Tag: boxing news

Tim Tszyu vs. Sebastian Fundora: Unpacking a deep, interesting card

Tim Tszyu vs. Sebastian Fundora: Unpacking a deep, interesting card.

The Tim Tszyu vs. Sebastian Fundora pay-per-view card Saturday at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas is unusually deep even though Tszyu lost his original opponent.

Tszyu had been scheduled to defend his 154-pound title against Keith Thurman but Thurman pulled out a few weeks ago with a biceps injury, after which Fundora agreed to take the veteran’s place in the main event.

Here is a look at the featured fights on the show, including the most interesting thing about each of them.

 

Tim Tszyu (24-0, 17 KOs) vs. Sebastian Fundora (20-1-1, 13 KOs)

Division: Junior middleweight (154 pounds)
At stake: Tszyu’s WBO and vacant WBC titles
Most interesting thing about it: I would rather have seen Tszyu defend his belt against Thurman because of Thurman’s history. However, it will be fascinating to see whether the 5-foot-8½ Tszyu can chop down his 6-5½ opponent, as Brian Mendoza did in October. Fundora seems vulnerable after his first setback but he has had success at a high level.
Who wins?: Fundora’s only advantages are his height and reach, which won’t be enough against Tszyu. The beltholder will adjust to Fundora’s dimensions and break him down. Tszyu KO 8.

 

Rolando Romero (15-1, 13 KOs) vs. Isaac Cruz (25-2-1, 17 KOs)

Division: Junior welterweight (140 pounds)
At stake: Romero’s WBA title
Most interesting thing about it: Can Romero keep Cruz off of him? That’s the mission of everyone who faces the relentlessly aggressive Mexican, whose only loss since early in his career was a close decision against Gervonta Davis. Romero will have to use his jab and timely counter shots to get Cruz’s respect to have his hand raised. It won’t be easy.
Who wins?: Romero has the power to get Cruz’s attention but not enough to deter his unusually fit, durable opponent. Cruz will outwork Romero and win a clear decision.

 

Erislandy Lara (29-3-3, 17 KOs) vs. Michael Zerafa (31-4, 19 KOs)

Division: Middleweight (160 pounds)
At stake: Lara’s WBA title
Most interesting thing about it: What does Lara have left at 40? The possible future Hall of Famer from Cuba holds a major title and continues to win fights but his opposition has been suspect. Plus, he’s more willing to exchange punches with his opponents than he used to be. That presumably is the result of him losing a step in terms of his speed and reflexes.
Who wins?: Lara. He isn’t what he once was but he remains as clever as ever and has retained enough of his physical tools to beat Zerafa, a good, rugged but limited fighter.

 

Julio Cesar Martinez (20-3, 15 KOs) vs. Angelino Cordova (18-0-1, 12 KOs)

Division: Flyweight (112 pounds)
At stake: Martinez’s WBC title
Most interesting thing about it: Is Angelino Cordova the real deal? The Venezuelan came out of nowhere to deliver two eye-opening performances, decision victories over one-time title challenger Axel Aragon Vega and former champ Angel Acosta. However, Martinez, making his seventh title defense, is a significant step up in opposition.
Who wins?: Cordova’s impressive little run ends here. Martinez won’t overwhelm his capable opponent but he’ll wear him down with his relentless aggression and stop him.

 

Elijah Garcia (16-0, 13 KOs) vs. Kyrone Davis (18-3-1, 6 KOs)

Division: Middleweight (160 pounds)
At stake: No major titles
Most interesting thing about it: This is a significant test for Garcia. The 20-year-old prodigy has overwhelmed second-tier opponents with his ability and power, which has generated excitement. Davis is a step up for him. The 29-year-old veteran is an excellent technician with experience in big fights. And he’s tough. Only the naturally bigger David Benavidez has stopped him.
Who wins?: Davis will give Garcia problems with his skillset but he doesn’t have the power to keep Garcia off of him for 10 rounds. Garcia will take him out late in the fight.

 

Brian Mendoza (22-3, 16 KOs) vs. Serhii Bohachuk (23-1, 23 KOs)

Division: Junior middleweight (154 pounds)
At stake: No major titles
Most interesting thing about it: Power vs. Power. Mendoza demonstrated the destructive nature of his punches with his brutal knockout of Fundora. And all 23 of Bohachuk’s victories have come by stoppage, which leaves little doubt about his ability to hurt opponents. Thus, this could be the most entertaining fight on the card. Don’t blink.
Who wins?: Mendoza might be the more durable fighter. That will allow him to take Bohachuk’s punches and deliver his own. Mendoza by late KO.

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Oscar Valdez vs. Liam Wilson: Date, time, how to watch, background

Oscar Valdez vs. Liam Wilson: Date, time, how to watch, background.

Former two-division titleholder Oscar Valdez will try to bounce back from second loss in three fights against Liam Wilson on Friday.

