As they say, life comes at you fast. For almost the entirety of 2022 and 2023, the fight to make for the 154-pound championship was Jermell Charlo vs. Tim Tszyu. Now you can get about six or seven names deep listing the top guys in the division before you think to mention either Tszyu or Charlo.

There’s nothing quite like a major upset at the top of a division to shake up the whole weight class, and yes, Tszyu’s loss Saturday night to Bakhram Murtazaliev was a major upset — even if there were a handful of people who’d studied Murtazaliev and saw some version of the upset coming . Tszyu, as it turns out, has no idea how to defend against a quick, hard left hook. Murtazaliev, as it turns out, is something of a bad-ass.

With Murtazaliev added to the mix, and with Tszyu not necessarily removed from the mix just yet, junior middleweight is, for my money, suddenly the second-deepest division in the sport, behind only lightweight. Among its players: Terence Crawford, Murtazaliev, Sebastian Fundora, Vergil Ortiz Jr., Serhii Bohachuk, Israil Madrimov, Charlo, Tszyu, Errol Spence, and Erickson Lubin. Plus the top welterweight in the world, Jaron “Boots” Ennis, could potentially join the fun at any time. And that’s to say nothing of undefeated 154-pound prospects Xander Zayas, Yoenis Tellez, and Charles Conwell and once-beaten Jesus Ramos Jr.

If you’re a matchmaker connected to one or more of these fighters, you pretty much can’t go wrong pairing them with any others among this group. There are probably 50 different combinations I’d pay to see right now. Here are my top 15:

1) Crawford vs. Ennis: OK, my top choice involves the one non-junior-middleweight among the names listed above. But it’s a fight I’m dying to see between two men with pound-for-pound-level abilities (one who’s proven it, one who’s strongly hinted at it), and the window to make it won’t be open forever. Crawford just turned 37. Ennis is 27 and in danger of wasting away. Is Crawford still the king? Does Boots have next? Whether the torch gets passed directly or the defiant old man slams the door in the young whippersnapper’s face, boxing fans win when they get answers rather than a lifetime of speculation.

2) Crawford vs. Murtazaliev: Accuse me of recency bias if you must, but Murtazaliev is the beast of the moment, and I love the idea of the consummate proven pro in Crawford defending his domain against the big, scary Russian. Put it in Moscow on Christmas Day if you want. In all seriousness, Crawford had a close shave against Madrimov last time out, and there’s concern that he’s undersized at 154 and/or starting to grapple with aging. Murtazaliev is a fine stand-in for Madrimov (albeit with a completely different style) to tell us if those concerns are legit.

3) Ennis vs. Ortiz: I promise, this is the last time I’ll insert a welterweight into these junior middleweight rankings. But Boots vs. Vergil has been the theoretical fight for the future of this weight range for about the last five years. And, as much as we may complain about fighters protecting their zeroes and undefeated records being overrated, it would be pretty cool if these two could meet before one of them gets bumped off by somebody else.

4) Murtazaliev vs. Madrimov: I’ll admit, I wasn’t overly familiar with either of these fighters three months ago. Nor should I have been; neither man had faced a championship-level fighter yet. Now they have, and Madrimov gave Crawford all he could handle tactically and Murtazaliev practically knocked Tszyu’s jaw off its hinges. These are two warriors from the same region with very different approaches but who may well be a dead-even matchup. And at the very least, we’ll all have a good laugh at the expense of whatever poor commentators get this assignment and fumble their way to saying “Murtrimov” and “Madaliev” and “Murmadrizalioviev” and so forth.

5) Murtazaliev vs. Ortiz: We were denied the mouth-watering Ortiz vs. Tszyu fight that briefly appeared on the schedule for August. So how about Ortiz against the guy who just beat Tszyu instead? Combined record: 45-0 with 38 KOs. Both fighters come forward, both fighters can take charge of a bout with one punch, and, though they’re each plenty skilled, neither seems overly preoccupied with defense — at least not at the expense of offense. 

6) Crawford vs. Ortiz: Instead of the combined 45-0 with 38 KOs referenced in the previous paragraph, here we’re talking a combined 63-0 with 52 KOs. This is Boots vs. Bud, Lite (if, like me, you consider Ennis a slightly higher-upside talent than Ortiz), two American fighters from separate generations meeting at the crossroads. What’s midway between Omaha and Dallas? Wichita, Kansas. Let’s do it outdoors in the spring at Riverfront Stadium, home of the Wichita Wind Surge of baseball’s Texas League. Guaranteed sellout.

7) Fundora vs. Tszyu II: Their first fight straddled the line between the action genre and the horror genre and clearly warranted a rematch, but it was never going to be immediate because they both needed time to heal up. Seven months have now passed, and there’s still no chance of immediacy, with Fundora planning on something of the “onward and upward” variety and Tszyu requiring a bit of a restart after losing again. Whenever it makes sense to happen a second time, the question will remain: Did Fundora only win the first fight because Tszyu’s cranium sprung a leak? There’s unfinished business, and for fight fans, the business was booming the first time around.

8) Tszyu vs. Spence: The Murtazaliev fight has left us asking if Tszyu is suddenly on the downside. If there’s one top junior middleweight with more uncertainty on that front than Tszyu, it’s Spence. The former pound-for-pounder has been out of the ring since July ’23, and is possibly plotting a return against Fundora. That’s a fine fight if it happens (although just outside my list of the 15 that I desire most). But Spence-Tszyu now has appeal as a loser-leaves-town type of match. A get-well tune-up next is probably the wisest course of action for both of them, but after that, I wouldn’t mind seeing this as an elite matchup in division’s loser’s bracket.

9) Bohachuk vs. Madrimov: This is the only fight in the top 15 that’s actually on the schedule. It’s the co-feature on Dec. 21 in Saudi Arabia to the Oleksandr Usyk-Tyson Fury heavyweight championship rematch. And who doesn’t love a little top-flight Ukrainian-on-Uzbek action? Both are coming off disputed losses — not quite “controversial,” but close enough to make the case — to elite American 154-pounders on U.S. soil. Bohachuk dropped a majority decision to Ortiz by two points on two cards. Madrimov lost a unanimous decision to Crawford by two points on two cards. Whoever wins in Riyadh in December deserves another shot at the big time.

10) Ortiz vs. Fundora: We tend not to think of Fundora in the same “elite prospect” category into which Ortiz and Ennis fall, but he and Ortiz are the same age — 26 — so until Boots moves up, this is the best possible pairing of young American junior middles. More importantly, I just don’t see how a single second of this fight could be boring. I suppose there’s a chance it’s over quickly, since Ortiz is a vicious body-puncher and Fundora is basically 6½ feet of walking exposed rib. But even if it proves brief, it won’t be dull.

