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Benavidez Defeats Morrell … Unanimous Decision

By Tom Donelson / Member Boxing Writers Association of America (BWAA)

Benavidez continued his undefeated status as he outworked David Morral to earn a unanimous decision in battle of light heavyweights contenders.  Benevidez used power shots and unrelenting body assault to outwork Morrell. 

The first three rounds were feeling out process as neither fighter had much advantage but in the fourth round, Benavidez took control as he dominated the round in which he landed 30 punches to Morrell 22 punches. 

From this point, he dominated most of the rounds with the exceptions of the eleventh.  From fourth to tenth Benevidez landed 151 punches to 104 for Morrell in those rounds.  He built up a big lead, but the eleventh gave Morrell’s fan hope.   He landed more punches than Benevidez and even knock Benevidez down but instead of 10-8 round, it ended up a 9-8 as Morrell threw a punch after the bell ranged.

Continue reading Benavidez Defeats Morrell … Unanimous Decision

Fight Club OC Launches 15th Season with Big Surprises

The 15th season of Fight Club OC shows in The Hangar at the OC Fair & Event Center in Costa Mesa, CA will be like no other year as it launches two great promotions to not only make the shows more profitable for fans, but also provide for the hungry of Orange County.

Starting with Opening Night on Thursday, February 13th all fans will get to participate in the brand new Hustler Casino $1,000 Knockout Promotion. Before the first bout a lucky fan will be chosen and seated at ringside. If a knockout happens that fan wins $100. If no knockout or stopped by strikes, another fan will be chosen and if a KO happens they win $200. This goes on until the last bout and if still no knockouts or stopped by strikes, this lucky fan wins $1,000 CASH! 

SOCA Fights and Fight Club OC are aware of the many Orange County families that still struggle to put a decent meal on their table each day. So Fight Club OC has partnered with the OC Food Bank and the David Wilson Family Foundation to launch Knockout OC Hunger at each Fight Club OC show, to not only collect food but also bring awareness to hunger in Orange County. At all shows the OC Food Bank will staff food collection barrels and all fans that bring a food item to a show, that is non-perishable, including canned tuna, chicken and chili, canned fruits and vegetables, breakfast cereal, peanut butter, rice, beans, and pasta will receive a numbered ticket and between each bout one of these numbers will be called and that fan will win $200 cash. Five lucky participating fans will win a total of $1,000 each show, so it makes sense to put a food item in your car and bring it to the show…and win!

Continue reading Fight Club OC Launches 15th Season with Big Surprises

Current Champions

Displayed are the “Current Champions” in boxing today 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: January 16, 2025

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

WBAWBCIBFWBOThe Ring
Oleksandr Usyk
Super champion
23–0 (14 KO)
September 25, 2021
Oleksandr Usyk
23–0 (14 KO)
May 18, 2024
Daniel Dubois
22–2 (21 KO)
June 26, 2024
Oleksandr Usyk
23–0 (14 KO)
September 25, 2021
Oleksandr Usyk
23–0 (14 KO)
August 20, 2022
Kubrat Pulev
Regular champion
32–3 (14 KO)
December 7, 2024
Joseph Parker
Interim champion
35–3 (23 KO)
March 8, 2024

Cruiserweight (200 lb / 90.7 kg or 190 lb / 86.2 kg)

WBAWBCIBFWBOThe Ring
Gilberto Ramírez
Super champion
47–1 (30 KO)
March 30, 2024
Badou Jack
28–3–3 (17 KO)
December 11, 2024
Jai Opetaia
27–0 (21 KO)
May 18, 2024
Gilberto Ramírez
47–1 (30 KO)
November 16, 2024
Jai Opetaia
27–0 (21 KO)
July 2, 2022
Continue reading Current Champions

Usyk Defeats Fury in Rematch by Unanimous Decision

By Tom Donelson (BWAA) Member Boxing Writers Association of America – respected and honorable contributor to www.dmboxing.com since 2008

Oleksandr Usyk may be the best heavyweight of his generation, and he proved this as he defeated Tyson Fury for a second time in another tightly contested fight.  Fury is his rival and the one who has been a leading heavyweight for the past decade since he defeated Wladmir Klitschko to take his title.   Usyk was the older fighter and smaller fighter, who came up from the cruiserweight division before becoming the best heavyweight in the world and faced a big challenge against the bigger Fury.  Since the Klitschko brothers left the heavyweight scene after dominating it from 2004 to 2015, fellow Ukrainian Usyk has added to Ukraine’s list of great heavyweights in this century.

