernard Hopkins, Danny Garcia, Steve Cunningham, and many others.
The event returns to Xfinity Live! Philadelphia, the central hub of Philly’s sports stadiums, located at 1100 Pattison Avenue in South Philadelphia. Admission is $5, and tickets can be purchased at BriscoeAwards.com or by calling 609-377-6413. Everyone is welcome.
For more information, including sponsorship and advertising opportunities, please call John DiSanto, 609-377-6413 / johndisanto@phillyboxinghistory.com
The 10th Annual Briscoe Awards will be held on Sunday, October 15, 2017, 1-4 PM, at Xfinity Live!, 1100 Pattison Avenue in South Philadelphia.
Hi-Tech’s Competition and Critics Need an Upgrade
By Jimmy Tobin-
Saturday night, at the MGM National Harbor in Oxon Hill, Maryland, Ukrainian super featherweight Vasyl “Hi-Tech” Lomachenko stopped New Jersey’s Jason “El Canito” Sosa in nine rounds. The fight was over within minutes, however long it took for the end to come. It was what could become a typical Lomachenko performance: one where an overmatched opponent exercises the only power remaining to him, choosing the moment to lose rather than lament that choice’s departure over another handful of hopeless rounds.
Sosa was a good opponent, good enough to make Nicholas Walters miss the featherweight division, good enough to win a fringe title by knockout, but his haplessness was evident before even a commentary team eager to celebrate Lomachenko would have it (a whiff of danger being welcome if only to celebrate its impotence). In the first round, Sosa threw a right uppercut/left hook counter so late he appeared to be shadowboxing alone. A deep breath followed, as did a nod, and in his body language Sosa betrayed his role in the forthcoming puppetry. Sosa’s greatest attribute was a doggedness that charmed for as long as the fight did; but courage, bravery, resolve—if all they can offer is confirmation of themselves, well, then a fight losses much of that which makes it sporting.
To make too much of Sosa’s comportment is to compensate for the severity of the mismatch. There is a proselytizing quality to such talk, a propagandistic one too; and the force of those arguments reflects the strength of resistance they meet. (It should come as no surprise then, that Lomachenko’s enthusiasts are so passionate: they are railing against the most passionate fanbase in the sport, one that will never find much glory in the practice of hitting and not getting hit).
And yet much of the criticism of Lomachenko smacks of inauthenticity too, seemingly the product of a bitterness, of a frustration with Lomachenko being offered the crown without having earned it. But why get upset over praise from people whose opinions you neither share nor credit? And why act as if a fighter is responsible for what is said of him? Especially when that fighter has on many occasions tempered the highest praise he has been paid?
What can honestly be said of Lomachenko is that he is stylistically and athletically unique among peers and that he has used this idiom to tantalizing effect. Lomachenko shrinks the ring not by closing avenues of escape but by giving his opponents turning sickness, and the angles and body positioning he uses leave opponents one-handed. All the while he chips away at their bodies and resolve with combinations of varying speed and power; surprise as much as leverage his force multiplier. Excellent defensively without being defensive, the moments in a Lomachenko fight when he is not on the attack are few; that it takes Lomachenko time to force a stoppage says more about his style than his mentality (though there is surely a relationship there). One need only see how Lomachenko responded to the concentrated belligerence of Orlando Salido to recognize there is something primal beneath his artifice. And his confounding of Gary Russell Jr. which, not coincidentally, was Lomachenko’s first fight after the Salido loss, was plenty malicious.
Those who relish in destruction, however, may not shine to Lomachenko’s brand of discouragement, especially when he imposes it on men who can offer little resistance. His performances are cold in the way Gennady Golovkin’s are, in a way Sergey Kovalev’s are not. Still, there is also something appealing about a fighter who makes his opponent’s quit; who can persuade men to relinquish their shields rather than leave on them, fully aware of what shame and humiliation may await such a reasonable decision. Yet when the challenge is minimal so too is the shame. And there is the challenge to fully appreciating Lomachenko: you begin by being impressed (even spectacularly so) and your mind conjures up images of his superlative ability tested by a world-class opponent, but then you remember how likely such a contest is, and that is when something too close to ennui or futility or disappointment sets in.
Still, though only nine fights into his career and with a loss on his record, Lomachenko is in a position where already every victory increases the magnitude of a possible defeat. Expectations for Lomachenko are such that he represents one of the premier scalps in the sport—and if you agree you also agree that he is one of its premier talents because knocking off a hype job means very little. Consider, for example, what praise the first man who knocks Deontay Wilder stiff will receive, and how hushed that praise will sound in comparison to the cacophony of laughs had at Wilder’s expense.