OSCAR VALDEZ (31-2, 23 KOs)
VS. LIAM WILSON (13-2, 7 KOs)

  • Date: Friday, March 29
  • Time: 6:05 p.m. ET / 3:05 p.m. PT (main event later in show)
  • Where: Desert Diamond Arena, Glendale, Arizona
  • TV/Stream: ESPN+
  • Division: Junior lightweight (130 pounds)
  • At stake: No major titles
  • Pound-for-pound: None
  • Odds: Valdez 3½-1 favorite (average of multiple outlets)
  • Significance (up to five stars): ***
  • Also on the card: Yokasta Valle vs. Seniesa Estrada, strawweights (for  Valle’s IBF, WBO and Estrada’s WBA, WBC titles); Raymond Muratalla vs. Xolisani Ndongeni, lightweights; Richard Torrez Jr. vs. Don Haynesworth, heavyweights
  • Background: Valdez is on the comeback trail once again. The former two-division titleholder from Mexico was outclassed by Shakur Stevenson in a 130-pound title-unification bout in 2022, losing a one-sided decision. He bounced back to outpoint Adam Lopez a year later. However, he suffered another wide-decision setback in an entertaining scrap against beltholder Emanuel Navarrete last August, which further damaged his reputation. Wilson, a former title challenger, is a clear underdog but no pushover. He put Navarrete down and hurt him before he was stopped himself in Round 9 of a competitive battle for a vacant 130-pound belt in February of last year. The resident of Queensland outpointed two second-tier opponents since the loss, including a unanimous, but close decision over countryman Jackson Jon England. Also on the March 29 card, Yokasta Valle (30-2, 9 KOs) and Seniesa Estrada (25-0, 9 KOs) will fight for the undisputed strawweight championship. They hold two belts apiece.

[lawrence-related id=38543,29864]

Oscar Valdez vs. Liam Wilson: Date, time, how to watch, background

Oscar Valdez vs. Liam Wilson: Date, time, how to watch, background.

Former two-division titleholder Oscar Valdez will try to bounce back from second loss in three fights against Liam Wilson on Friday.

OSCAR VALDEZ (31-2, 23 KOs)
VS. LIAM WILSON (13-2, 7 KOs)

  • Date: Friday, March 29
  • Time: 6:05 p.m. ET / 3:05 p.m. PT (main event later in show)
  • Where: Desert Diamond Arena, Glendale, Arizona
  • TV/Stream: ESPN+
  • Division: Junior lightweight (130 pounds)
  • At stake: No major titles
  • Pound-for-pound: None
  • Odds: Valdez 3½-1 favorite (average of multiple outlets)
  • Significance (up to five stars): ***
  • Also on the card: Yokasta Valle vs. Seniesa Estrada, strawweights (for  Valle’s IBF, WBO and Estrada’s WBA, WBC titles); Raymond Muratalla vs. Xolisani Ndongeni, lightweights; Richard Torrez Jr. vs. Don Haynesworth, heavyweights
  • Background: Valdez is on the comeback trail once again. The former two-division titleholder from Mexico was outclassed by Shakur Stevenson in a 130-pound title-unification bout in 2022, losing a one-sided decision. He bounced back to outpoint Adam Lopez a year later. However, he suffered another wide-decision setback in an entertaining scrap against beltholder Emanuel Navarrete last August, which further damaged his reputation. Wilson, a former title challenger, is a clear underdog but no pushover. He put Navarrete down and hurt him before he was stopped himself in Round 9 of a competitive battle for a vacant 130-pound belt in February of last year. The resident of Queensland outpointed two second-tier opponents since the loss, including a unanimous, but close decision over countryman Jackson Jon England. Also on the March 29 card, Yokasta Valle (30-2, 9 KOs) and Seniesa Estrada (25-0, 9 KOs) will fight for the undisputed strawweight championship. They hold two belts apiece.

[lawrence-related id=38543,29864]

Tim Tszyu vs. Sebastian Fundora: Date, time, how to watch, background

Tim Tszyu vs. Sebastian Fundora: Date, time, how to watch, background.

154-pound champ Tim Tszyu is scheduled to defend his belt and fight for a vacant title against Sebastian Fundora on pay-per-view Saturday in Las Vegas.

TIM TSZYU (24-0, 17 KOs) VS.
SEBASTIAN FUNDORA (20-1-1, 13 KOs)

