Have news relating to Jewish boxers? Email the editor here!

Thursday, June 30, 2016

Introducing Pavlo Ishchenko

Pavlo Ishchenko was a decorated amateur before turning professional last fall. Ishchenko fought in the 2012 Olympics on the famed Ukrainian team led by Vasyl Lomachenko. He lost to American rising star Joseph Diaz Jr. in the first round. In 2013, he won gold at the European championships.

Ishchenko was born in Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky in the southeastern part of Russia. He attended school in Kherson, Ukraine, a city near disputed Crimea. There Pavel attended the local Chabad. Lou DiBella Entertainment's profile claims he has a Jewish parent.

Ishchenko has since moved to Brooklyn to pursue his professional boxing career. On September 18, 2015, Ishchenko made his pro debut in New Jersey. The super featherweight stopped Nicholas Rodriguez in the second round. One month later, he KOed 13-fight veteran Dzmitri Agafonau, who sports a winning record.

Nicknamed "Wild Man," Pavlo won a six-round unanimous decision over Rafael Vazquez in New York last February. Ishchenko is only 24 years old and at 5'7" is a good height for his weight class. With 294 wins in a 317-fight amateur career, Ishchenko is a prospect to watch.

Wednesday, June 29, 2016

Brooks Wins in Comeback Fight

Michael "Lefty" Brooks entered the ring for the first time in two years on April 17. After suffering his first two career losses, both against good opposition, Brooks took a small step in reclaiming his past position as a climbing contender.

In Gimnasio Pedro Cruz in Santiago de los Caballeros, Dominican Republic, Brooks defeated Oscar Rodriguez on points. This was Michael's first scheduled four-rounder since 2011.

Rodriguez's record doesn't induce intimidation. After the loss to Brooks, he's 1-14 and has been stopped ten times. But all of his fight have been against opponents with winning records.

Brooks is now 11-2-1 with one KO.

Tuesday, June 28, 2016

Seldin Scores Another Knockout

Cletus Seldin stopped his second consecutive opponent in the first round on June 17 at the Paramount Theatre in Huntington, New York. Jesus Selig was floored twice when referee Arthur Mercante Jr. waved off the contest 2:49 after the opening bell.

Seldin is now 19-0 with 16 KOs. This was his fourth career first round stoppage. Seldin, who has fought his previous five fights at or below the junior welterweight limit of 140 pounds, has entered the rankings of some of the alphabet organizations. FightNews.com rates Seldin as the 16th best junior welterweight in the world.

While Selig has never beaten an opponent with at least five victories and a winning record, he has faced some stiff competition. He lost to John Jackson, who fought for a world title belt last month, in 2012. Jackson stopped Selig in three rounds. Former Olympian and world title challenger Sadam Ali stopped Selig in the sixth round back in 2014. Undefeated prospect Jose Carlos Ramirez KOed Selig in the second round that same year. Seldin scored a better result than all of them.

Jesus Selig falls to 19-4-1 with 12 KOs.

Monday, June 6, 2016

Tony Milch Continues to Win

Junior middleweight Tony Milch kept his undefeated record clean last night with a points victory over Lewis van Poetsch at York Hall in London, England. This was Milch's first fight after a seven month layoff.

Milch won with a score of 40-37. In Britain, four round fights are only scored by the referee. Milch is now 10-0 with one KO. Only one of his victories was against an opponent with a winning record. Van Poetch falls to 4-39 without a KO.

Sunday, June 5, 2016

Foreman Gets Tenth KO

Yuri Foreman stopped Jason Davis in the second round of their bout Friday night at the Resorts World Casino in Queens, New York. Previously considered "feather fisted," Foreman has now stopped two of his last three opponents.

Foreman earned his 34th win 1:55 into the second round when referee Ricky Gonzalez stopped the contest. Yuri is now 34-2 with 10 KOs. Davis was stopped for the second straight fight and the seventh time in his career. He is now 13-12-2 with 4 KOs.

Thursday, June 2, 2016

Yuri Foreman Fights Tomorrow

Rabbi Yuri Foreman is scheduled to face veteran journeyman Jason Davis on Friday at Resorts World Casino in Queens, New York. This is Foreman's second fight since 2013.

Foreman's second comeback has moved slowly. After taking two years off due to issues with his management, Foreman won an eight round decision over Lenwood Dozier last December. Foreman, 35, is 33-2 with 9 KOs.

Davis (13-11-2, 4 KOs) is a 34 year old from Vancouver, Washington. He was stopped by a 4-12-3 fighter last August and is 1-1-1 in his last fights (all against opponents with losing records.

Davis started his career 11-1-1, but has won only two bouts since. From 2009 to 2011, Davis was good enough to be fodder for prospects and contenders. He faced and lost to Steve Forbes, Mauricio Herrera, Joel Casamayor, Breideis Prescott, and Frankie Gomez. He also fought to a No Contest against Joan Guzman. He's been competitive with lesser fights since.

Foreman-Davis is scheduled for eight rounds.