Efe Ajagba won a 10-round unanimous decision over previously undefeated Stephan Shaw at the Turning Stone Resort Casino in Verona, New York.

Ajagba landed 111 of 430 punches. Shaw was 78 of 341.

Ajagba, 235 1/4 lbs of Ugledi, NIG won by scores of 96-94 on all cards and is now 17-1. Shaw, 239/5 lbs of St. Louis, MO is 18-1.

“I went back to the corner and they told me to let my hands go, keep throwing punches, my jab. I controlled the fight, so that’s how I won the fight,” Ajagba said. “He tried to land the big shots. I watched him to see what he was going to do. He kept throwing the jab, using the jab more.”

Rice Stops Vianello Due To Cut

Jonnie Rice stopped previously undefeated Guido Vianello in round seven due to a cut over the left eye.

In round six, Vianello was cut on the left eyelid. The cut was worse as the fight moved to the seventh round and the fight was stopped.

Originally referee Benjy Esteves ruled it a headbutt, but replays clearly showed it was a right that caused the cut. After checking with the TV monitors, the fight was ruled a stoppage win for Ri

Rice, 274 1/4 lbs of Las Vegas, is 16-6-1 with 11 knockouts. Vianello, 239 lbs of Rome, Italy is 10-1-1.

“I did it again… another undefeated fighter,” Rice said. “I’m not here to call anyone out right now. I’m going to enjoy this victory and then see what’s next.”

Abraham Nova won a action-filled 10-round unanimous decision over Adam Lopez in a junior lightweight fight.

In round five, Nova dropped Lopez with a right that was followed by a left to the jaw that landed during an exchange.

At the beginning of round six, Nova landed a hard right hand that hurt Lopez. Lopez was grabbing onto Nova but fell to the canvas fo a knockdown.

In round 10, both guys brawled and landed some hard punches. Both were able to stay on their feet in the crowd pleasing affair.

Nova landed 111 of 462 punches; Lopez was 112 of 415.

Nova, 129 lbs of Albany, NY won by scores of 98-90 twice and 97-91 and is now 22-1. Lopez, 129 lbs of Glendale, CA is 16-4.

Haven Brady Jr. remained undefeated with an eight-round unanimous decision over Ruben Cervera in a lightweight bout.

In round one, Brady was cut in his mouth.

Brady landed 108 of 397 punches. Cervera was 56 of 323.

Brady, 132 3/4 lbs of Albany, GA won by scores of 80-72, 79-3 and 78-4 and is now 9-0. Cervera, 130 1/4 lbs of Santa Maria, CA is 13-4.

Bryce Mills won a six-round unanimous decision over Margarito Hernandez in a welterweight contest.

In round one, Hernandez started bleeding from his left eye.

In round four, he was bleeding under his left eye.

Mills, 143 lbs of Syracuse, NY won by scores of 60-54 on all cards and is now 11-1. Hernandez, 144 1/4 lbs of Yakima, WA is 3-4-1.

Brian Norman Jr. remained undefeated with a eight-round unanimous decision over Rodrigo Coria in a welterweight bout.

In round eight, Norman dropped Coria with a left hook.

Norman, 149 lbs of Atlanta, GA won by scores of 79-2 and 77-74 twice and is now 23-0. Coria, 148 1/4 lbs of Cordoba, ARG is now 10-5.

Bruce Carrington remained undefeated with a six-round unanimous decision over Juan Antonio Lopez in a featherweight bout.

Carrington, 128 lbs of Brooklyn, NY won by scores of 60-54 on all cards and is now 6-0. Lopez, 127.5 lbs of Fort Worth, TX is 17-13-1.

Dante Benjamin Jr. stopped Emmanuel Austin in the opining round of their six-round light heavyweight bout.

In round one, Benjamin landed a left-right and left to the head that put Austin down. Benjamin finished off Austin as he landed a big flurry of power punches that was highlighted by a booming right hand, and referee Mark Nelson stopped the bout at 2:50

Benjamin, 174 lbs of Cleveland, OH is 5-0 with tree knockouts. Austin, 175 lbs of Panama City, FL is 6-1.

LAS VEGAS (May 16, 2022) — Tiger Johnson has been ready for prime time ever since representing the U.S. at last summer’s Tokyo Olympics. The welterweight standout will get a chance to put his skills on display in prime time as he fights an opponent to be named in a six-round special feature Saturday, May 21, at the Resorts World Event Center at Resorts World Las Vegas. Johnson’s bout will open the ESPN telecast of the Janibek Alimkhanuly-Danny Dignum WBO Interim middleweight world title bout.

