Shakur Stevenson flashed brilliance and petulance before getting the job done, but pressingly posed more questions about how he’ll fare at lightweight after easing to a unanimous decision win over Olympic gold medallist Robson Conceicao as a record-breaking 10,107 watched at the Prudential Center in the two-division champion’s homecoming from Newark, New Jersey. Continue reading
Category: Boxing
Stevenson comes in 1.6lbs overweight, loses 130lb world titles before Friday night’s Conceciao clash
Robson Conceicao, an Olympic champion in 2016 and with a 17-1 record, is the latest opponent tasked with playing spoiler for Shakur Stevenson’s ambitious plans this weekend. Embarrassed by a weight miss that saw him stripped of his super-featherweight titles on the scale, can the 25-year-old put it in the rearview and showcase why he’s so highly-rated in his final 130lb fight?
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Canelo ends Golovkin trilogy with UD win to retain his 168lb titles as expected, but underwhelms
Roy Jones Jr didn’t bother watching. Shawn Porter declared Canelo’s stock has now fallen. Oscar de la Hoya, whose Golden Boy Promotions firm was responsible for the first two instalments, used much stronger language altogether. ESPN said GGG’s legacy was secured – despite another chastening defeat – while Bleacher Report called the undisputed 168lb champion the sport’s king once again. So after Saturday night, which is closest to the truth? Continue reading
Friday Fight Night – British middleweight title: Bentley vs. Morrison tops bill from York Hall show
Two-time British middleweight champion Denzel Bentley (16-1-1) puts his strap on the line against Marcus Morrison (25-5) later tonight – a battle between two boxers who can’t afford to lose. Elsewhere, teenage super-featherweight talent Royston Barney Smith returns again, while unbeaten cruiserweight Ellis Zorro hopes he’ll be the latest to dismiss Dec Spelman and more.
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History revisited: Canelo’s R12 MD win over Golovkin, in previewing this weekend’s trilogy bout
As the legendary pair finish their preparations before doing battle in their long-awaited trilogy clash for Canelo Álvarez’s undisputed super-middleweight titles on Saturday night, I take a look back at their rematch four years ago this month (Sept. 15th) – with controversy aplenty about the decision for the second time in twelve months… How will things be different a third time? Continue reading
Ruiz scores three knockdowns during UD win vs. Ortiz, Wilder ringside is open to possible bout
It wasn’t the most memorable heavyweight tussle, but former world champion Andy Ruiz Jr produced a trio of knockdowns and displayed troublesome punch power ending a 16-month layoff with a UD win over a gamely Luis Ortiz effort in Los Angeles. Afterwards, the 32-year-old reaffirmed his desire for activity before a fellow former world titlist ringside – Deontay Wilder – said he’d be open to a matchup, provided he beats Robert Helenius on his return Oct. 15.
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Here we go again: Ruiz ends 16-month layoff against Ortiz this weekend, needing continuity
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Having promised more activity yet eventually spending 16 months of his boxing prime sidelined with injuries and various other teething problems, former heavyweight champion Andy Ruiz has a stiff return challenge awaiting him this weekend against two-time title challenger Luis Ortiz. Having dealt with tricky times outside the ring, will the 32-year-old have the last laugh? Continue reading
Rewind: Vergil Ortiz Jr’s R9 TKO win vs. Michael McKinson, a look at what’s perhaps next for both
The dust has settled and with a rare weekend lacking big boxing or UFC fights, I reflect in detail on Vergil Ortiz Jr’s R9 TKO win over crafty British southpaw Michael McKinson three weeks ago. Ortiz Jr ended his long-awaited return while maintaining his stoppage streak (19-0, 19 KOs), but what’s next for him and McKinson – who feels this display shows he belongs at world level? Continue reading
Usyk weathers spirited Joshua display to retain world HW titles, calls for Fury unification
Anthony Joshua produced a better overall showing and had the champion in duress on a few occasions, but Oleksandr Usyk’s dizzying movement and skilled defiance under pressure helped him to what should’ve been a unanimous decision win: eventually edging it 113-115, 115-113, 116-112 on the three judges scorecards. Afterwards, he reaffirmed a desire to face Tyson Fury.
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Same result or three-time champ? Usyk-Joshua 2 poses questions before tonight’s title rematch
329 days since Oleksandr Usyk seized Anthony Joshua’s three world heavyweight titles and boxed brilliantly to suck the air out of a capacity crowd in north London, the pair will finally do battle in their rematch tonight – albeit 3,825 miles away in Saudi Arabia. Joshua has fond memories from the last time he was here, but his upcoming Ukrainian foe isn’t Andy Ruiz Jr. Continue reading
The Takeback begins: Lopez overwhelms Campa, secures R7 TKO on junior-welterweight debut
The Takeover was rebranded as the Takeback, and former lightweight champion Teofimo Lopez did plenty to turn heads on his junior-welterweight debut against a gamely Pedro Campa overnight. The 25-year-old’s fast hands and vicious combos helped him secure a R7 stoppage before calling out all the champions and top contenders at 140lbs – eyeing a return on Dec. 10 at Madison Square Garden – rounding off the year with two fights in four months. Continue reading
Teofimo Lopez has light-welterweight titles in his sights ahead of 140lb debut vs. Pedro Campa
Ahead of his light-welterweight debut vs. Pedro Campa tomorrow night, former lightweight champion Teofimo Lopez reaffirmed his desire to become a two-division titleholder in the near future. First, he must beat a relatively unknown 30-year-old Mexican, nine months after George Kambosos Jr stunned him and snatched his 135lb titles inflicting a first career defeat. Continue reading
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