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Xander Zayas vs. Abass Baraou – Large Fight Preview and Predictions

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Xander Zayas and Abass Baraou fight for super welterweight title unification on Saturday in Puerto Rico Photo source: Top Rank

On Saturday, January 31, Xander Zayas returns to action and will want to defend his WBO super welterweight world title in a unification fight with WBA world champion Abass Baraou.

Zayas faces Baraou live from San Juan, Puerto Rico on Top Rank Classics in the US and on the Top Rank Facebook page in the UK.

At just 23 years ancient, Zayas is the youngest dynamic male world boxing champion.

The Puerto Rican impresses with his quick hands and remains undefeated before the fight.

Xander Zayas and Abass Baraou fight for super welterweight title unification on Saturday in Puerto Rico Photo source: Top Rank

Zayas has gained real momentum after a string of wins, the most recent over Jorge Perez last July.

It was thanks to his victory over Perez that he became the world champion in Novel York.

He will face experienced challenger Baraou i current WBA world championwho has both amateur and professional pedigree.

Zayas and Baraou face to face before Saturday's game. Photo: Top position
Zayas and Baraou face to face before Saturday’s game. Photo: Top position

Baraou last fought against Yoeniz Tellez, winning a decisive unanimous decision and eliminating him in the final round.

Euri Cedeno vs. Etoundi Michel William

The co-main event will be the middleweight fight of Euri Cedeno vs. Etoundi Michel William.

Cedeno (13-0-1, 12 KO) enters the ring undefeated and has shown his strength so far, recording 12 knockouts.

He will face William (16-2, 12 KO), another bulky hitter coming off of a loss to Troy Isley.

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Undercard remaining

Giovani Santillan’s class should come out on top against Courtney Pennington at welterweight.

Santillan (34-1, 18 KO) has won three straight since a 10th-round knockout loss to former welterweight champion Brian Norman Jr.

Rohan Polanco returns to fight against Christian Gomez (23-6-1, 21 KO) and last year at Madison Square Garden he defeated Quinton Randall by unanimous decision.

Polanco (17-0, 10 KO) has size and strength; expect an early finish.

Polanco continues his move towards a title shot (Photo: Mikey Williams, top position)
Polanco continues his move towards a title shot (Photo: Mikey Williams, top position)

20-year-old Juanma Lopez De Jesus (4-0, 2 KO) is our favorite to stop Conner Russell Goode (8-4-2, 7 KO) on Saturday.

He has impressed since his debut last February, recording two stoppages in his four wins.

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Carlos Jamil De Leon Castro (6-0, 5 KO) puts his undefeated record in Puerto Rico at stake and should stop 37-year-old Diuhi Olguin (17-47-7, 10 KO).

The Mexican fought 73 times in his career and suffered six defeats in a row.

Yadriel Caban Gerena (2-0, 2 KO) should be enough to stop Jeremis Hernandez-Torres (2-2) in a four-round fight starting the evening.

The post Xander Zayas vs Abass Baraou – Large Fight Preview and Predictions appeared first on ProBoxing-Fans.com.

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UK Boxing

Dillian Whyte interested in rematch with Joseph Parker

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Fabio Wardley amazed Joseph Parker during his performance at the O2: Leigh Dawney/Queensberry

Dillian Whyte is eager to fight Joseph Parker again.

In 2018, Whyte and Parker played 12 invigorating rounds, with both hitting the canvas.

Whyte won his dramatic heavyweight fight by unanimous decision at the O2 Arena.

‘The Body Snatcher’ is now planning a rematch with the Recent Zealander, who is looking to clear his name after testing positive for cocaine following his October defeat to Fabio Wardley.

“There are a lot of good fights and Joseph Parker is one of them,” the 38-year-old said Ring Magazine.

Fabio Wardley amazed Joseph Parker during his performance at the O2: Leigh Dawney/Queensberry

“I would love to fight Joseph Parker, I think it’s a really good fight.

“He has to come back, he has to be cleared or whatever. I don’t know the situation.

“So in the meantime I have to stay busy and fight my way back, so let’s see.

“I feel like I still have a little bit to give, so let’s see what we can do to finish the season on a high.

“I’m training now and I want to come back in May or June.

“Now it’s just a matter of training and seeing what comes out on this kind of date.”

Moses Itauma defeated Dillian Whyte in the first round in Riyad. Photo: Leigh Dawney/Queensberry
Moses Itauma defeated Dillian Whyte in the first round in Riyad. Photo: Leigh Dawney/Queensberry

The former world title challenger from Brixton has not fought since a crushing first-round knockout defeat to rising contender Moses Itauma last August in Riyad.

Former world champion Parker won six times on spin before being stopped in the 11th round against Wardley, losing the WBO interim title and a shot at unified champion Oleksandr Usyk.

The 34-year-old says he is going through this process after failing the test and hopes it will be resolved soon.

Whyte defeated Parker in 2018. Photo: Reuters
Whyte defeated Parker in 2018. Photo: Reuters

“Let’s hope so [I’m back] soon,” Parker said Professional boxing fans.

