NEWSWORTHY
HBO is walking away from professional boxing after 45 years of live fight programming, the U.S. cable network confirmed Thursday. HBO's long association with the sport began in 1973 when it carried George Foreman's stunning knockout of reigning heavyweight world champion Joe Frazier. The network pioneered ...
Ken Shiro to mount fourth defense of WBC light flyweight title
Kenshiro Teraji said Tuesday he will attempt the fourth defense of his WBC light flyweight title on Oct. 7 against Milan Melindo of the Philippines. The 26-year-old, who fights under the name Ken Shiro, is undefeated in 13 professional bouts with seven knockouts. Melindo is ...
Ex-WBO minimumweight champ Ryuya Yamanaka to retire on medical grounds
Former WBO minimumweight champion Ryuya Yamanaka is set to call time on his boxing career due to subdural bleeding, sources familiar with the matter said Friday. According to the sources, an official announcement on the retirement of the 23-year-old Japanese, who relinquished his title to ...
Japan Amateur Boxing Federation President Akira Yamane has quit following numerous allegations of misconduct, including pressuring referees to fix matches and misuse of grant money.
Trump gives posthumous pardon to first black heavyweight champion Jack Johnson
President Donald Trump granted a full, posthumous pardon for Jack Johnson, the first black heavyweight boxing champion, who was convicted of racially tinged federal morals charges more than a century ago. Trump signed a full posthumous pardon for Johnson while flanked by boxing royalty including ...
Former Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand refused pro boxing license
Former Manchester United and England defender Rio Ferdinand said Thursday he was "disappointed" after being refused a professional license by British boxing authorities. Ferdinand, coached by former WBC super-middleweight champion Richie Woodhall, was being backed by betting company Betfair as part of the "Defender to ...
Wanheng Menayothin retains WBC minimumweight title by unanimous decision over Tatsuya Fukuhara
WBC minimumweight champion Wanheng Menayothin of Thailand defended his title against challenger Tatsuya Fukuhara on Saturday, winning by a unanimous decision. Fukuhara, who lost to compatriot Ryuya Yamanaka in the first defense of his WBO minimumweight belt in August, fought tenaciously but was unable to ...
DAZN brings boxing superfight to Japan, as streaming apps poised to disrupt broadcasting
In Tokyo and want to watch this weekend's Mayweather-McGregor superfight? You won't need a satellite dish or a sports bar — just an app. Japan's boxing fans can view the $500-million bout, the richest global sporting event this year, with their smartphone and a $15 ...
Yoko Gushiken, a boxing legend who hails from Okinawa, hopes young people from prefecture will be brave enough to take on any challenge and succeed in any field. "I had been fighting 120 percent for Okinawa," Gushiken said in a recent interview, recalling the days ...
How a bizarre 'bout of the century' between Muhammad Ali and Antonio Inoki led to a firm friendship
Of all the episodes in the iconic boxing career of Muhammad Ali, who died Friday at age 74, perhaps the most curious came in a Japanese ring.
Ali forced people to take sides, and I took his
Muhammed Ali was the transcendent sports figure of the 20th century, a lightning rod for controversy who became a beloved ambassador for peace.
Muhammed Ali called himself "the Greatest," and by the time of his passing many in the world would agree.