  • Date: Saturday, March 30
  • Time: 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT (main event later in show)
  • Where: T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas
  • TV/Stream: Pay-per-view ($69.99 in U.S.)
  • Division: Junior middleweight (154 pounds)
  • At stake: Tszyu’s WBO and vacant WBC titles
  • Pound-for-pound: None
  • Odds: Tszyu 4½-1 favorite (average of multiple outlets)
  • Significance (up to five stars): *****
  • Also on the card: Rolando Romero vs. Isaac Cruz, junior welterweights (for Romero’s title); Erislandy Lara vs. Michael Zerafa, middleweights (for Lara’s WBA title); Elijah Garcia vs. Kyrone Davis, middleweights; Julio Cesar Martinez vs. Angel Cordova, flyweights (for Martinez’s WBC title); Serhii Bohachuk vs. Brian Mendoza, junior middleweights
  • Background: Tszyu was scheduled to face veteran Keith Thurman but Thurman pulled out of the fight after injuring his biceps less than two weeks before the opening bell. Fundora, scheduled to fight Bohachuk on the card, agreed to step in and challenge Tszyu. The champion has established himself as an elite fighter with a series of impressive performances, including convincing victories over Terrell Gausha, Tony Harrison, Carlos Ocampo and Brian Mendoza in his last four fights. He was expected to fight then-undisputed champion Jermell Charlo last year but Charlo ended up challenging 168-pound champ Canelo Alvarez and was stripped of his WBO belt at the opening bell. That allowed Tszyu to be elevated from “interim” beltholder to full champion before the Mendoza fight. Fundora was fortunate to get a shot at Tszyu in light of the fact he’s coming off the first loss of his career, a seventh-round knockout against Mendoza in April of last year. The 6-foot-5½ slugger was winning the fight when he was stopped by a brutal three-punch combination. Fundora had given a series of strong performances before his setback, including a ninth-round stoppage of Erickson Lubin in 2022. Also on the card, veteran Erislandy Lara (29-3-3, 17 KOs) will defend his 160-pound title against Michael Zerafa (31-4, 19 KOs). Lara is 40 years old. And Julio Cesar Martinez (20-3, 15 KOs) will defend his 112-pound belt against Angel Cordova (18-0-1, 12 KOs).

[lawrence-related id=41162,41119,39539,39372,39356,36648,36644]

Tim Tszyu vs. Sebastian Fundora: Date, time, how to watch, background

Tim Tszyu vs. Sebastian Fundora: Date, time, how to watch, background.

154-pound champ Tim Tszyu is scheduled to defend his belt and fight for a vacant title against Sebastian Fundora on pay-per-view Saturday in Las Vegas.

TIM TSZYU (24-0, 17 KOs) VS.
SEBASTIAN FUNDORA (20-1-1, 13 KOs)

  • Date: Saturday, March 30
  • Time: 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT (main event later in show)
  • Where: T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas
  • TV/Stream: Pay-per-view ($69.99 in U.S.)
  • Division: Junior middleweight (154 pounds)
  • At stake: Tszyu’s WBO and vacant WBC titles
  • Pound-for-pound: None
  • Odds: Tszyu 4½-1 favorite (average of multiple outlets)
  • Significance (up to five stars): *****
  • Also on the card: Rolando Romero vs. Isaac Cruz, junior welterweights (for Romero’s title); Erislandy Lara vs. Michael Zerafa, middleweights (for Lara’s WBA title); Elijah Garcia vs. Kyrone Davis, middleweights; Julio Cesar Martinez vs. Angel Cordova, flyweights (for Martinez’s WBC title); Serhii Bohachuk vs. Brian Mendoza, junior middleweights
  • Background: Tszyu was scheduled to face veteran Keith Thurman but Thurman pulled out of the fight after injuring his biceps less than two weeks before the opening bell. Fundora, scheduled to fight Bohachuk on the card, agreed to step in and challenge Tszyu. The champion has established himself as an elite fighter with a series of impressive performances, including convincing victories over Terrell Gausha, Tony Harrison, Carlos Ocampo and Brian Mendoza in his last four fights. He was expected to fight then-undisputed champion Jermell Charlo last year but Charlo ended up challenging 168-pound champ Canelo Alvarez and was stripped of his WBO belt at the opening bell. That allowed Tszyu to be elevated from “interim” beltholder to full champion before the Mendoza fight. Fundora was fortunate to get a shot at Tszyu in light of the fact he’s coming off the first loss of his career, a seventh-round knockout against Mendoza in April of last year. The 6-foot-5½ slugger was winning the fight when he was stopped by a brutal three-punch combination. Fundora had given a series of strong performances before his setback, including a ninth-round stoppage of Erickson Lubin in 2022. Also on the card, veteran Erislandy Lara (29-3-3, 17 KOs) will defend his 160-pound title against Michael Zerafa (31-4, 19 KOs). Lara is 40 years old. And Julio Cesar Martinez (20-3, 15 KOs) will defend his 112-pound belt against Angel Cordova (18-0-1, 12 KOs).

[lawrence-related id=41162,41119,39539,39372,39356,36648,36644]

Terence Crawford, Tim Tszyu in advanced talks for summer showdown

Terence Crawford and Tim Tszyu reportedly have been in advanced talks for a fight that could take place this summer.

Terrence Crawford vs. Tim Tszyu reportedly is in the works.

Crawford, the 147-pound champion and pound-for-pound king, and the WBO 154-pound titleholder from Australia are in advanced talks for a showdown, Fox Sports Australia is reporting.

If Tszyu defeats Sebastian Fundora to retain his belt and win the vacant WBC title on pay-per-view Saturday in Las Vegas, his team will immediately enter negotiations to finalize the fight.

The bout presumably would take place in the summer, almost certainly in the United States.

Tszyu’s manager, Glen Jennings, was asked in Las Vegas whether Crawford’s handlers have reached out to him. He responded, “Yes, they have.”

Jennings believes the negotiation process would be seamless given that the sides have been in contact for months, Fox reported. That included discussion of a potential December fight at the time Tszyu was preparing for his Oct. 15 title defense against Brian Mendoza.

