Patrick L. Stumberg

1 week ago | badlefthook.com | Patrick L. Stumberg

Photo by Cris Esqueda/Golden Boy/Getty Images It took a few years longer than expected, but Bektemir Melikuziev is finally on the cusp of a title shot after gritting his way past Darius Fulghum in an entertaining and hard-fought WBA final eliminator. Melikuziev (16-1, 10 KO) utilized his usual mix of bouncy movement and explosive entries to set the tempo at range, while Fulghum (14-1, 12 KO) filled the gaps between Melikuziev’s broadsides with tight, sharp combinations.

1 week ago | badlefthook.com | Patrick L. Stumberg

Top Rank has officially announced both the previously revealed July 26th super welterweight title fight between Xander Zayas and Jorge Garcia Perez and its undercard lineup, which includes an unexpected title bout and a number of its top young talents. ​​”This is a dream I’ve worked hard for my entire life. I’ve got a good opponent in Jorge Garcia, a Mexican hungry to become a world champion,” Zayas said.

1 week ago | badlefthook.com | Patrick L. Stumberg

Photo by Richard Pelham/Getty Images Jaime Munguia’s redemption arc just hit a serious roadblock, as Jake Donovan and Mike Coppinger report that the former champion failed a post-fight Voluntary Anti-Doping Association (VADA) drug test for exogenous testosterone metabolites after this month’s decision victory over Bruno Surace. “Exogenous” means the testosterone came from an outside source as opposed to Munguia’s (45-2, 35 KO) own endocrine system.

1 week ago | sports.yahoo.com | Patrick L. Stumberg

Jaime Munguia’s redemption arc just hit a serious roadblock, as Jake Donovan and Mike Coppinger report that the former champion failed a post-fight Voluntary Anti-Doping Association (VADA) drug test for exogenous testosterone metabolites after this month’s decision victory over Bruno Surace. “Exogenous” means the testosterone came from an outside source as opposed to Munguia’s (45-2, 35 KO) own endocrine system.

1 week ago | badlefthook.com | Patrick L. Stumberg

After two trips to the judges, WBO bantamweight champion Yoshiki Takei returned to his finishing ways this morning with a one-round mauling of undefeated Yuttapong Tongdee. Tongdee (15-1, 9 KO), by all accounts, was not of Thai boxing’s many paper tigers who make their name by feasting on limited opposition. Takei (11-0, 9 KO) sure made him look like one, though, landing three knockdowns inside of 90 seconds before forcing the ref into action with a vicious flurry.