Fight day is finally here! |
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When two pound-for-pound kings step into the ring, history doesn’t wait — it swings. On one side: the undisputed face of Mexican boxing. On the other: an undefeated American technician with something to prove. Tonight, Canelo Álvarez and Terence Crawford meet in a once-in-a-generation showdown, streaming live only on Netflix across the globe — no pay-per-view required. A star-studded collection of veteran voices in combat sports will come together to call the fight this evening Jon Anik leads play-by-play with analysts Max Kellerman and Andre Ward, while legendary ring announcer Michael Buffer handles the main card and Joe Martinez covers the prelims streaming on Tudum — keep scrolling to learn more about the full card. At the desk, Mario Lopez is joined by Antonio Tarver, Mark Kriegel, and Mike Coppinger. Rounding out coverage are reporters Jim Gray and Heidi Androl, and coaching analyst Skipper Kelp.
MAIN CARD / CANELO vs. CRAWFORD
Canelo vs. Crawford Main Card:
Álvarez (63-2-2, 39 KOs, fighting out of Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico) defends his unified super middleweight championship against undefeated four-division superstar Crawford (41-0, 31 KOs, fighting out of Omaha, Nebraska). Final Weights: Canelo, 167.5 pounds | Crawford, 167.5 pounds
Callum Walsh (14-0, 11 KOs, fighting out of Cork, Ireland) faces Fernando Vargas Jr. (17-0, 15 KOs, fighting out of Las Vegas) who has gone the distance just once in 17 fights in a junior middleweight contest. Final Weights: Walsh, 153.5 pounds | Vargas Jr., 154 pounds
WBC Interim super middleweight title holder Christian Mbilli (29-0, 24 KOs, fighting out of Quebec by the way of France) squares off with Lester Martinez (19-0, 16 KOs, fighting out of San Benito Peten, Guatemala) in a super middleweight bout. Final Weights: Mbilli, 167 pounds | Martinez, 167 pounds
Mohammed Alakel (4-0, 0 KOs, fighting out of Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia) takes on Travis Kent Crawford in a lightweight bout at 134 pounds. Final Weights: Alakel, 132 pounds | Crawford, 132.5 pounds
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Fight day is finally here!
When two pound-for-pound kings step into the ring, history doesn’t wait — it swings. On one side: the undisputed face of Mexican boxing. On the other: an undefeated American technician with something to prove. Tonight, Canelo Álvarez and Terence Crawford meet in a once-in-a-generation showdown, streaming live only on Netflix across the globe — no pay-per-view required. A star-studded collection of veteran voices in combat sports will come together to call the fight this evening Jon Anik leads play-by-play with analysts Max Kellerman and Andre Ward, while legendary ring announcer Michael Buffer handles the main card and Joe Martinez covers the prelims streaming on Tudum — keep scrolling to learn more about the full card. At the desk, Mario Lopez is joined by Antonio Tarver, Mark Kriegel, and Mike Coppinger. Rounding out coverage are reporters Jim Gray and Heidi Androl, and coaching analyst Skipper Kelp.
MAIN CARD / CANELO vs. CRAWFORD
Canelo vs. Crawford Main Card:
Álvarez (63-2-2, 39 KOs, fighting out of Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico) defends his unified super middleweight championship against undefeated four-division superstar Crawford (41-0, 31 KOs, fighting out of Omaha, Nebraska). Final Weights: Canelo, 167.5 pounds | Crawford, 167.5 pounds
Callum Walsh (14-0, 11 KOs, fighting out of Cork, Ireland) faces Fernando Vargas Jr. (17-0, 15 KOs, fighting out of Las Vegas) who has gone the distance just once in 17 fights in a junior middleweight contest. Final Weights: Walsh, 153.5 pounds | Vargas Jr., 154 pounds
WBC Interim super middleweight title holder Christian Mbilli (29-0, 24 KOs, fighting out of Quebec by the way of France) squares off with Lester Martinez (19-0, 16 KOs, fighting out of San Benito Peten, Guatemala) in a super middleweight bout. Final Weights: Mbilli, 167 pounds | Martinez, 167 pounds
Mohammed Alakel (4-0, 0 KOs, fighting out of Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia) takes on Travis Kent Crawford in a lightweight bout at 134 pounds. Final Weights: Alakel, 132 pounds | Crawford, 132.5 pounds
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Alvarez and Crawford are the same weight |
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This wasn’t just another weigh-in — it’s the moment that sets the stage for one of boxing’s biggest events in decades. Saul "Canelo" Álvarez is a four-division world champion and the first fighter in history to unify all four major titles at super middleweight. At 35, he remains one of the sport’s most dominant stars, with signature wins over Shane Mosley, Miguel Cotto, Gennady Golovkin, and more. He reclaimed his undisputed status at 168 pounds in May 2025, and has never been knocked down in his professional career. Terence “Bud” Crawford is widely considered one of the top pound-for-pound fighters in the world. At 37, Crawford is undefeated in 41 professional fights, with 19 world title victories and 15 stoppages in championship bouts. He is the first male boxer ever to become undisputed champion in two weight classes during the four-belt era (super lightweight and welterweight) — and now he’s moving up two full weight classes from 154 pounds to challenge Canelo. Like Canelo, Crawford has never been knocked down in his career.
For the undisputed world super middleweight title fight in Las Vegas, both Canelo and Crawford weighed in at exactly 167.5 pounds, shutting down skepticism that Crawford could fight at the same size as Canelo. For Crawford (41-0, 31 KOs), 167.5 pounds marks the heaviest weight of his career. The Omaha, Nebraska native is jumping from junior middleweight to the 168-pound limit in pursuit of history: Until last year he’d never fought above 147 pounds, and at his most recent fight in August he weighed 153.4 pounds. A victory against Canelo would make him the first male boxer ever to become an undisputed champion in three different divisions.
Álvarez (63-2-2, 39 KOs) has long been a fixture at super middleweight, fighting at 168 pounds in 10 of his last 11 bouts. His career high came in May 2022, when he weighed 174.4 pounds for his failed challenge of light heavyweight champion Dmitry Bivol.
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Alvarez and Crawford are the same weight
This wasn’t just another weigh-in — it’s the moment that sets the stage for one of boxing’s biggest events in decades. Saul "Canelo" Álvarez is a four-division world champion and the first fighter in history to unify all four major titles at super middleweight. At 35, he remains one of the sport’s most dominant stars, with signature wins over Shane Mosley, Miguel Cotto, Gennady Golovkin, and more. He reclaimed his undisputed status at 168 pounds in May 2025, and has never been knocked down in his professional career. Terence “Bud” Crawford is widely considered one of the top pound-for-pound fighters in the world. At 37, Crawford is undefeated in 41 professional fights, with 19 world title victories and 15 stoppages in championship bouts. He is the first male boxer ever to become undisputed champion in two weight classes during the four-belt era (super lightweight and welterweight) — and now he’s moving up two full weight classes from 154 pounds to challenge Canelo. Like Canelo, Crawford has never been knocked down in his career.
For the undisputed world super middleweight title fight in Las Vegas, both Canelo and Crawford weighed in at exactly 167.5 pounds, shutting down skepticism that Crawford could fight at the same size as Canelo. For Crawford (41-0, 31 KOs), 167.5 pounds marks the heaviest weight of his career. The Omaha, Nebraska native is jumping from junior middleweight to the 168-pound limit in pursuit of history: Until last year he’d never fought above 147 pounds, and at his most recent fight in August he weighed 153.4 pounds. A victory against Canelo would make him the first male boxer ever to become an undisputed champion in three different divisions.
Álvarez (63-2-2, 39 KOs) has long been a fixture at super middleweight, fighting at 168 pounds in 10 of his last 11 bouts. His career high came in May 2022, when he weighed 174.4 pounds for his failed challenge of light heavyweight champion Dmitry Bivol.
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Watch: Olascuaga retains title yet again |
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Anthony Olascuaga TKO2 Juan Carlos Camacho... Anthony Olascuaga retained his WBO flyweight title with a second-round stoppage over Juan Carlos Camacho in Las Vegas. Olascuaga punished Martinez against the ropes until the referee intervened. The fight was the headline attraction in The Ring’s new series, The Underdog. Olascuaga (10-1, 6 KOs) has been a busy champion. He won his title in July of last year and this was already the third defense for the Los Angeles native. Camacho returns to Puerto Rico with a record of 19-2.
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Watch: Olascuaga retains title yet again
Anthony Olascuaga TKO2 Juan Carlos Camacho... Anthony Olascuaga retained his WBO flyweight title with a second-round stoppage over Juan Carlos Camacho in Las Vegas. Olascuaga punished Martinez against the ropes until the referee intervened. The fight was the headline attraction in The Ring’s new series, The Underdog. Olascuaga (10-1, 6 KOs) has been a busy champion. He won his title in July of last year and this was already the third defense for the Los Angeles native. Camacho returns to Puerto Rico with a record of 19-2.
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Top Rank to free-stream Inoue vs. Akhmadaliev on its Facebook page |
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The highly anticipated undisputed world super bantamweight championship showdown between reigning king Naoya Inoue and former two-belt champion Murodjon “MJ” Akhmadaliev, taking place Sunday morning (US time), Sept. 14th at IG Arena in Nagoya, Japan will stream live and exclusively in the U.S. and UK on the Top Rank Facebook channel. The three-fight streaming broadcast begins at 4 a.m. ET/1 a.m. PT/9 a.m. BST, with Inoue and Akhmadaliev expected to make their ring walks at approximately 6:40 a.m. ET/3:40 a.m. PT/11:40 a.m. BST.
Inoue (30-0, 27 KOs) will make the fifth defense of the undisputed title since December 2023, when he knocked out fellow unified champion Marlon Tapales to unify all the belts. This marks the 26th consecutive world title appearance for Inoue, who returns to Japan following May’s stirring eighth-round TKO of Ramon Cardenas at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. Akhmadaliev (17-3 including the World Series of Boxing), the WBA interim belt holder, has won three consecutive bouts by stoppage since a split decision defeat to Tapales.
In other streaming action, WBO bantamweight world champion Yoshiki Takei (11-0, 9 KOs) aims to defend his title for a third time when he battles Mexico’s Christian “Chispa” Medina (25-4, 18 KOs) and the vacant WBA regular minimumweight belt will be on the line when Yuni Takada (16-8-3, 6 KOs) fights southpaw standout Ryusei Matsumoto (6-0, 4 KOs).
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Top Rank to free-stream Inoue vs. Akhmadaliev on its Facebook page
The highly anticipated undisputed world super bantamweight championship showdown between reigning king Naoya Inoue and former two-belt champion Murodjon “MJ” Akhmadaliev, taking place Sunday morning (US time), Sept. 14th at IG Arena in Nagoya, Japan will stream live and exclusively in the U.S. and UK on the Top Rank Facebook channel. The three-fight streaming broadcast begins at 4 a.m. ET/1 a.m. PT/9 a.m. BST, with Inoue and Akhmadaliev expected to make their ring walks at approximately 6:40 a.m. ET/3:40 a.m. PT/11:40 a.m. BST.
Inoue (30-0, 27 KOs) will make the fifth defense of the undisputed title since December 2023, when he knocked out fellow unified champion Marlon Tapales to unify all the belts. This marks the 26th consecutive world title appearance for Inoue, who returns to Japan following May’s stirring eighth-round TKO of Ramon Cardenas at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. Akhmadaliev (17-3 including the World Series of Boxing), the WBA interim belt holder, has won three consecutive bouts by stoppage since a split decision defeat to Tapales.
In other streaming action, WBO bantamweight world champion Yoshiki Takei (11-0, 9 KOs) aims to defend his title for a third time when he battles Mexico’s Christian “Chispa” Medina (25-4, 18 KOs) and the vacant WBA regular minimumweight belt will be on the line when Yuni Takada (16-8-3, 6 KOs) fights southpaw standout Ryusei Matsumoto (6-0, 4 KOs).
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Parker: "I love the fire" |
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The opening press conference took place to promote next month's the heavyweight showdown between WBO interim champion Joseph Parker and his WBA counterpart, Fabio Wardley. The fight is set to happen at the 02 London on Saturday October 25th. A shot at world champion Oleksandr Usyk is the prize for the winner, with both fighters holding Interim versions of world titles, Below is a selection of key quotes from this media event.
Promoter Frank Warren
“Why is this fight so significant? Because you’ve got two guys who don’t need to fight each other. Both are Interim champions. Usyk is out for 90 days and the WBO have said that at the end of those 90 days he has to defend that belt or he will be stripped or vacate it.
“So this fight is made because the winner of it will be the man who will be the next challenger to Usyk. It is as simple as that. If he doesn’t fight them, the winner could be declared champion.
“You’ve got to take your hat off to both of them. They are not waiting their turn. The WBO is next and Joe wants to fight and not wait until next year. With Fabio, he sees this as a shortcut or you could be waiting for two years until you get your chance, if the champion fights two times a year.
“Fabio is seizing his chance and, as he says, it could be a defining moment for him. He has the desire, he is a KO specialist and he is putting it all on the line, as is Joe Parker.
“For the winner it will be all and for the loser it will be nothing because he will go back down the queue.
“That is what this fight is all about, two fighting men putting it all on the line, to go out there and fight for the right to fight for the four belts.”
Joseph Parker
“Walking towards the fire? I love the fire. I’ve fought a lot of fighters out there who are big punchers and they haven’t been able to get me out of there, so credit to Fabio Wardley for taking this fight.
“We could have sat and waited for Usyk, when he is ready or not injured, but we as fighters are showing that we will fight anyone at any time. I think this is going to be a great fight. I know Wardley is determined and says he has ticked all the boxes and got the rounds in that he needs to have a big fight like this. But fighting someone like myself is very different from fighting everyone else he has fought.
“I bring a lot of experience, belief and determination and I will win come 25th October.
“There are levels. They do say there are levels in boxing and I believe with the experience that I have and what I have been working on in New Zealand, I have got a good base and I am excited to see what I can do in the ring.”
Fabio Wardley
“This will be a huge moment in my career, a defining moment, probably. I am committed to that saying of ‘big fights only’ because I have not come here to play around. I have not made it this far in my career to just hang about and wait for things to be handed to me.
“I am very much a go-getter. I have made my way through the WBA rankings and have got myself into a fantastic position there but, if that doesn’t go how we planned, I am not going to sit in the wings and wait, I am going to be in Frank’s ear and say ‘what is the next best opportunity here, what is the next best thing?’
“With Oleksandr Usyk tied up at the moment, there isn’t a better competitor in the division right now than the No.2 man Joseph Parker.
“I think at this stage of my career I have ticked off the right amount of milestones. The right amount of ups, downs, roller coaster moments that I have enough experience now to take me through into a top-level fight. I have been saying for a while now that I think I deserve to be mentioned alongside those names.
“People maybe still have reservations and question marks, so October 25th is where I get to wipe that all clean by beating Joseph Parker and announcing really and truly that I am shoulder to shoulder with those kind of guys.”
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Parker: "I love the fire"
The opening press conference took place to promote next month's the heavyweight showdown between WBO interim champion Joseph Parker and his WBA counterpart, Fabio Wardley. The fight is set to happen at the 02 London on Saturday October 25th. A shot at world champion Oleksandr Usyk is the prize for the winner, with both fighters holding Interim versions of world titles, Below is a selection of key quotes from this media event.
Promoter Frank Warren
“Why is this fight so significant? Because you’ve got two guys who don’t need to fight each other. Both are Interim champions. Usyk is out for 90 days and the WBO have said that at the end of those 90 days he has to defend that belt or he will be stripped or vacate it.
“So this fight is made because the winner of it will be the man who will be the next challenger to Usyk. It is as simple as that. If he doesn’t fight them, the winner could be declared champion.
“You’ve got to take your hat off to both of them. They are not waiting their turn. The WBO is next and Joe wants to fight and not wait until next year. With Fabio, he sees this as a shortcut or you could be waiting for two years until you get your chance, if the champion fights two times a year.
“Fabio is seizing his chance and, as he says, it could be a defining moment for him. He has the desire, he is a KO specialist and he is putting it all on the line, as is Joe Parker.
“For the winner it will be all and for the loser it will be nothing because he will go back down the queue.
“That is what this fight is all about, two fighting men putting it all on the line, to go out there and fight for the right to fight for the four belts.”
Joseph Parker
“Walking towards the fire? I love the fire. I’ve fought a lot of fighters out there who are big punchers and they haven’t been able to get me out of there, so credit to Fabio Wardley for taking this fight.
“We could have sat and waited for Usyk, when he is ready or not injured, but we as fighters are showing that we will fight anyone at any time. I think this is going to be a great fight. I know Wardley is determined and says he has ticked all the boxes and got the rounds in that he needs to have a big fight like this. But fighting someone like myself is very different from fighting everyone else he has fought.
“I bring a lot of experience, belief and determination and I will win come 25th October.
“There are levels. They do say there are levels in boxing and I believe with the experience that I have and what I have been working on in New Zealand, I have got a good base and I am excited to see what I can do in the ring.”
Fabio Wardley
“This will be a huge moment in my career, a defining moment, probably. I am committed to that saying of ‘big fights only’ because I have not come here to play around. I have not made it this far in my career to just hang about and wait for things to be handed to me.
“I am very much a go-getter. I have made my way through the WBA rankings and have got myself into a fantastic position there but, if that doesn’t go how we planned, I am not going to sit in the wings and wait, I am going to be in Frank’s ear and say ‘what is the next best opportunity here, what is the next best thing?’
