Open bidding for the next bout of “The Monster?”

The IBF on Tuesday ordered an October 29 purse bid for undisputed super-bantamweight champion Naoya Inoue’s mandatory defense against Australia’s Sam Goodman, with the sanctioning body reporting “an agreement could not be reached.”

Japan’s Ohashi Promotions is the promoter of record for Inoue, 28-0 (25 KOs), although powerful American promoter Top Rank also has a major stake in the four-division and undisputed 122-pound champion.

Officials at Ohashi and Top Rank either were unavailable or declined comment on the matter Tuesday morning.

The expectation, according to one boxing official, has been that plans were “full steam ahead” to stage Inoue’s mandatory defense against Goodman, 19-0 (8 KOs), on Christmas Eve in Tokyo.

The IBF had given the sides more than one month to negotiate from September 12. The parties still have time to come to an agreement before bids are due on the morning of October 29.

If they can’t strike a deal, all other major promoters are free to post a winning bid and stage a bout featuring one of the world’s most popular fighters and arguably the globe’s top pound-for-pound boxer.

Inoue, 31, is coming off a seventh-round TKO of TJ Doheny on September 3, a body shot ending what had been a lackluster showing by his standards. He’s knocked out or stopped nine consecutive opponents dating to his 2019 fight of the year versus Nonito Donaire.

Goodman, 26, has a March 2023 victory by decision over Doheny on his resume, and he also defeated Ra’eese Aleem and Miguel Flores last year to boost his rise to mandatory position.

It’s believed Inoue is angling beyond an expected victory over Goodman toward a showdown with countryman and unbeaten bantamweight champion Junto Nakatani following his successful Monday title defense.

Inoue is also expected in 2025 to move to featherweight, where the wealth of four champions are interested in meeting him.

First, a promoter needs to emerge to stage his fight with Goodman.

The IBF also on Tuesday issued tentative approval for a flyweight title eliminator between Nicaragua’s Felix Alvarado, 41-4 (35 KOs), and Argentina’s Tobias Jeremias Reyes, 16-0-1 (15 KOs), for a fight scheduled to take place in Nicaragua on December 20, according to the IBF.

Alvarado is currently the IBF’s No. 3 contender and Reyes is No. 5 – with both of the top two spots vacant under champion Angel Ayala Lardizabal (18-0, 8 KOs) of Mexico.

Signed bout contracts are due to the IBF by October 30.

Chris Colbert is set to make his ProBox TV debut when he headlines a 50-50 bout against Omar Salcido tomorrow on “Wednesday Night Fights” at the ProBox TV Events Center in Plant City, Florida.

Colbert tipped the scale at 136.8lbs, the heaviest of his career – though it’s important to note that the fight was originally scheduled for October 9. The event was pushed back a week after Hurricane Milton affected the Tampa area. Salcido came in slightly lighter, at 136.0lbs.

Colbert, 17-2 (6 KOs), 28, from Brooklyn, New York, is hoping to regain momentum. At one time a main event staple on Showtime, he appeared to be headed for big fights until he suffered an upset loss to Hector Luis Garcia in February 2022.

Since then, Colbert has fought only twice, both times against Jose “Rayo” Valenzuela. Colbert won the first fight, which many pundits disputed, only to be knocked out in their rematch in December. Although he remains extremely talented, Colbert now has to earn his way back to the position he once held.

Salcido, 19-1 (13 KOs), 24, will be making his second appearance on ProBox TV, with his only loss coming on “Wednesday Night Fights” against Jose Nunez. Since that defeat last October, Salcido defeated Luis Coria via unanimous decision in December. From Mexico and now residing in Lakeside, California, Salcido will be making his 2024 debut.

The televised card begins at 8 p.m. ET (5 PT) on the ProBox TV app.

Full weigh-in results are as follows:

Lightweight – 10 rounds

Chris Colbert (136.8lbs) vs Omar Salcido (136.0lbs)

Light heavyweight – eight rounds 

Najee Lopez (176.0lbs) vs Ismael Ocles (173.4lbs)

Junior lightweight – 10 rounds

Tsendbaatar Erdenebat (130.0lbs) vs. Frency Fortunato (129.8lbs)

Junior lightweight – eight rounds 

David Navarro (127.2lbs) vs. Mykell Gamble (128lbs)

Lucas Ketelle is a proud member of the Boxing Writers Association of America and author of “Inside The Ropes of Boxing” (available on Amazon). Contact him on X @LukieBoxing.

Middleweight Alexandre Gaumont, headlining his first event in front of his home crowd, will face Andres Viera on Thursday at Casino du Lac-Leamy in Gatineau, Quebec, Canada.

Gaumont, 11-0 (7 KOs), a 29-year-old from Gatineau, says he has added new elements to his team and training regimen in anticipation of a moment like this one. He’ll take on Uruguay’s Viera, 12-8 (9 KOs) in the main event of a card that will stream on ESPN+ (6 p.m. ET).

“It’s been a dream of mine to headline at home, so I want to thank Camille Estephan and the entire Eye of the Tiger team for making this happen,” Gaumont said. “I also want to thank everyone who will be there for me on Thursday. Since my last fight, I’ve hired a nutritionist and a physical trainer to be in the best shape of my life. I’ve worked hard, and everything is in place to put on a great show for you.”

In the co-main event, Russian-Canadian junior welterweight Arthur Biyarslanov, 16-0 (14 KOs), who has trained with Artur Beterbiev, will make a quick return from last month’s stoppage of Tamas Kiliti to take on Jonathan Eniz, 35-20-1 (16 KOs).

“The last time I came to Gatineau was [in 2016] for an Artur Beterbiev fight,” Biyarslanov said. “Being around him, training with him and seeing everything he’s accomplished since then motivates me to take my game to the next level as well. On Thursday … it’s my turn to be on the path to a world championship fight by showing the people of Gatineau what I’m capable of. I don’t plan on missing this opportunity.”

The undercard features the separate returns of former junior welterweight title challenger Steve Claggett, 38-8-2 (26 KOs) and cruiserweight Pascal Villeneuve, 4-2-1 (2 KOs), a fighter from Quebec’s Outaouais region who will be boxing for the first time in more than eight years.

Most recently, Claggett lost a unanimous decision to 10-pound titleholder Teofimo Lopez Jnr in June.

“I’m more motivated than ever, and I have a point to prove,” Claggett said. “I already knew I could compete at the world level with guys like Teofimo Lopez, but now that I’ve experienced it, I know that with the right adjustments, I can win those fights. You’ll see it on Thursday, but this is far from the end for me.”

Additionally, top prospects Mehmet Unal, 10-0 (8 KOs), Luis Santana, 12-0 (6 KOs), Shamil Khataev, 12-0-1 (3 KOs) and Moreno Fendero, 7-0 (5 KOs) will also be in action.

The controversial YouTuber and boxer, Jake Paul, has responded with a countersuit in the ongoing legal battle with British promoter Eddie Hearn. This comes two years after Hearn filed a $100 million defamation lawsuit against Paul.

