WBC Promotions is proud to spotlight a major milestone in professional boxing as boxing legend and International Hall of Famer Manny Pacquiao officially expands his promotional company into the United States. Manny Pacquiao Promotions (MPP) will make its highly anticipated U.S. debut on Saturday, November 29, at Pechanga Resort Casino in Temecula, California. As part of this exciting expansion, respected entrepreneur, attorney, and boxing executive Tony Cohen, J.D. has joined Manny Pacquiao Promotions as Chief Financial Officer and Vice President. Cohen will work alongside President Sean Gibbons and Lead Matchmaker Brendan Gibbons, strengthening the company’s leadership team as it prepares for a new era in international boxing. Cohen brings more than 30 years of experience in the sport. An undefeated fighter and successful boxing promoter during the 1990s, he previously promoted three-time world champion Tony “The Tiger” Lopez and gained valuable industry experience working alongside Top Rank before earning his Juris Doctor degree. Reflecting on his return to boxing, Cohen shared his commitment to supporting today’s fighters and helping elevate the sport through strong leadership, transparency, and business expertise. “I’m returning to support these world-class fighters, many of whom deserve better. With my business and legal background, I’m now in a position to truly make a difference. The sport needs real leadership, not just promoters.” Beyond boxing, Cohen has built an impressive international business portfolio. He has been recognized as Los Angeles’ Top Business Entrepreneur for three consecutive years by the Global Entrepreneur Awards and currently serves as CEO of several successful companies spanning entertainment, media, finance, real estate, and international development. The inaugural U.S. event for Manny Pacquiao Promotions promises an exciting night of world-class boxing. The main event features a WBO Featherweight Title Eliminator between knockout specialists Elijah Pierce (21-2, 17 KOs) of Oklahoma City and Lorenzo Parra (23-1-1, 17 KOs) of Venezuela. Fans will also witness the highly anticipated professional debut of Emmanuel “Jimuel” Pacquiao Jr., who begins his professional journey under the Manny Pacquiao Promotions banner. Additional fight announcements, broadcast information, and the complete event lineup—including an all-star commentary team—will be revealed in the coming weeks. Tickets for Manny Pacquiao Promotions’ historic U.S. debut are available now through official ticketing outlets, with VIP and Platinum Experience packages also on sale for fans seeking a premium fight night experience. With an experienced executive team, elite fighters, and one of boxing’s greatest champions leading the promotion, Manny Pacquiao Promotions is set to make a powerful statement as it launches its U.S. operations this November.
Sean Gibbons Named Among Boxing’s Most Influential Figures Sean Gibbons, President of MP Promotions and Knuckleheads Boxing, has been recognized as one of the most powerful and influential figures in the boxing world after being ranked No. 40 on veteran boxing matchmaker Rick Glaser’s Top 50 Most Powerful & Influential People in Boxing list. Following the announcement, Viva Promotions celebrated Gibbons’ achievement, highlighting his commitment to creating career-changing opportunities for fighters around the world. “It is a tremendous honor to see Mr. Sean Gibbons (President of MP Promotions & Knuckleheads Boxing) included among boxing’s most influential and powerful figures. We take pride in securing the best opportunities for our boxers to help transform their lives and achieve their dream of becoming world champions,” Viva Promotions shared. Rick Glaser’s Praise Rick Glaser, a respected U.S.-based boxing matchmaker who has worked with more than 30 world champions and top contenders throughout his career, praised Gibbons for his unmatched dedication to the sport. Glaser wrote: “40. Sean Gibbons. The Las Vegas resident is literally ‘Mr. Everywhere.’ Promoter or manager of many world champions, mostly in the lighter weight divisions. Manny Pacquiao’s go-to guy. No one works harder than Sean Gibbons.” Some of the Biggest Names on the List The Top 50 rankings feature many of boxing’s most influential personalities, including: 1. Turki Alalshikh – Chairman, Saudi Arabia’s General Entertainment Authority 2. Len Blavatnik – Owner, DAZN (Access Industries) 3. Dr. Rakan Al Harthy – Saudi Arabia’s General Entertainment Authority 4. Shay Segev – CEO, DAZN Group 5. Ted Sarandos & Greg Peters – CEOs, Netflix 6. Frank Warren – Queensberry Promotions 7. Eddie Hearn – Matchroom Boxing 8. Oscar De La Hoya – Golden Boy Promotions 9. Nick Khan – WWE CEO 10. Dana White – UFC President The list also includes legendary names such as Floyd Mayweather Jr., Canelo Alvarez, Anthony Joshua, Bob Arum, Don King, along with the presidents of the WBA, WBC, WBO, and IBF. A List Created “By Popular Demand” According to Glaser, the rankings were compiled in response to fan interest and aimed to provide a more accurate picture of boxing’s current power structure than other recently published lists. Sean Gibbons’ inclusion reflects his long-standing influence in the sport and his continued role in guiding world champions and rising stars, further cementing his reputation as one of boxing’s hardest-working and most respected figures.
