Daniel Ivanovski Off Tomorrow's Kentucky Card

Cruiserweight prospect Daniel Ivanovski was scheduled to face Anthony Price tomorrow in Louisville, Kentucky. The card is is still on, but this fight has fallen through.

Ivanovski is a 24 year old with a record of 4-0 with 3 KOs. He last fought in February. This is the second fight he has had scheduled that fizzled out since then.

Two more fights have been added to the schedule. Yan Zak is scheduled to face Stephen Nyamhanga on September 13 in Dubai. Odelia Ben Ephaim will be back in action on September 27 in Spain against Teresa Makinen. The Jewish Boxing Blog will have previews of both fights in the coming days.

Daniel Ivanovski to Face Anthony Price

Daniel Ivanovski is scheduled to face Anthony Price on August 9 at the Bluegrass Harley Davidson in Louisville, Kentucky, USA. This is a battle between undefeated cruiserweights.

Ivanovski, a 24 year old Israeli, turned pro last September. He now sports a record of 4-0 with 3 KOs. He's a skilled operator with a varied attack. The prospect has been susceptible to overhand rights in the past, but that won't be a problem against Price, a 33 year old southpaw from Stockbridge, Georgia.

Price had his pro debut in 2022. He pummeled 18-fight veteran Jalyn Anthony for just over five minutes, scoring five knockdowns. Price's straight left is his best punch, which he can use either to the head or to the body. He forced Byron Harkley to quit after the second round of their 2023 clash in Atlanta. His last fight was over a year ago against Matthew Caleb Esch, the son of hard-punching fan favorite Butterbean. In the second round, Price pawed with a straight left to the head, which brought up Esch's guard. The Georgian then went to the Esch's exposed body with a straight left. Esch crumbled in pain, writhing on the canvas. The fight was halted.

Ivanovski has the age and pro experience advantages. Price is listed at 6'1", so Daniel also has a slight height advantage. Ivanovski's hands are faster, but both men have very good technique. Price keeps a tight, responsible guard and uses subtle foot movement in and out to set up his punches. He hasn't shown much of a right hand yet during his brief pro career, though.

Ivanovski's career has been akin to the first line of a Dickens novel. He dominated his two fights in Louisville, where this one will take place. But in a fight in Philadelphia last year, Ivanovski was tagged by Marcus Smith's right repeatedly. In a close fight, Daniel stopped Smith with 14 seconds left in the contest to salvage a victory. Ivanovski's last fight was not his strongest performance. A clash in North Carolina against Romelle Terrell was his second in eight days and Daniel wasn't as sharp as usual. He also suffered a bad cut late in that fight which put him out of action for several months.

Price represents a very stern test for the Israeli prospect. Ivanovski will need to pull out more of his Louisville magic to get the victory. The left hook and right uppercut will likely be the key. This bout is scheduled for four rounds.

News and Notes

Cleaning up some news from the previous weekend: cruiserweight Daniel Ivanovski had been scheduled to fight in Kentucky last Saturday, but that entire card was cancelled a little while ago. Ivanovski is scheduled to put his 4-0 record on the line on August 16 in Greenville, North Carolina.

David Malul was briefly on the schedule to fight last Saturday. He observes Shabbat, which makes it difficult for him to fight on Saturdays during the summer because the sun sets so late in New York in those months.

Odelia Ben Ephraim has left the Blagnac Boxing Club. She's recovering from hand surgery, taking care of an injury that has plagued her for nearly two years. In the meantime, she signed with Insideout Boxing's Eoin Mundow.

Yonatan Landman has been working with famed trainer John David Jackson in Florida. The 7-0 flyweight has not been in the ring this year so far after a very busy 2024.

Brooklyn Barwick, now 2-0 with 2 KOs, is scheduled to come back to the ring on August 16. More details to come.

Boxing.5 Promotions is holding a tournament at Carnival City in South Africa on August 23. We'll see if Joshua Feldman and/or Doron Zinman fight on that card.

Daniel Ivanovski in Action Next Month

Cruiserweight Daniel Ivanovski is scheduled to fight on June 14 at the Shelby County Fairgrounds in Shelbyville, Kentucky, USA. The 24 year old from Israel is 4-0 with 3 KOs.