The penalty (and reward) for such esteem is that there are already but a handful of acceptable opponents for Lomachenko. If he wanted to clean out his division like Golovkin he would come under fire in a way “GGG” never has. And could you imagine the uproar if he created the 131-pound division? If you believe Mikey Garcia is the fighter to short circuit Lomachenko, you are paying the latter a compliment. If you believe Terence Crawford is Lomachenko’s Waterloo, you are acknowledging that it will take an immensely skilled junior welterweight to hang a defeat on a super featherweight with but nine fights. And then there are those who resort to evoking the 130lb versions of Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Manny Pacquiao to bring Lomachenko back to earth—as if such measures are anything but flattering.
Lomachenko’s mystique currently exceeds his accomplishments, but how many of the compliments he is paid are greater than those bestowed by the would-be matchmakers who want to see him beaten?
Traction controlled: Lomachenko cruises to another victory
By Bart Barry-
Saturday in Maryland, Ukrainian Vasyl “Hi-Tech” Lomachenko, super featherweight champion of HBO, beat New Jersey’s Jason Soto to a corner stoppage at the conclusion of round 9. The performance was tactical and cold as wintertime in Kiev with Sosa being exactly durable and outclassed as promoter Top Rank anticipated.
Some thoughts:
I drive a Mini Cooper six-speed and despite its pep, at all times it feels too safe because of traction control (and disabling traction control in any car equipped with traction control is a universally bad idea because it was designed with traction control in mind and its engineers generally don’t consider the fate of any motorist dumb enough to disable it). You can still ruin yourself in my car if you’re hellbent on the task but it’s much tougher than you might think, especially if you take a corner too fast, at which point traction control kills the engine and in many ways takes over administration of the automobile. The Texas Hill Country has sundry winding roads that should be intoxicatingly dangerous in a small quick car with a Sport setting, but I’m disappointed to report driving aggressively a car with traction control more nearly resembles a videogame than a mechanical feat (and a Mini – British designed, German engineered – is fractionally so videogamelike as any Japanese sportscar).
I mention this because watching Vasyl Lomachenko fight increasingly reminds me of driving a car with traction control; yes you can slam in a tree if you aim for one but even moderate danger brings the dashboard light with the skid pattern and a cessation of all fun. Lomachenko’s not interested in ringside risktaking – I know, I know; it’s his right as a higher being recognized by Michael Buffer as “the greatest amateur fighter in boxing history” to follow his druthers to no risk whatever – but I’m quite interested in seeing risktaking and as uncouth as this admission may appear, if Lomachenko plans to take no risks going forward I’d rather he used his supernatural gifts to levitate above the ring and strike opponents down with the Force or whatever.
Thankfully Lomachenko lost early enough in his professional career he still has some sense of debt – otherwise we’d be subjected to the Jones/Golovkin Defense: It’s not that Roy beat schoolteachers and Gennady cancer survivors because they can collect generous paydays taking no risk whatever, no, it’s that they’re so dominant everyone except a fulltime government employee or a man strengthened by chemotherapy is frightened of them.
Lomachenko lost foul and square to Orlando Salido a few years back but comported himself with honor throughout and forewent all opportunities at assigning culpability elsewhere. He is indeed a gifted fighter. But until he’s subjected to championship prizefighting’s crucible again and again – where, once more, the object is to hurt the man in front of you, not tally points in flurries like in the amateurs – we won’t know what we have, no matter how incessantly his copromoters Bob Arum and HBO tell us he’s an historic happening (and as an annual reminder: Arum once told this site Kelly Pavlik “will be much bigger than Oscar De La Hoya ever was”).
However incredible Lomachenko’s footwork and artistry, fact remains the Ukrainian just ain’t accurate with his punches as graphical representations imply. Saturday’s opponent was not previously mistaken for elusive but managed to make TGAFIBH miss surprisingly often in the opening 10 minutes by employing rudimentary head movement and not much of it. Lomachenko fights with an arrogance that isn’t quite contempt – again, a probable consequence of losing early in his career – but strays close to it, close to a Jonesian touching of the gloves behind his back, once he determines an opponent is not skilled as he but able to absorb a hundred punches without being felled.