11) Charlo vs. Spence: It’s a bit unusual that we got outside my top 10 before working the lineal 154-pound champ into a matchup, but Charlo is an odd case. He’s been out of the ring for 13 months and last fought at junior middleweight nearly 2½ years ago, so he’s not quite top of mind. But he is, technically, still the man who beat the man here, having unified all the belts against Brian Castano and never lost them (nor defended them collectively, for that matter) in the ring. Anyway, Charlo insists he’s still active and insists he still wants to fight at 154, and I don’t see how you could go wrong by pairing him with Spence in an all-Texas meeting of star veterans with rust to remove.

12) Murtazaliev vs. Bohachuk: We have to complete the former-Soviet-Union round robin. And whereas Madrimov inserts some herky-jerky trickster elements into his fights, Bohachuk vs. Murtazaliev is more of a can’t-miss from an action perspective. Stylistic subtleties have their place. But two dudes cracking each other’s chin — skillfully, mind you — is a timeless art.

13) Charlo vs. Tszyu: Just because a lot has changed in the last two years, and most of it for the worse for these fighters, that doesn’t mean this wouldn’t still be a first-rate fight. And it would still feature the lineal champ (just not against his top contender, as once would have been the case). As with all things Tim Tszyu right now, a tune-up prior is advised. But the outcome of Charlo-Tszyu is just as tough to predict now as it was in 2022 or ‘23.

14) Crawford vs. Charlo: This was also a more marketable fight before Charlo mailed in his performance against Canelo Alvarez and then went into hiding. But it’s still a fine matchup of veteran names, Charlo may still have plenty left (nobody really knows), and if he doesn’t, at least it would hand off the lineal title to the fighter generally regarded as the man to beat at 154.

15) Crawford vs. Fundora: One of the alphabet groups tried in August to order this as a title unification, and that doesn’t mean it’s going to happen, but I do slightly prefer it to Fundora-Spence. Look, no matter how great a 5’8” fighter is, you never know quite how he’s going to do against a 6’6” fighter until you see them in the ring together. If Fundora beats Spence, we probably will see Crawford-Fundora. And it sure would be nice if Crawford — who has countless other attractive options — wasn’t just sitting on the sidelines until then.

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.

Boxing Insider Promotions will showcase the next generation of East Coast boxers on its November 16 card, streaming live on DAZN from The Showroom at Tropicana Atlantic City.

Amongst the unbeaten fighters featured are welterweight Avious Griffin, 15-0 (14 KOs), and Baltimore bantamweight Dominique “Dimes” Crowder, 17-0 (10 KOs), who will fight in separate eight-round contests. 

Griffin, 30, is a heavy-handed former Tennessee State Champion, currently on an eight-fight knockout streak, and will face 12-2-1 (6 KOs) Adrian Gutierrez in the main event. 

Crowder, also 30, is ranked No. 14 by the WBA, and trained by Mark Breland and Jose Guzman.

Additional fighters to watch include Long Island super middleweight Donte Layne, 4-0 (4 KOs), as well as junior middleweight Dwyke Flemmings, Jr. 8-0 (8 KOs).

Layne, a gifted southpaw, faces Shaquille Cameron, 7-3, (6 KOs), in a six-round bout and is a gold medalist from the 2022 USA National Championships.

Flemmings, Jr., 20, a silver medalist at the 2018 USA Junior Olympics, will fight an opponent to be announced in a scheduled six-round match.

Completing the card are a number of local fighters, including junior middleweight Justin “Mr. Atlantic City” Figueroa, 10-0 (8 KOs), heavyweight Bruce “Atlantic City Express 2.0” Seldon Jnr,  3-0 (3 KOs), and lightweight Francisco Rodriguez, 5-0 (5 KOs). 

Figueroa, 25, will take on Omar Rosales 9-3-1 (5 KOs) in a six-round match. Seldon, Jnr, 30, son of former WBA heavyweight champion Bruce Seldon Snr, faces Zach Calmus, 1-1 (1 KO) in a four-round bout.

The card will also feature promising Hawaiian lightweight Shere Mae Patricio, 2-0 (1 KO), a gold medalist at the 2023 USA Women’s National Golden Gloves. Patricio is set to fight an opponent to be announced in a four-round match.

“It’s amazing to bring local boxing back to Atlantic City with a strong mix of local and regional fighters,” said the show’s promoter Larry Goldberg. “I am excited that once again DAZN will be streaming the event and continue showing its commitment to grassroots boxing.”

Junior welterweight Jamaine “The Technician” Ortiz will return to action in the main event of the "Night of Champions", scheduled for Friday, November 1, 2024, at the Caribe Royale Hotel in Orlando, Florida. 

The bout will be a 10-round main event following his unanimous decision loss to Teofimo Lopez in February. Ortiz, 17-2-1 (8 KOs), of Worcester, Massachusetts, is looking to regain momentum as a significant contender in the junior welterweight division.

In the co-main event, meanwhile, undefeated super featherweight Kaipo Gallegos, 6-0-1 (5 KOs), from Las Vegas, Nevada, will risk his "0" against Iron Alvarez, 15-2 (11 KOs), from Tampa, Florida, in an eight-round bout.

Amaury Piedra, President of Boxlab Promotions, spoke about the depth of the card. “Jamaine Ortiz is a proven warrior with a tremendous skill set, and we’re looking forward to seeing him fight,” said Piedra. “The co-main event is also one to watch with our rising star, Kaipo Gallegos, taking on a dangerous puncher in Iron Alvarez. The entire card is stacked with talent, and we’re confident fans will see some future stars in action on November 1st.”

The highly anticipated press conference for the rematch between Oleksandr Usyk and Tyson Fury has been confirmed. The event will begin at 12:00 p.m. ET and 5:00 p.m. in the UK. This will be the official launch of the promotion for their much-awaited fight, which is set to take place on December 21 at the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

In their first encounter, held on May 18, 2024, at the same venue, Usyk surprised many by defeating Fury via split decision after 12 intense rounds. Usyk, undefeated with a record of 22 wins and 0 losses, currently holds the heavyweight titles from The Ring, the World Boxing Council (WBC), the World Boxing Organization (WBO), and the World Boxing Association (WBA Super).

The press conference is scheduled for Wednesday, October 23. The event will begin at 12:00 p.m. ET and 5:00 p.m. in the UK.

Fury, on the other hand, will be looking to redeem himself after that loss and add another victory to his record, which currently stands at 34 wins, 1 loss, and 1 draw. This rematch is crucial for Fury, as a victory could bring him closer to a highly anticipated bout against Anthony Joshua, which could take place in 2025. However, Usyk, fully aware of his standing as one of the best heavyweights in the world, is determined to keep his undefeated streak intact.

In addition to the main event, the Usyk vs Fury 2 card will feature several exciting matchups. One of the most anticipated is the heavyweight contest between rising star Moses Itauma and experienced fighter Demsey McKean. There will also be a thrilling British clash between Johnny Fisher and Dave Allen, both vying for prominence in the heavyweight division.

