Search Results

Gurgen Hovhannisyan to face Charles Martin on Davis-Garcia undercard Armenian heavyweight Gurgen Hovhannisyan will face former IBF champion Charles Martin on April 22 on the undercard of the Gervonta Davis-Ryan Garcia fight, according to BoxingScene.com. Hovhannisyan has won all four of his professional fights by knockout, with his last victory coming over Michael Coffie on the Deontay Wilder-Robert Helenius undercard in October 2021. Martin, who is 36 years old, has won four of his five fights since losing to Adam Kownacki in September 2018. Martin’s only loss since then came against Cuba’s Luis Ortiz in January 2022. The fight between Hovhannisyan and Martin will be streamed on Showtime’s YouTube channel before the pay-per-view portion of the Davis-Garcia undercard begins at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. Showtime is also expected to stream a 154-pound fight in which Vito Mielnicki Jr. will meet Elias Espadas before the pay-per-view show begins. The matchup against Martin will be the toughest test of Hovhannisyan’s career. Martin, who is a strong southpaw, has mentioned rematches with Ortiz or Kownacki, or fights against Jared Anderson, Daniel Dubois, or Lenier Pero. This is a chance for the St. Louis native to knock off a highly regarded prospect, rather than continuing to wait for one of those fights to materialize.

Lyndon Arthur Claims Hard-Fought Victory Against Late Stand-In Boris Crighton Lyndon Arthur was made to work hard for his unanimous victory against late stand-in Boris Crighton in Bolton. The Manchester boxer had been preparing to face Braian Suarez for the IBO title on this show, but when the Argentinean failed his pre-fight medical, Crighton was drafted in just 30 hours before the first bell. Despite their familiarity with each other, it was a cagey start, with Arthur routinely firing out his trademark jab. However, Crighton was sharp and focused, seemingly happy to stay out of trouble. He even made the first real breakthrough of the fight in the third round, landing a right hand that momentarily stiffened Arthur’s legs. Arthur began to find his groove and was able to unsheathe his long right hand, which was starting to have some success behind the ramrod jab. Even so, it was not exactly pretty through six rounds, but Arthur was in control despite some zealous attacks from Crighton. He upped the pace and workrate in the eighth, opening up a cut beneath Crighton’s left eye. Arthur continued to pile on the pressure in the ninth and landed more right hands, leaving Crighton unable to spot the right hand coming. However, Crighton finished the round in the ascendancy. Arthur turned the screw once again in the 10th, piling on the pressure and spearing more right hands straight down the pipe. With less than 10 seconds left on the clock, he finally dropped Crighton. Although Crighton was up in time to beat the count, the judges were required, and they delivered a unanimous decision. Arthur admitted that Crighton had been a tricky opponent, but he was pleased with the ten rounds he had under his belt before his next fight. “It is what it is. I’ll get back in the gym straight away and keep trying to progress. It’s great for me, so I’m happy.” Despite the hard-fought victory, Arthur is expected to fight for the vacant IBO light-heavyweight title in May. The 31-year-old is still rebuilding after his crushing defeat to Anthony Yarde in December 2021, but he is determined to get back into world title contention as part of a bustling British light-heavyweight scene.

Michael Conlan Set for Redemption Against Luis Alberto Lopez for IBF Featherweight Title After suffering a knockout loss in his last world title bid, Michael Conlan is set for redemption when he faces IBF featherweight champion Luis Alberto Lopez at the SSE Arena on May 27. The highly-anticipated bout promises to be a thrilling encounter, as both fighters possess the skills and experience to deliver a classic match. Conlan's last outing against Leigh Wood saw him dominate the early rounds, but he faded in the championship rounds and was ultimately stopped in the twelfth and final round. The defeat was a major setback for the Irishman, but he believes that he has rebuilt himself in the right way, and is now ready to take on the best in the division once again. "This means the world to me," said Conlan. "If I don't become a world champion, I'll be very underwhelmed and disappointed as it will feel like I've underachieved in my professional career. The fact that I have the chance to do it in front of the home crowd will tick it off the list." However, Lopez is no pushover, as he captured the title last December when he traveled to Leeds and upset Josh Warrington by a twelve-round decision. The Mexican has been on a solid streak of wins and is coming into the fight with a lot of confidence. Conlan is fully aware of the challenge that awaits him but is confident that he has what it takes to emerge victorious. "Lopez is a fantastic fighter, very dangerous and unorthodox. He does some crazy stuff in the ring and will come into this fight with massive confidence. But I believe I will beat him and beat him well. I've just worked on improving, and I think what will stand to me will be experience," he said. The Irishman is determined to learn from his mistakes in the previous fight and is going into this bout with a conscious effort not to repeat them. "I know the mistakes I made, so I go into this one conscious of not making them again," he added. The SSE Arena in Belfast is set to be packed with passionate Irish fans cheering on their favorite son, and Conlan is relishing the opportunity to perform in front of them. The fight promises to be a classic encounter, and both fighters will be looking to make a statement to the rest of the division. In the end, it will come down to who wants it more, who has the better strategy, and who can execute it better on the night. It's a fight that boxing fans won't want to miss, and one that could potentially propel the winner to even greater heights in the sport.