Two of boxing’s greatest icons, Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Manny Pacquiao, are set to meet again in a blockbuster rematch that promises to redefine live sports entertainment. Mayweather vs. Pacquiao II will take place on Saturday, September 19 at the Sphere in Las Vegas, Nevada, and will stream live globally on Netflix. The event will mark the first-ever professional boxing match held at the Sphere, the cutting-edge venue known for its immersive visuals and state-of-the-art technology. Organizers expect the arena’s massive wraparound display and advanced production capabilities to transform the fight into a spectacle unlike anything previously seen in boxing. Their original 2015 bout, dubbed the “Fight of the Century,” shattered pay-per-view records and generated historic revenue, with Mayweather winning by unanimous decision to preserve his undefeated record. This rematch offers Pacquiao a long-awaited opportunity for redemption while giving fans another chance to witness a rivalry that defined an era.
NEW YORK — Bruce “Shu Shu” Carrington consistently boxed his way to his first world title Saturday night. Brooklyn’s Carrington countered Mateus Heita effectively, took his shots without incident and comfortably won their fight for the WBCP interim featherweight title in The Theater at Madison Square Garden. Judge Steve Weisfeld scored it a shutout for Carrington (16-0, 9 KOs), who won 120-108 on his card. Judges Tom Carusone (119-109) and Mark Consentino (119-109) scored 11 rounds apiece for the former New York Golden Gloves champion. Namibia’s Heita (14-1, 9 KOs) didn’t do nearly enough to win, but he offered enough resistance to make Carrington cautious at times. Neither fighter appeared hurt at any point during a tactical battle ESPN aired as its co-feature before Xander Zayas and Jorge Garcia fought for the vacant WBO junior middleweight title in the main event. I really wanted to show that I could go the full 12 rounds,” Carrington told ESPN’s Bernardo Osuna in the ring. “And, that’s the championship level right there. I showed I did the full 12 rounds. I feel good. I felt in shape. I felt sharp. And I’m just ready for that next level.” Carrington, 28, firmly established his position to get a shot at the WBCP featherweight title by winning its interim championship. Stephen Fulton (23-1, 8 KOs), of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, owns the WBCP126-pound crown, but he’s expected to challenge WBCP 130-pound champ O’Shaquie Foster (23-3, 12 KOs) in his next fight. The WBCP will allow Fulton to decide whether to keep its featherweight title after he faces Foster. If he vacates it, Carrington would be elevated from interim champ. Carrington nevertheless called out WBO featherweight champ Rafael Espinoza (27-0, 23 KOs), who was seated ringside Saturday night. Heita, also 27, took a huge step up in competition by boxing Carrington. He also made his debut in the United States and fought outside of his home country for just the second time. Carrington stayed in control during the 11th and 12th rounds, when it was obvious he was well on his way to a wide win on the scorecards. Heita and Carrington connected with right hands on the inside during a competitive 10th round. Carrington’s jab snapped Heita’s head back 1:15 into the ninth. Several seconds after Carrington urged Heita to follow him in a corner, he nailed him with a left hook that made Heita move away from him late in the eighth. A poised Carrington’s speed and precision was evident in the seventh, when he consistently caught Heita with flusher punches. Undaunted, he still pressed the action in the final minute as his power kept Carrington honest. Carrington’s left to the body got Heita’s attention about 50 seconds into the sixth round. He also landed a left hook up top just before the bell sounded to end it. They landed right hands as they exchanged in a neutral corner toward the end of the fifth A left hook by Carrington knocked Heita off balance with about 1:45 to go. They exchanged clean right hands just before the midway mark of the fourth. They each landed right hands again as they traded with just under a minute remaining. Carrington attacked his body with right hands almost two minutes into the third. Heita landed a right hand when Carrington’s back was against the ropes. Heita’s right caught Carrington when he was backed into the ropes early in the second round. He also connected with a right uppercut after the halfway point. Carrington’s right landed and he slipped Heita’s right in an exchange with about 35 seconds left. The first round opened with a right hand by Heita that made Carrington reset his feet with about 50 seconds to go. Carrington responded with a right later in the round
