Riyadh Airport reopens in time for Mbilli vs. Alvarez fight week |
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With fight week underway for Saturday's showdown between future Hall of Famer Saul "Canelo" Alvarez and WBC super middleweight champion Christian Mbilli, Saudi authorities reopened King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh on Sunday, in time for fighters, officials, media and fans scheduled to travel to the Saudi capital for the October 31st event. However, the airport had been closed to the public since October 10th, when a cruise missile launched by the Iran-backed Houthi militia in Yemen struck a passenger terminal, killing at least 13 people and injuring more than 300. The Houthis have reportedly carried out at least three additional deadly strikes on the airport this month and have vowed to continue targeting the facility. The airport announced Saturday night that flights would resume Sunday, advising travelers to verify their flight and booking status before heading to the airport.
The security threat has not entirely subsided. On Sunday morning, Riyadh residents received emergency alerts warning of an incoming aerial threat, while some reported hearing loud explosions. Saudi authorities subsequently announced that they had intercepted a ballistic missile fired toward the capital by the Houthis.
The reopening of the airport is an encouraging development for those traveling to Riyadh for fight week, although the continuing attacks raise concerns about security surrounding the event.
Alvarez (63-3-2), a former four-division world champion, will be making his first appearance since losing the undisputed world super middleweight championship to Terence Crawford in September 2025. Crawford subsequently retired, vacating his titles, and Mbilli was elevated from interim to full WBC champion. Mbilli (32-0-1, including the World Series of Boxing) will be making his first defense of the WBC title. Both fighters have been inactive since September 2025.
The bout was originally scheduled for September 12th but was postponed because of personal matters that delayed Alvarez's training camp. DAZN plans to televise the fight on a pay-per-view basis.
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Riyadh Airport reopens in time for Mbilli vs. Alvarez fight week
With fight week underway for Saturday's showdown between future Hall of Famer Saul "Canelo" Alvarez and WBC super middleweight champion Christian Mbilli, Saudi authorities reopened King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh on Sunday, in time for fighters, officials, media and fans scheduled to travel to the Saudi capital for the October 31st event. However, the airport had been closed to the public since October 10th, when a cruise missile launched by the Iran-backed Houthi militia in Yemen struck a passenger terminal, killing at least 13 people and injuring more than 300. The Houthis have reportedly carried out at least three additional deadly strikes on the airport this month and have vowed to continue targeting the facility. The airport announced Saturday night that flights would resume Sunday, advising travelers to verify their flight and booking status before heading to the airport.
The security threat has not entirely subsided. On Sunday morning, Riyadh residents received emergency alerts warning of an incoming aerial threat, while some reported hearing loud explosions. Saudi authorities subsequently announced that they had intercepted a ballistic missile fired toward the capital by the Houthis.
The reopening of the airport is an encouraging development for those traveling to Riyadh for fight week, although the continuing attacks raise concerns about security surrounding the event.
Alvarez (63-3-2), a former four-division world champion, will be making his first appearance since losing the undisputed world super middleweight championship to Terence Crawford in September 2025. Crawford subsequently retired, vacating his titles, and Mbilli was elevated from interim to full WBC champion. Mbilli (32-0-1, including the World Series of Boxing) will be making his first defense of the WBC title. Both fighters have been inactive since September 2025.
The bout was originally scheduled for September 12th but was postponed because of personal matters that delayed Alvarez's training camp. DAZN plans to televise the fight on a pay-per-view basis.
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Hitchins accuses Davis of another duck |
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Former IBF junior welterweight champion Richardson Hitchins (pictured) is undefeated, but still looking for a big fight since handing his title belt back to the IBF rather than fight a mandatory defense. It looks like a fight between Hitchins and another undefeated former champion might be slipping away from Hitchins, who tweeted in frustration, "Keyshawn [Davis] outpriced himself to fight me. Like I said, I agreed to the fight going on two months ago. I was wondering what was the hold up but he was asking for $6 million to fight me, and mind you boy never even made more than $1M in boxing." About two months ago, Davis turned down over $2 million for a mandatory title shot at WBO welterweight champion Devin Haney.
PRIOR BOXINGTALK COVERAGE
AUG. 5 2026: Former lightweight title holder Keyshawn Davis has officially ducked Devin Haney. Days after a WBO purse bid resulted in an offer that would have paid Davis $2,137,500 to challenge for Haney's WBO welterweight title, the WBO announced that Davis changed his mind. "The WBO received written notice that Keyshawn Davis has declined the purse bid adjudication and will not participate in the ordered championship contest against Devin Haney. The matter will now be referred to the WBO Championship Committee and Ratings Committee for the appropriate ruling under the WBO World Championship Rules and Regulations."
Davis' own promoter, Top Rank submitted the winning bid of $8,550,000 and announced the fight would take place on October 3rd at one of the following three locations: Barclays Center in Brooklyn, the State Farm Arena in Atlanta or the Michelob Ultra Arena in Las Vegas.Under the WBO's 75/25 purse split, Haney was set to receive $6,412,500 with the balance going to Davis.
Bill Haney, father and trainer of Devin tweeted, "I just spoke with WBO president Gustavo Olivieri. He told me Keyshawn Davis and [his manager] J Prince called him and set this whole thing up. So that story about the kid not knowing what he was getting into, or what was going on, is far from the truth."
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Hitchins accuses Davis of another duck
Former IBF junior welterweight champion Richardson Hitchins (pictured) is undefeated, but still looking for a big fight since handing his title belt back to the IBF rather than fight a mandatory defense. It looks like a fight between Hitchins and another undefeated former champion might be slipping away from Hitchins, who tweeted in frustration, "Keyshawn [Davis] outpriced himself to fight me. Like I said, I agreed to the fight going on two months ago. I was wondering what was the hold up but he was asking for $6 million to fight me, and mind you boy never even made more than $1M in boxing." About two months ago, Davis turned down over $2 million for a mandatory title shot at WBO welterweight champion Devin Haney.
PRIOR BOXINGTALK COVERAGE
AUG. 5 2026: Former lightweight title holder Keyshawn Davis has officially ducked Devin Haney. Days after a WBO purse bid resulted in an offer that would have paid Davis $2,137,500 to challenge for Haney's WBO welterweight title, the WBO announced that Davis changed his mind. "The WBO received written notice that Keyshawn Davis has declined the purse bid adjudication and will not participate in the ordered championship contest against Devin Haney. The matter will now be referred to the WBO Championship Committee and Ratings Committee for the appropriate ruling under the WBO World Championship Rules and Regulations."
Davis' own promoter, Top Rank submitted the winning bid of $8,550,000 and announced the fight would take place on October 3rd at one of the following three locations: Barclays Center in Brooklyn, the State Farm Arena in Atlanta or the Michelob Ultra Arena in Las Vegas.Under the WBO's 75/25 purse split, Haney was set to receive $6,412,500 with the balance going to Davis.
Bill Haney, father and trainer of Devin tweeted, "I just spoke with WBO president Gustavo Olivieri. He told me Keyshawn Davis and [his manager] J Prince called him and set this whole thing up. So that story about the kid not knowing what he was getting into, or what was going on, is far from the truth."
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Results from Houston |
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Jahyden Britton KO2 Gonzalo Andreasen... On Friday, October 23rd at BiYu Arena in Houston, super middleweight Jahyden Britton (11-0, 7 KOs) clocked a second-round knockout victory over Gonzalo Andreasen (13-14-2, 9 KOs). Britton entered the ring determined to make a statement, and ended the fight in the second round to secure his seventh career knockout. BiYu Promotions CEO Bobby Harrison said afterwards, “Jahyden continues to prove why we believe he has a bright future in boxing. He's undefeated, and he's showing tremendous improvement every time he steps into the ring."
Ty Cassell W6 Jorge Elias Garcia ... In the six-round co-feature, 19 year-old junior welterweight Ty Cassell (7-0, 4 KOs) delivered a unanimous decision victory over Jorge Elias Garcia (4-3, 4 KOs) in front of Cassell's hometown fans. Cassell wasted little time establishing himself, using his speed and sharp combinations to take control of the action. In the second round, he sent Garcia to the canvas, setting the tone for the remainder of the fight. Although Garcia managed to make it through all six rounds, Cassell maintained control and closed out the contest with a strong display of speed, power, and boxing ability. The victory was Cassell's sixth win of 2026. Despite his busy schedule, Cassell has handled each challenge with maturity, showing steady improvement every time he steps into the ring.
ADDITIONAL RESULTS
The rest of the card featured several competitive matchups, with rising prospects and local fighters gaining valuable experience inside the ring. In a six-round heavyweight contest, Zachary Spiller (7-1, 5 KOs) earned a unanimous decision victory over Zederic Stephenson (6-8, 3 KOs).
Heavyweight Roman Cordova (3-0, 2 KOs) kept his perfect record intact with a unanimous decision victory over Frank Unachukwu (1-1, 1 KO) in a scheduled four-round bout.
In super bantamweight action, Clayton Ward (3-3, 1 KO) secured a unanimous decision victory over Jacobie Lichlyter (0-2) after four rounds.
Fellow super bantamweight Martel Washpun (4-0, 1 KO) remained undefeated with a four-round unanimous decision victory over Rashuod Hollie (2-6, 2 KOs), continuing his strong start as a professional.
Allen McDonald (1-0) also picked up a unanimous decision victory in his pro debut over Treverrious Zeno (1-2) in a four-round contest.
Rounding out the action, Jose Delcid (1-0, 1 KO) scored a third-round knockout over Jordan Otey-Wilson (0-2) in a scheduled four-round super middleweight bout, earning an impressive stoppage victory in his pro debut.
“It was another great night for BiYu Promotions, and I couldn't be prouder of the performances from Jahyden Britton and Ty Cassell,” said BiYu Promotions CEO Bobby Harrison. “At just 19 years old, Ty is making a name for himself, and picking up his sixth victory of the year speaks volumes about his dedication, talent, and work ethic. Both of these young fighters have incredible potential, and we're excited to continue building their careers and helping them reach the next level. The platform continues to gain momentum, giving our fighters worldwide exposure while bringing exciting, competitive boxing to fans everywhere. Our goal is to keep growing, develop the next generation of stars, and make Houston a major destination for professional boxing. We're just getting started.”
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Results from Houston
Jahyden Britton KO2 Gonzalo Andreasen... On Friday, October 23rd at BiYu Arena in Houston, super middleweight Jahyden Britton (11-0, 7 KOs) clocked a second-round knockout victory over Gonzalo Andreasen (13-14-2, 9 KOs). Britton entered the ring determined to make a statement, and ended the fight in the second round to secure his seventh career knockout. BiYu Promotions CEO Bobby Harrison said afterwards, “Jahyden continues to prove why we believe he has a bright future in boxing. He's undefeated, and he's showing tremendous improvement every time he steps into the ring."
Ty Cassell W6 Jorge Elias Garcia ... In the six-round co-feature, 19 year-old junior welterweight Ty Cassell (7-0, 4 KOs) delivered a unanimous decision victory over Jorge Elias Garcia (4-3, 4 KOs) in front of Cassell's hometown fans. Cassell wasted little time establishing himself, using his speed and sharp combinations to take control of the action. In the second round, he sent Garcia to the canvas, setting the tone for the remainder of the fight. Although Garcia managed to make it through all six rounds, Cassell maintained control and closed out the contest with a strong display of speed, power, and boxing ability. The victory was Cassell's sixth win of 2026. Despite his busy schedule, Cassell has handled each challenge with maturity, showing steady improvement every time he steps into the ring.
ADDITIONAL RESULTS
The rest of the card featured several competitive matchups, with rising prospects and local fighters gaining valuable experience inside the ring. In a six-round heavyweight contest, Zachary Spiller (7-1, 5 KOs) earned a unanimous decision victory over Zederic Stephenson (6-8, 3 KOs).
Heavyweight Roman Cordova (3-0, 2 KOs) kept his perfect record intact with a unanimous decision victory over Frank Unachukwu (1-1, 1 KO) in a scheduled four-round bout.
In super bantamweight action, Clayton Ward (3-3, 1 KO) secured a unanimous decision victory over Jacobie Lichlyter (0-2) after four rounds.
Fellow super bantamweight Martel Washpun (4-0, 1 KO) remained undefeated with a four-round unanimous decision victory over Rashuod Hollie (2-6, 2 KOs), continuing his strong start as a professional.
Allen McDonald (1-0) also picked up a unanimous decision victory in his pro debut over Treverrious Zeno (1-2) in a four-round contest.
Rounding out the action, Jose Delcid (1-0, 1 KO) scored a third-round knockout over Jordan Otey-Wilson (0-2) in a scheduled four-round super middleweight bout, earning an impressive stoppage victory in his pro debut.
“It was another great night for BiYu Promotions, and I couldn't be prouder of the performances from Jahyden Britton and Ty Cassell,” said BiYu Promotions CEO Bobby Harrison. “At just 19 years old, Ty is making a name for himself, and picking up his sixth victory of the year speaks volumes about his dedication, talent, and work ethic. Both of these young fighters have incredible potential, and we're excited to continue building their careers and helping them reach the next level. The platform continues to gain momentum, giving our fighters worldwide exposure while bringing exciting, competitive boxing to fans everywhere. Our goal is to keep growing, develop the next generation of stars, and make Houston a major destination for professional boxing. We're just getting started.”
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Yoshida bids to become three-division champ on ESPN |
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WBC 122-pound champion Skye Nicolson (16-1, 3 KOs) stands in the way of two-division former champion Miyo Yoshida’s (19-5, 1 KO) quest to capture a world title in a third weight class. Nicholson vs. Yoshida will clash November 8th in a ten-round title fight on the “MVP 07” card, airing live on ESPN from Arlington, Texas. “Sky is an Olympian and a very skilled southpaw,” Yoshida said. “She has very good distance control, footwork, and times, as well as being very good at scoring points while using her movement. Skye is naturally bigger than me. I respect her abilities, but our styles are different and that’s why I think this will be a very interesting fight."
The 38-year-old Yoshida, “I don’t want to adapt to her style; I want to impose my boxing on her. I don’t intend to spend the entire fight at the distance where she is most comfortable. My team and I have been preparing specifically to prevent her from fighting the way she wants to fight. Skye is a great champion, so I don’t expect it to be an easy fight. But I’m not going to Texas just to have a good fight with her, I’m going there to win the world title! I’m going to leave everything I have in the ring and bring that belt home.”
Yoshid is thrilled with the recent advancement of female boxing. “Compared to when I first started boxing,” Yoshida added, “the environment surrounding women’s boxing has changed tremendously. We now have more opportunities to compete in major arenas, receive major media exposure, and have our fights watched by people around the world. I think it’s very important to have women’s boxing featured on major stages like this event. And this didn’t happen overnight; it is the result of many female fighters from generations before us gradually creating opportunities and opening doors. Now, I believe it’s our responsibility to make that path even wider for the next generation. I hope we reach a point where young girls watch boxing and naturally think, ‘I want to become a world champion too.’”
“Miyo has never backed down from a challenge, and this fight against Skye Nicolson is another example of her willingness to take on the very best in the world,” commented her manager, Keith Sullivan. “Miyo has already proven that she belongs among the elite fighters in women's boxing. We are putting her IBF #1 mandatory position on the line to pursue this opportunity at the WBC championship because we believe in her ability to win. She's a true warrior who has overcome adversity throughout her career, and I wouldn't bet against her. Miyo and Skye are among the two nicest, classiest fighters in the sport today; but in the ring this will be a war. We're not traveling to Texas just to compete - we're coming to bring another world championship home.”
Yoshida, known as the "Fighting Single Mother" in Japan, is a respected role model and recipient of Ring Magazine's 2023 Most Inspirational Female Fighter award. She is among just 23 female world champions from Japan and only the sixth to hold world titles in multiple divisions.
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Yoshida bids to become three-division champ on ESPN
WBC 122-pound champion Skye Nicolson (16-1, 3 KOs) stands in the way of two-division former champion Miyo Yoshida’s (19-5, 1 KO) quest to capture a world title in a third weight class. Nicholson vs. Yoshida will clash November 8th in a ten-round title fight on the “MVP 07” card, airing live on ESPN from Arlington, Texas. “Sky is an Olympian and a very skilled southpaw,” Yoshida said. “She has very good distance control, footwork, and times, as well as being very good at scoring points while using her movement. Skye is naturally bigger than me. I respect her abilities, but our styles are different and that’s why I think this will be a very interesting fight."
The 38-year-old Yoshida, “I don’t want to adapt to her style; I want to impose my boxing on her. I don’t intend to spend the entire fight at the distance where she is most comfortable. My team and I have been preparing specifically to prevent her from fighting the way she wants to fight. Skye is a great champion, so I don’t expect it to be an easy fight. But I’m not going to Texas just to have a good fight with her, I’m going there to win the world title! I’m going to leave everything I have in the ring and bring that belt home.”
Yoshid is thrilled with the recent advancement of female boxing. “Compared to when I first started boxing,” Yoshida added, “the environment surrounding women’s boxing has changed tremendously. We now have more opportunities to compete in major arenas, receive major media exposure, and have our fights watched by people around the world. I think it’s very important to have women’s boxing featured on major stages like this event. And this didn’t happen overnight; it is the result of many female fighters from generations before us gradually creating opportunities and opening doors. Now, I believe it’s our responsibility to make that path even wider for the next generation. I hope we reach a point where young girls watch boxing and naturally think, ‘I want to become a world champion too.’”
“Miyo has never backed down from a challenge, and this fight against Skye Nicolson is another example of her willingness to take on the very best in the world,” commented her manager, Keith Sullivan. “Miyo has already proven that she belongs among the elite fighters in women's boxing. We are putting her IBF #1 mandatory position on the line to pursue this opportunity at the WBC championship because we believe in her ability to win. She's a true warrior who has overcome adversity throughout her career, and I wouldn't bet against her. Miyo and Skye are among the two nicest, classiest fighters in the sport today; but in the ring this will be a war. We're not traveling to Texas just to compete - we're coming to bring another world championship home.”
Yoshida, known as the "Fighting Single Mother" in Japan, is a respected role model and recipient of Ring Magazine's 2023 Most Inspirational Female Fighter award. She is among just 23 female world champions from Japan and only the sixth to hold world titles in multiple divisions.
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USA Boxing gains four golds at Pan Am Games |
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USA Boxing’s Elite High Performance Team secured four gold medals at the 2026 PanAmerican Championships, after Alyssa Mendoza, Jajaira Gonzalez, Lorenzo Patricio and Gilbert Kabamba all earned victories on Saturday, October 24th inside Puebla, Mexico's Miguel Hidalgo Gymnasium. Mendoza (126 pounds) kicked things off for the Stars and Stripes, as the Idaho native was the first American to enter the ring on Saturday. She went on to defeat Brazil’s 2024 Paris Olympian Jucie Cerqueira by unanimous decision after winning all three rounds. Mendoza had an impressive 3-0 gold medal campaign, winning every bout by unanimous decision. Her 2026 PanAmerican Championships gold medal marks her second medal of the year.
After Mendoza, Team USA saw Gonzalez (132 pounds) win her gold medal in the second session, also by unanimous decision over Colombia’s Camila Camilo. The 2024 Paris Olympian earned three wins on her path to gold, including 3-2 wins over Canada and 5-0 wins over Brazil and Colombia. Gonzalez gold medal marks the first of the year.
On the men’s side, Patricio (121 pounds) earned a 5-0 unanimous decision victory over Brazil’s Michael Trindade. The Hawaii native has been dominant for Team USA in 2026, securing a 15-2 record, three medals, and now two gold medals. Patricio secured four victories in Mexico, all by unanimous decision, in his path to Gold.
Rounding out the day for Team USA was Kabamba (over 198 pounds), who secured his third 5-0 unanimous decision win of the week after defeating Colombia’s Juan Patiño. After falling 5-0 in the first round, Kabamba responded in the second and third rounds, sweeping both to earn the unanimous decision win. This was Kabamba’s first tournament with USA Boxing’s Elite High Performance Team, and he made an impressive debut, winning all his bouts by unanimous decision. This gold medal marks his second of the year, as he won gold earlier at the 2026 Copa America with USA Boxing’s Elite High Performance Squad.
Also competing on Saturday were Yoseline Perez and Simona Winkler. After three competitive rounds of Olympic-style boxing, Perez lost 5-0 to Venezuela’s Diana Maestre, and Winkler lost 4-1 to Brazil’s Viviane Pereira. Both boxers are taking home silver medals after a strong week, as each won two bouts in Mexico.
USA Boxing sent fourteen athletes to Puebla, Mexico, and eight will head home with medals. Head Coach Billy Walsh and his coaching staff led Team USA to four gold medals, two silver medals, and two bronze medals. All medalists are listed below. After the 2026 PanAmerican Championships, Team USA closes out its international competition schedule for the year. The USA Boxing Elite High Performance Team will now turn its attention to the 2027 calendar year.
Saturday, Oct. 24 Results
Women’s 126 pounds: Alyssa Mendoza, USA vs. Jucie Cerqueira, BRA | W 5-0;
Women’s 154 pounds: Simona Winkler, USA vs. Viviane Pereira, BRA | L 4-1;
Women’s 119 pounds: Yoseline Perez, USA vs. Diana Maestre, VEN | L 5-0;
Women’s 132 pounds: Jajaira Gonzalez, USA vs. Camila Camilo, COL | W 5-0;
Men’s 121 pounds: Lorenzo Patricio, USA vs. Michael Trindade, BRA | W 5-0; and
Men’s over 198 pounds: Gilbert Kabamba, USA vs. Juan Patiño, COL | W 5-0.
Medalists
Men’s 121 pounds: Lorenzo Patricio | Gold;
Women’s 126 pounds: Alyssa Mendoza | Gold;
Women’s 132 pounds: Jajaira Gonzalez | Gold;
Men’s over 198 pounds: Gilbert Kabamba | Gold;
Women’s 119 pounds: Yoseline Perez | Silver;
Women’s 154 pounds: Simona Winkler | Silver;
Women’s 112 pounds: Noelle Haro | Bronze; and
Men’s 132 pounds: Salim Ellis-Bey | Bronze.
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USA Boxing gains four golds at Pan Am Games
USA Boxing’s Elite High Performance Team secured four gold medals at the 2026 PanAmerican Championships, after Alyssa Mendoza, Jajaira Gonzalez, Lorenzo Patricio and Gilbert Kabamba all earned victories on Saturday, October 24th inside Puebla, Mexico's Miguel Hidalgo Gymnasium. Mendoza (126 pounds) kicked things off for the Stars and Stripes, as the Idaho native was the first American to enter the ring on Saturday. She went on to defeat Brazil’s 2024 Paris Olympian Jucie Cerqueira by unanimous decision after winning all three rounds. Mendoza had an impressive 3-0 gold medal campaign, winning every bout by unanimous decision. Her 2026 PanAmerican Championships gold medal marks her second medal of the year.
After Mendoza, Team USA saw Gonzalez (132 pounds) win her gold medal in the second session, also by unanimous decision over Colombia’s Camila Camilo. The 2024 Paris Olympian earned three wins on her path to gold, including 3-2 wins over Canada and 5-0 wins over Brazil and Colombia. Gonzalez gold medal marks the first of the year.
On the men’s side, Patricio (121 pounds) earned a 5-0 unanimous decision victory over Brazil’s Michael Trindade. The Hawaii native has been dominant for Team USA in 2026, securing a 15-2 record, three medals, and now two gold medals. Patricio secured four victories in Mexico, all by unanimous decision, in his path to Gold.
Rounding out the day for Team USA was Kabamba (over 198 pounds), who secured his third 5-0 unanimous decision win of the week after defeating Colombia’s Juan Patiño. After falling 5-0 in the first round, Kabamba responded in the second and third rounds, sweeping both to earn the unanimous decision win. This was Kabamba’s first tournament with USA Boxing’s Elite High Performance Team, and he made an impressive debut, winning all his bouts by unanimous decision. This gold medal marks his second of the year, as he won gold earlier at the 2026 Copa America with USA Boxing’s Elite High Performance Squad.
Also competing on Saturday were Yoseline Perez and Simona Winkler. After three competitive rounds of Olympic-style boxing, Perez lost 5-0 to Venezuela’s Diana Maestre, and Winkler lost 4-1 to Brazil’s Viviane Pereira. Both boxers are taking home silver medals after a strong week, as each won two bouts in Mexico.
USA Boxing sent fourteen athletes to Puebla, Mexico, and eight will head home with medals. Head Coach Billy Walsh and his coaching staff led Team USA to four gold medals, two silver medals, and two bronze medals. All medalists are listed below. After the 2026 PanAmerican Championships, Team USA closes out its international competition schedule for the year. The USA Boxing Elite High Performance Team will now turn its attention to the 2027 calendar year.
