Roach fights to a draw with Cruz but gets stripped of 130-pound title |
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Lamont Roach D12 Isaac Cruz... Mexico's Isaac “Pitbull” Cruz and now-former champion Lamont Roach (pictured) went toe-to-toe for a dozen rounds, battling to a majority draw in the main event of a PBC show Saturday night at Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Texas. Cruz retained the WBC interim junior welterweight title with one score of 115-111 for Cruz being overruled by two scores of 113-113. Roach entered the ring as the WBA junior lightweight champion but was apparently stipped by the WBA when the fight started, ostensibly for fighting for another organzation's title. In a battle contestd at 140 pounds, the always aggressive Cruz (28-3-2, 18 KOs) jumped on the gas first with a boisterous Mexican crowd behind him, testing Roach (25-1-3, 10 KOs) early and often. In round three, Cruz connected on a brilliant left hook that connected cleanly, forced Roach’s glove to touch the canvas and earned him an early knockdown.
"I knew he would stand his ground and go toe-to-toe, but I know how to box too,” said Cruz. “People don’t realize I can box.”
"Hats off to ‘Pitbull,’” said Roach. “He's a great champion himself. I gave the fans a great fight. Back to the drawing board."
Despite the setback, and faced with his hard charging opponent, Roach was able to stay in the pocket and land enough counters to keep himself in the fight, and by the middle rounds appeared to have an edge on a tiring Cruz.
In round seven, Cruz’s attention to the body backfired as referee James Green deducted a crucial point for low blows. With the tide turning in his favor, Roach used his boxing acumen to land clean shots and force Cruz to smother much of his offense.
The action turned back up at the end of round 11 when Cruz connected on a big shot in the middle of the ring that led to both men winging power shots until the bell. Both fighters carried this momentum into a raucous 12th round that had fans on their feet for all three minutes. The CompuBox stats reflected the close nature of the fight, with Roach earning a narrow 142 to 132 edge in power punches. After the fight, both fighters reiterated that they believed they should have been victorious.
"All I want is a fair shake,” said Roach. “I think I should have won a close victory. All I want is a fair shake. That’s it…I don’t know what I got to do. I don’t accept this at all. I clearly thought I won a close fight. I’m tired of this.”
"I did my job,” said Cruz. “I did my work. The ref was on his side. The judges too. The crowd in San Antonio saw I won this fight…Absolutely I'd do a rematch. With a different referee who is not on his side. The referee took this fight from me."
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Roach fights to a draw with Cruz but gets stripped of 130-pound title
Lamont Roach D12 Isaac Cruz... Mexico's Isaac “Pitbull” Cruz and now-former champion Lamont Roach (pictured) went toe-to-toe for a dozen rounds, battling to a majority draw in the main event of a PBC show Saturday night at Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Texas. Cruz retained the WBC interim junior welterweight title with one score of 115-111 for Cruz being overruled by two scores of 113-113. Roach entered the ring as the WBA junior lightweight champion but was apparently stipped by the WBA when the fight started, ostensibly for fighting for another organzation's title. In a battle contestd at 140 pounds, the always aggressive Cruz (28-3-2, 18 KOs) jumped on the gas first with a boisterous Mexican crowd behind him, testing Roach (25-1-3, 10 KOs) early and often. In round three, Cruz connected on a brilliant left hook that connected cleanly, forced Roach’s glove to touch the canvas and earned him an early knockdown.
"I knew he would stand his ground and go toe-to-toe, but I know how to box too,” said Cruz. “People don’t realize I can box.”
"Hats off to ‘Pitbull,’” said Roach. “He's a great champion himself. I gave the fans a great fight. Back to the drawing board."
Despite the setback, and faced with his hard charging opponent, Roach was able to stay in the pocket and land enough counters to keep himself in the fight, and by the middle rounds appeared to have an edge on a tiring Cruz.
In round seven, Cruz’s attention to the body backfired as referee James Green deducted a crucial point for low blows. With the tide turning in his favor, Roach used his boxing acumen to land clean shots and force Cruz to smother much of his offense.
The action turned back up at the end of round 11 when Cruz connected on a big shot in the middle of the ring that led to both men winging power shots until the bell. Both fighters carried this momentum into a raucous 12th round that had fans on their feet for all three minutes. The CompuBox stats reflected the close nature of the fight, with Roach earning a narrow 142 to 132 edge in power punches. After the fight, both fighters reiterated that they believed they should have been victorious.
"All I want is a fair shake,” said Roach. “I think I should have won a close victory. All I want is a fair shake. That’s it…I don’t know what I got to do. I don’t accept this at all. I clearly thought I won a close fight. I’m tired of this.”
"I did my job,” said Cruz. “I did my work. The ref was on his side. The judges too. The crowd in San Antonio saw I won this fight…Absolutely I'd do a rematch. With a different referee who is not on his side. The referee took this fight from me."
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Foster outboxes overweight Fulton |
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O’Shaquie Foster W12 Stephen Fulton... On the PBC pay-per-view show in San Antonio, reigning WBC junior lightweight champion O’Shaquie Foster (24-3, 12 KOs) dominated on his way to a unanimous decision over former two-division champion Stephen Fulton Jr. (23-2, 8 KOs) to add the questionable WBC interim lightweight title to his collection. Foster came in two pounds above the 130-pound weight limit and theWBC shockingly accomodated Fulton's failure by creating the interim title yesterday. "The game plan was to stay smart, stay sharp and get him out of there in the later rounds,” said Foster. “But he's a damn good fighter and a veteran and he knew how to survive.” A native of Orange, Texas fighting in his home state, Foster looked sharp from the early rounds, using his length and reach advantage to keep Fulton from finding his distance. Foster’s jab was key throughout, but especially in the first six rounds as he landed 41 jabs to Fulton’s 14.
Switching stances throughout the fight, Foster began to increase the pressure in the fight’s second half, landing numerous straight shots that pushed Fulton back. Overall Foster enjoyed a 191 to 56 edge in punches landed. Fulton tried to move inside during the final rounds in an attempt to land a shot that could change the tide, but more often than not he left himself open to Foster’s counters and was unable to mount a charge of his own. After twelve rounds the judges scored the fight 119-109, 118-110 and 117-111, all for Foster.
"I want Shakur Stevenson,” said Foster. “I've been saying it for the longest. But it looks like he's gonna fight at 140. So I have to choose either 130 or 135. I'll see what happens and make a decision.”
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Foster outboxes overweight Fulton
O’Shaquie Foster W12 Stephen Fulton... On the PBC pay-per-view show in San Antonio, reigning WBC junior lightweight champion O’Shaquie Foster (24-3, 12 KOs) dominated on his way to a unanimous decision over former two-division champion Stephen Fulton Jr. (23-2, 8 KOs) to add the questionable WBC interim lightweight title to his collection. Foster came in two pounds above the 130-pound weight limit and theWBC shockingly accomodated Fulton's failure by creating the interim title yesterday. "The game plan was to stay smart, stay sharp and get him out of there in the later rounds,” said Foster. “But he's a damn good fighter and a veteran and he knew how to survive.” A native of Orange, Texas fighting in his home state, Foster looked sharp from the early rounds, using his length and reach advantage to keep Fulton from finding his distance. Foster’s jab was key throughout, but especially in the first six rounds as he landed 41 jabs to Fulton’s 14.
Switching stances throughout the fight, Foster began to increase the pressure in the fight’s second half, landing numerous straight shots that pushed Fulton back. Overall Foster enjoyed a 191 to 56 edge in punches landed. Fulton tried to move inside during the final rounds in an attempt to land a shot that could change the tide, but more often than not he left himself open to Foster’s counters and was unable to mount a charge of his own. After twelve rounds the judges scored the fight 119-109, 118-110 and 117-111, all for Foster.
"I want Shakur Stevenson,” said Foster. “I've been saying it for the longest. But it looks like he's gonna fight at 140. So I have to choose either 130 or 135. I'll see what happens and make a decision.”
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Watch: Opetaia scores KO of the year contender |
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Jai Opetaia KO8 Huseyin Cinkara... One of the most avoided boxers in the sport, Australia's Jai Opetaia, defended his IBF cruiserweight title with a frightening eighth-round knockout of Germany's Huseyin Cinkara. The ending is a strong contender for knockout of the year, but it wasn't all sunshine for Opetaia. The 40 year-old Cinkara (23-1) was very lightly qualified for a world title shot and not expected to give Opetaia any problem, but Cinkara rocked Opetaia in the second round. There were also post-fight reports that Opetaia suffered a broken orbital and the knockout broke a bone in Cinkara's neck. The two men shook hands after the fight.
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Watch: Opetaia scores KO of the year contender
Jai Opetaia KO8 Huseyin Cinkara... One of the most avoided boxers in the sport, Australia's Jai Opetaia, defended his IBF cruiserweight title with a frightening eighth-round knockout of Germany's Huseyin Cinkara. The ending is a strong contender for knockout of the year, but it wasn't all sunshine for Opetaia. The 40 year-old Cinkara (23-1) was very lightly qualified for a world title shot and not expected to give Opetaia any problem, but Cinkara rocked Opetaia in the second round. There were also post-fight reports that Opetaia suffered a broken orbital and the knockout broke a bone in Cinkara's neck. The two men shook hands after the fight.
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Lara and Ramos win on PBC PPV show |
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Erislandy Lara W12 Johan Gonzalez... Erislandy Lara (pictured) dropped late replacement Johan Gonzalez twice on the way to a unanimous decision victory, defending his WBA middleweight title. Gonzalez was subbed in for WBO/IBF middleweight champion Zhanibek Alimkhanuly who test positive for a banned performance enhancing substance. Lara (32-3-3, 19 KOs) score knockdowns in the first and last rounds to cruise to a unanimous decision over challenger Johan Gonzalez (36-5, 34 KOs) after 12 rounds. Lara took home the decision by scores of 120-106, 119-107 and 118-108. "Gonzalez came to fight and he came to win,” said Lara. “We knew him a little bit, so we were ready for that and we made the adjustments we needed to make. He was a tough opponent who had a great opportunity in front of him, but we executed the game plan.”
"I spend all my time at the gym, so I had no problem being ready for this fight,” said Gonzalez. There are no excuses, but I did feel that Lara didn't come to fight me the way he said he would.”
Cuba’s Lara set the tone early, delivering a blistering straight left that put Gonzalez on the mat late in round one. While he wasn’t able to close the show in the opening frame, Gonzalez was hesitant offensively for a few rounds as a result.
"I felt a little uncomfortable in the first few rounds,” said Gonzalez. “The first knockdown was a punch and a slip. The second was a clean shot from Lara."
Stepping in to challenge Lara on short notice this week, Gonzalez tried his best to trap the elusive Lara on the ropes and hammer him with chopping shots, but was regularly met with sharp counters. In round five, Lara staggered Gonzalez with a pair of crisp left hands that again helped to keep Gonzalez at bay.
Lara continued to show his ring mastery throughout the remaining frames, landing hard lefts ensuring that none of Gonzalez’s shots amounted to much besides glancing blows. In the final seconds of the bout, Lara punctuated his victory with a hard series of shots that dropped Gonzalez for the second time.
"I showed the world that I'm 42-years-old and I'm still at the top of my game,” said Lara. “I can compete with the best. I don't care at all about Janibek and I don't wanna talk about him anymore."
Jesus Ramos Jr. W12 Shane Mosley, Jr.... Opening the pay-per-view, Jesus “Mono” Ramos Jr. (24-1, 19 KOs) grinded out a hard-fought unanimous decision over top contender Shane Mosley Jr. (22-5, 12 KOs) to capture the WBC interim middleweight title. Ramos won by scores of 117-111 (twice) and 116-112. "I was just being myself,” said Ramos. “I'm not gonna lie, it was tough. I actually had a right hand injury the last three weeks of camp. We didn't spar for the last four weeks. So it was tough to get my timing. I would catch a rhythm and lose it. I faced a lot of obstacles but I told my family there was no way I was leaving San Antonio without a belt.”
“It was a hell of a fight,” said Mosley. “Thanks to Ramos and everyone who made this fight happen. He was the man tonight. I’ll be back and be better.”
After controlling the action with occasional power shots across the first few rounds, Ramos began to look to shrink the distance between him and Mosley and bring the fight to the inside. Mosley was ready for the adjustment however and appeared to stagger Ramos with right hands in both the fourth and fifth rounds.
"He never hurt me but he did surprise me,” said Ramos. “I never felt rocked, but I was surprised. He hit me with shots I wasn't expecting. But I never felt like my legs weren't there.”
As they moved into the second half of the fight, the action largely took place from the middle distance, with the two combatants trading big blows that snapped the other’s head back. Ramos had one of his best frames in the 10th, mixing in more lateral movement that set up a series of piercing power punches to give him momentum heading into the championship rounds.
With that momentum in hand, Ramos landed a thudding left that staggered Mosley and left him open additional power shots, which Ramos continued to pour on until the end of the 11th. In the championship rounds, Ramos landed 40 power shots to clinch the decision, and set his sights on WBC Middleweight World Champion Carlos Adames.
"In those last few rounds I just kept remembering the Erickson Lubin fight,” said Ramos. “I kept getting flashbacks and I didn't want the same thing to happen again. I kept pushing and pushing. I was in a dark place in that 10th round. I was tired, but I knew it would be worth it when the final bell rang.
"I want Carlos Adames. He's the full champion. I don't want the interim belt, I want the champion."
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Lara and Ramos win on PBC PPV show
Erislandy Lara W12 Johan Gonzalez... Erislandy Lara (pictured) dropped late replacement Johan Gonzalez twice on the way to a unanimous decision victory, defending his WBA middleweight title. Gonzalez was subbed in for WBO/IBF middleweight champion Zhanibek Alimkhanuly who test positive for a banned performance enhancing substance. Lara (32-3-3, 19 KOs) score knockdowns in the first and last rounds to cruise to a unanimous decision over challenger Johan Gonzalez (36-5, 34 KOs) after 12 rounds. Lara took home the decision by scores of 120-106, 119-107 and 118-108. "Gonzalez came to fight and he came to win,” said Lara. “We knew him a little bit, so we were ready for that and we made the adjustments we needed to make. He was a tough opponent who had a great opportunity in front of him, but we executed the game plan.”
"I spend all my time at the gym, so I had no problem being ready for this fight,” said Gonzalez. There are no excuses, but I did feel that Lara didn't come to fight me the way he said he would.”
Cuba’s Lara set the tone early, delivering a blistering straight left that put Gonzalez on the mat late in round one. While he wasn’t able to close the show in the opening frame, Gonzalez was hesitant offensively for a few rounds as a result.
"I felt a little uncomfortable in the first few rounds,” said Gonzalez. “The first knockdown was a punch and a slip. The second was a clean shot from Lara."
Stepping in to challenge Lara on short notice this week, Gonzalez tried his best to trap the elusive Lara on the ropes and hammer him with chopping shots, but was regularly met with sharp counters. In round five, Lara staggered Gonzalez with a pair of crisp left hands that again helped to keep Gonzalez at bay.
Lara continued to show his ring mastery throughout the remaining frames, landing hard lefts ensuring that none of Gonzalez’s shots amounted to much besides glancing blows. In the final seconds of the bout, Lara punctuated his victory with a hard series of shots that dropped Gonzalez for the second time.
"I showed the world that I'm 42-years-old and I'm still at the top of my game,” said Lara. “I can compete with the best. I don't care at all about Janibek and I don't wanna talk about him anymore."
Jesus Ramos Jr. W12 Shane Mosley, Jr.... Opening the pay-per-view, Jesus “Mono” Ramos Jr. (24-1, 19 KOs) grinded out a hard-fought unanimous decision over top contender Shane Mosley Jr. (22-5, 12 KOs) to capture the WBC interim middleweight title. Ramos won by scores of 117-111 (twice) and 116-112. "I was just being myself,” said Ramos. “I'm not gonna lie, it was tough. I actually had a right hand injury the last three weeks of camp. We didn't spar for the last four weeks. So it was tough to get my timing. I would catch a rhythm and lose it. I faced a lot of obstacles but I told my family there was no way I was leaving San Antonio without a belt.”
“It was a hell of a fight,” said Mosley. “Thanks to Ramos and everyone who made this fight happen. He was the man tonight. I’ll be back and be better.”
After controlling the action with occasional power shots across the first few rounds, Ramos began to look to shrink the distance between him and Mosley and bring the fight to the inside. Mosley was ready for the adjustment however and appeared to stagger Ramos with right hands in both the fourth and fifth rounds.
"He never hurt me but he did surprise me,” said Ramos. “I never felt rocked, but I was surprised. He hit me with shots I wasn't expecting. But I never felt like my legs weren't there.”
As they moved into the second half of the fight, the action largely took place from the middle distance, with the two combatants trading big blows that snapped the other’s head back. Ramos had one of his best frames in the 10th, mixing in more lateral movement that set up a series of piercing power punches to give him momentum heading into the championship rounds.
With that momentum in hand, Ramos landed a thudding left that staggered Mosley and left him open additional power shots, which Ramos continued to pour on until the end of the 11th. In the championship rounds, Ramos landed 40 power shots to clinch the decision, and set his sights on WBC Middleweight World Champion Carlos Adames.
"In those last few rounds I just kept remembering the Erickson Lubin fight,” said Ramos. “I kept getting flashbacks and I didn't want the same thing to happen again. I kept pushing and pushing. I was in a dark place in that 10th round. I was tired, but I knew it would be worth it when the final bell rang.
"I want Carlos Adames. He's the full champion. I don't want the interim belt, I want the champion."
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Watch: Martin stretches ex-champ Barthelemy |
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Frank Martin KO4 Rances Barthelemy... On the PBC show in San Antonio, Texas, Frank Martin made a successful jump up to junior welterweight, putting former two-division champ Rances Barthelemy to sleep just before the bell sounded to end round four. The knockout was a beautiful straight left following a right-handed jab. Martin is now 19-1, winning his first ring appearance in nearly a year and a half. Martin had not fought since getting knocked out in a lightweight title challenge vs. Gervonta "Tank" Davis. After this loss, Barthelemy (30-4-1) seems unlikely to reach his goal of becoming a three-division champion.
ADDITIONAL RESULTS
The streaming action also featured rising young Mexican Isaac “La Bestia” Lucero (18-0, 14 KOs) emerging victorious over Roberto Valenzuela (31-6, 29 KOs) via eighth-round stoppage. Lucero scored a first-round knockdown, and after engaging in numerous exciting back-and-forths, closed the show in round eight with an onslaught that forced referee Mark Nelson to halt the bout 2:59 into the round.
Opening the streaming action, Luis “The Twist” Nunez (22-0, 14 KOs) continued his ascent at 126-pounds with a unanimous decision (98-92, 97-93, 96-94) triumph over Argentina’s Hector Sosa (18-4, 9 KOs) after ten rounds of featherweight action.
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Watch: Martin stretches ex-champ Barthelemy
Frank Martin KO4 Rances Barthelemy... On the PBC show in San Antonio, Texas, Frank Martin made a successful jump up to junior welterweight, putting former two-division champ Rances Barthelemy to sleep just before the bell sounded to end round four. The knockout was a beautiful straight left following a right-handed jab. Martin is now 19-1, winning his first ring appearance in nearly a year and a half. Martin had not fought since getting knocked out in a lightweight title challenge vs. Gervonta "Tank" Davis. After this loss, Barthelemy (30-4-1) seems unlikely to reach his goal of becoming a three-division champion.
ADDITIONAL RESULTS
The streaming action also featured rising young Mexican Isaac “La Bestia” Lucero (18-0, 14 KOs) emerging victorious over Roberto Valenzuela (31-6, 29 KOs) via eighth-round stoppage. Lucero scored a first-round knockdown, and after engaging in numerous exciting back-and-forths, closed the show in round eight with an onslaught that forced referee Mark Nelson to halt the bout 2:59 into the round.
Opening the streaming action, Luis “The Twist” Nunez (22-0, 14 KOs) continued his ascent at 126-pounds with a unanimous decision (98-92, 97-93, 96-94) triumph over Argentina’s Hector Sosa (18-4, 9 KOs) after ten rounds of featherweight action.
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New champion alert: Elif Nur Turhan |
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Elif Nur Turhan TKO5 Beatriz Ferreira... Turkish boxing fans are celebrating as Elif Nur Turhan defeated Beatriz Ferreira in a battle of unbeatens to win the IBF women's lightweight title. Turhan triumphed by technical knockout at 1:05 of the fifth round, finishing off Ferreira with a flair rarely seen in women's boxing. The Brazilian Ferreira is 8-1 overall but had won four straight IBF title bouts after Katie Taylor vacated. Turhan is now 12-0.
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New champion alert: Elif Nur Turhan
Elif Nur Turhan TKO5 Beatriz Ferreira... Turkish boxing fans are celebrating as Elif Nur Turhan defeated Beatriz Ferreira in a battle of unbeatens to win the IBF women's lightweight title. Turhan triumphed by technical knockout at 1:05 of the fifth round, finishing off Ferreira with a flair rarely seen in women's boxing. The Brazilian Ferreira is 8-1 overall but had won four straight IBF title bouts after Katie Taylor vacated. Turhan is now 12-0.