Tszyu (24-0, 17 KOs) easily outpointed Mendoza to retain his belt.

“I received a call from Crawford’s business manager, who is a friend of mine … but it still came out of the blue,” Jennings said. “It was shortly before the Mendoza fight. And he just came out straight away and said, ‘Would you be interested in putting Tim in the ring with Terence?’.

“I said, ‘Of course, we would.’ I then asked what time frame they were talking about and he replied, ‘What about right now?’ I was, ‘Ah, s—, sorry, no,’ because we already had the Mendoza deal and I wasn’t going to upset our promoters in Australia or America [by pulling out of that fight].

“And who knows? Maybe they put out a call out to six fighters like that. But they definitely reached out to me to see how quick we could take up the offer. It would’ve been for a fight before Christmas.

“But there was no way we could get it done because we already had what we knew was going to be a tough fight coming up against Mendoza. So we didn’t reject the fight, but we were already committed.

“I then left it between Terence’s people and (Tszyu’s promoter) No Limit to keep discussions open, and those talks have absolutely remained alive. They’ve been continuing in the background, and it now appears there is going to be an opportunity to make something happen.”

Also, Crawford, as the WBO welterweight champion, can claim mandatory challenger status at junior middleweight immediately if he moves up in weight.

That means Tszyu would have to defend his title against the smaller man if he wants to keep it.

Crawford, a three-division champion, won his first major title at 135 pounds but has been fighting at 147 since June 2018, which should make the transition to 154 relatively easy.

“So immediately after that (Fundora) fight, when everything becomes official, we’ll go straight into negotiations to see what we can get done,” Jennings said. “Of course, Tim will also have a WBC mandatory, which clouds the situation somewhat.

“But obviously when Crawford comes into play, the entire boxing world sits up and takes notice.”

Of course, Crawford (40-0, 31 KOs) would be happy to face Fundora (20-1-1, 13 KOs) if the 6-foot-5½ slugger is able to upset Tszyu. Fundora, who replaced the injured Keith Thurman as Tszyu’s opponent, is about a 4½-1 underdog, which is a significant spread in boxing.

Crawford hasn’t fought since last July 29, when he destroyed Errol Spence Jr. in nine rounds to unify all four 147-pound titles.

[lawrence-related id=41147,41119,39356,38376,38369,38307]

Terence Crawford, Tim Tszyu in advanced talks for summer showdown

Terence Crawford and Tim Tszyu reportedly have been in advanced talks for a fight that could take place this summer.

Terrence Crawford vs. Tim Tszyu reportedly is in the works.

Crawford, the 147-pound champion and pound-for-pound king, and the WBO 154-pound titleholder from Australia are in advanced talks for a showdown, Fox Sports Australia is reporting.

If Tszyu defeats Sebastian Fundora to retain his belt and win the vacant WBC title on pay-per-view Saturday in Las Vegas, his team will immediately enter negotiations to finalize the fight.

The bout presumably would take place in the summer, almost certainly in the United States.

Tszyu’s manager, Glen Jennings, was asked in Las Vegas whether Crawford’s handlers have reached out to him. He responded, “Yes, they have.”

Jennings believes the negotiation process would be seamless given that the sides have been in contact for months, Fox reported. That included discussion of a potential December fight at the time Tszyu was preparing for his Oct. 15 title defense against Brian Mendoza.

Tszyu (24-0, 17 KOs) easily outpointed Mendoza to retain his belt.

“I received a call from Crawford’s business manager, who is a friend of mine … but it still came out of the blue,” Jennings said. “It was shortly before the Mendoza fight. And he just came out straight away and said, ‘Would you be interested in putting Tim in the ring with Terence?’.

“I said, ‘Of course, we would.’ I then asked what time frame they were talking about and he replied, ‘What about right now?’ I was, ‘Ah, s—, sorry, no,’ because we already had the Mendoza deal and I wasn’t going to upset our promoters in Australia or America [by pulling out of that fight].

“And who knows? Maybe they put out a call out to six fighters like that. But they definitely reached out to me to see how quick we could take up the offer. It would’ve been for a fight before Christmas.

“But there was no way we could get it done because we already had what we knew was going to be a tough fight coming up against Mendoza. So we didn’t reject the fight, but we were already committed.

“I then left it between Terence’s people and (Tszyu’s promoter) No Limit to keep discussions open, and those talks have absolutely remained alive. They’ve been continuing in the background, and it now appears there is going to be an opportunity to make something happen.”

Also, Crawford, as the WBO welterweight champion, can claim mandatory challenger status at junior middleweight immediately if he moves up in weight.

That means Tszyu would have to defend his title against the smaller man if he wants to keep it.

Crawford, a three-division champion, won his first major title at 135 pounds but has been fighting at 147 since June 2018, which should make the transition to 154 relatively easy.

“So immediately after that (Fundora) fight, when everything becomes official, we’ll go straight into negotiations to see what we can get done,” Jennings said. “Of course, Tim will also have a WBC mandatory, which clouds the situation somewhat.

“But obviously when Crawford comes into play, the entire boxing world sits up and takes notice.”

