Category Archives: Boxing

Enigmatic Keith Thurman Remains Intriguing Player at the Elite Leve

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Keith Thurman defeated Mario Barrios earlier this month (Photo: Ryan Hafey – Premier Boxing Champions)

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By Chris Robinson

No matter how you cut it, it’s always great having someone like Keith Thurman around the sport of boxing.

Thurman (30-1, 22 KO’s) is quite the enigma. I recall the Clearwater, FL native making some noise back in the Tampa area in the late 2000’s, and that buzz carried over as Thurman began piling up wins, fighting more and more outside of his home state, and marching up boxing’s ladder.
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PHOTOS: Abram Martinez and Omar Juarez Sparring Inside of the Salas Boxing Academy

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Omar Juarez and Abram Martinez sparring in Las Vegas (Photo: Hustle Boss)

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By Chris Robinson

Fast-paced sparring between Abram Martinez and Omar Juarez inside of the Salas Boxing Academy in Las Vegas, NV earlier this week.

Martinez (9-0-1, 7 KO’s) is scheduled for a January 28 return against Orestes Velazquez at the Hialeah Park Racing & Casino in Hialeah, FL. Fans can remember his entertaining, back-and-forth fight with fellow undefeated Luis Arcon last year in Los Angeles.
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PHOTOS: Gervonta Davis Overcomes Tough Challenge From Isaac Cruz in Los Angeles

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Gervonta Davis defeated Isaac Cruz on Sunday night (Photo: Esther Lin – SHOWTIME)

Gervonta Davis vs Isaac Cruz

By Chris Robinson

On Sunday night, Dec. 5, WBA lightweight champion Gervonta “Tank” Davis was faced with a stiff test in the form of once-beaten contender Isaac “Pitbull” Cruz. Davis emerged victorious after 12 fast-paced rounds in front of a sold-out, star-studded crowd inside of the STAPLES Center in Los Angeles.

Scorecards read 116-112 and two scores of 115-113, all for Davis. Cruz came out the gates and set a fast pace that Davis happily obliged. There were several moments of intense action, with much of the fight being a physical battle.
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PHOTOS: Reliving Stephen Fulton’s Thrilling Battle with Brandon Figueroa

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Stephen Fulton and Brandon Figueroa went to war on Saturday (Photo: Esther Lin – SHOWTIME)

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By Chris Robinson

This past Saturday night, from Dolby Live at Park MGM in Las Vegas, NV, Stephen Fulton narrowly defeated fellow champion Brandon Figueroa via hotly contested split decision. The fight air lived on SHOWTIME as the main event of a Premier Boxing Champions telecast.

Fulton (20-0, 8 KO’s) and Figueroa (22-1-1, 17 KO’s) put on a memorable display over 12 rounds, throwing over 1,700 punches according to CompuBox. Scores of 116-112 twice and 114-114 saw Fulton, from Philadelphia, capture the victory to add the WBC junior featherweight title next to the WBO title he won in his previous contest.
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What is Next for Terence Crawford Following His Emphatic TKO Victory Over Shawn Porter?

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Terence Crawford stopped Shawn Porter in the 10th round on Saturday night (Photo: Mikey Williams – Top Rank/Getty)

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By Chris Robinson

This past Saturday night, inside of the Michelob ULTRA Arena at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas, NV, we saw Terence Crawford perform under his biggest stage against his most accomplished opponent to date in Shawn Porter.

And Crawford definitely delivered, ultimately scoring a 10th round TKO victory, but nothing came easy on this night. With the win, Crawford (38-0, 29 KO’s) also scored a fifth successful defense of this WBO welterweight title, yet Porter (31-4-1, 17 KO’s) also has much to hold his head high about after another valiant effort vs. another elite fighter.
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Canelo Alvarez (168) and Caleb Plant (167) Weigh in Ahead of Historic Unification [VIDEO]

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Canelo Alvarez and Caleb Plant facing off on Friday at their weigh-in  (Photo: Amanda Westcott – SHOWTIME)

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By Chris Robinson

Later tonight, WBA/WBC/WBO super middleweight champion Saul “Canelo” Alvarez and IBF champion Caleb “Sweet Hands” Plant will meet inside of the MGM Grand Garden Arena in a historic unification showdown. SHOWTIME pay per view will televise the Premier Boxing Champions event.