Saturday, Oct. 24 Results
Women’s 126 pounds: Alyssa Mendoza, USA vs. Jucie Cerqueira, BRA | W 5-0;
Women’s 154 pounds: Simona Winkler, USA vs. Viviane Pereira, BRA | L 4-1;
Women’s 119 pounds: Yoseline Perez, USA vs. Diana Maestre, VEN | L 5-0;
Women’s 132 pounds: Jajaira Gonzalez, USA vs. Camila Camilo, COL | W 5-0;
Men’s 121 pounds: Lorenzo Patricio, USA vs. Michael Trindade, BRA | W 5-0; and
Men’s over 198 pounds: Gilbert Kabamba, USA vs. Juan Patiño, COL | W 5-0.
Medalists
Men’s 121 pounds: Lorenzo Patricio | Gold;
Women’s 126 pounds: Alyssa Mendoza | Gold;
Women’s 132 pounds: Jajaira Gonzalez | Gold;
Men’s over 198 pounds: Gilbert Kabamba | Gold;
Women’s 119 pounds: Yoseline Perez | Silver;
Women’s 154 pounds: Simona Winkler | Silver;
Women’s 112 pounds: Noelle Haro | Bronze; and
Men’s 132 pounds: Salim Ellis-Bey | Bronze.
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Foster becomes a star with domination of Navarrete |
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O’Shaquie Foster W12 Emanuel Navarrete ... In a star-making performance, O’Shaquie Foster (26-3, 12 KOs) won a three-belt unification showdown vs. Emanuel Navarrete (40-3-1, 33 KOs) at Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Texas. Foster is now considered the best junior lightweight in the world. He consistently outboxed Navarrete, a three-division champion over the first eleven rounds to unify the WBO, IBF and WBC titles. In round twelve, Navarrete came forward aggressively, knowing he needed a knockout to win, and Foster made him pay, scoring two knockdowns to clinch the decision. Official scores were 115-111 and 118-108 (twice). The performance was so good that Foster deserves consideration for the pound-for-pound top ten and even fighter of the year given most of the other top boxers' inactivity. The only remaining junior lightweight belt that does not belong to Foster is the WBA version, which is presently owned by Great Britain's Anthony Cacace, who will soon defend against ex-featherweight champ Nick Ball. Hopefully Foster gets the Cacace-Ball winner in a bout for the undisputed world championship.
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Foster becomes a star with domination of Navarrete
O’Shaquie Foster W12 Emanuel Navarrete ... In a star-making performance, O’Shaquie Foster (26-3, 12 KOs) won a three-belt unification showdown vs. Emanuel Navarrete (40-3-1, 33 KOs) at Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Texas. Foster is now considered the best junior lightweight in the world. He consistently outboxed Navarrete, a three-division champion over the first eleven rounds to unify the WBO, IBF and WBC titles. In round twelve, Navarrete came forward aggressively, knowing he needed a knockout to win, and Foster made him pay, scoring two knockdowns to clinch the decision. Official scores were 115-111 and 118-108 (twice). The performance was so good that Foster deserves consideration for the pound-for-pound top ten and even fighter of the year given most of the other top boxers' inactivity. The only remaining junior lightweight belt that does not belong to Foster is the WBA version, which is presently owned by Great Britain's Anthony Cacace, who will soon defend against ex-featherweight champ Nick Ball. Hopefully Foster gets the Cacace-Ball winner in a bout for the undisputed world championship.
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Lomachenko coming back at junior lightweight |
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Former multi-division champion Vasiliy Lomachenko appeared on Saturday's DAZN broadcast in San Antonio and announced his comeback. Lomachenko said, "One day when I woke up, I thought, now I am 38 years old and I'm willing to try one more time to become undisputed champion. If I wait until I am 40 or 41 years old, it will be too late. That's why I made the decision to come back... 135 pounds is not my natural weight. Now I am back but it will be at 130 pounds, my natural weight." Lomachenko's last fight was a lightweight win over ex-champ George Kambosos in May 2024 that brought him the vacant IBF world title. There was talk of Lomachenko fighting Tank Davis after that, but it never materialized.
Lomachenko (24-3 including the World Series of Boxing) does not yet have any concrete fight plans, telling DAZN, "next year I will fight and will check on my condition... Nobody knows what will happen after one or two months more of preparation, but right now everything is good."
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Lomachenko coming back at junior lightweight
Former multi-division champion Vasiliy Lomachenko appeared on Saturday's DAZN broadcast in San Antonio and announced his comeback. Lomachenko said, "One day when I woke up, I thought, now I am 38 years old and I'm willing to try one more time to become undisputed champion. If I wait until I am 40 or 41 years old, it will be too late. That's why I made the decision to come back... 135 pounds is not my natural weight. Now I am back but it will be at 130 pounds, my natural weight." Lomachenko's last fight was a lightweight win over ex-champ George Kambosos in May 2024 that brought him the vacant IBF world title. There was talk of Lomachenko fighting Tank Davis after that, but it never materialized.
Lomachenko (24-3 including the World Series of Boxing) does not yet have any concrete fight plans, telling DAZN, "next year I will fight and will check on my condition... Nobody knows what will happen after one or two months more of preparation, but right now everything is good."
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Smith retains title via split decision over Puello |
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Dalton Smith W12 Alberto Puello... Dalton Smith's Sheffield, England homecoming was a successful one after he beat Alberto Puello by split decision in the first defense of his WBC junior welterweight title. A two-time former title holder, Puello looked to get his jab going early, but it was Smith who struck first with a right hand to the chest in round one. It was clear Smith was trying to force the pace with the faster hand speed which carried plenty of power. Smith continued to edge forward in the second with his shots missing by mere inches with Puello’s body the main target. The pair traded blows with 15 seconds remaining, but there was little budge from either man. Smith’s trainer and father, Grant, was enjoying this chess match as he looked over to Puello’s corner at the end of round two with a smirk on his face.
The counter right of Smith found occasional success in the third, but Puello was savvy enough to quickly leap out of danger whenever he felt ‘Thunder’ preparing to mount an attack. Smith found a way to close the distance in the fourth, using his left hand to step in and unleash the right which had the Dominican in trouble. ‘Thunder’ closed the session with a left-right combination drawing gasps from the boisterous Sheffield crowd. The pair traded blows in round five with Puello gaining confidence and not afraid to go toe-to-toe with the defending champion at the sound of the bell.
Backed into his own corner, a Puello slip in the sixth got the crowd excited, but he finished the round strongly, with several jabs landing on Smith who needed to concentrate against an opponent who was growing into the fight. Puello continued to grow with Smith’s output significantly less compared to the opening rounds, and the challenger’s power was starting to come through with a thumping right hook the highlight in round seven. Puello’s up and down head movement seemed to stump Smith who looked a bit puzzled in the eighth.
The two fighters met in the center of the ring for round nine with Smith landing a low right to Puello’s midriff. The Dominican fighter returned one of his own shortly after and it was clear this world title fight was in the balance. An uneventful tenth set up a fascinating final two rounds with there being a split in consensus as to who was edging this finely posed chess match between two elite super lightweights.
Smith landed the first meaningful blow in round eleven, backing Puello onto the ropes, but his looping right just glanced Puello’s head who shimmied out of danger. ‘Thunder’ continued marching his opponent down and this disrupted Puello who was struggling to respond to whatever was coming his way. Getting into a tangle in the final session’ opening seconds, Smith’s trainer and father, Grant, urged him to step on the gas after a brief pause. A close exchange saw a cut appear on Smith’s right check which quickly became a target for Puello as his left hand became more active. A packed Utilita Arena held its breath after it was announced that the first two judges’ scorecards were 115-113 Smith and 116-112 Puello, then a huge sigh relief as the final judge gave the contest to Smith with a 115-113 card.
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Smith retains title via split decision over Puello
Dalton Smith W12 Alberto Puello... Dalton Smith's Sheffield, England homecoming was a successful one after he beat Alberto Puello by split decision in the first defense of his WBC junior welterweight title. A two-time former title holder, Puello looked to get his jab going early, but it was Smith who struck first with a right hand to the chest in round one. It was clear Smith was trying to force the pace with the faster hand speed which carried plenty of power. Smith continued to edge forward in the second with his shots missing by mere inches with Puello’s body the main target. The pair traded blows with 15 seconds remaining, but there was little budge from either man. Smith’s trainer and father, Grant, was enjoying this chess match as he looked over to Puello’s corner at the end of round two with a smirk on his face.
The counter right of Smith found occasional success in the third, but Puello was savvy enough to quickly leap out of danger whenever he felt ‘Thunder’ preparing to mount an attack. Smith found a way to close the distance in the fourth, using his left hand to step in and unleash the right which had the Dominican in trouble. ‘Thunder’ closed the session with a left-right combination drawing gasps from the boisterous Sheffield crowd. The pair traded blows in round five with Puello gaining confidence and not afraid to go toe-to-toe with the defending champion at the sound of the bell.
Backed into his own corner, a Puello slip in the sixth got the crowd excited, but he finished the round strongly, with several jabs landing on Smith who needed to concentrate against an opponent who was growing into the fight. Puello continued to grow with Smith’s output significantly less compared to the opening rounds, and the challenger’s power was starting to come through with a thumping right hook the highlight in round seven. Puello’s up and down head movement seemed to stump Smith who looked a bit puzzled in the eighth.
The two fighters met in the center of the ring for round nine with Smith landing a low right to Puello’s midriff. The Dominican fighter returned one of his own shortly after and it was clear this world title fight was in the balance. An uneventful tenth set up a fascinating final two rounds with there being a split in consensus as to who was edging this finely posed chess match between two elite super lightweights.
Smith landed the first meaningful blow in round eleven, backing Puello onto the ropes, but his looping right just glanced Puello’s head who shimmied out of danger. ‘Thunder’ continued marching his opponent down and this disrupted Puello who was struggling to respond to whatever was coming his way. Getting into a tangle in the final session’ opening seconds, Smith’s trainer and father, Grant, urged him to step on the gas after a brief pause. A close exchange saw a cut appear on Smith’s right check which quickly became a target for Puello as his left hand became more active. A packed Utilita Arena held its breath after it was announced that the first two judges’ scorecards were 115-113 Smith and 116-112 Puello, then a huge sigh relief as the final judge gave the contest to Smith with a 115-113 card.
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Heavyweight Leo Atang, age 19, now 9-0 |
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Leo Atang TKO1 Jonathan Vergara... Briitsh heavyweight prospect Leo Atang, just nineteen years of age, appeared on the Dalton Smith vs. Alberto Puello undercard and scored three knockdowns in the first round against Argentina's Jonathan Vergara (9-5). The fight would be stopped by the referee at the end of the first round with Atang's record now reading 9-0, including eight of those wins coming by way of knockout.
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Heavyweight Leo Atang, age 19, now 9-0
Leo Atang TKO1 Jonathan Vergara... Briitsh heavyweight prospect Leo Atang, just nineteen years of age, appeared on the Dalton Smith vs. Alberto Puello undercard and scored three knockdowns in the first round against Argentina's Jonathan Vergara (9-5). The fight would be stopped by the referee at the end of the first round with Atang's record now reading 9-0, including eight of those wins coming by way of knockout.
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San Antonio undercard results: Martin gets a TKO |
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Frank Martin TKO7 Tarik Zaina... Just when it looked like Frank Martin was getting more than he bargained for tonight, the junior welterweight uncorked a big counter left that buzzed and brushed back Tarik Zaina. Martin then charged forward and unloaded a barrage of punches that dropped Zaina. Though the Moroccan fighter made it to his feet, Martin swarmed him with more shots, forcing the referee to stop it for a seventh-round technical knockout.
Albert Gonzalez KO2 Edward Vazquez... After rocking Edward Vazquez (19-0) with a right hand, Albert 'Chop Chop' Gonzalez ripped the body with unforgiving body shots, leaving Vazquez (20-4) crumpled on the canvas for a second-round knockout. The fight was held in the featherweight division. That's four straight knockout victories for Gonzalez who is closing in on a world title shot at featherweight in 2027. That's four straight knockout victories for Gonzalez who is 19-0 and closing in on a world title shot at featherweight in 2027.
ADDITIONAL RESULTS
Scooter Davis powered past Joaquin Faccio via unanimous decision at lightweight;
Daniel Cortez edged Joshua Montoya via split decision in the super bantamweight division;
Sammy Contreras beat Oscar Pedroza Padilla by unanimous decision at lightweight; and
Joseph Almajdi defeated Miqal Dolphus via unanimous decision in the junior middleweight division.
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San Antonio undercard results: Martin gets a TKO
Frank Martin TKO7 Tarik Zaina... Just when it looked like Frank Martin was getting more than he bargained for tonight, the junior welterweight uncorked a big counter left that buzzed and brushed back Tarik Zaina. Martin then charged forward and unloaded a barrage of punches that dropped Zaina. Though the Moroccan fighter made it to his feet, Martin swarmed him with more shots, forcing the referee to stop it for a seventh-round technical knockout.
Albert Gonzalez KO2 Edward Vazquez... After rocking Edward Vazquez (19-0) with a right hand, Albert 'Chop Chop' Gonzalez ripped the body with unforgiving body shots, leaving Vazquez (20-4) crumpled on the canvas for a second-round knockout. The fight was held in the featherweight division. That's four straight knockout victories for Gonzalez who is closing in on a world title shot at featherweight in 2027. That's four straight knockout victories for Gonzalez who is 19-0 and closing in on a world title shot at featherweight in 2027.
ADDITIONAL RESULTS
Scooter Davis powered past Joaquin Faccio via unanimous decision at lightweight;
Daniel Cortez edged Joshua Montoya via split decision in the super bantamweight division;
Sammy Contreras beat Oscar Pedroza Padilla by unanimous decision at lightweight; and
Joseph Almajdi defeated Miqal Dolphus via unanimous decision in the junior middleweight division.
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Gradus Kraus to step up vs. Adam Deines |
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Light heavyweight Gradus Kraus will step up in class when he boxes former title challenger Adam Deines (26-4-1) on Saturday, November 28th in Amsterdam. Promoted by Boxxer in partnership with Dutch promoter Boxing Gladiators, the event will mark another major occasion for Kraus as the undefeated 24-year old headlines in the capital for the first time. Kraus, who Boxxer says is rapidly building a fanbase at home in the Netherlands, has floored every opponent he has faced since turning professional, with only one fighter making it beyond the second round. In August, Kraus (15-0 including IBA Pro bouts) needed just 63 seconds to dismantle Sean Hemphill, who had been brought in from the United States to provide Kraus with his toughest test. But Hemphill was blown away inside the opening round as the Dutchman continued his knockout streak.
Kraus now returns to fight in Amsterdam for the first time since making his professional debut and will look to take another significant step forward against the experienced Deines. The German-based contender has competed at the highest level, challenging Artur Beterbiev for the WBC and IBF light heavyweight titles in Moscow in March 2021. Deines is a former German champion, having defeated then-unbeaten Stefan Härtel to claim the domestic crown. The 35-year-old arrives in Amsterdam after a fifth-round knockout victory over Mateusz Tryc in his last contest in May.
Kraus said: “I’m very happy to be headlining a major event in Amsterdam. I’m training hard with my father. We will be going to Bulgaria for our training camp, as well as coming to England to work with Peter Fury.bDeines is a strong opponent. He has fought for a world title and shared the ring with some great fighters, but I’m going to show that I am on another level. I want to make a statement and prove that I’m ready to beat the very best and challenge for world titles. I believe I’m the best in this weight class, and on November 28th, I’m going to show that again in front of my home crowd.”
Deines said: “Gradus Kraus is a talented young fighter with a lot of power, but he has never faced anyone like me. I have fought against the best and I know what it takes to compete at the highest level. I’m not coming to Amsterdam to make up the numbers. I’m coming to win. Kraus will have the crowd behind him, but when the bell rings it is just the two of us in the ring.”
Boxxer CEO Ben Shalom said: “Gradus Kraus is a special talent. Every time we step him up, he responds with another spectacular performance. Now he takes another major step against a former world title challenger in Adam Deines. This is exactly the type of progression we need for Gradus. He is building a big following at home in the Netherlands. We saw the excitement around Gradus in Rotterdam earlier this year and we’re looking forward to working with Boxing Gladiators again to deliver an even bigger night in Amsterdam.”
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Gradus Kraus to step up vs. Adam Deines
Light heavyweight Gradus Kraus will step up in class when he boxes former title challenger Adam Deines (26-4-1) on Saturday, November 28th in Amsterdam. Promoted by Boxxer in partnership with Dutch promoter Boxing Gladiators, the event will mark another major occasion for Kraus as the undefeated 24-year old headlines in the capital for the first time. Kraus, who Boxxer says is rapidly building a fanbase at home in the Netherlands, has floored every opponent he has faced since turning professional, with only one fighter making it beyond the second round. In August, Kraus (15-0 including IBA Pro bouts) needed just 63 seconds to dismantle Sean Hemphill, who had been brought in from the United States to provide Kraus with his toughest test. But Hemphill was blown away inside the opening round as the Dutchman continued his knockout streak.
Kraus now returns to fight in Amsterdam for the first time since making his professional debut and will look to take another significant step forward against the experienced Deines. The German-based contender has competed at the highest level, challenging Artur Beterbiev for the WBC and IBF light heavyweight titles in Moscow in March 2021. Deines is a former German champion, having defeated then-unbeaten Stefan Härtel to claim the domestic crown. The 35-year-old arrives in Amsterdam after a fifth-round knockout victory over Mateusz Tryc in his last contest in May.
Kraus said: “I’m very happy to be headlining a major event in Amsterdam. I’m training hard with my father. We will be going to Bulgaria for our training camp, as well as coming to England to work with Peter Fury.bDeines is a strong opponent. He has fought for a world title and shared the ring with some great fighters, but I’m going to show that I am on another level. I want to make a statement and prove that I’m ready to beat the very best and challenge for world titles. I believe I’m the best in this weight class, and on November 28th, I’m going to show that again in front of my home crowd.”
Deines said: “Gradus Kraus is a talented young fighter with a lot of power, but he has never faced anyone like me. I have fought against the best and I know what it takes to compete at the highest level. I’m not coming to Amsterdam to make up the numbers. I’m coming to win. Kraus will have the crowd behind him, but when the bell rings it is just the two of us in the ring.”
Boxxer CEO Ben Shalom said: “Gradus Kraus is a special talent. Every time we step him up, he responds with another spectacular performance. Now he takes another major step against a former world title challenger in Adam Deines. This is exactly the type of progression we need for Gradus. He is building a big following at home in the Netherlands. We saw the excitement around Gradus in Rotterdam earlier this year and we’re looking forward to working with Boxing Gladiators again to deliver an even bigger night in Amsterdam.”
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Team USA results from Pan Am Games |
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The USA Boxing Elite High Performance Team secured four victories on Friday at the 2026 Pan American Championships in Puebla, Mexico, with Alyssa Mendoza, Yoseline Perez, Lorenzo Patricio and Gilbert Kabamba advancing to the finals. Mendoza (women’s featherweight) earned Team USA's first victory of the day with a unanimous decision win over Venezuela’s Omailyn Alcala. Mendoza secured her second win of the tournament, both by unanimous decision. She now advances to the finals, where she will face Brazil’s Jucie Cerqueira, a 2024 Paris Olympian. The two previously met at the Olympic Games, where Cerqueira earned the victory. Now, the two Olympians will meet again at the PanAmerican Championships, with the final scheduled for Session 1, Bout 2, at approximately 2:15 p.m. ET on Saturday.
Perez (women’s bantamweight) continued Team USA’s strong performance with a 4-1 decision victory over Canada’s Scarlett Delgado. Perez secured her second victory in as many days and advanced to the finals, where she will face Venezuela's Diana Maestre. She will enter the ring for the third straight day in Session 2, Bout 2, at approximately 7:15 p.m. ET on Saturday.
Lorenzo Patricio (men’s super bantamweight) continued his dominant 2026 with a unanimous decision victory over Puerto Rico’s Yedrian Otero. Patricio earned his third victory of the tournament, with all three wins coming by 5-0 decisions. The victory improves his 2026 Team USA record to 14-2 as he looks to capture his second gold medal of the year and fourth international gold medal of his career. Patricio will face Brazil’s Michael Trindade in the finals, a rematch of their meeting at the 2026 Strandja 77th International Boxing Tournament earlier this year, where Patricio earned a 3-2 decision victory. The final is set for Session 2, Bout 6, at approximately 8:15 p.m. ET on Saturday.
Super heavyweight Gilbert Kabamba (men’s 90+ kg) rounded out the day for Team USA with a unanimous decision victory over Brazil’s Joel Ramos. Kabamba earned his second win of the tournament, with both victories coming by unanimous decision. He now advances to the finals, where he will face Colombia’s Juan Patiño as he looks to secure his second international gold medal of the year with Team USA. The final is scheduled for Session 2, Bout 9, at approximately 9 p.m. ET on Saturday.
In addition to Mendoza, Perez, Patricio and Kabamba, Team USA will have two more boxers competing for gold on Saturday. Simona Winkler (women’s junior middleweight) will face Brazil’s Viviane Pereira in the finals. The two previously met at the 2026 Strandja 77th International Boxing Tournament, where Pereira earned a 5-0 decision victory. Winkler will look to avenge that result in Session 1, Bout 4, at approximately 2:45 p.m. ET. Jajaira Gonzalez (women’s lightweight) will also compete for gold, facing Colombia’s Camila Camilo in the finals. Gonzalez’s bout is scheduled for Session 2, Bout 3, at approximately 7:30 p.m. ET.
Noelle Haro was the first American boxer to compete on Friday, facing Mexico’s Valeria Amparan in the semifinals. Although Haro fell by a 5-0 decision, she secured a bronze medal, marking her second international medal of the year. Salim Ellis-Bey also earned a bronze medal after falling by a 4-1 split decision to Cuba’s Saidel Horta. The Philadelphia native’s PanAmerican bronze medal marks his second of the year and third of his career with Team USA.
The USA Boxing Elite High Performance Team is led by Head Coach Billy Walsh (Colorado Springs, Colo.), who is assisted by National High Performance Coaches Nikki Burleson (Oklahoma City, Okla.), National Technical Coach Zaur Antia, and Billy Rafalko (Philadelphia, Pa.) and Jay Nimo (Dallas, Texas).
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Team USA results from Pan Am Games
The USA Boxing Elite High Performance Team secured four victories on Friday at the 2026 Pan American Championships in Puebla, Mexico, with Alyssa Mendoza, Yoseline Perez, Lorenzo Patricio and Gilbert Kabamba advancing to the finals. Mendoza (women’s featherweight) earned Team USA's first victory of the day with a unanimous decision win over Venezuela’s Omailyn Alcala. Mendoza secured her second win of the tournament, both by unanimous decision. She now advances to the finals, where she will face Brazil’s Jucie Cerqueira, a 2024 Paris Olympian. The two previously met at the Olympic Games, where Cerqueira earned the victory. Now, the two Olympians will meet again at the PanAmerican Championships, with the final scheduled for Session 1, Bout 2, at approximately 2:15 p.m. ET on Saturday.
Perez (women’s bantamweight) continued Team USA’s strong performance with a 4-1 decision victory over Canada’s Scarlett Delgado. Perez secured her second victory in as many days and advanced to the finals, where she will face Venezuela's Diana Maestre. She will enter the ring for the third straight day in Session 2, Bout 2, at approximately 7:15 p.m. ET on Saturday.
Lorenzo Patricio (men’s super bantamweight) continued his dominant 2026 with a unanimous decision victory over Puerto Rico’s Yedrian Otero. Patricio earned his third victory of the tournament, with all three wins coming by 5-0 decisions. The victory improves his 2026 Team USA record to 14-2 as he looks to capture his second gold medal of the year and fourth international gold medal of his career. Patricio will face Brazil’s Michael Trindade in the finals, a rematch of their meeting at the 2026 Strandja 77th International Boxing Tournament earlier this year, where Patricio earned a 3-2 decision victory. The final is set for Session 2, Bout 6, at approximately 8:15 p.m. ET on Saturday.
Super heavyweight Gilbert Kabamba (men’s 90+ kg) rounded out the day for Team USA with a unanimous decision victory over Brazil’s Joel Ramos. Kabamba earned his second win of the tournament, with both victories coming by unanimous decision. He now advances to the finals, where he will face Colombia’s Juan Patiño as he looks to secure his second international gold medal of the year with Team USA. The final is scheduled for Session 2, Bout 9, at approximately 9 p.m. ET on Saturday.
