Fight Week: Kazuto Ioka will close out 2023 on New Years Eve. Six days later, Vergil Ortiz will make his return to the ring.
FIGHT WEEK
Pound-for-pounder Kazuto Ioka will face Josber Perez on the traditional New Year’s Eve card in Japan. Then, on Saturday, Vergil Ortiz Jr. will return to the ring after a 17-month hiatus.
Kazuto Ioka defeated Joshua Franco in their rematch. Yuichi Tamazaki / AFP via Getty Images
Date: Sunday, Dec. 31
Time: 3 a.m. ET / midnight PT (main event later in show)
Where: Ota City General Gymnasium, Tokyo
TV/Stream: No TV in U.S.
Division: Junior bantamweight (115 pounds)
At stake: Ioka’s WBA title
Pound-for-pound: Ioka, Honorable Mention
Odds: NA
Also on the card: Yoshimitsu Kimura vs. Kosuke Saka, 12 rounds, junior lightweights; Daigo Higa vs. Navapon Khaikanha, 10 rounds, bantamweights; Hayato Tsutsumi vs. Luis Moncion Ventura, 10 rounds, featherweights
Prediction: Ioka KO 9
Background: Ioka, 34, proved he has plenty left in the tank by outpointing overweight Joshua Franco in their rematch to regain a 115-pound title on June 24, six months after they fought to a draw. Ioka won his first world title as a 108-pounder in 2011 and has worn one belt or another almost continuously since then, making him one of the most consistent boxers in the world. He’s undefeated (7-0-1) since he lost a split decision to Donnie Nietes in 2018, a setback he avenged last year. Perez is a 28-year-old from Venezuela who will be making his second attempt to win a major title. He lost a one-sided decision to 112-pound champ Artem Dalakian in 2020. He’s 3-0 against journeymen in his home country since that setback, the last two fights taking place at 115 pounds.
vergil ortiz JR. (19-0, 19 KOs)
vs. FREDRICK LAWSON (30-3, 22 KOs)
Date: Saturday, Jan. 6
Time: 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT (main event later in show)
Also on the card: Ohara Davies vs. Ismael Barroso, junior welterweights; Arnold Barboza Jr. vs. Xolisani Ndongeni, junior welterweights; Sergiy Derevyanchenko vs. Rowdy Montgomery, super middleweights; Raul Curiel vs. Elias Diaz, welterweights
Prediction: Ortiz KO 6
Background: Ortiz will be returning to the ring after a 17-month hiatus, the result of illness and fight cancelations. And he’ll be making his debut at 154 pounds. The 25-year-old native of Dallas was a top 140- and 147-pounder — who stopped all 19 of his opponents — but he never received a chance to fight for a major title in those divisions. He was scheduled to face fellow 147-pound contender Eimantas Stanionis in what would’ve been his biggest fight but the bout was postponed three times, the last time in July only days before the event because Ortiz couldn’t make weight. He last fought in August of last year, when he stopped Michael McKinson in nine rounds. Lawson is a 34-year-old from Ghana. He is only 3-2 in his last five fights but has won his last two, over fellow journeymen Collinson Korley and Estevan Villalobos in January and April. Oritz is a monumental step up in opposition for Lawson, although he once beat former contender Breidis Prescott.
ALSO FIGHTING THIS WEEK
SATURDAY
Dusty Hernandez-Harrison vs. Norberto Gonzalez, light heavyweights, Richmond, Virginia (FITE+)
Fight Week: Kazuto Ioka will close out 2023 on New Years Eve. Six days later, Vergil Ortiz will make his return to the ring.
FIGHT WEEK
Pound-for-pounder Kazuto Ioka will face Josber Perez on the traditional New Year’s Eve card in Japan. Then, on Saturday, Vergil Ortiz Jr. will return to the ring after a 17-month hiatus.
Kazuto Ioka defeated Joshua Franco in their rematch. Yuichi Tamazaki / AFP via Getty Images
Date: Sunday, Dec. 31
Time: 3 a.m. ET / midnight PT (main event later in show)
Where: Ota City General Gymnasium, Tokyo
TV/Stream: No TV in U.S.
