Devin Haney’s team has made it a key condition that Ryan Garcia enroll in an Olympic-style drug testing program for a rematch to happen. Bill Haney, Devin’s father and manager, gave Garcia a 48-hour deadline to sign up for the Voluntary Anti-Doping Association (VADA) program, aiming to ensure a clean fight after Ryan’s doping suspension, which ends in April.

“We don’t duck fights or lawsuits, @RyanGarcia, you got 48 hours to enroll in VADA for the rematch. Clean competition, real standards. We’re always ready—are you? @Realdevinhaney stays focused, lawsuit or not. #NoExcuses #RealChampions #VADA #Rematch #TeamHaney,” Haney posted on X.

This request follows Garcia’s interest in a rematch, although he let the deadline pass without signing up, responding on social media that he doesn’t plan to follow Haney’s team’s demands.

“You have to be dumb if you think ima listen to what Bill Haney requests. First of all, they are suing me. Second of all, I don’t need them at all. LMAO,” Garcia wrote on X.In response, Bill Haney criticized Garcia’s decision, stating they won’t wait for him and are moving on to bigger fights.

“Ryan had his shot to step up, but we respect our time and the sport. We’re moving forward to bigger things. If he can make peace with how he handled it, so can we. Champions don’t wait,” Haney replied on X.

The first fight between them was ruled a no contest by the New York State Athletic Commission after Garcia tested positive for a banned substance. Bill Haney explained that the testing is essential to ensure no unfair advantage in the rematch.

“If you’re serious about the sport, you should be training and getting tested right now.”

“People are going to talk about Devin’s heart until he’s back in the ring. His skills have been in question since those three knockdowns,” Haney concluded.

Despite the challenges, Devin Haney’s team has been exploring other fight options, including possible bouts with Teofimo Lopez and Liam Paro.The future of the rematch between Devin Haney and Ryan Garcia remains uncertain, but the champion’s team is clear that it won’t happen without the necessary measures to ensure a clean fight.Frazer Clarke has surgery“We don’t duck fights or lawsuits. @RyanGarcia , you got 48 hours to enroll in VADA for the rematch. Clean competition, real standards. We’re always ready—are you? @Realdevinhaney stays focused, lawsuit or not. #NoExcuses#RealChampions#VADA#Rematch “#TeamHaney

— Bill Haney (@BillHaney77) October 8, 2024

You have to be dumb if you think ima listen to what bill Haney request

First of all they are suing me

Second of all I don’t need them at all

They say if you come for the King, you better not miss.

Dmitry Bivol fought as well as he ever has, but he fell agonisingly short in his bid to claim light-heavyweight domination against “King” Artur Beterbiev.

Beterbiev won an excellent fight by scores of 116-112 (Pawel Kardyni), 115-113 (Glenn Feldman) and 114-114 (Manuel Oliver Palomo).

There was not much in it, but the two best 175-pounders of this generation produced an engrossing fight of skill, courage and technical proficiency.

To top off the spectacle, the new undisputed champion Beterbiev felt he could have done better, but Bivol congratulated him on a fine performance. Neither complained about the scores or each other.  

Asked how he was feeling afterwards, “Not bad,” responded Beterbiev.

“I did not good today," he continued. "I didn’t like this fight, but I’ll be better one day. It was not tough, it was a little bit uncomfortable.”

Bivol, who finished with swelling around his left eye, said he still has the dream of becoming the undisputed champion, and simply added: “Congratulations to Artur and his team, he deserves it."

Did he think he won?

“I don’t know,” he replied. “I did my job. I thought I could make better. I could always make better. He won. What could I say?”

Bivol is now 23-1 (12 KOs), and the 33-year-old, who was born in Tokmak, Kyrgyzstan but fights out of Indio, California, will surely come again.

Beterbiev, who astonishingly went the distance for the first time in 21 professional fights having scored 20 stoppages previously, added Bivol’s WBA belt to his WBC, WBO, IBF and Ring Magazine titles.

Both tried to gain control in the opening round behind their left hands and Beterbiev’s nose started to redden after Bivol stepped in behind a one-two.

It was steady work but in the dying embers of the round they both let their hands go. Beterbiev, who turns 40 early in 2025, moved Bivol to the ropes but Bivol fired back quickly as the Top Rank-promoted Beterbiev advanced.

Bivol’s left hand was smooth, he hooked and jabbed and hooked off the jab in the second.

He was throwing with intent. Every punch was designed to earn Beterbiev’s respect.

Beterbiev menacingly paced forwards. He chewed on some crisp jabs that were sunk into his stoic face, but he moved ahead briskly, making Bivol work hard with his legs, his engine and his head.

Bivol almost always stayed within punching distance, so Bivol could not switch off for a second.

Halfway through the third Bivol was able to thread a succession of jabs and right hands through Beterbiev’s tight guard.

Often Beterbiev’s head was being flicked back from Bivol’s faster and more accurate shots, but – as is his custom – Beterbiev simply marched toward him.

In the fourth, Beterbiev appeared to have slowed Bivol down somewhat, and he lashed in a right hand.

It was, as expected, high class and absorbing. It was Bivol’s fluidity against Beterbiev’s unflinching pressure.

Bivol still looked sharp but his output appeared to be dropping. He launched forwards and speared Beterbiev with a right but it didn’t dent him, and in the final minute of the fifth there were signs Beterbiev could be wresting control, depositing a thick and heavy right hand into Bivol’s midriff.

Still, for all of Beterbiev’s pressure, Bivol’s high hands and movement meant he was only sparingly caught by anything meaningful. For a spell in the sixth, Bivol then held his feet and fought back.

Soon, however, Beterbiev was again on the front foot.

Bivol crashed a right hand into Beterbiev’s cheek to open round seven. Beterbiev nodded, and stepped towards Bivol once more.

Beterbiev – his back to the ropes – stung Bivol midway through the seventh and then proceeded to clump him this way and that as Bivol endured his first serious danger.

