Tag: Joe Cordina

O’Shaquie Foster targeting titleholders, big names at 130 pounds after victory

O’Shaquie Foster said he’s targeting fellow titleholders and the big names at 130 pounds after his victory over Abraham Nova on Friday.

Junior lightweight titleholder O’Shaquie Foster had a difficult time making the 130-pound limit going into his split decision victory over Abraham Nova on Friday in New York, which could mean he’s not long for the division.

However, he said he has some business to take care of first. He wants at least a few more big fights at 130 before he makes the move to 135.

“I’ll eventually be going to 135,” he said after his victory. “But I’m going to try to get a couple more fights at 130. Like I said I’m going to try to hire a nutritionist to do it better next time. It definitely affected my energy in the fight.”

So what potential opponents does he have in mind?

The WBC champion is targeting fellow beltholders Lamont Roach (WBA) and Emanuel Navarrete (WBO), as well as some other big names in the division.

“I’ll take the winner of Liam Wilson [and Oscar Valdez on March 29],” he said, per Fight Hub TV. “Or if we can get Lamont Roach. I know [Emanuel] Navarrete is going to 135 … but if he comes back, I’m willing to do that too.”

Foster (22-2, 12 KOs) could also be required to face relatively unknown WBC mandatory challenger Muhammadkhuja Yaqubov (21-1, 11 KOs) of Tajikistan soon.

Foster defeated Yaqubov by a one-sided decision in March 2022, after which Yaqubov has won three consecutive fights.

“If it’s mandatory and I have to, I’ll take it. It’s cool,” he said. “I beat the guy, Yaqubov. I’d rather fight a Wilson or Oscar Valdez. But if I have to, I’ll satisfy my mandatory.”

One titleholder that doesn’t appear to be in Foster’s plans is Joe Cordina (IBF). Foster expressed interest in facing Cordina but the British fighter said he wants to face an opponent against whom he could make more money.

“Man, they had their chance,” Foster said, referring to Cordina. “I was open for it. If it’s still available, I’m with it, but I ain’t going to be chasing nobody.”

Foster got off to a slow start against Nova (23-2, 16 KOs) in the second defense of the belt he won by outpointing Rey Vargas in February of last year but found his rhythm in the middle rounds and controlled the fight down the stretch.

He put Nova down with a left hook with about 20 seconds remaining in the fight to clinch the victory. Replays seemed to confirm Nova went down from the punch but he said he slipped.

Foster wasn’t buying that version of events.

“Oh man, he’s delusional,” he said. “It was a knockdown for sure. If I did stuff the right way, there would’ve been a lot of knockdowns. I was rushing stuff, I was trying to land too much power. It’s on me.”

Foster will have an opportunity to improve in a high profile fight soon.

[lawrence-related id=40776]

O’Shaquie Foster targeting titleholders, big names at 130 pounds after victory

O’Shaquie Foster said he’s targeting fellow titleholders and the big names at 130 pounds after his victory over Abraham Nova on Friday.

Junior lightweight titleholder O’Shaquie Foster had a difficult time making the 130-pound limit going into his split decision victory over Abraham Nova on Friday in New York, which could mean he’s not long for the division.

However, he said he has some business to take care of first. He wants at least a few more big fights at 130 before he makes the move to 135.

“I’ll eventually be going to 135,” he said after his victory. “But I’m going to try to get a couple more fights at 130. Like I said I’m going to try to hire a nutritionist to do it better next time. It definitely affected my energy in the fight.”

So what potential opponents does he have in mind?

The WBC champion is targeting fellow beltholders Lamont Roach (WBA) and Emanuel Navarrete (WBO), as well as some other big names in the division.

“I’ll take the winner of Liam Wilson [and Oscar Valdez on March 29],” he said, per Fight Hub TV. “Or if we can get Lamont Roach. I know [Emanuel] Navarrete is going to 135 … but if he comes back, I’m willing to do that too.”

Foster (22-2, 12 KOs) could also be required to face relatively unknown WBC mandatory challenger Muhammadkhuja Yaqubov (21-1, 11 KOs) of Tajikistan soon.

Foster defeated Yaqubov by a one-sided decision in March 2022, after which Yaqubov has won three consecutive fights.

“If it’s mandatory and I have to, I’ll take it. It’s cool,” he said. “I beat the guy, Yaqubov. I’d rather fight a Wilson or Oscar Valdez. But if I have to, I’ll satisfy my mandatory.”

