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Mark Kaylor dead: Boxing hero dies at 64 as Frank Bruno releases emotional announcement

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Boxing legend Frank Bruno has spoken of his devastation following the death of his close friend and former ring fighter Mark Kaylor. Mark, who won the prestigious ABA title in 1980 and represented Great Britain at this year’s Olympic Games in Moscow, died on Sunday at the age of 64.

Kaylor and Bruno rose through the ranks together, training alongside each other and often appearing on the same fight cards. Tragedy struck on Frank’s birthday, when he too was 64, leaving the boxing icon heartbroken. The former heavyweight champion said: “RIP Mark Kaylor – we trained together in different gyms and quite often ended up on the same bill as I came through the ranks. I’m a huge West Ham United fan from memory. It was very moving for me that he died on my birthday at the age of 64, which is the age I am now.”

Kaylor came agonizingly close to winning an Olympic medal in Moscow after a controversial split-decision loss in the quarterfinals. Born in Canning Town, East London, Mark won British and Commonwealth titles before retiring from boxing in 1996 and moving to California, where he taught boxing and was even an aerobics instructor.

Reflecting on his career in one of his first interviews after retirement, Kaylor said: “Boxing was a fantastic part of my life. I met so many decent people. The good far outweighed the bad. I feel very fortunate to have been able to do something I loved so much for so much of my life.”

Kaylor, a die-hard West Ham United fan, was born in Canning Town and raised in Stanford-le-Hope, Essex, before returning to his birthplace as a teenager to pursue his boxing dreams.

Joining West Ham Boxing Club, he won the prestigious ABA England Boxing National Championships trophy in 1980 and in the same year he competed in the Moscow Olympics, reaching the quarter-finals.

Kaylor’s professional career saw him proudly wearing his claret and blue shorts in the ring, supported by a legion of fellow West Ham fans.

His notable victories included defeating Roy Gumbs within five rounds to win the British and Commonwealth titles in September 1983, and a knockout victory over Errol Christie in November 1985 after a fierce competition.

In 1991, Kaylor retired with an impressive record of 40-7-1 (34 KOs).

West Ham United released a heartfelt statement yesterday expressing deep sadness at the news of Kaylor’s death: “Everyone at West Ham United was deeply saddened to hear of the passing of former British and Commonwealth middleweight boxing champion Mark Kaylor at the age of 64.

“Kaylor, a keen Hammers supporter, was born in Canning Town and raised in Stanford-le-Hope, Essex, returning to Canning Town as a teenager to improve his boxing prospects.

“After joining West Ham Boxing Club, he won the revered trophy of the 1980 ABA England National Amateur Boxing Championships and went on to compete in that year’s Olympic Games in Moscow, where he reached the quarter-finals,” the tribute continued.

“Kaylor went on to have a successful professional career during which he wore maroon and maroon shorts in the ring and was duly supported by a huge number of fellow West Ham fans.

“He defeated Roy Gumbs in five rounds to win the British and Commonwealth titles in September 1983, and was involved in a feisty rivalry with Errol Christie that ended with a knockout victory over another Briton in November 1985.

“In 1991, Kaylor retired with a record of 40-7-1 (34 KOs), after which he moved to the USA and took a job as an aerobics instructor in California. Everyone at West Ham United would like to express our genuine condolences to Mark’s family and friends at this unhappy time.”

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UK Boxing

Jarrell Miller boldly predicts the Deontay Wilder vs. Derek Chisora ​​fight

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Jarrell Miller commented on the course of the Deontay Wilder vs. Derek Chisora ​​fight. Source: Instagram/Boxing in the match room

Jarrell Miller shared his thoughts on the course of the blockbuster fight between Deontay Wilder and Derek Chisora.

Wilder will face Chisora ​​on April 4 at the O2 Arena and Miller has revealed who he thinks has the advantage.

April 4 marks the 50th fight of the careers of “The Bronze Bomber” and “Del Boy,” and the loser will likely retire.

Miller spoke to Up-to-date Betting Offers and honestly admitted that the threat from Wilder has diminished in recent years.

Jarrell Miller commented on the course of the Deontay Wilder vs. Derek Chisora ​​fight. Source: Instagram/Boxing in the match room

“Deontay’s skills deteriorated when he changed coaches.

“I feel like if Wilder stuck to his name, being a wild man and fighting wild and doing wild shit, he would still be a guy who is threatening.

“But when you try to tame the beast and become a boxer, he’s not a boxer. He’s never been through boxing the conventional way, and now you’re trying to change his style. It’s not working for him.

“Style makes fights, and Chisora ​​has a style that definitely hurts him.”

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Before his trilogy with Tyson Fury, “The Bronze Bomber” had a staggering record of 40 wins, 39 of which came by stoppage.

However, he has emerged as a different fighter in recent years, looking timid in back-to-back losses to Joseph Parker and Zhilei Zhang on Riyadh Season shows.

He last appeared on the field in June 2025, when he stopped Tyrrell Herndon in the seventh round.