“With Oleksandr Usyk tied up at the moment, there isn’t a better competitor in the division right now than the No.2 man Joseph Parker.
“I think at this stage of my career I have ticked off the right amount of milestones. The right amount of ups, downs, roller coaster moments that I have enough experience now to take me through into a top-level fight. I have been saying for a while now that I think I deserve to be mentioned alongside those names.
“People maybe still have reservations and question marks, so October 25th is where I get to wipe that all clean by beating Joseph Parker and announcing really and truly that I am shoulder to shoulder with those kind of guys.”
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Agyarko has big hometown opportunity in Belfast |
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On September 13th, the Clearer Twist National Stadium at Windsor Park in Belfast, Northern Ireland will host a pivotal showdown on the European circuit, as undefeated Irishman Caoimhin “Black Thunder” Agyarko (17-0, 7 KOs) takes on Britain’s Ishmael “The Black Panther” Davis (13-2, 6 KOs) in a junior middleweight contest. For Agyarko, age 28, this is a big opportunity to show off his explosive style and sharp movement. He’s already turned back the likes of Troy Williamson and Grant Dennis. Now, he’s eager to cement himself as a legitimate world contender. “Fighting for a belt in Belfast is a dream come true,” Agyarko said in the build-up. “I’m ready to show I belong at the top level.”
Davis, age 30, from Leeds, comes in with redemption on his mind after back-to-back defeats, the most recent a stoppage loss to Serhii Bohachuk last December. A pressure fighter who thrives on breaking opponents down, Davis believes he can flip the script as the underdog. “I didn’t come here just to make up the numbers—I came here to win. Agyarko’s never been in with someone like me,” he declared. Both men weighed in around 153.5 pounds in their most recent outings and share a similar stance, though their approaches differ. Agyarko prefers controlling range and counterpunching, while Davis thrives in the trenches, pushing a high pace and exchanging on the inside.
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Agyarko has big hometown opportunity in Belfast
On September 13th, the Clearer Twist National Stadium at Windsor Park in Belfast, Northern Ireland will host a pivotal showdown on the European circuit, as undefeated Irishman Caoimhin “Black Thunder” Agyarko (17-0, 7 KOs) takes on Britain’s Ishmael “The Black Panther” Davis (13-2, 6 KOs) in a junior middleweight contest. For Agyarko, age 28, this is a big opportunity to show off his explosive style and sharp movement. He’s already turned back the likes of Troy Williamson and Grant Dennis. Now, he’s eager to cement himself as a legitimate world contender. “Fighting for a belt in Belfast is a dream come true,” Agyarko said in the build-up. “I’m ready to show I belong at the top level.”
Davis, age 30, from Leeds, comes in with redemption on his mind after back-to-back defeats, the most recent a stoppage loss to Serhii Bohachuk last December. A pressure fighter who thrives on breaking opponents down, Davis believes he can flip the script as the underdog. “I didn’t come here just to make up the numbers—I came here to win. Agyarko’s never been in with someone like me,” he declared. Both men weighed in around 153.5 pounds in their most recent outings and share a similar stance, though their approaches differ. Agyarko prefers controlling range and counterpunching, while Davis thrives in the trenches, pushing a high pace and exchanging on the inside.
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Ishii wins minimumweight bout |
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Takeshi Ishii W10 Jake Amparo ... Takeshi Ishii successfully defended his OPBF 105-pound title at Korakuen Hall in Tokyo, defeating Jake Amparo of the Philippines by unanimous decision. The official scorecards read 98-91 (twice) and 99-90. From the opening bell, Ishii (11-1) set the pace, puncturing with hard left hooks to the body, although Amparo (16-8-1) responded with a right cross and left hook. In the third round, the Filipino showed initiative with his jab and a solid right to the body. After four rounds, the scorecards read 38-38 and 39-37 (twice) in favor of Ishii. From the sixth round onward, Ishii resumed targeting the body with his left hand, and in the seventh and eighth rounds, he maintained a constant offensive with one-two combinations and left hooks. At the end of the eighth round, the scorecards showed 78-74 twice and 79-73 once for Ishii. In the tenth and final round, the Japanese fighter dropped Amparo with a crunching left hook to the body and pressured him in an attempt to finish the fight. However, the challenger made it to the final bell. So, Ishii retained his title with a wide margin on the scorecards.
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Ishii wins minimumweight bout
Takeshi Ishii W10 Jake Amparo ... Takeshi Ishii successfully defended his OPBF 105-pound title at Korakuen Hall in Tokyo, defeating Jake Amparo of the Philippines by unanimous decision. The official scorecards read 98-91 (twice) and 99-90. From the opening bell, Ishii (11-1) set the pace, puncturing with hard left hooks to the body, although Amparo (16-8-1) responded with a right cross and left hook. In the third round, the Filipino showed initiative with his jab and a solid right to the body. After four rounds, the scorecards read 38-38 and 39-37 (twice) in favor of Ishii. From the sixth round onward, Ishii resumed targeting the body with his left hand, and in the seventh and eighth rounds, he maintained a constant offensive with one-two combinations and left hooks. At the end of the eighth round, the scorecards showed 78-74 twice and 79-73 once for Ishii. In the tenth and final round, the Japanese fighter dropped Amparo with a crunching left hook to the body and pressured him in an attempt to finish the fight. However, the challenger made it to the final bell. So, Ishii retained his title with a wide margin on the scorecards.
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Adam Azim extends his contract with Boxxer |
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IBO junior welterweight champion Adam Azim has signed a new contract with Boxxer, committing his future to the next-generation boxing promotion. The British Azim first signed with Boxxer in 2021, just one fight into his professional career. Since then, the electrifying 23-year old has established himself as one of the sport’s exciting young hopefuls. Azim has made history, winning and defending the European title in record time, before announcing himself on the world stage with the ninth-round stoppage of former champion Sergey Lipinets to capture the IBO 140-pound championship.
Having signed a new promotional pact with Boxxer, the undefeated Azim is ready to take his next steps towards global domination. Azim said: “I am very happy to sign this new deal. Boxxer has been with me from the start, and together we have already achieved so much. I know I have the right team around me to take me to the top and continue to build a massive fanbase on the biggest platforms. I’m excited for this next chapter. I want to fight for world titles and test myself against the best fighters out there. I’m ready to show the world what I’m truly capable of.”
Ben Shalom, Boxxer's founder and CEO, said: “Adam Azim is a generational talent and one of the most exciting fighters in world boxing. We’re thrilled he has chosen to commit his future to BOXXER. He has all the attributes to become a global superstar, and we will provide him with the biggest platforms and the biggest fights to enable him to fulfil his potential.’’
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Adam Azim extends his contract with Boxxer
IBO junior welterweight champion Adam Azim has signed a new contract with Boxxer, committing his future to the next-generation boxing promotion. The British Azim first signed with Boxxer in 2021, just one fight into his professional career. Since then, the electrifying 23-year old has established himself as one of the sport’s exciting young hopefuls. Azim has made history, winning and defending the European title in record time, before announcing himself on the world stage with the ninth-round stoppage of former champion Sergey Lipinets to capture the IBO 140-pound championship.
Having signed a new promotional pact with Boxxer, the undefeated Azim is ready to take his next steps towards global domination. Azim said: “I am very happy to sign this new deal. Boxxer has been with me from the start, and together we have already achieved so much. I know I have the right team around me to take me to the top and continue to build a massive fanbase on the biggest platforms. I’m excited for this next chapter. I want to fight for world titles and test myself against the best fighters out there. I’m ready to show the world what I’m truly capable of.”
Ben Shalom, Boxxer's founder and CEO, said: “Adam Azim is a generational talent and one of the most exciting fighters in world boxing. We’re thrilled he has chosen to commit his future to BOXXER. He has all the attributes to become a global superstar, and we will provide him with the biggest platforms and the biggest fights to enable him to fulfil his potential.’’
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WBA adds garbage title to minimumweight division |
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On September 14th, at the IG Arena in Nagoya, Japan, veteran Yuni Takada (16-8-3, 6 KOs) meets 27 year-old Ryusie Matsumoto (6-0, 4 KOs) for the WBA regular title at minimumweight. [Neither one is worthy of a world title fight]. Takada brings the grit and experience, but Matsumoto, representing the new wave of Japanese boxing, carries knockout power. The WBA already has a champion in this division, Oscar Collazo of Puerto Rico who also holds the WBO championship. The main event in Nagoya is a super fight, as Naoya Inoue (30-0, 27 KOs) puts his undisputed junior featherweight crown on the line against former unified champion Murodjon “MJ” Akhmadaliev (14-1, 11 KOs). Inoue, making his third defense as undisputed king at 122 pounds, will look to neutralize the crafty southpaw style of the hungry Uzbek, who is determined to reclaim his place among the elite.
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WBA adds garbage title to minimumweight division
On September 14th, at the IG Arena in Nagoya, Japan, veteran Yuni Takada (16-8-3, 6 KOs) meets 27 year-old Ryusie Matsumoto (6-0, 4 KOs) for the WBA regular title at minimumweight. [Neither one is worthy of a world title fight]. Takada brings the grit and experience, but Matsumoto, representing the new wave of Japanese boxing, carries knockout power. The WBA already has a champion in this division, Oscar Collazo of Puerto Rico who also holds the WBO championship. The main event in Nagoya is a super fight, as Naoya Inoue (30-0, 27 KOs) puts his undisputed junior featherweight crown on the line against former unified champion Murodjon “MJ” Akhmadaliev (14-1, 11 KOs). Inoue, making his third defense as undisputed king at 122 pounds, will look to neutralize the crafty southpaw style of the hungry Uzbek, who is determined to reclaim his place among the elite.
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Crocker and Donovan stare down before Saturday's title fight |
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Lewis Crocker and Paddy Donovan stood toe-to-toe this week in the very spot they will collide this Saturday aspart of their fight week. Belfast’s own Crocker – headlining at the Clearer Twist National Stadium at Windsor Park where he grew up just yards away – kept a cool counsel as rival Donovan, from Limerick, arrived in a confident fashion and attempted to tease the hometown man ahead of their rematch this weekend – live worldwide on DAZN. “He’s done,” smiled Donovan, as he exited the exchange with his entourage.
Crocker refused to rise to the bait, however. Responding to Donovan’s goading, he retorted with a quip about his rival’s new, plaited hairstyle and insisted he was ready for the biggest bout of his career with the IBF welterweight championship on the line “My camp has been good,” a calm, and composed, Crocker said.
Donovan responded by tickling Crocker’s ribs, saying: “That’s not what I heard, kid. It’s all over for you. Once and for all, I will put it to bed. It’s a big night for you, Lewis, in Belfast, A big, big night kid.”
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Crocker and Donovan stare down before Saturday's title fight
Lewis Crocker and Paddy Donovan stood toe-to-toe this week in the very spot they will collide this Saturday aspart of their fight week. Belfast’s own Crocker – headlining at the Clearer Twist National Stadium at Windsor Park where he grew up just yards away – kept a cool counsel as rival Donovan, from Limerick, arrived in a confident fashion and attempted to tease the hometown man ahead of their rematch this weekend – live worldwide on DAZN. “He’s done,” smiled Donovan, as he exited the exchange with his entourage.
Crocker refused to rise to the bait, however. Responding to Donovan’s goading, he retorted with a quip about his rival’s new, plaited hairstyle and insisted he was ready for the biggest bout of his career with the IBF welterweight championship on the line “My camp has been good,” a calm, and composed, Crocker said.
Donovan responded by tickling Crocker’s ribs, saying: “That’s not what I heard, kid. It’s all over for you. Once and for all, I will put it to bed. It’s a big night for you, Lewis, in Belfast, A big, big night kid.”
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Modern Boxing Journal publishes in-depth interview with ex-champ Frank Bruno |
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Thirty years after immortalizing his name in boxing folklore, British treasure Frank Bruno has opened up on his historic WBC heavyweight title and his extraordinary life and times since in a world exclusive with Modern Boxing Journal. Captured candidly by renowned photographer Tom Cockram with his collection of belts, Bruno unravels the inside story from the night he memorably defeated Oliver McCall in front of 30,000 at Wembley in a tell-all interview for the third issue of Matchroom Boxing’s premium annual publication. From the highs of that special night in London – which he regards as his crowning glory, “followed by the birth of my kids” – Bruno shares his precious insight in a remarkable journey down memory lane, before revealing all on his storied rivalry with British rival Lennox Lewis, his reaction to Eubank Jr-Benn, and offering sage advice to the stars of today who dream of following in his fabled footsteps. “I knew it was my last chance to win the title,” Bruno tells Modern Boxing Journal.
Bruno continued, “I had problems with my eye – I was told I really shouldn’t fight again, but that crown of World Champion was all I ever wanted. So I just had to get in the ring and give it my all. I knew he [Oliver McCall] wouldn’t be a pushover. We used to mess around sometimes after a heavy training session, shouting, ‘And the new World Champion is Fraaaaank Bruuuuuuno!’ So when it finally happened, it was the greatest feeling ever. All those hours pounding the streets, running in all weather, on Christmas Day, not wanting to get out of bed because I was hurting all over. It made it all worthwhile, and it’s something I will never forget.”
You can read the interview in full, with copies of the Modern Boxing Journal on sale today at matchroomboxing.com
Now 63, legend Bruno also reflects on the highlights of his astonishing career that continues to bring him adulation from millions of fans from across the world today – and he talks about the testing times he has encountered outside of the ring since, including his current health following a hospital dash following a trip to Thailand earlier this year.
“I feel really good now, a lot better than I was,” Bruno adds.
“I was travelling to Thailand to do four shows and fell ill on the way. The journey started off good, but a couple of hours into the flight I started to feel unwell. By the time the flight landed in Qatar I didn’t know what was going on. All I remember was waking up in a hospital with drips and tubes in my arms. I had to stay in hospital in Doha for two weeks, before they let me come back to England. I was taken to a hospital in London for another two weeks, and they said I had caught some kind of virus. It was very scary. I don’t really remember a lot about it.
“I was told by the doctors to take some time off, so we had to cancel quite a few (personal appearance) shows. But I have been in the gym every day; I have a new trainer who’s been pushing hard. She’s really good.”
In a 230-page special publication, Jesse ‘Bam’ Rodriguez speaks on his desire to one day face fellow pound-for-pound superstar of the sport in Naoya Inoue, alongside his ambition to become a barista and open his own coffee store in his native Texas.
Plus, comeback queen Molly McCann shares her account of retiring as a cult figure in the women’s MMA game to prepare for her re-entrance into the world of Boxing as she gets set for her professional bow in Belfast this week.
Team USA Olympic hero Omari Jones explains how just one phone call from Matchroom Sport chairman Eddie Hearn convinced him to turn pro – and maps out his ambitious plans to eventually headline marquee fight nights and challenge for gold.
And Paddy Donovan, just days out from his historic all-Irish IBF welterweight title stadium clash with Lewis Crocker, unlocks behind-the-scenes access into his kindred community in Dublin where he hopes to return as a champion after September 13.
All this – and much more, including a stunning series of portrait pieces and engaging features from within the world of Boxing – is showcased in this unmissable issue, on sale now.
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Modern Boxing Journal publishes in-depth interview with ex-champ Frank Bruno
Thirty years after immortalizing his name in boxing folklore, British treasure Frank Bruno has opened up on his historic WBC heavyweight title and his extraordinary life and times since in a world exclusive with Modern Boxing Journal. Captured candidly by renowned photographer Tom Cockram with his collection of belts, Bruno unravels the inside story from the night he memorably defeated Oliver McCall in front of 30,000 at Wembley in a tell-all interview for the third issue of Matchroom Boxing’s premium annual publication. From the highs of that special night in London – which he regards as his crowning glory, “followed by the birth of my kids” – Bruno shares his precious insight in a remarkable journey down memory lane, before revealing all on his storied rivalry with British rival Lennox Lewis, his reaction to Eubank Jr-Benn, and offering sage advice to the stars of today who dream of following in his fabled footsteps. “I knew it was my last chance to win the title,” Bruno tells Modern Boxing Journal.
Bruno continued, “I had problems with my eye – I was told I really shouldn’t fight again, but that crown of World Champion was all I ever wanted. So I just had to get in the ring and give it my all. I knew he [Oliver McCall] wouldn’t be a pushover. We used to mess around sometimes after a heavy training session, shouting, ‘And the new World Champion is Fraaaaank Bruuuuuuno!’ So when it finally happened, it was the greatest feeling ever. All those hours pounding the streets, running in all weather, on Christmas Day, not wanting to get out of bed because I was hurting all over. It made it all worthwhile, and it’s something I will never forget.”
You can read the interview in full, with copies of the Modern Boxing Journal on sale today at matchroomboxing.com
Now 63, legend Bruno also reflects on the highlights of his astonishing career that continues to bring him adulation from millions of fans from across the world today – and he talks about the testing times he has encountered outside of the ring since, including his current health following a hospital dash following a trip to Thailand earlier this year.
“I feel really good now, a lot better than I was,” Bruno adds.
“I was travelling to Thailand to do four shows and fell ill on the way. The journey started off good, but a couple of hours into the flight I started to feel unwell. By the time the flight landed in Qatar I didn’t know what was going on. All I remember was waking up in a hospital with drips and tubes in my arms. I had to stay in hospital in Doha for two weeks, before they let me come back to England. I was taken to a hospital in London for another two weeks, and they said I had caught some kind of virus. It was very scary. I don’t really remember a lot about it.
“I was told by the doctors to take some time off, so we had to cancel quite a few (personal appearance) shows. But I have been in the gym every day; I have a new trainer who’s been pushing hard. She’s really good.”
