Thursday, 10 July 2025

Colourful 4 fight feature show in Queens NY this weekend.

                                   

A fantastic show this weekend Saturday 12ty July at The Louis Armstrong arena in Queens New York is headlined by WBC lightweight champion Shakur Stevenson who defends against tough Mexican southpaw William Zepeda Segura, both guys undefeated squares up to be an exceptional match. 


In a mouthwatering feature supporting bout former IBF super lightweight champion, the hard hitting Subriel Matias takes on the current WBC champion Alberto Puello a Las Vegas based Dominican fighter who has yet to lose. Matias lost his title in an upset to Liam Paro last year but still maintains knockout record of 22 wins, all by knockout or stoppage. 


A quality 10 rounder at light heavyweight between once beaten US based Cuban David Morrell and tough undefeated Australian based Russian Imam Khataev, a puncher with 10 wins and 9 knockouts. Morrells sole defeat came to the Mexican monster David Benavidez last February. 


The show is topped off by a battle of former world title challengers up at Super Middleweight between the colourful US based Puerto Rican Edgar Berlanga and the 6 foot 3 former middleweight challenger Hamza Sheeraz of the Uk..   Both fighters have similar records and knockout ratios, Berlanga coming off a 2024 decision loss to Saul Alvarez for the WBC and WBO straps at 168, whilst Sheeraz is coming off an unsuccessful challenge for Carlos Adams WBC middleweight crown in February where he was fortunate to secure a draw and his undefeated record in tact. 


The show is part of a DAZN PPV event and is promoted by Oscar Dela Hoya’s Golden Boy Promotions. 

18 year old Leo Atang, scores impressive early debut victory.

                           

Last Saturday 5th July, 18 year old former amateur heavyweight standout Leo Atang took his first steps into the paid ranks with a concise yet impressive 1 round stoppage victory over 7-16 Milen Paunov of Bulgaria. The 6 foot 6, 226 pound Atang dropped Paunov early before forcing the stoppage at 2.29 of the opener. What was most impressive about the debutant was how relaxed he appeared and supremely composed on such a large globally viewed show. Atang set his shots up correctly and despite hurting his opponent early, didn’t become punch crazy to grab the early stoppage, he sat behind the jab and allowed the openings to present itself. At such a young age Leo displayed an impressive level of maturity on such a large platform that leaves us already wanting to see him in quality fights. Atang looks the part with a tall chiselled physique and a smooth demeanour that is ultimately going to attract a huge ticket buying fan base, the future looks bright already for Matchrooms newest heavyweight prospect.

Francisco Rodriguez Jr returns questionable sample to VADA.

                                    

In was revealed earlier today that the Voluntary Anti-Doping Association informed Matchroom boxing along with the World Boxing Council and the British Boxing Board of Control that WBC interim world flyweight champion Francisco Rodriguez has returned an adverse analytical finding as part of a post-fight night anti drug test following his bout with Galal Yafai 2 weeks ago. The issue will be handled competently by the BBBofC and the WBC. Rodriguez 40-6 (28 KOs) appeared to spring upset over the previously unbeaten Yafai 9-1 (7 KOs) by a convincing unanimous margin to claim the interim WBC title. It’s highly likely that Rodriguez will be stripped if an adverse finding is evident and Yafai offered the opportunity to redeem the sole defeat. 

Saturday, 5 July 2025

Rufus Hurricane Hadley. Revisiting an original Detroit icon.

In the October of 2018 I wrote a story for Mirage Boxing Chronicles about the life and career of colourful heavyweight Rufus Hurricane Hadley. The article at the time became extremely popular and over the following months I received letters, messages and emails regarding the fighter and his apparent current living circumstances, residing in a care facility in Warren Michigan. As I was led to understand Rufus although now blind, is still as colourful and popular with those around him and often talks enthusiastically about his life and boxing to those who do a great job caring for him. I did get an opportunity in 2019 to speak with Rufus, for the first time since we last met in the late 1980s, but unfortunately communication broke down and we never actually connected. Regardless of this I have wrote a number of the messages and tributes to him as a person in this revisit, featuring those who remember him fondly as friends, acquaintances and loved ones. I still hope to talk with Rufus if the opportunity presents itself, however here are some valuable messages I have received in response to my original story. 


