Boxing: Usyk stops Dubois to retain world heavyweight titles

WROCLAW, Poland -- Oleksandr Usyk of Ukraine retained his world heavyweight titles with a ninth-round knockout of Britain's Daniel Dubois in Wroclaw, Poland on Saturday.

Victory meant Usyk kept hold of the World Boxing Association, World Boxing Organization and International Boxing Federation belts.

It also extended his perfect professional record to 21 wins from 21 bouts.

Dubois, however, claimed he had been "cheated" out of victory after referee Luis Pabon ruled he had struck Usyk with a low blow in the fifth round, which led to a lengthy delay.

But former World Boxing Council super-middleweight champion Richie Woodhall, commentating at ringside, described his fellow Briton's punch as a "borderline shot".

Usyk recovered to drop Dubois down on one knee in the eighth round after landing with several punches to the head.

Dubois just beat the count before the bell sounded for the end of the round.

But the fight was all over in the next, with Usyk sending Dubois onto the canvas.

This time the challenger was unable to get back to his feet before the referee counted to 10.

"I feel good. I am grateful for my team, my family, my children. I love you," Usyk told TNT Sports.

"I'm grateful for my country and the Ukrainian army. Thank you so much."

Asked about the prospect of a unification bout with Britain's Tyson Fury, the World Boxing Council heavyweight champion, Usyk replied: "I'm ready tomorrow".

Dubois, however, was adamant his punch in the fifth round was legitimate, saying: "I didn't think that was a low blow, I thought it landed and that I've been cheated out of it tonight. I'll come again."

- 'Rematch' -

Veteran promoter Frank Warren added: "It wasn't a low blow. I wish they could put it up on there now and we could all see it. They didn't take any points off him.

"I like Usyk, but that was a complete 'home' decision. He was not fit to go on and they gave him a couple of minutes to recover... The governing bodies will have to look at that and order a rematch."

The 36-year-old Usyk was roared on by a large contingent of Ukrainian fans, with many of his compatriots now living in Poland following Russia's invasion of their country last year.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky appeared on the giant screens before the fight to deliver a patriotic rallying cry amid the ongoing war with Russia.

Usyk had the better of the early exchanges but rank outsider Dubois, a 25-year-old Londoner, defied predictions he'd suffer an early defeat.

Then came Dubois's controversial punch in the fifth, which may have been on the belt line in some eyes.

After the bout resumed, Dubois attacked and traded punches with Usyk.

The ill-feeling between the duo was visible at the end of the round and Dubois continued his attack to the body in the sixth.

But Usyk started to dominate from then on, dropping Dubois in the eighth round before charging in again in the ninth, flooring the challenger once more before Pabon waved the fight off.

Agence France-Presse

Boxing: Unbeaten Martinez stops Bornea to keep junior bantamweight title

WASHINGTON -- Argentina's Fernando Martinez retained his IBF world junior bantamweight title on Saturday with an 11th-round stoppage of Filipino challenger Jade Bornea in a battle of unbeatens at Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Referee Charlie Fitch stopped the bout 29 seconds into the 11th round after Martinez opened a bloody gash on the right ear of Bornea early in the ninth.

"I definitely saw the injury in the ear," Martinez said through a translator. "I hit it with a left and it popped, it exploded. I just kept going at the ear and that's what ended this fight."

Martinez improved to 16-0 with his ninth victory inside the distance while Bornea fell to 18-1 after dropping his first world title bout.

"The training camp we had was brutal. It was great," Martinez said. "The stronger fighter won and it was me."

It was the South American's second defense of the 115-pound division crown he captured 16 months ago from Philippines fighter Jerwin Ancajas and kept in a rematch last October, both wins by unanimous decision.

Bornea, 28, went to a southpaw stance at the start against Martinez as they traded combinations going toe to toe in the early rounds.

Martinez, 31, landed a hard left in the fifth round but a clash of heads denied him a chance to press the advantage.

Early in the ninth round, a left hook by Martinez exploded Bornea's right earlobe. Blood splattered and gushed down Bornea's neck but he made it through the round and told Fitch he wanted to continue.

Martinez landed a flurry at the end of the 10th round and attacked Bornea's face early in the 11th before Fitch halted the contest.

Agence France-Presse

Tim Tszyu demolishes Ocampo to set up Jermell Charlo super welterweight showdown

Australian power puncher Tim Tszyu scored a stunning first-round knockout over Mexico’s Carlos Ocampo to retain his interim WBO super welterweight title Sunday and set up a shot at undisputed champion Jermell Charlo.

The 28-year-old, son of renowned former world champion Kostya Tszyu, came out with all guns blazing at Australia’s Gold Coast despite needing surgery just weeks ago after a nasty dog bite.

He landed some huge right-handers, and a blistering left hook, to twice put Ocampo on the canvas, with the fight over in just 72 seconds. Tszyu connected with 14 punches, while the shell-shocked Mexican failed to land a single one.

