Fight Club OC / Upcoming Show Set For: December 11

California Boxing, dmboxing.com, Upcoming Fights

Fight Club OC BIGGEST Show of Year! December 11th Inside The Hangar at The OC Fair & Event Center in Costa Mesa, CA

You know you have the premier club fight show in the country when some of the sport’s biggest promoters and managers place their fighters on a Fight Club OC show. It has happen almost every show for the past two years and the Thursday, December 11th Fight Club OC show in The Hangar at the OC Fair & Event Center in Costa Mesa is no exception.

Fight fans will get to see three undefeated boxers in action as Golden Boy Promotions displays their Hawaiian Connection with both Asa Stevens and Dalis Kaleiopu bringing their 7-0 records into the ring. And after a spectacular KO on the October 23rd show, 6-0 Stanford grad Dante Kirkman will return to give fight fans a big time night of action.

Tag on two solid MMA bouts plus a great Tequila Mandala Young Champions Bout featuring 7-1-0 Juan Higuera vs undefeated 4-0 (4KO’s) Anthony De La Cruz, Plus two other exciting boxing bouts and a chance to win $1,000 in our Hustler Knockout Promotion and this is a show you do not want to miss! Tickets are still available for this Dec 11th show priced at $75 and are available online at www.socafights.com.

Continue reading Fight Club OC / Upcoming Show Set For: December 11 →

J.J. Johnston (R.I.P.)

David Martinez, R.I.P.

By David Martinez / Boxing Historian / dmboxing.com

A friend to all that knew him was J.J. Johnston … actor, author, and a top and very knowledgeable boxing historian. Born in Chicago, Illinois on October 24, 1933, he passed away on November 4, 2022.

Johnston lived in the San Fernando Valley area of Los Angeles and began appearing in movies and stage productions in 1972. He is known for his roles in Fatal Attraction (1987), JFK (1991), The Spanish Prisoner (1997), and Spartan (2004), just to name a few. He also had roles in many selected television programs throughout his career.

Another highlight was when he and David Mamet played “Tweedle Dee” and “Tweedle Dum” in a Chicago stage production of “Alice in Wonderland”.

I met J.J. back in the mid-nineties while attending a Golden State Boxing Association luncheon at the old Spaghetti Factory in Hollywood, California.  J.J. would always attend with his display of incredible boxing collectables in those years (1997-2007) which was during my tenure with the World Boxing Hall of Fame.

I was truly honored when he presented me with his outstanding publication “Chicago Boxing” which he personally autographed on November 15, 2005. The book is simply amazing with outstanding photos, all in black and white, and arranged in chronological order.

Continue reading J.J. Johnston (R.I.P.) →

USC Boxing: Bringing A Whole New Dimension To The Words “Fight On”

Boxing Events, DMBoxing News, FLASHBACK, Steve Corbo

***** FLASHBACK *****

This article feature was originally published for viewing on www.dmboxing.com courtesy of Steve Corbo from Chicago, on November 14, 2023

By Steve Corbo

On Thursday November 9th boxers from the University of Southern California blew into the Windy City to compete in an Intercollegiate Boxing Show, featuring five Universities. The event was sanctioned and approved by USA Boxing and The United States Intercollegiate Boxing Association. That’s right… Trojan Boxers! Along with all its other fabled sports, boxing is alive and well at USC.

Front Row Left to Right: YC, Noah “Sting” Ng, Parker Chang, Jade Brewer

Back Row Left to Right: Coach Cesar Lopez, Assistant Coach Brian Robillard, Ring Announcer and USC Alumnus Steve Corbo, Head Coach Omar Lopez and Patrick Carbone

Together with boxers from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Xavier University in Cincinnati, the University of Illinois Chicago, and the University of Michigan Ann Arbor, four USC fighters stepped into the ring to compete against some of the best collegiate boxers in the Midwest. The event took place at the magnificent Union League Club in the heart of downtown Chicago. Initially, it was hard to find anybody cheering for Cardinal and Gold. But fighting in this environment only seemed to motivate the Trojans on to victory.

