Boxing
Masamichi Yabuki knocked down Sive Nontshinga three times, stopping him in 9th place and winning the IBF title
Published
1 month agoon
Masamichi Yabuki has done it again.
A local hero became a two-time junior flyweight champion after an upset victory over outgoing 108-pound titleholder Sivenathi Nontshinga. Yabuki scored three knockdowns to force a stoppage at 1:50 of the ninth round.
With the victory, Yabuki – a former WBC champion – lifted the IBF crown on Saturday at the Sky Expo in Tokoname in Aichi, Japan.
Nontshinga was on the road once again, making the first defense of his second title tour. The visiting South African boxer regained the belt earlier following a tenth-round knockout of Adrian Curiel, who knocked out Nontshinga in the first round last November.
Yabuki was prepared for the occasion and delivered an even more disciplined performance than he did in his upset knockout victory over Kenshiro Teraji in September 2021. Aichi, the fighting pride of Nagoya, used a powerful jab to keep Nontshinga at bay for most of the fight. He also mixed in left hooks for good measure.
Nontshinga tried to make up ground in the second round and had moderate success compared to his deliberate start in the opening round. The momentum didn’t last long. He was often wild and low with his overhand right hand, while Yabuki landed cleaner and sharper punches.
Things seemed to change for Nontshinga in the fifth round. Ring’s No. 2 flyweight often took down Yabuki and forced action. However, at the end of the round he went for a right hand to ruin this luck.
The beginning of the end came at the end of the eighth period. Nontshinga tried in vain to keep up and fire a powerful shot to turn the tide. Instead, it was Yabuki who scored with a pair of game-changing right hands upstairs. Notshinga was clearly hurt as he turned around. Yabuki landed a final left hook while Nontshinga took a knee before taking down the count and exiting the round.
Nontshinga wasn’t so lucky as the bell rang to start the ninth. He tried to close the gap by targeting Yabuki with a left hook to the body. Yabuki responded with a left hook upstairs before a right hand drove Nontshinga into the ropes. Another right hand caused the second knockdown of the fight.
Nontshinga once again beat the count, but referee Mark Calo-oy expressed concern about the fighter’s condition. The action resumed, but not for long. Yabuki landed a final right hand that caught Nontshinga in the temple and knocked him down for the third time. The fight was immediately stopped as the fallen former titleholder was immediately treated.
Yabuki (17-4, 16 knockout), ranked No. 6 at 108, scored his biggest victory since a devastating upset of Teraji (23-1, 14 KO) to capture the WBC title. This reign was short-lived as he lost the belt to Teraji via third-round knockout in their March 2022 rematch.
Four victories – all by knockout – came to Yabuki, who is currently the only vigorous champion of the division. Teraji and Jonathan “Bomba” Gonzalez have moved up to the flyweight division and will fight for the flyweight titles this weekend. With their departure, places in the WBC, WBA and WBO belts became vacant.
On Sunday in Tokyo, the fight for the WBO belt between Shokichi Iwata (10-1, 7 KO) and Jairo Noriega (14-0, 3 KO) will be at stake.
Nontshinga (13-2, 10 KO) has suffered two defeats by knockout in his last three fights.
The clash with Yabuki was his fourth away fight in five fights. He won the IBF title in a thrilling twelve-round split decision over Hector Flores in September 2022 in Hermosillo, Mexico. The returning headliner had the opportunity to defend himself for the first time – in July last year after a twelve-round victory over Regie Suganob.
Then on November 4 in Monte Carlo, Nontshinga suffered a stunning first-round knockout defeat to Curiel. The IBF title returned home following a tenth-round knockout of Curiel in a rematch on February 16 in Oaxaca, Mexico.
His reign ended in the worst possible way as it is questionable whether Nontshinga will be able to safely return to the junior flyweight division. A move to 112 was considered for some time, although previously he had hoped to remain there long enough to reunite. Negotiations with Teraji and Gonzalez that began earlier this year unfortunately failed to reach an agreement as both ultimately left the division.
Nontshinga was seeking fights with both fighters after being ordered to face mandatory challenger Christian Araneta. Yabuki will inherit that obligation when Araneta is ready to return to the ring following an injury that delayed his first title shot.
