Confident predictions still hold weight in boxing as Kemahl ‘The Hitman’ Russell, now 16-1 with 14 knockouts, delivered on his pre-fight prediction by flawlessly channeling the legendary Muhammad Ali on route to a third-round knockout of his Mexican opponent at the Pickering Casino Resort Arena on Saturday night.
Facing off against the formidable Mexican champion Raffle ‘El Iraki’ Ortiz (16-6-1, 9KOs) who has a reputation for his resilience, Russell entered the ring determined to make a statement. Amidst his pre-fight media obligations, ‘The Hitman’ boldly declared to SportsMax.TV, "I expect to get this guy outta there by the third round,' evoking memories of Muhammad Ali who was renowned for his brash pre-fight predictions.
“I told everyone I was going to stop him and I was a man of my word. Just like my last fight, I knew it was going to be a short night because he (Ortiz) does not move his feet or his head and everyone in boxing knows the saying - if you don't move your head, someone will move it for you.”
As the fight commenced - Russell was in absolute control, further fueling the already electric atmosphere within the arena from his growing fanbase. Ortiz, a southpaw and physically bigger, pressed forward in a high guard which he used to try to engage but ‘The Hitman’ would not allow him to dictate the terms. With a display of superior footwork and an educated left Jab, Russell neutralized Ortiz by circling the perimeter and stepping at angles to nullify the Mexican Champion’s tactics in an overall uneventful round-one.
Then came the onslaught.
After another brief feeling out process, Russell’s superior timing and ring ‘IQ’ became apparent in round-two. As Russell’s confidence grew behind a jab that always seemed to find its mark, he then gathered himself and threw a flurry of well-timed looping punches from angles that put Ortiz off-balance.
Sensing that his opponent was hurt, ‘The Hitman’ used the opportunity to entertain by winding-up a bolo punch in the form of a windmill that traveled a long way before finding a home on Otiz’s chin. A series of uppercuts followed and then a short right cross from Russell dropped Ortiz to the canvas just before the bell.
When the third round began, it seemed as if fate had conspired to validate ‘The Hitman’s’ bold words. In a no-nonsense mood, Russell marched across the ring and delivered a bruising lesson in the sweet science, dropping Ortiz for the final time. The referee quickly intervened, declaring the match over and awarding the knockout victory to ‘The Hitman’. After the final bell, Russell placed himself in the center of the ring and acknowledged the audience at all points in triumph while taking a dramatic solo bow.
In the post-fight interview - with humility and respect, the 33-year-old Russell acknowledged the influence of Muhammad Ali, stating, "Ali was always an inspiration to me - but predicting a knockout and making it happen was just me setting high standards for myself and daring to be great. I felt strong and sharp, I feel like my old self again. I was at 100 per cent in this fight and that is not normal for me - I usually have some type of injury going into fights but this time everything was perfect.”
The bout attracted attention from a broad spectrum of boxing fans. In Toronto, the Pickering Casino Resort Arena was sold out by the time Russell entered the ring. While in Jamaica the event also drew special attention by being broadcasted live which prompted a watch party in support of the boxer. “I want to say to the Jamaican people that I represented for them, wearing our colors on my gear and showing that a boxer straight out of yard, can make it to the top. I am Jamaican born and raised.”
Russell is signed to United Boxing Promotions - ‘United’ boss Tyler Buxton added that he is “very pleased” with Russell’s performance - “he stole the show again!” “For sure he's a fan favorite here in Toronto after only three fights.”
When asked what's next for Russell, Buxton stated that himself and ‘Team Hitman’ will sit down and discuss what's best for the boxer moving forward. Russell, a bit less conservative has hinted that he eagerly awaits a fight that will rank him amongst the top 10 in the world.
The heavy hands of Ricardo ‘Big 12’ Brown, also delivered an impressive performance by knocking out his opponent in the first round.
This win moves Brown, 33, of Spanish Town, Jamaica, already flawless knockout streak to 10 for 10. Additionally, the win positioned Brown as one of boxing's rising stars in the heavyweight division. With both Jamaican fighters showcasing their skills on the global stage, it's clear that Jamaica can once again become a force to be reckoned with in world boxing.
Joshua expects to fight at Wembley in September with Zhang or Wilder lined up
Anthony Joshua expects to return to Wembley Stadium for his next fight in September, with either Zhilei Zhang or Deontay Wilder lined up as his opponent.
Joshua stopped Francis Ngannou in the second round in March, his fourth straight win since suffering back-to-back defeats to Oleksandr Usyk in 2021 and 2022.
His last two fights have been held in Saudi Arabia, but as he inches closer to a shot at regaining the titles he lost to Usyk three years ago, he is eyeing a return to his native London.
"It'll be some date between September 20 and September 25. Whenever they tell me there's a date, you know I'll be ready 100 per cent," Joshua told TalkSport of his next fight.
