To go up against Viddal Riley, who steps up in class for the cruiserweight clash

Mikael Lawal

Cruiserweight rivals Viddal Riley and Mikael Lawal collide in a special bet365 Wildcard contest as part of BOXXER’s bumper ‘Bad Blood’ bill at The O2 in London on Sunday, March 31st, live on Sky Sports in the UK and Ireland and Peacock in the USA, WBN Ringside reports.

Riley (10-0, 6 KOs) returns to action following a shut-out points win over Nathan Quarless to capture the English Cruiserweight Title last September at York Hall. The talented Tottenham man has set his sights on the big fights in a stacked domestic division and can expect his toughest career test when he faces London rival Lawal.

Lawal (17-1, 11 KOs) will be looking to get back to winning ways, having lost his British Cruiserweight Title to Isaac Chamberlain in October. The heavy-handed fighter from Shepherd’s Bush has the chance for redemption as he gets back into the domestic mix with another high-profile contest against undefeated opposition.

Viddal Riley said: “I look forward to the first notable name in my career being ticked off. I respect Lawal as a former British champion, and as we know, that’s a goal of mine, so this is a perfect level check.”

Mikael Lawal said: “I’ve been legit; my journey in this sport is well documented. I’m just here to work and take care of business.”

BOXXER Founder and CEO Ben Shalom said: “Viddal Riley vs Mikael Lawal is another exciting addition to an already action-packed night of boxing. Credit to both men for taking this fight. Viddal Riley is taking a serious step up against a dangerous fighter in Mikael Lawal, who has everything to prove following his defeat to Isaac Chamberlain. It is a wildcard contest. I expect an all-action fight between the Londoners on Sunday, March 31st at The O2.”

Unbeaten heavyweight rivals Fabio Wardley and Frazer Clarke clash in a ‘Bad Blood’ showdown for the British and Commonwealth Titles on Sunday, March 31st, at The O2 in London, live on Sky Sports in the UK and Ireland and Peacock in the USA.

Florian Marku and Chris Kongo settle their simmering welterweight rivalry as part of a stacked undercard that also features future boxing superstar Ben Whittaker, the return of Alen ‘The Savage’ Babic against Steve Robinson, and rising super middleweight contender Callum Simpson.

Tickets, priced from just £30, are available now via BOXXER.com.

To defend her World Boxing Association junior flyweight title against Haghighat Joo on April 27 in Toronto

WBA LIGHT FLYWEIGHT April 27, 2024 – Toronto
MARIA GUADALUPE BAUTISTA	VS	SARA HAGHIGHAT JOO
MEXICO	COUNTRY	SIERRA LEONE
21 – 11 – 2	RECORD	2 – 0 – 0
( 4 KO’s) %	KO’s	( 0 KO’s) %

Guadalupe Bautista will travel to Canada to defend her World Boxing Association junior flyweight title on April 27 against local Sara Haghighat Joo. The about will take place at the Toronto Casino Resort and will be the night’s main event, Jesús Milano reports for The WBA.

Bautista, 35, is the champion and will try to retain her crown despite being a visitor. The Mexico City native will be making the third defense of her belt, which she won in 2020 when she defeated Nora Cardoza.

In September 2021, she made her first defense, defeating Alma Meraz Rodriguez, and her second was against Gabriela Sanchez in 2022. It should be noted that during that time, Bautista remained active and fought even though the belt was not at stake in some of them.

Haghighat Joo is an undefeated fighter who has been going strong since her debut in 2022. A 29-year-old fighter with good technique, she is fast finding herself with a great opportunity and will try to take advantage of her tools and the fact that she is at home to surprise the champion and take the title.

Bautista has a record of 23 wins, 11 losses, and two draws, in addition to 6 knockouts. Haghighat Joo has three wins and is undefeated.

Gladiators count down the days to their WBA title fight

OTABEK KHOLMATOV	VS	RAYMOND FORD
UZBEKISTAN	COUNTRY	UNITED STATES
5′ 7″	HEIGHT	5′ 7″
11 – 0 – 0	RECORD	10 – 0 – 1
( 10 KO’s) 90.91 %	KO’s	( 6 KO’s) 54.55 %

Otabek Kholmatov and Raymond Ford will battle for the vacant World Boxing Association (WBA) featherweight belt on March 2 at the Turning Stone Resort Casino in Verona, New York, Jesús Milano reports for The WBA.

