Billy C Boxing

STAR BOXING CELEBRATES 50th EVENT ANNIVERSARY OF ROCKIN’ FIGHTS THU, FEB 13th, The Paramount NY FORMER WORLD CHAMP JOE SMITH JR TO HEADLINE!

Huntington, New York (January 16, 2025) Joe DeGuardia’s Star Boxing will celebrate the 50th Event Anniversary of its acclaimed Rockin’ Fights series on Thursday, February 13 at The Paramount in Huntington, New York.

Over a 14-year period, Star Boxing has promoted the series to develop numerous world champions and top contenders while providing the best and longest running sold-out boxing series in the tri-state area. Aside from the 50 shows in this Rockin’ Fights series, Star Boxing has been the longest-running promoter in New York, having been consistently providing professional boxing in New York for over 30 years. Having promoted over 500 shows and thousands of boxers, its CEO, Joe DeGuardia is considered the OG of New York boxing.

“It’s been a very rewarding fourteen years of promoting world class fights here at the best fight club in New York” said Joe DeGuardia, President and CEO of Star Boxing. “I’m very proud that world champions such as Joe Smith Jr., Chris Algieri and Demetrius Andrade and numerous world ranked contenders have been developed and fought many times on this series.”

“Many of the loyal fans in the area come to every show and that has validated our mission to provide a great night of fights and entertainment. Our 50th Event Anniversary is a big benchmark for us and we look forward to continuing the series at The Paramount in the years ahead.”

Headlining Rockin’ Fights 50, former WBO Light Heavyweight World Champion Joe Smith Jr. (28-5, 22 KOs), of Long Island, NY will make his highly anticipated return to The Paramount in a ten-round cruiserweight fight against an opponent to be announced. Fighting four previous times at the venue, Smith Jr. scored show-stopping knockouts with each appearance in front of his huge, loyal fan base. With his moniker of ‘The Common Man’ resonating with boxing fans all over the country and becoming one of the sport’s most popular fighters the last eight years, Smith Jr. earned his world title with a dominating decision over Maxim Vlasov on April 10, 2021.

Smith Jr.’s career has been remarkable, and includes a knockout victory over boxing legend Bernard Hopkins, in an HBO classic, knocking Hopkins out of the ring in becoming the only man to stop the legend in his entire career. In addition, Smith has also defeated top contenders Jesse Hart, Andrzej Fonfara and Eleider Alvarez in world title eliminators and has fought multiple world champions including Dmitry Bivol, Zurdo Ramirez and Artur Beterbiev, which was a unification match.

Undefeated junior middleweight prospect Micky Scala, (11-0, 6 KOs), of Mesa, AZ returns to The Paramount in a scheduled eight round against Victor Toney, (8-3-1, 6 KOs), of Youngstown, OH. Scala impressed in his debut at The Paramount on November 23, 2024 with a shut-out six round decision over battle-tested veteran Luis Caraballo Ramos. A cousin of boxing legend James Toney, Victor looks to start another winning streak after a hotly contested clash with undefeated prospect Jordan Panthen on June 20, 2024.

Also featured at Rockin’ Fights 50 in an eight-round super lightweight clash of exciting Dominican fighters, Yan Carlos Perez, (4-0, 2 KOs), of Guaricano, D.R. faces Yeuri ‘Dinamita’ Andujar (7-6-1, 4 KOs), of San Cristobal, D.R. Fighting at The Paramount on Rockin’ Fights 48, Perez defeated Ronny Reyes over six rounds in a unanimous decision victory. Most recently he was victorious on December 19, 2024 winning an eight-round decision over Jose Santoya in Santo Domingo, D.R. Currently riding a two-fight winning streak, Andujar knocked out Christian Otero in the fourth round on December 16, 2023 in New York City, following up with a six-round decision over Ronny Reyes at The Paramount on May 11, 2024.

Fighting in a four round welterweight bout, ‘King’ David Malul, (2-0, 2 KOs), of Queens, NY battles Shaquille Rushing, (0-1), of Lakeside, FL. The hard-hitting Malul has quickly impressed fans at The Paramount with his knockout power. Making his pro debut on September 14, 2024, he stopped Lucien Hannah in the opening stanza after being dropped himself twice in a candidate for round of the year. Following up on November 23, 2024, Malul halted Zachary Davis in the third stanza.