In a 230-page special publication, Jesse ‘Bam’ Rodriguez speaks on his desire to one day face fellow pound-for-pound superstar of the sport in Naoya Inoue, alongside his ambition to become a barista and open his own coffee store in his native Texas.
Plus, comeback queen Molly McCann shares her account of retiring as a cult figure in the women’s MMA game to prepare for her re-entrance into the world of Boxing as she gets set for her professional bow in Belfast this week.
Team USA Olympic hero Omari Jones explains how just one phone call from Matchroom Sport chairman Eddie Hearn convinced him to turn pro – and maps out his ambitious plans to eventually headline marquee fight nights and challenge for gold.
And Paddy Donovan, just days out from his historic all-Irish IBF welterweight title stadium clash with Lewis Crocker, unlocks behind-the-scenes access into his kindred community in Dublin where he hopes to return as a champion after September 13.
All this – and much more, including a stunning series of portrait pieces and engaging features from within the world of Boxing – is showcased in this unmissable issue, on sale now.
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Luis Ortiz returns next week |
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Boxing returns to Caribe Royale Resort in Orlando, Florida, as Boxlab Promotions presents a show on Friday, September 19th featuring a ten-round junior welterweight bout between Cuba's Kevin Brown (7-0, 3 KOs) and Mexico's Juan Meza Angulo (9-2, 6 KOs). The event will stream live on BXNGTV, and tickets are on sale now at ticketmaster.com. In the eight-round co-feature, former heavyweight world title challenger Luis “King Kong” Ortiz (34-3, 29 KOs) will make his return to the ring against local man Phillip Penson (8-4-3, 2 KOs), from Orlando, FL. Ortiz lost a very close fight to Andy Ruiz in 2022 and has fought only one low-level opponent since then.
“This is one of the most stacked cards we’ve ever put together,” said Amaury Piedra, President of Boxlab Promotions. “From the top of the main card to the young guns on the undercard, fans are going to get a full night of action. Kevin Brown is one of the most technically gifted young fighters in boxing today, and we’re thrilled to have him in a real step-up fight against a dangerous opponent like Angulo. This is what championship boxing is all about.”
“We’re also very excited about our young lightweight prospect, Kaipo Gallegos, who we co-promote with Shuan Boxing.” Piedra added. “Gallegos is must watch TV with his aggressive fighting style. He’s a powerful, fan-friendly fighter who’s developing quickly. Both he and Kevin represent the future of the sport—and that future is bright.”
UNDERCARD
Roberto Rivera Gomez (7-0, 3 KOs) vs. Sharone Carter (14-13-1, 3 KOs) – six rounds, featherweights;
Kaipo Gallegos (9-0-1, 7 KOs) vs. Alberto Mercado (17-8-1, 4 KOs) – eight rounds, lightweights;
Antraveous Ingram (11-0, 5 KOs) vs. Jeremiah Robinson (8-6, 8 KOs) – six rounds, lightweights;
Jobed Collazo (1-0) vs. Shelvin Fairman (Pro Debut) – four rounds, lightweights;
Joshua Lebron (6-0-1, 5 KOs) vs. Rashad Hicks (2-4-1, 1 KO) - four rounds, super bantamweights;
Jusiyah Shirley (7-1, 6 KOs) vs. Rondale Hubbert (16-37-3, 10 KOs) – six rounds, junior weterweights;
Miguel Brenes Diaz (1-0, 1 KO) vs. Keegan Young (1-1, 1 KO) – four rounds, super middleweights;
Pan American Gold and AIBA Gold Winner Ronny Alvarez (3-0, 3 KOs) vs. TBA - six rounds, super middleweights;
Bronze Medalist AIBA Pedro Veitia (5-0, 5 KOs) vs. Noah Kidd (10-15-3, 5 KOs) – six rounds, junior middleweights;
Edward Griffitts (3-1, 1 KO) vs. Deonta Williamson (1-3, 1 KO) - four rounds, lightweights; and
Reina Tellez (12-0-1) vs. TBD – eight rounds, junior lightweights.
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Luis Ortiz returns next week
Boxing returns to Caribe Royale Resort in Orlando, Florida, as Boxlab Promotions presents a show on Friday, September 19th featuring a ten-round junior welterweight bout between Cuba's Kevin Brown (7-0, 3 KOs) and Mexico's Juan Meza Angulo (9-2, 6 KOs). The event will stream live on BXNGTV, and tickets are on sale now at ticketmaster.com. In the eight-round co-feature, former heavyweight world title challenger Luis “King Kong” Ortiz (34-3, 29 KOs) will make his return to the ring against local man Phillip Penson (8-4-3, 2 KOs), from Orlando, FL. Ortiz lost a very close fight to Andy Ruiz in 2022 and has fought only one low-level opponent since then.
“This is one of the most stacked cards we’ve ever put together,” said Amaury Piedra, President of Boxlab Promotions. “From the top of the main card to the young guns on the undercard, fans are going to get a full night of action. Kevin Brown is one of the most technically gifted young fighters in boxing today, and we’re thrilled to have him in a real step-up fight against a dangerous opponent like Angulo. This is what championship boxing is all about.”
“We’re also very excited about our young lightweight prospect, Kaipo Gallegos, who we co-promote with Shuan Boxing.” Piedra added. “Gallegos is must watch TV with his aggressive fighting style. He’s a powerful, fan-friendly fighter who’s developing quickly. Both he and Kevin represent the future of the sport—and that future is bright.”
UNDERCARD
Roberto Rivera Gomez (7-0, 3 KOs) vs. Sharone Carter (14-13-1, 3 KOs) – six rounds, featherweights;
Kaipo Gallegos (9-0-1, 7 KOs) vs. Alberto Mercado (17-8-1, 4 KOs) – eight rounds, lightweights;
Antraveous Ingram (11-0, 5 KOs) vs. Jeremiah Robinson (8-6, 8 KOs) – six rounds, lightweights;
Jobed Collazo (1-0) vs. Shelvin Fairman (Pro Debut) – four rounds, lightweights;
Joshua Lebron (6-0-1, 5 KOs) vs. Rashad Hicks (2-4-1, 1 KO) - four rounds, super bantamweights;
Jusiyah Shirley (7-1, 6 KOs) vs. Rondale Hubbert (16-37-3, 10 KOs) – six rounds, junior weterweights;
Miguel Brenes Diaz (1-0, 1 KO) vs. Keegan Young (1-1, 1 KO) – four rounds, super middleweights;
Pan American Gold and AIBA Gold Winner Ronny Alvarez (3-0, 3 KOs) vs. TBA - six rounds, super middleweights;
Bronze Medalist AIBA Pedro Veitia (5-0, 5 KOs) vs. Noah Kidd (10-15-3, 5 KOs) – six rounds, junior middleweights;
Edward Griffitts (3-1, 1 KO) vs. Deonta Williamson (1-3, 1 KO) - four rounds, lightweights; and
Reina Tellez (12-0-1) vs. TBD – eight rounds, junior lightweights.
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Juarez plans next defense vs. ex-champ Nery Plata |
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Mexican women’s boxing will take center stage on October 18th when Lourdes "Little Lulu” Juárez defends her WBC light flyweight world title against former unified champion Yesica Nery Plata at Most Valuable Prospects 16, staged by MVP at the South Padre Island Convention Center in Texas. Juárez, the reigning champion and sister of Mexican legend Mariana Juárez, expressed her determination: “I am the world champion, and no one is going to take that away from me. I am ready to go to total war, a true Mexican war."
On the opposite side of the ring, Nery Plata makes her long-awaited return to the ring after nearly two years of inactivity, in what will be her promotional debut under the Jake Paul / Nakisa Bidarian’s MVP banner. The Mexico City fighter, who in 2022 unified the WBA and WBC titles, stated: “I’m excited to announce my upcoming fight for the WBC 108-pound championship, a title I proudly held before.”
The event will also feature two notable matchups:
Desley Robinson will defend her IBF/WBO middleweight world titles against American challenger Logan Holler...
Former IBF bantamweight champion Shurretta Metcalf returns to action against undefeated Krystal Rosado in an eight-round bout. Like all MVP women’s fights, this contest will be contested over three-minute rounds.
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Juarez plans next defense vs. ex-champ Nery Plata
Mexican women’s boxing will take center stage on October 18th when Lourdes "Little Lulu” Juárez defends her WBC light flyweight world title against former unified champion Yesica Nery Plata at Most Valuable Prospects 16, staged by MVP at the South Padre Island Convention Center in Texas. Juárez, the reigning champion and sister of Mexican legend Mariana Juárez, expressed her determination: “I am the world champion, and no one is going to take that away from me. I am ready to go to total war, a true Mexican war."
On the opposite side of the ring, Nery Plata makes her long-awaited return to the ring after nearly two years of inactivity, in what will be her promotional debut under the Jake Paul / Nakisa Bidarian’s MVP banner. The Mexico City fighter, who in 2022 unified the WBA and WBC titles, stated: “I’m excited to announce my upcoming fight for the WBC 108-pound championship, a title I proudly held before.”
The event will also feature two notable matchups:
Desley Robinson will defend her IBF/WBO middleweight world titles against American challenger Logan Holler...
Former IBF bantamweight champion Shurretta Metcalf returns to action against undefeated Krystal Rosado in an eight-round bout. Like all MVP women’s fights, this contest will be contested over three-minute rounds.
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Yoseline Perez reaches the medal rounds at World Boxing Championships |
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Yoseline Perez was the first, and so far only, American to make it through to the medal rounds at the 2025 World Boxing Championships in Liverpool, England. The Team USA competitor from Houston claimed a split decision victory on Wednesday over Uzbekistan’s Nigina Uktamova, a Paris 2024 Olympian, in bout two of the opening session. Perez was excellent from the opening bell against her Uzbekistan foe and consistently used her length to land scoring shots. While shorter than Perez, Uktamova utilized her aggressive style to force combinations from the United States’ representative. Perez was prepared for Uktamova’s game plan and adjusted with steady uppercuts and hooks, which kept the Uzbekistan boxer off balance throughout the bout.
After closing the opening round with a 4-1 score, Perez narrowly captured a 3-2 score in the second round, placing the bout at 2-0 overall with three minutes left in the competition. While some athletes would have been shaken by a narrow second round, Perez rose to the occasion and stamped another 3-2 scorecard in the final round, securing the final 3-2 decision and a spot in the semifinals. The win marks her second consecutive victory over a Paris 2024 Olympian.
After guaranteeing herself yet another medal for the year, Perez will now shift her focus to Italy’s Sirine Charaabi in the semifinals. That matchup is scheduled for Saturday.
Naomi Graham (women’s 165 pounds) and Malachi Georges (men’s cruiserweight) also competed for the United States on Wednesday but were defeated in their respective quarterfinal matchups.
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Yoseline Perez reaches the medal rounds at World Boxing Championships
Yoseline Perez was the first, and so far only, American to make it through to the medal rounds at the 2025 World Boxing Championships in Liverpool, England. The Team USA competitor from Houston claimed a split decision victory on Wednesday over Uzbekistan’s Nigina Uktamova, a Paris 2024 Olympian, in bout two of the opening session. Perez was excellent from the opening bell against her Uzbekistan foe and consistently used her length to land scoring shots. While shorter than Perez, Uktamova utilized her aggressive style to force combinations from the United States’ representative. Perez was prepared for Uktamova’s game plan and adjusted with steady uppercuts and hooks, which kept the Uzbekistan boxer off balance throughout the bout.
After closing the opening round with a 4-1 score, Perez narrowly captured a 3-2 score in the second round, placing the bout at 2-0 overall with three minutes left in the competition. While some athletes would have been shaken by a narrow second round, Perez rose to the occasion and stamped another 3-2 scorecard in the final round, securing the final 3-2 decision and a spot in the semifinals. The win marks her second consecutive victory over a Paris 2024 Olympian.
After guaranteeing herself yet another medal for the year, Perez will now shift her focus to Italy’s Sirine Charaabi in the semifinals. That matchup is scheduled for Saturday.
Naomi Graham (women’s 165 pounds) and Malachi Georges (men’s cruiserweight) also competed for the United States on Wednesday but were defeated in their respective quarterfinal matchups.
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Gerald McLellan Jr. fights in Texas this weekend |
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Reed Shelger's Paradigm Combat Sports is set to bring a combined boxing and mixed martial arts show on Saturday to the Paradigm Combat Sports Training Center in Sugarland, Texas, which is located in the Houston metropolitan area. The show will feature five professional boxing matches and two MMA bouts. Gerald McClellan Jr. (6-2), the son of the former middleweight champion, is set to take on Frankie Solomon (3-4-1) in a six-round clash in the light heavyweight division. The main event will pit Imaud Louis (7-3) against Houston police sergeant Jonathan Morales (10-0) a six-round middleweight bout. Boxingtalk.com writer Christian Schmidt set to be the ring announcer. Doors will open at 6 PM. The venue's address is 13444 Southwest Fwy unit 1B, Sugar Land, TX 77478. Tickets can be purchased at this page.
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Gerald McLellan Jr. fights in Texas this weekend
Reed Shelger's Paradigm Combat Sports is set to bring a combined boxing and mixed martial arts show on Saturday to the Paradigm Combat Sports Training Center in Sugarland, Texas, which is located in the Houston metropolitan area. The show will feature five professional boxing matches and two MMA bouts. Gerald McClellan Jr. (6-2), the son of the former middleweight champion, is set to take on Frankie Solomon (3-4-1) in a six-round clash in the light heavyweight division. The main event will pit Imaud Louis (7-3) against Houston police sergeant Jonathan Morales (10-0) a six-round middleweight bout. Boxingtalk.com writer Christian Schmidt set to be the ring announcer. Doors will open at 6 PM. The venue's address is 13444 Southwest Fwy unit 1B, Sugar Land, TX 77478. Tickets can be purchased at this page.
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Rising Star Promotions plans show in Waterloo, New York |
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The Vine Theater at del Lago Resort & Casino in Waterloo, New York will host an evening of boxing on Thursday evening, October 30th. The card will feature five professional and six amateur fights, with tickets going on sale this Friday. Fans must be 21 years or older to attend. The show will be presented by Rising Star Promotions, with junior welterweight Bryce Mills, riding a thirteen-fight win streak scheduled to headline against an opponent to be named later.
Mills, of nearby Liverpool, New York will have his large loyal fanbase on hand as he puts his record of 19-1, 7 K0s, on the line. The 24-year old will be making his maiden headline appearance and his first time scheduled for 10 rounds. He is coming off a first-round knockout over former amateur standout Aaron Aponte, of Hialeah, FL, last June 6th in Verona, New York. Included in his win streak are victories over Daiyaan Butt, of Philadelphia; Jonathan de Pina, of Boston; Gerffred Ngayot, of Buffalo; Mike Ohan Jr., of Holbrook, MA, and Alex Martin, of Chicago. Including Aponte, the combined record of those six men was 77-14-1.
Mills has boxed in Rock Hill, SC; Philadelphia, PA; Bensalem, PA; Wroclaw, Poland, and Atlantic City, NJ, but never in the main event. "I'm very excited to headline my first card so close to home," Mills said. "This is something I used to dream about as a kid and now it's a reality. With the Vine Theater only seating 1,500 people, you better not wait as this surely will sell out."
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Rising Star Promotions plans show in Waterloo, New York
The Vine Theater at del Lago Resort & Casino in Waterloo, New York will host an evening of boxing on Thursday evening, October 30th. The card will feature five professional and six amateur fights, with tickets going on sale this Friday. Fans must be 21 years or older to attend. The show will be presented by Rising Star Promotions, with junior welterweight Bryce Mills, riding a thirteen-fight win streak scheduled to headline against an opponent to be named later.
Mills, of nearby Liverpool, New York will have his large loyal fanbase on hand as he puts his record of 19-1, 7 K0s, on the line. The 24-year old will be making his maiden headline appearance and his first time scheduled for 10 rounds. He is coming off a first-round knockout over former amateur standout Aaron Aponte, of Hialeah, FL, last June 6th in Verona, New York. Included in his win streak are victories over Daiyaan Butt, of Philadelphia; Jonathan de Pina, of Boston; Gerffred Ngayot, of Buffalo; Mike Ohan Jr., of Holbrook, MA, and Alex Martin, of Chicago. Including Aponte, the combined record of those six men was 77-14-1.
Mills has boxed in Rock Hill, SC; Philadelphia, PA; Bensalem, PA; Wroclaw, Poland, and Atlantic City, NJ, but never in the main event. "I'm very excited to headline my first card so close to home," Mills said. "This is something I used to dream about as a kid and now it's a reality. With the Vine Theater only seating 1,500 people, you better not wait as this surely will sell out."
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Netflix to stream Saturday's preliminary bouts on Tudum |
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Netflix announced the following preliminary bouts will stream on its Tudum platform (Tudum is Netflix's official companion website) at 5:30 PM Eastern Time ahead of the main event on Saturday, Sept. 13th:
Serhii Bohachuk (26-2, 24 KOs, fighting out of Los Angeles by way of Vinnytsya, Ukraine) faces off against Brandon Adams (25-4, 16 KOs, Whittier, California) in a middleweight bout...
Ivan Dychko (15-0, 14 KOs, fighting out of Pittsburgh by way of Kazakhstan) locks horns with Jermaine Franklin (23-2, 15 KOs, fighting out of Saginaw, Michigan) in a heavyweight bout...
Reito Tsutsumi (2-0, 1 KO, fighting out of Japan) goes toe-to-toe with Javier Martinez (7-2, 4 KOs, fighting out of Dallas, Texas) in a junior lightweight bout...
