Tag Archives: WBO

Toronto’s undefeated light heavyweight Kareem “Supreme” Hackett to make 1st WBA Inter-Continental title defense March 30th on DAZN from L.A.

March 27, 2024 FNU47 Leave a comment

Kareem Hackett (R)(Photo credit: Cris Esquida/3PM)

LOS ANGELES (March 21, 2024) – Toronto’s undefeated World Boxing Association (WBA) Intercontinental Light Heavyweight Champion Kareem “Supreme” Hackett (12-0, 6 KOs) will make his first title defense March 30^th against Rowdy Legend Montgomery (10-5-1, 7 KOs) in a 10-round match on a Golden Boy Promotions card headlined by the WBA Cruiserweight World title fight between defending champion Arsen Goulimarian and Hackett’s stablemate, former world super middleweight champion Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez.

All the action will be streamed live on DAZN from YouTube Theater in Los Angeles.

WBA No. 13 world-rated Hackett captured his crown last September 20^th in Plant City, Florida, when he dominated 4-1 favorite and previously undefeated Clay Waterman (11-0, 8 KOs) en route to a 10-round unanimous decision, in which he won all 10 rounds on two of the judges’’ scorecards and nine on the other judge’s.

“I would have liked to fight sooner but that’s the way this business goes,” Hackett said. “It’s harder to get fights after winning my title than it was. A lot of good has happened since my last fight. I understand. I have a title and I’m world ranked. I have a clearer path towards a world title shot. I appreciate any opportunity to get in the ring.”

“I’m getting more respect since I displayed my skills on ProBox.TV. (Announcers) Juan Manual Marguez, Paulie Malignaggi and Chris Algieri gave me a lot of props and that’s been very validating.”

Hackett has gained invaluable experience sparring world champions such as “Zurdo” Ramirez, Dmitry Bivol, Peter “Kid Chocolate” Quillin, Sergio Mora, Mathew Macklin and David Benavidez.

Hackett has already established firsts by a Toronto boxer in terms of fighting on a Golden Boy Promotions card and becoming WBA Inter-Continental Light Heavyweight title holder.

“I’m a trailblazer for Toronto boxing,” promotional free agent Hackett explained with great pride. “I want to bring the first world title home, for sure, and one day the undisputed and unified titles, too, Toronto is a big city with a lot of natural talent, but I don’t know why boxing hasn’t thrived there.”

Hackett is trained by fast-rising Julian Chua at Brickhouse Boxing Club in North Hollywood (CA) and managed by 3 Point Management (3 PM).

“(Dmitry) Bivol is at the head of the light heavyweight division, and I know he’s a strong guy,” Hackett noted. “We’ve changed some things since my last fight with the end in mind. We’ve tripled down, strength-wise, for when we run into him. That’s the main change. I feel that I’m the most agile fighter in our division and I’m working on getting stronger to match my skills and ring IQ.”

In 2024, Hackett wants to add hardware and fight a top-10 ranked opponent but, at least for now, he’s happy to be in his fight with Montgomery in his second home, Los Angeles.

“I love that this fight is in LA,” Hackett concluded. “I’m comfortable in Los Angeles. I feel at home here and fighting in other places in California. I’m also excited to be fighting on a card headlined by one of my closest friends in boxing (Zurdo).”

INFORMATION:Website: www.KareemHackett.comInstagram, Twitter & Tik Tok: @kareemwins

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Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez Fighting for his legacy

March 27, 2024 FNU47 Leave a comment

Gilberto “Zurdo” RamirezFighting for his legacy

LOS ANGELES (March 20, 2024) –- Former World Boxing Organization Super Middleweight Champion Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez (45-1, 30 KOs) is fighting for his legacy, starting March 30^th when he challenges undefeated World Boxing Association (WBA) Cruiserweight World title holder Arsen “Feroz” Goulamirian (21-0, 14 KOs) at You Tube Theater at Hollywood Park in Inglewood, California.

