Results
Kazuto Ioka vs. Joshua Franco
Both Kazuto Ioka and Joshua Franco retained their super flyweight titles on Fresh Year’s Eve in Japan after failing to split them in a majority draw.
Ioka (29-2-1, KO15) entered the fight at Ota-City General Gymnasium as the WBO champion, having captured the vacant belt in June 2019 following a tenth-round stoppage of Aston Palicte, and has defended his WBO title four times, most recently scoring points in the rematch with Donnie Nietes in July. Franco (18-1-3, KO8) won the WBA belt in June 2020 with a tough decision against Andrew Moloney, and the pair fought two more times, one no contest and the last one last August, which Franco won more easily on the cards results.
It was a tense match, with both men punching constantly as WBC champion Juan Francisco Estrada looked on from ringside. Ioka could often be found hitting his back against the ropes while Franco was the physically stronger fighter, and the Texan was largely unfazed when Ioka got open in several exchanges during the fight.
In the later rounds, Franco put more and more pressure on, but Ioka was more than just a match for him, and as the fight went on the scorecards, it seemed that Franco had done enough to win.
🇯🇵 DRAW!
🥊 No unified champion has been crowned as Ioka i @JoshuaFranco_ fight for a majority tie in Japan
📝 115-113 (Franco), 114-114, 114-114#IokaFranco pic.twitter.com/1tjnJkMAav
— BOXRAW (@BOXRAW) December 31, 2022
In the end, a draw was probably a fair reflection of the situation, as two scorecards of 114-114 made the third score of 115-113 in Franco’s favor redundant. Now the pair will most likely fight for a rematch.
On the card below, Hayato Tsutsumi (2-0, KO0) scored an eight-round featherweight victory against Pete Apolinar (16-4, KO10) by scores of 80-71 (twice) and 79-72.
Kai Watanabe (9-0-1, KO5) defeated Ryo Nakai (5-2-1, KO2) in the second round of the super featherweight bout, and in the featherweight bout Ryuto Owan (10-1, KO6) won the eighth round of points wins with Robin Langres (11-5, KO4) by three scores 80-69.
In the super flyweight division, Satsuma Ito (2-0, KO1) defeated Wassana Kamdee (6-8, KO5) in the fourth of six rounds, and in the super welterweight division, Taiga Ito (5-3-1, KO1) stopped Kentaro Miyamoto (4- 4, KO2) in the round.
Super bantamweight Kantaro Nakanishi (4-1-1, KO0) defeated Akira Nakashima (2-5, KO1) in four rounds, and Kazuki Ogiwara (2-1, KO2) defeated Ayato Mochizuki (1-1, KO0) in round at lightweight.
This Saturday, Latino Night will take place in Riyad, and the main event will be the fight for the WBA cruiserweight title from Mexico, Gilberto Ramirez, against the head of the WBO, Chris Billam-Smith.
DAZN is broadcasting the Ramirez vs Billam-Smith fight live.
Despite great potential and a reign as the WBO super middleweight champion, Ramirez (46-1, 30 KO) has largely won against an unnamed opponent.
He ultimately lost the team’s undefeated record in November 2022. clearly defeated by Dmitry Bivol in the fight for the WBA (Super) featherlight heavyweight title.
The move to the cruiserweight division saw some of his best performances, and a wide-scoring victory over Joe Smith Jr paved the way for a world title fight in which he won the WBA belt by defeating Arsen Goulamirian ten rounds to two in March.
After a career-opening loss to Richard Riakporhe, Billam-Smith (20-1, 13 KO) rose through the ranks, eventually winning the WBO belt with a majority decision victory over Lawrence Okolie, with Okolie losing a total of three times.
The Bournemouth man then forced Mateusz Masternak to retire after eight rounds, with Billam-Smith trailing on two scorecards, and last defended in June, taking revenge on Riakporhe by scoring points at Selhurst Park.
Prediction: Ramirez is always huge no matter what weight he fights at, and will be the biggest test of Billam-Smith’s career. I think this may be a bridge too far for the Englishman and Ramirez may score in the later rounds.