One titleholder that doesn’t appear to be in Foster’s plans is Joe Cordina (IBF). Foster expressed interest in facing Cordina but the British fighter said he wants to face an opponent against whom he could make more money.

“Man, they had their chance,” Foster said, referring to Cordina. “I was open for it. If it’s still available, I’m with it, but I ain’t going to be chasing nobody.”

Foster got off to a slow start against Nova (23-2, 16 KOs) in the second defense of the belt he won by outpointing Rey Vargas in February of last year but found his rhythm in the middle rounds and controlled the fight down the stretch.

He put Nova down with a left hook with about 20 seconds remaining in the fight to clinch the victory. Replays seemed to confirm Nova went down from the punch but he said he slipped.

Foster wasn’t buying that version of events.

“Oh man, he’s delusional,” he said. “It was a knockdown for sure. If I did stuff the right way, there would’ve been a lot of knockdowns. I was rushing stuff, I was trying to land too much power. It’s on me.”

Foster will have an opportunity to improve in a high profile fight soon.

[lawrence-related id=40776]

Jamel Herring makes strong impression with first-round knockout

Jamel Herring made a strong impression with a first-round knockout of journeyman Nick Molina on Tuesday in New York City.

No journeyman is going to beat Jamel Herring, even a 38-year-old version.

That became obvious quickly on Tuesday night at Edison Ballroom in New York City, where the former 130-pound titleholder needed less than one full round to take out Nick Molina in a scheduled eight-round 133-pound fight.

It was Herring’s first victory since he stopped Carl Frampton in 2021, which was followed by back-to-back losses to Shakur Stevenson — which cost him his belt and momentum — and Jamaine Ortiz.

The left-handed New Yorker had been out of the ring since May of last year.

“I had to make a statement,” Herring said afterward. “… At the end of the day everyone thought I was over the hill and said whatever, that I didn’t have it anymore. [New trainer] Wayne McCullough said from the jump that I have more in the tank.

“… You can make it an ugly win or you can make an impression.”

Herring (24-4, 12 KOs) made an impression early, hammering Molina (13-1, 5 KOs) with a straight left that might’ve broken his nose.

Then, about half way through the round, a combination put Molina down for the first of two times. Herring dropped the Lowell, Massachusetts fighter again in the final seconds, which prompted referee Arther Mercante Jr. to stop the fight.

The official time of the stoppage was 2:49.

McCullough was among those impressed.

“When he first came to me, I said, ‘Do you still want it?’” said McCullough, a former 118-pound champ. “He said right away that he wanted it. So we worked the last few weeks. … And you saw tonight what he did. He got the fight over with quickly.”

What’s next for Herring, who has taken part in five world title fights?

His first choice would be to take a trip over the pond to the U.K., where some of the top 130-pounders reside. As he said, “I want to fight the best.”

“I want to go on a European tour,” he said. “What I mean by that is I want to fight guys like my friend (and beltholder) Joe Cordina, Leigh Wood or even Josh Warrington.

“And I would gladly go to the U.K. If I can’t get that, I know my boy Lamont Roach has a big fight coming up (against titleholder Hector Luis Garcia). I know he wants to run it back (after losing to Hering in 2019).

“If not that, I’d love to come back home to New York. Or I’d love to fight in my second home of Cincinnati, Ohio.”

Yes, Herring suddenly has a lot of options again. He’s back, at least for now.

Jamel Herring makes strong impression with first-round knockout

Jamel Herring made a strong impression with a first-round knockout of journeyman Nick Molina on Tuesday in New York City.

No journeyman is going to beat Jamel Herring, even a 38-year-old version.

That became obvious quickly on Tuesday night at Edison Ballroom in New York City, where the former 130-pound titleholder needed less than one full round to take out Nick Molina in a scheduled eight-round 133-pound fight.

It was Herring’s first victory since he stopped Carl Frampton in 2021, which was followed by back-to-back losses to Shakur Stevenson — which cost him his belt and momentum — and Jamaine Ortiz.

The left-handed New Yorker had been out of the ring since May of last year.

“I had to make a statement,” Herring said afterward. “… At the end of the day everyone thought I was over the hill and said whatever, that I didn’t have it anymore. [New trainer] Wayne McCullough said from the jump that I have more in the tank.