In the light middleweight category, former WBA world champion Israil Madrimov will take on Serhii Bohachuk. Additionally, Dennis McCann, the current European super bantamweight champion, will defend his title against mandatory challenger Peter McGrail.

Finally, Isaac Lowe will kick off the event with a featherweight bout against Scotland’s Lee McGregor, who comes in strong after winning his last two fights by knockout.Usyk vs Fury 2 – Card:

Oleksandr Usyk vs Tyson Fury: For Usyk’s WBA Super, WBC, and WBO heavyweight titles.

Serhii Bohachuk vs Israil Madrimov: Light middleweight bout.Adam Azim wants world title fight next

Moses Itauma vs Demsey McKean: Heavyweight bout.

Johnny Fisher vs Dave Allen: Heavyweight bout.

Dennis McCann vs Peter McGrail: For the European super bantamweight title.

Isaac Lowe vs Lee McGregor: Featherweight bout.🗣️ Oleksandr Usyk and Tyson Fury will meet at a launch press conference (5 pm UK/12 pm ET) on Wednesday, October 23 to promote their Dec 21 bout in Riyadh for the unified WBA/WBC/WBO Heavyweight title. pic.twitter.com/PnYAbtTrre

— EverythingBoxing (@EverythingBoxi2) October 22, 2024

There have been many false starts in the career of Michael Gomez Jnr.

Time and time again throughout the course of his 10-year career the super featherweight has threatened to break through only to fall out of love with the sport and drift away.

Importantly, though, Gomez Jnr always came back. 

Gomez Jnr has been consistently fighting at championship level for the past two years and on Saturday night, the Mancunian fights British and Commonwealth champion Reece Bellotti for the title he has spent years obsessing over; the title his father, Michael Snr, famously held. 

The perseverance has paid off.

“Two fights ago, I boxed at Oldham Leisure Centre in a six-rounder,” Gomez Jnr, 21-1 (6 KOs), told BoxingScene.

“I was thinking in my head, ‘What am I doing here now? I'm back down here. I've won an English title fight [Gomez Jnr beat Levi Giles in March 2023] which wasn't the best performance and broke both my hands and I’m having to come back.’

“Kevin [Maree, his manager] was like, ‘Stick with it, stick with it.’ He got me an English title defence in my last fight and I've shown that if I’m disciplined, dedicated and switched on I can do damage to people in this way.

“The British title to me, is a world title. If you offered me an IBF, WBC, whatever world title, or a British title, I'm taking the British title. That might sound stupid but, to me, it’s everything. I’ll have won all four domestic belts.”

Five years ago, it would have been difficult to find somebody willing to say that Gomez Jnr would make it to this point through sheer persistence and dedication. The 29-year-old is a naturally fit, talented fighter but readily admits that he has only recently started taking the sport seriously.

Gomez Jnr isn’t ignorant to the gossip that has circulated around him. These days he is also mature enough to accept that one or two of the rumours that he can reel off were true. 

“I've had more trainers than JD Sports. No dedication. No discipline. Doesn’t care about boxing. Bad attitude. Doesn't want to listen, doesn't want to learn,” he said. “You ask Michael [Jennings, his trainer] now, I am one of the hardest learners in the gym. I listen to anyone.

“I'm pecking somebody's ear all the time. I want to learn off everyone.”

Fighters are complicated characters and maybe, deep in Gomez Jnr’s subconscious, he spent the first half of his career creating a ready-made excuse for why he hadn’t fulfilled his potential.

He has got here in spite of himself and is now within touching distance of achieving his lifetime’s ambition. Gomez Jnr talks as if the weight of the world has been lifted from his shoulders. 

“I love this game. Four or five years ago, I hated it. It knocked me sick because I was so scared of failing to get to this moment,” he said. “I didn't think I'd ever get to this moment, I'll be honest with you, and now I'm here. I've done it. I've got nothing else to lose. If I lose now, at least I lost at this level. I can live with that.

“I can live with failing at that level. I could not live with not knowing if I could do it to get here. Not only have I got here now, I'm literally only just doing my best now. I'm only just hitting my best prime right now so who knows what's going to happen from here? I’m excited. I'm excited to go.”

Bellotti, 19-5 (14 KOs), is enjoying something of an Indian summer to an exciting career. Five years ago, the 33-year-old from Watford suffered three consecutive defeats and looked to have hit a dead end. Rather than giving in, he rededicated himself to the sport and has reeled off five straight victories, collecting Area, Commonwealth and British titles along the way.

This year he has beaten Liam Dillon and Levi Giles and looked, arguably, a better and more complete fighter than ever. 

After defending his title against Kane Baker in July, Gomez Jnr decided he needed a change of tack if he was to fulfill his potential and joined up with rising trainer Michael Jennings.

The all-action 29-year-old is a confident character and has always claimed that he had the beating of Bellotti. Teaming up with Jennings has bolstered that self-belief even further and although he is extremely aware of the danger Bellotti poses, he is willing to go to extremes to win the titles this weekend.

“Listen, I make mistakes that they're going to want to capitalise on and that they think they can capitalise on, but there's just certain things that me and Mike have been working on.

“Everyone can see it. There's certain things that he does wrong and if he does it wrong against me and I land with the shots that I need to land with, I'm going to turn his lights out.

“I've got 36 minutes to get what I want.

“I just know he's going to make the mistakes I want him to make and I know I can make him make them early.

“The only chance he's got is that he’s meant to be a big puncher and, in the eight-ounce gloves, if he's a big puncher and he lands clean, who knows what's going to happen? If he doesn't knock me out I guarantee you that unless I leave on my back in an ambulance, he's not beating me on Saturday night.

“I'm not willing to get beat on points. I won't be able to live with myself on that Sunday morning if I did that. If I'm down going into the last round, I'm going to put my head down and I will just swing away. That’s how dramatic I'm willing to be.”

Adam Azim has made his ambition clear to fight for a world title in his next bout. During a recent interview with Sky Sports Boxing, Azim and his promoter, Barry McGuigan,

McGuigan praised Azim’s performance in his latest fight, mentioning in a podcast that the boxer delivered an impressive showing. “On the Toe2Toe podcast, which will be available for download later today, we mentioned that we were very happy that Adam got the rounds in,” McGuigan stated. Although he acknowledged that Azim could have finished the fight in the fifth round, he highlighted the value of the extra rounds.

“He knows he could have stepped it up a bit earlier and finished the fight in the fifth round, but those extra rounds were invaluable,” he added.

Azim’s growth over the past year was also a key point in the interview. According to McGuigan, the work done with coach Shane McGuigan has been crucial in developing Azim’s aggression, his ability to press forward and close the distance, and his counter-punching skills. “Traditionally, he’s a technical boxer with great footwork and speed, but he hits extremely hard, especially with that left hook, though his right hand is a bomb too,” McGuigan explained.During the interview, Adam Azim was asked about his immediate plans, and he responded clearly: he wants to fight for the IBO world title.

