With 2014 quickly wrapping up, it’s time to look ahead to 2015. On the prospects to watch series, I’ll discuss 20 fighters who I believe will make, or break, their careers, in the next year. Now, I do not believe these are necessarily the 20 best prospects in boxing, just the top 20 with name recognition, ability and potential to breakout in the upcoming year. Let's take a … [Read more...]
Under the Radar: September 3rd – 10th, 2014
*All bouts listed below are subject to change or cancellation 9/3 – Ali Raymi (22-0, 22 KO’s) vs. Abdu Rafik (4-0, 1 KO) - 22 May Sports Stadium, Sanaa, Yemen This bout was mentioned in last week’s UTR, but Raymi snuck one in on us, and took a rematch with Prince Maz over the weekend and won by seventh round KO, ending his first round stoppage streak. So if this goes off as … [Read more...]
Under the Radar: Fights That Didn’t Make the Big Headlines – May 22nd – 26th, 2014
5/22 – Ryota Murata (4-0, 4 KO’s) vs. Jesus Angel Nerio (12-4, 6 KO’s) - Shimazu Arena, Kyoto, Kyoto, Japan Japans middleweight gold medalist continues to build his young career against more experienced opposition. Nerio is actually a step down from his last opponent though; in February Murata fought and defeated 32 fight veteran and former Latino middleweight title holder … [Read more...]
Ryota Murata to face OPBF champ in pro debut
Japanese middleweight, and 2012 Olympic gold medalist Ryota Murata will make his much-anticipated professional debut against the current OPBF middleweight champion, Akio Shibata (21-7-1, 9 KO’s) on August 25th at Ariake Colosseum in Tokyo, Japan. Murata, who signed with Top Rank in June, (as reported by The Boxing Tribune here) was Japans first boxing gold medal winner since … [Read more...]
Top Rank Inks Japanese Gold Medalist Ryota Murata
Top Rank, Inc. has announced the signing of Japanese Olympic gold medalist, middleweight, Ryota Murata. Murata is a 27-year-old orthodox-stance fighter who was the first Japanese boxer to win a gold medal at middleweight, when he won gold at the 2012 Olympic games in London. Murata’s amateur record is said to have been 119-19. Top Rank will promote Murata’s fights outside of … [Read more...]