Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte arrived in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia for the Manny Pacquiao vs Lucas Matthysse fight.

Filipino reporter Abac Cordero posted on Twitter a snap of President Duterte and his delegation arriving Kuala Lumpur.

Manny Pacquiao will face Argentina's Lucas Matthysse for the world welterweight title at the Axiata Arena in Kuala Lumpur on Sunday morning (Malaysia time).

President Duterte arrives in KL @PhilippineStar pic.twitter.com/bKX0EEKgbs

— @abaccordero (@abaccordero) July 14, 2018

 

LOS ANGELES (June 23, 2018): Vergil Ortiz Jr. (10-0, 10 KOs), the rising knockout artist and pride of Dallas, Texas, scored a spectacular third-round knockout win against former world champion Juan Carlos Salgado (27-9-1, 16 KOs) in a 10-round super lightweight  fight in main event of the June 23 edition of Golden Boy Boxing on ESPN at the Belasco Theater in Los Angeles. After punishing Salgado for two rounds, Ortiz ended matters at1:52 of the third round with a thunderous left hook to the body.

"I felt I was posed in there," said Vergil Ortiz Jr. "Salgado has a lot of experience, and he showed it. He got me a few times, but I learned from this fight, and I'm thankful for the opportunity. I want to continue facing experienced fighters like Salgado. Obviously, I'm not ready for a world title fight yet, but in two years I will be. The left hook to the body is definitely my best punch. I've been working on it since I was a kid. It's not common for an amateur to be dropping his opponents at only nine years old, but that's what I was doing and what I'm still doing today."

Super Featherweight prospect Hector "El Finito Tanajara Jr (14-0, 6 KOs) of San Antonio, Texas scored an eight-round unanimous decision victory against tough Venezuelan Roger Gutierrez (18-2-1, 15 KOs) in tonight's co-main event. Despite Gutierrez having an awkward style, Tanajara won with scores of 80-72, 79-73 and 78-74.

"He came out swinging, so I had to stay composed in there," said Hector Tanajara Jr. "I had to listen to my corner and stay tight. Every time a round ended, my corner would tell me to not take any risks early in the fight, so I stuck to the game plan in order to win."

Rising 154-pound prospect Ferdinand "Lucky Boy" Kerobyan (9-0, 5 KOs) of North Hollywood, Calif. scored a second-round technical knockout victory against Edgar Garcia (7-17-1, 2 KOs) of Sonora, Mexico in a super welterweight fight that was initially scheduled for six rounds.

"I wanted to show that not only am I powerful, but I'm also very fast," said Ferdinand Kerobyan. "I never consider any opponent easy, especially since anyone in the ring can hurt you if you're not careful. I want a world title in the future, and I'm ready to do what's necessary to get that."

Meiirim Nursultanov (20-0, 6 KOs) of Merki, Kazakhstan scored a sixth-round technical knockout victory against Josue Obando (15-21-1, 12 KOs) of Guadalajara, Mexico in a scheduled six-round super middleweight fight. After dominating Obando in every round, Nursultanov stopped Obando at 1:37 of the final round.

"I wasn't able to finalize matters until the very end of the fight," said Meiirim Nursultanov. "He has a very awkward style, which made me take long to really find him. I'll be back on in August."

Watch Mercito "No Mercy Gesta" vs Roberto "Tito" Manzanarez - Full fight

Watch Mercito “No Mercy” Gesta (32-2-2, 17 KOs) of San Diego, California won the regional lightweight title against Roberto “Tito” Manzanarez (35-2, 28 KOs) of Phoenix, Arizona. Gesta won a majority decision after 10 rounds of a tactical fight. The scorecards were 95-95 a draw, 96-94 twice in favor of Gesta.

Angel Acosta stopped Carlos Buitrago in the 12th round and retained the light flyweight title at the Coliseo Jose Miguel Agrelot on Saturday night.

Acosta, (18-1, 18 KOs) was getting the better of every exchange as Buitrago was tentative with his offense. It was a shootout on my scorecards in favor of Acosta. He was the aggressor from the get-go and kept Buitrago pinned towards the ropes throughout the night.

It was one of those fights that both fighters were able to handle each other's power. The tendency is that the fight will eventually drag to the later rounds and usually ends up with a decision. In the Acosta-Buitrago fight, it was the accumulation of punches that actually wore down Buitrago.

Buitrago, (30-4-1, 17 KOs) fight mostly on the defensive backing up to the ropes and fought from there which limits his mobility to evade the Acosta's offense. His jab was good but he was not able to follow it through with combinations. At times he did, but can't find its target.

Acosta's lead jab to the body really taking a toll on Buitrago in the later rounds. Acosta was tagging the breadbasket of Buitrago with those jabs to the body.

At the 1:22 mark of the final round, Acosta scored a knockdown as the ropes made Buitrago still on his feet after a series of punches. Buitrago looks okay as referee Luis Pabon yelled the mandatory count. Pabon let the fight continue. Acosta sensing blood finished Buitrago with heavy blows to the head prompting Pabon to stepped in and stopped the fight. Buitrago looks defiant but the referee had seen enough. It was the right call. In my estimate even if the fight continued, Buitrago still loss from the scorecards.

With the win, Acosta continued his knockout winning streak to 18 stoppages. His record improved to 18 wins, one loss. His lone defeat was with Kosei Tanaka of Japan when he lost a decision.