Both took a look at one another to start the eighth. Neither neglected the body. In fact, both landed lead rights downstairs, but the round was comparatively quiet and yet still fascinating, and they both let their fists fly to try to impress the judges with seconds remaining.

Bivol started round nine quickly. He popped Beterbiev with a lead left hook and although Beterbiev still moved toward him he did not throw much through the frame and Bivol outworked him.

With three to go it was poised and everything seemed to hang in the balance with nine minutes remaining.

Beterbiev was still struggling to catch Bivol cleanly but Bivol was able to score with several eye-catching flurries. Bivol slipped to the right, he slid to the left and Beterbiev couldn’t set his feet to let his famed heavy shots go.

Bivol remained in the role of the composed matador, but in the 11th Beterbiev broke through with a strong right hand and worked away with hard lefts and rights when Bivol, swollen over the left eye, offered little in response.

They touched gloves respectfully to open the 12th and Bivol had recovered sufficiently to start promisingly. Beterbiev, ever the stalker, tracked him to the ropes, and with 80 seconds remaininh Bivol was in retreat and having to tuck up. Beterbiev was in command at the end. Bivol was trying to keep him off and they swiped gloves once more at the bell in a sporting gesture.

It was an excellent, high-caliber fight. It featured two practitioners at the top of their game. Referee Thomas Taylor had been a virtual bystander as the two craftsmen elegantly hacked away at one another.

It was not a thriller but it did not need to be. It was a brilliant display of what the sport is about. Strategy, skill, fitness, courage and ability. 

If the anticipation for this, the most attractive of all fights that could be made in the sport today, was the journey, then the destination was Elysium for fight fans.

Bivol had come for the King, and he missed.

But there is every chance that he will get his opportunity to come for “King” Arthur once more, only next time Beterbiev will go in as the undisputed light heavyweight champion of the world.

Dmitry Bivol and his manager, Vadim Kornilov, have decided to file an official protest. This action will be taken following the controversy over the decision in the fight between Bivol and Artur Beterbiev. The bout ended with a unanimous decision victory for Beterbiev.

Bivol’s representative, Vadim Kornilov, has voiced his discontent. Kornilov declared that they will contest the 116-112 scorecard in favor of Beterbiev. In an interview with @BoxNation_TV, Kornilov expressed his frustration, warning about the negative impact of decisions like this on boxing. He also mentioned that one of the supervisors congratulated Top Rank representatives before the decision was announced.

“We’re gonna file a protest on Monday. I think the judge has to at least have some kind of responsibility for what he did. It’s becoming very destructive to the sport what they’re doing. These [sanctioning bodies] have supervisors, the supervisors are friendly with the judges, they’re hugging the promoters, it’s beginning to look like a scheme… One of the supervisors was tapping the Top Rank guys and congratulating them before the decision was [announced]. What is that about? What kind of buddy-buddy relationship do they have there? Where is the professionalism of the sport?” Kornilov said to @BoxNation_TV.Dmitry Bivol also spoke about the protest.

In his interview, the boxer agreed with Kornilov. Dmitry Bivol pointed out that the lack of accountability could harm the future of boxing.

“Yes, a protest will be filed on Monday. I’m talking to everyone, we’re going to file a protest. I mean, at the end of the day, we all know it doesn’t work, but at least the judge has to have some kind of responsibility in his mind for what he did. Because at the end of the day, maybe at least, because what they are doing is becoming very destructive to the sport. You know there are these organizations, and these organizations have supervisors.”

“These supervisors are all friends with these judges, they’re hugging the promoters, and it’s like a big scheme. This judge has officiated many fights and has been good in others. It would be good if they could sit him down and make him count the landed punches.”

“I want to see where he saw his 116-112 scorecard and how he counted Beterbiev’s landed punches against Bivol, and which ones he counted to reach that card,” Bivol questioned.

Turki Alalshikh, an important figure in boxing, also voiced his opinion, stating that the outcome of the fight against Beterbiev was unfair. Alalshikh noted that Dmitry Bivol clearly had a two-round advantage over Beterbiev. At the same time, he expressed optimism about a possible rematch.

“It was one of the best fights I’ve seen in the last 20 years, but I don’t think the result is fair. I think Bivol won by two rounds. Both fighters are my brothers, but I believe Bivol won two more rounds. I don’t know why the result was like that. I will focus on trying to make the rematch happen. They deserve it. If they accept it, we’ll make it happen,” he stated.

On the other hand, Bivol responded to Turki Alalshikh’s comments about the fight result and a potential rematch against Beterbiev.Jai Opetaia wins legal case ahead of title defense

“It makes me happy. Now it depends on Beterbiev’s wishes. Does he want this fight or he doesn’t want this fight? Let’s hope,” Bivol affirmed.

The controversy over the decision has sparked widespread debate among fans and experts. Many believe Dmitry Bivol was the rightful winner of the fight. Artur Beterbiev, for his part, expressed satisfaction with his performance. He also showed willingness for a rematch if Alalshikh desires it.‼️ Dmitry Bivol’s manager Vadim Kornilov has declared that they will be filing an official protest over the Artur Beterbiev defeat, specifically Pawel Kardyni’s 116-112 scorecard: “We’re gonna file a protest on Monday. I think the judge has to at least have some kind of…

— Michael Benson (@MichaelBensonn) October 13, 2024

🚨 TURKI HAD BIVOL WINNING AND WANTS REMATCH

Turki Alalshikh: “I don’t think the result is fair. I think Bivol win 2 rounds more. I don’t know why result like this but I will try to do the rematch. If they accept, we will do it.”

(📽️ TheStompingGround YT) pic.twitter.com/LXe8ODD1w8

— EverythingBoxing (@EverythingBoxi2) October 13, 2024

It’s clear that trust is lacking between Devin Haney and Ryan Garcia, as the Haney camp has requested that Garcia enroll in Olympic-style drug testing more than six months ahead of a potential rematch. This request serves as a precursor to what will be necessary for the two fighters to meet again.