In addition to Mendoza, Perez, Patricio and Kabamba, Team USA will have two more boxers competing for gold on Saturday. Simona Winkler (women’s junior middleweight) will face Brazil’s Viviane Pereira in the finals. The two previously met at the 2026 Strandja 77th International Boxing Tournament, where Pereira earned a 5-0 decision victory. Winkler will look to avenge that result in Session 1, Bout 4, at approximately 2:45 p.m. ET. Jajaira Gonzalez (women’s lightweight) will also compete for gold, facing Colombia’s Camila Camilo in the finals. Gonzalez’s bout is scheduled for Session 2, Bout 3, at approximately 7:30 p.m. ET.
Noelle Haro was the first American boxer to compete on Friday, facing Mexico’s Valeria Amparan in the semifinals. Although Haro fell by a 5-0 decision, she secured a bronze medal, marking her second international medal of the year. Salim Ellis-Bey also earned a bronze medal after falling by a 4-1 split decision to Cuba’s Saidel Horta. The Philadelphia native’s PanAmerican bronze medal marks his second of the year and third of his career with Team USA.
The USA Boxing Elite High Performance Team is led by Head Coach Billy Walsh (Colorado Springs, Colo.), who is assisted by National High Performance Coaches Nikki Burleson (Oklahoma City, Okla.), National Technical Coach Zaur Antia, and Billy Rafalko (Philadelphia, Pa.) and Jay Nimo (Dallas, Texas).
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BKFC results |
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Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship (BKFC) returned to the OCC Road House in Clearwater, Florida on Friday. “Royal” Ryan Reber had his hand raised in victory in the main event, defeating Justin “The Nightmare” Street via unanimous decision in bantamweight action. Two judges scored the fight 49-46 and one judge scored the contest 48-47. Reber, fighting in his hometown, is now 9-2 on the strength of back-to-back wins. He entered fight night as the #2 contender in the BKFC bantamweight (135-pound) division. Street, who represents Westland, MI, is now 5-3. Reber called for the next shot at BKFC bantamweight champion Jamel “Semper Fi” Herring in his post-fight interview: “Mr. Feldman, I’m here for a good time, not a long time — let’s make it happen!”
Competing in his hometown, Michael “Papa G” Larrimore similarly solidified his status as a contender in BKFC’s bantamweight division by stopping the previously unbeaten Nate “The Bad Man” Morrow in the second round of their 135-pound matchup. Larrimore logged a pair of knockdowns before the fight was stopped at 1:31 of the second stanza. Larrimore entered fight night as the #3 contender in the bantamweight division. He is now 4-2, with his only losses coming against Herring and former BKFC bantamweight champion Keith “The Rockstar” Richardson.
North Carolina's Doug “ColdRed” Coltrane surged to 5-2 by knocking out Tony “TMurph” Murphy in middleweight action. The fight was stopped 53 seconds into the second round. All but one of Coltrane’s victories have come by stoppage. Murphy, who represents Clearwater, FL, is now 3-1. Coltrane called out undefeated BKFC middleweight champion Jack “Little Lever’s Meat Cleaver” Cullen in his post-fight interview: “Let me get the title shot! I’m knocking people out with both hands!”
Birmingham, AL welterweight Rickie “Crimson King” McConnico earned his first BKFC victory with a third-round TKO over Mike Heckert. McConnico picked himself up off the canvas and rallied with two knockdowns of his own before the fight was stopped 47 seconds into the third stanza. Heckert, who hails from Clearwater, FL, is now 2-2 under the BKFC banner.
Hudson, FL’s Chachi Versace upped his BKFC record to 1-2-1 with a hard-fought majority decision over Angelo “The Phenomenal Fighter” Trujillo in flyweight action. Versace scored the sole knockdown of the fight, leading two judges to score the fight 48-46 while one judge scored the contest 47-47. Trujillo, a product of Grand Junction, CO, is now 0-3.
Debuting Columbus, OH fighter Donny “The Destroyer” Korbel sent Jadon “The Prince of Puerto Rico” Lee to the canvas three times before their bantamweight fight was called to a stop at the conclusion of the second round. The Spring Hill, FL fighter Lee was also making his BKFC debut.
Tampa FL’s Sam “Sicario” Delao was victorious in his BKFC debut, earning a decision win at the expense of Chris “Coco Bear” Keirn in light-heavyweight action. Two judges scored the fight 30-27 and one scored the contest 29-28, all in favor of Delao. Keirn, who represents New Port Richey, FL, was also stepping into the Squared Circle for the first time.
Lakeland, FL middleweight Tyler “Boom Boom” Baker needed only 43 seconds to make a successful BKFC premiere in the opening fight of the night. Baker dropped Yari “Bash Bro” Kaganovsky once before the fight was stopped via standing TKO. Kaganovsky, who hails from Round Lake, IL by way of Ukraine, was also making his BKFC debut.
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BKFC results
Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship (BKFC) returned to the OCC Road House in Clearwater, Florida on Friday. “Royal” Ryan Reber had his hand raised in victory in the main event, defeating Justin “The Nightmare” Street via unanimous decision in bantamweight action. Two judges scored the fight 49-46 and one judge scored the contest 48-47. Reber, fighting in his hometown, is now 9-2 on the strength of back-to-back wins. He entered fight night as the #2 contender in the BKFC bantamweight (135-pound) division. Street, who represents Westland, MI, is now 5-3. Reber called for the next shot at BKFC bantamweight champion Jamel “Semper Fi” Herring in his post-fight interview: “Mr. Feldman, I’m here for a good time, not a long time — let’s make it happen!”
Competing in his hometown, Michael “Papa G” Larrimore similarly solidified his status as a contender in BKFC’s bantamweight division by stopping the previously unbeaten Nate “The Bad Man” Morrow in the second round of their 135-pound matchup. Larrimore logged a pair of knockdowns before the fight was stopped at 1:31 of the second stanza. Larrimore entered fight night as the #3 contender in the bantamweight division. He is now 4-2, with his only losses coming against Herring and former BKFC bantamweight champion Keith “The Rockstar” Richardson.
North Carolina's Doug “ColdRed” Coltrane surged to 5-2 by knocking out Tony “TMurph” Murphy in middleweight action. The fight was stopped 53 seconds into the second round. All but one of Coltrane’s victories have come by stoppage. Murphy, who represents Clearwater, FL, is now 3-1. Coltrane called out undefeated BKFC middleweight champion Jack “Little Lever’s Meat Cleaver” Cullen in his post-fight interview: “Let me get the title shot! I’m knocking people out with both hands!”
Birmingham, AL welterweight Rickie “Crimson King” McConnico earned his first BKFC victory with a third-round TKO over Mike Heckert. McConnico picked himself up off the canvas and rallied with two knockdowns of his own before the fight was stopped 47 seconds into the third stanza. Heckert, who hails from Clearwater, FL, is now 2-2 under the BKFC banner.
Hudson, FL’s Chachi Versace upped his BKFC record to 1-2-1 with a hard-fought majority decision over Angelo “The Phenomenal Fighter” Trujillo in flyweight action. Versace scored the sole knockdown of the fight, leading two judges to score the fight 48-46 while one judge scored the contest 47-47. Trujillo, a product of Grand Junction, CO, is now 0-3.
Debuting Columbus, OH fighter Donny “The Destroyer” Korbel sent Jadon “The Prince of Puerto Rico” Lee to the canvas three times before their bantamweight fight was called to a stop at the conclusion of the second round. The Spring Hill, FL fighter Lee was also making his BKFC debut.
Tampa FL’s Sam “Sicario” Delao was victorious in his BKFC debut, earning a decision win at the expense of Chris “Coco Bear” Keirn in light-heavyweight action. Two judges scored the fight 30-27 and one scored the contest 29-28, all in favor of Delao. Keirn, who represents New Port Richey, FL, was also stepping into the Squared Circle for the first time.
Lakeland, FL middleweight Tyler “Boom Boom” Baker needed only 43 seconds to make a successful BKFC premiere in the opening fight of the night. Baker dropped Yari “Bash Bro” Kaganovsky once before the fight was stopped via standing TKO. Kaganovsky, who hails from Round Lake, IL by way of Ukraine, was also making his BKFC debut.
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Smith and Puello make weight for junior welterweight title fight |
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At the final press conference earlier this week, ex-junior welterweight title holder Alberto Puello says he is ready for war on Saturday in Sheffield, England when he'll challenge Dalton Smith for Smith's WBC junior welterweight championship. Smith will be making his first title defense and it comes in his Sheffield home, live on DAZN. Both men weighed in at 139.6 pounds for the 140-pound title fight. Smith wrapped the title around his waist January in one of the British boxing's best road wins in modern history when he dethroned Subriel Matias of Puerto Rico. Matias was the man who pried the belt away originally from Puello, a former PED cheat who was in his second title reign.
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Smith and Puello make weight for junior welterweight title fight
At the final press conference earlier this week, ex-junior welterweight title holder Alberto Puello says he is ready for war on Saturday in Sheffield, England when he'll challenge Dalton Smith for Smith's WBC junior welterweight championship. Smith will be making his first title defense and it comes in his Sheffield home, live on DAZN. Both men weighed in at 139.6 pounds for the 140-pound title fight. Smith wrapped the title around his waist January in one of the British boxing's best road wins in modern history when he dethroned Subriel Matias of Puerto Rico. Matias was the man who pried the belt away originally from Puello, a former PED cheat who was in his second title reign.
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Foster and Navarrete make weight for junior lightweight unification |
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A bantamweight bout between Steven Navarro (9-1, 6 KOs) and Emanuel Moreno (13-0, 3 KOs) has apparently been called off for Saturday's show at Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Texas. The boxers were not on the final weigh-in sheet. The main card will air on DAZN at 8 PM ET / 5 PM PT. Preliminary bouts begin at 6:15 PM ET / 3:15 PM PT on DAZN and the Top Rank and DAZN YouTube channels. Here are the boxers' weights: Emanuel Navarrete, 130 pounds -vs.- O'Shaquie Foster, 129.8 (WBO/IBF/WBC junior lightweight titles, twelve rounds); Albert Gonzalez, 124.9 -vs.- Edward Vazquez, 125.8 (featherweights, ten rounds); Frank Martin, 139.5 -vs.- Tarik Zaina, 139.5 (junior welterweights, ten rounds); Scooter Davis, 134.8 -vs.- Joaquin Faccio, 134.3 (lightweights, eight rounds); Daniel Cortez III, 121.5 -vs.- Joshua Montoya, 121.4 (super bantamweights, six rounds); Sammy Contreras, 134.1 -vs.- Oscar Pedroza Padilla, 134.4 (lightweights, six rounds); and Joseph Almajdi, 154.8 -vs.- Miqal Dolphus, 153.7 (junior middleweights, six rounds).
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Foster and Navarrete make weight for junior lightweight unification
A bantamweight bout between Steven Navarro (9-1, 6 KOs) and Emanuel Moreno (13-0, 3 KOs) has apparently been called off for Saturday's show at Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Texas. The boxers were not on the final weigh-in sheet. The main card will air on DAZN at 8 PM ET / 5 PM PT. Preliminary bouts begin at 6:15 PM ET / 3:15 PM PT on DAZN and the Top Rank and DAZN YouTube channels. Here are the boxers' weights: Emanuel Navarrete, 130 pounds -vs.- O'Shaquie Foster, 129.8 (WBO/IBF/WBC junior lightweight titles, twelve rounds); Albert Gonzalez, 124.9 -vs.- Edward Vazquez, 125.8 (featherweights, ten rounds); Frank Martin, 139.5 -vs.- Tarik Zaina, 139.5 (junior welterweights, ten rounds); Scooter Davis, 134.8 -vs.- Joaquin Faccio, 134.3 (lightweights, eight rounds); Daniel Cortez III, 121.5 -vs.- Joshua Montoya, 121.4 (super bantamweights, six rounds); Sammy Contreras, 134.1 -vs.- Oscar Pedroza Padilla, 134.4 (lightweights, six rounds); and Joseph Almajdi, 154.8 -vs.- Miqal Dolphus, 153.7 (junior middleweights, six rounds).
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Devin Haney signs with DAZN |
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DAZN has announced an exclusive multi-fight agreement with Devin Haney Promotions, bringing the three-division world champion and one of boxing’s most accomplished and compelling young stars to the platform for a series of major global events. The agreement positions Haney for a new slate of marquee fights. At just 27 years old, Devin “The Dream” Haney has already assembled one of boxing’s strongest championship resumes. The undefeated three-division world champion has captured titles at lightweight, junior welterweight and welterweight, becoming the undisputed lightweight champion before adding world championships in two additional divisions. Widely regarded as one of boxing’s elite technicians, Haney has established himself as one of the sport’s premier pound-for-pound fighters and a leading figure in the next generation of global stars.
“I’m at a point in my career where I want the biggest challenges and the fights the fans want to see,” said Devin Haney. “I’m excited to partner with DAZN. This agreement removes any doubt or uncertainty about my ability to make the major fights in boxing. I’m in position to fight anyone, and I’m focused, motivated and ready for whoever is next.”
“Devin has proven that he belongs on boxing’s biggest stages,” said Britton Hardin, Head of Boxing, North America at DAZN. “He is an elite champion, a proven headliner and one of the most influential figures shaping the future of the sport. This partnership creates the opportunity to deliver the marquee matchups fans want while bringing the next defining phase of Devin’s career to DAZN’s global audience.”
Devin Haney Promotions (DHP) is a global boxing promotion founded by undefeated three-division world champion Devin Haney. Built on Haney’s championship legacy and global influence, DHP delivers world-class events and the biggest fights in boxing. Leveraging Haney’s credibility inside the ring and influence beyond it, DHP creates premium experiences, forges strategic partnerships and expands the sport’s reach to new audiences. Driven by innovation and a championship mindset, DHP is helping shape the future of boxing on the global stage.
“Building Devin Haney Promotions into a global championship brand has been a long-term vision of ours, and this partnership marks an important milestone in that journey,” said Bill Haney, Devin Haney’s Manager. We developed Devin from the ground up into an undisputed champion, a three-division world champion and one of boxing’s elite global attractions. Now, alongside DAZN, we can apply that same blueprint to growing the DHP roster, developing future champions and delivering elite events on the global stage.”
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Devin Haney signs with DAZN
DAZN has announced an exclusive multi-fight agreement with Devin Haney Promotions, bringing the three-division world champion and one of boxing’s most accomplished and compelling young stars to the platform for a series of major global events. The agreement positions Haney for a new slate of marquee fights. At just 27 years old, Devin “The Dream” Haney has already assembled one of boxing’s strongest championship resumes. The undefeated three-division world champion has captured titles at lightweight, junior welterweight and welterweight, becoming the undisputed lightweight champion before adding world championships in two additional divisions. Widely regarded as one of boxing’s elite technicians, Haney has established himself as one of the sport’s premier pound-for-pound fighters and a leading figure in the next generation of global stars.
“I’m at a point in my career where I want the biggest challenges and the fights the fans want to see,” said Devin Haney. “I’m excited to partner with DAZN. This agreement removes any doubt or uncertainty about my ability to make the major fights in boxing. I’m in position to fight anyone, and I’m focused, motivated and ready for whoever is next.”
“Devin has proven that he belongs on boxing’s biggest stages,” said Britton Hardin, Head of Boxing, North America at DAZN. “He is an elite champion, a proven headliner and one of the most influential figures shaping the future of the sport. This partnership creates the opportunity to deliver the marquee matchups fans want while bringing the next defining phase of Devin’s career to DAZN’s global audience.”
Devin Haney Promotions (DHP) is a global boxing promotion founded by undefeated three-division world champion Devin Haney. Built on Haney’s championship legacy and global influence, DHP delivers world-class events and the biggest fights in boxing. Leveraging Haney’s credibility inside the ring and influence beyond it, DHP creates premium experiences, forges strategic partnerships and expands the sport’s reach to new audiences. Driven by innovation and a championship mindset, DHP is helping shape the future of boxing on the global stage.
“Building Devin Haney Promotions into a global championship brand has been a long-term vision of ours, and this partnership marks an important milestone in that journey,” said Bill Haney, Devin Haney’s Manager. We developed Devin from the ground up into an undisputed champion, a three-division world champion and one of boxing’s elite global attractions. Now, alongside DAZN, we can apply that same blueprint to growing the DHP roster, developing future champions and delivering elite events on the global stage.”
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Team USA has a perfect Thursday at Pan Am Games |
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The USA Boxing Elite High Performance Team notched another perfect day on Thursday at the 2026 Pan American Championships in Puebla, Mexico. Team USA was led by Lorenzo Patricio, Yoseline Perez, Jajaira Gonzalez, and Simona Winkler, with Patricio and Perez punching their ticket to the medal rounds and Gonzalez and Winkler securing spots in the finals. With Patricio and Perez advancing, Team USA officially locked up eight medals at the 2026 Pan American Championships.
Team USA got off to a strong start after Patricio earned a unanimous decision victory over Cuba’s 2024 Paris Olympian Alejandro Claro. Patricio dominated the bout, winning all three rounds to secure a 5-0 decision. Patricio improved his Team USA record to 13-2 in 2026 and secured his third medal of the year. He will now face Puerto Rico’s Yedrian Otero in Friday’s Session 2, Bout 6 semifinal at approximately 8:15 p.m. ET.
In the second session, Perez got things started for Team USA, advancing after earning a dominant victory over Colombia’s Yeni Arias. In her tournament debut, Perez advanced to the semifinals after a win by abandonment, and she will now face Canada’s Scarlett Delgado on Friday in Session 2, Bout 1, at approximately 7 p.m. ET.
Following Perez, 2024 Paris Olympian Jajaira Gonzalez secured a unanimous decision victory over Brazil’s Rebeca Santos. The victory gives Gonzalez a 2-1 record against Santos across their three meetings and sends her to the finals, where she will face Colombia’s Camila Camilo on Saturday, October 24.
Simona Winkler rounded out the day for Team USA with an RSC victory over Colombia’s Deyaneira Casas. Winkler delivered three eight counts in the first round to secure her second RSC win of the tournament. Winkler advances to the finals, where she will face Brazil’s Viviane Pereira.
The USA Boxing Elite High Performance Team is led by Head Coach Billy Walsh (Colorado Springs, Colo.), who is assisted by National High Performance Coaches Nikki Burleson (Oklahoma City, Okla.), National Technical Coach Zaur Antia, and Billy Rafalko (Philadelphia, Pa.) and Jay Nimo (Dallas, Texas).
Thursday, October 22nd Results
Men’s 121 pounds: Lorenzo Patricio, USA vs. Alejandro Claro, Cuba | W 5-0;
Women’s 119 pounds: Yoseline Perez, USA vs. Yeni Arias, Colombia | W ABD;
Women’s 132 pounds: Jajaira Gonzalez, USA vs. Rebeca Santos, Brazil | W 5-0; and
Women’s 154 pounds: Simona Winkler, USA vs. Deyaneira Casas, Colombia | RSC-1.
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Team USA has a perfect Thursday at Pan Am Games
The USA Boxing Elite High Performance Team notched another perfect day on Thursday at the 2026 Pan American Championships in Puebla, Mexico. Team USA was led by Lorenzo Patricio, Yoseline Perez, Jajaira Gonzalez, and Simona Winkler, with Patricio and Perez punching their ticket to the medal rounds and Gonzalez and Winkler securing spots in the finals. With Patricio and Perez advancing, Team USA officially locked up eight medals at the 2026 Pan American Championships.
Team USA got off to a strong start after Patricio earned a unanimous decision victory over Cuba’s 2024 Paris Olympian Alejandro Claro. Patricio dominated the bout, winning all three rounds to secure a 5-0 decision. Patricio improved his Team USA record to 13-2 in 2026 and secured his third medal of the year. He will now face Puerto Rico’s Yedrian Otero in Friday’s Session 2, Bout 6 semifinal at approximately 8:15 p.m. ET.
In the second session, Perez got things started for Team USA, advancing after earning a dominant victory over Colombia’s Yeni Arias. In her tournament debut, Perez advanced to the semifinals after a win by abandonment, and she will now face Canada’s Scarlett Delgado on Friday in Session 2, Bout 1, at approximately 7 p.m. ET.
Following Perez, 2024 Paris Olympian Jajaira Gonzalez secured a unanimous decision victory over Brazil’s Rebeca Santos. The victory gives Gonzalez a 2-1 record against Santos across their three meetings and sends her to the finals, where she will face Colombia’s Camila Camilo on Saturday, October 24.
Simona Winkler rounded out the day for Team USA with an RSC victory over Colombia’s Deyaneira Casas. Winkler delivered three eight counts in the first round to secure her second RSC win of the tournament. Winkler advances to the finals, where she will face Brazil’s Viviane Pereira.
The USA Boxing Elite High Performance Team is led by Head Coach Billy Walsh (Colorado Springs, Colo.), who is assisted by National High Performance Coaches Nikki Burleson (Oklahoma City, Okla.), National Technical Coach Zaur Antia, and Billy Rafalko (Philadelphia, Pa.) and Jay Nimo (Dallas, Texas).
Thursday, October 22nd Results
Men’s 121 pounds: Lorenzo Patricio, USA vs. Alejandro Claro, Cuba | W 5-0;
Women’s 119 pounds: Yoseline Perez, USA vs. Yeni Arias, Colombia | W ABD;
Women’s 132 pounds: Jajaira Gonzalez, USA vs. Rebeca Santos, Brazil | W 5-0; and
Women’s 154 pounds: Simona Winkler, USA vs. Deyaneira Casas, Colombia | RSC-1.
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Lauren Price books November title defense |
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Wales' Lauren Price will return to home soil to defend her unified welterweight titles against Michaela Kotaskova of the Czech Republic on Friday, November 20th as Boxxer brings the event to the Utilita Arena in Cardiff, live and free-to-air on BBC Two and BBC iPlayer. In 2024, Price became Wales’ first female boxing world champion, defeating former undisputed champion Jessica McCaskill to claim the WBA and IBO titles in Cardiff. The 2021 Olympic champion further cemented her place among the sport’s elite in March 2025, adding the IBF and WBC titles to her collection with a victory over Natasha Jonas at London’s Royal Albert Hall. Price returns to action following a hard-fought victory over mandatory challenger Stephanie Piñeiro Aquino in April.
Attempting to spoil the party is top Czech contender Michaela Kotaskova, who has suffered just one defeat in her fifteen-fight professional career. Her sole loss came on points against current unified junior middleweight champ Chantelle Cameron in April this year. Kotaskova now returns to her natural weight of welterweight, where she remains undefeated, determined to upset the Welsh star and claim the biggest victory of her career.
Price said: “There’s nothing better than fighting at home in Wales. The atmosphere in Cardiff is always incredible and I can’t wait to walk out in front of my home fans again. I’ve worked incredibly hard to get to this position and I’m not giving anything up. Kotaskova is a tough, experienced opponent who has competed at world level, but I believe I’m the best welterweight on the planet and on November 20th I’m going to show it. I want to put on a big performance and give everyone in Wales another night to remember.”
Kotaskova said: “I have a lot of respect for Lauren and everything she has achieved, but I am coming to Cardiff to take her titles. I have already shown that I can compete with the best fighters in the world. Welterweight is my natural division, I am undefeated at this weight and I believe this is my moment. I know I will be walking into an arena full of Lauren’s fans, but that only gives me more motivation. I am ready to make history on November 20th.”
Boxxer founder Ben Shalom said: “Lauren Price is one of the biggest names in British boxing and there is something special about seeing her fight at home in Wales. She has already created some incredible moments in Cardiff and we’re delighted to bring her back for another major world title night, live and free-to-air on the BBC. Kotaskova is a good fighter and will provide a tough test but Lauren has huge ambitions, and she knows she has to keep winning and keep producing big performances to secure her legacy. We’re expecting another special night in Cardiff on November 20th.”
Graham Davies, Managing Editor for Sport at BBC Cymru Wales, said: “Lauren Price is one of the standout stars of British boxing and we’re delighted to bring her return to Cardiff to audiences across the UK. Lauren’s journey from Olympic champion to unified world champion has been remarkable, and this latest title defence promises to be another exciting chapter. Bringing world-class boxing live and free-to-air on BBC Two and BBC iPlayer gives fans everywhere the opportunity to follow that journey and enjoy another huge night of boxing from Cardiff.”
Welsh standout Rhys Edwards leads an action-packed undercard as the Penygraig boxer faces Scotland’s former British, Commonwealth and European champion Lee McGregor in a Home Nations showdown in the featherweight category, while Cardiff’s unbeaten middleweight Kyran Jones will face tough opposition from Liverpool’s Sean Arkwright.
