Unified WBO Heavyweight Champion Anthony Joshua (23-1, 21 KOs) vs. Kubrat Pulev (28-1, 14 KOs) tops a huge night of action in London promoted by Matchroom Boxing in association with Top Rank and Epic Sports and Entertainment, with all of the action shown live on Sky Sports Box Office in the UK and on DAZN in the U.S. and more than 200 countries and territories on its just-launched Global platform, as Lawrence Okolie (14-0, 11 KOs) takes on Nikodem Jezewski (19-0-1, 9 KOs) for the vacant WBO International Jr. Heavyweight title.
JACK CATTERALL HAS signed a long-term extension to his promotional relationship with Frank Warren and Queensberry Promotions, one that has taken him from Central Area title level to the brink of world title success.
‘El Gato’, 27, linked up with Hall of Fame promoter Warren in 2014 and was speedily propelled into title contention against high calibre opponents. First the then unbeaten Nathan Brough was accounted for, via second round stoppage, to claim the Central Area belt, before decorated amateur and previously unbeaten pro Tom Stalker was stopped in the eighth three months later with the WBO European super lightweight title at stake.
The following year Catterall won the WBO Intercontinental title and has subsequently made eight defences of the belt to put himself into mandatory position for the shot at the full world title.
Inbetween times, the Chorley man won the British title by defeating Tyrone Nurse in October 2017 and scored notable victories over domestic rivals Tyrone McKenna and Ohara Davies.
Now 25-0, Catterall is awaiting a delayed shot at full world honours that has been held up, firstly due to former champion Maurice Hooker taking on and losing a unification fight against Jose Ramirez. The Californian was subsequently ordered to fulfil his WBC mandatory against Victor Postol before taking on Catterall, with the fight being held up due to the Covid-19 outbreak.
Ramirez and Postol are reported to be scheduled to fight in August.
“I am delighted we have got a new deal done and I believe now is the right time to sign this new contract, having beaten everybody I needed to beat to get to this position,” said the stylish southpaw.
“I believe Frank is the one, along with BT, to deliver more big fights for me.
“Of course it will be great for us to see the job through together, from the Central Area through to the British and up to No.1 with the WBO. It will be nice to cross the line to being world champion with the promoter that has guided me all the way through.”
Promoter Frank Warren has longed banged the drum for the quietly-spoken Catterall, confidently predicting his world title credentials all along.
“Jack joined up with us as a relatively unheralded prospect, but I quickly identified that he was one who could go all the way.
“He jumped straight into tough fights against unbeaten opponents and proved that he had something special about him, so we set about building his world ranking and he currently occupies the No.1 spot with the WBO and is mandatory challenger for the world title.
“I am delighted that he is sticking with us for the long-term so we can see the job through and enjoy many more successful nights in the future.”
#California Congrats to the new WBO International Featherweight Champion Ruben Villa (16-0, 5 KOs), who defeated former WBO International Champion Luis Alberto Lopez (17-2, 8 KOs) by unanimous decision at the Omega Products Events Center in Corona as the main event showdown on ShoBox: The New Generation. Scorecards: 96-94, 98-92, 97-93.
Villa has also held the WBO Youth Featherweight Title
.@ruben_villa4 showcasing his skills early. #VillaLopez | #ShoBox pic.twitter.com/9P9XsVIooW
— SHOWTIME Boxing (@ShowtimeBoxing) May 11, 2019
.@ruben_villa4 hammers Lopez in Round 9.#VillaLopez | #ShoBox pic.twitter.com/01rtU4A9E5
— SHOWTIME Boxing (@ShowtimeBoxing) May 11, 2019
Press Conference: WBO International Jr. Lightweight Champion Lamont Roach Jr. (18-0-1, 7 KOs) Vs. WBO NABO Jr. Lightweight Champion Jonathan “Polvo” Oquendo (30-5, 19 KOs) on Saturday, May 4, 2019 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas and will be streamed live exclusively on DAZN as part of #CaneloJacobs
Lamont Roach Jr., WBO International Champion:
“The time is now for those who haven’t seen me. This is the type of opponent that we’ve been waiting for, for a long time. This is where we are going to capitalize and show that we are ready for a world title in the 130-pound division. This is not the first time I’ve faced a veteran and probably not the last time. We trained our asses off in camp, we had good sparring, good strength and conditioning camp, trained mentally, and I’m just ready to be a world titlist and it starts with Saturday night.”