Of course, Crawford (40-0, 31 KOs) would be happy to face Fundora (20-1-1, 13 KOs) if the 6-foot-5½ slugger is able to upset Tszyu. Fundora, who replaced the injured Keith Thurman as Tszyu’s opponent, is about a 4½-1 underdog, which is a significant spread in boxing.

Crawford hasn’t fought since last July 29, when he destroyed Errol Spence Jr. in nine rounds to unify all four 147-pound titles.

[lawrence-related id=41147,41119,39356,38376,38369,38307]

Fight Week: Tim Tszyu vs. Sebastian Fundora highlights stacked weekend

Fight Week: Tim Tszyu’s title defense against Sebastian Fundora highlights a stacked weekend of boxing.

FIGHT WEEK

Rising star Tim Tszyu is scheduled to defend his 154-pound title against replacement opponent Sebastian Fundora on a busy weekend in boxing.

OSCAR VALDEZ (31-2, 23 KOs)
VS. LIAM WILSON (13-2, 7 KOs)

  • Date: Friday, March 29
  • Time: 6:05 p.m. ET / 3:05 p.m. PT (main event later in show)
  • Where: Desert Diamond Arena, Glendale, Arizona
  • TV/Stream: ESPN+
  • Division: Junior lightweight (130 pounds)
  • At stake: No major titles
  • Pound-for-pound: None
  • Odds: Valdez 3½-1 favorite (average of multiple outlets)
  • Significance (up to five stars): ***
  • Also on the card: Yokasta Valle vs. Seniesa Estrada, strawweights (for  Valle’s IBF, WBO and Estrada’s WBA, WBC titles); Raymond Muratalla vs. Xolisani Ndongeni, lightweights; Richard Torrez Jr. vs. Don Haynesworth, heavyweights
  • Background: Valdez is on the comeback trail once again. The former two-division titleholder from Mexico was outclassed by Shakur Stevenson in a 130-pound title-unification bout in 2022, losing a one-sided decision. He bounced back to outpoint Adam Lopez a year later. However, he suffered another wide-decision setback in an entertaining scrap against beltholder Emanuel Navarrete last August, which further damaged his reputation. Wilson, a former title challenger, is a clear underdog but no pushover. He put Navarrete down and hurt him before he was stopped himself in Round 9 of a competitive battle for a vacant 130-pound belt in February of last year. The resident of Queensland outpointed two second-tier opponents since the loss, including a unanimous, but close decision over countryman Jackson Jon England. Also on the March 29 card, Yokasta Valle (30-2, 9 KOs) and Seniesa Estrada (25-0, 9 KOs) will fight for the undisputed strawweight championship. They hold two belts apiece.

 

TIM TSZYU (24-0, 17 KOs) VS.
SEBASTIAN FUNDORA (20-1-1, 13 KOs)

  • Date: Saturday, March 30
  • Time: 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT (main event later in show)
  • Where: T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas
  • TV/Stream: Pay-per-view ($69.99 in U.S.)
  • Division: Junior middleweight (154 pounds)
  • At stake: Tszyu’s WBO and vacant WBC titles
  • Pound-for-pound: None
  • Odds: Tszyu 4½-1 favorite (average of multiple outlets)
  • Significance (up to five stars): *****
  • Also on the card: Rolando Romero vs. Isaac Cruz, junior welterweights (for Romero’s title); Erislandy Lara vs. Michael Zerafa, middleweights (for Lara’s WBA title); Elijah Garcia vs. Kyrone Davis, middleweights; Julio Cesar Martinez vs. Angel Cordova, flyweights (for Martinez’s WBC title); Serhii Bohachuk vs. Brian Mendoza, junior middleweights
  • Background: Tszyu was scheduled to face veteran Keith Thurman but Thurman pulled out of the fight after injuring his biceps less than two weeks before the opening bell. Fundora, scheduled to fight Bohachuk on the card, agreed to step in and challenge Tszyu. The champion has established himself as an elite fighter with a series of impressive performances, including convincing victories over Terrell Gausha, Tony Harrison, Carlos Ocampo and Brian Mendoza in his last four fights. He was expected to fight then-undisputed champion Jermell Charlo last year but Charlo ended up challenging 168-pound champ Canelo Alvarez and was stripped of his WBO belt at the opening bell. That allowed Tszyu to be elevated from “interim” beltholder to full champion before the Mendoza fight. Fundora was fortunate to get a shot at Tszyu in light of the fact he’s coming off the first loss of his career, a seventh-round knockout against Mendoza in April of last year. The 6-foot-5½ slugger was winning the fight when he was stopped by a brutal three-punch combination. Fundora had given a series of strong performances before his setback, including a ninth-round stoppage of Erickson Lubin in 2022. Also on the card, veteran Erislandy Lara (29-3-3, 17 KOs) will defend his 160-pound title against Michael Zerafa (31-4, 19 KOs). Lara is 40 years old. And Julio Cesar Martinez (20-3, 15 KOs) will defend his 112-pound belt against Angel Cordova (18-0-1, 12 KOs).

