Latest IBO updates from January 2023
The newest updates from the independent International Boxing Organisation
The International Boxing Organization released their monthly newsletter for January 2023, 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 ready and waiting
IBO and Unified World Heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk has started his training for his possible showdown with Tyson Fury that could take place in the Middle East.
The unified heavyweight champ called out Tyson Fury on social media, asking, "Where are you Belly?"
'The Gypsy King' responded to Usyk on social media warning him, "Usyk, rabbit! I'm coming for you rabbit, but I tell you what else, I'm gonna bust you up real bad you little middleweight!"
AJ plots comeback
In other heavyweight news, former two-time IBO champion Anthony Joshua has selected a new trainer in Derrick James to work with in Dallas as he plots his comeback from back to back defeats to aforementioned Ukrainian. AJ will be training alongside unified welterweight champ Errol Spence Jr and undisputed super-welterweight Jermell Charlo, looking for a top 15 opponent in March/April time. Jermaine Franklin, Demsey McKean and Otto Wallin are all the frontrunners to land the golden ticket.
Return to MSG
IBO World Featherweight champion Amanda "Real Deal" Serrano returns to Madison Square Garden on February 4th in hopes to claim Undisputed status when she faces Mexican Erika "Dinamita" Cruz. The Puerto Rico vs Mexican rivalry will feature all five featherweight world titles in this battle between two world champions that will see the winner take all.
"The Bomb" vs "The Diamond"
Less than three weeks until IBO World Super Featherweight champion Alycia "The Bomb" Baumgardner meets Elhem "The Diamond" Mekhaled for Undisputed status at Madison Square Garden, which is the same card as Serrano-Cruz.
Chris Eubank Jr vs Liam Smith
The IBO wished their former two-time super-middleweight champion all the best in his huge domestic showdown with Smith this weekend in Manchester, "A great memory. Good luck this weekend Junior!" they said.
RJJ turns 54
The IBO wished their former champion and boxing Roy Jones Jr. many happy returns for his 54th birthday on the 16th, "Happy Birthday to Hall of Famer and former IBO World Light Heavyweight champion Roy Jones Jr."
The world champion boxer turned trainer will be in the corner of Eubank Jr. this weekend, live on Sky Sports Box Office,
IBO World Title Fights Schedule
February 3: IBO World Featherweight-NY
Amanda Serrano (PR) vs Erika Cruz (MX)
February 3: IBO World Super Featherweight-NY
Alycia Baumgardner (USA) vs. Elhem Mekhaled (FR)
March 21: IBO World Super Lightweight-Kazakhstan
Alejandro Meneses (MX) vs. Zhankosh Turarov (KZ)
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
