Edith Soledad Matthysse Reclaims The World
This Time In Detroit!
By: Rowerth Goncalves
(February 25th) Argentina’s battle-tested veteran Edith Soledad Matthysse etched another golden chapter into her career, capturing the WBA Super Lightweight World Title with a commanding performance over American contender Samantha Worthington. The bout came to an abrupt conclusion when Worthington’s corner informed the referee that their fighter would not answer the bell for the ninth round at Little Caesars Arena.
At 45 years old, “Itaka” Matthysse delivered a masterclass in ring IQ, timing, and composure. From the opening bell, she neutralized Worthington with veteran savvy — controlling range, applying educated pressure, and dictating the tempo. The Michigan native struggled to find her rhythm as Matthysse’s steady body work and sharp counterpunching gradually broke her down through eight disciplined rounds.
The end came during the rest period before Round 9, when Worthington’s team cited accumulated punishment and their fighter’s inability to respond effectively to the Argentine’s sustained dominance.
With the victory, Matthysse once again sits atop the world stage, adding the WBA 140-pound crown to a résumé that already included a previous reign at featherweight. The win elevates her professional ledger and reestablishes her among the elite names in women’s boxing.
For Worthington, it’s a significant setback — one that forces a recalibration after being outclassed by a seasoned former champion who proved experience still carries weight at the highest level.
Greg Outlaw Defends His NABA Crown
With Commanding Win Over Michael Lee!
By: Rowerth Goncalves
(February 24th) American welterweight standout Greg Outlaw delivered a composed and technically sharp performance to retain his WBA NABA title, earning a unanimous decision over Michael Lee in the weekend’s featured bout.
From the opening round, Outlaw established control behind a stiff, educated jab and smooth lateral movement that kept Lee reset and chasing. Whenever the challenger attempted to close the gap in the middle rounds, looking to land something meaningful to shift the momentum, Outlaw answered with tight combinations and disciplined defense, refusing to give away clean opportunities.
The judges’ scorecards reflected the champion’s authority: 96-94, 97-93, and a wide 99-91 — all in favor of Outlaw. While one card suggested competitive stretches, the widest tally underscored what many ringside observers saw: a near-complete performance across ten rounds.
With the victory, Outlaw not only keeps his regional strap but strengthens his position in the WBA rankings at 147 pounds, placing himself squarely in the conversation for bigger opportunities in a loaded welterweight division.
For Lee, the defeat represents a tough but clarifying moment — a reminder that at this level, small tactical gaps are quickly exposed against a champion operating at peak form.
Shields Reasserts Her Reign
With Masterclass Over Crews-Dezurn!
By: Rowerth Goncalves
(February 23rd) On a night that once again underscored her iron grip on women’s boxing, Claressa Shields successfully defended her undisputed heavyweight championship with a dominant unanimous decision over longtime rival Franchon Crews-Dezurn. The bout, staged Sunday, February 22, at the Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, served as yet another reminder of the technical gulf Shields has maintained since turning pro.
Meeting again a decade after sharing their professional debut, Shields wasted no time establishing control. From the opening bell, the hometown star showcased blazing hand speed and surgical precision, neutralizing any offensive ambitions from Crews-Dezurn. Despite a tense build-up that included weigh-in controversy and questions surrounding the challenger’s knee and ankle issues, once the fight began, it was one-way traffic.
After ten one-sided rounds, all three judges turned in identical 100-90 scorecards. Shields swept every frame, methodically breaking down her courageous rival with sharp body work and pinpoint combinations upstairs. Crews-Dezurn’s toughness was unquestioned, but she never found the tactical key to unlock the self-proclaimed GWOAT’s defense.
With the victory, Shields improves to 18-0, further cementing her status as the face of women’s boxing and the undisputed queen of the heavyweight division. When the final bell rang, both fighters embraced, symbolically closing a chapter that began in the amateurs and now leaves Shields firmly atop the global stage.
Samedov Stops Gutierrez,
Captures WBA Interim Super Featherweight Title!
By: Rowerth Goncalves
(February 16th) Under the bright lights of the Traktor Ice Arena in Chelyabinsk, Russia, hometown fighter Elnur Samedov turned pressure into gold.
Samedov claimed the WBA Interim Super Featherweight World Title with an 11th-round TKO over Colombia’s John Lenon Gutierrez in a grueling battle defined by pace, persistence, and punishment.
From the opening bell, Samedov set a suffocating tempo. He cut off the ring with precision, took away Gutierrez’s escape routes, and forced the taller Colombian to fight at close quarters. Gutierrez tried to establish distance behind his reach advantage, but the Russian’s relentless pressure began breaking him down by the middle rounds.
The first major breakthrough came in the seventh. Samedov detonated a sharp combination that sent Gutierrez to the canvas for the first time. To his credit, the Colombian rose and showed tremendous grit, remaining competitive over the next few rounds despite absorbing heavy fire.
But in the eleventh, the dam finally broke.