Tyson Fury has had a history of adopting new tactics in a rematch as he showed in the Wilder trilogy. In his first fight, he boxed and nearly lost the fight but for a gutsy performance of managing to survive a brutal knockdown in round 12. In the rematch, he became the aggressor and used his height and weight to overpower Wilder.   In their final match, Fury combined power and boxing skills to wear out Wilder and stopped him.

In their first fight, Fury landed 157 punches in a close fight with a connect rate of 32 percent whereas Usyk was the more accurate boxer landing 170 punches for 41 percent connect rate.  Usyk wore Fury out in the later rounds.  In the rematch, Usyk connected on 179 punches to Fury’s 144 punches and connected on a little over 42 percent versus Fury 28 percent.  In ten of the rounds, Usyk landed more punches than Fury.  And Fury did come in 14 pounds, or as the Brits would say, one stone heavier.

While this does not speak to the overall quality of the punches and many rounds were decided by one or two punches, this shows that Usyk connected more consistently throughout the fight versus Fury.

In the opening rounds, Fury opened up boxing and jabbing, even on occasions switching to southpaw.  Usyk in the fourth round nailed Fury with two big left hooks and Fury countered with powerful rights and as time wound down, he unleashed a right upper cut.  This round showed the competitive nature of the fight, and this round went Fury but in the previous third round, Usyk began to pressure Fury as he battered Fury to the body.

Halfway through the fight it was a close but as the second half proceeded, Usyk took control of the bout.  Over the last five rounds he landed 54 percent of his power shots and overall, he landed more punches than any other Fury opponent. I had it 116-112.

 

Over the years, Fury has proven to be a good boxer with defensive skills, but Usyk’s boxing skills overcame Fury’s size, boxing skills and power and allowed him to win two closes but no doubt decisions.

Continue reading Usyk Defeats Fury in Rematch by Unanimous Decision

Major Fighters Headline Fight Club OC Upcoming December 5th Show

Fight Club OC Dec 5th Show = BIG TALENT

Costa Mesa, CA / Now on an 18 show sellout streak, Fight Club OC wants to thank its fans by putting together a Thursday, December 5th fight card that is as good a show as anywhere.

How about this terrific lineup:

The return of new Golden Boy Promotions top middleweight prospect (9-0 / 8 by KO) Jordan Panthen in the main event of the evening.

Also, how about 20-1 Vlad Panin now on a 13 bout winning streak.

How about Anaheim’s 1-0 Diego Aviles who stunned the Hangar crowd with a 1st round KO in his pro debut in August.

How about 4-0 Magi Kharkhuu a real young prospect.

Continue reading Major Fighters Headline Fight Club OC Upcoming December 5th Show

Oscar “Ringo” Bonavena

*** 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 April 19, 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.

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By Jim Amato / Senior Boxing Writer

         Who was the greatest fighter to come out of Argentina? Well pound for pound you would probably say Carlos Monzon or possibly Pascual Perez. You could make a case for Nicolino Locche too. Who was the biggest and baddest of all Argentine fighters? Many would say Luis “Angel” Firpo. I’ll go with Oscar “Ringo” Bonavena.

         When Oscar started his career in 1964, he met tough opponents like Tom McNeely and Dick Wipperman. In his first bout in 1965, he was overmatched and defeated by veteran contender Zora Folley. Oscar left New York and returned to Argentina. He defeated the very capable Gregorio Paralta and American import, Billy Daniels. When he returned to New York in 1966, he outpointed equally rugged George Chuvalo.

         Oscar was then matched with 1964 Olympic Gold Medal winner, Joe Frazier. The fight was classic. Oscar had Joe down twice but Frazier came back to win a close decision. In 1967, Oscar was entered in the eight man tourney to determine the defrocked Muhammad Ali’s successor. Oscar traveled to Germany and trounced southpaw Karl Mildenberger. In his next match he was floored twice and soundly beaten by the eventual tourney winner, Jimmy Ellis. Oscar regrouped in 1968 beating Folley in a rematch and also the respected, Leotis Martin. He was matched again with Joe Frazier for the New York State version of the crown. Oscar fell behind early but he came back strong only to drop the verdict. Bonavena would still remain a viable contender for several more years.

Continue reading Oscar “Ringo” Bonavena