‘Party of Champions’. Special guest, WBO featherweight champion Rafael Espinoza
Every year on July 4th we honor our legends, champions and prospects in pretty Arecibo. Special guest: WBO Featherweight Champion Rafael “Divino” Espinoza!
During the packed event, Espinoza wowed the audience with his vocal skills while performing alongside mariachis.
Special thanks to boxing legends and former champions: Samuel Serrano, Félix “Tito” Trinidad, Wilfredo Gómez, Iván Calderon, Román Martínez, John John Molina, Daniel Jimenez, Alfredo Escalera, Juan Laporte, Alex Sánchez and Rafael del Valle.
Current WBO Mini Flyweight Champion Oscar Collazo, former world title challenger Wilfredo Rivera, WBO NABO Jr. Welterweight Champion Alfredo “Ojo” Santiago, WBO Intercontinental Flyweight Champion Yankiel Rivera, WBO International Welterweight Champion Stephanie Pineiro, Pedro Márquez, Jeyvier Cintrón, Kiria Tapia, Bryan Chevalier, Ryan Rodríguez, Orlando “Capu” González, Jesús Vázquez, Chris “Punisher” Echevarría, Omar Pacheco, Carlos Negrón, Luis “Bebo” Martinez and Juan Carlos Camacho for making this event special.
Elated Independence Day to the entire USA WBO boxing family!
Nate Diaz issued a challenge to Jake Paul following his victory over Jorge Masvidal on Saturday night, and the social media star turned boxer was quick to respond, making it clear that he was up for the challenge.
In a thrilling rematch that took place nearly half a decade after their iconic 2019 UFC clash, Diaz won a majority decision over Masvidal in the ring.
In the fight, Diaz kept the pressure on Masvidal, with both fighters showing signs of fatigue as the rounds wore on. Ultimately, Diaz avenged his previous loss, with the judges scoring the fight 95-95, 97-93, and 98-92 in his favor.
After the fight, Diaz made no secret of his attack on Paul: “I’m going to beat — …
Jake Paul wasted no time in responding to Diaz’s challenge, writing a withering response on Twitter: “—- you Nate Diaz you are — who ducked my MMA PFL offer of $15m (£12m) for Masvidal that’s bullshit too.”
Paul previously suggested he could offer Diaz a fight in the Professional Fighters League (PFL) in an MMA context, following his victory over the former UFC star last year.
Despite the hype, the deal for that fight never materialized, and Paul will instead face Andre August and Ryan Bourland. He is now preparing for a fight with Mike Perry, with plans to face the legendary Mike Tyson later in the year.
Paul has been talking about a potential mixed martial arts fight for some time, but is now apparently focusing on boxing and is planning on having two fights.
On the other hand, Diaz recently admitted that he is considering a return to the UFC – a possibility that Dana White did not rule out.
Diaz left the organization early to pursue boxing. He has only had two fights in the organization so far, his first win coming against a former UFC opponent.
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Johnny Fisher knocked out Alen Babic in the first minute of their fight at the Copper Box Arena on Saturday. Photo: Mark Robinson/Matchroom Boxing
Johnny Fisher brought an army of fans to the Copper Box Arena and needed less than 40 seconds to defeat Alen Babic in their heavyweight fight.
Babic (12-2, 11 KOs) has built a reputation as a respected contender and unsuccessfully challenged for the WBC bridgeweight title last April against Lukasz Rozanski before defeating Steve Robinson in March. Fisher (12-0, 11 KOs) came in as a abrasive prospect and built a solid record, stopping Dmytro Bezus in a round in his last outing in February in Las Vegas.
The meeting between the two competitors lasted very miniature, because after several sweeping blows with his right and left hands, Babić fell to the mat and lost balance on his feet, and the referee stopped the fight.
Fisher celebrates stopping Babic Photo: Dave Thompson/Matchroom Boxing
“I would like to have the opportunity to fight him.