Sultan Almohamed (0-0, out of Saudi Arabia) battles Martin Caraballo (0-0-1, fighting out of Hollywood, Florida) in a junior welterweight bout...
Steven Nelson (20-1, 16 KOs, fighting out of Nebraska) meets Raiko Santana (12-4, 6 KOs, fighting out of El Paso, Texas by way of Cuba) in a light heavyweight bout and...
Marco Verde (2-0, 2 KOs, fighting out of Mexico) kicks off the night against Sona Akale (9-3, from Minnesota), fighting in a catchweight bout at 162 pounds.
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Netflix to stream Saturday's preliminary bouts on Tudum
Netflix announced the following preliminary bouts will stream on its Tudum platform (Tudum is Netflix's official companion website) at 5:30 PM Eastern Time ahead of the main event on Saturday, Sept. 13th:
Serhii Bohachuk (26-2, 24 KOs, fighting out of Los Angeles by way of Vinnytsya, Ukraine) faces off against Brandon Adams (25-4, 16 KOs, Whittier, California) in a middleweight bout...
Ivan Dychko (15-0, 14 KOs, fighting out of Pittsburgh by way of Kazakhstan) locks horns with Jermaine Franklin (23-2, 15 KOs, fighting out of Saginaw, Michigan) in a heavyweight bout...
Reito Tsutsumi (2-0, 1 KO, fighting out of Japan) goes toe-to-toe with Javier Martinez (7-2, 4 KOs, fighting out of Dallas, Texas) in a junior lightweight bout...
Sultan Almohamed (0-0, out of Saudi Arabia) battles Martin Caraballo (0-0-1, fighting out of Hollywood, Florida) in a junior welterweight bout...
Steven Nelson (20-1, 16 KOs, fighting out of Nebraska) meets Raiko Santana (12-4, 6 KOs, fighting out of El Paso, Texas by way of Cuba) in a light heavyweight bout and...
Marco Verde (2-0, 2 KOs, fighting out of Mexico) kicks off the night against Sona Akale (9-3, from Minnesota), fighting in a catchweight bout at 162 pounds.
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The big stage awaits Mbilli |
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WBC interim super middleweight title holder Christian Mbilli (pictured) was born in Yaoundé, Cameroon and is now based in Montreal. He made his professional debut on February 9, 2017. A French Olympian in 2016, he has built an impeccable pro career and currently holds a record of 29 wins with no losses, including 24 knockouts. In September 2021, he defeated Ronny Landaeta, and followed that up with victories over Demond Nicholson, Rohan Murdock, Mark Heffron and Sergiy Derevyanchenko. His most recent and significant milestone came on June 27, 2025, when he captured the WBC interim super middleweight title. He faced Polish contender Maciej Sulecki in Quebec City, scoring a first-round technical knockout after landing a pinpoint powerful uppercut followed by a body shot that dropped Sulecki. The referee stopped the fight at 2 minutes and 28 seconds of the opening round. This Saturday, Mbilli will chief support on the card headlined by Canelo Álvarez vs Terence Crawford, where he will defend his belt against Lester Martinez (19-0). This fight represents a huge opportunity to solidify his status in the division, even though the world champion (the winner of Alvarez vs. Crawford) will likely never fight him.
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The big stage awaits Mbilli
WBC interim super middleweight title holder Christian Mbilli (pictured) was born in Yaoundé, Cameroon and is now based in Montreal. He made his professional debut on February 9, 2017. A French Olympian in 2016, he has built an impeccable pro career and currently holds a record of 29 wins with no losses, including 24 knockouts. In September 2021, he defeated Ronny Landaeta, and followed that up with victories over Demond Nicholson, Rohan Murdock, Mark Heffron and Sergiy Derevyanchenko. His most recent and significant milestone came on June 27, 2025, when he captured the WBC interim super middleweight title. He faced Polish contender Maciej Sulecki in Quebec City, scoring a first-round technical knockout after landing a pinpoint powerful uppercut followed by a body shot that dropped Sulecki. The referee stopped the fight at 2 minutes and 28 seconds of the opening round. This Saturday, Mbilli will chief support on the card headlined by Canelo Álvarez vs Terence Crawford, where he will defend his belt against Lester Martinez (19-0). This fight represents a huge opportunity to solidify his status in the division, even though the world champion (the winner of Alvarez vs. Crawford) will likely never fight him.
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Tickets on sale now for Parker vs. Wardley |
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UPDATE: Tickets for 'All or Nothing' - Joseph Parker vs Fabio Wardley at The O2, London on Saturday, October 25th - are now on general sale, available from axs.com
A classic heavyweight showdown will take place at The O2 Arena in London when BO interim champion Joseph Parker (pictured) will take on the challenge of Fabio Wardley in ‘All or Nothing’ on Saturday, October 25th, live worldwide on DAZN PPV. ‘All or Nothing’, promoted by Queensberry and co-promoted with Platform Sport, is a battle of two of the best heavyweights on the planet. New Zealander Parker (36-3, 24 KOs) was supposed to fight Daniel Dubois for the IBF title in February before ultimately facing and demolishing Martin Bakole in two rounds in a first defense of his interim title, which he took from Zhilei Zhang in 2024, having previously defeated Deontay Wilder. The notable victories capped a career resurgence for the former WBO world champion, who lost an interim title encounter against Joe Joyce in 2022, which followed a pair of wins over Derek Chisora. Now 33, Parker lost his WBO title to Anthony Joshua in March 2018 and was subsequently outpointed by Dillian Whyte four months later.
Wardley (19-0-1, 18 KOs) comes into this fight off the back of a sensational stoppage of Justis Huni in June at the home of his local football club, Ipswich Town. Wardley became British champion at the end of 2022 with a defeat of Nathan Gorman before making a successful defence against David Adeleye in Riyadh just under a year later. Wardley and Frazer Clarke then fought a Fight of the Year in March 2024, which resulted in a draw, before the 30-year-old emphatically downed his challenger in the Riyadh rematch, brutally felling the Olympian in the opening round.
Promoter Frank Warren added: “This will be a corker of a heavyweight clash and one which will shine a huge light on the division. Fights like this one are as good as it can get outside of the champion defending his belts and the sort we want to see happen.
“Neither Joe or Fabio wanted to wait about and protect their positions and credit to them both for this. I believe this is a genuine even-money fight with a mesh of styles that I am sure will be eye-catching and highly crowd-pleasing.
“We promised to keep firing up this heavyweight division and we intend to keep all the contenders jockeying for position until the time come to fight for the ultimate prize.
“It is wonderful to be back at The O2 Arena with ‘All or Nothing’. It will be a great show with some extremely competitive and meaningful fights on the undercard. This event will be the hottest ticket in town.”
“DAZN is the broadcast home of the heavyweights,” said Michael Ridout, DAZN EVP, Combat Sports & New Business. “On October 25th we’ll be delivering another world class clash between two of the top names in the division. Joe is coming off 3 brilliant wins and is looking to cement his position at the top of the rankings whilst Fabio continues to prove all his doubters wrong and will want to leave the O2 with his unblemished record intact. All the drama will unfold on another special night live and exclusive, worldwide on DAZN.”
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Tickets on sale now for Parker vs. Wardley
UPDATE: Tickets for 'All or Nothing' - Joseph Parker vs Fabio Wardley at The O2, London on Saturday, October 25th - are now on general sale, available from axs.com
A classic heavyweight showdown will take place at The O2 Arena in London when BO interim champion Joseph Parker (pictured) will take on the challenge of Fabio Wardley in ‘All or Nothing’ on Saturday, October 25th, live worldwide on DAZN PPV. ‘All or Nothing’, promoted by Queensberry and co-promoted with Platform Sport, is a battle of two of the best heavyweights on the planet. New Zealander Parker (36-3, 24 KOs) was supposed to fight Daniel Dubois for the IBF title in February before ultimately facing and demolishing Martin Bakole in two rounds in a first defense of his interim title, which he took from Zhilei Zhang in 2024, having previously defeated Deontay Wilder. The notable victories capped a career resurgence for the former WBO world champion, who lost an interim title encounter against Joe Joyce in 2022, which followed a pair of wins over Derek Chisora. Now 33, Parker lost his WBO title to Anthony Joshua in March 2018 and was subsequently outpointed by Dillian Whyte four months later.
Wardley (19-0-1, 18 KOs) comes into this fight off the back of a sensational stoppage of Justis Huni in June at the home of his local football club, Ipswich Town. Wardley became British champion at the end of 2022 with a defeat of Nathan Gorman before making a successful defence against David Adeleye in Riyadh just under a year later. Wardley and Frazer Clarke then fought a Fight of the Year in March 2024, which resulted in a draw, before the 30-year-old emphatically downed his challenger in the Riyadh rematch, brutally felling the Olympian in the opening round.
Promoter Frank Warren added: “This will be a corker of a heavyweight clash and one which will shine a huge light on the division. Fights like this one are as good as it can get outside of the champion defending his belts and the sort we want to see happen.
“Neither Joe or Fabio wanted to wait about and protect their positions and credit to them both for this. I believe this is a genuine even-money fight with a mesh of styles that I am sure will be eye-catching and highly crowd-pleasing.
“We promised to keep firing up this heavyweight division and we intend to keep all the contenders jockeying for position until the time come to fight for the ultimate prize.
“It is wonderful to be back at The O2 Arena with ‘All or Nothing’. It will be a great show with some extremely competitive and meaningful fights on the undercard. This event will be the hottest ticket in town.”
“DAZN is the broadcast home of the heavyweights,” said Michael Ridout, DAZN EVP, Combat Sports & New Business. “On October 25th we’ll be delivering another world class clash between two of the top names in the division. Joe is coming off 3 brilliant wins and is looking to cement his position at the top of the rankings whilst Fabio continues to prove all his doubters wrong and will want to leave the O2 with his unblemished record intact. All the drama will unfold on another special night live and exclusive, worldwide on DAZN.”
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Al Bernstein previews Alvarez vs. Crawford on GBN |
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The Global Boxing Network (GBN) is proud to announce the launch of its very first show across all of its platforms, debuting with a preview of one of the biggest events in the history of the sport: the world super middleweight championship bout between Canelo Alvarez and Terence Crawford, set for Saturday, September 13th, live from Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas. This historic clash, airing on Netflix for subscribers around the globe, has captured worldwide attention, and GBN’s debut program will deliver the ultimate fight preview with none other than Legendary International Boxing Hall of Fame broadcaster Al Bernstein leading the coverage. Known for his decades of iconic fight calls and unmatched expertise, Bernstein will provide his in-depth analysis on the fight’s key storylines—breaking down the styles, strengths, and vulnerabilities of both fighters, while also reflecting on their legacies and the monumental significance of this bout.
“Launching our first show around a fight of this magnitude is exactly what GBN is about—delivering world-class coverage to boxing fans everywhere,” said GBN spokesperson, Space Jones. “To have Al Bernstein guiding the conversation makes this debut even more special. He’s a voice synonymous with boxing history, and now he’ll be part of making history once again.”
With Canelo Alvarez, the face of boxing for over a decade, taking on Terence Crawford, widely regarded as one of the greatest pound-for-pound fighters of his generation, the stage is set for a once-in-a-lifetime matchup. GBN’s inaugural show will provide fans with the ultimate preview as the world counts down to fight night.
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Al Bernstein previews Alvarez vs. Crawford on GBN
The Global Boxing Network (GBN) is proud to announce the launch of its very first show across all of its platforms, debuting with a preview of one of the biggest events in the history of the sport: the world super middleweight championship bout between Canelo Alvarez and Terence Crawford, set for Saturday, September 13th, live from Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas. This historic clash, airing on Netflix for subscribers around the globe, has captured worldwide attention, and GBN’s debut program will deliver the ultimate fight preview with none other than Legendary International Boxing Hall of Fame broadcaster Al Bernstein leading the coverage. Known for his decades of iconic fight calls and unmatched expertise, Bernstein will provide his in-depth analysis on the fight’s key storylines—breaking down the styles, strengths, and vulnerabilities of both fighters, while also reflecting on their legacies and the monumental significance of this bout.
“Launching our first show around a fight of this magnitude is exactly what GBN is about—delivering world-class coverage to boxing fans everywhere,” said GBN spokesperson, Space Jones. “To have Al Bernstein guiding the conversation makes this debut even more special. He’s a voice synonymous with boxing history, and now he’ll be part of making history once again.”
With Canelo Alvarez, the face of boxing for over a decade, taking on Terence Crawford, widely regarded as one of the greatest pound-for-pound fighters of his generation, the stage is set for a once-in-a-lifetime matchup. GBN’s inaugural show will provide fans with the ultimate preview as the world counts down to fight night.
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Dante Kirkman notches another win |
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Dante Kirkman W4 Dylan Carlson... From the opening bell, Stanford graduate Dante “The Inferno” Kirkman (5-0, 2 KOs) showcased complete command, scoring a dominant unanimous decision victory over Dylan Carlson (2-11-3, 1 KO) in a four-round bout this past Saturday at Thunder Valley Casino Resort. Promoted by Nasser Niavaroni of Uppercut Boxing Promotions, the middleweight bout saw Kirkman bring the heat early and often, walking Carlson down and unleashing combinations throughout. Judges saw it the same way, scoring the bout 40-36 across the board in favor of Kirkman. “I felt sharp in there,” Kirkman said after the fight. “From the first round on, I wanted to make a statement by setting the pace and showing what I’ve been working on in camp. I respect Carlson for coming to fight, but I knew I had the tools to control every round—and I think I did that.”
With a growing fan base and momentum on his side, Kirkman is hungry for more before the year ends. “I’d love to get back in there one more time before the end of 2025,” he shared. “I’m healthy, I’m motivated, and I feel like I’m just scratching the surface of what I can do. Every fight, I’m leveling up.”
Balancing brains and brawn, Kirkman brings an unusual pedigree to the sport, having completed a rigorous academic journey at Stanford University before launching his professional boxing career. “Four years at Stanford taught me discipline and mental toughness,” Kirkman reflected. “Now, I’m learning how to channel that same drive into my boxing career. Every fight is another step forward, and I’m starting to see the picture come together.”
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Dante Kirkman notches another win
Dante Kirkman W4 Dylan Carlson... From the opening bell, Stanford graduate Dante “The Inferno” Kirkman (5-0, 2 KOs) showcased complete command, scoring a dominant unanimous decision victory over Dylan Carlson (2-11-3, 1 KO) in a four-round bout this past Saturday at Thunder Valley Casino Resort. Promoted by Nasser Niavaroni of Uppercut Boxing Promotions, the middleweight bout saw Kirkman bring the heat early and often, walking Carlson down and unleashing combinations throughout. Judges saw it the same way, scoring the bout 40-36 across the board in favor of Kirkman. “I felt sharp in there,” Kirkman said after the fight. “From the first round on, I wanted to make a statement by setting the pace and showing what I’ve been working on in camp. I respect Carlson for coming to fight, but I knew I had the tools to control every round—and I think I did that.”
With a growing fan base and momentum on his side, Kirkman is hungry for more before the year ends. “I’d love to get back in there one more time before the end of 2025,” he shared. “I’m healthy, I’m motivated, and I feel like I’m just scratching the surface of what I can do. Every fight, I’m leveling up.”
Balancing brains and brawn, Kirkman brings an unusual pedigree to the sport, having completed a rigorous academic journey at Stanford University before launching his professional boxing career. “Four years at Stanford taught me discipline and mental toughness,” Kirkman reflected. “Now, I’m learning how to channel that same drive into my boxing career. Every fight is another step forward, and I’m starting to see the picture come together.”
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Undefeated cruiserweights to meet in Turkiye |
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Two undefeated cruiserweights will face off on September 27th in Fethiye, Turkiye. Local man Hasan Kubilay Alcu, (18-0 with 14 KOs) will take on Brazil's Luciano Falcao (11-0 with 8 KOs), on a card promoted by TJ Boxing Promotions. Kubilay Alcu turned professional in 2020 at light heavyweight. Falcao started punching for pay in 2019, won the Brazilian national title in 2023 and successfully retained it in 2024.
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Undefeated cruiserweights to meet in Turkiye
Two undefeated cruiserweights will face off on September 27th in Fethiye, Turkiye. Local man Hasan Kubilay Alcu, (18-0 with 14 KOs) will take on Brazil's Luciano Falcao (11-0 with 8 KOs), on a card promoted by TJ Boxing Promotions. Kubilay Alcu turned professional in 2020 at light heavyweight. Falcao started punching for pay in 2019, won the Brazilian national title in 2023 and successfully retained it in 2024.
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Kabayel likely to fight in Germany next |
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WBC interim heavyweight champion Agit Kabayel announced on social media that he will soon reveal details of a homecoming fight in Germany, his native country. This will be his first bout on German soil, back on March 4, 2023, when he stopped Agron Smakici in the third round. Since then, Kabayel has racked up three stoppage wins in Saudi Arabia against Aslanbek Makhumdov, Frank Sánchez and Zhilei Zhang—solidifying himself as a major factor in the heavyweight division. He is promoted by Frank Warren and managed by Spencer Brown. Kabayel’s triumph over Zhang earned him the WBC interim title. Now, after his impressive streak, he will step back into a German ring for the first time in over two years.
Promoter Frank Warren stated: “We want to stage a show in Germany this fall, and he would headline. He’s an exciting fighter, with fast hands, good boxing skills, and he can slug it out when he needs to. We already have an opponent in mind, and he’s in a great position. There are lots of interesting fights available for him.” This project also marks Queensberry’s return to Germany after nearly four decades, since the days when Warren co-promoted with Universum Promotions.
