Boxing
Johnny Fisher rips Alena Babica in 36 seconds; Jasmina Zapotoczna defeats Maisey Rose Courtney
Published
5 months agoon
By
J. HumzaJohnny Fisher finishes Alena Babica in the first round of the DAZN main event on July 6 at the Copper Box Arena. Photo Credit: Mark Robinson Matchroom Boxing.
Johnny Fisher became more than just a reliable ticket seller.
The undefeated heavyweight demolished Alen Babic in the first round of the DAZN main event, a barrage of punches that left Babic down before referee Mark Bates stopped the fight after just 36 seconds.
The fight was the main attraction of the DAZN event on Saturday night, which featured six fights at a packed Copper Box Arena in Hackney Wick, London.
Fisher (13-0, 12 knockouts) has grown accustomed to early exits — this was his ninth knockout in three rounds — but even the usually playful Babic (12-2, 11 KOs), a former bridgeweight title contender, was expected to be a bigger challenge.
The early tone was set when Fisher landed two immaculate right hooks in the first 20 seconds of the night. The Croatian Babic was unable to adjust, and that defensive flaw was exploited to the fullest.
Another right hook pushed Babic back to set up the fight-ending sequence. A series of straight punches landed cleanly on Babic’s supple chin, delivering the only knockdown of the fight. Babic got to his feet but immediately staggered, prompting an immediate stoppage.
“I have total respect for Alen Babic, he’s my friend,” Fisher told DAZN’s Jamie Ward after the brief affair. “I prepared myself for a horrible, exhausting affair. I’m from Romford, no one has ever dragged me out. I have to be dragged off the canvas and into an ambulance.
“I did a lot of twists and turns in this camp. I worked with Filip Hrgovic.”
Fisher earned the fastest win of his career, as well as his fifth first-round knockout. The huge turnout combined with his real punching power left his team wondering how high he could fly.
“This is not a gimmick. This is a world-class heavyweight contender,” insisted Matchroom Boxing chairman Eddie Hearn. “He started out selling tickets for six rounds. Now you’re looking at a guy I’d bet against all the domestic heavyweights on the British tour.” Johnny Fisher Tears Through Alen Babic In 36 Seconds; Jasmina Zapotoczna Upends Maisey Rose Courtney level.
“When you hit that tough, you can take on any weight in the world. The journey is going to be incredible.”
The ‘Romford Bull’ is keen to fight for the cause.
“I think if you put me with anyone on the planet, I’ll have a chance of winning,” Fisher vowed. “Anyone in the world.”
Undercard Results
Reece Bellotti (19-5, 14 KOs) won a 12-round decision over Levi Giles (15-2, 4 KOs) in the main event. The scores were 118-110, 118-110, and 117-110 for Bellotti, who has won five straight fights.
John Hedges was forced to settle for a technical victory over Lewis Oakford. A clash of heads prevented Oakford (5-1, 0 KO) from continuing early in the sixth round of their cruiserweight bout. The scores were 59-56, 59-56 and 58-57 for Hedges (10-0, 3 KO)
Jasmina Zapotoczna gave Shannon Ryan all she could handle earlier this year, and this time she finished the job with a surprising points victory over previously unbeaten Maisey Rose Courtney (6-1, 0 KO) in their flyweight clash. The scores were 98-92, 97-93 and 96-94 for Zapotoczna (8-1, 0 KO), a Polish boxer from Yorkshire.
Leli Buttigieg (5-0, 1 KO) remained perfect as a professional, winning on points in six rounds over Jiri Hauke (4-5, 2 KO) of the Czech Republic. Judge Mark Bates scored it 60-54 for the 19-year-old Buttigieg, who fought for the third time in a row over six rounds.
Giorgio Visioli went the distance for the first time, defeating Tanzania’s Tampela Maharusi (10-6-4, 5 KOs) on points. Judge Lee Every scored it 60-54 for Visioli (4-0, 3 KOs), who had not previously fought past the fourth round.
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Boxing
The fight between Alexis Rocha and Raul Curiel will take place on December 14 at the Toyota Arena
Published
1 day agoon
November 23, 2024In a clash of forces between two world title contenders, NABO welterweight titleholder Alexis “Lex” Rocha (25-2-0, 16 KO) will put his skills to the test against undefeated knockout and NABF welterweight titleholder Raul “El Cugar “. Curiel (15-0, 13 KO).
The 10-round main event will take place on Saturday, December 14, live from the Toyota Arena in Ontario, California, and will be broadcast worldwide on DAZN.
“‘The best versus the best’ is Golden Boy’s mantra and that’s what fans will see as Rocha and Curiel take on everything that’s on the table,” said President and CEO Oscar De La Hoya. “Rocha is a veteran whose goal is to win the world title, Curiel is an undefeated blue-chip prospect with huge potential. It’s really a 50/50 fight and I’m looking forward to it.”
Tickets for the Rocha vs. match Curiel will go on sale on Friday, October 11 at 10 a.m. PT and will be priced at $100, $75, $50 and $25, excluding applicable service fees. A confined number of Golden Boy VIP Experience tickets will also be available, including exclusive merchandise and fight night upgrades. Standard and VIP tickets are available at Ticketmaster.com, Toyota-arena.com, Goldenboy.com or at the Toyota Arena box office from Monday to Friday from 12:00 to 16:00
“I’ve seen Raul Curiel all these years and he never once mentioned my name,” Alexis Rocha said. “After my last defeat, he suddenly became interested in fighting me. If he thinks I’ve lost a step or somehow had an simple fight, he’s in for a rude awakening. I can’t wait to make a statement and show the world what I’m capable of.”