It takes a while for any fighter to climb up the rankings and secure a world title shot. More times than not, the position they occupy in one sanctioning body, is completely different when compared to another. But for Bruce “Shu Shu” Carrington, he’s universally viewed as one of the best featherweights on the planet. The IBF has him slotted as their fourth-best contender, the WBA placed him in their number-two spot. The WBO and WBCP, however, believe he’s the number one contender out there. Those highly ranked positions have been associated with Carrington for a while now but he still hasn’t come close to fighting for one of their straps. Frustration is beginning to set in a bit. With another ring appearance coming up, this time against Enrique Vivas, Carrington believes that once he throws his soon-to-be bloodied body off the featherweight mountain, one of the champions should be next. “It has to be,” said Carrington to Sean Zittel when asked if a title shot is next up. “It has to be. I’m not waiting any longer. All I need to do is beat Vivas. I would love to do it in dominating fashion.” Grabbing that victory is his next and most important step. A major upset, of course, would push him to the back of the line, and at the age of 27, he has no time to waste. The path is clear, beat Vivas and begin politicking his way to a title shot. But plenty of boxers have attempted to walk that same track, only to be sidelined. A random fight against a non-contender here, an unnecessary matchup with a journeyman there, it all prolongs the process. Carrington though, won’t allow himself to deviate from the mission. “I want the world championship like right after,” continued Carrington. “I want it like in the summer of this year.”
LAS VEGAS — While the Philippines has historically dominated the flyweight and bantamweight divisions, a new giant is emerging in the Middleweight ranks. Weljon “The Triggerman” Mindoro is currently sending shockwaves through the boxing world, maintaining a perfect knockout record that has promoters and fans calling him the most dangerous man at 160 pounds. The 100% Knockout King In a sport where tactical decisions often go to the judges’ scorecards, Mindoro refuses to leave his fate in anyone else’s hands. With a professional record of 15 wins and 15 knockouts, Mindoro has ended every single victory by stoppage. His explosive power was on full display recently in Dubai, where he claimed the IBA Asian Middleweight Championship. Facing the tough Australian Joel Camilleri, Mindoro showed elite poise before unleashing a barrage of power punches that forced the referee to wave off the fight in the 4th round. The Pacquiao Endorsement It is no coincidence that Mindoro is being guided by MP Promotions. Boxing legend Manny Pacquiao has been a vocal supporter of the young puncher, often seen ringside during his major bouts. “He has the hunger. He has the power. But most importantly, he has the discipline,” Pacquiao said of Mindoro. Under the management of Sean Gibbons, Mindoro has transitioned from a local prospect to a global contender, recently making a massive impact in the United States with dominant performances on ProBox TV. Bridging the Gap: Professionalism and National Pride 2025 has been a busy year for Mindoro. Not only has he defended his undefeated professional status, but he also stepped up to represent the Philippines in the 33rd Southeast Asian (SEA) Games. This rare crossover between professional and amateur ranks has solidified his status as a national hero in his home country. What’s Next for the Triggerman? Ranked highly by the WBO and IBA, Mindoro is now looking toward the elite names in the division. Rumors are swirling of a potential showdown with top-tier contenders in early 2026. If he continues his current trajectory, Mindoro could become the first Filipino in nearly a century to capture a major Middleweight World Title.