TMZ Sports reported that Paul claims Hearn’s lawsuit is baseless and an attempt to silence his right to free speech. Paul labeled Hearn’s lawsuit as “complete nonsense,” arguing that he doesn’t owe the British promoter a single penny. Furthermore, he stated that he should be the one receiving compensatory and punitive damages, as well as coverage of legal fees resulting from the lawsuit.

The countersuit documents claim that “any alleged damages are vague, uncertain, imaginary, and/or speculative,” discrediting the arguments presented by Hearn’s legal team. According to Paul, his statements neither defamed nor caused any real harm to Hearn or his company.

Additionally, sources close to Paul say that when Hearn’s team contacted him after the controversy, the boxer agreed to remove the interview where he made the controversial statements. Despite this gesture, Hearn chose to proceed with the defamation lawsuit. Paul’s team insists that the boxer will not give in to Hearn’s intimidation tactics.

The dispute between the two began in April 2022, following the fight between Amanda Serrano and Katie Taylor. On that occasion, Serrano was represented by Jake Paul through Most Valuable Promotions, losing to Taylor, who was promoted by Hearn’s Matchroom Boxing. After the fight, Paul insinuated that the judges had been bribed to favor Taylor, which led Hearn to file the defamation lawsuit.The Ring magazine publishes its Top 10 Pound-for-Pound

Jake Paul is scheduled to face Mike Tyson on November 15, 2024, at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Likewise, Katie Taylor and Amanda Serrano will be competing in a rematch on the same card. It is worth noting that Hearn has heavily criticized the fight between Tyson and Paul, stating that he will only watch the Taylor and Serrano fight before leaving.‼️ Jake Paul is reportedly now counter-suing Eddie Hearn, claiming Hearn’s defamation lawsuit over him accusing Matchroom of paying judge Glenn Feldman in 2022 is an attempt to silence his right to free speech using intimidation tactics. In his defence, Paul states: “The…

— Michael Benson (@MichaelBensonn) October 15, 2024

We are, as of this article’s publication on October 15, exactly one month away from Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson.

As hardcore boxing fans, we dream of the occasional moments when the whole world stops and pays attention to our sport. Paul vs. Tyson represents such a moment.

There is always, however, a “be careful what you wish for” element to the outside world remembering boxing exists.

There’s the relatively harmless stuff that comes with a fight so massive that it crosses over to the mainstream — like having to accept that the Stephen A. Smiths of the world who watch boxing two or three times a year are granted platforms to spout off like experts and reach an audience infinitely wider than anyone who actually studies the sport.

Then there’s the unfortunate, but relatively modest, downside of a massive event failing to live up to its hype. The ultimate example of this came on May 2, 2015, when Floyd Mayweather fought Manny Pacquiao. It smashed pay-per-view records (and crashed pay-per-view carriers along the way), and hundreds of thousands of households that had just ordered their first boxing PPV witnessed action ho-hum enough to convince them to make it their last boxing PPV.

But Paul vs. Tyson has a whole different level of “be careful what you wish for” to it. Because, yes, boxing is most definitely crossing over into the mainstream. The fighters’ faces will be plastered everywhere that week. And the audience will be the largest to tune in for live boxing in at least 40 or 50 years, going back to the era when it was still possible for heavyweight title fights to air on network TV. Certainly, there’s a chance Paul-Tyson proves to be a glorious night that ignites new interest in boxing. But there’s also a very real chance, particularly if a 58-year-old living legend gets seriously hurt for all the world to see, that it is the most disastrous event in boxing’s long and disaster-rich history.

We’re all set to get what we often wish for: a world that has largely moved on from boxing blessing us with its full fixation. But this may be entirely the wrong way to go about attracting that fixation.

Promoter Eddie Hearn certainly thinks so. His statement to TalkSport last Friday was as blunt and harsh as they come.

“I think it’s a huge shame that one of the biggest legends of the sport comes back 20 years after everybody knew he shouldn't be boxing anymore,” Hearn reportedly said. “At 55 or however old he is. He’s 58? Jesus Christ, he’s nearly 60. Like, you have no respect for the sport of boxing if you put Mike Tyson in a ring at 58 years of age. And if he gets hurt, then it’s on those people. … I’ll watch Katie Taylor [vs. Amanda Serrano in the co-feature] and then I’ll leave. I can’t watch that.”

It’s not uncommon for one boxing promoter to rag on another promotion’s fighter or event. So if you want to interpret Hearn’s comment as some sort of strategic slagging of a product that isn’t his, fine. But it reads like a genuine emotional reaction to me. “I can’t watch that.” There’s no mincing of words. I believe him.

And Hearn speaks for a lot of people who care about Mike Tyson’s health and/or who care about the health of the sport of boxing. There’s an enormous group that wants nothing to do with this fight, and there’s a perhaps even larger group with mixed feelings about it. And the closer it gets, the more I expect people from that latter group will find themselves with a case of cold feet.

The fight was originally supposed to happen on July 20, you’ll recall. Then Tyson suffered an ulcer flare-up on a flight — the sort of medical issue that prime athletes don’t have to worry about much, but 35-years-past-their-prime athletes frequently do — and medical experts advised him to rest, recover, and postpone. 

Now it’s back on the schedule. But 31 days is a lot of time for someone’s cold feet to once again kick this thing to the curb. I’m not saying Paul vs. Tyson isn’t going to happen on November 15. A great deal of money and planning has been poured into this, and if Tyson can pass whatever tests the Texas Department of Licensing & Regulation administers, the bout figures to go ahead. But there’s still wiggle room between now and then for a 58-year-old man to experience some sort of 58-year-old man problems and for someone close to him to decide that all the money in the world isn’t worth it.

If Paul vs. Tyson happens, then I will, unlike Hearn, be watching when the opening bell rings. How many of my fingers will be blocking my eyes? That’s an open question. And my sense of the fight itself is that Tyson will be dangerous for a round or two, and if it gets past that, it’s all Paul. So I think there’s a strong chance I’ll be watching at the outset and find myself so filled with sadness a couple of rounds in that I walk away.

Again, that’s if it happens. I’ll believe for sure that it’s happening when I see the two boxers in the ring together on November 15, and not a moment sooner.

A few other observations about Paul-Tyson one month out:

The reason I believe the viewing audience will be so massive — I’m estimating about 30 million in the U.S. — is that the fight is on Netflix. Anyone who pays for a Netflix subscription (or is still able to steal one from a family member) can watch this. It’s not on pay-per-view. Ya know, assuming Netflix execs don’t pull a DAZN and put up an additional paywall at the last second after specifically advertising otherwise.