Division: Junior bantamweight (115 pounds)
At stake: Ioka’s WBA title
Pound-for-pound: Ioka, Honorable Mention
Odds: NA
Also on the card: Yoshimitsu Kimura vs. Kosuke Saka, 12 rounds, junior lightweights; Daigo Higa vs. Navapon Khaikanha, 10 rounds, bantamweights; Hayato Tsutsumi vs. Luis Moncion Ventura, 10 rounds, featherweights
Prediction: Ioka KO 9
Background: Ioka, 34, proved he has plenty left in the tank by outpointing overweight Joshua Franco in their rematch to regain a 115-pound title on June 24, six months after they fought to a draw. Ioka won his first world title as a 108-pounder in 2011 and has worn one belt or another almost continuously since then, making him one of the most consistent boxers in the world. He’s undefeated (7-0-1) since he lost a split decision to Donnie Nietes in 2018, a setback he avenged last year. Perez is a 28-year-old from Venezuela who will be making his second attempt to win a major title. He lost a one-sided decision to 112-pound champ Artem Dalakian in 2020. He’s 3-0 against journeymen in his home country since that setback, the last two fights taking place at 115 pounds.
vergil ortiz JR. (19-0, 19 KOs)
vs. FREDRICK LAWSON (30-3, 22 KOs)
Date: Saturday, Jan. 6
Time: 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT (main event later in show)
Also on the card: Ohara Davies vs. Ismael Barroso, junior welterweights; Arnold Barboza Jr. vs. Xolisani Ndongeni, junior welterweights; Sergiy Derevyanchenko vs. Rowdy Montgomery, super middleweights; Raul Curiel vs. Elias Diaz, welterweights
Prediction: Ortiz KO 6
Background: Ortiz will be returning to the ring after a 17-month hiatus, the result of illness and fight cancelations. And he’ll be making his debut at 154 pounds. The 25-year-old native of Dallas was a top 140- and 147-pounder — who stopped all 19 of his opponents — but he never received a chance to fight for a major title in those divisions. He was scheduled to face fellow 147-pound contender Eimantas Stanionis in what would’ve been his biggest fight but the bout was postponed three times, the last time in July only days before the event because Ortiz couldn’t make weight. He last fought in August of last year, when he stopped Michael McKinson in nine rounds. Lawson is a 34-year-old from Ghana. He is only 3-2 in his last five fights but has won his last two, over fellow journeymen Collinson Korley and Estevan Villalobos in January and April. Oritz is a monumental step up in opposition for Lawson, although he once beat former contender Breidis Prescott.
ALSO FIGHTING THIS WEEK
SATURDAY
Dusty Hernandez-Harrison vs. Norberto Gonzalez, light heavyweights, Richmond, Virginia (FITE+)
Pound-for-pound: Kazuto Ioka proved again by beating Joshua Franco that he belongs on Boxing Junkie’s list.
Kazuto Ioka’s unanimous-decision victory over an overweight Joshua Franco to regain a 115-pound title on Saturday wasn’t enough to lift him from Honorable Mention into the Top 15 here.
However, it underscores the Japanese fighter’s staying power.
Ioka won his first world title as a 108-pounder in 2011 and has worn one belt or another almost continuously since then, making him one of the most consistent boxers in the world.
Ioka (30-2-1, 15 KOs) is undefeated (6-0-1) since he lost a split decision to Donnie Nietes in 2018, a setback he avenged last year.
And, even at 35, there is more to come. The victory over Franco, who came in six-plus pounds over the limit, sets up potential fights with fellow titleholders Juan Francisco Estrada, Fernando Martinez and Junto Nakatani or several other big-name junior bantamweights.
The resident of Tokyo might be the underdog against some of the top 115-pounders but don’t be surprised if he ends up with his hand raised. If he’s anything, he’s a winner.
And that could mean he would crack the Top 15 at an age when many fighters are finished.
Next pound-for-pounder up: No. 2 Naoya Inoue will challenge 122-pound titleholder and Honorable Mention Stephen Fulton Jr. on July 25 in Japan.
Here’s what the list looks like at the moment:
BOXING JUNKIE
POUND-FOR-POUND
Terence Crawford – Scheduled to face No. 4 Errol Spence Jr. for the undisputed 147-pound championship on July 29.
Naoya Inoue – Scheduled to challenge 122-pound titleholder and Honorable Mention Stephen Fulton Jr. on July 25 in Tokyo.
Oleksandr Usyk – Reportedly set to defend his three heavyweight titles against Daniel Dubois on Aug. 26 but no announcement has been made.
Errol Spence Jr. – Scheduled to face No. 1 Terence Crawford for the undisputed 147-pound championship on July 29.
Dmitry Bivol – No fight scheduled.
Tyson Fury – No fight scheduled.
Juan Francisco Estrada – No fight scheduled.
Canelo Alvarez– Reportedly in talks to defend his undisputed 168-pound championship against 160-pound titleholder Jermall Charlo on Sept. 16 but no deal has been reached.
Jermell Charlo – No fight scheduled.
Gervonta Davis – No fight scheduled.
Vasiliy Lomachenko – No fight scheduled.
Artur Beterbiev – Scheduled to defend his 175-pound titles against Callum Smith on Aug. 19.
Shakur Stevenson – No fight scheduled.
Roman Gonzalez –No fight scheduled.
Devin Haney – No fight scheduled.