"It's going be in London, Wembley Stadium, this is what I'm being told. If this is what they say, they usually stick to their word."
Pushed on possible opponents, he said the result of Zhang's upcoming bout with Wilder – who was scheduled to face Joshua in March only for those plans to be derailed by a shock defeat to Joseph Parker – will be decisive.
"On June 1 in Saudi Arabia, they've got Filip Hrgovic versus Daniel Dubois and Zhilei Zhang versus Deontay Wilder. Out of that pool, that's who I'll be fighting."
On Wilder, Joshua added: "If he looks good, that'll reignite that flame that he had. Boxing is all about perception, so I pray he does his thing and Zhang does his thing, and I'm ready."
There has also been plenty of talk about Joshua facing Tyson Fury in an all-British tussle in recent years. The WBC heavyweight champion faces Usyk in a huge unification bout next month, and with a two-way rematch clause present in their deal, they are likely to face off twice before the year is out.
When those obligations have been met, Joshua will be waiting, saying: "I know the fans want that big fight with Fury, but he's got his obligations with Usyk.
"They're working on it but I've just got to stay focused, stay disciplined, steamroller through opponents and get closer and closer to having a fight with Fury. Hopefully that'll be in London as well."
Jerone Ennis impresses in professional debut with first-round knockout
Jamaican boxer Jerone "Beast" Ennis made a memorable transition from amateur standout to professional prospect with a commanding victory in his debut fight on Saturday night at the Pickering Casino Resort. Ennis, a two-time Caribbean Amateur Champion, showcased his skills and promise by knocking out his Argentinian opponent Marcelo Adrian Fernandez (4-3-1) at 1:51 into the first round of their scheduled four-round contest in the light-heavyweight division.
Ennis wasted no time in displaying his pedigree, exhibiting poise, ring intelligence, and superior technique early in the fight. His chief-cornerman, Ryan "RG" Grant, commended Ennis's performance, stating, "He performed real well, he is a real promising talent coming out of Jamaica. I like that he's a thinker in there and he's got good eyes, looking and seeing his spots to land and to move on defense."
The turning point came when Ennis unleashed a powerful overhand right that sent Fernandez crashing to the canvas, beating the referee's 10-count only to face a relentless barrage of punches from Ennis. The onslaught forced the referee to intervene, awarding Ennis a TKO victory at 1:51 of the first round.
Ennis's victory was significant, as he became the first boxer to stop Marcelo Adrian Fernandez in the opening round of any fight. President of United Boxing Promotions, Tyler Buxton, expressed his satisfaction with Ennis's debut performance, highlighting the promising future ahead for the young Jamaican prospect.
Fellow countryman and stablemate Kemahl "Hitman" Russell praised Ennis's debut, stating, "He did what he was expected to do, the formula worked - training in Jamaica and showing up and proving on the big stage. He has a bright future."
Looking ahead, Ryan Grant emphasized the importance of keeping Ennis active in the ring without any setbacks, indicating high expectations for the rising star.
Born on February 4, 2000, in Denham Town, Kingston, Jamaica, Jerone Ennis represented Jamaica at the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, U.K., reaching the quarter-final stage before making his professional debut. Ennis joins an esteemed roster of Jamaican fighters under United Boxing Promotions, including heavyweight Ricardo "Big 12" Brown, middleweight Kemahl "The Hitman" Russell, super welterweight Joshua "HellRazor" Frazer, and super middleweight Shakeel "The Jamaican Juggernaut" Phinn.
Jerone Ennis's successful professional debut marks the beginning of an exciting chapter in his boxing career, with aspirations of achieving further milestones and making a significant impact on the international stage.
This is my time, my destiny, my era and my generation – Fury on Usyk showdown
Tyson Fury has declared it is “my time, my destiny, my era and my generation” ahead of his blockbuster showdown with Oleksandr Usyk.
WBC champion Fury is set to fight Ukraine’s WBA, IBF and WBO title-holder Usyk on May 18 in Saudi Arabia in the first undisputed world heavyweight bout of the century.
Regarding his opponent, the former unified cruiserweight champion who made his heavyweight debut in 2020, Fury told a press conference on Wednesday: “It’s not personal, it’s strictly business for both fighters. There’s a lot of stuff on the line, but I don’t hate him, he don’t hate me.
“I respect him, as a man, as a fighter. Everyone has to respect the man’s achievements. Good fighter – I have a tough challenge in front of me. But I’m very confident in my ability and I’m very confident I’ll beat the guy.
“When the cruiserweights step up to the big boys, usually they get found wanting. You can beat the average big ones but you can’t beat the elite big ones, because size really matters. We have weight divisions for a reason and he’s going to be found wanting when he fights me on May 18.
“This is my time, my destiny, my era and my generation. Fact.”
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