The 12-round Goulamirian vs. Zurdo main event headlines a strong card, promoted by Golden Boy Promotions in association with Y12 Boxing, which will be streamed live on DAZN.

Ramirez, 32, was the first Mexican boxer to capture a super middleweight world title and now he wants to duplicate that unprecedented feat against Goulamirian, the Armenian-born champion who lives in France and trains in Big Bear, California.

“Becoming the first Mexican-born cruiserweight world champion and two-division world champion is very important to me,” Ramirez said. “Legacy is the only thing we leave behind in this world, I was proud to be the first Mexican to be world super middleweight champion and I can’t wait to be the first again at cruiserweight.

“I’m still learning every day. Joe Smith was a tough task and I had to implement some new stuff to my style. And this fight is no different; every camp I try to add something new to enhance my chances of winning. I feel comfortable at this weight. Naturally, as I got older, it was tougher to make the weight and now everything seems to be easier. Like I always say, there’s no better teacher than experience in this life.”

Zurdo’s ultimate goal, however, is to become a three-division world champion, targeting the heavyweight division once he’s cleaned up the cruiserweight weight class.

“There are still a lot of fights that can be made in this division,” Zurdo explained. “I’d love to unify and/or become the undisputed Champion before I make the move up. When it’s all said and done, my goal is to be a multi-division Champion and end my career as a heavyweight.”

INFORMATION: Website: www.ZurdoPromotions.comFacebook: /ZurdoPromotions, /GilbertoZurdoRamirezInstagram: @zurdoramirez, @zurdopromotionsTwitter: @ZurdoPromotions, @GilbertoZurdoRamirez

ABOUT ZURDO PROMOTIONS: Headquartered in Las Vegas and Mexico, Zurdo Promotions is the premier combat sports/event led by former World Champion, Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez. Zurdo Promotions strives to be the best in all areas to set the new standard in boxing. Visit us at www.ZurdoPromotions.com.

boxing

McAllister KOs Djarbeng – Adds a WBO Title To His Collection of Championship Accolades

June 1, 2021 FNU47 Leave a comment

Ringside Report: Gianluca Di Caro
Photographs courtesy of Alistair Campbell

Six time, Five Division World Champion Lee McAllister not only successfully defended the **Professional Boxing Council (PBC) Intercontinental title** he secured in Accra, Ghana back in March this year, but also added the vacant **World Boxing Organization (WBO) Africa Zone Championship** belt to his huge collection, following a fourth knockout of Ghanaian Richmond Djarbeng on the **LET BATTLE COMMENCE IV** event that took place at the Northern Hotel in Aberdeen on Saturday 29th May 2021.

Fifty lucky fans were ringside to watch the UK’s most decorated boxer in action, as LET BATTLE COMMENCE IV was the first boxing ‘test’ event in Scotland, which hopefully will lead to more fans, preferably up to full capacity, being able to attend boxing events from next month as the pandemic restrictions are relaxed further.

Millions more tuned in to watch the live and free to view the Globally broadcast event on FITE, VIVA LIVE, PPV LIVE as well as the numerous digital and linear channels that also carried the live broadcast.

There wasn’t that much action initially in the first round, so much so that world renowned Championship Referee Roger Barnor stepped in and ‘encouraged’ the protagonists to stop tentatively testing and throw some real punches in anger, which they did in style during the dying seconds of the round.

The first minute of the second stanza contained more action than the entire first round, albeit much of it being testing shots, well that is until around mid-point when McAllister burst into action, letting rip with a succession of blistering shots to send Djarbeng down to the canvas.

Have to say I was mightily surprised that Djarbeng was able to beat the count, but he did, and on the restart the ‘Aberdeen Assassin’ calmly strode over and let rip another flurry of scintillating powerful Exocets to body and head to send the Ghanaian to the deck for a second and surely final time – but no, much to everyone’s surprise Djarbeng, who was clearly in a lot of pain, once again managed to make it to his feet before Roger Barnor finished the count.

On the restart once again McAllister went on the attack, yet somehow Djarbeng managed to survive the onslaught and even let rip with some shots of his own.