Errol Spence Jr. remained undefeated and retained his welterweight title after stopping Carlos Ocampo in the very first round of their match-up, Saturday night at the Ford Center at The Star, Frisco.

Ocampo, 22-1, 13 KOs, was looking good at the opening bell as he was able to land combinations to the body of Spence. But as the fight went on to the dying seconds of the first round, Spence landed a solid punch to the rib cage that put down Ocampo.

The challenger from Baja, Mexico was grimacing in pain and was not able to realize that the round was almost over. All he needed was to beat the mandatory count. But of course, the potent stopping power of a body shot is deadly. I mean, we saw a lot of fighters who were unable to get up. The pain is just too intense that it will take your breath and legs.

Spence improved his undefeated record to 24 wins, with 21 wins by stoppage. Spence was keen to fight the winner of the Garcia-Porter fight.

It is with great pride to post a feature of two fellow Filipino boxers that will be sharing a boxing ring on the international stage. Jonas Sultan of Zamboanga del Norte, challenges Jerwin Ancajas of Panabo, Davao del Norte on 26 May 2018, Saturday (Sunday morning Manila) at Save Mart Center in Fresno, California for the world super flyweight title.

The last time two Filipinos featured in a boxing match on a world stage was in 1925. A fight featuring boxing great Pancho Villa, birth name, Francisco Villaruel Guilledo of Iloilo City against Inocencio "Clever Sencio" Moldes of Leyte. The fight was held at Wallace field, now called Rizal Park in Manila.

After almost a century, 93 years to be exact, two Filipino boxers will meet in one ring and the boxing world watching. This fight will be written in Philippine boxing history as the first-ever two Filipino boxers fought a world championship match held outside the Philippines. This magnitude of boxing match-up happened most of the time between two world-recognized Mexican boxers but not between two Filipinos.

The fight will be seen live on ESPN+ in the United States and ESPN 5 in the Philippines.

Many Filipinos frowned at the idea of two Filipinos fighting against each other. But it's a great opportunity to showcase Filipino boxing skills and talent at the world stage. It's a win-win for both fighters and the country they represent. Ancajas and Sultan will bring the prize back to their home country. The world championship on the line, whoever wins still remains to a Filipino.

Similar beginnings

Jerwin Ancajas (29-1-1, 20 KOs), and Jonas Sultan (14-3, 9 KOs) both came from the same place I was born and raised, in the southern part of the Philippines, in Mindanao. A place where economic growth and development are hampered by rebellion, unstable law, and order. Opportunities for decent-paying jobs were scarce. Thanks to the current president, whose primary platform in governance is law and order. The Philippine government is on talking terms with all rebel fronts.

Many young from Mindanao look at boxing as their ticket way out of poverty. For Ancajas and Sultan, boxing may not be a choice but sees the sport of boxing as their way out of poverty.

Both men were raised by farmer fathers. Ancajas father worked at a banana plantation in Panabo City. Sultan's father grows corn in Tampilisan, Zamboanga del Norte. Influenced by their respective older brothers about boxing, Ancajas, and Sultan lace a pair of gloves to punch their way out of poverty.

Tale of the tape

During Friday's weigh-in, Jerwin Ancajas hit the scales and came in at 114.8 lbs while Jonas Sultan came in at 114.4. Both fighters were below the 115-pound limit. They look strong, in top shape, brimming with confidence, and ready to go for tonight's showdown.

Ancajas has the height advantage who stands at 5 foot, six inches tall, whereas Sultan stands 5 foot, 4 inches, a two-inch disadvantage. Ancajas fights on a southpaw stance, while Sultan on an orthodox stance.

Boxing records show Ancajas has the experience advantage of having 31 total fights out of which; 29 wins, 20 inside the distance, a draw, and a loss. Sultan has 17 total fights out of which; 14 wins, 9 inside the distance, and 3 losses.

Ancajas also registers 16 consecutive winning streak starting from his lone loss back in 2012.  Whereas Sultan has only five starting from his last loss in 2015. But don't let the records fool you, Sultan's last three fights were all former champions, Makazole Tete, veteran Sonny Boy Jaro, and his last fight he scored a stunning upset against John Riel Casimero. Ancajas last three fights were all stoppages against Teiru Kinoshita, Jamie Conlan, and Israel Gonzalez.

Styles

Ancajas is a methodical, technical fighter with decent power on both hands. He has great footwork, fast hands. He can't be easily lured into a brawl as he looks for better angles, comes in and out pretty quick, and racking points on the scorecards. He's patient in the ring, not rushing things but if he senses the opponent's breaking point, he has the ferocity to finish the job with a knockout.

Sultan is a fighter who finds a way to win. His style is unpredictable, awkward, not easy to read what will be his next move. He's confident, unintimidated even on the opponent's home turf. He finds answers and counters to every type of assault, ask Casimero. But of course, he's the underdog tonight.

Prediction

Since I'm predicting, I'll go for the unpredictable. Jonas Sultan in a razor-thin decision. Why? it's because.

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (May 21, 2018) - Future Hall of Famer Antonio "The Magic Man" Tarver (31-6-1, 1 NC, 22 KOs) has just about done it all as a boxer having been an Olympic medal winner and world champion as an amateur, along with capturing five major light heavyweight world titles as a professional, as well as a pair of The Ring magazine's top honors, and four other world championships in two different divisions.

