Unified junior featherweight world titlist Danny Roman (27-2-1 10 KOs) defends his belts vs. mandatory challenger Murodjon Akhmadaliev (7-0, 6 KOs) on Jan. 30 (DAZN) in Miami but what he really wants is to further unify 122-pound titles. “Hopefully everything works out great and we beat Akhmadaliev,” Roman said. “I have been calling out Rey Vargas and he’s challenged me too. If it doesn’t happen with him, we can fight Emanuel Navarrete. Hopefully, Rey and I both win and we can get it on.”

Dan Rafael, ESPN Senior Writer14h ago

A four-fight “ShoBox: The New Generation” card is on tap at Philadelphia’s 2300 Arena Feb. 14, Showtime announced Wednesday. Lightweights Thomas Mattice and Isaac Cruz Gonzalez meet in the 10-round main event. There are also three eight-rounders: undefeated junior featherweight Raeese Aleem vs. Adam Lopez in the co-feature, a match of undefeated junior welterweights in Montana Love vs. Jerrico Walton and undefeated junior middleweights Derrick Colemon and Joseph Jackson meeting in the opener.

Dan Rafael, ESPN Senior Writer13h ago

Former junior middleweight world titlist Liam Smith, of England, has been dropped from the WBC’s 154-pound rankings because he did not register for the sanctioning organization’s Clean Boxing Program, which is overseen by the Voluntary Anti-Doping Association, by the deadline, the WBC said on Wednesday.

Dan Rafael, ESPN Senior Writer14h ago

The WBC on Tuesday postponed for one week the purse bid for the mandatory fight between bantamweight world titlist Nordine Oubaali and mandatory challenger (and former four-division titlist) Nonito Donaire until Jan 28, Donaire promoter Richard Schaefer of Ringstar Sports told ESPN. He said he and Bob Yalen, president of Oubaali management company MTK Global, asked the WBC for the delay and it was granted as they continue to discuss a deal. If there's a bid, it's a 60-40 split in Oubaali' favor.

Dan Rafael, ESPN Senior Writer2d ago

Woodland Hills, California-based Irish super middleweight Jason Quigley (17-1, 13 KOs) has a new opponent for his 10-round main event on Golden Boy’s “Thursday Night Fights” card this week at the Hangar at the OC Fair & Event Center in Costa Mesa, Calif. (DAZN, RingTV.com). Quigley will face Mexico’s Fernando Marin (16-4-3, 12 KOs), who is a late replacement for Oscar Cortes, who dropped out.

Dan Rafael, ESPN Senior Writer2d ago

Flyweight Trinidad Vargas, a 16-year-old from Dallas, who was 198-12 as an amateur and won various national titles (including two junior Olympic gold medals), is going pro and has signed with manager Peter Kahn. Vargas, a high school junior, who turns 17 in June, was too young to quality for the 2020 U.S. Olympic Team. He will trained by Javiel Centeno at the Sweatbox Boxing and Fitness Center in Davie, Florida. He joins Kahn's stable that also includes welterweight prospect Xander Zayas, 17, as well as Amir Imam, Emmanuel Tagoe and George Kambosos Jr.

Dan Rafael, ESPN Senior Writer2d ago

Multiple sources confirm to ESPN that Ice Cube will play the role of boxing champ Claressa Shields' former trainer Jason Crutchfield in her upcoming biopic Flint Strong. "That's special to me, I'll tell you that. That's an honor," Crutchfield said. "I feel like I've done something right."

Eric Woodyard, ESPN7d ago

The IBF has ordered a purse bid to determine promotional rights for the mandatory bout it recently ordered between unified junior welterweight titlist Josh Taylor and Apinun Khongsong, sending a letter via email its registered promoters Monday informing them that Khongsong and promoter Sampson Lewkowicz were no longer willing to negotiate with Top Rank, Taylor's new promoter. According to the letter, a copy of which was obtained by ESPN, the purse bid is scheduled for Jan. 24 at 12 p.m. ET at the IBF offices in Springfield, N.J. The sides can make a deal up to 15 minutes before the auction. Taylor is entitled to 65% of the winning bid and Khongsong 35%. Given the turn of events it's likely Khongsong will be Taylor's spring foe in his first bout since signing with Top Rank last week.

Dan Rafael, ESPN Senior Writer9d ago