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Kabayel likely to fight in Germany next
WBC interim heavyweight champion Agit Kabayel announced on social media that he will soon reveal details of a homecoming fight in Germany, his native country. This will be his first bout on German soil, back on March 4, 2023, when he stopped Agron Smakici in the third round. Since then, Kabayel has racked up three stoppage wins in Saudi Arabia against Aslanbek Makhumdov, Frank Sánchez and Zhilei Zhang—solidifying himself as a major factor in the heavyweight division. He is promoted by Frank Warren and managed by Spencer Brown. Kabayel’s triumph over Zhang earned him the WBC interim title. Now, after his impressive streak, he will step back into a German ring for the first time in over two years.
Promoter Frank Warren stated: “We want to stage a show in Germany this fall, and he would headline. He’s an exciting fighter, with fast hands, good boxing skills, and he can slug it out when he needs to. We already have an opponent in mind, and he’s in a great position. There are lots of interesting fights available for him.” This project also marks Queensberry’s return to Germany after nearly four decades, since the days when Warren co-promoted with Universum Promotions.
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Donovan ready for Saturday's rematch vs. Crocker |
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Six months after the most disappointing night of his career, Ireland's Paddy “The Real Deal” Donovan (14-0-1, 11 KOs), is ready to take care of unfinished business this Saturday night against archrival Lewis “Croc” Crocker (21-0, 11 KOs) at Winsor Park in Belfast, Northern Ireland. The 26 year-old Donovan battered Crocker in their IBF welterweight eliminator fight in March, until he was disqualified by the referee for hitting Crocker just after the end of the eighth round while throwing a flurry. Crocker, having already been knocked down once, was bloody, bruised, with one eye shut and headed down to the canvas again when the eighth round ended. Team Donovan immediately appealed, arguing that since it was an unintentional late punch, disqualification was not permitted under the rules. The IBF agreed and ordered a rematch. When IBF welterweight champion Jaron “Boots” Ennis decided to relinquish his belt and move up to junior middleweight, the IBF then ruled that Crocker-Donovan II would be contested for the vacant IBF world welterweight title.
All of the anguish associated with the original fight has been placed in the past and Irish eyes are all focused on this week’s clash, which will be streamed live on the DAZN. “I worked hard with Andy Lee (his head trainer and co-manager with New York City-based attorney Keith Sullivan) on specific things for this fight. I’m sharp and my mind is fresh. I’ve achieved so much in boxing at the age of 26, but I haven’t achieved what I want in boxing…to become world champion. I believe that everything I’ve done – twenty years in boxing, the last six with Andy – is about getting that done this Saturday night. All the work has been done and it’s about getting in there and getting that done. I’ve been through some changes as a professional boxer inside and outside the ring, but I’ll never change as a person, even after I’m world champion.
“Every fighter in the world wants to stay undefeated, but that’s not the be-all, end-all, especially because of the way it happened. But that will all be in the past when I win this fight. We regrouped and worked hard every day in the gym. Now, we’re just looking forward to the fight. It’s been challenging and different (since his last fight); I can’t say it hasn’t been. I wasn’t used to having something like that happen to me, but I’m on a journey and it’s part of my life. I executed Andy’s game plan and it’s all worked out better. The winner of our last fight was supposed to travel to the United States to fight a great champion. I really thought the rematch would happen, but now it’s for the world title. I remember Keith telling me we won the appeal, and we had the rematch, then a few weeks later, Andy buzzed me to say the rematch was for the world title and back in Belfast. I can’t think of anything better than that for me. It’s part of God’s plan.”
Crocker-Donovan II has been billed as the first All-Irish world title fight. Donovan is honored and proud to be part of history, and he fully intends to take care of his unfinished business. “It is my time to become one of the best fighters in the world,” he claimed. “When there was talk about me fighting Crocker the first time, he was a 70-30 favorite, but seeing my performance has changed that perspective. I know what it takes to beat him and I’m going to do it this Saturday night. Everything has come together. This is the best I’ve ever been, no excuses. I’ve had great sparring with David Avanesyan (31-5-1, 19 KOs, former WBA regular welterweight champion in 2017).
“This is history, and we are changing Irish boxing. Ireland produces some of the best amateur fighters on the planet and to be world champion as a professional boxer is very special in Ireland. I know this is my time. I believe I can beat any welterweight in the world and that’s not bragging. There will be bigger and bigger fights when I am world champion. I want to fight the best welterweights in the world -- Devin Haney, Ryan Garcia, Conor Benn, Rolando Romero, Brian Norman, Jr., -- and unify titles. And they’ll have to come to Ireland to fight me!”
“In boxing,” Lee noted, “nothing is given. It has to be earned. So, I feel like with this training camp, Paddy is earning the right to step in there and become a world champion.”
Sullivan added, “We’re excited to be back in the great fight city of Belfast. At the last press conference for their first fight, Team Crocker laughed off Paddy’s prediction and confidence. They’re not laughing anymore, and Paddy is poised to repeat another spectacular performance on Saturday night.”
The Donovan Clan will have another reason to celebrate: Paddy’s cousin Jim Donovan, will make his professional debut this Saturday in Belfast, facing middleweight Lukasz Barabasz in a four-round bout. He is trained by Lee and co-managed by Lee and Sullivan.
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Donovan ready for Saturday's rematch vs. Crocker
Six months after the most disappointing night of his career, Ireland's Paddy “The Real Deal” Donovan (14-0-1, 11 KOs), is ready to take care of unfinished business this Saturday night against archrival Lewis “Croc” Crocker (21-0, 11 KOs) at Winsor Park in Belfast, Northern Ireland. The 26 year-old Donovan battered Crocker in their IBF welterweight eliminator fight in March, until he was disqualified by the referee for hitting Crocker just after the end of the eighth round while throwing a flurry. Crocker, having already been knocked down once, was bloody, bruised, with one eye shut and headed down to the canvas again when the eighth round ended. Team Donovan immediately appealed, arguing that since it was an unintentional late punch, disqualification was not permitted under the rules. The IBF agreed and ordered a rematch. When IBF welterweight champion Jaron “Boots” Ennis decided to relinquish his belt and move up to junior middleweight, the IBF then ruled that Crocker-Donovan II would be contested for the vacant IBF world welterweight title.
All of the anguish associated with the original fight has been placed in the past and Irish eyes are all focused on this week’s clash, which will be streamed live on the DAZN. “I worked hard with Andy Lee (his head trainer and co-manager with New York City-based attorney Keith Sullivan) on specific things for this fight. I’m sharp and my mind is fresh. I’ve achieved so much in boxing at the age of 26, but I haven’t achieved what I want in boxing…to become world champion. I believe that everything I’ve done – twenty years in boxing, the last six with Andy – is about getting that done this Saturday night. All the work has been done and it’s about getting in there and getting that done. I’ve been through some changes as a professional boxer inside and outside the ring, but I’ll never change as a person, even after I’m world champion.
“Every fighter in the world wants to stay undefeated, but that’s not the be-all, end-all, especially because of the way it happened. But that will all be in the past when I win this fight. We regrouped and worked hard every day in the gym. Now, we’re just looking forward to the fight. It’s been challenging and different (since his last fight); I can’t say it hasn’t been. I wasn’t used to having something like that happen to me, but I’m on a journey and it’s part of my life. I executed Andy’s game plan and it’s all worked out better. The winner of our last fight was supposed to travel to the United States to fight a great champion. I really thought the rematch would happen, but now it’s for the world title. I remember Keith telling me we won the appeal, and we had the rematch, then a few weeks later, Andy buzzed me to say the rematch was for the world title and back in Belfast. I can’t think of anything better than that for me. It’s part of God’s plan.”
Crocker-Donovan II has been billed as the first All-Irish world title fight. Donovan is honored and proud to be part of history, and he fully intends to take care of his unfinished business. “It is my time to become one of the best fighters in the world,” he claimed. “When there was talk about me fighting Crocker the first time, he was a 70-30 favorite, but seeing my performance has changed that perspective. I know what it takes to beat him and I’m going to do it this Saturday night. Everything has come together. This is the best I’ve ever been, no excuses. I’ve had great sparring with David Avanesyan (31-5-1, 19 KOs, former WBA regular welterweight champion in 2017).
“This is history, and we are changing Irish boxing. Ireland produces some of the best amateur fighters on the planet and to be world champion as a professional boxer is very special in Ireland. I know this is my time. I believe I can beat any welterweight in the world and that’s not bragging. There will be bigger and bigger fights when I am world champion. I want to fight the best welterweights in the world -- Devin Haney, Ryan Garcia, Conor Benn, Rolando Romero, Brian Norman, Jr., -- and unify titles. And they’ll have to come to Ireland to fight me!”
“In boxing,” Lee noted, “nothing is given. It has to be earned. So, I feel like with this training camp, Paddy is earning the right to step in there and become a world champion.”
Sullivan added, “We’re excited to be back in the great fight city of Belfast. At the last press conference for their first fight, Team Crocker laughed off Paddy’s prediction and confidence. They’re not laughing anymore, and Paddy is poised to repeat another spectacular performance on Saturday night.”
The Donovan Clan will have another reason to celebrate: Paddy’s cousin Jim Donovan, will make his professional debut this Saturday in Belfast, facing middleweight Lukasz Barabasz in a four-round bout. He is trained by Lee and co-managed by Lee and Sullivan.
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Ex-champ Makabu wins in Kinshasa |
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Ilunga Junior Makabu TKO3 Dodzi Kemeh... Ilunga Junior Makabu remained a cruiserweight contender with a third-round victory over the weekend at the Martyrs Stadium in the city of Kinshasa. Makabu overwhelmed Ghana’s Dodzi Kemeh on a show presented by Luyoyo Promotions. Makabu started the bout cautiously in front of a supportive crowd. But, before the end of the first round, the former champion landed a good left hook. In the second round, Kemeh didn’t back down, landing a few punches on Makabu. However, Makabu remained composed while also connecting with the Ghanaian. It was in the third round that Makabu unleashed the full power of his left hook, landing a series of blows to Kemeh’s head. At the start of the fourth round, as Makabu was ready to continue the fight, Kemeh was unable to. Malabu, who reigned as the WBC 200-pound champion from 2020 through 2023, is now 30-4. Kemeh slips to 25-4-1.
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Ex-champ Makabu wins in Kinshasa
Ilunga Junior Makabu TKO3 Dodzi Kemeh... Ilunga Junior Makabu remained a cruiserweight contender with a third-round victory over the weekend at the Martyrs Stadium in the city of Kinshasa. Makabu overwhelmed Ghana’s Dodzi Kemeh on a show presented by Luyoyo Promotions. Makabu started the bout cautiously in front of a supportive crowd. But, before the end of the first round, the former champion landed a good left hook. In the second round, Kemeh didn’t back down, landing a few punches on Makabu. However, Makabu remained composed while also connecting with the Ghanaian. It was in the third round that Makabu unleashed the full power of his left hook, landing a series of blows to Kemeh’s head. At the start of the fourth round, as Makabu was ready to continue the fight, Kemeh was unable to. Malabu, who reigned as the WBC 200-pound champion from 2020 through 2023, is now 30-4. Kemeh slips to 25-4-1.
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Pitufo Diaz unbowed in defeat |
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In what is already being hailed as a potential “Fight of the Year” candidate, Christopher “Pitufo” Diaz (30-6, 19 KOs) of Orlando, Florida lost a toe-to-toe battle with IBF 130-pound champion Eduardo “Sugar” Nunez (29-1, 27 KOs) in Mexico this past Saturday, September 6th. From the opening round, Diaz and Nunez stood in the pocket and traded heavy shots, electrifying the crowd in Los Mochis. Though Nunez scored a pair of knockdowns in round seven that ultimately widened the scorecards, Diaz never stopped coming forward—cutting the champion over his left eye with a punch in the final round and forcing him to dig deeper than ever before.
“This was one of the most intense fights of my career, and I gave it everything I had,” said Diaz after the bout. “I knew I was in enemy territory, but I didn’t come there to back down—I came to fight. Nunez is a great champion, but I made him earn every second of that win.”
Despite the setback on the scorecards, Diaz’s performance earned admiration from fans, commentators, and his opponent alike. His relentless pressure and ability to absorb and return fire in equal measure created a war the local crowd, and everyone that was watching globally won’t soon forget. “I told myself before the fight—I want these fans to remember my name,” Diaz shared. “I may not be from Los Mochis, but I brought a fight that will stay in their hearts. I gave them something real, something unforgettable. That’s what boxing is all about.”
A seasoned veteran of the sport, Diaz has spent the better part of a decade battling elite opposition at the championship level, never shying away from tough fights—and never failing to entertain. “I’ve fought some of the best in the world, and I’ve always brought fireworks,” he said. “Win or lose, the fans know that when ‘Pitufo’ Diaz steps into the ring, they’re getting a fight. I’m proud of that. That’s my legacy.”
As for what’s next, Diaz remains hungry and optimistic. “I’m going to rest up, but I’m not done—not by a long shot,” Diaz concluded. “There’s still gas in the tank, and I know I’ve got more great fights ahead of me. Whether it’s a rematch or another top contender, I’ll be ready.”
Amaury Piedra, President of Boxlab Promotions, praised Diaz’s courage and performance. “We couldn’t be prouder of what Christopher showed in that ring,” Piedra said. “He went into a champion’s backyard, in front of a fired-up crowd, and gave the fans a fight they’ll be talking about for years. This was a classic—pure heart, grit, and world-class action. That’s what ‘Pitufo’ brings every time.”
With his warrior spirit on full display, Christopher “Pitufo” Diaz once again reminded the boxing world why he remains one of the most exciting fighters in the sport.
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Pitufo Diaz unbowed in defeat
In what is already being hailed as a potential “Fight of the Year” candidate, Christopher “Pitufo” Diaz (30-6, 19 KOs) of Orlando, Florida lost a toe-to-toe battle with IBF 130-pound champion Eduardo “Sugar” Nunez (29-1, 27 KOs) in Mexico this past Saturday, September 6th. From the opening round, Diaz and Nunez stood in the pocket and traded heavy shots, electrifying the crowd in Los Mochis. Though Nunez scored a pair of knockdowns in round seven that ultimately widened the scorecards, Diaz never stopped coming forward—cutting the champion over his left eye with a punch in the final round and forcing him to dig deeper than ever before.
“This was one of the most intense fights of my career, and I gave it everything I had,” said Diaz after the bout. “I knew I was in enemy territory, but I didn’t come there to back down—I came to fight. Nunez is a great champion, but I made him earn every second of that win.”
Despite the setback on the scorecards, Diaz’s performance earned admiration from fans, commentators, and his opponent alike. His relentless pressure and ability to absorb and return fire in equal measure created a war the local crowd, and everyone that was watching globally won’t soon forget. “I told myself before the fight—I want these fans to remember my name,” Diaz shared. “I may not be from Los Mochis, but I brought a fight that will stay in their hearts. I gave them something real, something unforgettable. That’s what boxing is all about.”
A seasoned veteran of the sport, Diaz has spent the better part of a decade battling elite opposition at the championship level, never shying away from tough fights—and never failing to entertain. “I’ve fought some of the best in the world, and I’ve always brought fireworks,” he said. “Win or lose, the fans know that when ‘Pitufo’ Diaz steps into the ring, they’re getting a fight. I’m proud of that. That’s my legacy.”
As for what’s next, Diaz remains hungry and optimistic. “I’m going to rest up, but I’m not done—not by a long shot,” Diaz concluded. “There’s still gas in the tank, and I know I’ve got more great fights ahead of me. Whether it’s a rematch or another top contender, I’ll be ready.”
Amaury Piedra, President of Boxlab Promotions, praised Diaz’s courage and performance. “We couldn’t be prouder of what Christopher showed in that ring,” Piedra said. “He went into a champion’s backyard, in front of a fired-up crowd, and gave the fans a fight they’ll be talking about for years. This was a classic—pure heart, grit, and world-class action. That’s what ‘Pitufo’ brings every time.”
With his warrior spirit on full display, Christopher “Pitufo” Diaz once again reminded the boxing world why he remains one of the most exciting fighters in the sport.
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Charlie Edwards defeats Salvador Juarez |
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Charlie Edwards W10 Salvador “Peloncito” Juárez... At Dublin’s 3Arena, former WBC flyweight champion Charlie Edwards got a quality win in the super flyweight division by defeating Mexico’s Salvador “Peloncito” Juárez. The ten-round fight saw the British Edwards (21-2) take control from the opening bell, showcasing his precision and technique to dictate the pace. Juárez (20-10-2) attempted to respond but was unable to find a solution to counter the Brit’s dominance. Judges Francisco Alloza, Padraig O’Reachtagain, and Robert Verwijs turned in scorecards of 96-94, 99-91, and 99-91. With this win, Edwards adds another achievement to his career and strengthens his position in the super flyweight division.
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Charlie Edwards defeats Salvador Juarez
Charlie Edwards W10 Salvador “Peloncito” Juárez... At Dublin’s 3Arena, former WBC flyweight champion Charlie Edwards got a quality win in the super flyweight division by defeating Mexico’s Salvador “Peloncito” Juárez. The ten-round fight saw the British Edwards (21-2) take control from the opening bell, showcasing his precision and technique to dictate the pace. Juárez (20-10-2) attempted to respond but was unable to find a solution to counter the Brit’s dominance. Judges Francisco Alloza, Padraig O’Reachtagain, and Robert Verwijs turned in scorecards of 96-94, 99-91, and 99-91. With this win, Edwards adds another achievement to his career and strengthens his position in the super flyweight division.