Both undefeated fighters will fight for the pioneering body’s 126-pound title, which is currently without an owner after former champion Leigh Wood decided to move up in class and vacate it.

Kholmatov is number one in the rankings and was called to fight for the crown. The Uzbek is a strong and intelligent fighter who is 25 years old and is a great knockout who combines that power with good boxing and an excellent IQ in the ring.

Meanwhile, Ford is a 24-year-old southpaw guard fighter who has made a name for himself in the division thanks to his great fights and is ranked No. 2. The American has defeated the likes of Jessie Magdaleno, Richard Medina, Samaria Luka, among others, victories that have brought him to this significant occasion.

The fight will be an evenly matched contest between two young rivals looking to establish themselves, and on paper, it seems like a 50/50 for both boxers.

Kholmatov has 12 wins, 11 of them by knockout. Ford, meanwhile, has 14 wins, one draw, and seven KOs.

As Clara Lescurat stakes her belt against the Mexican challenger in Buenos Aires

Regina Chavez

Nineteen-year-old Mexico challenger Regina Chavez aims to deploy the shock sucker punch as her major gameplan when she takes on Clara Lescurat for the Argentinian’s World Boxing Association (WBA) super flyweight title on Saturday, February 24, at the Casino de Buenos Aires in the Argentine.

According to the WBA, Lescurat is up for the third defense of her title against the lesser-known Mexican in a venue in her home terrain.

The champion, 35, snatched the belt by defeating Maribel Ramirez with a unanimous decision victory in June 2022 in Buenos Aires. She had a successful defense against Mexican Nayeli Gil last October 28, 2022, and again in May 2023 when she beat Brazilian challenger Daniela De Jesus Aguiar in France.

WBA SUPER FLYWEIGHT February 24, 2024 – Buenos Aires, Distrito Federal
CLARA LESCURAT	VS	REGINA CHAVEZ
ARGENTINA	COUNTRY	MEXICO
5′ 3″	HEIGHT	5′ 3″
9 – 0 – 0	RECORD	7 – 3 – 3
( 4 KO’s) 44.44 %	KO’s	( 1 KO’s) 7.69 %

Should she topple the champion next week, the teen challenger has everything to gain. The Mexican girl is riding on the wave of the crest of a three-fight winning streak that could propel her to win the most vital fight of her career, which she will try to use the surprise factor.

Lescurat is unbeaten over nine bouts, with four ending in knockouts, while Chavez has won seven of her fights against three defeats, three draws, and one knockout.

 After victory over Angelino Cordova

Originally scheduled to duel last December before visa issues for Martinez scuttled the bout, WBC Flyweight World Champion Julio Cesar Martinez is set to attempt his sixth defense of his belt against skilled top flyweight contender Angelino Cordova in a 12-round battle, World Boxing News ringside reports.

Trained by the renowned Eddy Reynoso, Martinez (20-2, 15 KOs) first captured his flyweight world title with a ninth-round stoppage of Cristofer Rosales in his stateside debut in December 2019. The 29-year-old has gone on to defend the title five times, besting previously unbeaten opponents Jay Harris and Samuel Carmona, while most recently stopping Ronal Batista in May. A native of Mexico City, Martinez’s only blemish since a split-decision loss in his pro debut was a decision loss to future Hall of Famer Roman Gonzalez in March 2022.

“I’m ready to give it my all in training camp for this fight,” said Martinez. “I want all of the big fights and big prizes this year. My plan is to earn this win on March 30 and end up with my hand raised. Then I’m going for all the belts, no matter who I have to face. I’m going to be the last man standing.”

The 28-year-old Cordova (18-0-1, 12 KOs) earned a career-best victory in his last outing, as he bested former world champion Angel Acosta on his way to a 10-round unanimous decision victory last April. A native of Ciudad Bolivar, Venezuela, Cordova of Cotto Promotions has yet to taste defeat since debuting in 2017, with a draw in just his fourth fight as the only blemish. He made his U.S. debut in June 2022, defeating Axel Aragon Vega by decision before the triumph over Acosta.

“I’m very thankful that this fight is on and confirmed,” said Cordova. “My team did a great job making sure that this fight was rescheduled, and I’m thrilled it’s part of a huge card like this. I’m excited to finally face Martinez on March 30. The only thing on my mind is becoming the new WBC world champion.”