“I think it was a statement made. America is the land I want to conquer, the land I’m going to next, the big one is coming,” said Tszyu, who earned the interim belt with a savage ninth-round stoppage of American Tony Harrison at Sydney in March.

“I’ve got the interim belt, but I’m not satisfied. I want all four. I want the name Charlo on my resume.”

The victory kept Tszyu’s unbeaten record intact as he moved to 23-0 (17 KOs) to position himself as the mandatory challenger for the unified titles.

American Charlo (35-1-1, 19 KOs) hasn’t fought since knocking out Brian Castano in a May 2022 rematch following a disputed draw in their first meeting.

He and Tszyu had been poised to fight in Las Vegas in January but the American’s defense of all four major sanctioning body world crowns was postponed after he broke his left hand.

The pair have been ordered to face off for the WBA, WBC, WBO and IBF super-welterweight belts later this year.

“I’ve copped a lot of adversity coming into this fight and it was just about pushing through. I didn’t think it would be that early, this guy is a warrior,” Tszyu said.

Tszyu came into the fight despite undergoing emergency surgery for a gaping wound on his right arm just three weeks ago that needed 26 stitches.

But he showed no lingering issues with his movement or punching power to send Charlo a message.

On the undercard, rising Australian prospect Sam Goodman beat American Ra’eese Aleem on a split decision in an IBF super-bantamweight world title elimination match.

It put him in line for a clash with Filipino Marlon Tapales — the WBA/IBF champion — with scores of 117-111 and 116-112 in his favour and the third judge giving it to Aleem 122-116.

Agence France-Presse

Boxing: Vincent Astrolabio bows to Moloney in WBO title bout

LOS ANGELES -- Australia's Jason Moloney won his first world title on Saturday, taking a majority decision over Vincent Astrolabio of the Philippines for the vacant World Boxing Organization bantamweight crown.

The 32-year-old from Melbourne won on judges' scores of 115-113 and 116-112 with the third judge scoring a 114-114 draw in the showdown at Stockton, California.

Moloney improved to 26-2, suffering his only losses in his two prior world title bouts, falling to Puerto Rico's Emmanuel Rodriguez in 2018 and Japan's Naoya Inoue in 2020.

Astrolabio, 26, fell to 18-4.

Also on the card later is WBO middleweight champion Janibek Alimkhanuly of Kazakhstan defending his crown for the first time against Canada's Steven Butler.

Unbeaten southpaw Alimkhanuly, 13-0 with eight knockouts, turned 30 last month. He was a 2013 world amateur middleweight champion and 2014 Asian Games middleweight champion.

Butler is 32-3 with one drawn and 26 knockouts.

Agence France-Presse

Boxing: Haney pummels Kambosos to retain undisputed lightweight title

MELBOURNE, Australia -- American Devin Haney kept his unbeaten record intact Sunday by battering Australian George Kambosos with his thunderous right hand in a rematch to remain undisputed lightweight world champion.

The highly-rated 23-year-old successfully defended his WBC, WBA, IBF and WBO belts at Melbourne's Rod Laver Arena in a unanimous points decision with one judge scoring the bout 119-109 in his favour, and the other two both having it 118-110.

Haney now looks to fight next either two-time Olympic champion Vasiliy Lomachenko or Shakur Stevenson.

"We're taking on all comers. No matter who it is, we want to fight the best fighters in the world. I believe I'm the best fighter in the world," Haney told reporters afterwards.

The American is only the eighth boxer to hold all four belts from the major sanctioning bodies -- WBC, WBA, IBF and WBO –- at the same time.

He beat Kambosos unanimously in June to achieve the feat and become the first undisputed lightweight champion since Pernell Whitaker in 1990, and the first in the four-belt era which began in 2004.

He again used his sensational speed, instinct and relentless left jab, but this time also deployed big right-hand blows that left the Australian a bloodied mess.

"I knew he would be looking for the jab, so I wanted to show other tools in my arsenal," said the San Francisco-born fighter after pummeling Kambosos, who did well to still be there after 12 rounds.

"My dad (trainer Bill Haney) wanted me to hook more, but I feel the right hand is what won me the fight.

"He's a warrior, I take my hat off to George Kambosos," he added.

Kambosos came out all guns blazing in front of a parochial crowd, switching his stance in a bid to upset Haney's timing.

But after an even opening four rounds, Haney gradually gained control and picked Kambosos apart with impunity in the second half of the fight with the Australian having no answer to the American's relentless right hand.

- 'It's not the end' -

Victory stretched Haney's phenomenal record to 29-0 with 15 KOs, while inflicting only the second defeat on Kambosos who is now 21-2.

The Australian suggested before the fight he could retire if he lost and the chances of him getting another world title crack now appear slim.

But he put an end to retirement talk after the fight.

"He's a great fighter. He gave me a boxing lesson the first time but I came here and gave it my all. It is what it is," he said.

"It's not the end, I'll be back," added Kambosos. "I feel that this was a much better fight than the first fight."