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Massachusetts' Steven Sumpter gets the call to fight in Las Vegas |
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Massachusetts super middleweight Steven “The Savage” Sumpter (11-1-1, 9 KOs) will be fighting in Las Vegas this week as part of the festivities for the 2025 boxing event of the year, “Canelo vs. Crawford." Sumpter will be, competing on the Wednesday night show, three days before the big event, in the first of back-to-back shows at Fontainebleau Las Vegas. The Pittsfield, MA boxer will embrace the underdog role in a ten-round fight against Bek Nurmaganbet (14-0, 12 KOs). “I never dreamed I’d be fighting on a platform like this,” Sumpter admitted. “I knew it would take steps to move up, but I never thought I’d be fighting on a show in Las Vegas leading into ‘Canelo’ versus Crawford’.
“An impressive win will open a lot of doors for me. The whole world will know who I am, and I’ll be able to challenge the guys at the top of the light heavyweight division. It will literally change my whole life, but I never really think about that.”
Nurmaganbet was a celebrated amateur boxer in Kazakhstan. He was the 2018 Kazakhstan National Champion as well as the gold medal winner at the ASBC Elite Boxing Championships.
“I’ve been in the ring with better caliber guys than him,” Sumpter noted. “I sparred with (2-time light heavyweight world champion) Jean Pascal (37-8-1, 21 KOs, for this fight. At my (Springfield) gym, I’ve sparred Rohan Polanco and he’s a welterweight but hits like a light heavyweight. Carlos Gongora (23-3, 17 KOs) and I were Steven Butler’s (36-5-1, 30 KOs) main sparring partners for his last fight (WKO4). I know what to do.”
There’s always an increased risk of getting headbutted, of course, when a pair of southpaws like Nurmaganbet and Sumpter fight. Sumpter isn’t concerned at all, though. “I know he’s a 6’ 1” southpaw and a good boxer,” Sumpter added, “I’m not concerned with headbutting because we’re both southpaws. I can expose his European style. He doesn’t like mixing it up inside. He wants to stay on the outside, so I need to apply pressure and dictate the pace, not him, from the start. “
Sumpter is the former New England light heavyweight title holder. “I’m going in confident of doing what I do,” Sumpter concluded, “and coming out with the win.”
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Massachusetts' Steven Sumpter gets the call to fight in Las Vegas
Massachusetts super middleweight Steven “The Savage” Sumpter (11-1-1, 9 KOs) will be fighting in Las Vegas this week as part of the festivities for the 2025 boxing event of the year, “Canelo vs. Crawford." Sumpter will be, competing on the Wednesday night show, three days before the big event, in the first of back-to-back shows at Fontainebleau Las Vegas. The Pittsfield, MA boxer will embrace the underdog role in a ten-round fight against Bek Nurmaganbet (14-0, 12 KOs). “I never dreamed I’d be fighting on a platform like this,” Sumpter admitted. “I knew it would take steps to move up, but I never thought I’d be fighting on a show in Las Vegas leading into ‘Canelo’ versus Crawford’.
“An impressive win will open a lot of doors for me. The whole world will know who I am, and I’ll be able to challenge the guys at the top of the light heavyweight division. It will literally change my whole life, but I never really think about that.”
Nurmaganbet was a celebrated amateur boxer in Kazakhstan. He was the 2018 Kazakhstan National Champion as well as the gold medal winner at the ASBC Elite Boxing Championships.
“I’ve been in the ring with better caliber guys than him,” Sumpter noted. “I sparred with (2-time light heavyweight world champion) Jean Pascal (37-8-1, 21 KOs, for this fight. At my (Springfield) gym, I’ve sparred Rohan Polanco and he’s a welterweight but hits like a light heavyweight. Carlos Gongora (23-3, 17 KOs) and I were Steven Butler’s (36-5-1, 30 KOs) main sparring partners for his last fight (WKO4). I know what to do.”
There’s always an increased risk of getting headbutted, of course, when a pair of southpaws like Nurmaganbet and Sumpter fight. Sumpter isn’t concerned at all, though. “I know he’s a 6’ 1” southpaw and a good boxer,” Sumpter added, “I’m not concerned with headbutting because we’re both southpaws. I can expose his European style. He doesn’t like mixing it up inside. He wants to stay on the outside, so I need to apply pressure and dictate the pace, not him, from the start. “
Sumpter is the former New England light heavyweight title holder. “I’m going in confident of doing what I do,” Sumpter concluded, “and coming out with the win.”
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Results from Kansas: Romero reaches 10-0 |
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Marco Romero KO2 Javier Dario Aragon ... Last weekend's Turner Boxing Academy show was a celebration of local hero Marco “El Tiburon” Romero (10-0, 9 KOs) at the sold-out Embassy Suites Hotel & Conference Center last Saturday night in Olathe, Kansas. A multiple national amateur champion, Romero fought in his hometown at a lighter weight, 165 pounds, on his way down from super middleweight to middleweight. Romero, age 19, faced Mexico's Javier Dario Aragon (7-2-1, 3 KOs) in the main event. Once the “feeling-out” opening round was out of the way, Romero opened up in the second round and found his range, peppering Aragon with counter-punch combinations until a left hook sent Aragon down to the canvas. Aragon beat the count and attempted to move out of trouble, but a double hook to Aragon’s body, followed by a perfectly placed left hook landed on Aragon’s chin to close the show.
“This show made all the years of my hard work and sacrifices worth it,” an exuberant Romero said after the fight. “The best thing about fighting in Olathe was that it was only five minutes from my house. I stuck with the game plan, cut off the ring, and landed the power punch I wanted to end the fight. I spoke to Coach John and perhaps I’ll fight for the fourth and final time in Portland, Maine in November, and another possibility is a show in Topeka in December along with John Cantrell.”
“Rarely does the main event live up to expectations, but this one did with young Marco Romero scoring an electrifying knockout with a crushing left hook that would have made Joe Frazier proud,” added Brown, who is also Romero’s head trainer/manager. “Marco gave his fans everything they wanted and more. As always, Marco was a class act after his victory, making sure his most recent victim was okay. Marco then left the ring and was swallowed up by his adoring fans”
“Last Saturday had to be the biggest night in Olathe’s sports history,” noted Romero’s advisor Al Valenti.
UNDERCARD
In the co-feature, Topeka heavyweight John “Iron Man” Cantrell improved to 15-0 (14 KOs) with a third-round stoppage of Portland “The Prince” Pringle (5-5, 1 KO). Cantrell, also a licensed boxing promoter in Kansas, took control of the fight in round two as Cantrell landed a series of body punches, and then finished Pringle off in the third.
Three-time national amateur champion Ben Turla (1-0, 1 KO) turned in a memorable pro debut in a battle of cruiserweight southpaws versus Randy “Spawn” Martina (1-1, 1 KO). Turla came out of the corner determined to make a statement and it didn’t take long for him to establish the pace. A powerful right jab-straight left combo floored Martina and the referee quickly waved off the fight in the opening round.
Kansas City welterweight Marcell Davidson (7-0, 4 KOs) was tested early and often by Ociel Vazquez (2-2, 2 KOs). In a back-and-forth fight, Davidson emerged with a disputed four-round unanimous decision. Davidson was a celebrated amateur boxer who was the 2019 National Golden Gloves champion, as well as the two-time winner of Ringside World Championships.
In the opener, Kansas City welterweight Anthony Adams, Jr. (5-1, 5 KOs) stopped Marquis “Ther Hawk” Hawthorne (8-25) in the third round, following a straight right hand that sent Hawthorne onto the ropes, when the referee stepped right in the halt the action.
Putting on a quality pro boxing show is a monumental undertaking,” event promoter John Brown said. ‘It can only be done with the right team and when that works together a masterpiece is produced. Last night was a classic masterpiece. I was lucky to secure the ultimate A-team with the world’s best matchmaker, Mark Vaz, and legendary Al Valenti for marketing, and young rookie named Erin Taylor who was a rock star.
“We had four great competitive amateur bouts featuring some of the best boxers in the country (all won by Turner Boxing Academy boxers) and five exciting bouts that left every fan feeling they really got their money’s worth of entertainment. All of the pro bouts gave the packed house what they wanted: competitive battles and some classic knockouts.”
A four-bout USA Boxing-sanctioned amateur card preceded the pro card.
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Results from Kansas: Romero reaches 10-0
Marco Romero KO2 Javier Dario Aragon ... Last weekend's Turner Boxing Academy show was a celebration of local hero Marco “El Tiburon” Romero (10-0, 9 KOs) at the sold-out Embassy Suites Hotel & Conference Center last Saturday night in Olathe, Kansas. A multiple national amateur champion, Romero fought in his hometown at a lighter weight, 165 pounds, on his way down from super middleweight to middleweight. Romero, age 19, faced Mexico's Javier Dario Aragon (7-2-1, 3 KOs) in the main event. Once the “feeling-out” opening round was out of the way, Romero opened up in the second round and found his range, peppering Aragon with counter-punch combinations until a left hook sent Aragon down to the canvas. Aragon beat the count and attempted to move out of trouble, but a double hook to Aragon’s body, followed by a perfectly placed left hook landed on Aragon’s chin to close the show.
“This show made all the years of my hard work and sacrifices worth it,” an exuberant Romero said after the fight. “The best thing about fighting in Olathe was that it was only five minutes from my house. I stuck with the game plan, cut off the ring, and landed the power punch I wanted to end the fight. I spoke to Coach John and perhaps I’ll fight for the fourth and final time in Portland, Maine in November, and another possibility is a show in Topeka in December along with John Cantrell.”
“Rarely does the main event live up to expectations, but this one did with young Marco Romero scoring an electrifying knockout with a crushing left hook that would have made Joe Frazier proud,” added Brown, who is also Romero’s head trainer/manager. “Marco gave his fans everything they wanted and more. As always, Marco was a class act after his victory, making sure his most recent victim was okay. Marco then left the ring and was swallowed up by his adoring fans”
“Last Saturday had to be the biggest night in Olathe’s sports history,” noted Romero’s advisor Al Valenti.
UNDERCARD
In the co-feature, Topeka heavyweight John “Iron Man” Cantrell improved to 15-0 (14 KOs) with a third-round stoppage of Portland “The Prince” Pringle (5-5, 1 KO). Cantrell, also a licensed boxing promoter in Kansas, took control of the fight in round two as Cantrell landed a series of body punches, and then finished Pringle off in the third.
Three-time national amateur champion Ben Turla (1-0, 1 KO) turned in a memorable pro debut in a battle of cruiserweight southpaws versus Randy “Spawn” Martina (1-1, 1 KO). Turla came out of the corner determined to make a statement and it didn’t take long for him to establish the pace. A powerful right jab-straight left combo floored Martina and the referee quickly waved off the fight in the opening round.
Kansas City welterweight Marcell Davidson (7-0, 4 KOs) was tested early and often by Ociel Vazquez (2-2, 2 KOs). In a back-and-forth fight, Davidson emerged with a disputed four-round unanimous decision. Davidson was a celebrated amateur boxer who was the 2019 National Golden Gloves champion, as well as the two-time winner of Ringside World Championships.
In the opener, Kansas City welterweight Anthony Adams, Jr. (5-1, 5 KOs) stopped Marquis “Ther Hawk” Hawthorne (8-25) in the third round, following a straight right hand that sent Hawthorne onto the ropes, when the referee stepped right in the halt the action.
Putting on a quality pro boxing show is a monumental undertaking,” event promoter John Brown said. ‘It can only be done with the right team and when that works together a masterpiece is produced. Last night was a classic masterpiece. I was lucky to secure the ultimate A-team with the world’s best matchmaker, Mark Vaz, and legendary Al Valenti for marketing, and young rookie named Erin Taylor who was a rock star.
“We had four great competitive amateur bouts featuring some of the best boxers in the country (all won by Turner Boxing Academy boxers) and five exciting bouts that left every fan feeling they really got their money’s worth of entertainment. All of the pro bouts gave the packed house what they wanted: competitive battles and some classic knockouts.”
A four-bout USA Boxing-sanctioned amateur card preceded the pro card.
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WBC title situation update |
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The WBC issued this division-by-division update on the WBC title situations...
Heavyweight: no update.
Bridgerweight: Champion Kevin Lerena vs. interim champion Krzysztof Wlodarczyk has been ordered and a purse bid is scheduled for September 16th in case there is no agreement.
Cruiserweight: A rematch between champion Badou Jack and champion in recess Noel Mikaelyan has been ordered. A purse bid was held on September 5th with Bash Boxing winning the rights to promote the fight.
Light heavywweight David Benavidez risks his WBC title vs. Anthony Yarde in a voluntary defense on Nov. 22nd in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Super middleweight: Saul "Canelo" Alvarez fights four-division champion Terence Crawford on September 13th in Las Vegas. Hamzah Sheeraz won an eliminator and Christian Mbilli faces Lester Martinez also on Sept. 13th in Las Vegas.
Middleweight: Carlos Adames will make a mandatory defense of his title vs. Meiirin Nursultanov. Jesus Ramos battles Shane Mosley jr. for the interim title on Oct. 25th Las Vegas.
Junior middleweight: Champion Sebastian Fundora defends vs. former welterweight champion Keith Thurman on Oct. 25th in Las Vegas. Interim champion Vergil Ortiz faces Erickson Lubin on Nov. 8th in Texas.
Welterweight: no update.
Junior welterweight: Champion Subriel Matias will face Dalton Smith, the mandatory challenger next, with the purse bid won by Fresh Productions Boxing. Ex-WBA title holder Alberto Puello waits for the winner as the second mandatory.
Lightweight: The champion is Shakur Stevenson. Jadier Herrera boxes Ricardo Nuñez on Oct. 25th in London, as a final eliminator.
Junior lightweight: Champion O’Shaquie Foster will defend against two-division champion Stephen Fulton on Oct. 25th in Las Vegas. Michael Magnesi and Mark Magsayo compete in a final eliminator on December 13th in Manila.
Featherweight: While WBC featherweight champion Stephen Fulton moves up for his next fight, Nathaniel Collins and Cristobal Llorente clash on Oct. 4th in Glasgow for a final eliminator.
Super bantamweight: Undisputed world champion Naoya Inoue faces WBA interim champion Murodjon Akhmadaliev on Sept. 14th in Tokyo.
Bantamweight: weight: no update.
Super flyweight: WBC champion Jesse Rodriguez fights a unification bout vs. WBA and former IBF champion Fernando Martinez on Nov. 22nd in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Flyweight: no update.
Junior flyweight: no update.
Minimumweight: Champion Melvin Jerusalem is scheduled for mandatory defense vs. Siyakholwa Kuse on Oct. 24th in Manila.
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WBC title situation update
The WBC issued this division-by-division update on the WBC title situations...
Heavyweight: no update.
Bridgerweight: Champion Kevin Lerena vs. interim champion Krzysztof Wlodarczyk has been ordered and a purse bid is scheduled for September 16th in case there is no agreement.
Cruiserweight: A rematch between champion Badou Jack and champion in recess Noel Mikaelyan has been ordered. A purse bid was held on September 5th with Bash Boxing winning the rights to promote the fight.
Light heavywweight David Benavidez risks his WBC title vs. Anthony Yarde in a voluntary defense on Nov. 22nd in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Super middleweight: Saul "Canelo" Alvarez fights four-division champion Terence Crawford on September 13th in Las Vegas. Hamzah Sheeraz won an eliminator and Christian Mbilli faces Lester Martinez also on Sept. 13th in Las Vegas.
Middleweight: Carlos Adames will make a mandatory defense of his title vs. Meiirin Nursultanov. Jesus Ramos battles Shane Mosley jr. for the interim title on Oct. 25th Las Vegas.
Junior middleweight: Champion Sebastian Fundora defends vs. former welterweight champion Keith Thurman on Oct. 25th in Las Vegas. Interim champion Vergil Ortiz faces Erickson Lubin on Nov. 8th in Texas.
Welterweight: no update.
Junior welterweight: Champion Subriel Matias will face Dalton Smith, the mandatory challenger next, with the purse bid won by Fresh Productions Boxing. Ex-WBA title holder Alberto Puello waits for the winner as the second mandatory.
Lightweight: The champion is Shakur Stevenson. Jadier Herrera boxes Ricardo Nuñez on Oct. 25th in London, as a final eliminator.
Junior lightweight: Champion O’Shaquie Foster will defend against two-division champion Stephen Fulton on Oct. 25th in Las Vegas. Michael Magnesi and Mark Magsayo compete in a final eliminator on December 13th in Manila.
Featherweight: While WBC featherweight champion Stephen Fulton moves up for his next fight, Nathaniel Collins and Cristobal Llorente clash on Oct. 4th in Glasgow for a final eliminator.
Super bantamweight: Undisputed world champion Naoya Inoue faces WBA interim champion Murodjon Akhmadaliev on Sept. 14th in Tokyo.
Bantamweight: weight: no update.
Super flyweight: WBC champion Jesse Rodriguez fights a unification bout vs. WBA and former IBF champion Fernando Martinez on Nov. 22nd in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Flyweight: no update.
Junior flyweight: no update.
Minimumweight: Champion Melvin Jerusalem is scheduled for mandatory defense vs. Siyakholwa Kuse on Oct. 24th in Manila.
