World Cup Boxing Series Announces “4-Man Lightweight Tournament”

LOS ANGELES (December 22, 2021) -- World Cup Boxing Series (WCBS), co-founded by CEO Terry Hollan and matchmaker Guy Taylor, today formally announced its “4-Man Lightweight Tournament,” commencing with the February 24th semifinals in Mexico.

The venue, competing boxers, and streaming details will soon be announced.

“We’re so happy to see this tournament finally become a reality,” WCBS/matchmaker Guy Taylor said. “It was a lot harder than we had anticipated due to ongoing COVID-19 travel restrictions. It seemed like once one country’s ban was lifted, two others were banned. After talking with the CEO, we decided to do an All-Mexico Lightweight Tournament featuring the top available prospects.

“I have always been infatuated with tournament elements. When we started the World Cup Boxing Series, we wanted to give boxing fans an opportunity to enjoy the same excitement that other sports fans get to enjoy with tournaments and playoffs.”

The “World Cup Boxing Series 4-Man Tournament” will begin Feb. 24th with the semifinals, contested in 8-round matches, and conclude with the 10-round championship final on June 2nd.

Several locations are being strongly considered for the semifinals as San Carlos, Los Mochis and Obregon are all actively pursuing the opportunity to host the first Mexican-based boxing tournament in many years.

“We haven’t made up our mind yet on the exact location,” Taylor added, “but I do know which city we are looking at closely. Wherever we end up going, it will be the hottest ticket in town.”

Although names of the competing fighters haven’t officially been announced, several reports have mentioned one of the top contenders is Mexico’s No. 1 lightweight prospect, undefeated Luis “Koreano” Torres (14-0, 10 KOs), the World Boxing Council (WBC) Youth Lightweight Champion.

“Knowing Taylor’s aggressive matchmaking style,” WCBS CEO Hollan noted, “his bouts are nothing short of electric and entertaining, and he may even pick it up a notch or two for this tournament.”

Jake Paul knocks out cold Tyron Woodley with 1-punch in Round 6

Internet sensation turn boxer Jake Paul knocked out cold former UFC champion Tyron Woodley in Round 6 of their boxing rematch at the Amalie Arena, Tampa, FL on Saturday night.

Woodley brutally hit and went down face-first to the canvas. It was a hard overhand right that landed on Woodley's face. Paul really has some serious power with his right hand.  

POWER!!! Ringside view of Jake Paul’s KO of Tyron Woodleypic.twitter.com/T0np4oyRu4

— GG Gaming (@gggamingbet) December 19, 2021

Watch: Paul-Woodley II Open Workout

Jake Paul, Tyron Woodley and the rest of the card will face the media and fans for their open workout. Paul-Woodley II will be on Saturday, at 9PM ET/6PM PT On SHOWTIME PPV.

Donaire stops Gaballo with signature left hook in round 4

Donaire's campaign to become the undisputed bantamweight champion of the world continues as he stopped Gaballo with his signature left hook in Round 4 at the Dignity Health Sports Park, Carson, California on Saturday night. Stay tuned for the review and observation of this fight. 

THE RENAISSANCE CONTINUES! @filipinoflash retains his WBC bantamweight title with a powerful body shot 👏 #DonaireGaballo pic.twitter.com/B2FN9oC7tO

— SHOWTIME Boxing (@ShowtimeBoxing) December 12, 2021

Watch: Donaire vs Gaballo weigh-in

Nonito Donaire and Reymart Gaballo Official weights.

Both men weighed below the bantamweight limit, Donaire weighed 117.2 lbs. and Gaballo weighed 117 lbs. 

Both men look in excellent physical shape. Both were very cordial and respecting each other throughout out the build up of this fight. Both were looking to let their fists do the talking in the ring.

Donaire vs Gaballo Preview and Prediction

Veteran Nonito Donaire will take on undefeated challenger and kababayan Reymart Gaballo for Donaire's WBC bantamweight title at the Dignity Health Sports Park, Carson, California on Saturday night.

Looking back at Donaire's (41-6-0, 27 KOs) spectacular performance against Naoya Inoue in November 2019 and his strong come back against Nordine Oubaali in May this year, I think this fight will be good only till Gaballo last. 

Donaire, now 39 years old, definitely not at his best but the vast experience and with that still potent left hook intact, I think Donaire still has that edge over the younger, less-experienced Gaballo. Donaire's experience extends not only inside the ring but also how to handle pressure from big events. To be in a huge crowd could bring too much pressure to a fighter not getting used to it. 

Donaire was ask about how he will handle Gaballo's power --- he referred to his experience. 

