Barwick Drops Disputed Decision to Novas

Brooklyn "Big Deal" Barwick lost by unanimous decision tonight to Grecia Novas at Polideportivo Virgilio Frias in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. Barwick was shocked and confused when the decision was read.

The 26 year old spent the previous fight standing behind the blue corner with her team, Jimmy Sosa and Nisa Rodriguez, shifting her weight from one foot to the other. She walked to the ring after the announcer butchered her last name.

Barwick began the fight on the front foot as Novas backed away. When the two fighters got close, the scrap became dirtier than a pig in slop. Barwick led with her head as the two exchanged rabbit punches in the clinches. Referee Oscar Peña warned both fighters. Barwick landed a combination with a straight right followed by a jab to end the round.

Barwick had trouble mounting an effective offense for much of the fight because Novas jabbed and held, jabbed and held again. She feinted often in the second, but couldn't land off her feints. Meanwhile, Novas jabbed well, landed a counter right to the body, and did some more behind-the-head hunting.

Novas's best round was the third as she boxed in rhythm. The Dominican crowd got behind her, cheering with each landed jab. Barwick blocked most of her overhand rights, but the crowd whooped as if they had connected. Barwick managed to turn the tide at the end of the round with two straight rights.

The fourth round belonged to Barwick. She worked her right to the body in the clinches as if she were a throwback fighter from a hundred years ago. She added straight rights, and thwarted Novas's overhand rights.

Despite dropping the fourth, Novas danced before the start of the fifth. She scored with jabs that round, but Barwick scored with rights and in professional boxing's version of Rock, Paper, Scissors, the back hand beats the lead hand when a similar number of shots find their target.

The final round was nearly as rough as the opening one. Barwick was ready for Novas's propensity to foul. Peña didn't do enough to keep the fight clean, nor did he warn Novas once for holding, which she did repeatedly in the sixth. Barwick didn't land much in that round while the hometown fighter at least snuck in a few jabs.

When the scores were read 59-55, 58-56, and 58-56 for Novas, she looked pleasantly surprised while Barwick's face was filled with shock and disgust. The Jewish Boxing Blog scored the bout 56-56.

Novas improves her record to 20-32-4 with 10 KOs. Barwick is now 6-1 with 6 KOs. Brooklyn fought a 55-fight veteran a bit too early in her career. Barwick didn't have an amateur career, only a few influencer bouts. She was also victimized by a hometown referee who allowed Novas to foul constantly and by the local judges. It's hard to justify a 59-55 score for Novas. Barwick's major issue was an inability to find her way inside enough and prevent the wily veteran from holding.

This fight was a lesson for Barwick, a pup in the game of boxing. Sometimes a dog's gotta pee on the rug a few times before it earns a treat.

Brooklyn Barwick and Grecia Novas Weigh-In

Brooklyn Barwick and Grecia Novas weighed in ahead of their clash tomorrow at Polideportivo Virgilio Frias in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. The NBA featherweight title is at stake in this six round affair. Barwick is looking to become the fastest Jewish woman to win a major sanctioning body's belt. This will be her seventh fight - BoxRec only lists four of them - and less than a year since she turned pro.

Barwick's weight was announced as 126 pounds, but she says the official weight is 125.8. Either way, she was able to eat the day before and still make weight. Novas reportedly came in at 127.4 pounds, which is over the featherweight limit but within the weight allowance.

Novas and her team seemed dismissive of Barwick during the weigh-in. Barwick was there alone as her team, Jimmy Sosa and Nisa Rodriguez, were stuck in New York because of the massive storm that dumped nearly two feet of snow on the city. Barwick's flight was also delayed, but she managed to get another one after much trouble to make it down to Santo Domingo.

The fighters were forced to wait to weigh in as an official arrived hours late. Barwick, who is converting to Orthodox Judaism, was asked to take off her NYC Cops & Kids windbreaker before she stepped onto the scale. She preferred to observe tzniut and keep it on but had to bow to the commission's demands. During her conversion journey, Barwick has been mindful to dress more modestly than in the past. She has been working with Rabbi Steinmetz and Rabbi Feldman at Kehilath Jeshurun on the Upper East Side in Manhattan through the process.

