Results
Artur Beterbiew vs. Callum Smith fight
Artur Beterbiev defended his unified delicate heavyweight world titles with a brutal seventh-round victory over Callum Smith in Canada on Saturday.
Beterbiev dropped Smith twice in the seventh round, ahead of the Briton’s trainer Buddy McGirt signaled referee Michael Griffin to end the fight WBC, WBO and IBF champion, extending his perfect record to 20 straight wins, all by knockout.
Question marks surrounded Beterbiev (20-0, 20 KO) during fight week after it was revealed that the Russian-born Canadian returned an unusual result from a VADA test returned on December 6, but it was not considered a violation and he was cleared to fight after passing all further VADA tests.
The 38-year-old, who stopped Anthony Yarde in the eighth round last January, sharply warns the guy about his strength from the very beginning, stalking Smith (29-2, 21 KO) and forcing him to land a punch on the back of the foot, while unleashing powerful combos.
The former super middleweight world champion responded with a much better second round, landing punches to the body in an attempt to snail-paced down the home favorite, but a left hand snapped his head back and kept him in check.
The challenger was recognized after a challenging third round, and Beterbiev kicked into high gear in the fourth round, stopping the hefty blows of the 33-year-old, who was forced to bravely take punishment on the ropes.
‘Mundo’, who has recorded two victories since moving up to delicate heavyweight, was forced to let his hands go, but his shots didn’t seem to hurt Beterbiev enough to discourage him and he continued to march forward despite sending in some solid body shots in the fifth .
Smith’s face was bloody and the pressure Beterbiev was putting on finally took its toll in the seventh round.
A huge right hand signaled the beginning of Smith, who stumbled in the ring as the champion unleashed a barrage of punches for the first time in his 31-fight professional career that sent him to the canvas.
The Liverpudlian bravely got up at the count of eight and went bust, trading with Beterbiev in a desperate attempt to fend off the attacking knockout artist, but moments later he went down a second time after landing more devastating blows.
Smith’s trainer, McGirt, stood on the ring apron and even entered the ring himself to signal that he wanted the charges dropped and the referee properly committed.
Beterbiev improved his perfect record and set his sights on a long-awaited undisputed title clash with WBA champion Dmitry Bivol, with his promoter Bob Arum suggesting the fight could end in Saudi Arabia this summer.
“Of course, [I want to fight Bivol]– said Beterbiev ESPN after the fight.
“I need a fourth belt. This would mean that I have succeeded in this category.
“It means a lot to me. This is the top.”
Smith suffered his second professional loss and first by stoppage, with his last loss coming in December 2020 to Canelo Alvarez.
“He had good momentum, good pressure, kept me from getting into a rhythm,” he told ESPN after the fight.
“The better man won tonight. He caught me with a good shot, it happens. Fair game.
“No excuses, the better man won today.”
Mbilli calls out Canelo after Murdock’s retirement
Christian Mbilli came close to winning the super middleweight world title after forcing Rohan Murdock to withdraw from the fight after six grueling rounds.
Mbilli (26-0, 22 KO) was relentless from the opening bell and forced Murdock (27-3, 19 KO) to fight on the defensive for much of the fight.
The undefeated Frenchman dragged his opponent to the ropes in the fifth round, and the Australian did well to survive the attack.
The 31-year-old had a better sixth round, but continued to eat hefty punches and was withdrawn from his corner at the end of the round.
MBILLA’S BAD INTENTIONS 🍿 pic.twitter.com/4BOVA52Ooa
— Top Rank Boxing (@trboxing) January 14, 2024
Mbilli, who defended his WBC title in mainland America, is the number one contender in both the WBC and WBA behind undisputed champion Canelo Alvarez and has called for a fight with the Mexican.
“Everyone knows Canelo is the best” The 28-year-old told ESPN after the fight.
“Now I want to show that I am the best in the division.
“That’s why my goal is to fight Canelo.
“I will do everything in my power to fight Canelo.”
Moloney defended his world title
Jason Moloney successfully defended his WBO bantamweight title for the first time, defeating Saul Sanchez by majority decision.
Moloney, who clinched the vacant title with a majority decision victory over Vincent Astrolabio in May, had to dig deep in a thrilling fight that saw both sides evenly matched.
The fight intensified and seemed fierce heading into a pulsating final round that saw both fighters on the run until the final bell.
