Steven Butler scored an explosive first round stoppage over Steve Rolls in a scheduled 10-round middleweight bout at Casino Montreal in Montreal, Canada.

Butler landed a huge right to the head froze Rolls defenseless on the ropes. Butler landed two more left hooks as the referee stopped the fight at 1:05.

Butler, 160 lbs of Montreal is 34-4-1 with 28 knockouts. Rolls, 159 lbs of Toronto is 22-4.

Iglesias Destroys Coceres in 1

Osleys Iglesias took out former world title challenger Marcelo Coceres in the opening round of their 10-round super middleweight bout.

Iglesias landed one shot to the temple that put Coceres down. Coceres tried to get to his feet, but could not and the fight was over at 2:06.

Iglesias, 168.9 lbs of Berlin, GER is 10-0 with nine knockouts. Coceres, 166.5 lbs of Buenos Aries, ARG is 32-7-1.

Lepage-Joanisse wins WBC Heavyweight Title

In a slugfest, Vanessa Lepage-Joanisse won the vacant WBC Heavyweight title with a 10-round split decision over Abril Vidal.

In round three, Lepage- Joanisse began to bleed from her nose. The two traded heavy shots throughout the entertaining scrap.

Lepage-Joanisse, 173.3 lbs of Saint Andre-Auccin, QUE won by scores of 97-93 twice while Vidall took a card 96-94.

LePage-Joanisse is now 7-1. Vidal, 170.7 lbs of Centenario, ARG is 10-2.

Arthur Biyarslanov stopped Cristian Palma in round three of their eight-round junior welterweight fight.

At the end of round two, Biyarslanov dropped Palma with a right hook to the body. In round three, it was another right hook to the body that put Palma down and the fight was stopped at 3:00.

Biyarslanov, 142 lbs of Toronto is 14-0 with 12 knockouts. Palma, 141 lbs of Lautato, CHL is 33-14-2

Luis Santana stopped Emiliano Garcia in round two of the eight-round lightweight battle.

In round one, Santana dropped Garcia with a left hook to the head. At the end of the round, Santana put Garcia down again, but was ruled a low blow after the bell. In round two, Santana dumped Garcia on the canvas with a powerful left for the 10-count at 1:31.

Santana, 136.9 lbs of Montreal is 11-0 with five knockouts. Garcia, 135.3 lbs of Buenos Aries, ARG is 19-10-1.

Mehmet Unal remained undefeated with an eight-round unanimous decision over Facundo Galovar in a light heavyweight contest.

Unal, 17.7 lbs of Montreal won by tallies of 80-72 twice and 79-73 and is now 9-0. Galovar, 176.9 lbs of Yabo Buena, ARG is 15-11-2.

Jhon Orobio stopped Cristian Gonzalez in round two of their six-round lightweight fight.

In round two, Orobio dropped Gonzalez with a jab to the body. Gonzalez was sent to the canvas for a second time with a right to the body and the fight was stopped at 2:51.

Orobio, 134.3 lbs of Montreal is 7-0 with seven knockouts. Gonzalez, 133.9 lbs of Buenos Aires, ARG is 12-20-1.

Wilkens Mathieu remained undefeated with a second round stoppage over Patrick Fiala in a super middleweight bout.

In round two, Mathieu dropped Fiala with a left hook. Mathieu finished off Fiala with a barrage of punches and the bout was stopped at 1:57.

Mathieu, 171.2 lbs of Quebec City, CAN us 8-0 with five knockouts. Fiala, 171.1 lbs of CZE is 8-5-2.

Diego Pacheco stopped Marcelo Coceres in round nine of their 12-round super middlleweight bout at The Youtube Theater in Inglewood, Californi.

Pacheco battered a gritty Coceres in several rounds. In round nine, Pacheco landed a booming right and a nasty right uppercut that put Coceres down for the 10-count at 2:53.

Pacheco, 167 lbs of Los Angeles is 20-0 with 17 knockouts. Coceres, 167 lbs of Buenos Aires, ARG is 32-6-1.

Erika Cruz Decisions Rivas to win Super Bantamweight Title

Erika Cruz won the WBA Super Bantamweight title with a 10-round majority decision over Mayerlin Rivas.