I can’t find betting odds on Paul vs. Tyson at any of the regulated U.S. sportsbooks, even though all parties have made clear that this will be a sanctioned fight, not an exhibition. (At various unregulated sportsbooks, Paul is about a -275 favorite, meaning you’d have to bet $275 on him to win $100.) One of two things is happening here: Either betting operators are as unconvinced as I am that the fight will happen on November 15 and they don’t want to have to refund all the wagers if it gets postponed again or canceled, or they’re waiting for state regulators to give them the official go-ahead to take bets on the fight because it’s such a non-standard sporting event.

Speaking of betting, Paul recently proposed a side wager to Tyson: If “Iron Mike” can get through four rounds, Paul will pay him an extra $5 million; if Tyson can’t get through four rounds, he’ll have to get a tattoo that reads “I love Jake Paul.” Tyson reportedly turned him down, saying he’d need an upside of about $20 million to take the bet. Admittedly, I don’t have a strong grasp on tattoo psychology; I wouldn’t make a bet that carries a risk of getting a tattoo because I don’t have any tattoos and don’t want any tattoos. But Tyson already has plenty of tattoos, including one on his face. What’s one more? Then again, maybe $5 million is no big deal to the former heavyweight champ. I guess there are two psychological elements to the bet I can’t relate to: getting tattoos, and going on multi-million-dollar swings in life.

As I wrote back in April ahead of the original July date, this is the most important boxing undercard in recent memory, because of how many millions of casual viewers it will reach. And it looks like matchmakers Eric Bottjer and Mike Leanardi recognize that. I’m not sure I need to see Neeraj Goyat vs. Whindersson Nunes, but the rest of the card offers a perfect variety pack of what boxing has to offer. Taylor-Serrano II features two of the best female boxers of all-time in a rematch to the very best women’s fight I’ve ever seen. Mario Barrios vs. Abel Ramos is a solid glimpse at world-level men’s boxing, and Ramos is better than his record suggests and always competitive in defeat. And it would be foolish not to shine the spotlight on at least one promising prospect, which is where Bruce “Shu Shu” Carrington comes in. This is an appetizing boxing sampler platter: one hot prospect, one 12-rounder, one women’s megafight, and the ultimate circus sideshow.

If we have 31 days until (the scheduled) fight night, that means we have 23 days until the Netflix premiere of “Countdown: Paul vs. Tyson.” Seems like a waste of shoulder programming money to me, when they could have instead launched the “Netflix Boxing with Raskin & Mulvaney” podcast for pennies on the dollar. But, hey, even the high-powered executives at Netflix make mistakes, I guess.

Eric Raskin is a veteran boxing journalist with more than 25 years of experience covering the sport for such outlets as BoxingScene, ESPN, Grantland, Playboy, Ringside Seat, and The Ring (where he served as managing editor for seven years). He also co-hosted The HBO Boxing Podcast, Showtime Boxing with Raskin & Mulvaney, The Interim Champion Boxing Podcast with Raskin & Mulvaney, and Ring Theory. He has won three first-place writing awards from the BWAA, for his work with The Ring, Grantland, and HBO. Outside boxing, he is the senior editor of CasinoReports and the author of 2014’s The Moneymaker Effect . He can be reached on X or LinkedIn , or via email at RaskinBoxing@yahoo.com.

In a recent video of his YouTube channel “Froch on Fighting,” Carl Froch

Froch mentioned that, despite Eubank Jr. being a good boxer, he does not have enough ring activity to improve. According to Froch, fighting only once a year is not enough to stay competitive. In his last fight, even though Eubank Jr. secured a victory, Froch pointed out that his performance was disorganized, exposing several weaknesses, such as leaving his chin unprotected and receiving too many punches. This, according to Froch, reinforces his belief that Eubank Jr. is not ready for the world stage.

“He showed that he’s a bit disorganized, not fit for the world level.”

Froch also criticized Eubank Jr.’s apparent lack of interest in becoming a world champion. Instead, he argued that Eubank Jr. seems more interested in earning money in the easiest way possible and enjoying his celebrity status. Froch referenced Eubank Jr.’s friendship with footballer Neymar and his tendency to participate in activities like poker and other events outside of boxing.

“I don’t think he’s that interested in becoming a world champion, he just wants to make money.”Eubank Jr.’s Approach to Big Fights

Despite the criticism, Froch acknowledged that Eubank Jr. has the potential to generate significant earnings from high-profile fights, specifically mentioning a possible bout against Conor Benn. For Froch, this fight would be highly lucrative, perhaps even taking place in Saudi Arabia, though he expressed his desire for it to happen in Britain due to the

“Let’s be honest, he’s not good enough for the world level, and that’s why I mentioned Conor Benn, because that’s the big fight, it could be the big money fight. It could probably even happen in Saudi Arabia too. I’d love to see it in Britain, because Nigel Benn and Chris Eubank Sr. have that history, and it would be nice to see these two fight in Britain, but we’ll see,” Froch said.

Froch also expressed concern over Conor Benn’s recent behavior. According to him, Benn talks as though he is already an elite fighter, but his record does not back up that confidence. Froch emphasized that Benn hasn’t fought in Britain for several years and, though his style is exciting, he has yet to face top-tier opponents.

“First, I want to say I know Conor Benn, I’ve seen him a few times and he’s a lovely guy, a charming young man.”Fabio Wardley gets updated world ranking following Frazer Clarke demolition

“When I say charming, it’s not just for show, obviously he’s a fighter, he wants to get in the ring, cause damage, knock his opponent out, and he fights excitingly. But he hasn’t fought anyone, and he talks like he’s a street killer, and I don’t get it. I get that he has to sell the fight and try to hype it up, but the fight is already there, it’s Eubank versus Benn, or Benn versus Eubank, the names are already there,” Froch stated.Carl Froch Talk about the challenges for Conor Benn in the fight

Regarding the potential fight between Benn and Eubank Jr., Froch warned that it could be more difficult than Benn expects. He pointed out that Benn would have to move up to 160 pounds to face Eubank Jr., who is naturally bigger and stronger. Though Benn has expressed confidence, saying he will easily defeat Eubank Jr., Froch suggested the young fighter should be more cautious with his words. According to Froch, Eubank Jr. is a tough opponent who has shown resilience in the past, something Benn might be underestimating.

“Benn has to go up to 160 pounds. I think it will cost Conor Benn against Chris Eubank at 160. Eubank can hit hard, he’s quite tough. I’ve sparred with him many times, and he’s given me good rounds. Chris Eubank Jr. is tough in the ring.”

“Conor Benn talks like this fight is easy, like it’s a mismatch and that he’s going to destroy him. I get that he has to sell the fight, but be careful what you wish for.” When you’re there and reality hits you in the head and face, and Eubank Jr. starts throwing punches and leaning on you with his extra weight, because he’s naturally bigger, this could be tougher than Benn thinks.

Froch also expressed skepticism over Benn’s recent inactivity and questioned the circumstances surrounding his drug tests and his current status with the British Boxing Board of Control, which has yet to grant Benn a license to fight in the UK.

