Round-up of the latest news from the world of boxing including WBA interim title fever, a former world champion’s surprise comeback and the return of ‘Showtime’ Shawn Porter.
Despite the Covid-19 Pandemic pausing boxing and the majority of championship activity, the WBA have somehow managed to sanction two interim world title fights at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles om August 8.
With times tough and sanctioning fees low, Minneapolis favourite Jamal James (26-1, 12 KOs) will contest the WBA 147lbs interim ‘crown’ against Puerto Rico’s former world title challenger Thomas Dulorme (25-3-1, 16 KOs) while Cuban hope David Morrell (2-0, 2 KOs) faces Brooklyn-based Guyanese Lennox Allen (22-0-1, 14 KOs) for the WBA interim 168lbs belt in just his third contest.
Both are good fights but, to add some context, Manny Pacquaio and Callum Smith are the ‘Super’ champions at those weights.
There may be a global recession after the carnage caused by Covid-19, but the company who manufactures those WBA belts will never lose business. That never-ending conveyor belt of WBA champions is cranking back into life.
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Former IBF cruiserweight champion Yoan Pablo Hernandez is returning to the ring after a six-year hiatus. Now 35, the talented but injury prone Cuban southpaw will now campaign as a heavyweight under the guidance of SES Boxing.
A fit Hernandez (29-1, 14 KOs) certainly has the 6ft 4ins frame and ability to make a bit of noise at heavyweight. He is fighting out of Stendal, Germany, where he has forged a career as a trainer. Hernandez will be back on the inside of the ropes in Magdeburg, Germany, on August 22.
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Former two-time welterweight champion Shawn Porter (30-3-1, 14 KOs) is set to return on August 22 against IBO champion Sebastian Formella in Los Angeles.
Although not formally announced, Formella’s promoter Erol Ceylan jumped the gun by revealing the fight.
“Porter is one of the best in the world and I have great respect for him, but I’m not flying to the USA to lose!” said German Formella (22-0, 10 KOs) who has mixed in decent company.
Main image: Shawn Porter. Photo: Stephanie Trapp/TGB Promotions.