REVENGE!! Bivol Decisions Beterbiev in Rematch To Claim Undisputed Light Heavyweight Title

Dmitry Bivol got his revenge as he was able to turn the tide and win a 12-round majority decision over Artur Beterbiev in a rematch at the A & B Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

The fight was almost a mirror image of the first fight that took place in October, but this time it was Bivol who won the majority of rounds over the second half of the contest. Beterbiev was good early as he landed the harder shots and took an early lead on the cards. Bivol was able to change thigs up as he boxed and countered and was able to get off his shots. Beterbiev was never out of the fight, but he simply was not able to keep the same rhythm that of the first six rounds.

Bivol landed 170 of 547 punches. Beterbiev was 121 of 688.

Bivol, 174.1 lbs of Tokmak, Kyrgystan won by scores of 116-112, 115-113 and 114-114 and is now 24-1. Beterbiev, 175 lbs of Khasavyurt, RUS is 21-1.

Speaking to DAZN analyst Chris Mannix immediately following the bout, an overjoyed Bivol exclaimed, “I’m just so happy. I went through a lot in the last year. Thank you so much everybody. I appreciate everybody from my team, my coaches, everyone.” Answering what was different in his performance on this occasion, he responded, “Just me. I was better. I was pushing myself more. I was more confident, I was lighter, and I just wanted to win so much today.”

Artur Beterbiev did not wish to discuss the judges decision in the aftermath of the contest, but he did note that he and Bivol had put on another instant classic while setting the table for his chance to enter the deciding bout as the challenger. “I think this fight was better than the first fight. Now it’s my time to come back.

Parker Stops Bakole in 2 to win WBO Interim Title

Joseph Parker stopped very late replacement Martin Bakole in round 2 to win the WBO Interim Heavyweight title.

In round two, Parker landed a big overhand right to temple that slumped Bakole to the canvas. The fight was stopped with Bakole down and corner stopped the bout at 2:17

Parker, 267 lbs of Auckland, NZ is 36-3 with 24 knockouts. Bakole of the Congo, took the fight on two days notice after IBF champion Daniel DuBois fell ill, is now 21-2.

Following the victory, Parker exclaimed, “Martin Bakole, thank you very much for accepting the challenge and flying over here on short notice to give me a good fight.”

When asked about his preparation going into a fight with a late opponent change, Parker shared, “I’m fit, I’m strong, I’m healthy. I’m sharp thanks to these two men and my hard work as well. Andy was breaking it down for me, and I came in and I had to be patient. I just went out there and listened, stayed calm, composed, and got the victory. Andy gave me instructions to be patient. When he walks in and attacks, that’s when you have to take your shot.”

Despite the successful outcome, Parker remains unsatisfied and noted, “I want to say, who’s next? How can I fight for the world title? I want to fight for a world title, and I’d like to be champion of the world again, too. I will fight anyone and everyone. Saudi Arabia has been amazing. Four fights. Four wins. Thanks to everyone who has been involved.”

Stevenson Stops Late Replacement Padley in 9; Retains Lightweight Title

Shakur Stevenson stopped late-replacement Josh Padley in round nine to defend the WBC Lightweight title.

It was a typical Stevenson fight as he dominated the fight was his boxing against the overmatched Padley. In round seven, Stevenson turned up the gas and started to really break Padley down. Finally in round nine, Stevenson scored three knockdowns, all on body shots and the corner of Padley rescued their man and threw in the towel.

Stevenson, 134.1 lbs of Newark, NJ is 23-0 with 11 knockouts. Padley, 134 lbs of Yorkshire, ENG is 15-1.

Following the victory, Stevenson admitted, “I just did what I was supposed to do with the person that was in front of me. Honestly, you up the level and get the top guys to get in the ring with me, I’ll make them look like that too.”

After being asked who he wants to face next, Stevenson quickly replied “Gervonta ‘Tank’ Davis. I think that’s the biggest fight in boxing. Me and him can make the most money if we make this fight happen, so let’s do it.”