Round three was an edgy affair, with both fighters working off their jabs, Djarbeng proved to be quite durable, I for one was surprised when he shrugged off some seriously vicious shots to the head as the round progressed.

The fourth was by far the best round so far, action wise, and once again the Ghanaian showed just how tough he was as once again he survived some seriously powerful shots, to both body and head, that clearly hurt him.

As the round progressed McAllister landed more big shots, after which Djarbeng would grab hold of the increasingly aggressive McAllister. This tactic didn’t do the Ghanaian many favours as the Aberdeen Assassin just kept letting rip and the inevitable happened, Djarbeng crashed to the deck for a third time following a huge right-left combination to the head, this time though Djarbeng just couldn’t rise to his feet and was clearly in a lot of pain. Referee Roger Barnor waived the fight off with just twelve seconds of the round remaining.

WBO Africa’s Samir Captan presented both Championship belts as PBC President Russell Jaques was busy co-commentating alongside Sportanarium Radio’s Trevor Lake.

Preceding McAllister-Djarbeng was a fantastic lightweight contest between Denny’s Kevin Traynor and Tilbury Village’s debuting Jay Cartwright, who stepped in with just a day notice after Traynor’s original opponent Nicaraguan Jose Aguilar failed to gain entry into the UK after flying in from Spain.

The first round was phenomenal, it was all action with both protagonists giving everything for virtually every second of the round. I couldn’t split them and neither could referee Roger Barnor.

Round two was another full on war, boy oh boy did these warriors go for it! However the pace had a seriously detrimental affect on Cartwright, he was out on his feet as he headed back to his corner at the end of the round, so much so that his corner summoned over Roger Barnor and retired his charge in the corner.

Plaudits to Jay Cartwright, he was expecting to be making his professional debut in Colchester on the 31st July 2021, yet bravely agreed to take the fight at very short notice, even though he had not had any time to prepare fully for this contest.

The third bout of the evening see Aberdeen’s Nathan Beattie in action against another late replacement, Belfast’s Marty Kayes who stepped in when Nicaraguan Christian Narvaez, who like Aguilar was refused entry to the UK after flying in from Spain as a replacement for original opponent Dundalk’s Michael Kelly.

At this point I think I should mention that it was Kayes’ wedding anniversary the following day and somehow got his wife Julia’s permission to cancel their planned evening out to take the fight, I think that may just set the scene perfectly.

Kayes was clearly in the mood for a good scrap, right from the opening bell of the contest he took control of centre ring and just kept forcing Beattie onto the back foot before letting rip with shot after shot.

It really wasn’t that much different in the second, don’t get me wrong Beattie landed the best shots by far in each round, just not enough of them to secure either of the rounds.

Beattie started to get more proactive in the third and again landed the most telling shots, but still it was the Irishman that was dictating the proceedings, the same in the fourth and final round.

At the end of four action packed rounds Nate Dog’s fans were clearly expecting their hero to secure the win or at worse a draw, but when Referee Lee Murtagh’s scorecards were announced they fell into a stunned silence as they declared a 40-38 points victory in favour of Marty Kayes

The second fight of the night pitted Aberdeen’s Craig Dick (2-0-0) against Essex based Lithuanian hard-man Tomas Vaicickas (1-2-0) in a four round Heavyweight contest.

Dick is a renowned heavy hitter and Vaicickas is extremely durable, so nobody could or would have expected the contest to come to it’s conclusion after just 47 seconds, but it did, following Dick letting rip with a huge powerful hook to the body that sent the Lithuanian to the canvas just twenty seconds into the round.

I was surprised when Vaicickas made the count and continued but not that surprised he was to return to the deck seconds later following another big hook to the ribs.

The opening contest featured local big hitting youngster Liam Allan in action against Belfast’s Darren Burns

What a cracking opening round, both lads vying to control centre ring, some very tasty bombs were thrown by both protagonists, a cracking round to watch.