Chris Billam-Smith is confident he will get the job done on Saturday 😤#RiyadSeason | #LatinNight | Live November 16 | FREE on DAZN | @Turki_alalshikh pic.twitter.com/ZOY1wHshgj
— DAZN Boxing (@DAZNBoxing) November 12, 2024
Ramirez and Barboza go to war
A massive clash with world title implications awaits us at the last minute as former unified super lightweight world champion Jose Carlos Ramirez (29-1, 18 KO) meets Arnold Barboza Jr (30-0, 11 KO) within twelve rounds.
Since his only loss to Josh Taylor to clear the division in 2021, Ramirez has fought once a year, defeating Jose Pedraza (UD12), Richard Commey (KO11) and Rances Barthelemy (UD12) to be the number one contender for the WBC title.
Barboza is long undefeated and has boxed twice in 2024, which included an eighth-round retirement victory over Xolisani Ndongeni, followed by a split decision victory over Sean McComb last time out. This is his first scheduled appearance in twelve innings, after eight innings played in ten innings.
Prediction: I’m leaning towards the more experienced Ramirez who will get the job done on points.
There is no better place than the season in Riyad #LatinNight for the fight he’s been waiting for‼️ Jose Ramirez 🆚 Arnold Barboza Jr. it will be totally 𝐖 𝐀 𝐑 ⚔️#LatinNight | #RiyadSeason | LIVE November 16 | FREE on DAZN pic.twitter.com/6njPFoF05D
— Golden Boy (@GoldenBoyBoxing) November 13, 2024
The farmer has everything to do with Zepeda
The WBC interim lightweight title is up for grabs and the talented William Zepeda (31-0, 27 KO) will face Tevin Farmer (33-6-1, 8 KO).
Zepeda is worth watching, as he has been at a championship level in his last five fights. All of his last four fights ended early, and after forcing Maxie Hughes to retire after four rounds in March, he knocked out Giovanni Cabrera in three in July.
Former IBF featherweight champion Farmer is coming off a hard-fought points loss to Raymond Muratalla. Zepeda should be too heated for Farmer here and could win early.
Minimum weight world champion titles up for grabs
The next fight for the world title will take place in the minimum weight class, where Oscar Collazo (10-0, 7 KO) should defend the WBO belt for the fourth time by defeating Thammanoon Niyomtrong (25-0, 9 KO).
The return of Duarte and Ziyad
Oscar Duarte (27-2-1, 22 KO) can ensure his twelve-round super lightweight fighter scores points against Botirzhon Akhmedov (10-3, 9 KO), and welterweight contender Ziyad Almaayouf (6-0, 1 KO) should win at this gala. cards over six against Juan Carlos Ramirez Garcia (5-6, 0 KO).
Oscar De La Hoya admits he is excited about the possibility of pitting WBA cruiserweight world champion Zurdo Ramirez against unified heavyweight king Oleksandr Usyk in the future.
Usyk, the former undisputed cruiserweight champion, has previously spoken about his desire back to the division after fighting Tyson Fury in a rematch on December 21 in Saudi Arabia and De La Hoya believes Ramirez would be the perfect opponent for him.
“I think maybe after the rematch I will go down to cruiserweight,” said the 37-year-old Rule of 3 knockdowns podcast.
“I want tomorrow [fights at] cruiser weight.
“Maybe I’ll be undisputed in the cruiserweight division for a second time, that’s my plan.
“When I start preparing for training camp [as a heavyweight]I have to eat constantly. It’s demanding for me, I don’t like it.”
“Zurdo” secured the WBA belt with a unanimous decision victory over Arsene Goulamirian in March, making him a two-weight world champion.
The Mexican, who is preparing for a unification clash with WBO champion Chris Billam-Smith on November 16 in Riyad, recently spoke about his desire to move up to heavyweight to face the Ukrainian.
“Usyk is a diminutive heavyweight, but he’s right,” the 33-year-old said No seconds.
“I think it would be a good match.
“I watched him and followed him a lot and that’s one of my goals, to be undisputed at cruiserweight and then at heavyweight and I would probably fight him at heavyweight.”
Golden Boy founder and CEO De La Hoya admits he is intrigued by the prospect of his protégé fighting a two-weight world champion.
“I’m excited not because of his reunion,” the 51-year-old said DAZN.
“Yes, it’s quite exhilarating because it doesn’t happen often.
“But the fact that Zurdo is talking about Usyk.
“And Usyk returns to cruiserweight.
– It’s quite exhilarating.
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.
Gilberto Ramirez vs. Chris Billam-Smith – results and post-fight report
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