First to fight for USC was Patrick Carbone. He took on Kobe Rogers from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Being amateur boxing, all the bouts were scheduled for three rounds of action, with this one being in the 176-pound weight division. Carbone used his superior reach and height to dominate a very tough Rogers, who threw everything he had and never quit trying to find the key to get to Carbone. In the end it was Carbone who won on every judge’s scorecard to take home a unanimous decision victory.

Continue reading USC Boxing: Bringing A Whole New Dimension To The Words “Fight On” →

Current Champions

Current Champions

Displayed are the “Current Champions” in boxing with each shown in their respective weight division, world title belt organization, professional ring record in the following format: win-loss-draw-no contest (knockout wins) and the date of winning their title.

As of: November 11, 2025

Heavyweight (+200 lb/+90.7 kg or +224 lb/+101.6 kg)

WBAWBCIBFWBOThe Ring
Oleksandr Usyk
Super champion
24–0 (15 KO)
September 25, 2021		Oleksandr Usyk
24–0 (15 KO)
May 18, 2024		Oleksandr Usyk
24–0 (15 KO)
July 19, 2025		Oleksandr Usyk
24–0 (15 KO)
September 25, 2021		Oleksandr Usyk
24–0 (15 KO)
August 20, 2022
Kubrat Pulev
Regular champion
32–3 (14 KO)
December 7, 2024
Fabio Wardley
Interim champion
20–0–1 (19 KO)
June 7, 2025		Agit Kabayel
Interim champion
26–0 (18 KO)
February 22, 2025		Fabio Wardley
Interim champion
20–0–1 (19 KO)
October 25, 2025
Continue reading Current Champions →

Carlos Ortiz (R.I.P.)

David Martinez, FLASHBACK, History, Lightweights

***** FLASHBACK *****

This article was originally published on July 18, 2022 for viewing on www.dmboxing.com


David Martinez / Boxing Historian / dmboxing.com

On June 13, 2022 the boxing world lost a great champion. Carlos Ortiz passed away at the age of 85. He was born in Ponce, Puerto Rico, on September 9, 1936.

Ortiz began his outstanding professional career in 1955 with a first round knockout over Harry Bell in New York.

He suffered his first loss losing to Johnny Busso via 10 round split decision on June 27, 1958. Ortiz was 21 years old and held an undefeated ring record of 26-0 entering that bout. Three months later in September, Ortiz reversed his loss with a convincing 10 round decision win. Both Busso fights were held at Madison Square Garden, New York.

After posting a ring record of 29 wins, 2 losses, and one no-decision, Ortiz met Kenny Lane for the vacant junior welterweight / super lightweight title in New York on June 12, 1959. Lane had given Ortiz a 10 round loss prior, on December 31, 1958, but this time Ortiz would win by knockout after two rounds to become the second Puerto Rican world champion since Sixto Escobar did it more than thirty years before.

Continue reading Carlos Ortiz (R.I.P.) →

P4P Women Rankings / dmboxing.com

David Martinez, P4P Rankings - Women

NOTE: That due to many requests and increasing interest in women’s boxing, I am delighted recently to adding this newest category to www.dmboxing.com for viewing.

Current Top Dozen

(As of: November 1, 2025)

1 – Katie Taylor (25-1 / 6 by KO)

2 – Claressa Shields (17-0 / 3 by KO)

3 – Amanda Serrano (47-4-1 / 31 by KO)

4 – Chantelle Cameron (21-1 / 8 by KO)

5 – Gabriela Fundora (16-0 / 9 by KO / 1 NC)

6 – Mikaela Mayer (22-2 / 5 by KO)

7 – Dina Thorlund (23-0 / 9 by KO)

8 – Alycia Baumgardner (16-1 / 7 by KO / 1 NC)

9 – Lauren Price (9-0 (2 by KO)

10 – Yokasta Valle (33-3 / 10 by KO)

11 – Elle Scotney (11-0 / 0 by KO)

12 – Evelyn Nazarena Bermudez (22-1-1 / 8 by KO)

Wardley by Knockout over Parker … Sensational Heavyweight Fight

David Martinez, Heavyweights, Recent Fights

By David Martinez / Boxing Historian / dmboxing.com

By no fault of my own, I actually missed the live telecast of the Fabio Wardley vs. Joseph Parker heavyweight bout from the 02 Arena in London. So, I had to settle for watching the replay knowing the result; I usually don’t do that, but I’m certainly glad that I did so on this one!