A gentlemen messaged me to inform me that his brother Salvador was a former military colleague of Rufus’s. Salvador had served in the marines with Bubba Hadley and as his reputation rose, Salvador was one of the very few who would spar the rising heavyweight. Salvador’s brother recalled stories that when Hadley was entering the ring to box, the whole hall would chant Rufus… Rufus…. Rufus..  


Another former acquaintance commented that they had met Hadley when he was in the Marines. Rufus was getting ready to get discharged at this time. The gentleman was on a training exercise out in 29 Palms whilst Rufus was out there with his unit 2nd Battalion 6th Marines. He had been kicked off the boxing team because he didn't want to fight in a specific tournament. He only had a month or two left before he got out. The guy mentioned that the two talked a lot about boxing and stated that Hadley was a pretty cool guy.


Another acquaintance mentioned that he too had served in boot camp with Rufus and graduated December 2nd of that year. 


Kim and Leslie Pattinson, a couple from London recalled meeting Rufus when he was in England for an event, he was invited as a guest at a black tie event and kept in touch with the  couple. Leslie painted a portrait of Hadley and sent it to Mike Tyson’s training camp in the 80s, Rufus was overwhelmed. 


A number of carers who look after Rufus these days spoke of him as alert and friendly, despite being registered as blind. Always speaking of his boxing days, saying that photos of his finer years adorn his room. 


A former fighter who had been acquainted with Rufus messaged me, saying that he knew him as Buba Hadley, from the neighbourhood. He had a younger brother that boxed with him at Cherrylawn basement gym. He mentioned that Rufus had a sister or cousin that he had a crush on, around 47 years ago. He mentioned that he boxed and won the Ohio state fair with Rufus in 1975, he also mentioned that Hadleys brother Sydney also won the nationals there too.  They also commented a fair assessment that Rufus would have made a marvellous Cruiserweight but appeared to have more ambition to be a heavyweight due to the prestige attached to the division. They went on to describe Rufus as a precision fighter with great feet and a terrific straight right hand. 


A lady mentioned that she knew Rufus (affectionately known as Bubba) in Jr high school and really admired him, but he met another female who she referred to as L.B. whom Rufus married after high school. The lady went on to mention that Hadley later had 3 or 4 boys with L.B after he returned from the military and moved away. The lady said that she had ran into both of them separately at a school picnic event in 1988 and said that she would love to meet them both again and see how Bubba is doing.  To her knowledge his brother Sydney had passed and she hadn’t been able to locate or find any info on his sister Jackie, whom she described as being voted best dressed amongst her peers in the late 1970s.  (I later learned that Jackie had also passed) 


A gentleman named Anthony contacted me to say that he knew Rufus (Hurricane) and had worked with him at some clubs in Hollywood California and remembers taking a number of memorable trips with the colourful fighter to Las Vegas in his Suzuki Samari.


A concerned former fighter had read my story and mentioned that he had trained with Rufus in the same boxing gym (Johnson Recreation Center) as young teenagers in Detroit during the early-mid 70's, Rufus remained loyal to his original coach, Dave Shoulder..  asking me to keep him posted if i heard anything about his whereabouts and welfare. 


A lady contacted me to tell me that she was Rufus’s grand-daughter. She verified that he was in a care facility and that her father was Hakeem Hadley, Rufus’s son. 


Hakeem himself messaged me around this time (May 2019) and commented about the instance where Rufus was reported missing..   stating. “He's alright, he did walk off smoking a cigarette for a while but the facility shortly returned him. i don't no why this information was unknown to the public. “ 

Unfortunately I recently learned that Hakeem had sadly passed. 