“… You can make it an ugly win or you can make an impression.”

Herring (24-4, 12 KOs) made an impression early, hammering Molina (13-1, 5 KOs) with a straight left that might’ve broken his nose.

Then, about half way through the round, a combination put Molina down for the first of two times. Herring dropped the Lowell, Massachusetts fighter again in the final seconds, which prompted referee Arther Mercante Jr. to stop the fight.

The official time of the stoppage was 2:49.

McCullough was among those impressed.

“When he first came to me, I said, ‘Do you still want it?’” said McCullough, a former 118-pound champ. “He said right away that he wanted it. So we worked the last few weeks. … And you saw tonight what he did. He got the fight over with quickly.”

What’s next for Herring, who has taken part in five world title fights?

His first choice would be to take a trip over the pond to the U.K., where some of the top 130-pounders reside. As he said, “I want to fight the best.”

“I want to go on a European tour,” he said. “What I mean by that is I want to fight guys like my friend (and beltholder) Joe Cordina, Leigh Wood or even Josh Warrington.

“And I would gladly go to the U.K. If I can’t get that, I know my boy Lamont Roach has a big fight coming up (against titleholder Hector Luis Garcia). I know he wants to run it back (after losing to Hering in 2019).

“If not that, I’d love to come back home to New York. Or I’d love to fight in my second home of Cincinnati, Ohio.”

Yes, Herring suddenly has a lot of options again. He’s back, at least for now.

Joe Cordina gets past Edward Vazquez to retain 130-pound title

Joe Cordina defeated Edward Vazquez by a majority decision to retain his 130-pound title on Saturday in Monte Carlo.

Joe Cordina didn’t sparkle but he was good enough.

The unbeaten 130-pound titleholder from Wales defeated Edward Vazquez by a majority decision to retain his belt on Saturday night in Monte Carlo. The official scores were 116-112, 116-112 and 114-114.

Cordina (17-0, 9 KOs) looked good at times, fighting behind his jab, but he could never separate himself from the capable Vazquez (15-2, 3 KOs) in a close fight.

The beltholder outlanded the challenger only 170 to 164 overall, according to CompuBox.

“He’s tricky and he’s clever,” Cordina said afterward, per ESPN. “I had to track him down and work him out. Going into the 10th, my trainer told me it was level. I didn’t box to my best, but I still think I did enough to win. There are no marks on my face, but there are marks on his.

“I didn’t perform to my best, and he couldn’t beat me on my worst night, and he’s a sore loser.”

An angry Vazquez was convinced he deserved the victory.

“I will be back,” he said. “Everyone watching around the world knows I won. [Matchroom promoter] Eddie Hearn knows I won. He wasn’t able to do what he wanted to, he had no power, he couldn’t land his right hand or left hook, and all the others at 130 pounds will walk through him.”

Two potential opponents for Cordina are fellow titleholders Emanuel Navarrete and O’Shaquie Foster, as well as 126-pound champ Leigh Wood of England.

Cordina was making his first defense in his second reign as IBF titleholder. The 2016 Olympian won the belt by stopping Kenichi Ogawa in the second round in June of last year, his first major belt.

He was then stripped after a hand injury forced him to pull out of a defense against Shavkatdzhon Rakhimov that was scheduled for last November, after which Rakhimov stopped Zelfa Barrett to win the title. And, finally, Cordina defeated Rakhimov by a split decision to regain the belt on April 22.

Joe Cordina gets past Edward Vazquez to retain 130-pound title

Joe Cordina defeated Edward Vazquez by a majority decision to retain his 130-pound title on Saturday in Monte Carlo.

Joe Cordina didn’t sparkle but he was good enough.

The unbeaten 130-pound titleholder from Wales defeated Edward Vazquez by a majority decision to retain his belt on Saturday night in Monte Carlo. The official scores were 116-112, 116-112 and 114-114.

Cordina (17-0, 9 KOs) looked good at times, fighting behind his jab, but he could never separate himself from the capable Vazquez (15-2, 3 KOs) in a close fight.

The beltholder outlanded the challenger only 170 to 164 overall, according to CompuBox.

“He’s tricky and he’s clever,” Cordina said afterward, per ESPN. “I had to track him down and work him out. Going into the 10th, my trainer told me it was level. I didn’t box to my best, but I still think I did enough to win. There are no marks on my face, but there are marks on his.

