Sunday, 29 September 2019

Errol Spence edges tough Shawn Porter to unify in LA.


IBF World welterweight titleholder Errol Spence Jr 26-0 (21 KOs) edged WBC Champion Shawn Porter 30-3-1 (17 KOs) by the narrowest of split decisions last night at the Staples Center in Los Angeles to unify the titles in a possible fight of the year candidate..
The action swung both ways for the most part of the first 8 rounds, both fighters bringing out the best in the other.. Spence found the majority of his success to the body of Porter whilst the rugged Ohio native boxed a surprisingly intelligent fight, making Spence work for every second.. Errol was lucky not to have been penalised for low punches but did appear the more competent of the two down the stretch..
Round eleven was possibly the session that swung the verdict, Spence landed a nice left hand forcing Shawn to touch down with a glove, a knockdown that proved decisive to the outcome.. Porter did take a minute to regroup, spurring on the Texan who appeared to take the final session to seal certain victory..
Scores were 116-111 twice in favour of Spence whilst a third had it 115-112 for Porter..

Outside of a possible rematch it appears as if Spence will pursue a fight with former WBC champion Danny Garcia, whom appeared in the ring following the victory..
Both guys boxed superbly and objectively the result could have easily been a draw with many of the rounds tough to call..

Saturday, 14 September 2019

Bounty Hunter hands Kuzmin his first defeat in New York.


Las Vegas based Heavyweight Michael Hunter 18-1 (12 KOs) scored a twelve round unanimous points victory over the previously undefeated Sergey Kuzmin 15-1 (11 KOs) last night at the Hulu Theatre at MSG to claim the WBA Intercontinental strap. The fight was an entertaining affair, with the tricky Hunter outlasting the workmanlike Russian.. Hunter put Kuzmin on the floor in the fifth after demoralising him with fast combinations.. Scores were 117-110 unanimously..
Michael is undefeated as a heavyweight after campaigning and challenging for the world title at Cruiserweight, although his body type and nature is to be a heavyweight.. Michael is the son of former USBA heavyweight champion Mike The Bounty Hunter..

Haney dominates Abdullaev in New York.


Undefeated lightweight sensation Devin Haney 23-0 (15 Ko’s) halted the previously undefeated Zaur Abdullaev 11-0 (7 Ko’s) to grab the vacant WBC interim lightweight championship last night at Madison Square Gardens, Hulu theatre.. Haney controlled the majority of the action, dictating with the jab.. A dejected looking Abdullaev being pulled out between rounds 4 and 5 with a facial injury.. Haney is now the mandatory challenger for Vasyl Lomachenko, but expects the Ukrainian to avoid him at all costs, referring to him as No-machencko..

Friday, 13 September 2019

Weights from Las Vegas.


At this afternoons weigh in Tyson Fury scaled a svelte 254 pounds whilst Swedish underdog Otto Wallin tipped the scales at 236 lbs.. Both fighters had an entertaining exchange, whilst Fury sported a Mexican leather wrestling mask..

Emanuel Navarrete and Juan Elorde both weighed in at 121 pounds ahead of their highly anticipated WBO Super Bantamweight clash...

Finally Jose Pedraza and Jose Zapeda both came in at 139 pounds for their 10 round lightweight clash..

Tomorrows event is hosted by the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas,
Promoted by Bob Arums Top Rank Boxing,
Broadcast by ESPN+ and BT Box Office.

Monday, 9 September 2019

Dereck Chisora explodes at London presser..


At today’s London presser for the upcoming Regis Prograis-Josh Taylor Card scheduled for the O2, heavyweight Dereck Chisora, unhappy about his bout with Joseph Parker being considered as a mere co-feature, unleashed an X rated tirade on all concerned before making a dramatic premature exit..

Dereck Started..
Either you give me the main event or pull me out of the fucking show.... Who’s taking the main event? I’m going to go ballistic now, I want more money now... I’m not selling out the 02 for these guys to come and take my fans... No.... If that’s the case, pull me out of it.. The Fucking Muhammad Ali trophy, no one gives a fuck about it no more... Nobody gives a fuck about little guys no more…. You’re just fucking me with no vaseline… Nobody gives a fuck about the Ali trophy... The heavyweights are back now.. When AJ knocked out Klitschko, Tyson said, no more money to the small guys, the money’s returning to the heavyweights!..

