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.

Ben Whittaker had taken to the professional scene like a duck to water since making the switch from the amateur ranks, both impressing inside of the ring but also showing his marketability outside of it. However, his latest display was a major cause for concern, as a questionable injury brought the bout to an early end. Now, Whittaker’s promoter has confirmed.

‘The Surgeon’ had won each of his first eight professional outings and has regularly gone viral on social media for both his showboating and his skills despite the one-sided nature of his fights.,

As such, Whittaker has been deemed as a ‘marmite’ character of British boxing, some appreciating his talent and personality whilst others label him as disrespectful and arrogant.

At the weekend, Whittaker faced his toughest test as he made his Saudi Arabia debut against game countryman Liam Cameron, who had lost an eyebrow-raising split-decision to the well-respected Lyndon Arthur a few months prior.

A fight on this platform was anticipated to be the beginning of a fruitful relationship between Whittaker and Saudi boxing catalyst Turki Al-Alshikh, assumably culminating in eventual world title opportunities for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic silver medallist.

However, after finding the expected success in the opening two rounds against Cameron, the ‘Cannonball’ began to take control of he contest and appeared to win rounds three, four and five and was on the verge of pulling off the upset win against the visibly-tired favourite.Dmitry Bivol’s team files protest over Artur Beterbiev decision

Until, Whittaker and Cameron were sent soaring over the top rope and laid out on the canvas in pain – or hope, as some viewers believed.Ben Whittaker vs Liam Cameron has been stopped and can’t go on after both fighters fell over the top rope.. Whittaker seemingly injured his leg and can’t fight on 🥊#BeterbievBivolpic.twitter.com/tqjAxnI7uI

— What's Your Hustle? / BOXING, MMA, & LIFESTYLE (@whatsyourhustl) October 12, 2024

Whittaker and his team claimed that he was unable to continue and he left the arena in a wheelchair as the referee read out the controversial scorecards that resulted in a technical-decision draw, much to the disappointment of Cameron.

In the days that have followed, Whittaker has continued to make headlines for punching a hole in the wall at the Kingdom Arena and then proceeding to smash a fan’s phone at the airport.

Now, Ben Shalom has provided an update on the injury of the IBF International light-heavyweight champion, as per 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.”Whilst Cameron is understandably gutted, It’s not all doom and gloom for the Yorkshireman, who has inked a first-ever promotional deal by partnering up with Frank Warren’s Queensberry Promotions, hoping to land the rematch with Whittaker and finish what he started on Saturday night.

Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez has opened the door to a possible campaign at heavyweight in the future.

Cruiserweight Ramirez, 33, is preparing feverishly for his upcoming WBA and WBO 200lbs unification championship against Chris Billam-Smith in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on November 16.

Mexico’s Ramirez is hopeful of getting the job done in faraway Saudi Arabia.

“There must be a best performance in Saudi Arabia right now on November 16. And then probably two years, three years, I can move up in weight and be a heavyweight,” Ramirez told BoxingScene.

Ramirez (46-1, 30 KOs) held the WBO super middleweight title from 2016 to 2018 having decisioned Arthur Abraham to win the belt. The Mexican went on to make five successful defenses of his 168lbs title before moving up to 175.

Ramirez continued with his stellar career at light heavyweight, recording five consecutive wins en route to a WBA championship with champion Dmitry Bivol. That fight did not go Ramirez’s way, which saw the Mexican to move to cruiserweight.

“I had another fight after the Bivol defeat and I couldn't make weight. And I was like, ‘Okay. I'm done with 175 and I need to move on’.”

After making a successful 200-pound debut against Joe Smith Jnr last October, Ramirez landed a shot at Armenian Arsen Goulamirian ’s WBA crown, cruising to a 12-round unanimous decision win.

On November 16, Ramirez will have another opportunity to make history if he can unify the cruiserweight division against Billam-Smith (20-1, 13 KOs).

Only time will tell, but Ramirez remains confident of an emphatic victory.

“I see my hands being raised that night. I think it would be a nice win for me and I can actually give the fans the best fight possible. I want people to remember me as a legend who gave everything to the fans.”

Bernard Neequaye is a sports journalist with a specialty in boxing coverage. He wrote a boxing column titled “From The Ringside” in his native Ghana for years. He can be reached on X (formerly Twitter) at @BernardNeequaye, LinkedIn at Bernard Neequaye and through email at bernardneequaye@gmail.com .