On a bumper undercard, two-time world title challenger Jason Moloney of Australia had a unanimous points win over Thailand's Nawaphon Kaikanha in the final eliminator for the WBC bantamweight title.

A second world title fight saw Australia's women's IBF super-bantamweight champion Cherneka Johnson defend her title.

Despite a deep cut that left her covered in blood, she beat Australian former two-time world belt-holder Susie Ramadan, also by a unanimous decision.

Agence France-Presse

Boxing: Usyk beats Joshua by split decision in heavyweight title fight

JEDDAH, Saudi Arabia -- Ukraine's Oleksandr Usyk won his rematch against Anthony Joshua by split decision to set up a potential unification bout with Britain's Tyson Fury in Saudi Arabia on Saturday.

The former cruiserweight world champion, who dismantled the holder in London last year, faced an improved Joshua but outboxed him once again in just his fourth heavyweight bout.

Usyk, now unbeaten at 20-0 immediately called out Fury, who announced his latest retirement earlier this month but has signalled his willingness to resume his career.

Victory over the 6ft 9ins (2.06m) Fury would unite all four heavyweight belts and constitute a crowning glory for the sublime Ukrainian, a former outstanding amateur and Olympic heavyweight champion.

"I'm sure that Tyson Fury is not retired yet," Usyk told the crowd. "I'm convinced he wants to fight me. I want to fight him. If I'm not fighting Tyson Fury I'm not fighting at all."

The fight was watched on free-to-air TV by millions of Ukrainians living under the Russian invasion. Usyk signed up to fight for his country before accepting the rematch.

"I give this victory to my country, to my family, to my team and to all the military who are defending the country," he told the 12,000-seat King Abdullah Sports City Arena in Jeddah.

An angered Joshua peppered his post-fight speech with expletives despite the presence of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, de facto ruler of the deeply religious country.

The judges scored it 113-115, 115-113 and 116-112 for Usyk as Joshua narrowed the gap but was still found wanting.

- Slick Usyk -

Joshua, the 6ft 6ins (1.98m) two-time world champion is left staring at an impasse in his career after his third defeat in his 12th straight title fight left him with figures of 24-3-0.

Joshua, accused of hesitancy in their first fight in London, was the early aggressor by round two as he repeatedly landed his big right hand.

A heavy right hook stung Usyk in round three and Joshua was continuing to find the jab as the Ukrainian's busy footwork opened up gaps.

A low blow from Joshua left Usyk wincing in the fifth and another backed him onto the ropes in the sixth but the tricky southpaw came firing back with some lightning combinations.

A flurry to the body put Usyk back on the ropes in the eighth and Joshua had the Ukrainian hanging on in the ninth after a right-left hook combination as the fight came alive.

But Usyk came storming back after the bell with a succession of clean shots as Joshua took some serious punishment despite landing a massive right of his own.

The mesmerising Usyk increased his control in the closing stages, slipping punches and landing quick combinations as Joshua searched in vain for the knock-down.

Earlier on the card, Somali-born Briton Ramla Ali knocked out the Dominican Republic's Crystal Garcia Nova in round one in the very first women's professional boxing match in Saudi Arabia.

Agence France-Presse

Inoue unleashed 'hardest punch I've ever been hit with' - Donaire

SAITAMA, Japan -- Nonito Donaire said he was felled by "the hardest punch I've ever been hit with" as bantamweight king Naoya Inoue inflicted a sensational second-round stoppage on the Filipino veteran in Saitama.

The unbeaten Japan boxing great known as "Monster" scored his 20th KO victory in 23 fights to add the WBC title to his WBA and IBF belts in a breathless display of power punching. 

In the pair's first, classic fight three years ago in the same arena, five-weight world champion Donaire fractured a bone in Inoue's face as the Japanese was pushed all the way before scoring a unanimous points victory.

But in Tuesday's rematch, the 39-year-old "Filipino Flash" Donaire was demolished like never before in his storied career.

Just seconds before the end of an even first round, Inoue's lightning quick overhand right to Donaire's temple scrambled the senses of the future Hall-of-Famer and sent him sprawling.

"That was the hardest punch I've ever been hit with. I came up completely blank," Donaire said to fans live on his YouTube channel following the defeat.

"When I got hit I didn't even know I got dropped. I didn't see that punch coming at all because I was trying to counter him and got caught. That was pretty much it."

In round two a barrage of precision power punches from Inoue induced wobbly legs in the gutsy Donaire before a second knockdown saw the referee call off the contest.

Donaire had only been stopped once in his previous 48 fights.

He paid tribute to the 29-year-old Inoue, regarded by many as the best pound-for-pound puncher in world boxing.

"He's an amazing fighter and I'm glad I got to share the ring with him," said Donaire.

"Inoue got me really good and I'm glad the referee stopped the fight as I was always going to stand up -- I just don't have any quit in me.

"It is what it is. I'm only grateful that I'm healthy."