Ivanovski made his pro debut in Kentucky last September. This will be his third fight in the state. Each event has been run by Future Promotions.

Daniel suffered a cut over his left eye in his last fight when Romelle Terrell accidentally butted Ivanovski in the fourth and final round of their February 15 bout. At four months, this will be Ivanovski's longest layoff since turning pro.

No opponent has yet been named, but there is a durable fighter from the nearby rival town of Springfield. It might be difficult for Homer "The Southern Dandy" Simpson to whittle down to the cruiserweight limit of 200 pounds, though. Simpson hasn't fought since an embarrassing loss to Drederick Tatum nearly 30 years ago.

Ivanovski's bout is slated for four rounds.

Daniel Ivanovski Moves to 4-0

Cruiserweight Daniel Ivanovski defeated crowd favorite Romelle Terrell by unanimous decision tonight at the Durham Armory in Durham, North Carolina, USA. Terrell pressured all through the fight, but Ivanovski's clean punching at range carried him to victory.

The shorter Terrell from nearby Cary pressured from the outset. He landed some right hands as Ivanovski tried to box. The 23 year old Israeli had trouble keeping Terrell off of him early. Towards the end of the first, Ivanovski fired several consecutive left hooks with great success.

Daniel, who was announced as hailing from Philadelphia and was called "David" by the broadcast team, dominated the second round. He landed his beautiful left hooks and chopping right hands at will. He won the third round too as Terrell tired. Terrell's right uppercut on the inside found the target on occasion, but it wasn't nearly enough.

The man from North Cackalacky ran out of the corner to start the final round as if his shoe was lit on fire. He landed a right and came boring in when his head cut Ivanovski by the left eye. Ivanovski then boxed which soon negated Terrell's aggression and saved his eye from further damage. The Israeli landed some nice one-twos, overhand rights, and kept his left hook pumping.

The Jewish Boxing Blog scored the bout 39-37 for Ivanovski. One judge agreed with The JBB while two others gave Daniel every round, scoring the contest 40-36. Terrell, who was 196.6 pounds, is now 0-1-1. Ivanovski, who was 192, is 4-0 with 3 KOs. This was his second victory in eight days.

Ivanovski is a fluid boxer with a stunning left hook and solid jab. Because his left is such an effective weapon, he is susceptible to right hands. He has been active since turning pro in September, but the cut will surely slow down his progress. There's a lot to like about the cruiserweight prospect, but his defense needs to improve as he steps up.

Daniel Ivanovski Wins by Stoppage

Cruiserweight Daniel Ivanovski defeated Stephen Kirnon by second round TKO last night at the Pendennis Club in Louisville, Kentucky, USA last night. Referee Marvin Whittamore stopped the fight a minute and twenty seconds into the round.

Ivanovski, a 23 year old Israeli who weighed 192 pounds, is now 3-0 with 3 KOs. Kirnon, 193 pounds, falls to 2-8-1 with one KO. This was the fifth time he has been stopped, all against undefeated prospects. More details to come about this fight.

Ivanovski is next scheduled to fight at the Durham Armory in Durham, North Carolina, USA next Saturday against Romelle Terrell.

Daniel Ivanovski to Fight Romelle Terrell

Daniel Ivanovski is scheduled to fight twice within eight days in February. He'll take on ten-fight veteran Stephen Kirnon on February 7 in Louisville, Kentucky. Then, on February 15, he'll face Romelle Terrell at the Durham Armory in Durham, North Carolina, USA.

Kirnon will be the tougher opponent for the 2-0 Ivanovski. Terrell, a 34 year old, is from Chapel Hill, North Carolina, so this will be a hometown fight for him. But his record is 0-0-1. His lone fight occurred in 2022. The draw came again Jerome Aiken, who was 0-6 at the time.

Terrell was a hefty 221 pounds for his fight against Aiken. His contest against Ivanovski is slated for cruiserweight, which has a 200-pound limit. Daniel has been a cruiserweight for his two pro fights.

This fight is schedule for four rounds.

Daniel Ivanovski to Face Stephen Kirnon on February 7

Cruiserweight Daniel Ivanovski is scheduled to fight Stephen Kirnon on February 7 at the Pendennis Club in Louisville, Kentucky, USA. Kirnon is a good opponent for Ivanovski at this point in his pro career.