Weljon Mindoro, known as “The Triggerman,” was born on January 26, 2000, in Dumingag, Zamboanga del Sur, Philippines. Standing at 5’11” with a reach of 72 inches, he has made a significant impact in the boxing world with his impressive record. Weljon Mindoro is making waves in the boxing world with his flawless record and incredible skills. He is known for his knockout force and rapid strikes. With an undefeated 14-0 run, Mindoro is fast rising to be a top contender and a force to be reckoned with in the ring. Let’s examine his boxing career, the difficulties he has encountered, and how he got to be the “Trigger Man” of boxing more closely. The Early Days of Weljon Mindoro Weljon Mindoro’s boxing career started with raw talent and will. With his exceptional speed and accuracy, he became well-known in the ring very quickly. Mindoro was obviously a future star in the sport from his early contests. With an unblemished record, currently at 14-0, his steadiness and commitment to the trade are evident. Mindoro’s combat technique is the ideal fusion of strength, quickness, and strategy. He is a formidable opponent because of his fast reflexes and timed punches. He has won over the years by overwhelming his opponent with accurate, forceful strikes. His flawless streak is the outcome of his diligence and strategic approach to every battle; it is not a fluke. Why the Nickname Trigger Man? Weljon Mindoro earned the title “Trigger Man” in 2021 after a series of consecutive knockout victories that showcased his explosive speed and precision. The moniker was confirmed during a game in Manila when he stunned a highly regarded opponent with a first-round knockout. This performance left fans and commentators in awe, likening his punches to the quick pull of a trigger; fast, decisive, and devastating. Since then, the title “Trigger Man” has defined his fighting approach and boxing ring supremacy. Weljon Mindoro’s Signature Boxing Moves Mindoro is a challenging combatant to defeat for what reason? Among his signature moves are these: The Lightning Jab: Usually used to build up more forceful blows, The Lightning Jab is among the fastest jabs in boxing. Power Cross: Mindoro’s cross is renowned for its terrible effect; it frequently renders opponents dead. Counter Punching: His erratic behavior in the ring comes from his ability to counterattack and read his opponent’s moves rapidly. For anyone who walks into the ring with Weljon Mindoro, these moves, combined with his agility and superb timing, create a nightmare. Every bout is an exhibition of his better abilities. Record, Wins, and Challenges Weljon Mindoro’s 14-0 perfect run is all the evidence. Continuous wins against some of the sport’s hardest opponents define his career. His concentration on improving his approach has enabled him to win every game confidently and under control. He has not, however, had an easy path. Mindoro has shown time and again that he can overcome challenges that every boxer encounters. His constant work ethic has kept him perfect, whether handling seasoned boxers or rising challenges. Weljon Mindoro’s Greatest Boxing Victories Impressive wins abound in Mindoro’s career, which has helped him establish credibility. Among his major triumphs are: Knockout Wins: Mindoro’s knockout finishes for several of his battles show that he can close fights with his strong attacks. Victories Over Top Fighters: Mindoro is among the best fighters in the world since he has defeated highly regarded boxers. Every one of these successes not only adds to his flawless record but also shows his extraordinary handling of challenging opponents. What Boxers Says About Weljon Mindoro Some of boxing’s most respected names have commented on Weljon Mindoro’s talent. Mindoro defeated British boxer Tyler Goodjohn in July 2024 using a second-round technical knockout. Returning to boxing following a seven-year break, Goodjohn called Mindoro a “monster” and underlined his difficulty given the weight disparity. Boxing fans extensively debated Mindoro’s knockdown of Lucas De Abreu in November 2024; some even thought it qualified for “Knockout of the Year.” Mindoro expressed delight in this accomplishment, considering the commitment and instruction that produced such a performance. “The guy’s (Mindoro) power is real, that’s for sure. He is a true warrior and has a big future in the sport,” s
Unbeaten rising middleweight Joseph Hicks Jr. will return to the ring in a six-round showdown against Ramses Agaton this Saturday, July 15 from the Masonic Temple in Detroit. The 29-year-old Hicks (4-0, 4 KOs) fights out of the growing Salita Promotions stable and step in for his fourth fight of the year, having most recently won an eight-round decision over Antonio Todd in June. A native of Grand Rapids, Michigan, he’ll meet the 33-year-old Agaton (22-14-3, 12 KOs), who has faced numerous top contenders throughout his career. “It feels good to be fighting again and displaying my skills for boxing fans,” said Hicks. “I want to stay busy and continue to learn and grow as a fighter. I’m on my route to being a world champion and that means treating every fight like the most important of my career. A standout amateur before entering the pro ranks, Hicks was set to captain the U.S. Olympic Team at the 2020 summer games, before the COVID-19 pandemic delayed the proceedings. By the time the games were back on, the IOC’s formula for picking fighters in his weight class left him on the outside looking in. Undeterred, Hicks has shined as a pro thus far and will look to cement his contender status with a big year ahead. “Hicks had a stellar amateur career and has all the tools to quickly develop into a contender and champion,” said Dmitriy Salita, President of Salita Promotions. “In his last fight he had an impressive step up against the very experienced and skilled Antonio Todd. He is an American-born, Michigan-made middleweight who will be one of the key fighters in rejuvenating boxing in Detroit.”