Former notable boxer / trainer Clinton Barnes mentioned that he had met Rufus briefly in Atlantic City when he boxed on Tuesday nights at the Tropicana hotel and later got to know him when Rufus became part of Larry Holmes’ team of sparring partners. Clinton said that you’d always hear Hurricane before you saw him. Rufus and Clinton later both became sparring partners for former world heavyweight champion Tim Witherspoon in Orwell Ohio as part of Don Kings camp. Barnes said of the colourful heavyweight, there was never a dull moment around Hadley no matter where he was. Interestingly Barnes mentioned that Hadley, a long term Mike Tyson sparring partner may have given Mike the idea of biting his opponent,  as Rufus was well known for biting fighters on the shoulder in the clinch if they gave him too much got handle, in an attempt to throw them off their game. 


Another former fighter commented that they remembered him as Bubba and that his first actual amateur fight was against him, a close fight being called as a draw. it was called Rufus claimed later that he had won it but both left it alone considering they were both from the same Johnsons Recreation centre gym on Pembroke. The gentleman went on to say that they shared suits and remained good friends until he went into the military and lost touch. Rufus made some noise around that time by outboxing Rick Jester, who at the time was the 2 time National Golden Glove Champion, Rufus could get in the ring with anybody and hold his own, he also described his brother Sidney as a beast in the ring too. He then verified that Rufus was currently residing in a Nursing Home.


I received a message from a gentleman who knew Rufus and had served with him in the military at Camp Lejune in the late 70's early 80's.  He also mentioned that both of their families attended church together around that time and that Rufus had a son whom he named Prince. The man said that he last saw Rufus with his wife and newborn Prince at Shilo Holiness Church in Jacksonville NC. The gent went on to say that he prays that Rufus and his family are well.


Another former acquaintance called Peter stated that he knew him from mid 80's when he was training in Edmonton, describing him as a ‘Great Guy.’  

“I worked at the border, and we connected as he would fly in from Vegas... if anyone contacts Rufus, mention Pete from Edmonton, stating that he still treasured an autographed Promotional photograph that Rufus had given him. 


Another guy called Whitt from Virginia contacted me, saying that he was friends with Bubba at Camp Lejeune in late 70s and early 80s. Whitt mentioned that Rufus was working as a salesman for Amway to make extra money to support his family. He said he remembered Rufus telling him that he was going to name his son Prince Edward Hadley. They unfortunately got separated while serving around this time and lost contact. Whitt described Hadley as a big inspiration in his life, a wonderful singer and larger than life charismatic character to whom he sends love. 


An individual called Sammy from Roselawn stated that Bubba had told him and his brother Tyrone, y’all Need To start boxing so y’all can be like me.  Sammy went on to say that Rufus’s sister was his first girlfriend. Sammy now resides in Las Vegas. 


A former friend called Leon contacted me, stating that Rufus would know him more affectionately as D.O.G.  Leon said that he had worked a few bodyguard / security jobs with Rufus in Hollywood California around 1989-90, under the business name GET PAID INC. Leon went on to say that if I ever spoke with Rufus, to pass on his email and mention Sam Kinison to him.


I received a random message from a man only identified by the initials R.J. 

Cousin, you came into my thoughts, you looked fearless. I’m sorry we never had the chance to get together and I never took the opportunity to see you box. I was in college also chasing my dreams at that time of becoming a professional football player.    Wishing Rufus well, love, R.J.

Wednesday, 2 July 2025

Subriel Matias meets Alberto Puello on Queens Golden Boy show for WBC title.