Honorable mention (alphabetical order): David Benavidez (reportedly in talks to face David Morrell in October but no deal is in place); Jermall Charlo (reportedly in talks to challenge 168-pound champion Canelo Alvarez on Sept. 16 but no deal has been reached); Stephen Fulton Jr. (scheduled to defend his 122-pound title against No. 2 Naoya Inoue on July 25 in Tokyo); Kazuto Ioka (no fight scheduled); Jesse “Bam” Rodriguez (scheduled to face Sunny Edwards in a 112-pound title-unification bout in December).
Pound-for-pound: Kazuto Ioka proved again by beating Joshua Franco that he belongs on Boxing Junkie’s list.
Kazuto Ioka’s unanimous-decision victory over an overweight Joshua Franco to regain a 115-pound title on Saturday wasn’t enough to lift him from Honorable Mention into the Top 15 here.
However, it underscores the Japanese fighter’s staying power.
Ioka won his first world title as a 108-pounder in 2011 and has worn one belt or another almost continuously since then, making him one of the most consistent boxers in the world.
Ioka (30-2-1, 15 KOs) is undefeated (6-0-1) since he lost a split decision to Donnie Nietes in 2018, a setback he avenged last year.
And, even at 35, there is more to come. The victory over Franco, who came in six-plus pounds over the limit, sets up potential fights with fellow titleholders Juan Francisco Estrada, Fernando Martinez and Junto Nakatani or several other big-name junior bantamweights.
The resident of Tokyo might be the underdog against some of the top 115-pounders but don’t be surprised if he ends up with his hand raised. If he’s anything, he’s a winner.
And that could mean he would crack the Top 15 at an age when many fighters are finished.
Next pound-for-pounder up: No. 2 Naoya Inoue will challenge 122-pound titleholder and Honorable Mention Stephen Fulton Jr. on July 25 in Japan.
Here’s what the list looks like at the moment:
BOXING JUNKIE
POUND-FOR-POUND
Terence Crawford – Scheduled to face No. 4 Errol Spence Jr. for the undisputed 147-pound championship on July 29.
Naoya Inoue – Scheduled to challenge 122-pound titleholder and Honorable Mention Stephen Fulton Jr. on July 25 in Tokyo.
Oleksandr Usyk – Reportedly set to defend his three heavyweight titles against Daniel Dubois on Aug. 26 but no announcement has been made.
Errol Spence Jr. – Scheduled to face No. 1 Terence Crawford for the undisputed 147-pound championship on July 29.
Dmitry Bivol – No fight scheduled.
Tyson Fury – No fight scheduled.
Juan Francisco Estrada – No fight scheduled.
Canelo Alvarez– Reportedly in talks to defend his undisputed 168-pound championship against 160-pound titleholder Jermall Charlo on Sept. 16 but no deal has been reached.
Jermell Charlo – No fight scheduled.
Gervonta Davis – No fight scheduled.
Vasiliy Lomachenko – No fight scheduled.
Artur Beterbiev – Scheduled to defend his 175-pound titles against Callum Smith on Aug. 19.
Shakur Stevenson – No fight scheduled.
Roman Gonzalez –No fight scheduled.
Devin Haney – No fight scheduled.
Honorable mention (alphabetical order): David Benavidez (reportedly in talks to face David Morrell in October but no deal is in place); Jermall Charlo (reportedly in talks to challenge 168-pound champion Canelo Alvarez on Sept. 16 but no deal has been reached); Stephen Fulton Jr. (scheduled to defend his 122-pound title against No. 2 Naoya Inoue on July 25 in Tokyo); Kazuto Ioka (no fight scheduled); Jesse “Bam” Rodriguez (scheduled to face Sunny Edwards in a 112-pound title-unification bout in December).
A critical look at the past week in boxing BIGGEST WINNER Edgar Berlanga I’m still not sure what to make of Berlanga. The 168-pounder from Brooklyn stopped his first 16 opponents in the first round only to go the distance in his next five, including …
A critical look at the past week in boxing
BIGGEST WINNER
Edgar Berlanga
I’m still not sure what to make of Berlanga. The 168-pounder from Brooklyn stopped his first 16 opponents in the first round only to go the distance in his next five, including a decision over solid, but limited veteran Jason Quigley on Saturday in New York. He hasn’t been the dominating fighter he appeared to be. At the same time he did manage to put Quigley down four times and won by lopsided scores even though the fleet Irishman’s stick-and-move tactics made him an elusive target. Berlanga deserves credit for that. Here’s the bottom line, though: We won’t know how good Berlanga is until he faces the top fighters at or near his weight. The name Jaime Munguia came up after his victory at The Armory. That could be the perfect opponent for him. Berlanga wouldn’t have to chase the aggressive Mexican as he did Quigley, which portends a compelling toe-to-toe battle between two high-profile sluggers. I would pick Munguia to win that fight but I wouldn’t be surprised if the style matchup brings out the best Berlanga, who is physically strong and punches at last as hard as Munguia does. That could be the ideal opportunity for Berlanga to realize the potential he has flashed.