Canelo (56-1-2, 38 KO’s) came in at 168 pounds, while Plant (21-0, 12 KO’s) came in weighing 167. Both men appear to be in tremendous physical shape and this figures to be a real tactical, intense affair.
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VIDEO: Tyson Fury Discusses Trilogy Showdown With Deontay Wilder

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Tyson Fury in Las Vegas (Photo: Mikey Williams – Top Rank)

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By Chris Robinson

WBC heavyweight champion Tyson Fury returns to the ring this weekend in Las Vegas, where he will settle a long-running rivalry with former champion Deontay Wilder.

Fury (31-0-1, 21 KO’s) will meet Wilder (42-1-1, 41 KO’s) inside of the T-Mobile Arena in a joint ESPN/FOX pay per view venture that will surely shake up the division once again. The two men fought to a hotly-contested split-draw in December of 2018 in Los Angeles, as Wilder scored two knockdowns but appeared to be outboxed much of the fight. The rematch saw Fury score two knockdowns and register a commanding seventh-round TKO victory.
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PHOTOS: Inside of the Big Scary Gym in Henderson, NV with Dewey Cooper and Black Kobra Striking Systems

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Dewey  Cooper training UFC star Kevin Lee inside of the Big Scary Gym in Henderson, NV (Photo: Hustle Boss)

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By Chris Robinson

We have been hearing for some months now about the Big Scary Gym in Henderson, NV, largely due to former multi-sport fighter and current day trainer Dewey Cooper.

Cooper was as active as one can be during his fighting days, as he competed in boxing, kickboxing, and mixed martial arts over the years. Some of Cooper’s fighting highlights included winning the WKC heavyweight and WKF cruiserweight titles, and becoming a fixture on the popular K-1 circuit.

Cooper’s transition into being a trainer has seemed to come quite naturally, and he has a lot of spirit and vigor that he brings when guiding his pupils in the gym.
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Manny Pacquiao vs Yordenis Ugas Official Weigh-In From Las Vegas [VIDEO]

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Manny Pacquio and Yordenis Ugas facing off in Las Vegas (Photo: Ryan Hafey / Premier Boxing Champions)

Pacquiao vs Ugas Weigh-in - 08.20.2021_08_21_2021_Weigh-in_Ryan Hafey _ Premier Boxing Champions

By Chris Robinson

Later tonight, inside of the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, NV, eight-division world champion Manny Pacquiao and WBA welterweight champion Yordenis Ugas will headline a FOX pay per view event.

Pacquiao (62-7-2, 39 KO’s) was originally slated to face Errol Spence Jr., only to see the fight slip away after the Dallas native and reigning IBF/WBC welterweight champion suffered a torn retina eleven days before the August 21 target date. Ugas (26-4, 12 KO’s) is not your oridinary replacement, however, and holds wins over Omar Figueroa Jr., Abel Ramos, Jamal James, and Bryant Perrella, while also arguably winning his March 2019 battle with Shawn Porter (Ugas lost a split-decision).
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Keith Thurman Addresses Gervonta Davis Fight Rumors and Breaks Down Pacquiao vs. Ugas [VIDEO]

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Keith Thurman speaking in Las Vegas (Photo: Hustle Boss)

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By Chris Robinson

There isn’t much not to like with former world champion Keith Thurman.

Thurman, the former holder of the WBA and WBC welterweight titles, has yet to step back inside of the ring since suffering his first career loss in July of 2019 in Las Vegas. In that contest, Thurman faced off with eight-division world champion Manny Pacquiao, and was dropped in the first round and fell behind early. Thurman rallied late, but lost on the cards after 12 spirited and competitive rounds.