Adames and Sheeraz Battle to Draw in Middleweight Title bout

Carlos Adames retained the WBC Middleweight title with a split draw with Hamzah Sheeraz.

In round eight, Sheeraz started to swell under his right eye. the bout did noy feature much sustained action as Adames was trying to come forward and the longer Sheeraz fought off the back foot, Each landed some good shots, but neither followed up.

Scores were 118-110 for Adames, 115-114 for Sheeraz and 114-114.

Adames landed 143 of 509 punches. Sheeraz was 135 of 490.

Adames, 158.1 lbs of Elias Pina, DR is now 24-1-1. Sheeraz, 158 lbs of Essex, ENG is 21-0-1.

Vergil Ortiz Jr. Decisions Madrimov to Retain WBC Interim Title

Vergil Ortiz Jr. retained the WBC Interim Super Welterweight title with a 12-round unanimous decision over Israil Madrimov.

In round two, Ortiz began to swell under both eyes. It was a fight where Ortiz was able to find Madrimov enough as Madrimov tried to move around the ring for the better part of the first nine rounds.

Ortiz landed 166 of 561 punches. Madrimov was 127 of 466.

Ortiz, 153.1 lbs of Grand Praire, TX won by scores of 117-111 and 115-113 twice and is now 23-0. Madrimov, 152.1 lbs of Khiva, UZB is 10-2-1.

Reflecting on the biggest win of his career, Ortiz noted, “This was expected. I knew I was the better fighter, all respect to Madrimov. We knew what kind of fight this was going to be, he’s a tough opponent and was there to prove himself after a loss against one of the best in the world. We just wanted to show that we’re the best at 154 pounds, and we say yes to everybody.”

When asked who may be next for the champion at the top of the 154-pound division, Ortiz welcomed all challengers. “I just want to fight the best. I’ve never ducked anybody, no matter what anybody says.”

Kabayel Stops Zhang in 6 to Win WBC Interim Heavyweight Title

Agit Kabayel scored a sixth round stoppage over Zhilei Zhang to win the WBC Interim Heavyweight Title

Kabayel took it Zhang for the better part of the first four rounds. Kabayel was touching Zhang to the body and coming upstairs to the head. It seemed like Zang was starting to wilt, until he landed big left counter in round five that put Kabayel on the canvas. In round six, Kabayel landed a right to the body that doubled over Zhang and the ref separated the fighters for what looked to be a knockdown. Somehow it wasn’t called that. But a moment later, it was another right that put Zhang on the canvas. Zhang tried to beat the count but was not able to at 2:29.

Kabayel, 241 lbs of Nortdrhein, GER is 26-0 with 18 knockouts. Zhang, 287.5 lbs of Zhoukou, CHI 27-3-1.

“We trained hard for this,” said Kabayel immediately after the fight. “This fight was hard. The training camp was hard. I’m so happy.”

Callum Smith Decisions Buatsi in Slugfest to Capture interim Light Heavyweight Title

In a terrific action fight to start the main card, Callum Smith won a 12-round unanimous decision over Joshua Buatsi to win the WBO Interim Light Heavyweight title.

In round four, Smith was cut over his right eye. That seemed to fuel Smith as in round’s five and six, Smith hurt Buatsi with hard body shots. When it seemed that Smith was on his way to a stoppage, Buatsi hurt Smith with a big left hook in the final seconds of the frame.

It was a battle of body shots with both guys being hurt to the flank area,. The two battled down the strecth, but it was Smith who had the more telling blows.

Smith landed 272 of 716 punches. Buatsi was 247 of 606.

Smith, 174.1 lbs of Liverpool. ENG won by scores of 119-110, 116-112 and 115-113 and is now 31-2. Buatsi, 175 lbs of London is 19-1.

