The International Boxing Organization has announced that the IBO world super middleweight title held by Chris Eubank Jr has been vacated with the Brit moving to middleweight as he seeks out future opportunities within that division.

Eubank Jr won the IBO world title back in February of 2017 and made successful defenses against world-class opposition such as Artur Abraham and Avni Yildirim. He regained the world title two years after winning it initially with a career-best performance against former world champion and Olympic Gold Medalist James DeGale.

IBO President Ed Levine commented on Eubank Jr's decision to compete at middleweight and the future status of the 168-pound belt, "We have been proud to have Chris Eubank Jr as our champion on two different occasions. He has represented the IBO in a fantastic way and we wish him all the best in his campaign down in the middleweight division.

“The IBO has made the decision that the vacant title will now be contested between the two leading available contenders with the preferences going to the intercontinental champion and suitably ranked regional champions. The whole point in winning those titles in the first place is to give those fighters the opportunities to one day fight for an IBO world title.

“Therefore we hope to announce an exciting fight for the IBO world super middleweight title in the very near future that will feature two top contenders battling for the belt.”  

WBA super lightweight champion, Mario "El Azteca" Barrios (25-0, 16 KOs), continues to receive accolades from his hometown of San Antonio, Texas.  On September 28, 2019, Barrios defeated Batyr Akhmedov, winning the vacant WBA World Title, becoming the first world champion from San Antonio in the last 25 years.

Today, Barrios was honored with a special recognition at the Commissioners Court. Commissioner Justin Rodriguez from Bexar County, Precinct 2, who sponsored the ceremony, was joined by his colleagues on Commissioners Court in San Antonio and presented Barrios with a proclamation.

"It's an honor to be recognized by the Commissioners Court here in my hometown of San Antonio," said Barrios. "It's been a nice ride since winning my world title. I've been meeting some very influential people, and these are individuals that are making a difference in San Antonio. Today was incredible and I want to thank everyone for all their support."

Barrios has been active in his community since becoming a world champion. In October, Barrios joined Shoe Palace and gave way shoes to thirty families at the Boys and Girls Club.

"I think being a positive role model is important, so I'm going to join forces with everyone, to help make San Antonio a better place for our youth," Barrios continued. "Building a strong community is what's important at the end of the day, and I'll be here to help out. Soon, I'll be having a big fight in San Antonio, and I'm going to make sure tickets are priced reasonable so everyone can come out and enjoy the fights.  It would be nice to see the support from the fans, that's what gets me excited.  I cant wait to fight in San Antonio."

It was announced today that Queensberry Promotions and long term sponsors Kindred Group, whose brands include 32Red and Unibet, are launching a new fight week series for selected Queensberry Promotions Fight Nights.

Entitled ‘Unibet Presents: The Queensberry Rules’, the series will be produced and hosted by Adam Catterall and Nick Peet of the popular Fight Disciples podcast and the BT Sport UFC Fight Week series.

Starting this week for the Dubois v Fujimoto London card, Adam and Nick will be bringing fans the inside track on all the happenings on fight week from specially produced shows from the final presser and weigh in, as well as selected ‘Big Interviews’ with some of the main protagonists involved in this weekend’s Copper Box card.

Daniel Dubois: The Big Interview will drop Tuesday on the official Frank Warren and Unibet social channels.

Adam Catterall recently spent time with Daniel and his Peacock Gym team and will offer boxing fans an unprecedented look inside the inner sanctum of Team Dubois throughout the debut episode of The Queensberry Rules.

Adam said of his new show: “Digital content is an essential part of growing the sport of boxing. Providing fight fans with closer access to the fighters they love and in turn allowing fighters to showcase their personalities is crucial.

We can not wait to start this partnership with Kindred and Queensberry, and bring you the biggest names in boxing.”

Instalments from the final press conference and the weigh in will drop on Wednesday and Friday respectively; with a post show synopsis from the Copper Box Arena after the event finishes up on Saturday night to drop on Sunday.

Promoter Frank Warren said: “At Queensberry, we’re always looking at ways of improving the experience of British boxing fans.”

He added: “What better way to launch a brand new series than with a blockbuster card featuring future Heavyweight King Daniel Dubois, Liam Williams, Sunny Edwards and even Tommy Fury!”

Richard Warwick, Head of Brand and Acquisition for Kindred Group shared Warren’s excitement and said: “We’re delighted to further enhance our relationship with Queensberry, by launching this exciting, Unibet sponsored, digital content series.

“Unibet Presents: The Queensberry Rules’ will give boxing fans unique access to the build up to the top UK shows and we’re excited to launch this, with what promises to be a great show this weekend. The Fight Disciples podcast and BT Sport UFC Fight Week series’ have proven to be popular hits with fans and we’re looking forward to seeing Adam and Nick repeat that success over the next 12 months”

Cruiserweight sensation Sam “The Vanilla Gorilla” Crossed of Greenbelt, Maryland, was triumphant in his first fight after a year long layoff on December 14, 2019, in Tysons Corner, Virginia. Crossed sailed to a four round shutout unanimous decision over 37 fight veteran heavyweight Michael Davis of Cincinnati, Ohio. The unbeaten Crossed improves his record to 9-0, with five knockouts to his credit.

Crossed, who had multiple fights fall out over the last 12 months, was ecstatic to be able to once again ply his trade in the squared circle.

"It was nice to finally get some rounds after the year I've had," Crossed said. “The game plan was to step it up every round, which I feel like I did.

“I wanted to take my time and break him down, but in a four rounder that can be tough sometimes.”

Crossed doesn’t plan to stay on the shelf very long. He looks to return to the Baltimore-Washington Region in the first quarter of 2020.

“We are just waiting on the contract for my next fight,” the Maryland native expounded. “I can’t wait to announce my next opponent and the venue.

It’s going to be my first 10 round fight against and big step up in caliber of opposition; A win like this would do wonders for my career.”

Crossed and his team hope to be able to make an announcement in the next week or two with regards to his next fight.

Former WBA Bantamweight Champion Reymart Gaballo now (W23 KO20 L0 D0) brutally disposed Thai former WBC Youth Bantam titlist Chaiwat Buatkrathok (W32 KO20 L2 D0) in the sixth round of an action packed fight. The Thai fighter was immediately rushed to the hospital but was in stable condition after an hour.

“I am happy with the knock out win. I always come in prepared regardless of who is put in front of me. However, I was worried about the damage on my opponent. I felt relieved upon knowing that he was okay. I hope for bigger fights next year”, Gaballo stated.

Meanwhile, other Sanman fighters came out victorious in the same event. Undefeated Dave Apolinario kept his clean record by stopping Richard Rosales in the sixth. Carjun Carcosia also secured another win via technical decision over Angelito Merin.