German light heavyweight Granit Stein, (18-1-1, 10 KOs), will make his debut at The Paramount in a scheduled eight-rounder against an opponent to be announced. Previously undefeated, Stein looks to bounce back from a hotly contested split decision loss to Anthony Holloway on December 6, 2024 in Queens, NY, his first fight in the United States.

In a highly anticipated battle of undefeated junior lightweights, ‘G.I.’ Joe Elzey, (3-0, 1 KOs), of

Bronx, NY faces 18-year-old Jordy Suarez Gonzalez, (1-0, 1 KO), of Nashville, TN. Elzey returns to action following a four round unanimous decision over previously undefeated Erick Perez at The Paramount.

Photo By: GBM Sports

SHAKAN PITTERS TAKES AIM AT LIGHT-HEAVYWEIGHT’S TOP TIER, BEGINS WORLD TITLE CAMPAIGN WITH EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIP CHALLENGE ON FEBRUARY 7th

Sheffield, England – January 15th, 2025 – The road to world title contention begins Friday, February 7th for light-heavyweight skyscraper Shakan Pitters as he heads into the Sheffield hills for a crucial main event title fight with special forces soldier and European light-heavyweight champion Daniel Dos Santos.

Topping the GBM: A NEW DAWN card, which takes place at the Canon Medical Arena and airs live and exclusively worldwide on DAZN, the European title fight sees defending champion Dos Santos (22-1, 10 KO’s) travel from his native France to face the former British light-heavyweight champion.

“The EBU light-heavyweight championship is a big title, so I’m excited for this fight. It’s a big deal being able to say you’re the champion of Europe – the next stage is world level. At the same time, I don’t let that distract me. All my focus is on winning this fight and beating Daniel Dos Santos, I’m not looking past anyone,” says Pitters.

“Dos Santos is good. You have to be good to win a European championship and you have to be putting in the work, so that speaks for itself. His only ever loss is to [Olympic medalist and world title contender] Joshua Buatsi. He’s got a good level, but I know what I am capable of and you’ll see that on the night.”

The EBU Light-Heavyweight Championship has a storied history as a crucial milestone for British world champions such as 1970’s WBC world champion John Conteh MBE and two-time world champion Nathan Cleverly, but Birmingham’s Pitters (19-2, 6 KO’s) is keeping his sights firmly on what’s in front of him.

“For me next it’s about getting this European title first and foremost. After that we will look at the next step. Izzy [Asif, GBM promoter] and my team are already working on that and obviously we have high ambitions. I know Izzy has been working on things and in 2025 we are planning to be out there in a big way.”

“For me the targets are whoever has got the titles, that’s it. I am not about naming names – if you’ve got a belt that I want, that automatically makes you a target. Right now all my focus is on Daniel Dos Santos on February 7th and taking that European light-heavyweight championship off him.”

One name that Pitters has recently mentioned is fellow Midlands boxer Ben Whittaker, with Pitters telling Sky Sports, “We’ve sparred many times and as a Midlands fighter, I want him to be doing very well. I’m happy he’s getting all the limelight he deserves because he’s a good fighter, he’s put in the work.

“I’m heading for a European title so that’s where all my energy and focus is [but] if it makes business sense and that’s a fight that fans want to see or it has to happen, then all day long, no one’s going to shy away from it. It would be good to have a belt on the line as well.”

The card also features a triple-title showdown as Tysie Gallagher lays her British, Commonwealth and European super-bantamweight titles on the line against Ebonie Jones, reigniting a rivalry which began in the amateur boxing ranks during their teenage years.

WBC orders World Cruiserweight Champion Badou Jack to make mandatory defense against Canadian Ryan “The Bruiser” Rozicki

HAMILTON, Ontario, Canada (January 13, 2025) – The World Boxing Council (WBC) has ordered World Cruiserweight Champion Badou “The Ripper” Jack (20-1-1, 19 KOs) to make his mandatory title defense against WBC No. 1 rated Ryan “The Bruiser” Rozicki (20-1-1, 19 KOs).

If the two camps do not successfully negotiate a deal, the WBC will hold a purse bid on February 4th, after which Jack vs. Rozicki must happen within 60 days. Rozicki’s promoter, Three Lions Promotions, immediately sent Team Jack an offer last week to promote the fight in Canada.

“We’re waiting to hear their counteroffer,” explained promoter Dan Otter of Three Lions Promotions. “Boxing has had a huge resurgence in Canada and Ryan is leading the way. He is one of the most exciting and hardest hitters in boxing, definitely in the cruiserweight division. He wants the green WBC belt and, ultimately, to unify the division. Ryan will fight Jack anywhere for the belt.”

