Tag: Boxing

No place like Dome: Boxing back at Tyson-Douglas Tokyo upset venue

By Andrew MCKIRDY TOKYO, May 2, 2024 (AFP) – When 42-1 underdog James ‘Buster’ Douglas shocked ‘Iron’ Mike Tyson 34 years ago at the Tokyo Dome, the result reverberated around the world. Spectators at the 45,000-plus seater venue witnessed one of boxing’s biggest upsets as unbeaten heavyweight champion Tyson was knocked out in the 10th round by the unheralded Douglas in February 1990. Boxing returns to the famous venue on Monday for the first time […]

Age barrier ends Pacquiao’s olympic hope; boxing icon bows out gracefully

MANILA, Feb 19, 2024 (AFP) – A “saddened and disappointed” Manny Pacquiao conceded Monday his Olympic boxing dream was over after the ring great was denied a berth at this year’s Paris games. The International Olympic Committee rejected a special request for Pacquiao to take part, the Philippine Olympic Committee announced Sunday. Pacquiao, 45, who hung up his gloves in 2021 before an unsuccessful presidential run, said he respected the decision of the IOC, which […]

Joshua too strong for Wallin as Parker outpoints Wilder

RIYADH, Dec 24, 2023 (AFP) – Former world champions Anthony Joshua and Joseph Parker re-established their heavyweight title credentials with victories on the same Riyadh bill on Saturday. British boxer Joshua produced one of his best performances of recent times by stopping Sweden’s Otto Wallin, who was pulled out by his corner after the fifth round of a one-sided bout. Earlier, Parker enjoyed a unanimous points-decision win over fellow former world champion Deontay Wilder, the […]

Pacquiao returns to ring for clash with South Korean YouTuber

  Seoul, South Korea (AFP) Philippine boxing great Manny Pacquiao returned to the ring Sunday for the first time since retiring from the sport last year, facing off against a South Korean YouTuber in an exhibition match near Seoul. The 43-year-old fighter turned politician stepped away from boxing to launch a bid for the Philippine presidency that failed. He also served as a senator between 2016 and May this year. On Sunday Pacquiao fought D.K. […]

Mayweather scores KO in front of watching Pacquiao

  Tokyo, Japan (AFP) Floyd Mayweather knocked out mixed martial arts fighter Mikuru Asakura in the second round on Sunday in Japan in the latest of the retired boxing great’s post-retirement exhibitions. The 45-year-old Mayweather floored his opponent with a right hand as his former welterweight foe Manny Pacquiao watched ringside in Saitama. The American Mayweather, who retired in 2017 with an unbeaten 50-0 record, afterwards dismissed any prospect of a fight with the similarly […]

Alvarez sees off Golovkin to retain undisputed super-middleweight crown

LAS VEGAS, United States (AFP) – Saul “Canelo” Alvarez retained his undisputed super-middleweight world title on Saturday, seeing off Gennady Golovkin to complete their epic fight trilogy in Las Vegas. Mexico’s Alvarez was in charge for most of an electric 12 rounds at the T-Mobile Arena, winning a unanimous decision to spark wild scenes of celebration among the Mexican fans who made up most of the sell-out crowd. One judge scored the bout 116-112 while […]

Pacquiao eyes boxing return with Saudi exhibition fight

  MANILA, Philippines (AFP) — Manny Pacquiao, who retired from boxing last year for a tilt at the Philippines presidency, told AFP on Tuesday that he is considering an exhibition fight in Saudi Arabia in January. The 43-year-old legendary former world champion is to hold talks over a fight against French former sparring partner Jaber Zayani in Riyadh. “We will just start discussions,” Pacquiao, who previously ruled out a return to professional boxing, said by […]

Boxing champ Inoue’s home burglarized during fight: reports

  TOKYO, Japan (AFP) — Japanese boxing champion Naoya Inoue reacted with horror on Wednesday after reports said his home had been burglarized while he was busy taking down Nonito Donaire at a much-anticipated match. More than a dozen expensive bags and pieces of jewellery were stolen from the 29-year-old bantamweight champion’s home near Tokyo on Tuesday evening, broadcasters TBS and Fuji TV said, citing unnamed police sources. Local police declined to confirm details of […]

Inoue unleashed ‘hardest punch I’ve ever been hit with’ – Donaire

  SAITAMA, Japan (AFP) — Nonito Donaire said he was felled by “the hardest punch I’ve ever been hit with” as bantamweight king Naoya Inoue inflicted a sensational second-round stoppage on the Filipino veteran in Saitama. The unbeaten Japan boxing great known as “Monster” scored his 20th KO victory in 23 fights to add the WBC title to his WBA and IBF belts in a breathless display of power punching. In the pair’s first, classic […]

Filipino Magsayo captures WBC featherweight title

Filipino Mark Magsayo dethroned WBC featherweight champ Gary Russell on Saturday with a majority decision to end the longest championship reign in professional boxing. The 26-year-old undefeated Magsayo won on points on two of the three judges’ scorecards as he handed Russell his first defeat since 2015. Two judges had 115-113 for Magsayo while the other scored it even, 114-114. “This is my dream since I was a kid,” said Magsayo. “I am so proud […]

‘Monster’ Inoue: Japan’s unbeaten boxer with dynamite in his fists

by Andrew MCKIRDY TOKYO, Japan (AFP) — Naoya Inoue’s nickname is “Monster” and with good reason — he is regarded as one of boxing’s best pound-for-pound fighters and has won all his 21 bouts, 18 by knockout. The reigning WBA and IBF bantamweight world champion made his Las Vegas debut last year with a typically devastating knockout win and fights back home in Japan for the first time in two years on Tuesday. Thailand’s Aran […]

Donaire defends WBC title with body shot KO of Gaballo

  LOS ANGELES, United States (AFP) — Nonito Donaire showed that age is a just a number, knocking Reymart Gaballo out in the fourth round with a thunderous body shot to retain his World Boxing Council bantamweight title on Saturday. The veteran and ageless wonder Donaire continues to impress at 39 despite being counted out several times by boxing critics before the Philippine boxer moved back to the 118-pound division. Donaire landed a vicious left […]