Bill Haney, Devin's father, trainer, and manager, extended a 48-hour offer for Garcia to sign up for Voluntary Anti-Doping Association (VADA) testing in light of Garcia’s one-year suspension for doping, which expires on April 20. This offer came after Garcia expressed interest in revisiting their rivalry, questioning whether Haney was up for the challenge after filing a lawsuit for damages stemming from Garcia’s positive tests for the banned substance Ostarine.

“We don’t duck fights or lawsuits, @RyanGarcia. You got 48 hours to enroll in VADA for the rematch. Clean competition, real standards. We’re always ready—are you? @Realdevinhaney stays focused, lawsuit or not. #NoExcuses #RealChampions #VADA #Rematch #TeamHaney,” Bill Haney posted on “X.”

Garcia let the 48 hours lapse without signing up, responding on “X,” “You have to be dumb if you think I’m gonna listen to what Bill Haney requests. First of all, they are suing me. Second of all, I don’t need them at all. LMAO.”

In reply, Bill Haney stated, “Ryan had his shot to step up, but we respect our time and the sport. We’re moving forward to bigger things. If he can make peace with how he handled it, so can we. Champions don’t wait.”

In a conversation with BoxingScene this week, Bill Haney underscored the significance of a rematch between the two fighters. Garcia (24-1, 20 KOs) won their first bout by majority decision, buoyed by three knockdowns of Haney (31-0, 15 KOs) at Brooklyn’s Barclays Center. However, due to Garcia weighing in more than three pounds overweight, he lost his right to fight for Haney’s 140-pound WBC belt. Shortly after, Garcia’s positive tests triggered a sequence of events leading the New York State Athletic Commission to declare the bout a no-contest.

Afterward, Haney relinquished his WBC belt, having been uninterested in fighting mandatory challenger Sandor Martin for an inadequate purse.

In a recent social-media post, Devin Haney showcased his fit physique, leading Bill Haney to declare, “He was training for the rematch.”

The motivation behind the current drug-testing request is to ensure that Garcia enters the ring without the advantage of performance-enhancing substances. One of the consistent messages from Haney’s conditioning advisor, Victor Conte—former head of BALCO—is the importance of monitoring drug use, particularly during out-of-competition periods when athletes may take advantage of insufficient oversight.

“We’re going to push the date out so far that sticking himself is obsolete,” Bill Haney asserted regarding Garcia.

By initiating this request six months in advance, Team Haney aims to prevent Garcia from gaining any potential advantages he might have had in their first bout. Following a chaotic training camp filled with conspiracy theories and erratic behavior, Garcia managed to deliver powerful left hooks that left Haney reeling, leading to a stunning and questionable outcome.

“So to ask Ryan to enroll in VADA now—that’s a dumb request?” Bill Haney challenged. “We don’t think so. We’ve got six months before the fight. It was an olive branch extended. You’ve got to be clean to fight.”

The Haney camp views the ongoing lawsuit as a separate issue that will be addressed through legal channels, while the rematch represents a lucrative opportunity that they are unwilling to pursue without adequate protections that were absent in their previous encounter.

“If you’re serious about the sport, you should be training and getting tested right now,” Bill Haney added, directing his message at Garcia. “If the boxing world accepts less than that, we’re pushing the sport back to the horse-and-buggy days.”

In the wake of the fallout with Garcia, Devin Haney has been exploring fights with other boxers who might have fallen by the wayside, including potential matchups against current 140-pound champions Teofimo Lopez in Saudi Arabia and Liam Paro in Paro’s home country of Australia.

“People are going to talk about Devin’s heart until he’s back in the ring,” Bill Haney remarked. “His skills have been questioned since those three knockdowns.

“But Devin said yes to Teofimo and yes to Liam Paro, who’s now going to fight in Puerto Rico? His desire to fight Ryan Garcia shows the heart that Devin has for the sport and addresses all the questions people may have. So, now, we ask, ‘Who’s next?’”

Bill Haney also mentioned that Devin Haney could fight before the end of the year if a suitable bout can be arranged.

#HaneyVsGarcia #BoxingNews #VADA #DrugTesting #DevinHaney #RyanGarcia #CleanSport #FightPromotion #BoxingRematch #TeamHaney

Renowned boxing promoter and founder of Queensberry Promotions, Frank Warren, expressed admiration for Liam Cameron following his recent bout against Ben Whittaker. The match, described as chaotic and unusual by many observers, captured the attention of the boxing world.

In a post-fight interview with @IFLTV, Warren remarked, “I think Ben got very lucky.” He clarified that his comment was not in reference to an injury but rather the timing and outcome of the fight. “He was lucky it ended when it did and how it ended,” Warren explained.

Warren believed Cameron was gaining control of the fight. “I really felt he was doing it; he seemed to be absorbing everything Ben had,” he noted, highlighting Cameron's resilience. He added, “I don’t think he was in a position where he thought he could have won the fight,” underscoring Cameron's performance throughout the match.

When asked about the possibility of signing Liam Cameron to Queensberry Promotions, Warren surprised many by revealing that they had already signed him. He also expressed a keen interest in arranging a rematch between Cameron and Whittaker, indicating his confidence in Cameron's future potential.

The fight concluded under peculiar circumstances in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. During the fifth round, both fighters found themselves in a precarious situation when Whittaker leaned against the ropes, causing both men to topple over the top rope and fall heavily outside the ring.

Despite getting up cautiously, Whittaker displayed noticeable signs of discomfort after the fall and was later seen leaving the venue in a wheelchair, raising concerns among attendees.

The fight was ruled a split draw, with two judges scoring it 58-57 for each fighter and the third scorecard tied at the time of the unusual incident. This result has left many speculating about what might have occurred had the fall not taken place.

Following the bout, Whittaker was taken to a medical tent to assess a potential injury to his right leg.

