oSheer Sports Management announced the signing of two standout boxing prospects from Donna, Texas: Ranulfo and Xavier Bocanegra. The brothers bring impressive amateur records and undeniable potential to the professional ranks, further strengthening Sheer Sports' commitment to developing future champions.

Ranulfo Bocanegra, 18, holds an amateur record of 120-16 and has claimed 14 national championships. His achievements include three Junior Olympic titles, two National Silver Gloves titles, and a Sugar Belt International Championship in Puerto Rico.

“I’m excited to join the Sheer Sports family, and I believe they’re the perfect team to guide my career,” said Ranulfo.

His older brother, Xavier Bocanegra, 21, boasts a 130-26 amateur record with seven national titles. His accolades include a Junior Olympic Championship, USA Boxing National Championship, and Junior Golden Gloves title. Now 5-0 as a professional super featherweight, with three knockouts, Xavier has quickly made a name for himself in the division.

“I feel like I’m in great hands now. It’s all about making the right business decisions, and I’m confident Sheer Sports will take me to the next level,” said Xavier.

"We are thrilled to welcome Ranulfo and Xavier Bocanegra to the Sheer Sports family," said Ken Sheer, founder of Sheer Sports Management.

"Their talent, discipline, and passion for boxing make them exactly the kind of athletes we aim to support and guide to world titles. The sky's the limit for these two young men, and we’re honored to be part of their journey." 

#RanulfoBocanegra #XavierBocanegra #SheerSportsManagement #BoxingProspects #DonnaTexas #SuperFeatherweight #BoxingFuture #BoxingChampions #AmateurBoxing #BoxingBrothers #NationalChampions #BoxingFamily #KenSheer #BoxingJourney #ProfessionalBoxing #SheerSportsFamily

Welterweight Damoni Cato-Cain, 26, is facing a challenge many boxers encounter—he can’t secure a fight. Despite his willingness to face any opponent, the Oakland, Calif., native has struggled to find anyone willing to step into the ring with him.

Cato-Cain (8-1-1, 7 KOs) hasn’t fought since November, when he knocked out Juan Meza Moreno in the fourth round at the Cow Palace in San Francisco. His manager, Rogelio Delgadillo, is growing frustrated by the lack of opportunities.

“It’s frustrating,” Delgadillo said. “It seems like we have to sacrifice something—either our coach or me as the manager—to get fights, but we don’t do that. We’re loyal.”

Earlier in 2023, Cato-Cain suffered a loss to Eric Tudor, a setback Delgadillo believed would make it easier to find opponents. Instead, they’ve been met with silence.

Cato-Cain has remained active, training at The Kennel Boxing Gym in San Leandro, Calif., under head trainer Arvin Jugarap. He has been part of high-profile training camps and has sparred with top professionals, but he’s eager for his own moment.

“We’re just trying to get through that hump and keep it independent,” Delgadillo said. “People aren’t going to just give you fame, especially if you want to stay independent, no matter how good you are.”

Cato-Cain has now transitioned to welterweight, a move Delgadillo believes will only make him more dangerous. “He’s a complete all-around fighter at 147,” Delgadillo said. “His power, chin, and speed are all still there, and I don’t see anyone beating him at this weight.”

Reflecting on Cato-Cain’s unanimous decision loss to Tudor and a prior draw with Rashid Stevens, Delgadillo acknowledged some missteps. “What I learned is that you shouldn’t take fights like that unless you know you can win by knockout or signed to a major promotional company,” Delgadillo said. “If I could do it over, I wouldn’t have put Cato in that Golden Boy or Thompson fight. We need to develop him more, get his record right, and then take on big fights.”

Delgadillo remains hopeful for the future. “Something will pop up soon, I know it will,” Delgadillo said. “Cato is ready.” 

#DamoniCatoCain #RogelioDelgadillo #Welterweight #BoxingStruggles #FightNight #OaklandBoxing #WelterweightFighter #BoxingProspect #BoxingManager #BoxingFuture #BoxingHustle #TheKennelGym #BoxingJourney #147Division #BoxingDetermination

Middleweight Francis Hogan believes he’s on the verge of a breakthrough.

Following his recent first-round knockout of Heber Rondon (20-6) at Foxwoods Resort in Mashantucket, Connecticut, Hogan, known as “Frank The Tank”, is looking ahead. 

Hogan (17-0, 15 KOs), is a 23 year old from Weymouth, Massachusetts, and feels that his hard work in the gym and in the ring is about to pay off – despite him juggling a job to make ends meet.

“I'd like to say this is just the beginning, but I feel like I’m right on the cusp of something,” Hogan said.

Hogan’s relentless work ethic shines both in and out of the gym. He trains with a close-knit group under coaches Mark DeLuca and Matty Ryan, alongside stablemates like the featherweight Abraham Nova and the super middleweight Thomas O'Toole.

“We have a great team,” Hogan said. “Everything we do is as a team, from workouts to staying motivated. There are also guys coming in for training camps.”

Hogan’s rise in the sport reflects not just his professional record, but also his stellar amateur career. With 219 amateur fights and five national titles — including wins at both the Eastern and Western qualifiers — Hogan has proven his pedigree. He is the only fighter to knock out four opponents in a row in a single tournament at the Western qualifiers, a testament to the power that’s followed him into the pros.

Despite his success, Hogan’s life is a grind. Boxing doesn’t yet pay the bills, so he works a tough blue-collar job to support himself, balancing long days between shifts and training.

“When I’m not in the gym training for a fight, I’m out working,” Hogan said. “I work my ass off. I’m outside all day, either driving trucks or welding. I’m a certified welder. Some nights I’ll leave work and go straight back to the gym or hit a run. I don’t really get time off.”

