The beast returns in a 50-50, Venado takes on Leo and Ellerbe exits

BOXING strikes quick and it’s onerous to maintain up with all of the comings and goings. Right here’s a wrap-up of a few of the struggle bulletins, signings and different bits and items which may’ve handed you by.

Leonard Ellerbe steps down; Richard Schaefer is available in

The Floyd Mayweather crew makeover continues, because it was introduced that Leonard Ellerbe, the long-time CEO of Mayweather Promotions, could be leaving the Las Vegas outfit. 

Formally stepping down from his position, coincidently because the Floyd vs. Gervonta difficulties escalated, Ellerbe will likely be changed by a well-known face in Richard Schaefer. 

A key a part of the defunct promotional entity Probellum, Schaefer was finest recognized for his work alongside Oscar De La Hoya at Golden Boy and has remained linked to boxing ever since.

In a social media assertion, Mayweather Promotions thanked Leonard Ellerbe for his efforts: “Mayweather Promotions wish to prolong our deepest gratitude to Leonard Ellerbe for his distinctive management and unwavering dedication over time. 

“Leonard has been an integral a part of our crew, contributing to quite a few enterprise endeavors which have performed a pivotal position within the success of Mayweather Promotions.”

Arduous-working Rubalcava a constructive signing for Matchroom

Leonardo Rubalcava (7-0, 3 KOs) has signed a multi-fight cope with Matchroom. Educated by Robert Garcia, Rubalcava will struggle on the June 29 Estrada vs. Rodriguez undercard.

“I’m motivated to showcase my expertise on this large night time and proudly symbolize Teocaltiche, Jalisco, Mexico worldwide,” mentioned Rubalcava.

“Leo is without doubt one of the hardest employees in my fitness center, and he additionally works for his father, who owns a building firm,” lauded Robert Garcia. 

“He reveals as much as the fitness center on his lunch break and spars a few of the finest fighters in boxing like Vergil Ortiz, Brandun Lee and Raymond Muratalla. As soon as sparring is completed, he goes straight again to work.”

WBO champ Espinoza inks Prime Rank settlement

As he closes in on a maiden title defence in opposition to Sergio Chirino Sanchez on June 21, Rafael Espinoza has signed a co-promotional cope with Prime Rank alongside Zanfer Promotions. 

Espinoza brought about a shock on the shut of 2023 when he defeated Robeisy Ramirez to win the WBO featherweight title by an exciting 12-round majority determination.

“I promise to proceed giving my all to win the hearts of all of the followers. I’m additionally enthusiastic about my predominant occasion struggle in Las Vegas. I’ll present that this title will stick with me for a very long time,” asserted Espinoza (24-0, 20 KOs). 

Promoter Bob Arum added: “Rafael Espinoza is a fighter who provides the followers pleasure each time he steps by means of the ropes. He has all of the instruments to grow to be one of many nice Mexican champions of his period.”

Vicious Venado makes one other title defence on the highway

Persevering with on a Prime Rank theme, Luis Alberto Lopez, aka ‘Venado’, retains his commendable run of exercise going by placing his IBF featherweight title on the road in enemy territory as soon as once more. 

Former WBO super-bantamweight champion Angelo Leo (who misplaced that title to Stephen Fulton in 2021) is the challenger on August 10. The struggle will happen in Leo’s hometown of Albuquerque, New Mexico (Angelo has since relocated to Las Vegas).

“On August 10, I’ll make it abundantly clear who the king of the featherweight division is. This would be the fourth protection of my world title, and I’m making ready for an excellent battle in opposition to a former world champion like Angelo Leo,” mentioned highway warrior Lopez whose globe-trotting exploits took him to Belfast in 2023 to blast away Michael Conlan.

Challenger Angelo Leo responded: “I do know Lopez is without doubt one of the prime champions in my division, and a win over him could be large for me and my metropolis. I’m within the prime of my profession and might’t wait to indicate the world the fighter I’ve grow to be since profitable my first world title in 2020.”

Tremendous-lightweight prospect Lindolfo Delgado tackles Bryan Flores over 10 rounds within the co-feature. Richard Torrez, Alan Garcia, Prime Rank debutant Vito Mielnicki Jr and Arnold Khegai additionally characteristic.

“It’s an actual throwback card in a spot the place so many traditional fights have occurred,” buzzed Bob Arum about returning to New Mexico.

Anthony Yigit retires from the game

Former European champion Anthony Yigit has retired on the age of 32. The Swedish portsider wraps issues up with a commendable 29-4-1 document. The ten KOs present that he was extra of a mover than a banger.

Scoring a 2017 win over Sandor Martin, which appears to be like higher with every passing 12 months, Yigit all the time gave a great account himself however misplaced when he stepped up at school. 

Rolando Romero, Denys Berinchyk, Ivan Baranchyk and Keyshawn Davis all contributed to his loss column. Speaking the information by way of social media, Yigit defined how he got here to the realisation that boxing is one thing he doesn’t wish to do anymore.

Ex-champion Pinder passes away

Former WBA and WBC bantamweight world champion Enrique Pinder handed away final week at age 76. Pinder boxed from 1966 to 1973 and was a Panamanian nationwide icon.

‘Maravilla’ retired from the game with a 35-7-2 (13 KOs) document, combating Rafael Herrera, Chucho Castillo, and Romeo Anaya throughout his seven-year profession. Pinder’s son, Ricardo, introduced his loss of life to the nationwide media.

Arslanbek returns to struggle Vianello in conflict of the contenders

In a battle of heavyweights on the verge of falling into irrelevance, Arslanbek Makhmudov faces off in opposition to Guido Vianello over 10 rounds in Quebec Metropolis.

The bout takes place on the August 17 undercard of Mbilli-Derevyanchenko. Each males may actually do with a press release win on this co-feature conflict.

Makhmudov returned to his customary knockout methods on a current Eye of the Tiger present, ending off Miljan Rovcanin with an enormous proper hand in spherical two.

Arslanbek’s loss to Agit Kabayel was regarding because the neck-twitching beast crumbled beneath Kabayel’s sustained physique assault. It was later reported that he had suffered a hand harm, which clearly didn’t assist his trigger.

Riydah, Saudi Arabia: Arslanbek Makhmudov v Agit Kabayel, Heavyweight Contest. 23 December 2023. Image By Mark Robinson Matchroom Boxing.

“Vianello is a tricky fighter but additionally an excellent fighter, as we noticed in his final struggle,” mentioned Makhmudov. “This is a vital step for me. I wish to present that I’m a prime contender and to get nearer to my objective, I have to show that I’m higher than this man.”

This pair fought earlier than within the World Sequence of Boxing. Makhmudov gained on that event virtually 10 years in the past. Vianello’s professional profession has not precisely gone to plan since, though a break up determination loss to Efe Ajagba final trip was carefully contested because the scorecards counsel.

“I’m able to compete in opposition to the highest heavyweights on this planet. That is solely the start of my journey,” acknowledged Vianello. 

“The struggle with Arslanbek is strictly what I needed at this level in my profession, and I sit up for an excellent struggle on August 17 in Quebec Metropolis.”

A powerful undercard additionally options Osleys Iglesias, Wilkens Mathieu, Leïla Beaudoin, Thomas Chabot, Abdullah Mason and Jahi Tucker.