Daniel is a 23 year old from Israel. He's 2-0 with two KOs. He stopped Marcus Smith, who was 2-0 at the time, with fourteen seconds left in the four-round affair on December 7. Against Smith, Ivanonski was patient, set up his shots, and attacked the body. But he was susceptible to Smith's lead overhand rights, a  flaw that must be corrected quickly.

Kirnon is a 35 year old veteran of ten fights. His record is 2-7-1 with one KO. He had been stopped five times. The Bronx-born resident of Florida won his first two fights nine years ago. After a two-year lay-off he settled into his role as the B-side, going 0-7-1 since.

Kirnon is the right opponent for this stage of Ivanovski's career because he has more experience, has faced the tougher competition, and initially will come to fight. He's also the right opponent, because he will quickly settle into an 'opponent' mindset if there isn't a knockout either way immediately. Kirnon's jab was fluid against Joel Mutombo, but his right hand is slower than dial-up internet, which should keep Ivanovski out of danger. The Floridian's weight has been around 185 in recent contests, but was as high as 227 early in his career.

Kirnon's best opponent was Jared Anderson, who he faced in 2019. Kirnon had nothing for "The Real Big Baby." He also was never in the fight against the gigantic Ivan Dychko, but Kirnon was competitive against noted amateur Fernely Feliz Jr. before bowing out in the second round with an injury to his right arm in 2021.

Kirnon has fought three times in the last year and a half. Stephen's defense primarily relies on blocking punches with a high guard, so Breezy Richards, Mutombo, and A'mire Lewis all went down to the body with tremendous success. After quelling Kirnon's initial charge, Ivanovski should follow suit to the body to set up his head shots.

Anderson and Dychko have been the only two men to stop Kirnon in the opening round. Lewis is listed as winning by TKO in the first in their fight last August, but video showed Kirnon lasted until the bell and was not in danger of being stopped in that moment. This will be a good test to see where Ivanovski is compared to Anderson and Dychko.

If Ivanovski gets by Kirnon without much issue, he is on the schedule to fight on February 15 at the Durham Armory in Durham, North Carolina, USA in another cruiserweight bout. No opponent has been named for that one.

Year in Review: 2024

This year was defined by young prospects in the early stages of their careers. Yonatan Landman started his 7-0 with 7 KOs this year. Joshua Feldman went 3-0 with 3 KOs. David Malul scored two knockout victories to get his career rolling. Daniel Ivanovski went 2-0 with two KOs to start his career. Benny Nizard and Doron Zinman both won their debuts. The oldest of these prospects is just 23 years of age. It's an exciting time to be a fan of Jewish boxing!

More established Jewish boxers didn't see much action in 2024. Cletus Seldin won his one fight back in March. Odelia Ben Ephraim dropped her two fights, both for titles. For others, it was a case of canceled fights.

The Jewish Boxing Blog not only covered the current scene, but also looked back at several past Jewish boxers. They include Phil Lolosky, Joey Silver, Stuart Finer, Mushy Callahan, Willie Jackson, Joey Kaufman, Haim Zilberschmidt, Mike Clancy, and Soldier Bartfield. The JBB also provided an overview of Jewish boxers in China.

The JBB conducted some memorable interviews with Ira Berkow, Lev Jackson, and David Malul. Books reviewed this year include Then the World Moved On, The Promise of Women's Boxing, Smash Hit, Murder on Federal Street, and The Pennsylvania Boxing Hall of Fame.

A special thank you to the readers of The Jewish Boxing Blog and to the supporters on Buy Me a Coffee. I'd also like to publicly thank the boxers who took the time to offer their insights throughout the year. 

Daniel Ivanovski TKOs Marcus Smith in Tough Fight

Cruiserweight Daniel Ivanovski stopped Marcus Smith with just a few seconds left in their four-rounder at Harrah's Philadelphia in Chester, Pennsylvania, USA tonight. It was an exciting fight that was perhaps halted prematurely.