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Reactions from the newest Hall of Fame inductees |
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On Thursday, the International Boxing Hall of Fame and Museum announced its inductees for 2006. The men and women to be honored at a Jue ceremony in Canastota, New York are: Gennadiy “GGG” Golovkin, Antonio Tarver and Nigel Benn in the Men’s Modern category; Naoko Fujioka and Jackie Nava in the Women’s Modern category; trainer / cut man Russ Anber, referee Frank Cappuccino (posthumous), trainer / cut man Jimmy Glenn (posthumous) and physician Dr. Edwin “Flip” Homansky in the Non-Participant category; journalist Kevin Iole and broadcaster Alex Wallau (posthumous) in the Observer category; and Jimmy Clabby (posthumous) in the Old Timer category. The Hall of Fame provided the following quotes from inductees upon receiving the news:
NIGEL BENN
"Oh praise God! How good is that? I’m just a kid from a small place in England called Ilford, Essex and to think now I’m being honored with this prestigious award is beyond my wildest dreams."
GENNADIY GOLOVKIN
“I am very excited and appreciate this so much. This is the biggest honor in boxing and the last piece of the puzzle in my career. My dream has come true! I’m proud to have a legacy in boxing.”
ANTONIO TARVER
“I feel so honored. It’s an unbelievable feeling. It makes all the hard work and sacrifice I did worth it. I’m so grateful and happy to be a part of such an elite group. It’s been a life-long dream of mine to work and become an International Boxing Hall of Famer. The ’Magic Man’ is coming to Canastota!”
NAOKO FUJIOKA
“It’s an honor to be elected into the International Boxing Hall of Fame. I never expected that what I did in my boxing career would be appreciated like this so this news is totally stunning. It’s such an honor that I am the first female from Japan to be elected into the Hall of Fame.”
JACKIE NAVA
“I’m honored. Being part of the International Boxing Hall of Fame is one of the highest honors you can get in boxing and to be surrounded by the great champions and important people in the Hall of Fame will be the highlight of my boxing career. I’m very excited to experience my first visit to Canastota. I have goosebumps!”
RUSS ANBER
“This means the world to me. Ever since I started in boxing I’ve had this strange feeling standing on the apron at MSG thinking I’m standing in the same place Angelo Dundee stood when Ali fought Frazier. When I worked (Oleksandr) Usyk’s corner I’m thinking I’m in the corner of the heavyweight champion of the world. This is stuff that was literally a dream and a fantasy as a kid that one day I would be there. And to be part of boxing history and now to be recognized by the Hall of Fame is the culmination of a great life served in the sport of boxing. I can’t even believe that I’ll now be in Canastota. I’m so honored.”
DR. FLIP HOMANSKY
“This honor is a culmination of a lot of time and effort and the culmination of caring for the boxers in a way that I hope has made the sport a little bit safer and a little bit better for the participants, which was always the goal.”
KEVIN IOLE
“I can’t believe it. It’s a total shock to hear this news. I’m elated. I’ve been a boxing fan since I was five years old and to think this has happened blows me away. I’m really excited and I’m really grateful to everybody I ever worked for and with.”
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Reactions from the newest Hall of Fame inductees
On Thursday, the International Boxing Hall of Fame and Museum announced its inductees for 2006. The men and women to be honored at a Jue ceremony in Canastota, New York are: Gennadiy “GGG” Golovkin, Antonio Tarver and Nigel Benn in the Men’s Modern category; Naoko Fujioka and Jackie Nava in the Women’s Modern category; trainer / cut man Russ Anber, referee Frank Cappuccino (posthumous), trainer / cut man Jimmy Glenn (posthumous) and physician Dr. Edwin “Flip” Homansky in the Non-Participant category; journalist Kevin Iole and broadcaster Alex Wallau (posthumous) in the Observer category; and Jimmy Clabby (posthumous) in the Old Timer category. The Hall of Fame provided the following quotes from inductees upon receiving the news:
NIGEL BENN
"Oh praise God! How good is that? I’m just a kid from a small place in England called Ilford, Essex and to think now I’m being honored with this prestigious award is beyond my wildest dreams."
GENNADIY GOLOVKIN
“I am very excited and appreciate this so much. This is the biggest honor in boxing and the last piece of the puzzle in my career. My dream has come true! I’m proud to have a legacy in boxing.”
ANTONIO TARVER
“I feel so honored. It’s an unbelievable feeling. It makes all the hard work and sacrifice I did worth it. I’m so grateful and happy to be a part of such an elite group. It’s been a life-long dream of mine to work and become an International Boxing Hall of Famer. The ’Magic Man’ is coming to Canastota!”
NAOKO FUJIOKA
“It’s an honor to be elected into the International Boxing Hall of Fame. I never expected that what I did in my boxing career would be appreciated like this so this news is totally stunning. It’s such an honor that I am the first female from Japan to be elected into the Hall of Fame.”
JACKIE NAVA
“I’m honored. Being part of the International Boxing Hall of Fame is one of the highest honors you can get in boxing and to be surrounded by the great champions and important people in the Hall of Fame will be the highlight of my boxing career. I’m very excited to experience my first visit to Canastota. I have goosebumps!”
RUSS ANBER
“This means the world to me. Ever since I started in boxing I’ve had this strange feeling standing on the apron at MSG thinking I’m standing in the same place Angelo Dundee stood when Ali fought Frazier. When I worked (Oleksandr) Usyk’s corner I’m thinking I’m in the corner of the heavyweight champion of the world. This is stuff that was literally a dream and a fantasy as a kid that one day I would be there. And to be part of boxing history and now to be recognized by the Hall of Fame is the culmination of a great life served in the sport of boxing. I can’t even believe that I’ll now be in Canastota. I’m so honored.”
DR. FLIP HOMANSKY
“This honor is a culmination of a lot of time and effort and the culmination of caring for the boxers in a way that I hope has made the sport a little bit safer and a little bit better for the participants, which was always the goal.”
KEVIN IOLE
“I can’t believe it. It’s a total shock to hear this news. I’m elated. I’ve been a boxing fan since I was five years old and to think this has happened blows me away. I’m really excited and I’m really grateful to everybody I ever worked for and with.”
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WBC outrageously rewards Fulton for missing weight by creating new title for him |
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The WBC has committed a stunning breach of boxing tradition as well as general principles of fairness. Tonight (December 6th) in San Antonio, Texas, O’Shaquie Foster will face Stephen Fulton in a fight that was supposed to be for Foster's WBC junior lightweight (130-pound) title. Fulton is the WBC featherweight (126-pound) champion but arrived at the weigh-in two pounds over the weight limit at 132. (Foster made weight). Under decades of boxing tradition, Fulton would be ineligible for the title having failed to make weight. But the WBC made up a new rule on the spot, authorizing Foster vs. Fulton to determine the WBC interim lightweight (135-poud) title. The WBC has an active lightweight champion, Shakur Stevenson, and even worse, just a couple of days ago at the WBC convention, the WBC agreed to sanction two different boxers to compete for the interim lightweight title. Those two lightweights, Ricardo Núñez and Jadel Herrera, have been treated unfairly by this ridiculous ruling, forcing them to yield to Fulton, who has never fought as a lightweight and is being rewarded for failing to make weight..
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WBC outrageously rewards Fulton for missing weight by creating new title for him
The WBC has committed a stunning breach of boxing tradition as well as general principles of fairness. Tonight (December 6th) in San Antonio, Texas, O’Shaquie Foster will face Stephen Fulton in a fight that was supposed to be for Foster's WBC junior lightweight (130-pound) title. Fulton is the WBC featherweight (126-pound) champion but arrived at the weigh-in two pounds over the weight limit at 132. (Foster made weight). Under decades of boxing tradition, Fulton would be ineligible for the title having failed to make weight. But the WBC made up a new rule on the spot, authorizing Foster vs. Fulton to determine the WBC interim lightweight (135-poud) title. The WBC has an active lightweight champion, Shakur Stevenson, and even worse, just a couple of days ago at the WBC convention, the WBC agreed to sanction two different boxers to compete for the interim lightweight title. Those two lightweights, Ricardo Núñez and Jadel Herrera, have been treated unfairly by this ridiculous ruling, forcing them to yield to Fulton, who has never fought as a lightweight and is being rewarded for failing to make weight..
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A tribute to new Hall of Famer, the late Jimmy Glenn |
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Lou DiBella, former HBO executive and promoter, paid tribute to the late Jimmy Glenn on Glenn's election to the Hall of Fame: "In 1989, on my first day at HBO Sports, the late Arthur Curry told me that he was bringing me to Jimmy's Corner to meet an OG and a boxing treasure. Jimmy Glenn [the owner of Jimmy's Corner] became a big part of my life on that day. Other than my Dad, Jimmy influenced me as much as any man I've known. Jimmy was a legend as a trainer, as the proprietor of the iconic Times Square Gym and, as the impresario of NYC's (and boxing's) greatest dive bar, one of the world's great ambassadors of the sweet science. His friends ranged from Bumpy Johnson to Frank Sinatra and he counted Hollywood and Broadway stars, artists, writers, pro athletes, political bigwigs, renowned scoundrels and countless regular folk among his circle of patrons and regulars. To me, Jimmy was more than a friend; he was a mentor, a confidant, and as wise a man as I've known. Jimmy was my family and I didn't have one visit or talk with Jimmy for 25+ years, until he died of Covid, that didn't end with a 'Love ya, baby' from him. Today Jimmy is a Boxing Hall of famer and my heart is full. Congrats, unc, you earned it. Love ya forever, baby. And congrats also to all of today's announced inductees to the Hall of Fame, most of whom are decades long friends."
Boxingtalk salutes the memory of Jimmy Glenn, who was always a gentleman, and congatulates his family on the news of his Hall of Fame election.
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A tribute to new Hall of Famer, the late Jimmy Glenn
Lou DiBella, former HBO executive and promoter, paid tribute to the late Jimmy Glenn on Glenn's election to the Hall of Fame: "In 1989, on my first day at HBO Sports, the late Arthur Curry told me that he was bringing me to Jimmy's Corner to meet an OG and a boxing treasure. Jimmy Glenn [the owner of Jimmy's Corner] became a big part of my life on that day. Other than my Dad, Jimmy influenced me as much as any man I've known. Jimmy was a legend as a trainer, as the proprietor of the iconic Times Square Gym and, as the impresario of NYC's (and boxing's) greatest dive bar, one of the world's great ambassadors of the sweet science. His friends ranged from Bumpy Johnson to Frank Sinatra and he counted Hollywood and Broadway stars, artists, writers, pro athletes, political bigwigs, renowned scoundrels and countless regular folk among his circle of patrons and regulars. To me, Jimmy was more than a friend; he was a mentor, a confidant, and as wise a man as I've known. Jimmy was my family and I didn't have one visit or talk with Jimmy for 25+ years, until he died of Covid, that didn't end with a 'Love ya, baby' from him. Today Jimmy is a Boxing Hall of famer and my heart is full. Congrats, unc, you earned it. Love ya forever, baby. And congrats also to all of today's announced inductees to the Hall of Fame, most of whom are decades long friends."
Boxingtalk salutes the memory of Jimmy Glenn, who was always a gentleman, and congatulates his family on the news of his Hall of Fame election.
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Weigh-in report from Philadelphia |
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Here are the boxers' weights for Saturday night's King's Promotions card at the 2300 Arena in Philadelphia:
Atif Oberlton 177 pounds -vs.- Vaughn Alexander 174;
Shannel Butler 125.2 -vs.- Debora Anahi Dionicius 124.2;
Ali Ellis 239 -vs.- Colby Madison 246;
Shera Mae Patricio 117.2 -vs.- Moni Trejo 119.8;
Ali Feliz 228.6 -vs.- Joel Caudle 255.4;
Muhammad Robinson 144 -vs.- Larry Fryers 143.8;
Brendan O'Callagham 160.2 -vs.- George Sosa 160.4; and
Kaya Reed-vs.-Redmond 115.8 -vs.- Damiana Andrello 113.8.
Stream: BXNGTV.com (Marc Abrams and Travis Kauffman on the call)
1st Bell: 7 PM ET
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Weigh-in report from Philadelphia
Here are the boxers' weights for Saturday night's King's Promotions card at the 2300 Arena in Philadelphia:
Atif Oberlton 177 pounds -vs.- Vaughn Alexander 174;
Shannel Butler 125.2 -vs.- Debora Anahi Dionicius 124.2;
Ali Ellis 239 -vs.- Colby Madison 246;
Shera Mae Patricio 117.2 -vs.- Moni Trejo 119.8;
Ali Feliz 228.6 -vs.- Joel Caudle 255.4;
Muhammad Robinson 144 -vs.- Larry Fryers 143.8;
Brendan O'Callagham 160.2 -vs.- George Sosa 160.4; and
Kaya Reed-vs.-Redmond 115.8 -vs.- Damiana Andrello 113.8.
Stream: BXNGTV.com (Marc Abrams and Travis Kauffman on the call)
1st Bell: 7 PM ET
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Today: Prograis book signing event in San Antonio |
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Boxing fans will have a rare opportunity to meet former two-time champion Regis Prograis this Saturday, December 6th at a book signing event at Ferocious Fitness Boxing Gym in San Antonio, Texas. Prograis will be signing copies of his biography, which was released last year to praise for its raw honesty, powerful storytelling and a motivational message. The book dives deep into the challenges and triumphs that have shaped Prograis’ life, both inside and outside the ring, highlighting the personal lessons and defining moments that continue to inspire fans across the country, particularly those from his home state of Louisiana.
“This book is about more than boxing—it’s about life,” said Prograis. “The ups and downs, the lessons I’ve learned, and the people and places that made me who I am. I’m proud to share my story and connect with the fans who’ve supported me every step of the way. I encourage everyone to come out a celebrate life through my eyes as I want to get to know my fans from San Antonio." The event is free and open to the public, with books available for purchase on-site. Fans are encouraged to arrive early to ensure time with the champion and receive a personalized signed copy.
WHO: Regis Prograis
WHEN: Saturday, December 6th, 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. CT
WHERE: Ferocious Fitness Boxing Gym, 8381 Jones Matsberger Rd, STE 109, San Antonio, TX 78216
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Today: Prograis book signing event in San Antonio
Boxing fans will have a rare opportunity to meet former two-time champion Regis Prograis this Saturday, December 6th at a book signing event at Ferocious Fitness Boxing Gym in San Antonio, Texas. Prograis will be signing copies of his biography, which was released last year to praise for its raw honesty, powerful storytelling and a motivational message. The book dives deep into the challenges and triumphs that have shaped Prograis’ life, both inside and outside the ring, highlighting the personal lessons and defining moments that continue to inspire fans across the country, particularly those from his home state of Louisiana.
“This book is about more than boxing—it’s about life,” said Prograis. “The ups and downs, the lessons I’ve learned, and the people and places that made me who I am. I’m proud to share my story and connect with the fans who’ve supported me every step of the way. I encourage everyone to come out a celebrate life through my eyes as I want to get to know my fans from San Antonio." The event is free and open to the public, with books available for purchase on-site. Fans are encouraged to arrive early to ensure time with the champion and receive a personalized signed copy.
WHO: Regis Prograis
WHEN: Saturday, December 6th, 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. CT
WHERE: Ferocious Fitness Boxing Gym, 8381 Jones Matsberger Rd, STE 109, San Antonio, TX 78216
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Niyomtrong now a two-division champ |
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Thammanoon Niyomtrong W12 Junior Zarate ... On the last night of the WBC convention in Bangkok,Thammanoon Niyomtrong a/k/a Knockout CP Freshmart defeated Junior Zarate by convincing unanimous decision to claim the vacant WBC light flyweight belt. The WBC vacated the title and demoted Carlos Cañizales to champion in recess because he can’t travel outside Venezuela. Zarate came from Argentina to fight in Freshmart's home country, on the second floor of the Marriott Marquis in Queens Park, Bangkok.
After a quiet opening round Zarate was snapping out the left jab, but the shorter Freshmart was going for the body. Freshmart drove Zarate to the ropes and unleashed the heavier punching power. By the bout's midway point, Freshmart was throwing punches in clusters and Zarate was showing the effects of crunching body punches. But by the tenth round, Freshmart wasn’t so fresh. He was noticeably running out of steam while Zarate had gained his second wind. He landed some good combinations and made good use of neat footwork. It was Zarate's best round, but it was not enough.
In the eleventh, Freshmart crashed a short left hook into Zarate’s head and avoided potential retaliation. Occasionally switching to southpaw hadn’t helped Zarate’s cause and only made him more vulnerable. In the final round after a brief hug, Zarate kept the punches coming, but it was clear that Freshmart, a former WBA minimumweight monarch, would become a two-time champion.
Ryutaro Nakagaki W10 Kitidech Hirunsuk... On the undercard, Ryutaro Nakagaki from Japan defeated Thai Kitidech Hirunsuk by split decision from the five judges ringside, to win a super flyweight contest after ten absorbing rounds. The well-schooled Japanese southpaw had to contend with some fierce early attacks and some flailing right hands, but he soon settled into his rhythm, with his precise right jab finding the mark more often than not. And following in with an array of effective lefts, particularly to the head. As both tired down the stretch the fighting became shorter range and more ragged with clinching. The power of the Thai, who landed less was still in evidence from the Japanese fighter’s puffy cheekbones, but he stayed composed and held it together, although he was under increasing pressure in the championship rounds.
Ryutaro Nakagaki from Japan defeated Thai Kitidech Hirunsuk
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Niyomtrong now a two-division champ
Thammanoon Niyomtrong W12 Junior Zarate ... On the last night of the WBC convention in Bangkok,Thammanoon Niyomtrong a/k/a Knockout CP Freshmart defeated Junior Zarate by convincing unanimous decision to claim the vacant WBC light flyweight belt. The WBC vacated the title and demoted Carlos Cañizales to champion in recess because he can’t travel outside Venezuela. Zarate came from Argentina to fight in Freshmart's home country, on the second floor of the Marriott Marquis in Queens Park, Bangkok.
After a quiet opening round Zarate was snapping out the left jab, but the shorter Freshmart was going for the body. Freshmart drove Zarate to the ropes and unleashed the heavier punching power. By the bout's midway point, Freshmart was throwing punches in clusters and Zarate was showing the effects of crunching body punches. But by the tenth round, Freshmart wasn’t so fresh. He was noticeably running out of steam while Zarate had gained his second wind. He landed some good combinations and made good use of neat footwork. It was Zarate's best round, but it was not enough.
In the eleventh, Freshmart crashed a short left hook into Zarate’s head and avoided potential retaliation. Occasionally switching to southpaw hadn’t helped Zarate’s cause and only made him more vulnerable. In the final round after a brief hug, Zarate kept the punches coming, but it was clear that Freshmart, a former WBA minimumweight monarch, would become a two-time champion.
Ryutaro Nakagaki W10 Kitidech Hirunsuk... On the undercard, Ryutaro Nakagaki from Japan defeated Thai Kitidech Hirunsuk by split decision from the five judges ringside, to win a super flyweight contest after ten absorbing rounds. The well-schooled Japanese southpaw had to contend with some fierce early attacks and some flailing right hands, but he soon settled into his rhythm, with his precise right jab finding the mark more often than not. And following in with an array of effective lefts, particularly to the head. As both tired down the stretch the fighting became shorter range and more ragged with clinching. The power of the Thai, who landed less was still in evidence from the Japanese fighter’s puffy cheekbones, but he stayed composed and held it together, although he was under increasing pressure in the championship rounds.
Ryutaro Nakagaki from Japan defeated Thai Kitidech Hirunsuk
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Crawford's WBC break and TKO's Ali Act power play converge in consequential week for boxing |
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World super middleweight champion Terence Crawford’s public dispute with the WBC has drawn widespread attention across the boxing industry, emerging at a moment when major stakeholders are seeking to influence the sport’s future structure. The WBC announced it had stripped Crawford of the WBC super middleweight title following what it described as unpaid sanctioning fees from two recent bouts, including his September victory over Canelo Álvarez. According to the organization, Crawford was informed on multiple occasions of an outstanding balance of approximately $300,000 tied to the Álvarez event, which the WBC termed as a reduced rate from the WBC’s standard 3% championship fee. In bouts for multiple titles, like Crawford-Alvarez, the boxers typically negotiate lesser percentages. “The WBC modified its rules to limit the Boxer’s Bout Fee to 0.6% appreciating the magnitude of the event,” WBC president Mauricio Sulaiman said during the organization’s annual convention in Bangkok. “Multiple notifications were sent to Crawford, his manager, and his legal counsel, and we did not receive any acknowledgment.”
Crawford responded with a scorching nine-minute video on Instagram criticizing the WBC’s fee structure and questioning the organization’s right to receive payment above the amounts accepted by the other three sanctioning bodies for this fight. “You can take the belt,” Crawford said. “Why am I paying you every time I step into the ring?” Crawford, who remains recognized as champion by the WBA, WBO, IBF and most importantly, the general public and the press, had previously displayed the WBC’s commemorative belt following his win over Álvarez, making the sharp turn in tone notable for those familiar with his typically quiet public demeanor.
TKO Enters the Conversation Ahead of Congressional Hearing
The dispute coincided with comments from TKO Group president Nick Khan, who appeared on ESPN’s Pat McAfee Show one day after Crawford’s remarks. Khan criticized the WBC’s decision to strip Crawford outside the ring, comparing the situation to a major sports league revoking a championship title because of an unpaid fee. “It all seems quite odd that a sport would be run that way,” Khan said, arguing that boxing’s multi-body structure has created inconsistencies and confusion.