Samedov unleashed a sustained assault, scoring another knockdown and trapping Gutierrez along the ropes with unanswered shots. Seeing no effective return and with the challenger defenseless, the referee stepped in to halt the contest.
With the victory, Samedov improves to 22-1 (11 KOs) and secures the black-and-gold strap. Gutierrez falls to 11-1, suffering the first defeat of his professional career in what was also his European debut.
Arutyunyan Stops Yunovidov,
Claims WBA Interim Bridgerweight Crown!
By: Rowerth Goncalves
(February 16th) Power met precision — and power prevailed. Armenia’s Vartan Arutyunyan delivered a statement performance Saturday night at the Traktor Ice Arena in Chelyabinsk, Russia, stopping hometown titleholder Georgiy Yunovidov in the sixth round to capture the WBA Interim Bridgerweight World Championship.
Yunovidov opened the bout boxing behind technique and range, looking to control distance and tempo. But Arutyunyan disrupted that rhythm early, pressing forward with intent and forcing exchanges that favored his heavier artillery.
The turning point came in the fifth round. A sharp combination from Arutyunyan dropped the defending champion, shifting momentum dramatically. Although Yunovidov rose to finish the frame, the fight had clearly swung in the challenger’s direction.
At the start of the sixth, Arutyunyan came out with urgency. He backed Yunovidov to the ropes and unleashed a barrage of punishing hooks. With the Russian offering little in return and absorbing clean, unanswered shots, the referee stepped in to wave it off.
With the victory, Arutyunyan captures the first world title of his professional career and establishes himself as a rising force in the 224-pound division. Yunovidov, meanwhile, suffers the second defeat of his career in what was his first defense of the interim belt he won last July.
The win positions Arutyunyan on a direct collision course with the division’s regular champion, Muslim Gadzhimagomedov, in what could shape up as a high-stakes unification showdown.
Uncos Survives The Drama
To Claim WBA Fedelatin Crown!
By: Rowerth Goncalves
(February 4th) In a fight packed with knockdowns, point deductions and constant swings of momentum, Argentina’s Juan Cruz Uncos survived the chaos to capture the WBA Fedelatin super bantamweight title, earning a unanimous decision victory over Alan Cantero. The bout, held this weekend in Buenos Aires, turned into a true test of durability, discipline and composure for both fighters.
Uncos came out firing and appeared on the verge of an early stoppage after a blistering start. Cantero hit the canvas in the second, third and fourth rounds, repeatedly undone by the power and timing of the newly crowned champion. What looked like a one-sided affair, however, evolved into a grueling battle due to Unco’s own rule infractions.
Despite his dominance in exchanges, Uncos was docked two points during the fight: the first in the third round, moments after scoring a knockdown, and the second in the tenth. Those penalties allowed Cantero to remain mathematically alive on the scorecards deep into the contest.
After ten rounds of unusually high intensity, the judges turned in scores of 93-92, 96-89 and 94-92, all in favor of Uncos. With the unanimous decision, Uncos secures the black-and-gold regional belt and moves forward in his career, while Cantero—despite suffering three knockdowns—proved his toughness by pushing the fight to the final bell.
Prince Patel Shines In Bangkok,
Captures WBA Asia Gold Title!
By: Rowerth Goncalves
(February 4th) British globetrotter Prince Patel added another belt to his ever-growing résumé, delivering a statement performance on Thai soil. Fighting in the main event last Saturday, January 31, at the World Siam Stadium in Bangkok, Patel captured the WBA Asia Gold super lightweight title with a fifth-round technical knockout over Tanzania’s Yahaya Mussa.
Patel, who has spent much of his recent career competing across international venues, figured Mussa out early. From the opening rounds, the Brit steadily broke down his opponent, imposing his rhythm and range. The end came in the fifth, when Patel’s punch volume and accuracy overwhelmed Mussa’s defenses, prompting the referee to step in and halt the contest to prevent further punishment.
With the win in Thailand’s capital, Patel improves his professional record to 34-1-2, cementing his reputation as one of the most active fighters on the WBA Asia circuit. Mussa, meanwhile, suffered the first loss of his career and now stands at 11-1-1, with 11 knockouts.
The newly acquired regional crown keeps Patel firmly positioned among the top contenders in the rankings, fueling speculation about a future shot at the regular WBA Asia title.
Samuel Arnold III Retains NABA Crown
With First-Round Knockout!
By: Rowerth Goncalves
(February 4th) Undefeated American Samuel Arnold III continued his rise in the super middleweight division with a dominant first-round knockout of Argentina’s Fernando Ezequiel “Manzana” Farías. The bout took place Friday, January 30, in Long Beach, California, with Arnold’s WBA NABA title on the line.
Standing at an imposing 6-foot-3, Arnold wasted no time putting his physical advantages to use. After a brief feeling-out process, the Texan unleashed a crushing body shot to the liver that sent the Junín native crashing to the canvas.
Despite Farías’ experience on the international stage, the impact of the punch was decisive. The referee administered the count, but the fight was effectively over, bringing a swift end to the contest.