Whilst the undisputed light-heavyweight showdown between Artur Beterbiev and Dmitry Bivol captivated the sport this weekend, Japan played host to a number of intriguing encounters, featuring a phenomenal eight world title fights. However, one of the weekend’s best performers has been dealt with a devastating blow, being handed a one-year ban from the sport.

John Riel Casimero was upgraded from interim champion to fill IBF light-flyweight champion back in 2012 and defended the belt on three occasions, including a win over upcoming Jesse ‘Bam’ Rodriguez opponent Pedro Guevara.

Ahead of a fourth defence against Mauricio Fuentes, Casimero astonishing hit the scales at almost 114lbs, nearly six pounds over the light-flyweight limit, and was consequently stripped of his world title – but went on to score a first-round knockout win.

The Filipino then moved up to flyweight and after an unsuccessful title bid against Amnat Ruenroeng, Casimero scored a knockout win in the rematch to claim the IBF flyweight crown, despite the fact that both Casimero and Ruenroeng missed weight.

After famously halting Charlie Edwards in his lone defence of the title, ‘Quadro Alas’ once again moved up in weight and three years later he would stop Zolani Tete within three rounds to add the WBO bantamweight title to his collection.

At 118lbs, Casimero registered wins over Duke Micah and the legendary Guillermo Rigondeaux to seeming tee-up an undisputed showdown with arguable pound-for-pound number one Naoya Inoue – with Liverpool’s Paul Butler being the only stumbling block.

However, Casimero was once again stripped of his world title after difficulties making the weight for his fight with Butler, who then replaced him as the WBO champion and went on to lose to Inoue in late 2022.

Since then, the 35-year-old has moved up to super-bantamweight and remains in pursuit of a battle with Inoue, hoping to land the fight with the Japanese sensation before his inevitable move up to featherweight.Who next for Fabio Wardley? – Five options following first-round knockout of Clarke

This weekend, Casimero was tasked with Mexico’s former world title challenger Saul Sanchez, but confusion was rife at the weigh-in one again, as Casimero seemingly attempted to tamper with the scales, before official confirmation that he had missed weight once again.John Riel Casimero tried to make weight by holding the scales yesterday. The officials noticed it and he then missed weight.

📽️ @ajoaquinarietapic.twitter.com/dJtV4Jml2x

— Boxing Kingdom (@BoxingKingdom14) October 12, 2024

The fight went ahead regardless and Casimero dismissed Sanchez with ease, a surprisingly comfortable first-round knockout shocking those in attendance.NO WAY!!! JOHN RIEL CASIMERO DESTROYS THE EVER-DURABLE SAUL SANCHEZ IN ROUND 1!!!

IS NAOYA INOUE NEXT?!?!? pic.twitter.com/hr9sqS9ehC

— 𝐩𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞𝐬𝐟𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬 (@phillikesfights) October 13, 2024

Yet, the Japanese Boxing Commission have now decided to hand Casimero with a one-year ban, seemingly ending all hopes of a meeting with Inoue, as per Anthony Joaquin Arieta.BREAKING NEWS:

Overweight John Riel Casimero is SUSPENDED for 1 YEAR by the Japanese Boxing Commission.

Expect respective organizations like @WorldBoxingOrg@WBCBoxing@wbcmoro@PacoValcarcel@OlivieriLaw to act on his ratings as well. pic.twitter.com/0zM3B5aM4R

— OLE (@ajoaquinarieta) October 15, 2024

Inoue is expected to proceed with a defence of his undisputed super-bantamweight titles against Australia’s Sam Goodman on December 24th – a featherweight title challenge on the horizon if he comes through Goodman unscathed.

Jai Opetaia expects Tim Tszyu to emerge from the lessons learned against Sebastian Fundora by dethroning Bakhram Murtazaliev as the IBF junior-middleweight champion.

The 29-year-old lost for the first time in March when, in a fight for the WBO and vacant WBC titles, Tszyu suffered a significant cut caused by Fundora’s elbow that inhibited his vision and performance from the second round.

He had agreed to fight the awkward Fundora at late notice after an injury suffered by his previous, and significantly different, opponent Keith Thurman. It was also suggested, after the fight at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas that he lost via decision, that after seeing the cut Tszyu’s corner should not have allowed him to carry on.

