Latest IBO updates from December 2022
The newest updates from the independent International Boxing Organisation
The International Boxing Organization released their monthly newsletter for December 2022, consisting of all the latest stories surrounding the respected independent governing body in boxing, featuring recent results, the list of current world champions – of which there are four UK and Irish fighters – and much more below.
Usyk-Fury
IBO World Heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk stopped by London to meet face to face with Tyson Fury in hopes for an Undisputed fight in the Spring of 2023, possibly in the Middle East.
Cuban Crowned Champ
Undefeated Cuban, Osleys Iglesias introduced himself to the 168lbs division when he stopped Andrii Velikovskyi in the 10th round in Poland earlier this month to claim the IBO World Super Middleweight title.
The Apache
IBO World Super Featherweight champion Anthony Cacace took a major step in his career in 2022 beating Michael Magnesi and has plans to bring World Championship boxing to Croke Park in 2023.
Irish Takeover
Padraig McCory put the Light Heavyweight division on notice when he knocked out undefeated Leon Bunn last month and looks forward to defending his title in 2023.
Fight Report: 30-year-old Bunn got off to a good start, scoring points with his jab in the first round. However, in the second 'The Hammer' from Belfast connected with various hard shots and scored the first knockdown of the night. Bunn was visible shaken but managed to survive the round – despite a continued onslaught by McCrory, who was sensing a quick knockout.
Things got worse for home fighter Bunn in the third as he got dropped once again. The German showed his warrior capabilities in the fourth, though, as he fought fire with fire and mounted a small comeback. However, McCrory’s pressure proved to be too much in the end: He knocked Bunn down a third time with a big right hand in the sixth, causing Bunn’s trainer Conny Mittermeier to throw in the towel to save his charge from further punishment, much to the enjoyment of the 300 Irish fans who travelled to Germany to support McCrory, now the IBO World light heavyweight champion.
Leon Bunn said: “I’m very disappointed with myself. I felt that he hit me harder than I hit him. I never should’ve let that happen.”
Padraig McCrory said: “It feels very special. Five years ago I would never thought this but now I am here as IBO World champion and it feels amazing. I know I am big and strong and I punch hard. But I can also box. The jab was the key. I understand that this fight is a big fight, but it probably could have been stopped earlier for the boxer's health. But I knew I would get him out of there. This means so, so much. And just look at this… the Irish have come!”
Undisputed
IBO World Super Featherweight champion Alycia Baumgardner and Hyun Mi Choi met for the first time earlier this month as the two teams work out an agreement for the Road to Undisputed in 2023.
The Real Deal
IBO World Featherweight champion Amanda "Real Deal" Serrano sparring with Mathew "Lefty Gunz" Gonzalez in Brooklyn. Serrano hopes to have an undisputed fight with Erika Cruz at Madison Square Garden in 2023.
La Leona
IBO World Super Flyweight champion Daniela Asenjo took a unanimous decision victory against Linda Laura Lecca in her maiden title defense in Valdivia, Chile.
Hermans Dethrones Spencer
Femke Hermans came into Shawinigan, Canada as the underdog against Mary Spencer and boxed beautifully on her way to the IBO World Super Welterweight title. Could we see Femke Hermans vs. Terri Harper in 2023?
World Champions
Heavyweight: Oleksandr Usyk
Light Heavyweight: Padraig McCrory (Ireland)
Super Middleweight: Osleys Iglesias
Middleweight: Gennadiy Golovkin
Super Welterweight: Dennis Hogan
Welterweight: Daniyar Yeleussinov
Super Lightweight: Alejandro Menesis
Lightweight: Maxi Hughes (UK)
Super Featherweight: Anthony Cacace (UK)
Featherweight: Jazza Dickens (UK)
Super Flyweight: Georges Ory
Flyweight: Dave Apolinario
Minimumweight: Ayanda Ndulani