Khan's remarks came as TKO, the parent company of the UFC and Zuffa Boxing, prepared to appear before Congress in support of proposed amendments to the Muhammad Ali Boxing Reform Act. The proposal includes the creation of a “Unified Boxing Organization,” a new governing body that would assume roles currently performed by sanctioning organizations but not charge any sanctioning fees. TKO officials have framed the proposal as an optional alternative for fighters seeking a more centralized system.
Antitrust Case Shadows TKO’s Reform Effort
The timing has attracted scrutiny, given the UFC’s recent agreement to pay more than $335 million to settle a long-running antitrust lawsuit alleging the company used long-term contracts and market dominance to suppress fighter compensation. A separate class-action filing is expected. Critics of TKO's proposed Ali Act amendment argue that centralizing governance under a single entity could mirror the UFC’s business structure, where athletes typically receive 15–20% of event-generated revenue—significantly below athlete's revenue shares in major team sports.
Supporters contend that boxing’s fragmented landscape has left fans and fighters uncertain about titles, rankings and mandatory challengers, and that consolidation could restore clarity.
Sanctioning Bodies Face Longstanding Questions About Governance
While Crawford’s challenge to sanctioning fees has amplified debate over the WBC’s handling of the matter, industry observers note that sanctioning bodies have faced decades of criticism over ranking practices, title proliferation, inconsistent mandatories and a lack of financial transparency. The organizations were created in part to bring structure to championship recognition, yet their overlapping jurisdictions have increasingly drawn pushback from fighters and promoters. “The sanctioning bodies’ own conduct has contributed to the environment they now face,” said one veteran promoter, who asked not to be identified to speak candidly. “This is not coming out of nowhere.”
Saudi Funding Adds Economic Uncertainty
Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund has played a central role in financing marquee boxing events over the past two years, contributing to significantly elevated fighter purses. Several industry executives have expressed concern about what may occur if those subsidies decline and fighters operating under a more centralized model face reduced negotiating leverage. Under a UFC-style structure, fighters typically cannot negotiate independently with promoters or networks, and their compensation is tied to internally controlled event revenue. Observers question whether the high-purse environment seen in recent Saudi-hosted events is sustainable long-term, and what the implications could be if fighters are locked into contracts that limit mobility and bargaining rights.
Historical Parallels
Analysts note that similar shifts have occurred in other combat sports and professional leagues. The UFC’s rapid consolidation of mixed martial arts in the 2000s emerged from a once-fragmented promoter system. The UFC ultimately created a dominant organization with substantial control over athlete careers and compensation. Earlier decades saw sanctioning bodies themselves formed as reform efforts to replace perceived unfairness in previous systems, creating a cycle of new governing structures each promising greater stability. Comparable patterns have appeared in the NBA-ABA merger and the centralization of professional wrestling under a single promotion, both justified by claims of improving consistency and reducing fragmentation but often accompanied by reduced athlete leverage.
Industry Reaction Still Developing
Reaction within the boxing industry has been mixed. Some promoters and managers argue that Crawford’s criticism highlights long-standing grievances regarding sanctioning-body practices. Others caution that replacing multiple organizations with a single authority—particularly one backed by a major corporate entity—could recreate the structural imbalances seen in other sports where fighter bargaining power is constrained.
For now, Crawford remains adamant that his position concerns fairness rather than politics, while the WBC maintains that it followed its rules and provided multiple notices. TKO continues to advocate for an amended Ali Act that would allow its proposed governing model to operate within boxing’s wider ecosystem. With Congress weighing potential legislative changes and key figures publicly challenging the sport’s current governance, the outcome could shape boxing’s competitive structure for years to come. The debate, once limited to sanctioning fees, now reflects broader questions about who should control the future of the sport—and under what model that control should operate
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Crawford's WBC break and TKO's Ali Act power play converge in consequential week for boxing
World super middleweight champion Terence Crawford’s public dispute with the WBC has drawn widespread attention across the boxing industry, emerging at a moment when major stakeholders are seeking to influence the sport’s future structure. The WBC announced it had stripped Crawford of the WBC super middleweight title following what it described as unpaid sanctioning fees from two recent bouts, including his September victory over Canelo Álvarez. According to the organization, Crawford was informed on multiple occasions of an outstanding balance of approximately $300,000 tied to the Álvarez event, which the WBC termed as a reduced rate from the WBC’s standard 3% championship fee. In bouts for multiple titles, like Crawford-Alvarez, the boxers typically negotiate lesser percentages. “The WBC modified its rules to limit the Boxer’s Bout Fee to 0.6% appreciating the magnitude of the event,” WBC president Mauricio Sulaiman said during the organization’s annual convention in Bangkok. “Multiple notifications were sent to Crawford, his manager, and his legal counsel, and we did not receive any acknowledgment.”
Crawford responded with a scorching nine-minute video on Instagram criticizing the WBC’s fee structure and questioning the organization’s right to receive payment above the amounts accepted by the other three sanctioning bodies for this fight. “You can take the belt,” Crawford said. “Why am I paying you every time I step into the ring?” Crawford, who remains recognized as champion by the WBA, WBO, IBF and most importantly, the general public and the press, had previously displayed the WBC’s commemorative belt following his win over Álvarez, making the sharp turn in tone notable for those familiar with his typically quiet public demeanor.
TKO Enters the Conversation Ahead of Congressional Hearing
The dispute coincided with comments from TKO Group president Nick Khan, who appeared on ESPN’s Pat McAfee Show one day after Crawford’s remarks. Khan criticized the WBC’s decision to strip Crawford outside the ring, comparing the situation to a major sports league revoking a championship title because of an unpaid fee. “It all seems quite odd that a sport would be run that way,” Khan said, arguing that boxing’s multi-body structure has created inconsistencies and confusion.
Khan's remarks came as TKO, the parent company of the UFC and Zuffa Boxing, prepared to appear before Congress in support of proposed amendments to the Muhammad Ali Boxing Reform Act. The proposal includes the creation of a “Unified Boxing Organization,” a new governing body that would assume roles currently performed by sanctioning organizations but not charge any sanctioning fees. TKO officials have framed the proposal as an optional alternative for fighters seeking a more centralized system.
Antitrust Case Shadows TKO’s Reform Effort
The timing has attracted scrutiny, given the UFC’s recent agreement to pay more than $335 million to settle a long-running antitrust lawsuit alleging the company used long-term contracts and market dominance to suppress fighter compensation. A separate class-action filing is expected. Critics of TKO's proposed Ali Act amendment argue that centralizing governance under a single entity could mirror the UFC’s business structure, where athletes typically receive 15–20% of event-generated revenue—significantly below athlete's revenue shares in major team sports.
Supporters contend that boxing’s fragmented landscape has left fans and fighters uncertain about titles, rankings and mandatory challengers, and that consolidation could restore clarity.
Sanctioning Bodies Face Longstanding Questions About Governance
While Crawford’s challenge to sanctioning fees has amplified debate over the WBC’s handling of the matter, industry observers note that sanctioning bodies have faced decades of criticism over ranking practices, title proliferation, inconsistent mandatories and a lack of financial transparency. The organizations were created in part to bring structure to championship recognition, yet their overlapping jurisdictions have increasingly drawn pushback from fighters and promoters. “The sanctioning bodies’ own conduct has contributed to the environment they now face,” said one veteran promoter, who asked not to be identified to speak candidly. “This is not coming out of nowhere.”
Saudi Funding Adds Economic Uncertainty
Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund has played a central role in financing marquee boxing events over the past two years, contributing to significantly elevated fighter purses. Several industry executives have expressed concern about what may occur if those subsidies decline and fighters operating under a more centralized model face reduced negotiating leverage. Under a UFC-style structure, fighters typically cannot negotiate independently with promoters or networks, and their compensation is tied to internally controlled event revenue. Observers question whether the high-purse environment seen in recent Saudi-hosted events is sustainable long-term, and what the implications could be if fighters are locked into contracts that limit mobility and bargaining rights.
Historical Parallels
Analysts note that similar shifts have occurred in other combat sports and professional leagues. The UFC’s rapid consolidation of mixed martial arts in the 2000s emerged from a once-fragmented promoter system. The UFC ultimately created a dominant organization with substantial control over athlete careers and compensation. Earlier decades saw sanctioning bodies themselves formed as reform efforts to replace perceived unfairness in previous systems, creating a cycle of new governing structures each promising greater stability. Comparable patterns have appeared in the NBA-ABA merger and the centralization of professional wrestling under a single promotion, both justified by claims of improving consistency and reducing fragmentation but often accompanied by reduced athlete leverage.
Industry Reaction Still Developing
Reaction within the boxing industry has been mixed. Some promoters and managers argue that Crawford’s criticism highlights long-standing grievances regarding sanctioning-body practices. Others caution that replacing multiple organizations with a single authority—particularly one backed by a major corporate entity—could recreate the structural imbalances seen in other sports where fighter bargaining power is constrained.
For now, Crawford remains adamant that his position concerns fairness rather than politics, while the WBC maintains that it followed its rules and provided multiple notices. TKO continues to advocate for an amended Ali Act that would allow its proposed governing model to operate within boxing’s wider ecosystem. With Congress weighing potential legislative changes and key figures publicly challenging the sport’s current governance, the outcome could shape boxing’s competitive structure for years to come. The debate, once limited to sanctioning fees, now reflects broader questions about who should control the future of the sport—and under what model that control should operate
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International Boxing Hall of Fame announces Class of 2026 |
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The International Boxing Hall of Fame and Museum is thrilled to announce the newest class of inductees to be honored during the Hall of Fame Induction Weekend June 11-14, 2026 in “Boxing’s Hometown,” Canastota, New York. The Class of 2026 includes Gennadiy “GGG” Golovkin, Antonio Tarver and Nigel Benn in the Men’s Modern category; Naoko Fujioka and Jackie Nava in the Women’s Modern category; trainer / cut man Russ Anber, referee Frank Cappuccino (posthumous), trainer / cut man Jimmy Glenn (posthumous) and physician Dr. Edwin “Flip” Homansky in the Non-Participant category; journalist Kevin Iole and broadcaster Alex Wallau (posthumous) in the Observer category; and Jimmy Clabby (posthumous) in the Old Timer category.
Inductees were voted in by members of the Boxing Writers Association of America and a panel of international boxing historians. Biographies on the Class of 2026 can be found on www.ibhof.com “We’re thrilled about the Class of 2026 and are very much looking forward to honoring the newest class of inductees to earn boxing’s highest honor,” said Executive Director Edward Brophy. The 2026 Hall of Fame Induction Weekend is scheduled for June 11-14th in “Boxing’s Hometown.” Many events will take place in Canastota and nearby Turning Stone Resort Casino throughout the four-day celebration including ringside talks, fist casting, fight night, 5K race / fun run, boxing autograph card show, banquet, parade and induction ceremony.
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International Boxing Hall of Fame announces Class of 2026
The International Boxing Hall of Fame and Museum is thrilled to announce the newest class of inductees to be honored during the Hall of Fame Induction Weekend June 11-14, 2026 in “Boxing’s Hometown,” Canastota, New York. The Class of 2026 includes Gennadiy “GGG” Golovkin, Antonio Tarver and Nigel Benn in the Men’s Modern category; Naoko Fujioka and Jackie Nava in the Women’s Modern category; trainer / cut man Russ Anber, referee Frank Cappuccino (posthumous), trainer / cut man Jimmy Glenn (posthumous) and physician Dr. Edwin “Flip” Homansky in the Non-Participant category; journalist Kevin Iole and broadcaster Alex Wallau (posthumous) in the Observer category; and Jimmy Clabby (posthumous) in the Old Timer category.
Inductees were voted in by members of the Boxing Writers Association of America and a panel of international boxing historians. Biographies on the Class of 2026 can be found on www.ibhof.com “We’re thrilled about the Class of 2026 and are very much looking forward to honoring the newest class of inductees to earn boxing’s highest honor,” said Executive Director Edward Brophy. The 2026 Hall of Fame Induction Weekend is scheduled for June 11-14th in “Boxing’s Hometown.” Many events will take place in Canastota and nearby Turning Stone Resort Casino throughout the four-day celebration including ringside talks, fist casting, fight night, 5K race / fun run, boxing autograph card show, banquet, parade and induction ceremony.
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WBO issues show cause order to Alimkhanuly |
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After a positive test for the banned substance meldonium, the WBO World Championship Committee has issued a “show cause notice” to WBO / IBF middleweight champion Zhanibek Alimkhanuly. The notice stated, "It has been formally reported that on December 2nd, the WBO received an official communication from the Voluntary Anti-Doping Agency (VADA) concerning an alleged anti-doping violation arising from the testing protocol enforced by said agency in preparation for the scheduled WBO/IBF unified middleweight championships contest against [WBA champion] Erislandy Lara to be held in San Antonio, Texas on December 6th.According to the notice, the “A” Sample of [Alimkhanuly's] urine specimen, collected on November 15th, in Porter Ranch, California, allegedly returned an adverse analytical finding for a banned substance at an estimated concentration greater than the minimum reported threshold.
Unlike the WBC, which lately has been giving virtually no penalties to boxers who test positive for banned substances [Conor Benn and Subriel Matias come to mind], WBO policy is that "in the event any WBO champion tests positive for any banned substances, the WBO doesn’t need to demonstrate intent, fault, negligence, or knowing use on the fighter’s part. It is the fighter’s duty to ensure that no prohibited substances enter their body. Fighters are fully responsible for any prohibited substances found to be present in their body."
Alimkhanuly was directed by the WBO to show cause within ten days of issuance of this notice, stating why disciplinary action should not be imposed pursuant to the applicable sections in the governing WBO Regulations of World Championship Contests and all relevant WBO policies; including but not limited to: a) declaring the WBO middleweight championship “vacant”; b) withdrawing WBO world champion status from Alimkhanuly; c) banning him from all WBO world and/or regional championship contests; d) suspending him sion from al WBO world and/or regional championship contests; and e) issuing any other rulings necessary, helpful or convenient to accomplish the purposes, policies and intent of the WBO.
Alimkhanuly's response may include supporting documentation, statements, legal submissions, or any other relevant materials he wishes the WBO to consider. Failure to respond within the prescribed period may result in disciplinary action being taken without further notice and/or hearing, including but not limited to the vacating of your WBO Championship title, effective immediately.
PRIOR BOXINGTALK COVERAGE
DEC. 3, 2025: WBA middleweight champion Erislandy “The American Dream” Lara will defend his title against hard-hitting challenger Johan Gonzalez as part of a four-fight PBC pay-per-view event on Prime Video this Saturday, December 6th from Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Texas. Lara was originally scheduled to face unified champion Janibek Alimkhanuly, who was pulled from the fight after failing a VADA anti-doping test. The Lara vs. Gonzalez fight will follow the pay-per-view opener between Jesus “Mono” Ramos Jr. and Shane Mosley Jr. for the WBC interim middleweight title beginning at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT. The pay-per-view is headlined by former 140-pound title holder Isaac “Pitbull” Cruz taking on reigning WBA 130-pound champion Lamont Roach for the WBC interim title at 140 pounds. The showdown between two-division champion Stephen Fulton Jr. and WBC 130-pound champion O’Shaquie Foster will now serve as the co-feature. Tickets for the live event are on sale now through Ticketmaster.com.
DEC. 2, 2025: Janibek Alimkhanuly, the two-belt middleweight champion, has tested positive for a banned performance-enhancing substance just days before a scheduled unification fight against WBA middleweight champion Erislandy Lara. Journalist Dan Rafael reported that the substance was meldonium, which is commonly used in Russia. Alimkhanuly, from Kazakhstan, holds the WBO and IBF titles. He reacted to this development by tweeting, "I have always supported clean sport you know this well. I was surprised when I read the news. VADA took the first test and said everything was clean. I have not made any changes to my vitamins. I don’t know what happened with the second test, so I requested a retest." Alimkhanuly vs. Lara, which was scheduled for this Saturday, December 6th in San Antonio, Texas. The WBO acknowledged the positive test as follows: "The WBO has confirmed an adverse analytical finding for WBO middleweight champion Zhanibek Alimkhanuly from VADA testing ahead of his scheduled bout vs. Erislandy Lara. An internal investigation is now underway, and a show cause notice will be issued. No further comments will be made until the process is complete.
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WBO issues show cause order to Alimkhanuly
After a positive test for the banned substance meldonium, the WBO World Championship Committee has issued a “show cause notice” to WBO / IBF middleweight champion Zhanibek Alimkhanuly. The notice stated, "It has been formally reported that on December 2nd, the WBO received an official communication from the Voluntary Anti-Doping Agency (VADA) concerning an alleged anti-doping violation arising from the testing protocol enforced by said agency in preparation for the scheduled WBO/IBF unified middleweight championships contest against [WBA champion] Erislandy Lara to be held in San Antonio, Texas on December 6th.According to the notice, the “A” Sample of [Alimkhanuly's] urine specimen, collected on November 15th, in Porter Ranch, California, allegedly returned an adverse analytical finding for a banned substance at an estimated concentration greater than the minimum reported threshold.
Unlike the WBC, which lately has been giving virtually no penalties to boxers who test positive for banned substances [Conor Benn and Subriel Matias come to mind], WBO policy is that "in the event any WBO champion tests positive for any banned substances, the WBO doesn’t need to demonstrate intent, fault, negligence, or knowing use on the fighter’s part. It is the fighter’s duty to ensure that no prohibited substances enter their body. Fighters are fully responsible for any prohibited substances found to be present in their body."
Alimkhanuly was directed by the WBO to show cause within ten days of issuance of this notice, stating why disciplinary action should not be imposed pursuant to the applicable sections in the governing WBO Regulations of World Championship Contests and all relevant WBO policies; including but not limited to: a) declaring the WBO middleweight championship “vacant”; b) withdrawing WBO world champion status from Alimkhanuly; c) banning him from all WBO world and/or regional championship contests; d) suspending him sion from al WBO world and/or regional championship contests; and e) issuing any other rulings necessary, helpful or convenient to accomplish the purposes, policies and intent of the WBO.
Alimkhanuly's response may include supporting documentation, statements, legal submissions, or any other relevant materials he wishes the WBO to consider. Failure to respond within the prescribed period may result in disciplinary action being taken without further notice and/or hearing, including but not limited to the vacating of your WBO Championship title, effective immediately.
PRIOR BOXINGTALK COVERAGE
DEC. 3, 2025: WBA middleweight champion Erislandy “The American Dream” Lara will defend his title against hard-hitting challenger Johan Gonzalez as part of a four-fight PBC pay-per-view event on Prime Video this Saturday, December 6th from Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Texas. Lara was originally scheduled to face unified champion Janibek Alimkhanuly, who was pulled from the fight after failing a VADA anti-doping test. The Lara vs. Gonzalez fight will follow the pay-per-view opener between Jesus “Mono” Ramos Jr. and Shane Mosley Jr. for the WBC interim middleweight title beginning at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT. The pay-per-view is headlined by former 140-pound title holder Isaac “Pitbull” Cruz taking on reigning WBA 130-pound champion Lamont Roach for the WBC interim title at 140 pounds. The showdown between two-division champion Stephen Fulton Jr. and WBC 130-pound champion O’Shaquie Foster will now serve as the co-feature. Tickets for the live event are on sale now through Ticketmaster.com.
DEC. 2, 2025: Janibek Alimkhanuly, the two-belt middleweight champion, has tested positive for a banned performance-enhancing substance just days before a scheduled unification fight against WBA middleweight champion Erislandy Lara. Journalist Dan Rafael reported that the substance was meldonium, which is commonly used in Russia. Alimkhanuly, from Kazakhstan, holds the WBO and IBF titles. He reacted to this development by tweeting, "I have always supported clean sport you know this well. I was surprised when I read the news. VADA took the first test and said everything was clean. I have not made any changes to my vitamins. I don’t know what happened with the second test, so I requested a retest." Alimkhanuly vs. Lara, which was scheduled for this Saturday, December 6th in San Antonio, Texas. The WBO acknowledged the positive test as follows: "The WBO has confirmed an adverse analytical finding for WBO middleweight champion Zhanibek Alimkhanuly from VADA testing ahead of his scheduled bout vs. Erislandy Lara. An internal investigation is now underway, and a show cause notice will be issued. No further comments will be made until the process is complete.
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Fisher faces late replacement Balaz on Saturday |
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Heavyweight Johnny Fisher (13-1) is hoping to rebound on Saturday when he heads to Monaco to face late replacement Ivan Balaz, live on DAZN. Earlier this year, Fisher, one of Britain’s most popular fighters, suffered a shock loss when he was stopped by Dave Allen in five rounds. The Slovakian Balaz is 7-0 but only has one recognizable name in his win column, journeyman Tomas Salek. Fisher and Balaz will be fighting on the undercard of Saturday's European super bantamweight title fight between Shabaz Masoud and Peter McGrail.
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Fisher faces late replacement Balaz on Saturday
Heavyweight Johnny Fisher (13-1) is hoping to rebound on Saturday when he heads to Monaco to face late replacement Ivan Balaz, live on DAZN. Earlier this year, Fisher, one of Britain’s most popular fighters, suffered a shock loss when he was stopped by Dave Allen in five rounds. The Slovakian Balaz is 7-0 but only has one recognizable name in his win column, journeyman Tomas Salek. Fisher and Balaz will be fighting on the undercard of Saturday's European super bantamweight title fight between Shabaz Masoud and Peter McGrail.