Santa Ana, California Rep. Alexis “Lex” Rocha comes from a struggling family. The younger brother of Ronny Rios, he was the youngest fighter to win a gold medal at the Junior Olympics at the age of 14 in 2012 and caught the attention of the boxing world by becoming a six-time national champion during his amateur career. Rocha signed with Golden Boy in January 2016 and made his professional debut in March 2016, defeating Jordan Rosario at the Belasco Theater in Los Angeles. Since then, he has amassed an enviable record of powerful knockouts over top contenders and plans to return to world title contention, with his last fight being a victory over undefeated Santiago Dominguez on July 19 last year.
“The fans can expect a war,” said Raul Curiel. “I’m going to prepare well to put on a great show. This will be the most essential fight of my career so far. I know Alexis is a great fighter, a good opponent and will also show up prepared. My focus is on Alexis and if I can beat him, I know it will give me a chance to fight for the world championship.
Boxing
George Kambosos moves up to 140, adds Eddie Hearn to team
Published
2 days agoon
November 23, 2024Former unified lightweight champion George Kambosos approached promoter Eddie Hearn asking for more massive fights.
Kambosos has signed a co-promotional deal with Eddie Hearn, under which the Greek-Australian slugger will continue his association with DiBella Entertainment Inc. and his own company, Ferocious Promotions.
The 21-3 star will move up to the super lightweight division of Matchroom Boxing’s lively division. He aims to become a two-weight world champion in early 2025, and as part of the deal, a title fight is promised as long as he continues to win.
Since his stunning victory over Teofimo Lopez, Kambosos has never shied away from competing against the best. Those three losses on his resume came to Devin Haney [twice] and Vasily Lomachenko, all at home and all for world titles.
The 31-year-old is now set to face compatriot Liam Paro after defending his IBF title against Richardson Hitchins in December in Puerto Rico.
“I am thrilled to be working with Matchroom Boxing. I am excited to have signed a three-way promotional cooperation agreement with my long-time promoter DiBella Entertainment Inc. and Ferocious Promotions,” Kambosos said.
“I made great success and history when I moved up the Matchroom shows by winning my UK elimination fight against Lee Selby. The most noteworthy and unforgettable is my victory against Teofimo at Madison Square Garden in Up-to-date York to become the 135-pound world champion.
“I am officially announcing that I will be moving up to 140 pounds and signing with Matchroom will ensure my continued success and the legacy I want to leave in the sport of boxing.”
Hearn, who adds an experienced campaigner to his stable, added: “I am delighted to welcome George to the team. George’s victory over Teofimo tore up the script and showed that George was the man for the massive time. He has proven to be a huge attraction in Australia and one of the real driving forces behind the rapid growth of boxing Down Under.
“The 140-pound division is full of massive names and massive potential fights. Adding George to the mix only elevates the level, and a possible fight with Liam Paro is a truly appetizing prospect. If Liam manages to win in a great fight against Richardson on December 7th [the fight could be on].
Lou DiBella, who has worked with Kambosos for years, said: “I’m glad I was able to make a deal with my antique buddy Eddie to work with George Kambosos Jr. and Ferocious Promotions.
“Throughout his career, George has been a fighter who has never shied away from a challenge, and now he wants to test himself against top junior welterweights.
Matchroom works with top 140-pounders, including George’s compatriot Liam Paro, and, like DiBella Entertainment, is heavily invested in Australia.
“It’s a natural partnership,” added the Up-to-date Yorker.
Boxing
Mike Tyson had absolutely no chance of knocking out Jake Paul
Published
3 days agoon
November 21, 2024One of the hottest topics surrounding Mike Tyson’s return at the age of 58 was the possibility of the boxing legend scoring a knockout of Jake Paul.
WBN has weighed in on this topic several times, questioning the validity of five-second training clips that revealed nothing about Tyson’s abilities at this overdue age. One of the most intriguing observations during the preparations was the opinion of UFC commentator Daniel Cormier.
Speaking on his show “Funky and the Champ,” Cormier reflected on Tyson’s social media videos and offered an informed opinion on the meaning of the clips.
“I understand that [he is in amazing shape at 58]and I understand what he is saying [he feels as though he can compete]– Cormier said. “And I agree that when he hits the pads with Rafael Cordeiro, it looks like there’s still something left in him.
“But then I watch Jake Paul fight Mike Perry. I saw Jake Paul get overwhelmed to the point where he started to feel uncomfortable. It looked like Mike Perry had a chance. But Jake has a reserve tank he can go to and benefit from because he’s 28 years ancient. Then he comes back and finally finishes Mike Perry.
“At the beginning of the fight, Mike Perry gets beaten up and dropped. He looks trained and unmatched. This worries me because what if it looks like a 58-year-old man fighting a 28-year-old man while Mike can’t employ the backup tank to stay and compete with this newborn kid? I think it’s a failure for Jake Paul because if you beat Mike Tyson, everyone will love him.
He added: “What if Mike knocks him out? It’s over. Everything is ready. This would be the backfire of all time. If he gets knocked out, nothing like that has ever happened in the history of the sport.”
Unfortunately for Tyson, this revenge backfired spectacularly, as the former heavyweight champion’s return was the only event that bombed. Tyson had nothing left twenty years after he had nothing left in his tank and no desire to box in his mind.
Paul parlayed this into a money-making scheme that would forever be a success for him and his company, but would be poorly received by the die-hard boxing fraternity.
Cormier’s words resonate, especially after what happened in the ring when Mike Tyson struggled to shift into first gear, warning former fighters thinking about returning after 50.
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