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Lauren Price books November title defense
Wales' Lauren Price will return to home soil to defend her unified welterweight titles against Michaela Kotaskova of the Czech Republic on Friday, November 20th as Boxxer brings the event to the Utilita Arena in Cardiff, live and free-to-air on BBC Two and BBC iPlayer. In 2024, Price became Wales’ first female boxing world champion, defeating former undisputed champion Jessica McCaskill to claim the WBA and IBO titles in Cardiff. The 2021 Olympic champion further cemented her place among the sport’s elite in March 2025, adding the IBF and WBC titles to her collection with a victory over Natasha Jonas at London’s Royal Albert Hall. Price returns to action following a hard-fought victory over mandatory challenger Stephanie Piñeiro Aquino in April.
Attempting to spoil the party is top Czech contender Michaela Kotaskova, who has suffered just one defeat in her fifteen-fight professional career. Her sole loss came on points against current unified junior middleweight champ Chantelle Cameron in April this year. Kotaskova now returns to her natural weight of welterweight, where she remains undefeated, determined to upset the Welsh star and claim the biggest victory of her career.
Price said: “There’s nothing better than fighting at home in Wales. The atmosphere in Cardiff is always incredible and I can’t wait to walk out in front of my home fans again. I’ve worked incredibly hard to get to this position and I’m not giving anything up. Kotaskova is a tough, experienced opponent who has competed at world level, but I believe I’m the best welterweight on the planet and on November 20th I’m going to show it. I want to put on a big performance and give everyone in Wales another night to remember.”
Kotaskova said: “I have a lot of respect for Lauren and everything she has achieved, but I am coming to Cardiff to take her titles. I have already shown that I can compete with the best fighters in the world. Welterweight is my natural division, I am undefeated at this weight and I believe this is my moment. I know I will be walking into an arena full of Lauren’s fans, but that only gives me more motivation. I am ready to make history on November 20th.”
Boxxer founder Ben Shalom said: “Lauren Price is one of the biggest names in British boxing and there is something special about seeing her fight at home in Wales. She has already created some incredible moments in Cardiff and we’re delighted to bring her back for another major world title night, live and free-to-air on the BBC. Kotaskova is a good fighter and will provide a tough test but Lauren has huge ambitions, and she knows she has to keep winning and keep producing big performances to secure her legacy. We’re expecting another special night in Cardiff on November 20th.”
Graham Davies, Managing Editor for Sport at BBC Cymru Wales, said: “Lauren Price is one of the standout stars of British boxing and we’re delighted to bring her return to Cardiff to audiences across the UK. Lauren’s journey from Olympic champion to unified world champion has been remarkable, and this latest title defence promises to be another exciting chapter. Bringing world-class boxing live and free-to-air on BBC Two and BBC iPlayer gives fans everywhere the opportunity to follow that journey and enjoy another huge night of boxing from Cardiff.”
Welsh standout Rhys Edwards leads an action-packed undercard as the Penygraig boxer faces Scotland’s former British, Commonwealth and European champion Lee McGregor in a Home Nations showdown in the featherweight category, while Cardiff’s unbeaten middleweight Kyran Jones will face tough opposition from Liverpool’s Sean Arkwright.
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Weigh-in report from Maryland |
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Here are the boxers' weights for Saturday night's Jeter Promotions card at the The Hall at Live! Casino & Hotel in Hanover, Maryland:
Mekhi Phillips, 134.8 pounds -vs.- Naheem Parker, 141.2;
Nasheed H. Smith, 175.6 -vs.- Terrance Walker, 173.8; Tyler Langer, 203.8 -vs.- Carlos Brito, 190.6; Ezri Turner, 175 -vs.- Marc-Ari Lewis, 175.8; Mykal Fox, 159.2 -vs.- Arturo Perfecto Valdez, 166; Erik Hernandez, 137.4 -vs.- Kashif El-Amin, 137; Nicolas Isaac, 143 -vs.- Angel Reyes, 143.2; Cody Noble, 155 -vs.- Charles Robins, 155.4; Patrick O'Connor, 199.2 -vs.- Michael Nelson, 193.6; Krizstian Nileborg, 165.2 -vs.- Derrick Vann, 167; Brandon Chambers, 125.6 -vs.- Juan Carlos Medina, 130.2; Carlos Flowers, 154.6 -vs.- Rashad Bowens, 155; Achraf Abdeddine, 157.4 -vs.- Wayne Johnson, 156; and Astrid Amanda, 160.4 -vs.- Joshua Murcia-Martinez, 163.4.
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Weigh-in report from Maryland
Here are the boxers' weights for Saturday night's Jeter Promotions card at the The Hall at Live! Casino & Hotel in Hanover, Maryland:
Mekhi Phillips, 134.8 pounds -vs.- Naheem Parker, 141.2;
Nasheed H. Smith, 175.6 -vs.- Terrance Walker, 173.8; Tyler Langer, 203.8 -vs.- Carlos Brito, 190.6; Ezri Turner, 175 -vs.- Marc-Ari Lewis, 175.8; Mykal Fox, 159.2 -vs.- Arturo Perfecto Valdez, 166; Erik Hernandez, 137.4 -vs.- Kashif El-Amin, 137; Nicolas Isaac, 143 -vs.- Angel Reyes, 143.2; Cody Noble, 155 -vs.- Charles Robins, 155.4; Patrick O'Connor, 199.2 -vs.- Michael Nelson, 193.6; Krizstian Nileborg, 165.2 -vs.- Derrick Vann, 167; Brandon Chambers, 125.6 -vs.- Juan Carlos Medina, 130.2; Carlos Flowers, 154.6 -vs.- Rashad Bowens, 155; Achraf Abdeddine, 157.4 -vs.- Wayne Johnson, 156; and Astrid Amanda, 160.4 -vs.- Joshua Murcia-Martinez, 163.4.
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Benavidez vs. Cieslak lands on Dec. 5th PPV |
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WBA / WBO cruiserweight champion David “El Monstro” Benavidez (pictured) will make his Arizona homecoming in a unification clash against his WBC counterpart Michal Cieslak on Saturday, December 5th as part of a PBC pay-per-view event available on DAZN through Prime Video from Desert Diamond Arena in Glendale, Arizona. The pay-per-view begins at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT and will also feature undefeated Vergil Ortiz Jr. against former two-belt champion Keith “One Time” Thurman in a twelve-round middleweight affair.
The pay-per-view will also see a trio of rising stars enter the ring in separate bouts as unbeaten Emiliano “El General” Vargas competes in a junior welterweight ten rounder, middleweight Marco “El Tiburon” Romero in an eight-round special feature, and Australia's Nikita Tszyu's U.S. debut in the eight-round junior middleweight opening bout. Tickets for the live event go on sale Friday, October 23 at 12 p.m. PT through Ticketmaster.com. The event is promoted by Sampson Boxing and TGB Promotions. Ortiz vs. Thurman is co-promoted by Golden Boy Promotions. The Emiliano Vargas fight is co-promoted by Top Rank. The Nikita Tszyu fight is co-promoted by No Limit Boxing and the Rose Brothers.
“David Benavidez has been building his own legacy from the beginning,” said Sampson Lewkowicz of Sampson Boxing. “From when he became the youngest super middleweight champion ever, to his time as light heavyweight king, and now as the unified cruiserweight champion. ‘The Mexican Monster’ David Benavidez hides from no one, and no one can stop him. David has always had my full support for his history-making career. This is his time.”
“Unified cruiserweight king David Benavidez is must-see entertainment every time he steps into the ring, and he’ll be highly-motivated to be at his best in front of his home state fans in Arizona as he looks to add another cruiserweight title to his collection against an experienced world champion in Michal Cieslak,” said promoter Tom Brown, president of TGB Promotions. “Combined with a highly-competitive co-main event between Vergil Ortiz Jr. and Keith Thurman, plus rising stars in Emiliano Vargas, Marco Romero and Nikita Tszyu, and December 5 this set up to be a can’t-miss night at Desert Diamond Arena in Glendale, Arizona and on pay-per-view on DAZN through Prime Video.”
“There’s a reason why Vergil Ortiz Jr. is the most avoided fighter without a belt,” said Chairman and CEO of Golden Boy Oscar De La Hoya. “As a former world champion, Keith Thurman is a crafty, experienced fighter who has been in there with the very best and will give Vergil some good rounds.”
“David Benavidez returning home to Arizona for a world title unification fight is the kind of moment that makes boxing special,” said Britton Hardin, Head of Boxing, North America at DAZN. “With Benavidez chasing another world title against Michal Cieslak and a blockbuster co-main event featuring Vergil Ortiz Jr. and Keith Thurman, this card delivers star power, high stakes and must-see action. We’re proud to partner with PBC to bring another major pay-per-view event to fans on DAZN.”
A three-division champion, David “El Monstro” Benavidez will look to capture a third world title at 200-pounds when he takes on the WBC title holder Michael Cieslak of Poland in Benavidez’s first fight in Arizona since a 2022 destruction of David Lemieux.
One of the best pound-for-pound fighters in the sport, the 29-year-old Benavidez (32-0, 26 KOs) made his cruiserweight debut in style on Cinco de Mayo Weekend, dominating then champion Gilberto Ramirez on his way to a sixth-round stoppage. The victory followed up a 2025 campaign that saw him best then-unbeaten David Morrell Jr. by unanimous decision to add the WBA light heavyweight championship to the WBC title he’d earned in 2024 against former champion Oleksandr Gvozdyk. Prior to that, Benavidez’s 2023 began with him defeating longtime rival Caleb Plant via unanimous decision in a March slugfest before stopping the previously unbeaten two-division champion Demetrius Andrade in six rounds in November. A Phoenix native, Benavidez became the youngest-ever 168-pound champion at age 20 when he defeated Ronald Gavril by split decision for the vacant WBC title in 2017. When he was 15 years old, Benavidez went from weighing 250 pounds to a boxing prodigy under the watchful eye of his father and trainer, Jose, Sr., and his brother and veteran contender Jose Jr., as he famously held his own in sparring against middleweight champions Gennady Golovkin and Peter Quillin as a teenager.
“I’m excited to be fighting in Arizona once again,” said Benavidez. “It’s been a long time coming, but it’s finally here. I’m gonna give the fans in my home state of Arizona a great performance on December 5th.”
The latest in a long line of Polish cruiserweight champions that includes Tomasz Adamek, Krzysztof Wlodarczyk and Krzysztof Glowacki, Cieslak (28-2, 22 KOs) earned an interim belt with a fourth-round stoppage of former champion Jean Pascal in June 2025. Cieslak traveled to his opponent’s hometown to capture the interim WBC title, before being recently elevated, and will now step into the ring against a hostile crowd again looking to repeat the feat against Benavidez. A native of Kozienice, Poland, Cieslak enters this fight on a seven-fight winning streak dating back to 2022, with all seven of those victories coming by way of stoppage. A pro since 2013, Cieslak had previously challenged for the WBC cruiserweight crown twice before becoming champion. In January 2020 he lost a close decision to Ilunga Makabu, before fighting for the title a second time in February 2022 when he came up short against then unbeaten Lawrence Okolie.
“I’ve been waiting for this opportunity my whole life,” said Cieslak. “This is exactly why I’ve been training – to test myself and compete on the biggest stage against fighters like Benavidez. I’m confident, but there’s no point in talking nonsense. The focus has to be on hard work. Those who know me understand that I’m not going there just to show up. I will bring all three belts back to Poland after December 5th.”
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Benavidez vs. Cieslak lands on Dec. 5th PPV
WBA / WBO cruiserweight champion David “El Monstro” Benavidez (pictured) will make his Arizona homecoming in a unification clash against his WBC counterpart Michal Cieslak on Saturday, December 5th as part of a PBC pay-per-view event available on DAZN through Prime Video from Desert Diamond Arena in Glendale, Arizona. The pay-per-view begins at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT and will also feature undefeated Vergil Ortiz Jr. against former two-belt champion Keith “One Time” Thurman in a twelve-round middleweight affair.
The pay-per-view will also see a trio of rising stars enter the ring in separate bouts as unbeaten Emiliano “El General” Vargas competes in a junior welterweight ten rounder, middleweight Marco “El Tiburon” Romero in an eight-round special feature, and Australia's Nikita Tszyu's U.S. debut in the eight-round junior middleweight opening bout. Tickets for the live event go on sale Friday, October 23 at 12 p.m. PT through Ticketmaster.com. The event is promoted by Sampson Boxing and TGB Promotions. Ortiz vs. Thurman is co-promoted by Golden Boy Promotions. The Emiliano Vargas fight is co-promoted by Top Rank. The Nikita Tszyu fight is co-promoted by No Limit Boxing and the Rose Brothers.
“David Benavidez has been building his own legacy from the beginning,” said Sampson Lewkowicz of Sampson Boxing. “From when he became the youngest super middleweight champion ever, to his time as light heavyweight king, and now as the unified cruiserweight champion. ‘The Mexican Monster’ David Benavidez hides from no one, and no one can stop him. David has always had my full support for his history-making career. This is his time.”
“Unified cruiserweight king David Benavidez is must-see entertainment every time he steps into the ring, and he’ll be highly-motivated to be at his best in front of his home state fans in Arizona as he looks to add another cruiserweight title to his collection against an experienced world champion in Michal Cieslak,” said promoter Tom Brown, president of TGB Promotions. “Combined with a highly-competitive co-main event between Vergil Ortiz Jr. and Keith Thurman, plus rising stars in Emiliano Vargas, Marco Romero and Nikita Tszyu, and December 5 this set up to be a can’t-miss night at Desert Diamond Arena in Glendale, Arizona and on pay-per-view on DAZN through Prime Video.”
“There’s a reason why Vergil Ortiz Jr. is the most avoided fighter without a belt,” said Chairman and CEO of Golden Boy Oscar De La Hoya. “As a former world champion, Keith Thurman is a crafty, experienced fighter who has been in there with the very best and will give Vergil some good rounds.”
“David Benavidez returning home to Arizona for a world title unification fight is the kind of moment that makes boxing special,” said Britton Hardin, Head of Boxing, North America at DAZN. “With Benavidez chasing another world title against Michal Cieslak and a blockbuster co-main event featuring Vergil Ortiz Jr. and Keith Thurman, this card delivers star power, high stakes and must-see action. We’re proud to partner with PBC to bring another major pay-per-view event to fans on DAZN.”
A three-division champion, David “El Monstro” Benavidez will look to capture a third world title at 200-pounds when he takes on the WBC title holder Michael Cieslak of Poland in Benavidez’s first fight in Arizona since a 2022 destruction of David Lemieux.
One of the best pound-for-pound fighters in the sport, the 29-year-old Benavidez (32-0, 26 KOs) made his cruiserweight debut in style on Cinco de Mayo Weekend, dominating then champion Gilberto Ramirez on his way to a sixth-round stoppage. The victory followed up a 2025 campaign that saw him best then-unbeaten David Morrell Jr. by unanimous decision to add the WBA light heavyweight championship to the WBC title he’d earned in 2024 against former champion Oleksandr Gvozdyk. Prior to that, Benavidez’s 2023 began with him defeating longtime rival Caleb Plant via unanimous decision in a March slugfest before stopping the previously unbeaten two-division champion Demetrius Andrade in six rounds in November. A Phoenix native, Benavidez became the youngest-ever 168-pound champion at age 20 when he defeated Ronald Gavril by split decision for the vacant WBC title in 2017. When he was 15 years old, Benavidez went from weighing 250 pounds to a boxing prodigy under the watchful eye of his father and trainer, Jose, Sr., and his brother and veteran contender Jose Jr., as he famously held his own in sparring against middleweight champions Gennady Golovkin and Peter Quillin as a teenager.
“I’m excited to be fighting in Arizona once again,” said Benavidez. “It’s been a long time coming, but it’s finally here. I’m gonna give the fans in my home state of Arizona a great performance on December 5th.”
The latest in a long line of Polish cruiserweight champions that includes Tomasz Adamek, Krzysztof Wlodarczyk and Krzysztof Glowacki, Cieslak (28-2, 22 KOs) earned an interim belt with a fourth-round stoppage of former champion Jean Pascal in June 2025. Cieslak traveled to his opponent’s hometown to capture the interim WBC title, before being recently elevated, and will now step into the ring against a hostile crowd again looking to repeat the feat against Benavidez. A native of Kozienice, Poland, Cieslak enters this fight on a seven-fight winning streak dating back to 2022, with all seven of those victories coming by way of stoppage. A pro since 2013, Cieslak had previously challenged for the WBC cruiserweight crown twice before becoming champion. In January 2020 he lost a close decision to Ilunga Makabu, before fighting for the title a second time in February 2022 when he came up short against then unbeaten Lawrence Okolie.
“I’ve been waiting for this opportunity my whole life,” said Cieslak. “This is exactly why I’ve been training – to test myself and compete on the biggest stage against fighters like Benavidez. I’m confident, but there’s no point in talking nonsense. The focus has to be on hard work. Those who know me understand that I’m not going there just to show up. I will bring all three belts back to Poland after December 5th.”
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Ortiz faces recycled Thurman in PPV co-feature |
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Undefeated middleweight Vergil Ortiz Jr. will face recycled former unified welterweight champion Keith “One Time” Thurman in a twelve-round bout that will serve as the chief support for the December 5th pay-per-view show headlined by a cruiserweight unification bout between David Benavidez and Michal Cieslak in Glendale, Arizona. The bout presents Ortiz with his most well-known foe to date, while Thurman will look to put himself back in world title contention following a blowout loss vs. WBC junior middleweight champ Sebastian Fundora.
Trained by the renowned Robert Garcia, Ortiz (24-0, 22 KOs) has dominated his competition on his way to becoming one of the sport’s most highly-acclaimed rising stars. The 28-year-old Ortiz began his career fighting at 140 and 147 pounds, scoring a series of victories over top contenders including ex-champ Maurice Hooker and Egidijus Kavaliauskas. The Dallas-native moved up to super welterweight in 2024 and originally captured his WBC interim title with a twelve-round decision over Serhii Bohachuk. He followed up that triumph with a unanimous decision over top contender Israil Madrimov, before most recently blasting out longtime contender Erickson Lubin in the second round of their November 2025 matchup.
“I am pumped to share the ring with a former world champion in Keith Thurman, who I highly respect for taking the fight when everyone else decided to hide behind politics,” said Ortiz. “Being the co-main for Benavidez is an honor as I respect him equally as a fighter and a person. It’s gonna be a great night of boxing and overall I’m just happy to be active again.”
Clearwater, Florida’s Thurman (31-2, 23 KOs) has assembled one of the top welterweight resumes of this generation, having defeated former champions Shawn Porter, Danny Garcia and Robert Guerrero in high-profile clashes, unifying the WBA and WBC titles against Garcia in a contest of undefeated welterweight world champions. Thurman most recently dropped a March showdown with WBC 154-pound champion Sebastian Fundora. Prior to that, his only blemish came in a 2019 Fight of the Year against boxing legend Manny Pacquiao, with Thurman ending up on the wrong side of a split-decision. Thurman bounced back against two-division champion Mario Barrios by winning a unanimous decision in February 2022. He was set to face Australian superstar Tim Tszyu in March 2024 before being forced to withdraw due to injury, eventually returning to the ring in March 2025 with a third-round stoppage of Brock Jarvis.
“I’m back with a vengeance!” said Thurman. “I’m bringing the heat in December with an action fight against Vergil Ortiz – another young lion. Fans should really enjoy this one – you know the resume. I fight the best and the gladiator in me is not done yet. Get ready, Christmas is coming early.”
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Ortiz faces recycled Thurman in PPV co-feature
Undefeated middleweight Vergil Ortiz Jr. will face recycled former unified welterweight champion Keith “One Time” Thurman in a twelve-round bout that will serve as the chief support for the December 5th pay-per-view show headlined by a cruiserweight unification bout between David Benavidez and Michal Cieslak in Glendale, Arizona. The bout presents Ortiz with his most well-known foe to date, while Thurman will look to put himself back in world title contention following a blowout loss vs. WBC junior middleweight champ Sebastian Fundora.
Trained by the renowned Robert Garcia, Ortiz (24-0, 22 KOs) has dominated his competition on his way to becoming one of the sport’s most highly-acclaimed rising stars. The 28-year-old Ortiz began his career fighting at 140 and 147 pounds, scoring a series of victories over top contenders including ex-champ Maurice Hooker and Egidijus Kavaliauskas. The Dallas-native moved up to super welterweight in 2024 and originally captured his WBC interim title with a twelve-round decision over Serhii Bohachuk. He followed up that triumph with a unanimous decision over top contender Israil Madrimov, before most recently blasting out longtime contender Erickson Lubin in the second round of their November 2025 matchup.
“I am pumped to share the ring with a former world champion in Keith Thurman, who I highly respect for taking the fight when everyone else decided to hide behind politics,” said Ortiz. “Being the co-main for Benavidez is an honor as I respect him equally as a fighter and a person. It’s gonna be a great night of boxing and overall I’m just happy to be active again.”
Clearwater, Florida’s Thurman (31-2, 23 KOs) has assembled one of the top welterweight resumes of this generation, having defeated former champions Shawn Porter, Danny Garcia and Robert Guerrero in high-profile clashes, unifying the WBA and WBC titles against Garcia in a contest of undefeated welterweight world champions. Thurman most recently dropped a March showdown with WBC 154-pound champion Sebastian Fundora. Prior to that, his only blemish came in a 2019 Fight of the Year against boxing legend Manny Pacquiao, with Thurman ending up on the wrong side of a split-decision. Thurman bounced back against two-division champion Mario Barrios by winning a unanimous decision in February 2022. He was set to face Australian superstar Tim Tszyu in March 2024 before being forced to withdraw due to injury, eventually returning to the ring in March 2025 with a third-round stoppage of Brock Jarvis.
“I’m back with a vengeance!” said Thurman. “I’m bringing the heat in December with an action fight against Vergil Ortiz – another young lion. Fans should really enjoy this one – you know the resume. I fight the best and the gladiator in me is not done yet. Get ready, Christmas is coming early.”
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Foster: "I've been chasing this fight for almost three years" |
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WBO/IBF junior lightweight champion Emanuel Navarrete (40-2-1, 33 KOs) will face WBC champ O’Shaquie Foster (pictured, 25-3, 12 KOs) in a three-belt unification showdown this Saturday, Oct. 24th at Frost Bank Center in San Antonio. In the ten-round featherweight co-feature, Albert “Chop Chop” Gonzalez (18-0, 11 KOs) steps up against Fort Worth native and former title challenger Edward Vazquez (20-3, 6 KOs). Additionally, junior welterweight contender Frank Martin (19-1-1, 13 KOs) faces Morocco’s Tarik Zaina (18-3-1, 12 KOs) in a ten-round clash, while former amateur rivals Steven Navarro (9-1, 6 KOs) and Emanuel Moreno (13-0, 3 KOs) collide in a bantamweight scrap scheduled for ten rounds. Navarrete-Foster, Gonzalez-Vazquez, Martin-Zaina and Navarro-Moreno will stream LIVE on DAZN beginning at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT.
Before the main broadcast, four undercard bouts will stream live beginning at 5:30 p.m. ET/2:30 p.m. PT on DAZN, Top Rank and DAZN’s YouTube channels, and the Top Rank Classics Fast channel on Roku, Tubi, Pluto and Vizio. This is what the fighters from the main event said at Thursday’s press conference:
Emanuel Navarrete
“We all know the importance of this fight, of winning and unifying the titles. We know exactly how important a victory would be. We've done the hard work, and I'm coming into this fight at 100 percent. I think it's going to be a good weekend.”
“We corrected certain things and worked differently, from nutrition to the type of preparation. I also had to make some adjustments personally. But the most important part is that we really concentrated and stuck to the game plan, and I think the result will be resounding.”
“What I don't want is an entire night where we're just jabbing each other to see who can land more jabs. I think people want to see a good fight. They want to see a war. They want to see both fighters come in with the intention of winning the titles. I'm talking about an attractive fight, a tough fight, maybe even a bloody fight.”
“I'm focused on myself and the work I'm going to do. With all due respect, I'm not interested in Foster's game plan. I'm going to fight my fight. I'll be there at 100 percent, ready to defend these titles with all my heart. These titles have cost me a lot, and I'm going to defend them with blood, sweat, and heart, while delivering a great fight for the people coming from far away to see me.”
O’Shaquie Foster
“I've been chasing this fight for almost three years, ever since I signed with Top Rank. I knew this was the fight I wanted. I wanted to challenge myself. I knew he was a great champion, and now we're here.”
“We've been asking for it. We've been calling for it. We've been getting no, no, no, not ready, or whatever. But now we're here. We got him in the position we want him, and we just got to seal the deal Saturday.”
“I'm ice water, man. I flow with it. I'm cool, calm, collected. I don't fight to other people's advantages. Whatever he brings to the table, I'll adjust, and it's going to be a great night.”