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Foster: "Saturday, there’s gonna be a man down" |
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In a twelve-round world title fight on the December 6th PBC pay-per-view show from Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Texas, top pound-for-pound fighter Stephen Fulton Jr., who currently holds the WBC featherweight championship, will look to become a three-division champion when he challenges reigning WBC junior lightweight champion O’Shaquie Foster (pictured) in a 130-pound battle between current world champions. Fulton vs. Foster is promoted in association with Top Rank. This fight was originally scheduled for October 25th, but that card was postponed due to an injury to headliner Sebastian Fudora. Here is what Foster and Fulton had to say at the final press conference:
O’SHAQUIE FOSTER
“The time is here now. All the talking is done. I’m ready. Saturday night, there’s gonna be a man down.
“I’m ready all the way around. I feel good. This is the best mood I’ve been in on fight week in a long time. I’ve been ready.
“I’m here for a reason. I feel like I came out of the woodwork a little different. I’m gonna keep showing it.
“Last time we were here we put on a great performance and I plan on repeating it. I feel like his journey was sweet compared to mine. I came from the bottom and I’ve been grinding ever since.
“I feel like they think that they see something, like I’m a weak link for something. I’m gonna go out there and show them that they made the wrong choice.”
STEPHEN FULTON JR.
“I’m just ready at this point to become a three-division world champion. I’m gonna get it done.
“I go after champions, no matter who. It coulda been somebody else. I go after champions. That’s what I do.
“I carry the banner for Philly my whole career. Look where we’re at going for my third division title. I’m gonna carry that banner the whole way.
“This is just another day, another dollar, another fight. Everybody up here took a hard road. We’re all just trying to be world champions.
“My road has prepared me well. We all go through things that push us to the next level. That’s led me to where I am now. It’s made me a better person, a better man and a better fighter.”
***
Foster (23-3, 12 KOs) bounced back from decision losses in 2015 and 2016 to put together a nine-fight winning streak that earned him a February 2023 showdown against two-division champion Rey Vargas. Foster outboxed the previously unbeaten Vargas on his way to a unanimous decision that earned him the WBC Super Featherweight World Championship. Originally from Orange, Texas and training in nearby Houston, Foster’s first defense of his title saw him score a clutch final round stoppage of Eduardo Hernandez while trailing on two scorecards. After a successful title defense over Abraham Nova, Foster temporarily lost the belt via a controversial split-decision to Robson Conceicao. In his last outing, the 31-year-old reclaimed his title with his own decision triumph over Conceicao.
Born and raised in West Philadelphia, Pa., Fulton (23-1, 8 KOs) became a two-division champion in his last outing, vanquishing Brandon Figueroa in their February rematch via decision to capture the WBC Featherweight World Championship. It was Fulton’s second fight since a July 2023 challenge that saw him travel to Japan to take on undefeated Japanese superstar Naoya Inoue, eventually dropping the road contest in round eight. In his previous 14 professional fights before facing Inoue, the 30-year-old had established himself on pound-for-pound lists by beating eight previously undefeated fighters. Fulton first became a world champion by taking the super bantamweight title from Angelo Leo in January 2021, before unifying against Figueroa in their first fight. Trained in his hometown, Fulton has displayed sublime boxing skills that have allowed him to dominate opponents of varying styles and control fights from start to finish.
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Foster: "Saturday, there’s gonna be a man down"
In a twelve-round world title fight on the December 6th PBC pay-per-view show from Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Texas, top pound-for-pound fighter Stephen Fulton Jr., who currently holds the WBC featherweight championship, will look to become a three-division champion when he challenges reigning WBC junior lightweight champion O’Shaquie Foster (pictured) in a 130-pound battle between current world champions. Fulton vs. Foster is promoted in association with Top Rank. This fight was originally scheduled for October 25th, but that card was postponed due to an injury to headliner Sebastian Fudora. Here is what Foster and Fulton had to say at the final press conference:
O’SHAQUIE FOSTER
“The time is here now. All the talking is done. I’m ready. Saturday night, there’s gonna be a man down.
“I’m ready all the way around. I feel good. This is the best mood I’ve been in on fight week in a long time. I’ve been ready.
“I’m here for a reason. I feel like I came out of the woodwork a little different. I’m gonna keep showing it.
“Last time we were here we put on a great performance and I plan on repeating it. I feel like his journey was sweet compared to mine. I came from the bottom and I’ve been grinding ever since.
“I feel like they think that they see something, like I’m a weak link for something. I’m gonna go out there and show them that they made the wrong choice.”
STEPHEN FULTON JR.
“I’m just ready at this point to become a three-division world champion. I’m gonna get it done.
“I go after champions, no matter who. It coulda been somebody else. I go after champions. That’s what I do.
“I carry the banner for Philly my whole career. Look where we’re at going for my third division title. I’m gonna carry that banner the whole way.
“This is just another day, another dollar, another fight. Everybody up here took a hard road. We’re all just trying to be world champions.
“My road has prepared me well. We all go through things that push us to the next level. That’s led me to where I am now. It’s made me a better person, a better man and a better fighter.”
***
Foster (23-3, 12 KOs) bounced back from decision losses in 2015 and 2016 to put together a nine-fight winning streak that earned him a February 2023 showdown against two-division champion Rey Vargas. Foster outboxed the previously unbeaten Vargas on his way to a unanimous decision that earned him the WBC Super Featherweight World Championship. Originally from Orange, Texas and training in nearby Houston, Foster’s first defense of his title saw him score a clutch final round stoppage of Eduardo Hernandez while trailing on two scorecards. After a successful title defense over Abraham Nova, Foster temporarily lost the belt via a controversial split-decision to Robson Conceicao. In his last outing, the 31-year-old reclaimed his title with his own decision triumph over Conceicao.
Born and raised in West Philadelphia, Pa., Fulton (23-1, 8 KOs) became a two-division champion in his last outing, vanquishing Brandon Figueroa in their February rematch via decision to capture the WBC Featherweight World Championship. It was Fulton’s second fight since a July 2023 challenge that saw him travel to Japan to take on undefeated Japanese superstar Naoya Inoue, eventually dropping the road contest in round eight. In his previous 14 professional fights before facing Inoue, the 30-year-old had established himself on pound-for-pound lists by beating eight previously undefeated fighters. Fulton first became a world champion by taking the super bantamweight title from Angelo Leo in January 2021, before unifying against Figueroa in their first fight. Trained in his hometown, Fulton has displayed sublime boxing skills that have allowed him to dominate opponents of varying styles and control fights from start to finish.
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Replacement challenger Johan Gonzalez excited for title opportunity |
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WBA middleweight champion Erislandy “The American Dream” Lara will defend his title against late replacement Johan Gonzalez thia Saturday (December 6th) at Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Texas. Lara was originally scheduled to face two-belt champion Janibek Alimkhanuly, but Alimkhanuly failed a VADA doping test. The Lara vs. Gonzalez fight be part of a PBC pay-per-view broadcast headlined by reigning WBA 130-pound champion Lamont Roach facing former 140-pound title holder Isaac “Pitbull” Cruz for the WBC interim title at 140 pounds. Here is what Lara and Gonzalez had to say at a PBC press event earlier this week:
ERISLANDY LARA
“I’m just focused on fighting, no matter who the opponent is. I’m not even gonna mention that guy’s name cause he doesn’t deserve it.
“I’m glad to be on this big card. It means a lot. We’re gonna go out there prepared and see what our opponent does and take it from there.”
JOHAN GONZALEZ
“I’m really excited about getting this opportunity. I’m here and I’m here to win. I’m here to shock the world.
“Before the fight against [ex-154-pound champ] Jarrett Hurd I trained hard, stayed disciplined and got the win. This is no different. My fundamentals and my hunger to be the best will make the difference. [Gonzalez defeated Hurd earlier this year].
“I’m gonna put on a show for everyone. I’m not gonna let anyone down. That’s the most important thing to me.
“I’m still coming down to earth about the excitement I’m feeling to get this opportunity. On Saturday it will be a new feeling to become world champion.
***
A native of Valencia, Venezuela who now trains in Las Vegas, Gonzalez (36-4, 33 KOs) earned a career-best victory in his last outing as he used his power-punching prowess to best former unified 154-pound champion Jarrett Hurd in March. Prior to that fight, Gonzalez had dropped an October 2024 showdown with rising star Yoenis Tellez. He had previously recovered from a May 2024 defeat against top contender Jesus Ramos by stopping Ivan Herrera in two rounds in August of last year. Gonzalez made his stateside debut in 2023, earning a pair of victories in the U.S. by first stopping Ricardo Ruben Villalba in August before defeating Guido Emmanuel Schramm in November. The 34-year-old won those fights following a close 2022 decision defeat to former world title challenger Magomed Kurbanov. A pro since 2017, Gonzalez won his first 22 bouts before dropping a split decision in 2018.
In his last fight, Lara (31-3-3, 19 KOs) stopped the durable former two-division champion Danny Garcia in September 2024. He captured his WBA title with a first-round knockout of Thomas LaManna in May 2021, before KO’ing Gary O’Sullivan and Michael Zerafa. Prior to his middleweight exploits, Lara was the longest reigning 154-pound world champion before he lost a tough split-decision to Jarrett Hurd in a 2018 title unification match that earned “Fight of the Year” from the BWAA. Lara returned from that fight and battled former 154-pound world titleholder Brian Castaño to an exciting draw in another narrow fight that could have gone Lara’s way. He faced a slew of the top 154-pounders in the sport, including Canelo Álvarez, ahead of his middleweight debut.
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Replacement challenger Johan Gonzalez excited for title opportunity
WBA middleweight champion Erislandy “The American Dream” Lara will defend his title against late replacement Johan Gonzalez thia Saturday (December 6th) at Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Texas. Lara was originally scheduled to face two-belt champion Janibek Alimkhanuly, but Alimkhanuly failed a VADA doping test. The Lara vs. Gonzalez fight be part of a PBC pay-per-view broadcast headlined by reigning WBA 130-pound champion Lamont Roach facing former 140-pound title holder Isaac “Pitbull” Cruz for the WBC interim title at 140 pounds. Here is what Lara and Gonzalez had to say at a PBC press event earlier this week:
ERISLANDY LARA
“I’m just focused on fighting, no matter who the opponent is. I’m not even gonna mention that guy’s name cause he doesn’t deserve it.
“I’m glad to be on this big card. It means a lot. We’re gonna go out there prepared and see what our opponent does and take it from there.”
JOHAN GONZALEZ
“I’m really excited about getting this opportunity. I’m here and I’m here to win. I’m here to shock the world.
“Before the fight against [ex-154-pound champ] Jarrett Hurd I trained hard, stayed disciplined and got the win. This is no different. My fundamentals and my hunger to be the best will make the difference. [Gonzalez defeated Hurd earlier this year].
“I’m gonna put on a show for everyone. I’m not gonna let anyone down. That’s the most important thing to me.
“I’m still coming down to earth about the excitement I’m feeling to get this opportunity. On Saturday it will be a new feeling to become world champion.
***
A native of Valencia, Venezuela who now trains in Las Vegas, Gonzalez (36-4, 33 KOs) earned a career-best victory in his last outing as he used his power-punching prowess to best former unified 154-pound champion Jarrett Hurd in March. Prior to that fight, Gonzalez had dropped an October 2024 showdown with rising star Yoenis Tellez. He had previously recovered from a May 2024 defeat against top contender Jesus Ramos by stopping Ivan Herrera in two rounds in August of last year. Gonzalez made his stateside debut in 2023, earning a pair of victories in the U.S. by first stopping Ricardo Ruben Villalba in August before defeating Guido Emmanuel Schramm in November. The 34-year-old won those fights following a close 2022 decision defeat to former world title challenger Magomed Kurbanov. A pro since 2017, Gonzalez won his first 22 bouts before dropping a split decision in 2018.
In his last fight, Lara (31-3-3, 19 KOs) stopped the durable former two-division champion Danny Garcia in September 2024. He captured his WBA title with a first-round knockout of Thomas LaManna in May 2021, before KO’ing Gary O’Sullivan and Michael Zerafa. Prior to his middleweight exploits, Lara was the longest reigning 154-pound world champion before he lost a tough split-decision to Jarrett Hurd in a 2018 title unification match that earned “Fight of the Year” from the BWAA. Lara returned from that fight and battled former 154-pound world titleholder Brian Castaño to an exciting draw in another narrow fight that could have gone Lara’s way. He faced a slew of the top 154-pounders in the sport, including Canelo Álvarez, ahead of his middleweight debut.
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Ramon Cardenas returns this month from loss to Monster Inoue |
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On Thursday, December 18th at the War Memorial Auditorium in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, ProBoxTV will present “Merry Fistmas!” live at 7:00 pm ET/4:00 pm PT. The ten-round “don’t blink” main event sees Ramon “Dinamita” Cardenas (26-2, 14 KOs) of San Antonio, Texas return to US soil to face Mexico's Erik “Terrible” Robles (16-3, 10 KOs). Cardenas, age 30, is best known for his most recent fight, a valiant stand against world super bantamweight champion Naoya Inoue in May of this year, where he ultimately lost by technical knockout in the eighth round but famously knocked down the formidable champion in the second. “It’s an ideal comeback fight for Ramon,” said ProBoxTV's founder and CEO, Garry Jonas. “We don’t give tune-up fights, so it’s no walk in the park either. Ramon is a super entertaining fighter and a test like this will keep him ready. It will be a typical ProBoxTV high-action fight while it lasts!”
In the ten-round middleweight co-feature, Olympic champ Hebert Conceicao (9-0, 5 KOs) of Salvador, Bahia, Brazil, will face Mexican veteran Elias “Latin Kid” Espadas (23-7-1, 16 KOs) in a strong test for the Brazilian. “I think the world of Hebert,” continued Jonas. “Check him out. And Espadas is no slouch. Earlier this year, Sadriddin Akhmedov was considered a hot, undefeated prospect and Espadas fought him to a draw, right in his home state. This fight will let us all take a good look at the gold medalist and see what he really has in the pros. Hebert is fun to watch and we have him on the fast track. If he wins this fight, he will have a big year ahead of him.”
Cardenas had won 14 consecutive fights before facing Inoue, including three consecutive on ProBoxTV: a TKO 6 over Israel Rodriguez Picazo (then 30-5) in February of last year, a KO 9 over Jesus Ramirez Rubio (then 22-2-3) in April of last year, and a unanimous decision over Bryan Acosta in February of this year. Cardenas also famously knocked out out formerly undefeated Panamanian Rafael Pedroza in the second round in one of the final ShoBox: The New Generation episodes.
“Training is going great,” said Cardenas. “I’m training with Manny Robles in LA and he’s a great match for me. We are fixing mistakes I’ve been making in the past, patching them up. I don’t really like watching tape of my opponents, so I don’t know much, but he has to adjust to me like I have to adjust to him. I’ve always said you can fight the same guy 100 times and every time will be different any way. People are expecting me to do good now, so I have a responsibility to show the fans that my fight with Inoue wasn’t a ‘one hit wonder.’”
Against Cardenas, 25-year-old Erik Robles will be having his first fight in the United States after turning professional in 2019 and spending his career in Mexico and the UK. The powerful slugger is best known for winning the IBO super bantamweight title against Lee McGregor (then 12-0-1) via unanimous decision in July 2023 and then registering a unanimous ten-round decision win over Cesar Vaca Espinoza (then 16-0-1) in his very next fight in December 2023.
“Training's going great,” said Robles. “We've been sparring with boxers like Christian Cruz, Logan Hernandez, Chino Quintana, and others. We've also added pool training to our preparation, which is a bonus and something different from what we normally do. We know Cardenas is an elite fighter with excellent technique and tremendous power. We all saw his performance against Inoue, and that's keeping us on high alert to continue preparing for what's coming on December 18th. It's a fight where anything can happen. He's a dangerous fighter, and so am I. The difference between us is that I have nothing to lose.”
Before turning professional in 2022, Conceicao won a middleweight gold medal at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics and took bronze in the 2019 World Amateur Championships. In just nine professional fights, Conceicao has already beaten two Brazilian countrymen and 2012 London Olympics medal-winning brothers, Esquiva and Yamaguchi Falcao. In June 2024, in just his sixth fight, Conceicao won a unanimous ten-round decision over younger brother and Silver Medalist Esquiva Falcao and, in his most recent ring appearance in September of this year, repeated the feat against older brother and bronze medalist Yamaguchi Falcao to win the Brazilian (CNB) title. In his lone ProBoxTV appearance to date in May of this year, Conceicao stopped iron-chinned Rowdy Legend Montgomery in two one-sided rounds.
Better than his record, Montgomery had previously taken the undefeated 0 from Kareem Hackett (then 12-0) via KO 3, as well as gone the distance with Elijah Garcia, Steven Nelson, former title challenger Maciej Sulecki and Jonathan Esquivel (7-0) before running into Conceicao’s heavy hands.
The 35 year-old Espadas hails from Merida, Yucatán, Mexico. A 13-year professional, Espadas defeated Alan Carrillo via KO 2 in 2017. In his very next fight the following year, he KO'd Felipe Santos Pedroso in three rounds. Most recently, Espadas fought to a ten-round majority draw with undefeated Sadriddin Akhmedov in April and then lost an abbreviated five-round technical decision to streaking Irish prospect Callum Walsh in June, when the fight was stopped before it really got started in the fifth round, due to an accidental headbutt.
The night’s televised undercard will consist of a ten-round junior welterweight battle between “Marvelous” Mykquan Williams (22-1-2, 11 KOs) of Connecticut, and Jair “Kaiser” Valtierra (18-3, 9 KOs) of Mexico, as well as an eight-round middleweight slugfest Cuba’s Yojanler Martinez (5-0-1, 2 KOs) and Joeshon “Shontime” James (9-1-2, 5 KOs) of Sacramento, California.
“It’s a deep card overall,” said Garry Jonas. “Mykquan Williams vs. Jair Valtierra could be the co-main event. That’s a hell of a fight. Williams will be looking to come back from his first career loss, so Valtierra will tell the tale if he’s got what it takes. It’s ‘do or die’ for Mykquan. Is he a contender or not? And Yojanler Martinez vs. Joeshon James is a fun fight. Martinez is a ‘balls to the wall’ kind of fighter, while James is also back from his first loss. It’ll be a classic ProBoxTV crossroads battle.”
The action will start with Puerto Rico’s undefeated Bryan Polaco (7-0, 5 KOs) running into hard-rock Marlon Harrington (12-2, 10 KOs) from Detroit.
On fight night, doors Open at 6:00 pm. The War Memorial Auditorium is located at 800 NE 8th St in Fort Lauderdale. Tickets to attend ProBoxTV’s The Contender Series in person at the War Memorial Auditorium are available from the ProBoxTV website or directly from Seat Geek. ProBoxTV is available in 100% of U.S. and Canadian households with broadband access, on a wide range of platforms and media partners, including ProBoxTV’s YouTube and YouTube Espanol Channels, Swerve TV Combat, Swerve Sports, Fubo TV, Fubo Sports YouTube Channel, Amazon, Google TV, LG Channels, Plex, Roku, SLING TV, Samsung, Tubi, Vizio, Xumo Play, DIRECTV, Free Live Sports, Lights Out Sports, Zeam, Pluto TV and TCL TVs.
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Ramon Cardenas returns this month from loss to Monster Inoue
On Thursday, December 18th at the War Memorial Auditorium in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, ProBoxTV will present “Merry Fistmas!” live at 7:00 pm ET/4:00 pm PT. The ten-round “don’t blink” main event sees Ramon “Dinamita” Cardenas (26-2, 14 KOs) of San Antonio, Texas return to US soil to face Mexico's Erik “Terrible” Robles (16-3, 10 KOs). Cardenas, age 30, is best known for his most recent fight, a valiant stand against world super bantamweight champion Naoya Inoue in May of this year, where he ultimately lost by technical knockout in the eighth round but famously knocked down the formidable champion in the second. “It’s an ideal comeback fight for Ramon,” said ProBoxTV's founder and CEO, Garry Jonas. “We don’t give tune-up fights, so it’s no walk in the park either. Ramon is a super entertaining fighter and a test like this will keep him ready. It will be a typical ProBoxTV high-action fight while it lasts!”
In the ten-round middleweight co-feature, Olympic champ Hebert Conceicao (9-0, 5 KOs) of Salvador, Bahia, Brazil, will face Mexican veteran Elias “Latin Kid” Espadas (23-7-1, 16 KOs) in a strong test for the Brazilian. “I think the world of Hebert,” continued Jonas. “Check him out. And Espadas is no slouch. Earlier this year, Sadriddin Akhmedov was considered a hot, undefeated prospect and Espadas fought him to a draw, right in his home state. This fight will let us all take a good look at the gold medalist and see what he really has in the pros. Hebert is fun to watch and we have him on the fast track. If he wins this fight, he will have a big year ahead of him.”