Reflecting on his new title, Smith admitted, “I feel good. Obviously it wasn’t perfect. I know I still have plenty left and feel I’m good enough to be a two-division world champion. I felt I had to prove a lot of people wrong tonight. It wasn’t the perfect performance. I took off a few rounds towards the end. I lost my rhythm a little bit, and my vision was a little impaired, but that’s boxing, and you have to get on with it. It took a performance—Josh Buatsi is a very good fighter, and I knew I needed to be on my best tonight, and I believe I was.”

Mohammed Alakel remained undefeated with a six-round decision over Engel Gomez in a super featherweight fight.

Alakel, 134.1 ls of Riyadh, SA won by a 60-54 score and is now 3-0. Gomez, 132.1 lbs of Chinandega, SA is 8-43-3.

 “It wasn’t the performance I was hoping for.” I just wasn’t listening to my corner, and it just didn’t go my way,” 

Ziyad Almaayouf remained undefeated with a six-round decision over Jonatas de Oliveira in a welterweight fight.

Almaayouf, 143.2 lbs of Riyadh, SA won by a 60-54 score and is now 7-0-1. Oliveira, 141.6 lbs of Para, BRA is 6-21.

 “I feel so great. It’s so good to get back to winning ways,” said Almaayouf after the contest. “I had the best sparring, the best fight camp I ever had. But I had to do that coming from what I did last time out.”




Kabayel decisions Lazaridis

World-ranked heavyweight Agit Kabayel won a 10-round unanimous decision over Evgenios Lazaridis in Magdeburg, Germany.

Kabayel, 236 3/4 lbs won by scores of 100-90, 99-91 and 98-92 to stay perfect at 20-0. Lazaridis, 255 lbs is 16-3.

Peter Kadiru remained undefeated after Eugen Buchmeuller could not continue after round three of their eight-round heavyweight bout.

Buchmueller complained of an arm injury in the 2nd frame, and the fight was stopped after the 3rd round.

Kadiru, 239 lbs is 8-0 with four knockouts. Buchmueller, 213 lbs if 16-6.

Collins Ojal won a six-round unanimous decision over Georgij Fibich in a heavyweight bout.

Ojal, 230 1/2 lbs won by scores of 60-54 twice and 60-55 to raise his mark to 4-0. Fibich, 248 lbs is 1-1.

Arthur Ohanyan Beck made a successful pro debut with a four-round decision over Miguel Aguilar in a super middleweight bout.

Aguilar, 167 1/2 lbs if 1-0. Aguilar, 165 1/2 lbs is 11-66-1.




SATURDAY: Unbeaten Heavyweight Agit Kabayel to face Evgenios Lazaridis LIVE on ESPN+

(July 14, 2020) — Live boxing is back on ESPN+ Saturday, July 18, with the return of undefeated heavyweight contender Agit Kabayel in a 10-rounder against Evgenios “Achilles” Lazaridis from Seebühne Elbauenpark in Magdeburg, Germany.
 
The event, promoted by SES Boxing, will take place in front of a limited number of fans and will mark Kabayel’s first fight since he signed a co-promotional pact with Top Rank last year. Kabayel-Lazaridis and select undercard bouts will stream live beginning at 3 p.m. ET/12 p.m. PT.
 
Kabayel (19-0, 13 KOs) is a former European champion who is currently ranked in the top 15 by three of the major sanctioning organizations. Based in Germany, standing 6-foot-3 and weighing 230-plus pounds, Kabayel won the title in February 2017 with a unanimous decision over Belgian veteran Herve Hubeaux. He defended the title three times — including a November 2017 majority decision over longtime contender Derek Chisora — before vacating it last year to make his mark stateside.
 
The COVID-19 pandemic delayed Kabayel’s United States debut, but he returns following a 16-month layoff to fight Lazaridis (16-2, 10 KOs), a former Greek amateur star who has won four in a row. Now based in Germany, the 32-year-old Lazaridis is a seven-year pro who, at 6’6, will have a three-inch height advantage over Kabayel.
 