“I understand Eddie Hearn is trying to sell it, saying it will be an easy fight for Benn, but I don’t see where he gets that confidence. Benn hasn’t been active, he hasn’t fought anyone.” “And can you answer me something? What’s going on with the drug testing? Is he suspended? Is he serving a ban? Because as far as I know, he still doesn’t have a license from the British Boxing Board of Control to fight, he still can’t box.”

Despite his criticism of both Eubank Jr. and Benn, Carl Froch made it clear that he is excited about the potential fight between the two. He said he would like the fight to take place in Britain. Although he recognizes the limitations of both fighters, Froch believes the history and rivalry between their families make this an attractive matchup. However, Froch stressed that Benn needs to be more active in his career and clarify his legal situation before the fight can be confirmed.

Former two-belt champion Murodjon ’s legal team is positioning for a battle as an October 29 IBF purse-bid process looms over the next fight for Japan’s undisputed super-bantamweight and four-division champion, Naoya Inoue.

As the World Boxing Association’s mandatory challenger to Inoue, 28-0 (25 KOs), Uzbekistan’s Akhmadaliev, 12-1 (9 KOs), argues he’s next in line in the rotation of mandatory challengers an undisputed champion must face – in front of the foe Inoue intends to fight next, IBF mandatory Sam Goodman of Australia. 

“Two fights ago, (the WBA) gave (Inoue) a special exception (to fight someone other than Akhmadaliev (Mexico’s Luis Nery),” Akhmadaliev’s attorney, Pat English, told BoxingScene Tuesday. “It’s long since the WBA’s turn and we’re not going gently into that good night.

“Inoue either gives up that (WBA) title or there’s going to be litigation.”

English penned an email to the leaders of all four sanctioning bodies Tuesday, emphasizing that points minutes after the IBF scheduled a purse bid for the Inoue-Goodman bout following failed negotiations between the promoters for both unbeaten fighters.

“We object to this purse bid and … Mr. Goodman being the next bout of Mr. Inoue,” English wrote in the letter reviewed by BoxingScene. “Murodjon Akhmadaliev is the long-standing WBA mandatory and in order of sequence, the WBA mandatory (long overdue) is next in line. We have demanded that the WBA enforce the mandatory. We do not wish to threaten but we will take legal action if Mr. Inoue attempts to bypass his WBA mandatory.”

It’s unclear how deeply Inoue cares about the undisputed banner. He is believed to be planning for Goodman, then a bout against unbeaten bantamweight champion and countryman Junto Nakatani in 2025 before moving up to featherweight.

Earlier Tuesday, Akhmadaliev’s manager, Vadim Kornilov, posted on “X” that his fighter deserves the opportunity to fight Inoue next as the Inoue promoters, Teiken and Top Rank, failed to secure the Goodman deal. 

“They don’t want to fight their mandatories, now they are not even wanting to pay hand-picked opponents (who) are obviously (accepting) the fight as a payday only,” Kornilov wrote. “Send Akhmadaliev the offer that was sent to Goodman, and we will make every effort to accept as is.”

Inoue’s U.S. promoter, Bob Arum, has previously chided former WBA-IBF champion Akhmadaliev’s name recognition while most recently having Inoue take a one-sided bout in September versus veteran TJ Doheny in Japan.

And while that disinterest from the promotion is one thing, attorney English argues it’s up to the sanctioning bodies to ensure that undisputed or unified champions or following the proper order of their mandatory obligations.

“The WBA has skipped my guy twice,” English said. “It’s up to the ratings organizations to enforce their rules.

“It’s like in boxing where there’s certain borderline punches that a boxer will use if he can get away with it if a referee doesn’t call them on it. The other side has to object or the judge doesn’t police the situation.”

Akhmadaliev became champion by virtue of his 2020 victory over Daniel Roman and reigned until a disputed April 2023 split-decision loss to Marlon Tapales in which one judge scored the bout 118-110 for Akhmadaliev.

While Tapales proceeded to a 10th-round knockout loss to Inoue in December 2023, Akhmadaliev moved to No. 1 in the WBA ratings afterward.

“If Mr. Inoue wishes to vacate his WBA title, then we cannot object to him fighting someone other than Akhmadaliev, but, as it stands now, we object to anyone or any organization interfering with Mr. Akhmadaliev’s rights,” English wrote.

With Artur Beterbiev claiming the undisputed light-heavyweight championship with victory over Dmitry Bivol, unbeaten WBC interim champion David Benavidez officially stands as mandatory challenger, WBC President Mauricio Sulaiman confirmed to BoxingScene Tuesday.

The issue – as it was while Benavidez waited three years as top-ranked and mandatory contender to undisputed super-middleweight champion Canelo Alvarez – is whether the power of that position equates to putting that fight on the calendar.

Benavidez’s father/trainer, Jose Benavidez Snr, remembers vividly that Alvarez-Benavidez was “never made” despite his son’s position, but he maintains hope that a new fight and a new division will result in a different outcome this time around.

Former super-middleweight champion David Benavidez, 29-0 (24 KOs), has signed to meet Cuba’s unbeaten World Boxing Association secondary champion David Morrell Jnr, 11-0 (9 KOs), on an expected Prime Video pay-per-view headliner in late January or early February in Las Vegas, according to the elder Benavidez.

“Everybody thought David (Benavidez) was running from David Morrell. But he was the one who called (Premier Boxing Champions head) Al Haymon and said he wanted that fight, and he got it,” Benavidez Snr said. “Morrell and David both have a lot of fans who think they’ll win the fight. David (Benavidez) has all the experience to hurt him and maybe even stop him.”

Doing so should strongly position Benavidez for the shot at Russia’s Beterbiev (21-0, 20 KOs), although because of the entertainment value of the first bout with countryman Bivol (23-1, 12 KOs), Saudi Arabia’s Sela, headed by Turki Alalshikh, could likely opt to push for a rematch that could keep Benavidez on a title-fight pause.

“That (title shot is) the reason we went up to 175: to fight the best: The winner of Beterbiev-Bivol,” Benavidez Snr said. “Right now, our focus is the upcoming fight with Morrell. We have to look impressive in order to get those big fights. That would be something that David is looking for. He would love that fight. Before that, we have a tough, young, strong fighter in front of us. We’re going to make that fight to see if we’re going to get Beterbiev.”

The history of being put off is certainly in mind, but until anything happens to indicate a repeat of the Canelo treatment, Team Benavidez is returning to its attitude of the early days of being the top contender at 168 pounds.

“We’ve just got to be consistent and hope that things change,” Benavidez Snr said. “I hope the same thing doesn’t repeat. We’ve got to stay positive, keep working, stay busy and hopefully we get the opportunity. We felt at 168 there was no opportunity. We hope at 175 there is. We keep struggling, keep working hard and we hope that opportunity is given to David.”

Bebavidez Snr said he was eagerly anticipating Beterbiev-Bivol, and watched it closely.

“It was a very close fight. I believe Beterbiev (at age 39) is not the same guy we used to see,” Benavidez Snr said. “I was expecting more from him. He has a big punch. He tried everything he could. He didn’t even (wobble) Bivol.