Cardenas had won 14 consecutive fights before facing Inoue, including three consecutive on ProBoxTV: a TKO 6 over Israel Rodriguez Picazo (then 30-5) in February of last year, a KO 9 over Jesus Ramirez Rubio (then 22-2-3) in April of last year, and a unanimous decision over Bryan Acosta in February of this year. Cardenas also famously knocked out out formerly undefeated Panamanian Rafael Pedroza in the second round in one of the final ShoBox: The New Generation episodes.
“Training is going great,” said Cardenas. “I’m training with Manny Robles in LA and he’s a great match for me. We are fixing mistakes I’ve been making in the past, patching them up. I don’t really like watching tape of my opponents, so I don’t know much, but he has to adjust to me like I have to adjust to him. I’ve always said you can fight the same guy 100 times and every time will be different any way. People are expecting me to do good now, so I have a responsibility to show the fans that my fight with Inoue wasn’t a ‘one hit wonder.’”
Against Cardenas, 25-year-old Erik Robles will be having his first fight in the United States after turning professional in 2019 and spending his career in Mexico and the UK. The powerful slugger is best known for winning the IBO super bantamweight title against Lee McGregor (then 12-0-1) via unanimous decision in July 2023 and then registering a unanimous ten-round decision win over Cesar Vaca Espinoza (then 16-0-1) in his very next fight in December 2023.
“Training's going great,” said Robles. “We've been sparring with boxers like Christian Cruz, Logan Hernandez, Chino Quintana, and others. We've also added pool training to our preparation, which is a bonus and something different from what we normally do. We know Cardenas is an elite fighter with excellent technique and tremendous power. We all saw his performance against Inoue, and that's keeping us on high alert to continue preparing for what's coming on December 18th. It's a fight where anything can happen. He's a dangerous fighter, and so am I. The difference between us is that I have nothing to lose.”
Before turning professional in 2022, Conceicao won a middleweight gold medal at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics and took bronze in the 2019 World Amateur Championships. In just nine professional fights, Conceicao has already beaten two Brazilian countrymen and 2012 London Olympics medal-winning brothers, Esquiva and Yamaguchi Falcao. In June 2024, in just his sixth fight, Conceicao won a unanimous ten-round decision over younger brother and Silver Medalist Esquiva Falcao and, in his most recent ring appearance in September of this year, repeated the feat against older brother and bronze medalist Yamaguchi Falcao to win the Brazilian (CNB) title. In his lone ProBoxTV appearance to date in May of this year, Conceicao stopped iron-chinned Rowdy Legend Montgomery in two one-sided rounds.
Better than his record, Montgomery had previously taken the undefeated 0 from Kareem Hackett (then 12-0) via KO 3, as well as gone the distance with Elijah Garcia, Steven Nelson, former title challenger Maciej Sulecki and Jonathan Esquivel (7-0) before running into Conceicao’s heavy hands.
The 35 year-old Espadas hails from Merida, Yucatán, Mexico. A 13-year professional, Espadas defeated Alan Carrillo via KO 2 in 2017. In his very next fight the following year, he KO'd Felipe Santos Pedroso in three rounds. Most recently, Espadas fought to a ten-round majority draw with undefeated Sadriddin Akhmedov in April and then lost an abbreviated five-round technical decision to streaking Irish prospect Callum Walsh in June, when the fight was stopped before it really got started in the fifth round, due to an accidental headbutt.
The night’s televised undercard will consist of a ten-round junior welterweight battle between “Marvelous” Mykquan Williams (22-1-2, 11 KOs) of Connecticut, and Jair “Kaiser” Valtierra (18-3, 9 KOs) of Mexico, as well as an eight-round middleweight slugfest Cuba’s Yojanler Martinez (5-0-1, 2 KOs) and Joeshon “Shontime” James (9-1-2, 5 KOs) of Sacramento, California.
“It’s a deep card overall,” said Garry Jonas. “Mykquan Williams vs. Jair Valtierra could be the co-main event. That’s a hell of a fight. Williams will be looking to come back from his first career loss, so Valtierra will tell the tale if he’s got what it takes. It’s ‘do or die’ for Mykquan. Is he a contender or not? And Yojanler Martinez vs. Joeshon James is a fun fight. Martinez is a ‘balls to the wall’ kind of fighter, while James is also back from his first loss. It’ll be a classic ProBoxTV crossroads battle.”
The action will start with Puerto Rico’s undefeated Bryan Polaco (7-0, 5 KOs) running into hard-rock Marlon Harrington (12-2, 10 KOs) from Detroit.
On fight night, doors Open at 6:00 pm. The War Memorial Auditorium is located at 800 NE 8th St in Fort Lauderdale. Tickets to attend ProBoxTV’s The Contender Series in person at the War Memorial Auditorium are available from the ProBoxTV website or directly from Seat Geek. ProBoxTV is available in 100% of U.S. and Canadian households with broadband access, on a wide range of platforms and media partners, including ProBoxTV’s YouTube and YouTube Espanol Channels, Swerve TV Combat, Swerve Sports, Fubo TV, Fubo Sports YouTube Channel, Amazon, Google TV, LG Channels, Plex, Roku, SLING TV, Samsung, Tubi, Vizio, Xumo Play, DIRECTV, Free Live Sports, Lights Out Sports, Zeam, Pluto TV and TCL TVs.
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Late results from Pakistan |
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Muhammad Waseem W12 Jakrawut Majungoen... In Lahore, Pakistan last weeekend, local bantamweight Muhammad Waseem (15-2, 10 KOs) battled his way to a unanimous decision over Thailand's Jakrawut Majungoen (50-8-2, 29 KOs). Waseem prevailed by scores of 115-110 and 114-111 (twice). The fight was chaotic from the opening bell. Waseem hit the canvas twice in the first round and again in the fifth, a disastrous start that threatened to sink his hopes. But the Pakistani standout showed grit, composure and championship resolve, clawing his way back as the rounds wore on.
Mohamed Mimoune W12 Tarik Zaina... In a junior welterweight bout on the same show, France’s Mohamed Mimoune (25-5, 4 KOs) handed previously unbeaten Moroccan Tarik Zaina (12-1, 7 KOs) his first professional loss via unanimous decision. Official scores were 116-112 and 115-113 (twice). It was a close, tactical affair: Zaina tried to seize control with pressure and youthful aggression, while Mimoune leaned on veteran savvy, distance management and timing. The Frenchman owned the key moments, blunting Zaina’s rushes and closing rounds with efficiency to secure a valuable win on neutral ground.
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Late results from Pakistan
Muhammad Waseem W12 Jakrawut Majungoen... In Lahore, Pakistan last weeekend, local bantamweight Muhammad Waseem (15-2, 10 KOs) battled his way to a unanimous decision over Thailand's Jakrawut Majungoen (50-8-2, 29 KOs). Waseem prevailed by scores of 115-110 and 114-111 (twice). The fight was chaotic from the opening bell. Waseem hit the canvas twice in the first round and again in the fifth, a disastrous start that threatened to sink his hopes. But the Pakistani standout showed grit, composure and championship resolve, clawing his way back as the rounds wore on.
Mohamed Mimoune W12 Tarik Zaina... In a junior welterweight bout on the same show, France’s Mohamed Mimoune (25-5, 4 KOs) handed previously unbeaten Moroccan Tarik Zaina (12-1, 7 KOs) his first professional loss via unanimous decision. Official scores were 116-112 and 115-113 (twice). It was a close, tactical affair: Zaina tried to seize control with pressure and youthful aggression, while Mimoune leaned on veteran savvy, distance management and timing. The Frenchman owned the key moments, blunting Zaina’s rushes and closing rounds with efficiency to secure a valuable win on neutral ground.
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WBC division-by-division title situation |
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On the second day of the 63rd WBC Convention in Bangkok, Thailand, the WBC's main assembly focused its attention on mandatory defenses in the men's weight classes. Here is the report:
Heavyweight. Champion Oleksandr Usyk can make a voluntary defense. He has already stated his desire to fight Deontay Wilder. His mandatory defense will be determined by a bout between Lawrence Okolie and Moses Itauma [should Itauma accespt, he is also in line for the WBA]. Interim champion Agit Kabayel will fight Damien Knyba in Germany.
Bridgerweight. The WBC's report did not mention the new 224-pound division. Kevin Lerena of South Africa is the champion.
Cruiserweight. The rematch between champion Badou Jack and stripped ex-champion Noel Makaeljian is on December 13th in the USA. Krzysztof Wlodarczyk will be the mandatory challenger, while Ryan Rozicki and Ryad Merhy are vying to be the final contenders. Ex-champ Wlodarczyk is named WBC Ambassador.
Light Heavyweight. Champion David Benavidez has received permission to compete for the WBA/WBO cruiserweight title.
Super Middleweight. The title has been declared vacant after Terence Crawford failed to pay his last two sanctioning fees. His team's lack of communication regarding the correspondence is being seen as a slap in the face. Interim champion Christian Mbilli will fight Hamzah Sheeraz, and the winner will face Lester Martinez. Luka Plantic will fight Jaime Munguia to determine the mandatory challenger.
Middleweight. Champion Carlos Adames will fight a mandatory defense against Meirim Nursultanov.
Junior Middleweight. Sebastian 'Towering Inferno' Fundora has suffered an injury, so his title defense against Keith Thurman will be postponed until the new year. Interim champion Vergil Ortiz is in talks to fight WBA interim champion Boots Ennis. Fundora will receive a congratulatory certificate after being accepted to study engineering at Harvard.
Welterweight. Champion Mario Barrios will fight Ryan Garcia, and Conor Benn is the mandatory challenger for the winner.
Junior Welterweight. Champion Subriel Matias, who tested positive for Ostarine last month, is on probation, but his defense against Dalton Smith on January 10th will proceed [according to the WBC].
Lightweight. Champion Shakur Stevenson is allowed to move up in weight to challenge world junior welterweight champion Teófimo López for the WBO title. An eliminator for the interim title will take place between number two contender Ricardo Núñez and number three contender Jadel Herrera.
Junior Lightweight. Champion O'Shaquie Foster fights WBC featherweight champion Stephen Fulton. Mark Magsayo and Michael Magnesi, ranked number one and two, will fight a final eliminator on January 31st.
Featherweight. Champion Fulton has moved up in weight. So interim champion Bruce Carrington will face Carlos Castro on January 31st.
Super Bantamweight. Champion Naoya Inoue defends against Alan David Picasso on December 27th. If victorious, the goal is a fight against the also undefeated Junto Nakatani in May at the Tokyo Dome, provided both win their next bouts. A semifinal fight will be held between the third and fourth-ranked contenders.
Bantamweight. The new champion is Takuma Inoue, younger brother of Naoya. Former mult-division champ Juan Francisco Estrada and Tenshin Nasukawa will fight to determine the mandatory challenger.
Super Flyweight. Champion Jesse 'Bam' Rodriguez just fought and won. Mandatory bouts are pending.
Flyweight. Ricardo Sandoval is in voluntary defense. So is interim champion Gal Yafai.
Light Flyweight. Carlos Cañizales is unable to travel outside of Venezuela, so he was demoted to champion in recess. Knockout CP Freshmart fights Junior Zárate for the vacant title on the penultimate day of the WBC Convention.
Minimumweight. Champion Melvin Jerusalem is in voluntary contention. Siyakhowa Kuse and Joey Canoy will fight in a final eliminator.
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WBC division-by-division title situation
On the second day of the 63rd WBC Convention in Bangkok, Thailand, the WBC's main assembly focused its attention on mandatory defenses in the men's weight classes. Here is the report:
Heavyweight. Champion Oleksandr Usyk can make a voluntary defense. He has already stated his desire to fight Deontay Wilder. His mandatory defense will be determined by a bout between Lawrence Okolie and Moses Itauma [should Itauma accespt, he is also in line for the WBA]. Interim champion Agit Kabayel will fight Damien Knyba in Germany.
Bridgerweight. The WBC's report did not mention the new 224-pound division. Kevin Lerena of South Africa is the champion.
Cruiserweight. The rematch between champion Badou Jack and stripped ex-champion Noel Makaeljian is on December 13th in the USA. Krzysztof Wlodarczyk will be the mandatory challenger, while Ryan Rozicki and Ryad Merhy are vying to be the final contenders. Ex-champ Wlodarczyk is named WBC Ambassador.
Light Heavyweight. Champion David Benavidez has received permission to compete for the WBA/WBO cruiserweight title.
Super Middleweight. The title has been declared vacant after Terence Crawford failed to pay his last two sanctioning fees. His team's lack of communication regarding the correspondence is being seen as a slap in the face. Interim champion Christian Mbilli will fight Hamzah Sheeraz, and the winner will face Lester Martinez. Luka Plantic will fight Jaime Munguia to determine the mandatory challenger.
Middleweight. Champion Carlos Adames will fight a mandatory defense against Meirim Nursultanov.
Junior Middleweight. Sebastian 'Towering Inferno' Fundora has suffered an injury, so his title defense against Keith Thurman will be postponed until the new year. Interim champion Vergil Ortiz is in talks to fight WBA interim champion Boots Ennis. Fundora will receive a congratulatory certificate after being accepted to study engineering at Harvard.
Welterweight. Champion Mario Barrios will fight Ryan Garcia, and Conor Benn is the mandatory challenger for the winner.
Junior Welterweight. Champion Subriel Matias, who tested positive for Ostarine last month, is on probation, but his defense against Dalton Smith on January 10th will proceed [according to the WBC].
Lightweight. Champion Shakur Stevenson is allowed to move up in weight to challenge world junior welterweight champion Teófimo López for the WBO title. An eliminator for the interim title will take place between number two contender Ricardo Núñez and number three contender Jadel Herrera.
Junior Lightweight. Champion O'Shaquie Foster fights WBC featherweight champion Stephen Fulton. Mark Magsayo and Michael Magnesi, ranked number one and two, will fight a final eliminator on January 31st.
Featherweight. Champion Fulton has moved up in weight. So interim champion Bruce Carrington will face Carlos Castro on January 31st.
Super Bantamweight. Champion Naoya Inoue defends against Alan David Picasso on December 27th. If victorious, the goal is a fight against the also undefeated Junto Nakatani in May at the Tokyo Dome, provided both win their next bouts. A semifinal fight will be held between the third and fourth-ranked contenders.
Bantamweight. The new champion is Takuma Inoue, younger brother of Naoya. Former mult-division champ Juan Francisco Estrada and Tenshin Nasukawa will fight to determine the mandatory challenger.
Super Flyweight. Champion Jesse 'Bam' Rodriguez just fought and won. Mandatory bouts are pending.
Flyweight. Ricardo Sandoval is in voluntary defense. So is interim champion Gal Yafai.
Light Flyweight. Carlos Cañizales is unable to travel outside of Venezuela, so he was demoted to champion in recess. Knockout CP Freshmart fights Junior Zárate for the vacant title on the penultimate day of the WBC Convention.
Minimumweight. Champion Melvin Jerusalem is in voluntary contention. Siyakhowa Kuse and Joey Canoy will fight in a final eliminator.
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Crawford blasts WBC for stripping him over $$$ dispute |
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On September 13th, Terence Crawford became the world super middleweight champion, defeating Saúl “Canelo” Álvarez in a brilliant performance. The fight was contested for the WBC, WBO, IBF, and WBA titles. At its convention this week, the WBC stripped Crawford of the WBC title over a dispute about sanctioning fees. According to the WBC, "Crawford allegedly earned 50 million dollars for that fight. Appreciating the magnitude of that event, the WBC modified its rules to limit his [WBC sanction fee] to 0.6% instead of the 3% that the WBC rules and regulations require." That would mean the WBC was asking for $300,000 from Crawford, and if the other three sanctioning bodies asked for the same, Crawford would be paying $1.2 million total in sanctioning fees. The WBC likely asked for a similiar precentage from Alvarez as well.
Crawford responded with a mic-drop video shaming the WBC and its president. His choicest comments were: "Just had to get something off my chest. I got a lot to say... I see Mauricio [Sulaiman, president of the WBC] got a lot to say about me not paying him $300,000... They ain't going to tell me. I ain't [going to] apologize. Like, who the f--- you think I am? Well, you better slap your f-in self. I ain't paying your ass sh*t. What the f-ck you talking about pay you $300,000? What makes you so mother's---ckin better than any other other sanctioning bodies ... You can take the f-ckin belt. It's a trophy anyway... Why should I have to pay to carry your belt? You should be paying me. It irks my nerves how this dude gets on a plane, gets a hotel suite, him and his buddies go out to five star meals and guess who has to pay for it? Us fighters... It's all done on our dime... We getting battered, knocked upside our head but everyone we set foot in the ring, we gotta pay the. We getting taxed, its crazy... Mauricio, I appreciate you because everyone in the word knows you were going for Canelo, and you were mad I beat Canelo. If you were a real fan of the sport you would have said congratulations. But listen, you should have taken the money [I offered] and you should have been grateful... but you wanted to make it about you."
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Crawford blasts WBC for stripping him over $$$ dispute
On September 13th, Terence Crawford became the world super middleweight champion, defeating Saúl “Canelo” Álvarez in a brilliant performance. The fight was contested for the WBC, WBO, IBF, and WBA titles. At its convention this week, the WBC stripped Crawford of the WBC title over a dispute about sanctioning fees. According to the WBC, "Crawford allegedly earned 50 million dollars for that fight. Appreciating the magnitude of that event, the WBC modified its rules to limit his [WBC sanction fee] to 0.6% instead of the 3% that the WBC rules and regulations require." That would mean the WBC was asking for $300,000 from Crawford, and if the other three sanctioning bodies asked for the same, Crawford would be paying $1.2 million total in sanctioning fees. The WBC likely asked for a similiar precentage from Alvarez as well.
Crawford responded with a mic-drop video shaming the WBC and its president. His choicest comments were: "Just had to get something off my chest. I got a lot to say... I see Mauricio [Sulaiman, president of the WBC] got a lot to say about me not paying him $300,000... They ain't going to tell me. I ain't [going to] apologize. Like, who the f--- you think I am? Well, you better slap your f-in self. I ain't paying your ass sh*t. What the f-ck you talking about pay you $300,000? What makes you so mother's---ckin better than any other other sanctioning bodies ... You can take the f-ckin belt. It's a trophy anyway... Why should I have to pay to carry your belt? You should be paying me. It irks my nerves how this dude gets on a plane, gets a hotel suite, him and his buddies go out to five star meals and guess who has to pay for it? Us fighters... It's all done on our dime... We getting battered, knocked upside our head but everyone we set foot in the ring, we gotta pay the. We getting taxed, its crazy... Mauricio, I appreciate you because everyone in the word knows you were going for Canelo, and you were mad I beat Canelo. If you were a real fan of the sport you would have said congratulations. But listen, you should have taken the money [I offered] and you should have been grateful... but you wanted to make it about you."
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MVP adds U.S. Olympian Jahmal Harvey to Joshua vs. Paul broadcast |
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Netflix and Most Valuable Promotions have finalized the full fight card for the Anthony Joshua vs. Jake Paul show, streaming live on Netflix on Friday, Dec. 19th. The latest addition brings the opening fight on the main card: U.S. Olympian and amateur world champion Jahmal Harvey will face undefeated Kevin Cervantes in a six-round junior lightweight bout. Harvey is coming off a knockout win in his pro debut. The main card will also feature a women's championship bout, ALycia Baumgardner vs. Leila Beaudoin and two ex-mixed martial artists Anderson Silva vs. Tyron Woodley. Ahead of fight night, MVP and Netflix will host a full slate of free, public fight-week events in Miami, including an open workout, press conference, and the official weigh-in.
Harvey (1-0, 1 KO) as a U.S. Olympian and amateur world champion, is one of the most decorated young boxers in the country. Introduced to the sport at 13, the Oxon Hill, Maryland native quickly rose through the junior and youth ranks, becoming a ten-time national champion. At just 18, he won gold at the 2021 Elite World Championships, the first American male to do so since 2007, and later added medals at the 2022 Continental Championships and the 2023 Pan American Games. Harvey competed in the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, reached the quarter-finals, and signed with MVP ahead of his pro debut: a knockout win in August 2025. He is now age 22.
On the other side of the ring will Los Angeles–based Kevin Cervantes (5-0, 5 KOs), originally from Colombia. Cervantes arrives with a reputation for all-action aggression. He started boxing at 11 and built a deep 87-fight amateur career before turning pro. Cervantes has since finished every opponent he’s faced, most recently scoring a first-round TKO in September 2025. Known for a pressure-heavy style inspired by Roberto Durán, the 25-year old is trained by Oscar Negrete and managed by Rob Suarez. He now steps into his toughest test yet against U.S. Olympian Harvey.
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MVP adds U.S. Olympian Jahmal Harvey to Joshua vs. Paul broadcast
Netflix and Most Valuable Promotions have finalized the full fight card for the Anthony Joshua vs. Jake Paul show, streaming live on Netflix on Friday, Dec. 19th. The latest addition brings the opening fight on the main card: U.S. Olympian and amateur world champion Jahmal Harvey will face undefeated Kevin Cervantes in a six-round junior lightweight bout. Harvey is coming off a knockout win in his pro debut. The main card will also feature a women's championship bout, ALycia Baumgardner vs. Leila Beaudoin and two ex-mixed martial artists Anderson Silva vs. Tyron Woodley. Ahead of fight night, MVP and Netflix will host a full slate of free, public fight-week events in Miami, including an open workout, press conference, and the official weigh-in.