 

A very intriguing matchup takes place on July 12th in Queens NY when former IBF super lightweight champion Subriel Matias meets tough undefeated WBC champion Alberto Puello in an attempt to regain top honours in a mouthwatering division. Back in 2023 Matias was the black sheep of the division whose name was rarely uttered by fellow champions, due to risk reward factor and the fact that all of his 22 victories were by knockout. Matias had picked up the IBF title from Jeremiah Ponce in 2023 and after making a single defence, ran into tough undefeated Aussie Liam Paro, halting his hopes of mega fights with the likes of Devin Haney or Ryan Garcia after only a year as champion. His opponent Alberto Puello is undefeated in 24 fights but isn’t a noted puncher, he shot to prominence back in March when he won the WBC title on the Davis v Roach card in Brooklyn by earning a split decision over Sandor Martin. A win over Matias would solidify his claims on his portion of the championship whilst a win for Matias would likely springboard him into some exciting matchups, I expect the Puerto Rican to come out fast in an attempt to surprise Puello, however recent performances have shown Matias get frustrated when when his power doesn’t take immediate effect. It’s a fight worthy of top billing but finds itself hidden within 3 other high end matches featuring Shakur Stevenson v William Zepeda, David Morrell v imam Khataev and Hamza Sheeraz v Edgar Berlanga. The show is promoted by Golden Boy Promotions and is being broadcast on DAZN PPV. 

Tuesday, 1 July 2025

Floyd Schofield scores statement 1 round KO of Tevin Farmer.

 

Unbeaten Floyd Schofield 19-0 (13 KOs) needed just 78 seconds to demolish former world champion Tevin Farmer 33-9-1 (8 KOs) in the very first round to score a statement victory and stamp his authority on the lightweight division. 

A looping right thrown over the jab dropped Farmer heavily after only 40 seconds, Tevin rose at 6 and was offered the opportunity to continue as Schofield jumped on him immediately with a relentless assault, dropping Farmer for a second time with a right hand left hook after only a minute of the round. Once again Farmer made the count and appeared passable to continue. Unfortunately Schofield only needed a further right hand, left hook, right hand to force referee Gerard White to halt the proceedings half way through the opener. 

Schofield appears to have a bright future in a very lucrative division, packed with some mouthwatering match ups. Farmer has now lost his 4th fight in a row and may need to seriously consider his future in the sport. 

Unified Cruiserweight king, Ramirez out-hustles Dorticos, unanimous points.

 


Unified WBA/WBO cruiserweight champion Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez 48-1 (30 KOs) retained his world titles with a twelve round unanimous decision over former WBA champion, Yuniel Dorticos 27-3 (25 KOs) A slow start saw Dorticos backing Zurdo up with clever combinations, making the champion appear pedestrian and ordinary. Around the half way mark Ramirez started to display the type of class that justifies his spot at the top of the division, landing accurate counter punches and forcing the Cuban to drop his workrate. Ramirez seemed to grit his teeth and put his foot on the gas throughout the last 4 rounds to secure a solid defence. 

Scores appeared lenient at 115-112, 115-112, 117-110 Dorticos was deducted a point for low blows in round ten, after earlier infringements. 


Following the bout IBF champion Jai Opetaia issued a direct challenge to Ramirez, demanding a historic unification clash to determine the undisputed king of the Cruiserweight division. Ramirez had claimed a unanimous decision over Dorticos earlier, solidifying his position as champion, but Opetaia insisted there can be no doubt about who stands alone at the head of the class.

Jai Opetaia: “I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again—I’m the best cruiserweight on the planet. Ramirez put on a good performance against Dorticos, but if he really believes he’s the number one, then there’s only one way to prove it. I’m sick of all the excuses and the delays. None of these other champions have been in a hurry to face me, but the time has come. Let’s unify the division once and for all.

“I respect what Ramirez has accomplished, but I know I’m on another level. I’ve beaten world-class fighters, I’ve defended my titles, and I’m ready to collect more belts. If Ramirez has the courage to step up, I’ll show the world why I’m the real champion.”

Opetaia’s manager, Michael Francis, echoed his fighter’s sentiments and called on Ramirez’s team to get the deal done. 

In my honest opinion Ramirez is a tough and incidental champion, and isn’t anywhere close to Opetaia who appears the complete polished article, the unification bout however would be competitive and interesting. 


Deontay Wilder returns with 7th round stoppage over Ty Herndon.

