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.

Dillian Whyte meets Robert Helenius, October 28th in Cardiff.

Dillian Whyte has finally secured an opponent for an appearance on the Joshua v Pulev card in Cardiff on October 28th.. The WBC #4 will face tough Robert Helenius 25-1 (16 Ko's) for the WBC Silver title. Whyte, 21-1 (16 Ko's) is extremely grateful to Robert for taking the fight on a fortnights notice and has been nothing but complimentary of the former European Champion since hearing of the match..

"It’s been a very frustrating few months trying to get someone to fight me,” said Whyte. “I thank Robert for stepping up and in two weeks’ time we will fight for the WBC Silver title in Cardiff. I love to fight and I’m looking forward to being back in the ring, getting the victory and moving on to challenge for the World Heavyweight title.”

Helenius has put together 4 victories since his April 2016 knockout loss to Johann Duhaupas, most recently stopping Evgeny Orlov in June.. Prior to Duhaupas, Robert put together a 22 fight, 7 year unbeaten streak which in 2011 saw him beat Dereck Chisora by the slimmest of controversial split verdicts for the European title.. Unfortunately Helenius took two years away from the sport between 2013 and 2015, a hiatus that hurt his momentum.. This fight he feels could catapult him back to where he should have been before he left off..

"This is a huge fight and I’m excited about fighting the winner of last December’s thriller between Whyte and Chisora,” said Helenius. “Chisora and I were scheduled to fight in May but he ran. To my understanding Dillian is not a runner and he will stand and fight. This is a big fight for the Heavyweight division and may the best man win.”

Dillian last boxed in August, stopping journeyman Malcolm Tann in 3 rounds in a time filler in Nebraska..

Whyte v Helenius will play co feature on October 28th at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff, the night headlined by Anthony Joshua's first defence of his unified titles against mandatory challenger Kubrat Pulev.

Lara successfully makes sixth defence of WBA title, outclassing former Olympian Gausha.

The highly talented WBA Super Welterweight champion, Erislandy Lara 24-2-2 (14 Ko's) completely outlanded and outclassed Clevelands once beaten 2012 Olympian Terrell Gausha 20-0 (9 Ko's) via unanimous points, last night at the Barclays Centre in Brooklyn.. I could have imagined an easier route for what would be Gaushas first attempt at a world championship, Lara being one of the most stylistically awkward of the current title holders, dropping the challenger in the fourth before easing through a 116-111, 117-110 twice to secure the sixth defence of the title he won in 2014, defeating former IBF champion Ishe Smith.. The previously undefeated 30 year old will come again, he handled himself competently in the circumstances and now understands the levels involved at the top having tasted it first hand.

Jermell Charlo scores sensational first round knockout over Erickson Lubin.

In the statement of the night WBC Super Welterweight champion Jermell Charlo 29-0 (14 Ko's) scored a first round one punch knockout over the previously unbeaten Erickson Lubin 18-0 (13 Ko's) at the Barclays Centre in Brooklyn tonight..  Both men fought 2 and a half minutes of the round extremely cautiously until a single breakthrough right hand shot closed the show..  2:41 of the round..  22 year old Lubin can come again but this knockout will definitely slow his momentum..    Following the bout a defiant Charlo sounded off about how Erickson tried to disrespect him in the lead up to the contest..   Incidentally Jermall Charlo was struck by a chair thrown from ringside following the victory..   A hyped Charlo proclaimed that he wanted IBF champion Jarrett Hurd next..

Hurd stops brave Trout in 10, retains his IBF Super Welterweight title..

Former WBA super welterweight champion Austin Trout 30-3 (17 Ko's) came out of the blocks fast in the early rounds against 27 year old IBF champion Jarrett Hurd 20-0 (14 Ko's) at the Barclays centre in Brooklyn Saturday night, setting a pace that one might consider poor judgment for a man 5 years the champions senior..  Hurd maintained his shape and looked the more composed, but allowed the 32 year old challenger to land the higher volume, often accurately throughout the first half of the bout..  But as advertised, Trouts anxious early workrate would take its toll and after seven would see him appear slightly disjointed, although still enjoying a healthy lead..  Hurd, cut badly in round 7 lacked the urgency of a champion attempting to make a statement, yet rallied in the eighth to try discourage the older man..  Trout slowed dramatically by round 8, yet still managed to find the fresher Hurd with crafty counters..  By 9 Trout looked to be running on vapours, yet still held a slight lead, leaving Hurd needing to take the fight in the last 3 sessions..  Ungainly, Hurd struggled to catch the obvious eye throughout the round, often crowding his own work or missing widely leaving the fight still up for grabs..
Round 10 saw the champion backing up Trout with the jab, yet still failing to capitalise on obvious openings, still allowing the tiring former champion to fiddle his way through the session..   Hurd lacks the power to pursue the stoppage, yet seemed to find the steady volume to overwhelm Trout..   With the eye closed shut, the sorry looking Trout returned to his corner, ahead.. but completely spent, to see the ringside physician stop the fight..    Hurd gets the 10th round TKO, but fails to impress on a stage that was provided for that purpose..

Santa Cruz stops Avalos in 8 to defend WBA Super title.