#LiamCameron #FrankWarren #QueensberryPromotions #BenWhittaker #BoxingNews #RiyadhFight #SplitDraw #BoxingRematch #FightRecap #BoxingHighlights

In a surprising turn of events, Japanese boxer Takuma Inoue, younger brother of the celebrated champion Naoya Inoue, lost his WBA bantamweight world title on October 13, 2024. The bout, held at the Ariake Arena in Tokyo, saw Inoue fall to his undefeated compatriot Seiya Tsutsumi in an intense matchup that concluded with a unanimous decision in favor of the challenger. The judges scored the fight 114-113, 115-112, and 117-110, reflecting Tsutsumi's commanding performance.

Inoue entered the fight as the favorite, with expectations high for him to retain his title and set up a potential unification clash against current WBC bantamweight champion Junto Nakatani. This anticipated bout had generated significant excitement in the Japanese boxing scene, especially as Nakatani had previously expressed interest in facing Naoya Inoue, Takuma’s older brother.

With Takuma's unexpected loss, those plans for unification have now crumbled, reshaping the bantamweight division's landscape. Seiya Tsutsumi, now the new WBA champion, emerges as a potential opponent for Nakatani in a future unification bout, stirring anticipation among boxing fans. However, there has been no confirmation regarding this matchup yet.

Tsutsumi's victory not only disrupted Inoue’s aspirations but also diminished hopes for a historic showdown between Naoya Inoue and Junto Nakatani—two of Japan’s brightest boxing stars. The original plan for a fight involving both Inoue brothers has been completely overturned following Takuma's defeat.

Naoya Inoue had previously promised that he would be willing to face Nakatani if his brother emerged victorious against Tsutsumi. Now, with Takuma’s shocking defeat, the possibility of a bout between these two Japanese superstars appears uncertain. While Naoya Inoue, known for his exceptional skills and regarded as one of the top pound-for-pound fighters in the world, may still seek a fight with Nakatani, the pathway to that matchup now looks significantly more complicated.

#TakumaInoue #SeiyaTsutsumi #WBABantamweight #BoxingNews #JapaneseBoxing #UnificationFight #NaoyaInoue #JuntoNakatani #BoxingResults #FightRecap

STOCKTON, Calif. — Gabriel Flores Jr. continued his winning streak with a unanimous decision over Dennis Contreras in the main event of a Halloween-themed boxing event held at the Adventist Health Arena. The 22-year-old Stockton native, now based in Las Vegas, earned the win with judges scoring the bout 80-72, 80-72, and 79-73 in his favor. Flores (25-2, 8 KOs) delivered a controlled performance but was unable to stop the 32-year-old Mexican veteran Contreras (24-15-1, 22 KOs), who was a late replacement but managed to go the distance.

Despite making a flashy entrance featuring stilt walkers, a fire breather, and a contortionist dressed as a zombie cheerleader, Flores admitted post-fight that his lack of focus on body shots early in the bout hindered his ability to secure a knockout.

"I think a fight against Nicholas Walters would be a great step-up for me," Flores mentioned, referring to the former featherweight champion who is scheduled to fight Joseph Diaz Jr. on November 9 on ProBox TV.

Flores Sr., who serves as his son's trainer and lead promoter, expressed satisfaction with the event and revealed future plans to promote more shows, with Sacramento and San Jose as potential locations.

Co-Main Event Highlights:
In the co-main event, junior lightweight Dominique Francis (16-0, 10 KOs) of Miami delivered an impressive fourth-round stoppage, defeating Julio Carrera with a body shot at 2:21.

Other Notable Results:

• Junior bantamweight Jessie James Guerrero (4-0-3, 4 KOs), nephew of former champion Robert Guerrero, fought to a split-draw with Bryan Santiago (1-1-1). The judges scored it 58-56 for Guerrero, 58-56 for Santiago, and 57-57.
• Junior bantamweight Andrew Rodriguez (5-0, 1 KO) of Salinas, Calif., dropped Marcelino Rangel (1-1) of Toledo, Ohio, with a body shot and secured a unanimous decision victory, winning 40-35 on the scorecards.
• Featherweight Kyle Lacanlale (2-0, 2 KOs) earned a third-round TKO over Ricardo Antonio Luna (0-2) at 0:53.
• Women’s welterweight Jennah “The Gem” Creason (2-0) won by unanimous decision over Roshetta Vatuvei (0-1) after their fight was halted due to an accidental foul in the final round. All three judges scored the bout 40-36 in Creason’s favor.
• Lightweight Steve Canela (1-0) won his pro debut with a four-round unanimous decision over David Music (0-1), with scores of 40-36.
• Women’s flyweight Tatiana Almaraz (1-4) earned her first career victory with a unanimous decision over Vickie Chao (0-1), with scores of 40-36, 40-36, and 39-37.

#GabrielFloresJr #BoxingStockton #FloresContreras #DominiqueFrancis #JessieJamesGuerrero #HalloweenBoxing #NicholasWalters #ProBoxTV #BoxingNews #FightRecap

British heavyweight Frazer Clarke is set to undergo surgery after suffering a brutal first-round knockout at the hands of Fabio Wardley in their highly anticipated rematch for the British and Commonwealth heavyweight titles. The October 12, 2024 bout saw Clarke sustain a significant injury after being floored by a powerful right hook from Wardley, which caused fractures to both his jaw and cheekbone.

Clarke was immediately taken to the hospital, where doctors confirmed that although the injury was severe, plates would not be necessary during surgery. Clarke is expected to be discharged the same day and will face a recovery period of six to eight weeks before he can return to training.

Wardley, who successfully defended his titles with this victory, expressed concern for Clarke’s well-being in his post-fight remarks. "I always take a prayer before my fight, always ask for me and my opponent to leave and be healthy," Wardley said. "I want him to go back to his family safe, I wish him all the best." The knockout marked a stark contrast to their initial encounter, which was a grueling 12-round battle.

Neil Scott, medical director of the British Boxing Board of Control, noted the rarity of Clarke’s injury. "It’s not something we see often in boxing," Scott explained. "It must take a tremendous amount of power to cause that type of fracture."

While Clarke begins his recovery, Wardley has his sights set on bigger challenges. Confident in his ability to step up to the world stage, Wardley said, "You’ve seen me do everything. I’m ready for that world stage now." With this victory, Wardley continues to solidify his status as one of Britain’s top heavyweight prospects.