“I didn’t perform to my best, and he couldn’t beat me on my worst night, and he’s a sore loser.”

An angry Vazquez was convinced he deserved the victory.

“I will be back,” he said. “Everyone watching around the world knows I won. [Matchroom promoter] Eddie Hearn knows I won. He wasn’t able to do what he wanted to, he had no power, he couldn’t land his right hand or left hook, and all the others at 130 pounds will walk through him.”

Two potential opponents for Cordina are fellow titleholders Emanuel Navarrete and O’Shaquie Foster, as well as 126-pound champ Leigh Wood of England.

Cordina was making his first defense in his second reign as IBF titleholder. The 2016 Olympian won the belt by stopping Kenichi Ogawa in the second round in June of last year, his first major belt.

He was then stripped after a hand injury forced him to pull out of a defense against Shavkatdzhon Rakhimov that was scheduled for last November, after which Rakhimov stopped Zelfa Barrett to win the title. And, finally, Cordina defeated Rakhimov by a split decision to regain the belt on April 22.

Fight Week: Heavyweight Efe Ajagba back in action, Joe Cordina to defend title

Fight Week: Heavyweight Efe Ajagba is in action against Joe Goodall. Meanwhile, Joe Cordina will defend his title against Eduard Vazquez.

FIGHT WEEK

Heavyweight contender Efe Ajagba will face hard-punching Joe Goodall on Saturday. On the same day, 130-pound champ Joe Cordina will defend his belt against Eduard Vazquez.

EFE AJAGBA (18-1, 13 KOs)
VS. JOE GOODALL (10-1-1, 9 KOs)

  • Date: Saturday, Nov. 4
  • Time: 6 p.m. ET / 3 p.m. PT (main event later in show)
  • Where: Tahoe Blue Event Center, Lake Tahoe, Nevada
  • TV/Stream: ESPN, ESPN+
  • Division: Heavyweight (no limit)
  • At stake: No major titles
  • Odds: Ajagba 6-1 favorite (average of multiple outlets)
  • Also on the card: Raymond Muratalla vs. Diego Torres, lightweights; Henry Lebron vs. William Foster III, junior lightweights
  • Prediction: Ajagba KO 5
  • Background: Ajagba continues to battle for a place among the top heavyweights. The 6-foot-6 Texas-based Nigerian has won three consecutive fights since he lost a one-sided decision to well-schooled Frank Sanchez in October 2021. The 29-year-old is coming off a fourth-round disqualification victory over Zhan Kossobutskiy on August 26, the result of numerous low blows by the Kazakhstani fighter. Goodall could be a dangerous opponent. The 6-foot-5½ Australian lost a near-shutout decision against countryman Justis Huni in June of last year but he bounced back to win two consecutive fights, including a sixth-round knockout of solid Stephen Shaw this past July. Shaw went the distance with Ajagba in a competitive fight six months earlier. Nine of Goodall’s victories have come by knockout.

 

JOE CORDINA (16-0, 9 KOs)
VS. EDUARD VAZQUEZ (15-1, 3 KOs)

  • Date: Saturday, Nov. 4
  • Time: 2 p.m. ET / 11 a.m. PT (main event later in show)
  • Where: Casino de Monte Carlo Salle Medecin, Monte Carlo
  • TV/Stream: DAZN
  • Division: Super featherweight (130 pounds)
  • At stake: Cordina’s IBF title
  • Odds: Cordina 9-1 favorite (average of multiple outlets)
  • Also on the card: Sivenathi Nontshinga vs. Adrian Curiel, junior flyweights (for Nontshinga’s IBF title); Souleymane Cissokho vs. Isaias Lucero, junior middleweights; Julissa Guzman vs. Ramla Ali, junior featherweights
  • Prediction: Cordina UD
  • Background: Cordina is scheduled to make his first defense in his second reign as IBF titleholder. The 2016 Olympian from Wales has had an up-down-up last year and a half. He won the belt by stopping Kenichi Ogawa in the second round in June of last year, his first major belt. He was then stripped after a hand injury forced him to pull out of a defense against Shavkatdzhon Rakhimov that was scheduled for last November, after which Rakhimov stopped Zelfa Barrett to win the title. And, finally, Cordina defeated Rakhimov by a split decision to regain the belt on April 22. The 31-year-old resident of Cardiff has said he’d like to face WBO beltholder Emanuel Navarrete. Of course, he must get past Vazquez first. The 28-year-old is a fringe contender from Fort Worth, Texas. He has won four consecutive fights since he lost a split decision to still-unbeaten Raymond Ford in February of last year, although he hasn’t faced top-level opposition. He last fought on July 29, when he defeated Brayan De Gracia by a unanimous decision.