The 29-year-old Rozicki, who was born in Sydney (Nova Scotia) and lives in Hamilton (Ontario), has had 22 pro fights against 21 different opponents (Yamil Alberto Peralta twice), stopping 19 of the 20 foes he defeated for an eye-opening 95-KO percentage.

Jack, 41, was a 2008 Olympian representing his native Sweden. He is a three-division world champion having also been a WBC Super Middleweight and World Boxing Association (WBA) Light Heavyweight title holder. Jack is 5-0-2 (2 KOs) in world championship bouts.

“We respect Jack, and I don’t want to sound disrespectful,” Otter added, “but he’s over 40 and has been relatively inactive for two years (only one fight). He brings a lot of experience and respect into the ring, but he’s going to be fighting a young buck with power. Jack is going to be in a world of trouble and, honestly, I don’t think he’ll get past the first few rounds.”

Ryan Rozicki is on a mission to become the first Canada native to be world cruiserweight champion.

The next move belongs to Badou Jack.

“Zurdo” Ramirez, “Scrappy” Ramirez, and Darius Fulghum leading LA-based 3Point Management into a huge 2025

LOS ANGELES (January 13, 2024) – One of the fastest developing managerial companies in boxing, 3 Point Management (3 PM), is heading into a potentially explosive and title-collecting 2025, led by Unified World Cruiserweight Champion “Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez (47-1, 30 KOs), super flyweight world title contender John “Scrappy” Ramirez (14-1, 10 KOs and rising super middleweight prospect Darius “DFG” Fulghum (13-0, 11 KOs).

“Last year, everybody did what they were supposed to do to be in position for big fights in 2025,” said Julian Chua, one of the best young trainers in the industry, “especially ‘Zurdo’,’Scrappy’, and Darius. 3 PM has stacked and built what I believe will be a career-defining year for our stable of fighters.”

The lead trainer at state-of-the art Brickhouse Boxing Club in North Hollywood, California, Chua is head trainer for “Zurdo,” “Scrappy” and another 3 PM fighter, light heavyweight Kareen “Supreme” Hackett (12-1, 6 KOs).

“Zurdo,” 33, is the first Mexican-born boxer to be crowned World Super Middleweight Champion and World Cruiserweight titlist, as well as the first Mexican fighter to unify World Cruiserweight titles. Ramirez is on a journey to become the undisputed, unified King of the Cruiserweights and that translates into a mega-fight against IBF world champion Jay Opetaia (26-0, 20 KOs), of Australia. But there may also be opportunity for a Fight of the Century-type match for Ramirez against world heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk (23-0, 14 KOs), the former undisputed world cruiserweight champion who has indicated that he may drop back down to cruiserweight in an attempt to duplicate his feat. And there’s always a possibility of “Zurdo” moving up to the bridgerweight division before ultimately closing his career as a heavyweight.

“’Zurdo’ doesn’t kill himself to make weight anymore and that’s a big factor in his success at cruiserweight,” Chia noted. “The most concern for him moving up was durability but he’s proven that with his agility, angles, and defensive responsibilities. He’s not sitting in the pocket anymore because he throws 5 or 6 punches and then moves and resets. He changes his angles in the pocket and that’s a big ask for bigger guys. The cruiserweight division is perfect for him. He’s a stylish southpaw who will continue to chase all the belts; he has Badou Jack (IBF) and Jay Opetia (WBC). We still have a mandatory defense against (Yuniel) Dorticos (27-2, 25 KOs), but against Opetia will be an epic fight and I like ‘Zurdo” to win that fight when the time comes.”

WBA No. 2-rated “Scrappy” (also WBC #15) is coming of an impressive 10-round unanimous decision over previously undefeated Ephraim Bui (10-1, 8 KOs), avenging his first and only loss as a pro last April to veteran Fernando David Jimenez (16-1, 5-1, 11 KOs) last April 20th for the WBA Interim Super Flyweight World title.

“He handled that fight (vs. Bui) very well against a fighter with a lot of experience for a fighter who started boxing only eight years ago,” Chua added. “He showed his growth. He still has that swagger, but with some humility. Fighters who are undefeated don’t think anybody can beat them. ‘Scrappy’ was kind of a rogue in that fight (vs. Jimenez).