Lomachenko complements this near-contemptuous comportment with regular infight instructions for the referee, undoubtedly a prerogative of being TGAFIBH but a bit of an annoyance too. He treats opponents as targets more than men of volition and if that doesn’t affect the outcomes of his matches, outcomes beginning to feel unappetizingly inevitable, it evidently affects the viewing experience of at least one aficionado. To date Lomachenko has proved a magical solo act but not much of a band leader; he entertains concertgoers with hits from the TGAFIBH catalog – the matador shimmy, the guard slap, the hi-low – but he demonstrates precious little of what intimacy with an opponent the greatest sportsmen find; he is too unaffected to gel or swirl or whisper with another combatant.
It’s an unfair comparison to pit Lomachenko against the Chocolatito standard but since the aforementioned Roy Jones, hyperbolic about anyone who reminds him of himself as he’s understated about everyone else, made the comparison some weeks back, saying Roman Gonzalez was only the world’s best prizefighter if one went strictly by record, much like Warren Buffett is only the world’s greatest investor if one goes strictly by investments, it’s worth a sentence or two to consider the difference between the way Chocolatito fights and Lomachenko does.
Hi-Tech approaches opponents with all the interest of a Gmail spam block; offenders don’t make it to the inbox and Lomachenko remains a great product. Chocolatito meanwhile melds with other men, empathizing with them and guiding them and hurting them and then empathizing with them once more, in a spectacular union of violence and beauty. Some of that is cultural, sure, but other of it reduces to how each man sees his opponents. Lomachenko would do well to feel greater respect for those men and Top Rank would do well to match their guy with more respectable opponents.
Bart Barry can be reached via Twitter @bartbarry
Video: Highlights: Vasyl Lomachenko vs. Jason Sosa
Follow Lomachenko – Sosa Live
Follow all the action as Vasyl Lomachenko defends the WBO Junior Lightweight title against Jason Sosa. The action begins at 10 PM ET with the WBO Cruiserweight title bout with Aleksandr Osyk taking on Michael Hunter. Oleksander Gvozdyk will take on Yunieski Gonzalez in a Light Heavyweight bout.
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12-rounds–WBO Junior Lightweight Title–Vasyl Lomachenko (7-1, 5 KO’s) vs Jason Sosa (20-1-4, 15 KO’s)
ROUND
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
TOTAL
Lomachenko*
10
10
10
10
10
10
10
10
10
90
Sosa
9
9
9
9
9
9
9
9
9
81
Round 1: Left from Lomanchenko..
Round 2 Straight left from Lomachenko..Body shot..Combinations
Round 3 Combination from Lomachenko..Hard right to body from Sosa..Left uppercut..
Round 4 Sosa left eye beginning to swell..Body shots from Lomanchenko…4 punch combination..Straight left..
Round 5 Straight left from Lomachenko..Hard body shot…
Round 6 Sosa gets in a right…Left from Lomaachenko..Hard body shot…Lomachenko outlanding Sosa 156-41
Round 7 Body shot from Lomachenko..Combination on the ropes..
Round 8 Lomachenko lands a body shot…hard flurry on the ropes..Sosa in trouble
Round 9 Lomachenko lands hard body shots…..FIGHT STOPPED AFTER ROUND…LOMACHENKO TKO END 9
Round 1 4 Punch combination from Gonzalez..Left hook from Gvozdyk
Round 2 Uppercut from Gvozdyk..Good right hand
Round 3 Left hook to body from Gonzalez..COUNTER RIGHT AND DOWN GOES GONZALEZ..Gvozdyk laning hard shots..Gonzalez hurt..Gonzalez nose bleeding..RIGHT HAND AND DOWN GOES GONZALEZ..GONZALEZ CORNER STOPS THE BOUT
12-Rounds–WBO Cruiserweight title–Aleksandr Usyk (11-0, 10 KO’s) vs Michael Hunter (12-0, 8 KO’s)
ROUND
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
TOTAL
Usyk
10
9
9
10
10
10
10
10
10
10
10
10
118
Hunter
9
10
10
9
9
9
9
9
9
9
9
8
109
Round 1 Hard left by Usyk.. Hunter out threw Usyk 50-27
Round 2 Hunter being scrappy
Round 3 Counter right from Hunter..Hunter hitting and moving ..Hard left from Usyk..
Round 4 Usyk working the body…Good left hook from Hunter
Round 5 Hard left from Usyk..Right from Hunter..
Round 6 Usyk lands 3 punches to the head..2 hard straight lefts..Right Hook
Round 7 Good uppercut from Usyk..