 

YOKASTA VALLE (29-2, 9 KOs)
VS. ANABEL ORTIZ (33-5, 4 KOs)

  • Date: Saturday, Nov. 4
  • Time: 10 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. PT (main event later in show)
  • Where: Cartago, Costa Rica
  • TV/Stream: DAZN
  • Division: Strawweight (105 pounds)
  • At stake: Valle’s IBF and WBO titles
  • Odds: NA
  • Prediction: Valle UD
  • Background: Valle, a major figure in her home country of Costa Rica, is one of the top women boxers in the world. The 31-year-old won the IBF strawweight title by outpointing Joana Pastrana in 2019 and has successfully defended nine times, adding the WBO belt by decisioning Thi Thu Nhi Nguyen in September of last year. She’s coming off a near-shutout decision over Maria Micheo Santizo this past Sept. 16. Valley held the IBF atomweight (102 pounds) belt in 2016. She has won 16 consecutive fights since losing back-to-back bouts in 2017 and 2018. Ortiz is also accomplished. The 37-year-old Mexican had two reigns as a 105-pound champion before running into trouble in 2021, when she lost her WBA belt to Seniesa Estrada by a wide decision and failed in her bid to take Marlen Esparza’s 112-pound title in her next fight. She has won two bouts since, including a unanimous decision over Santizo a year ago.

 

ALSO FIGHTING THIS WEEK

WEDNESDAY

  • Janelson Figueroa Bocachica vs. Alberto Palmetta, welterweights, Plant City, Florida (ProBox TV)

SATURDAY

  • Noel Mikaelian vs. Ilunga Makabu, cruiserweights (for vacant WBC title), Miama (FITE)
  • Louie Lopez vs. Salvador Briceno, welterweights, Long Beach, California (Fox Deportes)

Fight Week: Heavyweight Efe Ajagba back in action, Joe Cordina to defend title

Fight Week: Heavyweight Efe Ajagba is in action against Joe Goodall. Meanwhile, Joe Cordina will defend his title against Eduard Vazquez.

FIGHT WEEK

Heavyweight contender Efe Ajagba will face hard-punching Joe Goodall on Saturday. On the same day, 130-pound champ Joe Cordina will defend his belt against Eduard Vazquez.

EFE AJAGBA (18-1, 13 KOs)
VS. JOE GOODALL (10-1-1, 9 KOs)

  • Date: Saturday, Nov. 4
  • Time: 6 p.m. ET / 3 p.m. PT (main event later in show)
  • Where: Tahoe Blue Event Center, Lake Tahoe, Nevada
  • TV/Stream: ESPN, ESPN+
  • Division: Heavyweight (no limit)
  • At stake: No major titles
  • Odds: Ajagba 6-1 favorite (average of multiple outlets)
  • Also on the card: Raymond Muratalla vs. Diego Torres, lightweights; Henry Lebron vs. William Foster III, junior lightweights
  • Prediction: Ajagba KO 5
  • Background: Ajagba continues to battle for a place among the top heavyweights. The 6-foot-6 Texas-based Nigerian has won three consecutive fights since he lost a one-sided decision to well-schooled Frank Sanchez in October 2021. The 29-year-old is coming off a fourth-round disqualification victory over Zhan Kossobutskiy on August 26, the result of numerous low blows by the Kazakhstani fighter. Goodall could be a dangerous opponent. The 6-foot-5½ Australian lost a near-shutout decision against countryman Justis Huni in June of last year but he bounced back to win two consecutive fights, including a sixth-round knockout of solid Stephen Shaw this past July. Shaw went the distance with Ajagba in a competitive fight six months earlier. Nine of Goodall’s victories have come by knockout.