Having sacrificed his title and undefeated record he seeks to win another at the Caribe Royale in Orlando, Florida, where Murtazaliev makes the first defence of the vacant title he won in April by stopping Jack Culcay. 

Regardless of the circumstances surrounding the defeat by Fundora, a second in succession would prove damaging for the Australian’s career – Fundora is also nearing being rewarded for victory with a lucrative fight against Errol Spence – but Tszyu’s compatriot is ultimately backing him to succeed.

It has been a significant period for Australian boxing. On Saturday – on the undercard of Artur Beterbiev-Dmitry Bivol in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia – Opetaia stopped Jack Massey to defend his IBF cruiserweight title and Skye Nicolson outpointed Raven Chapman to defend her WBC title at featherweight. 

Off the back of the announcement that Liam Paro will defend his IBF junior-lightweight title against Richardson Hitchins on December 7, it is possible that an often-neglected fighting culture could be celebrating the existence of four world champions by the conclusion of 2024.

“He had a bit of bad luck – he got unlucky with the cut and stuff like that,” Opetaia told BoxingScene. “But it’s all part of learning. I’m sure they’ve learned a lot, and I’m looking forward to his bounce back. I’m backing him all the way. 

“It’s good to see a fellow Aussie on the world stage. There’s not many of us that make it up here; it’s common for Poms [Britons] and Europeans and Americans, but for people down our neck of the woods it’s a long route to get here. I’m backing him all the way.

“It’s a great fight. I’ll be backing Tim.

“I just hope Tim wins. He’s a fucking Australian – we back each other. Once it’s in-house, we want to take each other’s heads off. But once it’s our nation, and he’s flying our flag, and he’s one of us, we’re supporting him all the way. I hope he fucking beats everyone.

“It would be such a good thing if the Australian market would work as a whole team. You got all these Poms; you’ve got so many Pommies fighting on the same card, and they build up the Matchrooms and stuff like that. 

“With us it’s a bit different, because if we were to have an Australian fight night, kind of like what the UFC do – they put all the Australians on the fucking same card – if we did something like that I would be honoured to be a part of that. I’d even take the pay cut to be a part of it, ‘cause it would just be such a historic thing for Australia, and that’s what it’s all about – being a part of things like that.

“We were in the fucking pub cheersing margaritas [when Paro defeated Subriel Matias]. We had a mad day, that day. That was awesome. We fucking celebrated for him.”

Matchroom’s Eddie Hearn has made little secret of his desire to in future stage a homecoming fight for Paro in Australia, and to potentially feature Nicolson, Opetaia and the heavyweight Justis Huni on the undercard. Tszyu, in the event of victory over Russia’s 31-year-old Murtazaliev, is expected to retain the fierce sense of independence that contributed to him angering the influential Turki Alalshikh.

“It’s always high stakes,” Opetaia continued. “Me; Tim; we’re in the peak of our careers. Every fight is high stakes. We don’t go into fights thinking, ‘Fuck – you know…’. It’s all risky business. One punch can change it all. We’re in this; putting our lives on the line; sacrificing every day. It’s all high stakes. 

“For someone outside the ring watching, it might be different to them. ‘He can do this; he can do that’. But when you’re walking in that ring, and you’re punching on in that ring, anything can happen, so we’ve gotta take this shit serious – and I’m sure he does. He always does. He always delivers. 

“[Tszyu’s independence is] good. He’s had Australia behind him – the pathways have been completely different for us. With Tim Tszyu, he’s with No Limits, who had the contract at [broadcasters] Fox, and Fox still controls everything in the boxing world in Australia, so it’s easier to market him, and especially having the Tszyu name. 

“I’m not trying to discredit him at all – he obviously does the hard work and he wins the fights. He’s a great fighter. I’ve seen him as a young kid come up through the rankings; we used to be on New South Wales teams, all the way up as teenagers, so I’ve seen his hard work. I know it’s a long process, and he deserves a bit of that build-up, and to be able to sell a fight in Australia – I’ve been on the scene for a couple of years, and that Tszyu name, that’s two generations. It’s good for Australian boxing; it’s giving other Aussies big fights; they’re big cards. It’s all positive.” 

Controversy nearly always follows a close fight, particularly when it’s watched by a lot of people – as the verdict that favored Artur Beterbiev over Dmitry Bivol proved.  