"The thing about being experienced is we have no fear of it, (referring to Gaballo's power) I believed that we are only as strong as our mind and so I know that I am 100% because I have a purpose. And that purpose is to becoming the undisputed champion of the world," said Donaire. 

I'm not totally writing-off Gaballo, (24-0, 20 KO) here because any fighter having at the same age as Donaire, I think it is just a matter of one night in the ring to look old. If father time shows up on Saturday night on Donaire's corner, well we might see a passing of torch here.

However, If Donaire will show up on Saturday night with the same level of performance when he faced Inoue, I've got Donaire to win, KO Round 7. 

Pinheiro prepares to make waves in 2022

ORLANDO, Fla. (December 8, 2021) – Undefeated Polish cruiserweight prospect Adrian “Pretty Boy” Pinheiro (6-0, 6 KOs) recently closed out his first year as a prizefighter in Nashville, knocking out veteran Eric Abraham (6-11, 3 KOs) in the opening round via the 3-knockdown rule.

Pinheiro first dropped Abraham a minute into the fight with a right hook, followed that with a straight right, and finished the fight with a vicious right hook to the body with only one second remaining in round one.

“I could feel the punch in my knuckles on the first knockdown,” Pinheiro remembered. “I new I had hurt him, but I didn’t want to rush and get caught with a punch. I picked him apart and was surprised he got up after the second knockdown. He’s a tough guy. Everybody is a headhunter. I knew that he had been hurt in the head and was covering up, so I saw a body opening and took it.

“I went into the fight with a plan and flowed it. I was happy with my performance, but there’s always something we see that needs improvement for the next fight.”

Born in Poland, raised in Brazil, and now living and training in Orlando, the 24-year-old Pinheiro, was active this year, making his pro debut May 8th and fought five additional times in 2021, winning all by stoppage.

Standing 6’ 4” and cut, Pinheiro is a huge country music fan who looked forward to fighting in Nashville for the first time.

“We went to Broadway and all those bars with live music,” Pinheiro added. “We stopped by the Music Museum too. We were only there for a few days, and I was fighting. I do plan to go back and seem the real Nashville.”

Back home for the holidays and training at the Orlando Boxing Club, Pinheiro plans to make waves on higher platforms in 2022.

“I was very busy in 2021 and didn’t start until May,” Pinheiro concluded. “I hope to be as busy or busier in 2022. My goal is to fight on television and win a title or two. I’d really like to get a fight in Chicago to fight in front of a large Polish crown. I love my people!”

“I’m so happy for him because he works so hard,” Pinheiro’s manager/head trainer Tony Blanco commented. “I believe in building fighters accordingly and for his sixth pro fight, I got him an experienced opponent who I thought would give Adrian some good rounds. Adrian just crushed him. I’m so proud of him. He wants it so bad. He is young and hungry. He does well sparring bigger guys with good names. I’m excited to be working with him.

“In 2022, I’ll work to get him a TV fight. He’s very popular on Tic Tik and Instagram, even before he started boxing. We’re also looking forward to him fighting in a city with a large Polish community. Adrian Pinheiro is a star in the making!”

Davis vs Cruz Preview and Prediction

Normally in boxing the bigger man beats the smaller man. Here in this fight between Gervonta Davis (25-0-0, 24 KOs) and Isaac Cruz, it looks like not only Davis the bigger, he's also the taller and has longer reach. If being taller and longer (reach) is our definition of what we called the bigger fighter... then it favors Davis. 

Well, what about who's the heavier fighter? Or shall I say who's more comfortable at fighting at 135 pounds limit.

Interestingly, If you look at the records of these two fighters, I observed that Davis started early in his career at 126 pounds. Whereas Cruz started at 130 pound division and never fought below 130 pounds. In fact, the lightest he weighted in was at 132 pounds against Diego Magdaleno in October 2020. Magdaleno weighed 134 and 3/4 pounds and Cruz knocked Magdaleno out in the first round. 

It seemed to me that Cruz (22-1-1, 15 KOs) is comfortable fighting in the lightweight division.

Now, with the above observation, the question is who's the stronger or powerful puncher? If your bet is Davis punches harder than Cruz, then the question is will Cruz handles it? What about Cruz's power? Can Davis handles it? Hehehe, all questions remains to be seen on Sunday night at the Staples Center, Los Angeles. 

My prediction is that I think Davis is more skilled and defensively sound than Cruz. I noticed that Cruz's crouching stance although his hands are tucked tight on his chin but this posture is susceptible to Davis's signature left upper cuts. Tank KO 6 Cruz.

Crawford catches Porter with a counter left

In Round 10, Terence Crawford dropped Shawn Porter with a clean counter left hand as Porter try to duck after missing his shots at Crawford. 