In the meantime Adam Smith and Eddie attempted to diffuse the disruption, before Chisora again, interjected.. This time interrupting Kalle Sauerland, literally telling him to ‘Fuck Off..’

The fighters from the whole of the scheduled card took part in individual face offs, but by this time Chisora had left the room, leaving Parker without the opportunity to take part..

Sunday, 8 September 2019

Linares returns in Japan, with a win..


Venezuela’s 3 weight world champion 46-5 (28 Ko’s) returned to his second home of Japan this week, scoring a relatively one sided unanimous decision victory over the tough Al Toyogon 10-5-1 (8 Ko’s) of the Philippines over ten rounds at the Korakuen Hall in Tokyo.. Linares has an increasing popularity in Japan and truly does consider it home turf.. Toyogon was in all honesty no match for the classy Linares, scores were wide and close to a shut out..
(100-90 99-90 100-89)

The return to the ring was really an exercise in shaking off ring rust for Jorge, following the 8 month hiatus from boxing since the damaging loss to Cesar Cano in New York last January.. Following the bout, Linares in fluent Japanese, expressed his wishes to fight Vasyl Lomachenko in a rematch of their outstanding bout last May.

Thursday, 5 September 2019

Blood, Sweat and 50 years.. Russell J Peltz celebrates the Golden anniversary of Peltz Boxing Promotions.


On Friday October 4th, Peltz Boxing Promotions will celebrate a Golden anniversary (50) glorious years in the sport by hosting an Eight bout Card at the 2300 Arena in South Philly.. The card billed as “Blood Sweat and 50 years” will feature a Junior Welterweight bout between Victor Padilla 5-0 (5 Ko’s) of Berlin NY and Romain Tomas 8-2 (1 Ko’s) of nearby Brooklyn.. The Event will be promoted by Michelle Rosado (Raging Babe Promotions) with Russell Peltz himself as Matchmaker..
Peltz has even took the time to follow the historic detail of scheduling the Padilla v Tomas bout for a 6 round distance (Historically all main event bouts in Philadelphia for the first two decades of the 20th century were limited to 6)
The Puerto Rican born in a southpaw Padilla, originally from Vieques, Puerto Rico, is a versatile southpaw, winning all five of his career fights by first-round knockout. The level of opposition hasn’t been exceptional, but regardless he is valued by promoter Lou DiBella as one of the best young pros on the East Coast..
The French born Tomas comes with an 8-2 record, but is coming off a career highlight win his biggest career win over the previously unbeaten Omar Bordoy (7-0) a decision in Bordoy’s hometown of Hampton, NH.
The Event promises to be a memorable one, Russell is a Philadelphia boxing institution and Philadelphia itself a city steeped so richly in boxing folklore..
Peltz will always be synonymous with Philadelphia’s most famous purpose built boxing arena, Jimmy Toppi Sr’s Blue Horizon that stood on 1314 North Broad Street in the City until it closed in 2010..

Wednesday, 4 September 2019

WBC sanction Haney v Abdullaev bout, for the Interim lightweight title.


It appears that the September 13th fight between Devin Haney and Zaur Abdullaev will be for the WBC’s interim lightweight championship.. A board of WBC governors unanimously polled to officially pass sanctioning to attach the title to the upcoming bout..
The Haney v Abdullaev fight had been scheduled as a final eliminator for a spot as mandatory challenger of the division. The unanimously acknowledged top man in the division Vasiliy Lomachenko scored an impressive unanimous victory over brave Luke Campbell last Saturday.. The Governing body did announce a series of bouts back on May 7th, culminating in an eventual winner to contest the WBC belt that Mike GarcĂ­a had just vacated.. Lomachenko was awarded the title as an added reward for his win last week. Lomachenko himself along with Top Rank were involved in a conversation that supported the WBC’s decision to sanction the upcoming bout.. As it stands Haney v Abdullaev will be the main event at MSG’s theatre a week on Saturday on the likelihood of Danny Roman officially withdrawing from his scheduled fight..
An interesting bout which is now the Co-main event on the show is between the undefeated Russian Sergey Kuzmin 15-0 (11 Ko’s) and former world cruiserweight title challenger, now campaigning at heavyweight, Michael Hunter jr 17-1 (12 Ko’s) with the WBA Inter-Continental title on the line..