Harvey (1-0, 1 KO) as a U.S. Olympian and amateur world champion, is one of the most decorated young boxers in the country. Introduced to the sport at 13, the Oxon Hill, Maryland native quickly rose through the junior and youth ranks, becoming a ten-time national champion. At just 18, he won gold at the 2021 Elite World Championships, the first American male to do so since 2007, and later added medals at the 2022 Continental Championships and the 2023 Pan American Games. Harvey competed in the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, reached the quarter-finals, and signed with MVP ahead of his pro debut: a knockout win in August 2025. He is now age 22.
On the other side of the ring will Los Angeles–based Kevin Cervantes (5-0, 5 KOs), originally from Colombia. Cervantes arrives with a reputation for all-action aggression. He started boxing at 11 and built a deep 87-fight amateur career before turning pro. Cervantes has since finished every opponent he’s faced, most recently scoring a first-round TKO in September 2025. Known for a pressure-heavy style inspired by Roberto Durán, the 25-year old is trained by Oscar Negrete and managed by Rob Suarez. He now steps into his toughest test yet against U.S. Olympian Harvey.
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PBC announces off-TV bouts for Saturday's San Antonio show |
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Rising super middleweight Daniel Blancas (13-0, 6 KOs) will face William Townsel (8-2, 6 KOs) in an eight-round attraction on PBC's non-televised undercard this Saturday, December 6th at Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Texas. The pay-per-view portion of the show will be headlined by reigning WBA 130-pound champion Lamont Roach moving up ten pounds to face former 140-pound title holder Isaac “Pitbull” Cruz for the WBC interim junior welterweight title. Tickets for the live event are on sale now through Ticketmaster.com. The non-televised undercard will also feature undefeated San Antonio native Adrian Neaves (3-0, 1 KO) in a four-round junior welterweight tilt against Harlingen, Texas’ Roberto Castro (3-2, 1 KO), lightweight Robert Guerrero Jr. (6-0, 3 KOs), the son of former multiple-division champ Robert Guerrero, in a four-round bout against El Paso’s Eduardo Tarango (1-3) and unbeaten lightweight Hugo Mendez (5-0, 3 KOs) in a four-round battle against Nelson Hampton (11-10, 6 KOs).
Rounding out the lineup are a pair of unbeaten prospects from Washington, D.C. as welterweight Benjamin Johnson (5-0, 5 KOs) duels California’s Josias Gonzalez (2-5-2) in a four-round fight and Jordan Roach (5-0, 2 KOs), the younger brother of Lamont Roach, in a four-round super flyweight attraction against Bryan Santiago (2-3-1).
The 24 year-old Blancas is led by trainer Jose Benavidez Sr. A native of Milwaukee, Blancas has already earned two victories in 2025, winning a unanimous decision over Juan Barajas in February before most recently scoring a knockout of Kwame Ritter in May.
He’ll be opposed by the 30 year-old Townsel, a native of Pine Bluff, Arkansas who now resides in Virginia Beach. Townsel has suffered only two defeats, both to unbeaten prospects as he dropped a 2023 clash against Euri Cedeno before most recently coming up on the short end of a majority decision against Da’Velle Smith in December 2024.
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PBC announces off-TV bouts for Saturday's San Antonio show
Rising super middleweight Daniel Blancas (13-0, 6 KOs) will face William Townsel (8-2, 6 KOs) in an eight-round attraction on PBC's non-televised undercard this Saturday, December 6th at Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Texas. The pay-per-view portion of the show will be headlined by reigning WBA 130-pound champion Lamont Roach moving up ten pounds to face former 140-pound title holder Isaac “Pitbull” Cruz for the WBC interim junior welterweight title. Tickets for the live event are on sale now through Ticketmaster.com. The non-televised undercard will also feature undefeated San Antonio native Adrian Neaves (3-0, 1 KO) in a four-round junior welterweight tilt against Harlingen, Texas’ Roberto Castro (3-2, 1 KO), lightweight Robert Guerrero Jr. (6-0, 3 KOs), the son of former multiple-division champ Robert Guerrero, in a four-round bout against El Paso’s Eduardo Tarango (1-3) and unbeaten lightweight Hugo Mendez (5-0, 3 KOs) in a four-round battle against Nelson Hampton (11-10, 6 KOs).
Rounding out the lineup are a pair of unbeaten prospects from Washington, D.C. as welterweight Benjamin Johnson (5-0, 5 KOs) duels California’s Josias Gonzalez (2-5-2) in a four-round fight and Jordan Roach (5-0, 2 KOs), the younger brother of Lamont Roach, in a four-round super flyweight attraction against Bryan Santiago (2-3-1).
The 24 year-old Blancas is led by trainer Jose Benavidez Sr. A native of Milwaukee, Blancas has already earned two victories in 2025, winning a unanimous decision over Juan Barajas in February before most recently scoring a knockout of Kwame Ritter in May.
He’ll be opposed by the 30 year-old Townsel, a native of Pine Bluff, Arkansas who now resides in Virginia Beach. Townsel has suffered only two defeats, both to unbeaten prospects as he dropped a 2023 clash against Euri Cedeno before most recently coming up on the short end of a majority decision against Da’Velle Smith in December 2024.
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WBC approves Matias title defense for January despite recent positive PED test |
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On November 15th, the Voluntary Anti-Doping Association (VADA) notified WBC 140-pound champion Subriel Matías and the WBC of an adverse analytical finding consistent with the presence of Ostarine in a urine sample collected from him on November 9th. Matias was scheduled to defend his title vs. Dalton Smith on January 10, 2026. At the WBC convention in Bangkok, the WBC decided to allow the January 10th fight to proceed as scheduled despite the presence of an illegal performance-enhancing substance in Matias' system. It is unknown at this time if the New York Athletic Commission will allow the fight to proceed in its jurisdiction. Whether or not the doping was intentional, it is not disputed that Matias has ostarine in his system. Boxingtalk is therefore disturbed that the WBC is sanctioning him to fight so soon. Here is the WBC's rationale for allowing Matias to fight next month, which Boxingtalk does not agree with:
Ostarine is a selective androgen receptor modulator (“SARM”) that attaches to proteins in the human body and effectively tells muscles to grow. Ostarine has been known to be used to aid performance by helping athletes build muscle mass and enhance their rate of fat loss and also to increase stamina and recovery ability. Ostarine and all SARMs are banned substances at all times under the WBC CBP.
The WBC considered the following facts to be extenuating circumstances with respect to the measures taken in his case: (a) Matías’s documented consumption of supplements known to be contaminated with ostarine during the times relevant to the November 9th sample collection, which raised a reasonably probable explanation for the adverse finding.; (b) numerous adverse findings reported in credible scientific literature which have resulted from ostarine-contaminated supplements, some of which including the same active ingredient(s) as the ones Matías consumed; (c) the adverse finding’ reported levels of ostarine, which were relatively low (0.85 ng/mL) and consistent with ostarine-contaminate supplements; (d) Matías’ report to VADA at the start of his training for his upcoming title defense and to the sample collectors of his ingestion of eight supplements, some of which are known to be ostarine-contaminated; (e) his and his team’s cooperative and forthcoming postures; and (c) his agreement to abide to the provisions of an adjudication agreement into which he and the WBC entered.
In the spirit of fair and expeditious resolution, the WBC and Matías agreed that Matías shall: (a) be placed on probation for one year from the date of the sample collection; (b) undergo additional random anti-doping testing during the probationary period at his own expense; (c) pay for and participate in a nutrition education program designed and conducted by the WBC Nutrition Committee; (d) visit boxing gyms to speak about the dangers of consuming potentially contaminated nutritional supplements; and (e) be suspended indefinitely without further inquiry if he tests positive during his probationary period.
PRIOR BOXINGTALK COVERAGE
NOV. 22, 2025: The Voluntary Anti-Doping Association (VADA) has notified the WBC that an adverse analytical finding for a banned performance enhancing substance was found in the system as a result of a test administered to WBC 140-pound champion Subriel Matias. Matias was scheduled to defend his title on January 10th against Dalton Smith. The WBC confirmed that, in accordance with the protocols established by its Clean Boxing Program, it has commenced a formal investigation process into this matter.Acc ording to the WBC website, "WBC president [Mauricio Sulaiman] has been in contact with Matias and his promoter, Mr. Orengo, both of whom have expressed their absolute availability and full cooperation as the process unfolds. The WBC stresses that no further comments will be made at this time while the investigation and due process are carried out under the CBP guidelines."
NOV. 6, 2025: The WBC junior welterweight championship bout between the Puerto Rican champion Subriel Matías (pictured) and the top-ranked British challenger Dalton Smith will take place at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York on Saturday, January 10th. It will be promoted by Juan Orengo's Fresh Productions. A press conference to formally announce the event will take place at the venue itself and will be open to the public on Monday, November 10th beginning at 12 noon. Matías and Smith will both be in attendance and the press conference will also be streamed live on Fresh Productions Boxing’s Facebook and YouTube channels.
OCT. 3, 2025: The WBC reports that Puerto Rico's Subriel Matías will defend his WBC junior welterweight title against Britain’s Dalton Smith on January 10th in New York at a venue still to be confirmed. Matías (23-2, 22 KOs) captured the WBC belt on July 12th when he defeated Dominican Alberto Puello by majority decision. It was the first time in his career that the Puerto Rican secured a victory on the scorecards as all his other wins came by way of KO. Smith (18-0, 13 KOs), on the other hand, arrives undefeated and on a rapid rise in the division. The Englishman reached world level in 2024 by knocking out José Zepeda, and in 2025 he added further international experience.
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WBC approves Matias title defense for January despite recent positive PED test
On November 15th, the Voluntary Anti-Doping Association (VADA) notified WBC 140-pound champion Subriel Matías and the WBC of an adverse analytical finding consistent with the presence of Ostarine in a urine sample collected from him on November 9th. Matias was scheduled to defend his title vs. Dalton Smith on January 10, 2026. At the WBC convention in Bangkok, the WBC decided to allow the January 10th fight to proceed as scheduled despite the presence of an illegal performance-enhancing substance in Matias' system. It is unknown at this time if the New York Athletic Commission will allow the fight to proceed in its jurisdiction. Whether or not the doping was intentional, it is not disputed that Matias has ostarine in his system. Boxingtalk is therefore disturbed that the WBC is sanctioning him to fight so soon. Here is the WBC's rationale for allowing Matias to fight next month, which Boxingtalk does not agree with:
Ostarine is a selective androgen receptor modulator (“SARM”) that attaches to proteins in the human body and effectively tells muscles to grow. Ostarine has been known to be used to aid performance by helping athletes build muscle mass and enhance their rate of fat loss and also to increase stamina and recovery ability. Ostarine and all SARMs are banned substances at all times under the WBC CBP.
The WBC considered the following facts to be extenuating circumstances with respect to the measures taken in his case: (a) Matías’s documented consumption of supplements known to be contaminated with ostarine during the times relevant to the November 9th sample collection, which raised a reasonably probable explanation for the adverse finding.; (b) numerous adverse findings reported in credible scientific literature which have resulted from ostarine-contaminated supplements, some of which including the same active ingredient(s) as the ones Matías consumed; (c) the adverse finding’ reported levels of ostarine, which were relatively low (0.85 ng/mL) and consistent with ostarine-contaminate supplements; (d) Matías’ report to VADA at the start of his training for his upcoming title defense and to the sample collectors of his ingestion of eight supplements, some of which are known to be ostarine-contaminated; (e) his and his team’s cooperative and forthcoming postures; and (c) his agreement to abide to the provisions of an adjudication agreement into which he and the WBC entered.
In the spirit of fair and expeditious resolution, the WBC and Matías agreed that Matías shall: (a) be placed on probation for one year from the date of the sample collection; (b) undergo additional random anti-doping testing during the probationary period at his own expense; (c) pay for and participate in a nutrition education program designed and conducted by the WBC Nutrition Committee; (d) visit boxing gyms to speak about the dangers of consuming potentially contaminated nutritional supplements; and (e) be suspended indefinitely without further inquiry if he tests positive during his probationary period.
PRIOR BOXINGTALK COVERAGE
NOV. 22, 2025: The Voluntary Anti-Doping Association (VADA) has notified the WBC that an adverse analytical finding for a banned performance enhancing substance was found in the system as a result of a test administered to WBC 140-pound champion Subriel Matias. Matias was scheduled to defend his title on January 10th against Dalton Smith. The WBC confirmed that, in accordance with the protocols established by its Clean Boxing Program, it has commenced a formal investigation process into this matter.Acc ording to the WBC website, "WBC president [Mauricio Sulaiman] has been in contact with Matias and his promoter, Mr. Orengo, both of whom have expressed their absolute availability and full cooperation as the process unfolds. The WBC stresses that no further comments will be made at this time while the investigation and due process are carried out under the CBP guidelines."
NOV. 6, 2025: The WBC junior welterweight championship bout between the Puerto Rican champion Subriel Matías (pictured) and the top-ranked British challenger Dalton Smith will take place at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York on Saturday, January 10th. It will be promoted by Juan Orengo's Fresh Productions. A press conference to formally announce the event will take place at the venue itself and will be open to the public on Monday, November 10th beginning at 12 noon. Matías and Smith will both be in attendance and the press conference will also be streamed live on Fresh Productions Boxing’s Facebook and YouTube channels.
OCT. 3, 2025: The WBC reports that Puerto Rico's Subriel Matías will defend his WBC junior welterweight title against Britain’s Dalton Smith on January 10th in New York at a venue still to be confirmed. Matías (23-2, 22 KOs) captured the WBC belt on July 12th when he defeated Dominican Alberto Puello by majority decision. It was the first time in his career that the Puerto Rican secured a victory on the scorecards as all his other wins came by way of KO. Smith (18-0, 13 KOs), on the other hand, arrives undefeated and on a rapid rise in the division. The Englishman reached world level in 2024 by knocking out José Zepeda, and in 2025 he added further international experience.
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PBC secures Johan Gonzalez as late challenger for Erislandy Lara |
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WBA middleweight champion Erislandy “The American Dream” Lara will defend his title against hard-hitting challenger Johan Gonzalez as part of a four-fight PBC pay-per-view event on Prime Video this Saturday, December 6th from Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Texas. Lara was originally scheduled to face unified champion Janibek Alimkhanuly, who was pulled from the fight after failing a VADA anti-doping test. The Lara vs. Gonzalez fight will follow the pay-per-view opener between Jesus “Mono” Ramos Jr. and Shane Mosley Jr. for the WBC interim middleweight title beginning at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT. The pay-per-view is headlined by former 140-pound title holder Isaac “Pitbull” Cruz taking on reigning WBA 130-pound champion Lamont Roach for the WBC interim title at 140 pounds. The showdown between two-division champion Stephen Fulton Jr. and WBC 130-pound champion O’Shaquie Foster will now serve as the co-feature. Tickets for the live event are on sale now through Ticketmaster.com.
A native of Valencia, Venezuela who now trains in Las Vegas, Gonzalez (36-4, 33 KOs) earned a career-best victory in his last outing as he used his power-punching prowess to best former unified 154-pound champion Jarrett Hurd in March. Prior to that fight, Gonzalez had dropped an October 2024 showdown with rising star Yoenis Tellez. He had previously recovered from a May 2024 defeat against top contender Jesus Ramos by stopping Ivan Herrera in two rounds in August of last year. Gonzalez made his stateside debut in 2023, earning a pair of victories in the U.S. by first stopping Ricardo Ruben Villalba in August before defeating Guido Emmanuel Schramm in November. The 34-year-old won those fights following a close 2022 decision defeat to former world title challenger Magomed Kurbanov. A pro since 2017, Gonzalez won his first 22 bouts before dropping a split decision in 2018.
In his last fight, Lara (31-3-3, 19 KOs) stopped the durable former two-division champion Danny Garcia in September 2024. He captured his WBA title with a first-round knockout of Thomas LaManna in May 2021, before KO’ing Gary O’Sullivan and Michael Zerafa. Prior to his middleweight exploits, Lara was the longest reigning 154-pound world champion before he lost a tough split-decision to Jarrett Hurd in a 2018 title unification match that earned “Fight of the Year” from the BWAA. Lara returned from that fight and battled former 154-pound world titleholder Brian Castaño to an exciting draw in another narrow fight that could have gone Lara’s way. He faced a slew of the top 154-pounders in the sport, including Canelo Álvarez, ahead of his middleweight debut.
PRIOR BOXINGTALK COVERAGE
DEC. 2, 2025: Janibek Alimkhanuly, the two-belt middleweight champion, has tested positive for a banned performance-enhancing substance just days before a scheduled unification fight against WBA middleweight champion Erislandy Lara. Journalist Dan Rafael reported that the substance was meldonium, which is commonly used in Russia. Alimkhanuly, from Kazakhstan, holds the WBO and IBF titles. He reacted to this development by tweeting, "I have always supported clean sport you know this well. I was surprised when I read the news. VADA took the first test and said everything was clean. I have not made any changes to my vitamins. I don’t know what happened with the second test, so I requested a retest." Alimkhanuly vs. Lara, which was scheduled for this Saturday, December 6th in San Antonio, Texas. The WBO acknowledged the positive test as follows: "The WBO has confirmed an adverse analytical finding for WBO middleweight champion Zhanibek Alimkhanuly from VADA testing ahead of his scheduled bout vs. Erislandy Lara. An internal investigation is now underway, and a show cause notice will be issued. No further comments will be made until the process is complete.
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PBC secures Johan Gonzalez as late challenger for Erislandy Lara
WBA middleweight champion Erislandy “The American Dream” Lara will defend his title against hard-hitting challenger Johan Gonzalez as part of a four-fight PBC pay-per-view event on Prime Video this Saturday, December 6th from Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Texas. Lara was originally scheduled to face unified champion Janibek Alimkhanuly, who was pulled from the fight after failing a VADA anti-doping test. The Lara vs. Gonzalez fight will follow the pay-per-view opener between Jesus “Mono” Ramos Jr. and Shane Mosley Jr. for the WBC interim middleweight title beginning at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT. The pay-per-view is headlined by former 140-pound title holder Isaac “Pitbull” Cruz taking on reigning WBA 130-pound champion Lamont Roach for the WBC interim title at 140 pounds. The showdown between two-division champion Stephen Fulton Jr. and WBC 130-pound champion O’Shaquie Foster will now serve as the co-feature. Tickets for the live event are on sale now through Ticketmaster.com.
A native of Valencia, Venezuela who now trains in Las Vegas, Gonzalez (36-4, 33 KOs) earned a career-best victory in his last outing as he used his power-punching prowess to best former unified 154-pound champion Jarrett Hurd in March. Prior to that fight, Gonzalez had dropped an October 2024 showdown with rising star Yoenis Tellez. He had previously recovered from a May 2024 defeat against top contender Jesus Ramos by stopping Ivan Herrera in two rounds in August of last year. Gonzalez made his stateside debut in 2023, earning a pair of victories in the U.S. by first stopping Ricardo Ruben Villalba in August before defeating Guido Emmanuel Schramm in November. The 34-year-old won those fights following a close 2022 decision defeat to former world title challenger Magomed Kurbanov. A pro since 2017, Gonzalez won his first 22 bouts before dropping a split decision in 2018.
In his last fight, Lara (31-3-3, 19 KOs) stopped the durable former two-division champion Danny Garcia in September 2024. He captured his WBA title with a first-round knockout of Thomas LaManna in May 2021, before KO’ing Gary O’Sullivan and Michael Zerafa. Prior to his middleweight exploits, Lara was the longest reigning 154-pound world champion before he lost a tough split-decision to Jarrett Hurd in a 2018 title unification match that earned “Fight of the Year” from the BWAA. Lara returned from that fight and battled former 154-pound world titleholder Brian Castaño to an exciting draw in another narrow fight that could have gone Lara’s way. He faced a slew of the top 154-pounders in the sport, including Canelo Álvarez, ahead of his middleweight debut.
PRIOR BOXINGTALK COVERAGE
DEC. 2, 2025: Janibek Alimkhanuly, the two-belt middleweight champion, has tested positive for a banned performance-enhancing substance just days before a scheduled unification fight against WBA middleweight champion Erislandy Lara. Journalist Dan Rafael reported that the substance was meldonium, which is commonly used in Russia. Alimkhanuly, from Kazakhstan, holds the WBO and IBF titles. He reacted to this development by tweeting, "I have always supported clean sport you know this well. I was surprised when I read the news. VADA took the first test and said everything was clean. I have not made any changes to my vitamins. I don’t know what happened with the second test, so I requested a retest." Alimkhanuly vs. Lara, which was scheduled for this Saturday, December 6th in San Antonio, Texas. The WBO acknowledged the positive test as follows: "The WBO has confirmed an adverse analytical finding for WBO middleweight champion Zhanibek Alimkhanuly from VADA testing ahead of his scheduled bout vs. Erislandy Lara. An internal investigation is now underway, and a show cause notice will be issued. No further comments will be made until the process is complete.
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Usyk says he wants Wilder next |
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At the WBC Convention in Bangkok, world heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk said he wants to fight [faded] former WBC champion Deontay Wilder next. Playful, whimsical and coy outside of the ring, Usyk is focused, efficient and ruthless within it. About Wilder, six years removed from his title run, Usyk suggests: “I want to fight Wilder because he’s a very famous guy during the last few years, was a champion and is a very dangerous opponent. I’m not looking for a dangerous guy, as all my opponents are dangerous.”