Hogan’s workday is as hands-on as his fighting career. He operates trucks just under CDL weight limits and welds — a skill he learned in high school, inspired by Mike Rowe’s “Dirty Jobs”. Welding, once a second career, has taken a backseat for now, as boxing demands more of his time.

“I liked the idea of welding, so I learned it in high school and ended up getting into the local iron-workers union,” Hogan said. “But I had to step away because I can’t commit to a full-time job with all the training. I can always go back, but for now, I need more flexibility to keep my boxing career going.”

For now, he drives trucks.

Even with his hectic schedule, Hogan keeps things light. Known for sporting outlandish outfits at weigh-ins, including the infamous mankini, he finds humor in the grind.

“After all the hard training, the struggles with weight or money, you’ve got to have fun,” Hogan said. “That’s what it’s about at the end of the day.”

#FrancisHogan #FrankTheTank #HeberRondon #KnockoutWin #HardWorkPaysOff #BoxingProspect #Weymouth #Breakthrough #BoxingFuture #BoxingLife #FoxwoodsResort #AmateurChampion #BoxingTraining #Ironworkers #FightingSpirit

Kris Lopez always believed his welterweight son David could be destined for the top, and now he is starting to fulfill that potential. 

His son, David (6-0, 4 KOs), 20, is signed to DiBella Entertainment, after a short stint at Mayweather Promotions, and is being lauded as one of the top young fighters in the sport. 

His father, Kris, a gym owner of Lightning’s Boxing Gym in Oakland, California, a facility named after his old ring moniker, was an evangelical for his son for years. Going on social media platforms, propelling his son up. Lopez explains that was all part of the plan.

“I am a great manifester of things,” Lopez said. “No one believes it until it’s right in front of their face. It’s just a dream until it’s no longer just a dream – it’s a reality.”

From the beginning, Kris explained training his son felt different.  

“It felt like he was the real thing,” Kris said. 

But as David’s career progressed, Kris recognized the importance of stepping back, allowing professional promoters and managers to take the reins. “Now, David has to execute. We got him here. We did our part. Now, it’s on him.”

You can only do so much, at the end of the day the fighter fights the fights, but also his father has had to learn another lesson – let their son make his way in the world, which sometimes doesn’t include them every step of the way. His once vocal online antics now refrained – he is just an observant coach and father, casting a loving and watchful eye over David, the prodigious young talent who is slowly evolving into the man navigating the complexities of life and boxing. As Kris has a front-row seat to not just watching a young prospect grow up in front of him, but also watching his son become a man.

“He’s like a little grown man now,” Kris said, acknowledging the changes in their father-son dynamic. “He’s got grown man desires, but the one thing that’s intact is his aspiration to take his talents as far as they can go.”

As David steps into the spotlight, Kris is eager for him to be recognized as just that –  his own man. Not the famous faces that people have seen him next to. It doesn’t seem to bother David, but Kris seems to yearn for David to be respected. For Kris, the journey has been about more than just winning. It’s about letting David’s story unfold, even if it means letting him navigate the tough challenges ahead – which might not just be a coach thing – that might be a father thing. 

“All the talking isn’t going to save you in the ring,” Kris said. “You have to do the work day in and day out, and David is ready to do just that, and is doing that. ”

Now, David looks to fill into the role promised off of him from the Oakland gym scene dating back over a decade. He beat the best guys of his era in the amateurs, Xavier Bocanegra, Justin Villoria, and then he took a hiatus – and now he is bubbling under the surface ready for his grand arrival. 

“He has a chance and that is all you can ask for,” Kris said. 

#DavidLopez #KrisLopez #BoxingProspect #UndefeatedFighter #OaklandBoxing #DiBellaEntertainment #BoxingStar #Welterweight #FutureChampion #AmateurChampion #LightningBoxingGym #FatherSonBond #BoxingJourney #HardWorkPaysOff #NextBigThing

Regis Prograis is returning to familiar surroundings, training full-time in Houston with longtime coach Bobby Benton as he prepares for his Oct. 26 bout against Jack Catterall in Manchester, England.

The 12-round junior welterweight contest represents a pivotal moment in Prograis' career, as many question whether the 35-year-old former titleholder Prograis can still perform at an elite level. 

Benton, however, isn't concerned about the doubters.

"We're just starting camp," Benton told BoxingScene. "Nothing heavy right now—just working on basics, floor work, pads. We’ll start sparring [soon] and get into everything."

For Benton, it's business as usual. "It's back to work, that’s all it is. Nothing's changing," Benton said. "A lot of people think Regis is done, but he's not. Catterall has everything to lose. Honestly, I didn’t think they would take the fight."

Regis Prograis (29-2, 24 KOs) is coming off a tough loss to Devin Haney last December, a bout in which he was knocked down twice. That fight followed a rare training camp in Southern California for Prograis. Prior to the Haney defeat, Prograis delivered a lackluster performance against Danielito Zorrilla in his New Orleans homecoming and debut with Matchroom Boxing. However, he had been riding a five-fight win streak since his majority decision loss to Josh Taylor in 2019. In November 2022, Prograis knocked out Jose Zepeda to become a two-time junior welterweight titleholder. Despite the setback against Haney, Prograis has made it clear that his goal remains to become a three-time champion.

Benton, who has guided Prograis through some of his biggest victories, believes the 31-year-old Catterall (29-1, 13 KOs) might have miscalculated by not pursuing a title after his win over Taylor in their rematch, a milestone for Catterall.

"It’ll be just like the old Regis," Benton promised.

After some difficult nights in the ring, Prograis is eager to show he remains a top contender in the division. Benton is confident: "They’ll see a different Regis on Oct. 26. He’ll be back on top."

