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jam outboxes butty boi

Ugas-Stanionis, James-Butaev Ordered As Part Of WBA Welterweight Box-Off

A four-man box-off has been ordered in the weight division responsible for the WBA taking steps to clean up its act.

The Panama City-headquartered sanctioning body has called for a title consolidation tournament in the welterweight division, with WBA “Super” champion Yordenis Ugas and WBA “World” titlist Jamal James now committed to separate mandatory title defenses. A resolution was reached on Thursday, calling for a single titlist to be identified by no later than end of March 2022.

Ugas is required to next face Eimantas Stanionis, while James is locked into an overdue mandatory defense versus Radzhab Butaev. From there the winners are required to meet to create one WBA-recognized welterweight titlist.

“The championship committee call(s for a) Box-Off as necessary for WBA Welterweight division in order to have one champion,” Carlos Chavez, chairman of WBA Championship Committee declared in the final resolution, a copy of which has been obtained by BS.com. “Based on the hierarchy of WBA rankings the eligible boxers are: Yordenis Ugas (“Super Champion”), Jamal James (“Regular Champion”), Radzhab Butaev (“official challenger”) and Eimantas Stanionis (“leading available contender”).

“In accordance to the previous resolution, Jamal James shall box official contender in Radzhab Butaev by November 2021. Yordenis Ugas must defend the title against the next leading available contender Eimantas Stanionis within 120 days from the date of this resolution. The Super Champion must box the regular champion by the end of March 2022.”

Minneapolis’ James (27-1, 12KOs) has been locked into a mandatory title defense versus Russia’s Butaev (13-0, 10KOs; 1NC) since receiving an upgrade from WBA “interim” to WBA “World” welterweight title claimant. The promotion came February 4, well ahead of recent developments that has seen the sanctioning body since declassify all previous interim title claimants.

Despite maintaining his title status, James has yet to make his way back to the ring since first putting a belt around his waist. That moment came last August, when he outpointed Dulorme over twelve rounds in their classified WBA “interim” title fight atop a PBC on Fox telecast from Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles. Six months later came the upgrade to “World” titlist along with instructions to enter talks for a showdown with Dulorme. No word has since followed as to when they are expected to meet, with the WBA taking additional steps to force everyone’s hand in moving this fight over the line.

“If the bout has been agreed the delivery of the contracts is requested,” noted Chavez to all involved parties.

Butaev is owed a title shot following his controversial loss-turned-No-Contest versus Alexander Besputin in their November 2019 vacant WBA “World” welterweight title fight. The outcome was nullified after Besputin tested for the banned substance Lingandrol, resulting in his being stripped of the title.

The original order called for Butaev to face Ugas, though the unbeaten Russian—now based out of Brooklyn—agreed to what was intended as a stay-busy fight. Butaev scored a third-round knockout of Terry Chatwood on a PBC on FS1 telecast last December at Shrine Auditorium & Expo Hall in Los Angeles, but has since spent his time waiting for a fight with James to materialize. The two now have until the end of November to make that happen.

Ugas (27-4, 12KOs) is coming off a career-best win, having outpointed the legendary Manny Pacquiao over twelve rounds in their August 2021 Fox Sports Pay-Per-View headliner in Las Vegas. The opportunity came on short notice for Ugas, who stepped in to replace injured WBC/IBF welterweight titlist Errol Spence (27-0, 21KOs)—who suffered a torn retina requiring immediate surgery—after being scheduled to appear on the undercard. The 35-year-old Miami-based Cuban was due to face Argentina’s Fabian Maidana, who withdrew due to suffering a cut during training camp.

The timing worked out perfect for Ugas, who held the WBA “Super” title that Pacquiao argued was wrongly removed from his possession. Pacquiao was downgraded to WBA “Champion In Recess” after failing to respond to repeated requests from the sanctioning body aiming to confirm his plans after having not fought since July 2019. The debate proved moot once the bell sounded, as Ugas won by unanimous decision in by far his most high-profile fight to date.

With that comes somewhat of a step backwards, though no less of a challenge for the defending titlist.

Stanionis (13-0, 9KOs; 1ND) has angled for a title shot since the year began, further pleading his case following a twelve-round win over former title challenger Thomas Dulorme this past April in Uncasville, Connecticut. His most recent bout wasn’t as productive, as Stanionis—who represented Lithuania in the 2016 Rio Olympics—was denied a developing win over former titlist Luis Collazo, who was unable to continue after a clash of heads ended their August 7 PBC on Fox headliner inside of four rounds. The bout came to a close at 2:21 of round four, just thirty-nine seconds shy of an official fight by which point Stanionis would have won a technical decision.