“’Scrappy’ has matured. I can’t wait until he shows everybody, maybe in one or two fights and by the end of 2025, he’s a world champion. He has a vibrant name in his division and his personality is refreshing. He’s very popular and a fighter on his way.”

The 28-year-old Fulgham, a former USA amateur heavyweight champion, has successfully transitioned into a super middleweight, where he is ranked No. 5 by the WBA. A licensed nurse fighting out of Houston, Fulghum is climbing the ladder at a relatively rapid pace.

“I don’t train Darius,” Chua commented, “but I’ve watched all his fights since he was Zurdo’s sparring partner for his fight (Dmitry) Bivol. He’s talented, very good, and he has a bright future. He’s slightly behind ‘Scrappy’ as a pro and 168 (super middleweight) is deep with some tough fighters. By 2026, I think Darius will be ready to win a world title. I have a lot of respect for his coach, Darnell Pierce. We talk quite a bit. The sky’s the limit for Darius.”

Chua also trains another 3 PM fighter, Kareem “Supreme” Hackett (12-1, 6 KOs), the former WBA Intercontinental Light Heavyweight Champion from Toronto.

“Kareem slipped up a little bit in his last fight (only loss), but he has a bright future and all the skills to become world champion,” Chua pointed out. “Kareem dismantled (11-0) Clay Waterman on ProBox TV when he won the WBA Intercontinental title. In his next fight, Waterman lost a majority decision to Paulo Aokuso (8-0, 4 KOs), an undefeated fighter from Australia who was an Olympian. If Hackett is locked in, nobody in the light heavyweight division will beat him.”

Another member of the 3 PM stable is 22-year-old German super lightweight Simon “Saucy” Vollmer (6-0, 2 KOs), a four-time member of the German National Boxing Team. Vollmer trains at Churchill Boxing Club in Santa Monica (CA) under the guidance of head trainer Pedro Neme.

‘POPEYE’ DOMINATES From start to finish!

White Plains, New York (January 12, 2025) – Star Boxing’s Richard ‘Popeye’ Rivera (27-2, 20KO), looked dominant as he headlined Saturday’s (Jan 11th) event at The Palladium in Worcester, MA, against the durable veteran Roger Guerrero.

Rivera had the crowd on their feet as he made his walk towards the ring, singing a rendition of the song ‘I Was Made For Lovin’ You’ by KISS. In true Popeye fashion, his props included a KISS face mask and guitar.

From the opening bell, Rivera’s illusiveness & lateral movements were too much to handle for his opponent. Popeye’s versatility, skillful breakdown, and overwhelming pressure, got him the 2nd Rd. KO in dominating fashion.

Saturday’s win gets Richard Rivera one step closer towards a World Title bout, as he continues to climb the Top 10 Ranks in all the major organizations.

The exciting event Saturday night was co-promoted by Rivera Promotions Entertainment in association with Joe DeGuardia’s Star Boxing.

Kingsley Ibeh registers second consecutive first-round KO at Emerald Queen

TACOMA, Wash. (January 11, 2025) – Underrated heavyweight Kingsley “The Black Lion” Kingsley (15-2-1, 13 KOs) win his 10th fight in a row in last night’s latest installment of “EQC Fight Night,” presented by Toro Promotions, Inc. and Whitfield Haydon Boxing, in the EQC Event Center at the famed Emerald Queen Casino in Tacoma, Washington.

Ibeh, 31, hasn’t lost since 2021. The former Canadian pro football player used his 70-pound advantage over Scott Alexander (17-7-2, 9 KOs) in the main event, trapping his opponent on the ropes, causing a pair of knockdowns. The latter closed the show at 2:36 of the first round for his second straight opening-round stoppage, both at Emerald Queen. Ibeh, who is a native of Nigeria who lives in Phoenix, entered the ring as the WBC Latino Silver Heavyweight Champion and left with the vacant WBC Latino title.

WBA Continental Super Featherweight Champion Austin Brooks (13-0-1, 6 KOs) successfully defended his title with an eighth-round stoppage of Rosalindo Morales (10-2, 2 KOs) in the co-featured event. The WBA No. 15 rated Brooks, fighting out of San Diego, controlled the pace from the opening bell and he hurt Morales with a vicious left hook to the body. Morales took a knee and beat the referee’s count, until another body shot ended the fight at 1:04 of round eight.

