Joshua stops brave Takam in 10.

In an eventful set of affairs, unified heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua 19-0 (19 Ko's) succesfully defended his trio of titles with a 10th round stoppage over an extremely game Carlos Takam 35-3-1 (27 Ko's) at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff, tonight.. Takam, a late replacement for Kubrat Pulev, came with ambition, and went way above the call of duty in a bout that had, cuts, headbuts and cameos of intrigue.. The shorter adopted Frenchman boxed cautiously in the early rounds but drew blood in the second, damaging the champions nose with an accidental head-but. As blood ran from the injury an impatient Joshua upped the tempo. In round 4 Joshua dropped the challenger briefly who was now struggling to see through a severely cut right eye.. Takam looked completely unphased by the occasion, and besides the cuts fought with tremendous bravery, slipping many of Joshua's telegraphed shots and offering returns of his own.. Between most rounds the ringside physician inspected the injury, and although visibly atrocious, was not deemed threatening enough to cause a permanent issue to the fighter.. By round 7 it was evident who was in complete control, but the interest was purely in how far the gallant challenger could push himself, in a fight that he initially looked beyond him.. Joshua was finding the mark by round 9 and although Takam was responding with shots of his own, Anthony appeared to have no respect for his power.. After another long inspection of the eye, round 10 started with Carlos closing the distance and attempting to out-hustle Joshua, Anthony quickly adapted and fired a flurry of shots inside, as a final hook caught Takam flush, the Challenger staggered back, still in control of his faculties, when referee Phil Edwards intervened to call it off.. The stoppage appeared unfair to the brave showing from Takam, although it did appear as though the end was near..
Takam remains the second only man to push AJ towards the championship rounds and definitely deserves more credit for his glorious showing.. Anthony, who did look flat in comparison will take a lot from this experience, a late change of opponent and nose damage early in the bout are more boxes ticked in the seasoning department..

Whyte outscores Helenius, picks up WBC silver belt.

Former British heavyweight champion Dillian Whyte 21-1 (16 Ko's) picked up the vacant WBC Silver title by outpointing Robert Helenius 25-1 (16 Ko's) at the Principality in Cardiff tonight.. Helenius, a former two time European champion started fast, shaking Whyte up in the opener, yet fizzled out as the fight wore on.. Whyte maintained a steady pace throughout and looked extremely competent at times, yet lacked the ability to step up a gear on a occasion when it was important to make a statement.. Helenius fought to survive for the final 6 sessions and waved his right hand around as if it was injured.. Whyte never looked like closing the show but appeared content to leave the ring with the W.. Helenius is a lifetime away from his days as Sauerlands red hot prospect, only toughness and ring savvy saw him through tonight.. Whyte has been noted as a possible opponent for WBC Champion Wilder next, although common sense from this bout tells me that he needs more work..

Scores were.... 119-109.. 119-109.. 118-110

Katie Taylor picks up vacant WBA title in 7th fight.

5 time world amateur champion and 2016 Olympic Gold medalist Katie Taylor 6-0 (4 Ko's) arrested the vacant WBA female lightweight title away from former 3 weight champion Anahi Ester Sanchez 17-2 (9 Ko's) of Argentina with a unanimous decision on Saturday night at the Principality in Cardiff, Wales in only her 7th pro outing.. Taylor dropped the tough South American early with a body shot and consistently had Sanchez on the back foot throughout most of the bout. Sanchez did have a few moments, but lacked the devil that was required to deny the Irish girl her big moment.. Sanchez failed weight yesterday and had to relinquish the title, with only Taylor allowed to win the vacant belt..
Sanchez showed her toughness but was shutout by the more accurate and driven Taylor..

All scorecards were 99-90 in favour of Taylor.

Khalid Yafai makes first defence of WBA title with unanimous decision over Sho Ishida

Birminghams WBA Super Flyweight champion Khalid Yafai 22-0 (14 Ko's) successfully defended his title tonight at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff with a unanimous 12 round decision over tough undefeated challenger Sho Ishida 24-0 (13 Ko's) of Osaka Japan.. Yafai controlled the tempo of the fight but found the taller challenger a tough nut to crack.. Ishida had his moments but was unable to sustain an effective enough assault to steal the title.. Yafai showed a measure of maturity, but occasionally resorted to headhunting in an attempt to break the spirit of Ishida.. Yafai is now looking to an American appearance in the new year, in an effort to heighten his profile overseas with a potential match with Roman Gonzales a possibility.

Scores were, 118 110.. 116-112.. 116-112

Defiant Buglioni overwhelms brave Craig Richards to make second defence of British title.