“There’s a vacant IBO world title, and I want to target that next. Whoever they put in front of me, I’ll take it,” Azim declared.

It’s important to note that the IBO world title is not recognized as a major world title and doesn’t hold as much significance as some of the other top titles. However, as of 2023, the IBO title has been unified with three of the four major governing bodies in boxing — the WBA, IBF, and WBO — across several weight divisions.

The young boxer emphasized his goal of continuing to develop and taking on more significant opponents, mentioning that fights against rivals like Harlem Eubank and Dalton Smith are on the horizon but should happen at the right time.

Adam Azim, who solidified his place as a world contender after his victory over Ohara Davies, expressed his willingness to take on big fights. “If I’m offered a big fight, I’ll take it with both hands,” he stated, emphasizing the importance of timing and making sure everything is in place, including the possibility of a Pay-Per-View event.

For his part, Barry McGuigan stressed the importance of not rushing decisions and making sure his fighter is fully prepared to face elite competition. “It’s easy to make the mistake of rushing in and getting your fighter beaten when he’s not ready,” McGuigan warned.Bill Haney reveals what he believes his son is owed by Ryan Garcia after De La Hoya taunt

Although he acknowledged that Adam Azim has the ability to defeat boxers like Liam Paro, José Valenzuela, or Alberto Puello, he emphasized that the current focus is on allowing him to continue developing gradually.

“I’m not saying Adam isn’t ready because he could beat guys like Liam Paro, José Valenzuela, or Alberto Puello right now, but we still think he’s developing. It’s better to take those fights when it’s the natural next step,” McGuigan said.

McGuigan also commented on the need to keep Azim active, especially after he lost ten months of training due to an ankle injury.

“Harlem Eubank and Dalton Smith are both possible future fights, no question, but we want to get him out again before Christmas. He damaged his ankle and was out for 10 months, which is time we can’t get back. We need to keep him busy. I had 12 fights in my first year as a pro. So we want him to be busy, because activity especially when you’re young is absolutely essential. Adam’s 22, so he’s got all the time in the world, but in British boxing, we want it now, not tomorrow,” the promoter concluded.

With a world title in sight and the support of an experienced team, Adam Azim seems to be on the right path to becoming one of the major figures in international boxing.

Michael Buffer, the iconic voice of boxing, surprised the world with an unexpected invitation for Samantha Irvin after she announced her departure from WWE. Buffer expressed his desire for the talented announcer to explore a career in boxing following her exit from World Wrestling Entertainment.

Samantha Irvin announced her departure from WWE, which sparked a wave of reactions on social media. Although her decision was partly fueled by rumors of pregnancy with former WWE superstar Ricochet, Irvin’s focus seems to lie beyond that.Michael Buffer, who has been a key figure in the presentation of boxing matches worldwide, joined the conversation after Irvin’s announcement.

On his official X account, Buffer

“NO!💔 My wife and I are so sorry to hear this as I’m sure millions of other @WWE fans are. Samantha is brilliant & super professional as announcer + her musical talent as a singer & flautist are amazing! All the best to her moving forward w/her career & perhaps we’ll see her in future events including boxing & MMA!” Michael Buffer wrote on X.

These words suggest that the legendary announcer hopes Irvin will consider transitioning into the world of boxing.

Irvin’s farewell message,

“WWE Universe, my time has come to an end as your Monday Night ‘Raw’ ring announcer,” Irvin wrote. “I love you all tremendously and this does not mark the end of my art, I have a lifetime more to

She thanked both past and present WWE superstars for their dedication and commitment to entertaining fans. Irvin acknowledged the physical and emotional effort required to be part of the sports entertainment industry.

Samantha Irvin also expressed gratitude to several backstage members of WWE. She highlighted Brian “Road Dogg” James, Scott Armstrong, Gabe Sapolsky, and George Carroll Jr. for giving her the opportunity to showcase her talent. Additionally, she thanked WWE Director HHH and Mark Henry, who gave her a big break in the company. Irvin assured them that she always tried to make them proud with her performance.Bill Haney reveals what he believes his son is owed by Ryan Garcia after De La Hoya taunt

It’s worth noting that Irvin made it clear her departure from WWE does not mark the end of her career. The talented announcer left the door open for new professional opportunities. Furthermore, Michael Buffer’s invitation for Samantha Irvin to join the world of boxing has piqued curiosity among fans of both sports. Buffer’s public recognition of Irvin’s skills as an announcer and her potential in a new arena could open an unexpected door for the former Monday Night Raw host.

With this possibility in the air, Irvin’s transition into boxing could be one of the most exciting surprises in the world of sports entertainment in the coming months.NO!💔 My wife and I are so sorry to hear this as I’m sure millions of other @WWE fans are. Samantha is brilliant & super professional as announcer+her musical talent as a singer & flautist are amazing! All the best to her moving forward w/her career & perhaps we’ll see her in… https://t.co/ZzUD9XfjIj

— Michael Buffer (@Michael_Buffer) October 21, 2024

pic.twitter.com/RpkLIYkpNN

— Samantha Irvin (@SamanthaTheBomb) October 21, 2024

In a recent interview with Sky Sports, former boxer and now trainer George Groves introduced a new prospect. Groves, who rose to fame in the boxing world, believes this young talent will be the “future of boxing.”

George Groves, who fought in the 75-kilogram division as an amateur, has a remarkable track record. He won the Senior ABA Championship in 2006 and 2007, triumphing in several international arenas. During his amateur career, Groves accumulated 66 wins in 76 fights, with 40 of those victories coming by stoppage. One of his most notable achievements was his victory over James DeGale, who later went on to become an Olympic and world champion.

Groves currently works as a trainer at the Dale Youth Academy. This gym is well-known in the boxing community for having trained figures such as Groves himself, Olympic gold medalist James DeGale, and heavyweight Daniel Dubois.Now, George Groves has taken on the role of trainer for Lucas Roehrig, a young boxing prospect aiming to make a name for himself in the cruiserweight division.

During the interview, Groves expressed his excitement about Roehrig’s potential. According to Groves, the young boxer has shown phenomenal talent and has significantly improved over the past few years as an amateur. The trainer is fully confident that now is the time for Roehrig to shine as a professional and climb to the top of the boxing world.

Roehrig, 21, is preparing for his new stage as a professional. The boxer debuted on November 27, 2011, against Isaac Okoh, and currently holds a record of 13 wins, 4 losses, and 5 knockouts. This talented fighter has gained experience facing tough opponents and has also sparred with IBF cruiserweight champion Jai Opetaia.