The Show is hosted by Madison Square Gardens Theatre..
Promoted by Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom USS.
Matchmaker, Eric Bottjer.
Broadcast by DAZN..

Tom Schwarz meets Ilja Mezencev in Magdenburg, Sept 28th.


German Heavyweight Tom Schwarz 25-1 (17 KOs) will meet German based Kazakh Ilja Mezencev 20-1 (17 KOs) on September 28th at The Stadthalle in Magdeburg, Germany..
The pair fought 4 years ago in Dessau, with the larger Schwarz climbing off the canvas to score a 7th round stoppage.. Mezencev, a natural cruiserweight was only 19 at the time of the first meeting but in all honesty hasn’t faced anyone of note (Schwarz apart) throughout the entirety of his 21 fight career.. The bout will be the second fight for Tom since his career highlight 2 round knockout loss to Tyson Fury in June, having knocked out a dead body by the name of Radek Varak in a round 3 weeks ago..

Tuesday, 3 September 2019

Carlos Takam makes his Star Boxing debut in Monticello NY.


Former world heavyweight title challenger Carlos Takam 36-5-1 (28 KOs) will feature on the September 14th Star Boxing Show at Resorts World Catskills in the quaint resort of Monticello, New York. Takam was originally pencilled in to meet Oleksandr Usyk 16-0 (12 KOs) in May before the former cruiserweight King pulled out with an injury.. Unfortunately the much publicised Usyk debut was rescheduled, without the inclusion of the experienced French based Cameroon native.. Takam will now meet Detroits Craig Lewis 14-3-1(8 KOs)
The 34 year old, 6 foot 5 Lewis, has hung in there with some capable opposition, unfortunately losing on each occasion (Demetrius Banks, Junior Fa and Jermaine Franklin) each time on points, showing the durability that will be required against Takam..
Carlos, who now resides full time in Las Vegas has only really fallen to quality opposition, several ranks higher than Craig Lewis, with recent defeats to both unified champion Anthony Joshua and former world title challenger Dereck Chisora before scoring a 7 round knockout over Senad Gashi last December in his most recent outing..

The excited Takam appears to be enjoying his new life in America, with ambitions of creating a substantial fan base over there.. In his own words, “Only a good job and humility can bring me a loyal following, I’m ready to satisfy the USA fans in the same way that I did in Africa and Europe.. I’m ready and prepared to do the job..”

Carlos Takam will be having his first fight under the umbrella of Star Boxing..

Tyrone Spong to meet Oleksandr Usyk on October 12th.


It has finally been made public, that Oleksandr Usyk’s long awaited debut at heavyweight in on October 12th at the Wintrust Arena in Chicago, against the tentatively listed #5 ranked WBO heavyweight, Tyrone Spong 14-0 (13 Ko’s). The 34 year old from Suriname, now boxes out of Miami Florida but has only been exclusive to the sport for 4 years, emerging from a lengthy MMA background.. The only merely recognisable name on his 14 fight record is Ecuador’s Ytalo Perea whom he struggled to a split decision with last December.. Perea beat the once capable Elieser Castillo and took Former world champion Guillermo Jones to a split decision in 2017.. Perea aside, the records of his first 9 opponents read an embarrassing 34 wins and 85 losses, placing his ability in boxing in absolute perspective.. Putting Spongs activity as a kickboxer / Martial artist aside, he brings very little to the table to even think of matching Usyk.. Tyrone’s nature is not conventional boxing, the reason why boxers train in a structured, conventional fashion is to condition the subconscious over a long tedious process so that the mechanics of the sport become almost like second nature, for the fighter to recall upon instantaneously when caught up in a tough stressful situation. Spong won’t find those reliable reserves at the top level in this sport, because his second nature is actually within the layers of another fistic discipline.. Usyk can do exactly what he wishes to the relative novice, in the same way Floyd Mayweather dished out copious lashings of punishment to Conor McGregor several years ago.. Spong is a big tough combat athlete, but he’s pitched himself way above his levels here against one of the worlds elite fighters in his own sport.. The fight could be a curiosity, but will really tell us nothing about Usyk as a heavy..