Instead, the end result was a No-Contest, though atop a card where another welterweight bout forever changed the manner in which the WBA now conducts its business.

The evening’s chief support saw Venezuela’s Gabriel Maestre (4-0, 3KOs) take a highly questionable twelve-round, unanimous decision win over Mykal Fox (22-3, 5KOs) to claim the WBA “interim” welterweight title fight. The horrendous decision garnered a swarm of negative publicity, including but not limited to judge Gloria Martinez-Rizzo—whose scorecard of 117-110 in favor of Maestre warranted immediate banishment—exposed for her history of racism, which was found in violation of the WBA’s Code of Ethics.

The manner was addressed by the Association of Boxing Commissions (ABC), who also drew attention to the WBA’s sordid history of crowning multiple titlists per weight division. The WBA has since agreed to clean up its act, which has resulted in a number of title consolidation bouts and box-offs having been ordered, along with the removal of “interim” titles as most of the previous claimants were since installed as mandatory challengers in weight divisions where one did not already exist.

“Boxers and promoters are obliged to know and be familiar with all [WBA] rules, as part of WBA goals of “[enhancing] the sport of boxing”, “with impartial, honest and fair” [principles], “make boxing a prestigious sports activity with credibility and institutional recognition” and “help to improve the image of boxing through the appreciation, enjoyment and positive perception on behalf of the public,” notes Chavez. “If the Champion in Recess or prior Interim Champion is unwilling to participate in a contest to determine a sole champion in the division” both or a portion holder may lose their recognition.

“In the alternative, the Championships Chairman may order a Box-off between four available ranked boxers (WBA rule 31). Since the past “multi-champion” policy establish[ed] a new hierarchical order, the top contenders and mandatory will be considered to participate.”

While all involved parties are expected to participate in lieu of the WBA any longer granting favors resulting in multiple titlists, a grievance procedure does exist within the sanctioning body’s by-laws. However, James-Butaev is already well past the deadline and will have to move forward absent either side abandoning the process altogether.

Ugas would love nothing more than to enter another major PPV headliner. However, his options are limited. There exists little public demand for a rematch with Pacquiao. Spence remains in recovery mode following his eye injury. WBO welterweight titlist Terence Crawford is committed to a November 20 mandatory title defense versus Shawn Porter, who barely edged Ugas in their March 2019 WBC welterweight title fight.

All things considered, entering a tournament that ensures—with wins—two fights in the next nine months beats waiting around for one that is not guaranteed to materialize. It also beat the alternative of not having a title at all to defend or fight for, regardless of any other next step considered by the four welterweights assigned to this tournament.

“If a boxer declines to participate in a Mandatory Defense, Elimination Bout, or Box-Off, his title may be vacated, or he may be demoted, or removed from the rankings,” declares Chavez. “The committee will have three business days to appoint the next eligible boxer to participate.”

margaret thatcher wrote: ↑16 Sep 2021, 20:07 jam outboxes butty boi

You reckon?

Butaev got robbed against Besputin, who then pissed hot.

nah bes won that 8-4

Confirmed for Showtime

Ennis-Dulorme In Co-Feature

Jamal James-Radzhab Butaev To Headline October 30 Showtime Card; Ennis-Dulorme In Co-Feature

A welterweight-themed card now graces Showtime’s active fourth-quarter schedule.

Boxing Scene has confirmed that the October 30 edition of Showtime Championship Boxing will feature two significant welterweight fights, topped by WBA “World” welterweight titlist Jamal James in a mandatory defense versus Russia’s Radzhab Butaev. As previously reported by Boxing Scene senior writer/columnist Keith Idec, rising contender Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis and former title challenger Thomas Dulorme are set to meet in the co-feature bout.

The event will take place at Virgin Hotels Las Vegas, marking the start of an active stretch in the self-proclaimed boxing capital of the world. The undisputed super middleweight championship between WBA/WBC/WBO titlist Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez (56-1-2, 38 KOs) and IBF titlist Caleb Plant (21-0, 12 KOs) comes one week later, with Showtime officially confirmed to produce and distribute the November 6 Pay-Per-View event from T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

As previously reported by Boxing Scene, Vegas will also host the November 5 edition of Top Rank Boxing on ESPN+, headlined by the junior lightweight title unification clash between WBO titlist Mikaela Mayer (15-0, 5 KOs) and long-reigning IBF title claimant Maiva Hamadouche (22-1, 18 KOs) also from Virgin Hotels Las Vegas.