Agence France-Presse

Joshua-Usyk rematch could be staged in UK, says promoter

Anthony Joshua’s promoter Eddie Hearn said the United Kingdom is among the venues being considered to host the Briton’s rematch against Ukraine’s Oleksandr Usyk, adding that the fight will take place in June or July.

World heavyweight champion Usyk beat Joshua in front of a sell-out crowd in London in September last year to claim the WBA, WBO, IBF and IBO belts.

Following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, which Moscow calls a “special military operation”, Usyk returned to his homeland to join a territorial defence battalion, raising doubts about a rematch with Joshua.

However, Usyk said last month that he had begun preparations for the bout, with the Ukrainian’s promoter Alexander Krassyuk telling Sky Sports that Saudi Arabia was a potential venue.

“We’re in final negotiations for a couple of sites for either the end of June or early-to-mid-July,” Hearn told British media on Friday. “I reckon within two weeks we’ll have some news in terms of where that’s going to be.

“An option is in the UK. The difference is, we don’t really need negotiations with a venue in the UK, we just book it.”

The winner could be in line for a unification bout with WBC heavyweight champion Tyson Fury of Britain.

-reuters-

Boxing: Khan considering retirement after crushing defeat against Brook

British boxer Amir Khan suggested that he is considering retirement from the sport after suffering a comprehensive defeat with a sixth-round TKO at the hands of Kell Brook on Saturday.

The 35-year-old Khan was outclassed by compatriot Brook from start to finish, and looked to be in dire straits before the referee stepped in to save him from any more punishment.

Khan, who won silver as a lightweight at the Athens Olympics in 2004 and is a former unified light-welterweight champion, said he was hoping to spend more time with his family.

"It's something to think about, definitely," Khan told reporters when he was asked about a potential retirement. "I've always said I never want boxing to retire me, I want to retire from boxing.

"Punishment like that sometimes in boxing, I know I showed a big heart and took some big shots today, but sometimes too much of that can be harmful in the future.

"I've done more than I ever expected. Maybe I peaked too early, I was at the Olympics at 17, I won the world title at 22. I'm 35 now, I've been in the game a very long time, I'm an old man. I want to spend time with my kids and my family."

(Reporting by Aadi Nair in Bengaluru; Editing by William Mallard)

-reuters-

Donaire hopes to continue resurgence with win over fellow Filipino

LOS ANGELES, United States - Nonito Donaire looked impressive with a sensational early knockout in a WBC bantamweight title fight earlier this year and now he wants to continue his resurgence by ruling the 118-pound division again.

A natural right-hander with the ability to also box as a southpaw, the four-division champion Donaire defends his title on Saturday against undefeated top contender and fellow Filipino Reymart Gaballo at the Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, California.

Many believed Donaire was done when he lost by unanimous decisions to Jessie Magdaleno at 122 pounds and to Carl Frampton at 126 pounds in April 2018.

In answer, Donaire rejuvenated his career by moving back down to 118 pounds, which seems to suit him just fine. He has won two fights at 118 and gave Japanese champion Naoya Inoue all he could handle in 2019.

In his most recent fight, Donaire claimed the WBC world bantamweight title at age 38 with a sensational fourth round knockout of Nordine Oubaali to become the oldest world champion ever at 118 pounds. Donaire dropped Oubaali three times, knocking him out with a left hand. 

"For me, after the Naoya Inoue fight, I saw that I still had a purpose in this sport," said Donaire, who turned 39 on November 16. "I came in strong against Nordine Oubaali in my last fight because I have that purpose. That purpose is to become undisputed champion of the world."

Like his countryman Manny Pacquiao, Donaire lived in General Santos City, Philippines, until he was six and attended the same school as PacMan.

He moved to the United States at age 11 when he gained citizenship through family connections. Donaire's amateur record of 68-8 includes winning three US national championships.

Gaballo comes into the fight with a 24-0 record with 20 knockouts.

"I'm proud that there is another Filipino fighting at this level. I'm happy to be sharing the ring with Reymart," Donaire said. "I know he's very hungry and that he has a big dream, just like everyone in the Philippines. 

"I know that he's going to be at his best, so I made sure that I'm prepared and at my best as well."

In his last bout, Gaballo won a split-decision victory over Emmanuel Rodriguez in a close fight that some thought was won by Rodriguez. 

Gaballo has never faced anyone with the skills of Donaire so this will be by far the biggest challenge of his career.

"When I look at my last fight, I see that I have to improve my head movement and throw more punches. I believe that I've made the improvements that I needed to during training camp," he said.

Agence France-Presse

Boxing: 'Best of era' Fury hailed after Wilder classic

LAS VEGAS -- Tyson Fury believes he is the greatest heavyweight of his era after producing a scintillating display to beat Deontay Wilder in a boxing classic on Saturday.

The 33-year-old undefeated Englishman recovered from two knockdowns against the hard-hitting Wilder before knocking out the American in the 11th round to retain his WBC crown.

"I know I'm the greatest heavyweight of my era, without doubt. Number one," Fury said following an epic battle at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

"I've fought the most devastating puncher in the history of our sport, not once, not twice, but three times."