Let’s get this out of the way early: I scored the contest 115-113 for Beterbiev; I watched on a screen alongside three boxers and a broadcaster, all of whom were vocal, so my concentration was nowhere near as intense as those employed (and trained) to fill in the official scorecards; I have seen the fight only once.  

Should I watch it again I wouldn’t be surprised, not even the tiniest bit, if my score changed. Certainly, I have no issue whatsoever with Bivol winning by the same margin, and I don’t believe the 116-112 tally for Beterbiev, handed in by Polish judge Pawel Kardyni, is as remotely outrageous as some educated people are making out. There were several ‘swing’ rounds, a term that means the round could have gone either way; one could even argue that most of the 12 were swing rounds given CompuBox stats reveal, in eight of the rounds, four or less punches was the difference between them.

However, for context here, let’s say there were only three. That means if you don’t have a strong opinion on who won those three rounds and can therefore understand why a judge – or that stranger with whom you’re squabbling on social media – might have scored them for either Beterbiev or Bivol, there’s a feasible six-point ‘swing’ from your card to theirs. To explain that further and taking my (completely unimportant) scorecard as an example, if you change three close rounds from Beterbiev rounds to Bivol rounds, the 115-113 for Artur becomes 116-112 for Dmitry. If there were more close rounds, and on this occasion, I believe there were, that potential for discrepancy becomes even greater. 

Something else to consider is the view to which we’re privy. According to an impartial figure in Saudi Arabia, those who watched from one side of the ring preferred the work of Beterbiev and those who watched from the opposite side liked Bivol’s. That’s not unusual in a close encounter and is exactly why judges sit in different positions, with unique vantage points, at ringside. Furthermore, though some people are so wise and headstrong they couldn’t possibly be swayed by the opinion of others – like companions, commentators, analysts or the social media feeds that are repeatedly checked – plenty are, albeit subliminally. Considering there were three different outlets showing the fight in the UK alone, with each using different commentary teams, fans from all over the world would have heard a multitude of conflicting opinions.

It's not just what we hear or read, either. The replays at the end of seven of the 12 rounds focused only on Bivol, even though Beterbiev landed several punches in those rounds and threw more than his rival in 10 of them. It creates the illusion that the slicker Bivol has won the round the replays follow, when, in truth, his moments of success were cleaner and therefore easier for those in charge of those slow-motion replays to identify, and then edit, in a very short space of time. It follows that the commentators will then spend even more time talking about those passages of the fight. It can all play a part in our perception of the action. Additionally, when watching replays that did identify moments of success for Beterbiev, it was interesting to note how many punches that initially appeared to hit the gloves actually got through. Then consider the tiny proportion of his work we got to see in slow motion.

To be clear, this writing is not designed to change your opinion on who won because my opinion, much like yours, is far from definitive. I accept it could have gone either way while increasingly believing a draw might have been the fairest decision – considering the elite levels of skill and gameplay on display, it’s difficult to say either of them deserved to lose. It is for that reason, after a contest so plainly close, why it is surprising when certain observers scream robbery when official scorecards don’t match their own.

Eighteen-year-old Las Vegas junior lightweight prospect Curmel Moton continued his impressive rise, securing his fourth win of the year with a first-round knockout over Hilario Martinez Moreno last Saturday at the 2300 Arena in Philadelphia.

Moton (6-0, 5 KOs) delivered a body shot followed by a sharp left hook to the head, causing Moreno to spit out his mouthpiece and drop to his knees. Referee Eric Dali counted out the 25-year-old Mexican at 1:35 of the opening round of the bout.

The victory marks Moton’s third stoppage win of 2024, with his only decision coming against the undefeated Anthony Cuba on the Amazon Prime prelims of the Tim Tszyu-Sebastian Fundora undercard. Endorsed and promoted by Floyd Mayweather, Moton has captured attention not only for his association with one of boxing’s greats but also for his maturity in taking on credible opposition at a young age.

“I’m really thankful to everyone who came out – shoutout to South Philly and shoutout to my opponent. It takes two people to put on a show,” Moton said post-fight.

The event’s promoter, former titleholder Danny Garcia, praised the young fighter. “Curmel is the future of boxing,” Garcia said. “He’s signed to Floyd Mayweather, and Floyd knows talent, and Floyd knows how to make a star. When I saw what he could do, I knew I had to get him here in Philly.”

Garcia also announced that Moton will return to the ring on November 30 in Atlantic City, New Jersey.