BIGGEST WINNER II
Carlos Adames
Lost amid a controversial ending was a strong performance by the Dominican middleweight. Adames (23-1, 18 KOs) methodically broke down veteran Julian Williams (28-4-1, 16 KOs) with a high-powered attack – including relentless body work – before referee Mark Nelson became the story when he stopped the fight in the ninth round Saturday in Minneapolis. Nelson arguably jumped the gun but the truth is the surprisingly resilient Williams had taken a pounding and was hurt badly at the time of the stoppage, which should soften the criticism of Nelson at least to some degree. Adames controlled the fight almost from the outset, which was reflected in the official scoring after eight rounds: 80-72, 78-74 and 77-74 in his favor. And he battered a worn down Williams in the ninth even if you believe Nelson jumped the gun by stopping the fight when he did, with 15 seconds remaining. Adames might’ve finished the job in the next few rounds. If not, he probably would’ve won a clear decision. Either way, Adames’ performance was further evidence that he’s a threat to anyone at 160 pounds.
BIGGEST WINNER III
Canelo Alvarez
Canelo Alvarez opened the door to compelling fights by signing with PBC. Meg Oliphant / Matchroom Boxing
Alvarez probably didn’t need to sign a three-fight contract with Premier Boxing Champion to face the management company’s fighters. He took on PBC client Caleb Plant without one. The fact the 168-pound champion did put pen to paper simply makes negotiations easier and reveals Alvarez’s intention to face the best-possible opponents for him. I say, “It’s about time.” He reportedly will open the three-fight set against 160-pound titleholder Jermall Charlo in September, a matchup that fans will embrace more enthusiastically than he second fight with 175-pound champ Dmitry Bivol would have. And it presumably will get better from there. Next up could be unbeaten 168-pound contender David Benavidez, the opponent fans most want Alvarez to face. A few things must happen before we can begin celebrating that matchup. Alvarez and Benavidez have to beat their next opponents (Charlo and David Morrell), which isn’t a given in either case. And, of course, the parties still would have to come to terms. The point here is this: There is more hope than ever that we’ll see Alvarez vs. Benavidez after the future Hall of Famer decided to align himself with PBC.
RABBIT PUNCHES
I hope that the matchup between Alvarez and Charlo is finalized. And then, if Alvarez wins that fight, I believe he should move directly into a showdown with Benavidez next May if Benavidez gets past Morrell. There are other viable options – Morrell if he beats Benavidez and Demetrius Andrade – but Alvarez-Benavidez is the fight the fans want at this moment. If Alvarez can beat both Charlo and Benavidez, he will regain much of the status he lost in the past year. If not, he will have gained respect for accepting the most difficult challenge in his division. … Did Nelson stop the Adames-Williams fight prematurely? One could make that argument. Williams was able to defend himself at the time of the stoppage. However, that’s not fair to Nelson, who has to make a real-time decision in an effort to protect the fighter. The fact is that Adames had been plastering Williams with one hard shot after another moments before the stoppage. The timing was strange but Nelson probably did save Williams from undue punishment. … Erickson Lubin (25-2, 18 KOs) evidently didn’t suffer any lingering effects from his knockout loss to Sebastian Fundora 14 months ago. The 154-pound contender dominated tough, but overmatched Luis Arias (20-4-1, 9 KOs) before stopping him in the fifth round on the Adames-Williams card. Lubin remains one of the best offensive fighters in the sport. I won’t be surprised if he wins a major world title sometime soon. …
Joshua Franco (18-2-3, 8 KOs) had a miserable weekend. The Texan lost his WBA 115-pound title on the scales when he came in an unfathomable six-plus pounds over the limit for his defense against Kazuto Ioka (30-2-1, 15 KOs) on Sunday in Japan. He then lost the fight by a unanimous decision, which gave Ioka the belt after he and Franco had fought to a draw in December. The 34-year-old Ioka demonstrated that he remains one of the best in the business. Meanwhile, Franco, citing “mental problems,” announced after the setback that he’s retiring at 27. We wish him the best no matter what he does. … IBF 115-pound titleholder Fernando Martinez (16-0, 9 KOs) successfully defended his belt against Jade Bornea (18-1, 12 KOs) by an 11th-round technical knockout on the Adames-Williams card. The ending was gruesome. Martinez landed a left to the side of Bronea’s head in Round 9 that split the Filipino’s right ear open, causing it to bleed profusely. He was allowed to continue but officials decided enough was enough two rounds later. Martinez gave another strong performance, underscoring the notion that he could compete against the other top 115-pounders. That includes Juan Francisco Estrada, Roman Gonzalez, Bam Rodriguez and Ioka. Bornea made a strong impression in defeat, earning himself another big opportunity. … Why doesn’t New York employ instant replay? The second knockdown in the Berlanga-Quigley fight was not a knockdown at all. Quigley slipped, as replays made clear. The mistake on the part of referee Harvey Dock didn’t play a role in the result but it could have. Instant replay isn’t complicated. An official determines a mistake was made based on replays and then simply informs the judges and corners without interrupting the flow of the fight.