 

ARSEN GOULAMIRIAN (27-0, 19 KOs)
VS. GILBERTO RAMIREZ (45-1, 30 KOs)

Arsen Goulamirian (right) will be defending his 200-pound title for the fifth time against Gilberto Ramirez.  Gerard Julien / AFP via Getty Images
  • Date: Friday, March 29
  • Time: 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT (main event later in show)
  • Where: YouTube Theater, Inglewood, California
  • TV/Stream: DAZN
  • Division: Cruiserweight (200 pounds)
  • At stake: Goulamirian’s WBA title
  • Pound-for-pound: None
  • Odds: Ramirez 2½-1 favorite (average of multiple outlets)
  • Significance (up to five stars): ****
  • Also on the card: Alexis Rocha vs. Fredrick Lawson, welterweights; Ricardo Sandoval vs. Luis Hernandez, flyweights; Santiago Dominguez vs. Jose Sanchez, welterweights; Kareem Hackett vs. Rowdy Montgomenry, light heavyweights
  • Background: Goulamirian will be defending his 200-pound title for the fifth time but has been unusually inactive over the past four-plus years, a period in which the California-based Frenchman has fought only once. He was out of the ring for three years between 2019 and 2022 because of illness (COVID 19) and other issues. He finally returned in November 2022, when he easily outpointed Aleksei Ergorov in France. The 36-year-old trains with Abel Sanchez in Big Bear, California. The well-connected Ramirez is getting his second title shot in three fights, having lost a one-sided decision to 175-pound champ Dmitry Bivol in 2022. He bounced back to outclass former beltholder Joe Smith Jr. in his 200-pound debut last October, winning a near-shutout decision. Ramirez is a former 168-pound titleholder.

 

YUDAI SHIGEOKA (9-2, 6 KOs)
VS. MELVIN JERUSALEM (21-3, 12 KOs)

  • Date: Sunday, March 31
  • Time: 5 a.m. ET / 2 a.m. PT (main event later in show)
  • Where: International Conference Hall, Nagoya, Japan
  • TV/Stream: DAZN
  • Division: Strawweight (105 pounds)
  • At stake: Shigeoka’s WBC title
  • Pound-for-pound: None
  • Odds: Shigeoka 6-1 favorite (average of multiple outlets)
  • Significance (up to five stars): ****
  • Also on the card: Ginjiro Shigeoka vs. ArAr Andales, strawweights (for Shigeoka’s IBF title); Lerato Dlamani vs. Tomoki Kameda, featherweights; Riku Kunimoto vs. Eiki Kani, middleweights; Mark Dickinson vs. Anauel Ngamissengue, middleweights; Aaron McKenna vs. Jeovanny Estela, middleweights; Kieron Conway vs. Ainiwaer Yilixiati, middleweights
  • Background: The Shigeoka brothers – 26-year-old Yudai and 24-year-old Ginjiro – will both be defending their 105-pound titles in their home country. Yudai, an offense-minded fighter with power, got off to a slow start in his career – losing two of his first three fights – but he’s unbeaten in his next eight. That includes his convincing decision over then-titleholder Panya Pradabsri last October, giving Shigeoka his first major belt. His opponent on Sunday, Jerusalem, lost his own strawweight title to young star Oscar Collazo last May, getting stopped in seven rounds. The Filipino rebounded by outpointing journeyman Francis Jay Diaz last October in the Philippines. Ginjiro Shigeoka (10-0, 8 KOs) also is aggressive and has heavy hands. The younger Shigeoka’s first title shot ended in disappointment, when then-champ Daniel Valladares was cut by an accidental head butt and the fight was declared a no-contest in January of last year. However, two fights later, Shigeoka stopped the Mexican in five rounds to become a world champion. That fight took place in October. Shigeoka’s opponent on Sunday is ArAr Andales, a light-punching Filipino who is coming off back-to-back draws against Tsubasa Koura and Wilfredo Mendez in 2022 and in October, respectively. Andales (14-2-3, 6 KOs) has three draws in his last four fights.

ALSO FIGHTING THIS WEEK

WEDNESDAY

  • Joseph Adorno vs. Nicholas Walters, lightweights, Plant City, Florida (ProBox TV)

THURSDAY

  • Juan Carrillo vs. Quinton Rankin, light heavyweights, Detroit (DAZN)

FRIDAY

  • Elijah Pierce vs. Arthur Villanueva, bantamweights, Atlanta (DAZN)

SATURDAY

  • Luis Lopez vs. Jesus Resendiz, welterweights, Long Beach, California (Fubo Sports)

SUNDAY

  • Fabio Wardley vs. Frazer Clarke, heavyweights, London (Peacock)

[lawrence-related id=41119,40545,39539,39372,39356,36648,36644,38543]

Fight Week: Tim Tszyu vs. Sebastian Fundora highlights stacked weekend

Fight Week: Tim Tszyu’s title defense against Sebastian Fundora highlights a stacked weekend of boxing.

FIGHT WEEK

Rising star Tim Tszyu is scheduled to defend his 154-pound title against replacement opponent Sebastian Fundora on a busy weekend in boxing.

