SHOWTIME Boxing Release: “Subriel Matias captures vacant IBF 140-pound world title…”

SUBRIEL MATIAS CAPTURES VACANT IBF 140-POUND WORLD TITLE WITH FIFTH-ROUND TKO OF JEREMIAS PONCE IN HIGH-OCTANE SHOWTIME® MAIN EVENT SATURDAY NIGHT FROM THE ARMORY

Minneapolis-Native Jamal James and Super Lightweight Contender Elvis Rodriguez Score Victories in Televised Undercard of Premier Boxing Champions Event

MINNEAPOLIS – February 26, 2023 – Power-punching Subriel Matias showed why he’s become one of boxing’s most vaunted knockout artists as he stopped the previously unbeaten Jeremias Ponce after five rounds to win the vacant IBF 140-pound World Championship Saturday night live on SHOWTIME from The Armory in Minneapolis headlining a Premier Boxing Champions event.

Puerto Rico’s Matias (19-1, 19 KOs) captured the title in an electric firefight that saw the two top-ranked 140-pounders throw over 800 combined punches in five rounds according to CompuBox. For Matias, the victory culminated a long journey that had him away from his family for nearly a year as he trained in Mexico for his first title opportunity.

“I’m on cloud nine right now,” said Matias. “I don’t think I’ve woken up from this dream. Maybe I can tell you how it feels tomorrow, but right now, it’s a dream come true. I wanted to work him from the first round on, because I knew he wouldn’t have the same power as me as the fight went on.”

Ponce (30-1, 20 KOs) came out extremely aggressive and looked to swarm Matias early as he threw 96 punches in round one, out landing Matias 28 to 11. Matias adjusted in round two, closing the distance and smothering Ponce to dull some of his attack while also finding spots for his own short power punches.

“I thought it was an even fight, but one punch can change everything and that’s what happened,” said Ponce. “Subriel is a tough, strong fighter and I knew what he was capable of.”

After landing a powerful left hand that hurt Ponce late in round four, Matias returned determined and sharp in round five, landing 47% of his power punches over the three minutes. In the waning moments of the round, Matias landed the decisive blows, a series of head and body shots that badly hurt Matias and put him on the mat.

Ponce was able to make it to his stool, but his corner had seen enough and suggested that the fight be stopped, with the official result coming as a TKO at the end of round five.

“I’m fine now,” said Ponce. “My team knows me, and they made the decision that they had to make. It hurts, but the most important thing is that I’m healthy.”

“I wasn’t really surprised,” said Matias. “Once I saw how his corner reacted. I saw that [Ponce] was hurt. I thought that I was patient in the first four rounds, so I came out with a different approach and mindset in the fifth.”

After the fight, with his IBF belt in tow, Matias set his sights on a unification showdown against WBC 140-pound World Champion Regis Prograis.

“Regis Prograis, I’m coming for you,” said Matias. “I’m the world champion now. I promise that I’m coming to hurt you. Prograis likes to talk the talk, but I have that same mentality. Let’s see who prevails. I want him to see that there are people crazier than him in this sport.”

In the co-main event, Minneapolis-native and welterweight contender Jamal “Shango” James (28-2, 12 KOs) returned from a 16-month layoff to thrill a sold-out hometown crowd and earn a unanimous decision victory after 10-rounds against Argentine Olympian Alberto Palmetta (18-2, 13 KOs).

“I’m pretty sure everybody can see that layoff affected me,” said James. “I had a lot of rust in me. My legs weren’t sharp, my punches weren’t sharp, but I’m glad I was able to get in there. I liked that because it’s pushing me mentally and it made me step up to the occasion.”

“I thought it was an even fight,” said Palmetta. “I was the aggressor throughout against a former world champion, a taller opponent with longer reach than me.”

In his first action since losing his WBA Welterweight Title to Radzhab Butaev in October 2021, James picked up his fifth career victory at the friendly confines of The Armory. Using his considerable height and reach advantage, James was able to control much of the action and contest the bout on his terms.

“I was trying to adapt,” said James. “I definitely felt like I won the fight but I believe I could’ve done much better. I know that I’m a lot sharper. I know that my endurance is a lot stronger. I just had a lot of time off and my body is still getting back in shape. I’ll be back for sure.”

“I also like to counter, but I ratcheted up the pressure in the second half of the fight,” said Palmetta. “Maybe it looked like Jamal James was superior in the first half because he kept being conservative and countering.”

Palmetta had success countering James but was unable to put together enough combinations or hurt James during the action. James’ edge was reflected on the scorecards, as he out landed Palmetta 193 to 111, including a 153 to 102 edge in power punches.