Junior middleweight Joseph Hicks scored an emphatic seventh-round technical knockout in his bout with Keon Papillion from Lafayette, Louisiana. The time of the stoppage was 1:35. The bout occurred on the undercard of Claressa Shields-Danielle Perkins taking place at the Dort Financial Center in Flint, Michigan and streamed on DAZN. Hicks, 31, of Grand Rapids, Michigan had a 10-inch reach advantage over Papillion, but still found himself getting countered early on. Known for starting slow, Hicks, the 2020 Olympic Trials silver medalist, began to target Papillion’s body in the second round. After a right hand landed from Hicks, Papillion, 27, looked to exchange his own right hand, but instead the two clashed heads. Papillion was worse for wear as he had swelling over his left eye from the head clash. Hicks’ reach was a difficult problem for Papillion, who uses his speed and sharp reflexes to counter opponents and mount his offense. The distance to close was causing Papillion issues. In round four, Papillion began to land some effective counters. Papillion had his best round of the fight, but the two clashed heads before the round ended. At the end of the fifth round, Papillion had bruising on both eyes. Hicks caught Papillion with a clubbing right hand that forced him to hold at the end the sixth round. This was the most telling blow of the fight. An excited Hicks landed a right hand after the bell as he apologized to Papillion after the shot landed. Sensing a knockout, Hicks pounced on Papillion, who showed a lot of heart, but was outgunned and hurt. Hicks landed one clubbing right hand after another as Papillion was unwilling to go down. Papillion’s father, former pro fighter Jason Papillion, stepped on to the apron to get the attention of referee Ansel Stewart, bringing a halt to the fight. Hicks record is now 12-0 (8 KOs). Papillion falls to 10-1-1 (7 KOs). In a stern test for the young career of junior welterweight Joshua James Pagan of Grand Rapid, Michigan, a hard-fought eight-round unanimous decision victory over Ronal Ron of Caracas, Venezuela. The scores were 79-73 and 78-74 on the other two. Pagan was eager to exchange despite using his pedigree and boxing ability which created an exciting first round. In round two, a cut appeared above Pagan’s left eye. His corner managed the cut well, but Ron continued to land hard overhand right hands. By the fourth round, Pagan had adjusted and was using his footwork to outbox and outmaneuver Ron. Pagan found himself on the ropes with Ramirez landing big shots. Ron looked to be slowing down. Ron found a second-wind as a right hand reopened the cut over Pagan’s eye. Pagan, 25, gained some valuable experience against a durable 27-year-old veteran Ron Ramirez. Pagan improves to 12-0 (4 KOs), and Ron now holds a record of 16-8 (13 KOs). Women’s featherweight Caroline Veyre of Paris, France, won an eight-round unanimous decision over Carmen Vargas. The scores were 80-72 and all three scorecards in favor of Veyre, who now trains in Canada. Veyre, a 2020 Canadian Olympian, put on a clinic as she utilized good footwork and punches that maintained her distance to nullify Vargas. A right hand followed by a jab from Veyre caused a cut over the right eye of Vargas in the second round. Vargas proved her toughness as she showed she could take a punch as clean shots from Veyre continued to land. Veyre, 36, delivered a well-orchestrated attack, causing blood to trickle from the nose of Vargas at the end of the third round. In the later rounds, Vargas, 31, pressed forward, even with her eye nearly shut, as Veyre continued to outbox and place her punches well. In the sixth, it appeared Vargas’ eye was nearly closed which caused the doctor to be called. The fight was allowed to continue. Veyre landed 50 percent of her power punches. Veyre’s best performance as a professional improved her to 9-1, and Vargas drops to 5-3-1. In the opening bout, women’s junior bantamweight Ashleyann Lozada from Corozal, Puerto Rico won a four-round unanimous decision over Denise Moran of San Diego, California. The scores were 40-36 on all three of the scorecards. Lozada, 33, used her five-inch height and reach advantage over Moran, 36, nullifying her hand speed. Lozada stunned Moran with a left uppercut followed by a right hook in the third round. Loazada, who was the first female representative of Puerto Rico to compete in boxing at the Olympics in 2024, starts her career as 1-0. Moran loses her first professional fight and drops to 3-1. Lucas Ketelle took an unconventional path to boxing, eventually finding his stride in gyms and media. For the past decade, he has hosted the “Lukie Boxing” podcast, filmed training camps for fighters like Arnold Barboza Jnr, Mikey Garcia and Caleb Plant, and worked with top professionals such as Mike Bazzel. Ketelle is also an author of “Inside the Ropes of Boxing,” a guide for young fighters, a writer for ProBox TV, BoxingScene and a member of the Boxing Writers Association of America.