OSCAR VALDEZ (31-2, 23 KOs)
VS. LIAM WILSON (13-2, 7 KOs)

  • Date: Friday, March 29
  • Time: 6:05 p.m. ET / 3:05 p.m. PT (main event later in show)
  • Where: Desert Diamond Arena, Glendale, Arizona
  • TV/Stream: ESPN+
  • Division: Junior lightweight (130 pounds)
  • At stake: No major titles
  • Pound-for-pound: None
  • Odds: Valdez 3½-1 favorite (average of multiple outlets)
  • Significance (up to five stars): ***
  • Also on the card: Yokasta Valle vs. Seniesa Estrada, strawweights (for  Valle’s IBF, WBO and Estrada’s WBA, WBC titles); Raymond Muratalla vs. Xolisani Ndongeni, lightweights; Richard Torrez Jr. vs. Don Haynesworth, heavyweights
  • Background: Valdez is on the comeback trail once again. The former two-division titleholder from Mexico was outclassed by Shakur Stevenson in a 130-pound title-unification bout in 2022, losing a one-sided decision. He bounced back to outpoint Adam Lopez a year later. However, he suffered another wide-decision setback in an entertaining scrap against beltholder Emanuel Navarrete last August, which further damaged his reputation. Wilson, a former title challenger, is a clear underdog but no pushover. He put Navarrete down and hurt him before he was stopped himself in Round 9 of a competitive battle for a vacant 130-pound belt in February of last year. The resident of Queensland outpointed two second-tier opponents since the loss, including a unanimous, but close decision over countryman Jackson Jon England. Also on the March 29 card, Yokasta Valle (30-2, 9 KOs) and Seniesa Estrada (25-0, 9 KOs) will fight for the undisputed strawweight championship. They hold two belts apiece.

 

TIM TSZYU (24-0, 17 KOs) VS.
SEBASTIAN FUNDORA (20-1-1, 13 KOs)

  • Date: Saturday, March 30
  • Time: 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT (main event later in show)
  • Where: T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas
  • TV/Stream: Pay-per-view ($69.99 in U.S.)
  • Division: Junior middleweight (154 pounds)
  • At stake: Tszyu’s WBO and vacant WBC titles
  • Pound-for-pound: None
  • Odds: Tszyu 4½-1 favorite (average of multiple outlets)
  • Significance (up to five stars): *****
  • Also on the card: Rolando Romero vs. Isaac Cruz, junior welterweights (for Romero’s title); Erislandy Lara vs. Michael Zerafa, middleweights (for Lara’s WBA title); Elijah Garcia vs. Kyrone Davis, middleweights; Julio Cesar Martinez vs. Angel Cordova, flyweights (for Martinez’s WBC title); Serhii Bohachuk vs. Brian Mendoza, junior middleweights
  • Background: Tszyu was scheduled to face veteran Keith Thurman but Thurman pulled out of the fight after injuring his biceps less than two weeks before the opening bell. Fundora, scheduled to fight Bohachuk on the card, agreed to step in and challenge Tszyu. The champion has established himself as an elite fighter with a series of impressive performances, including convincing victories over Terrell Gausha, Tony Harrison, Carlos Ocampo and Brian Mendoza in his last four fights. He was expected to fight then-undisputed champion Jermell Charlo last year but Charlo ended up challenging 168-pound champ Canelo Alvarez and was stripped of his WBO belt at the opening bell. That allowed Tszyu to be elevated from “interim” beltholder to full champion before the Mendoza fight. Fundora was fortunate to get a shot at Tszyu in light of the fact he’s coming off the first loss of his career, a seventh-round knockout against Mendoza in April of last year. The 6-foot-5½ slugger was winning the fight when he was stopped by a brutal three-punch combination. Fundora had given a series of strong performances before his setback, including a ninth-round stoppage of Erickson Lubin in 2022. Also on the card, veteran Erislandy Lara (29-3-3, 17 KOs) will defend his 160-pound title against Michael Zerafa (31-4, 19 KOs). Lara is 40 years old. And Julio Cesar Martinez (20-3, 15 KOs) will defend his 112-pound belt against Angel Cordova (18-0-1, 12 KOs).

 

ARSEN GOULAMIRIAN (27-0, 19 KOs)
VS. GILBERTO RAMIREZ (45-1, 30 KOs)

Arsen Goulamirian (right) will be defending his 200-pound title for the fifth time against Gilberto Ramirez.  Gerard Julien / AFP via Getty Images
  • Date: Friday, March 29
  • Time: 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT (main event later in show)
  • Where: YouTube Theater, Inglewood, California
  • TV/Stream: DAZN
  • Division: Cruiserweight (200 pounds)
  • At stake: Goulamirian’s WBA title
  • Pound-for-pound: None
  • Odds: Ramirez 2½-1 favorite (average of multiple outlets)
  • Significance (up to five stars): ****
  • Also on the card: Alexis Rocha vs. Fredrick Lawson, welterweights; Ricardo Sandoval vs. Luis Hernandez, flyweights; Santiago Dominguez vs. Jose Sanchez, welterweights; Kareem Hackett vs. Rowdy Montgomenry, light heavyweights
  • Background: Goulamirian will be defending his 200-pound title for the fifth time but has been unusually inactive over the past four-plus years, a period in which the California-based Frenchman has fought only once. He was out of the ring for three years between 2019 and 2022 because of illness (COVID 19) and other issues. He finally returned in November 2022, when he easily outpointed Aleksei Ergorov in France. The 36-year-old trains with Abel Sanchez in Big Bear, California. The well-connected Ramirez is getting his second title shot in three fights, having lost a one-sided decision to 175-pound champ Dmitry Bivol in 2022. He bounced back to outclass former beltholder Joe Smith Jr. in his 200-pound debut last October, winning a near-shutout decision. Ramirez is a former 168-pound titleholder.