HERE COMES BUD.@terencecrawford drops Shawn Porter in R10 🥶#CrawfordPorter ESPN+ PPV: https://t.co/EOg8FcXj8F pic.twitter.com/9lYpNJMlUD

— Top Rank Boxing (@trboxing) November 21, 2021

Terence Crawford vs Shawn Porter preview and prediction

Terence Crawford takes on Shawn Porter on Saturday night at the Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino, Las Vegas for their welterweight bout. The undefeated Crawford, TBRB rank number two, looks to solidify his claim at the top spot in the division. Above Crawford at the welterweight division is Errol Spence Jr, while Porter, TBRB rank number four, is looking to go back on top of the division. 

The welterweight crown is up for grabs as it is open when Manny Pacquiao retired.

Crawford, (37-0-0, 28 KO's) many still in doubt with is unblemished resume. If you look at his record, none of his past opponents were currently rank at TBRB's top 10. He had beaten notable opponents like Amir Khan, Kell Brook, Yuriorkis Gamboa but are no longer at the top 10. On Saturday, night he will be up against Porter who's currently number four at welterweight division. Porter is expected to give Crawford a close and competitive fight that Crawford's previous opponents failed to do. 

Porter, (31-3-1, 17 KO's) came up short against Errol Spence Jr.. He lost by a split decision. A very close fight that judge Larry Hazzard Jr had him on the scorecard (115-112). If it was Porter declared as the winner, it's a decision that I can't complain. Well if you look at the Crawford-Porter match-up, I can think of this way. Crawford is more of a technically sound boxer that Porter can outbox. But the question is: Does Porter do not have a chance? Of course he has.

There's always a way for Porter to win here. Porter fight likes he's going somewhere else after the fight. He's like in a hurry to finish the fight but doesn't really have that devastating power. His power is respectable, but not superb. But if he could land something that Crawford won't see coming, Porter might score a knock-out, which is a possibility that could turn out into a reality. Porter's overhand right find some home of his previous opponents. Crawford has been tagged too in a fight he all won. 

There's a tendency also that the fight will be stopped due to injuries that a referee might stop the fight. Maybe a clash of heads, cut due to a punch. But I can say most likely would be a clash of heads as Porter tends to come in head first coming forward with that looping right hook.

Crawford can switch between stance at any point of the fight. He was more of a defensive mindset when he goes southpaw, but more aggressive when he turns orthodox. This could lead to Porter to think and adjust his aggression in the fight. 

Porter said that Crawford is an emotional fighter. Once he disrupts Crawford's rhythm he would become emotional. Simply put, he will not let Crawford fight his fight and instead force his swarming style to Crawford, so that Crawford get frustrated. But this approach is easier said than done. Porter should have his tank full going into the fight ready for 12 rounds. Not only that, Porter needs to include defensively responsibilities on his attacks as he could not just go out swinging. He's get tagged by Crawford's counters. 

I got Crawford winning on the scorecards in an action packed fight. 

He’s someone (Crawford) who’s an emotional fighter -- Porter

On Saturday night in Las Vegas on PPV main event, Shawn Porter faces Terence Crawford. Will Porter gives problem to Crawford's crafty game? That still remains to be seen.

Well, Shawn Porter believes that Terence Crawford is an emotional fighter. 

 
"When I look and I see the way he likes to move, and I don’t allow him to move that way and disrupt things — he’s someone who’s an emotional fighter," Porter said.

Porter (31-3-1, 17 KO) is a type of fighter that rough things up, for as long as his tank is full of oxygen because he disrupts an opponents rhythm. I agree when he said "I live in disrupting your rhythm."

“I live in disrupting your rhythm, I live in figuring out what makes you uncomfortable. It’s hard to adjust to on fight night. He’s gonna get uncomfortable and it’s gonna start to fester mentally and emotionally, and it’s gonna show up in the fight,” Porter said.

Porter on being the heavy underdog.

"The best thing I'm gonna do is go in that ring and punch Terence Crawford in the mouth"

"The best thing I'm gonna do is go in that ring and punch Terence Crawford in the mouth"@ShowtimeShawnP has a message for those who think he has no shot against @terencecrawford this weekend 👀 pic.twitter.com/9fHgKu5sIR

— Sports Illustrated (@SInow) November 18, 2021

New York State Boxing Hall of Fame Announces Class of 2021

NEW YORK (November 16, 2021) – The New York State Boxing Hall of Fame (NYSBHOF) has announced its 29-member Class of 2121. The 10th NYSBHOF induction dinner, sponsored by Ring 8, will be Sunday afternoon (12:30-5:30 p.m. ET), May 1, at Russo’s On The Bay in Howard Beach, New York.