“Bivol didn’t throw a lot of punches … he threw a lot of straight punches. Beterbiev was looking to cut the distance and catch him with a big shot. It was very close. David comes with a lot of combinations, uppercuts, body shots and is aggressive. David can be a different fighter. Young and hungry. And I think he’ll come out on top.”

He thought the same against Alvarez, and never had the chance to execute.

As the countdown to their IBF championship fight continues, Tim Tszyu has expressed doubts about Bakhram Murtazaliev’s weight status. This highly anticipated showdown will take place on Sunday, October 20, in Orlando, and Tszyu’s words have drawn attention.

The Russian-Australian boxer revealed that he has seen Murtazaliev training intensely. In a recent conversation, Tszyu mentioned having spotted the champion running at night wearing a hoodie. This image has led some to speculate that Murtazaliev might be struggling to make the required weight.

Bakhram Murtazaliev, an imposing 183 cm champion, has stated his intention to move up a weight class after his fight with Tim Tszyu. In an interview with Main Event Australia, the Russian champion mentioned that he could face WBA middleweight champion Erislandy Lara next. This statement has raised more questions about his approach to weight and his preparation for the fight.

With a joking tone, Murtazaliev included UFC megastar Conor McGregor on his list of possible opponents. The champion referred to Tszyu as a boxer with “many mistakes,” underlining his confidence before the fight. Despite his light-hearted remarks, Murtazaliev made it clear that he is focused on defending his title.As the fight draws closer, Murtazaliev has labeled Tim Tszyu as a fighter who “talks a lot online.”

The champion also emphasized that the presence of Tim’s father, Kostya Tszyu, will not affect the outcome. “It doesn’t matter who is going to be there. It makes no difference if Kostya Tszyu is there or not,” Murtazaliev stated.

Discussing his view of the fight, Murtazaliev pointed out that he has identified several openings in Tszyu’s fighting style. He also expects to add Tszyu to his list of victories, which includes 10 years of experience and 22 fights. “The easy option after this win would be a fight with Conor McGregor,” Murtazaliev joked.Jai Opetaia reveals future plans

However, the champion has more serious goals in mind. He has expressed his desire to unify belts and fight top names like Sebastian Fundora, Errol Spence, or Terence Crawford. He is also interested in moving up in weight to face Erislandy Lara.

The issue of weight will become more pressing this week in Orlando. According to IBF regulations, both boxers must weigh in twice, including the day of the fight. They must be within a 10-pound limit of the division’s weight for the bout.

In a conversation with Ben Damon of Main Event, Tszyu

When asked about the IBF stipulations, Tim Tszyu appeared confident. “I’ve done a little bit of training towards it,” he stated. “The morning of the fight I’m just a little over the rehydration limit so I’ll be sweet.”

The Japan Boxing Commission has banned John Riel Casimero for coming in overweight ahead of his first-round knockout win of Saul Sanchez on Sunday (October 13).

They fought in Yokohama, Japan, and Sanchez was beaten after 2:41 of the first round.

As a consequence, Casimero has been banned for a year by the JBC for his failure to make the 122lbs weight limit ahead of the 10-round bout.

Casimero had said after the contest that he hoped the victory would unlock big fights in 2025 at junior featherweight, even calling out Naoya Inoue.

The 35-year-old from the Philippines is 34-4-1 (23 KOs), and he came in at 123 1/4lbs in his final efforts to make 122lbs and the Japan Boxing Commission takes a dim view of fighters failing to make weight.

Mexican Luis Nery was persona non grata after missing weight but still stopping Shinsuke Yamanaka in Tokyo in 2018, but Japan eventually had him back for Inoue to – in essence – punish him, earlier this year.

Inoue stopped Nery in the sixth-round in May.

Anthony Yarde, a prominent light heavyweight boxer, returns to the ring on Saturday, October 19. He will face Ralfs “The Train” Vilcans at the Copper Box Arena in London. This fight will be part of the preliminary card for the match between Adam Azim and Ohara Davies.

“For me, it’s activity, getting back in the ring, being active, and entertaining boxing fans,” Yarde said in an interview with Sky Sports. With a record of 25 wins and 3 losses, Yarde is a former two-time world title challenger and ranks first in the WBO standings.

His last fight was against undefeated champion Artur Beterbiev in January 2023. Despite the loss, Yarde has achieved stoppage victories over Jorge Silva and Marko Nikolic. Yarde’s most recent bout was on February 10 against Nikolic in London, UK. He won in the 3rd round by Technical Knockout. Now, he aims to regain his place in the title contention.

Ralfs Vilcans, 30 years old with a record of 17-1, is a former WBC international light heavyweight. Known as “The Train,” he will seek to derail Anthony Yarde’s plans.

Additionally, the card features exciting matchups. Dan Azeez will face Lewis Edmondson in a crucial light heavyweight clash. Michael McKinson will compete for the vacant IBO world welterweight title against Tulani Mbenge. Also highlighted are the fights of Shannon Courtenay, Francesca Hennessy, and the professional debut of Sam Hickey.Shane Mosley compares Floyd Mayweather and Canelo AlvarezWho is Anthony Yarde fighting when he returns to the ring on Saturday? 👀 pic.twitter.com/qfOemcHGh5

— Sky Sports Boxing (@SkySportsBoxing) October 15, 2024

Opponent 𝘾𝙤𝙣𝙛𝙞𝙧𝙢𝙚𝙙 🦁✅@mranthonyyarde returns to the ring this Saturday at The Copper Box! Don’t miss it 🍿

Tickets at https://t.co/yt3WMVlLFj 🎟️#AzimDavies | 19.10.24 | @CopperBoxArena | @SkySportsBoxing | @peacock | @GoldenBoyBoxingpic.twitter.com/AyLfuSXMqU

— BOXXER (@boxxer) October 15, 2024

Ben Whittaker suffered an ankle sprain and might have aggravated an old neck injury while falling out of the ring on Saturday night, it has been reported.

The by now infamous incident, which saw the British starlet tightly grab hold of opponent Liam Cameron before they both tumbled over the top rope, led to the light heavyweight contest being stopped and going to the cards.

A draw was subsequently ruled as Whittaker, who indicated he could not continue, left the arena in a wheelchair. Cameron, a hefty underdog, has accused Whittaker of initiating the fall and then looking for a way out. 

An Olympic silver medallist who has thrilled and annoyed fans in equal measure with his showboating antics, Whittaker was in the midst of the toughest fight of his 8-0-1 (5 KOs) career when the dramatic fall occurred. 

The 27-year-old's promoter, Ben Shalom, last night told Sky Sports: "Following the unprecedented incident that ended the match on Saturday night, Ben Whittaker is undergoing further assessments on his neck as a previous injury was aggravated by the fall.

"He also experienced an ankle sprain and will begin a rehab process as soon as he is cleared by doctors and is determined to be back in the ring as soon as possible."