With George Groves’ support, Lucas Roehrig seems to have a bright future ahead. As he continues his career at the Dale Youth Academy, both Groves and boxing fans will be eager to see how the young boxer progresses on the global professional boxing stage.Meet the new talent George Groves is looking to take to the top 🤝 pic.twitter.com/dFAIrBbVNl

— Sky Sports Boxing (@SkySportsBoxing) October 22, 2024Amateur sensation to challenge for WBA world title in fourth professional bout

https://t.co/zKj1jili1s

— Lucas Roehrig (@LucasRoehrig) October 22, 2024

Idris Abdurashidov is an undefeated mixed martial artist. But when things weren’t going his way in his pro boxing debut — he was losing the bout and seemed frustrated by the fouls he was receiving himself — the 21-year-old fighter from Russia turned back to what he does best.

Faraji briefly had Abdurashidov in a loose headlock twice in the second round and thrice more in the third, though that foul move is something that at least happens on occasion in boxing. Later in the third, the referee warned Abdurashidov for raising his left knee as Faraji approached with two punches.

Faraji appeared to be winning the fight as it entered the fourth and final round. That result seemed even more certain when some tussling between the two men led to the referee docking a point from Abdurashidov. The referee soon incorrectly ruled a knockdown after Faraji shoved Abdurashidov downward, his gloves touching the canvas. At another point, Faraji appeared to hit Abdurashidov with a left hand below the belt. The referee called time for Abdurashidov to recover.

And when the fight seemed as if it couldn’t get any filthier, Faraji threw a left hand, curled his right arm around Abdurashidov and spun him face first into the ropes. Immediately afterward, Abdurashidov threw a lead left kick that struck Faraji flush in the head. Faraji collapsed to the canvas. Abdurashidov gave a spiteful look as he walked away, the referee waving his arm and guiding Abdurashidov away from his fallen opponent.’

One person could be seen in the bleachers, standing and clapping. 

Faraji’s team and several other people angrily approached Abdurashidov’s corner. Abdurashidov had already ducked between the ropes and out of the ring.

Calm prevailed. Faraji by then was awake and back on his feet. 

Faraji is now 3-0 (2 KOs). Abdurashidov is now 0-1 as a boxer and remains 4-0 (4 KOs) in MMA. His last MMA bout was in September with One Championship in Bangkok.

Evander Holyfield, a legendary four-time heavyweight world champion, has faced some of boxing’s biggest names, including Larry Holmes, Lennox Lewis, and Mike Tyson. Yet, according to Holyfield, the hardest punch he ever endured didn’t come from any of them—it came from George Foreman.

In a recent interview with ESNEWS, Holyfield revealed that during his 1991 fight against Foreman, he felt like Foreman had knocked out all his teeth with a single punch. Despite winning the fight by unanimous decision, Holyfield admitted that Foreman’s power left a lasting impression.

“The guy that hit me the hardest was George Foreman. He hit me one time in the eleventh round, and I came back to the corner and I said, ‘Did he knock all my teeth out?’” Holyfield shared.

The 1991 bout occurred during the second phase of Foreman’s career, as he sought to become the oldest world champion in boxing history. Though Foreman lost the fight to Holyfield, he achieved his goal three years later, winning the heavyweight title at 45. Holyfield, who managed to remain undefeated against Foreman, continued his legendary career with a series of memorable fights, including a loss to Riddick Bowe in 1992 and later avenging it.

Holyfield’s journey through boxing includes iconic victories like his 1996 win over Mike Tyson, regaining the WBA title. Their infamous rematch in 1997 ended with Tyson being disqualified for biting Holyfield’s ear, cementing their rivalry in boxing history.

Though Holyfield retired in 2011, he briefly returned to the ring in 2021 for an exhibition match against MMA fighter Vitor Belfort, where he was knocked out in the first round. Now 62, Holyfield remains a beloved figure in the sport, having been the only undisputed world champion in both the cruiserweight and heavyweight divisions.

Holyfield’s potential return to the ring had also been rumored, with reports suggesting a possible matchup against YouTube star KSI. However, those plans were ultimately scrapped, and Holyfield has since fully stepped away from boxing.

Meanwhile, his old rival Mike Tyson has been generating buzz with his own return to the spotlight, as he gears up for a controversial fight against YouTube star Jake Paul, scheduled for November 15 at AT&T Stadium in Texas.

#EvanderHolyfield #GeorgeForeman #HardestPunch #BoxingLegends #HeavyweightChampion #MikeTyson #BoxingHistory #BoxingComebacks #FightNight #RiddickBowe #JakePaul #KSI

Knowing the history of how dishonest aging fighters can be with themselves, it’s only natural to wonder what becomes of former two-time 140-pound world champion Regis Prograis as he stares down an overseas fight against a younger, higher-ranked opponent.

Is Saturday’s match against England’s Jack Catterall in Manchester a final reckoning for Prograis? Or is it the perfect opportunity for the 35-year-old to regenerate himself following last year’s sluggish title-fight loss to Devin Haney?

This is why the crowd will arrive at Co-op Live Arena, why the viewing public will watch on DAZN, and why Prograis, 29-2 (24 KOs), rejects the premise that the downhill portion of his career has arrived.

“Yes, you need to always ask yourself, ‘Can I still do this?’ I know I can. The decline of age is not a factor at all,” Prograis told BoxingScene/ProBox TV on Monday.

“I can still do all the work. I’m still fast. My reflexes are still strong. I just want to go out there and show people I still have it. I feel better than when I was 27. I can still take punches. My body is still durable. I have my speed; I have everything.

“We can talk all day. I just want to show people. Saturday night for me is all about showing I can erase any doubts in anyone’s mind, telling them, ‘Don’t ever doubt me again.’”

If Prograis’ self-defensive words seem overdone, perhaps that’s because his last bout was so underwhelming.

He set a CompuBox record in the worst way by landing only 36 punches in 12 rounds as Devin Haney defended his WBC 140-pound belt on December 9, scoring a third-round knockdown en route to a clean sweep (120-107) on all three judges’ scorecards in Haney’s hometown of San Francisco.

That bout seems forever ago given all that happened in Haney’s scandal-ridden no-contest bout in April against Ryan Garcia.

“With the Haney fight, it was a mind thing,” Prograis said. “I had a lot of distractions going on inside the camp. I trained too long. Everything that could’ve gone bad went bad.

“It was a big mental warfare thing, too, being that we did all the talking. That was something I took on. I was enjoying talking all that (stuff) to (Haney’s father-manager-trainer) Bill (Haney) instead of thinking about the fight. My coach was doing the same thing, and they kind of got into our heads about talking. Mentally, I was already beaten.

“And, yes, Haney has a good style, but I think Jack Catterall’s style is made for me.”

Catterall, 31, is coming off his most significant victory yet, a unanimous-decision triumph over former undisputed 140-pound champion Josh Taylor on May 25. This victory came two years after many believed Catterall, 29-1 (13 KOs), took Taylor’s belts in a disputed split-decision bout, with Taylor having previously defeated Prograis by majority decision in an October 2019 unification match at the O2 Arena.