The boxing community has rallied behind Clarke, wishing him a swift recovery, with many believing the former Olympic bronze medalist will return to the ring stronger than ever. Future matchups remain possible for Clarke, who is still regarded as a formidable presence in the heavyweight division.

#FrazerClarke #FabioWardley #WardleyClarke2 #BoxingNews #HeavyweightTitle #BritishBoxing #SpeedyRecovery

Frazer Clarke will soon undergo surgery following a devastating first-round knockout by Fabio Wardley that left him with a fractured jaw during their British and Commonwealth heavyweight title rematch in Saudi Arabia on October 12, 2024.

Clarke, 33, found himself trapped against the ropes when Wardley landed a crushing right hook, leaving him visibly injured and in shock. Referee Victor Loughlin initially began a standing count but quickly stopped the fight after realizing the extent of Clarke’s injury. The fracture, located high on the left side of Clarke’s jaw, was evident from the dent in his face and the displacement of his bones.

Clarke was immediately taken to the hospital, where doctors diagnosed him with a zygomatic fracture. He will undergo surgery to realign his jaw and cheekbone to restore the normal contour of his face. Clarke is expected to be released from the hospital on the same day as the surgery, though he may stay overnight for observation. Fortunately, it is unlikely that metal plates will be needed, and his recovery is expected to take six to eight weeks.

The British Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery notes that zygomatic fractures are generally non-vulnerable to reopening or contamination three weeks after they have healed.

This defeat comes seven months after Clarke and Wardley’s first meeting, a grueling 12-round fight at the O2 Arena in London. In a show of sportsmanship, Wardley expressed concern for Clarke after the rematch, stating, “I always take a prayer before my fight, always ask for me and my opponent to leave and be healthy. I hope he’s well, and I hope I can speak to him soon because those first 12 rounds we shared were special.”

As Clarke prepares for surgery and begins his recovery, fans and fellow fighters alike have rallied to offer support, hopeful that he will make a strong return to the ring.

#FrazerClarke #FabioWardley #WardleyClarke2 #BoxingNews #HeavyweightTitle #BritishBoxing #SpeedyRecovery

Artur Beterbiev became the undisputed light heavyweight champion, defeating WBA titleholder Dmitry Bivol to claim all four major titles in the division. The historic bout marked the first time all four belts were unified in the light heavyweight division, took place at Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Twelve years after losing to Takuma Inoue in a national amateur boxing tournament, Seiya Tsutsumi finally got his revenge. In an electrifying main event at Ariake Arena in Tokyo on October 13, 2024, Tsutsumi claimed the WBA bantamweight title, defeating Inoue by unanimous decision. This win marked Tsutsumi's first world title and a significant upset in the bantamweight division.

Inoue, who entered the fight with a 20-2 record (5 KOs) and as the younger brother of pound-for-pound star Naoya "The Monster" Inoue, exited the ring immediately after the fight. Tsutsumi, now 12-0-2 (8 KOs), fought back tears during a post-fight interview, expressing disbelief and overwhelming joy. “I dedicated my whole life to this moment,” Tsutsumi said. “It feels surreal to me.”

The 28-year-old Tsutsumi, who had vowed not to touch a championship belt until he won one, entered the ring to Steppenwolf’s "Born to Be Wild" and delivered a relentless performance. Although the early rounds were competitive, Tsutsumi's offensive pressure started to pay dividends by the fifth round. He took control of the fight, especially as Inoue, 28, abandoned his jab and struggled to find counterpunching opportunities.

The fight's turning point came in the 10th round when Inoue was caught off-balance and knocked into the ropes. Referee Noguto Ikehara ruled that the ropes had kept Inoue on his feet and declared it a knockdown, a decision Inoue vehemently protested. This knockdown became pivotal on the judges' scorecards, as Inoue needed a knockout to secure the win.

Despite a brief surge in the 11th round and Tsutsumi suffering a cut on his left eyelid, Inoue couldn’t mount a comeback. The final round saw Tsutsumi chasing Inoue along the ropes, overwhelming him with pressure as the clock ran out. The judges scored the bout 114-113, 115-112, and 117-110, all in favor of Tsutsumi.

With this victory, Tsutsumi not only avenged his loss from years ago but also claimed the prestigious WBA bantamweight title. Meanwhile, Inoue's plans for further title defenses and unification bouts were derailed, leaving the future of the division wide open.

#SeiyaTsutsumi #TakumaInoue #WBAChampion #Bantamweight #BoxingNews #TokyoFightNight

What a fight between Artur Beterbiev and Dmitry Bivol last night.

It was one of the most anticipated fights of the year and it did not disappoint.

Two of the best pound for pound boxers in the world showed why they’re so good.

Going the full distance in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, the pair put on a clash that was too close to call for many.

If the result had come out as a draw, it would not have been that big of a surprise.

But the end result was actually a win for Artur Beterbiev.

A unanimous decision in favour of the 39-year-old Russian boxer meant that he was crowned undisputed light heavyweight champion of the world.

That decision sparked an evening of fierce conversation.

Dmitry Bivol was humble in his speech after the fight.

Accepting the decision, Bivol expressed that he accepted the judges decision and would look to work harder to make his dream of being undisputed a reality in the future.Jai Opetaia wins legal case ahead of title defense

This wasn’t the same tone taken by his promoter, however.

Eddie Hearn lambasted the decision and even stated that one of the judges should never be involved in judging a boxing fight ever again.

With the dust settled on the matter, Bivol has come out with what he wants to do next.

Once again remaining humble and focusing more on his own performance rather than blaming anyone else, the former WBA (Super) light heavyweight champion spoke to the media last night.

Speaking to Box Nation, Dmitry Bivol claimed that his only focus right now is on getting a rematch with Artur Beterbiev.

“I just want a rematch and that’s it”, Bivol told the YouTube channel.

“I want to get another chance”.

With Turki Alalshikh also stating that he plans to get a rematch made between the pair, it seems that’s the plan for what happens next.