Two scores of 116-112 erased the drawn score of 114-114 and ensured Moloney (27-2, 19 KO) defended his title despite a valiant effort from Sanchez (20-3, 12 KO), who was fighting in his first world title fight.
Khataev stops Ludwiczak
Imam Khataev continued his knockout streak after the second stoppage over Michał Ludwiczak (17-3-1, 9 KO).
Khataev (6-0, 6 KO), the 2020 Olympic bronze medalist, captured the vacant NABF delicate heavyweight title with his sixth straight victory.
A bullet destroying man 😳
Imam Khataev makes it look too effortless. pic.twitter.com/ugye7Ljgca
— Top Rank Boxing (@trboxing) January 14, 2024
Undercard remaining
Elsewhere in the delicate heavyweight division, Memhet Unal (8-0, 7 KO) secured a first-round victory over Dragan Lepei (22-7-2, 10 KO).
Canadian welterweight prospect Christopher Guerrero (10-0, 5 KO) secured his tenth consecutive victory in his professional career with a unanimous decision over Sergio Garcia Herrera (7-4, 4 KO).
Leila Beuadoin got revenge on Elizabeth Chavez Espinoza in a super featherweight rematch.
Leila Beaudoin takes revenge 😈 pic.twitter.com/RP3b4IgiZg
— Top Rank Boxing (@trboxing) January 14, 2024
Mexican Espinoza (4-6-3, 1 KO) won her first match by unanimous decision in her home country, but suffered the opposite result against Beuadoin (11-1, 1 KO), this time in her hometown.
Moreno Fendero (3-0, 2 KO) knocked out Victor Hugo Flores (7-3, 3 KO) in the first round of their super middleweight bout, while Quebec native Wilkens Mathieu (6-0, 3 KO) extended his winning streak undefeated record after winning by unanimous decision over Jose Arias Alvarez (3-2, 1 KO).
Mexican superstar Canelo Alvarez defended his unified super middleweight title with a major unanimous decision over Edgar Berlanga in Las Vegas.
PBC promoted the Canelo vs Berlanga fight, with DAZN and Amazon Prime sharing broadcast rights.
The 27-year-old Puerto Rican entered the contest as a clear underdog and it seemed like he had a chance early on. He was immediately pushed onto his back leg by Alvarez, refused to let go of his hands and bit challenging at the champion’s feints.
In the third round, Canelo absolutely floored him with a left hook and passed Berlanga’s defender at a speed so quick it bordered on cartoonish. To his credit, “The Chosen One” didn’t look seriously hurt and survived the rest of the round well.
Getting him on the canvas seemed to somehow solidify Berlanga’s position in the contest, and he gradually gained confidence from there. While he didn’t win many rounds, the Brooklyn boxer had moments of success later in his career and showed impressive defense on the ropes—not to mention a forceful chin.
The left hook that dropped Berlanga was felt in San Juan 🇵🇷. #CaneloBerlanga pic.twitter.com/QP94bYobdc
— Premier Boxing Champions (@premierboxing) September 15, 2024
There were some violent moments, most notably when Canelo landed a pristine right hand after the referee called a stoppage, though it was somewhat of a justified response to the blatant utilize of the head by his youthful opponent.
However, at the end of the incredibly emotional final round, the pair immediately hugged, with Berlanga thanking the Guadalajara star for the opportunity before admitting that he is his idol.
Nothing beats boxing in Vegas during Mexican Independence weekend. 🇲🇽 RESPECT 🇵🇷#CaneloBerlanga pic.twitter.com/TxOiFmOp8i
— Premier Boxing Champions (@premierboxing) September 15, 2024
To the surprise of no one at T-Mobile Arena, Alvarez won by unanimous decision and marches on with his three-word titles. Berlanga, though well beaten, answered several long-standing questions that cast a shadow over him and proved he has plenty of substance to back up his fervor.
Lara defends herself against Garcia
In the veterans’ fight, Cuban Erislandy Lara (31-3-3, 19 KO) defended his WBA middleweight world title by defeating Danny Garcia (37-4, 21 KO).
Garcia looked a shadow of his former self and retired after nine rounds. Lara, 41, is still enjoying the Indian summer and has won six matches in a row.
Shipping plants or McCumby
Former super middleweight world champion Caleb Plant (23-2, 14 KOs) made his first fight since losing to David Benavidez last year with a ninth-round stoppage of unannounced Trevor McCumby (28-1, 21 KOs).