Very much in the ascendency when the contest concluded, the 23-6-1 (10 KOs) Cameron is not convinced. "He 100 per cent quit," he told TalkSport today. "I was putting pressure on him but I thought, 'I'm not going to give him everything yet. I'm going to break his heart and show him this is pro boxing.'

"He basically dragged me onto the ropes. You can see him flip his head back... He was so exhausted. I hit him with a body shot before that happened. And I could feel it really take everything out of him."

The Ring magazine has recently revealed its prestigious list of the best Pound-for-Pound boxers in the world, with Ukrainian Oleksandr Usyk taking the top spot. This publication, known for its divisional rankings since 1925, is widely respected by boxing fans and experts globally. The selection was made by a panel of twelve experts, who debate and democratically decide the positions of each boxer.Oleksandr Usyk Tops the List

Oleksandr Usyk sits at number one of The Ring magazine’s ranking, boasting an impeccable record of 22-0 (14 KOs). Usyk, a gold medalist at the 2012 Olympics, dominated the cruiserweight division, defeating opponents such as Krzysztof Glowacki, Marco Huck, and Tony Bellew. In his transition to heavyweight, he stood out by beating Anthony Joshua twice, solidifying his reign as the undisputed champion of the division. Recently, Usyk knocked out Daniel Dubois and defeated Tyson Fury in a closely contested split decision. His next challenge will be a rematch against Fury on December 21 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.Naoya Inoue: The “Monster” from Japan in Second Place

Naoya Inoue, with an impressive record of 27-0 (24 KOs), holds the second position. Nicknamed “The Monster,” he has captured world titles in four different weight classes, from 108 to 122 pounds. Inoue gained worldwide recognition after his victories over Nonito Donaire in two thrilling bouts. Recently, Inoue became the undisputed junior bantamweight champion after defeating Stephen Fulton and Marlon Tapales. His next fight is expected to be against TJ Doheny in Tokyo, Japan.Terence Crawford: Master of the Ring

Terence Crawford, with a record of 41-0 (31 KOs), is in third place. This talented American boxer has been the undisputed champion in two weight classes, 140 and 147 pounds. Crawford made headlines by defeating Errol Spence Jr., unifying the welterweight world titles. His most recent victory was against Israil Madrimov, where he won the WBA junior middleweight title. Although he hoped to face Canelo Álvarez, Crawford seems to be exploring other options in the 154-pound division.Canelo Álvarez and His Undisputed Legacy

Canelo Álvarez is fourth of The Ring magazine’s ranking, with a record of 61-2-2 (39 KOs). The Mexican has defeated prominent boxing figures such as Shane Mosley, Gennadiy Golovkin, and Caleb Plant. Although he lost to Dmitry Bivol in 2022, Canelo has bounced back, defeating Jermell Charlo and Jaime Munguía in his most recent fights. His next opponent will be Edgar Berlanga, whom he will face in Las Vegas on September 14.Jesse Rodríguez: The Rising Young Talent

In fifth place is Jesse Rodríguez (20-0, 13 KOs). The American captured the attention of the boxing world by defeating Carlos Cuadras and Srisaket Sor Rungvisai on his way to becoming world champion. Rodríguez has proven to be a formidable contender in the smaller divisions, and his future may include a showdown against Fernando Martínez later this year.Artur Beterbiev and Dmitry Bivol: The Light Heavyweight Giants

Artur Beterbiev (20-0, 20 KOs), in sixth place, remains undefeated and has knocked out all his opponents. His next fight will be a title unification against Dmitry Bivol (23-0, 12 KOs), who ranks seventh. Both will face off on October 12 in Saudi Arabia to determine the undisputed light heavyweight champion.Gervonta Davis and Junto Nakatani: Power and Technique

Gervonta Davis (30-0, 28 KOs) occupies the eighth spot. The charismatic American boxer is known for his incredible knockout power and ability to sell out arenas across the United States. In ninth place is Junto Nakatani (28-0, 21 KOs), the talented Japanese fighter who recently became the world bantamweight champion by defeating Vincent Astrolabio.Devin Haney Rounds Out the Top 10

In tenth place is Devin Haney (31-0, 15 KOs), who at 25 has been the undisputed lightweight champion and recently captured the WBC super lightweight title by defeating Regis Prograis. Although he has gone through controversy with Ryan García, he remains one of the most promising young talents in the sport.Boxers on the Brink of the Top 10

Among the names that were close to entering the prestigious ranking are David Benavidez, Vasiliy Lomachenko, Shakur Stevenson, Jai Opetaia, and Kenshiro Teraji, who could appear in future editions of The Ring magazine’s ranking.📋 Artur Beterbiev and Dmitry Bivol have both now leapfrogged Canelo Alvarez in the Ring Magazine pound-for-pound top ten:

1️⃣🇺🇦 Oleksandr Usyk 2️⃣🇯🇵 Naoya Inoue 3️⃣🇺🇸 Terence Crawford 4️⃣🇷🇺 Artur Beterbiev 5️⃣🇷🇺 Dmitry Bivol 6️⃣🇲🇽 Canelo Alvarez 7️⃣🇺🇸 Jesse ‘Bam’ Rodriguez 8️⃣🇺🇸…

— Michael Benson (@MichaelBensonn) October 15, 2024

In an interview with FightHype, legendary boxer Shane Mosley spoke about the punching power of Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Canelo Álvarez. When asked about his experience facing both fighters, Mosley did not hesitate to compare the strength of their punches.

“When I fought Floyd, his power was really good. His power is actually around the same speed and power as Canelo’s” Mosley commented. This statement is relevant, as Mosley faced and was defeated by both boxers at crucial moments in their respective careers.The Mosley vs. Mayweather fight

Shane Mosley and Floyd Mayweather faced off on May 1, 2010, in a highly anticipated welterweight bout. The fight, promoted as “Who RU Picking?”, took place at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas in front of a crowd of 15,117 people. Although no titles were at stake, the expectations were high, as two of the biggest figures in world boxing were going head-to-head.

Mayweather dominated the fight from the start. The judges awarded him a unanimous decision victory. Two judges scored the fight 119-109, and one scored it 118-110, reflecting the control that “Money” Mayweather maintained throughout most of the rounds. Mosley, who had been considered one of Mayweather’s most dangerous opponents, managed to land some significant punches, but it wasn’t enough to change the course of the fight.

The fight was significant not only because of Mayweather’s victory, but also due to the presence of boxing legends like Muhammad Ali and Mike Tyson, who attended the event. This fight materialized after Andre Berto, who was originally scheduled to fight Mosley, withdrew from their planned January 2010 bout.Shane Mosley vs. Canelo Álvarez

Two years later, on May 5, 2012, Shane Mosley faced a young Mexican prospect, Canelo Álvarez. This fight also took place at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. Álvarez, who was defending his WBC super welterweight title, was already establishing himself as a future boxing superstar.

