Philippines, 27 Feb 2026
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


U2: Denys Berichyk Gives Ukraine Another World Champion​

PhilBoxing.com





Brian Norman Jr. Stuns Hometown Favorite Giovani Santillan to win WBO Interim Welterweight Crown

SAN DIEGO, Calif. (May. 18, 2024) — Well, that was quite the encore.

On the day Ukraine's Oleksandr Usrk captured the undisputed heavyweight title, his countryman, Denys Berinchyk, stunned the boxing world. Berinchyk defeated Emanuel Navarrete by split decision to win the vacant WBO lightweight world title Saturday evening at Pechanga Arena in San Diego.

Berinchyk (19-0, 9 KOs) prevailed by scores of 116-112 and 115-113, while Navarrete won on the third card, 116-112. Navarrete (38-2-1, 31 KOs) failed in his attempt to become the sixth four-division, Mexican-born world champion.

Navarrete began as usual by launching forward with wild shots, often leading with uppercuts or left hooks from the outside. Berinchyk responded by using his footwork to find his distance and pepper the Mexican with quick counterpunches.

Berinchyk's offense didn't hurt Navarrete, but they were enough to prevent him from implementing a sustained body attack in the early rounds.

Urged by his corner, Navarrete upped his offense in the last half of the fight, but the 36-year-old Olympian continued to make him miss before connecting with compact, effective punches.

“This is great, my friend. This is great. Great boxing," Berinchyk said. "Great fight. Navarrete, muchas gracias.”

Navarrete said, “It was something new for me. Like I always said, it would be difficult. Denys is a great fighter. He made me struggle a lot. And you saw what happened. But I’m happy with how I fought. I know that I need to improve.

“I’m not sad. I know it was a test. I needed to do more, but I know that I can do more. So, I congratulate him on his win. I’m happy because I tried things out at 135 pounds, and I know I will be strong at this division.”

Brian's Song

Brian Norman Jr. (26-0, 20 KOs) captured the WBO Interim welterweight world title with a 10th-round knockout over hometown favorite Giovani Santillan (32-1, 17 KOs).

Santillan was the aggressor, but Norman’s quick counters and clinching nullified his offense. Santillan tried to make the most of it by punching inside the clinch, but this provided the openings for Norman to counter.

In the eighth, Norman hurt Santillan with a left hook. This changed the tide decisively to Norman’s favor, as he rallied with combinations in the following stanza. In the 10th, Norman landed a counter uppercut that dropped Santillan, who rose off the deck to be dropped by another, more devastating uppercut that floored him and ended the fight.

Norman was ahead on all three scorecards, 89-82, 88-83 and 86-85.

Norman said, “He was pressing but not hitting s**t. I made him miss and made him pay. I like going to other people’s hometowns and taking what they have. Whoever they have next for me, I’m ready for the challenge."
Torrez Flattens Moore in 5

U.S. Olympic silver medalist Richard Torrez (10-0, 10 KOs) faces his stiffest test to date and passed with flying colors.

The 24-year-old southpaw heavyweight scored a fifth-round TKO win against the previously unbeaten Brandon Moore (14-1, 8 KOs). After an early feeling-out process, Torrez began to connect with jabs to the body before unloading his straight left. Moore tried to prevent his forward attack with footwork and a stiff jab, but Torrez often countered with a right hook and found his way in.

After dropping him early in the fifth, Torrez began to pummel Moore, forcing referee Thomas Taylor to halt the contest at 1:39.

Torrez said, “I give Moore a lot of respect. Anyone who goes toe-to-toe like that deserves my respect. I expected a lot from him, but I followed the game plan and got the job done. He took some really good shots, but at the end of the day, you can only take so much."

Junior Welterweight: Emiliano Fernando Vargas (10-0, 8 KOs) battered Angel Varela (10-3, 7 KOs) en route to a sixth-round stoppage. Vargas was much quicker, countering frequently and switching to southpaw to land even more offense. After too many unanswered shots from the 20-year-old phenom, referee Ray Corona halted the bout at 1:01.

Lightweight: Team USA standout Jonny Mansour (1-0) made a successful pro debut by outpointing Anel Dudo (3-6-1) across four rounds of action. The San Diego native won with three scores of 40-36.

Junior Welterweight: Alan "Kid Kansas" Garcia (13-0, 11 KOs) earned an eight-round points win over Wilfredo Flores (10-3-1, 5 KOs). Scores: 80-72 3x.

Junior Lightweight: Jonathan Lopez (15-0, 11 KOs) notched an eighth-round TKO win over Edgar Ortega (14-3-2, 7 KOs). The time of the stoppage was 2:39.

