Photo: Top Rank – Vasyl Lomachenko (18-3, 12 KOs) became world champion for the 6th time last Saturday by stopping George Kambosos Jr (21-3, 10 KOs) in the 11th round.
Already extensively covering Quebec boxing, Punching Grace is launching on the world stage with a new weekly series: ‘PG’s International’. Every Monday, find; results, announcements and schedule of upcoming fights, all in one text!
**Before the launch of the International PG, last Monday’s victory of Naoya Inoue has already been discussed in this text**
Lomachenko is king again
Some wondered if Vasyl Lomachenko still had what it took, mentally and physically, to return to the top… and they got their answer Saturday night (EST).
‘Hi-Tech’ traveled to enemy territory, at the RAC Arena in Perth, Australia, and completely outclassed ex-lightweight monarch George Kambosos Jr en route to a near-simultaneous corner and round stoppage. referee at the end of the 11th round. At 36, the Ukrainian becomes world champion for the 6th time, winning the IBF and IBO 135-pound titles.
The following? Although uncertain, the future seems to guarantee an excellent fight for the legend, in the heart of the weight division all fired up. At the heart of it, Shakur Stevenson (21-0, 10 KOs) has the WBC belt, Gervonta Davis (29-0, 27 KOs) the WBC and the WBO title is vacant for yet a few days (see the PG Agenda at the end of the text). In addition, the explosive William Zepeda (30-0, 26 KOs) is also a mandatory contender for ‘Loma’
Khataev exceeds expectations
On the undercard of #LomaKambosos, EOTTM protégé Imam Khataev (7-0, 7 KOs) was more than impressive in stopping Ricards Bolotniks (20-8-1, 8 KOs. ) in the 6th round of a fight scheduled for 10.
The Latvian’s record, ranked 20th by the WBC, may seem misleading, but since his move down to 175 lbs, the former light heavyweight had a record of 9-2 and his only two losses were against Joshua Buatsi and Oleksandr Gvozdyk. Despite everything, Khataev was quicker than the latter to stop Bolotniks, thus sending a powerful message to the light heavyweight division.
“I think he’s the real deal,” BoxingNewsQC even suggested.
Charlo arrested, Adames crowned
Last Tuesday evening, Dominican Carlos Adames (23-1, 18 KOs) officially became WBC middleweight world champion. But no need to look on BoxRec, you won’t find anything that day.
Jermall Charlo got arrested in the truest sense of the word.
And yes, Adames had been interim champion since October 2022. Charlo (33-0, 22 KOs) had not defended his title since June 2021, citing problems in his personal life. For reasons as mysterious as they are strange, the WBC however allowed him to remain champion without defending his title for 1053, yes yes, 1053 days.
On Monday, however, Charlo exhausted Mauricio Sulaiman’s copious reserves of patience by causing a road accident with his Lamborghini, while intoxicated… and fleeing the police. The photo of his arrest went around the web and his boxing future is more uncertain than ever. To be continued, but conversely, Adames will make his first title defense on July 15 against Terrell Gausha (24-3-1, 12 KOs).
Ah, and if the Dominican wins, the unified champion ‘Janibek’ Alimkhanuly (15-0, 10 KOs) seems VERY interested in facing him.
News from Madueno
In the absence of any news regarding the possible Claggett-Lopez fight, Top Rank announced this week that the talented Keyshawn Davis (10-0, 7 KOs) – who had called out Lopez in his last fight – was going to fight on the undercard of Shakur Stevenson on July 6 in New Jersey.
His opponent: none other than Miguel Madueno (31-2, 28 KOs) who surprised Justin Pauldo (17-2, 8 KOs) last February on ProboxTV. We remember that Steve Claggett dominated Madueno at the Montreal Casino last November.
Clearly, this victory for the ‘Dragon’ is aging like good wine.
The PG Agenda: 5 fights to watch
To watch this week, internationally, everything goes through Riyadh, or almost:
Navarette vs. Barinchyk
Let’s start with the exception. Saturday evening, in San Diego, Emanuel Navarrette (38-1-1, 31 KOs) and Denys Berinckyk (18-0, 9 KOs) will compete for the vacant WBO lightweight title. There was talk of Loma, but don’t be surprised if he faces the winner, between that, Stevenson and Davis, it seems like the easiest unification to organize.
Usyk vs. Fury
No need to sell you this fight at length: Oleksandr Usyk (21-0, 14 KOs) will finally face Tyson Fury (34-0-1, 24 KOs) next Saturday May 18 in Riyadh. All 4 major titles will be on the line – in addition to the IBO – in what should crown the first undisputed heavyweight champion of the modern era. A historic fight, quite simply.
Opetaia vs. Briedis
On the undercard of #FuryUsyk, the Ring Magazine champion, seen by many as #1 at light heavyweight, Jai Opetaia (24-0, 19 KOs) will fight for the vacant IBF 200 title lb against Latvian Mairis Briedis. This is a rematch, Opetaia defeated Briedis, in July 2022, in a unanimous, but competitive decision. And then, the Quebecers will have to keep an eye on the Australian, while the Saudis have already indicated their desire for the opposite to the winner of the #BeterbievBivol shock.
Kabayel vs. Sanchez
Enigmatic duel among heavyweights; Agit Kabayel (24-0, 16 KOs) is coming back from a huge victory against Arslanbek Makhmudov, but still finds himself the underdog again against the ‘Cuban Flash’ Frank Sanchez (24-0, 17 KOs). .-O.). The latter was also victorious last December, but had shown some signs of vulnerability against Junior Fa. In any case, the winner of #KabayelSanchez could find himself one fight away from a world championship fight…
The return of the ‘Krusher’
Finally – and still in Riyadh – Sergey Kovalev (35-4-1, 29 KOs) will make his return after two years and a brief absence. For a second fight in a row, it will be at light heavyweight. In May 2022, Kovalev imposed a first defeat in 17 fights on Tervel Pulev and will try to do exactly the same thing to the Swede Robin Sirwan Safar (16-0, 12 KOs). Note: Kovalev is now 41 years old, 10 years older than Safar. Will we be entitled to a boxing lesson from the old fox with the legendary jab… or to the last lap of the ‘Krusher’?
Your predictions?