Round 8 Hard combinations from Usyk.. straight left..
Round 9 Body shots from Usyk
Round 10 Left to body from Usyk..3 more hard body shots..Hard right hook..Barrage of punches..Hunter taking a lot of punches..Good right from Hunter
Round 11 Left to body from Usyk..4 punches to the head..
Round 12 Big left hurts Hunter,,Hunter getting with relentless shots…HUNTER GETS AN 8 COUNT…Usyk all over Hunter,,Usyk gets in 10 more big shots…Hunter struggles to make the final bell
Punches: Usyk 321-905 Hunter 190-794
117-110 ON ALL CARDS FOR USYK
Loamachenko beats down Sosa for 9th round stoppage
Vasyl Lomanchenko defended the WBO Junior Lightweight title with a systematic stoppage after nine rounds over Jason Sosa at the MGM National Harbor in Nation Harbor, Maryland.
Lomachenko displayed his incredible ability, landing punches from every angle imaginable using terrific footwoork. Sosa was extremely game and tried for every second of the fight, but he was outmatched as he went up against what some are calling the best Pound for Pound fighter in the world.
Sosa’s left eye began to swell as early s round three, and it did not get any better as Lomachenko landed quick combinations to the head and solid body shots. In round seven, it started to look like that a stoppage was imminent as Sosa began to wilt under the enormous velocity of the punches. Finally after round nine, trainer Raul Rivas made the right call by saving his fighter, Sosa from any more damage and the fight was halted.
Lomachenko is 8-1 with six knockouts. Sosa is now 20-2-4.
Oleksandr Gvozdyk stopped Yunieski Gonzalez in round three of their scheduled 10-round light heavyweight bout.
In round three, Gvozdyk landed a counter left that put Gonzalez on the deck. Gvozdyk landed a barrage of hard shits that kept snapping the head of Gonzalez back. Gonzalez was trying to fight back and was on weary legs until he was dumped on the canvas for a 2nd time. His corner stopped the bout simultaneously at 2:55.
Gvozdyk is now 13-0 with 11 knockouts. Gonzalez is 18-3.
Aleksandr Usyk retained the WBO Cruiserweight title with a 12-round unanimous decision over Michael Hunter.
Usyk got off to a slow start as Hunter was able to use his movement and quickness to win a couple rounds. Usyk started to get on track and land some solid combinations in each round.
Usyk pounded the body hard in round ten, and he started to break the 2016 United States Olympian. Usyk had a big round eleven and a bigger round twelve as he relentlessly pounded Hunter all over the ring, and was credited with a knockdown after one of those barrages forced Hunter to be held up by the ropes. The fight could have been stopped at any point in the last minute, but Hunter was able to make it to the final bell.
Usyk, 199 1/2 lbs of Ukraine won by scores of 117-110 on all cards and is now 12-0. Hunterm 198 lbs is 12-1.
Usyk
“I’m very happy with my performance, I did what I wanted to do, he
took a lot of punches, I thought maybe they would stop
the fight at the end”
“The low blows didn’t really both me, it was annoying however.”
“He was trying to hold and I knew he would do that so I worked in
the gym on keeping him off me and keeping my distance to extend my arms.”
“I’d love to fight any of the title holders, anytime, anyplace.”
Hunter
“No excuses, I lost the fight, no issue with the scorecards.”
“I need to stay more active, I give myself a 6.”
“I’d love to fight him again, it was a great fight and he’s a
great champion.
Tom Loeffler/K2 Promotions
“It was a great TV fight truly showcasing the how talented the
cruiserweight division is.”
“Both are world class fighters and that showed tonight in their
performances.”
“We’re very happy with Aleksandr’s performance and look forward to
his return on HBO.”
Mike Reed won a 10-round unanimous decision over Reyes Sanchez in a welterweight bout.
Reed is now 22-0. Sanchez is 26-10-2.
Jesse Hart stopped Alan Campa in round five of their scheduled 10-round super middleweight bout.
Campa’s corner called a halt to the action at 1:49 of round five.
Hart of Philadelphia is now 22-0. Campa is 16-3.
Egidijus Kavaliauskas stopped Ramses Agaton in round 4 of their scheduled 8-round welterweight bout.
Kavaliauskas dropped Agaton twice in round three and hammered out with a right hand for the ten count at 2:58 of round 4.
Lavaliuskas is now 16-0. Agaton is 18-6-3.
Video: HBO Boxing News: Lomachenko vs. Sosa Weigh-In Recap