Now, Prograis returns overseas and embraces this “me-against-the-world” mindset in a bout occurring just 25 miles from Catterall’s hometown of Chorley.

“I do have doubts about Catterall’s resume because he’s not on my level. We have two common opponents: Josh Taylor and Tyrone McKenna, who I stopped in six rounds, and he went the distance with, with Tyrone pushing him,” Prograis said. “(Taylor’s) his best win. If you take Josh Taylor off my resume, I’m still a two-time champion. If you take him off his, where does Catterall go?

“There’s nothing else, and there are levels. I want to show people my skills are levels above his … not just a few. He’ll see.”

By being ranked No. 2 by the WBC and WBO, Catterall is positioned to challenge the winner of the pending WBC title bout between Alberto Puello and Sandor Martin, and to WBO champion Teofimo Lopez, especially if top-ranked Arnold Barboza Jr. loses next month to former champion Jose Ramirez in Saudi Arabia.

Prograis, ranked No. 7 by three of the sanctioning bodies, sees a path back to a title fight by defeating Catterall.

“That’s a real good thing. This is probably the biggest fight you can make at 140 outside of having the belts on the line,” he said. “I want to be a champion again, so I know it’s going to come (toward me) even quicker. When I lost my belt to Josh Taylor, it took me three years to win a championship again. It won’t take me another three years. I just want to go out there and perform and be me and have fun. Every day of sparring was a good day—95 percent—for me. Before every round, my coach would tell me, ‘Go have fun.’ If I do that, I’ll show my level. I want to show my skills. Obviously, I’m a big puncher. I want to show myself being relaxed, going out there and having fun.”

He either executes that plan or Prograis risks sinking into an abyss of consecutive defeats, knowing the calendar of his career is seeing valuable days fly away—for good.

“I lost the belt to Josh Taylor, got it back against a killer by knocking out Jose Zepeda, a guy who’d never been stopped,” Prograis reminded.

“Don’t doubt me. You cannot doubt me. I’m still the man at 140. I’m still him.”

Former world titleholder O'Shaquie Foster has unfinished business.

The 31-year-old Foster will face Robson Conceicao for the WBC junior lightweight title on November 2 at Turning Stone Resort Casino in Verona, New York. Foster lost his title to Conceicao via split decision in July, a controversial verdict that left him angered and motivated to become a two-time world champion.

After a decorated amateur career, Foster, 22-3 (12 KOs), turned pro in 2012. Following some early setbacks, he rebounded with a 12-fight winning streak under trainer Bobby Benton, capturing the WBC strap by outpointing Rey Vargas in February 2023. Foster defended his crown with a thrilling 12th-round stoppage of Rocky Hernandez on enemy turf before outboxing Abraham Nova to a points verdict in his second defense.

“The fight was easy,” Foster said. “I didn't see where the judges got that decision. But the fight was easy for me. I only saw that I could have been more active and let my hands go in certain situations more.

“There are a lot of things I can do in that ring. I feel like I could have just put together more combinations. I could have done a little bit more. But now I get the opportunity to do it again. Not everybody gets that opportunity. A lot of times, people get robbed, and they don't get the rematch. So I’m fortunate to get that rematch, and I’m looking to let my hands go more.

“I feel like he might try to come out and do something different, but if you watch his fights, he fights the same way every time. He doesn't switch it up too much. But, in my eyes, I’m just focused on what I can do. I'm good with rematches. I used to get them a lot in the amateurs and always avenged them. This is my first one in the pros, so I’m excited about it. It’s going to be fun.

“I want the biggest fights. We’ve got the Emanuel Navarrete vs. Oscar Valdez fight on December 7. So, I feel like it will line up perfectly.”

#OShaquieFoster #RobsonConceicao #WBC #Boxing #FightNight #Rematch #JuniorLightweight #BoxingNews #Sports #Motivation #BoxingChampionship

The European Boxing Union (EBU) has announced that heavyweight champion Oleksandr "The Hunter" Zakhozhyi, 19-0, will make a voluntary defense of the title on November 23 at the Olympic Center in Heidelberg, Germany, against Swiss veteran Arnold "The Cobra" Gjergjaj, 38-3, in a co-promotion by Blanko Sports and SES.

Also on the bill is IBF Atomweight champion Sumire Yamanaka (8-0), who defends her title against Fabiana Bytyqi (21-1-2).

In another SES and Blanko Sports show scheduled for December 7 in Aschersleben, WBO Youth super welter title holder Julian Vogel (15-0-1) will defend his title against fellow German John Bilenberg (7-1).

Italian heavyweight Diego Lenzi, who represented Italy in the 2024 Olympics, has turned pro and signed with The Art of Fighting (TAF). However, Lenzi will continue his career in "Olympic" boxing, aiming for the 2028 Olympics—though it remains uncertain if boxing will still be part of the Games by then.

I extend my best wishes to Salita Promotions and David Berlin in their protest to the German Federation regarding the scoring in the fight between William Scull and Vladimir Shishkin. It was a very close fight. I watched it on TV, and my scorecard aligns with that of French judge Ammar Sakraoui, who had it 115-113 for Scull. I scored it 115-114 for Scull, differing only on the first round, which I scored even. The American judge Robert Hoyle’s score of 116-112 appears too wide; however, the rounds were indeed very close. Shishkin might have turned the fight around with more aggression, but that could have left him vulnerable to counters.

In other weekend action, Spaniard Samuel Molina (30-3) won the EBU welterweight title with a majority decision against defending champion Jordy Weiss (32-1-1) in Laval, France. The scorecards read 115-112, 116-113, and 114-114 in favor of Molina.

In the chief support, Kirstie Bavington (9-5-2) claimed the vacant female welter title with a split decision over Marine Beauchamp (6-2-1). The scores were 98-92 and 97-93 for Bavington and 96-94 for Beauchamp.

Swedish and BBU cruiser king Samo Jangirov (9-5-3) will face Estonian Madis Hiiet (2-2) on November 16 in Espoo, Finland. The event, billed as the Scandinavian Showdown, will be promoted by Elite Boxing and feature 13 fights, showcasing boxers from Sweden, Norway, and Finland.

#BoxingNews #OleksandrZakhozhyi #ArnoldGjergjaj #EBU #WBO #IBF #OlympicBoxing #Heavyweight #WomenInBoxing #BoxingTitles #ScandinavianShowdown

Former junior lightweight titleholder Andrew Cancio made a triumphant return to the ring on Saturday night in Sonora, Mexico, delivering a knockout victory over Gustavo Molina in the sixth round.

Cancio, 22-5-2 (17 KOs), dropped Molina, 24-27 (9 KOs), in both the first and second rounds. The lightweight bout was scheduled for eight rounds, but Cancio’s power ensured it didn’t go the distance.