"I credit USA Boxing for giving me a structure for the first time in my life," Tarver explained. "Everything was scheduled; curfew, eating, training, sleep....everything! I then understood that I had to be accountable for everything I did. I had talent, but I wasn't structured, and that was bigger than me. I had to adjust to authority. My determination took off, giving me the support I never had before. I went on to make speaking engagements and get sponsors. I broke barriers. I've been the best at every level that I fought at in the world."

Tarver was a highly decorated amateur who had an amazing 158-12 record. He is the only boxer to capture gold medals at World Amateur Championships, U.S. National Championships, and Pan-American Games in the same year (1995). The Orlando, Florida-born southpaw won a bronze medal at the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta, losing in the quarterfinals to future world champion Vassiliy Jirov, who Tarver had defeated in the semifinals of the 1995 World Amateur Championships. Tarver also won top honors at the 1994 National Golden Gloves Tournament and 1995 World Championships Challenge.

"I went on a winning roll in 1995 and went into the Olympics in rare form," Tarver said. "And that's why I was favored to win a gold medal. I was hitting him (Jirov), the same guy I'd beaten in the World Championships, but no points were registering for me. I had a good second round, but I was down three points, so I threw my game plan away in the third round. I felt I had to do more and got away from my style: counter punching, not getting hit, and being patient. I thought I had won and so did a lot of people. I made up for that, though, with a gold-medal professional career.

"I had been faced with a decision about going pro after I was beaten in the '92 Olympic Trials. I decided to stay in the amateurs, despite not having any guarantees about making the 1996 U.S. Olympic Team. I sacrificed four years of my pro career, which is why I turned pro at a relatively late age (27). I was determined when I found out the 1996 Olympics were in Atlanta. I think I made the right decision and I have no regrets.

"I had always dreamed of going to the Olympics. I saw Roy Jones, Jr - we first fought each other at 13 - get robbed of gold. I was watching that on television, jumped up, and knew where I was heading: The Olympics! We both suffered horrible decisions in the Olympics and I knew then that our careers would be parallel.

Tarver made his pro debut on February 18, 1997, in Philadelphia, stopping Joaquin Garcia (4-0) in the second round.

"I was an Olympic bronze medal winner but when I first turned pro," Tarver added, "I didn't have a promoter or manager. Nobody was willing to take a chance on me until I was 4-0, when I signed by first contract with Russell Peltz. I felt nobody could beat me."

Nobody was able to beat Tarver, at least until his 17th pro fight, when Eric Harding defeated Tarver by way of a 12-round unanimous decision.

Two years later, Tarver embarked on a 12-fight murderer's row stretch during the next seven years, arguably establishing him as the No. 1 pound-for-pound fighter in the world. It all started with a successful rematch with Harding (21-1-1) in Indianapolis, when Tarver dropped Harding in the fourth round, plus twice more in the fifth, on his way to a fifth-round technical knockout to avenge his lone pro loss to that date.
Next up for Tarver was a showdown with 44-3 Montell Griffin for the WBC and IBF 175-pound division titles, which were vacated by Roy Jones Jr., April 26, 2003 at Foxwoods Resort Casino in Mashantucket, Connecticut. In his first world title shot as a pro, Tarver pitched a complete shutout, decking Griffin in the first and last rounds to shut out his opponent by scores of 120-103 from all three judges.

Seven months later, however, Tarver lost a controversial 12-round majority decision and his WBC crown (he was stripped of his IBF belt) to WBA Super and IBO champion Jones in Las Vegas. The following May at the venue, Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas, though, Tarver became the first to knockout Jones, putting him to sleep in the second round.

Tarver then became a mainstream celebrity, appearing on late-night shows and covers of The Ring magazine and KO Magazine, and co-hosting an ESPN Friday Night Fights telecast.

"I was robbed in my first fight with Roy," Tarver insisted. "They called my knockout of Roy the greatest upset in light heavyweight history. Why didn't they see me coming? I had beaten everybody ranked ahead of me. Roy was the pound-4-pound king, but he knew. I may not be the fastest, the quickest, or the strongest, but I doubt that there's ever been a pro fighter to enter the ring with a higher IQ than me. Even at my age, I still feel that way today."

The WBC stripped Tarver of his title in 2004 for fighting IBF champion Glen Johnson (41-9-2) instead of the WBC mandatory challenger. Johnson, ironically, was stripped of his IBF title for the same reason right before his fight in Los Angeles with Tarver. Tarver and Johnson fought for The Ring and IBO titles and Johnson won a 12-round split decision.

In their rematch six months later in Memphis, Tarver won a unanimous 12-round decision over Johnson to capture the IBO strap. Tarver completed his trilogy with Jones, retaining his IBO title with a unanimous 12-round decision (117-111, 116-112, 116-112).

Tarver lost a 12-round decision June 10, 2006 in Atlantic City to Bernard Hopkins for the IBO championship, which was soon vacated and recaptured by Tarver with a 12-round majority decision over Elvir Muriqi (34-3).

Tarver traveled to Australia in 2011 to challenge IBO cruiserweight champion and local hero Danny Green, who retired after nine rounds, as Tarver added another title belt to his display case.

In December of 2013 in Temecula, California, Tarver knocked out Jonathon Banks (29-2-1) in the seventh round, and Tarver's last fight was a 12-round split decision draw with former world champion Steve Cunningham (28-7) in Newark, New Jersey.