After the weigh-in, she downed some kosher Korean BBQ jerky from Holy Jerky and added hummus and pita. She consumed a liter and a half of water on the thirty minute ride back to her hotel where she ate a meal of salmon and steamed vegetables brought to her by the kosher concierge from the Santo Domingo Chabad.

After eating, she spoke to The Jewish Boxing Blog on the phone as she broke in her new light pink shoes courtesy of Adams Boxing. She sounded ready for the fight, charged by the disrespect shown from Novas and her team at the weigh-in and a tumultuous breakup last year.

A preview of Barwick-Novas can be viewed here. The fight can be streamed here.

David Malul Off Saturday's Card

Welterweight prospect David Malul had been scheduled to fight this Saturday at his old stomping grounds, the Paramount Theatre in Huntington, New York, USA. The Jewish Boxing Blog, however, has learned the 23 year old from Queens won't fight on the Star Boxing card.

Malul last fought in November, headlining a card he promoted. With a record of 4-0, Malul has been beset with relative inactivity recently. The devastating puncher fought three times from September 2024 to March 2025 but only one time since. He suffered a nose injury last summer which forced him off an August card in Long Island. He was slated to fight in Kansas last December, but that didn't pan out. Fortunately, this latest issue does not seem to be injury related.

Malul's team is looking to send him back in action either next month or in April. Since his last bout, "King" David has moved over to the Sosa Crew at NYC Cops and Kids.

Preview of Brooklyn Barwick vs. Grecia Novas

Brooklyn Barwick is hoping to follow in the footsteps of Jewish women world champions Jill Matthews, Carolina Duer, and Hagar Finer. Her first major step comes against Grecia Novas for the NBA featherweight title this Thursday, February 26 at Polideportivo Virgilio Frias in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.

A 55-fight veteran, the 40 year old Novas signifies the toughest test of Barwick's career. Barwick, a 26 year old based in New York, is 6-0 with 6 KOs. She has fought inexperienced fighters since she turned pro about a year ago. BoxRec has yet to record two of her fights that took place in Colombia.

Nicknamed "Big Deal," Barwick is primarily a brawler but has shown some boxing skills in her last two fights. Still, one unnamed industry insider described her skills as "raw." She just started boxing three years ago and influencer bouts replaced her amateur career. Nevertheless, she has made great strides in a short period of time. She was recently picked up by the NYC Attitude of the Team Boxing League in addition to her burgeoning pro career.

Novas (19-32-4, 10 KOs) turned pro in 2004. The native of San Juan de la Maguana, Dominican Republic has fought consistently throughout her long career. She battled Amanda Serrano twice, Cindy Serrano, and Tiara Brown in addition to several trips to Germany. But Novas hasn't beaten a foe with a win on their ledger since 2015.

Novas has picked up some skills during her 22-year career, but she throws wide shots. She shows decent movement and a solid jab, but leaves herself open when throwing power shots. Novas will present a mental and emotional challenge for Barwick as the veteran has no problem sneaking in rabbit punches in clinches, just one of her wily tricks.

Novas has a significant experience advantage, fighting 250 rounds to Barwick's 7. She's gone six or more rounds more times than Brooklyn has fights. The two fighters are of similar height, but Novas has fought at heavier weights. Barwick, however, has the better chin. Novas has been stopped 12 times.

Barwick-Novas is scheduled for six rounds and will be streamed here.

Yan Zak Stops Sadiki Maroy

Cruiserweight prospect Yan Zak stopped Sadiki Maroy when Maroy retired after the third round, claiming an injury. It wasn't Zak's best performance due to Maroy's awkward attacks, but Yan's class was evident.

Zak, a 26 year old who just won the Israeli amateur title last week, started the first round cautiously. He threw range-finding jabs and feinted to keep the bigger Congolese fighter off of him. The 37 year old Maroy is a stance-switcher, but he primarily fought as a southpaw, which somewhat neutralized the effectiveness of Zak's superior jab. Zak controlled center ring and got inside Maroy's wide punches when the bigger man initiated his wild assaults.

Zak did more damage in the second round, crashing chopping rights to the side of Sadiki's skull. Maroy went for broke in the round and was clearly winded by the end of the three minutes. Meanwhile, Yan landed straight rights, particularly after showing the jab.