During their open workout on Wednesday, David Benavidez observed Caleb Plant making the same gravedigging gesture he did immediately after knocking Anthony Dirrell out five months earlier. In the ninth round of their WBC elimination fight at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn on October 15, Plant knocked out former WBC super middleweight champion Dirrell, signalling the end of Dirrell's career with a shovelling motion in the ring. Benavidez assured Plant that he won't hold any such celebration on Saturday night during their final press briefing on Thursday at the Ka Theater of the MGM Grand. “I’ve been working extremely hard for this camp,” Benavidez said. “You know, I’m super ready. I’m very excited. And, like I said, all the talk is done. What’s funny, though, that I seen Caleb Plant been doing that gravedigging gesture. Little does he know, he’s digging his own grave, because we’re gonna see Saturday night what that chin look like. Yeah, we’re gonna see. We’re gonna see. We’ll see. We’ll see.” Plant emphasised on Thursday that Benavidez hasn't competed in a competition of this stature before and hasn't encountered as much opposition as he has. The former IBF super middleweight champion from Ashland City, Tennessee, Plant (22-1, 13 KOs), also cautioned Benavidez that he is not a "blown-up 54-pounder" or a last-minute opponent. The only opponent to defeat Plant is former pound-for-pound champion Canelo Alvarez. In their super middleweight championship unification fight in November 2021 at MGM Grand Garden Arena, Mexico's Alvarez (58-2-2, 39 KOs) dropped Plant twice in the 11th round and finished him off. As their Showtime Pay-Per-View main event approaches, Benavidez, who has admitted that Plant is the best opponent of his ten-year professional career, is rated as at least a 3-1 favourite by the majority of sportsbooks. At MGM Grand Garden Arena ($74.99), the 12-round main event of a four-fight telecast will begin at 9 p.m. ET. They will compete for Benavidez's WBC interim 168-pound title. “I’m definitely the harder puncher, now that I’m more dedicated for this fight,” Benavidez said. “You know, Caleb Plant said he’s found his new power. I been had this power. Now I just tweaked it. Now I’m even more stronger, more faster, so this is definitely gonna be a fight of a boxer and a pressure fighter. I’m very excited, but like I said, this is gonna be a war and Team Benavidez will come out on top.”

Rafael dos Anjos, the former UFC lightweight champion, has said how long he will compete in MMA before retiring. dos Anjos hasn't competed since defeating Bryan Barberena at UFC Orlando in December of last year. His only loss came against Rafael Fiziev in the UFC Fight Night main event last July. He has won three of his past four fights. In recent years, especially following his most recent loss against Fiziev, dos Anjos, 38, has made retirement hints. Yet the former UFC champion's recent victory over Barberena could serve as the impetus for a comeback in his later years. "I'm looking to finish my [contract] with UFC," dos Anjos answered. "7 more fights at 170. After that I'm planning to open a gym and teach martial arts. Martial arts changed my life and I'm looking forward to [changing] other people's [lives]." Following his win against Barberena, dos Anjos used his post-fight Octagon interview to call out Conor McGregor. Earlier in their respective careers, the two were scheduled to face off for the UFC lightweight championship but dos Anjos withdrew due to an injury. McGregor will fight Michael Chandler in his UFC rematch, which will take place at a later date, after the two fought as coaches on The Ultimate Fighter 31. Dos Anjos responded to a fan's query regarding the prospect of serving as the backup fighter for the eagerly anticipated contest. dos Anjos intends to finish his UFC contract before hanging up his gloves, and the UFC welterweight class is full of potentially fascinating opponents.