In 2006, Tarver starred as Mason "The Line" Dixon, the heavyweight champion in the film, Rocky Balboa.

Tarver, as he marches towards his planned history-making performance by becoming the oldest heavyweight world champion of all-time, also has served as a color commentator in boxing for Spike TV and Showtime.

Today, at the age of 49, Tarver is still technically active, and he also trains his son and undefeated middleweight prospect, Antonio Tarver, Jr. (5-0 (4 KOs), where they live in Tampa, Florida.

"I was older than the rest of the boxers on the U.S. Olympic Team and the U.S. National Team," Tarver remarked. "What a team! Guys like Diego Corrales and Zab Judah didn't make that Olympic Team. I gave Floyd Mayweather, Jr. his first moniker, 'Pretty Boy Floyd', until he changed it years later to 'Money'. We had a bond on that Olympic team with Floyd, Fernando Vargas, David Reid, Zarim Raheem and the others."

Although at the age of 49 he is still an active fighter, Tarver occasionally does some color commentating and he trains pro and amateur boxers at a gym in Tampa, Florida. "I'm not retired as a fighter," Tarver commented. "I started a program, 'Train with The Champ', and it includes room rent and training. I like to say it's an AirB&B for boxing. I train my son (5-0 middleweight Antonio Tarver, Jr. there. I learned a lot from my early days, training in Orlando with my coach, Lou Harris, and I reunited with Jimmy Williams, who is 90 now, training my son together in Tampa.

Tarver also is an advocate of the relatively new "USA Boxing Alumni Association," which was created to champion a lifelong, mutually beneficial relations between USA Boxing and its alumni, --boxers, officials, coaches and boxing fans -- the Alumni Association connects generations of champions, inspiring and giving back to USA Boxing's future boxing champions, in and out of the ring.

"I'm going online to join," Tarver said. "I'm looking forward to attending an Alumni Association meeting, June 24-30 during the Junior Olympics in Charleston, West Virginia.

Everything that goes around, comes around, in USA Boxing. Just ask future Hall of Fame candidate Antonio Tarver.

When I felt like losing my interest in the sports of boxing all I need to do is watch the above video. These were a compilation of the best boxing fights that happened in the last 10 years.

Once I watch them, my interest in boxing comes again alive and kicking and I wanted to write some boxing stuff again. Really, It was hectic lately that I wasn't able to update this lowly blog with anything.

Well hopefully after watching again the video above from the Youtube channel Boxing Extra I start writing again. Forgive me if I said I'm losing interest in boxing as I was not able to update regularly this blog. Two or some three years ago, I'm updating this blog on daily basis. I just write anything about everything boxing, but lately, it's not even on a weekly basis. My last post here was on 1st April.

It was not really losing interest, but it's the time to write. The demand for my day job was getting a toll on me, and as I age, it seemed that my body needed more rest. I can't wake up early at 5:00 AM (Kuwait Time) to watch live fights. It's usually early in the early Sunday morning here in Kuwait for a Saturday night big fights in the States. Before, I have no problem waking up early watching the boxing matches live and then write a quick post after. Now, it's tough for me.

Hopefully, I can, at least a single post weekly. Anyway, enjoy watching the above video. There's more compilation of boxing videos created by Boxing Extra.

Alexander Povetkin demolished David Price with a vicious overhand right followed by a left hand. The overhand right obviously sent Price to the wonderland. It seemed to me that Price was out from the overhand right and the second punch looks unnecessary should the referee quick enough to recognize the reaction from Price. Watch below.

Alexander Povetkin vs David Price #JoshuaParker WOWOWOWOWOW!!! pic.twitter.com/J4dMOhVRYu

— Zombie Prophet (@ZPGIFs) March 31, 2018

BOSTON (March 17, 2018) - Tonight's "St. Patrick's Day Clash 3" will air on pay-per-view, as well as on Super Channel in Canada, headlined by the 10-round main event featuring (WBC) Silver International champion junior welterweight Danny "Bhoy" O'Connor (29-3, 11 KOs) against Canadian challenger Steve "The Dragon" Claggett (26-4-1, 17 KOs), live from the House of Blues in Boston.

"St. Patrick's Day Clash 3", starting at 10 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. PT, is presented by Murphys Boxing in association with Joe DeGuardia's Star Boxing. The popular Dropkick Murphys will play a live acoustic set prior to the main event.

Integrated Sports Media will distribute "St. Patrick's Day Clash 3" in the United States on cable, satellite and digital PPV via iN Demand, Vubiquity, DISH and FITE.TV app and website for a suggested retail price of only $24.95.

Viewers in Canada will be able to see it live on super Channel, which will showcase Calgary's rising star Steve Claggett to the entire country.

Fans around the world can also order "St. Patrick's Day Clash 3 via FITE TV live streaming platform (excluding Canada) for $24.95. For details visit www.fite.tv.

Calling all the action from ringside are Ray Flores and Marc Abrams. Two-division world champion Paulie Malignaggi will join them for the main event as a color analyst.

Flyweight titlist Juan Francisco Estrada is looking for a knockout when he faces Wisaksil Wangek for the super flyweight world title fight on Saturday night at the Forum, Inglewood in Los Angeles.

Estrada (36-2, 25 KOs) wants to leave no doubt and is looking for the knockout.

"I am a fighter who goes from less to more and we will go looking for the knockout to leave no doubt and return with that belt," Estrada said.