Jai Opetaia expects Tim Tszyu to emerge from the lessons learned against Sebastian Fundora by dethroning Bakhram Murtazaliev as the IBF junior-middleweight champion.

The 29-year-old lost for the first time in March when, in a fight for the WBO and vacant WBC titles, Tszyu suffered a significant cut caused by Fundora’s elbow that inhibited his vision and performance from the second round.

He had agreed to fight the awkward Fundora at late notice after an injury suffered by his previous, and significantly different, opponent Keith Thurman. It was also suggested, after the fight at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas that he lost via decision, that after seeing the cut Tszyu’s corner should not have allowed him to carry on.

Having sacrificed his title and undefeated record he seeks to win another at the Caribe Royale in Orlando, Florida, where Murtazaliev makes the first defence of the vacant title he won in April by stopping Jack Culcay. 

Regardless of the circumstances surrounding the defeat by Fundora, a second in succession would prove damaging for the Australian’s career – Fundora is also nearing being rewarded for victory with a lucrative fight against Errol Spence – but Tszyu’s compatriot is ultimately backing him to succeed.

It has been a significant period for Australian boxing. On Saturday – on the undercard of Artur Beterbiev-Dmitry Bivol in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia – Opetaia stopped Jack Massey to defend his IBF cruiserweight title and Skye Nicolson outpointed Raven Chapman to defend her WBC title at featherweight. 

Off the back of the announcement that Liam Paro will defend his IBF junior-lightweight title against Richardson Hitchins on December 7, it is possible that an often-neglected fighting culture could be celebrating the existence of four world champions by the conclusion of 2024.

“He had a bit of bad luck – he got unlucky with the cut and stuff like that,” Opetaia told BoxingScene. “But it’s all part of learning. I’m sure they’ve learned a lot, and I’m looking forward to his bounce back. I’m backing him all the way. 

“It’s good to see a fellow Aussie on the world stage. There’s not many of us that make it up here; it’s common for Poms [Britons] and Europeans and Americans, but for people down our neck of the woods it’s a long route to get here. I’m backing him all the way.

“It’s a great fight. I’ll be backing Tim.

“I just hope Tim wins. He’s a fucking Australian – we back each other. Once it’s in-house, we want to take each other’s heads off. But once it’s our nation, and he’s flying our flag, and he’s one of us, we’re supporting him all the way. I hope he fucking beats everyone.

“It would be such a good thing if the Australian market would work as a whole team. You got all these Poms; you’ve got so many Pommies fighting on the same card, and they build up the Matchrooms and stuff like that. 

“With us it’s a bit different, because if we were to have an Australian fight night, kind of like what the UFC do – they put all the Australians on the fucking same card – if we did something like that I would be honoured to be a part of that. I’d even take the pay cut to be a part of it, ‘cause it would just be such a historic thing for Australia, and that’s what it’s all about – being a part of things like that.

“We were in the fucking pub cheersing margaritas [when Paro defeated Subriel Matias]. We had a mad day, that day. That was awesome. We fucking celebrated for him.”

Matchroom’s Eddie Hearn has made little secret of his desire to in future stage a homecoming fight for Paro in Australia, and to potentially feature Nicolson, Opetaia and the heavyweight Justis Huni on the undercard. Tszyu, in the event of victory over Russia’s 31-year-old Murtazaliev, is expected to retain the fierce sense of independence that contributed to him angering the influential Turki Alalshikh.

“It’s always high stakes,” Opetaia continued. “Me; Tim; we’re in the peak of our careers. Every fight is high stakes. We don’t go into fights thinking, ‘Fuck – you know…’. It’s all risky business. One punch can change it all. We’re in this; putting our lives on the line; sacrificing every day. It’s all high stakes. 

“For someone outside the ring watching, it might be different to them. ‘He can do this; he can do that’. But when you’re walking in that ring, and you’re punching on in that ring, anything can happen, so we’ve gotta take this shit serious – and I’m sure he does. He always does. He always delivers. 

“[Tszyu’s independence is] good. He’s had Australia behind him – the pathways have been completely different for us. With Tim Tszyu, he’s with No Limits, who had the contract at [broadcasters] Fox, and Fox still controls everything in the boxing world in Australia, so it’s easier to market him, and especially having the Tszyu name. 