At a towering 6ft 9in tall and weighing in at 277lbs, Fury is unarguably one of the biggest heavyweight champions of all time. 

Icons of the heavyweight division like Muhammad Ali or Joe Frazier would be giving away massive advantages in height and weight in any theoretical match-up with the reigning champion.

Fury was initially reluctant on Saturday to rank his chances against past greats. 

"I don't like competing with fighters from the past because it's fantasy, not reality," he said. "I can only beat the best of my day. And I've done that. I'm the best fighter in my era.

However, he later could not resist comparing himself favorably to the greatest heavyweights to have graced the division.

"There's been so many of them, so many great champions," he said. 

"Without sounding too clever, I place myself at the top of the pile. I believe I can beat any man in history, any man."

- 'Magnificent' -

Saturday's thriller meanwhile left many at ringside struggling to think of a better heavyweight contest in boxing history. 

"Listen, I've been in this business 57 years promoting fights and I truly have to say I have never seen a heavyweight fight as magnificent as this," said Fury's US promoter Bob Arum, who promoted 27 of Muhammad Ali's fights including the 1975 classic "Thrilla in Manila" against Joe Frazier.

Frank Warren, Fury's veteran English promoter, said Saturday's bout was "boxing history."

"It's the best live heavyweight fight I've seen," Warren said. "It was just amazing. Two warriors and just so absorbing. Tyson is the standout heavyweight of his generation. 

"I have seen him box better. But the heart and the bravery he showed tonight were just amazing. Boxing should be proud of what he did tonight."

Fury, who now plans to take a break from the sport before contemplating a potential unification fight with WBA, IBF and WBO champion Oleksandr Usyk, or British rival Anthony Joshua, insisted he had never felt in danger against Wilder.

"He caught me twice. But I was never like thinking 'Uh oh, this is over.' I thought 'Okay, good shot -- but I will get you back in a minute, and I did'," he said. 

"He shook me and he put me down, but that's boxing. And that's life as well -- no matter how many times you get put down, it's all about getting back up."

Agence France-Presse

Pacquiao ponders ring retirement, political plans after loss

LAS VEGAS (AP) — Manny Pacquiao sounded like a fighter on his way out and a politician on his way up.

He might have concealed his battered face behind big sunglasses, but Pacquiao didn’t hide behind excuses or denial after a discouraging unanimous-decision loss to Yordenis Ugás on Saturday night.

Yes, Pacquiao disclosed that his legs cramped throughout the fight on the Vegas Strip, depriving him of the mobility that has always made his power so dangerous.

The eight-division world champion still acknowledged the larger fact that was obvious even to most of his devoted fans around the world: He deserved his loss to Ugás, a talented opponent who probably wouldn’t have been much trouble for prime Pacman.

And that might be a good reason to walk away.

“This sport is my passion,” Pacquiao said. “That’s why I’m still here fighting at the age of 42. I’m enjoying it, but sometimes you have to think about the response of your body. ... My mind, my heart, it’s 100%. But my legs were cramping.”

In the moments after he returned from a two-year ring absence with the loss to the rangy, resilient Ugás, Pacquiao repeatedly hinted he is planning to retire from boxing.

He is still alongside Canelo Álvarez as the two biggest active stars in the sport, yet Pacquiao (67-8-2) has never spoken so frankly about leaving behind 26 years in the pro fight game.

“I’ve done a lot for boxing, and boxing has done a lot for me,” Pacquiao said. “I look forward to spending a lot of time thinking about my future in boxing.”

Pacquiao’s postfight comments included a sprinkling of such catchy, pre-written phrases — sort of like a stump speech by a politician.

Indeed, the Filipino senator’s next fight is probably in the political ring: He is widely expected to enter the presidential race in the Philippines next month ahead of the May 2022 election.

“In my heart, I want to continue to fight,” Pacquiao said. “But the thing is, I also have to consider my body. I’ve put it through a lot of things. Especially back in my country, there’s a lot of things that I need to accomplish to help people. I want to be an inspiration to the Philippine people inside and outside the ring.”

Countless athletes have struggled mightily to find worthwhile ways to fill their time after retirement. That wouldn’t be a problem for Pacquiao: His chaotic life won’t get less busy, but it could be a bit more focused with only one career to consider.

If Pacquiao retires, he leaves boxing as one of the greats of his generation. Along with his stunning array of championship belts and his groundbreaking mobility across the sport’s weight classes, Pacquiao will be remembered for his utter fearlessness in taking on countless larger foes without blinking.

Freddie Roach, Pacquiao’s devoted trainer for most of the past two decades, acknowledged being “a little worried” about the champ.

“He’s boxed for a long time, and he’s the best guy I’ve ever had,” Roach said. “The best guy, the best fighter. I hate to see the day when he retires, but this could be it. We’ll see what Manny decides.”

Another scenario seems equally plausible at this point: Pacquiao doesn’t win the presidency in nine months — he is behind several candidates in early polling — and he subsequently gets a highly lucrative opportunity to return to the ring late next year, when he will be nearly 44.

