Puerto Rican challenger Jonathan Oquendo has seen two dates with Jamel Herring fall through after the WBO 130lbs title-holder tested positive for Covid-19, but should finally receive his shot at the MGM Grand, Las Vegas, on Saturday night. Victory for the champion would see Herring face Belfast boxing legend Carl Frampton later this year, but Oquendo is promising to derail those plans.
“I feel happy because the wait is over. I am in the best condition of my career, so there are no excuses. The delays came in handy because I was able to do more sparring since we know that I will have a great challenge in front of me,” Oquendo (31-6, 19 KOs) told journalist Carlos Gonzalez. “We have faith that the fight will happen.
“If Herring wants to fight Frampton, he will have to step over me first and I am confident that I will be victorious. Herring is a fast boxer who tries to place the punches and avoids receiving by keeping his distance, but I have the hunger to be a champion, so he will have to take care of it.”
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Japanese boxing icon Akira Yaegashi has announced his retirement after a glorious 14-year campaign where he won world titles across three weight divisions during a career laced with excitement and astonishing bravery. Yaegashi (28-7, 16 KOs) will now train fighters at the Ohashi Boxing Gym and serve as a ringside analyst for Fuji TV in Japan.
“Although I haven’t ever felt the limits of my physical strength, I’m no longer able to continue as an active boxer,” Yaegashi, 37, revealed during a video press conference. “The fans supported me, winning and losing. I couldn’t continue without your support. I will take the first step in a new life.”
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Former two-weight world champion Sergio Martinez seems to be inching closer to a shot at WBA Regular middleweight champion Ryota Murata after appearing at No.6 in the sanctioning body’s latest ratings.
Argentine great Martinez, 45, returned to the ring after a six-year lay-off in August, stopping Jose Fandino in seven rounds. Having seen his illustrious career curtailed by injury, most notably to his knees, Martinez appeared a reasonable facsimile of his former self despite wearing precautionary braces on his knees.
Before his comeback win, Martinez (52-3-2, 29 KOs) said WBA President Gilberto Mendoza had promised him a shot at Murata with a couple of wins. “This is the beginning of something very beautiful. I won’t stop until the world title,” said Martinez after stopping Fandino.
That dream is a little bit closer.