This marked Cancio's first fight since his November 2019 stoppage loss to Rene Alvarado. The 35-year-old from Blythe, California, captured the WBA junior lightweight title in 2019 with a fourth-round knockout of Alberto Machado, repeating the feat in their June rematch, this time securing a third-round knockout. However, his year ended with the defeat to Alvarado, sidelining him until now.

An announcement regarding Cancio's next fight is expected soon.

#AndrewCancio #BoxingNews #Knockout #Sonora #Lightweight #WBA #ReturnToTheRing #CancioVsMolina #BoxingHighlights #SportsNews

Fighters crossing over from the world of MMA into professional boxing has become the norm in recent years, with notable names such as Conor McGregor and Francis Ngannou encouraging an influx at the lower echelons of the sport. However, one undefeated mixed martial artist now faces a lifetime ban from boxing after a horrific debut.

Idris ‘Aggressor’ Abdurashidov boasts a record of 3-0 in Muay Thai and 4-0 as an MMA fighter, having scored a second-round stoppage win over Kazakbai Tilenov on his debut with popular MMA franchise ONE Championship last month.

This month, the Russian decided to try his hand at boxing and stepped through the ropes to take on Bagher Faraji (2-0) at the Ali Boxing Club in Phuket, Thailand.

After dominating all four rounds, Iran’s Faraji was well on his way to handing Abdurashidov a first professional defeat in combat sports until the debutant threw a brutal head kick in the final round of the contest, sending Faraji crashing headfirst into the canvas.

Instantaneously, a decision was made, and Abdurashidov has been banned from boxing professionally. There have also been calls for the ‘Aggressor’ to be banned from ONE Championship as well.

Yet, amid all the speculation, Abdurashidov did not seem remorseful in an Instagram post after the incident, labeling the kick as a “machine gun.” He wrote, “So he [I] debuted in professional boxing, and disqualification for life. This kick with the leg I threw away with a machine gun.”

Underneath the post, fans expressed their outrage at Abdurashidov’s lack of regret, with one user stating that the moment was “classless.”

“You were getting embarrassed, and you had to cheat. Classless, and I’m glad you’re banned for life. 0-1 boxing.”

“The leg kick and running away from the ring. If it had continued for another thirty seconds, you would have been knocked out.”

It remains to be seen whether Abdurashidov will be reprimanded by ONE Championship, although the viral nature of the incident will likely require a response from the respected combat sports promotion.

#IdrisAbdurashidov #BoxingDebut #MMAtoBoxing #CombatSports #BoxingNews #Disqualification #ONEChampionship #Controversy #HeadKick #SportsDrama

The Cuban invasion into professional boxing has been long anticipated, and now the proud boxing nation is poised for a landmark contest as one of their most accomplished amateurs seeks to achieve world honors in just his fourth professional bout.

Julio Cesar La Cruz, an Olympic gold medalist in both the light-heavyweight division at Rio 2016 and the heavyweight division at Tokyo 2020, has established himself as one of Cuba’s most impressive amateur talents, boasting an incredible five world championships while dominating the light-heavyweight and heavyweight divisions for almost 15 years.

In May 2022, ‘La Sombra’ made his professional debut in Mexico, scoring a knockout win over Deivis Casseres. He followed that performance with a second stoppage victory against Juan Rodolfo Juarez three months later. However, the now 35-year-old has fought only once since, banking ten rounds against Austine Nnamdi in a clash in Guinea in December 2023. That win crowned La Cruz as the WBA Gold bridgerweight champion.

Following a meeting with the IBA, the WBA has announced that La Cruz will challenge Muslim Gadzhimagomedov for the WBA bridgerweight title, as well as the less recognized IBA bridgerweight strap. The showdown is set to take place in Dubai this December, acting as a launchpad for regular fights between contenders on the IBA circuit and WBA-ranked world title hopefuls, as detailed on the WBA website.

“Another point to be discussed was the development of the IBA Champion’s Night, whose events have had the support of the WBA and include bouts for both regional and world titles of the pioneer organization. Fighters such as Albert Ramirez, Albert Batyrgaziev, and Muslim Gadzhimagomedov have had the opportunity to fight and win WBA championships in this great project.

“In addition, this occasion marks a step forward towards achieving a unified WBA-IBA fight in December, featuring Gadzhimagomedov facing Julio La Cruz in the ring in Dubai during the annual IBA congress. This congress will be significant as it aims to relaunch a league project similar to the old World Series of Boxing (WSB), offering opportunities for fighters from the IBA circuit to compete against boxers from the WBA rankings.”

As a result, Julio Cesar La Cruz will become the first Cuban boxer to fight in a world title contest while representing the CBF (Cuban Boxing Federation), and he will do so on his fourth different continent in as many professional outings.

#JulioCesarLaCruz #CubanBoxing #WorldTitleFight #BoxingHistory #OlympicChampion #Bridgerweight #WBA #IBA #BoxingNews #CombatSports

Public workouts in boxing can often feel like a necessary evil, a promotional tool that many fighters would prefer to avoid as they focus on the serious business of making weight. However, Matchroom made a smart move by staging the public workout for Jack Catterall’s junior welterweight clash with Regis Prograis a full ten days before fight night, allowing the fighters to engage with fans and media without the weight of immediate pressure.

At Manchester’s National Football Museum, both fighters participated in the event but took their time afterward, interacting with the crowd and soaking in the atmosphere. BoxingScene caught up with Jimmy Joe Flint, who was quietly observing Campbell Hatton as he went through his motions. Flint, who holds a record of 14-2-2 (3 KOs), noted that seeing his opponent up close provided him with a motivational boost as he entered the final week of his training camp.

“Seeing him before fight week just gives me that bit extra,” Flint said. “I’ve got my last 10-round spar in the morning, and it just gives me that extra bit of motivation; that extra kick up my arse because I know what I’ve got to do.”

In February, Flint took Hatton's unbeaten record with a hard-earned ten-round decision victory in Sheffield. A rematch seemed inevitable, and this weekend, the two will clash again on the undercard of Catterall vs. Prograis. Hatton has spent the past seven months training with a new team at the Ben Davison Performance Centre, but Flint wasn’t idle during this time. After losing a closely contested split decision to Kyle Boyd in June, Flint remained focused, treating setbacks as part of his professional journey.

“I have watched it back, but I'm not too clinical on stuff like that,” Flint explained. “I leave it to my team to see where we can improve. They come up with a game plan, and I just go out and listen.”

Having spent six years grinding away in the small hall and Area title scene, Flint views his rematch with Hatton as a significant opportunity that could lead to even bigger fights. “It’s unbelievable,” he said. “It’s stuff you dream of as a little boy, but I don’t fight for me anymore. I fight for my family and my little girl back at home. I need to put food on the table, so I’m a provider, and this is what I’ve got to do.”

Flint recognizes the stakes: “It’s massive. It’s like a world title fight. The card it’s on and the event are going to be great. I can’t wait. I’ll beat Hatton and then sit down with my team. It’s one fight at a time, and we’re going into everything confidently.”