James was also able to use a sharp body attack to keep Palmetta at bay, landing 68 throughout the fight, compared to just 20 from Palmetta. In round nine, a sharp right uppercut caused Palmetta to stumble and let to a raucous exchange that stirred James’ hometown fans.

The crowd again rose to their feet as James and Palmetta whipped power punches throughout the final moments of round 10. James kept his perfect record at The Armory intact by wide scores of 99-91 and 98-92 twice.

“I know I can be a champion again because I was a champion before,” said James. “I have to stay focused. Stay in the gym and back and study this fight – actually, my last two fights – and step it up. Thanks to everybody in Minneapolis for coming and showing me love.”

In the telecast opener, super lightweight contender Elvis Rodriguez (14-1-1,12 KOs) overcame a slow start to earn a hard-fought majority decision over the hard-hitting Joseph Adorno (17-2-2, 14 KOs) after 10 rounds.

“Ring rust was definitely a factor,” said Rodriguez. “Maybe the struggle was more mental than physical in a way, but the important thing is that I overcame it.”

After a couple of rounds feeling each other out, Adorno was the first to have success, showing a varied attack with hooks to the body and head. He punctuated a strong fourth round with several counter hooks right before the closing bell.

In round five the action began to heat up, with Rodriguez starting to find a home for his offense as well, while still taking consistent return fire from Adorno. Rodriguez would eventually take control of the fight in the seventh round, landing a perfect right hook that badly hurt Adorno. Rodriguez followed up quickly and forced Adorno to the canvas to score the knockdown, although Adorno was able to stay in the fight and make it through the round.

“I thought I had him once I landed that right hook, but he got up,” said Rodriguez. “He’s a warrior and a good fighter… The seventh round was huge, that’s when I truly started to win this fight. I have to give credit to Adorno for being savvy and knowing how to keep his distance before then.”

Rodriguez rode that momentum through the rest of the fight, out landing Adorno 52 to 33 across rounds seven through 10. The Freddie Roach-trained contender punctuated his victory in the final frame, landing a left that referee Jon Schorle ruled a knockdown, despite the objection from Adorno, who felt he was tripped during the exchange.

After the 10 rounds Rodriguez emerged victorious on the judges’ cards, as one score of 94-94 was overruled by tallies of 95-93 and 97-91. Post-fight, Adorno expressed his belief that his early success was enough for him to earn a better result, while Rodriguez set his sights on the new 140-pound champion Matias.

“I thought the judges were blind,” said Adorno. “I can’t get a win with these judges. I don’t know how you see the fight 97-91. I thought I won every round except the ones he dropped me. He never out worked me at all. I had the jab in his face and was snapping him to the body. He couldn’t do anything. No way he won seven rounds. I thought 94-94 was okay because of the two knockdowns.”

“Like I said yesterday at the weigh-in, bring on the winner of the main event,” said Rodriguez. “And to my people in the Dominican Republic, just know that I’ll be back even bolder and even better next time.”

Prior to the telecast, the SHOWTIME BOXING COUNTDOWN show streamed live on the SHOWTIME SPORTS YouTube channel and SHOWTIME Boxing Facebook page and was topped by a welterweight matchup that saw Minneapolis-native Ve’Shawn Owens (14-3, 12 KOs) score a unanimous decision over Kudratillo Abdukakhorov (18-2, 10 KOs) after 10-rounds. The judges’ scores were 99-91, 98-92 and 97-93.

Streaming action also featured the Ronnie Shields-trained Willie Jones (9-2, 6 KOs) delivering a vicious first-round knockout over the previously unbeaten Derrick Jackson (10-1, 5 KOs) just 1:22 into their welterweight clash, plus sensational super lightweight prospect Mickel Spencer (3-0, 2 KOs), with his older brother and unbeaten contender Joey Spencer watching ringside, dismantled Margarito Hernandez (3-5-1) to earn a first-round TKO 2:18 into the fight.

Saturday’s SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING telecast will replay Sunday, February 26 at 9 a.m. ET/PT on SHOWTIME and Monday, February 27 at 10 p.m. ET/PT on SHOWTIME EXTREME®.