 

JOE CORDINA (16-0, 9 KOs)
VS. EDUARD VAZQUEZ (15-1, 3 KOs)

  • Date: Saturday, Nov. 4
  • Time: 2 p.m. ET / 11 a.m. PT (main event later in show)
  • Where: Casino de Monte Carlo Salle Medecin, Monte Carlo
  • TV/Stream: DAZN
  • Division: Super featherweight (130 pounds)
  • At stake: Cordina’s IBF title
  • Odds: Cordina 9-1 favorite (average of multiple outlets)
  • Also on the card: Sivenathi Nontshinga vs. Adrian Curiel, junior flyweights (for Nontshinga’s IBF title); Souleymane Cissokho vs. Isaias Lucero, junior middleweights; Julissa Guzman vs. Ramla Ali, junior featherweights
  • Prediction: Cordina UD
  • Background: Cordina is scheduled to make his first defense in his second reign as IBF titleholder. The 2016 Olympian from Wales has had an up-down-up last year and a half. He won the belt by stopping Kenichi Ogawa in the second round in June of last year, his first major belt. He was then stripped after a hand injury forced him to pull out of a defense against Shavkatdzhon Rakhimov that was scheduled for last November, after which Rakhimov stopped Zelfa Barrett to win the title. And, finally, Cordina defeated Rakhimov by a split decision to regain the belt on April 22. The 31-year-old resident of Cardiff has said he’d like to face WBO beltholder Emanuel Navarrete. Of course, he must get past Vazquez first. The 28-year-old is a fringe contender from Fort Worth, Texas. He has won four consecutive fights since he lost a split decision to still-unbeaten Raymond Ford in February of last year, although he hasn’t faced top-level opposition. He last fought on July 29, when he defeated Brayan De Gracia by a unanimous decision.

 

YOKASTA VALLE (29-2, 9 KOs)
VS. ANABEL ORTIZ (33-5, 4 KOs)

  • Date: Saturday, Nov. 4
  • Time: 10 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. PT (main event later in show)
  • Where: Cartago, Costa Rica
  • TV/Stream: DAZN
  • Division: Strawweight (105 pounds)
  • At stake: Valle’s IBF and WBO titles
  • Odds: NA
  • Prediction: Valle UD
  • Background: Valle, a major figure in her home country of Costa Rica, is one of the top women boxers in the world. The 31-year-old won the IBF strawweight title by outpointing Joana Pastrana in 2019 and has successfully defended nine times, adding the WBO belt by decisioning Thi Thu Nhi Nguyen in September of last year. She’s coming off a near-shutout decision over Maria Micheo Santizo this past Sept. 16. Valley held the IBF atomweight (102 pounds) belt in 2016. She has won 16 consecutive fights since losing back-to-back bouts in 2017 and 2018. Ortiz is also accomplished. The 37-year-old Mexican had two reigns as a 105-pound champion before running into trouble in 2021, when she lost her WBA belt to Seniesa Estrada by a wide decision and failed in her bid to take Marlen Esparza’s 112-pound title in her next fight. She has won two bouts since, including a unanimous decision over Santizo a year ago.

 

ALSO FIGHTING THIS WEEK

WEDNESDAY

  • Janelson Figueroa Bocachica vs. Alberto Palmetta, welterweights, Plant City, Florida (ProBox TV)

SATURDAY

  • Noel Mikaelian vs. Ilunga Makabu, cruiserweights (for vacant WBC title), Miama (FITE)
  • Louie Lopez vs. Salvador Briceno, welterweights, Long Beach, California (Fox Deportes)

Cecilia Braekhus drops, decisions Victoria Bustos to retain titles

Cecilia Braekhus defended her three welterweight titles with a dominant decision over Victoria Bustos on the undercard of Butaev-Besputin.

Cecilia Braekhus cruised to a dominant points victory over Victoria Bustos in a 10-round bout to retain her welterweight titles on the Radzhab Butaev-Alexander Besputin card at the Casino de Monte Carlo in Monte Carlo.

The scores were 99-91, 98-92 and 98-92, all for Braekhus.

The 38-year-old Braekhus (36-0, 9 knockouts) was never troubled as she blistered Bustos (19-6) with combinations all night. It was a lopsided fight with few entertaining moments, save for a knockdown that Braekhus scored in Round 6 with a stiff left hand counter.

It was the first fight for Braekhus since her hard-won fight over Aleksandra Lopes in December 2018.   

Afterward, Braekhus noted she felt some rust in the early rounds.