As BoxingScene.com previously reported, Flint’s undefeated rising 154-pound contender Ardreal Holmes Jr. will face once-beaten New Yorker Wendy Toussaint on Saturday, June 3 in a 10-round battle for the USBA super welterweight title that will serve as the co-featured bout in support of the Claressa Shields vs. Hanna Gabriels main event rematch. The event marks the return of big-time boxing to Detroit live from Little Caesars Arena and streaming on DAZN in the U.S. and Canada. The action will also include Grand Rapids, Michigan’s undefeated Joseph Hicks taking on Atlanta-based Antonio Todd over eight rounds for the WBCP Americas Silver Middleweight Championship. “These are two highly competitive fights with significant consequences for the winner,” said Dmitriy Salita, President of Salita Promotions. “Both Ardreal and Hicks are some of the best talent from the state of Michigan and they’re stepping into challenging fights with titles and world rankings at stake. These are the kind of rising stars and fights worthy of big-time boxing’s return to Detroit.” The 28-year-old Holmes Jr. (13-0, 5 KOs), known in the ring as “Bossman,” is a 6’ 2” southpaw and 2016 U.S. Olympic alternate coming off a pair of impressive professional victories. In March of last year, he scored a nationally televised unanimous decision over Chicago’s once-beaten Vernon Brown (then 13-1) and followed it up with a nationally televised split-decision over then undefeated New Yorker Ismael Villarreal (then 12-0) in February of this year. Looking to close in on a title shot soon, Holmes says an impressive performance against the formidable Toussaint is crucial to his future plans. “It means the world to me to be fighting in front of my fans in Michigan,” said Holmes. “I want to put on a great performance in this fight and open the doors toward contending for a world title in the near future. Flint watched me and Claressa train together for years, so it’ll be a treat for them to see us in action and in person on a night that’s going to be one to remember.” Originally from Haiti, Huntington, New York’s Toussaint (14-1, 6 KOs), known in the ring as “Haitian Fire,” stands 5′ 10½″. The 31-year-old has served as one of the main sparring partners for former WBO World Light Heavyweight Champion, Joe Smith Jr. and was last seen scoring a near-shutout unanimous decision over then 15-4-1 Asinia Byfield in June of last year. Toussaint left his native Haiti at the age of 10 and first moved to French Guiana where he began to box. After joining a local team, and traveling to different countries to fight, he and his family made the move to the United States seeking better opportunity and competition. A win over Holmes Jr., will provide those opportunities. “I’m really excited for this fight,” said Toussaint. “Winning this fight is going to propel me where I want to go, which is the top of the sport. I’m really happy with my team and promoter Joe DeGuardia of Star Boxing for putting me in this position.” The 29-year-old Hicks (6-0, 5 KOs) started boxing at 19 and became a standout amateur before entering the pro ranks. He was set to captain the U.S. Olympic Team at the 2020 summer games, before the COVID-19 pandemic delayed the proceedings. By the time the games were back on, the IOC’s formula for picking fighters in his weight class left him on the outside looking in. Undeterred, Hicks has shined as a pro, including already scoring two wins this year with triumphs over Bilal Quintyne in February and Noah Kidd in April. If Hicks is to continue his march up the ranks, he first must get past Todd (14-7, 8 KOs), who has already scored one huge upset in Michigan, as he took a surprise majority 10-round decision over then world-ranked Huge Centeno Jr., in January of last year in Dearborn.