Ivanovski, a 191-pound Israeli, and Smith, a 197-pounder from Tennessee, touched gloves before attacking each other as if they were lions after raw meat. The 6'3" Smith initially fought out of a slight crouch and dipped down before exploding with overhand rights. Ivanovski boxed from an upright stance, but had no trouble letting his hands go. He targeted the body with pulverizing left hooks under Smith's high guard.

After an active opening round in which Smith connected with his share of rights, Ivanovski closed the round strong. A counter right, two left hooks to the body, two straight rights, and a left hook up top took their toll and Smith was wobbled late in the first.

Smith was told to jab in the corner and tried unsuccessfully at the beginning of the second round. He was knocked back when the 23 year old Israeli scored with a check left hook. Smith then eschewed any pretense of boxing and started winging wild rights, many of which found their intended targets. At one point, Daniel was trapped on the ropes as Smith landed right after right.

Smith then opened up with another right in the center of the ring, but Ivanovski beat him to it and Smith was hurt. Daniel didn't follow up, instead remaining patient and consistent with his offense. He finished the second strong as well with left hooks to the body.

Smith faded at the end of the second three minutes and his mouth was open in the third. The tough Tennessean went for broke early and touched up Ivanovski, but couldn't hurt him. After that flurry, Smith threw less and Ivanovski's measured assault took the round. His left hooks to the head and straight rights were the primary punches in the third. A right shook up Smith at the end of the period.

Both men were tired in the fourth, but Ivanovski had more in the tank. Smith's best moments involved pushing and leaning on Daniel while the Israeli was against the ropes. Ivanovski slipped Smith's attempts and landed some good body shots. With just a few seconds left, Ivanovski landed two straight rights to Smith's temple. Smith stumbled a bit and referee Eric Dali jumped in and stopped the bout at 2:46 of the final round. Smith was baffled by the referee's decision, but Dali noticed the stumble and Smith's persistent fatigue, which likely contributed to the stoppage.

Ivanovski's performance was very good, but not without flaws. He kept his left too low and allowed Smith to land way too many rights without setting them up at all. The Israeli didn't jab much, perhaps worried about the counter right over the top, but jabbing and moving could've prevented some damage. Otherwise, there was a lot to like. He varied his punches, was very poised, finished each round strong, showed a good chin, and a commitment to the body, which had a serious effect on Smith's stamina.

Smith was a tough, awkward opponent and though Daniel didn't have a perfect outing, he was impressive in earning his second stoppage victory in as many fights. Smith is now 2-1 with 2 KOs.

Ivanovski is tentatively scheduled to fight next on February 15 in Durham, North Carolina, USA.

Daniel Ivanovski to Face Marcus Smith Saturday

Cruiserweight Daniel Ivanovski is now scheduled to fight Marcus Smith at Harrah's Philadelphia in Chester, Pennsylvania, USA. Saturday's show will be promoted by RDR Promotions.

Ivanovski (1-0, 1 KO), a 23 year old Israeli, will have a tougher test than he faced in his debut three months ago. Marcus Smith (2-0, 2 KOs) has an undefeated record while Ivanovski's first opponent was clearly new to boxing.

Smith is a 30 year old from Tennessee. Both of his fights, which took place this year, were at heavyweight and he was significantly outweighed both times. Those fights took place in West Virginia, which notoriously has a lenient commission, meaning opponents are not always ready or able to fight. Smith's victims were Cody French, a 35 year old making his boxing debut but had some MMA experience, and Jereme Browning, a 41 year old who came in with a knockout victory in his three fights.

Smith won't be a pushover, but Ivanovski is a patient, skilled fighter with pop in his gloves. This bout is scheduled for four rounds. If he gets by Smith, Ivanovski is scheduled to fight on February 15 in Durham, North Carolina,

Daniel Ivanovski on the Schedule Twice

Daniel Ivanovski is scheduled to fight next on December 7 in Louisville, Kentucky, USA . The 23 year old Israeli is also scheduled to fight on February 8, 2025 according to BoxRec. The second fight is slated for Priory Grand Hall in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA. An address provided by the promotor of the Louisville show puts the ring in a strip mall called Indian Trail Square.

The Louisville promotor is advertising the December 7 show. The Pittsburgh promotor hasn't announced the February show on their social media accounts.