Minneapolis’ James (27-1, 12 KOs) was named WBA “World” welterweight titlist this past February, receiving an upgrade from the now-defunct “interim” title he claimed in a twelve-round win over Dulorme last August in Los Angeles. The fight came with the understanding that the winner would be due to next face Butaev (13-0, 10 KOs; 1NC), with James-Butaev formally ordered this past January.

Butaev has not fought since a third-round stoppage of Terry Chatwood last December. The bout was his first since a controversial loss-turned-No-Contest versus Alexander Besputin in their November 2019 vacant WBA “World” welterweight title fight. The outcome was nullified after Besputin tested for the banned substance Lingandrol, resulting in his being stripped of the title.

Butaev agreed to allow Yordenis Ugas and Abel Ramos to compete for the belt as his availability was hindered by travel restrictions due to the pandemic. An agreement was in place for the unbeaten Russian to next challenge for the belt, now in James’ possession once Ugas was upgraded to WBA “Super” titlist.

Ugas (27-4, 12 KOs) is now required to defend the belt versus unbeaten Eimantas Stanionis (13-0, 9 KOs; 1ND), as part of a four-man box-off along with James-Butaev recently ordered by the WBA. The winners—should both fights go through—are required to meet by no later than next March.

Outside of that bracket exists another potential threat to any welterweight on the planet.

Ennis (27-0, 25 KOs), 24, has been prominently featured on Showtime over the past three years, including his first main event on the network in his most recent start. The unbeaten Philadelphia-born and bred boxer rose to the occasion, scoring a one-sided, sixth-round stoppage of former junior welterweight titlist Sergey Lipinets this past April in Uncasville, Connecticut. Lipinets (16-2-1, 12KOs) had never been previously stopped and whose lone other defeat came to then-unbeaten four-division titlist and pound-for-pound entrant Mikey Garcia in March 2018.

Dulorme (25-5-1, 16KOs) represents the latest test in Ennis’ career, having long served as a divisional gatekeeper. The 31-year-old from Carolina, Puerto Rico shared a Showtime card with Ennis this past April, coming up short in a twelve-round decision in favor of Stanionis. The loss was his second straight, coming eight months after his spirited twelve-round battle with James last August atop the first PBC Fox card since the pandemic.

Dulorme previously showed his worth in a clear-cut, ten-round win over then-unbeaten Terrel Williams in September 2019. The feat came eleven months after scoring a dramatic twelfth-round knockdown to preserve a majority draw with former two-division titlist Jessie Vargas in their October 2018 thriller.

A third fight is expected to be added as the opening bout of a planned tripleheader, though that part of the show has not been identified as this goes to publish.

Michel Rivera-Jose Matias Romero To Open Showtime Tripleheader October 30 In Las Vegas

Showtime will feature lightweight contender Michel Rivera in the opener of its October 30 broadcast from Las Vegas.

Boxing Scene has learned that the Dominican Republic’s Rivera will square off against Argentina’s Jose Matias Romero in a 10-rounder, the first of three bouts the premium cable network will televise that night from Mandalay Bay’s Michelob ULTRA Arena. The 23-year-old Rivera (21-0, 14 KOs) appears to be on the cusp of earning a 135-pound world title shot, but Matias Romero gave another lightweight contender, Isaac Cruz, a difficult fight in his most recent outing.

Mexico’s Cruz (22-1-1, 15 KOs) fended off Matias Romero (24-1, 8 KOs) to win a 12-round unanimous decision seven months ago, but their competitive clash was close on two scorecards (118-109, 115-112, 114-113). Showtime also televised Cruz-Matias Romero on March 13 as part of a tripleheader from Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut.

Rivera, meanwhile, recovered from a sixth-round knockdown to knock out Spain’s Jon Fernandez (21-2, 18 KOs) in the eighth round of his last fight. Showtime aired Rivera’s victory over Fernandez as well as part of a three-bout broadcast July 3 from Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, California.

As previously reported by BS.com, Showtime’s telecast October 30 will showcase welterweights in the main event and co-feature.

Minneapolis’ Jamal James (27-1, 12 KOs) will defend his WBA world welterweight title against Russia’s Radzhab Butaev (13-0, 10 KOs, 1 NC) in the 12-round main event. Butaev is owed a shot at James’ secondary WBA belt because countryman Alexander Besputin tested positive for a banned performance-enhancing drug after he beat Butaev by unanimous decision in their 12-round title fight in November 2019 in Monte Carlo.

Philadelphia’s Jaron Ennis (27-0, 25 KOs, 1 NC) and Puerto Rican veteran Thomas Dulorme (25-5-1, 16 KOs) are set to square off in the 12-round co-feature.