WBA Featherweight Super champion Leo Santa Cruz 33-1-1 (18 Ko's) successfully defended his championship on Saturday night by stopping gritty Chris Avalos 27-5 (20 Ko's) in 8 rounds at the StubHub Centre in Carson California.. Santa Cruz started effectively aggressive and hurt the challenger badly in the first two sessions. Santa Cruz once again found his mark in the fourth with accurate right hands landing flush, overwhelming the game challenger repeatedly.. Avalos survived the treacherous round but appeared spent at the bell.. A compassionate corner may have saved their charge from a hopeless task at this point, but Avalos was sent back into the action.. Within a minute of round 5, Santa Cruz once again sent his challenger reeling, but surprisingly Avalos responded and had a moments success of his own, the defiance seeing him survive the round.. The three weight champion stuck to task but was met by a stubborn Avalos in the sixth, again attempting to find some momentum and a foothold back into the bout. Avalos appeared to be overstaying his welcome in the seventh, showing the rarest of courage that has kept him in a fight that looked beyond him 3 rounds ago.. An impatient Champion attempted to close the show in the 8th, landing a series of clean shots, which prompting referee Thomas Taylor to step in and stop the fight.. The stoppage did appear a little odd considering the terrible trouble Avalos had survived in previous rounds, the time of the stoppage was relatively tame..

Abner Mares successfully defends his WBA title with lopsided 10 round TD over Andres Gutierrez.

31 year old Abner Mares 30-2-1 (15 Ko's) scored a decisive TD points victory following a cuts stoppage after handing out a meticulous one sided beating to the extremely game Andres Gutierrez 35-1-1 (25 Ko's) at the StubHub Centre in Carson California tonight.. Gutierrez was saved from himself in round 10 by referee Jack Reiss after soaking up a terrific volume of accurate punches from the dominant WBA champion. Gutierrez who was cut badly for the majority of the bout was looking despondent, but appeared set to complete the distance.. Mares showed the difference in level of ability in comparison to the challenger.. Reiss stopped the bout officially on cuts and went to the scorecards.. All 3 judges had Mares a 99-91 winner..

Undercard results, PBC Card, Carson California.

The afternoons fights on the PBC - Fox show in Carson California started with Mexican former world champion Antonio DeMarco (33-6, 24 KOs) handing Eddie Ramirez (17-1, 11 KOs) of Illinois his first loss with a stoppage at 1:56 of the opener.

Californian Bantamweight Jose Balderas (2-0) won a unanimous decision over Victor Torres (2-6-1, 1 KO) in a scheduled four rounder, Scores were 40-36 across the board.

Texan, Roberto Marroquin (27-4-1,19 KOs) stopped tough veteran Mexican Ruben Tamayo (26-11- 4) at 1:49 of round 5 in an eight round super featherweight bout.

Mexicos 2016 Olympic middleweight Misael Rodriguez (4-0, 2 KOs) took a well earned unanimous decision over Californian, Cesar Hernandez (3-3-1, 1 KO) over 6.. Scores were 60-54 by all three judges..

Lithuanian welterweight Eimantas Stanionionis (4-0, 3 KOs) was extended for the first time in his career against Todd Manuel (14-14-1, 3 KOs) over 8.. Scores of 80-72 (twice) and 79-73..

Featherweight Percy Peterson (3-14-3, 1 Ko's) scored the upset of the night, stealing a unanimous decision over Luis Coria (4-1, 3 KOs) in a scheduled four rounder. Peterson dropped Coria in the opening round, a knockdown which would play as a major factor on the scorecards.. All 3 judges saw it as 38-37..

Antonio Santa Cruz (6-3, 3KOs) younger cousin of Leo Santa Cruz scored a third round knockout over Jesus Algandar (2-2, 2 KOs). Algandar was counted out at 1:37 of the third..

Californian, Jerry Perez (4-0, 2 KOs) outscored Juan Sandoval (7-20-1, 4 KOs) of San Bernardino, California over 4.. Scores were unanimous at 39-37.

California super bantamweight Jose Vargas (3-0, 2 KOs) of Pasadena, scored a second round knockout over Jose Perez (1-1, 1 KO). The referee stopped the fight at 2:00 of the session.

Kingpin Johnson returns to upset Pianeta for IBO international title.

Former WBC heavyweight title challenger Kevin Johnson 31-8-1 (15 Ko's) turned back the clock tonight in Unterschleissheim, Germany by defeating twice beaten, double title challenger Francesco Pianeta 34-2-1 (20 Ko's) with a 7th round stoppage for the German based fighters IBO international title.. Johnson appeared in impressive shape and took control for most of the bout.. Pianeta could only  rally to claim the second round and had trouble coping with a cut as well as the telescopic reach of Johnson, looking reluctant to adapt.. Pianeta found himself trapped on the ropes for a large portion of the 7th and appeared unable to regain a foothold in the bout.. Midway through the session Johnson slammed home a bodyshot which dropped Pianeta to a knee, the brave yet discouraged German rose to continue but was met by a relentless barrage of shots which prompted his corner to call it off..  The bout was relatively uneventful but showed us that Kevin still has some tricks in the box, beating a fighter who'd only previously lost in World title attempts.. The body language of the two fighters told us volumes in this fight, Pianeta appeared unkempt and ill conditioned, while Johnson at least looked like he'd made a few sacrifices..

WBSS quarter final, Groves stops game Cox in 4.

Reigning WBA Super Middleweight champion George Groves 27-3 (20 Ko's) successfully defended his championship and advances to the WBSS semi-finals by stopping a game Jamie Cox 24-1 (13 Ko's) in four rounds at the SSE Arena in London tonight.. Cox didn't aim to squander his huge opportunity, taking the fight to Groves and landing the more eye catching shots in the first couple of sessions.. In round 3 the physically stronger Groves appeared to be landing hurtful punches on the inside, visibly troubling the challenger.. Groves continued the pressure into the fourth before collapsing Cox with a crushing right hand to the body.. The game challenger was unable to continue as referee Steve Grey completed the count..

Groves will now meet Chris Eubank Jr in a mouthwatering semi-final with both the WBA and IBO titles up for grabs along with a place in the prestigious tournament final in early 2018..