A critical look at the past week in boxing BIGGEST WINNER Edgar Berlanga I’m still not sure what to make of Berlanga. The 168-pounder from Brooklyn stopped his first 16 opponents in the first round only to go the distance in his next five, including …
A critical look at the past week in boxing
BIGGEST WINNER
Edgar Berlanga
I’m still not sure what to make of Berlanga. The 168-pounder from Brooklyn stopped his first 16 opponents in the first round only to go the distance in his next five, including a decision over solid, but limited veteran Jason Quigley on Saturday in New York. He hasn’t been the dominating fighter he appeared to be. At the same time he did manage to put Quigley down four times and won by lopsided scores even though the fleet Irishman’s stick-and-move tactics made him an elusive target. Berlanga deserves credit for that. Here’s the bottom line, though: We won’t know how good Berlanga is until he faces the top fighters at or near his weight. The name Jaime Munguia came up after his victory at The Armory. That could be the perfect opponent for him. Berlanga wouldn’t have to chase the aggressive Mexican as he did Quigley, which portends a compelling toe-to-toe battle between two high-profile sluggers. I would pick Munguia to win that fight but I wouldn’t be surprised if the style matchup brings out the best Berlanga, who is physically strong and punches at last as hard as Munguia does. That could be the ideal opportunity for Berlanga to realize the potential he has flashed.
BIGGEST WINNER II
Carlos Adames
Lost amid a controversial ending was a strong performance by the Dominican middleweight. Adames (23-1, 18 KOs) methodically broke down veteran Julian Williams (28-4-1, 16 KOs) with a high-powered attack – including relentless body work – before referee Mark Nelson became the story when he stopped the fight in the ninth round Saturday in Minneapolis. Nelson arguably jumped the gun but the truth is the surprisingly resilient Williams had taken a pounding and was hurt badly at the time of the stoppage, which should soften the criticism of Nelson at least to some degree. Adames controlled the fight almost from the outset, which was reflected in the official scoring after eight rounds: 80-72, 78-74 and 77-74 in his favor. And he battered a worn down Williams in the ninth even if you believe Nelson jumped the gun by stopping the fight when he did, with 15 seconds remaining. Adames might’ve finished the job in the next few rounds. If not, he probably would’ve won a clear decision. Either way, Adames’ performance was further evidence that he’s a threat to anyone at 160 pounds.
BIGGEST WINNER III
Canelo Alvarez
Canelo Alvarez opened the door to compelling fights by signing with PBC. Meg Oliphant / Matchroom Boxing
Alvarez probably didn’t need to sign a three-fight contract with Premier Boxing Champion to face the management company’s fighters. He took on PBC client Caleb Plant without one. The fact the 168-pound champion did put pen to paper simply makes negotiations easier and reveals Alvarez’s intention to face the best-possible opponents for him. I say, “It’s about time.” He reportedly will open the three-fight set against 160-pound titleholder Jermall Charlo in September, a matchup that fans will embrace more enthusiastically than he second fight with 175-pound champ Dmitry Bivol would have. And it presumably will get better from there. Next up could be unbeaten 168-pound contender David Benavidez, the opponent fans most want Alvarez to face. A few things must happen before we can begin celebrating that matchup. Alvarez and Benavidez have to beat their next opponents (Charlo and David Morrell), which isn’t a given in either case. And, of course, the parties still would have to come to terms. The point here is this: There is more hope than ever that we’ll see Alvarez vs. Benavidez after the future Hall of Famer decided to align himself with PBC.
