Last night in Cardiff, Wales Lee Haskins retained his IBF bantamweight title for the first time with a comprehensive 12-round unanimous decision over once-beaten challenger Ivan Morales. Crafty and tricky southpaw counter puncher Haskins won by scores of 119-108 and 118-110, 118-110. Now 33-3(14) the 32-year-old will next face mandatory challenger and former foe Stuey Hall. Morales, younger brother off Mexican living legend Erik Morales, falls to 29-2(17).
Hernández-Harrison vs. Dallas Jr. Ends in a Split Draw – Photos/Quotes!
By Paul “Paparazzi“ Jones | Photo © Paul “Paparazzi” Jones/ESB
Washington, DC — Twenty-one year old prospect Dusty Hernández-Harrison(29-0-1, 16 KOs) and Mike “The Silent Assassin” Dallas Jr. (21-3-2, 10 KOs), 29, headlined ROC Nation Sports’ Throne Boxing card on Friday night, squaring off in a 10-round welterweight bout at the DC Armory in Washington, DC.
Joseph Parker’s trainer Kevin Barry twice turned down “risky” fight with Carlos Takam
It is a sign of how dangerous a task unbeaten New Zealand heavyweight contender Joseph Parker faces a week today against Cameroonian Carlos Takam, that his trainer Kevin Barry twice turned a possible fight with Takam down, as he was “all risk and no reward.” This was a few months back, when Parker needed, in the words of Barry, who was speaking with Stuff.co.nz earlier this week, “more time to develop and mature.”
Rigondeaux reinstated as WBA super-bantamweight ‘super’ champ; tournament planned to crown one man as WBA 122-pound ruler
Gifted Cuban southpaw Guillermo Rigondeaux has been given back his status as the WBA “super” champion at 122-pounds. As fans may recall, “Rigo” was stripped of the belt back in November of last year due to inactivity. Scott Quigg of Britain was elevated to “super” champion ahead of his fight with IBF boss Carl Frampton. Frampton won, adding the WBA strap to his collection, but then he himself was stripped as he chose to move up in weight – for a huge fight with featherweight king Leo Santa Cruz – and now Rigondeaux has the belt back. Phew!
Believe the hype: Since Golovkin’s American debut he’s beaten more top 10 contenders than Canelo and Kovalev
“He needs to work his way up and earn his shot,” explained Lineal middleweight champion, Saul Alvarez, … continue
Andrew Tabiti Outpoints Tapia
Talented undefeated Mayweather Promotions star Andrew “The Beast” Tabiti (13-0, 11 KOs), of Las Vegas, turned back a determined effort by previously unbeaten Keith “Machine Gun” Tapia (17-1, 11 KOs) to win a 10-round unanimous decision in a collision of United States-born cruiserweights in the main event of Friday’s ShoBox: The New Generation quadrupleheader from Sam’s Town Live here.
Manfredo Jr-Biosse fight ends in draw
Fighting on just two and a half weeks notice, “Mr. Providence” Vladine Biosse fought to a draw Friday night in “THE BATTLE FOR THE CAPITAL” against “The Pride of Providence” Peter Manfredo Jr. at Twin River Casino.
Jack Catterall defeats Joe Hughes
British boxing’s hottest talent Jack Catterall comprehensively outpointed Malmesbury’s Joe Hughes to retain his WBO Intercontinental Super-Lightweight title and earn himself a shot at the British title. Slick southpaw Catterall dominated for large spells of a gripping encounter against a rough and ready Hughes. Ultimately, undefeated Catterall’s class showed as he took a deserved unanimous decision with scores of 115-113, 117-112 and 117-113.
Deontay Wilder-Alexander Povetkin fight in jeopardy as Povetkin reportedly fails pre-fight drugs test
In breaking news from Dan Rafael of ESPN.com it seems the WBC heavyweight title fight between champ Deontay Wilder and challenger Alexander Povetkin could be called off as Povetkin has reportedly tested positive for Meldonium.
“Status of the #WilderPovetkin fight is unclear at the moment after Povetkin’s test,” Rafael Tweeted earlier today.
Rafael later wrote:
Enzo Maccarinelli to face Dmytro Kucher for vacant Euro cruiserweight title, McKenzie withdraws with illness
BBC sport in Wales is reporting how former WBO cruiserweight champ Enzo Maccarinelli will face Dmytro Kucher in June, for the vacant European 200-pound title. Ovill McKenzie, a former two-time opponent of the Welshman, has been forced to withdraw from the Kucher fight due to illness. Maccarinelli, 41-7(33) and a former European champ at cruiser now gets a chance to become a two-time Euro ruler at York Hall in London on June 10th.