                                     

In his highly anticipated return to the ring, former WBC heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder 43-4-1 (42 Ko’s) took 7 rounds to shake off rust, soften up and eventually stop the game Tyrrell Anthony Herndon 24-5 (15 Ko’s) in Wichita Kansas on Friday evening. Wilder dropped Herndon in the second and sixth rounds before finishing his overmatched opponent with 2 chopping right hands in the 7th, Ray Corona calling a halt at 2.16 of the session. The fact that the fight went 7 rounds is a positive one in regard to Wilders wishes to climb back to the highest level, a quick knockout wouldn’t have served any purpose in this project and the more time Wilder is active under the lights will prime him as a live fighter who still has a number of options. Wilder recently split ways with Malik Scott as head trainer but maintains Don House in charge of his preparations. Wilder hadn’t fought in 12 months since the shocking knockout loss to Zhilei Zhang in Saudi Arabia. 

Friday, 27 June 2025

The last stand.. Deontay Wilder returns June 27th.

A ‘Tater man’ is a baseball term which refers to being a one shot home run hitter, in the late 80s, Ring magazine published a story referencing boxings equivalent of the quintessential ‘Tater man’ noting the one punch Ko artists of that period. If we were to create a fighter, most notably a heavyweight who perfectly fits the bill as a present day ‘Tater man’ we’d be doing a disservice if we didn’t include former WBC heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder. Interesting Fact: between turning pro in 2008 and his first championship fight in 2015, not one of Wilders 32 opponents heard the final bell. In fact in those 32 fights he’d only actively boxed 58 rounds an average of 1.8 rounds per fight. However following 10 successful title defences as WBC champion, the inevitable happened as is often the case with fighters that are considered invincible, he suddenly appeared very human in his 0-2-1 trilogy against Tyson Fury. However, in defeat Wilder displayed remarkable courage and grit in very physical fights where he was outclassed and quite frankly out-muscled, a hard pill to swallow considering the high expectation the American public had burdened on him for a decade. Nevertheless out of the gun-smoke Wilder showed impressive character in rebuilding himself with the plan being, a handful of high profile victories leading to a lucrative yet later than advertised meeting with another former champion in Anthony Joshua.. unfortunately the one weapon that had acted as his saving grace, suddenly seemed to have abandoned him, losing twice in fights where he struggled to pull the trigger and appeared a frail shadow of his former menacing self. The final defeat a shockingly stark knockout at the hands of Zhilei Zhang looked to many as the final curtain. Everyone in boxing had the opinion that a return to the highest level was too steep a mountain to climb for the Alabama fighter, for the first time in 16 years the hazy mist of retirement hung in the air as the bullets that had once shot Wilder to prominence, were no longer firing. What followed was a personal odyssey, Wilder separated himself from long time partner Telli Swift and withdrew from the public eye following some domestic abuse allegations. Wilder recently disclosed that he felt extremely betrayed by most of those that surrounded him when he was riding the crest of his championship wave and felt that he was too giving and enabled certain individuals to exist and drain his positive energy along with his finances. Deontay felt that he had been far too generous to everyone close to him and after some deep soul searching and introspective healing, emerged as a more selfish man, in an attempt to reclaim his passion for competitive boxing. So here we are, June 27th, and a low key return to the ring in Wichita Kansas where he takes on 24-5 Texan, Tyrell Herndon in a 10 round heavyweight bout that will be televised on USA network as a PPV feature. In 2018 Wilder fired then head coach Mark Breland and employed former foe Malik Scott to fill the void, this week Wilder chose to part ways with Scott albeit amicably. Deontay now considers Don House as his head coach, the man who ironically prepared Bermaine Stiverne to face him on the night he won the championship. Deontay Wilder isn’t the Bronze Bomber that terrorised the division a decade ago, but it’s interesting to see if the rebirth of a more clear minded version with and more positive outlook can navigate himself back into some kind of relevance in the division, Herndon isn’t the type of opponent to put a fire in Wilders belly, but it’s a chance to evaluate where Wilder stands within the bigger heavyweight landscape, regardless of anything Wilder remains a colourful and refreshing addition to a fairly stagnant division and will always bring his unique brand of tenacity to the table. 