Danny Roman, rumoured to be injured, Sept 13th date in jeopardy.


WBA and IBF Super bantamweight World title holder Danny Roman 27-3-1 (10 KOs) is rumoured to have withdrawn from his September 13th defense against unbeaten Uzbek, Murodjon Akhmadaliev 6-0 (5 KOs) at the Hulu Theater located within New Yorks Madison Square Garden. ESPN have reported that Roman is carrying an injury to his left shoulder, picked up recently while sparring.

If the rumours are indeed correct, It looks like Devin Haney 22-0 (14 Ko’s) v Zaur Abdullaev 11-0 (7 Ko’s) will save the show in their WBC final eliminator at lightweight..

Monday, 2 September 2019

Lomachenko outpoints brave Campbell to add the WBC title to his collection.


WBA and WBO World lightweight champion Vasiliy Lomachenko 14-1 (10 KOs) added the vacant WBC title to his coveted collection with a twelve round unanimous points decision over Luke Campbell 20-3 (16 KOs) in a bout between Olympic gold medalists on Saturday at the 02 Arena in London. The early rounds very very competitive and even though Lomachenko had a definitive round five, Campbell was consistently in the fight.. Luke briefly troubled Loma in the 7th, but was himself troubled in return by the persistent champion.. Loma put Campbell on the floor with a body shot in the eleventh and hurt him repeatedly in the 12th.
Scores were 119-108, 119-108, 118-109. Loma has now unified three of the four major championship belts..
Campbell boxed out of his skin on the night and posed Lomachenko a lot of issues with his height and style.. Lomachenko was always in the drivers seat, but by no means had everything his own way.. On this type of performance, Luke would have beaten almost any lightweight in the world on Saturday, it just so happened that he faced someone quite extraordinary..

Remembering the incredible life of David Pearce.


David Pearce came up the hard way, raised in the rugged terrain on Newport, Wales, into a family of 9 kids.. Following the footsteps of his older brothers, Pearce walked into the St Josephs Amateur boxing club in Pillgwenlly, Newport, only to find the one pursuit in his life that would appear tailor made for him.. David was tough, a compact unit, comprised of lean dense muscle and a heart as big as a house.. 
Following a brief amateur career, Pearce would turn pro in 1978, embarking on a journey of storybook proportions.. By 1979, following a 7th round knockout of the very capable Denton Ruddock, David was 9-0 and steadily climbing the British heavyweight ranks..
In the January of 1980, David was matched with the more experienced Neville Meade, over eager and wet behind the ears, Pearce would face defeat for the first time, losing in 2 rounds to the tough campaigner in Caerphilly.. For a further setback, 12 months later David would be disqualified in the 3rd round of a fight with John Rafferty in Glasgow for hitting his opponent whilst he was on the floor from a knockdown..
At this point in his career, Pearce adopted a more professional attitude, his training became more structured and his approach seemed to be through tunnelled vision..
David would remain unbeaten for his next 9 fights, over a span of 3 years, including a stoppage of future light heavyweight world champion Dennis Andries in 7 rounds in 1981 before landing himself a shot at the British heavyweight title in 1983 and an opportunity to repay the new champion Neville Meade for the defeat 3 years earlier..
A completely rejuvenated Pearce would dominate Meade through 8 rounds in Cardiff, before knocking out the veteran to claim the title with a display of explosive punching in the 9th..
David wouldn’t get the chance to defend his title, but would beat tough American Michael Jack Johnson next in 5 rounds in Hanley in what would be his final career victory..
5 weeks after the Johnson fight Pearce would travel to Limoges France to challenge for the European title, boxing former world title challenger Lucien Rodriguez.. David dropped the Frenchman twice in the 8th round but would drop an outrageously one sided decision in what was possibly the final insult of the Welshmans career..
Tragically David was medically retired following the Rodriguez fight in 1984, discrepancies were found in brain scans and he was repeatedly denied a licence.. Pearce disputed the decision bitterly, even appearing on a morning tv show to explain his plight.. David claimed that he was given a clear bill of health from a Harley street Neurologist months later, stating that he was at no greater risk than any other professional boxer.. However, the board of control upheld their stance, forcing David to consider taking unlicensed fights to make financial ends meet..
6 years after the European title defeat and 13 pounds heavier the desperate heavyweight flew to the United States to launch an ill advised comeback, taking on the 270 pound Percell Davis in Dearborn, a suburb of Detroit.. The huge Davis overwhelmed Pearce in 8 rounds, pushing the 31 year old into certain retirement..
Sadly the 200 pound Pearce had no business fighting these huge heavyweights, and after his 1984 victory over Michael Johnson, the WBC had David ranked at number 3 in the world cruiserweight ratings.. Unfortunately the cruiserweight division was in its infancy and the British board of control wouldn’t recognise it as a legitimate weight category until 1985, robbing the Newport man of a chance of boxing at a more suitable weight on a more level playing field.. David would spar with world ranked heavyweights consistently throughout his career, holding his own and earning a reputation amongst boxing’s elite.. WBA heavyweight champion Michael Dokes called Pearce the Welsh Jack Dempsey following sparring sessions in Florida..
Pearce was even offered the chance to sign a contract, through promoter Frank Warren to fight the winner of the Ossie Occasio v John Odihamibo bout for the WBA World Cruiserweight title..
Pearce, acting against all well meant advice returned twice more in 1994, beating former world heavyweight champion John Tate, and African champion Mary Konate in Bakersfield California, knocking out both men in 1 and 3 rounds respectively..
David’s health deteriorated in the next few years, he was diagnosed with epilepsy and struggled with life outside of boxing.. in May of 2000 David passed away from what is known as Sudden Adult Death Syndrom, a sad end to what could have been a terrific success story.. David Pearce’s complete boxing record was 17-4-1 (13 Ko’s)