RABBIT PUNCHES
I hope that the matchup between Alvarez and Charlo is finalized. And then, if Alvarez wins that fight, I believe he should move directly into a showdown with Benavidez next May if Benavidez gets past Morrell. There are other viable options – Morrell if he beats Benavidez and Demetrius Andrade – but Alvarez-Benavidez is the fight the fans want at this moment. If Alvarez can beat both Charlo and Benavidez, he will regain much of the status he lost in the past year. If not, he will have gained respect for accepting the most difficult challenge in his division. … Did Nelson stop the Adames-Williams fight prematurely? One could make that argument. Williams was able to defend himself at the time of the stoppage. However, that’s not fair to Nelson, who has to make a real-time decision in an effort to protect the fighter. The fact is that Adames had been plastering Williams with one hard shot after another moments before the stoppage. The timing was strange but Nelson probably did save Williams from undue punishment. … Erickson Lubin (25-2, 18 KOs) evidently didn’t suffer any lingering effects from his knockout loss to Sebastian Fundora 14 months ago. The 154-pound contender dominated tough, but overmatched Luis Arias (20-4-1, 9 KOs) before stopping him in the fifth round on the Adames-Williams card. Lubin remains one of the best offensive fighters in the sport. I won’t be surprised if he wins a major world title sometime soon. …
Joshua Franco (18-2-3, 8 KOs) had a miserable weekend. The Texan lost his WBA 115-pound title on the scales when he came in an unfathomable six-plus pounds over the limit for his defense against Kazuto Ioka (30-2-1, 15 KOs) on Sunday in Japan. He then lost the fight by a unanimous decision, which gave Ioka the belt after he and Franco had fought to a draw in December. The 34-year-old Ioka demonstrated that he remains one of the best in the business. Meanwhile, Franco, citing “mental problems,” announced after the setback that he’s retiring at 27. We wish him the best no matter what he does. … IBF 115-pound titleholder Fernando Martinez (16-0, 9 KOs) successfully defended his belt against Jade Bornea (18-1, 12 KOs) by an 11th-round technical knockout on the Adames-Williams card. The ending was gruesome. Martinez landed a left to the side of Bronea’s head in Round 9 that split the Filipino’s right ear open, causing it to bleed profusely. He was allowed to continue but officials decided enough was enough two rounds later. Martinez gave another strong performance, underscoring the notion that he could compete against the other top 115-pounders. That includes Juan Francisco Estrada, Roman Gonzalez, Bam Rodriguez and Ioka. Bornea made a strong impression in defeat, earning himself another big opportunity. … Why doesn’t New York employ instant replay? The second knockdown in the Berlanga-Quigley fight was not a knockdown at all. Quigley slipped, as replays made clear. The mistake on the part of referee Harvey Dock didn’t play a role in the result but it could have. Instant replay isn’t complicated. An official determines a mistake was made based on replays and then simply informs the judges and corners without interrupting the flow of the fight.
Fight Week: Edgar Berlanga vs. Jason Quigley and Carlos Adames vs. Julian Williams highlight a busy weekend.
FIGHT WEEK
Super middleweight contender Edgar Berlanga will take on Jason Quigley in his ongoing pursuit of a title shot. Meanwhile, rising 160-pounder Carlos Adames will face a test against Julian Williams.
EDGAR BERLANGA (20-0, 16 KOs) VS. JASON QUIGLEY (20-2, 14 KOs)
Date: Saturday, June 24
Time: 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT (main event later in show)
Odds: Berlanga 85-1 favorite (average of multiple outlets)
Also on the card: Reshat Mati vs. Dakota Linger, junior welterweights; Adam Kownacki vs. Joe Cusumano, heavyweights
Prediction: Berlanga KO 10
Background: Berlanga is far removed from his streak of 16 knockouts to start his professional career but he has continued to win, claiming his last four victories by decision. He last fought in June of last year, when he defeated Roamer Alexis Angulo by a one-sided decision. Berlanga inexplicably bit Angulo in that fight and was later suspended. He’s ranked in the Top 11 by all four major sanctioning bodies, No. 3 by the IBF. That means a title shot is on the horizon unless he slips up. Quigley is a solid boxer but probably doesn’t have the firepower to upset Berlanga. The one-time silver medalist in the amateur World Championships from Ireland was stopped by Tureano Johnson in July 2019 but bounced back to win three in a row, including a majority decision over Shane Mosley Jr. at 160 in May 2021. He then was blown out in two rounds by then-middleweight champ Demetrius Andrade, which seemed to expose his limitations. He moved back up to 168 after the loss and shut out Gabor Gorbics this past April.
CARLOS ADAMES (22-1, 17 KOs) VS. JULIAN WILLIAMS (28-3-1, 16 KOs)
Date: Saturday, June 24
Time: 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT (main event later in show)
Where: The Armory, Minneapolis
TV/Stream: Showtime
Division: Middleweight (160 pounds)
At stake: No major titles
Odds: Adames 3½-1 favorite (average of multiple outlets)
Also on the card: Erickson Lubin vs. Luis Arias, junior middleweights; Fernando Martinez vs. Jade Bornea, junior bantamweights (for Martinez’s IBF title)
Prediction: Adames UD
Background: Adames, a top 160-pound contender, is on the precipice of a title shot. The 29-year-old boxer-puncher from the Dominican Republic lost a close decision to slick Patrick Teixeira for an “interim” title in November 2019 but learned from the experience. He has reeled off four consecutive victories since the setback, including a breakthrough majority decision over veteran Sergey Derevyanchenko in December 2021 and a third-round knockout of Juan Montiel this past October. Williams, 33, might be in a do-or-die situation. The polished technician from Philadelphia outclassed Jarret Hurd to become a 154-pound champion in May 2019 but has struggled since. He was stopped in five rounds by Jeison Rosario in his first defense and lost a split decision to Vladimir Hernandez in his next fight. He last fought in November, when he outpointed journeyman Rolando Mansilla in his first fight as a full-fledged 160-pounder. If he loses to Adames, he could be finished as an elite fighter.