Saturday, 21 June 2025

Hrgovic v Adeleye, fortune favours the bold.

An intriguing heavyweight fight appears to have presented itself for the 16th August, Cacace v Ford show in Saudi Arabia, see’s the colourful yet enigmatic David Adeleye roll the dice against the highly ranked and proven Filip Hrgovic in an attempt to gatecrash the upper echelon of the division. Both fighters have lost a sole fight, albeit at very seperate levels, Filip dropping a game challenge to Daniel Dubois in what would have been for the vacant IBF championship, whilst David was more surgically exposed by Fabio Wardley in his first challenge for domestic honours a year prior. Filip has maintained a reputation as a rugged yet one paced workhorse, beating a moderate diet of opposition leading to his world ranking, winning an arguably controversial decision over Zhilei Zhang in possibly his most stern test aside from his loss. Adam Booth, the studious trainer of Adeleye has prior intel on Hrgovic going back to his days as head trainer for then WBA heavyweight champion David Haye. Booth employed Filip as a sparring partner alongside Richard Towers and Deontay Wilder and understands the pedigree that his new charge may face in such a dangerous challenge. Booth stated that Filip has some great attributes and even against Dubois, put together a fantastic start by utilising his jab and straight right hand, unfortunately Booth has noticed that he can fade and lose desire when fights become taxing, adding that Hrgovic never seemed to take that opportunity to step up as an accomplished heavyweight, tending to repeat his cycle of one paced pressure for as long as he can maintain it. Booth did add that the one time he did display the grit and fortitude to overcome adversity, was against Joe Joyce in his most recent showing, where he showed a willingness to fight through the discomfort of fatigue to subdue the notoriously resilient Joyce. Adeleye hasn’t seen anyone even close to the level of a Hrgovic, yet Booth explained that when you have a young, charismatic and spirited prospect, who can punch, when these types of rare opportunities present themselves, you’d be foolish not to afford yourself the gamble. David was due to rematch Jamie TKV in a repeat of their recent British title snoozefest, but opted to sidestep the less relevant match, to reach for higher honours. David is gifted and powerful, but he’s also complacent and hasn’t yet fulfilled his true potential, his best display being the 1 round annihilation of Sol Dacres last year, in a fight where he let his hands go and committed to the challenge. Booth understands heavyweight boxing and knows the enormity of the challenge that lies ahead for himself and Adeleye, but he also fully understands the rewards that come with victory at such an elevated stage, boxing is about timing and styles dictate the playout and outcome of fights, this one appears intriguing from both perspectives. 

Wednesday, 18 June 2025

Disturbing disclosure of fight fixing threats in Kazakhstan.

Daniela Leona Asenjo has revealed she was coerced into losing her IBO super flyweight world title rematch against Kazakhstan’s Angelina Lukas 15-1 (8 KOs) on May 31 in Taraz, Kazakhstan. Officially, Asenjo retired in the sixth round due to a back injury, but the Chilean  fighter and her coach, Alejandro Concha, allege they received death threats intended to ensure her opponents victory. The rugged Asenjo 17-5-3 (2 KOs) had previously fought through a broken sternum in a 2024 bout against Gabriella Fundora, the type of resilient form that lead onlookers to hold a level of suspicion regarding this recent mid fight submission. 

Almost a week after the match, Asenjo and Concha recounted a disturbing incident to journalist, Grupo Diario Sur. Both recalled an account, claiming that the fight’s promoter, an Azerbaijani national called Taryel Jafarov visited their hotel room, nervously placed a stack of U.S. dollars on Asenjo’s bed, and used a phone translator to say, “Asenjo isn’t going to win today, no way.” He allegedly added a more chilling message in writing, stating that If she wins, his life was in danger, they are going to cut my throat, and you won’t be able to leave Kazakhstan.”


Asenjo had previously fought Lukas 2 years ago, earning a points victory in Turkey.