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Top Rank Boxing/ESPN Release: “Saudi Split: Tommy Fury Topples Jake Paul”

Saudi Split: Tommy Fury Topples Jake Paul in Most Valuable Promotions’ ‘The Truth’

Badou Jack dethrones Ilunga Makabu to win WBC cruiserweight world title

RIYADH, SA (Feb. 26, 2023) — International superstar Jake Paul (6-1, 4 KOs) finally faced a “real” boxer for the first time, and it was a bit more than he could handle as Tommy Fury (9-0, 4 KOs) handed him his first defeat via eight-round split decision Sunday night at Diriyah Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Fury, the half-brother of Tyson Fury, pushed forward aggressively at the start of the fight, but Paul initiated clinches in order to avoid any significant damage. This pattern would continue for the rest of the fight.

In the second and third rounds, Fury made a crucial adjustment. Instead of coming forward, he spent more time on the outside where he could land jabs and right hands.

Paul became frustrated with Fury’s footwork and occasional combinations as the rounds progressed. In the fifth, Paul was deducted a point for hitting Fury behind the head. That point deduction was nullified after the 23-year-old Manchester native was himself deducted a point for clinching in the sixth round.

The later rounds were close, and it became clear that Paul’s widely publicized campaign as a pro boxer was enough for him to develop into a fighter who could create a competitive fight with Fury. In fact, the 26-year-old native of Cleveland, Ohio, even managed to send Fury to the canvas with a counter left jab in the final round.

Fury’s early lead, however, was enough for him to secure the victory as two judges scored it 76-73 for him while a third had it 75-74 for Paul.

Fury said, “For the past two years, this is all that has consumed my life. Broken rib. Denied access. Everybody thought I was running scared. Tonight, I made my own legacy. I am Tommy Fury.

“All through these past two years, I had a dream and a vision that I would win this fight. And no one believed me. Now I can stand up and everybody can take note. It’s my first main event at 23 years old. I had pressure on my shoulders, and I came through.

“This is my first main event. I’m only going to get stronger, and I’m only going to get bigger. There were a lot of nerves going into that fight, but I override that. If he wants a rematch, bring it on.”

Paul said, “All respect to Tommy. He won. Don’t judge me by my wins. Judge me by my losses. I’ll come back. I think we deserve that rematch. It was a great fight. It was a close fight. I don’t know if I agree with the judges. I got a 10-8 round twice. So, it is what it is. I’ve already won in life, man. I’ve already won in every single way. I have an amazing family. Amazing friends. Amazing work ethic. I’ve made it farther than I ever thought I would.”

Badou Jack Wins Title in Third Weight Class 

Badou Jack (28-3-3, 17 KOs) is now a three-division world champion. The 39-year-old scored a technical knockout victory over Ilunga Makabu (29-3, 25 KOs) to capture the WBC cruiserweight world title.

Jack boxed an intelligent fight, mixing footwork and counterpunching to consistently find a home for his right hand. Makabu, on the other hand, seemed too cautious and had trouble putting his punches together.

In the fourth round, Jack dropped Makabu with a right hand, and he repeated the knockdown in the 11th. In the final round, Makabu was clearly worn out from Jack’s offense, and Swedish standout only needed an additional right hand and a brief fusillade of shots to force referee Mark Lyson to stop the fight at :54.

Jack said, “I was standing there too much. My trainer told me to box and move. That’s not really my style. I mean, I box. But I also like to come forward and fight. Makabu is a hell of a fighter. He’s an African brother of mine. We used to be training partners. He is still my brother.”

Welterweights: Ziyad Almaayouf (2-0, 1 KO) overcame a first-round knockdown before defeating Ronnald Martinez (3-2-1) via unanimous decision. Almaayouf began the fight aggressively and was dropped by a hard right hand before the first round ended. However, the native of Saudi Arabia kept his composure and dominated the following rounds. Scores: 38-37 3x.

Cruiserweights: Muhsin Cason (11-0, 8 KOs) scored a first-round stoppage over Taryel Jafarov (18-6, 17 KOs). Cason dropped Jafarov before the opening round ended, but Jafarov’s corner stopped the fight before the second round to prevent further punishment.

Junior Welterweights: Bader Samreen (8-0, 7 KOs) defeated Viorel Simion (23-10, 9 KOs) via first-round TKO. Time of stoppage: 1:26.