Time: 4 a.m. ET / 1 a.m. PT (main event later in show)
Where: Ota-City General Gymnasium, Tokyo
TV/Stream: No TV in U.S.
Division: Junior bantamweight (115 pounds)
At stake: Franco’s WBA title
Odds: Even (average of multiple outlets)
Also on the card: Musashi Mori vs. Takuya Watanabe, junior lightweights; Daigo Higa vs. Sirichai Thaiyen, bantamweights
Prediction: Ioka SD
Background: Franco and Ioka fought to a majority draw in a title-unification showdown in December in the same venue in Ioka’s country, with Franco winning on one card and the other two judges scoring the fight a draw. Franco is the younger (27), rising fighter after back-to-back victories over Andrew Moloney (not counting a no-contest in between those fights) and the draw with Ioka. The well-schooled boxer from Texas hasn’t lost since he was stopped by Lucas Fernandez in 2018, although he has three draws since then (Oscar Negrete twice and Ioka). He outpointed Negrete in the second of their three compelling bouts. Ioka, a 34-year-old former three-division titleholder, proved he has plenty of fight left in him by easily outpointing Donnie Nietes last July in the final defense of his WBO belt (which he later gave up) and the draw with Franco. Nietes had defeated Ioka by a split decision in December 2018, the Japanese star’s most-recent setback. The Franco-Ioka show is not available to American fans as of this posting.
ALSO FIGHTING THIS WEEK
FRIDAY
Jesus Saracho vs. Tarik Zaina, junior welterweights, Ontario, California (Thompson Boxing YouTube and Facebook)
SATURDAY
Sarah Bormann vs. Perla Perez, strawweights, Ludwigsburg, German (DAZN)
Antonio Napolitano vs. Brandon Brewer, super middleweights, Niagra Falls, Canada (FITE)
Fight Week: Edgar Berlanga vs. Jason Quigley and Carlos Adames vs. Julian Williams highlight a busy weekend.
FIGHT WEEK
Super middleweight contender Edgar Berlanga will take on Jason Quigley in his ongoing pursuit of a title shot. Meanwhile, rising 160-pounder Carlos Adames will face a test against Julian Williams.
EDGAR BERLANGA (20-0, 16 KOs) VS. JASON QUIGLEY (20-2, 14 KOs)
Date: Saturday, June 24
Time: 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT (main event later in show)
Odds: Berlanga 85-1 favorite (average of multiple outlets)
Also on the card: Reshat Mati vs. Dakota Linger, junior welterweights; Adam Kownacki vs. Joe Cusumano, heavyweights
Prediction: Berlanga KO 10
Background: Berlanga is far removed from his streak of 16 knockouts to start his professional career but he has continued to win, claiming his last four victories by decision. He last fought in June of last year, when he defeated Roamer Alexis Angulo by a one-sided decision. Berlanga inexplicably bit Angulo in that fight and was later suspended. He’s ranked in the Top 11 by all four major sanctioning bodies, No. 3 by the IBF. That means a title shot is on the horizon unless he slips up. Quigley is a solid boxer but probably doesn’t have the firepower to upset Berlanga. The one-time silver medalist in the amateur World Championships from Ireland was stopped by Tureano Johnson in July 2019 but bounced back to win three in a row, including a majority decision over Shane Mosley Jr. at 160 in May 2021. He then was blown out in two rounds by then-middleweight champ Demetrius Andrade, which seemed to expose his limitations. He moved back up to 168 after the loss and shut out Gabor Gorbics this past April.
CARLOS ADAMES (22-1, 17 KOs) VS. JULIAN WILLIAMS (28-3-1, 16 KOs)
Date: Saturday, June 24
Time: 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT (main event later in show)
Where: The Armory, Minneapolis
TV/Stream: Showtime
Division: Middleweight (160 pounds)
At stake: No major titles
Odds: Adames 3½-1 favorite (average of multiple outlets)
Also on the card: Erickson Lubin vs. Luis Arias, junior middleweights; Fernando Martinez vs. Jade Bornea, junior bantamweights (for Martinez’s IBF title)
Prediction: Adames UD
Background: Adames, a top 160-pound contender, is on the precipice of a title shot. The 29-year-old boxer-puncher from the Dominican Republic lost a close decision to slick Patrick Teixeira for an “interim” title in November 2019 but learned from the experience. He has reeled off four consecutive victories since the setback, including a breakthrough majority decision over veteran Sergey Derevyanchenko in December 2021 and a third-round knockout of Juan Montiel this past October. Williams, 33, might be in a do-or-die situation. The polished technician from Philadelphia outclassed Jarret Hurd to become a 154-pound champion in May 2019 but has struggled since. He was stopped in five rounds by Jeison Rosario in his first defense and lost a split decision to Vladimir Hernandez in his next fight. He last fought in November, when he outpointed journeyman Rolando Mansilla in his first fight as a full-fledged 160-pounder. If he loses to Adames, he could be finished as an elite fighter.