“I’m just going through the process and practicing patience.

“We just have to be patient and learn from what they say happened.

“I know what happened and I handed over everything, so let’s see.”

The post Dillian Whyte Eyes Joseph Parker Rematch appeared first on ProBoxing-Fans.com.

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UK Boxing

“I was nervous” – Tony Yoka reacts to Lawrence Okolie’s failed test

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Lawrence Okolie presented an unfavorable analysis result in the VADA test. Photo: Leigh Dawney/Queensberry

Tony Yoka has broken his silence on Lawrence Okolie’s failed test that canceled their scheduled heavyweight fight.

On Saturday in Paris, Yoka was scheduled to face Okolie in a fierce heavyweight fight.

But on Tuesday, the Briton failed a VADA test, reportedly for GHRP 2 and its metabolite M8, a synthetic substance that stimulates the body to release human growth hormone.

Promoter Frank Warren tried to find a slow replacement, but later canceled the entire show.

Yoka (33) admits that he was bitterly disappointed with the situation.

Lawrence Okolie presented an unfavorable analysis result in the VADA test. Photo: Leigh Dawney/Queensberry

“I was disappointed because I wanted to fight,” said the 33-year-old talkSPORT.

“Of course I was ready.

“It’s not like it happened a few months before, it was three, four days before the fight.

Okolie was scheduled to face Yoka in Paris on Saturday. Photo: Queensberry
Okolie was scheduled to face Yoka in Paris on Saturday. Photo: Queensberry

“It was a great opportunity.

“It would have put me in a really good position, so it really worried me.

“What was more disappointing to me was that they just canceled the entire show, but I understand it’s a business.”

The Frenchman says he won’t wait too long and has been told he will either fight on the card Fabio Wardley vs. Daniel Dubois May 9 in Manchester or on the bill Dave Allen vs Filip Hrgovic on May 16 in Doncaster.

Okolie, the WBC’s number one contender for Oleksandr Usyk’s title, promised in a statement to clear his name.

“Before anyone starts imagining the worst, after last year’s bicep injury, I suffered an elbow injury on the same shoulder during this camp.

“I underwent treatment and now we are here.

“I hope common sense will prevail.

“I will of course cooperate fully with all relevant authorities and I am confident that any investigation will clear my name.

“I will not be making any further comments at this time.

“Thank you for all your support and see you soon.”

The post “I Was Nervous” – Tony Yoka’s Reaction to Lawrence Okolie’s Failed Test appeared first on ProBoxing-Fans.com.

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David Benavidez is considering two names after Zurdo Ramirez

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Benavidez and Ramirez face-to-face before world title fight Photo: Cris Esqueda/Golden Boy Promotions

David Benavidez is already looking to the future ahead of next week’s showdown with Zurdo Ramirez.

Benavidez challenges Zurdo for his unified WBO and WBA cruiserweight world titles next Saturday at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, live on DAZN pay-per-view.

“The Mexican Monster” is moving up from lightweight heavyweight, where he holds the WBC crown, in a bid to become a three-division world champion.

An undisputed 175-pound title fight with Dmitry Bivol has so far eluded the undefeated 29-year-old, but he insists he will return to the weight class after the Ramirez fight in an attempt to lure Bivol to fight him.

“My plan wasn’t just to abandon the lightweight heavyweight division,” Benavidez said Ariel Helwani show.

“My plan was this [to] come up, win two titles, come back and make this fight with me and Bivol even bigger.

“My dream is to become unified champion.

“It would be wise for me to go back downstairs.”

Benavidez and Ramirez face-to-face before world title fight Photo: Cris Esqueda/Golden Boy Promotions

Bivol, the holder of the remaining IBF, WBA and WBO belts, will defend his IBF title against mandatory challenger Michael Eifert on May 30 in Russia.

The 35-year-old won the undisputed crown, among others revenge victory over Artur Beterbiev in his last appearance last February.

The Russian gave up the WBC belt, which Benavidez currently holds, in pursuit of a third meeting with Beterbiev, which ultimately did not take place.

Benavidez is interested in fighting Bivol for the undisputed light heavyweight title
Benavidez is interested in fighting Bivol for the undisputed lightweight heavyweight title

Benavidez, who stopped Anthony Yarde in Riyad in November, is also hoping to fight former undisputed lightweight heavyweight champion Beterbiev, who hasn’t fought since his only professional loss to Bivol.

“After this fight [against Bivol] when I win the titles,” he added.

“I’m going to fight Beterbiev.

“I’m probably most excited about Beterbiev.

Benavidez wants to fight Beterbiev. Photo: Mark Robinson Matchroom Boxing
Benavidez wants to fight Beterbiev. Photo: Mark Robinson Matchroom Boxing

“These are two monsters heading on a collision course.

“Beterbiev was a bogeyman for a long, long, long time.

“Being the monster I am, I have to go in there and get rid of the bogeyman.”

The post David Benavidez Eyeing Two Names After Zurdo Ramirez appeared first on ProBoxing-Fans.com.

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