For now, Artur Beterbiev will be able to celebrate his status as undisputed light heavyweight champion.

But the path towards changing that seems to already be on the mind of his opponent from last night, Dmitry Bivol.

We now know when Anthony Joshua and Daniel Dubois will fight again.

Last night, the eyes of the boxing world were on Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Artur Beterbiev became undisputed light heavyweight champion when he beat Dmitry Bivol by unanimous decision.

It hasn’t been a result without controversy.

Many observers had the match in Bivol’s favour.

The fight was so close that others felt a draw would have been the right call.

In the aftermath, Bivol has stated that he wants a rematch with Beterbiev.

The man who will likely make it happen is Turki Alalshikh.

Since getting involved in the world of boxing, Alalshikh has helped broker plenty of high profile fights that previously were taking too long to happen – if at all.

The Saudi Arabian adviser at the Royal Court under the rank of Minister already stated last night that he plans to put the wheels in motion on a rematch for the light heavyweight title.

So that appears to be part of his plans.

He also revealed his plans for the Anthony Joshua vs Daniel Dubois rematch.New boxing title belt unveiled

Promoter Eddie Hearn has already revealed Joshua’s plan for a rematch and it now appears that we know when it will be taking place.

According to The Mirror, Turki Alalshikh has revealed the date for Anthony Joshua vs Daniel Dubois 2.

Last night, Alalshikh initially revealed that he believed that Dmitry Bivol won the fight last night by at least two rounds and that he is now focused to make a rematch between the pair.

Moving on, he is believed to have discussed the plans for future events.

Once we get to February 22nd 2025, Turki Alalshikh has stated that there are plans for two fights for that date.

That’s the date currently being looked at for the Anthony Joshua vs Daniel Dubois rematch.

As part of the undercard for that fight, it’s planned to be the Queensbury vs Matchroom 5v5 rematch also.

If that would come off, that would be one stacked boxing card.

Anthony Joshua will be looking to gain a semblance of revenge for the mauling he suffered in his first fight against Daniel Dubois.

Dubois shocked the world when he produced a stunning knockout victory against AJ and it seems that February 22nd is when Joshua will be able to make things right from his perspective.

From what we’ve seen in the past year or so, once Turki Alalshikh makes a plan for a fight, it tends to happen.

After a dominant reign at light flyweight, Kenshiro Teraji made a successful leap to the flyweight division on Sunday, stopping veteran Cristofer Rosales in the co-feature to the Takuma Inoue vs. Seiya Tsutsumi card at Ariake Arena in Tokyo. Teraji, known as “The Amazing Boy,” claimed the vacant WBC flyweight title after 10 one-sided rounds, where his superior skills overwhelmed the larger Rosales.

Teraji, 32, had outgrown the 108-pound weight class after a lengthy career that included multiple title reigns. In his flyweight debut, the Japanese star faced a significant size disadvantage against Rosales, who had a 6½-inch reach advantage. However, Teraji’s speed, footwork, and precise jab nullified Rosales’ size, as he controlled the fight with clean punches and sharp counters. By the end of the 10th round, Rosales' nose was bloodied, and his corner agreed with the ringside doctor’s recommendation to stop the fight before the 11th, making it an 11th-round TKO.

The turning point of the bout came in the third round when Teraji rocked Rosales with a powerful counter right hand. Although Rosales, 30, was wobbled into the ropes, his experience helped him survive the round by holding on and regaining his composure. Rosales briefly switched to a southpaw stance in the fourth round and managed to land a strong left hand that nearly floored Teraji. However, it wasn’t enough to turn the tide.

Thanks to open scoring, both fighters knew after four rounds that Teraji was ahead on the scorecards, leading 40-36 twice and 39-37. Rosales had his best round in the fifth but soon found himself struggling with a bloody nose from Teraji’s relentless jabs. By the eighth round, the scores were heavily in Teraji’s favor, 79-73 twice and 78-74, leaving little doubt as to the outcome.

After a dominant 10th round where Teraji continued to batter Rosales, the referee, Laurence Cole, stopped the fight. Teraji improved his record to 24-1 (15 KOs) and claimed the WBC flyweight title, further cementing his status as one of Japan’s top fighters.

“I was very, very nervous from the beginning,” Teraji admitted post-fight. He expressed relief and happiness at his victory, noting that the nerves made the fight feel like a blur. With this victory, Teraji has proven he’s a force to be reckoned with at flyweight, as he sets his sights on more challenges in the new division.

#KenshiroTeraji #CristoferRosales #WBCFlyweight #BoxingNews #TokyoFight

Former IBF light flyweight champion Sivenathi Nontshinga is determined to reclaim his place at the top after losing his title to Japan's Masamichi Yabuki in a ninth-round stoppage on Saturday in Tokoname. Despite being knocked down three times, the South African fighter remains confident in his ability to come back stronger and become a three-time world champion.

Nontshinga, 25, now holding a record of 13-2 (10 KOs), spoke to SA Boxingtalk about his mindset following the defeat. “You know the vibes. I’ll go back to the drawing board, work hard, stay humble as ever. I’m teachable, down to earth, I’ll never change myself. I’ll never let losses define me,” he said. Reflecting on the knockout blow that led to the end of the fight, he admitted, “He caught me with a good punch I didn’t see coming. I tried to look at my corner, but I couldn’t see anybody. I was just hearing the noise.”

While acknowledging that Yabuki was the better man on the night, Nontshinga remained positive about his future. “I’ll stay in the gym. I’ll keep working hard. This is just a minor setback, now it’s time for me to become a three-time world champion… This is not a failure, it’s a learning curve. I’ll bounce back once again,” he vowed. “Everything went how it went. I’m not ashamed of my losses… It’s not the end of the world. I’m still young. I’ll get back on top.”

Nontshinga’s trainer, Colin Nathan, expressed his pride in his fighter, even though the loss was difficult to take. “Yabuki is very strong,” Nathan said. “I felt we were behind, I felt we were coming into the fight, but with Yabuki’s pull-back power… He’s also very big at 108. We lost to the better guy on the night. It’s a bitter pill to swallow, but unfortunately, we all have to swallow it.”

