Boxing was still dealing with the aftermath of Tyson Fury-Dillian Whyte earlier this week. What transpired as a routine title defence for the champion last Saturday saw the night end with Fury reminding all of us that he was still retiring before a rendition of American Pie at Wembley Stadium.
The attention then rightly turned to Katie Taylor against Amanda Serrano who lit up New York City before putting on a thrilling display in their historic undisputed clash at Madison Square Garden last night.
Meanwhile in Vegas Shakur Stevenson became the unified super-featherweight champion and the rightful number one in the division by beating Oscar Valdez.
But beneath all of that has been some news that you may have missed. So, in less time than it takes to recover from missing a flight to America have a read at this week’s Hooks and Jabs.
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Matchroom and DAZN announced a double-header for June. On June 10 Hiroto Kyoguchi will defend his WBA ‘Super’ light-flyweight title against Esteban Bermudez in Mexico. Fifteen days later Bam Rodriguez puts his WBC super-flyweight title on the line with Srisaket Sor Rungvisai in the opposite corner. The deep undercard sees unified super-bantamweight champion Murodjon Akhmadaliev face Ronny Rios, WBC flyweight champion Julio Cesar Martinez against McWilliams Arroyo and Jessica McCaskill defend her undisputed welterweight crown against an unnamed opponent.
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The first defence of Mark Magasayo’s WBC featherweight title was officially announced this week.
On July 9 at the Alamodome, San Antonio the Filipino will face former WBC super-bantamweight champion Rey Vargas. Magasayo caused one of the upsets of the year when taking the title from Gary Russell Jr in January.
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According to Dan Rafael the undercard for George Kambosos Jr against Devin Haney on June 5 in Melbourne is taking shape. At heavyweight Junior Fa fights Lucas Browne, former super-flyweight world title challenger Andrew Moloney takes on Aston Palicte and there is a spot on the bill for Irish light-heavyweight prospect Joe Ward.
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Britain’s Danny Dignum will look to cause an upset of his own on May 21 at Resorts World, Las Vegas. The Essex middleweight will fight the fellow unbeaten Zhanibek Alimkhanuly for the WBO Interim middleweight belt. On the same card former WBO super-featherweight champion Jamel Herring marks his return to the lightweight division by facing Jamaine Ortiz.
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Paul Butler may have to go on a business trip to Japan to take in the upcoming Naoya Inoue-Nonito Donaire rematch. The WBO Interim bantamweight title holder hopes to be upgraded to full champion status following his win over late replacement Jose Sultan last week after former titlist John Riel Casimero pulled out once again. “If I’ve been upgraded to full world champion then it’s a no brainer to go out to Japan and watch them two. The winner will have one belt left to try and win so why not box me for all the marbles?”