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Matchroom Boxing Press Release: JOSHUA vs. FRANKLYN in London (4/1), TAYLOR VS. SERRANO II (5/20) in Dublin, & more… live on DAZN

ANTHONY JOSHUA RETURNS HOME TO FIGHT JERMAINE FRANKLIN ON APRIL 1 BLOCKBUSTER BOUT TO BE INCLUDED IN DAZN SUBSCRIPTION

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Former two-time Unified World Heavyweight Champion Anthony Joshua returns to London with new trainer Derrick James to battle American contender Jermain Franklyn

Former two-time unified Heavyweight Champion of the World Anthony Joshua (24-3, 22 KOs) fights at The O2 in London for the first time since 2016 as he begins life under the tutelage of new head trainer Derrick James. ‘AJ’ returns to the scene of his first World Title win over Charles Martin to face another American contender in Jermain Franklin (21-1, 14 KOs). Saginaw’s ‘989 Assassin’ pushed Dillian Whyte all the way in a close points loss at Wembley’s OVO Arena last November and is relishing his shot against one of the biggest names in the sport. British megastar Joshua is ready to begin his ascent back to the top of the Heavyweight division after suffering back-to-back losses to pound-for-pound great Oleksandr Usyk in London and Saudi Arabia.

This fight will be the first in Joshua’s new five-year partnership with DAZN to be streamed live, exclusive and worldwide on the digital sports entertainment platform, which is fast becoming the undisputed Global Home of Boxing. Joshua vs. Franklin will be included in the £9.99 per month DAZN saver subscription, making it the first fight in over eight years that fans do not need to pay an additional pay-per-view fee to watch Joshua. Beyond the UK, DAZN is available in over 200 territories. Simple to download as an app on Smart TVs, games consoles, tablets and mobiles, and subscribed to with one-click, being on DAZN will make this the most accessible Joshua fight ever.

“I’m looking forward to stepping back into the ring on April 1 at The O2 in London.” said Joshua. “Mentally and physically I feel ready. I want to put on a show and impress my coach as he has high standards. Franklin has a good style and a great attitude, which he has shown in recent fights. This will be my first fight broadcast on DAZN in the UK and it will be globally available on the platform. I want to thank DAZN for supporting both myself and the sport of boxing as a whole. I would also like to thank the team at 258 and Matchroom Boxing.”

 “I’m ready to show the world why it’s time for me to take my place at the top of the Heavyweight division,” said Franklin. “Joshua had his time.  It’s my time to shock the world! This fight isn’t going to the judge’s card. I will have win number 22 come April 1. That ain’t no April Fool’s joke.”

Alongside Joshua vs. Franklin, Matchroom and DAZN have announced its largest ever schedule of content for the first half of 2023 that will see even more iconic and emerging boxing talent, including five other premium fights, on its platform alongside an ever-greater roster of other sporting entertainment. 

The following shows will be shown live and exclusive on DAZN with further fights and full undercard details to be announced shortly:

Saturday, February 18: Leigh Wood vs. Mauricio Lara

Hometown hero Leigh Wood (26-2, 16 KOs) puts his WBA Featherweight World Title on the line against big-punching Mexican Mauricio Lara (25-2-1, 18 KOs) as Matchroom’s 2023 schedule in the UK begins with a bang. ‘Leigh-thal’ memorably stopped Michael Conlan in the 12th and final round of his epic first defence of the WBA 126lbs title back in March 2022, knocking the Irishman out of the ring in brutal fashion to end their Fight of the Year stunner. ‘Bronco’ has been waiting patiently for his shot at Wood after their eagerly anticipated September 24 fight was postponed following a torn bicep suffered by Wood in sparring, but the Featherweight KO artist finally gets his dream World Title opportunity this month in what promises to be an epic battle between two knockout artists.

Saturday, March 11: Callum Smith vs. Pawel Stepien

The WBC’s No.1 ranked Light-Heavyweight contender Callum Smith (29-1, 21 KOs) returns home to face undefeated Pole Pawel Stepien (18-0-1, 12 KOs) at the M&S Bank Arena as he looks to secure a showdown with unified WBC, WBO and IBF ruler Artur Beterbiev later in the year. A stacked undercard sees Australia’s WBO Global Super-Lightweight Champion Liam Paro (23-0, 14 KOs) put his title on the line against local favourite Robbie Davies Jr (23-3, 15 KOs) following his sensational first-round KO win over fellow Aussie Brock Jarvis last October. One of the hottest prospects in America Diego Pacheco (17-0, 14 KOs) fights in the UK for the first time as faces another step up against Little Lever’s all-action Super-Middleweight Jack Cullen (21-3-1, 9 KOs). Full undercard details to follow.