Jean Carlos Torres-Darwin Price Added To Non-Televised Portion Of James-Butaev Card 10/30

One of Mayweather Promotions’ top prospects will face what on paper appears to be his toughest test October 30.

Boxing Scene has learned that Jean Carlos Torres will encounter Darwin Price before a “Showtime Championship Boxing” tripleheader starts that night in Las Vegas. Torres (19-0, 15 KOs), a powerful southpaw from Puerto Rico, and Houston’s Price (17-1, 10 KOs) will meet in a non-televised, 10-round junior welterweight bout on the Jamal James- Radzhab Butaev undercard at Mandalay Bay’s Michelob ULTRA Arena.

As previously reported by BS.com, Showtime’s telecast October 30 will showcase welterweights in the main event and co-feature.

Minneapolis’ James (27-1, 12 KOs) will defend his WBA world welterweight title against Russia’s Radzhab Butaev (13-0, 10 KOs, 1 NC) in the 12-round main event. Butaev is owed a shot at James’ secondary WBA belt because Alexander Besputin tested positive for a banned performance-enhancing drug after he beat Butaev by unanimous decision in their 12-round title fight in November 2019 in Monte Carlo.

Philadelphia’s Jaron Ennis (27-0, 25 KOs, 1 NC) and Puerto Rican veteran Thomas Dulorme (25-5-1, 16 KOs) are set to square off in the 12-round co-feature. The opener of Showtime’s three-bout broadcast October 30 is a 10-round lightweight bout between the Dominican Republic’s Michel Rivera (21-0, 14 KOs) and Argentina’s Jose Matias Romero (24-1, 8 KOs).

Torres, 31, has won eight straight bouts by knockout or technical knockout since he edged Kevin Nieves by split decision in an eight-rounder in June 2018. In his most recent action, Torres knocked Zack Kuhn (10-8-1, 5 KOs) to the canvas twice in the second round of a bout he won by TKO in the same round June 6 on the Floyd Mayweather-Logan Paul undercard at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida.

The 32-year-old Price’s lone loss was the result of a knee injury he sustained during the fifth round against then-unbeaten Malik Hawkins in December 2019. Price had won each of the first four rounds on all three scorecards entering the fifth round versus Hawkins in a fight Showtime televised as part of the Gervonta Davis-Yuriorkis Gamboa undercard at State Farm Arena in Atlanta.

Price won his only bout since he suffered that knee injury on April 21. He knocked out Saul Corral (23-17, 13 KOs) in the fifth round of their scheduled eight-round bout at Shrine Auditorium & Exposition Center in Los Angeles.

The only story I got from this is that Besputin pissed hot. I've not been following boxing like I used to, but I remember Besputin topping "prospects to look out for" lists. I can't say I'm surprised, though, the dude looks like a freaking beast. He has like a 20-pack on fight-night, fully hydrated.

Oh, Jamal James is a weak contender, imo. I think he has a slight chance of beating Ugas, but no chance to beat Crawford, Spence Jr., or Ortiz Jr.

Fight Week !!

Mexi-Box wrote: ↑18 Oct 2021, 21:47 The only story I got from this is that Besputin pissed hot. I've not been following boxing like I used to, but I remember Besputin topping "prospects to look out for" lists. I can't say I'm surprised, though, the dude looks like a freaking beast. He has like a 20-pack on fight-night, fully hydrated.

Oh, Jamal James is a weak contender, imo. I think he has a slight chance of beating Ugas, but no chance to beat Crawford, Spence Jr., or Ortiz Jr.

James already lost to Ugas

Cent0089 wrote: ↑25 Oct 2021, 10:01

Mexi-Box wrote: ↑18 Oct 2021, 21:47 The only story I got from this is that Besputin pissed hot. I've not been following boxing like I used to, but I remember Besputin topping "prospects to look out for" lists. I can't say I'm surprised, though, the dude looks like a freaking beast. He has like a 20-pack on fight-night, fully hydrated.

Oh, Jamal James is a weak contender, imo. I think he has a slight chance of beating Ugas, but no chance to beat Crawford, Spence Jr., or Ortiz Jr.

James already lost to Ugas

He's improved since then. I don't remember too well, but I think they had a small segment about him not being 100% during that time that he fought Ugas. He's a tall dude that has refined his boxing ability. I think he'll give the more counterpunching Ugas problems. I don't rate either that high, though, and I've not seen the guy that is fighting James so who knows if he'll even get that shot.