Later tonight, Pacquiao (62-7-2, 39 KO’s) will face off with WBA welterweight champion Yordenis Ugas (26-4, 12 KO’s) inside of the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. Thurman knows all too well what Ugas is up against and has a very unique perspective of what to expect when the bell rings for round one.
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PHOTOS: Manny Pacquiao vs. Yordenis Ugas Fight Week Hits Las Vegas

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Manny Pacquiao vs. Yordenis Fight Week has hit Las Vegas (Photo: Hustle Boss)

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By Chris Robinson

This weekend, from the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, NV, eight-division world champion Manny Pacquiao (62-7-2, 39 KO’s) faces off with WBA welterweight champion Yordenis Ugas (26-4, 12 KO’s) in a FOX pay per view attraction.

Ugas, the decorated Cuban amateur who has been on a great run as a professional, accepted the fight on an eleven-day notice, filling in for an injured Errol Spence Jr., as the IBF/WBC champion from Dallas was the original dance partner for Manny. Spence suffered a torn retina in training and is taking the steps towards his recovery as he now watches momentarily from the sidelines.
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Dewey Cooper on What it’s Like Preparing to Face Manny Pacquiao; Analyzes Yordenis Ugas Fight [VIDEO]

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Dewey Cooper inside of the Big Scary Gym in Henderson, NV (Photo: Hustle Boss)

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By Chris Robinson

Dewey Cooper definitely knows what it’s like to get ready to face Manny Pacquiao.

In November of 2016, Cooper trained then-WBO welterweight champion Jessie Vargas, and led him into battle against the Filipino congressman. Vargas would end up losing a unanimous decision despite giving a very gritty performance.
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Robert Garcia Reveals Why he’s Pulling for Manny Pacquiao Over Yordenis Ugas [VIDEO]

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Robert Garcia speaking in Tulsa, OK (Photo: Hustle Boss)

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By Chris Robinson

This weekend in Las Vegas, eight-division world champion Manny Pacquiao will square off with WBA welterweight champion Yordenis Ugas inside of the T-Mobile Arena in a FOX pay per view attraction.

Pacquiao (62-7-2, 39 KO’s) and Ugas (26-4, 12 KO’s) make for an interesting pairing. Pacquiao was set to face off with IBF/WBC champion Errol Spence Jr., but the Filipino icon saw the match fall through after the Dallas native suffered a torn retina and had to withdraw. Ugas was scheduled to fight on the undercard against Fabian Maidana, and was subsequently shifted to the main event.
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Pacquiao’s Trainer Describes Ugas as a “Blessing” and a “Tune-up”

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Yordenis Ugas faces Manny Pacquiao next Saturday (Photo: Hustle Boss)

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By: Dennis Guillermo

It only took a couple of days for Team Pacquiao to “figure out” Errol Spence Jr.’s last-minute replacement Yordenis Ugas. Manny Pacquiao’s co-head trainer Buboy Fernandez went as far as saying that Ugas stepping in for the injured Spence is a blessing in disguise.

This according to a story published on Philstar.com titled: Pacquiao camp solves mystery of last-minute foe
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Burning Questions for Pacquiao and Spence ahead of August 21

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Manny Pacquiao trains for Errol Spence Jr. (Ryan Hafey – Premier Boxing Champions)

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By: Dennis Guillermo

Less than two weeks away from their showdown in Las Vegas, and after a judge recently denied an injunction against Manny Pacquiao by a sports management group for some failed dealings that threatened to block his August 21 date with Errol Spence, Jr., it looks like boxing fans are finally going to enjoy a real blockbuster fight in 2021 after watching a few big ones slip through for reasons that vary from the inevitable such as the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic which postponed Fury-Wilder 3, to the absurd such as the online beef between Nonito Donaire, Jr. and Johnriel Casimero that led to the Filipino Flash pulling out of the highly-anticipated all-Filipino title unification.