Saturday, March 18: Cyrus Pattinson vs. Chris Jenkins

Matchroom’s first NXTGEN card of the year at the Utilita Arena Newcastle features some of the very best prospects in the North East looking to take the next steps in their promising careers. Former Team GB standout Cyrus Pattinson (5-0, 3 KOs) faces his toughest test so far in the professional ranks against Wales’ former British Welterweight Champion Chris Jenkins (23-6-3, 8 KOs) while Tokyo 2020 Olympic Silver Medallist turned Welterweight prospect Pat McCormack (3-0, 2 KOs) looks to wow his home crowd against Italy’s Dario Socci (15-7-2, 6 KOs) in his first scheduled eight-round contest. Also on the card, Birmingham’s Solomon Dacres (5-0, 1 KO) squares off with Newcastle’s Robert Ismay (11-0, 4 KOs) for the English Heavyweight Title.

Saturday, April 8: Jesse ‘Bam’ Rodriguez vs. Cristian Gonzalez

Boxing’s youngest World Champion Jesse ‘Bam’ Rodriguez (17-0, 11 KOs) attempts to become a two-weight ruler when he clashes with Cristian ‘El Chicharito’ Gonzalez (15-1, 5 KOs) for the vacant WBO 112lbs at the Boeing Center at Tech Port, San Antonio. The 23-year-old sensation from San Antonio, Texas enjoyed a stellar 2022, becoming boxing’s youngest active World Champion in February, stepping in late to meet Carlos Cuadras for the vacant WBC Super-Flyweight strap in Phoenix and then putting on a stunning display in his first defence, stopping Thai star Srisaket Sor Rungvisai on his San Antonio home turf in June inside eight rounds. He was named the Fighter of the Year by ESPN in their midyear awards for 2022 before outpointing Israel Gonzalez on the ‘Canelo’ vs. ‘GGG’ undercard in September.

Saturday, April 22: Shavkatdzhon Rakhimov vs. Joe Cordina

Unbeaten Welshman Joe Cordina (15-0, 9 KOs) attempts to win his IBF Super-Featherweight World Title back against current belt-holder Shavkatdzhon Rakhmiov (17-0-1, 14 KOs) at the Cardiff International Arena. ‘The Welsh Wizard’ captured the famous red and gold belt with a stunning one-punch knockout of Japan’s Kenichi Ogawa on a memorable night at the arena last June. Cordina was scheduled to make the first defence of his World Title against Rakhimov in Abu Dhabi last November but suffered a hand injury that required surgery and was subsequently stripped of his title by the IBF. Rakhimov won the vacant title by stopping Manchester’s Zelfa Barrett in nine rounds on the undercard of Dmitry Bivol vs. Gilberto Ramirez.

Saturday, May 20: Katie Taylor vs. Amanda Serrano 2

Irish legend Katie Taylor (22-0, 6 KOs) fights in Ireland for the first time in her professional career, putting her Undisputed Lightweight World Title on the line once more against Puerto Rican star Amanda Serrano (44-2-1, 30 KOs) in an unmissable rematch. Taylor cemented herself as the greatest female fighter on the planet by edging out Serrano in an epic fight for the ages on an iconic night at a sold-out Madison Square Garden in New York last April. The global superstar retained her belts after a Fight of the Year contender with multi-division World Champion Serrano – the first women’s boxing bout to headline the famous MSG in its 140-year history, attracting an unprecedented audience of 1.5 million tuning in globally on DAZN.

Alongside this jampacked schedule of boxing, in the last 12 months DAZN has added 75 media properties to its UK offering, giving – in particular – combat sports fans access to the widest range of live and on demand content. The Professional Fighters League (PFL) partnered with DAZN to launch PFL Europe, the inaugural event will be held in Newcastle on 25 March and broadcast globally on DAZN. 

In the UK DAZN is available as a Monthly Saver (x12) at £9.99, an Annual Super Saver priced at £99.99 and a Flexible Monthly Pass priced at £19.99.

How to watch DAZN

Watching on DAZN is simple and easy.

Go to the app store on your chosen device, search for and download the DAZN app.  

Create an account, choose a plan and start watching anywhere – on your phone, tablet, smart TV and gaming consoles.

You can log in to multiple devices and enjoy top sporting content anywhere. 

“What an incredible year Matchroom and DAZN have in store for fight fans around the world – and this is just the beginning,” said Matchroom Sport Chairman Eddie Hearn. “The UK’s biggest boxing star Anthony Joshua returns to our screens on April 1 as he looks to reclaim his spot as the number one Heavyweight on the plant. ‘AJ’ has reset and refocused and he is on a mission to defy his critics as he kicks off his exciting new partnership with DAZN. Modern legends Katie Taylor and Amanda Serrano run it back for all of the marbles at Lightweight in what will be one of the most iconic sporting events that Ireland has ever seen on May 20 in Dublin. Their first meeting at MSG last year was one of the very best night’s I’ve experienced in boxing and the rematch promises to be even bigger and better.