Celebrated amateur Dedrick Crocklem (1-0, 1 KO) turned in an auspicious pro debut in front of his hometown fans in Tacoma, knocking out Nesly Trezile (1-2, 0 KOs) at the 52-seconds mark of the second round. Super lightweight Crocklem, who recently signed a promotional contract with Top Rank, blasted Trezile through the ropes in the first round and he closed the show in the second with a flurry of effective punches that left Trezile unable to continue fighting. Among his amateur accomplishments, Crocklem was the 2022 USA Nationals champion, in addition to his 2020 and 2021 USA Youth Nationals gold medal performances.

New Mexico welterweight Rolyn Nez (5-0, 3 KOs) kept his undefeated record intact with a four-round unanimous decision (39-37 X 3) over Cruz Becerro Monteon (1-1, 1 KO) in an exciting, competitive match.

Also fighting on the undercard was Washington (Federal Way) super featherweight Alexis De La Cerda (5-0, 3 KOs), who also kept his pro record unbeaten with a dominant four-round decision over his Nicaraguan foe, Nelson Guerrero (2-1-1, 2 KOs).

In the evening’s opening bout, Renton (WA) featherweight Joel Hernandez (1-0) was impressive in his pro debut, pitching a complete “shutout” (40-36 X 3) for a four-round unanimous decision over Julio Lanzas Carollo (0-1).

WORLD TITLE DREAMS ON THE LINE AS PITTERS CHALLENGES FOR EUROPEAN LIGHT-HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP IN SHEFFIELD ON FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 7th

Towering Midlands man Pitters prepares for war with French military veteran Daniel Dos Santos in crucial main event contest airing live and exclusively on DAZN

Shakiel Thompson defends IBF and WBO titles; Tysie Gallagher faces Ebanie Jones in title triple-header for British, Commonwealth, and WBO European Super-Bantamweight Championships

Sheffield, UK – The world title dreams of Birmingham skyscraper Shakan Pitters take a giant step closer to fruition in February as he faces reigning European light-heavyweight champion Daniel Dos Santos (22-1, 10 KO’s) in the main event of GBM: A New Dawn at the Canon Medical Arena, Sheffield, airing live and exclusively worldwide on DAZN.

The towering technician – who at 6’6 is one of the tallest fighters in the division – has maneuvered himself into the mandatory challenger position for the Frenchman’s title and will make a strong case for himself as a world-level contender if he can capture the EBU title in style on Friday, February 7th.

But former military man Dos Santos has walked a hard road to get where he is. Born and raised in one of France’s most notorious ghettos, he spent nearly four years in a prison cell before boxing and the army provided him with pathways out of the street life.

His status as reigning European champion means everything to him and – given his sole career loss being to interim WBO world champion Joshua Buatsi – he harbours world title ambitions of his own. Dos Santos aims to make a statement against Pitters (19-2, 6 KO’s) when they go to war in Sheffield next year.

“2025 will be the year I cement myself at the top of the light-heavyweight division, starting in February with this European title challenge against Daniel Dos Santos. He’s tough, experienced, and has a military background, so you know he’s ready for war. Beating him on February 7th and taking his title will be a ig statement and a major step toward world title contention.” said Pitters.

Also confirmed for the February card is surging super-bantamweight Tysie Gallagher, who squares off against Ebanie Jones in a triple-title clash with her British, Commonwealth, and WBO European Super-Bantamweight Championships on the line.

Defending champion Gallagher has a history with Jones from their amateur days and the bragging rights from this professional showdown will be almost as important to the winner as the belts they will walk away with.

Rising middleweight Shakiel ‘Dr Steel’ Thompson (13-0, 9 KO’s) also returns to the ring on February 7th, where he will make his second defence of his IBF European Championship and WBO Global Middleweight Championship titles.

GBM promoter Izzy Asif said, “Every year gets bigger and bigger for us. 2024 has been huge and we’re carrying that momentum straight into 2025 with two big fights already confirmed for our first event of the new year. Shakan Pitters is a fighter we believe has the potential to go all the way. He’s got a very tough test here against European light-heavyweight champion Daniel Dos Santos and if he passes it then it will make a strong statement about his level and his ability to achieve his world title dreams.

“The triple-title battle between Tysie Gallagher and Ebonie Jones is going to be exceptional as well. They really respect each other outside the ring but they’ve got a history from their amateur days, they’ve had some previous tear-ups, and this one is going to be a really explosive encounter now they’re meeting in the professional ranks for the first time with so much on the line.