#RegisPrograis #JackCatterall #BobbyBenton #PrograisVsCatterall #JuniorWelterweight #BoxingReturn #DevinHaney #JoseZepeda #MatchroomBoxing #HoustonBoxing #FightCamp #BoxingChampion #ComebackSeason #ManchesterFight #RegisIsBack

Fresh off a second-round knockout of Tyler Denny, middleweight Hamzah Sheeraz claims he's ready to get rid of anyone put before him.

Britain’s Sheeraz, 25, secured an emphatic stoppage of 33-year-old compatriot Denny on the undercard of Anthony Joshua-Daniel Dubois’s IBF heavyweight title fight at London’s Wembley Stadium on Saturday.

Sheeraz (21-0, 17 KOs) says he’s willing to face anyone at 160 pounds.

“I'll be really tired of calling for a title fight now,” Sheeraz told DAZN after the fight. “Like I said, whoever [Turki Alalshikh] puts in the ring with me, I'm coming here and I'm getting knocked out. It's honestly as simple as that. Any 160 names, bring it on. Let's go.”

The undefeated Sheeraz has recorded stoppage wins in each of his past 15 bouts and is currently rated No.1 at middleweight by the WBC and WBO, and No. 4 by the IBF. Now in the pole position to land a world title shot (which he has been demanding for years), Sheeraz believes he’ll be in good condition to deliver when he’s called upon.

“Yeah, whenever. Like I said, when I say it, I honestly mean it: I promise you, whenever these guys say to me, ‘You're fighting,’ then I'll go to L.A., do my camp, and I'll be here and I'll deliver. That's what it's about at the end of day – delivering.”

The defeat ended a seven-fight winning streak for Denny (19-3-3, 1 KO).

When asked what the win means to him, Sheeraz said, “It means everything and more, man. I can only say it over and over again, do you know what I mean? Just listen. A huge thank you to everyone coming out today.”

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 .

In a battle of unbeaten prospects, Nilo Guerrero Jr. defeated Madeep Jangra in a 10-round majority decision Friday at Legends Casino in Toppenish, Washington.

The Guerrero-Jangra main event, which headlined a show promoted by Jangra promoter and Hall of Famer Roy Jones Jr. (RJJ Boxing), delivered plenty of action as Nicaragua’s Guerrero (10-0, 7 KOs) turned in arguably the best fight of his young professional career.

  “Congratulations to Nilo,” said Guerrero promoter Azat Torosyan (Toro Promotions). “We are very proud of him. We sent him up to Washington to take on an undefeated fighter for a title, and he showed a lot of heart. I’m sure that he learned a lot from this experience to challenge any of the other top super featherweight prospects. I’d also like to thank RJJ Boxing for this opportunity.”

Guerrero started fast, winning the first three rounds, but India’s Jangra (10-1, 7 KOs) found his range and distance during the middle rounds, frustrating Guerrero with his in-and-out style.

Using his rare height (6-foot-1) and reach for a 130-pounder, Guerrero got his second wind in the last third of the fight, establishing control in the eighth round by firing hard body shots and uppercuts to recapture the momentum.

Guerrero, 24, was awarded the majority decision by scores of 98-92. 96-94, 95-95.

Guerrero, a Nicaraguan Youth National Champion as an amateur, had never fought more than six rounds, but he passed the toughest test of his career to date, going the full 10 to emerge with an impressive victory over the much-hyped Jangra.

Dubois came out firing in the opening frame and knocked Joshua down in the closing seconds of the round with an overhand right. At the end of two rounds Dubois had landed 18 power punches, and Joshua had landed 5. Dubois scored a second knockdown in the third round. Joshua landed a left hook at the beginning of the fourth round only to be shaken by a Dubois jab and eventually knocked down again.

In a desperate attempt to change the tide of the fight, Joshua tried to jump on Dubois in the opening seconds of the fifth round. Joshua seemed to stun and back up Dubois, but a Dubois counterpunch put Joshua down and out at 59 seconds of the fifth round. The final stats reflect a one-sided drubbing. Dubois landed more than twice as many total punches than Joshua. Joshua threw 35 power punches. Dubois landed 49 power punches, and scored 4 knockdowns.

#DanielDubois #Joshua #HeavyweightBoxing #BoxingKO #PowerPunches #BoxingChampion #FightNight #Knockdowns #BoxingVictory #JoshuaVsDubois #BoxingFans #HeavyweightShowdown #BoxingWorld #KnockoutVictory #BoxingStars

In an exclusive interview with BoxingScene, Mike McAtee, the executive director of USA Boxing, discussed the future of Olympic boxing and the challenges the organization faces moving forward.

BoxingScene: What is the current status of Olympic boxing for the 2028 Los Angeles Games?

McAtee: That's a great question. As of now, boxing is still not on the program for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. This stems from the International Olympic Committee’s (IOC) decision after the suspension of the International Boxing Association (IBA). However, the IOC has acknowledged that an international federation needs to be engaged to oversee boxing for the Games. USA Boxing, along with about 42 other countries, has joined World Boxing, a new international federation we helped found. World Boxing is working to meet IOC requirements, such as anti-doping regulations, financial transparency, and integrity in the field of play. We’re optimistic that a decision on boxing for LA 2028 will be made by the IOC in early 2025.

BoxingScene: Can you outline the specific requirements for boxing to be included in LA 2028?

McAtee: There are around 35 to 40 requirements that need to be met, as outlined by the Association of Summer Olympic International Federations (ASOIF). These include things like selection procedures for officials, governance standards, and financial transparency. For example, World Boxing will host an international event, the world qualifier in Colorado later this year, to demonstrate our compliance with these requirements. Each of these elements is necessary to ensure the sport is governed with integrity and transparency, and we are working diligently to fulfill all of them.