Welterweight: Art Barrera Jr. (5-0, 4 KOs) went the four-round distance for the first time in his pro career, defeating Levy Garcia Benitez (3-2-1, 2 KOs) via unanimous decision. Scores: 40-35 3x.




Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • IM Christian Gian Karlo Tade - Arca outwits GM Pa Iniyan in Round 6 of the Manny Pacquiao International Open chess
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Thu, 26 Feb 2026
  • San Francisco Boxing Leaders Bring It Back: FIGHT NIGHT AT ROCCAPULCO
    , Thu, 26 Feb 2026
  • Alyssa Mendoza, Salim Ellis-Bey and Kelvin Watts Secure Wins on Day Three of 2026 Strandja Boxing Tournament
    , Thu, 26 Feb 2026
  • Herlan Gomez faces Dekang Wang for WBA Asia Superbamtam Title Today in Kunming, China
    By Carlos Costa, , Thu, 26 Feb 2026
  • Queensberry Promotions to sue SELA and TKO?
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Thu, 26 Feb 2026
  • IBA President Umar Kremlev promises prize money for boxers at LA 2028 if the IOC doesn’t change their policy towards athletes’ rewards
    , Thu, 26 Feb 2026
  • Ruben Castillo, The uncrowned champion passes away
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Thu, 26 Feb 2026
  • Round 12 with Mauricio Sulaimán: The Return of Ryan Garcia
    By Mauricio Sulaimán, , Wed, 25 Feb 2026
  • “It’s moments a kid dreams off.” Sam Rennie returns for title challenge March 13 in Perth – Thunderdome 53
    , Wed, 25 Feb 2026
  • ‘It’s going to be a great fight and most importantly looking forward to the 10 pints together after it’ Billy Quinncroft challenges for Cruiserweight title March 13 in Perth – Thunderdome 53
    , Wed, 25 Feb 2026
  • Magdalena Contreras Municipality and WBC start "Boxing for Peace" in Mexico
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Wed, 25 Feb 2026
  • United States Captures Four More Wins on Day Two of Strandja 2026 Boxing Tournament
    , Wed, 25 Feb 2026
  • Date set for Manny-Money 2
    By Joaquin Henson, , Wed, 25 Feb 2026
  • Knockout Artist Sugar Martinez (17-0, 17 KOs) Makes His US Debut Against Philly Veteran Daiyan Butt
    , Wed, 25 Feb 2026
  • IM Yap outwits GM Gareyev, shares lead; Maribao split the point with GM Quizon in Round 3 of the Manny Pacquiao International Open chess
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Wed, 25 Feb 2026
  • 2 Division World Champion José Luis Castillo Confirmed for Ninth Annual Box Fan Expo, During Cinco De Mayo Weekend, Saturday May 2, in Las Vegas
    , Wed, 25 Feb 2026
  • Doors open for Manny
    By Joaquin Henson, , Tue, 24 Feb 2026
  • MEXICAN TITANS GO HEAD-TO-HEAD HIGHLIGHTING CINCO DE MAYO WEEKEND IN LAS VEGAS!
    , Tue, 24 Feb 2026
  • Alex Bray and Gabriela Tellez Capture WBA Titles, Dainier Pero Scores Impressive Stoppage at “Night of Champions XIV” in Orlando
    , Tue, 24 Feb 2026
  • Cebuana Lhuillier Gems Officially Join Inaugural Pickle Yard Conference League
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Tue, 24 Feb 2026
  • ADAMES AND AMMO CLASH FOR WORLD TITLE IN ORLANDO ON MARCH 21
    , Tue, 24 Feb 2026
  • Filipino Alexis Emil Maribao shocks Indonesian Grandmaster Susanto Megaranto in the Manny Pacquiao International Open Chess opener
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Tue, 24 Feb 2026
  • Team USA Notches Perfect Day to Open 77th International Strandja Boxing Tournament
    , Tue, 24 Feb 2026
  • Floyd Mayweather Vs. Manny Pacquiao Set for Blockbuster Professional Rematch Streaming Live Globally on Netflix Saturday, September 19
    , Tue, 24 Feb 2026
  • Zulueta, Bactol, Dologuin, Almacen Score Knockout Wins in Thailand (PHOTOS)
    By Carlos Costa, , Tue, 24 Feb 2026




  •  



     
    PhilBoxing.com has been created to support every aspiring
    Filipino boxer and the Philippine boxing scene in general.
    Please send comments to feedback@philboxing.com


    PRIVATE POLICY | LEGAL DISCLAIMER
    developed and maintained by dong secuya
    © 2026 philboxing.com.