“Our February 7th event is airing live on DAZN once again and we couldn’t be happier with DAZN as our exclusive worldwide broadcast partner. They’re investing so much in boxing, they’ve been great for the sport and with GBM being the UK’s fastest-growing professional boxing promotion, we think we’re in the best place we could be with the best partner we could have.”

Adam Smith, GBM Head of Broadcast, said, “GBM starts the new year with a bang! Shakan Pitters is ready to show the world his potential in this crucial headline clash against a real warrior in Daniel Dos Santos who is really going to bring the firepower on fight night. Before that, we’ve got this mouthwatering clash between two real rivals in Tysie Gallagher and Ebonie Jones when they set out to claim top-girl status. And of course the return of ‘Dr Steel’ Shakiel Thompson. It’s a brilliant start to the year and I am very much looking forward to calling the action live on DAZN from the Canon Medical Arena on February 7th in Sheffield.”

The Friday, February 7th event is the first event of an expected ten-event 2025 calendar for GBM, the fastest-growing professional boxing promotion in the UK. Further bouts for the card will be announced in the near future, along with additional event dates for the first half of 2025.

WBC #4 Super Featherweight Muhammadkhuja Yaqubov Signs Managerial Agreement with Jim Kambosos and Promotional Deal with Sampson Boxing

Talented WBC #4-Ranked Southpaw Returns December 12 in Moscow, Plans to Relocate to United States and Pursue Rematch with WBC Champion O’Shaquie Foster

WBC #4-ranked super featherweight Muhammadkhuja Yaqubov, from Isfara, Tajikistan, has inked a managerial contract with Australia-based manager/agent Jim Kambosos and a long-term promotional deal with elite talent scout Sampson Lewkowicz of Sampson Boxing.

Additionally, on Thursday December 12, Yaqubov (21-1, 11 KOs) will return from a year of inactivity to face countryman Zafar Parpiev (13-2, 5 KOs) of Kanibadam, Tajikistan, over eight rounds, on a card presented by veteran promoter Shamir Petrossian of Shamo Boxing.

Kambosos and Lewkowicz say the intention is to keep Yaqubov active and relocate him to the United States to live and train, with the goal of guiding the talented southpaw to a world championship rematch with current WBC champion O’Shaquie Foster.

In his nearly nine-year professional career, the 29-year-old Yaqubov has already held the WBC International super-featherweight, WBC–ABCO Continental lightweight, WBO Youth lightweight, WBA Continental super-featherweight, IBF Baltic and WBC International super-featherweight titles and successfully defended several of them along the way.

Yaqubov’s only loss came in a WBC title eliminator against Foster in March 2022, by close unanimous decision. He has since rebounded with three impressive victories, the latest coming in a WBC mandatory elimination bout against then 23-1 contender Pablo Vicente by unanimous decision last November.

Although Yaqubov had earned his shot, promotional problems forced the southpaw to miss his scheduled title-shot rematch in July of this year and kept him on the shelf for the past year. Yaqubov says he’s eager to return to the States and resume his pursuit of a rematch with Foster for the world championship.

“I want to be able to realize my dream in America,” said Yaqubov, who prepared for his fight against Vicente working with Freddie Roach at his Wild Card Boxing Gym in Los Angeles. “I want to be a world champion, and I want to do it in America. I’m excited to be working with this great team and I can’t wait to get in the ring next week and get back into the mix of the super featherweight division.”

Manager Kambosos says he’ll be looking to follow the same successful blueprint with Yaqubov that he did while taking his son George from a virtual unknown to the unified lightweight championship of the world in 2021.

“He wants to get his career back online,” said Kambosos of Yaqubov. “He was supposed to rematch Foster last July but missed it because of his promotional disputes. He’s going to stay active and get his visas done and train in the States and get into hard training camps with top fighters. The immediate goal is to get him the Foster rematch he earned by beating Vicente.”

The other key, according to Kambosos is having the right people in place to help his eager fighter.

“Signing Yaqubov with Sampson is a blessing,” he explained. “Sampson has led many fighters to world championships, and he sees tremendous potential in Yaqubov. That means a lot. The first thing we’re going to do is get him back in the ring and back on track.”

Promoter Lewkowicz, famous for spotting unrefined talent all over the world, says he’s happy to join the team and help Yaqubov reach his professional goals.