“Callum Smith is within touching distance of a shot at unified Light-Heavyweight ruler Artur Beterbiev and can’t avoid any slip-ups against Pawel Stepien on his Liverpool homecoming on March 11 and boxing’s youngest World Champion Jesse ‘Bam’ Rodriguez attempts to create even more history on April 8 when he goes for gold at 112lbs against Cristian Gonzalez. ‘The Welsh Wizard’ Joe Cordina attempts to recapture his IBF Super-Featherweight World Title against Shavkatdzhon Rakhimov in Cardiff on April 22 and the young guns are out to impress in our first NXTGEN event of the year in Newcastle on March 18 – not forgetting the small matter of Leigh Wood vs. Mauricio Lara in just under two weeks’ time in Nottingham. It is without a doubt the best schedule in boxing and there’s still so much more to come. Watch it all live on DAZN.”

“This is the most eagerly anticipated fight of Anthony Joshua’s career, and, at DAZN, we are delighted to deliver it to fans in the UK and around the world as part of their monthly subscription, making it the most accessible ‘AJ’ fight in a decade”, DAZN CEO Shay Segev said. “Beyond our unrivalled boxing schedule, we are committed to building our library of sports content the UK. Our tie-up with KSI’s Misfits to create X Series and joint venture with Professional Fighters League to launch PFL Europe are just two examples of what we will do to deliver top sports content to DAZN subscribers.”

“We have worked with Anthony Joshua for five years, and we are incredibly excited to be kicking off our new UK relationship with him on April 1,” said Joseph Markowski, CEO North America, DAZN Group. “Being ringside for Taylor vs. Serrano at a sold-out MSG was one of the great sporting moments of my life; what an incredible atmosphere and fight. Alongside this blockbuster, the schedule we have curated so far features some of our best talent, Jesse Rodriguez, Callum Smith and Joe Cordina. All live and exclusive on DAZN.”

“This is the start of a hugely important phase for ‘AJ’ and it is exciting to be kicking it off exclusively on DAZN and at The O2 in London, a place he has had many memorable nights,” said 258 Managing Director Freddie Cunningham.

Women in the Arena: Alycia Baumgardner Becomes Women’s Boxing’s 7th Undisputed World Champion, Queen at 130 lbs.

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Alycia Baumgardner made history at the Theater at Madison Square Garden in New York City, as the 28-year-old Detroit native became the 7^th woman to ever become an Undisputed Women’s World Champion.

Baumgardner (14-1, 7 KOs), in defense of the unified WBC, WBO, IBF, IBO, and Ring Magazine World Super-Featherweight Championships, captured the vacant WBA 130-lb. title following an impressive 10-round unanimous-decision victory against Elhem Mekhaled (15-2, 3 KOs) of France.

Baumgardner-Mekhaled was the featured supporting attraction to Amanda Serrano vs. Erika Cruz-Hernandez for the Undisputed Women’s World Featherweight Championship in the main event live on DAZN.

“The process has been great,” Baumgardner said afterwards. “I worked my ass off to get here. This fight showed me that there are levels to this thing.”

For many, Baumgardner’s ‘Road to Undisputed’ was first noticed the moment she KO’d Terri Harper in her home country of England to win the WBC 130-lb. title in November 2021. After a successful title against Edith Matthyssee in Manchester, Baumgardner engaged in a heated and bitter, but fun and entertaining rivalry against Mikaela Mayer, the unbeaten former U.S. Olympian and unified WBO, IBF, and Ring Magazine Champion in 2022 in London.

After months of hype, media, face-to-face conference calls, and press conferences, and a postponement, Baumgardner finally defeated Mayer, via unanimous-decision to capture all, but one belt.

Baumgardner’s ‘Road to Undisputed’ began long before any fight with Mayer, Harper, or Mekhaled. Baumgardner’s ‘Road to Undisputed’ started when he entered in to a boxing gym when she was just eight years old. Despite having won more than 150+ amateur bouts and National Amateur Boxing titles, Baumgardner was an unknown talent with skills unbefitting your typical female fighter.

Even after signing with King’s Promotions, Baumgardner would find herself competing in long-distant cities, not known for hosting big-time boxing, throughout the East Coast. It was not easy trying to find the right platform, along with the right opportunities for Baumgardner’s talent, personality, and potential to flourish.