On this occasion, Mosley couldn’t do much against the power and skill of the young Canelo. The judges rendered a unanimous decision in favor of the Mexican, with scores of 119-109, 118-110, and 119-108. Álvarez’s decisive victory solidified his rise in the elite ranks of boxing, while Mosley, though resilient, could not match the intensity of the champion.

With these statements, Mosley offers a unique perspective on two of the most important boxers of the modern era. His experience facing both in the ring gives him an authoritative voice to compare their styles and skills, making it clear that, although different, both Mayweather and Canelo

— Ray Bama (@armoredmaybach) October 15, 2024

Welterweight Daniel "El Gallo" Gonzalez secured a unanimous decision victory over Michael "Slick" Anderson last Saturday at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey. Judges scored the bout 100-90, 99-91, and 99-91, all in favor of Gonzalez.

The 34-year-old Gonzalez (22-4-1, 7 KOs) from Queens, New York, extended his winning streak to two fights by defeating 43-year-old Anderson (24-4-1, 18 KOs) from Newark.

Gonzalez faced a challenging period in his career during 2021 and 2022, suffering setbacks with a majority decision loss to Petros Ananyan and a surprising split-decision defeat to Paulo Cesar Galdino in his hometown of Queens. Following these losses, Gonzalez rebounded with a 10-round unanimous decision victory over Keane McMahon before his recent win over Anderson.

For Anderson, this defeat marks his first loss since 2019 when Greg Vendetti defeated him by unanimous decision over 12 rounds. Anderson had previously enjoyed a seven-fight winning streak following the Vendetti fight.

Former WBO middleweight champion Armand Krajnc promoted his 11th show and it was, of course, billed as Armand Boxing Promotion 11. The event was staged at the plush Jazy's Hotel in Gothenburg (Sweden).

Australian-Swede Linn Sandstrom, 9-3-3 (2 KOs), triumphed in the main event with a unanimous 10-round points over brave but outclassed Bolivian Carla Camila Campos, 6-3 (5 KOs) and 23 years old. It was scored 100-90 on all cards. Sandstrom, 32, dominated the fight but didn't appear to hurt Campos. There was a WBA title at stake but as for which one, it really depended on who you asked, but from the ring they announced it as for the International title.

Veteran former WBC junior middleweight champion Mikaela Lauren, 33-7-1 (14 KOs), drew with Newcastle, England's Jordan Barker-Porter, 8-3-1 (1 KO), over six hard fought rounds. It was scored 58-56 both ways and 57-57. Barker-Porter, who at 30 is 18 years younger than Lauren, landed the with the cleaner punches but also instigated most of the holding and wrestling on the inside. Lauren, as brave and tough as she is, showed that time waits for no one.

Undercard fight of the night was between cruiserweight John Salomonsson, 3-0, and hard punching Czech Martin Sedlak, 5-4 (5 KOs). Salomonsson, who like his opponent is 34 years old, had some problems early on but closed out strongly for a unanimous points win on scores of 38-37 twice and 39-36.

...........................................

In Tallinn, Estonia, Fair Play Promotion and Lammi Boxing Management got a small pro-am show off the ground at the Warrior Fight Club. The pro fights were made up by three visiting Norwegians and all three won after good fights all scheduled for four. None, however, were recognized by BoxRec.

Heavyweight Brage Lange Hansen, 3-0, stopped local hero Aleksandr Bolsanovs, 1-1. Hansen, much taller than his opponent, caught Bolsanovs with his heavy right several times but Bolsanovs kept trying until hurt and floored in the third. He got up but was taking a beating along the ropes and it was stopped.

Lightweight Sayed Kazemi, 2-0, outscored tough Latvian Dinars Skripkins, 4-9-2, after a fast-paced fight. It was scored 40-36 from the three judges.

In the show opener, light heavyweight Adrian Hagen, 2-0, outscored last minute sub (he flew in from Germany on fight day) Serhii Ksendzov, 4-31. It was scored 39-37 twice and 38-38..

All three Norwegians will be back in action November 16 in Espoo (Finland) on Elite Boxing's big Scandinavian Showdown event.

Undefeated Cuban junior middleweight Yoenis Tellez is set to make his fifth appearance at the Caribe Royale Resort in Orlando, Florida as he enters his ninth professional fight. 

Tellez will take on Johan Gonzalez on Saturday in the co-main event of PBC Championship Boxing on Prime Video, leading up to the IBF junior middleweight title clash between Bakhram Murtazaliev and Tim Tszyu.

Tellez, 24, has already found success at the Orlando venue, delivering a highlight-reel 10th-round knockout over Livan Navarro there last December. Now, the rising prospect faces his toughest test to date in Gonzalez, a matchup that could significantly boost his rankings. Tellez is currently ranked No. 5 by the WBA, No. 8 by the WBC, and No. 15 by the IBF. Gonzalez, 33, ranked No. 10 by the WBA, makes this a clash between two top-10 contenders in the division. The current WBA champion is Terence Crawford, while Jermell Charlo holds the ‘champion-in-recess’ designation.

“Ever since my first fight at Caribe, they’ve made me feel right at home,” Tellez said. “Orlando is like a second home to me, and I'm thrilled to fight there again.”

Tellez (8-0, 6 KOs) burst onto the scene in July 2023, stepping in on short notice to face veteran Sergio Garcia on the Errol Spence Jr. vs. Terence Crawford undercard. Despite the challenge, Tellez stunned Garcia, stopping him in the third round. Since then, Tellez has fought only twice.

“That was the biggest moment of my career, and I knew it going into the fight,” Tellez said. “Even though I stepped in on short notice, I knew I had to make the most of the opportunity. It was only my fifth fight, but I was ready for whatever came my way.”

Training under veteran coach Ronnie Shields, who has worked with fighters like fellow Cuban David Morrell, Tellez credits Shields for helping him quickly adapt to the professional ranks.

“Ronnie has been crucial for me in adjusting to life in the US and transitioning to the highest level of professional boxing,” Tellez said. “He’s taught me a lot about the business of boxing and the importance of accountability, both inside and outside the ring.”

Gonzalez (35-3, 34 KOs), a 33-year-old Venezuelan now training in Las Vegas, aims to halt Tellez’s momentum. Tellez, however, welcomes the step-up in competition as he eyes a run toward title contention.

“I’m coming in with a 100 per cent positive mindset and determined to win,” Tellez said. “I’m eager to fight for a championship and I’m ready to face anyone.”

Artur Beterbiev’s light-heavyweight showdown with Dmitry Bivol delivered as the legendary encounter that many predicted beforehand but it was Fabio Wardley and Ben Whittaker who stole the show on the undercard – for both good and bad reasons. Now, with Wardley poised to make the jump to the world level, one of his countrymen has called for him to make one last defence of his British heavyweight title.

Wardley knocked out Nathan Gorman to pick up the vacant Lonsdale Belt back in November 2022 but since then he has proven himself to be worthy of the fabled trinket, despite entering the professional ranks without any amateur experience.

