Tag: Top Rank

Boxing

Janibek Alimkhanuly unifies WBO, IBF middleweight world titles after logging R6 KO vs. gun-shy Vincenzo Gualtieri

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Janibek Alimkhanuly Outclasses Vincenzo Gualtieri - Big Fight Weekend

Janibek Alimkhanuly was patient, hurt Vincenzo Gualtieri repeatedly en route to a sixth-round stoppage win over the now-former IBF middleweight champion as the hard-hitting Kazakh scored a second KO in five months and successfully unified two titles at 160lbs overnight. Naturally, it’s only intensified his thirst to become undisputed but the division’s future at the top remains uncertain. Continue reading “Janibek Alimkhanuly unifies WBO, IBF middleweight world titles after logging R6 KO vs. gun-shy Vincenzo Gualtieri” →

Boxing

Usyk stops Dubois in R9 to retain world HW titles – but not before surviving a controversial fifth-round body shot

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Oleksandr Usyk defended his unified world heavyweight titles and ended his three-fight streak without a KO. Yet four rounds earlier, it could’ve all come crashing down with the Ukrainian writhing on the canvas in agony after what the referee deemed a low blow – Daniel Dubois and many critics believed it was a legal body shot on the belt line – sparking him into action, dramatically changing the course of a bruising, gruelling battle over nine rounds.
Continue reading “Usyk stops Dubois in R9 to retain world HW titles – but not before surviving a controversial fifth-round body shot” →

Boxing

Oleksandr Usyk vs. Daniel Dubois: The time for talking is over, tonight will tell all

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At the first London press conference announcing this world heavyweight title fight in mid-July, both men said they were ready to be finished with media and couldn’t wait to get into the ring come fight night. We’re now hours away, and WBA ‘Regular’ titlist Daniel Dubois is aware of the task that lies in-front of him: beat a champion who hasn’t been, during a decade-long pro career. Can he? Continue reading “Oleksandr Usyk vs. Daniel Dubois: The time for talking is over, tonight will tell all” →

Boxing

Crawford crushes Spence with R9 TKO win, is now undisputed welterweight champion

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Errol Spence Jr had never been dropped in his 11-year professional career, but within five minutes of this heavily-anticipated undisputed matchup, he was floored by a laser-focused Terence Crawford. Bud later declared it a flash knockdown, a sign of things to come during a vicious one-sided beating en route to making more history for the Omaha native on another legacy-building night. Continue reading “Crawford crushes Spence with R9 TKO win, is now undisputed welterweight champion” →

Boxing

Maxi Hughes saying the right things as Kambosos Jr awaits tomorrow night

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Since being outpointed by Liam Walsh in November 2019, British lightweight Maxi Hughes has won seven straight – including clinching IBO world gold last time out at former featherweight titlist Kid Galahad’s expense. One-time unified lightweight champion George Kambosos Jr makes his Stateside return this weekend, though the 33-year-old is confident he’ll spoil it Saturday. Continue reading “Maxi Hughes saying the right things as Kambosos Jr awaits tomorrow night” →

Boxing

“Do I still got it?” Teofimo Lopez silences critics as he outboxes Josh Taylor in UD12, seizes WBO light-welterweight title

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Josh Taylor and Teofimo Lopez exchange punches during their WBO junior welterweight championship fight at The Hulu Theater at Madison Square Garden...

Teofimo Lopez is a world champion once more, this time at 140lbs, after embracing the outside noise – letting it fuel his fire in more ways than one – en route to an impressive unanimous decision win over former undisputed titlist Josh Taylor. The Scotsman started promisingly but was exposed defensively and had no answers, as the 25-year-old dazzled before threatening a late finish.
Continue reading ““Do I still got it?” Teofimo Lopez silences critics as he outboxes Josh Taylor in UD12, seizes WBO light-welterweight title” →

Boxing

Haney retains undisputed lightweight titles with narrow UD win vs. Lomachenko

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Devin Haney celebrates after defeating Vasyl Lomachenko of Ukraine during their Undisputed lightweight championship fight at MGM Grand Garden Arena...