Baumgardner future appeared bleak and uncertain after she dropped a split-decision to Christina Linardatou (2018) before losing her trainer Salaam Ali to COVID-19, suffering an injury that required surgery, and inactivity during the Pandemic. Even after Baumgardner became world champion, she went through different trainers before settling with Tony Harrison, the former WBC 154-lb. champion, who was also Ali’s son.

 Anyone that knows ‘AB’ and was there from the beginning can attest how far Baumgardner has come. Her arrival onto the big stage at Madison Square Garden, New York City was no accident and it was hard-earned. Her opponent, Mekhaled just recently had a 10-round war against Delfine Persoon (2022), who gave Undisputed Women’s World Lightweight Champion Katie Taylor fits through two fights.

In the opening round, Baumgardner established her jab; picking her shots from the outside. Elhem was looking to counter Baumgardner’s left with an overhand right that connected, but did little damage. Baumgardner was the aggressor, throwing more punches and landing more than her challenger. Baumgardner, with the title of Undisputed up for grabs, went all-out.

In round three, the power that Baumgardner herself can attest to, was on display when she dropped Mekhaled with a solid right-hand. Mekhaled returned to her feet, but Baumgardner pressured her challenger behind a beautiful flurry of punches before scoring a second knockdown.

Baumgardner continued to box behind her left-jab to set-up her combination-punching. Of course, Baumgardner fell in love with her right-hand; hurting Mekhaled behind the famous left-right combination. Baumgardner wanted desperately to recreate another ‘Terri Harper moment,’ but Elk was too resistant. She did catch Alycia with few good right-hands coming in. Mekhaled did  make things uncomfortable for ‘AB’ at times, and was very tough. However, elk didn’t have the firepower, skills, and experience to defeat Baumgardner.

In round ten, it appeared Baumgardner floored elk for the third time in the fight, but the referee ruled it a slip to the surpize of everyone watching. Nonetheless, the judges scored the bout correctly 99-89, 99-89, and 98-90.

Sitting at ringside watching along with Undisputed Women’s Champions Claressa Shields (160), Franchon Crews-Dezern (168), Katie Taylor (135), and Jessica McCaskill (147) was former unified 130-lb. titlist Mikaela Mayer, who was rather low-key and didn’t speak much at all to the media. Mayer’s attendance signified the magnitude of Saturday’s event and its historical importance for Women’s Boxing.

Although Mayer recently announced her next fight will be at 135, she has been very vocal and pursuant of a rematch with Baumgardner since their meeting last September. Mayer believes she won their first meeting and left Madison Square Garden confident of her chances of fighting Alycia again sooner, rather than later.

“Mikaela came here for a reason,” Baumgardner said. “I hope she learned something – to know that I’m coming for that ass. Listen man, I’ll knock her the fuck out!”

Women in the Arena: Mikaela Mayer vs. Alycia Baumgardner – bitter rivals anxious to settle differences, make history

Will we see Baumgardner vs. Mayer 2?

Women in the Arena: Alycia Baumgardner defeats Mikaela Mayer, unifies WBC, WBO, IBF, IBO, and Ring Magazine Super-Featherweight Championships

Women in the Arena: Amanda Serrano becomes 8th Undisputed Women’s World Champion, Katie Taylor rematch set for May 20, in Ireland

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Undisputed Champion at 126 vs. Undisputed Champion at 135. Who win this rematch?

Within an hour of Alycia Baumgardner becoming the 7th woman to win an Undisputed Women’s World Championship, Amanda Serrano quickly followed suit by becoming the eighth.

Serrano, in defense of the WBC, WBO, IBF, IBO, and Ring Magazine Women’s World Featherweight Championships, defeated WBA 126-lb. titlist Erica Cruz-Hernandez during what was an early candidate for “2023 Women’s Fight of the Year” in the main event at the Hulu Theater in Madison Square Garden, New York City live on DAZN.

“I’m just so emotional underneath,” Serrano said. “I finally did it for my island. 

Immediately following the fight, Matchroom Boxing’s Eddie Hearn couldn’t wait to announce Serrano will finally have her rematch with Katie Taylor, the Undisputed World Lightweight Champion. The two will meet in a rematch from their classic battle they had at Madison Square Garden’s big arena nine months ago on Saturday, May 20, in Dublin, Ireland – Taylor’s hometown.

https://www.matchroomboxing.com/events/taylor-vs-serrano-2/

“I was cheering her on,” Taylor said. “I wanted this fight. Undisputed vs. undisputed champion. The last fight was an epic fight and I think the next one is going to be exactly the same.”