“Muhammadkhuja Yaqubov is a very talented fighter from Central Asia who just needs to find top training in the United States to become the fighter he can be,” said Lewkowicz. “I’m happy to be working with a gentleman like Jim Kambosos on the career of this highly dedicated fighter. We are optimistic that Yaqubov will regain the number one WBC mandatory position soon and be granted the shot he earned by beating Pablo Vicente.”

MODERN BOXERS MANNY PACQUIAO, VINNY PAZ, MICHAEL NUNN,YESSICA CHAVEZ, ANNE SOPHIE MATHIS & MARY JO SANDERS ELECTED TO INTERNATIONAL BOXING HALL OF FAME

KENNY BAYLESS, AL GAVIN, HARRY GIBBS, RANDY GORDON, ROSS GREENBURG, RODRIGO VALDEZ, CATHY DAVIS & OWEN SWIFT ALSO ENTER HALL

CANASTOTA, NY – DECEMBER 5, 2024 – The International Boxing Hall of Fame and Museum is thrilled to announce the newest class of inductees to be honored during the Hall of Fame Induction Weekend June 5-8, 2025 in “Boxing’s Hometown” Canastota, NY.

The Class of 2025 includes Manny “Pac Man” Pacquiao, “The Pazmanian Devil” Vinny Paz and Michael “Second To” Nunn in the Men’s Modern category; Yessica “Kika” Chavez, Anne Sophie Mathis and Mary Jo Sanders in the Women’s Modern category; Cathy “Cat” Davis in the Women’s Trailblazer category; referee Kenny Bayless, cut man Al Gavin (posthumous) andreferee Harry Gibbs (posthumous) in the Non-Participant category; broadcaster / journalist Randy Gordon and television producer Ross Greenburg in the Observer category; Rodrigo Valdez (posthumous) in the Old Timer category and Owen Swift (posthumous) in the Pioneer category.

Inductees were voted in by members of the Boxing Writers Association of America and a panel of international boxing historians. Biographies on the Class of 2025 can be found on www.ibhof.com

“We’re extremely excited about the Class of 2025 and are very much looking forward to honoring the newest class of inductees to earn boxing’s highest honor,” said Executive Director Edward Brophy.

The 2025 Hall of Fame Induction Weekend is scheduled for June 5-8th in “Boxing’s Hometown.” Many events will take place in Canastota and nearby Turning Stone Resort Casino throughout the four-day celebration including ringside talks, fist casting, fight night, 5K race / fun run, boxing autograph card show, banquet, parade and induction ceremony.

COMMENTS UPON RECEIVING INDUCTION NEWS

“I am so happy that I have been selected to enter the International Boxing Hall of Fame. This certainly is a wonderful Christmas gift. Throughout my career, as a professional fighter and a public servant, it has been my goal to bring honor to my country, The Philippines, and my fellow Filipinos around the world. Today, I am humbled knowing that in June, I will receive boxing’s highest honor, joining our national hero, Flash Elorde, as well as my trainer and friend Freddie Roach. I am very grateful to those who voted for me, and I look forward to celebrating with family, friends, and fans at Induction Weekend in Canastota, New York.” – Manny Pacquiao

“Thank God. I’ve been waiting on this moment for so long. God has truly blessed me. I want to thank the International Boxing Hall of Fame and all the voters. This is the highest achievement a boxer can have in the sport. As a small town guy from Iowa to reach the highest achievement in boxing makes me proud. This is the crowning moment of my career.” – Michael Nunn

“This is awesome! I love it. Wow! This is the best phone call I’ve ever taken! I’m so glad. Love it, love it, love it!” – Vinny Paz

“I gave everything to boxing. It was my work and my life but the most beautiful things in my life came from boxing. It is a legacy I will leave to my daughter. I’m amazed and this fills my heart so much. Boxing keeps giving me all the best.” – Yessica Chavez

“This is amazing news. I am overwhelmed. To be recognized by my peers is absolutely amazing. I am overjoyed,. – Mary Jo Sanders

“This is the most coveted award in the sport of boxing. I am truly humbled and thankful to the voting panel and to God for this honor.” – Kenny Bayless

“I’ve got a lot of great phone calls during my career – from Bert Sugar to be editor of The Ring to the governor to become the commissioner of New York. But this is the greatest boxing business call in my entire life. Am I dreaming? Is this true?” – Randy Gordon

“It’s a beautiful honor. I put my heart into it and all the colleagues I worked with over the years put everything into it as well and it’s an honor to represent them.” – Ross Greenburg