Get ready for an explosive matchup in the bantamweight division as Marlon Vera and Cory Sandhagen step into the Octagon to face off at UFC San Antonio. With both fighters coming off impressive victories, this pivotal bout promises to be one of the most exciting matchups of the year. Marlon Vera and Cory Sandhagen weighed themselves for their fight earlier today, which might decide who will contend for the men's bantamweight title in the future. The first two competitors to show up at Friday's official weigh-ins for Saturday's bout, which takes place at AT&T Centre, were the headliners of UFC San Antonio. Vera clocked in at 136 pounds and Sandhagen was right behind him at 135.5 pounds. Vera currently ranked #3, also known as "Chito," is a rising star in the bantamweight division. He has an impressive record of 20-7-1 and has won four of his last five fights. His most recent victory was a 4th-round KO over Dominick Cruz at UFC San Diego in August 2022. Vera is a dangerous striker who can finish a fight at any moment. He also has a solid ground game, with 8 submission victories in his career. Sandhagen currently ranked #5, on the other hand, is coming off a spectacular performance against Song Yadong. Sandhagen put on a striking clinic, winning via TKO (Doctor Stoppage) by the end of round 4. With a record of 15-4, Sandhagen has won two of his last four fights, including victories over Frankie Edgar and Song Yadong. He suffered 2 consecutive losses in between these 2 wins. One is against former champion TJ Dillashaw and the second one was against Petr Yan in an interim title fight. He is known for his dynamic striking, with seven of his wins coming by knockout. This fight is a critical one for both fighters, as a victory could potentially earn them a shot at the bantamweight title. Vera has been vocal about his desire to fight for the belt, and a win over Sandhagen would certainly put him in contention. Sandhagen, meanwhile, is looking to show that he is still a top contender in the division. While both fighters have a similar striking style, they also have different strengths that could make the difference in this matchup. Vera's ground game could prove to be a challenge for Sandhagen, who has struggled in the past with wrestlers. However, Sandhagen's reach advantage and dynamic striking could give him an edge in the stand-up game. Regardless of the outcome, fans are in for a treat with this matchup. Both Vera and Sandhagen are exciting fighters who are always looking to finish their opponents. With so much on the line, this fight promises to be a must-watch for any UFC fan. So, mark your calendars for UFC San Antonio on March 26th, as Marlon Vera and Cory Sandhagen step into the Octagon for what is sure to be an explosive and pivotal bantamweight bout.

Cody Garbrandt wants to return at UFC 290 and has an opponent in mind. Garbrandt and Yahya were slated to meet one other twice in 2022, however, both contests collapsed when Yahya pulled because of an injury. Before making a comeback versus Trevin Jones at UFC 285 a few weeks ago, "No Love" took note of his injuries. He received a unanimous decision victory. It was Cody Garbrandt's second victory in his past seven starts and his first since 2020. After losing the bantamweight championship to T.J. Dillashaw at UFC 217, when they had a revenge fight, the 31-year-old has had a severely poor performance in the cage. However, Yahya's matchup with Montel Jackson at UFC Fight Night 222 is set for April 22. Garbrandt thinks they may rematch on July 8 at UFC 290 if Yahya survives the Jackson bout uninjured. The former bantamweight champion was questioned on MMA Junkie Radio regarding his upcoming match and likely foe. “I’d like to fight International Fight Week. My birthday is July 7. The fight’s July 8, so it would be great to weigh in on my birthday, fight the next day, (and) get a big win. I saw Rani Yahya is slated to fight in April, so if he wins, hopefully, he can fight in July. That’s something I look forward to, fighting him.” He further added: “He’s (Yahya) got a lot of records in the bantamweight division, riding a three-fight win streak, probably the best grappler in our division, so I would like to test my grappling skills against him. It’s already been two camps I was supposed to fight him, and he pulled out twice two weeks before the fight. So that would be my ideal fight July 8.” Yahya, who is known for his grappling skills, has a professional record of 28-10-1 and has won his last two fights in the UFC. Despite his recent struggles, Garbrandt remains one of the most exciting fighters in the UFC. Known for his knockout power and aggressive style, Garbrandt has earned 10 of his 13 professional wins by knockout. If the fight is rebooked for UFC 290 in July, it will be interesting to see how Garbrandt approaches the matchup. Will he look to keep the fight standing and use his striking to knock out Yahya, or will he try to take the fight to the ground and test his grappling skills against one of the best submission artists in the UFC? Regardless of how the fight plays out, it is sure to be an exciting matchup between two of the best bantamweights in the UFC. Garbrandt is hungry to get back in the win column and prove that he still has what it takes to compete at the highest level, while Yahya is looking to continue his winning streak and prove that he is more than just a one-dimensional grappler. Fans of the UFC will no doubt be eagerly anticipating this matchup, and if Garbrandt gets his wish, we could see these two fighters square off at UFC 290 in July.