BoxingScene: How would you describe the state of USA Boxing today, especially coming off the recent Olympics?

McAtee: USA Boxing has grown tremendously since 2016. When I started, we had about 38,000 members and 1,800 boxing gyms. Today, we have over 62,000 members and 2,600 gyms. We held 30,000 competitive bouts last year alone. While we fell short at the Paris Olympic Games, losing several close split decisions, we remain committed to our goal of consistently placing athletes at the top of the podium. Our grassroots efforts continue to grow, and we’re constantly analyzing our performance to improve. We are also heavily invested in developing not only elite athletes but also good citizens through our programs, which serve thousands of boxers across the country.

BoxingScene: USA Boxing has seen success at the grassroots level. How are you working to grow the sport further?

McAtee: Growing the sport at the grassroots level is critical. The larger your base, the greater your chances of developing high-performance athletes. Since 2016, we’ve increased our membership, and now we’re even expanding into adaptive boxing programs and partnering with esports platforms like Virtual Reality Golden Gloves. Boxing may be a niche sport, but it has immense potential for health benefits and building confidence in young people. We’re also working with our alumni and professionals to continue growing the sport. The future is bright for USA Boxing, and we’re focused on bringing new eyes to the sport, both at the grassroots and elite levels.

BoxingScene: How does USA Boxing adapt to the challenges of the modern era, like social media and misinformation?

McAtee: We see these challenges as opportunities. At USA Boxing, we prioritize serving our members, providing accurate and timely information, and educating the public about the benefits and safety of Olympic-style boxing. Our communications team is evolving to better engage with our community through various channels, including podcasts and other digital platforms. Boxing is one of the safest sports in the U.S., despite public perception. We’re committed to growing the sport while maintaining transparency and compliance with all regulations. Our goal is to not only perform well on the international stage but also develop great citizens through our programs.

BoxingScene: With so many changes in sports and youth participation, how does USA Boxing plan to stay relevant?

McAtee: The sports landscape has changed drastically, and young people are participating less in sports overall. That’s why we’re evolving with the times, looking for ways to engage youth in boxing through innovative programs like esports and adaptive boxing. We’ve also strengthened our partnerships with organizations like the Golden Gloves and the United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee. We know that growth won’t happen overnight, but we’re dedicated to showcasing boxing’s value as a sport and a community-builder. As we look ahead to the LA 2028 Games and beyond, we remain focused on our mission of developing both elite athletes and good citizens.

When Bruce “Shu Shu” Carrington enters the ring against Sulaiman Segawa this Friday, September 27, it will mark the third time in a row – and the sixth occasion in a 13-fight pro career – that he will have plied his wares at the Theater at Madison Square Garden. For the native New Yorker, it’s an achievement that stems from a lifetime of hard work, but it is also a tremendous honor.

“Listen, first of all, I just got to give glory to God, because without him, I wouldn’t even be able to perform the way I perform and work the way that I work,” the featherweight contender told BoxingScene . “But, man, yeah, I work really hard to be able to get the performances that I get. I study my opponents. I train three times a day and sacrifice a lot to be able to do the things that I do. So, I’m just really happy that the Theater is becoming a home for Shu Shu Carrington, and I just want to just be able to continue to perform for my fans. That means the most for my career.”

Of course, Carrington (12-0, 8 KOs) is not just a New Yorker but a Brooklynite. And he is not just a Brooklynite but a citizen of the neighborhood of Brownsville, one square mile and change in area, notorious for its poverty and crime rate and (not coincidentally) as the breeding ground for some of boxing’s greatest champions.

The immensely affable and likeable Carrington says he is keen to take advantage of the wisdom and experience that some of his predecessors have offered about the singular pressures and expectations of being a boxer from Brownsville.

“I’ve talked with guys like Zab Judah, Shannon Briggs, Daniel Jacobs, doing little things with Mike Tyson here and there,” he says, name-checking some of Brooklyn’s best. “I’ve talked to a lot of the Brownsville champions about just how much it means for me to be a Brownsvillian and just striving to be a champion. I really want to be recognized as one of the best ever to come out of the neighborhood, and I also want to set a great example for people that come from where I come from, because Brownsville is not really known for a lot of good things. You know, almost every other week something is happening out there in Brownsville that helps it get a bad rep.”

Just a few days ago, for example, what began with police confronting a man they suspected of jumping the turnstile at a subway station resulted in gunfire on board a train and injuries to the suspect, two innocent bystanders, and a police officer. Access to guns is a constant problem: between January and June of this year, while overall crime declined in the neighborhood – as across New York City – the number of shooting victims climbed 100 per cent compared to the same period in 2023.

Carrington, however, is keen to defend his birthplace and insists it is far from the war zone that it is often assumed to be.

“There’s a lot of great things that come out of Brownsville, man, and it should get just as much shine as the negative,” he says. “There’s a lot of great memories that I have. Just waking up or walking outside and somebody is walking out with a speaker, bumping some music, making everybody feel good, and just putting everybody in a happy mood. And people just out on their porch or by the benches, vibing and having a good time.”

Suddenly, a particular, boxing-specific, memory comes to mind. 

“There will be times when people will have a little beef,” he begins. “And somebody will just go in their house, grab a pair of gloves, make a little circle, and have them fight inside the circle. And then sometimes the winner would stay in, and the next person would come in. Little stuff like that is the cool memories that I have in Brownsville.”

One of his other happy memories of his birthplace, he says, is the number of people who got behind him and encouraged his pursuit of dreams that would take him away.