With any luck (and if both camps take their precautions seriously) hopefully we all finally get to see Pacquiao and Spence lock horns and answer some lingering questions I, as well as many other savants and fans of the sweet science, have leading up to this intriguing matchup.
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Fighters Contemplate a Jermell Charlo vs. Brian Castano Rematch [VIDEO]

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Jermell Charlo and Brian Castano delivered a great one earlier this month (Photo: Amanda Westcott – SHOWTIME)

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By Chris Robinson

On July 17, IBF/WBA/WBC junior middleweight champion Jermell Charlo fought to a spirited 12-round split-draw with WBO champion Brian Castano in Houston, TX, as seen on SHOWTIME.

The fight had many ebbs and flows, with Castano (17-0-2, 12 KO’s) taking the early momentum, while Charlo (34-1-1, 18 KO’s) rallied late to secure the aforementioned draw verdict. After 12 rounds, scorecards read 117-111 Charlo, 115-113 Castano, and 114-114.
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PHOTOS: Brian Castano and Jermell Charlo Battle to 12-Round Split-Draw in San Antonio

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Brian Castano and Jermell Charlo delivered a gem on Saturday night (Photo: Amanda Westcott / SHOWTIME)

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By Chris Robinson

This past Saturday night, July 17, IBF/WBA/WBC junior middleweight champion Jermell Charlo and WBO champion Brian Castaño battled to a 12-round split decision draw in their SHOWTIME-televised main event. The bout took place at the AT&T Center in San Antonio, TX, and was presented by Premier Boxing Champions.

Both Charlo (34-1-1, 18 KOs) and Castaño (17-0-2, 12 KOs) delivered excellent performances in their quest to become the first ever undisputed 154-pound champion in the four-belt era. After 12 rounds of action, the fight was declared a split-draw, with scorecards of 114-114, 117-111 Charlo, and 115-113 Castano being read.
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Pacquiao Resumes Camp and Sparring While Continuing to Troll Mayweather

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Manny Pacquiao back to back with his August 21 opponent Errol Spence Jr. 

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By: Dennis Guillermo

Eight-division World Champion and Philippines Senator Manny Pacquiao (62-7-2, 39KOs) resumed sparring at the Wild Card Gym in LA on Tuesday, two days after his press conference with Errol Spence (27-0, 21KOs) to promote their much-anticipated showdown at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on August 21.

Pacquiao, who returned to LA last week for his grueling final six weeks of training camp, shook off two-years worth of ring rust against two taller sparring partners tasked to mimic Spence; Maurice Lee (12-1, 5KOs) and Alexis Rocha (17-1, 11KOs), both southpaws and listed at 5’10”. Pacquiao has been putting in work at the Wild Card and has impressed his trainer Freddie Roach and observers with his conditioning despite his two-year layoff from boxing. After his initial sparring last Thursday, Pacquiao did six rounds on Tuesday, four with Rocha, two with Lee.
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PHOTOS: Behind the Scenes at the Florida Boxing Hall of Fame Spectacular in Saint Petersburg

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Antonio Tarver works with his son, Antonio Tarver Jr., prior to his seventh pro bout (Photo: Hustle Boss)

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By Chris Robinson

On Friday night, June 18, professional boxing returned to St. Petersburg, FL, with the Florida Boxing Hall of Fame Spectacular.

The fight card was presented by T & K Boxing Promotions and held inside of the St. Petersburg Marriot Clearwater.
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Undefeated Harold Calderon Headlines ‘Title Night 2’ in Miami Saturday, June 19

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Undefeated Harold Calderon returns to the ring in Miami, FL, as the headliner of a Signature Punch Boxing show from the Double Tree Hotel and Conference Center this Saturday, June 19.

Calderon (24-0, 16 KO’s) is a local favorite and always draws a crowd. He has also seen support in recent years from former NBA All Star Dwyane Wade and music mogul Rick Ross.
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