Lev Jackson and Ian Abbott Make Weight

Junior lightweights Lev "Gutsy" Jackson and Ian "Mr. Wonderful" Abbott both made weight ahead of their clash tomorrow night at the Lions Club in Cochrane, Alberta, Canada. A career lightweight, this will be Jackson's first pro fight at 130.

At 5-1-1, the 34 year old from Vancouver has scored two of his three knockouts in his last two fights. Jackson's heaviest weight was 138 against Elroy Fruto, who he sparred with to get ready for this fight. Lev tipped the scales at 129.5 pounds, the lightest of his seven-year career.

Abbott, a 32 year old from Saskatchewan, came in at 129 pounds. His lightest was 124 in 2024 and his heaviest was 133 the year before. Abbott also goes by Ian Masuskapoe as he is a member of the Ahtahkakoop Cree Nation. An MMA fighter, his boxing record is an unassuming 1-8-1, but he's a tough journeyman.

After the faceoff, Jackson and Abbott respectfully shook hands. Lev refueled with spaghetti and sushi after drinking a ton of fluids. Back with coach Junior Moar, he's excited to face the challenge of a new weight class.

Jackson-Abbott is scheduled for four rounds. For a preview of the fight, visit here. A link to the stream is here.

Joshua Feldman Poised for Hometown Return in August

Junior middleweight prospect Joshua Feldman is scheduled to return to the ring after a thirteenth-month layoff. The 21 year old is slated to fight at the Cabo Beach Club in his hometown of Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa on August 15.

The 7-0 southpaw has been working with trainer Brandon Woods States-side at DLX Boxing in Las Vegas for about a year. When he first arrived at DLX, Feldman ran into Tomer Benny, a highly-touted amateur boxer from Israel.

Josh had been training with Colin Nathan, the world class trainer based in Johannesburg. Nathan, who runs No Doubt Management in addition to the Hot Box Gym, counts world champions among his large stable. Feldman has nothing but love and respect for Nathan, but he felt the move to the U.S. was the right decision at this stage in his career.

In Vegas, Feldman has been getting high-level sparring in preparation for his first pro fight in his hometown. His previous seven fights, three by KO, were in and around Johannesburg.

David Malul Stops Julius Thomas in the Second

"King" David Malul dominated Julius "June Bug" Thomas Jr., scoring a second round TKO at the Tropicana Hotel & Casino in Atlantic City, New Jersey, USA tonight. Since Malul observes Shabbat, his fight was the last of seven on a Boxing Insider Promotions card. His rights to the body, set up a series of overhand rights that led to the stoppage.

Thomas, a 36 year old from Youngstown in Ohio, entered the ring first to Bossman dlow's "Motion Party." Malul, a 23 year old from Queens, came next to The Script's "Hall of Fame."

Thomas started the fight as a southpaw while Malul applied steady foot pressure in the early stages of the fight. He was initially a bit tentative, feeling out Thomas before committing to his attack. His coach, Mike Stellate, kept yelling, "50, David, 50!" Showing the jab, David dug several hard rights to the body, forcing Thomas to switch to an orthodox stance. Malul then threw left hooks to the body.

In the second round, David dipped, which caused Thomas to anticipate another right to the body. Instead, an overhand right dazed the fighter from Youngstown. Thomas had his moments in the second as Malul pushed the tempo, but he constantly ceded ground. Backed into a corner, Thomas missed and was countered by a huge overhand right. Malul followed with another bomb, flooring Thomas in his own corner. Thomas's trainer began giving him instructions until a commission official told her that coaching wasn't allowed in that situation.

Malul recognized that Thomas was in bad shape and constantly connected with overhand rights. At one point the two fighters stopped, believing the referee had called, "Break." When the referee waved them to fight, Malul punished Thomas with two overhand rights that forced an end to the fight.

"I eat, sleep, and breathe the body shots," David said after the fight. Those body shots set up his second round blows to the head beautifully. Defensively, he blocked many of Thomas's attempts, including the uppercut. Malul looked sharp defensively and his offensive game plan set up the knockout.

Fifteen minutes after the fight, when the crowd had filed out of Tropicana's showroom, David climbed back into the ring and soaked up the scene, accomplishing his fifth pro win in as many tries. It was his third knockout. Thomas falls to 1-4-1 with one KO.

David Malul and Julius Thomas Weigh In

"King" David Malul and Julius "June Bug" Thomas both weighed in ahead of their clash tomorrow night at the Tropicana Hotel & Casino. Boxing Insider Promotions is putting on the card. Initially announced as a welterweight bout, it's now scheduled to be contested at junior middleweight+.

Malul weighed in at 154 pounds, the heaviest of his brief career. His lightest was 146.5 pounds in his debut against Lucien Hannah in 2024. The 23 year old from Queens sports a record of 4-0 and 2 KOs.

Thomas came in at 155 pounds, also the heaviest of his career. His lightest was 144 pounds, but this is the third time he has weighed at least 150 pounds for a fight. Thomas is a 36 year old from Youngstown, Ohio. His record is 1-3-1 with one KO.

Malul was visibly annoyed at Thomas after the face off. He'll have his opportunity to show his disdain for Thomas in the four-rounder, which will take place after Shabbat tomorrow. Boxing Insider has a feature on David and his observance of Shabbat.

Check out a preview of Malul-Thomas.