It was a surreal scene inside the Theater at Madison Square Garden last night. On one end, everyone is trying to grasp the significance of Serrano’s monumental victory. As the only woman to win world titles in seven different weight divisions, along with being Puerto Rico’s first Undisputed World Champion, the announcement of her next fight came rather quickly and unexpectedly.

Katie Taylor was sitting ringside and watched Serrano’s war against Cruz, the Mexican world champion that was determined to beat Serrano in her hometown. Cruz gave Serrano one of the toughest fights of her career. It wasn’t expected for Serrano to wage war against an outgunned, but very game, determined, and durable fellow-champion. It was the kind of back-and-fourth battle that was reminiscent of the old Arturo Gatti-Mickey Ward days. There was blood, guts, grit, and determination.

“[Cruz’s] a Mexican champion and we knew that from the start,” Serrano said. “I knew it was going to be a bout and this what what I’ve trained for. We didn’t expect anything less than that.” 

Serrano, who is approaching 50 professional fights, has 35 career knockouts. But perhaps we are seeing a different Serrano inside the ring these days.

At 126, Serrano was knocking fighters out at that weight. When she fought Taylor at 135, the power was clearly present, but she dropped a split-decision in her own hometown. Since moving back to featherweight, although Serrano is Undisputed World Champion at 126, we’ve watched her get hit more. Once she moves up to 135 lbs. to fight Taylor again in approximately three months, will Serrano engage Taylor in another war and expect to win a decision in Ireland?

Also, this rematch will be Taylor’s first fight as a professional in her native country. Taylor, an Olympic Gold Medalist, has long wanted to fight at home in Ireland. Who better to do it against than a woman you’ve already defeated. Also, Serrano will once again be moving-up two weight-classes to make this rematch happen.  

“It’s going to be great in Ireland fighting the real deal, Amanda Serrano, Taylor said. “This is incredible and the last fight was epic so I expect nothing less from the next one.”

Top Rank Boxing/ESPN Release – THURSDAY: Erik Bazinyan-Alantez Fox Super Middleweight Showdown to Stream LIVE and Exclusively in the U.S. on ESPN+

Streaming action from Montreal begins at 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT

(Jan. 31, 2023) — Undefeated super middleweight contender Erik Bazinyan, ranked in the top 10 by all four major sanctioning organizations, returns in a 10-round main event this Thursday, Feb. 2, against American veteran Alantez Fox at Casino de Montréal in Montreal, Canada.

Bazinyan, a 10-year-pro, hopes a victory over the 6-foot-4 Fox moves him closer to a world title opportunity.

Bazinyan-Fox and undercard bouts will stream live and exclusively in the U.S. on ESPN+ starting at 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT.

Bazinyan (28-0, 21 KOs) has spent his entire pro career in Canada after moving from Armenia at 16. Promoted by Camille Estephan’s Eye of the Tiger, Bazinyan returns to action following last June’s unanimous decision over former world title challenger Marcelo Esteban Coceres. Bazinyan rose the ranks by defeating a host of seasoned veterans, including Alan Campa, Saul Roman and Scott Sigmon. Fox (28-3-1, 13 KOs) has more experience fighting world-level talent, as he is coming off a fourth-round TKO defeat in December 2021 to David Morrell for a secondary world title. Before the Morrell loss, he had a three-bout unbeaten streak.

In other streaming action from Montreal:

• In a battle of slick boxing versus unrelenting pressure, Yves Ulysse Jr. (22-2, 12 KOs) steps up against Mexico’s Gabriel Gollaz Valenzuela (25-3-1, 15 KOs). Ulysse, from Montreal, has won four bouts since a close loss to Ismael Barroso. Valenzuela impressed last May on the Canelo Alvarez-Dmitry Bivol undercard, trading knockdowns with then-unbeaten contender Montana Love before dropping a razor-thin decision.
   
• Canadian middleweight prospect Alexandre Gaumont (6-0, 4 KOs) aims to extend his knockout streak to three against Carlos Gallego Montijo (8-4, 6 KOs).
   
• Raphael Courchesne (9-1, 4 KOs) returns from a nearly 19-month layoff to fight Diego Garduno Reyes (10-1-1, 4 KOs) in a six-round welterweight tilt.
   
• Welterweight prospect Christopher Guerrero (5-0, 1 KOs) makes his 2023 debut in a six-rounder against fellow unbeaten Edwin Villarreal Flores (3-0-1, 3 KOs).
   
• In a six-round junior lightweight bout, Avery Martin Duval (8-0-1, 4 KOs) looks to extend his winning streak to five against Eduardo Mota Garcia (7-1-1, 2 KOs), who has defeated two undefeated prospects in his last three outings.

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