Estrada ranks number two in the TBRB rankings at the super flyweight division. Wangek (44-4-1, 40 KOs) ranks number one in the same division. It's a fight against number one and number two fighter in the same division. The winner is no doubt the world champion at the 115-pound division.

During the weigh-in, all fighters were within the weight limits. Below is the result:

• Wangek - 114.8 pounds vs Estrada - 115 pounds


• Cuadras - 114.6 pounds vs Arroyo - 114.2 pounds


• Nietes - 111.6 pounds vs Reveco - 112 pounds

Danny Garcia and Brandon will face Saturday night at the Mandalay Bay Hotel & Casino, Events Center, Las Vegas for a 12-round welterweight bout.

Garcia and Rios came in at 146.5 pounds during the official weigh-in on Friday. Both men looked very impressive and in tremendous shape. If you look at Rios in many of his weigh-ins in the lower divisions, he looks drained and pale. And as he climbed on to higher division, he looks fat on those few weigh-ins in the past. As to Danny Garcia, he always came in shape at every division he fought into.

These two guys have similar numbers if you look into their height, reach, and age. Garcia stands 5'81/2", reach 174 cm. Rios, 5'8", reach 173 cm. A slight advantage on Garcia though but I don't see it really matters.

As I look at it, the fight is good till Rios' chin still able to absorb those overextended right hooks from Garcia or an overhand right counter. The style of Rios looks tailor-made for Garcia. Rios loves to come in and Garcia loves to counter with some little angle maneuvers. If you look at Rios's previous fights, he loses to fighters that adjusted his fight and by not fighting his fight, which is toe-to-toe, tough-to-tough bravado.

Well, of course, I'm not counting Rios on this fight, I mean if he could lure Garcia to fight his fight then he has the chance of knocking Garcia also. Rios has this tendency of talking in the ring that could really piss an opponent. A style that would lure an opponent to answer fire with fire.

Hunger to win

Garcia would not want back-to-back losses here obviously. He really would go back to the win column to get back on track and go back to where he's at prior to the Thurman loss.

Rios on the other hand, looking also to get a solid win. I mean a win from Danny Garcia will boost his rank among the top welters. It's the hottest division so far.

During the weigh-in, Garcia said "I'ma do what I wanna do. Like I said before, it's the Danny Garcia show... I'ma put him to sleep!"

In response, Rios said, "I can win this fight. I won my world title why can't I beat Danny Garcia? He's nobody special. Everybody thinks he's somebody special, he ain't nobody special. I'm ready for this guy."

Lightweight titlist Jorge Linares will be facing Filipino Mercito Gesta to co-headline with Lucas Matthysse vs Tewa Kiram, Saturday, January 29 at the Forum, Inglewood.

For me, it is a must-see bout, as I expected a competitive match. Style-wise it appears to me that Linares (43-3, 27 KOs) is more of the technical fighter and Gesta (31-1-2, 17 KOs) seems to be the come forward guy on a southpaw stance.

Experience-wise, it favors Linares (46 total fights) also as he has more fights against his Gesta (34 total fights). Both men at their 30s with a slight difference in height and reach. Linares is also riding on momentum from his 12 winning streaks after back-to-back losses. Well, Gesta also is looking good after rebounding from a loss in 2012 but he hasn't fought in 2016 and just fought twice in 2017. It should be a motivation for Gesta to step up on this one. A chance also for Linares to start well this year.

Well, I've been busy with my day job nowadays. Maybe you could notice the erratic posts on this blog. I'm not able to watch boxing matches on a Saturday night (Sunday early morning in Kuwait) on a regular basis as the demand for work had increased drastically. But well not this 29 January as I mark this date for the Linares-Gesta fight.

Don't ask me who I'll be rooting for. You know that one already. I like Linares' fight but this time, I'll go for my kabayan. May the best man win on fight night.

Ryoichi Taguchi unified the junior flyweight belts as he outslugs Milan Melindo on new year's eve at the Ota-City General Gymnasium in Tokyo, Japan. It was an action-packed, bloody fight and Taguchi came out as the better boxer. The scorecards read 117-111 (twice) and 116-111.

Melindo (37-3, 13 KOs) of Cagayan de Oro City was able to control the first two rounds. He tagged Taguchi with solid body shots, precise counters, and effective jabs. In the third, Melindo suffered a cut over his left eye that bothered him throughout the fight. That's the round Taguchi stepped up the tempo of his offense.

Taguchi (27-2-2, 12 KOs) of Tokyo, Japan controlled the third round onwards connecting clean punches upstairs and moving away as Melindo counters. Taguchi utilized his long left hands to gauge distance, blocked Melindo's vision as Taguchi follow through with his right hand.

In the sixth, again, Melindo suffered a cut this time over his right eye resulting from a head clash, slowing down Melindo in the process.

In the ninth, an accidental headbutt opened a cut over Taguchi's forehead. Melindo, capitalized on the situation digging deep down to Taguchi's body and upstairs.

In the tenth, Taguchi showed determination to control the round throwing barrage of punches, which Melindo answered with his own barrage.

In the end, it was Taguchi's hands raised in victory. With the win, I love to see Taguchi square it up against the best in the division, compatriot Ken Shiro or Kosei Tanaka.

Miguel Cotto and Sadam Ali both hopped on the scales and registered below the junior middleweight limits. Cotto weighed 151.6 pounds while Ali 153 pounds for their Saturday night bout at the Madison Square Garden in New York City.