Alimkhanuly-Dignum, a 10-round lightweight co-feature between Jamel Herring and Jamaine Ortiz, and Johnson’s return will air live on ESPN, ESPN Deportes and ESPN+ at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT.

Following his Olympic run, Johnson (3-0, 2 KOs) made an impressive pro debut by stopping Antonius Grable in the fourth round last November on the Terence Crawford-Shawn Porter undercard. The 23-year-old followed up that performance with a decision win over Xavier Madrid and a fourth-round TKO over Sebastian Gabriel Chaves.

The following undercard bouts are scheduled to stream live on ESPN+ beginning at 5:15 p.m. ET/2:15 p.m. PT.

• Southern California standout Adam “Blunose” Lopez (15-3, 6 KOs) will face Dominican puncher William Encarnacion (19-2, 15 KOs) in an eight-round featherweight bout. Lopez became a fan favorite after a breakout performance against Oscar Valdez in November 2019. Despite losing that fight, Lopez demonstrated the poise and composure that would eventually lead him to wins over Louie Coria, Jason Sanchez, and a razor-thin majority decision loss to former world champion Isaac Dogboe. The 26-year-old faces yet another tough challenge in Encarnacion, who is coming off a loss against top contender Abraham Nova.
   
• 2016 U.S. Olympian Karlos Balderas (12-1, 11 KOs) will take on Colombian Ruben Cervera (13-2, 11 KOs) in a junior lightweight clash scheduled for eight or six rounds. Balderas is coming off three consecutive stoppage victories since signing with Top Rank last year.
   
• Former world champion Jessie Magdaleno (28-1, 18 KOs) returns from a nearly two-year layoff to fight Mexico’s Edy Valencia Mercado (19-6-6, 7 KOs) in an eight-rounder at featherweight. Magdaleno has won three in a row since losing the WBO junior featherweight crown to Isaac Dogboe in April 2018.
   
• U.S. Olympic silver medalist Duke Ragan (5-0, 1 KO), from Cincinnati, Ohio, will put his unbeaten record on the line against Victorino Gonzalez (5-2, 2 KOs) in a featherweight bout scheduled for six or four rounds.
   
• Steven “So Cold” Nelson (17-0, 14 KOs), from Omaha, Nebraska, returns from an extended layoff to take on Louis Rose (17-3-1, 7 KOs) in an eight-round light heavyweight battle. Nelson, who knocked out DeAndre Ware in September 2020, suffered a torn Achilles shortly after that bout.

The undercard will also feature three swing bouts:

• Undefeated lightweight contender Giovanni “El Cabron” Cabrera (19-0, 7 KOs), a Chicago native who signed with Top Rank earlier this year, will face Argentinean veteran Elias Araujo (21-4, 8 KOs) in an eight-rounder.
   
• Lightweight prospect Charlie Sheehy (2-0, 2 KOs), a former Team USA amateur standout from Brisbane, California, returns in a four-rounder against New Orleans native Burnell Jenkins (2-1, 1 KO).
   
• Rising junior welterweight Kasir “Mazzi” Goldston (4-0, 1 KO) will fight Cuban spoiler Yaniel Alvarez (2-1, 1 KO) in a bout scheduled for six or four rounds.

Promoted by Top Rank, tickets starting at $25 are on sale now and can be purchased at Etix.com.
 # # #
About Resorts World Las Vegas
Resorts World Las Vegas was developed by Genting Berhad, a publicly traded Malaysian corporation registered with the Nevada Gaming Commission. The company has affiliated operations in the Americas, Malaysia, Singapore, the United Kingdom and the Bahamas. In partnership with Hilton, Resorts World Las Vegas integrates three of Hilton’s premium brands into its resort campus, including Las Vegas Hilton, the resort’s full-service brand; Conrad Las Vegas, Hilton’s lifestyle luxury brand; and LXR, Hilton’s network of independent luxury properties, which operates as Crockfords Las Vegas, Genting’s internationally renowned ultra-luxury brand. Resorts World Las Vegas features 3,506 guest rooms and suites, an innovative, next-generation gaming floor, world-class food and beverage options, a 5,000-capacity theatre, distinct nightlife venues, a curated retail collection of designer and boutique shops and more. The integrated resort weaves time-honored traditions of the international Resorts World brand into the fabric of Las Vegas, introducing a bold, fresh take on hospitality to the city with stunning design, progressive technology and world-class guest service. Resorts World Las Vegas is?Sharecare Health Security VERIFIED™?with?Forbes Travel Guide,?a verification that ensures the resort has appropriate health safety procedures in place.?For?more information, visit?rwlasvegas.com?or find us on?Facebook,?LinkedIn,?Twitter?and?Instagram.