Press Release - Undercard Infomation

Super lightweight contenders Jean Carlos Torres and Darwin Price will meet in a 10-round bout highlighting non-televised undercard action this Saturday, October 30 in a Premier Boxing Champions event from Michelob ULTRA Arena at Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas.

The card is headlined by a Showtime Boxing tripleheader that will see WBA "regular" welterweight champion Jamal “Shango” James defend his title against unbeaten contender Radzhab Butaev in the main event. In the co-main event, rising welterweight star Jaron “Boots” Ennis steps in for a showdown against veteran contender Thomas Dulorme, while exciting unbeaten lightweight contender Michel Rivera faces Argentina’s Matías Romero in the telecast opener at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT.

Tickets for the live event are on sale now and can be purchased at AXS.com.

Non-televised undercard action will also see a pair of once-beaten welterweights duel as Argentina’s Alberto Palmetta (16-1, 12 KOs) faces Colombia’s Yeis Solano (15-1, 10 KOs) in an eight-round fight. Rounding out the undercard are super lightweight prospects David Lopez and Lazarus Velasquez squaring off in their pro debuts for a four-round fight, and unbeaten prospect Jose Sanchez (7-0, 5 KOs) taking on Mexico’s Fernando Garcia (13-3, 8 KOs) in a six-round featherweight attraction.

The 31-year-old Torres (19-0, 15 KOs) fought in the U.S. for the first time since 2016 in his last bout, as he stopped Zack Kuhn in two rounds in June on the Floyd Mayweather vs. Logan Paul undercard. A native of Carolina, Puerto Rico, Torres fights out of the Mayweather Promotions stable and was a sparring partner for three-division champion Gervonta Davis as Davis prepared to face Leo Santa Cruz in 2020. A standout amateur with a 78-15 record, Torres has stopped his last eight opponents inside of the distance ahead of his toughest challenge to date in Price.

Price (17-1, 10 KOs) returned to the ring in April to knock out Saul Corral in the fifth round. His previous outing had come in December 2019 when he suffered a knee injury that forced him to take a TKO loss against Malik Hawkins, in a fight Price led on the scorecards. Originally from St. Louis and now fighting out of Houston, Price was a standout track and field runner at Grambling State University before turning pro and winning his first 16 fights.

Jamal James will win - probably stop Butaev late.

The Russian will put up a good fight, but be gradually broken down by James.

Stats and Stakes

Jamal James

Age: 33
Title/Previous Titles: None (Holds WBA secondary welterweight title)
Height: 6’2
Weight: 145 ¼ lbs.
Stance: Orthodox
Hails from: Minneapolis, Minnesota
Record: 27-1, 12 KO
Rankings: #9 (TBRB, ESPN)
Record in Major Title Fights: N/A (1-0 in WBA interim title fights)
Last Five Opponents: 130-20-6 (.853)
Notable Outcomes, TBRB and/or Ring Rated Foes: None
Additional Current/Former Titlists Faced: Yordenis Ugas L10

vs.

Radzhab Butaev

Age: 27
Title/Previous Titles: None
Height: 5’10 ½
Weight: 146 ¼ lbs.
Stance: Orthodox
Hails from: Khasavyurt, Russia
Record: 13-0, 10 KO
Rankings: Unrated
Record in Major Title Fights: N/A
Last Five Opponents: 115-45-5 (.712)
Notable Outcomes, TBRB and/or Ring Rated Foes: None
Additional Current/Former Titlists Faced: None

Isnt Jaron Ennis some kind of mandatory challenger for one of belts already? I wanna see that guy against SPence or Crawford - Porter winner.

Promoted by:Premier Boxing Champions

Date: Saturday October 30, 2021
Location: Michelob Ultra Arena - Las Vegas, NV
TV& Stream: Showtime

Start Times
Showtime: 10 pm ET | 7 pm PT | 2 am BST (Main Card)


Main Card

WBA Welterweight Championship
Jamal James vs. Radzhab Butaev

10 Round Welterweight Bout
Jaron Ennis vs. Thomas Dulorme

8 Round Lightweight Bout
Michel Rivera vs. Matias Romero

Undercard (untelevised)

10 Round Super Lightweight Bout
Jean Carlos Torres vs. Darwin Price

Boots brought home the bacon, now a bit of a wait for the main event

Butaev has taken some of James best shots.
I get the feeling Butaev is waiting for James to slow, putting in body work.

Got it 2-0 for James so far. Great fight !

Oh! Big 3rd round for both guys.
This is great.
I got James 3-0 but Butaev right there and giving James something to think about.