Araneta previously lost a narrow decision to Nontshinga in a title qualifier in April 2021. Since then, he has won five in a row and moved up to the top spot in the competition.
Saturday’s fight was broadcast live on ABEMA-TV in Japan and on the Matchroom Boxing YouTube channel in the rest of the world.
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Boxing
George Kambosos moves up to 140, adds Eddie Hearn to team
Published
5 hours 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
2 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.
Boxing
Lauren Price looks to win Jonas vs Habazin with an undercard victory
Published
2 days agoon
November 21, 2024Lauren Price MBE will defend her world title for the first time on Saturday, December 14 at the Exhibition Center in Liverpool, while the Welsh champion plans to stage an all-British unification clash with welterweight rival Natasha Jonas, which will headline the Collision Course that night.
Price defends her WBA welterweight title against undefeated Colombian challenger Bexcy Mateus on the same night as Jonas attempts to unify the IBF and WBC titles with Ivana Habazin as part of BOXXER’s ‘Collision Course’ fight night, which can be seen live and exclusively on Sky Sports in the UK UK and Ireland and Peacock in the US.
Price MBE (7-0, 1 KO) made history with an excellent performance, defeating former undisputed welterweight world ruler Jessica McCaskill in front of her fans in Cardiff in May.
Price, the first Welsh boxer to win Olympic gold, once again entered the record books by becoming the country’s first world champion in just her seventh professional fight. The 30-year-old from Ystrad Mynach, who has yet to lose a round as a professional, will now defend her world titles for the first time as she focuses on dominating the welterweight division.
Mateus (7-0, 6 KO), ranked No. 5 in the WBA rankings, is undefeated in the professional ranks and has won all but one of her seven fights by knockout. The 29-year-old from Bogota, fighting outside her native Colombia for the first time, will now have her first chance at global fame, with her goal to dethrone Price and take the top spot in the welterweight division.
Lauren Price said: “I’m excited to defend my belts and complete what has been an crucial year for me. I have full respect for Mateusz. I will prove that I am the best in the division and I will not let anything or anyone stand in my way of being undisputed.”
BOXXER Founder and CEO Ben Shalom said: “It’s a massive night for the women’s welterweight division with three world champions competing. Natasha Jonas returns to her hometown for a mandatory unification fight against Ivana Habazin, and Lauren Price defends her world titles against undefeated challenger Bexcy Mateus. The fight for the undisputed continues. If Natasha and Lauren win on December 14, it will set the stage for a massive “Battle Of Britain” world title unification fight next year.
There’s reason to celebrate as BOXXER delivers a Christmas cracker to end the year. In addition to the world championship fights between Natasha Jonas and Lauren Price, fight fans can expect a gala full of drama and entertainment.
Undefeated Irishman Stephen McKenna (15-0, 14 KO) will face English champion Lee Cutler (14-1, 7 KO) in an invigorating super welterweight fight for the silver WBC International title.
McKenna impressed fans in his three-round fight against Joe Laws last August at Oakwell Stadium in Barnsley. The two struck out in the first round, then McKenna began to apply the pressure, losing Laws three more times and maintaining his undefeated record after a third-round stoppage.
English cruiserweight champion Viddal Riley (11-0, 6 KO) returns to action from a rib injury that has kept him out of the ring since a career-best victory over Mikael Lawal in March. Riley will be looking to shake off the ring rust as he takes on high-profile opponents in the recent year.
Undefeated Chorley super middleweight Mark Jeffers (18-0, 5 KO) scored an explosive fifth-round knockout victory over Darren Johnston in May and will be looking to bring more drama to Liverpool’s Exhibition Center as he goes in search of his 19th professional win.
Mason Cartwright (20-4-1, 8 KO) from Cheshire, a former two-time British title challenger from Ellesmere Port, will be counting on local support as he returns to the title track.
After signing a promotional contract with BOXXER, local star Frankie Stringer (8-0, 1 KO) can achieve his third victory in 2024, when he returns in front of his fans in Liverpool. The 23-year-old lightweight fighter is a player of the notable city team Rotunda ABC, and his manager is former world champion Liam Smith.
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