Both lads started the second stanza more cautiously, Burns was the first to throw a big shot, but Allan, who is remarkably agile for a big lad, moved just enough to prevent it landing, Allan then took to the front foot backing up Burns before letting rip with a huge right to send the Irishman to the canvas.

Burns made the count, but on the restart Allan moved in and let rip with a big left, followed by a left-right combination that rocked Burns, Allan continued the assault with another powerful left-right to send Burns down for the second time .

Again Burns made the count, this time Allan stepped in on the restart and let rip with a massive right to send the tough as nails Irishman down to the canvas where he ended doubled up, Referee Lee Murtagh was so concerned he immediately waived the fight off and summoned Burns’ corner and the medical team to the ring.

I’m pleased to say the medical team wasn’t needed and the official time of the stoppage was one minute and fifty four seconds off the second round.

Have to say it was really great to be at an event with fans in attendance again, even though there was only fifty allowed, it may sound crazy but even though the fans were instructed by the authorities to stay seated and just offer polite clapping at the end of the fights, the atmosphere was so different from the ‘behind closed doors’ events that had preceded over the past year.

For reference, as I am sure a lot of people will be wondering how Lee Mcallister was eligible to compete for the WBO Africa region Championship, this was explained on the British & Irish Boxing Authority’s website on the result page, which states; It should be noted that Mr McAllister was eligible to compete for the World Boxing Organization (WBO) Africa Championship due to his Ghana National Championship (and PBC Intercontinental Championship) victory over Collinson Korley on the 7th March 2021 in Accra, Ghana – it should also be noted Mr McAllister was eligible to compete for the Ghana National Championship as well as the World Boxing Organization (WBO) Africa Zone Championship due to family heritage.

Finally if you missed the live broadcast of LET BATTLE COMMENCE IV, you can still catch up as free to view replays are available on FITE athttps://www.fite.tv/watch/let-battle-commence-iv/2p9er/ – or check listings for replays on your local TV listings or if in UK the entire event will be available on demand via Sports Channel Network (Channel 265 on Freeview.YouView) from next weekend.

boxing

Perfect connection Gilberto“Zurdo” Ramirez & Trainer Julian Chua

May 26, 2021 FNU47 Leave a comment

LAS VEGAS (May 25, 2021) – Back in February of 2019, World Boxing Organization (WBO) Super Middleweight Champion Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez had made a decision to move up to fight in the light heavyweight division, and he was searching for a new head trainer.

Ramirez (41-0, 27 KOs) immediately connected with a then 28-year-old Julian Chua, a former amateur boxer who had been training boxers at Freddie Roach’s famed Wildcard Boxing Club in Hollywood, California. “Zurdo” and Chua are now 2-0 (2 KOs) and preparing for a mega-fought later this year, ideally, against undefeated World Boxing Association (WBA) Super Light Heavyweight Champion Dmitry Bivol (17-0, 11 KOs).

How Ramirez ended up with Chua as he head trainer isn’t a typical boxing story. After all, “Zurdo” was the first Mexican world super middleweight champion, sporting a 29-0 pro record, and only 27 when they first met.

Ramirez’ manager, David Suh, conducted a search to hire Ramirez’ chief second. He had a list that included some of the top trainers in the industry, as well as a young, relatively unknown – at least outside of southern California – in Chua.

“I don’t know how I got on that list,” a humble Chua said. “There was going to be a tryout of sorts to determine who would work with ‘Zurdo.’ We trained together in Long Beach (where Ramirez was training) and then I met with David for coffee. He asked if I was interested in becoming the head trainer. We trained together a little more. He liked the way I trained, and we got along well. I texted David saying we liked working together and that I was interested in becoming his head trainer.

“We clicked right away, and we learned things about each other and how we liked to train. I study a lot and do a lot of research of how he had been trained, because I wanted to help him to improve. I was getting four fighters ready in LA and “Zurdo” couldn’t go there for sparring. I said I couldn’t leave these fighters and go to Santa Barbara. “Zurdo” respected me even more for not jumping ship from those four fighters for a better opportunity. We still wanted to work with each other, and ‘Zurdo’ made it work. I went to Long Beach twice a week, he came to Wildcard three times.”