A better than 3 to 1 underdog, interim WBA champion Wardley (20-0-1 / 19 by KO) surprised many, including me, coming from behind on the scorecards to defeat the interim WBO heavyweight champion Parker (36-4 / 24 by KO) by eleventh round knockout.

The fight itself was action packed from start to finish. Wardley began slowly and Parker started strong with both fighters landing their own big shots. In round 2, Wardley threw more than a dozen unanswered punches with Parker losing his mouth piece to avoid a possible early knockout.

As the fight progressed, it was apparent that Parker was winning more rounds, but Wardley continued throwing right hand punches that kept the fight exciting and interesting.

At the start of round 10, it was clear that Parker came to fight, but Wardley countered with a flurry of punches of his own to pin Parker on the ropes, as the bell rang to save Parker from further punishment.

Continue reading Wardley by Knockout over Parker … Sensational Heavyweight Fight →

Bernardo Mercado

FLASHBACK, Heavyweights, Jim Amato

***** FLASHBACK ***** In loving memory and respect to our friend Jim Amato (R.I.P.) this article piece was originally published on www.dmboxing for viewing on November 30, 2013. In remembrance of Jim, never to be forgotten, all his postings can be located by clicking onto his name in the Categories section. He came on board to dmboxing in 2008 and truly contributed the best of the best in boxing. Jim was truly respected world-wide by many as a boxing historian and sports collector, he passed away in Ashland, Ohio on February 22, 2021, after a bout with cancer at the age of 66. May his soul rest peacefully in heaven with the Lord.

Mercado

*****************************************

By Jim Amato / Senior Boxing Writer

*****************************************

          As the talent rich 1970′s heavyweight picture faded into the 1980′s, Larry Holmes emerged as the dominant boxer. Still there were some very capable contenders. Among them was a 6’4″ brute from Columbia, South America named Bernardo Mercado.

          Mercado was born on January 16, 1952. He was a fine amateur who won the 1975 Central America and Caribbean Gold Medal with a three round decision over Trevor Berbick. He turned pro later that year and scored four first round knockouts in his first five fights. In his sixth fight he halted former world title challenger Manuel Ramos in five rounds. He would also score big kayo wins over James J. Woody and Randy Stephens.

Continue reading Bernardo Mercado →

Jack Dempsey Museum, Manassa, Colorado

David Martinez, FLASHBACK, Heavyweights, History

FLASHBACK – This article was originally published on October 9, 2023 for viewing on www.dmboxing.com

By David Martinez / Boxing Historian / dmboxing.com

It was in August 1975, when traveling back to visit my relatives in various locations in the state of New Mexico, I ventured north for an unbelievable experience, a visit the birthplace of Jack Dempsey, Manassa, which is located in the southern part of Colorado, in the “San Luis” Valley.

Upon my arrival, I located a log cabin style house in the middle of town, that was actually moved to this city park location in July 1966, and was refurbished in honor of Jack Dempsey. The interior walls were lined with photos and mementos of Dempsey’s brilliant career.

The Curator there was so wonderfully nice and was amazed at my focus and interest, that he thinking I lived nearby, offered me a job there as a tour guide. Then he did something that was truly amazing, removing the actual gloves from a display case that Dempsey wore in the Luis Angel Firpo fight (September 14, 1923) so I could wear them while posing for a picture.

Unfortunately, I had a misfortune happen regarding these photos. In November 1983, while moving from my old house to my new house, it started to rain that day and the water got into the U-Haul trailer we were towing and into my nicely framed photos. I cried and was so upset and disappointed beyond belief. The photo of me wearing those gloves was the one most damaged.

Continue reading Jack Dempsey Museum, Manassa, Colorado →