“If they see you are striving for something great, they’re gonna push you toward that, they’re gonna get behind you,” he explains. “I’ve never been in a situation where people were trying to push drugs or drinks or any type of negativity upon me, because they know that I was a boxer. They knew that I was striving for something, and they respected it from the beginning. I remember that, and I think that that’s one of the main reasons why I have so much love and respect for Brownsville. Even when I fought in the Golden Gloves, they would come out deep for me, hundreds of people supporting me even as an amateur. That’s why I've got nothing but love for Brownsville.”

Indeed, it was growing up in Brownsville, and having such storied examples to follow, that turned Carrington into a boxer in the first place. 

“I love boxing. I’ve always watched boxing since I was a little kid,” he says. “Mike Tyson’s from Brownsville, so he was always just like this larger than life type of figure. So when he would fight, it was always an event. Everybody would be like, ‘Hush, go in the house watch Mike Tyson fighting.’ It was always something to watch, and that made me interested in boxing. Then on top of that there was Zab Judah. I always loved watching him. And I would want to learn why this happened or that happened, why certain things work, why certain things don’t work. What could this fighter have done to win? What could this fighter have done to get the knockout? I asked myself those questions, and that just pushed me into a whole rabbit hole. I wouldn’t say I’m a perfectionist necessarily, but I work on trying to just be as perfect as I can be.”

Talking of being as perfect as he can be, Carrington takes immense pride in his work ethic, from 3am runs to almost obsessively watching videos of his opponents. 

“It helps me a lot, because I make sure I dot my I’s and cross my T’s,” he says. “I study my opponent so much that I dream about the fight over and over and over. I even end up having meditations about the fight: how do they react, what are their habits? What have they improved on? What are their strong suits? I think about every single one of those things, and I work on them, over and over and over and over to the point that when it’s time to fight, I know every single thing that they’re going to be able to do and I have an answer for A through Z and then some.”

That intensive preparation, combined with his natural skills and ability, has seen Carrington move rapidly up the ranks of a division that is presently jam-packed with talent at its high reaches, with the likes of Nick Ball, Raymond Ford, Rafael Espinoza, Angelo Leo and now Stephen Fulton among those battling to be top dog. There’s also the prospect of a certain Japanese boxer moving up yet another weight division to join the party. But while Carrington hopes that victory over Segawa would set him up for a title shot in 2025, he insists he is unconcerned about which of the division’s contenders and titlists might be up next.

“To be honest, there’s not really anyone that I’m really focused on,” he says. “I’m just ready to fight for the championship, whoever it is. I’m ranked high by all the sanctioning bodies. So I’m ready for each and every one of them, totally. I’m mentally ready. I’m physically ready. And I don’t think that these fighters know what we have in store for them. We’re not stepping around with them. Things are different on TV. People could say they could do this, do that, but no, when you step in a ring with me, it's a whole different ball game, and I’m just ready for whoever.”

The perfect scenario, of course, is that that title shot, or an early defense, sees him back on home ground – perhaps this time in the big room at Madison Square Garden or Brooklyn’s Barclays Center.

“Definitely!” he affirms. “That’s really on a bucket list for me. I really pray that everything comes to fruition. I’m really working hard for it to be able to make it happen, and when it does, I’m gonna have the best performance of my life.”

Kieran Mulvaney has written, broadcast and podcasted about boxing for HBO, Showtime, ESPN and Reuters, among other outlets. He also writes regularly for National Geographic, has written several books on the Arctic and Antarctic, and is at his happiest hanging out with wild polar bears. His website is www.kieranmulvaney.com.

Trainer Robert Garcia has tipped Dmitry Bivol to earn a decision over Artur Beterbiev on Oct. 12.

The unified WBC, IBF and WBO light heavyweight titlist Beterbiev is scheduled to face his fellow Russian Bivol – holder of the WBA 175-pound belt – in an undisputed title fight at Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Garcia – the lead trainer at Robert Garcia Boxing Academy – recognizes that it’s a tough call between the Russian two best fighters and the world’s top two light heavyweights.

“I can't wait for that one, man,” Garcia told FightHub TV. “That's gonna be a fight that's hard to pick the winner. I lean towards Bivol by decision.”

A Bivol-Beterbiev blockbuster has been years in the making – and waiting – as a potential bout between them fell through due to a knee injury suffered by Beterbiev.

Bivol (23-0, 12 KOs) has had a stellar professional career, beating the likes of super middleweight king Saul “Canelo” Alvarez and Gilberto Ramirez. However, the fight with Beterbiev (20-0, 20 KOs) remains Bivol’s biggest.

“I just think he's got that style that he's not gonna allow Beterbiev to get in,” Garcia said. “I don't know. I just think Bivol will push it up and earn a decision win.”

Garcia acknowledges that Beterbiev remains tough at 39 years old. He has knocked out every opponent he has faced during his 11-year professional career. And while Bivol represents his greatest challenge, Garcia knows Beterbiev has the power to be a constant threat.

“I also wouldn't be surprised if Beterbiev hurts [Bivol] and knocks him out, because that guy has so much power that he could knock anybody out,” Garcia said.

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 .

Daniel Dubois successfully defended his heavyweight title with a dominant performance against Anthony Joshua on Saturday night at London’s Wembley Stadium. The highly anticipated clash saw Dubois knock down the two-time heavyweight champion four times before securing a fifth-round knockout victory.

From the opening bell, Dubois set the tone, flooring Joshua in the final seconds of the first round. The power of Dubois was on full display as he continued to land heavy shots, eventually scoring knockdowns in the third and fourth rounds. Joshua attempted to rally in the fifth, but a devastating counterpunch from Dubois ended the fight.

Here’s a look at some of the key moments from the action-packed heavyweight main event:

Dubois knocked Joshua down four times, showing his incredible power. Each punch seemed to have an immediate effect on the former champ, leaving Joshua struggling to regain control.

Throughout the fight, Dubois outlanded Joshua, connecting on 49 power punches while Joshua managed only 35. The disparity highlighted Dubois’ precision and effectiveness in the ring.