Bob Arum, founder of Top Rank Inc., is feeling uncertain about the outcome of the highly anticipated junior welterweight bout between Josh Taylor and Teofimo Lopez. Scheduled for June 10, the fight is expected to draw fans both in-person and on ESPN, but Arum is unsure who will come out on top. In an interview with BoxingScene.com, Arum expressed his doubts, saying, “I don’t know what Teofimo has anymore. And really, I don’t know what Taylor has anymore. You know, this is not like you can predict the fight based on guys who fight frequently. Teofimo has been a little disappointing, in his last fight and in two of his last three fights. And Taylor didn’t look great against Catterall. Hopefully for this fight, they both can present the public with their top-flight self.” Taylor, who has a record of 19-0 with 13 KOs, will be defending his WBO junior welterweight title against Lopez, who holds a record of 18-1 with 13 KOs. The fight will be held at either Madison Square Garden or the Hulu Theater, with the venue dependent on the playoffs of the Rangers and/or Knicks. Lopez, a Brooklyn native, recently fought at Madison Square Garden, where he won a split decision over Spanish southpaw Sandor Martin in a 10-round bout. This win came after he lost his IBF, WBA, and WBO lightweight titles to Australian underdog George Kambosos Jr. in November 2021. Taylor, on the other hand, has not fought since February 2022 when he lost to Jack Catterall in a controversial split decision. Despite a 15-month layoff, he remains confident about his chances against Lopez. The uncertainty surrounding the fight has not dampened enthusiasm among fans, and the event is expected to draw significant attention. Whether Lopez can reclaim his former glory or Taylor can defend his title, the fight promises to be an exciting one that fans won’t want to miss.

Jermell Charlo, the undisputed junior middleweight champion, is eagerly awaiting his return to the ring after suffering a broken hand during a sparring session last December. Although the injury forced the postponement of a scheduled fight against Tim Tszyu earlier this year, Charlo remains confident that his hand will come back stronger than ever. In a recent interview with Brian Custer on The Last Stand Podcast, Charlo discussed his progress in rehab and the steps he’s taking to ensure a full recovery. “I just doing everything I can with rehab. I haven’t been able to [train]. I have not punched yet. When you break two bones in one hand, it takes a lot to [recover]. The hand is real delicate. These are my moneymakers. It’s gonna be stronger than what it was before.” Charlo’s injury was a setback for the fighter, who has been eager to face Tszyu in the ring. Tszyu recently fought and defeated Tony Harrison in a match that was originally scheduled against Charlo. When asked about a future fight against Tszyu, Charlo remained optimistic. “By the end of the summer or something. Hopefully … the middle of this year, it could be August, it could be July, it could be whenever.” Charlo is a skilled fighter with a record of 35-1-1, with 19 KOs. The Houston native is known for his power and precision in the ring, and his absence from the sport has been felt by fans and fellow fighters alike. With his hand on the mend, Charlo is eager to step back into the ring and prove that he’s still a force to be reckoned with. Despite the challenges of rehab, Charlo is staying positive and focused on his recovery. “I’m working. I got some time, but I’ll be back,” he said. As one of the most exciting fighters in the sport today, Charlo’s return to the ring is eagerly anticipated, and fans can’t wait to see what he’ll accomplish next.