Given Pacquiao’s competitive nature and his relatively expensive lifestyle, his self-awareness could be overcome by the rewards of the fight game.

But in the moments after this cramping, frustrated great lost for the first time in four years, Pacquiao was thinking deeply about both his current state and future priorities.

“This situation might finish my career in boxing,” Pacquiao said. “But this is my statement to all the boxing fans all over the world: The most important thing is how we can help each other, especially in this pandemic.”

-Associated Press-

Carlo Paalam advances to boxing finals

Carlo Paalam of the Philippines turns emotional after beating Ryomei Tanaka of Japan in their Tokyo Olympics men’s flyweight semifinals at the Kokugikan Arena on Thursday. The 23-year-old Pinoy boxer, who won 5-0, will be competing against Galal Yafai of Great Britain at the boxing finals on August 7 at 1 p.m. 

-reuters-

PH boxer Eumir Marcial advances to Tokyo Olympics semi-final round

Eumir Marcial of the Philippines reacts after winning against Arman Darchinyan of Armenia during the Tokyo Olympics men's middleweight quarterfinal at the Kokugikan Arena in Tokyo, Japan on Sunday. Marcial advances to the semi-final round to compete against Oleksandr Khyzhniak of Ukraine on Aug. 5, at 2:03 p.m.

-reuters-

Mayweather unfazed by critics ahead of exhibition bout

MIAMI -- Floyd Mayweather has invited ridicule ahead of his latest return to the boxing ring but the unbeaten American couldn't care less.

The dubious prospect of Mayweather, the 44-year-old former welterweight world champion who retired with an unblemished record of 50-0, taking on a 26-year-old internet star with just two bouts to his name, has been greeted with disdain in much of the sporting world.

Sunday's bizarre exhibition bout against Logan Paul, with no judges ringside, is scheduled for eight rounds at Miami's Hard Rock Stadium.

Promoters are hoping the event will generate pay-per-view sales in the two million range, delivering a lucrative payday for its protagonists.

Jake Paul, Logan's younger brother, reportedly brought in 1.3 million views and earned around $75 million for his fight in April against mixed martial artist Ben Askren, so it's plausible to imagine those numbers could be trumped given Mayweather's appeal and the social media popularity of his opponent.

Mayweather, meanwhile, is aware his first foray into the ring since another exhibition fight in Japan on New Year's Eve in 2018, which ended in the opening round, has left the boxing purists cold.

Yet the American brushes off the criticism of those who believe he is tarnishing his legacy and the sport.

'Just here to entertain'

"I don't really worry about the (pay-per-view) numbers," Mayweather told AFP on Thursday. "I am just here to have fun and entertain.

"Everyone is entitled to their own opinion. I live for Floyd Mayweather and I choose what I want to do. If I want to go out, have some fun and make $50, $60, $70, $100 million, let me do it. I am not bothering anyone. I am not out robbing or killing. I am doing what I want to do.

"I retired but I didn't retire from entertaining and making money."

Mayweather broke the mold in 2017 when he came out of retirement to beat UFC star Conor McGregor in a money-spinning crossover event in Las Vegas which triggered the recent trend of boxers searching for opponents outside of the sport.

With the Paul brothers both garnering huge attention for their respective bouts over the last few years -- Jake is 3-0 while Logan's record is 0-1-1 -- promoters and fighters keen to make extra money have become creative.

"We have always thought outside of the box," Leonard Ellerbe, chief executive of Mayweather Promotions told AFP.

"Floyd has beaten more world champions than anyone but the die-hard fans will never give him the credit he deserves. Everyone is entitled to their own opinions and that's fine. Floyd will live his life how he wants to."

'No-win situation'

A chaotic pre-fight media availability on Thursday at the former Miami mansion of murdered fashion icon Gianni Versace suggested interest in the event is high, despite the premise proving unpalatable for many.

Logan Paul, whose first fight against fellow YouTube star KSI in August 2018 generated 1.3 million buys worldwide and made the event in Manchester, England the largest non-professional boxing match of all time, said: "This whole thing is just so crazy, we have already defied the odds. When my manager asked if I wanted to fight Floyd Mayweather I just laughed.

"I am here to achieve the impossible."

For Mayweather, however, it's just another payday and a return to the limelight.

"You know what's crazy? I am in a no-win situation," he said.

"If I knock him out in the first round they will say it wasn't worth it. And then if it carries on for a few rounds, they will say it's not worth it.

"But it's always worth it for me. I want to give the people what they want to see and have some fun.

"We chose Sunday because we wanted to do something different -- events like the Super Bowl and the Grammys are always on a Sunday. I always like to take chances.

"I am fighting a YouTuber and getting paid crazy money for it. That's not bad for someone who has retired."

Agence France-Presse

Boxing: Unbeaten Spence returns from horrific crash to dominate Garcia

WASHINGTON -- Errol Spence overpowered challenger Danny Garcia in his first fight since surviving a near-fatal rollover car accident to retain his World Boxing Council and International Boxing Federation welterweight titles on Saturday.