Time: 4 a.m. ET / 1 a.m. PT (main event later in show)
Where: Ota-City General Gymnasium, Tokyo
TV/Stream: No TV in U.S.
Division: Junior bantamweight (115 pounds)
At stake: Franco’s WBA title
Odds: Even (average of multiple outlets)
Also on the card: Musashi Mori vs. Takuya Watanabe, junior lightweights; Daigo Higa vs. Sirichai Thaiyen, bantamweights
Prediction: Ioka SD
Background: Franco and Ioka fought to a majority draw in a title-unification showdown in December in the same venue in Ioka’s country, with Franco winning on one card and the other two judges scoring the fight a draw. Franco is the younger (27), rising fighter after back-to-back victories over Andrew Moloney (not counting a no-contest in between those fights) and the draw with Ioka. The well-schooled boxer from Texas hasn’t lost since he was stopped by Lucas Fernandez in 2018, although he has three draws since then (Oscar Negrete twice and Ioka). He outpointed Negrete in the second of their three compelling bouts. Ioka, a 34-year-old former three-division titleholder, proved he has plenty of fight left in him by easily outpointing Donnie Nietes last July in the final defense of his WBO belt (which he later gave up) and the draw with Franco. Nietes had defeated Ioka by a split decision in December 2018, the Japanese star’s most-recent setback. The Franco-Ioka show is not available to American fans as of this posting.
ALSO FIGHTING THIS WEEK
FRIDAY
Jesus Saracho vs. Tarik Zaina, junior welterweights, Ontario, California (Thompson Boxing YouTube and Facebook)
SATURDAY
Sarah Bormann vs. Perla Perez, strawweights, Ludwigsburg, German (DAZN)
Antonio Napolitano vs. Brandon Brewer, super middleweights, Niagra Falls, Canada (FITE)
Junior bantamweight beltholders Kazuto Ioka and Joshua Franco fought to majority draw on New Year’s Eve in Tokyo.
Kazuto Ioka and Joshua Franco settled nothing on New Year’s Eve.
The 115-pound titleholders fought to a majority draw at Ota-City General Gymnasium in Tokyo, meaning both men retained their championship belts.
One judge had Franco winning 115-113, seven rounds to five. The other two scored it 114-114.
Ioka (29-2-1, 15 KOs) is one of the most respect titleholders in the world, having won major belts in two divisions and climbing onto some pound-for-pound lists (Honorable Mention on Boxing Junkie’s list).
And the 33-year-old had the advantage of fighting in his home country.
However, Joshua (18-1-3, 8 KOs) obviously wasn’t fazed. The slick 27-year-old San Antonio fighter probably outworked Ioka, although no one will dispute the outcome after a legitimately close, back-and-forth fight.
The draw snapped Ioka’s winning streak at six. He holds the WBO version of the junior bantamweight title.
Franco, the WBA champ, has now given a strong performance in three consecutive high-profile fights, not counting a no-contest against Andrew Moloney.
Franco sandwiched the no-contest with decision victories over the capable Australian fighter.
Junior bantamweight beltholders Kazuto Ioka and Joshua Franco fought to majority draw on New Year’s Eve in Tokyo.
Kazuto Ioka and Joshua Franco settled nothing on New Year’s Eve.
The 115-pound titleholders fought to a majority draw at Ota-City General Gymnasium in Tokyo, meaning both men retained their championship belts.
One judge had Franco winning 115-113, seven rounds to five. The other two scored it 114-114.
Ioka (29-2-1, 15 KOs) is one of the most respect titleholders in the world, having won major belts in two divisions and climbing onto some pound-for-pound lists (Honorable Mention on Boxing Junkie’s list).
And the 33-year-old had the advantage of fighting in his home country.
However, Joshua (18-1-3, 8 KOs) obviously wasn’t fazed. The slick 27-year-old San Antonio fighter probably outworked Ioka, although no one will dispute the outcome after a legitimately close, back-and-forth fight.
The draw snapped Ioka’s winning streak at six. He holds the WBO version of the junior bantamweight title.
Franco, the WBA champ, has now given a strong performance in three consecutive high-profile fights, not counting a no-contest against Andrew Moloney.
Franco sandwiched the no-contest with decision victories over the capable Australian fighter.