The Ipswich fan-favourite comfortably dominated and then halted David Adeleye on the Fury-Ngannou card in Riyadh last October, although it was a draw against Frazer Clarke that saw his superstardom reach new heights.

Wardley went to war with the Tokyo 2020 bronze medallist in the headline attraction at the O2 Arena on Easter Sunday, representing boxers from a white-collar background and doing them proud in a gruelling display that will likely be a fight of the year candidate.

At the weekend, Wardley and Clarke stepped through the ropes for a salivating rematch but this time around the contest was far more one-sided, as Wardley cracked the jaw of his rival in the opening round with a devastating right-hook that left Clarke unconscious, mouth agape and requiring surgery.One of the most vicious KOs I’ve ever seen. Look at the side of Clarke’s head. Also, look at his mouth. Emphatic display by Fabio Wardley. Sheesh. 🎥 @DAZNBoxingpic.twitter.com/OxLPNSnp28

— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) October 13, 2024

As a result, Wardley is now being left with the decision of whether he should opt to remain as the British champion and attempt the fourth championship contest victory that would see him the belt outright or alternatively attempt to capitalize on his newfound fame and make the jump to the world stage.

However, whilst many believe there to be a lack of remaining contenders for Wardley at the British level, English heavyweight champion Solomon Dacres told that he would relish the opportunity.Ben Whittaker is detained at airport

“He might go on and vacate but I am still trying to get on his tail, man.

“Hopefully [he is interested in winning the belt outright], I am all systems go for that one. Hopefully it would be something that we could get on.”

Although the Birmingham-born heavyweight is well poised for the belt if it were to be vacated, Dacres went on to admit that he would rather defeat the champion for the title, especially considering his belief that Wardley is tailor-made for his style.

“You’ve got to beat the champion to be the champion and that is what we want.”

“He is not the most technical boxer, but he can punch a bit and he is a game. He seems to have a bit of power, and he seems to have a bit of fighting spirit about him – which is something that you can’t take away from someone in the pro game.

“He is doing well for himself, especially coming from a white-collar background, but I just feel like I can be the one to give him a boxing lesson.”

Wardley has now been given an updated world ranking and it remains to be seen whether he will decline the allure of the biggest names in the division in favour of his goal to keep ahold of the illustrious British heavyweight title.

They say when it rains, it pours, and for light heavyweight Najee Lopez, it’s been more like a hurricane. With his Wednesday Night Fights bout delayed a week due to Hurricane Milton, Lopez (11-0, 8 KOs) has had to weather more than just the storm. 

Now, he's back in action, ready to face late-replacement Ismael Ocles (15-16-2, 3 KOs) in an eight-round contest on ProBox TV at the ProBox TV Events Center near Tampa, Florida.

Lopez, 25, is looking to make a statement and edge closer to contender status, but his road to this fight wasn’t smooth. Originally slated to fight last Wednesday, the storm forced him to take his camp on the road to Atlanta, where he mostly sparred with his brother, Hakim Lopez, while staying in touch with his Tampa-based trainer, Marc Farrait, who recently was the lead voice in Edgar Berlanga’s fight against Saul “Canelo” Alvarez.

"I’ve had to move around a lot with the hurricane hitting Tampa," Lopez told BoxingScene. "It’s been a drag, man. I had to train two weeks in a row up in Atlanta, working with my brother and some guys up here. It’s been tough being away from Coach, but we made it work."

Ecuador's Ocles, 34, steps in as a late replacement, with nothing to lose and everything to gain. Lopez, originally from Atlanta but now training in Tampa, recounted the difficulties of his travel as he navigated the aftermath of a storm that battered the Tampa area.

“We hit the road right before everyone got evacuated,” Lopez said. “A six-hour drive to Atlanta turned into 13 hours, but we got it done.”

Lopez described this camp as a mental challenge, forcing him to be more self-disciplined than ever. With the fight delayed by a week, Lopez reflected on the grueling process.

“Maintaining my weight, still training to stay locked in like I’m getting ready for a fight, because that’s exactly what I am doing,” Lopez said. “Then the fight was pushed to the 16th, so it’s another week of pushing myself.”

This time last week, British fight fans were anticipating yet another fight of the year candidate from Fabio Wardley and Frazer Clarke who were scheduled to meet for a second time after their enthralling Easter Sunday encounter ended in a draw. Yet, the contest played out much different this time around and Wardley has received an updated world ranking as a result.

Wardley and Clarke famously battled to a split-draw when they met at the end of March, topping the bill at the O2 Arena in one of the most captivating British title contests within recent memory.

As a result, the announcement that the pair would meet again on the Artur Beterbiev vs. Dmitry Bivol undercard was met with jubilation, as domestic fans predicted a similarly close-fought affair – with the victor likely to progress to the world stage in the near future.

However, Fabio Wardley had other plans and took the fight to the Tokyo 2020 bronze medallist from the sound of the opening bell onwards, landing a prodigious right-hook that cracked the jaw and dented the head of Clarke in the opening-round, rendering him unable to continue.One of the most vicious KOs I’ve ever seen. Look at the side of Clarke’s head. Also, look at his mouth. Emphatic display by Fabio Wardley. Sheesh. 🎥 @DAZNBoxingpic.twitter.com/OxLPNSnp28

— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) October 13, 2024

The authoritative display has seen Wardley receive plenty of plaudits, not only for his aggression but for his punch power, with many believing him to be amongst the hardest punchers in the division – as supported by his record of 17 KOs in 18 victories.Junto Nakatani retains WBC bantamweight title as Naoya Inoue pursuit continues

Whilst Clarke left the ring requiring surgery, Wardley stepped outside of the squared circle pondering who is next and whether he should stick around to defend his British title on one more occasion to win the Lonsdale Belt outright or focus on positioning himself for the heavyweight world titles, which are expected to become vacated during the aftermath of Fury-Usyk II.

Regardless of the prestige of the fabled British heavyweight title, Wardley may find it difficult to refuse the allure of the world stage, especially now that he has entered the Ring Magazine rankings, coming in at #9.📋 Fabio Wardley has now entered the Ring Magazine heavyweight rankings:

👑🇺🇦 Oleksandr Usyk 1️⃣🇬🇧 Tyson Fury 2️⃣🇬🇧 Daniel Dubois 3️⃣🇳🇿 Joseph Parker 4️⃣🇨🇳 Zhilei Zhang 5️⃣🇩🇪 Agit Kabayel 6️⃣🇨🇩 Martin Bakole 7️⃣🇬🇧 Anthony Joshua 8️⃣🇭🇷 Filip Hrgovic 9️⃣🇬🇧 Fabio Wardley 🔟🇳🇬 Efe Ajagba

— Michael Benson (@MichaelBensonn) October 15, 2024

Amongst the other sanctioning bodies, Fabio Wardley is ranked #12 with the IBF, #8 with the WBC and WBO and with the WBA, although his position with the latter three has not yet been updated following his demolition of Clarke.