In round four, Rivas was cut below her right eye.

Cruz landed 70 of 425 punches. Rivas was 71 of 168.

Cruz, 122 lbs of Mexico City won by scores of 98-92, 9703 and 95-95 to become a two-division world champion at 17-2. Rivas, 121.8 lbs of Maracaibo, VEN is 17-5-3.

Jonathan Rodriguez stops Yafai in First-Round

Jonathan Rodriguez scored the biggest and most emphatic win of his career as he stopped former world champion Kal Yafai in the opening round of their 10-round bantamweight bout.

In round one, Rodriguez landed a huge overhand right that put Yafai on the canvas. Rodriguez out Yafai down again with another right hand. Rodriguez had Yafai in trouble and landed a big shot that stumbled Yafai and then landed four more punches and the fight was stopped at 2:17

Rodriguez, 118 lbs of Bethlehem, PA is now 17-1-1 with seven knockouts. Yafai, 117.4 lbs of Birmingham, ENG is now 27-2.

Marc Castro Stops Fuenzalida in 7

Marc Castro remained undefeated with a seventh round stoppage over Gonzalo Fuenzalida in a 10-round super featherweight bout.

Castro dominated the brawl and almost had the stoppage earlier in round seven until Castro leveled Fuenzalida with a should block. Seconds later, Castro landed a huge flurry that forced a referee stoppage at 2:31.

Castro, 131.4 lbs of Fresno, CA is 11-0 with eight knockouts. Fuenzalida, 132 lbs of Santiago de CHL is 12-3.

Jalan Walker stopped Jorge Alberto Villegas in round two of their eight-round super featherweight.

In round two, Walker landed a huge flurry of about 20 flurries and the bout was stopped at 2:55.

Walker, 131.2 lbs of Los Angeles is now 12-0-1 with 10 knockouts. Villegas, 131.6 lbs of Los Mochis, MEX is 14-2.

Criztec Bazaldua stopped Pedro Cruz in the fourth and final round of their lightweight bout.

In round four, Cruz was cut around the right eye. Bazaldula battered Cruz until the bout was stopped at 46 seconds.

Bazaldua, 136.6 lbs of Los Angeles is now 3-0 with one knockout. Cruz, 138.8 lbs of San Jose, CA is 3-4.

4 x 3 mins Lightweight contest
 
Criztec Bazaldua (136.6lbs)        vs.    Pedro Angel Cruz (138.8lbs)
 
Los Angeles, California                          San Jose, California
 
Followed by
 
8 x 3 mins Super-Featherweight contest
 
Jalan Walker (131.2lbs)              vs.              Jorge Alberto Villegas (131.6lbs)
 
Los Angeles, California                                   Los Mochis, Mexico
 
LIVE ON DAZN FROM 5PM PT
 
10 x 3 mins Super-Featherweight contest
 
Marc Castro (131.4lbs)               vs.              Gonzalo Fuenzalida (132.8lbs)
 
Fresno, California                                            Santiago de Chile, Chile
 
Followed by
 
10 x 3 mins WBA Intercontinental Bantamweight title
 
Kal Yafai (117.6lbs)            vs.              Jonathan Rodriguez (118lbs)
 
Birmingham, England                             Bethlehem, Pennsylvania
 
Followed by
 
10 x 2 mins WBA World Super-Bantamweight title 
 
Mayerlin Rivas (121.8lbs)           vs.              Erika Cruz (122lbs)
 
Maracaibo, Venezuela                                     Mexico City, Mexico
 
Followed by
 
12 x 3 mins WBO International and USWBC Super-Bantamweight titles
 
Diego Pacheco (167.8lbs)           vs.              Marcelo Coceres (167lbs)
 
Los Angeles, California                                    Buenos Aires, Argentina

Diego Pacheco headlines for the third straight fight on Saturday night – but this time the stakes are raised for the Super-Middleweight stud as he welcomes Marcelo Coceres to his Los Angeles hometown as they clash at YouTube Theater, live worldwide on DAZN.