Cotto of Caguas Puerto Rico will be lacing up his gloves for the final time in a professional fight. He will face the younger Sadam Ali who moves up in weight for this fight.

So everything is good to go! Cotto looks to be in tip-top shape and Ali looks confident on his new weight. A good spectacle is expected tonight, though many believed Cotto will be too much for Ali. Well, they said in basketball the ball is round. In boxing, for sure both men will come out swinging, so who lands best might turn the lights off instantly.

Will it be a W on the final fight ledger of the great Miguel Cotto? Or can Ali makes a point on Cotto to really hang it up for good?

Questions will be answered tonight. Excited to see how Cotto will exit boxing tonight!

Ryota Murata wasted no time and immediately marched forward toward Hassan N'Dam N'Jikam firing heavy shots from the start of the first round of their middleweight rematch in Tokyo Japan, Saturday night.

It was definitely Round 13 as the Murata didn't need any round to feel Hassan. He worked hard and threw heavy punches against a backpedaling opponent. In Round 2, Hassan adjusted and tried to engage Murata but the Japanese landed more blows than Hassan felt. Hassan resorted to holding looking the fight ugly.

In Round 4, Murata stepped up his work and hurt Hassan. The French national tried to fight back but Murata was accurate with punches. Murata's overhand right to the head left and a hook to the body combination were very effective.

In Round 6, the pace of the fight slowed down a bit in the first minute as Murata relaxed his offense. Hassan looking tired too. Then Murata exploded with a five-punch combo that stunned Hassan.

In Round 7, Hassan tried to box Murata from the center of the rings as Murata continued to pour more pressure, following Hassan leading with his stiff jab that snaps Hassan's head back several times.

Hassan did not answer the bell that signals to begin Round 8. Murata won via RTD 7.

Murata was emotional after knowing N'Dam N'Jikam want no more from him. His record improved to 13 wins, 10 by KOs with only one defeat, which he avenged tonight retaining the middleweight title.

LOS ANGELES (Sept. 23, 2017) Jorge "El Niño de Oro" Linares (43-3, 27 KOs) successfully defended his WBA, WBC Diamond and Ring Magazine Lightweight Titles with a split decision victory against the English southpaw "Cool Hand" Luke Campbell(17-2, 14 KOs) at Los Angeles' "Fabulous" Forum. Linares dropped Campbell in the second round with a hard right hand and engaged in explosive exchanges in each round to win with scores of 115-112 and 114-113, while one judge scored the fight 115-113 for Campbell.

"I fought very well," said Jorge Linares. "I'm happy with the fight. At the fifth round, we had some trouble but we came out on top. Trust me, I have a great connection with my team and with my trainer, so we worked hard and kept at it. I knew I had to let the dogs out. We want Mikey Garcia next."

"No one can ever doubt my hard work," said Luke Campbell. "Yes, I got off to a rocky start. He [Linares] caught me in the eye. A nice shot that put me on the mat. But I had to fight. I had to get focused. I didn't think he was landing any shots whatsoever in the second half."

Filipino KO artist Romero Duno wins unanimous decision against Juan Sanchez

Opening the international broadcast, Filipino knockout artist Romero Duno (15-1, 13 KOs) scored an eight-round unanimous decision victory against Tabasco, Mexico's Juan Sanchez (29-13, 14 KOs) in a lightweight fight. Duno punished Sanchez to the body and head in each and every round, which earned him the victory with three scores of 78-74.

"I'm satisfied with my performance," said Romero Duno. "Sanchez was a tough competitor, he fights clean and I respect him. I've learned a lot from this fight and am going to take the lessons I've learned onto the next."

Azat "Crazy A" Hovhannisyan (13-2, 10 KOs), the exciting Armenian super bantamweight contender with a spectacular style, earned the vacant WBC Continental Americas Super Bantamweight Title with a unanimous decision victory against Guadalajara, Mexico's Sergio Frias (19-8-2, 10 KOs). Although the resident of Los Angeles was cut above the left eye in the middle of the fight, Hovhannisyan won with two scores of 100-90 and one score of 98-92.

"We're very happy to get this big belt," said Azat Hovhannisyan. "This has been years in the making and I fought in the ring with basically one hand as I fractured my right hand. The swelling reappeared during the fight. Frias was a tough opponent, but we put in the work to get the win."

Abraham "Chamaco" Lopez (23-1-1, 16 KOs) of La Puente, California scored a fifth-round technical knockout victory against Isao Carranza (15-10-1, 9 KOs) of Mexico City, Mexico in a scheduled eight-round super featherweight fight.

"The fight went well," said Abraham Lopez. "I wish I would've finished him earlier, but he was a true warrior. It was a good fight. This fight was something I wanted to do, something I was waiting for. What's next? Whatever the company has in mind. I'll be working on everything; win or lose you always learn something. It doesn't stop. We're not perfect. I know I made mistakes, but we're going to keep working."

In the first fight of the evening, super bantamweight prospect Rafael "El Alikin" Gramajo (9-1-1, 2 KOs) of Los Angeles scored a tough six-round unanimous victory against Pedro Melo (17-16-2, 8 KOs) of Tijuana, Mexico.

"I feel good," said Rafael Gramajo. "I feel we started off well. I'm proud of myself. I had not fought in a year, and we fought the fight that we wanted to. In boxing, there is always a punch that could catch you and hurt you, but thank God it didn't hurt. I kept boxing and it was a good fight."