“He was the first professional I ever sparred with, I was only 18/19 and studying at the University of Exeter.
“I really didn’t know what I was doing.
“He pummeled me demanding for six rounds.
“I grew up watching Dave Allen and was motivated by him.
“It would be an honor to share the ring with him.”
Bellotti defeats Giles
In the previous fight, Reece Bellotti defended his British and Commonwealth titles against Levi Giles (15-2, 4 KOs), winning clearly on points.
Bellotti (19-5, 14 KOs) maintained the lead by two points 118-110 and a third 117-110.
Bellotti defended his British and Commonwealth titles. Photo: Mark Robinson/Matchroom Boxing
Hedges is the South Region Champion
John Hedges won the vacant Southern Area title, defeating Lewis Oakford by technical decision.
Oakford (5-1) suffered a cut above his left eye and the fight was eventually stopped, with Hedges (10-0, 3 KOs) emerging victorious by two scores of 59-56 and a third of 58-57.
Courtney stunned by Zapotoczna
Flyweight contender Maisey Rose Courtney (6-1) suffered the first defeat of her career, falling to Jasmina Zapotoczna (8-1).
After ten rounds the guests won 98-92, 97-93 and 96-94.
Courtney suffered her first professional defeat in a fight against Zapotoczna. Photo: Mark Robinson/Matchroom Boxing
Remaining subcard
In six-round bouts, Giorgio Visioli (4-0, 3 KO) went the distance for the first time, winning all six rounds in the super featherweight division against Tampela Maharusi (10-7-4, 5 KO), while in the middleweight division Jimmy Sains (6-0, 6 KO) remained unbeaten, winning by fifth-round submission against Damien Lacoudray (3-2-1, 1 KO).
Popular super welterweight contender Emmanuel Buttigieg (5-0, 1 KO) won all six rounds in his fight against Jiri Hauke (4-5, 2 KO).
The only four-round fight came in the heavyweight division, with Lewie Pochetty (3-0, 2 KO) winning all four rounds against Amine Boucetta (8-14).
Garcia’s apology is in reference to comments he made on social media, in which the embattled boxer used Islamophobic language, referenced human trafficking and pedophilia, and used a racist term to refer to African-Americans.
As a result of Garcia’s actions, World Boxing Council President Mauricio Sulaiman effectively banned Garcia due to his unpredictable online behavior. “Using my authority as president of the WBC, I hereby bar Ryan Garcia from all activity within our organization,” Sulaiman said in a statement.
“We reject any form of discrimination. I am concerned for (Ryan’s) well-being as he has repeatedly rejected our attempts to support him with his mental health and substance abuse issues.”
Following Sulaiman’s punishment, Garcia’s family also spoke out about the boxer’s comments and distanced themselves from them.
“Our family clearly does not support any statements [Garcia] “What he did regarding race or religion does not reflect who Ryan really is or how he was raised,” the family’s statement begins. “Those who know Ryan can attest to this fact.
“Ryan has been open about his ongoing struggle with mental health for years and as a family we are committed to ensuring and supporting him to receive the support he needs to cope with this very tough time and look after both his immediate and long-term wellbeing.”
Garcia initially posted an apology shortly after Sulaiman banned him from the WBC and his family issued a statement. “I was trolling, I want all the killings to stop,” he wrote. “I love everyone, sorry if I offended you.”
This isn’t the first time Garcia’s social media activities have raised concerns among his family and those in the boxing world. In the months and weeks leading up to his fight with Devin Haney, Garcia frequently posted disturbing content, seemingly to throw his opponent off guard.
Instead, his loved ones began to worry about his mental health, as Garcia accused him of sexually abusing him as a child.
When Garcia and Haney finally met in the ring in Novel York in April, Garcia defeated Haney, but his celebrations were short-lived. Garcia soon tested positive for Ostarine and was banned from boxing for a year. He was also forced to forfeit his $1.1 million (£870,000) prize money, among other penalties.
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