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Nunez retains junior lightweight lightweight title |
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Edwin Nunez W12 Christopher Diaz... Edwin "Sugar" Nunez retained his IBF junior lightweight title over perennial contender Christopher "Pitufo" Diaz, live on DAZN in front of his hometown crowd in in Los Mochis, Mexico on Saturday. Diaz provided a tougher-than-expected test for Nunez. But when it was all said and done, Nunez dropped Diaz twice to win a wide unanimous decision and retain his IBF crown. The scores were 117-109 (twice) and 116-110). For the first half of the fight, it was a nip-and-tuck affair. Diaz (30-5, 19 KOs) had proved to be a formidable foe by fighting well on the inside and landing numerous power shots to Nunez. It had looked like Nunez would struggle with the toughness of Diaz. But the champion started to prove his mettle in the seventh round.
A delayed decision by the referee about halfway through the seventh as Nunez sent Diaz to the canvas with an overhand right that had Diaz’s right hand touching the mat. Then Nunez poured the pressure on. With about 55 seconds left in the round, Nunez sent Diaz right back to the mat with a crushing overhand right that definitively sent him to the mat. Diaz made it back to his feet to survive the round. From there, Nunez had things under control, but Diaz made it a dogfight by continuing his constant pressure. But Nunez (29-1, 28 KOs) was able to thwart the attack and make a successful first title defense.
With that homecoming fight out of the way, Nunez can now look forward to bigger fights in the future. That was evidenced by Nunez's post-fight confrontation with WBO titleholder Emanuel Navarrete.
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Nunez retains junior lightweight lightweight title
Edwin Nunez W12 Christopher Diaz... Edwin "Sugar" Nunez retained his IBF junior lightweight title over perennial contender Christopher "Pitufo" Diaz, live on DAZN in front of his hometown crowd in in Los Mochis, Mexico on Saturday. Diaz provided a tougher-than-expected test for Nunez. But when it was all said and done, Nunez dropped Diaz twice to win a wide unanimous decision and retain his IBF crown. The scores were 117-109 (twice) and 116-110). For the first half of the fight, it was a nip-and-tuck affair. Diaz (30-5, 19 KOs) had proved to be a formidable foe by fighting well on the inside and landing numerous power shots to Nunez. It had looked like Nunez would struggle with the toughness of Diaz. But the champion started to prove his mettle in the seventh round.
A delayed decision by the referee about halfway through the seventh as Nunez sent Diaz to the canvas with an overhand right that had Diaz’s right hand touching the mat. Then Nunez poured the pressure on. With about 55 seconds left in the round, Nunez sent Diaz right back to the mat with a crushing overhand right that definitively sent him to the mat. Diaz made it back to his feet to survive the round. From there, Nunez had things under control, but Diaz made it a dogfight by continuing his constant pressure. But Nunez (29-1, 28 KOs) was able to thwart the attack and make a successful first title defense.
With that homecoming fight out of the way, Nunez can now look forward to bigger fights in the future. That was evidenced by Nunez's post-fight confrontation with WBO titleholder Emanuel Navarrete.
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Michael Conlan gets KO win in Dublin |
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Michael Conlan KO4 Jack Bateson... Over the weekend in Dublin, former Olympian Michael Conlan restored some momentum to his stalled career by knocking out Jack Bateson in the fourth round. Bates beat thge count and seemed clear-headed but he clearly suffered an ankle injury during his fall. It was immediately clear Bates could not put any weight on his ankle, and the referee correctly ended the fight as Bates hopped over to the ropes for support. Conlan (listed at 20-3, but 26-6 is the more accurate record based on paid bouts in the World Series of Boxing) has two wins this year after back-to-back stoppage losses in 2023 and taking the year off in 2024. Bateson is now 20-2-1.
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Michael Conlan gets KO win in Dublin
Michael Conlan KO4 Jack Bateson... Over the weekend in Dublin, former Olympian Michael Conlan restored some momentum to his stalled career by knocking out Jack Bateson in the fourth round. Bates beat thge count and seemed clear-headed but he clearly suffered an ankle injury during his fall. It was immediately clear Bates could not put any weight on his ankle, and the referee correctly ended the fight as Bates hopped over to the ropes for support. Conlan (listed at 20-3, but 26-6 is the more accurate record based on paid bouts in the World Series of Boxing) has two wins this year after back-to-back stoppage losses in 2023 and taking the year off in 2024. Bateson is now 20-2-1.
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Welcome to Alvarez vs. Crawford fight week |
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On Saturday in Las Vegas, reigning undisputed world super middleweight champion Saúl “Canelo” Álvarez (63-2-2), has a track record that includes championships in four divisions (junior middleweight, middleweight, super middleweight, and light heavyweight) will face Terence “Bud” Crawford, considered one of the best pound-for-pound fighters of the last decade, undefeated and undisputed champion in two divisions. Alvarez (pictured) arrives at this fight with a clear mission: to reinforce his legacy as the greatest Mexican boxer of all time. “This fight is for legacy, not just for the belts,” the fighter from Guadalajara recently declared in an interview with international media.
The American Crawford, already a four division champion, will move up two weight classes to face Alvarez, a challenge few have taken on in the sport’s recent history.
“Canelo usually slows down after the sixth round; that’s where Crawford can make a difference,” warned Brian McIntyre, the Nebraska fighter’s trainer.
For Álvarez, a victory would mean reaffirming his status as the top figure in Mexican boxing. But a defeat could create cracks in his legacy, reigniting criticism. “If Crawford wins, it would seriously damage the perception of Canelo as the best of his era,” analyst and former champion Chris Algieri warned.
At 33 years old, with 63 professional fights and a name already written in golden letters, Canelo seeks to add the definitive chapter to an unprecedented career. On the night of September 13th, not only will a champion be decided, but the legacy of one of the greatest boxers in modern history will also be on the line.
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Welcome to Alvarez vs. Crawford fight week
On Saturday in Las Vegas, reigning undisputed world super middleweight champion Saúl “Canelo” Álvarez (63-2-2), has a track record that includes championships in four divisions (junior middleweight, middleweight, super middleweight, and light heavyweight) will face Terence “Bud” Crawford, considered one of the best pound-for-pound fighters of the last decade, undefeated and undisputed champion in two divisions. Alvarez (pictured) arrives at this fight with a clear mission: to reinforce his legacy as the greatest Mexican boxer of all time. “This fight is for legacy, not just for the belts,” the fighter from Guadalajara recently declared in an interview with international media.
The American Crawford, already a four division champion, will move up two weight classes to face Alvarez, a challenge few have taken on in the sport’s recent history.
“Canelo usually slows down after the sixth round; that’s where Crawford can make a difference,” warned Brian McIntyre, the Nebraska fighter’s trainer.
For Álvarez, a victory would mean reaffirming his status as the top figure in Mexican boxing. But a defeat could create cracks in his legacy, reigniting criticism. “If Crawford wins, it would seriously damage the perception of Canelo as the best of his era,” analyst and former champion Chris Algieri warned.
At 33 years old, with 63 professional fights and a name already written in golden letters, Canelo seeks to add the definitive chapter to an unprecedented career. On the night of September 13th, not only will a champion be decided, but the legacy of one of the greatest boxers in modern history will also be on the line.
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Welcome to Inoue vs. Akhmadaliev fight week |
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On September 14th the Aichi International Arena in Nagoya, Japan, will host one of the year’s most anticipated showdowns: Naoya “Monster” Inoue (30-0, 27 KOs), the undisputed world 122-pound champion, will put his laurels on the line against former two-belt and current interim champion Murodjon “MJ” Akhmadaliev (17-3, 11 KOs including the World Series of Boxing). Inoue (pictured) is coming off an eighth-round stoppage of Ramón Cárdenas, a performance that reaffirmed his stranglehold on the division. With explosive power, surgical precision, and uncanny adaptability, the Japanese superstar has established himself as one of the most complete fighters in the sport. Akhmadaliev, meanwhile, finally gets the long-awaited chance to test himself against the Monster.
Earlier this year, the Uzbek southpaw vented his frustration over repeated delays: “We can’t keep hearing ‘next fight, next fight,’ while they slip in other bouts. If His Excellency Turki Alalshikh wants this fight, it’s happening. There’s no bigger fight at 122 than me against Inoue.”
Inoue didn’t hesitate to fire back on social media after Akhmadaliev’s win over Ricardo Espinoza: “Why would I run from someone who lost to [Marlon] Tapales? If he wants this fight, he should hold on to his victory and wait.” The Monster stayed busy in the meantime, scoring another eighth-round knockout in May, this time against Luis Castillo in Mexico.
Now, with Nagoya as the stage, the stakes couldn’t be higher. Inoue fights to defend his legacy; Akhmadaliev fights to reclaim his place at the very top. The undisputed crown is on the line, and the world will be watching.
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Welcome to Inoue vs. Akhmadaliev fight week
On September 14th the Aichi International Arena in Nagoya, Japan, will host one of the year’s most anticipated showdowns: Naoya “Monster” Inoue (30-0, 27 KOs), the undisputed world 122-pound champion, will put his laurels on the line against former two-belt and current interim champion Murodjon “MJ” Akhmadaliev (17-3, 11 KOs including the World Series of Boxing). Inoue (pictured) is coming off an eighth-round stoppage of Ramón Cárdenas, a performance that reaffirmed his stranglehold on the division. With explosive power, surgical precision, and uncanny adaptability, the Japanese superstar has established himself as one of the most complete fighters in the sport. Akhmadaliev, meanwhile, finally gets the long-awaited chance to test himself against the Monster.
Earlier this year, the Uzbek southpaw vented his frustration over repeated delays: “We can’t keep hearing ‘next fight, next fight,’ while they slip in other bouts. If His Excellency Turki Alalshikh wants this fight, it’s happening. There’s no bigger fight at 122 than me against Inoue.”
Inoue didn’t hesitate to fire back on social media after Akhmadaliev’s win over Ricardo Espinoza: “Why would I run from someone who lost to [Marlon] Tapales? If he wants this fight, he should hold on to his victory and wait.” The Monster stayed busy in the meantime, scoring another eighth-round knockout in May, this time against Luis Castillo in Mexico.
Now, with Nagoya as the stage, the stakes couldn’t be higher. Inoue fights to defend his legacy; Akhmadaliev fights to reclaim his place at the very top. The undisputed crown is on the line, and the world will be watching.
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Joseph Parker to fight Fabio Wardley |
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A classic heavyweight showdown will take place at The O2 Arena in London when BO interim champion Joseph Parker (pictured) will take on the challenge of Fabio Wardley in ‘All or Nothing’ on Saturday, October 25th, live worldwide on DAZN PPV. ‘All or Nothing’, promoted by Queensberry and co-promoted with Platform Sport, is a battle of two of the best heavyweights on the planet. New Zealander Parker (36-3, 24 KOs) was supposed to fight Daniel Dubois for the IBF title in February before ultimately facing and demolishing Martin Bakole in two rounds in a first defense of his interim title, which he took from Zhilei Zhang in 2024, having previously defeated Deontay Wilder. The notable victories capped a career resurgence for the former WBO world champion, who lost an interim title encounter against Joe Joyce in 2022, which followed a pair of wins over Derek Chisora. Now 33, Parker lost his WBO title to Anthony Joshua in March 2018 and was subsequently outpointed by Dillian Whyte four months later.
Wardley (19-0-1, 18 KOs) comes into this fight off the back of a sensational stoppage of Justis Huni in June at the home of his local football club, Ipswich Town. Wardley became British champion at the end of 2022 with a defeat of Nathan Gorman before making a successful defence against David Adeleye in Riyadh just under a year later. Wardley and Frazer Clarke then fought a Fight of the Year in March 2024, which resulted in a draw, before the 30-year-old emphatically downed his challenger in the Riyadh rematch, brutally felling the Olympian in the opening round.
Promoter Frank Warren added: “This will be a corker of a heavyweight clash and one which will shine a huge light on the division. Fights like this one are as good as it can get outside of the champion defending his belts and the sort we want to see happen.
“Neither Joe or Fabio wanted to wait about and protect their positions and credit to them both for this. I believe this is a genuine even-money fight with a mesh of styles that I am sure will be eye-catching and highly crowd-pleasing.
“We promised to keep firing up this heavyweight division and we intend to keep all the contenders jockeying for position until the time come to fight for the ultimate prize.
“It is wonderful to be back at The O2 Arena with ‘All or Nothing’. It will be a great show with some extremely competitive and meaningful fights on the undercard. This event will be the hottest ticket in town.”
“DAZN is the broadcast home of the heavyweights,” said Michael Ridout, DAZN EVP, Combat Sports & New Business. “On October 25th we’ll be delivering another world class clash between two of the top names in
the division.
“Joe is coming off 3 brilliant wins and is looking to cement his position at the top of the rankings whilst Fabio continues to prove all his doubters wrong and will want to leave the O2 with his unblemished record intact.
“All the drama will unfold on another special night live and exclusive, worldwide on DAZN.”
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Joseph Parker to fight Fabio Wardley
A classic heavyweight showdown will take place at The O2 Arena in London when BO interim champion Joseph Parker (pictured) will take on the challenge of Fabio Wardley in ‘All or Nothing’ on Saturday, October 25th, live worldwide on DAZN PPV. ‘All or Nothing’, promoted by Queensberry and co-promoted with Platform Sport, is a battle of two of the best heavyweights on the planet. New Zealander Parker (36-3, 24 KOs) was supposed to fight Daniel Dubois for the IBF title in February before ultimately facing and demolishing Martin Bakole in two rounds in a first defense of his interim title, which he took from Zhilei Zhang in 2024, having previously defeated Deontay Wilder. The notable victories capped a career resurgence for the former WBO world champion, who lost an interim title encounter against Joe Joyce in 2022, which followed a pair of wins over Derek Chisora. Now 33, Parker lost his WBO title to Anthony Joshua in March 2018 and was subsequently outpointed by Dillian Whyte four months later.
Wardley (19-0-1, 18 KOs) comes into this fight off the back of a sensational stoppage of Justis Huni in June at the home of his local football club, Ipswich Town. Wardley became British champion at the end of 2022 with a defeat of Nathan Gorman before making a successful defence against David Adeleye in Riyadh just under a year later. Wardley and Frazer Clarke then fought a Fight of the Year in March 2024, which resulted in a draw, before the 30-year-old emphatically downed his challenger in the Riyadh rematch, brutally felling the Olympian in the opening round.
Promoter Frank Warren added: “This will be a corker of a heavyweight clash and one which will shine a huge light on the division. Fights like this one are as good as it can get outside of the champion defending his belts and the sort we want to see happen.
“Neither Joe or Fabio wanted to wait about and protect their positions and credit to them both for this. I believe this is a genuine even-money fight with a mesh of styles that I am sure will be eye-catching and highly crowd-pleasing.
“We promised to keep firing up this heavyweight division and we intend to keep all the contenders jockeying for position until the time come to fight for the ultimate prize.
“It is wonderful to be back at The O2 Arena with ‘All or Nothing’. It will be a great show with some extremely competitive and meaningful fights on the undercard. This event will be the hottest ticket in town.”
“DAZN is the broadcast home of the heavyweights,” said Michael Ridout, DAZN EVP, Combat Sports & New Business. “On October 25th we’ll be delivering another world class clash between two of the top names in
the division.
“Joe is coming off 3 brilliant wins and is looking to cement his position at the top of the rankings whilst Fabio continues to prove all his doubters wrong and will want to leave the O2 with his unblemished record intact.
“All the drama will unfold on another special night live and exclusive, worldwide on DAZN.”
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Oscar Valdez wins by decision |
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Oscar Valdez W10 Ricky Medina... For the first time in more than a decade, former two-division world champion Oscar Valdez returned to fight on Mexican soil. The 34-year old complained of an injured shoulder but was able to defeat San Antonio, Texas' Ricky Medina via unanimous decision (97-93, 100-90, and 98-92) Saturday night at Domo Binacional in Valdez's hometown of Nogales, Sonora, Mexico. Medina, 10 years Valdez’s junior, absorbed the veteran’s best shots and often muscled him to the ropes. Valdez (33-3, 24 KOs) struck early but didn’t find his rhythm until the middle rounds, when he began to mix in heavier shots upstairs and to the body.
The two-time Mexican Olympian kept the tempo high down the stretch, but Medina (16-4, 9 KOs), who has never been stopped as a pro, refused to wilt. Valdez said afterwards, “I know today wasn’t my best performance, but I promise to come back home and deliver a great fight. I don’t like to give excuses, but I hurt my shoulder in the first round, and that impeded what I wanted to do. But thank God we got past this fight. I want to be a world champion again. I want to come back home with that world title.”
UNDERCARD RESULTS
Junior featherweights Israel Ramirez (23-2, 12 KOs) and Jose Amaro (12-0-1, 4 KOs) fought to a no contest. The fight was stopped at 1:18 of round three due to a cut above Ramirez's left eye caused by an accidental headbutt.
Also in the junior featherweight division, Angel Patron (18-0, 13 KOs) stopped Carlos Vargas (18-3, 13 KOs) at 1:52 of the third round.
Junior welterweight Erick Fernando Campos (7-1, 2 KOs) stopped Omar Garcia (3-4-2) at 2:35 of the fifth round.
Junior lightweight Luis Corona (6-0-1, 4 KOs) prevailed by majority decision over Yohan Orduño (3-1, 3 KOs). The official scores were 58-56 (twice) for Corona and 57-57.