“The third round I started to get my groove back,” Braekhus said. “The last rounds I wanted to try some stuff that we’ve been working out in the gym”

Promoter Eddie Hearn confirmed that he is looking to make a summer fight between lightweight titleholder Katie Taylor and Brakehus.

“It’s the biggest fight in boxing,” said Hearn. “Cecilia has broken down the doors in women’s boxing and she wants to make sure she can get the biggest fights in boxing and I think the Katie Taylor fight is the biggest fight in boxing.

“Those two are on a collisions course. In 2020 I think you will definitely see that fight.”

Also on the undercard, undefeated Welsh prospect Joe Cordina staved off the pressure attack of Enrique Tinoco, tactfully boxing his way to a clear unanimous decision victory in a 10-round junior lightweight bout.

The judges had it 98-92, 98-92, and 96-94 for Cordina.

It as a step-up bout of sorts for 27-year-old British Olympian, who was able to take some of Tinoco’s best shots as he worked diligently behind his jab.

This was Cordina’s first bout at 130 pounds since his professional debut. Cordina has campaigned at the 135-pound limit for most of his career.

Zhilei Zhang notched a dominant unanimous decision over Andriy Rudenko in a 10-round heavyweight bout.

Scores were 99-91, 98-92, and 97-93 for the Chinese heavyweight, who had not fought in over a year. Zhang was originally supposed to fight Sergey Kuzmin, but the Russian bowed out due to an injury sustained in training.

The Ukrainian Rudenko was outmatched from the start, as the southpaw Zhang (21-0, 16 KOs) consistently beat his foe to the punch. Zhang’s best weapon was the straight left, but also flashed a mean right hook. In Round 3, Zhang wobbled Rudenko and seemed to be on the verge of a stoppage.

Rudenko (32-5-, 20 KOs) made a bit of a comeback in Round 7, but it was temporary. Zhang closed out show with a slew of left hands that had Rudenko flailing around the ring late. Midway through Round 10, Zhang hurt Rudenko badly with a right hook, but Rudenko was able to hear the final bell.

Radzhab Butaev vs. Alexander Besputin: Who will take next step?

Russians Radzhab Butaev and Alexander Besputin will face each other this Saturday at the Casino de Monte-Carlo in Monte Carlo.

Two highly regarded welterweight prospects will try to take the next toward title contention this Saturday.

Russians Radzhab Butaev and Alexander Besputin will face each other at the Casino de Monte-Carlo in Monte Carlo. The match will stream live on DAZN and is promoted by Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom Promotions, even though Hearn does not have promotional rights to either main event fighter. Butaev is promoted by Lou DiBella and Besputin by Top Rank. Matchroom put in the winning purse bid for the fight in September with an offer of $505,555. That beat out bids submitted by Top Rank ($315,000) and Patriot Promotions ($415,000).

The fighters gathered for the final press conference on Wednesday.

“It’s a privilege to be on this show in the casino, especially as the main event,” said Butaev (12-0, 9 knockouts). “I’ll do my best to make a beautiful show, and come Saturday night you won’t regret watching. I hope it is going to be a war. I hope he is going to stay and not quit.”

Both Butaev and Besputin were standout amateurs, with 700 fights between them in the unpaid ranks.

“It’s a really good fight between to great fighters with brilliant amateur careers,” said Besputin (13-0, 9 KOs). “We both have a little bit of history. We were both in the Russian team, but we never met in the ring. I think it’s going to be a very interesting fight for the Russian fans, and many people in Russia will be watching this fight. On November 30th it’s going to be a great night.”

The undercard will feature unified welterweight champion Cecilia Braekhus (35-0, 9 KOs) against Victoria Bustos (19-5, 0 KOs). This is Braekhus’ first fight under the Matchroom banner.

Undefeated Chinese heavyweight Zhilei Zhang (20-0, 16 KOs) will take on late replacement Andriy Rudenko (32-6, 20 KOs) in a 10-rounder. Rudenko is subbing in for Sergey Kuzmin, who bowed out with an injury sustained during training. Zhang is coming off a knockout win over Don Haynesworth last year.

Heavyweight Hughie Fury (23-3, 13 KOs), hoping to rebound from his loss to Alexander Povetkin, faces Pavel Sour (11-2, 6 KOs) in a 10-rounder.

Rounding out the card, junior lightweights Joe Cordina (10-0, 7 KOs) and Enrique Tinoco (18-5-4, 13 KOs) will face each other in a 12-rounder.