Nathan also praised Nontshinga’s resilience. “I could see that first right hand took all the stuffing out of him. It kind of looked and said, ‘Dude, you’ve got to get up.’ The fact he got up and showed character, and heart, I’m very proud of. You’ve got to congratulate Yabuki.”

Despite the loss, Nontshinga remains focused and ready to work his way back to the top, eager to prove that this setback is only a stepping stone in his journey to becoming a three-time world champion.

#SivenathiNontshinga #MasamichiYabuki #LightFlyweight #BoxingNews #WorldChampion

The undisputed light heavyweight championship bout between Artur Beterbiev and Dmitry Bivol was a high-level and spirited boxing match that ended in some controversy Saturday night as Beterbiev eked out a majority decision win.

Bivol (23-1, 12 KOs) got out of the gates with a strong start, but Beterbiev (21-0, 20 KOs) did a better job in the second half of the fight and the judges awarded him the victory with scores of 116-112 and 115-113, while a third judge had it 114-114. Ten of the 12 rounds were scored identically as the busier Beterbiev landed 137 of 682 of his punches while Bivol connected with 142 of 423 of his shots.

Matchroom Boxing head Eddie Hearn, Bivol’s promoter, was disgusted with the result.

“We saw one of the greatest fights and examples of our sport,” Hearn said during the post-fight press conference in Saudi Arabia. “I don't want to disrespect Artur Beterbiev, because he's an incredible fighter. But I find it sickening that after a lifetime of hard work, Dmitry Bivol is not the undisputed champion. He won that fight. I struggled to find anyone who didn't score the fight to Bivol. … I'm not saying it's a robbery of a decision. But I don't see how you can give Beterbiev six rounds in that fight.”

Hearn said Polish judge Pawel Kardyni, who scored the fight 116-112, "should never work in the sport again."

Bivol's manager, Vadim Kornilov, added that "when [Kardyni] comes back from Chechnya, he should be suspended."

Beterbiev was seen celebrating following the win with Ramzan Kadyrov, head of the Chechen Republic.

Hearn said that Turki Alalshikh, chairman of the General Entertainment Authority in Saudi Arabia, previously had noted that if the fight ended in a wrong decision, a rematch would be in store. Alalshikh said after the fight that he thought Bivol won 115-113 and that he would try to green-light a rematch.

“We know he's a man of his word,” Hearn said of Alalshikh. “There has to be a rematch. What other fight is there for Beterbiev? It was an absolute boxing masterclass and a perfect performance by Bivol. And you know what? It can be better. It was a pure show of concentration, skill and defense, with offense thrown in.”

Bivol sat at the dais with bruises around his eyes trying to process the first loss of his professional career.

“I felt like I could be [busier],” he said. “I just had to throw more punches. But I tried to land hard and catch him with clean punches.

“He has heavy punches. He's very strong. For his age [39], he has good endurance, and he was working for 12 rounds. He's a very good fighter. … I wasn't groggy [from his power]. I felt some pressure, but it was under my control. I needed more pressure from him, to be honest.

“Of course, in boxing if you don't punch clean, the judges will give the rounds to the guy who is pressuring. … We should ask the boxing fans if they want this rematch. If they want it, I would like to get this chance again, of course. ... I hope I will do better in the rematch.”  

It’s rare to see a third-round knockout that also qualifies as a come-from-behind victory, but that’s exactly what Shokuchi Iwata achieved in his stunning win over Jairo Noriega in the first of four title fights at Ariake Arena in Tokyo, Japan, on Sunday. Iwata, who had dropped the first two rounds, turned the fight around in spectacular fashion to claim the vacant WBO light flyweight belt, ending the bout at the 2:59 mark of the third round.

Noriega, an unbeaten Spaniard fighting for his first major world title at 31, came out strong with high-energy offense, using his frequent left hooks and uppercuts to control the early rounds. Iwata, 28, stayed patient, working behind his jab and waiting for an opening, knowing Noriega’s fast pace would be hard to maintain over 12 rounds.

That opportunity came late in the third round. With just 30 seconds remaining, Iwata landed a sharp right uppercut that staggered Noriega. Another uppercut to the cheek followed, leading to a combination that floored the Spaniard. Noriega beat the count, but as the bell rang, Iwata landed a crushing left hook to the chin, knocking Noriega down once again. Referee Raul Caiz Jr. immediately waved off the fight, securing Iwata’s victory by knockout.

Iwata, now 14-1 (11 KOs), has scored five consecutive knockouts since his only career loss to Jonathan Gonzalez in 2022. After the win, Iwata revealed he had been contemplating retirement if he lost, but now, with his new belt, he is eyeing a showdown with fellow Japanese light flyweight champion Masamichi Yabuki, who won a title the previous day by knocking out Sivenathi Nontshinga.

Seigo Yuri Akui Retains WBA Flyweight Title in Hard-Fought Split Decision

Iwata’s countryman, Seigo Yuri Akui, faced a much tougher battle in his second defense of the WBA flyweight title, going the distance in a grueling 12-round fight against Thai challenger Thananchai Charunphak. Akui won by split decision, with two judges scoring the bout 115-113 and 117-111 in his favor, while the third gave it 115-113 to Charunphak.

The championship rounds proved crucial, with Akui, 21-2-1 (11 KOs), clearly winning the 11th and 12th rounds to pull ahead. Charunphak, 25-2 (15 KOs), had his best moment in the 10th round, landing a vicious body attack that seemed to hurt Akui. Despite that, Akui rallied in the final rounds to secure his ninth consecutive victory.

The fight was competitive from start to finish, with Akui moving forward aggressively, while Charunphak used his footwork to circle and jab, occasionally stepping in to land powerful shots. Both fighters focused on body punches, with Charunphak’s efforts appearing more effective in some rounds. However, Akui’s determination in the later stages gave him the edge he needed to retain his title.