Pacheco (19-0 16 KOs) is looking to cap a brilliant 2023 with a third KO win as a bill topper, and this time in front of his hometown fans. The LA talent pummeled Jack Cullen into submission in four rounds in Liverpool, England, in April, and was at his scintillating best in his last outing in July where he blitzed the dangerous Manuel Gallegos inside four rounds in Monterrey, Mexico – ending matters with a vicious attack after flooring Gallegos in the fourth with a trademark body shot and became the first man to stop the Mexican later in the round.

The 22 year old steps up once again against the Argentine Coceres (32-5-1 18 KOs) who has previously tested Billy Joe Saunders and Edgar Berlanga. Pacheco is ready to dazzle on his doorstep and the latter is in his sights for next year.

“It’s so special to have a homecoming show,” said Pacheco. “It’s the most important fight of my career so far, it’s time for me to headline at home. I’ve headlined in the UK and in Mexico, so to be bringing everyone out to LA is surreal, I dreamt of this as a little kid and now I can’t wait to perform on Saturday and begin a while new chapter in my career. If Eddie told me I’m fighting Canelo, I feel I would give him a good fight. I want Edgar Berlanga next after this fight. I think I knock him out, cold.

“To be doing this at 22 is cool. I thought maybe I would headline in a World title fight when I was 24 or 25. This weekend it’s the YouTube Theater, hopefully down the line it will be the SoFi Stadium. It’s a five-minute drive from my mom’s house, so it’s perfect to be having my first headline show there. 

“It’s been a great year for me. I unexpectedly became the main event in the UK in March, and I rose to the occasion and put on a great performance. The experience was great, fighting Cullen, he was a long fighter, but he didn’t have too much that fazed me or worried me at all, I just knew that I had to keep to the game plan, stick to my jab, stay sharp and the KO would come, and it did. I hit him with a few right hands that made him forget about the body, I went downstairs and got him out of there.

“I grew up in South Central LA. I always feel I owe this to my parents. They sacrificed a lot and believed in me before anyone else. If it wasn’t for them, I wouldn’t be where I am. I come from a low-income family so for my dad to get me to all the amateur tournaments meant a lot and made me think ‘how I am not going to give my all when they have sacrificed so much for me?’”

Pacheco’s clash with Coceres tops a stacked bill in LA where Mayerlin Rivas defends her WBA World Super-Bantamweight title against Erika Cruz. 

Former World ruler Kal Yafai returns to action and faces Jonathan Rodriguez for the vacant WBA Inter-Continental Bantamweight title and Marc Castro will kick off the main card live on DAZN as he fights over ten rounds for the first time against Gonzalo Fuenzalida. 

Criztec Bazaldua steps through the ropes for the third time in his career when he takes on Pedro Angel Cruz over four rounds at Lightweight and Jalan Walker faces Jorge Alberto Villegas over eight rounds at Super-Featherweight.

Matchroom tonight announce four events in the USA and Mexico as part of a stacked second half of 2023 live worldwide on DAZN.

Headline amongst those is the confirmation of the date and venue for the hotly-anticipated Flyweight unification clash between Jesse Rodriguez and Sunny Edwards, which lands at the Desert Diamond Arena in Glendale, Arizona on Saturday December 16.

The unbeaten pair meet in a mouth-watering battle to determine the top dog in the division, with WBO ruler Rodriguez and IBF king Edwards defending their titles for the first and fourth times respectively and both appearing in their first unification bouts. 

Rodriguez (18-0 11 KOs) will return to the state that he landed his first World title back in February 2022 when he defeated Carlos Cuadras to land the WBC Super-Flyweight strap. The San Antonio star defended that title twice with wins over Srisaket Sor Rungvisai and Israel Gonzalez before becoming a two-weight champion on hometurf in April by seeing off Christian Hernandez, and the 23 year old is excited to be meeting Edwards in the winter.

“I want to thank Matchroom, Teiken and my whole team for making this fight happen,” said Rodriguez. “This fight will allow me to showcase my skills and prove to everyone that I am not only the best Flyweight in the world but one of the best fighters in the world period. 

“I am excited to be back in Arizona where I first became a World champion, and I will be 100 per cent ready to put on a show on December 16 and become unified World champion.”