“I’m not trying to discredit him at all – he obviously does the hard work and he wins the fights. He’s a great fighter. I’ve seen him as a young kid come up through the rankings; we used to be on New South Wales teams, all the way up as teenagers, so I’ve seen his hard work. I know it’s a long process, and he deserves a bit of that build-up, and to be able to sell a fight in Australia – I’ve been on the scene for a couple of years, and that Tszyu name, that’s two generations. It’s good for Australian boxing; it’s giving other Aussies big fights; they’re big cards. It’s all positive.” 

Ahead of what could be a great “Latino Night” of boxing, Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez is keen on making history against Chris Billam-Smith.

Mexico’s Ramirez, 33, will have his WBA cruiserweight title on the line when he takes on WBO titleholder Billam-Smith of England. The cruiserweight unification bout is scheduled for Nov. 16 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Ramirez believes his decision to move up to cruiserweight has paid off.

“I think it was the best decision to move up in weight, and, obviously, I won the title versus [Arsen] Goulamirian,” Ramirez told BoxingScene. “And I now have the chance to fight Billam-Smith for another title. I mean, that's the best choice that I made. It was kinda struggling the last time, and I couldn't make weight. That's why I decided to move up.”

Ramirez defeated Armenian Goulamirian with a unanimous decision in March to win the WBA 200-pound title a year after moving up from the light heavyweight division. Prior to moving to light heavyweight, Ramirez had held the WBO belt from 2016-2018 before vacating the title to move to 175 in 2019.

Following five consecutive wins at light heavyweight, Ramirez challenged then WBA 175-pound beltholder Dmitry Bivol, losing a 12-round unanimous decision. According to Ramirez, that defeat taught him to be patient.

Ramirez said his struggles with making the 175 pounds forced him to move up to cruiserweight.

“Well, the cruiserweight division is really good right now. I mean, they have me, obviously, and they have Jai Opetaia . They have other champions too. I don't remember the other names, but, I mean, all the champions, we're good.”

On the other hand, 34-year-old Billam-Smith (20-1, 13 KOs) is set to make a third defense of his WBO title he won from Lawrence Okolie in May last year. Billam-Smith is coming off a decision win over Richard Riakporhe in June.

When asked about his preparation for the Englishman, Ramirez said “Oh, well, I don't know him really well, but I've been watching a couple videos, and I've been working so hard in the gym. We’ve a plan that we've been doing for him.

“I mean, it’s been really good right now with all the training camp and what we've been doing. I think he will get really prepared for the fight. He will try to do anything. It’s been in his hands but I know what to do because I will take that night.

“I think Billam-Smith moves forward all the time, and I think that will be the key. It will be a Latino night, and I will represent all the Latino people and all the facts.”

Bernard Neequaye is a sports journalist with a specialty in boxing coverage. He wrote a boxing column titled “From The Ringside” in his native Ghana for years. He can be reached on X (formerly Twitter) at @BernardNeequaye, LinkedIn at Bernard Neequaye and through email at bernardneequaye@gmail.com .

Former light heavyweight king Roy Jones Jr. has called for an immediate rematch between Artur Beterbiev and Dmitry Bivol after Beterbiev eked out a majority decision win on Saturday in Saudi Arabia.

Jones, who won the 175-pound undisputed championship in 1999, believes the undisputed light heavyweight title bout between Beterbiev (21-0, 20 KOs) and Bivol (23-1, 12 KOs) should’ve been scored a draw.

“Last night, we had a very fantastic fight,” Jones said on social media. “A fight that I thought could've gone either way, but what happened happened. However, it goes, nobody won or lost the fight by four points. 

“So that's ridiculous, which is why I say we need an immediate rematch.”

Bivol started well in the opening rounds before Beterbiev answered with a stronger finish. Judges Glenn Feldman, Pawel Kardyni, and Manuel Oliver Palomo scored the seesaw fight 116-112, 115-113, and 114-114.

Jones said he was impressed by both fighters’ approach.

“Both guys did a lot to change. Beterbiev showed me more than he's ever shown me before about being a boxer. He actually can walk, and I was surprised. 

“Bivol was a very good defender, which we knew. He was a good counter-puncher, which we knew. He jumped out to the early lead, I thought, but we never know. But how did it come down?

“Beterbiev did finish the fight strong or stronger. So that's why I think in my point of view, the fight should be a draw, and it's gonna be a rematch.”