Deontay Wilder returned to winning ways following a seventh-round stoppage over Tyrrell Herndon in Kansas. Photo: Mark Robinson Matchroom Boxing
Deontay Wilder returned to winning ways following a seventh-round stoppage over Tyrrell Herndon in Kansas. Photo: Mark Robinson Matchroom Boxing

Miller continued and talked about the skills Chisora ​​possesses that could lead him to a huge victory in what he promises will be the last fight of his career.

“Chisora ​​is one of those guys who is so sturdy.

“He is very powerful mentally. He has a physically fit engine.

“He may look tired, but he can still fight. Deontay I can’t fight tired, not like this Chisora ​​yes.

Miller believes Derek Chisora ​​has the perfect style to cause problems for Deontay Wilder. Source: Queensberry/Leigh Dawney
Miller believes Derek Chisora ​​has the perfect style to cause problems for Deontay Wilder. Source: Queensberry/Leigh Dawney

“So I think Chisora ​​is in it. The best man wins, but I think Chisora ​​will get him.”

Chisora ​​is on a three-fight winning streak following his loss to Tyson Fury in 2022.

He went the distance in all three contests, scoring unanimous victories over Gerald Washington, Joe Joyce and Otto Wallin in the final stoppage.

The post Jarrell Miller Boldly Predicts Deontay Wilder vs. Derek Chisora ​​appeared first on ProBoxing-Fans.com.

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Jai Opetaia vs. Brandon Glanton – how to watch it

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Opetaia defeated Briedis on the Fury-Usyk card in May 2024. Photo: Stephen Dunkley/Queensberry Promotions

On Sunday, Jai Opetaia will make his Zuffa Boxing debut in a fight against Brandon Glanton.

Opetaia enters the fight against Glanton undefeated.

Since turning professional in 2015, the Australian has dominated with 23 stoppage victories.

His last three fights have been in his native Australia, all three of them competitions ending before the start of the ninth round.

The Australian defeated former unified cruiserweight world champion Mairis Briedis in 2022.

Opetaia defeated Briedis on the Fury-Usyk card in May 2024. Photo: Stephen Dunkley/Queensberry Promotions

Opetaia really made his mark on the world stage with a series of victories on the season’s card in Riyad, including victories over Ellis Zorro, Briedis in the return and Jack Massey, whose team were forced to throw in the towel.

His name has also made headlines after recently signing with Dana White’s Zuffa Boxing after years of working with Eddie Hearn and Matchroom Boxing.

Opetaia currently holds the IBF and Ring Magazine world cruiserweight titles.

Opetaia destroyed Cinkara. Photo: Tasman Fighters
Opetaia destroyed Cinkara. Photo: Tasman Fighters

Despite holding the IBF belt, he will not be on the line with Glanton as the pair will instead fight for the Zuffa Boxing cruiserweight crown.

Glanton comes into the competition off the back of a massive win over Marcus Browne last year in Lagos, Nigeria.

Before Browne’s victory, Glanton was outpointed by Chris Billam-Smith on the undercard of the Chris Eubank Jr vs Conor Benn match at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

In April, Glanton was beaten by Billam-Smith. Photo: Lawrence Lustig/BOXXER
In April, Glanton was beaten by Billam-Smith. Photo: Lawrence Lustig/BOXXER
Opetaia vs Glanton – date, place, start time and ring walks
  • The pair will fight on Sunday, March 8 at the Meta APEX Arena in Las Vegas.
  • Undercard fights start at 18:00 local time (Polish time) / 21:00 ET / 12:00 AEST / 2:00 GMT.
  • The main event ring walks are expected to take place at 21:00 local time (PT), 12:00 ET, 05:00 GMT and 15:00 AEST.
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Opetaia vs. Glanton – how to watch
  • Zuffa Boxing 04 will air on Paramount plus.
  • Paramount+ subscription can be purchased from just £4.99 per month.
  • You can also pre-pay for an annual subscription from £43.99 per year.
Opetaia vs. Glanton – last three fights
Obadiah
  • Jai Opetaia bt Huseyin Cinkara – KO in the 8th round
  • Jai Opetaia bt Claudio Squeo – KO in the 5th round
  • Jai Opetaia bt David Nyika – KO in the 4th round
Jai Opetaia knocked out David Nyika in the fourth round to retain his IBF and Ring Magazine cruiserweight titles. Photo: Mark Robinson Matchroom Boxing
Jai Opetaia knocked out David Nyika in the fourth round to retain his IBF and Ring Magazine cruiserweight titles. Photo: Mark Robinson Matchroom Boxing
Glanton
  • Brandon Glanton bt Marcus Browne – 6th round RTD
  • Brandon Glanton lt Chris Billam-Smith – Unanimous decision
  • Brandon Glanton bt Aleksei Egorov – KO in the 11th round
Subtab
  • Vlad Panin (23-2-0) vs. Shinard Bunch (22-3-1) – welterweight
  • Adan Palma (14-0-0) vs. Pablo Rubio Jr (14-0-0) – featherweight
  • Joshua Jay Juarez (14-0-0) vs. Jardae Anderson (11-1-0) – heavyweight
  • Brady Ochoa (9-0-0) vs. Adrian Miguel Serrano (6-0-1) – lightweight
  • Jaycob Ramos (4-1-0) vs Ethan Perez (8-0-0) – featherweight
  • Emiliano Alvarado (10-0-0) vs Erick Rosado (16-4-0) – featherweight

The post Jai Opetaia vs. Brandon Glanton – how to watch it appeared first on ProBoxing-Fans.com.