“It sounded good when he said it, but when you watch him fight, he don't even do that for no other guys. He don't really like getting hit, in my opinion. He'll trade with you, but we'll see. If he does that, it'll be a great night for me. I'm not going to lie to you.”
Preliminary bouts, DAZN, Top Rank and DAZN’s YouTube Channels, & Top Rank Classics
(5:30 p.m. ET/2:30 p.m. PT)
Daniel Cortez III vs. Joshua Montoya, 6 Rounds, Super Bantamweight;
Scooter Davis vs. Joaquin Silva Faccio, 8 Rounds, Lightweight;
Sammy Contreras vs. Oscar Pedroza Padilla, 6 Rounds, Lightweight; and
Joseph Almajdi vs. Miqal Dolphus, 6 Rounds, Junior middleweight.
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Foster: "I've been chasing this fight for almost three years"
WBO/IBF junior lightweight champion Emanuel Navarrete (40-2-1, 33 KOs) will face WBC champ O’Shaquie Foster (pictured, 25-3, 12 KOs) in a three-belt unification showdown this Saturday, Oct. 24th at Frost Bank Center in San Antonio. In the ten-round featherweight co-feature, Albert “Chop Chop” Gonzalez (18-0, 11 KOs) steps up against Fort Worth native and former title challenger Edward Vazquez (20-3, 6 KOs). Additionally, junior welterweight contender Frank Martin (19-1-1, 13 KOs) faces Morocco’s Tarik Zaina (18-3-1, 12 KOs) in a ten-round clash, while former amateur rivals Steven Navarro (9-1, 6 KOs) and Emanuel Moreno (13-0, 3 KOs) collide in a bantamweight scrap scheduled for ten rounds. Navarrete-Foster, Gonzalez-Vazquez, Martin-Zaina and Navarro-Moreno will stream LIVE on DAZN beginning at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT.
Before the main broadcast, four undercard bouts will stream live beginning at 5:30 p.m. ET/2:30 p.m. PT on DAZN, Top Rank and DAZN’s YouTube channels, and the Top Rank Classics Fast channel on Roku, Tubi, Pluto and Vizio. This is what the fighters from the main event said at Thursday’s press conference:
Emanuel Navarrete
“We all know the importance of this fight, of winning and unifying the titles. We know exactly how important a victory would be. We've done the hard work, and I'm coming into this fight at 100 percent. I think it's going to be a good weekend.”
“We corrected certain things and worked differently, from nutrition to the type of preparation. I also had to make some adjustments personally. But the most important part is that we really concentrated and stuck to the game plan, and I think the result will be resounding.”
“What I don't want is an entire night where we're just jabbing each other to see who can land more jabs. I think people want to see a good fight. They want to see a war. They want to see both fighters come in with the intention of winning the titles. I'm talking about an attractive fight, a tough fight, maybe even a bloody fight.”
“I'm focused on myself and the work I'm going to do. With all due respect, I'm not interested in Foster's game plan. I'm going to fight my fight. I'll be there at 100 percent, ready to defend these titles with all my heart. These titles have cost me a lot, and I'm going to defend them with blood, sweat, and heart, while delivering a great fight for the people coming from far away to see me.”
O’Shaquie Foster
“I've been chasing this fight for almost three years, ever since I signed with Top Rank. I knew this was the fight I wanted. I wanted to challenge myself. I knew he was a great champion, and now we're here.”
“We've been asking for it. We've been calling for it. We've been getting no, no, no, not ready, or whatever. But now we're here. We got him in the position we want him, and we just got to seal the deal Saturday.”
“I'm ice water, man. I flow with it. I'm cool, calm, collected. I don't fight to other people's advantages. Whatever he brings to the table, I'll adjust, and it's going to be a great night.”
“It sounded good when he said it, but when you watch him fight, he don't even do that for no other guys. He don't really like getting hit, in my opinion. He'll trade with you, but we'll see. If he does that, it'll be a great night for me. I'm not going to lie to you.”
Preliminary bouts, DAZN, Top Rank and DAZN’s YouTube Channels, & Top Rank Classics
(5:30 p.m. ET/2:30 p.m. PT)
Daniel Cortez III vs. Joshua Montoya, 6 Rounds, Super Bantamweight;
Scooter Davis vs. Joaquin Silva Faccio, 8 Rounds, Lightweight;
Sammy Contreras vs. Oscar Pedroza Padilla, 6 Rounds, Lightweight; and
Joseph Almajdi vs. Miqal Dolphus, 6 Rounds, Junior middleweight.
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Weigh-in report from Houston |
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Here are the boxers' weights for Friday's fights at the BiYu Arena in Houston. Combat Vision TV will broadcast the show. Jahyden Britton, 171.6 pounds -vs.- Gonzalo Andreasen, 170.6; Ty Cassell, 138 -vs.- Jorge Elias Garcia, 134.8; Zachary Spiller, 255.8 -vs.- Zederic Stephenson, 222.6; Frank Unachukwu, 245.4 -vs.- Roman Cordova, 222.2; Clayton Ward, 122.2 -vs.- Jacobie Lichlyter, 122.2; Martel Washpun, 122 -vs.- Rashuod Hollie, 120; Allen McDonald, 146.4 -vs.- Treverrious Zeno, 142.2; and Jose Delcid, 164.4 -vs.- Jordan Otey-Wilson, 167.8.
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Weigh-in report from Houston
Here are the boxers' weights for Friday's fights at the BiYu Arena in Houston. Combat Vision TV will broadcast the show. Jahyden Britton, 171.6 pounds -vs.- Gonzalo Andreasen, 170.6; Ty Cassell, 138 -vs.- Jorge Elias Garcia, 134.8; Zachary Spiller, 255.8 -vs.- Zederic Stephenson, 222.6; Frank Unachukwu, 245.4 -vs.- Roman Cordova, 222.2; Clayton Ward, 122.2 -vs.- Jacobie Lichlyter, 122.2; Martel Washpun, 122 -vs.- Rashuod Hollie, 120; Allen McDonald, 146.4 -vs.- Treverrious Zeno, 142.2; and Jose Delcid, 164.4 -vs.- Jordan Otey-Wilson, 167.8.
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Bentley stripping appears imminent |
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WBO president Gustavo Olivieri announced that the WBO Complaint and Grievance Committee has denied Denzel Bentley’s appeal and required Bentley, as the WBO middleweight champion to make his next fight a mandatory title defense against Yoenli Hernández. "Bentley MUST fight Hernandez NEXT," wrote Olivieri. This presents a big problem for Bentley who is already booked to fight Shane Mosley Jr. on a November 7th Zuffa show in London. The WBO required both Bentley and Hernandez to confirm their participation in the mandatory bout within 24 hours. Unless Bentley has an escape clause the Mosley bout, it appears he will be stripped of his middleweight title by the WBO.
PRIOR BOXINGTALK COVERAGE
OCT. 5, 2026: Zuffa Boxing announced on social media that WBO middleweight champion Denzel Bentley will face Shane Mosley Jr. on November 7th at Copper Box Arena in London. Bentley has also signed a multi-fight promotional agreement with Zuffa Boxing. The big question still to be resolved is whether Bentley's WBO world title will be at stake or will he be stripped for failure to make his WBO mandatory title defense. Bentley (22-3-1, 18 KOs) was ordered by the WBO to defend against mandatory challenger Yoenli Hernandez, and Warriors Boxing won a purse bid for the bout last week. Bentley, however, is attempting to move forward with Mosley while retaining his title.
"Most importantly I am still currently the WBO middleweight champion," Bentley told Sky Sports News. "I know everything that's gone on online and all the rumours [that he could be stripped of belt]. My team has put in an appeal, that appeal has gone through. We are hoping that we can get through this appeal and we get to defend this WBO title against a game, ranked opponent too." Mosley (23-5, 13 KOs) is coming off a sixth-round stoppage of Serhii Bohachuk. The 35 year-old son of Hall of Famer Shane Mosley has won six of his last seven bouts, with the lone defeat coming against Jesus Alejandro Ramos last December. He also owns a 2024 decision victory over former champion Daniel Jacobs. Bentley won the interim WBO title with a seventh-round stoppage of Endry Saavedra in April and was subsequently elevated to full champion as Zhanibek Alimkhnauly dealt with PED issues and decided to move up in weight. Bentley, a 31 year-old Londoner, previously challenged Alimkhanuly in 2022, losing a competitive unanimous decision.
SEPT. 30, 2026: On Tuesday, Warriors Boxing Promotions won the right to promote a WBO middleweight championship defense by Denzel Bentley against mandatory contender Yoenli Hernandez. The WBO has has now received written confirmation from Herndanez that he accepts the terms and conditions of the purse bid and is ready, willing, and honored to proceed with the opportunity to challenge Bentley for the WBO middleweight championship. The WBO said it is still awaiting written confirmation from Bentley and his team that they will move ahead with the fight. (Failure to do so would mean he is vacating the title, but Bentley has been linked to a potential fight with IBF champion Aaron McKenna).
SEPT. 29. 2026: In a purse bid held online from WBO headquarters in Puerto Rico, Warriors Boxing Promotions won the right to promote a WBO middleweight championship defense by Denzel Bentley against mandatory contender Yoenli Hernandez. Warriors, who promotes Hernandez, bid $200,000, which was the minimum bid. Warriors was able to win the auction proceeding for this amount because Bentley's promoter, Queensberry, did not submit a bid. Warriors' proposed dates for the fight are December 12th or 19th with potential sites declared to be Phoenix, Orlando or Las Vegas. It will now be up to the boxers to sign the bout contracts once Warriors provides them. In the last WBO purse bid, Hamzah Sheeraz went thorugh the purse bid process but vacated his super middleweight title rather then sign for the amount yielded by the purse bid process. Bentley has been linked to a potential fight with IBF champion Aaron McKenna, so it is possible he will vacate the WBO title rather than accpet this fight. Under WBO regulations, the winning bid in this case results in expected purses of $160,000 for Bentley and $40,000 for Hernandez (but it is possible Warriors and Hernandez have a private agreement for a different amount to Hernandez).
SEPT 23, 2026: The WBO World Championship Committee has scheduled a purse bid for the WBO middleweight champion Denzel Bentley to make a mandatory defense againsy Yoenli Hernandez. The purse bid is scheduled for September 29th, with the parties free to reach a deal before then. However, it was not clear whether Bentley would take the fight, as he was believed to be in negotiations for a unification fight with Aaron McKenna, the IBF champion. If Bentley refuses to fight Hernandez, he would be stripped by the WBO but could still pursue an IBF challenge vs. McKenna.
SEPT. 5, 2026: The WBO has ordered negotiations for a world title fight between its middleweight title holder, Denzel Bentley, and mandatory contender Yoenlis Hernandez. The news is a blow to 160-pound unification, as Bentley was in discussions to unify with IBF champion Aaron McKenna by year's end. The WBO's decision means that Bentley would likely be stripped if he elected to fight McKenna over Hernandez. The news broke through a September 2nd letter to representatives of both fighters from the WBO World Championship Committee. The letter ordered the parties to begin negotiations for the mandatory championship contest and gave them 20 days to reach an agreement. But the WBO also directed both sides to confirm in writing within the first ten days that they are ready, willing and available to proceed with the bout. If Bentley and Hernandez (should Bentley agree to make the mandatory) are unable to reach an agreement, the fight can proceed to a purse bid. The WBO established a minimum bid of $200,000 and said either party may request the commencement of purse-bid proceedings at any time during the negotiation period. Bentley is represented by manager Martin Bowers, while Hernandez is represented by promoter Leon Margules of Warriors Boxing.
SEPT. 3, 2026: According to WBO president Gustavo Olivieri, the WBO received a formal communication from Team Yoenli Hernandez requesting enforcement of the mandatory title defense rule against WBO middleweight Champion Denzel Bentley. Olivieri stated, "the WBO World Championship Committee will convene immediately to review the matter and issue its determination in accordance with the applicable WBO Regulations. Bentley was elevated to WBO middleweight champion after Zhanibek Alimkhanuly’s voluntary relinquishment of the title. Bentley, from the United Kingdom, has a pro record of 22-3-1. He won the vacant WBO interim belt by stopping little-known Endry Saavedra in April. Alimkhanuly, who also held the IBF title, tested positive for banned, performance enhancing substances, but unlike the IBF, the WBO did not immediately strip Alimkhanuly. Hernandez is a Cuban middleweight who last week secured a majority decision victory over Francisco Daniel Veron. Hernandez's offensive bursts proved to be the difference in that bout. While one judge scored it a 95-95 draw, the remaining two widely favored Hernandez with lopsided tallies of 99-91 and 98-92. With the win, Hernandez improved to 11-0 with 9 KOs.
JULY 22, 2026: [Cynics will say this is an "e-mail championship" but] the WBO World Championship Committee has officially elevated Denzel Bentley to WBO world middleweight champion following Zhanibek Alimkhanuly’s voluntary relinquishment of the title. Bentley, from the United Kingdom, has a pro record of 22-3-1. He won the vacant WBO interim belt by stopping little-known Endry Saavedra in April. Alimkhanuly, who also held the IBF title, tested positive for banned, performance enhancing substances, but unlike the IBF, the WBO did not immediately strip Alimkhanuly. The IBF title remains vacant, with a new champion expected to be crowned on August 8th at the 3Arena in a bout between Ireland's Aaron McKenna and Italy's Etinosa Oliha.
FEB. 23, 2026: In a very disappointing ruling for those who want to punish drug cheats in boxing, the WBO has ruled that its middleweight champion, Zhanibek Alimkhanuly, can keep his title despite testing positive for the banned substance meldonium. Instead of striping the boxer, as was expected, the WBO imposed a one-year suspension and a series of conditions that stop short of stripping Alimkhnauly of the championship. The decision follows positive “A” and “B” sample tests collected by the Voluntary Anti-Doping Association (VADA) in November 2025, which forced Alimkhanuly out of a scheduled unification bout against Erislandy Lara in December. Although not a party to this ruling, the IBF is just as culpable, as it also continues to recognize Alimhanuly as its world middleweight champion. A WBO interim title fight between Denzel Bentley and Endry Saavedra was ordered to keep the division active during his suspension.
In a lengthy written decision issued by its World Championship Committee, the WBO confirmed that the tests were conducted by recognized anti-doping authorities and verified by a WADA-accredited laboratory, leaving no dispute about the presence of the prohibited substance. Under the organization’s rules, the case fell under a “strict liability” standard, meaning intent or explanation was irrelevant once a positive test was confirmed. Despite that framework, the WBO declined to impose its most severe sanction — vacating Alimkhanuly's title — and instead opted for what it described as a “proportionate” response.
The ruling suspends Alimkhanuly for one year, retroactive to December 2nd, the date of official notification of the adverse test. He is also required to submit to year-round random drug testing under a WADA-certified program at his own expense, complete an anti-doping education course, and provide certified test results directly to the WBO. When the suspension ends, he will not be allowed a tune-up fight; his first bout must be against either the WBO interim champion or the organization’s mandatory challenger.
The WBO framed the outcome as balanced and fair. Others will see it differently — as a decision that does not meaningfully penalize a fighter who failed a drug test, and does little to deter future violations at the highest level of the sport.
So what is the end result? Alimkhanuly remains recognized as a two-belt champion, retains his title status, and faces no financial penalty. The suspension is time-limited, a year in name but effectively only ten months, and the conditions imposed largely amount to monitoring and compliance requirements rather than punitive measures. For a confirmed doping violation that canceled a major unification bout and disrupted the middleweight division, the consequences are relatively light.
The committee justified its approach by citing Alimkhanuly’s status as a first-time offender and the absence of prior anti-doping violations. It emphasized proportionality and the legal and commercial interests tied to championship recognition. In effect, the WBO treated the case as a regulatory issue to be managed rather than a breach warranting the strongest available punishment. For critics, that distinction matters. A positive test for a banned substance typically carries the expectation of severe sporting consequences, especially for a reigning world champion. By allowing Alimkhanuly to keep his title and return after a defined suspension, the ruling sends a message that a confirmed drug violation does not necessarily lead to the loss of a championship. It should be noted that Alimkhanuly tested positive for meldonium, which is clearly banned in international competitions but is legally available for purchase in Kazakhstan, Russia and a few other countries.
DEC. 5, 2025: After a positive test for the banned substance meldonium, the WBO World Championship Committee has issued a “show cause notice” to WBO / IBF middleweight champion Zhanibek Alimkhanuly. The notice stated, "It has been formally reported that on December 2nd, the WBO received an official communication from the Voluntary Anti-Doping Agency (VADA) concerning an alleged anti-doping violation arising from the testing protocol enforced by said agency in preparation for the scheduled WBO/IBF unified middleweight championships contest against [WBA champion] Erislandy Lara to be held in San Antonio, Texas on December 6th.According to the notice, the “A” Sample of [Alimkhanuly's] urine specimen, collected on November 15th, in Porter Ranch, California, allegedly returned an adverse analytical finding for a banned substance at an estimated concentration greater than the minimum reported threshold.
Unlike the WBC, which lately has been giving virtually no penalties to boxers who test positive for banned substances [Conor Benn and Subriel Matias come to mind], WBO policy is that "in the event any WBO champion tests positive for any banned substances, the WBO doesn’t need to demonstrate intent, fault, negligence, or knowing use on the fighter’s part. It is the fighter’s duty to ensure that no prohibited substances enter their body. Fighters are fully responsible for any prohibited substances found to be present in their body."
Alimkhanuly was directed by the WBO to show cause within ten days of issuance of this notice, stating why disciplinary action should not be imposed pursuant to the applicable sections in the governing WBO Regulations of World Championship Contests and all relevant WBO policies; including but not limited to: a) declaring the WBO middleweight championship “vacant”; b) withdrawing WBO world champion status from Alimkhanuly; c) banning him from all WBO world and/or regional championship contests; d) suspending him sion from al WBO world and/or regional championship contests; and e) issuing any other rulings necessary, helpful or convenient to accomplish the purposes, policies and intent of the WBO.
Alimkhanuly's response may include supporting documentation, statements, legal submissions, or any other relevant materials he wishes the WBO to consider. Failure to respond within the prescribed period may result in disciplinary action being taken without further notice and/or hearing, including but not limited to the vacating of your WBO Championship title, effective immediately.
DEC. 3, 2025: WBA middleweight champion Erislandy “The American Dream” Lara will defend his title against hard-hitting challenger Johan Gonzalez as part of a four-fight PBC pay-per-view event on Prime Video this Saturday, December 6th from Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Texas. Lara was originally scheduled to face unified champion Janibek Alimkhanuly, who was pulled from the fight after failing a VADA anti-doping test. The Lara vs. Gonzalez fight will follow the pay-per-view opener between Jesus “Mono” Ramos Jr. and Shane Mosley Jr. for the WBC interim middleweight title beginning at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT. The pay-per-view is headlined by former 140-pound title holder Isaac “Pitbull” Cruz taking on reigning WBA 130-pound champion Lamont Roach for the WBC interim title at 140 pounds. The showdown between two-division champion Stephen Fulton Jr. and WBC 130-pound champion O’Shaquie Foster will now serve as the co-feature. Tickets for the live event are on sale now through Ticketmaster.com.
DEC. 2, 2025: Janibek Alimkhanuly, the two-belt middleweight champion, has tested positive for a banned performance-enhancing substance just days before a scheduled unification fight against WBA middleweight champion Erislandy Lara. Journalist Dan Rafael reported that the substance was meldonium, which is commonly used in Russia. Alimkhanuly, from Kazakhstan, holds the WBO and IBF titles. He reacted to this development by tweeting, "I have always supported clean sport you know this well. I was surprised when I read the news. VADA took the first test and said everything was clean. I have not made any changes to my vitamins. I don’t know what happened with the second test, so I requested a retest." Alimkhanuly vs. Lara, which was scheduled for this Saturday, December 6th in San Antonio, Texas. The WBO acknowledged the positive test as follows: "The WBO has confirmed an adverse analytical finding for WBO middleweight champion Zhanibek Alimkhanuly from VADA testing ahead of his scheduled bout vs. Erislandy Lara. An internal investigation is now underway, and a show cause notice will be issued. No further comments will be made until the process is complete.
OCT. 16, 2025: The WBO has ordered a purse bid for a WBO middleweight elimination bout between Denzel Bentley and Endry Saavedra. Bentley is from England and holds the British and European titles. At 21-3, he's won three straight since a 2023 loss to Nathan Heaney. Bentley also has a loss against reigning WBO / IBF champion Zhanibek Alimkhanuly. The little-known Saveedra is from Venezuela and boasts a 17-1-1 pro record that includes wins over Isaac Hardman and Mikkel Nielsen and a draw with unbeaten Cesar Mateo Tapia.
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Bentley stripping appears imminent
WBO president Gustavo Olivieri announced that the WBO Complaint and Grievance Committee has denied Denzel Bentley’s appeal and required Bentley, as the WBO middleweight champion to make his next fight a mandatory title defense against Yoenli Hernández. "Bentley MUST fight Hernandez NEXT," wrote Olivieri. This presents a big problem for Bentley who is already booked to fight Shane Mosley Jr. on a November 7th Zuffa show in London. The WBO required both Bentley and Hernandez to confirm their participation in the mandatory bout within 24 hours. Unless Bentley has an escape clause the Mosley bout, it appears he will be stripped of his middleweight title by the WBO.
PRIOR BOXINGTALK COVERAGE
OCT. 5, 2026: Zuffa Boxing announced on social media that WBO middleweight champion Denzel Bentley will face Shane Mosley Jr. on November 7th at Copper Box Arena in London. Bentley has also signed a multi-fight promotional agreement with Zuffa Boxing. The big question still to be resolved is whether Bentley's WBO world title will be at stake or will he be stripped for failure to make his WBO mandatory title defense. Bentley (22-3-1, 18 KOs) was ordered by the WBO to defend against mandatory challenger Yoenli Hernandez, and Warriors Boxing won a purse bid for the bout last week. Bentley, however, is attempting to move forward with Mosley while retaining his title.
"Most importantly I am still currently the WBO middleweight champion," Bentley told Sky Sports News. "I know everything that's gone on online and all the rumours [that he could be stripped of belt]. My team has put in an appeal, that appeal has gone through. We are hoping that we can get through this appeal and we get to defend this WBO title against a game, ranked opponent too." Mosley (23-5, 13 KOs) is coming off a sixth-round stoppage of Serhii Bohachuk. The 35 year-old son of Hall of Famer Shane Mosley has won six of his last seven bouts, with the lone defeat coming against Jesus Alejandro Ramos last December. He also owns a 2024 decision victory over former champion Daniel Jacobs. Bentley won the interim WBO title with a seventh-round stoppage of Endry Saavedra in April and was subsequently elevated to full champion as Zhanibek Alimkhnauly dealt with PED issues and decided to move up in weight. Bentley, a 31 year-old Londoner, previously challenged Alimkhanuly in 2022, losing a competitive unanimous decision.
SEPT. 30, 2026: On Tuesday, Warriors Boxing Promotions won the right to promote a WBO middleweight championship defense by Denzel Bentley against mandatory contender Yoenli Hernandez. The WBO has has now received written confirmation from Herndanez that he accepts the terms and conditions of the purse bid and is ready, willing, and honored to proceed with the opportunity to challenge Bentley for the WBO middleweight championship. The WBO said it is still awaiting written confirmation from Bentley and his team that they will move ahead with the fight. (Failure to do so would mean he is vacating the title, but Bentley has been linked to a potential fight with IBF champion Aaron McKenna).
SEPT. 29. 2026: In a purse bid held online from WBO headquarters in Puerto Rico, Warriors Boxing Promotions won the right to promote a WBO middleweight championship defense by Denzel Bentley against mandatory contender Yoenli Hernandez. Warriors, who promotes Hernandez, bid $200,000, which was the minimum bid. Warriors was able to win the auction proceeding for this amount because Bentley's promoter, Queensberry, did not submit a bid. Warriors' proposed dates for the fight are December 12th or 19th with potential sites declared to be Phoenix, Orlando or Las Vegas. It will now be up to the boxers to sign the bout contracts once Warriors provides them. In the last WBO purse bid, Hamzah Sheeraz went thorugh the purse bid process but vacated his super middleweight title rather then sign for the amount yielded by the purse bid process. Bentley has been linked to a potential fight with IBF champion Aaron McKenna, so it is possible he will vacate the WBO title rather than accpet this fight. Under WBO regulations, the winning bid in this case results in expected purses of $160,000 for Bentley and $40,000 for Hernandez (but it is possible Warriors and Hernandez have a private agreement for a different amount to Hernandez).