Moving from world cruiserweight champion up to heavyweight several years ago guaranteed Usyk would have to face considerably larger opponents. Although he would likely outweigh the taller but skinnier Wilder if they fought, Usyk said: “Size doesn’t matter. If size mattered, the king of the animals would be the elephant. My nickname is the cat. But the cat is very dangerous. Lion is two cat, tiger is two cat. For two years I lived in the gym and I am champion. My most difficult opponent is me. Always the chances for me are fifty/ fifty, but I win all the time.”
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Usyk says he wants Wilder next
At the WBC Convention in Bangkok, world heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk said he wants to fight [faded] former WBC champion Deontay Wilder next. Playful, whimsical and coy outside of the ring, Usyk is focused, efficient and ruthless within it. About Wilder, six years removed from his title run, Usyk suggests: “I want to fight Wilder because he’s a very famous guy during the last few years, was a champion and is a very dangerous opponent. I’m not looking for a dangerous guy, as all my opponents are dangerous.”
Moving from world cruiserweight champion up to heavyweight several years ago guaranteed Usyk would have to face considerably larger opponents. Although he would likely outweigh the taller but skinnier Wilder if they fought, Usyk said: “Size doesn’t matter. If size mattered, the king of the animals would be the elephant. My nickname is the cat. But the cat is very dangerous. Lion is two cat, tiger is two cat. For two years I lived in the gym and I am champion. My most difficult opponent is me. Always the chances for me are fifty/ fifty, but I win all the time.”
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Shadasia Green seeks out Claressa Shields |
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In July 2025, Shadasia Green became a unified super middleweight champion by defeating Savannah Marshall, and gaining the WBO and IBF titles. Now Green is chasing a fight vs. multi-division champion Claressa Shields, and the two are arguing on social media about who is ducking who. Green asked her own promoter, Nakisa Bidarian of Most Valuable Promotions, to come on the record: "Let's set the record straight once for all! Nakisa, has Claressa Shields and/or her team ever made an offer to fight me and we turned it down at any time since I signed to MVP in 2022?"
Bidarian responded, "For sake of clarity not once has anyone associated with Claressa put a financial offer to MVP for you all to fight. September 2023 they asked us to make an offer because their 'TV partners' were not willing to provide enough money. Said MVP and Jake Paul had to make it happen because they could not."
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Shadasia Green seeks out Claressa Shields
In July 2025, Shadasia Green became a unified super middleweight champion by defeating Savannah Marshall, and gaining the WBO and IBF titles. Now Green is chasing a fight vs. multi-division champion Claressa Shields, and the two are arguing on social media about who is ducking who. Green asked her own promoter, Nakisa Bidarian of Most Valuable Promotions, to come on the record: "Let's set the record straight once for all! Nakisa, has Claressa Shields and/or her team ever made an offer to fight me and we turned it down at any time since I signed to MVP in 2022?"
Bidarian responded, "For sake of clarity not once has anyone associated with Claressa put a financial offer to MVP for you all to fight. September 2023 they asked us to make an offer because their 'TV partners' were not willing to provide enough money. Said MVP and Jake Paul had to make it happen because they could not."
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Results from Cuba |
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Erislandy Álvarez W10 Rogelio Osvaldo Jiménez... Varadero, Cuba, delivered a night of boxing last weekend that Cuban fans won’t soon forget. Cuban junior welterweight Erislandy Álvarez defeated Mexico’s Rogelio Osvaldo Jiménez. Álvarez, a refined and technically gifted boxer, controlled most of the rounds behind a sharp jab and crisp combinations that kept Jiménez at a distance. But the fight wasn’t without drama: in the ninth round, Álvarez was dropped, sending a wave of tension through the packed venue. Showing composure and grit, he rose, steadied himself, and closed the fight strong. The Cuban earned a unanimous decision with scores of 95-94, 96-93, and 98-91. It was an important regional triumph that showed Erislandy Alvarez's ability to weather adversity.
Lázaro Álvarez, W10 Raúl Antonio Galaviz... The second title fight showcased another standout Cuban: Lázaro Álvarez, a three-time Olympic medalist and one of the most accomplished amateurs of his generation. He faced Mexico’s Raúl Antonio Galaviz in a lightweight contest. From the opening bell, Lázaro displayed the class and precision that define his style. His footwork, airtight defense, and clean punching smothered any attempt by Galaviz to break through. The judges saw it clearly (100-90, 99-91, and 98-92) in favor of the Cuban star. The dominant win further validates Lazaro Alvarez's smooth transition into the professional ranks.
Moussa Gholam KO2 Nicolás Nahuel Botelli. ... The night closed with a showdown in the junior lightweight division, as Moroccao's Moussa Gholam squared off against Argentina’s Nicolás Nahuel Botelli. Known for his polished technique and controlled aggression, Gholam wasted zero time imposing himself. In the second round, he detonated a precise combination that sent Botelli crashing to the canvas, yielding a swift knockout victory. The win solidifies the Spain-based Gholam as one of Europe’s compelling prospects.
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Results from Cuba
Erislandy Álvarez W10 Rogelio Osvaldo Jiménez... Varadero, Cuba, delivered a night of boxing last weekend that Cuban fans won’t soon forget. Cuban junior welterweight Erislandy Álvarez defeated Mexico’s Rogelio Osvaldo Jiménez. Álvarez, a refined and technically gifted boxer, controlled most of the rounds behind a sharp jab and crisp combinations that kept Jiménez at a distance. But the fight wasn’t without drama: in the ninth round, Álvarez was dropped, sending a wave of tension through the packed venue. Showing composure and grit, he rose, steadied himself, and closed the fight strong. The Cuban earned a unanimous decision with scores of 95-94, 96-93, and 98-91. It was an important regional triumph that showed Erislandy Alvarez's ability to weather adversity.
Lázaro Álvarez, W10 Raúl Antonio Galaviz... The second title fight showcased another standout Cuban: Lázaro Álvarez, a three-time Olympic medalist and one of the most accomplished amateurs of his generation. He faced Mexico’s Raúl Antonio Galaviz in a lightweight contest. From the opening bell, Lázaro displayed the class and precision that define his style. His footwork, airtight defense, and clean punching smothered any attempt by Galaviz to break through. The judges saw it clearly (100-90, 99-91, and 98-92) in favor of the Cuban star. The dominant win further validates Lazaro Alvarez's smooth transition into the professional ranks.
Moussa Gholam KO2 Nicolás Nahuel Botelli. ... The night closed with a showdown in the junior lightweight division, as Moroccao's Moussa Gholam squared off against Argentina’s Nicolás Nahuel Botelli. Known for his polished technique and controlled aggression, Gholam wasted zero time imposing himself. In the second round, he detonated a precise combination that sent Botelli crashing to the canvas, yielding a swift knockout victory. The win solidifies the Spain-based Gholam as one of Europe’s compelling prospects.
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Luis Nunez: "I’m a problem for anyone at 126 pounds" |
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Featherweight Luis Nuñez (21-0, 14 KOs) is putting the finishing touches on training camp as he prepares to return to the ring on Saturday, December 6th at the Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Texas. Nuñez will face off against Argentina's Héctor Sosa in a scheduled ten-round bout that kicks off the PBC on Prime Video telecast, beginning at 5:30 p.m. ET / 2:30 p.m. PT. Fresh off an intense camp in Las Vegas with trainer Bob Santos, the 26 year-old Dominican standout is eager to deliver a breakout performance in front of a global audience.
On his recent training camp in Las Vegas, Nuñez stated, “Training in Las Vegas with coach Bob Santos has taken me to a different level. The atmosphere, the sparring, the discipline, it was a very hard training camp. Every day, we push to be sharper, smarter, and stronger. Being around world-class fighters motivates me to give everything I’ve got. I’m more focused than ever and fans are going to see that in the ring.”
Nuñez made it clear he’s not underestimating the challenge posed by his opponent. “Sosa is tough and experienced, and he’s coming to win. I respect that. But I’ve trained too hard and sacrificed too much to let this moment slip away. This is my time to prove that I belong at the top of the division, and worthy of a world title opportunity.”
As he gets ready to perform on PBC on Prime Video, Nuñez expressed his excitement for the global platform, “It’s a blessing to fight on such a big stage like Amazon Prime Video. Millions of people will be watching around the world, and I’m going to give them a show. This is what I’ve dreamed of since I was a kid, fighting on TV, representing my country, and making my name known. I want fans to remember the name Luis Nuñez after this fight.”
Nuñez was clear about the stakes on what a win would mean for his career, “A win here puts me in a great position to fight for a title or a big-name opponent. This is the kind of fight that opens doors. I’m undefeated for a reason, and I plan to show the world that I’m a problem for anyone at 126 pounds.
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Luis Nunez: "I’m a problem for anyone at 126 pounds"
Featherweight Luis Nuñez (21-0, 14 KOs) is putting the finishing touches on training camp as he prepares to return to the ring on Saturday, December 6th at the Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Texas. Nuñez will face off against Argentina's Héctor Sosa in a scheduled ten-round bout that kicks off the PBC on Prime Video telecast, beginning at 5:30 p.m. ET / 2:30 p.m. PT. Fresh off an intense camp in Las Vegas with trainer Bob Santos, the 26 year-old Dominican standout is eager to deliver a breakout performance in front of a global audience.
On his recent training camp in Las Vegas, Nuñez stated, “Training in Las Vegas with coach Bob Santos has taken me to a different level. The atmosphere, the sparring, the discipline, it was a very hard training camp. Every day, we push to be sharper, smarter, and stronger. Being around world-class fighters motivates me to give everything I’ve got. I’m more focused than ever and fans are going to see that in the ring.”
Nuñez made it clear he’s not underestimating the challenge posed by his opponent. “Sosa is tough and experienced, and he’s coming to win. I respect that. But I’ve trained too hard and sacrificed too much to let this moment slip away. This is my time to prove that I belong at the top of the division, and worthy of a world title opportunity.”
As he gets ready to perform on PBC on Prime Video, Nuñez expressed his excitement for the global platform, “It’s a blessing to fight on such a big stage like Amazon Prime Video. Millions of people will be watching around the world, and I’m going to give them a show. This is what I’ve dreamed of since I was a kid, fighting on TV, representing my country, and making my name known. I want fans to remember the name Luis Nuñez after this fight.”
Nuñez was clear about the stakes on what a win would mean for his career, “A win here puts me in a great position to fight for a title or a big-name opponent. This is the kind of fight that opens doors. I’m undefeated for a reason, and I plan to show the world that I’m a problem for anyone at 126 pounds.
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Pryce Taylor to face Michael Polite Coffie |
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Brooklyn’s Pryce Taylor (9-0, 6 KOs) is emerging as part of his borough's long standing boxing legacy. Brooklyn has produced world heavyweight champions such as Mike Tyson, Riddick Bowe, Floyd Patterson, Michael Moorer, and Shannon Briggs—all International Boxing Hall of Fame inductees with the exception of Briggs—and Taylor is the latest to emerge from Brooklyn. The 6’ 4”, 275-pound Taylor returns to the ring on December 20th, fighting Michael Polite Coffie (13-5, 10 KOs), on a live DAZN stream in an eight-round bout from Fox Theater in Detroit. Presented by Taylor’s promoter, Salita Promotions as well as King’s Promotions, the card is headlined by a rematch of a draw this past September between Olivia Curry (7-2-2) and Kaye Scott (4-1-1), once again for the vacant WBC middleweight championship.
“I’m very happy to be fighting for the fifth time in 2025 and again in Detroit, which is becoming my second home,” Taylor said. “I’m making a statement in this fight that I belong with the best heavyweights in the United States.”
Taylor is coming off an eight-round unanimous decision, also in Detroit, shutting out Robert Simms (12-4-1) in a dominant performance, winning every round on each of the three judges’ scorecards.
Coffie has fought the likes of Fabio Wardley (20-0-1, 19 KOs, who is now the WBO heavyweight champion) and Gurgen Hovhannisyan (9-0, 8 KOs), among his more notable opponents. [Coffie has not won a fight since mid-2022].
“I’m going to outbox him from start to finish,” Taylor added, “and if the knockout comes, it comes. The Pryce is always Right.” The 29-year-old Taylor had a 60-11 amateur record, including victories in two New York Golden Gloves tournaments, and he finished as heavyweight runner-up four times at the USA Boxing National Championships.
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Pryce Taylor to face Michael Polite Coffie
Brooklyn’s Pryce Taylor (9-0, 6 KOs) is emerging as part of his borough's long standing boxing legacy. Brooklyn has produced world heavyweight champions such as Mike Tyson, Riddick Bowe, Floyd Patterson, Michael Moorer, and Shannon Briggs—all International Boxing Hall of Fame inductees with the exception of Briggs—and Taylor is the latest to emerge from Brooklyn. The 6’ 4”, 275-pound Taylor returns to the ring on December 20th, fighting Michael Polite Coffie (13-5, 10 KOs), on a live DAZN stream in an eight-round bout from Fox Theater in Detroit. Presented by Taylor’s promoter, Salita Promotions as well as King’s Promotions, the card is headlined by a rematch of a draw this past September between Olivia Curry (7-2-2) and Kaye Scott (4-1-1), once again for the vacant WBC middleweight championship.
“I’m very happy to be fighting for the fifth time in 2025 and again in Detroit, which is becoming my second home,” Taylor said. “I’m making a statement in this fight that I belong with the best heavyweights in the United States.”
Taylor is coming off an eight-round unanimous decision, also in Detroit, shutting out Robert Simms (12-4-1) in a dominant performance, winning every round on each of the three judges’ scorecards.
Coffie has fought the likes of Fabio Wardley (20-0-1, 19 KOs, who is now the WBO heavyweight champion) and Gurgen Hovhannisyan (9-0, 8 KOs), among his more notable opponents. [Coffie has not won a fight since mid-2022].
“I’m going to outbox him from start to finish,” Taylor added, “and if the knockout comes, it comes. The Pryce is always Right.” The 29-year-old Taylor had a 60-11 amateur record, including victories in two New York Golden Gloves tournaments, and he finished as heavyweight runner-up four times at the USA Boxing National Championships.
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Its BKFC fight week in Hollywood, Florida |
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BKFC 85 takes place this Friday live worldwide on DAZN from the Hard Rock Live in Hollywood, Florida. One of the biggest rematches in BKFC history headlines Friday’s action as Austin “No Doubt” Trout meets Luis “Baboon” Palomino in the second semifinal of BKFC’s lightweight championship tournament. The biggest fight in the history of BKFC’s 135-pound weight class goes down in Friday’s co-feature as undefeated Justin “Joy Boy” Ibarrola takes on “Royal” Ryan Reber. Ibarrola and Reber have staked their claims as the division’s top contenders with BKFC records of 8-0 and 7-1, respectively.
“I’ve never been gunning for the title; the title has been coming for me instead. The title wants me now, so now it’s time to fight for it,” the 27-year-old Ibarrola says, smiling. “This is the busiest I’ve ever been, but this is the most at peace that I’ve been while preparing for a fight,” he adds. “I’m feeling great. I’m at ease, and I’m ready to go in there and dominate.”
Ibarrola believes a big win on Dec. 5th will lay a blueprint for how fighters should approach their careers. “I think it will show people how they should go about their careers. Stay patient, gain experience, and line yourself for success at the right moment,” he says. “The belt has never been at the top of my list; it’s always been about the journey. What really makes me the champ is the adversity that I’ve been through, and the legacy that I’ll leave by example.”
On the same show, undefeated heavyweights Leonardo “El Zambo” Perdomo and Corey “What U Talking About” Willis collide in a featured fight. Perdomo has been nothing short of sensational in his rise up the BKFC heavyweight ladder, boasting a 9-0 record after back-to-back stoppages over former BKFC heavyweight champion Arnold “Bomaye” Adams. Willis is nobody’s stepping stone; the unbeaten big man looks to smash his way to 3-0 with his third straight finish in the squared circle.
Friday’s star-studded action from Hollywood also features former BKFC World Championship challengers Howard “HD” Davis, Gee “The Cutman” Perez, Gorjan “GoGo” Slaveski and Christine “La Abusadora” Vicens, as well as an exciting mix of returning fan-favorite fighters, like Joshua “Famez” Alvarez, Ramiro Figueroa, Ja’Far Fortt “Knox”, Peter “D2G” Peraza, Julio “The Cuban Horse” Perez Rodriguez, Matt “Rambo” Russo, Samuel “Ace of Spades” Samples, Stephen “Tomahawk” Townsel and Chancey “Supaflyy” Wilson.”
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Its BKFC fight week in Hollywood, Florida
BKFC 85 takes place this Friday live worldwide on DAZN from the Hard Rock Live in Hollywood, Florida. One of the biggest rematches in BKFC history headlines Friday’s action as Austin “No Doubt” Trout meets Luis “Baboon” Palomino in the second semifinal of BKFC’s lightweight championship tournament. The biggest fight in the history of BKFC’s 135-pound weight class goes down in Friday’s co-feature as undefeated Justin “Joy Boy” Ibarrola takes on “Royal” Ryan Reber. Ibarrola and Reber have staked their claims as the division’s top contenders with BKFC records of 8-0 and 7-1, respectively.
“I’ve never been gunning for the title; the title has been coming for me instead. The title wants me now, so now it’s time to fight for it,” the 27-year-old Ibarrola says, smiling. “This is the busiest I’ve ever been, but this is the most at peace that I’ve been while preparing for a fight,” he adds. “I’m feeling great. I’m at ease, and I’m ready to go in there and dominate.”
Ibarrola believes a big win on Dec. 5th will lay a blueprint for how fighters should approach their careers. “I think it will show people how they should go about their careers. Stay patient, gain experience, and line yourself for success at the right moment,” he says. “The belt has never been at the top of my list; it’s always been about the journey. What really makes me the champ is the adversity that I’ve been through, and the legacy that I’ll leave by example.”
On the same show, undefeated heavyweights Leonardo “El Zambo” Perdomo and Corey “What U Talking About” Willis collide in a featured fight. Perdomo has been nothing short of sensational in his rise up the BKFC heavyweight ladder, boasting a 9-0 record after back-to-back stoppages over former BKFC heavyweight champion Arnold “Bomaye” Adams. Willis is nobody’s stepping stone; the unbeaten big man looks to smash his way to 3-0 with his third straight finish in the squared circle.
Friday’s star-studded action from Hollywood also features former BKFC World Championship challengers Howard “HD” Davis, Gee “The Cutman” Perez, Gorjan “GoGo” Slaveski and Christine “La Abusadora” Vicens, as well as an exciting mix of returning fan-favorite fighters, like Joshua “Famez” Alvarez, Ramiro Figueroa, Ja’Far Fortt “Knox”, Peter “D2G” Peraza, Julio “The Cuban Horse” Perez Rodriguez, Matt “Rambo” Russo, Samuel “Ace of Spades” Samples, Stephen “Tomahawk” Townsel and Chancey “Supaflyy” Wilson.”
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Middleweight unification bout in jeopardy as Alimkhanuly tests positive for PED |
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Janibek Alimkhanuly, the two-belt middleweight champion, has tested positive for a banned performance-enhancing substance just days before a scheduled unification fight against WBA middleweight champion Erislandy Lara. Journalist Dan Rafael reported that the substance was meldonium, which is commonly used in Russia. Alimkhanuly, from Kazakhstan, holds the WBO and IBF titles. He reacted to this development by tweeting, "I have always supported clean sport you know this well. I was surprised when I read the news. VADA took the first test and said everything was clean. I have not made any changes to my vitamins. I don’t know what happened with the second test, so I requested a retest." Alimkhanuly vs. Lara, which was scheduled for this Saturday, December 6th in San Antonio, Texas.
The WBO acknowledged the positive test as follows: "The WBO has confirmed an adverse analytical finding for WBO middleweight champion Zhanibek Alimkhanuly from VADA testing ahead of his scheduled bout vs. Erislandy Lara. An internal investigation is now underway, and a show cause notice will be issued. No further comments will be made until the process is complete.
On November 12th, Alimkhanuly tweeted, "I support clean sport. I’m against athletes using doping! We took the VADA test, and the results came in yesterday - everything’s clean."
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Middleweight unification bout in jeopardy as Alimkhanuly tests positive for PED
Janibek Alimkhanuly, the two-belt middleweight champion, has tested positive for a banned performance-enhancing substance just days before a scheduled unification fight against WBA middleweight champion Erislandy Lara. Journalist Dan Rafael reported that the substance was meldonium, which is commonly used in Russia. Alimkhanuly, from Kazakhstan, holds the WBO and IBF titles. He reacted to this development by tweeting, "I have always supported clean sport you know this well. I was surprised when I read the news. VADA took the first test and said everything was clean. I have not made any changes to my vitamins. I don’t know what happened with the second test, so I requested a retest." Alimkhanuly vs. Lara, which was scheduled for this Saturday, December 6th in San Antonio, Texas.
The WBO acknowledged the positive test as follows: "The WBO has confirmed an adverse analytical finding for WBO middleweight champion Zhanibek Alimkhanuly from VADA testing ahead of his scheduled bout vs. Erislandy Lara. An internal investigation is now underway, and a show cause notice will be issued. No further comments will be made until the process is complete.
On November 12th, Alimkhanuly tweeted, "I support clean sport. I’m against athletes using doping! We took the VADA test, and the results came in yesterday - everything’s clean."