Israel Adesanya, the former heavyweight champion, will seek retribution against Alex Pereira in the main event of UFC 287, which will take place in Miami on April 8. This will be their fourth encounter in combat sports. Adesanya lost the UFC middleweight championship to "Poatan" in their first fight inside the cage in November of last year after the Brazilian had defeated him twice in kickboxing. Adesanya is expected to win the title right away despite suffering his first middleweight loss last time out. One of his former opponents claims that even if he succeeds, he won't be the "best" middleweight. After defeating Roman Dolidze this past weekend at UFC 286, #3-ranked contender Marvin Vettori was asked to choose between Robert Whittaker and Israel Adesanya as the "better" fighter. Vettori lost to former champion Whittaker at UFC Paris in September after losing on the scorecards. "I think Whittaker (is better), man," Vettori said. "A way to put it is like, if you line up like, 10 very good fighters and you put both of them against these 10 very good fighters, Whittaker would beat most of them. But with the way they match up, Whittaker struggles with Adesanya a little bit. That's kind of the way I would put it. It seems sense that Vettori, who had previously indicated interest in running it back with both Whittaker and Adesanya, got closer to those prospects by rebounding in London on March 18.

Former super middleweight champions David Benavidez and Caleb Plant will square off on Saturday on Showtime pay-per-view. Both fighters are hoping to secure a victory and advance to a bigger fight. The former two-time WBC champion at 168 pounds, Benavidez (26-0, 23 KO), will try to maintain his unbeaten record, defend the WBC interim title he's carrying into the fight, and possibly force a bout with Canelo Alvarez if he can defeat Plant (22-1, 13 KO), who's only defeat came at the hands of Canelo in 2021. “This is a dream come true. There’s a lot at stake in this fight. I’ve been wanting an opportunity like this for a long, long time. The time is right, right now. This is the best time to make this fight happen. I’m ready to give the fans what they want to see. I’m going for the knockout on Saturday. “I have tremendous power. Everybody I hit gets hurt. I end up breaking them down little by little. This is the most focused I’ve ever been for a fight. But whatever he brings to the table, I’m going to be ready for it. I’m looking for that knockout and I’m going to get it. “I just want to push myself. This is pay-per-view. I want to be in the limelight. I want to continue having pay-per-view fights and to do that, I have to push and get the knockout. This is the best I’ve ever felt mentally, physically and emotionally. I was already a monster before, but Caleb Plant brought the ‘Mexican Monster’ out of me. Who do you think will win? Comment and let us know.

Chris Colbert Set to Regain Super Featherweight Title, But First: Jose Valenzuela Chris Colbert may be facing Jose Valenzuela at lightweight on March 25, but the former WBA super featherweight champion has his sights set on regaining his title at 130 pounds. Colbert lost the belt to Hector Luis Garcia last year, but he plans to take it back before returning to lightweight for good. His fight against Valenzuela is a chance to re-establish himself after the Garcia defeat and prove that he’s still one of the best in his division. Colbert sees his upcoming fight with Valenzuela as an opportunity to show the world that he’s a force to be reckoned with. “I don’t like swimming with fishes. I like swimming with sharks,” he said during a virtual press conference. “So, that’s what I’m coming to do March 25th, swim with sharks, and try to swim and don’t get wet.” Valenzuela, who suffered his first professional loss in September, is no pushover. The Washington-based fighter is taller than Colbert, has fought at lightweight for most of his career, and is known for his punching power. But Colbert isn’t worried. He’s confident that he can beat Valenzuela and prove that he’s still one of the best in the business. After the fight with Valenzuela, Colbert plans to return to the super featherweight division and take on Garcia in a rematch. Despite being the favorite in their first bout, Colbert was dominated by Garcia and lost by unanimous decision. Colbert sees the rematch as a chance to prove that the first fight was a fluke and regain his title. “I gotta go back down and get my belt, man,” he said. “I gotta get what’s mine, what’s rightfully mine, and that’s to beat up on what’s his name again? Yeah, Hector Luis Garcia. I gotta beat up on that guy first. And then I can come up and fight at 135.” Colbert’s fight with Valenzuela is part of the undercard for the David Benavidez-Caleb Plant fight on March 25. The fight will be televised on Showtime Pay-Per-View and is sure to be a must-see event for boxing fans.