SEPT 23, 2026: The WBO World Championship Committee has scheduled a purse bid for the WBO middleweight champion Denzel Bentley to make a mandatory defense againsy Yoenli Hernandez. The purse bid is scheduled for September 29th, with the parties free to reach a deal before then. However, it was not clear whether Bentley would take the fight, as he was believed to be in negotiations for a unification fight with Aaron McKenna, the IBF champion. If Bentley refuses to fight Hernandez, he would be stripped by the WBO but could still pursue an IBF challenge vs. McKenna.
SEPT. 5, 2026: The WBO has ordered negotiations for a world title fight between its middleweight title holder, Denzel Bentley, and mandatory contender Yoenlis Hernandez. The news is a blow to 160-pound unification, as Bentley was in discussions to unify with IBF champion Aaron McKenna by year's end. The WBO's decision means that Bentley would likely be stripped if he elected to fight McKenna over Hernandez. The news broke through a September 2nd letter to representatives of both fighters from the WBO World Championship Committee. The letter ordered the parties to begin negotiations for the mandatory championship contest and gave them 20 days to reach an agreement. But the WBO also directed both sides to confirm in writing within the first ten days that they are ready, willing and available to proceed with the bout. If Bentley and Hernandez (should Bentley agree to make the mandatory) are unable to reach an agreement, the fight can proceed to a purse bid. The WBO established a minimum bid of $200,000 and said either party may request the commencement of purse-bid proceedings at any time during the negotiation period. Bentley is represented by manager Martin Bowers, while Hernandez is represented by promoter Leon Margules of Warriors Boxing.
SEPT. 3, 2026: According to WBO president Gustavo Olivieri, the WBO received a formal communication from Team Yoenli Hernandez requesting enforcement of the mandatory title defense rule against WBO middleweight Champion Denzel Bentley. Olivieri stated, "the WBO World Championship Committee will convene immediately to review the matter and issue its determination in accordance with the applicable WBO Regulations. Bentley was elevated to WBO middleweight champion after Zhanibek Alimkhanuly’s voluntary relinquishment of the title. Bentley, from the United Kingdom, has a pro record of 22-3-1. He won the vacant WBO interim belt by stopping little-known Endry Saavedra in April. Alimkhanuly, who also held the IBF title, tested positive for banned, performance enhancing substances, but unlike the IBF, the WBO did not immediately strip Alimkhanuly. Hernandez is a Cuban middleweight who last week secured a majority decision victory over Francisco Daniel Veron. Hernandez's offensive bursts proved to be the difference in that bout. While one judge scored it a 95-95 draw, the remaining two widely favored Hernandez with lopsided tallies of 99-91 and 98-92. With the win, Hernandez improved to 11-0 with 9 KOs.
JULY 22, 2026: [Cynics will say this is an "e-mail championship" but] the WBO World Championship Committee has officially elevated Denzel Bentley to WBO world middleweight champion following Zhanibek Alimkhanuly’s voluntary relinquishment of the title. Bentley, from the United Kingdom, has a pro record of 22-3-1. He won the vacant WBO interim belt by stopping little-known Endry Saavedra in April. Alimkhanuly, who also held the IBF title, tested positive for banned, performance enhancing substances, but unlike the IBF, the WBO did not immediately strip Alimkhanuly. The IBF title remains vacant, with a new champion expected to be crowned on August 8th at the 3Arena in a bout between Ireland's Aaron McKenna and Italy's Etinosa Oliha.
FEB. 23, 2026: In a very disappointing ruling for those who want to punish drug cheats in boxing, the WBO has ruled that its middleweight champion, Zhanibek Alimkhanuly, can keep his title despite testing positive for the banned substance meldonium. Instead of striping the boxer, as was expected, the WBO imposed a one-year suspension and a series of conditions that stop short of stripping Alimkhnauly of the championship. The decision follows positive “A” and “B” sample tests collected by the Voluntary Anti-Doping Association (VADA) in November 2025, which forced Alimkhanuly out of a scheduled unification bout against Erislandy Lara in December. Although not a party to this ruling, the IBF is just as culpable, as it also continues to recognize Alimhanuly as its world middleweight champion. A WBO interim title fight between Denzel Bentley and Endry Saavedra was ordered to keep the division active during his suspension.
In a lengthy written decision issued by its World Championship Committee, the WBO confirmed that the tests were conducted by recognized anti-doping authorities and verified by a WADA-accredited laboratory, leaving no dispute about the presence of the prohibited substance. Under the organization’s rules, the case fell under a “strict liability” standard, meaning intent or explanation was irrelevant once a positive test was confirmed. Despite that framework, the WBO declined to impose its most severe sanction — vacating Alimkhanuly's title — and instead opted for what it described as a “proportionate” response.
The ruling suspends Alimkhanuly for one year, retroactive to December 2nd, the date of official notification of the adverse test. He is also required to submit to year-round random drug testing under a WADA-certified program at his own expense, complete an anti-doping education course, and provide certified test results directly to the WBO. When the suspension ends, he will not be allowed a tune-up fight; his first bout must be against either the WBO interim champion or the organization’s mandatory challenger.
The WBO framed the outcome as balanced and fair. Others will see it differently — as a decision that does not meaningfully penalize a fighter who failed a drug test, and does little to deter future violations at the highest level of the sport.
So what is the end result? Alimkhanuly remains recognized as a two-belt champion, retains his title status, and faces no financial penalty. The suspension is time-limited, a year in name but effectively only ten months, and the conditions imposed largely amount to monitoring and compliance requirements rather than punitive measures. For a confirmed doping violation that canceled a major unification bout and disrupted the middleweight division, the consequences are relatively light.
The committee justified its approach by citing Alimkhanuly’s status as a first-time offender and the absence of prior anti-doping violations. It emphasized proportionality and the legal and commercial interests tied to championship recognition. In effect, the WBO treated the case as a regulatory issue to be managed rather than a breach warranting the strongest available punishment. For critics, that distinction matters. A positive test for a banned substance typically carries the expectation of severe sporting consequences, especially for a reigning world champion. By allowing Alimkhanuly to keep his title and return after a defined suspension, the ruling sends a message that a confirmed drug violation does not necessarily lead to the loss of a championship. It should be noted that Alimkhanuly tested positive for meldonium, which is clearly banned in international competitions but is legally available for purchase in Kazakhstan, Russia and a few other countries.
DEC. 5, 2025: After a positive test for the banned substance meldonium, the WBO World Championship Committee has issued a “show cause notice” to WBO / IBF middleweight champion Zhanibek Alimkhanuly. The notice stated, "It has been formally reported that on December 2nd, the WBO received an official communication from the Voluntary Anti-Doping Agency (VADA) concerning an alleged anti-doping violation arising from the testing protocol enforced by said agency in preparation for the scheduled WBO/IBF unified middleweight championships contest against [WBA champion] Erislandy Lara to be held in San Antonio, Texas on December 6th.According to the notice, the “A” Sample of [Alimkhanuly's] urine specimen, collected on November 15th, in Porter Ranch, California, allegedly returned an adverse analytical finding for a banned substance at an estimated concentration greater than the minimum reported threshold.
Unlike the WBC, which lately has been giving virtually no penalties to boxers who test positive for banned substances [Conor Benn and Subriel Matias come to mind], WBO policy is that "in the event any WBO champion tests positive for any banned substances, the WBO doesn’t need to demonstrate intent, fault, negligence, or knowing use on the fighter’s part. It is the fighter’s duty to ensure that no prohibited substances enter their body. Fighters are fully responsible for any prohibited substances found to be present in their body."
Alimkhanuly was directed by the WBO to show cause within ten days of issuance of this notice, stating why disciplinary action should not be imposed pursuant to the applicable sections in the governing WBO Regulations of World Championship Contests and all relevant WBO policies; including but not limited to: a) declaring the WBO middleweight championship “vacant”; b) withdrawing WBO world champion status from Alimkhanuly; c) banning him from all WBO world and/or regional championship contests; d) suspending him sion from al WBO world and/or regional championship contests; and e) issuing any other rulings necessary, helpful or convenient to accomplish the purposes, policies and intent of the WBO.
Alimkhanuly's response may include supporting documentation, statements, legal submissions, or any other relevant materials he wishes the WBO to consider. Failure to respond within the prescribed period may result in disciplinary action being taken without further notice and/or hearing, including but not limited to the vacating of your WBO Championship title, effective immediately.
DEC. 3, 2025: WBA middleweight champion Erislandy “The American Dream” Lara will defend his title against hard-hitting challenger Johan Gonzalez as part of a four-fight PBC pay-per-view event on Prime Video this Saturday, December 6th from Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Texas. Lara was originally scheduled to face unified champion Janibek Alimkhanuly, who was pulled from the fight after failing a VADA anti-doping test. The Lara vs. Gonzalez fight will follow the pay-per-view opener between Jesus “Mono” Ramos Jr. and Shane Mosley Jr. for the WBC interim middleweight title beginning at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT. The pay-per-view is headlined by former 140-pound title holder Isaac “Pitbull” Cruz taking on reigning WBA 130-pound champion Lamont Roach for the WBC interim title at 140 pounds. The showdown between two-division champion Stephen Fulton Jr. and WBC 130-pound champion O’Shaquie Foster will now serve as the co-feature. Tickets for the live event are on sale now through Ticketmaster.com.
DEC. 2, 2025: Janibek Alimkhanuly, the two-belt middleweight champion, has tested positive for a banned performance-enhancing substance just days before a scheduled unification fight against WBA middleweight champion Erislandy Lara. Journalist Dan Rafael reported that the substance was meldonium, which is commonly used in Russia. Alimkhanuly, from Kazakhstan, holds the WBO and IBF titles. He reacted to this development by tweeting, "I have always supported clean sport you know this well. I was surprised when I read the news. VADA took the first test and said everything was clean. I have not made any changes to my vitamins. I don’t know what happened with the second test, so I requested a retest." Alimkhanuly vs. Lara, which was scheduled for this Saturday, December 6th in San Antonio, Texas. The WBO acknowledged the positive test as follows: "The WBO has confirmed an adverse analytical finding for WBO middleweight champion Zhanibek Alimkhanuly from VADA testing ahead of his scheduled bout vs. Erislandy Lara. An internal investigation is now underway, and a show cause notice will be issued. No further comments will be made until the process is complete.
OCT. 16, 2025: The WBO has ordered a purse bid for a WBO middleweight elimination bout between Denzel Bentley and Endry Saavedra. Bentley is from England and holds the British and European titles. At 21-3, he's won three straight since a 2023 loss to Nathan Heaney. Bentley also has a loss against reigning WBO / IBF champion Zhanibek Alimkhanuly. The little-known Saveedra is from Venezuela and boasts a 17-1-1 pro record that includes wins over Isaac Hardman and Mikkel Nielsen and a draw with unbeaten Cesar Mateo Tapia.
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Introducing middleweight Daine “Wavey” Smikle |
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Sometimes a fighter’s first loss can do more for his future than all of his victories. For Jamaican-American middleweight Daine “Wavey” Smikle (4-1, 1 KO), a hard-fought defeat against unbeaten Douglas Marroquin in July brought his priorities into focus. Now, the boxer is determined to show what he learned when he faces Daniel Sostre (13-31-3) on Saturday, November 7th at Encore Boston Harbor in Everett, MA. The matchup is part of Boston Harbor Fight Night 3, a seven-bout card presented by CES Boxing and Granite Chin Promotions. Tickets to the event are selling fast – purchase yours now at cesfights.com.
The New Haven-based southpaw entered the Marroquin fight following a year of inactivity. The bout was a Connecticut showdown of unbeatens and a clash of styles between the stocky, orthodox Marroquin and the southpaw, slick boxing Smikle. After a closely contested fight, Smikle lost 58-56 on all three scorecards. While he gave up his perfect record, his performance impressed promoter Jimmy Burchfield Sr. enough to offer Smikle a promotional contract. “Daine showed us something in the Marroquin fight,” said Burchfield Sr. “He stepped in against an unbeaten prospect and gave him a competitive fight from start to finish. We believe in giving talented fighters opportunities, and Daine earned his. Now it’s up to him to build on that performance, and we’re excited to help him take that next step on November 7 at Encore Boston Harbor.”
For a boxer who had spent years moving in and out of the gym, the lesson was clear: talent alone would only take him so far. “That fight taught me a lot about myself,” reflected Smikle of his lone professional setback. “I think it opened my eyes to how staying consistent really matters. I can’t be one foot in and one foot out. I chose to put both feet in going forward.”
While Smikle was able to defeat lower-level opponents despite periods of inactivity, he found that his inconsistent approach would not be enough to overcome top opposition. “Before then, I’d take time off, go back in the ring and feel like nothing happened,” admitted Smikle. “That fight showed me, ‘Now you’re in a different league.’”
Signing with CES Boxing gave Smikle the necessary backing to put that lesson into practice. “When Jimmy offered the contract, I didn’t think twice,” said Smikle. “Growing up in New England, you only heard about CES cards. All the pros I grew up around fought with CES.”
The CES deal offers Smikle something his career has lacked: a path to consistent activity at premier venues, with television exposure. “Not only is it a blessing to be seen live and on TV, but they’re also willing to keep me active,” agreed Smikle. “I think that’s a compliment. They saw something.”
What CES Boxing saw in ‘Wavey’ was the pedigree and skillset developed from a life in boxing - a story that stretches from New Haven, CT to Kingston, Jamaica. A dual citizen of the United States and Jamaica, Smikle was born in New Jersey and began boxing in New Haven, but his connection to the Caribbean island runs deep. His family hails from the St. Andrew area near Kingston, and he grew up making frequent trips to Jamaica to spend time with relatives. “I used to go probably two or three times a year, every year growing up,” said Smikle. “When I got older, I used to stay months and months at a time.”
With most of his family still living in Jamaica, those roots remain a significant part of his life. “My dad is an Olympian. He represented Jamaica in the ’88 Games,” said Smikle. “My mom also grew up in Jamaica. Everyone in my family is from Jamaica. I’m one of the few who was born here.”
It was his father who introduced Smikle to boxing at six years old. The 1988 Jamaican Olympian was coaching boxers in New Haven, and he was intent on his son following in his footsteps. “I didn’t want to box,” laughs Smikle of those early days. “He made me box. Right after school, I’d go with my dad to the gym. I had no say in the matter.”
Sparring and an early taste of success soon changed his mind. “I won my first fight, and I thought, ‘I think I like boxing,’ so I stuck with it.”
Despite beginning his amateur career at eight and accumulating 63 bouts, Smikle acknowledges that his transition to the professional ranks came later than it should have. “I probably should have turned pro a lot sooner,” says Smikle, explaining that he was often frustrated by the lack of cohesion in his career. “I’d fight, then nothing would be offered for a few months. I’d lose momentum, then opportunities would come, and it was, ‘Okay, maybe I’ll come back.’ That’s what that was about.”
With a new promoter backing and guiding his career, Smikle now looks to fast track his development. His next change was to find a new trainer who could take his skills to the next level. Smikle found that in Mark DeLuca, who prepares twice-daily training sessions for Smikle and a growing roster of young fighters at Waymaker Boxing Club in Boston. “I heard he was the real deal, so I came to see, and it was true,” said Smikle of DeLuca. “So I stayed.”
The first assignment for the pair is Sostre, a grizzled veteran who has shared the ring with several New England prospects, including Jaydell Pazmino, Jahyae Brown, and Denzel Whitley. “My coach knows him,” said Smikle. “He gave me the remedy: stay busy, start early and stay consistent.”
At age 32, Smikle feels the urgency of a fighter determined to fulfill his potential. “Oh yeah, it’s time,” agreed Smikle. “I’m 32, and I’ve been doing this long enough. You’re going to see a better me on November 7th. A lot of great things are still to come, and one day everyone will know my name.”
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Introducing middleweight Daine “Wavey” Smikle
Sometimes a fighter’s first loss can do more for his future than all of his victories. For Jamaican-American middleweight Daine “Wavey” Smikle (4-1, 1 KO), a hard-fought defeat against unbeaten Douglas Marroquin in July brought his priorities into focus. Now, the boxer is determined to show what he learned when he faces Daniel Sostre (13-31-3) on Saturday, November 7th at Encore Boston Harbor in Everett, MA. The matchup is part of Boston Harbor Fight Night 3, a seven-bout card presented by CES Boxing and Granite Chin Promotions. Tickets to the event are selling fast – purchase yours now at cesfights.com.
The New Haven-based southpaw entered the Marroquin fight following a year of inactivity. The bout was a Connecticut showdown of unbeatens and a clash of styles between the stocky, orthodox Marroquin and the southpaw, slick boxing Smikle. After a closely contested fight, Smikle lost 58-56 on all three scorecards. While he gave up his perfect record, his performance impressed promoter Jimmy Burchfield Sr. enough to offer Smikle a promotional contract. “Daine showed us something in the Marroquin fight,” said Burchfield Sr. “He stepped in against an unbeaten prospect and gave him a competitive fight from start to finish. We believe in giving talented fighters opportunities, and Daine earned his. Now it’s up to him to build on that performance, and we’re excited to help him take that next step on November 7 at Encore Boston Harbor.”
For a boxer who had spent years moving in and out of the gym, the lesson was clear: talent alone would only take him so far. “That fight taught me a lot about myself,” reflected Smikle of his lone professional setback. “I think it opened my eyes to how staying consistent really matters. I can’t be one foot in and one foot out. I chose to put both feet in going forward.”
While Smikle was able to defeat lower-level opponents despite periods of inactivity, he found that his inconsistent approach would not be enough to overcome top opposition. “Before then, I’d take time off, go back in the ring and feel like nothing happened,” admitted Smikle. “That fight showed me, ‘Now you’re in a different league.’”
Signing with CES Boxing gave Smikle the necessary backing to put that lesson into practice. “When Jimmy offered the contract, I didn’t think twice,” said Smikle. “Growing up in New England, you only heard about CES cards. All the pros I grew up around fought with CES.”
The CES deal offers Smikle something his career has lacked: a path to consistent activity at premier venues, with television exposure. “Not only is it a blessing to be seen live and on TV, but they’re also willing to keep me active,” agreed Smikle. “I think that’s a compliment. They saw something.”
What CES Boxing saw in ‘Wavey’ was the pedigree and skillset developed from a life in boxing - a story that stretches from New Haven, CT to Kingston, Jamaica. A dual citizen of the United States and Jamaica, Smikle was born in New Jersey and began boxing in New Haven, but his connection to the Caribbean island runs deep. His family hails from the St. Andrew area near Kingston, and he grew up making frequent trips to Jamaica to spend time with relatives. “I used to go probably two or three times a year, every year growing up,” said Smikle. “When I got older, I used to stay months and months at a time.”
With most of his family still living in Jamaica, those roots remain a significant part of his life. “My dad is an Olympian. He represented Jamaica in the ’88 Games,” said Smikle. “My mom also grew up in Jamaica. Everyone in my family is from Jamaica. I’m one of the few who was born here.”
It was his father who introduced Smikle to boxing at six years old. The 1988 Jamaican Olympian was coaching boxers in New Haven, and he was intent on his son following in his footsteps. “I didn’t want to box,” laughs Smikle of those early days. “He made me box. Right after school, I’d go with my dad to the gym. I had no say in the matter.”
Sparring and an early taste of success soon changed his mind. “I won my first fight, and I thought, ‘I think I like boxing,’ so I stuck with it.”
Despite beginning his amateur career at eight and accumulating 63 bouts, Smikle acknowledges that his transition to the professional ranks came later than it should have. “I probably should have turned pro a lot sooner,” says Smikle, explaining that he was often frustrated by the lack of cohesion in his career. “I’d fight, then nothing would be offered for a few months. I’d lose momentum, then opportunities would come, and it was, ‘Okay, maybe I’ll come back.’ That’s what that was about.”
With a new promoter backing and guiding his career, Smikle now looks to fast track his development. His next change was to find a new trainer who could take his skills to the next level. Smikle found that in Mark DeLuca, who prepares twice-daily training sessions for Smikle and a growing roster of young fighters at Waymaker Boxing Club in Boston. “I heard he was the real deal, so I came to see, and it was true,” said Smikle of DeLuca. “So I stayed.”
The first assignment for the pair is Sostre, a grizzled veteran who has shared the ring with several New England prospects, including Jaydell Pazmino, Jahyae Brown, and Denzel Whitley. “My coach knows him,” said Smikle. “He gave me the remedy: stay busy, start early and stay consistent.”
At age 32, Smikle feels the urgency of a fighter determined to fulfill his potential. “Oh yeah, it’s time,” agreed Smikle. “I’m 32, and I’ve been doing this long enough. You’re going to see a better me on November 7th. A lot of great things are still to come, and one day everyone will know my name.”
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Ty Cassell in Houston co-feature on Friday |
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Lightweight Ty Cassell (6-0, 4 KOs) is ready for another step in his pro career as he prepares for Friday, October 23rd at the BiYu Arena in his hometown of Houston, Texas. Cassell will square off against hard-hitting Jorge Manrriquez (4-2, 4 KOs) in a scheduled six rounder that will stream live worldwide on CombatVisionTV. Cassell, one of Houston's young boxing talents, has thus far shown a combination of speed and power. Standing across the ring will be Manrriquez, an opponent who has four victories by knockout out of four pro wins.
Cassell understands the threat his opponent presents but remains confident that his preparation and skill set will lead him to another impressive victory. “Manrriquez is coming into this fight with four knockouts, so I know he has power and he's going to be dangerous,” said Cassell. “I'm not overlooking him or taking anything for granted. I've been working hard in camp, preparing for his style, and making sure I'm ready for whatever he brings. I believe I'm the better all-around fighter, and I'm going to use my speed, movement, and boxing IQ to control the fight. I'm confident in my abilities, and I'm ready to show everyone what I'm capable of.”
For Cassell, the opportunity to compete in his first co-feature carries added significance as he gets to showcase his talents in front of family, friends, and supporters in his hometown. The rising prospect views the spotlight as an opportunity to demonstrate that he is ready for bigger stages and greater challenges. “Fighting in my first co-main event right here in Houston means everything to me,” Cassell continued. “This is my city, and having the opportunity to perform in front of my hometown fans is a blessing. I've dreamed about moments like this since I started boxing, and now it's becoming a reality. I want to thank BiYu Promotions for believing in me and giving me this opportunity. I'm going to embrace the moment, stay focused, and make sure I give the fans something to remember. The fans can expect an exciting fight and the best version of myself they've seen so far,” Cassell added. “I'm coming to put on a show, but I'm also coming to fight smart and get the victory. I've been improving every day in the gym, and I want everyone watching on CombatVisionTV and everyone inside BiYu Arena to see that growth. Whether the fight goes all six rounds or I get the opportunity to finish it early, I'm going to be ready. My goal is to stay undefeated, keep getting better, and continue building my name in boxing.”
Bobby Harrison, CEO of BiYu Promotions, believes Cassell possesses the talent, work ethic, and determination necessary to develop into a major force in the sport. Harrison sees the upcoming co-main event as an important milestone in the young fighter's development. “Ty Cassell is one of those young fighters who has the potential to become something truly special in boxing,” said Harrison. “He has natural talent, tremendous athletic ability, and the kind of dedication you want to see in a rising prospect. What impresses me most is his willingness to learn and his desire to keep improving every time he steps into the gym. He's only six fights into his professional career, but we're already seeing the qualities that could make him a future star. Giving him his first co-main event in Houston is another step in his development, and we believe he's ready for the opportunity. At BiYu Promotions, our goal is to build him the right way, continue challenging him, and give him the platform to reach his full potential. I truly believe Ty has the talent to accomplish big things in this sport.”
With the spotlight shining brighter than ever, Cassell is focused on delivering another strong performance and continuing his rise through the professional ranks. A victory over Manrriquez would keep his undefeated record intact and further establish him as one of BiYu Promotions' promising young fighters. “Every fight is another step toward my dream of becoming a world champion,” Cassell concluded. “I'm grateful for the opportunity, but I know I still have a lot of work ahead of me. Right now, my focus is on Friday night, getting my hand raised, and making Houston proud. I'm ready to put on a great performance.”
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Ty Cassell in Houston co-feature on Friday
Lightweight Ty Cassell (6-0, 4 KOs) is ready for another step in his pro career as he prepares for Friday, October 23rd at the BiYu Arena in his hometown of Houston, Texas. Cassell will square off against hard-hitting Jorge Manrriquez (4-2, 4 KOs) in a scheduled six rounder that will stream live worldwide on CombatVisionTV. Cassell, one of Houston's young boxing talents, has thus far shown a combination of speed and power. Standing across the ring will be Manrriquez, an opponent who has four victories by knockout out of four pro wins.