Saul Canelo Alvarez and Gennady Golovkin both make the 160-pound middleweight limit during the official weigh-in on Friday (US time). Both weighed 160 pounds when they hit the scales for their anticipated middleweight championship fight on Saturday night at the T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas.

GGG (37-0, 33KOs) came in first onto the scales wearing the usual smile. He looked strong and ready to go. He's been fighting in the middleweight division since his professional boxing debut in 2006. There's no sign that he outgrows the division as he has no problem making the required division limit.

Canelo (49-1-1, 34KOs) came next and registered the same as GGG, 160 pounds. He looked muscular, strong and also ready to go. While in the junior middleweight division Canelo showed signs that he outgrown the division he dominated since 2010.

At the stare-off, the height advantage of GGG is obvious. Well, more on this advantage/disadvantage subject if I have the time to write the preview of this fight.

Meanwhile, many had said that if May-Mac was a show, but Canelo-GGG is a fight! I agree 101 percent.  I'm excited already.

Día de Muertos! Happy Mexican Independence Day.

MASHANTUCKET, CT (September 16, 2017) - Undefeated Irishman Niall "Boom Boom" Kennedy won a controversial 10-round split decision versus defending champion Alexis Santos to capture the New England heavyweight championship in last night's (Saturday) main event of Broadway Boxing held in Fox Theater, at Foxwoods Resort Casino, in Mashantucket, CT.

The Broadway Boxing series is promoted by DiBella Entertainment and presented by Nissan of Queens, Azad Watches, OPTYX, and Christos Steak House. Last night's show, which was streamed by FightNight LIVE on Facebook, was promoted in association with Murphys Boxing.

Kennedy (9-0, 5 KOs), fighting out of Galway, Ireland, by way of Boston, battled Santos in a competitive, action-packed brawl to be awarded the N.E. title by scores of 96-93, 96-93, 93-96. The majority of fans in attendance, outside of Kennedy's Irish supporters, and the ringside media felt that Santos, from Lawrence, MA, had the edge and deserved the decision.

Referee Al LoBianco deducted a point from Santos in the ninth round for a highly questionable low blow and failed to rule a knockdown when it appeared the ropes kept Kennedy upright in a tremendous last round surge from the Dominican American.

In the co-featured bout, former world champion Shelly "Shelito's Way" Vincent (20-1, 1 KO), of Providence, RI, defeated former world title challenger Angel "Non-Stop" Gladney (9-13-1, 6 KOs) in a junior lightweight match. The colorful Vincent was the aggressor throughout the fight, effectively cutting off the ring, outboxing and walking down Gladney for a lop-sided eight-round unanimous decision (80-72, 80-71 twice).
Shelly Vincent (L) outclassed Angel Gladney

Rising Connecticut welterweight star "Marvelous" Mykquan Williams improved his record to 8-0 (4 KOs), pitching a complete shutout in an impressive six-round unanimous decision (all 60-54) win over a much more experienced and considerably taller Evincii "Prize Fighter" Dixon (7-20-2, 2 KOs). Williams is a 19-year-old from East Hartford who is a freshman at Manchester Community College.
Mykquan Williams (L) cruised to another victory

2012 Ukrainian Olympian Ievgen "The Ukrainian Lion" Khytrov (15-1, 13 KOs), fighting out of Brooklyn, bounced back from his only pro loss with a near shutout eight-round decision victory (80-72 twice, 79-73) over his always tough super middleweight adversary, battle-tested veteran Derrick "Superman" Finley (27-22-1, 18 KOs).

"It was different when I first started training after a loss," Khytrov said after the fight. "I started to think more and work on my defense; to fight much smarter instead of just brawling, throwing punches, like I did before my loss. I came the US four years ago from a small country that's not rich to become a world champion. I feel I'm back on the right track.
Ievgen Khytrov (R) bounced back with a solid win

Hot New England junior welterweight prospect Adrian "Tonka" Sosa (5-0, 4 KOs) stepped up in class against Mexican Francisco "El Mono" Medel (11-10, 7 KOs), and remained undefeated by displaying his overall game, offensively and defensively. Fighting out of Lawrence, MA, the 2014 N.E. amateur champion Sosa dropped Medal with a straight right in the first round, a sneaky body shot in the second and finished him off in the third with a crisp right to the temple as referee Al LoBianco immediately halted the action.

Pro-debuting welterweights Nicky DeQuattro (1-0, 1 KO) and Timothy Wheeler (0-1) engaged in a street fight from the opening bell until DeQuartro, fighting out of Johnson, RI, connected with an overhand right that dropped his New York City rival.  Moments later, DeQuattro unleashed a four-punch combination that dropped Wheeler for a complete 10-count.

The night started with a barnburner as former Irish amateur standout Ray Moylette(6-0, 2 KOs) kept his undefeated pro record intact but it certainly wasn't easy.  Moylette overcame a second-round knockdown, coming back strong in the second half of the fight to take a six-round split decision versus game junior welterweight Donte Bryant (1-3-1, 1 KO).

