BOXING strikes quick and it’s laborious to maintain up with all of the comings and goings. Right here’s a wrap-up of among the struggle bulletins, signings and different bits and items that may’ve handed you by.
Leonard Ellerbe steps down; Richard Schaefer is available in
The Floyd Mayweather group makeover continues, because it was introduced that Leonard Ellerbe, the long-time CEO of Mayweather Promotions, could be leaving the Las Vegas outfit.
Formally stepping down from his function, coincidently because the Floyd vs. Gervonta difficulties escalated, Ellerbe will likely be changed by a well-recognized face in Richard Schaefer.
A key a part of the defunct promotional entity Probellum, Schaefer was finest identified for his work alongside Oscar De La Hoya at Golden Boy and has remained linked to boxing ever since.
In a social media assertion, Mayweather Promotions thanked Leonard Ellerbe for his efforts: “Mayweather Promotions wish to prolong our deepest gratitude to Leonard Ellerbe for his distinctive management and unwavering dedication through the years.
“Leonard has been an integral a part of our group, contributing to quite a few enterprise endeavors which have performed a pivotal function within the success of Mayweather Promotions.”
Arduous-working Rubalcava a constructive signing for Matchroom
Leonardo Rubalcava (7-0, 3 KOs) has signed a multi-fight cope with Matchroom. Skilled by Robert Garcia, Rubalcava will struggle on the June 29 Estrada vs. Rodriguez undercard.
“I’m motivated to showcase my abilities on this big night time and proudly signify Teocaltiche, Jalisco, Mexico worldwide,” stated Rubalcava.
“Leo is among the hardest staff in my fitness center, and he additionally works for his father, who owns a development firm,” lauded Robert Garcia.
“He reveals as much as the fitness center on his lunch break and spars among the finest fighters in boxing like Vergil Ortiz, Brandun Lee and Raymond Muratalla. As soon as sparring is completed, he goes straight again to work.”
WBO champ Espinoza inks Prime Rank settlement
As he closes in on a maiden title defence towards Sergio Chirino Sanchez on June 21, Rafael Espinoza has signed a co-promotional cope with Prime Rank alongside Zanfer Promotions.
Espinoza brought about a shock on the shut of 2023 when he defeated Robeisy Ramirez to win the WBO featherweight title by an exciting 12-round majority determination.
“I promise to proceed giving my all to win the hearts of all of the followers. I’m additionally enthusiastic about my primary occasion struggle in Las Vegas. I’ll present that this title will stick with me for a very long time,” asserted Espinoza (24-0, 20 KOs).
Promoter Bob Arum added: “Rafael Espinoza is a fighter who provides the followers pleasure each time he steps by the ropes. He has all of the instruments to change into one of many nice Mexican champions of his period.”
Vicious Venado makes one other title defence on the highway
Persevering with on a Prime Rank theme, Luis Alberto Lopez, aka ‘Venado’, retains his commendable run of exercise going by placing his IBF featherweight title on the road in enemy territory as soon as once more.
Former WBO super-bantamweight champion Angelo Leo (who misplaced that title to Stephen Fulton in 2021) is the challenger on August 10. The struggle will happen in Leo’s hometown of Albuquerque, New Mexico (Angelo has since relocated to Las Vegas).
“On August 10, I’ll make it abundantly clear who the king of the featherweight division is. This would be the fourth protection of my world title, and I’m making ready for an amazing battle towards a former world champion like Angelo Leo,” stated highway warrior Lopez whose globe-trotting exploits took him to Belfast in 2023 to blast away Michael Conlan.
Luis Alberto Lopez drops Michael Conlan in spherical 5
Challenger Angelo Leo responded: “I do know Lopez is among the prime champions in my division, and a win over him could be big for me and my metropolis. I’m within the prime of my profession and might’t wait to indicate the world the fighter I’ve change into since successful my first world title in 2020.”
Tremendous-lightweight prospect Lindolfo Delgado tackles Bryan Flores over 10 rounds within the co-feature. Richard Torrez, Alan Garcia, Prime Rank debutant Vito Mielnicki Jr and Arnold Khegai additionally characteristic.
“It’s an actual throwback card in a spot the place so many traditional fights have occurred,” buzzed Bob Arum about returning to New Mexico.
Anthony Yigit retires from the game
Former European champion Anthony Yigit has retired on the age of 32. The Swedish portsider wraps issues up with a commendable 29-4-1 file. The ten KOs present that he was extra of a mover than a banger.
Scoring a 2017 win over Sandor Martin, which appears to be like higher with every passing yr, Yigit all the time gave account himself however misplaced when he stepped up in school.
Rolando Romero, Denys Berinchyk, Ivan Baranchyk and Keyshawn Davis all contributed to his loss column. Speaking the information by way of social media, Yigit defined how he got here to the realisation that boxing is one thing he doesn’t wish to do anymore.
Ex-champion Pinder passes away
Former WBA and WBC bantamweight world champion Enrique Pinder handed away final week at age 76. Pinder boxed from 1966 to 1973 and was a Panamanian nationwide icon.
‘Maravilla’ retired from the game with a 35-7-2 (13 KOs) file, preventing Rafael Herrera, Chucho Castillo, and Romeo Anaya throughout his seven-year profession. Pinder’s son, Ricardo, introduced his demise to the nationwide media.
Arslanbek returns to struggle Vianello in conflict of the contenders
In a battle of heavyweights on the verge of falling into irrelevance, Arslanbek Makhmudov faces off towards Guido Vianello over 10 rounds in Quebec Metropolis.
The bout takes place on the August 17 undercard of Mbilli-Derevyanchenko. Each males might actually do with an announcement win on this co-feature conflict.
Makhmudov returned to his customary knockout methods on a latest Eye of the Tiger present, ending off Miljan Rovcanin with an enormous proper hand in spherical two.
Arslanbek’s loss to Agit Kabayel was regarding because the neck-twitching beast crumbled beneath Kabayel’s sustained physique assault. It was later reported that he had suffered a hand harm, which clearly didn’t assist his trigger.
Riydah, Saudi Arabia: Arslanbek Makhmudov v Agit Kabayel, Heavyweight Contest. 23 December 2023. Image By Mark Robinson Matchroom Boxing.
“Vianello is a tricky fighter but additionally an excellent fighter, as we noticed in his final struggle,” stated Makhmudov. “This is a vital step for me. I wish to present that I’m a prime contender and to get nearer to my objective, I need to show that I’m higher than this man.”
This pair fought earlier than within the World Sequence of Boxing. Makhmudov received on that event nearly 10 years in the past. Vianello’s professional profession has not precisely gone to plan since, though a break up determination loss to Efe Ajagba final day out was carefully contested because the scorecards counsel.
“I’m able to compete towards the highest heavyweights on this planet. That is solely the start of my journey,” acknowledged Vianello.
“The struggle with Arslanbek is strictly what I wished at this level in my profession, and I look ahead to an amazing struggle on August 17 in Quebec Metropolis.”
A powerful undercard additionally options Osleys Iglesias, Wilkens Mathieu, Leïla Beaudoin, Thomas Chabot, Abdullah Mason and Jahi Tucker.