Plant, who survived an early knockdown, currently holds the interim belt at 168 pounds and could be in line for another world title fight in 2025.
IT’S OVER!! REVENGE TOURISM CONTINUES WITH ANOTHER KO BY @SweetHandsPlant! #PlantMcCumby
Order #CaneloBerlanga Now: https://t.co/TTL3b5uHde pic.twitter.com/thEITuxwpq
— Premier Boxing Champions (@premierboxing) September 15, 2024
Romero is back in form
Polarizing super lightweight Rolando Romero (16-2, 13 KOs) returned to action at T-Mobile following a loss to Isaac Cruz in March.
Manuel Jaimes (16-2, 11 KO), who had previously only fought in compact gyms, was forceful and powerful but found himself on the wrong side of a unanimous decision win over “Rolly,” who had been earmarked as a potential opponent for Ryan Garcia’s comeback.
Fulton squeaks fit for Castro
In his first fight at 126 pounds, former super bantamweight world champion Stephen Fulton (22-1, 8 KOs) found himself in a tougher fight than advertised against the rugged Carlos Castro (30-3, 14 KOs).
“Scooter” was clamorous on several stages and even fell challenging, but managed to clinch the victory by a split decision on the scorecards.
Lots of action in #FultonCastro with 💣s landed by both players and Castro gets the KD. How did you score that?
Order #CaneloBerlanga Now: https://t.co/TTL3b5uHde pic.twitter.com/lM78e5gis0
— Premier Boxing Champions (@premierboxing) September 15, 2024
Villa surprised by Salas
It was a night to remember for Jaron Ennis’ former opponent, Romain Villa (26-3, 24 KOs), who suffered a shock third-round defeat to Ricardo Salas Rodriguez (20-2-2, 15 KOs).
Villa came out on the attack as usual but unleashed a devastating right hand that ended the contest.
Ricardo Salas makes his US debut with a KO finish over Romain Villa in RD3. #WillaSalas
Order #CaneloBerlanga Now: https://t.co/TTL3b5uHde pic.twitter.com/3FKD4ldCmw
— Premier Boxing Champions (@premierboxing) September 14, 2024
Further Undercard Recap
In eight rounds, both Yoenli Hernandez (5-0, 5 KOs) and Laurence King (17-1, 14 KOs) scored second-round KO victories over Jose Sanchez Charles (21-6-1, 12 KOs) and Vaughn Williams (12-2, 8 KOs), while Jonathan Lopez (17-0, 12 KOs) had to settle for a decision victory over Richard Medina (15-3, 8 KOs).
Undefeated Kazakhstan’s Bek Nurmaganbet (12-0, 10 KOs) needed just two of six to dispatch Joshua Conley (17-7-1, 11 KOs) in the first set.
DAZN broadcast the Mayweather vs Gotti fight live on television.
The two met last June, with Mayweather outclassing Gotti with speed and timing before the referee threw both fighters out for constant trash-talking and fouls, leading to full-scale brawl between both boxing camps.
Mayweather, 47, retired in 2017 to take his place among the greatest laced-glove fighters of all time, but has since traveled the world for lucrative speaking engagements and exhibition competitions. Gotti fought primarily in mixed martial arts, with only two sanctioned boxing matches under his belt before facing Mayweather in 2023.
Dressed in the colors of the Mexican national flag, Mayweather was warmly welcomed into the arena as he entered the ring, and after the national anthems and eliminations, things got down to business.
Mayweather began with a pointed jab and a body kick to Gotti, who was initially cautious. In the second round, the referee admonished Mayweather for a shot to the back of the head, and the corners began to tie up again before the referee was replaced midway through the round.
The fight resumed and in the third Mayweather opened up on Gotti, landing multiple shots to the head and body of his opponent and although Gotti stepped forward Mayweather was able to avoid everything that came his way. The pace dropped and Mayweather continued to maintain control, landing his jab and remaining fluid on the defensive end and the pair locked horns as the fight went into the final two frames.
Mayweather let his hands go in round seven, landing several vicious body shots, and Gotti dared to meet them head on, and in the final round he covered up well under fire as the fight came to an end.
With no judges to score, Mayweather claimed a moral victory, and the two hugged after the fight.
Subcard Summary
Another exhibition took place on the undercard, and Victor Ortiz, Mayweather’s former foe and potential future exhibition opponent, failed to impress in his scoreless fight with Rodrigo Damian Coria.