Cassell understands the threat his opponent presents but remains confident that his preparation and skill set will lead him to another impressive victory. “Manrriquez is coming into this fight with four knockouts, so I know he has power and he's going to be dangerous,” said Cassell. “I'm not overlooking him or taking anything for granted. I've been working hard in camp, preparing for his style, and making sure I'm ready for whatever he brings. I believe I'm the better all-around fighter, and I'm going to use my speed, movement, and boxing IQ to control the fight. I'm confident in my abilities, and I'm ready to show everyone what I'm capable of.”
For Cassell, the opportunity to compete in his first co-feature carries added significance as he gets to showcase his talents in front of family, friends, and supporters in his hometown. The rising prospect views the spotlight as an opportunity to demonstrate that he is ready for bigger stages and greater challenges. “Fighting in my first co-main event right here in Houston means everything to me,” Cassell continued. “This is my city, and having the opportunity to perform in front of my hometown fans is a blessing. I've dreamed about moments like this since I started boxing, and now it's becoming a reality. I want to thank BiYu Promotions for believing in me and giving me this opportunity. I'm going to embrace the moment, stay focused, and make sure I give the fans something to remember. The fans can expect an exciting fight and the best version of myself they've seen so far,” Cassell added. “I'm coming to put on a show, but I'm also coming to fight smart and get the victory. I've been improving every day in the gym, and I want everyone watching on CombatVisionTV and everyone inside BiYu Arena to see that growth. Whether the fight goes all six rounds or I get the opportunity to finish it early, I'm going to be ready. My goal is to stay undefeated, keep getting better, and continue building my name in boxing.”
Bobby Harrison, CEO of BiYu Promotions, believes Cassell possesses the talent, work ethic, and determination necessary to develop into a major force in the sport. Harrison sees the upcoming co-main event as an important milestone in the young fighter's development. “Ty Cassell is one of those young fighters who has the potential to become something truly special in boxing,” said Harrison. “He has natural talent, tremendous athletic ability, and the kind of dedication you want to see in a rising prospect. What impresses me most is his willingness to learn and his desire to keep improving every time he steps into the gym. He's only six fights into his professional career, but we're already seeing the qualities that could make him a future star. Giving him his first co-main event in Houston is another step in his development, and we believe he's ready for the opportunity. At BiYu Promotions, our goal is to build him the right way, continue challenging him, and give him the platform to reach his full potential. I truly believe Ty has the talent to accomplish big things in this sport.”
With the spotlight shining brighter than ever, Cassell is focused on delivering another strong performance and continuing his rise through the professional ranks. A victory over Manrriquez would keep his undefeated record intact and further establish him as one of BiYu Promotions' promising young fighters. “Every fight is another step toward my dream of becoming a world champion,” Cassell concluded. “I'm grateful for the opportunity, but I know I still have a lot of work ahead of me. Right now, my focus is on Friday night, getting my hand raised, and making Houston proud. I'm ready to put on a great performance.”
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Mykal Fox returns on Saturday |
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On Saturday, Jeter Promotions returns to The Hall at Live! Casino & Hotelin Hanover, Maryland with a massive fourteen-bout card. In the main event, local lightweight Mehki Phillips (10-0, 10 KOs) risks his perfect record against Naheem Parker (6-5, 2 KOs) of Camden, New Jersey in an eight rounder. The best-known boxer on the show will be junior middleweight Mykal Fox (26-5, 5 KOs) of Greenbelt, Maryland, who faces Mexico's Arturo Perfecto Valdes (14-1, 11 KOs) in another eight-round bout. Fox (pictured) is coming off a February win over Ray Robinson. In the six-round light heavyweight co-feature, Zuffa Boxing's Nasheed H. Smith (10-0, 7 KOs) of Washington, DC, takes on Terrance Walker (4-8-1, 3 KOs) of Minneapolis.
ADDITONAL BOUTS
Tyler Langer (8-1, 4 KOs) of Baltimore battles Carlos Brito (1-1, 1 KO) of The Bronx, NY in a six-round cruiserweight fight.
Eric Hernandez (14-2, 6 KOs) of Ashburn, VA fights Kashif El-Amin (3-4-1) of Wilmington, NC in a six-round lightweight bout.
Ezri Turner (11-0-2, 8 KOs) of Dover, DE takes on debuting Marc-Ari Lewis of Hagerstown, MD in a six-round light heavyweight fight. Lewis is coming over from professional MMA.
Nicholas Issac (9-0, 5 KOs) of Upper Marlboro, MD fights Angel Reyes (3-6-1, 2 KOs) of Des Moines, Iowa in a six-round junior welterweight bout,
Zuffa Boxing signee Patrick O'Connor (4-0, 4 KOs) of Washington, DC squares off with Michael Nelson (4-4-1, 2 KOs) of College Park, GA in a six-round cruiserweight bout.
Brandon Chambers (12-6-1, 5 KOs) of Owings Mill, MD takes on Juan Carlos Medina (3-2) of Hayward, CA in a six-round featherweight contest.
Achraf Abdeddine (2-0, 2 KOs) of Arlington, VA fights Wayne Johnson (1-2-1) of Baltimore in a four-round middleweight bout.
Astrid Amanda of Brooklyn makes his pro debut against Joshua Murcia-Martinez (0-2) of Hampton, VA in a four-round middleweight bour.
Heralded amateur Carlos Flowers, a recent Jeter Promotions signee, makes his pro debut against Rashad Bowens (1-6, 1 KO) of Virginia Beach in a four-round middleweight bout.
Krisztian Nileborg (6-0, 3 KOs) of Budapest fights Derrick Vann (4-15) of Philadelphia in a four-round super middleweight bout.
Cody Noble (1-0, 1 KO) of Laurel, Maryland takes on Charles Robbins (0-4) of South Carolina in a four-round junior middleweight bout.
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Mykal Fox returns on Saturday
On Saturday, Jeter Promotions returns to The Hall at Live! Casino & Hotelin Hanover, Maryland with a massive fourteen-bout card. In the main event, local lightweight Mehki Phillips (10-0, 10 KOs) risks his perfect record against Naheem Parker (6-5, 2 KOs) of Camden, New Jersey in an eight rounder. The best-known boxer on the show will be junior middleweight Mykal Fox (26-5, 5 KOs) of Greenbelt, Maryland, who faces Mexico's Arturo Perfecto Valdes (14-1, 11 KOs) in another eight-round bout. Fox (pictured) is coming off a February win over Ray Robinson. In the six-round light heavyweight co-feature, Zuffa Boxing's Nasheed H. Smith (10-0, 7 KOs) of Washington, DC, takes on Terrance Walker (4-8-1, 3 KOs) of Minneapolis.
ADDITONAL BOUTS
Tyler Langer (8-1, 4 KOs) of Baltimore battles Carlos Brito (1-1, 1 KO) of The Bronx, NY in a six-round cruiserweight fight.
Eric Hernandez (14-2, 6 KOs) of Ashburn, VA fights Kashif El-Amin (3-4-1) of Wilmington, NC in a six-round lightweight bout.
Ezri Turner (11-0-2, 8 KOs) of Dover, DE takes on debuting Marc-Ari Lewis of Hagerstown, MD in a six-round light heavyweight fight. Lewis is coming over from professional MMA.
Nicholas Issac (9-0, 5 KOs) of Upper Marlboro, MD fights Angel Reyes (3-6-1, 2 KOs) of Des Moines, Iowa in a six-round junior welterweight bout,
Zuffa Boxing signee Patrick O'Connor (4-0, 4 KOs) of Washington, DC squares off with Michael Nelson (4-4-1, 2 KOs) of College Park, GA in a six-round cruiserweight bout.
Brandon Chambers (12-6-1, 5 KOs) of Owings Mill, MD takes on Juan Carlos Medina (3-2) of Hayward, CA in a six-round featherweight contest.
Achraf Abdeddine (2-0, 2 KOs) of Arlington, VA fights Wayne Johnson (1-2-1) of Baltimore in a four-round middleweight bout.
Astrid Amanda of Brooklyn makes his pro debut against Joshua Murcia-Martinez (0-2) of Hampton, VA in a four-round middleweight bour.
Heralded amateur Carlos Flowers, a recent Jeter Promotions signee, makes his pro debut against Rashad Bowens (1-6, 1 KO) of Virginia Beach in a four-round middleweight bout.
Krisztian Nileborg (6-0, 3 KOs) of Budapest fights Derrick Vann (4-15) of Philadelphia in a four-round super middleweight bout.
Cody Noble (1-0, 1 KO) of Laurel, Maryland takes on Charles Robbins (0-4) of South Carolina in a four-round junior middleweight bout.
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Ryan Garcia says he's agreed to fight Floyd Mayweather |
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Ryan Garcia claims he has an agreement to fight undefeated, multi-division champion (but 49 year-old) Floyd Mayweather. Garcia tweeted: "Trust me at first I thought this was bull***. But it’s real Floyd and I agree to a fight. 147 for the WBC welterweight championship of the world. 50-0 vs. the current champ."
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Ryan Garcia says he's agreed to fight Floyd Mayweather
Ryan Garcia claims he has an agreement to fight undefeated, multi-division champion (but 49 year-old) Floyd Mayweather. Garcia tweeted: "Trust me at first I thought this was bull***. But it’s real Floyd and I agree to a fight. 147 for the WBC welterweight championship of the world. 50-0 vs. the current champ."
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USA Boxing opens up Olympic path for pros |
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USA Boxing announced a new pathway for eligible professional boxers to compete for a place on Team USA, beginning with a Professional Pathway Tournament that will send its champions to the 2027 USA Boxing Elite Team Evaluation & Selection Camp. The pathway expands the pool of American boxers competing for international medals ahead of the Lima 2027 Pan American Games and the LA28 Olympic Games. The 2026 Professional Pathway Tournament will be held December 5-12, 2026, at the Cajun Dome in Lafayette, Louisiana, alongside the 2026 USA Boxing Elite National Championships. It will be a separate competition, administered by USA Boxing officials under Olympic-style rules, in which Professional Pathway boxers compete only against one another. The first-place finisher in each Olympic weight class earns an invitation to the 2027 Elite Team Evaluation & Selection Camp in Colorado Springs in early 2027, where all invited athletes are evaluated under the same High Performance standards.
The traditional USA Boxing pathway remains in place for current amateur boxers to the High Performance Team and Squad, and nothing about it changes. Current USA Boxing athletes continue to advance through the Elite National Championships and the established selection procedures.
“Our goal is to field the strongest possible U.S. team. This pathway gives eligible American boxers, amateur and professional, an opportunity to compete for selection through our High Performance program. It reflects careful deliberation among USA Boxing’s Board, staff and the USOPC. For some athletes, the Olympics have been a goal since their first amateur bout. For others, this offers an opportunity to pursue that goal after turning professional. We look forward to seeing these athletes compete for the chance to represent the United States in Los Angeles.” Chris Trombetta, Chair, USA Boxing Board of Directors.
The pathway supports USA Boxing’s mission to place American boxers at the top of the podium and operates within the selection and eligibility framework of USA Boxing, the United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee (USOPC), and World Boxing. To include professional boxers in the pathway to Olympic competition, USA Boxing must carefully navigate the rules and regulations established by the U.S. Congress, the USOPC, the International Olympic Committee (IOC), World Boxing, USA Boxing’s bylaws and Rulebook, the Association of Boxing Commissions (ABC), and state boxing commissions.
Full details, including eligibility requirements, tournament entry criteria, registration, selection procedures, frequently asked questions, the Preliminary Notice, Selection Procedures, and more are available on USA Boxing’s dedicated Professional Pathway page, HERE.
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USA Boxing opens up Olympic path for pros
USA Boxing announced a new pathway for eligible professional boxers to compete for a place on Team USA, beginning with a Professional Pathway Tournament that will send its champions to the 2027 USA Boxing Elite Team Evaluation & Selection Camp. The pathway expands the pool of American boxers competing for international medals ahead of the Lima 2027 Pan American Games and the LA28 Olympic Games. The 2026 Professional Pathway Tournament will be held December 5-12, 2026, at the Cajun Dome in Lafayette, Louisiana, alongside the 2026 USA Boxing Elite National Championships. It will be a separate competition, administered by USA Boxing officials under Olympic-style rules, in which Professional Pathway boxers compete only against one another. The first-place finisher in each Olympic weight class earns an invitation to the 2027 Elite Team Evaluation & Selection Camp in Colorado Springs in early 2027, where all invited athletes are evaluated under the same High Performance standards.
The traditional USA Boxing pathway remains in place for current amateur boxers to the High Performance Team and Squad, and nothing about it changes. Current USA Boxing athletes continue to advance through the Elite National Championships and the established selection procedures.
“Our goal is to field the strongest possible U.S. team. This pathway gives eligible American boxers, amateur and professional, an opportunity to compete for selection through our High Performance program. It reflects careful deliberation among USA Boxing’s Board, staff and the USOPC. For some athletes, the Olympics have been a goal since their first amateur bout. For others, this offers an opportunity to pursue that goal after turning professional. We look forward to seeing these athletes compete for the chance to represent the United States in Los Angeles.” Chris Trombetta, Chair, USA Boxing Board of Directors.
The pathway supports USA Boxing’s mission to place American boxers at the top of the podium and operates within the selection and eligibility framework of USA Boxing, the United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee (USOPC), and World Boxing. To include professional boxers in the pathway to Olympic competition, USA Boxing must carefully navigate the rules and regulations established by the U.S. Congress, the USOPC, the International Olympic Committee (IOC), World Boxing, USA Boxing’s bylaws and Rulebook, the Association of Boxing Commissions (ABC), and state boxing commissions.
Full details, including eligibility requirements, tournament entry criteria, registration, selection procedures, frequently asked questions, the Preliminary Notice, Selection Procedures, and more are available on USA Boxing’s dedicated Professional Pathway page, HERE.
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Cordina found not guilty of assault |
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According to the BBC, a Welsh judge has found former junior lightweight champion Joe Cordina not guilty of assault. Cordina was caught on tape puncing a man who approached him outside a gas station. Although not guilty, the incident harmed Cordina's career because, while the charges were pending, he was denied entry into the United Statesfor a WBO lightweight title clash vs. Abdullah Mason.
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Cordina found not guilty of assault
According to the BBC, a Welsh judge has found former junior lightweight champion Joe Cordina not guilty of assault. Cordina was caught on tape puncing a man who approached him outside a gas station. Although not guilty, the incident harmed Cordina's career because, while the charges were pending, he was denied entry into the United Statesfor a WBO lightweight title clash vs. Abdullah Mason.
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MVP asks WBA to order Schofield vs. Bahdi rematch |
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Most Valuable Promotions (MVP) has formally challenged the decision in Lucas Bahdi’s Saturday, October 10 WBA lightweight championship loss against Floyd Schofield III. According to MVP, "the video evidence demonstrates multiple significant officiating errors that directly impacted the outcome of the fight. Our review shows that had these knockdowns been properly ruled and scored, Lucas would have won the WBA lightweight world championship by majority decision. We have a responsibility to advocate for our fighters, especially when a world championship is at stake. Lucas deserves a fair result, and we believe the evidence warrants a thorough review. We have submitted our findings to the WBA and requested an immediate rematch. Our fighters put everything on the line when they step into the ring, and MVP will always stand behind our athletes and advocate for the opportunities and fair treatment they deserve."
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MVP asks WBA to order Schofield vs. Bahdi rematch
Most Valuable Promotions (MVP) has formally challenged the decision in Lucas Bahdi’s Saturday, October 10 WBA lightweight championship loss against Floyd Schofield III. According to MVP, "the video evidence demonstrates multiple significant officiating errors that directly impacted the outcome of the fight. Our review shows that had these knockdowns been properly ruled and scored, Lucas would have won the WBA lightweight world championship by majority decision. We have a responsibility to advocate for our fighters, especially when a world championship is at stake. Lucas deserves a fair result, and we believe the evidence warrants a thorough review. We have submitted our findings to the WBA and requested an immediate rematch. Our fighters put everything on the line when they step into the ring, and MVP will always stand behind our athletes and advocate for the opportunities and fair treatment they deserve."
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Jahyden Britton training camp report |
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Super middleweight Jahyden Britton (10-0, 6 KOs) is putting the finishing touches on his training camp as he prepares to face Gonzalo Andreasen (13-13-2, 9 KOs) in a scheduled ten-round main event. The showdown will stream live worldwide on CombatVisionTV. Training camp has been focused on sharpening his skills, improving his conditioning, and preparing for the challenges that Andreasen will bring to the ring. Britton believes the work he has put in will be evident when the opening bell sounds. “This has been one of the best training camps of my career,” said Britton. “I've been pushing myself every single day, working on all aspects of my game, and making sure I'm prepared for anything that comes my way. My conditioning is great, my timing is sharp, and mentally I'm locked in. I know what's at stake, and I'm ready to go out there and put on a great performance.”
Britton knows that facing an experienced opponent like Andreasen presents a different challenge, but he welcomes the opportunity to showcase his growth and maturity as a fighter. “Andreasen has been in the ring with a lot of different fighters, and I respect the experience he brings,” Britton continued. “He's a tough opponent who knows how to compete, so I'm not taking him lightly. We've studied what he does well, and we've put together a solid game plan. I'm going to stay disciplined, use my speed and boxing ability, and make the adjustments I need to make. I'm confident in my preparation, and I believe my skills will be the difference.”
For Britton, this fight serves as an important stepping stone toward greater opportunities, higher rankings, and hopefully a shot at a world championship. “My goal is to keep winning, move up the rankings, and put myself in position for bigger fights. A victory over Andreasen is another step in that direction. I'm hungry, I'm focused, and I'm not satisfied with where I am right now. I want to reach the top.”
Bobby Harrison, CEO of BiYu Promotions, believes this matchup represents an important moment in Britton's development and a valuable opportunity to strengthen his position in the competitive super middleweight division. “This is a very important fight for Jahyden because he's entering a stage of his career where every performance matters,” said Harrison. “He's undefeated and he's continuing to develop into a complete fighter. We've seen tremendous growth in his skills, confidence, and maturity, and we believe he has the potential to become a major force in the super middleweight division. Andreasen brings valuable experience, and this is the type of challenge Jahyden needs as we continue building his career. A strong performance will help us position him for bigger opportunities and move him closer to the world rankings. At BiYu Promotions, we're committed to giving Jahyden the platform and opportunities he needs to reach his full potential.”
With training camp coming to a close, Britton is eager to step back into the spotlight and demonstrate why he is considered one of Houston's rising boxing talents. Backed by BiYu Promotions, the undefeated champion remains focused on making a statement and continuing his pursuit of championship glory. “I'm excited to get back in the ring and show everyone the improvements I've made,” Britton concluded. “I want to thank my team, BiYu Promotions, and everyone who continues to support me. I'm representing Houston every time I step into that ring, and I plan on making my city proud. The goal is to stay undefeated, and keep moving forward toward a world championship.”
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Jahyden Britton training camp report
Super middleweight Jahyden Britton (10-0, 6 KOs) is putting the finishing touches on his training camp as he prepares to face Gonzalo Andreasen (13-13-2, 9 KOs) in a scheduled ten-round main event. The showdown will stream live worldwide on CombatVisionTV. Training camp has been focused on sharpening his skills, improving his conditioning, and preparing for the challenges that Andreasen will bring to the ring. Britton believes the work he has put in will be evident when the opening bell sounds. “This has been one of the best training camps of my career,” said Britton. “I've been pushing myself every single day, working on all aspects of my game, and making sure I'm prepared for anything that comes my way. My conditioning is great, my timing is sharp, and mentally I'm locked in. I know what's at stake, and I'm ready to go out there and put on a great performance.”
Britton knows that facing an experienced opponent like Andreasen presents a different challenge, but he welcomes the opportunity to showcase his growth and maturity as a fighter. “Andreasen has been in the ring with a lot of different fighters, and I respect the experience he brings,” Britton continued. “He's a tough opponent who knows how to compete, so I'm not taking him lightly. We've studied what he does well, and we've put together a solid game plan. I'm going to stay disciplined, use my speed and boxing ability, and make the adjustments I need to make. I'm confident in my preparation, and I believe my skills will be the difference.”
For Britton, this fight serves as an important stepping stone toward greater opportunities, higher rankings, and hopefully a shot at a world championship. “My goal is to keep winning, move up the rankings, and put myself in position for bigger fights. A victory over Andreasen is another step in that direction. I'm hungry, I'm focused, and I'm not satisfied with where I am right now. I want to reach the top.”
Bobby Harrison, CEO of BiYu Promotions, believes this matchup represents an important moment in Britton's development and a valuable opportunity to strengthen his position in the competitive super middleweight division. “This is a very important fight for Jahyden because he's entering a stage of his career where every performance matters,” said Harrison. “He's undefeated and he's continuing to develop into a complete fighter. We've seen tremendous growth in his skills, confidence, and maturity, and we believe he has the potential to become a major force in the super middleweight division. Andreasen brings valuable experience, and this is the type of challenge Jahyden needs as we continue building his career. A strong performance will help us position him for bigger opportunities and move him closer to the world rankings. At BiYu Promotions, we're committed to giving Jahyden the platform and opportunities he needs to reach his full potential.”
With training camp coming to a close, Britton is eager to step back into the spotlight and demonstrate why he is considered one of Houston's rising boxing talents. Backed by BiYu Promotions, the undefeated champion remains focused on making a statement and continuing his pursuit of championship glory. “I'm excited to get back in the ring and show everyone the improvements I've made,” Britton concluded. “I want to thank my team, BiYu Promotions, and everyone who continues to support me. I'm representing Houston every time I step into that ring, and I plan on making my city proud. The goal is to stay undefeated, and keep moving forward toward a world championship.”
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Ennis signs with Matchroom, unification vs. Kelly likely |
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Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis has signed a multi-fight deal with Eddie Hearn and Matchroom. The two-weight unified king’s new deal covers his next seven fights at the most exciting time in his career to date, with the 29-year-old closing in on his goal of becoming the undisputed champion at 154 pounds. The Philadelphia favorite first joined forces with Hearn and Matchroom in April 2024, and Hearn immediately brought Boots back home as he fought at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia twice that year, defending his IBF welterweight crown against David Avanesyan and Karen Chukhadzhian. Those wins set Ennis up with a unification bout at 147 with WBA champion Eimantas Stanionis a year after signing the deal, and Ennis dominated the Lithuanian in Atlantic City, forcing him to retire after six punishing rounds.
Ennis moved up in weight and returned home to Philadelphia to destroy Uisma Lima inside the opening round of their October showdown for the interim WBA junior middleweight title, and that led to the biggest fight of his career so far, when Boots unified with a stoppage win over Xander Zayas in Brooklyn in July. Ennis is hunting the remaining belts at 154 , with the IBF title held by Briton Josh Kelly, who also inked a deal with Matchroom, and the WBC crown held by American giant Sebastian Fundora, and Boots feels he has the right team around him to land those fights and become undisputed.
“I’m excited for my extended partnership with Matchroom,” said Ennis. “Together we have aligned ourselves in all the right positions to get what I want, and that’s undisputed The world is about to see why I’m different and why I’m the best fighter in the world! These guys aren’t on my level! They can’t do what I do! Road to undisputed! Road to the number one pound-for-pound best fighter in the world!”
“I am delighted that Jaron has signed a new deal with us,” said Hearn. “It’s an honor that this pound-for-pound star continues to trust us with his career, and the whole team intends to repay that faith by delivering what he wants; unification and undisputed fights and the biggest names and nights in the sport.”
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Ennis signs with Matchroom, unification vs. Kelly likely
Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis has signed a multi-fight deal with Eddie Hearn and Matchroom. The two-weight unified king’s new deal covers his next seven fights at the most exciting time in his career to date, with the 29-year-old closing in on his goal of becoming the undisputed champion at 154 pounds. The Philadelphia favorite first joined forces with Hearn and Matchroom in April 2024, and Hearn immediately brought Boots back home as he fought at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia twice that year, defending his IBF welterweight crown against David Avanesyan and Karen Chukhadzhian. Those wins set Ennis up with a unification bout at 147 with WBA champion Eimantas Stanionis a year after signing the deal, and Ennis dominated the Lithuanian in Atlantic City, forcing him to retire after six punishing rounds.
Ennis moved up in weight and returned home to Philadelphia to destroy Uisma Lima inside the opening round of their October showdown for the interim WBA junior middleweight title, and that led to the biggest fight of his career so far, when Boots unified with a stoppage win over Xander Zayas in Brooklyn in July. Ennis is hunting the remaining belts at 154 , with the IBF title held by Briton Josh Kelly, who also inked a deal with Matchroom, and the WBC crown held by American giant Sebastian Fundora, and Boots feels he has the right team around him to land those fights and become undisputed.