In 2016 The David Pearce Statue Fund was given permission to erect a bronze sculpture to celebrate the career and spirit of the fighter in Newport City Centre and on June 9th 2018 a life-sized sculpture of Pearce by artist Laury Dizengremel, was unveiled at Newport riverfront.. In the same year a charitable organisation named #NewportsRocky was set up to support local community projects in the South Wales area in Pearce’s memory.. Tragically this year, David Powell Pearce, the son of the fighter was found dead at home aged 40 from a similar medical condition to that of his late fathers..

Alexander Povetkin outworks a passive Hughie Fury in London.


Former WBA world heavyweight titlist Alexander Povetkin 35-2 (24 KOs) dug deep in the later rounds to earn a unanimous decision over Hughie Fury 23-3 (13 KOs) on Saturday night at the 02 Arena in London.
39 year old Povetkin struggled with the movement of Fury in the early sessions, but by the halfway mark was forcing the stylish Brit to hold excessively to survive short explosive bursts.. Povetkin’s pressure down the stretch earned him the victory, although I did find the 117-111 points tallies a little wide.. Hughie boxed competently, but too often opted to box defensively, in yet another high profile opportunity where he lacked devil..

Sunday, 1 September 2019

Tyrone Spong stops an inept Jeyson Minda in Mexico.


Undefeated heavyweight Tyrone Spong 14-0 (13 KOs) scored 2 round stoppage of Jeyson Minda 14-2-1 (8 KOs) on Saturday night at the Gimnasio Polifuncional in Merida, Mexico. Spong, a former renowned Mixed martial arts and kick boxing standout, made the intrepid transition to boxing four years ago, but in all honesty hasn’t faced a single opponent with a winning record in that time.. Spong was pushed to a 10 round split decision by the very average Ytalo Perea last December in Ecuador to pick up the typical WBA and WBO Latino titles in what was his previous outing to this bout.. Tyrone is rumored to be the favoured opponent for Oleksandr Usyk in his heavyweight debut on October 12 in Chicago.
Spong would offer very little resistance to a fighter of Usyk’s caliber who was originally pencilled in to face a real threat in Carlos Takam.. Spong has jumped into the WBO rankings overnight with Saturday’s victory, in an outrageous set of championship committee affairs..