Edwards (20-0 4 KOs) finally gets the blockbuster showdown that he’s been craving after becoming the IBF champion in April 2021 with a trademark classy win over Moruti Mthalane in London. A pair of successful defenses in Dubai followed in December against Jayson Mama and in March over Muhammad Waseem before victory in defense number three followed in his adaopted Sheffield hometown over Felix Alvarado. 

The 27 year old had a successful debut under the Matchroom banner in June when he saw off spirited Chilean challenger Andres Campos in London, and Edwards is looking forward to proving he is the best in the division on his first fight in America.

“I’m looking forward to being involved in one of the biggest Flyweight World title fights in boxing history,” said Edwards. “It’s the real #1 versus the real #2. I would like to thank Eddie Hearn, Frank Smith, Matchroom Boxing and my team for getting me in this position, and I’d also like to thank Bam and his team for accepting the fight, and I am really looking forward to becoming one of the best pound-for-pound fighters in the world on December 16 in Arizona.”

One month before that, one of the hottest young fighters in the sport will headline at home for the first time in his blossoming career as Diego Pacheco takes on Marcelo Coceres for the WBO International and USWBC Super-Middleweight titles at the YouTube Theater in Los Angeles on November 18.

Pacheco (19-0 16 KOs) was at his scintillating best in his last outing in July where he blitzed the dangerous Manuel Gallegos inside four rounds in Monterrey, Mexico – ending matters with a vicious attack after flooring Gallegos in the fourth with a trademark bodyshot and became the first man to stop the Mexican later in the round.

That was a second headline turn for the rangy South LA man having previously pummeled Jack Cullen into submission again in four rounds in Liverpool, England in April, and now the 23 year old earns a shorter trip to top the bill, doing so in the shadow of the SoFi Stadium in Inglewood where he grew up.

“I cannot wait to be headlining at home November 18 at the YouTube Theater,” said Pacheco. “I am looking forward to making a statement and delivering another great performance for all my hometown fans.”

Standing in Pacheco’s way of another impressive showing at Super-Middleweight is former World title challenger Coceres (32-5-1 18 KOs). The Argentine returns to the city of his biggest night, where he met WBO ruler Billy Joe Saunders for the World title in November 2019, and the 32 year old is set to provide Pacheco with the biggest test of his career to date.

“November 18, in his backyard, this is what warriors do,” said Coceres. “I have a lot of respect for Pacheco, he’s a good fighter, but he’s still young and he has time. This is my time now.
I’ve been here before. I’ve been to war. Let’s see how the young boy does when his back is against the wall. 

“I’m bringing everything into this fight. I can’t afford another loss at this point in my career. This is make or break and I’m leaving everything I have in the ring come November 18.”

Back-to-back weekends in September provide plenty of excitement in Tijuana and Orlando.

Angel Fierro continues to hammer on the door for a World title shot, and he’ll look to add more weight to those claims when he defends his WBO NABO Lightweight title against Brayan Zammaripa on Friday September 15 at the Auditorio Municipal Fausto Gutierrez Moreno in Tijuana, Mexico. 

Fierro (21-1-2 17 KOs) is sitting pretty at #4 with the WBO, and the 25 year old gets a hometown outing as he looks to build on his growing reputation for exciting performances.

‘Tashiro’ was at his explosive best in his last outing with multiple knockdowns leading to a seventh round stoppage win over Eduardo Estela in Culiacan – a fifth KO in his last six fights – and a run he’ll be looking to improve upon against Zammaripa (13-1 4 KOs), the Baja California man who has recorded ten wins on the bounce since his sole defeat in 2016.

“I am very happy to return to my home Tijuana,” said Fierro. “But I am even more excited because I am very close to a World Title fight. I’m very focused on giving a great show to my people.”

“This is the opportunity I’ve been waiting for, for a long time,” said Zammaripa. “I respect Tashiro, but this is my moment. I’m coming to his neighborhood, but this is my territory. Civil War is coming September 15 and I’m leaving with Tashiro’s belt. Viva Mexico.