The 30-year-old Spence put on a virtuoso performance winning almost every round in a 147-pound homecoming fight at AT&T Stadium in Dallas, Texas.

The undefeated Spence, who suffered serious injuries after being thrown from his car in the drunk-driving smash, won by a unanimous decision proving he is still the same boxer as before the accident in October 2019.

"The moment is surreal, especially coming back from my accident a year ago," Spence said. "Be patient with me. This was a comeback fight for me and I had to shake off some cobwebs."

After the fighters felt each other out during the first few rounds, Spence seized control in the middle rounds to win on all three scorecards by scores of 116-112, 116-112 and 117-111.

Spence improved to 27-0 with 21 knockouts while Garcia fell to 36-3, with 21 KOs.

Spence, a southpaw, monopolized Garcia with his jab and relentless pressure, not allowing the challenger to make use of his pre-fight game plan.

"He was breaking him down and taking the fight out of him. His jab is the key to everything," said Spence's trainer Derrick James.

Garcia had one of his best rounds in the second. They got into a heated exchange at the end of the round when Garcia hit Spence after the bell.

Spence hurt Garcia with a couple of punches in the third and by the fourth he was controlling the tempo.

"In training camp I knew I was going to be good. I am back," said Spence.

The 32-year-old Garcia had been hoping to carry some momentum over from his previous two straight wins and become champion again for the first time since 2017.

"He was just a better man tonight. No excuses," said Garcia. "I fought a hard, tough fight. He had a good jab and that was the key to the fight."

Garcia, a counter-puncher, was too conservative to do any serious damage. He spent the majority of fight on the defensive, blocking combinations and stepping sideways to avoid any huge shots.

By the eighth round Garcia was retreating to the ropes desperately trying to land any punches while Spence just kept up the attack.

Garcia's corner told him to go for the big punch but he seemed preoccupied with trying to just stay on his feet and preserve his record of never having been knocked down in his career.

Agence France-Presse

Boxing: Tyson comeback fight at 54 ends with draw against Jones

LOS ANGELES -- Mike Tyson's return to boxing at age 54 ended in a draw with 51-year-old Roy Jones Jr. on Saturday in an eight-round exhibition battle of former heavyweight champions.

Fifteen years after retiring with a 2005 loss to journeyman Kevin McBride, Tyson made his comeback at Staples Center in Los Angeles without spectators in a pay-per-view matchup that mixed curiosity and nostalgia.

California State Athletic Commission officials required two-minute rounds instead of the usual three-minute rounds, mandated larger than normal 12-ounce gloves, said neither fighter could seek a knockout and declared there could be no official winner in safety moves for the over-50 fighters.

"Sometimes that two minutes felt like three minutes," Tyson said. "I'm glad I got this under my belt and I'm looking forward to doing it again."

An "unofficial" panel of former World Boxing Council champions at ringside scored the bout a draw, an outcome that Tyson applauded despite appearing to dominate.

"I'm good with that," Tyson said, admitting he thought he had won the fight. "Yeah, but I'm good with a draw. The crowd was happy with that."

Jones, who looked tired and grabbed Tyson much of the fight, was unhappy at a draw.

"I ain't never happy with a draw. I don't do draw," Jones said, admitting that Tyson hurt him throughout the bout, particularly with body blows.

"If he hits you with his head, punches, body shots, it don't matter, everything hurts. Body shots definitely took a toll. Body shots are what makes you exhausted."

Tyson, who entered 50-6 with 44 knockouts, lost 100 pounds and began training again, his desire to get back in shape becoming a hunger to strap on the gloves once more.

Jones, who entered 66-9 with 47 knockouts, had not fought since a February 2018 cruiserweight victory. He hoped a solid effort against Tyson might set up a fight with 45-year-old Brazilian mixed martial arts star Anderson Silva.

- 'It's going to hurt' -

Tyson came out aggressive and fast, swinging and connecting often to the body of Jones, who was able to hit and evade at times, then hugging Tyson often when all else failed.

"You came back. I hit you with good shots and you took it," Tyson told Jones. "We have to do this again."

A hard left to the head stung Jones in round two and he spent much of the third and fourth rounds holding and moving into clenches with Tyson.

"It's something in there taking punches from Mike," Jones said. "Once I go in there, I'm game. I'll go to the end. I know when he hits me it's going to hurt."

Tyson landed an inside right and a hard left to the head of Jones in the fifth round, then connected to the body with a solid right and left in the sixth, Jones evading a right uppercut and tying up Tyson before he could land major combinations.

Tyson stung the midsection of Jones in round seven but was held before he could press the advantage.

In the eighth and final round, Tyson pounded a pair of left hooks to the body but Jones tied him up and they finished trading inside punches.

"I was very happy to go the eight rounds," Tyson said. "I'm more happy with going the distance.