“I’m excited for my extended partnership with Matchroom,” said Ennis. “Together we have aligned ourselves in all the right positions to get what I want, and that’s undisputed The world is about to see why I’m different and why I’m the best fighter in the world! These guys aren’t on my level! They can’t do what I do! Road to undisputed! Road to the number one pound-for-pound best fighter in the world!”
“I am delighted that Jaron has signed a new deal with us,” said Hearn. “It’s an honor that this pound-for-pound star continues to trust us with his career, and the whole team intends to repay that faith by delivering what he wants; unification and undisputed fights and the biggest names and nights in the sport.”
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Denis Boytsov dead at age 40 |
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Denis Boytsov, a fringe heavyweight contender, has passed away at the age of 40 according to the WBC. Boytsov ran his record up to 36-1 with wins over American several gatekeepers, Dominic Guinn, Vinnie Maddalone, Fernely Feliz Sr., Israel Garcia and Jason Gavern. His career was still on the ascent when, In May 2015, at the age of 29, he suffered a tragic incident in the Berlin subway that left him with severe head injuries. Although German prosecutors concluded it was an accident, the neurological damage proved devastating and permanent, taking away his ability to walk and speak, and permanently ending his boxing career. Boytsov spent years in rehabilitation in Germany and later in Russia under the care of his family, fighting an admirable personal battle for his health. At age 40, the former heavyweight passed away at his family home in Orel, Russia, following a medical emergency attributed to a blood clot. With this, a decade-long struggle to reclaim his life came to a tragic end.
Boxingtalk joins the WBC in sending its deepest sympathies to the friends and family of Dennis Boytsov.
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Denis Boytsov dead at age 40
Denis Boytsov, a fringe heavyweight contender, has passed away at the age of 40 according to the WBC. Boytsov ran his record up to 36-1 with wins over American several gatekeepers, Dominic Guinn, Vinnie Maddalone, Fernely Feliz Sr., Israel Garcia and Jason Gavern. His career was still on the ascent when, In May 2015, at the age of 29, he suffered a tragic incident in the Berlin subway that left him with severe head injuries. Although German prosecutors concluded it was an accident, the neurological damage proved devastating and permanent, taking away his ability to walk and speak, and permanently ending his boxing career. Boytsov spent years in rehabilitation in Germany and later in Russia under the care of his family, fighting an admirable personal battle for his health. At age 40, the former heavyweight passed away at his family home in Orel, Russia, following a medical emergency attributed to a blood clot. With this, a decade-long struggle to reclaim his life came to a tragic end.
Boxingtalk joins the WBC in sending its deepest sympathies to the friends and family of Dennis Boytsov.
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IBF cancels lightweight purse bid |
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UPDATE: The IBF has cancelled a purse bid for its vacant lightweight title fight until Thursday. On September 7th, the IBF ordered Artur Subhankulov of Russia and Andy Cruz of Cuba to begin negotiations for the vacant IBF lightweight championship. The previous champion, Raymond Muratalla, has vacated the title. Subhankulov's record is most accurately described as 15-3 if you include the World Series of Boxing and IBA Pro bouts. Cruz's record is best described as 23-1 if you include the World Series of Boxing. Cruz's one loss came against Muratalla, but Cruz bounced back with a win over Abraham Montoya in July. An agreement between the boxers' representatives was not reached within the timeframe set forth by the IBF, so a purse bid has been scheduled for October 20th.
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IBF cancels lightweight purse bid
UPDATE: The IBF has cancelled a purse bid for its vacant lightweight title fight until Thursday. On September 7th, the IBF ordered Artur Subhankulov of Russia and Andy Cruz of Cuba to begin negotiations for the vacant IBF lightweight championship. The previous champion, Raymond Muratalla, has vacated the title. Subhankulov's record is most accurately described as 15-3 if you include the World Series of Boxing and IBA Pro bouts. Cruz's record is best described as 23-1 if you include the World Series of Boxing. Cruz's one loss came against Muratalla, but Cruz bounced back with a win over Abraham Montoya in July. An agreement between the boxers' representatives was not reached within the timeframe set forth by the IBF, so a purse bid has been scheduled for October 20th.
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Welcome to Navarrete vs. Foster fight week |
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WBO/IBF junior lightweight champion Emanuel Navarrete (40-2-1, 33 KOs) will face WBC champ O’Shaquie Foster (25-3, 12 KOs) in a three-belt unification showdown Saturday, Oct. 24th at Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Texas. In the ten-round featherweight co-feature, Albert “Chop Chop” Gonzalez (18-0, 11 KOs) steps up to take on Fort Worth native and former title challenger Edward Vazquez (20-3, 6 KOs).Junior welterweight contender Frank Martin (19-1-1, 13 KOs) will battle Morocco’s Tarik Zaina (18-3-1, 12 KOs) in a ten-rounder, while former amateur rivals Steven Navarro (9-1, 6 KOs) and Emanuel Moreno (13-0, 3 KOs) meet in a ten-round bantamweight clash. Navarrete-Foster, Gonzalez-Vazquez, Martin-Zaina and Navarro-Moreno will stream LIVE on DAZN beginning at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT. Promoted by Top Rank, tickets are available via Ticketmaster.com.
Before the main broadcast, four undercard bouts will stream live beginning at 5:30 p.m. ET/2:30 p.m. PT on DAZN, Top Rank and DAZN’s YouTube channels, and the Top Rank Classics FAST channel on Roku, Tubi, Pluto and Vizio, featuring:
Scooter Davis vs. Joaquin Silva Faccio, eight rounds, lightweights;
Sammy Contreras vs. Oscar Pedroza Padilla, six rounds, lightweights;
Daniel Cortez III vs. Joshua Montoya, six rounds, super bantamweights; and
Joseph Almajdi vs. Miqal Dolphus, six rounds, junior middleweights.
Original programming and fight week activities will be featured on Top Rank’s YouTube, X (Twitter), and Facebook pages before Saturday’s event.
Fight Week Schedule
Thursday, Oct. 22: Navarrete vs. Foster Final Presser
3 p.m. ET / 12 p.m. PT
Streaming LIVE on Top Rank’s YouTube, X (Twitter), and Facebook pages.
Friday, Oct. 23: Navarrete vs. Foster Ceremonial Weigh-In
2 p.m. ET / 11 a.m. PT
Streaming LIVE on Top Rank’s YouTube, X (Twitter), and Facebook pages.
Saturday, Oct. 24: Navarrete vs. Foster Fight Night
Undercard Stream
5:30 p.m. ET / 2:30 p.m. PT
LIVE on DAZN, Top Rank and DAZN’s YouTube channels, and the Top Rank Classics FAST channel on Roku, Tubi, Pluto and Vizio
DAZN Broadcast
8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT
LIVE on DAZN
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Welcome to Navarrete vs. Foster fight week
WBO/IBF junior lightweight champion Emanuel Navarrete (40-2-1, 33 KOs) will face WBC champ O’Shaquie Foster (25-3, 12 KOs) in a three-belt unification showdown Saturday, Oct. 24th at Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Texas. In the ten-round featherweight co-feature, Albert “Chop Chop” Gonzalez (18-0, 11 KOs) steps up to take on Fort Worth native and former title challenger Edward Vazquez (20-3, 6 KOs).Junior welterweight contender Frank Martin (19-1-1, 13 KOs) will battle Morocco’s Tarik Zaina (18-3-1, 12 KOs) in a ten-rounder, while former amateur rivals Steven Navarro (9-1, 6 KOs) and Emanuel Moreno (13-0, 3 KOs) meet in a ten-round bantamweight clash. Navarrete-Foster, Gonzalez-Vazquez, Martin-Zaina and Navarro-Moreno will stream LIVE on DAZN beginning at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT. Promoted by Top Rank, tickets are available via Ticketmaster.com.
Before the main broadcast, four undercard bouts will stream live beginning at 5:30 p.m. ET/2:30 p.m. PT on DAZN, Top Rank and DAZN’s YouTube channels, and the Top Rank Classics FAST channel on Roku, Tubi, Pluto and Vizio, featuring:
Scooter Davis vs. Joaquin Silva Faccio, eight rounds, lightweights;
Sammy Contreras vs. Oscar Pedroza Padilla, six rounds, lightweights;
Daniel Cortez III vs. Joshua Montoya, six rounds, super bantamweights; and
Joseph Almajdi vs. Miqal Dolphus, six rounds, junior middleweights.
Original programming and fight week activities will be featured on Top Rank’s YouTube, X (Twitter), and Facebook pages before Saturday’s event.
Fight Week Schedule
Thursday, Oct. 22: Navarrete vs. Foster Final Presser
3 p.m. ET / 12 p.m. PT
Streaming LIVE on Top Rank’s YouTube, X (Twitter), and Facebook pages.
Friday, Oct. 23: Navarrete vs. Foster Ceremonial Weigh-In
2 p.m. ET / 11 a.m. PT
Streaming LIVE on Top Rank’s YouTube, X (Twitter), and Facebook pages.
Saturday, Oct. 24: Navarrete vs. Foster Fight Night
Undercard Stream
5:30 p.m. ET / 2:30 p.m. PT
LIVE on DAZN, Top Rank and DAZN’s YouTube channels, and the Top Rank Classics FAST channel on Roku, Tubi, Pluto and Vizio
DAZN Broadcast
8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT
LIVE on DAZN
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Trujillo continues to build record |
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Gustavo Trujillo KO2 Donald Haynesworth... Gustavo “The Cuban Assassin” Trujillo (13-0, 12 KOs) continued his ascent in the heavyweight division with a second-round knockout victory over 44 year-old Donald Haynesworth (19-11-1, 17 KOs) on Sunday, October 18th at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Florida. After punishing Haynseworth over one round, Trujillo drilled him with a powrful right hand to end the contest. “This is exactly the kind of performance I wanted to deliver,” said Trujillo. “I respect Donald Haynesworth for stepping into the ring with me, but I'm on a mission to become heavyweight champion of the world. Every fight is another opportunity to prove that I belong among the best heavyweights in boxing. I'm getting stronger, more experienced, and more confident with every victory. I'm ready for bigger challenges, and I want everyone in the division to know that I'm coming.”
Abe Swidan of Visionary Sports Group, who manages Trujillo, believes Trujillo is rapidly approaching a pivotal stage in his professional journey. “Gustavo continues to show why we believe he has all the tools to become a world heavyweight champion,” said Swidan. “He's an explosive puncher with tremendous upside, and what makes him especially dangerous is that he's still developing and improving. Being ranked #13 by the WBO is an important step, but we're looking well beyond that. Our goal is to move him strategically through the rankings, secure meaningful fights against top-level competition, and position him for a world title opportunity. Gustavo is ready to make a serious statement in this division, and we're excited about what lies ahead.”
“I've worked my entire life to be in this possition,” Trujillo concluded. “I know what I bring to the ring, and I believe I can compete with anyone in the world. My team has a plan, and I'm going to keep knocking down every obstacle in front of me until I get my shot at the world title.”
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Trujillo continues to build record
Gustavo Trujillo KO2 Donald Haynesworth... Gustavo “The Cuban Assassin” Trujillo (13-0, 12 KOs) continued his ascent in the heavyweight division with a second-round knockout victory over 44 year-old Donald Haynesworth (19-11-1, 17 KOs) on Sunday, October 18th at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Florida. After punishing Haynseworth over one round, Trujillo drilled him with a powrful right hand to end the contest. “This is exactly the kind of performance I wanted to deliver,” said Trujillo. “I respect Donald Haynesworth for stepping into the ring with me, but I'm on a mission to become heavyweight champion of the world. Every fight is another opportunity to prove that I belong among the best heavyweights in boxing. I'm getting stronger, more experienced, and more confident with every victory. I'm ready for bigger challenges, and I want everyone in the division to know that I'm coming.”
Abe Swidan of Visionary Sports Group, who manages Trujillo, believes Trujillo is rapidly approaching a pivotal stage in his professional journey. “Gustavo continues to show why we believe he has all the tools to become a world heavyweight champion,” said Swidan. “He's an explosive puncher with tremendous upside, and what makes him especially dangerous is that he's still developing and improving. Being ranked #13 by the WBO is an important step, but we're looking well beyond that. Our goal is to move him strategically through the rankings, secure meaningful fights against top-level competition, and position him for a world title opportunity. Gustavo is ready to make a serious statement in this division, and we're excited about what lies ahead.”
“I've worked my entire life to be in this possition,” Trujillo concluded. “I know what I bring to the ring, and I believe I can compete with anyone in the world. My team has a plan, and I'm going to keep knocking down every obstacle in front of me until I get my shot at the world title.”
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Josh Kelly signs with Matchroom |
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Matchroom Boxing announced that IBF junior middleweight champion Josh Kelly has signed a new, multi-fight contract extension. ‘Pretty Boy’ Kelly realised his boyhood dream when he defeated Bakhram Murtazaliev by majority decision to capture the title in his native North-East back in January at Newcastle’s Utilita Arena. Then, earlier this summer in July, the Sunderland fighter returned to the ring in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, and succesfully retained his crown by defeating the then-unbeaten Irish challenger Caoimhin Agyarko by unanimous decision over a dozen rounds. Now Kelly, spurred on by his brand new deal, has his sights on landing more big fight nights – and the chance to win more titles. [The rumors say Kelly will face Jaron "Boots" Ennis in a unification bout next].
“I’m world champion and I am very excited about the future with Matchroom Boxing,” said Kelly.“Now I only want the biggest fights in the division. Unifications. Bring it on. Eddie Hearn, Matchroom Boxing and DAZN is the only place to be.”
A former Team GB Olympian, the 32-year old represented his country at the Rio 2016 Games before embarking on his professional career in 2017. Trained by Adam Booth, Kelly quickly established himself as one of British boxing’s most exciting prospects, earning a reputation for his speed, movement and technical ability.
Kelly won the Commonwealth welterweight championship in 2018 with victory over Kris George. After moving up to junior middleweight, he claimed the British title by defeating Troy Williamson in December 2022 and continued his progress with victories over Gabriel Alberto Corzo and Placido Ramirez.
Now, with his new agreement in place, Matchroom Sport Chairman Eddie Hearn believes Kelly is ready for a career-defining year in 2027. “We are thrilled to extend Josh Kelly’s contract with Matchroom Boxing,” said Hearn. “He is an elite operator and one of the pound-for-pound best the UK has to offer. It is no secret that we have some huge plans ahead for Josh in 2027, where he will be aiming to add more world titles to his collection.”
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Josh Kelly signs with Matchroom
Matchroom Boxing announced that IBF junior middleweight champion Josh Kelly has signed a new, multi-fight contract extension. ‘Pretty Boy’ Kelly realised his boyhood dream when he defeated Bakhram Murtazaliev by majority decision to capture the title in his native North-East back in January at Newcastle’s Utilita Arena. Then, earlier this summer in July, the Sunderland fighter returned to the ring in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, and succesfully retained his crown by defeating the then-unbeaten Irish challenger Caoimhin Agyarko by unanimous decision over a dozen rounds. Now Kelly, spurred on by his brand new deal, has his sights on landing more big fight nights – and the chance to win more titles. [The rumors say Kelly will face Jaron "Boots" Ennis in a unification bout next].
“I’m world champion and I am very excited about the future with Matchroom Boxing,” said Kelly.“Now I only want the biggest fights in the division. Unifications. Bring it on. Eddie Hearn, Matchroom Boxing and DAZN is the only place to be.”
A former Team GB Olympian, the 32-year old represented his country at the Rio 2016 Games before embarking on his professional career in 2017. Trained by Adam Booth, Kelly quickly established himself as one of British boxing’s most exciting prospects, earning a reputation for his speed, movement and technical ability.
Kelly won the Commonwealth welterweight championship in 2018 with victory over Kris George. After moving up to junior middleweight, he claimed the British title by defeating Troy Williamson in December 2022 and continued his progress with victories over Gabriel Alberto Corzo and Placido Ramirez.
Now, with his new agreement in place, Matchroom Sport Chairman Eddie Hearn believes Kelly is ready for a career-defining year in 2027. “We are thrilled to extend Josh Kelly’s contract with Matchroom Boxing,” said Hearn. “He is an elite operator and one of the pound-for-pound best the UK has to offer. It is no secret that we have some huge plans ahead for Josh in 2027, where he will be aiming to add more world titles to his collection.”
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WBA to address Figueroa featherweight debacle |
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WBA statement on Brandon Figueroa failing to make weight and then dropping out of his title fight against Japan's Tomoki Kameda on Saturday: "The World Boxing Association regrets that the scheduled WBA Featherweight World Championship between Brandon Figueroa and Tomoki Kameda did not take place in Las Vegas. Mr. Figueroa did not make the 126-pound limit at the official weigh-in and, in accordance with WBA rules, lost his championship. We wish him a full recovery following his medical complications. Tomoki Kameda did everything asked of a professional. He trained for months and made weight. The WBA Championships Committee will meet on Monday, October 19th, and his situation will be its first priority, together with the rights of our rated contenders. The WBA is also working with the Nevada State Athletic Commission and other commissions to align weigh-in procedures, so that every boxer competes under clear and consistent rules."
PRIOR BOXINGTALK COVERAGE
OCT. 17, 2026: After weighing in yesterday-- and missing the featherweight limit-- Brandon Figueroa has suddenly "fallen ill" and has withdrawn from fighting Tomoki Kameda on today's PBC card in Las Vegas. Figuroa may have committed career suicide with this move. Before yesterday's weigh-in, he was the WBA featherweight champion, and had he defeated ex-bantamweight champ Kameda today, Figueroa would have been well-positioned for a career defining fight and payday vs. Kameda's countryman -- world super bantamweight champion Naoya "Monster" Inoue. Instead, Figueroa lost the WBA featherweight title on the scales yesterday and by pulling out of the fight today, he has branded himself to promoters and networks as an unreliable performer.
All of this is totally unfair to Kameda. The most logical move would be for the WBA to allow Kameda to fight Inoue for the vacant featherweight title.
Here is the PBC announcement: The previously scheduled Brandon Figueroa vs. Tomoki Kameda bout is now off after Figueroa fell ill overnight. The new co-feature will now see former super middleweight champion Armando Resendiz battling Australia's Koen Mazoudier..."
OCT. 16, 2026: Brandon Figueroa has lost the WBA featherweight title on the scales. On Friday in Las Vegas, Figueroa weighed in at 126.8 pounds in advance of Saturday's scheduled fight against former bantamweight champion Tomoki Kameda of Japan. If Kameda wins, he will win the now-vacant title. If Figueroa wins or the fight is declared a draw, the title will remain vacant.
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WBA to address Figueroa featherweight debacle
WBA statement on Brandon Figueroa failing to make weight and then dropping out of his title fight against Japan's Tomoki Kameda on Saturday: "The World Boxing Association regrets that the scheduled WBA Featherweight World Championship between Brandon Figueroa and Tomoki Kameda did not take place in Las Vegas. Mr. Figueroa did not make the 126-pound limit at the official weigh-in and, in accordance with WBA rules, lost his championship. We wish him a full recovery following his medical complications. Tomoki Kameda did everything asked of a professional. He trained for months and made weight. The WBA Championships Committee will meet on Monday, October 19th, and his situation will be its first priority, together with the rights of our rated contenders. The WBA is also working with the Nevada State Athletic Commission and other commissions to align weigh-in procedures, so that every boxer competes under clear and consistent rules."
PRIOR BOXINGTALK COVERAGE
OCT. 17, 2026: After weighing in yesterday-- and missing the featherweight limit-- Brandon Figueroa has suddenly "fallen ill" and has withdrawn from fighting Tomoki Kameda on today's PBC card in Las Vegas. Figuroa may have committed career suicide with this move. Before yesterday's weigh-in, he was the WBA featherweight champion, and had he defeated ex-bantamweight champ Kameda today, Figueroa would have been well-positioned for a career defining fight and payday vs. Kameda's countryman -- world super bantamweight champion Naoya "Monster" Inoue. Instead, Figueroa lost the WBA featherweight title on the scales yesterday and by pulling out of the fight today, he has branded himself to promoters and networks as an unreliable performer.
All of this is totally unfair to Kameda. The most logical move would be for the WBA to allow Kameda to fight Inoue for the vacant featherweight title.
Here is the PBC announcement: The previously scheduled Brandon Figueroa vs. Tomoki Kameda bout is now off after Figueroa fell ill overnight. The new co-feature will now see former super middleweight champion Armando Resendiz battling Australia's Koen Mazoudier..."
OCT. 16, 2026: Brandon Figueroa has lost the WBA featherweight title on the scales. On Friday in Las Vegas, Figueroa weighed in at 126.8 pounds in advance of Saturday's scheduled fight against former bantamweight champion Tomoki Kameda of Japan. If Kameda wins, he will win the now-vacant title. If Figueroa wins or the fight is declared a draw, the title will remain vacant.
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Lewkowicz defends controversial Fundora KO ruling |
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Promoter Sampson Lewkowicz says he disagrees with critics of referee Thomas Taylor’s decision to award WBC junior middleweight champion Sebastian Fundora a last-round knockout over Ermal Hadribeaj on Saturday night. After a gritty and physical war of attrition, from the Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas, Fundora (25-1-1, 17 KOs), overcame a slow start to successfully defend his title for the fourth time by knocking out mandatory challenger Hadribeaj (23-1-1, 8 KOs), with a series of left hands capped by a “buzzer beater” punch that dropped his foe just as/after the final bell sounded to end the 12-round fight. Albania’s Hadribeaj rose at the count of nine, but Taylor assessed his condition as spent and waved the fight over immediately, making the official result a KO 12 at 2:59. There is no dispute as to who should have been the winner, as the eleven scored rounds later revealed Fundora was on his way to winning a clear unanimous decision (he was ahead by107-100, 109-98 and 108-99 at the time of the KO). But many voiced post-fight that the verdict should have been determined as a decision on the scorecards because Hadribeaj literally went the distance, given he was able to get back to his feet after the knockdown.
Lewkowicz says Taylor reacted correctly to the unusual circumstances. “The rules say a fighter cannot be saved by the bell in any round including the twelfth. If the referee ruled the fighter was not fit to continue, and if he would have stopped it immediately if it happened at any other point in the fight, he would be letting Hadribeaj be saved by the bell if he didn’t stop it, regardless of the clock. That was the right thing to do for a fighter who is not in shape to keep fighting. People are saying Hadribeaj was robbed of going the distance. If Thomas Taylor hadn’t waved it off, he would have been robbing Sebastian Fundora of a knockout he earned in the ring. It goes both ways.”
“Not everyone in boxing will ever agree on everything,” Lewkowicz added, but Hadribeaj was so badly hurt he was taken to the hospital on a stretcher after the fight. Safety must come before all else in boxing. Thankfully he was released the next morning and will fight another day.”
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Lewkowicz defends controversial Fundora KO ruling
Promoter Sampson Lewkowicz says he disagrees with critics of referee Thomas Taylor’s decision to award WBC junior middleweight champion Sebastian Fundora a last-round knockout over Ermal Hadribeaj on Saturday night. After a gritty and physical war of attrition, from the Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas, Fundora (25-1-1, 17 KOs), overcame a slow start to successfully defend his title for the fourth time by knocking out mandatory challenger Hadribeaj (23-1-1, 8 KOs), with a series of left hands capped by a “buzzer beater” punch that dropped his foe just as/after the final bell sounded to end the 12-round fight. Albania’s Hadribeaj rose at the count of nine, but Taylor assessed his condition as spent and waved the fight over immediately, making the official result a KO 12 at 2:59. There is no dispute as to who should have been the winner, as the eleven scored rounds later revealed Fundora was on his way to winning a clear unanimous decision (he was ahead by107-100, 109-98 and 108-99 at the time of the KO). But many voiced post-fight that the verdict should have been determined as a decision on the scorecards because Hadribeaj literally went the distance, given he was able to get back to his feet after the knockdown.
Lewkowicz says Taylor reacted correctly to the unusual circumstances. “The rules say a fighter cannot be saved by the bell in any round including the twelfth. If the referee ruled the fighter was not fit to continue, and if he would have stopped it immediately if it happened at any other point in the fight, he would be letting Hadribeaj be saved by the bell if he didn’t stop it, regardless of the clock. That was the right thing to do for a fighter who is not in shape to keep fighting. People are saying Hadribeaj was robbed of going the distance. If Thomas Taylor hadn’t waved it off, he would have been robbing Sebastian Fundora of a knockout he earned in the ring. It goes both ways.”
“Not everyone in boxing will ever agree on everything,” Lewkowicz added, but Hadribeaj was so badly hurt he was taken to the hospital on a stretcher after the fight. Safety must come before all else in boxing. Thankfully he was released the next morning and will fight another day.”
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