In a second defence of his British light heavyweight title, former world title challenger Frank Buglioni 20-2-1 (15 Ko's) overwhelmed unbeaten challenger Craig Richards 10-0 (4 Ko's) over 12, in a highly entertaining fight at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff tonight.. Buglioni started off strongly, in an attempt to stamp his authority on former sparring partner Richards, forcing the challenger into survival mode for the first couple of sessions... In the third Richards began to relax and pick some sneaky counters of his own, making Buglioni appear white mechanical. Buglioni always maintained a lead, but a lack of head movement and punch variety, saw Richards still hanging around into the later rounds. Buglioni who was cut from round 3 onwards, continued to outgun Craig, coming within an ace of a late stoppage with his consistent pressure .. The brave Richards deserved to complete the distance but looked heavily weathered at the bell..

Judges Howard Foster and Steve Grey scored it 117-111
With Victor Loughlan scoring it 116-113..

Joshua v Takam weigh in results from Cardiff, Wales.

Weights from Cardiff, Wales...

Anthony Joshua 254.25 v Carlos Takam 235.5
(WBA and IBF heavyweight titles)

Khalid Yafai 114.5 v Sho Ishida 114.5
(WBA super flyweight title)

Dillian Whyte 247.5 v Robert Helenius 248.5
(vacant WBC Silver heavyweight title)

Frank Buglioni 174.5 v Craig Richards 173
(British light heavyweight title)

From the Principality Stadium in Cardiff, Wales.
Promoted by Eddie Hearn and Matchroom.
Broadcast by Sky Box Office and Showtime.

Olympian Joe Joyce debut tomorrow as he takes on Ian Lewison over 10 at Indigo.

Tomorrow night at Indigo, O2 London, Hayemaker promotions unveil their latest Profesional addition, the accomplished former amateur champion Joe Joyce.. However the 6 foot 6, 32 year old isn't dipping his toe in with a 4 rounder against an Eastern European with a sketchy record, Hayemaker have faith enough to debut Joyce in a 10 round baptism of fire against a man who challenged for the British title in only his last outing..

Ian Lewison 12-3-1 (8 Ko's) is 36 years old and only last October challenged Dillian Whyte for the British title losing his game effort in the 10th. Prior to that he was coming off a 6 fight winning streak, ending with a trip to Nanning, China last June to upset 7-0 Zhiyu Wu to claim the Vacant WBO Asia Pacific title..

Amongst Ians victories there are respectable stoppage wins over Timo Hoffman, Dorian Darch and Tom Dallas.. Lewison did lose a points decision to Colin Kenna back in 2011, and drop a split verdict to Derrick Rossy back in the 2013 Prizefighter tourney, but is still definitely a huge test for any debutant..

Joyce is highly accomplished, in 2012 he was ABA super heavyweight champion, in 2013 he was a European championship bronze medalist, in 2014 he was a Commonwealth games gold medalist, in 2015 he was a European games gold medalist and in 2016 picked up an Olympic Silver medal in Rio, narrowly missing out to Tony Yoka of France. In addition to this Joe has been mixing it in outstanding company in the WSOB, boxing guys like Oleksandr Usyk and Ivan Dychko routinely, along with high level sparring with Anthony Joshua and more recently Bermaine Stiverne. Joyce isn't a baby and although he is technically taking his first steps as a paid fighter, he's probably a closer equivalent to a seasoned pro considering the kind of amateur grounding he has had.. Either way to jump from 3 to 10, and throw off your vest against a live name, is a huge milestone.

Lewison v Joyce will be broadcast live on Dave, Friday 20th October.

Gabriel Rosado meets Glen Tapia tomorrow at Monte Carlo, Las Vegas.

Tomorrow night at the Monte Carlo, Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, Golden Boy promotions are hosting a 6 fight card headlined by former 2 time world Middleweight title challenger Gabriel Rosado 23-11, who takes on tough Glen Tapia 23-4, in a ten round bout made at 160.. Rosado who lost his two world title attempts at the hands of Peter Quillin and Gennady Golovkin back in 2013 is coming off two further defeats, a loss to Willie Monroe jr back in 2016 and a defeat to Martin Murray earlier this year both on points.. Tapia last won a fight back in 2015 and has been stopped twice out his last three outings, all defeats at the hands of Jason Quigley, Michel Soro and David Lemieux..

The undercard is headed by Mexican Welterweight Alejandro Barrera 29-3, who faces Keandre Gibson 17-1-1, over 10..

At Super Featherweight, Bekman Soylybayev 11-0 of Kazakhstan meets Fernando Vargas 32-12-3 for the WBC international title over 10..