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Oscar Valdez wins by decision
Oscar Valdez W10 Ricky Medina... For the first time in more than a decade, former two-division world champion Oscar Valdez returned to fight on Mexican soil. The 34-year old complained of an injured shoulder but was able to defeat San Antonio, Texas' Ricky Medina via unanimous decision (97-93, 100-90, and 98-92) Saturday night at Domo Binacional in Valdez's hometown of Nogales, Sonora, Mexico. Medina, 10 years Valdez’s junior, absorbed the veteran’s best shots and often muscled him to the ropes. Valdez (33-3, 24 KOs) struck early but didn’t find his rhythm until the middle rounds, when he began to mix in heavier shots upstairs and to the body.
The two-time Mexican Olympian kept the tempo high down the stretch, but Medina (16-4, 9 KOs), who has never been stopped as a pro, refused to wilt. Valdez said afterwards, “I know today wasn’t my best performance, but I promise to come back home and deliver a great fight. I don’t like to give excuses, but I hurt my shoulder in the first round, and that impeded what I wanted to do. But thank God we got past this fight. I want to be a world champion again. I want to come back home with that world title.”
UNDERCARD RESULTS
Junior featherweights Israel Ramirez (23-2, 12 KOs) and Jose Amaro (12-0-1, 4 KOs) fought to a no contest. The fight was stopped at 1:18 of round three due to a cut above Ramirez's left eye caused by an accidental headbutt.
Also in the junior featherweight division, Angel Patron (18-0, 13 KOs) stopped Carlos Vargas (18-3, 13 KOs) at 1:52 of the third round.
Junior welterweight Erick Fernando Campos (7-1, 2 KOs) stopped Omar Garcia (3-4-2) at 2:35 of the fifth round.
Junior lightweight Luis Corona (6-0-1, 4 KOs) prevailed by majority decision over Yohan Orduño (3-1, 3 KOs). The official scores were 58-56 (twice) for Corona and 57-57.
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Weigh-in report from Nogales, Mexico |
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Here are the weigh-In results for the Zanfer / Top Rank show on ESPN Deportes from Nogales, Mexico on Saturday
Oscar Valdez 127.9 pounds vs. Ricky Medina 127.9 (ten rounds);
Israel Ramirez 121.5 vs. Jose Amaro 123 (ten rounds);
Angel Patron 123 vs. Carlos Vargas 123 (eight rounds);
Erick Fernando Campos 139.3 vs. Omar Garcia 136.7 (six rounds); and
Luis Corona Parra 133.8 vs. Yohan Orduño 130.1 (four or six rounds).
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Weigh-in report from Nogales, Mexico
Here are the weigh-In results for the Zanfer / Top Rank show on ESPN Deportes from Nogales, Mexico on Saturday
Oscar Valdez 127.9 pounds vs. Ricky Medina 127.9 (ten rounds);
Israel Ramirez 121.5 vs. Jose Amaro 123 (ten rounds);
Angel Patron 123 vs. Carlos Vargas 123 (eight rounds);
Erick Fernando Campos 139.3 vs. Omar Garcia 136.7 (six rounds); and
Luis Corona Parra 133.8 vs. Yohan Orduño 130.1 (four or six rounds).
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Official announcement for Tyson vs. Mayweather exhibition |
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Two of the most prominent and popular boxers of all time are preparing to square off in what will be one of the most significant and compelling boxing [exhibitions] in history, coming in Spring 2026. Mike Tyson, the beloved heavyweight world champion, iconic entertainer and entrepreneur, and Floyd “Money” Mayweather, a man associated with modern boxing dominance and a remarkable undefeated record of 50-0, have signed with CSI Sports / Fight Sports to deliver the mega-event globally on a date and from a location to be determined. “When CSI came to me about stepping in the ring with Floyd Mayweather,” said Tyson. “I thought, ‘No way this happens,’ but, Floyd said yes. This fight is something neither the world nor I ever thought would or could happen. However, boxing has entered a new era of the unpredictable — and this fight is as unpredictable as it gets. I still can’t believe Floyd wants to really do this. It’s going to be detrimental to his health, but he wants to do it, so it’s signed and it’s happening!”
“I’ve been doing this for 30 years and there hasn’t been a single fighter that can tarnish my legacy,” said Mayweather. “You already know that if I am going to do something, it’s going to be big and it’s going to be legendary. I’m the best in the business of boxing. This exhibition will give the fans what they want.”
CSI Sports / Fight Sports co-founders, brothers Richard and Craig Miele, will produce a multi-platform, global broadcast befitting the legendary fighters and this historic event. CSI Sports also announced that sports television executives John Skipper (ESPN, DAZN, Meadowlark Media), Mark Taffet (HBO PPV), Brian Robinson (American Idol Productions) and Chris DeBlasio (Showtime Networks) joined its leadership team, will soon announce a multi-event global media streaming and broadcast partnership that will launch with this event.
“Mike Tyson and Floyd Mayweather are two of the most compelling names and personalities with lasting legacies in all of sports. They are 21st century icons,” said Richard and Craig Miele. “Tyson vs. Mayweather will break every broadcast, streaming and economic record set by Mike Tyson in 2024. We are planning a robust promotional campaign complete with weekly premium storytelling and worldwide marketing reach. The event itself will be in a world-class venue and be presented to a global audience with new in-ring technology elements that will reshape how boxing is presented, and scoring is achieved for years to come.”
Tyson, who retired from professional boxing with 50 wins, 44 by knockout, is one of the world’s most recognized figures and, perhaps, one of the most beloved in all of sports. Known for his explosive power and intimidating presence in his prime, Tyson’s second career has been marked by his ability to compel and entertain audiences through a variety of mediums. He was the youngest heavyweight world champion in history, hailing from Brownsville, Brooklyn, New York. Today, he is driven to cap his legacy in the ring and move ahead as the sport’s premier ambassador.
Mayweather, known for his impeccable defensive skills, speed and strategic ring generalship, has expertly managed a remarkable career. He is the highest-grossing professional boxer — and one of the highest-grossing athletes — in history. His career timeline is marked with numerous high-profile fights and extremely lucrative paydays, including the three richest boxing events in history (vs. Manny Pacquiao, vs. Conor McGregor and vs. Canelo Álvarez, respectively). He is a boxing legend and has remained a prominent figure in the sport even after his official retirement with his unmatched and unprecedented record of 50 wins, no losses.
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Official announcement for Tyson vs. Mayweather exhibition
Two of the most prominent and popular boxers of all time are preparing to square off in what will be one of the most significant and compelling boxing [exhibitions] in history, coming in Spring 2026. Mike Tyson, the beloved heavyweight world champion, iconic entertainer and entrepreneur, and Floyd “Money” Mayweather, a man associated with modern boxing dominance and a remarkable undefeated record of 50-0, have signed with CSI Sports / Fight Sports to deliver the mega-event globally on a date and from a location to be determined. “When CSI came to me about stepping in the ring with Floyd Mayweather,” said Tyson. “I thought, ‘No way this happens,’ but, Floyd said yes. This fight is something neither the world nor I ever thought would or could happen. However, boxing has entered a new era of the unpredictable — and this fight is as unpredictable as it gets. I still can’t believe Floyd wants to really do this. It’s going to be detrimental to his health, but he wants to do it, so it’s signed and it’s happening!”
“I’ve been doing this for 30 years and there hasn’t been a single fighter that can tarnish my legacy,” said Mayweather. “You already know that if I am going to do something, it’s going to be big and it’s going to be legendary. I’m the best in the business of boxing. This exhibition will give the fans what they want.”
CSI Sports / Fight Sports co-founders, brothers Richard and Craig Miele, will produce a multi-platform, global broadcast befitting the legendary fighters and this historic event. CSI Sports also announced that sports television executives John Skipper (ESPN, DAZN, Meadowlark Media), Mark Taffet (HBO PPV), Brian Robinson (American Idol Productions) and Chris DeBlasio (Showtime Networks) joined its leadership team, will soon announce a multi-event global media streaming and broadcast partnership that will launch with this event.
“Mike Tyson and Floyd Mayweather are two of the most compelling names and personalities with lasting legacies in all of sports. They are 21st century icons,” said Richard and Craig Miele. “Tyson vs. Mayweather will break every broadcast, streaming and economic record set by Mike Tyson in 2024. We are planning a robust promotional campaign complete with weekly premium storytelling and worldwide marketing reach. The event itself will be in a world-class venue and be presented to a global audience with new in-ring technology elements that will reshape how boxing is presented, and scoring is achieved for years to come.”
Tyson, who retired from professional boxing with 50 wins, 44 by knockout, is one of the world’s most recognized figures and, perhaps, one of the most beloved in all of sports. Known for his explosive power and intimidating presence in his prime, Tyson’s second career has been marked by his ability to compel and entertain audiences through a variety of mediums. He was the youngest heavyweight world champion in history, hailing from Brownsville, Brooklyn, New York. Today, he is driven to cap his legacy in the ring and move ahead as the sport’s premier ambassador.
Mayweather, known for his impeccable defensive skills, speed and strategic ring generalship, has expertly managed a remarkable career. He is the highest-grossing professional boxer — and one of the highest-grossing athletes — in history. His career timeline is marked with numerous high-profile fights and extremely lucrative paydays, including the three richest boxing events in history (vs. Manny Pacquiao, vs. Conor McGregor and vs. Canelo Álvarez, respectively). He is a boxing legend and has remained a prominent figure in the sport even after his official retirement with his unmatched and unprecedented record of 50 wins, no losses.
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Weigh-in report from Kansas |
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The official weigh in was held for Saturday night’s “The Homecoming” Pro-Am boxing event, presented by Turner Boxing Academy, at Embassy Suites Hotel & Conference Center in Olathe, Kansas. “The Homecoming” is a fundraiser for the Turner Boxing Academy. The primary sponsor of this event is McCarthy Auto Group, and part of the proceeds will be donated to Safe Kids Johnson County. Tickets are on sale here. Here are the official weights:
Marco “El Tiburon” Romero (9-0, 8 KOs), Olathe, KS 165 pounds -vs.- Javier Dario Aragon (7-1-1, 3 KOs), Denver, CO by way of Mexico 162.3 (eight rounds);
John “Iron Man” Cantrell (14-0, 13 KOs), Topeka, KS 207.8 -vs.- Portland “The Prince” Pringle (5-5, 1 KO), Lexington, KY 203.6 (eight rounds);
Ben Turla (Pro Debut), Leawood, KS 194.7 -vs.- Randy “Spawn” Martina (1-0, 1 KO), Fort Riley, KS 194.5 (four rounds);
Marcell Davidson (6-0, 4 KOs), Kansas City, KS 147.7 -vs.- Ociel Vazquez (2-1, (2 KOs), Dallas, TX 146.4 (four rounds); and
Anthony Adams, Jr. (6-1, 5 KOs), Kansas City, KS 147.4 -vs.- Marquis Hawthorne (1-0, 1 KO), Topeka, KS 145.2.
A four-bout USA Boxing-sanctioned amateur card, starting at 6:30 p.m. CT, will precede the pro card.
About Turner Boxing Academy: Turner Boxing Academy (TBA) is a non-profit youth boxing club run by volunteers who are passionate about the sport and the positive impact it has on young people. The academy is based inside the Turner Recreation Center in Kansas City, Kansas. It is dedicated to providing a safe and supportive environment for kids to learn and practice the art of boxing.
TBA is committed to instilling discipline, confidence, and a strong work ethic in our young athletes. We believe in the power of boxing to build character and resilience, and we are passionate about helping our students unlock their full potential both inside and outside the ring.
About McCarthy Auto Group: McCarthy Auto Group is a family-owned network of full-service automotive dealerships and repair centers, proudly headquartered in the Kansas City metro. With more than 30 years of deep-rooted local history, we’ve grown to operate 9 award-winning dealerships across Missouri and Kansas, along with 4 well-established Collision centers. As a company of over 700 employees, it offers a wide selection of new and used vehicles backed by transparent financing, fair pricing, and an unwavering commitment to customer satisfaction. McCarthy Auto Group remains dedicated to giving back awarding over 60 local scholarships annually and supporting numerous community partners, including the Boys & Girls Clubs, American Cancer Society, Kansas City Crime Commission, area high schools, animal shelters, and many more.
About Safe Kids Johnson County: Safe Kids Johnson County (KS) is led by the Johnson County Health Department, which provides a dedicated and caring staff, operation support and other resources to assist in achieving its common goal: keeping your kids safe. Based on the needs of the community, this coalition implements evidence-based programs, such as car-seat checkups, safety workshops and sports clinics, which help parents and caregivers prevent childhood injuries.
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Weigh-in report from Kansas
The official weigh in was held for Saturday night’s “The Homecoming” Pro-Am boxing event, presented by Turner Boxing Academy, at Embassy Suites Hotel & Conference Center in Olathe, Kansas. “The Homecoming” is a fundraiser for the Turner Boxing Academy. The primary sponsor of this event is McCarthy Auto Group, and part of the proceeds will be donated to Safe Kids Johnson County. Tickets are on sale here. Here are the official weights:
Marco “El Tiburon” Romero (9-0, 8 KOs), Olathe, KS 165 pounds -vs.- Javier Dario Aragon (7-1-1, 3 KOs), Denver, CO by way of Mexico 162.3 (eight rounds);
John “Iron Man” Cantrell (14-0, 13 KOs), Topeka, KS 207.8 -vs.- Portland “The Prince” Pringle (5-5, 1 KO), Lexington, KY 203.6 (eight rounds);
Ben Turla (Pro Debut), Leawood, KS 194.7 -vs.- Randy “Spawn” Martina (1-0, 1 KO), Fort Riley, KS 194.5 (four rounds);
Marcell Davidson (6-0, 4 KOs), Kansas City, KS 147.7 -vs.- Ociel Vazquez (2-1, (2 KOs), Dallas, TX 146.4 (four rounds); and
Anthony Adams, Jr. (6-1, 5 KOs), Kansas City, KS 147.4 -vs.- Marquis Hawthorne (1-0, 1 KO), Topeka, KS 145.2.
A four-bout USA Boxing-sanctioned amateur card, starting at 6:30 p.m. CT, will precede the pro card.
About Turner Boxing Academy: Turner Boxing Academy (TBA) is a non-profit youth boxing club run by volunteers who are passionate about the sport and the positive impact it has on young people. The academy is based inside the Turner Recreation Center in Kansas City, Kansas. It is dedicated to providing a safe and supportive environment for kids to learn and practice the art of boxing.
TBA is committed to instilling discipline, confidence, and a strong work ethic in our young athletes. We believe in the power of boxing to build character and resilience, and we are passionate about helping our students unlock their full potential both inside and outside the ring.
About McCarthy Auto Group: McCarthy Auto Group is a family-owned network of full-service automotive dealerships and repair centers, proudly headquartered in the Kansas City metro. With more than 30 years of deep-rooted local history, we’ve grown to operate 9 award-winning dealerships across Missouri and Kansas, along with 4 well-established Collision centers. As a company of over 700 employees, it offers a wide selection of new and used vehicles backed by transparent financing, fair pricing, and an unwavering commitment to customer satisfaction. McCarthy Auto Group remains dedicated to giving back awarding over 60 local scholarships annually and supporting numerous community partners, including the Boys & Girls Clubs, American Cancer Society, Kansas City Crime Commission, area high schools, animal shelters, and many more.
About Safe Kids Johnson County: Safe Kids Johnson County (KS) is led by the Johnson County Health Department, which provides a dedicated and caring staff, operation support and other resources to assist in achieving its common goal: keeping your kids safe. Based on the needs of the community, this coalition implements evidence-based programs, such as car-seat checkups, safety workshops and sports clinics, which help parents and caregivers prevent childhood injuries.
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Weigh-in report from Massachusetts |
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The stage is set and the weights are in from Lowell, Massachusetts where CES Boxing returns to the Lowell Memorial Auditorium today (Saturday) with Mill City Mayhem 2, a pro-am boxing card. The show features New Hampshire's Mike "The Blessed Southpaw" Fontanez in his first CES main event against Venezuela's Esneiker Correa and Brockton, MA's "King"Kevin Walsh taking on Angel "El Gato" Luna. Go to CESFights to reserve your seats before they sell out. Doors open at 6pm, with the first bout scheduled for 7pm EST. Here are the boxers' official weights:
Mike Fontanez (156 pounds) vs. Esneiker Correa (153) – middleweights;
Kevin Walsh (127) vs. Angel Luna (128) - featherweights;
Jayden Pazmino (147) vs. Giovanni Gutierrez (146) – welterweights;
Jayson Colon (164) vs. Jhony Dos Santos (165) – super middleweights;
Cian Duggan (144) vs. Steve Farrar (147) – welterweights; and
Christian Moura (125) vs. Bryan Cox (124) – featherweights.
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Weigh-in report from Massachusetts
The stage is set and the weights are in from Lowell, Massachusetts where CES Boxing returns to the Lowell Memorial Auditorium today (Saturday) with Mill City Mayhem 2, a pro-am boxing card. The show features New Hampshire's Mike "The Blessed Southpaw" Fontanez in his first CES main event against Venezuela's Esneiker Correa and Brockton, MA's "King"Kevin Walsh taking on Angel "El Gato" Luna. Go to CESFights to reserve your seats before they sell out. Doors open at 6pm, with the first bout scheduled for 7pm EST. Here are the boxers' official weights:
Mike Fontanez (156 pounds) vs. Esneiker Correa (153) – middleweights;
Kevin Walsh (127) vs. Angel Luna (128) - featherweights;
Jayden Pazmino (147) vs. Giovanni Gutierrez (146) – welterweights;
Jayson Colon (164) vs. Jhony Dos Santos (165) – super middleweights;
Cian Duggan (144) vs. Steve Farrar (147) – welterweights; and
Christian Moura (125) vs. Bryan Cox (124) – featherweights.
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