The fight ended with a thunderous counterpunch from Dubois at 59 seconds of the fifth round, leaving no doubt about his status as a rising heavyweight star.

Stay tuned for more exclusive post-fight reactions and insights from this explosive heavyweight showdown! #DanielDubois #AnthonyJoshua #HeavyweightTitle #BoxingKnockout #WembleyStadium #BoxingMainEvent #HeavyweightChamp #BoxingPower #DuboisJoshua #FightNight #Knockdown #BoxingShowdown #BoxingHighlights

Anthony Joshua suffered the fourth loss of his 11-year career Saturday night against Daniel Dubois in an all-British battle at London’s Wembley Stadium, as Joshua got dropped four times en route to a fifth-round knockout. 

If history is any indication, however, Joshua (28-4, 25 KOs) is going to want another crack at the IBF heavyweight beltholder Dubois (22-2, 21 KOs) with hopes of exacting revenge, especially since he’s already shut down any talks of retirement . 

Following the first loss of his career to Andy Ruiz Jr. in June 2019, Joshua got revenge on Ruiz in December 2019 by scoring a landslide unanimous decision win. After his unanimous decision loss to Oleksandr Usyk, Joshua got another chance against the Ukrainian in 2022 but was unsuccessful, this time in a split decision loss. 

The 35-year-old Joshua’s career-long promoter Eddie Hearn of Matchroom Boxing alluded that AJ would be keen for another dance with Dubois despite the one-sided demolition. 

"I think [Joshua] will exercise that rematch clause, I think that's a given," Hearn said during his post-fight remarks. "He'll need a rest, and it's a dangerous fight. This guy is growing in confidence all the time.

"He'll believe he can hurt Dubois. He'll believe he can beat him. But full credit to Daniel Dubois. He deserves all the credit. It was a great performance.

"We have another fight with Riyadh Season and Turki Alalshikh, [chairman of the General Entertainment Authority in Saudi Arabia], and Daniel Dubois is part of that plan, but so too could be Tyson Fury or another heavyweight.

"I think that 2025 is going to be an interesting year for Anthony Joshua, one way or another, but he will definitely be back and whether it's against Daniel Dubois, Tyson Fury, whoever, you're going to be entertained.”

The former two-time heavyweight champion Joshua was dropped in rounds one, three, four and five and never fully recovered from the onslaught from the opening frame. 

"It was the first round. After that he was fighting on heart and desire,” said Hearn. “I'm so proud because he never gave up. His legs were deceiving him and he kept on trying.

"When you are in there with a massive puncher, this is what can happen. He never stopped trying to get up, even when he couldn't get up at the end.

"Daniel deserves credit, he's a real world champion. Congratulations to him."

#AnthonyJoshua #DanielDubois #EddieHearn #HeavyweightBoxing #BoxingRematch #JoshuaVsDubois #WembleyStadium #BoxingFight #IBFTitle #BoxingWorld #BoxingKnockout #DuboisVsJoshua #BoxingHighlights #TysonFury #BoxingChampion

Hamzah Sheeraz (21-0, 16 KOs) delivered a statement victory at London’s sold-out Wembley Stadium, capturing the EBU European middleweight title with a second-round stoppage of Tyler Denny (19-3-3, 1 KO) on the undercard of the Daniel Dubois-Anthony Joshua event. Sheeraz dropped Denny in the first round and finished the job in the second, solidifying his claim as a rising star in the division.

In another notable bout, Joshua Buatsi (19-0, 13 KOs) had a tougher night than expected against Willy Hutchinson (18-2, 13 KOs). Buatsi floored Hutchinson twice but still had to settle for a split decision win, walking away with the interim light heavyweight title.

Anthony Cacace (22-1, 8 KOs) successfully defended his junior lightweight title against Josh Warrington (31-4-1, 8 KOs) in a unanimous decision. After the fight, Warrington left his gloves in the ring, signaling his likely retirement from the sport.

Meanwhile, middleweight Ishmael Davis (13-1, 6 KOs), stepping in as a late replacement, fought valiantly but lost a close majority decision to Josh Kelly (16-1-1, 9 KOs), marking his first professional defeat.

Lastly, lightweight Mark Chamberlain (16-1, 12 KOs) suffered a shocking upset, being dropped and defeated for the first time in a unanimous decision to the unbeaten Josh Padley (15-0, 4 KOs). 

 #HamzahSheeraz #TylerDenny #JoshuaBuatsi #WillyHutchinson #AnthonyCacace #JoshWarrington #IshmaelDavis #JoshKelly #MarkChamberlain #JoshPadley #Boxing #WembleyStadium #DuboisJoshuaUndercard #MatchroomBoxing #FightNight #BoxingNews #BoxingFans

German featherweight Nina Meinke (19-3) won the vacant IBF title on a majority decision over Argentinian Daniela Bermudez (32-5-3) in the headliner of P2M's big show at the Sporthalle in Hamburg. After 12 three-minute rounds the judges had it 118-110, 119-109 and 114-114.

Meinke was cut on the forehead in the second round after an accidental head clash and it kept bleeding throughout a fight that was reported as closer than the two of the scorecards would indicate.

In the chief support heavyweight Peter Kadiru, one of Anthony Joshua's sparring partners, retained the IBF Intercontinental title with a fifth-round TKO of Djuar El Scheich (now 22-1-1, but don't let the record fool you). Kadiru is now 19-1.

Also on the bill was German (BDB version) heavyweight champ Viktor Jurk (10-0) who stopped Edonis Berisha (8-2) to retain the title.