Erika Cruz (15-2 3 KOs) will return to action on the card following her thrilling battle with Amanda Serrano for the undisputed Featherweight crown in New York in February, and ‘Dinamita’ will look to get back on the path to regaining her World champion status over ten rounds against Melissa Oddessa Parker (6-1 2 KOs)

“I am 100 per cent prepared,” said Cruz. “That night the national guard and I will be celebrating our Independence Day with one more victory for the Dinamita!”

The following weekend, a stacked bill takes Matchroom back to Florida and sees World-rated Super-Lightweight Richardson Hitchins takes on Jose Zepeda for the WBC Silver and IBF North American Super-Lightweight titles at the Caribe Royale in Orlando on Saturday September 23.

Hitchins (16-0 7 KOs) shone in his last outing in his home city, putting New Jersey’s John Bauza on the canvas during a shut-out win at Madison Square Garden, and the Brooklyn ace now lurks with intent at #6 with the WBO and #7 with the IBF in the 140lb rankings. 

Zepeda (36-3 27 KOs) represents a significant barrier to Hitchins’ plans to move into World title contention though, and the Californian, who has challenged for World titles at both 135 and 140lbs, will be eyeing Hitchins’ lofty standings to reignite his own World championship plans.

“I’m excited to finally be back in action and prove I’m the top dog of the 140lb division,” said Hitchins. “I promise to put on a master class performance on Zepada. This was the guy they were calling one of the top guys in the division, so after this performance this will show I’m ready for anyone.

“We tried waiting for Montana Love, but he found his way out of the fight like I expected his bitch ass would, so it’s on to bigger and better!”

“This is it for me, my last opportunity and a big one,” said Zepeda. “I need to win to stay on track and soon fight for another World title, it’s now or never. I want to thank Matchroom very much for this opportunity, my brother Renee and my manager Rick Mirigian for getting this multi-fight deal worked out. I’ll be ready come fight night.”

The Welterweight division will move one step closer to crowning an undisputed champion on the night as Jessica McCaskill and Sandy Ryan meet for three of the belts. 

WBA and WBC champion McCaskill (12-3 5 KOs) is no stranger to undisputed status, having ripped all the hardware at 147 from long-reigning ruler Cecilia Braekhus in August 2020 and then holding onto the belts in a rematch the following March. The Chicagoan defended the belts twice more against Kandi Wyatt and Alma Ibarra before the lure of becoming undisputed champion at a second weight saw her drop down to 140lbs to take on Chantelle Cameron in Abu Dhabi in November, with the Briton coming out on top on that occasion.

WBO belt holder Ryan (6-1 2 KOs) will look to make it back-to-back losses to Brits for McCaskill, as the Derby talent puts the title she won in her last outing against Marie Pier Houle in Cardiff, Wales in April. Ryan, who holds wins over former World champions Anahi Sanchez and Erica Farias, steps straight into the biggest fight in the division in her first defense and can add two belts to take her collection up to three in just her eighth pro fight.

“Glad to finally get back in the ring, it’s been too long,” said McCaskill. “I’m not going to lie it’s been a bit frustrating but now we are finally here. You know what they say, be careful what you wish for. See you soon Sandy.”

“This fight is everything to me the level of it the best vs. the best in the Welterweight division,” said Ryan. “I respect Jessica massively as a fighter and what she has done in the sport but it’s definitely time for a new era and I believe I am that. 

“It’s my biggest fight and it’s going to be in America, a place I’ve wanted to fight in since I turned pro. It’s been a dream of mine so I can’t wait to make my America debut and fight Jessica. AND THE NEW!”

A third fight for the bill in Orlando sees Austin ‘Ammo’ Williams press his claims for World title action at Middleweight as he tackles Steve Rolls.

Williams (14-0 10 KOs) is back in the States having taken out River Wilson-Bent in eight rounds in London in April – his third fight in England – and the Middleweight contender is right on the cusp of landing a World title shot sitting at #2 with the WBA, #10 with the IBF and #11 with the WBC.

Rolls (22-2 12 KOs) will test those ambitions to the fullest though, having shared the ring with Gennadiy Golovkin and Edgar Berlanga in his 24-fight career, and the Canadian will look to get back into contention himself with the WBA International and IBF North American titles on the line. 