About Genting Group
Genting Group comprises Genting Berhad (KLSE: GENTING), the holding company, and its listed companies Genting Malaysia Berhad (KLSE: GENM), Genting Plantations Berhad (KLSE: GENP) and Genting Singapore Limited (SGX: G13). Genting Group is involved in leisure and hospitality, power generation, oil and gas, property development, life sciences and biotechnology activities, with operations spanning across the globe, including in Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, India, China, the United States of America, Bahamas and the United Kingdom. Genting Group is a leader in the global gaming and hospitality industry. Founded in 1965, Genting Group has more than 50 years of experience in developing and operating destination resorts in the Americas, Malaysia, Singapore, the United Kingdom and the Bahamas, offering an unparalleled resort experience and iconic entertainment attractions to over 50 million visitors a year. For more information, visit?www.genting.com. 

Jamel Herring retained the WBO Junior Lightweight title when Jonathan Oquendo was disqualified for an intentional headbutt that caused a bad cut over Herring’s right eye. The fight headlined a card at the MGM Grand Conference in Las Vegas,

In round three, Herring dropped Oquendo with a perfect left uppercut. In round five, Herring was cut over the right eye from an intentional headbutt, for which Oquendo was deducted a point.

After round eight, the cut worsened and Herring was not able to see, and the fight was halted and Oquendo was disqualified.

Herring said, “It just got ugly. I wasn’t too satisfied with my performance, to be honest with you. In the beginning, everything was going real smooth, me boxing. I put him down with an uppercut. We knew he was going to come head-first. We had to time it. In the end, I wasn’t happy with how I was looking. I’m disappointed with the outcome. I’ve never been in that situation.
 
“I still want the Carl Frampton fight next by all means. November, December, whatever. I still want that fight next.”

Nelson stops Ware in 6

Steven Nelson stopped DeAndre Ware in round six of a scheduled 10-round super middleweight fight.

In round two, blood started dripping from about the left eye of Nelson. In round five, a worse cut opened up on the eyelid. Both cuts where caused by accidental headbutts.

In round six, Nelson hurt Ware with left hooks that wobbled Ware. Ware went back to the ropes with hard right hands and a big uppercut forced referee Jay Nady to stop the bout at 2:24.

Nelson, 167.6 lbs of Omaha, NE 17-0 with 14 knockouts. Ware, 168 lbs of Toledo, OH is 13-4-2.

“I feel like I’m ready for a title eliminator and then let’s go for the title. That was my whole plan, to set myself up where they can’t deny me a world title.”

Rodriguez Destroys Rivera in 1

Jesse Rodriguez remained undefeated by blowing out Janiel Rivera in scheduled six-round light flyweight bout.

Rodriguez dropped Rivera three times before the fight was stopped at 2:03.

Rodriguez, 109.2 lbs of San Antonio, TX is 12-0 with eight knockouts. Rivera, 109.3 lbs of Bayamon, PR is 18-7-3.

Rodriguez said, “I felt amazing. I told Robert in the locker room, ‘This is the best I’ve ever felt.’ I think I showed that today.

“To have a brother as a champion is really motivating to me. In camp, I was thinking that my brother became a champ, and I can do the same. There were times in camp I didn’t feel like working out or running, but I thought about my brother, and he motivated me. Just the thought of him being a world champ brought out the best of me in camp.”

Anderson stop Hernandez in 4

Jared Anderson remained perfect by stopping Rodney Anderson in round four of a scheduled six-round heavyweight bout.

Anderson bloodied the nose of Hernandez in round four. Later in the round, Anderson landed a jab, and dropped Hernandez with a left uppercut and the fight was stopped at 2:22.

Anderson, 247.2 lbs of Toledo, OH is 6-0 with six knockouts. Hernandez, 255.2 lbs of Modesto, CA is 13-10-2.