Alan Picasso Romero (29-0-1, 16 KO) improved his class and regained the WBC Silver super bantamweight title with a points victory over former world title challenger Azat Hovhannisyan (21-5, 17 KO). It was a lopsided fight, but Romero won by unanimous decision.
In a ten-round super bantamweight bout, Luis Rodriguez Ocana (15-1, 14 KOs) suffered the first defeat of his career, defeating Cesar Vaca (17-1-1, 11 KOs) by majority decision. Vaca scored 98-92 and 97-94 on a 95-95 card.
In the super middleweight division, Aaron Silva (15-1, 12 KOs) stopped Alfonso Flores (13-3, 9 KOs) in the third round, and Cecilia Nino Rodriguez (13-1-1, 6 KOs) took care of the last fight. – notice the replacement opponent Arlenn Sanchez Aguirre (5-7-4, 1 KO) in the airy flyweight fight, who scored 80-72, 79-74 and 78-74 in eight rounds.
John Easter (7-0, 7 KOs) put in a great performance to beat Luis Morales Duran (5-2, 5 KOs) by stoppage in the airy heavyweight division, while Trenton Joseph Brown (3-0, 1 KO) did the same in his super welterweight fight against Jose Antonio Munoz Guadarrama (2-3, 1 KO).
Dutch lightweight Jursly Vargas (3-0, 2 KOs) maintained his unbeaten record with a points win over Brian Eduardo Carrillo (3-2, 2 KOs) in the lightweight division, while Sekaye Terry (1-0, 0 KOs) made his debut and scored a four-round victory over Carlos Rosas (1-2, 0 KOs) in the super featherweight division.
Denzel Bentley successfully defended his WBO International middleweight title, defeating Derrick Osaze in the second round of their meeting at York Hall.
Bentley (20-3-1, 17 KOs) lost his British title in a majority decision loss to Nathan Heaney last November, but won it back with a two-round stoppage over Danny Dignum in April. Osaze (13-2, 3 KOs) has been largely inactive since winning the BOXXER tournament in 2019, and was last seen in March stopping Joel Julio in a third-place finish in Bulgaria.
Both men got off to a busy start in the first round, with Osaze taking the fight to “2 Acute” in the second, causing problems for the champion until he found the surefire equalizer, flattening the 30-year-old with a powerful right uppercut that sent him face down to the canvas and the contest was abruptly ended.
Bentley, who is ranked second by the WBO, is in line for a rematch with the unified WBO and IBF champion, Janibek Alimkhanulywho defeated him on points in November 2022.
The 29-year-old could also target the winner of the September 21 clash between Tyler Denny and Hamzah Sheeraz.
Junior secures first lanes
Aloys Jr. won his first professional titles, winning the full ten rounds and capturing the vacant WBA and IBO Continental cruiserweight titles with a narrow points victory over Oronzo Birardi.
Junior (8-1, 7 KO) was tested by Birardi (8-1, 6 KO) but largely controlled the fight and edged the winner by two scores of 97-93 and a third of 98-92.
Defeat defeats Rodriguez
The only eighth-round contender was in the super welterweight division, where Ben Fail went the distance to defeat Omir Rodriguez on points.
A tiny left hand put Rodriguez (15-20-1, 6 KOs) on the deck in the second round, but a shootout ensued after that and it was Fail (7-0, 5 KOs) who secured the victory in a 77-74 judge’s score.
Remaining Undercard
Joshua Frankham (10-0, 2 KOs) had his first fight of 2024, and the super welterweight did as he pleased, taking all six sessions against Artjom Spatar (4-10-1, 1 KO).
In the super featherweight division, Billy Adams (4-0) impressed by winning all six rounds against Marvin Solano (24-19, 8 KOs).
William Hamilton (6-0, 3 KO) earned a narrow points victory in the heavyweight division against Perry Howe (5-17-1, 1 KO), triumphing 60-54 over six rounds.
Mykyle Ahmed (1-0, 1 KO) made his super flyweight debut and came away with a victory over Stephen Jackson (1-53-1, 1 KO), who has only lost twice early in his 54 previous fights.
Mason Payne (1-0) also bowed out and scored a points win in his welterweight fight against John Henry Mosquera (5-17, 1 KO).
Frankie Wood (1-0) was the third to make his professional debut, with the super featherweight winning all four rounds in his clash with the experienced Engel Gomez (8-35-3, 4 KOs).
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