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Emanuel Navarrete vs Eduardo Nunez – results and post-fight report

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Nunez suffered damage to his right eye before the break. Photo: Cris Esqueda Matchroom Boxing

Emanuel Navarrete became the unified super featherweight champion, adding the IBF title to his WBO belt by defeating Eduardo “Sugar” Nunez in the penultimate round on Saturday at the Desert Diamond Arena in Glendale, Arizona.

The heavy-hitting Navarrete (40-2-1, 33 KO) was previously the WBO champion in three different weight classes, but he failed to claim the WBO lightweight title and belt in a fourth different weight class after losing a split decision to Denys Berinchyk. Nunez (29-2, 27 KO) had to go out of shape in the seventh round before claiming a wide points victory in his first defense against Christopher Diaz.

Nunez started by using his boxing skills rather than his trade, and used the move to cause his compatriot to miss in the first round.

Navarrete quickly adjusted, closing the gap with a powerful punch to end the streak of a wobbly Nunez delayed in the round.

Most expected “Sugar” to shoot, but he preferred boxing and worked his jab in the fourth round.

Nunez suffered damage to his right eye before the break. Photo: Cris Esqueda Matchroom Boxing

The 28-year-old then decided to change it in the fifth set and fought with fire, and in the sixth, Navarrete landed some great body shots and a powerful right hand.

Nunez gradually got into an argument, but had to take bulky fire from his opponent and bravely performed well in the eighth quarter, reducing the advantage and moving to the body.

“Vaquero” followed with a great left hand in the ninth and a powerful right followed by an uppercut that left Nunez at sea, eyes closed due to injuries.

Navarrete celebrates winning the unified champion title Photo: Cris Esqueda Matchroom Boxing
Navarrete celebrates winning the unified champion title Photo: Cris Esqueda Matchroom Boxing

The Sinaloa resident was re-attached to the left hook as the writing appeared on the wall.

Nunez now wilted under the pressure, and after a punishing 10th place his promoter Eddie Hearn he pleaded for the fight to be stopped and a ringside doctor was called to check his eye.

He recommended that the competition be stopped and the fight ended, crowning Navarrete the unified champion.

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Vargas stops Quintana

On the card, Emiliano Vargas defended his WBO Latino and NABF super lightweight titles, forcing Argentine Agustin Ezequiel Quintana to retire after nine rounds of the fight.

Quintana (22-3-1, 13 KO) gave Vargas (17-0, 14 KO) all he could handle, but was cut down in both eyes, with referee Raul Caiz Jr waving his hand against the fight, much to the Argentine’s protests.

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Smalls defeated by Ramos

Tahmir Smalls suffered his first defeat as a professional, losing a split decision to Abel Ramos in their welterweight meeting.

Ramos (29-7-3, 22 KO) earned a deserved victory by scores of 98-92 and 97-93, while the third judge awarded Smalls (16-1, 11 KO) a barely deserved nod 96-94.

Undercard remaining

WBC Continental Americas super bantamweight champion Arturo Cardenas (17-0-2, 9 KO) defended his title, but after ten rounds he drew with Jordan Martinez, who also remained undefeated.

Martinez (16-0-1, 15 KO) received a verdict of 98-92, Cardenas had one score of 96-94 and the third judge ruled it a draw 95-95.

Cardenas and Martinez tied. Photo: Cris Esqueda Matchroom Boxing
Cardenas and Martinez tied. Photo: Cris Esqueda Matchroom Boxing

The only fighter to go eight rounds won the super lightweight division, where Trini Ochoa (21-1, 9 KO) was upset by Oscar Alvarez Guerrero.

Guerrero (15-2, 12 KO) secured a comfortable winner with two scores of 78-74 and the third 79-73.

In six-round fights, Hector Beltran (7-0, 5 KO) fought all six sessions against Cesar Diaz (10-2, 5 KO) at super welterweight, and in the bantamweight division, Phillip Vela (5-0, 2 KO) did the same against Brayan Ramos Armenta (8-8-1, 2 KO).

Rahman Muhammad (2-0, 2 KO) defeated Mitchell McFadden (1-1, 1 KO) in the second round in a four-round welterweight fight.

The post Emanuel Navarrete vs Eduardo Nunez – results and post-fight report appeared first on ProBoxing-Fans.com.

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