Anderson said, “We’re ready for everybody. We’re building up. Bob {Arum} is moving me perfectly. It was about getting those rounds in and showing I can really box. I’m not just a puncher. I know how to box, and I know how to stay on my back foot.
 
“I’m listening to the commentators more, getting a lot of learning experiences. It’s helping a lot {with me} taking my time and slowing down.”

Benjamin Whitaker won a six-round unanimous decision over D’Andre Smith in a welterweight bout.

Whitaker, 148.8 lbs of San Antonio, TX won by scores of 60-54 twice and 59-55, and is now 14-4. Smith, 147.4 lbs of Dacatar, GA is 8-1.

Ruben Cervera scored a sensational 2nd round stoppage over Rennard Oliver in a scheduled six-round junior lightweight bout.

Seconds into the fight, an accidental headbutt caused a small abrasion over Cervera’s left eyebrow. In round two, Cervera landed a perfect right to the jaw that sent Oliver down, and the fight was stopped at 1:42.

Cervera, 130.3 lbs of Santa Maria, COL is 13-2 with 11 knockouts. Oliver, 130.5 lbs of New Orleans, LA is 7-3-2.

Despite being knocked down, Edwin Vazquez remained undefeated by winning a six-round unanimous decision over Adan Ochoa in a featherweight bout.

In round two, Ochoa dropped Vazquez with a hard right hand.

Vazquez, 127.3 lbs of Fort Worth, TX on by scores of 58-55 twice and 57-56, and is now 8-0. Ochoa, 127.1 lbs of Los Angeles is 11-2.

Rashiem Jefferson won a four-round unanimous decision over Jose Martinez in a featherweight bout.

Jefferson, 125 lbs of Philadelphia won by scores of 40-36 twice and 39-37, and is now 2-0. Martinez, 125.1 lbs of East Los Angeles, CA is 2-2.

Mikaela Mayer remained undefeated by winning a 10-round unanimous decision over Helen Joseph in a junior lightweight bout at The MGM Frand in Las Vegas.

Mayer dominated the action as she outworked and outlanded Joseph. Mayer boxed very well from distance, and worked the body on the inside, and cruised to the victory of 100-90 twice and 99-91.

Mayer outlanded Joseph 195-86.

Mayer, 131.6 lbs of Los Angeles is 13-0. Joseph, 129 lbs of Lagos, NIG is 17-5-2.

Following the bout, Mayer received a word of encouragement, and a promise, from Bob Arum.

“Bob said, ‘Great fight,’ and that the next one will be for the title,” Mayer said. “We’ve been trying to get a world title fight for a while now. I said, ‘Don’t let Eddie Hearn {outbid} us.’”

The folk hero that is Clay Collard continued as he stopped Lorawnt-T Nelson in round two of a scheduled six-round middleweight bout.

In round one, Collard dropped Nelson with a hard right hand. In round two, it was another right hand that sent Nelson to the canvas. Collard scored another knockdown in the round from a combination. Collard finished off Nelson with a hard combination that forced the referee to stop the fight at 1:57

Collard, 161.7 lbs of Burley, ID won his 4th fight of 2020, with the previous three being over undefeated opponents is 8-2-2 with three knockouts. Nelson, 158.8 lbs Aneda, CO is 5-4.

“I showed my boxing skills in there tonight. I’m unorthodox, but I get the job done,” Collard said. “As soon as Top Rank wants me back, I’ll be ready. Next month on ESPN, let’s go!”

Ruben Cervera won a six-round unanimous decision over Clay Burns in a lightweight bout.

Cervera dropped Burns in the opening seconds of the fight with a left hook.

Cervera, 131.8 lbs of Santa Marta, COL won by scores of 59-54 twice and 58-56, and is now 12-2. Burns, 133.1 lbs of Alexandria, LA is now 9-9-2.

Both guys landed 70 punches, but the knockdown proved to be the difference.

Touted prospect Javier Martinez made a successful pro debut with a four-round unanimous decision over Ryan Burrs in a middleweight fight.

Martinez boxed well and featured a strong right hook, especially to the body. He made Burrs back up on several occasions with those hard right hooks as the tall southpaw won by scores of 40-36 on all cards.

Martinez out–landed Burrs 52-47.

Martinez, 162 lbs of Milwaukee was the 2020 United States Olympic Trials champion, and is now 1-0. Burrs, 161.2 lbs of Frederick, Maryland is 2-2.