Maroy, nicknamed the "Buffalo," seemed to run out of gas by the third. He started the round passively, staying on the perimeter as his mouth remained agape. Conversely, the "Terminator," landed a right-left-right combination and some more chopping rights off his jab.

When the bell rang, Maroy limped to his corner. Even before he began limping, it seemed as if he wouldn't come out for the fourth. Maroy laid on his back as his cornerman rubbed his right calf. Maroy pounded the canvas with his gloves in apparent agony. This went on past the minute-rest period, and the fight was stopped.

Because Maroy was a southpaw heavyweight who threw awkward wide shots, Zak didn't look quite as fluid as usual. Sometimes, he pulled straight back to avoid the shots, instead of shifting on an angle so he could counter. It was still an impressive victory, beating a man 13 pounds heavier who now has a solid record of 17-3-1. Zak is 6-0 with 4 KOs.

Yan Zak and Sadiki Maroy Weigh In

Yan Zak and Sadiki Maroy weighed in ahead of their clash tomorrow at the Westin Hotel Ballroom in Dubai, United Arab Emirates tomorrow.

Zak weighed in at 199 pounds. Yan has been between 190 and 202.8 pounds during his professional career. The 26 year old from Ashdod Israel is 5-0 with 3 KOs.

Maroy was 212.7 pounds. This the heaviest of the 37 year old's career. The previous high for the native of Lumbumbashi, DRC was 210.3 pounds in his last fight this past summer.

This bout is schedule for eight rounds and can be viewed live on iFL TV's YouTube page.

Preview of Yan Zak vs. Sadiki Maroy

Cruiserweight prospect Yan Zak faces veteran Sadiki Maroy on Saturday at the Westin Hotel Ballroom in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Zak is coming off a win of the Israeli amateur title last weekend.

Zak is a 26 year old based in Ashdod, Israel. He has been very impressive in his first five pro bouts, scoring three KOs against veteran foes. The "Terminator" turned pro last May and has been active since. This will be his third fight in Dubai.

Maroy is a 37 year old from Lumbumbashi in the Democratic Republic of Congo. He boasts a sterling record of 17-2-1 with 8 KOs. Maroy has a better record than any of Zak's other opponents, but he isn't as skilled. Nicknamed "The Buffalo," Maroy is hard puncher and isn't coming up in weight like a couple of Zak's other opponents.

Maroy turned pro in 2007, but took a six and half year break before coming back last summer. This will be his first fight outside of Africa. He has mostly fought in his home country, but did venture to Ghana and Nigeria for fights. Sadiki has a good left hook and a powerful overhand hard. Zak's speed and straight punches should prove too much for the veteran though.

Zak-Maroy is scheduled for eight rounds.

2026 Israeli Amateur Championships

Winner	Result	Opponent
Super Heavyweight, 90+
Yan Zak	WO	Arman Malkan
Mahmoud Naarami	WO	Arthur Abramov
Yan Zak👑	Dec	Mahmoud Naarami
Heavyweight, 90
Ariel Prilutski	Dec	Mohamad Shlabani
Ariel Prilutski 👑	RSC 2	Oleg Berkovich
Cruiserweight, 85
Yonatan Barashi 👑	RSC 2	Alex Karchevski
Light Heavyweight, 80
Nikita Padi	Dec	Jade Owolo
Ron Yaer	?	Shelleshevet Gerzef
Nikita Padi	Dec	David Bazov
Daniel Ilyushonok	RSC 2	Ron Yaer
Daniel Ilyushonok👑	Dec	Nikita Padi
Middleweight, 75
Ahmad Jbarin	Dec	Kobnat Netgoko
Yosef Barbor	Dec	Edward Milnikov
Ahmad Jbarin	Dec	Yosef Barbor
Khalid Alzbarga	Dec	Mohamad Magrabi
Ahmad Jbarin 👑	Dec	Khalid Alzbarga
Junior Middleweight, 70
Tomer Benny	WO	Benny Nizard
Mohamad Wagih	Dec	Abd-al Rahman Isa
Bogdan Loptin	Dec	Adham Kayouf
Igor Novikov	Dec	Basel Tuma
Tomer Benny	Dec	Mohamad Wagih
Igor Novikov	Dec	Bogdan Loptin
Tomer Benny 👑	Dec	Igor Novikov
Welterweight, 65
Ahmad Shtiwi	RSC 2	Sagev Rhamim
Ahmad Shtiwi	Dec	Ali Shaon
Adrian Warwar	RSC 2	Ben Rafael
Ahmad Shtiwi 👑	Dec	Adrian Warwar
Lightweight, 60
Matan David	RSC 2	Roe Bazov
Iurii Lapchevisky	Dec	Boaz Finkel
Abdullah Rahel	Dec	Idad Totando
Iurii Lapchevisky	Dec	Matan David
Abdullah Rahel	Dec	Matar Samuel
Abdullah Rahel 👑	Dec	Iurii Lapchevisky
Bantamweight, 55
Farid Harish	Dec	Tom Samuel
Mike Tayber	Dec	Eyal Pinto
Farid Harish 👑	Dec	Mike Tayber
Flyweight, 50
David Zakhari 👑	RSC 2	Ofek Dotan
Lightweight, 60
Myriam Lahmi 👑	Dec	Aria Fain