In Oslo, Norway, cruiserweights Kevin Melhus (13-0) and Emil Meek (0-1) clashed in a heated all-Norwegian matchup. Meek, with a background in MMA, made his pro debut and did well early on but tired and was floored in the sixth. He got up but then wrestled Melhus to the canvas and had a point deducted. Early in the seventh Meek's corner threw in the towel.

On the undercard Alexander Martinsen fell ill hours before his fight against Andreas Skarvold Iversen and had to pull out. Instead Iversen fought an exhibition against  Adrian Hagen.

The one undercard fight that did get off the ground saw comebacking welterweight Hadi Srour (5-0) stop late sub Yaroslav Kuzoma (1-2) in the third round. Srour has been inactive for five years after a positive doping test.

Former WBA interim and EBU super welter champion Jack Culcay (33-5) has announced his retirement. In his last fight he was in against Bakhram Murtazaliev and was knocked out in the 11th round after a tremendous fight with the vacant IBF title at stake.

Culcay was an excellent amateur and won the World Championships in 2009, turning pro later the same year. He won the EBU title in 2014 and the WBA interim title in 2015. He lost to Demetrius Andrade in a fight for the WBA “regular” title in 2017. Tough losses against Maciej Sulecki and Sergiy Derevyanchenko followed but Jack came back and became a mandatory challenger for the IBF title.

During his long career Culcay was promoted by Universum, SES, back to Universum, Sauerland Event and in later years by Agon Sports. He always showed up in top shape and gave it all he had. He will stay in boxing as a trainer.

Danish super middle Jakob Bank (14-0) will headline TK Promotions show in Kolding November 23 against an opponent to be announced. 

#NinaMeinke #DanielaBermudez #PeterKadiru #DjuarElScheich #ViktorJurk #EdonisBerisha #KevinMelhus #EmilMeek #JackCulcay #IBFTitle #Boxing #FightNight #BoxingFans #Hamburg #BoxingChampions #Retirement

Joshua Buatsi has placed himself at the front of the queue to face the win over the October 12 clash between Artur Beterbiev and Dmitriy Bivol.

The two Russians fight in Saudi Arabia to unify all of the belts at 175lbs and following his points victory over Willy Hutchinson in Wembley Stadium last night (September 15), Buatsi – as the WBO’s interim champion – is in pole position to face the winner.

“If not, I wouldn’t have taken this fight,” said the 31-year-old. “It was for the interim, the winner gets the shot, I got the win so it’s very self-explanatory.”

Buatsi won via split decision, but dropped Hutchinson twice and the Scot also had a point deducted. Buatsi was a deserved winner, sticking to his fundamentals and investing in bodywork that gave Hutchinson a multitude of problems.

“Willy was tricky. I have to give him credit,” Buatsi added. “This fight wouldn’t have got the attention it got if not because of him. I said that to him in the ring. I said, ‘Tough fight.’ When we were doing the medicals together, I said, ‘Willy, respect to you, man.’ I met his dad and grandad, lovely men. I thanked them.

“He’s a hell of a tough guy. I said to him, ‘Willy, I wasn’t that good when I was 26, 25, so props to you’. He’s a very tough man. I’ll give him credit. He got up every time. When I was hitting him, I knew I was hurting him. He got up every time and came back stronger.”

Buatsi, who trains under the watchful eye of SNAC founder Victor Conte and sprint coach Remi Korchemny, as well as trainer Virgil Hunter, thanked his team and also discussed the magnitude of the fight week that it rounded off, on a bill topped by Daniel Dubois-Anthony Joshua. 

“My team, I want to shine the light on them,” said Buatsi. “They were fantastic with me, I felt the last two weeks I was a bit weird towards them, so the support system that I’ve got, my family and my friends, I’m forever grateful.

“It’s been a helluva a week. We can’t say it’s been a normal fight week, because it hasn’t. I’ve never been to Central London this many times in one week. We kept on doing it. [It was] a bit annoying, but credit to Riyadh Season, it’s been a massive build up, I got the win, I’m forever grateful.” 

#JoshuaBuatsi #ArturBeterbiev #DmitryBivol #SaudiArabia #WillyHutchinson #Boxing #BoxingNews #BoxingFans #FightFans

Barry McGuigan doesn’t think it’s a good idea to see Anthony Joshua again. Not in a rematch with Daniel Dubois. Not in the ring with anyone else.

That may seem like a harsh conclusion given the reality of heavyweight fighting, where one punch can truly change or end a fight. Joshua was stopped by Andy Ruiz in June 2019 but came back, boxing his way to a victory in their rematch, albeit in an incredibly cautious fashion. Joshua went on to knock out Kubrat Pulev before losing a pair of decisions to Oleksandr Usyk in 2021 and 2022. In the time since, Joshua outpointed Jermaine Franklin Jr. and stopped Robert Helenius, Otto Wallin and Francis Ngannou.

Other heavyweights have come back from demoralizing knockout losses, most notably Lennox Lewis avenging his defeats to Oliver McCall and Hasim Rahman.

Joshua has a rematch clause, even though he was the challenger for Dubois’ IBF title, likely recognizing the sheer drawing power that the 2012 Olympic gold medalist brought to the table.

#AnthonyJoshua #DanielDubois #JoshuaDubois #Boxing #BoxingNews #BoxingFans #FightFans #News #Sports #Retirement

Renowned trainer Robert Garcia has tipped Dmitry Bivol to earn a decision over Artur Beterbiev on October 12.

The unified WBC, IBF and WBO light heavyweight titlist Beterbiev is scheduled to face his fellow Russian Bivol – holder of the WBA 175-pound belt – in an undisputed title fight at Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Garcia – the lead trainer at Robert Garcia Boxing Academy – recognizes that it’s a tough call between the Russian two best fighters and the world’s top two light heavyweights.