Ramirez won his light heavyweight debut April 12, 2019, when Tommy Karpency (29-6-1) was unable to continue after four rounds, followed last December 18^th with a 10^th round stoppage of Alfonso Lopez (32-3) to capture the North American Boxing Federation (NABF) title.

Chua was trained by Roach when he was an amateur from Indiana, but when Chua started at Wildcard, Roach’s assistant Eric Brown became Chua’s mentor. During his training career at Wildcard West Boxing, known now as Churchill Boxing in Santa Barbara, Chua has trained several world champions in boxing and MMA.

The 29-year-old Ramirez, who recently signed an exclusive promotional contract with Oscar De La Hoya’s Golden Boy Promotions, is currently ranked No. 3 by the WBA and WBO. “Zurdo” returns to action July 9^th in Los Angeles against Sullivan Barrera (22-3, 14 KOs).

Whether it’s Bivol, or the other world light heavyweight champions — Artur Beterbiev and Joe Smith – “Zurdo” and Chua are preparing to beat the best for Ramirez to wear the coveted World championship crown in a second division.

INFORMATION:

Website: www.ZurdoPromotions.com

Instagram: @zurdoramirez, @zurdopromotions

Twitter: @ZurdoPromotions, @GilbertoZurdoRamirez

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CLARESSA SHIELDS RETURNS TO SHOWTIME® VYING TO BECOME FIRST UNDISPUTED WORLD CHAMPION IN TWO DIVISIONS IN FOUR-BELT ERA

March 15, 2020 FNU47 Leave a comment

Shields To Face IBF Super Welterweight Champion Marie-Eve Dicaire With All Four Major Belts On The Line In 154-Pound Unification Bout

SHOWTIME BOXING: SPECIAL EDITION Saturday, May 9 At 9 p.m. ET/ 6 p.m. PT

NEW YORK – March 11, 2020 – Undefeated three-division world champion Claressa Shields will attempt to become the first boxer in the four-belt era to become an undisputed world champion in two weight divisions when she faces unbeaten IBF Super Welterweight Champion Marie-Eve Dicaire in a 154-pound unification bout on Saturday, May 9, live on SHOWTIME (9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT) from the Dort Federal Credit Union Event Center in Shields’ hometown of Flint, Mich.

The winner of the SHOWTIME BOXING: SPECIAL EDITION main event will walk away with Shields’ WBC and WBO titles, Dicaire’s IBF belt, and the WBA (Super) crown. This is the first time in its 99-year history that the WBA has awarded a Super Champion belt to a female boxer.

Tickets for the Salita Promotions event start at $35 and can be purchased at Ticketmaster.com and at the Dort Federal Credit Union Event Center box office.

“I can’t wait to make history again on May 9,” said Shields. “Fighting in Flint in front of all my fans has been a dream of mine since turning pro. Having the opportunity to make history by fighting for the undisputed title in a second weight division is something I’m very proud of. Fighting against undefeated IBF 154-pound champion Marie-Eve Dicaire continues my quest to fight the very best in women’s boxing. And headlining on SHOWTIME again will continue my goal to lift women’s boxing to new heights. I’m going to give Flint and fight fans all over the world a night to remember on May 9!”

“I am very excited for this opportunity and it is an honor to face an opponent like Claressa Shields,” said Dicaire. “I am thankful to my promoter Yvon Michel and everyone involved in making this possible. For me, this is a dream come true. I will be prepared the best I can be and I am ready to leave everything in the ring to win the fight!”

In the four-belt era, only seven fighters have been undisputed in one division, including Shields, Katie Taylor, Cecilia Braekhus, Bernard Hopkins, Jermain Taylor, Terence Crawford, and Oleksandr Usyk.