Bernard Neequaye is a sports journalist with a specialty in boxing coverage. He wrote a boxing column titled “From The Ringside” in his native Ghana for years. He can be reached on X (formerly Twitter) at @BernardNeequaye, LinkedIn at Bernard Neequaye and through email at bernardneequaye@gmail.com .

British boxer Ben Whittaker was detained at King Khalid International Airport in Saudi Arabia following a tense encounter with a fan shortly after his unusual draw against Liam Cameron at the Kingdom Arena. The incident occurred last Saturday, where Whittaker, 27, faced Cameron but the match ended unexpectedly in the fifth round due to a leg injury sustained when he fell over the ropes.

After being taken from the ring in a wheelchair to receive medical attention, Whittaker was visibly frustrated, reportedly punching a wall in anger. Despite this, he was later seen walking through airport security in Riyadh with his ankle bandaged.

According to a witness present at the airport, tensions escalated when Whittaker approached a fan attempting to take a photo. The situation quickly intensified, leading Whittaker to snatch the fan's phone and reportedly smash it on the ground. Airport security intervened, detaining both Whittaker and the fan, and both had to surrender their passports temporarily.

Whittaker later expressed his willingness to pay for the damaged phone, and the situation cooled down enough for the two to sit at a nearby café, where they exchanged contact information to resolve the matter amicably. “They literally did it at the Costa or Starbucks in front of everyone,” the witness noted.

Despite showing signs of his recent fight, with bruises and a slight limp due to his injury, Whittaker did not shy away from confronting the fan. Following the incident, he issued an apology, expressing gratitude for the fan's willingness to discuss the situation. “This was a really unfortunate event, and I’m grateful to the gentleman that he sat down to talk about it straight afterward and accepted my apology. We are in touch about replacing his phone and coming along to a future event as our guest,” Whittaker told The Sun.

The match with Liam Cameron ended anticlimactically when both fighters fell over the ropes at the end of the fifth round. While Cameron managed to get back on his feet, Whittaker remained on the canvas, clutching his right leg, which led to the fight being stopped. The judges reached a split decision draw, and Whittaker was wheeled out following the incident.

#BenWhittaker #LiamCameron #BoxingNews #SaudiArabia #KingKhalidInternationalAirport #BoxingIncident

Sandy Ryan and Mikaela Mayer have taken their post-fight rivalry to social media, engaging in a heated exchange that has captured the attention of boxing fans. The clash began after Mayer's comments in a FightPost interview, where she claimed she had hurt Ryan during their bout. Ryan quickly fired back on X (formerly Twitter), denying Mayer's statement and escalating the tension between the two.

Mayer responded to Ryan’s denial with a pointed remark about Ryan throwing up after the fight, to which Ryan replied harshly, calling Mayer a "piece of trash" and accusing her of lying. The back-and-forth intensified as Mayer suggested Ryan had been concussed, while Ryan deflected, shifting focus to an earlier pre-fight incident involving an attack with red paint.

This feud comes after Ryan’s loss to Mayer by majority decision on September 27, 2024, following the controversial paint attack outside Ryan's hotel. Mayer has distanced herself from the attack, expressing frustration over the potential disruption it could have caused to their fight. The online argument underscores the deepening rivalry between the two, with a potential rematch or other big fight opportunities looming for Mayer.

#SandyRyan #MikaelaMayer #BoxingRivalry #FightNight #Rematch #BoxingBeef #WomenInBoxing #FightHype #PreFightDrama #BoxingNews

Pick It: Bakhram Murtazaliev vs. Tim Tszyu

• When to Watch: Saturday, October 19 at 8 p.m. Eastern Time (1 a.m. BST)
• How to Watch: Amazon’s Prime Video

Why to Watch:
The junior middleweight division is heating up, and this fight is crucial in shaping its future. Tszyu (24-1, 17 KOs) returns to challenge Murtazaliev (22-0, 16 KOs) for the IBF world title, a belt Murtazaliev won with an 11th-round KO of Jack Culcay. Both fighters are in top form, with Tszyu looking to bounce back from his previous loss and Murtazaliev aiming to solidify his spot at the top. Expect fireworks as they both bring power and skill to the ring, with the winner moving one step closer to division supremacy.