“I can't wait for that one, man,” Garcia told FightHub TV. “That's gonna be a fight that's hard to pick the winner. I lean towards Bivol by decision.”

A Bivol-Beterbiev blockbuster has been years in the making – and waiting – as a potential bout between them fell through due to a knee injury suffered by Beterbiev.

Bivol (23-0, 12 KOs) has had a stellar professional career, beating the likes of super middleweight king Saul “Canelo” Alvarez and Gilberto Ramirez. However, the fight with Beterbiev (20-0, 20 KOs) remains Bivol’s biggest.

“I just think he's got that style that he's not gonna allow Beterbiev to get in,” Garcia said. “I don't know. I just think Bivol will push it up and earn a decision win.”

Garcia acknowledges that Beterbiev remains tough at 39 years old. He has knocked out every opponent he has faced during his 11-year professional career. And while Bivol represents his greatest challenge, Garcia knows Beterbiev has the power to be a constant threat.

“I also wouldn't be surprised if Beterbiev hurts [Bivol] and knocks him out, because that guy has so much power that he could knock anybody out,” Garcia said.

#AnthonyJoshua #RobertGarcia #DanielDubois #ArturBeterbiev #DmitryBivol #LightHeavyweight #CaneloAlvarez #GilbertoRamirez #WBC #IBF #WBO 

Terence Crawford was among the boxing luminaries who were ringside Saturday night watching Daniel Dubois destroy Anthony Joshua at Wembley Stadium in London in front of a record crowd of 96,000.

Dubois knocked down Joshua four times to score a fifth-round knockout win and defended his IBF heavyweight title for the first time. 

Dubois dropped Joshua in Rounds 1, 3, 4 and 5, and even survived a brief scare courtesy of a desperation onslaught from Joshua moments before he connected with his highlight-reel KO.

“No, not at all [was it a shock],” Crawford told the media while leaving the arena. “The better man was going to win, and Dubois was the better man. He capitalized on Joshua's faults and won the fight. … It was a great fight. I think Joshua got overconfident [right before the fight ended]. He hurt him with a shot and went for the kill, but he forgot about his defense and forgot the fundamentals. 

“Dubois came to fight, and you can see it in his eyes. He wasn't going to leave the ring without that victory.”

Joshua, who will turn 35 years old next month, is now 6-4 in his 10 fights over the past five years, having lost to Oleksandr Usyk (twice), Andy Ruiz Jr. and, now, Dubois. But Joshua shut down any potential retirement talks immediately after the fight.

Crawford has his concerns, however, about whether the two-time heavyweight champion can revive his career once more. 

“Uh, I don't know [if Joshua can come back from this],” said Crawford. “Joshua has been in a lot of wars. He fought a lot of great fighters. I think he can, but it's going to be tough because he has a lot of wear and tear on his body.”

The four-division champion Crawford is coming off a unanimous decision win against Israil Madrimov last month to capture the WBA junior middleweight title. 

Crawford doesn’t have his next fight date lined up yet, but he has been adamant about moving up to 168 pounds for a clash against Saul “Canelo” Alvarez.

“Hopefully, we can get that fight,” said Crawford. “If not, we move on to the next.” 

#AnthonyJoshua #DanielDubois #TerenceCrawford #Boxing #BoxingNews #BoxingFans #FightFans #Sports #Heavyweights #IsrailMadrimov

Former two-time heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua is promising another revival.

Joshua suffered the fourth defeat of his career Saturday night, falling to Daniel Dubois in devastating fashion when he was dropped four times and knocked out in five rounds in front of a record crowd of 96,000 fans at London’s Wembley Stadium.

The 34-year-old Joshua (28-4, 25 KOs) is now 6-4 in his past 10 fights dating back to 2019.

AJ came into the clash unbeaten in his previous four fights, after suffering back-to-back decision losses to Oleksandr Usyk in 2021 and 2022. But “Dynamite” Dubois (22-2, 21 KOs) proved to be too dominant, scoring knockdowns in Rounds 1, 3, 4 and 4.

Much like Joshua’s first career loss – to Andy Ruiz Jr. in 2019, when he was also dropped four times and stopped in the seventh – Joshua never seemed to get his legs back after suffering the first knockdown against Dubois. But he still fought bravely and showed plenty of heart and courage. Joshua even clipped and hurt his British countryman moments before he was knocked out. 

“I always hold my head high,” Joshua said during his post-fight press conference. “We took a shot at success and came up short, unfortunately. We rolled the dice and created history for British boxing.”

Joshua did not take any questions from the media, but he quelled concerns that perhaps he would call it a career following the loss.

“Of course I want to continue fighting,” said Joshua. “We're going to live to fight another day. That's what I am – a warrior. We have to give credit to Daniel. I take my hat off to him. I want to thank my team for the way they prepared me. There were a few mistakes in there, but that's the name of the game. Fine margins can cost you at the top level.” 

Dubois, who retained his IBF title, outlanded Joshua 79 to 32 in the firefight.

“He rolled the dice [in the fifth round] and hurt Daniel but was just a little bit reckless in terms of his application in the final moments,” said Joshua’s trainer, Ben Davison.

“We were still in the fight after such a bad start. I'm very proud of what he showed in there against a young, strong, hungry fighter in Dubois. It was a terrible situation to be in. Not saying a lot of fighters would quit – in a sense, to ask to be pulled out – but a lot of fighters wouldn't try to fight the way AJ did. I'm really proud of him for that.

“There was nothing that Daniel did that shocked us. We were expecting him to do those things. Preparation went well. So we have to go back and look at the fight to see what we can do better to help AJ be better.”

#AnthonyJoshua #DanielDubois #JoshuaDubois #Boxing #BoxingNews #BoxingFans #Retirement #WembleyStadium