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Eubank Jr. reports unspecified "health issues" |
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British middleweight Chris Eubank Jr., who recently lost by decision to Conor Benn, posted a short video of hismelf in a hospital bed and tweeted that an unspecified health condition will keep him out of boxing for a while. Here is his tweet: "I’ve been dealing with a lot of health issues over the last year and yeah it all finally caught up to me last month. I will not box again until I’m back to 100%. I don’t know when that will be, but one thing is for certain… For the fans that have supported me through thick and thin, I will do everything in my power to make sure that one day, the old me makes a big comeback."
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Eubank Jr. reports unspecified "health issues"
British middleweight Chris Eubank Jr., who recently lost by decision to Conor Benn, posted a short video of hismelf in a hospital bed and tweeted that an unspecified health condition will keep him out of boxing for a while. Here is his tweet: "I’ve been dealing with a lot of health issues over the last year and yeah it all finally caught up to me last month. I will not box again until I’m back to 100%. I don’t know when that will be, but one thing is for certain… For the fans that have supported me through thick and thin, I will do everything in my power to make sure that one day, the old me makes a big comeback."
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A few words with Isaac Lucero |
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Young junior middleweight Isaac “La Bestia” Lucero (17-0) hopes to become the next rising Mexican star in boxing by making a statement against hard-hitting Roberto Valenzuela Jr. (31-5) this Saturday, December 6th as part of PBC on Prime Video action from Frost Bank Center in San Antonio. Lucero’s ten-round bout will stream live and for free on Prime Video as part of a three-fight presentation beginning at 5:30 p.m. ET/2:30 p.m. PT and leading into a the PBC pay-per-view event on Prime Video headlined by WBA 130-pound champion Lamont Roach against former 140-pound champion Isaac “Pitbull” for the WBC interim title. Here is what Lucero had to say about training camp, December 6th and more: On his matchup with Roberto Valenzuela Jr. and the message he wants to send to fans in Mexico: “This is more than just another fight—it’s a battle between two proud Mexican warriors. I have respect for Valenzuela, but once that bell rings, it’s all business. I’m coming to represent my hometown and make my country proud. I want to show the fans in Mexico that there’s a new name rising in the sport, and that name is Isaac Lucero. I’m fighting for my people, for my roots, and for the future of Mexican boxing.” On his recent training camp in Las Vegas with trainer Bob Santos: “This camp in Las Vegas has been the most intense and focused of my career. Working with Bob Santos has taken me to another level, both mentally and physically. He pushes me to sharpen every part of my game—from defense and footwork to ring IQ and conditioning. We've been in the gym every day with purpose, and I feel stronger, faster, and smarter than ever. Training alongside great fighters and under the guidance of a world-class coach has me prepared for this fight. I’m ready to show the world the results of this work.” On what a win will do for his career: “A win on December 6th means everything. It’s my ticket to the next level—bigger names, bigger fights, and ultimately a shot at the world title. Staying undefeated is important, but more than that, I want to make a statement that I belong among the elite. Beating a tough, experienced fighter like Valenzuela Jr. on a platform like Prime Video will send that message loud and clear.” On what fans can expect from him on fight night: “Expect fireworks. I’m bringing pressure, power, and precision. I’ve worked too hard to let this moment slip away. Fans tuning in will see a hungry fighter who’s prepared to go to war and leave it all in the ring. Whether it ends early or goes the distance, I promise it’ll be a performance people will remember. December 6th, I’m coming to steal the show.”
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A few words with Isaac Lucero
Young junior middleweight Isaac “La Bestia” Lucero (17-0) hopes to become the next rising Mexican star in boxing by making a statement against hard-hitting Roberto Valenzuela Jr. (31-5) this Saturday, December 6th as part of PBC on Prime Video action from Frost Bank Center in San Antonio. Lucero’s ten-round bout will stream live and for free on Prime Video as part of a three-fight presentation beginning at 5:30 p.m. ET/2:30 p.m. PT and leading into a the PBC pay-per-view event on Prime Video headlined by WBA 130-pound champion Lamont Roach against former 140-pound champion Isaac “Pitbull” for the WBC interim title. Here is what Lucero had to say about training camp, December 6th and more: On his matchup with Roberto Valenzuela Jr. and the message he wants to send to fans in Mexico: “This is more than just another fight—it’s a battle between two proud Mexican warriors. I have respect for Valenzuela, but once that bell rings, it’s all business. I’m coming to represent my hometown and make my country proud. I want to show the fans in Mexico that there’s a new name rising in the sport, and that name is Isaac Lucero. I’m fighting for my people, for my roots, and for the future of Mexican boxing.” On his recent training camp in Las Vegas with trainer Bob Santos: “This camp in Las Vegas has been the most intense and focused of my career. Working with Bob Santos has taken me to another level, both mentally and physically. He pushes me to sharpen every part of my game—from defense and footwork to ring IQ and conditioning. We've been in the gym every day with purpose, and I feel stronger, faster, and smarter than ever. Training alongside great fighters and under the guidance of a world-class coach has me prepared for this fight. I’m ready to show the world the results of this work.” On what a win will do for his career: “A win on December 6th means everything. It’s my ticket to the next level—bigger names, bigger fights, and ultimately a shot at the world title. Staying undefeated is important, but more than that, I want to make a statement that I belong among the elite. Beating a tough, experienced fighter like Valenzuela Jr. on a platform like Prime Video will send that message loud and clear.” On what fans can expect from him on fight night: “Expect fireworks. I’m bringing pressure, power, and precision. I’ve worked too hard to let this moment slip away. Fans tuning in will see a hungry fighter who’s prepared to go to war and leave it all in the ring. Whether it ends early or goes the distance, I promise it’ll be a performance people will remember. December 6th, I’m coming to steal the show.”
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Pencil in May 2, 2026: Benavidez to challenge Ramirez for cruiserweight titles |
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WBC light heavyweight champion David “The Mexican Monster” Benavidez (pictured) is excited about taking over next Cinco de Mayo weekend to face WBA / WBO cruiserweight champion Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez-- not only because he’ll be vying to become a three-division champion, but also for the history-making aspect of two proud Mexican warriors competing for the cruiserweight world championship for the first time in history. Fresh off his seventh-round TKO victory over Anthony Yarde in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Benavidez (31-0, 25 KOs) is next scheduled to meet Ramirez (48-1, 30 KOs) on May 2, 2026, at T Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. Many fans want Benavidez to face the lineal world light heavyweight champion Dmitrii Bivol or former three-belt champion Artur Beterbiev rather than Ramirez. However, Benavidez’s longtime promoter, Sampson Lewkowicz of Sampson Boxing wishes to remind fans of some facts concerning the choice to face Zurdo instead. “After waiting so long for [former world super middleweight champion] Canelo Alvarez, only to have him avoid us at all costs, David will wait for no one ever again,” said Lewkowicz. “We offered Bivol $8 million to face David last year, and he chose to vacate the WBC title a day before a scheduled purse bid rather than face him. Beterbiev is coming off a loss, so other than money, he brings nothing to table. Besides, David wanted the winner of rematch, not the loser. David would stop Beterbiev. No doubt in my mind and has already dropped Bivol with headgear and big gloves. David is the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world, but he won’t talk about it. He will show it, fight after fight.” Lewkowicz also wants fans to know their wish will be granted in the near future. “The WBA has guaranteed us that David is the mandatory for the Bivol/Beterbiev winner,” he added. “Bivol will have to act like a ‘Russian Canelo’ and vacate another title to avoid facing David. He doesn’t want to fight because he knows when they sparred, David put a beating on him and dropped him. He has zero chance of beating David. That I promise you. He has no power to keep David off him, and he will take a brutal beating!” Benavidez has already held world championships in two weight classes, the WBA regular (secondary) light heavyweight title since February 2025 and the WBC light heavyweight title since April 2025. Previously, he held the WBC super middleweight title twice between 2017 and 2020. And, by claiming his first world title at 20 years, and eight months old, Benavidez holds the record as the youngest super middleweight world champion in history.
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Pencil in May 2, 2026: Benavidez to challenge Ramirez for cruiserweight titles
WBC light heavyweight champion David “The Mexican Monster” Benavidez (pictured) is excited about taking over next Cinco de Mayo weekend to face WBA / WBO cruiserweight champion Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez-- not only because he’ll be vying to become a three-division champion, but also for the history-making aspect of two proud Mexican warriors competing for the cruiserweight world championship for the first time in history. Fresh off his seventh-round TKO victory over Anthony Yarde in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Benavidez (31-0, 25 KOs) is next scheduled to meet Ramirez (48-1, 30 KOs) on May 2, 2026, at T Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. Many fans want Benavidez to face the lineal world light heavyweight champion Dmitrii Bivol or former three-belt champion Artur Beterbiev rather than Ramirez. However, Benavidez’s longtime promoter, Sampson Lewkowicz of Sampson Boxing wishes to remind fans of some facts concerning the choice to face Zurdo instead. “After waiting so long for [former world super middleweight champion] Canelo Alvarez, only to have him avoid us at all costs, David will wait for no one ever again,” said Lewkowicz. “We offered Bivol $8 million to face David last year, and he chose to vacate the WBC title a day before a scheduled purse bid rather than face him. Beterbiev is coming off a loss, so other than money, he brings nothing to table. Besides, David wanted the winner of rematch, not the loser. David would stop Beterbiev. No doubt in my mind and has already dropped Bivol with headgear and big gloves. David is the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world, but he won’t talk about it. He will show it, fight after fight.” Lewkowicz also wants fans to know their wish will be granted in the near future. “The WBA has guaranteed us that David is the mandatory for the Bivol/Beterbiev winner,” he added. “Bivol will have to act like a ‘Russian Canelo’ and vacate another title to avoid facing David. He doesn’t want to fight because he knows when they sparred, David put a beating on him and dropped him. He has zero chance of beating David. That I promise you. He has no power to keep David off him, and he will take a brutal beating!” Benavidez has already held world championships in two weight classes, the WBA regular (secondary) light heavyweight title since February 2025 and the WBC light heavyweight title since April 2025. Previously, he held the WBC super middleweight title twice between 2017 and 2020. And, by claiming his first world title at 20 years, and eight months old, Benavidez holds the record as the youngest super middleweight world champion in history.
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Introducing cruiserweight Dejon Farrell-Francis |
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It took Dejon Farrell-Francis ten years to find the right gym. This 29-year old is better known as "FairPlay" from his old street beefs fights on YouTube where he would fight while wearing a tuxedo. He amassed an unofficial 38-2 record and a huge following from these unsanctioned donnybrooks. He had some success in amateur mixed martial arts. But when he turned pro in boxing in 2023 he didn’t have a gym or coach and started off with a 1-3 record. Then earlier this year he walked into Gladiator Gym in Forked River and hit it off with Coach Shawn Darling (who was recently inducted into the NJ Boxing Hall of Fame). Darling took him on as a challenge to see if they could turn him around. After four months of training they went into hostile territory defeating Bethlehem, Pennsylvania's Mike Liberto who was a 2-0 cruiserweight at the time. Liberto fell via second-round TKO on September 5th. Only eight weeks later, Farrell-Francis he moved up to heavyweight to challenge 288-pound Dominique Mayfield in Philadelphia on November 1st. The fight was stopped within seconds of the first round after an onslaught of punches from "FairPlay" caused Mayfield’s shoulder to become dislodged leading to a first-round stoppage. Since that fight was so quick, Farrell-Francis took on cruiserweight Avante Barr only three weeks later on November 22nd in Atlantic City. That fight took "FairPlay" four rounds and two knockdowns before it was waved off, giving him three TKOs in three months. Farrell-Francis is set to kick off the new year on January 13, 2026 against Tunde Fatiregun (3-2) at cruiserweight. Darling is teaching him the ropes and keeping him busy. Now 4-3, Farrell-Francis wants a couple of more wins and then would like to fight for a regional belt. Having excellent sparring partners at Gladiator: Chris "Sandman: Thomas (15-3), Cali "Ninja" Box (5-0) and Tyler Ghost Vanorden (4-0) is a huge plus. When Farrell-Francis isn’t knocking people out he’s answering to the name Sarge in the US Army National Guard.
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Introducing cruiserweight Dejon Farrell-Francis
It took Dejon Farrell-Francis ten years to find the right gym. This 29-year old is better known as "FairPlay" from his old street beefs fights on YouTube where he would fight while wearing a tuxedo. He amassed an unofficial 38-2 record and a huge following from these unsanctioned donnybrooks. He had some success in amateur mixed martial arts. But when he turned pro in boxing in 2023 he didn’t have a gym or coach and started off with a 1-3 record. Then earlier this year he walked into Gladiator Gym in Forked River and hit it off with Coach Shawn Darling (who was recently inducted into the NJ Boxing Hall of Fame). Darling took him on as a challenge to see if they could turn him around. After four months of training they went into hostile territory defeating Bethlehem, Pennsylvania's Mike Liberto who was a 2-0 cruiserweight at the time. Liberto fell via second-round TKO on September 5th. Only eight weeks later, Farrell-Francis he moved up to heavyweight to challenge 288-pound Dominique Mayfield in Philadelphia on November 1st. The fight was stopped within seconds of the first round after an onslaught of punches from "FairPlay" caused Mayfield’s shoulder to become dislodged leading to a first-round stoppage. Since that fight was so quick, Farrell-Francis took on cruiserweight Avante Barr only three weeks later on November 22nd in Atlantic City. That fight took "FairPlay" four rounds and two knockdowns before it was waved off, giving him three TKOs in three months. Farrell-Francis is set to kick off the new year on January 13, 2026 against Tunde Fatiregun (3-2) at cruiserweight. Darling is teaching him the ropes and keeping him busy. Now 4-3, Farrell-Francis wants a couple of more wins and then would like to fight for a regional belt. Having excellent sparring partners at Gladiator: Chris "Sandman: Thomas (15-3), Cali "Ninja" Box (5-0) and Tyler Ghost Vanorden (4-0) is a huge plus. When Farrell-Francis isn’t knocking people out he’s answering to the name Sarge in the US Army National Guard.
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TKV wins British heavyweight title |
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Jeamie Tshikeva W12 Frazer Clarke... Over the weekend in Derby, England, Jeamie 'TKV' Tshikeva beat Frazer Clarke by split decision to claim the vacant British heavyweight title. The title was last held by David Adeleye based on his defeat of Tshikeva in April. It was a significant night for British boxing, as live professional boxing returned to BBC linear television for the first time in two decades. It was far from a technical showcase with frequent grappling and clinching, but the contest sparked to life when Tshikeva rocked Clarke with a heavy left hook in the eleventh round. A stunned Clarke somehow stayed upright and staggered back to his corner. With his trainer poised to pull him out unless he responded, Clarke insisted he could continue and bravely fought through the final round. The judges scored it 115-113 and 115-112 for Tshikeva, while the third judge disagrred and turned in a 115-112 scorecard for the 2021 Olympic bronze medallist (Clarke). Tshikeva is now 9-2, while the 35 year-old Clarke falls to 9-2-1.
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TKV wins British heavyweight title
Jeamie Tshikeva W12 Frazer Clarke... Over the weekend in Derby, England, Jeamie 'TKV' Tshikeva beat Frazer Clarke by split decision to claim the vacant British heavyweight title. The title was last held by David Adeleye based on his defeat of Tshikeva in April. It was a significant night for British boxing, as live professional boxing returned to BBC linear television for the first time in two decades. It was far from a technical showcase with frequent grappling and clinching, but the contest sparked to life when Tshikeva rocked Clarke with a heavy left hook in the eleventh round. A stunned Clarke somehow stayed upright and staggered back to his corner. With his trainer poised to pull him out unless he responded, Clarke insisted he could continue and bravely fought through the final round. The judges scored it 115-113 and 115-112 for Tshikeva, while the third judge disagrred and turned in a 115-112 scorecard for the 2021 Olympic bronze medallist (Clarke). Tshikeva is now 9-2, while the 35 year-old Clarke falls to 9-2-1.
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Hennessy defeats ex-champ Bytyqi |
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Francesca Hennessy W10 Fabiana Bytyqi... On Saturday, in Derby, United Kingdom, British bantamweight Francesca Hennessy scored a dominant unanimous decision victory over former atomweight champion Fabiana Bytyqi. All three judges had it 100–90, reflecting Hennessy’s complete control of the ten-round bout. Throughout the fight, Hennessy (7-0) showcased an impressive offensive arsenal, mixing body and head shots with fluidity and accuracy. Bytyqi (22-3-2) tried to respond, but was never able to land consistently, which proved decisive in the unanimous verdict. Hennessy now wants to face former champions such as Shannon Courtenay in her sights as she aims for bigger titles.
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Hennessy defeats ex-champ Bytyqi
Francesca Hennessy W10 Fabiana Bytyqi... On Saturday, in Derby, United Kingdom, British bantamweight Francesca Hennessy scored a dominant unanimous decision victory over former atomweight champion Fabiana Bytyqi. All three judges had it 100–90, reflecting Hennessy’s complete control of the ten-round bout. Throughout the fight, Hennessy (7-0) showcased an impressive offensive arsenal, mixing body and head shots with fluidity and accuracy. Bytyqi (22-3-2) tried to respond, but was never able to land consistently, which proved decisive in the unanimous verdict. Hennessy now wants to face former champions such as Shannon Courtenay in her sights as she aims for bigger titles.
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Stevenson moving up to 140 to challenge world champ Lopez |
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Turki Alalshikh, chairman of the General Entertainment Authority and owner of Ring Magazine, has confirmed the highly anticipated fight between world 140-pound champion Teofimo Lopez and WBC 135-pound championb Shakur Stevenson (pictured) for Saturday January 31, 2026 in New York City (likely at Madison Square Garden). Brooklyn’s Lopez (21-1, 13 KOs) will be putting his world and WBO junior welterweight titles on the line when he takes on Stevenson, who will be stepping up to 140 for the first time. The fight will be broadcast live, exclusively on DAZN worldwide. This will serve as a fourth title defense for ‘The Takeover’ as he looks to extend his six-fight winning streak following his most recent victory, a unanimous decision win over the previously undefeated Arnold Barboza Jr. during The Ring’s historic Times Square card in May. For Stevenson, who will also be fighting just a few miles from his hometown of Newark, New Jersey, this represents an opportunity to become a four-weight champion. The southpaw’s most recent fight came just two months after Lopez's triumph, when he claimed a unanimous decision win against mandatory challenger William Zepeda to retain his WBC lightweight belt during July’s event at Louis Armstrong Stadium in New York. Alalshikh said: “This fight between two huge talents will provide an exciting start to our plans for 2026 and as we look to create another great year of boxing events around the world. We are looking forward to returning to New York in January and producing another big world title fight that fans have been waiting for.” Lopez said: “Duck, Duck, Goose! Are you ready for New York City? Brick city in the concrete jungle, so let’s get ready to rumble! The Takeover is here to stay, not play. Make Boxing Great Again is my forte. Shakur will fall in nine.” Stevenson said: “I have never shied away from a challenge and always chased the biggest fights in the sport because I know I am one of the best boxers in the world. Teofimo Lopez will learn that firsthand on January 31st when I take his belt and show him that there are levels to this game. New York, get ready for a spectacular performance as I take over a fourth straight weight division. ” Further details including ticketing, venue and additional fights on the card will be announced in due course.
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Stevenson moving up to 140 to challenge world champ Lopez
Turki Alalshikh, chairman of the General Entertainment Authority and owner of Ring Magazine, has confirmed the highly anticipated fight between world 140-pound champion Teofimo Lopez and WBC 135-pound championb Shakur Stevenson (pictured) for Saturday January 31, 2026 in New York City (likely at Madison Square Garden). Brooklyn’s Lopez (21-1, 13 KOs) will be putting his world and WBO junior welterweight titles on the line when he takes on Stevenson, who will be stepping up to 140 for the first time. The fight will be broadcast live, exclusively on DAZN worldwide. This will serve as a fourth title defense for ‘The Takeover’ as he looks to extend his six-fight winning streak following his most recent victory, a unanimous decision win over the previously undefeated Arnold Barboza Jr. during The Ring’s historic Times Square card in May. For Stevenson, who will also be fighting just a few miles from his hometown of Newark, New Jersey, this represents an opportunity to become a four-weight champion. The southpaw’s most recent fight came just two months after Lopez's triumph, when he claimed a unanimous decision win against mandatory challenger William Zepeda to retain his WBC lightweight belt during July’s event at Louis Armstrong Stadium in New York. Alalshikh said: “This fight between two huge talents will provide an exciting start to our plans for 2026 and as we look to create another great year of boxing events around the world. We are looking forward to returning to New York in January and producing another big world title fight that fans have been waiting for.” Lopez said: “Duck, Duck, Goose! Are you ready for New York City? Brick city in the concrete jungle, so let’s get ready to rumble! The Takeover is here to stay, not play. Make Boxing Great Again is my forte. Shakur will fall in nine.” Stevenson said: “I have never shied away from a challenge and always chased the biggest fights in the sport because I know I am one of the best boxers in the world. Teofimo Lopez will learn that firsthand on January 31st when I take his belt and show him that there are levels to this game. New York, get ready for a spectacular performance as I take over a fourth straight weight division. ” Further details including ticketing, venue and additional fights on the card will be announced in due course.
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