Jonathan Oquendo, NABO Champion:
“This will be a unification fight because I have the NABO Super Featherweight belt while Lamont Roach has the WBO International Super Featherweight belt. The whole world knows all the hard work I put in for this Saturday. We know the quality of fighter that he is, we know the capabilities he has. But I like challenge. He likes to fight, I like to fight, and we’re going to make sure we have a great battle and a victory for Puerto Rico.”
Photo by Hogan Photos/Golden Boy Promotions
Caught up with super featherweight Lamont Roach Jr. (@OneOf1x).
The 23-year-old from D.C. opens up the DAZN telecast against Puerto Rican veteran Jonathan Oquendo, who hasn’t lost since 2015.
He also suggests boxing fans keep an eye out for his little brother, Jordan Roach. pic.twitter.com/PVUB1RzF2e
— Jake Gould (@jakegould10) May 2, 2019
"Es una bendición, creo en Dios, esta es mi segunda oportunidad de ganar un título mundial y estoy aquí por esa razón, yo creo que saldre de aqui como campeón mundial" – Jonathan "Polvo" Oquendo #OquendoRoach | En vivo x @DAZN_USA | #Mayo4@GoldenBoyBoxing @realmiguelacotto pic.twitter.com/HXwnLGFeTI
— Cotto Promotions LLC (@CottoPromotions) May 2, 2019
Milan “Metodico” Melindo made it a very short night for Jesus Geles of Colombia. Hooks to the ribs sent Geles down three times in round one. Referee Danrex Tapdasan stopped the carnage at 2:21. Melindo remains unbeaten in 27 fights and won the WBO International flyweight belt. He also scored an impressive win against a former interim world champion.
By Rene Bonsubre, Jr.
THE next best thing to a world title shot is facing an opponent who has experienced being at the top. That is what’s in store for the unbeaten Milan Melindo, as he patiently waits for his moment to wear the coveted crown.
The 24-year-old world-rated tactician is taking a cerebral approach to the ring as the supporting main event of the 14th installment of the popular “Pinoy Pride” series, headlined by a world title clash between World Boxing Organization (WBO) flyweight champion Donnie Nietes and Felipe Salguero, on June 2 at the Resorts World Hotel and Casino in Pasay City.
Melindo defends his Inter-Continental flyweight belt and is also gunning for the vacant WBO International flyweight belt against ex-WBO light flyweight king Jesus Geles.
“Any fight against a former world champion will always be tough. I can’t say if his next fight will be for a world title as we are just waiting for the offer as Milan is now WBO No. 1,” ALA Promotions president Michael Aldeguer told Sun.Star Cebu.
The outcome of WBO flyweight champion Brian Viloria’s upcoming title defense against Mexican rival Omar Nino Romero on May 12 would somehow dictate Melindo’s title hopes.
“Milan wants to fight for a world title and we believe he is ready. We are just waiting for the right opportunity,” said Aldeguer, who isn’t too keen of an all-Filipino war between Melindo and Viloria.
Melindo, 26-0 with 10 knockouts, is rated No. 1 in the WBO, No. 7 in World Boxing Council, No. 8 in the International Boxing Federation and No. 9 in the World Boxing Association.
Geles, 24, is on a comeback trail after losing a fourth round knockout to Ramon Garcia in their rematch last year. Geles won the interim WBO light flyweight belt in 2010 after beating Omar Soto by majority decision, he successfully defended his interim crown with a razor-thin split decision over Garcia. After being declared the regular champion, Geles bowed down to Garcia in their rematch. The Columbian owns a 13-2-1 record with five knockouts.
“It will be an interesting tactical fight as both can box and brawl. It will depend on who will be more calculated,” said Aldeguer.
There is a moment in every young prospects career that he is given a grizzled veteran as a measuring stick if he truly is the real deal. This is the opportunity for unbeaten Genesis Servania to prove his worth as he trades leathers with battle-scarred former world title challenger Genaro Garcia in the undercard of “Pinoy Pride 14”.
“It’s a risky fight for Servania but that’s the only way to find out if he is ready to go to the next level. In ‘Pinoy Pride’ the goal is to feature great fights that fans could be excited about. Yes it is for a WBC regional title,” said Aldeguer.