“Every year the selections get more difficult,” NYSBHOF president Bob Duffy said. “Everyone of these new inductees has been a major part of New York boxing. It’s talent like this that makes NYSBHOF so successful.”

Living boxers heading into the NYSBHOF include WBO Heavyweight World Champions and Michael Bentt (11-2, 6 KOs), also a 4-time New York Golden Gloves gold medalist, and Shannon “The Cannon” Briggs (60-6-1, 53 KOs), 3-time World light middleweight titlist Verno Phillips (42-11-1, 2 KOs), WBC Light Heavyweight World Champion Donny “Golden Boy” Lalonde (42-11-1, 21 KOs), WBC World Light Heavyweight Champion Johnny “The Heat” Verderosa (41-5-1, 33 KOs), 2-time World title challenger and No. 1 ranked welterweight contender Larry “No Fear” Barnes (44-3-1, 17 KOs), and welterweight Johnny Turner (42-6-2, 32 KOs)

Posthumous participants being inducted World Lightweight Champion Al Singer (62-9-2, 26 KOs), World’s Colored Light Heavyweight Champion Kid Norfolk (88-25-7, 49 KOs), lightweight Patsy “Cannonball” Giovanelli (44-7-1, 14 KOs), World Bantamweight Champion Cannonball Eddie Martin (81-12-4, 29 KOs), World Light Heavyweight title challenger Battling Seki (60-24-4, 31 KOs), Novice New York Golden Gloves and Intercity Golden Gloves champion Solly Krieger (82-25-6 , 54 KOs), No. 1 world ranked middleweight contender Herbie Kronowitz (55-23-5, 10 KOs), World featherweight champion Tommy Paul (80-28-10, 26 KOs), and World Bantamweight Champion and US Olympian Lou Salica (67-17-12, 13 KOs).

Living non-participants heading into the NYSBHOF are judge Ron McNair, promoter/manager/matchmaker Don Elbaum, journalists Ed Schuyler and Bill Verigan, author/journalist Tom Hauser, author/journalist/promoter/inspector Mike Silver, and Jill Diamond, Secretary of the World Boxing Council and International Chair or WBC Cares.

Posthumous non-participant inductees are trainer and Stillman’s gym owner Lou Stillman, promoter/manager Bill Cayton, NYC Mayor James Walker who legalized boxing in NY, publicists John Condon and Irving Rudd, journalist Richard K. Fox, and trainer Victor Valle.

Each attending inductee (or direct descendant of) will receive a custom-designed belt signifying his or her induction into the NYSBHOF.

The 2021 inductees were selected by the NYSBHOF nominating committee members: Randy Gordon, Henry Hascup, Don Majeski, Jim Monteverde and Neil Terens.

All boxers needed to be inactive for at least three years to be eligible for NYSBHOF induction, and all inductees must have resided in New York State for a significant portion of their boxing careers or during the prime of their respective career.

Views and Opinion: Canelo vs Plant

Saul "Canelo" Alvarez knocked out Caleb Plant in the 11th round to unify the 168-pound division. He became the first undisputed four-belt super middleweight world champion in boxing history on Saturday night.

Plant's downfall started when Canelo landed a left hook to the head followed by a right and then a left uppercut that forced him to touch his gloves on the canvas. Plant stood right away running towards the corner wobbly. Canelo, a brutal punisher who carried his power even in the championship rounds finished Plant with a leaping left hook and chase him with finishing blows to the head.

In the first half of the fight, I observed that Plant has no match with Canelo's power. Although Plant had a boxing style that posed problems for Canelo earlier in his career, he seemed to be not so polished with his execution. I noticed also that he seemed to wait too much before mounting his offense. In most sequences, he waited for Canelo to be in position before he initiates his combinations. There were rounds that Plant threw combinations and then move away. That was very effective, but he was not able to execute the same with consistency. This must be because of the tremendous pressure Canelo imposed. 

With the above observations, I thought it was just a matter of time for Canelo's hook or an uppercut to find its homerun. Canelo seemed not bothered with Plant's power. He confidently walked down Plant and fired shots after shots on what is available to hit with Plant on the "Philly Shell" defensive stance. Canelo also made good investments to the body that later on paid as Plant head started to fall expecting a body shot and the hooks to the head started to connect at will. 

What would be next for Canelo? Will he move up to 175 again? 

Tyson Fury tests positive for Covid-19

Tyson Fury was among those people who tested positive for Covid-19 in his camp. So, it's more likely that Fury's third fight with Wilder will be postponed. There were at least three others in the camp also positive. 

Fury-Wilder III was scheduled on July 24 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. 

The first fight was a draw. Fury was knockdown in the 6th and 12th round. In the rematch Fury dominated Wilder and stopped Wilder in the seventh round.