With the victory, Arnold III improves his record to a perfect 15-0, including 10 knockouts, and closes another successful chapter in his run as regional champion. Farías, meanwhile, drops to 13 wins, 4 losses and 3 draws.
The first-round stoppage further boosts Arnold’s standing in the World Boxing Association rankings, where he is now knocking on the door of the top tier in the super middleweight division.
World Boxing Association History
Our organization was born as the National Boxing Association (NBA) in 1921, in Rhode Island, as an entity devoted to the government and control of this professional activity, with limited jurisdiction in the United States. Boxing was the breach of the world at the time it worn out by wars and the economic crisis. During 41 years the National Boxing Association developed a very interesting and unquestionable work for the benefit of boxing. The NBA accomplished the heavyweight championships with world recognition like Dempsey-Firpo, Dempsey-Carpentier and the memorable fights big hands “The killer” against Tunney, in 1927. For the first time in USA, a radio transmission of boxing was made by initiative of J. Andrew White, who narrated the Packey O’Gatty and Frankie Burs fight from the Boyle’s Thirty Acres of New Jersey. That same night Jack Dempsey defeated Georges Carpentier.
Fernando Mandry Galíndez told us, that the importance on how boxing led the way of a repudiated activity to an activity that has great promoters of unsuspected abilities and creativity.
Tex Rickard makes the old Madison Square Garden, the Mecca of boxing, in the heart of New York, the center of the United States. Rickard’s imagination achieved the incredible ticket collection of more than two million of dollars.
Rickard dies unexpectedly in Miami 1931 of appendicitis. However, other hands and entrepreneurs with the initiative and experience left by Tex, appeared in Boxing. The incredible Joe Louis appeared and conquered the Heavyweight Title in a very short time in the late 30’s, when, in the 40’s Uncle Sam called everyone to the war.
That war silenced the fans, because everything pointed towards Europe, where big battles were taking place, but in the late 40’s when the war ended boxing became stronger and the first sports activity worldwide. Great champions were born in those golden years and spread to all divisions and to all the latitudes of the world.
Boxing becomes so important that makes it necessary the adoption of new rules, new authorities, capable of coping with that new trend. They centralized in a real governing organization, its direction and guide.
The name changes in 1962
The universal projection of boxing, its strength, and the presence of important people, urge an organization with a real world vision, and on August 23, 1962, when the circumstances and a future vision, forces the need of a real organization that gave professional boxing its universal value. It is then that NBA, pioneer of the nationwide boxing conduction, becomes, a universal alliance into the World Boxing Association. 80 years of constant activity and a continuous search for the boxing benefit. Its first constitution was elemental and simple, as well as conservative, without amendments until the Annual Convention of Cartagena in 1978, when the first amendment directed to the preservation of decisions contrary to the condition of members was approved. Thereafter, in 1980 in Puerto Rico, were made other amendments that only contributed to make an incoherent constitution.
It was until 1991, in the Convention of Panama, when the approval to a constitution amendment project, after long years of struggle was given.
To name all the achievements of the WBA in this brief interview goes beyond his possibilities.
Deep changes have been made ever since 1979, when the Norms and Procedure for Ratings were approved, becoming a fundamental stone for the ratings making. A new World Championships Regulation was adopted that gathers the invaluable experience of 80 years of tireless and restless struggle for the defense of the so complex interests of all the acts of this professional activity.
Very important contributions have been made by the Medical and International Officials Seminars bound for the improvement of all the WBA boxing family members especially judges, referees, commission members, managers, trainers, who constitute the pyramid of our organization.
The KO Drugs Campaign carried out by our president Gilberto Mendoza ever since 1988, deserves a separate and special comment. The idea grew and it has spread all over the world, catching the eye and the interest of people and governments, our campaign has already become familiar, millions of children and adolescent share their will, pledge and struggle, and we consider it as a great achievement of the WBA president Gilberto Mendoza for the future safety of our people and our youth.
During the 80 years of existence, the WBA had been led by 43 North American presidents, except for the Canadians Frank Hogas (1937) and Nero McKenzie (1964). In 1964, the Panamanian Doctor Elías Córdova, became the first Latin American to enter in the WBA Executive Committee, and 10 years later, in the Convention of Panama he became president of the organization. Since then, the WBA presidents have been Latin Americans. Cordova’s presidency lasted until 1976, followed by Fernando Mandry Galindez, then came the Panamanian Rodrigo Sánchez, and finally Gilberto Mendoza.
Another achievement of Gilberto Mendoza, that was is worth mention is the decentralization of boxing through the creation of the regional organizations: Latin American Boxing Federation (FEDELATIN), the Pan Asian Boxing Association (PABA), the Bolivarian Boxing Federation (FEDEBOL) and the Central America Boxing Federation (FEDECENTRO), North America Boxing Association (NABA), World Boxing Association International (WBAI) and the Pan African Boxing Association (PFBA).
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