Despite acknowledging that he expects an improved Campbell Hatton, Flint remains confident. “I still think I’ve got his number.”

#CatterallPrograis #BoxingNews #JimmyJoeFlint #CampbellHatton #FightNight #BoxingRematch #Manchester #PublicWorkout #BoxingCommunity #CombatSports

4o mini

Dmitry Bivol made waves in boxing when he protested the outcome of his recent loss to Artur Beterbiev, likely aiming to secure a rematch rather than alter the result itself. Following suit, another challenger is now seeking to overturn a judges' decision after a contentious title fight.

William Scull, who was named the IBF super-middleweight mandatory challenger earlier this year, found himself in a difficult position when Canelo Alvarez vacated his IBF belt in pursuit of more prominent opponents. This left Scull to face Vladimir Shishkin for the vacant title in the 168-pound division.

In a matchup held in Falkensee, Germany, Scull edged out Shishkin via a unanimous decision (116-113, 116-112, 115-113) in a bout that many critics deemed hard to score due to its low output. However, the Cuban fighter believes he convincingly earned the win and is now lodging an appeal with the IBF.

Dmitry Salita, Shishkin’s promoter, voiced concerns about the officiating by German referee Oliver Brien, particularly regarding an incident in the twelfth round where Scull spat out his gumshield, seemingly to buy time after being buzzed. “The referee didn’t penalize or warn William Scull for hitting behind the head, hitting after the bell, holding – things like that,” Salita stated to Boxing Scene. “The right man has to win. Justice has to happen inside the ring.”

The fight itself was widely criticized, with Shishkin landing only 14.8% of his punches (110-of-746), while Scull managed a more effective 22.3% (80-of-359), albeit by throwing fewer punches overall. The total number of landed punches fell below 200 for the contest, prompting discussions about the fight's quality.

If the immediate rematch that Shishkin and Salita are calling for occurs, it may struggle to generate interest given the lackluster performance from both fighters. The boxing community will be watching closely as the IBF reviews the appeal, which could significantly impact the futures of Scull and Shishkin.

#WilliamScull #VladimirShishkin #IBF #CaneloAlvarez #BoxingNews #TitleFight #DmitryBivol #BoxingAppeal #FightRecap #CombatSports

awrence Okolie, who represented Team GB at the Rio 2016 Olympics, made a significant impact in professional boxing after a bittersweet Olympic run, where he fell to bronze medallist Erislandy Savon in the Round of 16. Motivated by that experience, Okolie turned professional in 2017 and quickly established himself in the cruiserweight division.

In his debut year, ‘The Sauce’ recorded seven wins, six by knockout, showcasing his power early on. Notable victories against fighters like Isaac Chamberlain and Luke Watkins propelled him to a shot at Matty Askin’s British title, which he claimed via unanimous decision on the Joshua-Povetkin undercard in September 2018.

Following this success, Okolie embarked on a remarkable streak, delivering seven consecutive knockout wins. His most notable triumph came against two-time world champion Krzysztof Glowacki, securing the vacant WBO cruiserweight world title. He defended the title against Dilan Prasovic, and although Michal Cieslak managed to go the distance, Okolie was riding high.

However, a lackluster performance against New Zealand’s David Light in March marked the beginning of a downturn. The Hackney-born fighter faced a shocking majority-decision defeat against Chris Billam-Smith, which drew widespread criticism. Fans lamented the shift in Okolie’s fighting style, as he had resorted to excessive clinching, abandoning the fan-friendly approach that characterized his earlier success.

The narrative began to change when Okolie faced Lukasz Rozanski for the WBC bridgerweight title in May. Displaying a more aggressive, front-footed approach, he scored a knockout victory in the first round—his first stoppage since September 2021 and a significant return to form.

With momentum on his side, the confident 31-year-old is now calling for a showdown with Oleksandr Usyk, eyeing a move to heavyweight. Though Usyk is currently occupied with a rematch against Tyson Fury, the WBC has announced Okolie’s entry into the heavyweight rankings at #5, hinting that a matchup with the Ukrainian could materialize sooner than anticipated.

Looking ahead, Okolie is set to make his heavyweight debut in early 2025, with potential opponents like Fabio Wardley being discussed. As for the WBC bridgerweight title, Okolie has vacated the strap, allowing Kevin Lerena to be upgraded to full world champion.

#LawrenceOkolie #Boxing #WBC #Heavyweight #Cruiserweight #OleksandrUsyk #KevinLerena #BoxingNews #OlympicBoxing #FightRecap

Miyo Yoshida credits her close-knit team, led by manager Keith Sullivan, for her success as she prepares to defend her IBF bantamweight title this Wednesday night at The Theater at Madison Square Garden in New York City.

The three-time, two-division world champion Yoshida (17-4) will face No. 1 contender Shurretta “Chiccn” Metcalf (13-4-1, 2 KOs) in a highly anticipated rematch, aiming for both a title defense and revenge for a previous loss.

The Yoshida vs. Metcalf bout headlines “Heroes on the Hudson 2,” presented by DiBella Entertainment and broadcast live on ProBoxTV. This 10-round main event, part of the Broadway Boxing series, honors and supports U.S. Armed Forces veterans ahead of Veterans Day.

A year ago, Metcalf handed Yoshida a unanimous decision loss in the inaugural “Heroes on the Hudson” event. However, just a month later, Yoshida stunned the boxing world by defeating IBF Bantamweight Champion Ebanie Bridges in San Francisco, claiming her third world title.

“Everything changed when I received the offer two weeks before the world title fight I won,” Yoshida said. “I want to take revenge and increase my value. I can learn from my losses, so this result will be different.”

Yoshida respects Metcalf’s tenacity, noting their shared experience as single mothers, but is determined to avenge her defeat.

She attributes much of her growth to her New York-based team, including head trainer Jimmy Sosa, assistant trainer Aurelinna, strength coach Sergie Korchynskyy, and manager Sullivan.

“The Sosas are like a father to me, and Sergie is like my brother,” Yoshida shared. “Keith is my manager, and he understands my struggles as a single mother in a foreign country.”

Sullivan, who also manages top contenders like Paddy Donovan and Nisa Rodriguez, praised Yoshida’s professionalism and relentless drive.

“This fight has great drama because of her loss in their first bout, followed by Miyo winning the world title just a month later,” Sullivan said. “It’s a Do Not Miss fight, and I’m hopeful this tournament will serve as a blueprint for other female divisions.”

Yoshida vs. Metcalf kicks off the Great 8 Tournament, which aims to crown the undisputed women’s bantamweight champion.

#MiyoYoshida #IBFBantamweight #ShurrettaMetcalf #Boxing #HeroesOnTheHudson #WomenInBoxing #Great8Tournament #VeteransDay #BoxingNews #ChampionshipFight