“I’ve learned the significance of rest and patience since my April victory,” said Williams. “This period of down time has allowed my mind and body the proper space to process all of the many lessons I’ve received in my previous 6 bouts. Tremendous advancement has occurred in all areas of my life. September 23 will be a display of brilliance, dedication, and laser focus. Don’t miss it!

“I’m looking forward to fighting on September 23,” said Rolls. “I know that Ammo is coming to fight, but I’m going to do whatever is necessary to get my hand raised at the end of the night. He has never fought anyone as a pro with my experience, and I think that experience will play a big role in me winning this fight.”

Information on ticket on-sale dates and further undercard news for these events will be released soon.

These events are added to a stacked offering from Matchroom on DAZN, with more to come including:

Leigh Wood vs. Josh Warrington, Saturday October 7, Sheffield

Jack Catterall vs. Jorge Linares, Saturday October 21, Manchester

Chantelle Cameron vs. Katie Taylor II, Saturday November 25, Dublin

KSI defeated Logan Paul via split decision in front of a raucous crowd at Staples Center in Los Angeles.

The two did not show much technique but they fought hard.

In round four, Paul landed a huge uppercut that sent KSI to the canvas. Referee Jack Reiss ruled that Paul held KSI’s head down and deducted two points from Paul.

That was the difference because KSI won by scores of 57-54 and 56-54. Paul won a card 56-56.

Devin Haney retained the WBC Lightweight title with a 12-round unanimous decision over Alfredo Santiago.

In round five, Haney landed a hard right that was followed by a left that put Santiago on the canvas.

In round 11, Santiago was cut over his left eye.

Haney, 135 lbs of Las Vegas won by scores of 120-107 on all cards and is now 24-0. Santiago, 135 lbs of Fajardo, PR is 12-1.

Billy Joe Saunders retained the WBO Super Middleweight title with an 11th round stoppage over Marcelo Coceres.

For most of the 1st 10 round Saunders was largely unimpressive. He kept Coceres in the fight as the challenger started to come on in the middle rounds.

In round 11, Saunders floored Coceres with a right hook that was followed by a left. Moments later, Saunders dropped Coceres hard with an uppercut. With Coceres hurt, Saunders finished off his opponent with a five punch flurry that sent Coceres down for a 3rd and final time, and the bout was stopped at 1:59.

Saunders, 167.4 lbs of Hatfield, UK is 29-0 with 14 knockouts Coceres, 168 lbs of San Jorge, ARG is 28-1-1.

Josh Brueckner won a four-round unanimous decision over Tyler Smith in a battle of pro debuting cruiserweights.

Brueckner, 199.2 lbs of Clinton, MI won on all cards 40-36.

Brueckner proposed to his girlfriend in the ring. She said YESS!!

Good looking 18 year-old prospect Diego Pacheco stopped Aaron Casper in round four of a scheduled six-round super middleweight bout.

In round one, Pacheco dropped Casper with two hard rights to the head.

In round four, it was a right hand that was followed by a left hook that sent Casper down for a 2nd time. Pacheco then landed a barrage of punches that was finished up by a hard left and right that sent Casper down again, and the bout was stopped at 2:49.

Pacheco, 167.2 lbs of Los Angeles is 7-0 with six knockouts. Casper, 166.6 lbs of Augusta, GA is 5-4.

Ronny Rios stopped Hugo Berrio in round four of their scheduled 12-round super bantamweight bout.

Rios dominated the action until he landed a perfect short right that sent Berrio down on the ropes, and the bout was stopped at 2:56.

Rios, 120.6 lbs of Santa Ana, CA is 32-3 with 16 knockouts. Berrio, 121.6 lbs of Santa Marta, COL is 28-8-1.

Nakita Ababiy remained undefeated by defeating Jonathan Batista via disqualification after round one of their four-round middleweight bout.

Ababiy dropped Batista in the 1st round with a left hook. Later in the round, Ababiy was docked a point for hitting behind the head. Batista hit Ababiy after the bell and he was disqualified after the round.

Ababiy of New York is 8-0. Batista of Dominican Republic is 19-16.