 

YUDAI SHIGEOKA (9-2, 6 KOs)
VS. MELVIN JERUSALEM (21-3, 12 KOs)

  • Date: Sunday, March 31
  • Time: 5 a.m. ET / 2 a.m. PT (main event later in show)
  • Where: International Conference Hall, Nagoya, Japan
  • TV/Stream: DAZN
  • Division: Strawweight (105 pounds)
  • At stake: Shigeoka’s WBC title
  • Pound-for-pound: None
  • Odds: Shigeoka 6-1 favorite (average of multiple outlets)
  • Significance (up to five stars): ****
  • Also on the card: Ginjiro Shigeoka vs. ArAr Andales, strawweights (for Shigeoka’s IBF title); Lerato Dlamani vs. Tomoki Kameda, featherweights; Riku Kunimoto vs. Eiki Kani, middleweights; Mark Dickinson vs. Anauel Ngamissengue, middleweights; Aaron McKenna vs. Jeovanny Estela, middleweights; Kieron Conway vs. Ainiwaer Yilixiati, middleweights
  • Background: The Shigeoka brothers – 26-year-old Yudai and 24-year-old Ginjiro – will both be defending their 105-pound titles in their home country. Yudai, an offense-minded fighter with power, got off to a slow start in his career – losing two of his first three fights – but he’s unbeaten in his next eight. That includes his convincing decision over then-titleholder Panya Pradabsri last October, giving Shigeoka his first major belt. His opponent on Sunday, Jerusalem, lost his own strawweight title to young star Oscar Collazo last May, getting stopped in seven rounds. The Filipino rebounded by outpointing journeyman Francis Jay Diaz last October in the Philippines. Ginjiro Shigeoka (10-0, 8 KOs) also is aggressive and has heavy hands. The younger Shigeoka’s first title shot ended in disappointment, when then-champ Daniel Valladares was cut by an accidental head butt and the fight was declared a no-contest in January of last year. However, two fights later, Shigeoka stopped the Mexican in five rounds to become a world champion. That fight took place in October. Shigeoka’s opponent on Sunday is ArAr Andales, a light-punching Filipino who is coming off back-to-back draws against Tsubasa Koura and Wilfredo Mendez in 2022 and in October, respectively. Andales (14-2-3, 6 KOs) has three draws in his last four fights.

ALSO FIGHTING THIS WEEK

WEDNESDAY

  • Joseph Adorno vs. Nicholas Walters, lightweights, Plant City, Florida (ProBox TV)

THURSDAY

  • Juan Carrillo vs. Quinton Rankin, light heavyweights, Detroit (DAZN)

FRIDAY

  • Elijah Pierce vs. Arthur Villanueva, bantamweights, Atlanta (DAZN)

SATURDAY

  • Luis Lopez vs. Jesus Resendiz, welterweights, Long Beach, California (Fubo Sports)

SUNDAY

  • Fabio Wardley vs. Frazer Clarke, heavyweights, London (Peacock)

[lawrence-related id=41119,40545,39539,39372,39356,36648,36644,38543]

Dalton Smith takes significant step forward with KO of Jose Zepeda

Dalton Smith took a significant step forward with a knockout of Jose Zepeda on Saturday in England

Dalton Smith took a significant step in his career Saturday in Sheffield, England, his hometown.

The 140-pounder stopped three-time title challenger Jose Zepeda with a right to the body in the fifth round, moving him closer to legitimate title contention.

“A lot of people thought this fight was too soon for me,” said Smith (16-0, 12 KOs). “That made me train harder, and I showed where I belong tonight. I was hitting him with some clean shots. He walked on to an uppercut, and then I knew I could hurt him.”

Smith hurt Zepeda (37-5, 28 KOs) with a right uppercut and followed with the right hand to the gut about a minute into Round 5, forcing Zepeda  to take a knee in pain.

The American was counted out in that position, giving Smith his biggest victory. The official time of the stoppage was 1:25.

The 27-year-old will have to wait in line to face the big names at junior welterweight. For now, he has his eye on unbeaten countryman Adam Azim, who is the European champion.

“I don’t call many names out but Adim Azim, where are you at?” he said. “I bet he vacates that title. I respect him, but the European title is something I want.”

Meanwhile, Zepeda’s days as an elite fighter fight me be over. The 34-year-old from the Los Angeles area has now lost three of his past four fights, to Regis Prograis, Richardson Hitchins and now Smith.