Ivanovski won his pro debut in September. The cruiserweight was skilled and poised in earning a first round stoppage victory. The two scheduled events indicates he intends to be active, which should help his progression as a professional.

No opponent has yet been named for either bout.

Daniel Ivanovski to Fight in December

After a successful professional debut in September, cruiserweight Daniel Ivanovski is now scheduled to fight on December 7 in Louisville, Kentucky. The promotor of the show is Future Promotions.

The 23 year old Israeli looked impressive against an overmatched opponent on September 9 in Louisville. He showed poise and power. He was defensively responsible. Though Ivanovski is a novice as a prizefighter, hopefully he fights someone with a little more experience than his last opponent, Wondon Alonso Hughes, who exhibited far more courage than ability.

Ivanovski stopped Hughes two minutes and 41 seconds into the first round, but the fight could have been stopped even sooner. Ivanovski's next fight is scheduled for four rounds. No opponent has been named yet.

Daniel Ivanovski Wins Debut by TKO

Cruiserweight Daniel Ivanovski stopped Wondon Alonzo Hughes two minutes and 41 seconds into the fight at the Kentucky Center for African-American Heritage in Louisville, Kentucky, USA this past Saturday. Ivanovski was poised, smooth, and strategic in victory.

Ivanovski, a 23 year old from Israel, walked to the ring to the rhymes of Ice Cube's The Gutter Shit. BoxRec lists his weight as 191.5, five pounds heavier than Hughes. The Kentucky Boxing and Wrestling Commission told The Jewish Boxing Blog the official weights were Ivanovski 191 and Hughes 186.4 pounds.

When the opening bell rang, Ivanovski immediately took control of center ring and quickly established himself with a feint and a jab to the body.  Hughes featured an unorthodox style. He repeatedly switched stances but didn't pose a threat from either side. His offense amounted to a few wild attempts.

Meanwhile, Ivanovski opened up halfway threw the first with a jab, right to the body, left hook combo. He pressured with intelligent foot placement and unloaded when Hughes backed into the corner. Body shots kept Hughes from running too much.

Two minutes in, Daniel started a five-punch combination with a flush right to the body. Referee Jason Abbott issued a standing eight-count, which is permitted in Kentucky. The call simply delayed the inevitable.

When the fight restarted, Ivanovski didn't rush his work. He showed a jab that disguised a sharp straight right. After a few looping shots, he put Hughes down with a clubbing right. Abbott waved off the fight.

Hughes was an overmatched opponent, but Ivanovski still showed good promise in his pro debut.

Daniel Ivanovski to Face Wondon Hughes in September

Daniel Ivanovski is scheduled to fight Wondon Alonzo Hughes Jr. on September 7 at the Kentucky Center for African-American Heritage in Louisville, Kentucky, USA. Both fighters will be making their pro debut.

Ivanovski is a skilled and talented boxer from Israel. He effectively controls center ring and works behind a crisp jab, adding a sharp right hand. In 2022 at the U-22 European amateur championships, he scored two-standing eight counts against Czechia's Pavel Hrivnak but lost the decision 4-1. Hrivnak was able to counter over the top, particularly when Ivanovski occasionally pawed with the jab.

Hughes is a 29 year old from Kalamazoo, Michigan who lost his father as a kid. Hughes doesn't seem to have amateur much boxing experience, so he's a real wild card.

This bout is scheduled for four rounds in the cruiserweight division.

Daniel Ivanovski to Make Pro Debut in September

Daniel Ivanovski is scheduled to make his pro debut on September 7 at the Kentucky Center for African-American Heritage in Louisville, Kentucky, USA. The event will be promoted by Future Promotions.

If the African American Heritage Museum in Louisville, Kentucky seems like an unconventional place for a Jewish boxer to fight, Ivanovski won't be the first. Yuri Foreman fought at the same venue in December of 2020 and was set to fight there in in March of 2021 before he came down with covid.

Ivanovski has some high-level amateur experience. He won the 2022 Israeli amateur championship at heavyweight. He competed at the under-22 European championships later that year.

His pro debut is scheduled to take place at cruiserweight, which is comparable in weight to an amateur heavyweight. Ivanovski's fight is marked for four rounds.