Undercard Highlights:

• Yoenis Tellez vs. Johan Gonzalez: Tellez (8-0, 6 KOs) is a Cuban junior middleweight prospect on a rapid rise, with notable knockouts in his recent fights. Gonzalez (35-3, 34 KOs) brings experience and power, but has struggled in recent bouts, making this a tough test.
• Cesar Mateo Tapia vs. Endry Saavedra: Tapia (17-0, 10 KOs), a middleweight from Mexico, faces a solid challenge in Saavedra as he continues his undefeated streak.

#TszyuMurtazaliev #BoxingShowdown #IBFTitleFight #JuniorMiddleweight #BoxingFans #FightNight #UndercardAction #PrimeVideoBoxing

Sebastian Fundora, who has risen to dominate the super welterweight division, now faces the possibility of losing one of his world titles. This development comes following a decision by the WBO Committee that could dramatically affect his career.

Fundora had initially agreed to make a voluntary title defense, which included a potential unification bout with WBO interim champion Terence Crawford. However, the WBO issued a resolution on October 14, 2024, stating that if Fundora does not meet the outlined conditions, he will risk being stripped of his title.

The WBO’s resolution allows Fundora to defend his title against any contender ranked within their top 15. However, he must unify with Crawford within 180 days. Failure to comply with this timeline will result in Fundora being stripped of his WBO title without the possibility of appeal.

Fundora is now at a crossroads in his career. While he can take on an interim fight before Crawford, missing the WBO’s deadline could cost him one of his prized belts. The Committee’s decision, issued from its Puerto Rico headquarters, underscores the importance of maintaining competitiveness and clarity in the division.

All eyes are now on Fundora as he navigates the delicate balance between defending his title and preserving his status as the unified champion.

Source: Official WBO Resolution @WorldBoxingOrg

#SebastianFundora #WBOChampion #TerenceCrawford #BoxingNews #SuperWelterweight #WBO #WBC #Unification

After spending most of the week in silence, Artur Beterbiev suddenly had a lot to say following his victory over Dmitry Bivol in Riyadh on October 12, 2024. Known for being a man of few words, Beterbiev's post-fight honesty and self-criticism left many fans and pundits wondering if the usually reserved light-heavyweight champion had revealed too much.

Despite his victory, which was secured by the narrowest of margins (115-113, 116-112, and 114-114), Beterbiev admitted that he was not satisfied with his performance. "I did not good today," he began. "I wanted more quality. I don’t know why. I didn’t like this fight. But I’ll be better one day." His candid reflections continued, with Beterbiev going so far as to say, “Dmitry is a world champion too. He has good skills, better than me, but today Allah chose me.”

While the judges ultimately favored Beterbiev, the body language and demeanor he displayed throughout the fight suggested that he was struggling to find his usual rhythm. His corner's urgings between rounds — "You’re not tired, Artur, nobody can beat you" — highlighted the tension in a fight where Beterbiev, for the first time in his career, seemed vulnerable and human. Bivol’s movement, precision, and boxing IQ kept Beterbiev at bay for most of the fight, forcing him into a position where he had to chase more than control the action.

Bivol, now 23-1 (12), appeared more comfortable from the outset. He controlled the pace with his jab, and his well-timed counters frustrated Beterbiev. Yet, despite this, Beterbiev's power and relentless pressure made an impression, particularly in the later rounds. In the championship rounds, Beterbiev’s corner urged him to go for the knockout, a rare occurrence for the knockout artist. By round 11, Bivol was showing signs of fatigue, and Beterbiev capitalized, though Bivol managed to survive the onslaught and even rallied in the final round.

Beterbiev’s post-fight comments reflected his disappointment. When asked if he thought he had done enough to win, he responded, "Yes, but for me it’s uncomfortable because usually I’m not waiting for the (final) bell. But today I’m even lucky too."

Despite the victory, there was a sense that Beterbiev, now 21-0 (20), was not content. His self-deprecating remarks after the fight contrasted sharply with the image of an unstoppable force he had built over the years. It was a rare glimpse of vulnerability from a fighter who had previously only needed his fists to speak for him.

As fans and analysts dissect the fight and Beterbiev’s words, it becomes clear that this victory, while secured on the scorecards, may have revealed more about the fighter’s current state than any of his previous bouts. Whether Beterbiev’s honesty was a moment of humility or a sign of deeper issues remains open to interpretation, much like the fight itself.

Source: Ringside Report from Kingdom Arena, Riyadh

#ArturBeterbiev #DmitryBivol #LightHeavyweight #BoxingAnalysis #BeterbievVsBivol #Boxing