LAS VEGAS (Sept. 13, 2017) - Lineal and Ring Magazine Middleweight Champion Canelo Alvarez (49-1-1, 34 KOs) and WBC/WBA/IBF/IBO Middleweight Champion Gennady "GGG" Golovkin (37-0, 33 KOs) hosted the final press conference ahead of their showdown on Saturday, Sept. 16 presented live on HBO Pay-Per-View® at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas beginning at 8:00 p.m. ET/5:00 p.m. PT. The live stream of the press conference can be viewed here.

Below is what the fighters and their teams had to say at today's final press conference:

CANELO ALVAREZ, Lineal and Ring Magazine Middleweight Champion:
"I don't like to talk too much. I just want to say that I'm prepared. I know it will be a tough fight. I just want you all to enjoy it like I'm going to enjoy it. I'm really, really excited to get in and fight. The excitement is there. The adrenaline is there. I have nothing to say to him. They know what kind of fighter I am. I'm prepared. I'm ready. All I want to tell him is look, let's give the fans a great fight."

GENNADY "GGG" GOLOVKIN, WBC/WBA/IBF/IBO Middleweight Champion:
"I am really happy to see everybody in Vegas. I want to thank Golden Boy and GGG Promotions for the great work, our sponsors and HBO. I don't want to talk too much. I am ready. I respect Canelo's team. This is a big day not only for us, but for boxing and this era. This will be a huge historic fight at T-Mobile Arena. I feel comfortable. I see that Canelo is ready. He is ready for serious business, a serious fight. This fight will be the biggest gift to the people."

EDDY REYNOSO, Head Trainer of Canelo Alvarez:
"Everything that was said or had to be said has been said. We've had a great preparation, more than 14 years to prepare for this type of fight. We've had a great camp, no injuries, everything went well, and more importantly we are ready to win come Saturday night."

JOSE "CHEPO" REYNOSO, Manager and Trainer of Canelo Alvarez:
"This is the end of 10 hard weeks of training. Work that was done with a lot of discipline and a lot of responsibility. In Canelo's camp, we declare ourselves ready and confident thatthis Saturday we will win. Canelo is going to come out with his hand raised. I want to close with a dedication to my friend Abel Sanchez. He says Triple G has a Mexican style. But I tell Abel that not only does Canelo have a Mexican style and a Mexican heart, but he IS Mexican!"

ABEL SANCHEZ, Trainer to Gennady Golovkin:
"All the talking and the boasting on both sides is done. We've had a great training camp and sparring. Golovkin is at 100 percent. We are looking forward to a great fight, a dramatic, explosive fight. These guys have the styles that will make for a fight that we will all remember."

OSCAR DE LA HOYA, CEO & Chairman of Golden Boy Promotions:
"This is a fight to see who the best pound-for-pound fighter on the planet is. I am grateful to everyone in the boxing world who contributed to making this event. This event needs no hype whatsoever. This is a fight that's a can't-miss event. That's the bottom line. It's going to be a great fight because of what is at stake: pride and fighting for your country and boxing fans. This is a fight for the sport of boxing, and it couldn't have come at a better time. The stakes couldn't be higher."

"We have to thank the fighters for agreeing for competing at the very peak of their careers.Saturday night at the T-Mobile arena it will be electrifying, a packed house. This event will take place life at HBO Pay-Per-View for the first time ever at 8:00pm ET in consideration of our east coast fans and our worldwide fanbase. You can also watch the fight atRingTV.com on your phone or table or from wherever you are."

BERNARD HOPKINS, Golden Boy Promotions Business Partner:
"The middleweight division goes all the way back. I thought about this fight when I got here yesterday. The fight that really stands out to me in comparison to Canelo-Golovkin, with the danger in the first couple of rounds, is Marvin Hagler and John Mugabi. One thing, however, is that history doesn't always repeat itself. Thank you to Canelo Alvarez and Gennady Golovkin for respecting the division that made me."

TOM LOEFFLER, Promoter of Gennady "GGG" Golovkin:
"We arrived on Monday evening, and as soon as we arrived at the hotel you could feel the excitement in the air. An event like this can only be a superfight between somebody like Canelo Alvarez and Gennady Golovkin. They are two true world champions. The two best middleweights in the world. Two of the best pound-for-pound fighters in the world, and two of the most marketable fighters of the world."

TONY WALKER, Vice President at HBO Sports:
"Congratulations to Tom and Oscar for putting this together. This is truly a momentous event this Saturday. This is the best fight that can be made in boxing. This is potentially fight we think about in years to come. The first fight will be at 5:00 p.m. PT/ 8:00 p.m. ET. The main event is scheduled for 8:00pm PT/11:00 ET. The price is $69.95."

BOB BENNETT, Executive Director of Nevada Athletic State Commission:
"As always, the Nevada State Athletic Commission is humbled, honored and privileged to be able to regulate this sensational fight. We take a great deal of effort in the selection of our officials for our fight. We have Kenny Bayless who will referee the fight. The judges will be Dave Moretti, Adalaide Byrd and Don Trella."

RICHARD STURM, President of Entertainment and Sports for MGM Resorts International:
"As we welcome back Canelo Alvarez following his May victory over Julio Cesar Chavez, Jr., we would also like to welcome Triple G to Las Vegas for his Nevada debut. We are thrilled that these two great champs decided to fight. The event is sold out, but our closed-circuit broadcast will be presented in all MGM Resort properties."

Also, fighters from the Canelo vs. Golovkin undercard hosted a media workout at MGM Resort Hotel and Casino before their upcoming fights this Saturday, Sept. 16 at T-Mobile Arena.