Most of the 14,436 fans in attendance at Las Vegas’ MGM Grand fiercely disagreed with the verdict, but Devin Haney eked out a unanimous decision win over three-division world champion Vasiliy Lomachenko to stay unbeaten at 30-0 after a tactical battle which swung the Ukrainian’s way in the latter rounds.
Continue reading “Haney retains undisputed lightweight titles with narrow UD win vs. Lomachenko” →

Boxing

Stevenson swarms Yoshino in R6 TKO win, before insisting he has bigger fish to fry

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Shuichiro Yoshino of Japan and Shakur Stevenson of the United States exchange punches during their WBC Lightweight Final Eliminator match at...

Two-weight world champion Shakur Stevenson did what he said he would against a previously undefeated contender in Shuichiro Yoshino – on his lightweight debut at the weekend – and now has his sights set on the Haney-Lomachenko winner this autumn. Is he ready to back up his bold comments?
Continue reading “Stevenson swarms Yoshino in R6 TKO win, before insisting he has bigger fish to fry” →

Boxing

‘Do I still have it?’ Lopez’s vulnerability heightened after split decision win over Sandor Martin

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Teofimo Lopez celebrates after defeating Sandor Martin, during their junior welterweight fight at Madison Square Garden on December 10, 2022 in New...

Teofimo Lopez’s light-welterweight campaign took a stumble on Saturday night, despite eventually getting his hand raised via split decision after a ten-round tussle against Spanish southpaw Sandor Martin. Many have since called for the 25-year-old, who had big plans for 2023, to split from his father Lopez Sr and secure a new coaching team after a drab display. Continue reading “‘Do I still have it?’ Lopez’s vulnerability heightened after split decision win over Sandor Martin” →

Boxing

Teofimo Lopez vs. Sandor Martin: With big 2023 plans set, is Teo again overlooking his opponent?

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Teofimo Lopez and Sandor Martin face off at the weigh in for their junior welterweight in the Hulu Theatre at Madison Square Garden on December 09,...

Teofimo Lopez’s Takeback season continues against Spain’s Sandor Martin in the early hours on Sunday, as the 25-year-old former unified lightweight champion looks to continue his light-welterweight campaign with another standout showing. Judging by his bullish comments and a plan to shake up the landscape at 140lbs, will his latest challenge be all plain sailing? Continue reading “Teofimo Lopez vs. Sandor Martin: With big 2023 plans set, is Teo again overlooking his opponent?” →

Boxing

A week on: Denzel Bentley’s stock rises after spirited title fight showing vs. Janibek Alimkhanuly

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Denzel Bentley and Janibek Alimkhanuly exchange punches during their WBO middleweight championship fight at Palms Casino Resort on November 12, 2022...

He was underestimated pre-fight, a significant underdog and didn’t do himself many favours through four rounds last Saturday night in Las Vegas. But after an encouraging R5, Battersea’s Denzel Bentley steadied the ship and battled through a series of hard-hitting exchanges that would’ve demoralised most, to frustrate WBO middleweight champion Janibek Alimkhanuly, during a second-half sequence which has many critics suggesting the Kazakh is overrated.
Continue reading “A week on: Denzel Bentley’s stock rises after spirited title fight showing vs. Janibek Alimkhanuly” →

Boxing

Lomachenko finishes strong to outlast Ortiz, keeping Haney undisputed title fight intact for 2023

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Vasiliy Lomachenko punches Jamaine Ortiz during their lightweight bout at The Hulu Theater at Madison Square Garden on October 29, 2022 in New York...

He warned many about Jamaine Ortiz’s abilities pre-fight – having spent five weeks sparring with him last year – but seeing the 26-year-old American actually step up only added spice to Vasiliy Lomachenko’s rousing response in the championship rounds. He marked his return with a hard-fought victory, as undisputed lightweight champion Devin Haney watched ringside.
Continue reading “Lomachenko finishes strong to outlast Ortiz, keeping Haney undisputed title fight intact for 2023” →