Las Vegan, Randy Moreno Ochoa 9-1, meets Jesus Aguinaga 5-6-2, over six at Super Featherweight..

Las Vegas Super Featherweight Francisco Esparza 6-0-1, and Los Angeles based Panamanian, light heavyweight Israel Duffus 15-4, both meet Opponents yet to be announced over 6..

Promoter is Golden Boy.
Host is Monte Carlo Hotel and Casino, Las Vegas Nv..
Broadcaster : ESPN2.

2016 Olympic Champion Tony Yoka makes it 2-0 in Paris.

Tony Yoka, the 6 foot 7 inch Super-heavyweight gold medalist from the Rio games made it a successful 2-0 (1 Ko) at the Zenith de Paris, in Paris, France on Saturday night.. The 25 year old Yoka outpointed the durable Californian Jonathon Rice 7-3-1 (4 Ko's) over six impressive rounds.. Yoka is best remembered for controversially outpointing our own Joe Joyce in the 90Kg+ final of the 2016 games (Joe himself preparing to propel himself into the paid ranks against the experienced Ian Lewison this coming weekend..) Rice having his 11th outing has never been stopped, including a loss to the debuting California based Irish prospect Con Sheehan last year in LA..

Scores were: 60-54, 59-55 and 58-56 all in favour of the Frenchman.

October 28th.. Anthony Joshua v Carlos Takam.. Pulev injured.

In a dramatic turn of events, Anthony Joshua's opponent for his bout on 28th October in Cardiff has pulled out of the match due to a shoulder injury.. Rumours were rife this afternoon surrounding the situation, only to be verified later this evening by Eddie Hearn..

"I received a call from Kalle Sauerland late afternoon, who informed me that Pulev had injured his shoulder and may be ruled out of the fight - this was later confirmed by his doctor," Hearn Confirmed..

Pulev 25-1 (13 Ko's) was the IBF mandatory challenger and according to the rules of that governing body, in this type of event, the next ranked contender numerically has to be offered the opportunity..

So with 70.000 tickets already sold for the bout at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff, Anthony Joshua now faces tough 36 year old French based Cameroonian, Carlos Takam 35-3-1 (27 Ko's.)
Takam, who once held the very lightly regarded WBF title has competed at the highest level, losing on the two most prominent occasions, to Alexander Povetkin in 2014, and to the now WBO champion Joseph Parker last year in a very close affair..
Takam has remained active since the Parker loss, boxing twice this year already, picking up the IBF intercontinental title with a 4th round stoppage of Marcin Rekowski in January then making swift work of Ivica Bacurin in 2, last June.

Hearn:
"When the Pulev fight was announced I made a deal with Takam's team to begin camp and be on standby for this fight."
"When I called them this evening they were overjoyed and good to go. It's a difficult position for AJ - having prepared meticulously for the style and height of Pulev, he now faces a completely different style and challenge in Takam.
"This hasn't happened in his career before but he is ready for all comers on 28 October."

Anthony is making the first defence of his unified titles that he won last April. His original mandatory Pulev was never a match that was going to set the world alight, Takam is a little more of an aggressive fighter who may make for better viewing. Pulev was allegedly offered Joshua numerous times throughout the last 3 years and always turned the bout down for a variety of reasons, I was always of the opinion that it wasn't a fight that the Bulgarian fancied..

Sharif Bogere headlines at Sam's Town Las Vegas, October 21st.

Saturday 21st October 2017, Mayweather promotions in association with Sams town will feature professional boxing from Sam's Town Gambling hall in Las Vegas Nv..

Las Vegas based Ugandan Sharif Bogere (29-1) heads the cast as he takes on tough Jose Luis Rodriguez (22-10) in a lightweight 10 rounder..

In a Welterweight special attraction Cameron Kreal (12-12-2) takes on the durable Mexican based Japanese national, Shoki Sakai (23-7-1) who is coming off an upset win over highly ranked Ashley Theophane.

The undercard features an array of promising undefeated TMT fighters,
Including..

Las Vegas based Nigerian Middleweight, Oluwafemi Oyeleye (3-0)

Michigan based Jordanian Featherweight, Ahmed Majed Mahmood (7-0-1)

Las Vegas based Uzbek Welterweight, Sanjarbek Rakhmanov (8-0-1)

Las Vegas Lightweight, Rolando Romero (2-0)

And finally the Las Vegas based British former female Olympian and amateur world champion Savannah Marshall (1-0) at Super Middleweight..

All bouts sanctioned by the Nevada State Athletic commission.

Promoter is Leonard Ellerbe.

Venue is Sam's Town Las Vegas Nv.