In other action on the ESPN+ stream:

  • Heavyweight prospect Peter Kadiru (7-0, 3 KOs), who was victorious on the Tyson Fury-Tom Schwarz undercard in Las Vegas last June, will fight fellow unbeaten Ruben Wolf (5-0, 3 KOs) in an eight-rounder.
     
  • In a six-round heavyweight tilt featuring a pair of unbeatens, Collins Ojal (3-0, 2 KOs) will take on Georgij Fibich (1-0, 1 KO).

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Coming to America: Unbeaten Heavyweight Contender Agit Kabayel Signs Promotional Deal with Top Rank

(Sept. 4, 2019) —European heavyweight kingpin Agit Kabayel is coming to America.

Kabayel (19-0, 13 KOs) has signed a promotional contract with Top Rank, which will co-promote his bouts with SES Boxing. He is ranked No. 4 by the IBF and No. 9 by both the WBO and WBC.

Kabayel made three defenses of the European heavyweight title before vacating the crown to pursue opportunities stateside. He will make his Top Rank debut on an ESPN platform in either late 2019 or early 2020.

“My American Dream has come true,” Kabayel said. “I can’t wait to showcase my skills in the U.S. and on ESPN. As the European champion, the time is now to go all in and achieve my lifetime goal of becoming the first German world heavyweight champion since the great Max Schmeling.”

“We are delighted to join forces with Bob Arum and Top Rank to present Agit Kabayel on ESPN, the biggest sports platform in the world,” said SES Boxing President Benedikt Poelchau. 

“Agit is ready for the world’s best heavyweights, and at only 26 years of age, the best is yet to come. Like all great fighters, Agit wants to make his mark in America,” said Ulf Steinforth, founder of SES Boxing. 

Kabayel, who was born in Germany to Kurdish parents, has fought 14 of his 19 pro bouts in his home country. An eight-year pro, Kabayel won the vacant European crown in February 2017 with a 12-round unanimous decision over Herve Hubeaux. Nine months later, he scored his most high-profile victory, a majority decision over perennial contender Derek Chisora. A seasoned veteran who has sparred lineal heavyweight champion Tyson Fury and former unified champion Anthony Joshua, Kabayel opened his 2019 campaign March 2 with an impressive unanimous decision over Andriy Rudenko in Magdeburg, Germany. 




JOE JOYCE WANTS POVETKIN, TAKAM, MILLER AFTER AGIT KABAYEL WITHDRAWS FROM EUROPEAN HEAVYWEIGHT TITLE DEFENCE

JOE JOYCE has sensationally called out heavyweight rivals Alexander Povetkin, Carlos Takam and Jarrell Miller after a European Title fight with Agit Kabayel fell through.

Germany’s Kabayel withdrew from today’s scheduled purse bid for a championship defence and therefore vacated his EBU European Heavyweight Championship.

“I’m very disappointed, as I would have liked to challenge Kabayel for the European title. He obviously never wanted to fight me in the first place,” said the 10-0 Olympic Silver Medallist before turning his attention to alternative opponents.

Former world heavyweight champion Alexander Povetkin (35-2) and France’s Carlos Takam (36-5-1) are high on ‘The Juggernaut’s’ wishlist.

“Hopefully I can fight Povetkin or maybe Carlos Takam for the vacant title!”

Joyce currently holds the WBA ‘Gold’ Heavyweight championship and is also open to defending his title in his next fight against outspoken American Jarrell Miller (23-0-1).

“If Jarrell Miller is flushed out, I will fight him next no problem for my WBA Gold belt!”.

Hall of Fame boxing promoter Frank Warren added: “We’re disappointed that Agit Kabayel has decided to vacate his title rather than fighting Joe Joyce.

“I think it’s clear he wants no part of the Juggernaut and is trying to hold onto this unbeaten record of his – a record he knows he would lose if he took on our man.

“We’ll sit down with Joe and the team and look at who’s next and who wants to step up!”