On January 10 in Atlantic City, N.J., Shields made history by claiming the WBC and WBO 154-pound world championships with a dominating unanimous decision over Ivana Habazin. Shields became the fastest fighter in history, male or female, to win world titles in three different weight divisions, surpassing the records of Vasiliy Lomachenko and Kosei Tanaka, who both accomplished the feat in 12 fights.

The 24-year-old Shields (10-0, 2 KOs) overpowered Habazin from the opening bell, utilizing a strong jab and a steady diet of body shots that left the Croatian mostly in defensive mode throughout the 10-round fight. In the sixth round, a series of body shots forced Habazin to take a knee in the first knockdown of her career.

“SHOWTIME has a long history of featuring the best in women’s combat sports, whether it was with Gina Carrano, Cris Cyborg and Ronda Rousey in MMA, or Laila Ali and Christy Martin in boxing,” said Gordon Hall, Executive Producer of SHOWTIME BOXING: SPECIAL EDITION. “More recently, we have shown Claressa Shields, Christina Hammer, Lightweight Champion Katie Taylor and seven-division champion Amanda Serrano. Shields vs. Dicaire will be our 12th women’s boxing event since 2017. Claressa’s bout with Dicaire represents another historic battle of unbeatens and attempt for another ‘first’ on SHOWTIME as Claressa looks to become undisputed in two weight classes.”

“I am excited to bring a historic night of boxing to fans in Flint at the Dort Federal Credit Union Event Center and to those watching on SHOWTIME,” said Dmitriy Salita, President of Salita Promotions. “In Claressa Shields and Marie-Eve Dicaire, we have the two best junior middleweights in the world and two undefeated champions fighting for the undisputed world championship. In addition to her already historic list of firsts, if victorious, Claressa will become the first two-division undisputed champion in the four-belt era. It will be a triumphant night in Flint on May 9.”

After becoming the first American boxer in history – male or female – to win two consecutive Olympic Gold Medals, Shields turned professional following the 2016 Olympics and headlined the first women’s boxing main event in premium cable television history in just her second professional fight in 2017. Shields, who will be headlining for the seventh time on SHOWTIME, now has her sights on making even more history.

“Claressa Shields continues to be a beacon of light and a trailblazer for women’s boxing, women’s sports, and boxing overall,” said Mark Taffet, Shields’ manager. “Being the only American to win back-to-back Olympic Gold in boxing, having won world titles in three weight divisions faster than any man or woman in boxing history, and now having the chance to be the first person – man or woman – to be an undisputed champion in two weight divisions in the four-belt era, Claressa will continue to add to her list of legendary, unprecedented and history-making accomplishments come May 9. I’m proud to be a part of her journey.”

The 33-year-old Dicaire (17-0) is from Saint-Eustache, Quebec, Canada, and started karate at the age of six. She worked her way up through the ranks until she obtained her black belt. After winning five world championship titles, Dicaire turned her attention to boxing and won the IBF Super Welterweight World Championship belt in December 2018 dethroning by decision the Uruguayan Chris Namus at the Quebec City Videotron Center. In her last fight in November of 2019, Dicaire defended her title for the third time beating experienced Venezuelan Ogleidis Suarez by unanimous decision. Dicaire will be fighting outside of the province of Quebec for the first time on May 9 and will be looking to score the upset victory in front of Shields’ hometown fans.

“Marie-Eve Dicaire against Claressa Shields, a battle of two undefeated champions for all the titles – you can’t get a better match in boxing,” said Yvon Michel, Dicaire’s promoter, President of GYM. “We have great respect and admiration for all Shields has accomplished but there is no doubt Marie-Eve is the most skilled, strong and dedicated opponent Claressa has faced. We are very confident that all the belts will come back to Canada with us. Thanks to Salita Promotions and SHOWTIME for the opportunity. Marie-Eve Dicaire will provide a great fight for the fans and viewers.”

Barry Tompkins will call the SHOWTIME BOXING: SPECIAL EDITION action from ringside with boxing historian Steve Farhood and former world champion Raul Marquez serving as expert analysts. The executive producer is Gordon Hall with Richard Gaughan producing and Rick Phillips directing.

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