Recap

Yan Zak, a 5-0 pro, won yet another national title. In preparation for his fight against Sadiki Maroy this Saturday, he treated the finals like a sparring session. Others with pro experience didn't fare as well. Benny Nizard and Arthur Abramov, both 1-0, withdrew before fighting. Alex Karchevski, also 1-0, was thoroughly outboxed by Yonatan Barashi. Another pro, Ahmad Shtiwi (9-0, 7 KOs) used infighting to win the welterweight title.

Among the amateurs, David Zakhari, Ahmad Jbarin, and Abdullah Rahel stood out. Flyweight champion Zakhari looks like a young David Alaverdian with his feints, jukes, and ability to find odd angles. Jbarin bounces around the ring dictating the action, but he's not afraid to get rough either. Rahel is a slickster with a smart jab and precise counters.

Two fights stood out. The first was a lightweight semifinal bout between Alaverdian protégé, Matan David, and stylist Iurii Lapchevisky. Though both are skilled boxers, they treated the fans to an all-out brawl. Neither won the lightweight title this year, but both 19 year olds are quite promising.

The second fight came in the junior middleweight final. A bloodied Igor Novikov staggered southpaw Tomer Benny several times. Benny ultimately got a disputed decision and won the national title.

Daniel Ivanovski Wins by TKO

Cruiserweight Daniel Ivanovski stopped Jeremy Small in the second round of their clash at the Pendennis Club in Lousiville, Kentucky, USA last Friday.

Referee Marvin Whittamore waved off the contest 48 seconds into the round. Ivanovski, a 24 year old, moved to 5-0 with 4 KOs. Small falls to 1-1 with 1 KO.

Daniel Ivanovski and Jeremy Small Weigh In

Daniel Ivanovski and Jeremy Small weighed in ahead of their cruiserweight clash later tonight at the Pendennis Club in Louisville, Kentucky, USA. This is a battle of two undefeated boxers.

Ivanovski weighed in at 192 pounds for this contest. The 24 year old prospect with a 4-0 record has weighed between 191.5 and 192 pounds for each of his bouts. That's remarkable consistency, particularly since it isn't close to the cruiserweight limit.

Small is a 37 year old from Nebraska who scored a first round KO in only professional boxing fight. An experienced MMA fighter, Small is coming up in weight. He tipped the scales at 187 pounds, seven more than his other boxing bout, which took place in 2022. As an MMA fighter he has primarily fought in the 170s.

The fight tonight is scheduled for four rounds.

New Opponent for Daniel Ivanovski

Daniel Ivanovski is now scheduled to face a new opponent on Friday at the Pendennis Club in Louisville, Kentucky, USA. Ivanovski's lasted listed opponent is Jeremy Small, an experienced MMA fighter.

Ivanovski, a 24 year old Israeli, was slated to fight a more experienced boxer. Now, he takes on a rugged 37 year from Nebraska. Small had only one win on his boxing ledger, a first round knockout in his home state back in 2022. That's his lone fight as a pro boxer, but he has fought over ten times in MMA battles.

MMA fighters are often tough competitors who fight out of squared stances. Their punch technique isn't usually the best for boxing, but they often have long-lasting motors. Small will be coming up in weight as he has mostly fought in the 170s.

This bout is a cruiserweight affair scheduled for four rounds.