"I was afraid I might get hurt. Why is nobody worried about my ass? I haven't done this in 15 years.

Tyson ruled the heavyweight division in overwhelming fashion in the late 1980s but struggled through the 1990s, losing his title, being convicted of rape and serving a ban after biting a chunk out of Evander Holyfield's ear.

He faded from the scene after a 2002 world title loss to Lennox Lewis and has returned now to help launch his Legends Only League for over-age star athletes.

"This is bigger than fighting for championships," Tyson declared. "I'm helping people now."

Agence France-Presse

Boxing: Davis grabs WBA belt with spectacular 6th round KO of Santa Cruz

LOS ANGELES -- Undefeated Gervonta Davis knocked out Leo Santa Cruz with a vicious uppercut in the sixth round to seize the WBA belt in a junior lightweight world title clash in San Antonio on Saturday.

Davis surprised Santa Cruz with a left uppercut that snapped the champ's head back and sent him crumbling to the canvas late in the sixth round at the Alomodome Arena.

Santa Cruz landed flat on his back under the padding in the corner of the ring and stayed that way for about a minute while ring doctors attended to him. He was eventually able to sit up and was even smiling once he regained his senses.

American Davis improved to 24-0 with 23 knockouts by handing the four-division champion Santa Cruz the first knockout of his star-studded career.

The 32-year-old Santa Cruz, of Mexico, dropped to 37-2-1 with 19 KOs.

Despite the Covid-19 pandemic, organizers allowed about 10,000 spectators into the arena with masks and social distancing rules in place.

The fight pitted the knockout power of Davis against the endurance and dominating pressure style of Santa Cruz but the latter never got the chance to wear down Davis down in the closing rounds.

The fight began with a solid first round in which the two exchanged punches in the centre of the ring. Davis fell to the canvas but it wasn't because of a knockdown. His right leg got tangled up with Santa Cruz's leg and he tripped. 

Santa Cruz suffered a small cut on the bridge of his nose but his corner did a good job of repairing it.

In the second round Davis's temper got the best of him after he got frustrated during a clinch. Davis used both arms to throw Santa Cruz to the ground prompting a verbal scolding from the referee.

Santa Cruz was looking more comfortable in the sixth and willing to exchange with Davis. But he got careless late in the round and that was all Davis needed to counter a punch and land the brutal shot that put the champion down.

The 25-year-old Davis extended his six-year early stoppage streak to 15 straight bouts.

He vacated the WBA super-featherweight crown to move up to the lightweight ranks last December, stopping Cuban Yuriorkis Gamboa in the 12th-round.

Santa Cruz captured his WBA title last November with a unanimous decision victory over American Miguel Flores.

Agence France-Presse

Who’s not a fan of Pacquiao, McGregor boxing? UFC’s Dana White

If Manny Pacquiao and UFC superstar Conor McGregor do get inside a boxing ring, Dana White will certainly not be a spectator.

The UFC executive reacted to speculation that a boxing match is supposedly being negotiated between Pacquiao and McGregor after the Irish fighter posted a Tagalog message on Twitter apparently agreeing to one.

“I don’t care about any of that (expletive),” White said in an article posted on BoxingScene.com.

McGregor made his foray into boxing in 2017, when he fought Floyd Mayweather Jr.

It was a huge commercial success although the Irish fighter was stopped in 10 rounds.

As far as White is concerned, McGregor is "retired." 

"This year, he is retired," White said in a separate report posted on ESPN.com.

"He doesn't have a fight this year, and he won't have a fight this year. Conor McGregor will not fight in 2020 . . . I guarantee he will not fight in 2020."

The last time McGregor fought was in January when he easily disposed of Donald Cerrone in just 40 seconds.

news.abs-cbn.com

Boxing: Holyfield open to third Tyson fight for charity

Former heavyweight champion Evander Holyfield has said he is open to facing one-time rival Mike Tyson in a trilogy fight for charity on the condition that Tyson asks for the bout to be set up.

Tyson, 53, fought two epic bouts with Holyfield, 57, during their professional careers, including their controversial 1997 encounter in which Tyson bit off a chunk of Holyfield's ear.

'Iron Mike' had released several training videos in recent weeks fueling speculation he could be returning to the ring, while Holyfield announced his return for a charity bout on Instagram earlier this month.

"If I ask him it's almost like me being a bully saying I want to go against somebody I've beaten twice," Holyfield told the BBC. "I don't want pressure on me that 'you just want to fight Mike because you know you can beat him'.

"If he hits me I'm going to hit back. I'm going to be 58, he'll be 54, you talk about being in good health and doing things the proper way that respects it. I don't have no problem with it."

Tyson, the first heavyweight to hold the WBA, WBC and IBF titles, retired after a loss to Kevin McBride in 2005, while Holyfield called time on his career nine years later.

If they do return, they will be following in the footsteps of Floyd Mayweather Jr. in coming out of retirement for an exhibition fight. 

(Reporting by Arvind Sriram in Bengaluru, editing by Pritha Sarkar)

-reuters-