For Charunphak, this marked his first loss since his second pro fight, while Akui continues to build momentum with his impressive winning streak.

#ShokuchiIwata #JairoNoriega #SeigoYuriAkui #ThananchaiCharunphak #BoxingNews #TokyoFights #WBOChampion #WBATitle

Junior welterweight contender Jamaine Ortiz has signed a co-promotional deal with CES Boxing and Boxlab Promotions as he looks to push forward in his career. Ortiz (17-2-1, 8 KOs), fighting out of Worcester, Massachusetts, will make his debut under the new agreement on November 1st, taking on Mexico’s Gilberto Espinoza (13-2, 8 KOs) in a 10-round main event at Boxlab’s “Night of Champions” at the Caribe Royale Hotel in Orlando, Florida. The event will be streamed live on DAZN.

“I’ve always had big goals, and this partnership will help me reach them,” Ortiz shared. “My fight with Espinoza is going to showcase what I’ve been working on, and I’m going to shine on the international stage.”

Ortiz is eager to rebound after a narrow decision loss to junior welterweight titleholder Teofimo Lopez Jr. in February, and he remains focused on getting back into title contention.

“My goal is to get back into a world title fight, and I know that with the support of CES and Boxlab, I can get there,” Ortiz said. “It all starts on Nov. 1 against a tough opponent in Espinoza, and I’m ready to put on a show for the fans and make my mark again.”

With new promotional backing and a determination to rise back to the top, Ortiz aims to make a strong statement on November 1st, as he looks to reignite his path toward a world title shot.

#JamaineOrtiz #GilbertoEspinoza #NightOfChampions #BoxingNews #CESBoxing #BoxlabPromotions #JuniorWelterweight #OrlandoFights

Newly crowned undisputed light heavyweight champion Artur Beterbiev has mixed feelings following his majority decision win against Dmitry Bivol on Saturday.

Beterbiev started slow and closed the show strong to beat Bivol by scores of 116-112 and 115-113, while a third judge had it 114-114. Judges scored 10 of the 12 rounds the same as the busier Beterbiev landed 137 of 682 of his shots while Bivol connected with 142 of 423 of his own.

During his post-fight press conference in Saudi Arabia, Beterbiev (21-0, 20 KOs) was not satisfied following the first decision win of his career against Bivol (23-1, 12 KOs).

“He did a good job,” said Beterbiev. “I don't know how he measured his work as good or not, but I'm not a bad boxer. I didn't do bad work. I only did some parts of what I prepared for and not all of the work. I don't why.

“I'm always critical of myself. Even when I won all my previous fights by knockout, I always complained about my skills and performance. That's why I don't like what I did. I always want to do better.

“I needed to sleep for a couple of rounds and then wake up.

“Maybe it was my knee injury, maybe it was many things. I don't know.

“I don't think I'm a great boxer. But I'm not a bad boxer. It's experience. I'm honored to become the undisputed champion.”

Beterbiev’s longtime Canadian-based coach Marc Ramsay echoed Beterbiev’s glass-half-empty sentiment as well.

“We did good,” said Ramsay. “It was not a bad performance. But we believe we can do even better. We are happy about all of the belts, but on Monday morning we need to find a new objective and challenge and keep pushing.”

While Bivol promoter Eddie Hearn, the head of Matchroom Boxing, called a foul for the 116-112 scorecard and suggested that judge Pawel Kardyn "should never work in the sport again," Beterbiev promoter Carl Moretti, Top Rank’s vice president, thought the right guy won. 

“It's OK to have close fights either way, but it wasn't a robbery,” said Moretti. “It was a close fight. Bivol fought great. Just look at their faces. Even though his gloves were high, something was hitting Bivol. It wasn't a ghost. So go from there.”

Featherweight contender David Navarro is gearing up for a significant challenge as he prepares to face undefeated Mykell Gamble (7-0, 4 KOs) this Wednesday night. The bout will be featured on the ProBox TV App as part of Wednesday Night Fights, taking place live from the ProBox TV Events Center near Tampa, Florida.

Navarro (6-1, 3 KOs), a former silver medalist at the 2019 Olympic Trials, acknowledges the difficulties posed by Gamble's southpaw stance and strong amateur background. “It’s getting tougher and tougher every fight,” said Navarro, 24, who hails from Hemet, California. “This is one of the first times I’m fighting a southpaw in my professional career, so we made adjustments in the gym. We’re still working on some things, but overall, every fight I try to be aggressive but smart.”

Although Navarro and Gamble have not faced each other in the amateur ranks, Navarro is well aware of the unpredictability that comes with opponents who have extensive amateur experience. “I know the amateur style well — you always have to be cautious,” Navarro explained. “With his amateur experience and southpaw stance, I’ve been focusing on certain things. It’s all about the little adjustments.”

Navarro's career faced a turning point in 2021 when he suffered a TKO loss to veteran Diuhl Olguin. Despite leading on the scorecards, a cut caused by a legal punch resulted in a stoppage in the sixth round. “That fight definitely changed me,” he reflected. “It was tough, but I had the right team around me – my family, my coach Robert Garcia – and that support got me through it. I went right back to the gym and started training harder. It made me stronger as a person.”

Since that setback, Navarro has fought only four times, and with his upcoming fight against Gamble being broadcast on ProBox TV, he is eager to demonstrate his progress. Training with Robert Garcia in Riverside, California, Navarro also reminisced about his Olympic Trials experience, where he claimed silver by defeating notable prospects such as Duke Ragan and Rasheim Jefferson.

“I was honored to be in the Olympic Trials,” Navarro said. “It was a great experience, and I fought my butt off. Guys like Bruce Carrington and Johnny Mansour are doing great right now. I think about those fights a lot – I wish I could do it again.”

As he prepares for Gamble, Navarro is focused and motivated, knowing that his family and supporters will be watching. “I’m still hungry. I’ve been training hard, and I’m ready,” he stated.

#DavidNavarro #MykellGamble #ProBoxTV #WednesdayNightFights #BoxingNews #Featherweight #OlympicTrials