It’s been more than three decades since Tom Loeffler got into boxing. But Loeffler, as with everyone else working on the business side of the sweet science, cannot rest solely on his past accomplishments. He’s constantly looking toward the future.

Loeffler, who heads up 360 Promotions, runs regular shows featuring prospects who he hopes will develop into contenders and eventually will achieve enough to merit a spot on the list of accomplished fighters he’s worked with.

These days, Loeffler’s slate of fighters includes one certain inductee into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in former undisputed women’s welterweight champion Cecilia Braekhus, one established contender in junior middleweight Serhii Bohachuk, and a number of prospects.

Those prospects—including junior welterweight Cain Sandoval (14-0, 12 KOs), featherweight Omar Trinidad (16-0-1, 13 KOs), junior middleweight Callum Walsh (12-0, 10 KOs), and welterweight Gor Yeritsyan (18-1, 14 KOs)—appear regularly in the ring thanks to Loeffler’s series of shows on the UFC Fight Pass. That relationship with the mixed martial arts promotion’s streaming service began in 2021 . 

On October 26, 360 Promotions will host its ninth event of the year as lead promoter. Most of them have been held in California, either at The Commerce Casino and Hotel near Los Angeles—where this show will take place—or at the Chumash Casino Resort in Santa Ynez, north of Santa Barbara. 

It helps with ticket sales that Trinidad is from Los Angeles; a number of undercard fighters live in the city or the region; and Walsh and Yeritsyan now call the area home. (A pair of cards, one in New York City around St. Patrick’s Day and the other in Dublin in September, were meant to spotlight Walsh, who originally hails from Ireland.)

As for Sandoval, he has fought six times on 360 Promotions events since April 2023. Walsh turned pro on a Loeffler show in December 2021 and signed with him afterward, with all 11 fights since as a member of the stable.

Loeffler recently spoke with BoxingScene.com about a number of subjects, including his shows on UFC Fight Pass. This interview, the audio of which can be heard in full here , has been edited here for length and clarity.

BoxingScene.com: What is the intent of the regular shows that you've been running?

Loeffler: We started “Hollywood Fight Nights” [ in 2018 ] to build fighters, kind of grassroots fighters here in the L.A. area, to then make the transition to fight on the [Golovkin] shows or the other HBO shows that we were doing at the time, the Superfly shows, because there was a lack of that kind of mid-level show to develop talent.

My commitment to Dana is that there's not going to be any mismatches on the broadcast, as unfortunately we see very often in boxing. And so he liked that, then we extended the agreement and we're at — I think it was 11 shows this year and 12 shows next year. So we're really doing well with UFC Fight Pass. They're great partners, a worldwide streaming service, the biggest combat sports platform with over 220 events. 

We're happy with the support that Dana gives and the UFC platform gives. They have over 40 million followers on their Instagram page. [Note: The UFC’s Instagram has 43.9 million followers while the UFC Fight Pass page has 1.6 million.] And when Dana talks about one of our events or one of our fights, it really has a huge impact. And same thing when the UFC posts on their main page, it really has a great effect worldwide because the UFC fan base really eclipses the boxing fan base right now. I'm a boxing guy and I've been in boxing for 30 years, but this is the first time that I've seen a real initiative to cross-promote between boxing fans and UFC fans.

It was always [a situation where] the boxing fans said boxing was better, the UFC fans said the UFC was better. And this is the first time where we're cross-promoting, especially with Callum Walsh. We've taken him to a lot of UFC events. Dana's spoken about him repeatedly. We just did the show in Dublin, Ireland, with a sold-out arena there with 5,000 capacity. And it's a great cross-promoting tool, especially when you throw WWE into the mix [which is now owned by the same parent company, TKO Group]. When we brought Callum to Monday Night Raw out here in Anaheim and WWE introduced him, I got so many texts. It was like one of the biggest things that Callum's done for his career. The response I got for having him at the WWE show was huge.

BoxingScene.com: It makes sense to cross-promote like that. I just know from a marketing perspective, you might have a fighter show up at a baseball game or whatever, or in other forms of media. But here you have other combat sports fans, whether it's the UFC or the WWE, and they might largely stay in their lane, but they might be interested in getting to know the personality or watching other fights.

From a promotional perspective, this is also a reliable platform — and not just that, but a platform backed by Dana White. That must be really helpful for you to be able to attract fighters. I remember talking to another promoter who was lamenting the state of boxing and how they want to be able to sign more fighters, but they can't do that without dates. So how has having UFC Fight Pass, having these regular shows helped you to be able to grow your stable and grow the fighters within your stable?

Loeffler: There's a lot of points in that question. You know, I was always an HBO guy. We had the Klitschkos on HBO. We had GGG fights on HBO. We had the Superfly shows on HBO with Chocolatito. I really felt like that was the best platform to develop talent and from a publicity standpoint. With HBO, when we had the GGG dates, we would have maybe three dates a year [as contrasted with the larger number of dates with the UFC]. GGG was one of the most active champions at the time. That's how he became so popular. And when you talk about cross-promoting, that was really, that was my mantra.

You talk about baseball games, he threw out the first pitch at Dodger Stadium three times. He was at Yankee Stadium. I think he threw out the first pitch two times at Yankee Stadium. We brought him down to Mexico City for a number of appearances down there. He fought all over the world. He fought in Saitama Arena in Tokyo, Japan, and sold that out. He fought at the O2 Arena against Kell Brook, sold that out. Madison Square Garden a number of times. So we're trying to model that on the cross-promotional side now with combat sports fans. 

You know, Callum Walsh is known by so many UFC fans. They kind of know him as the boxing fella. He's like, oh, there's that boxing fella over there because they know who he is. They know he's a boxer. They know he's supported by the UFC and by Dana. But it's really having a great effect, especially when he had 11 fights over here. I'm using the same template. It's not rocket science, but we brought him to Madison Square Garden twice. He's fought out here in L.A. a number of times. He trains out here with Hall of Fame trainer Freddie Roach at the world-famous Wild Card Gym. We brought him to Boston for St. Patrick's Day a couple years ago, and then we just brought him to Dublin, Ireland. 

Boxing is a global sport, so we want to create kind of a global star with Callum, and he's well on his way. I'd say he's the best-known rising star in boxing when you combine everything with him being able to go to Dublin now as his homecoming in his 12th fight, selling 5,000 tickets. If you saw the fight, you saw the walkout that he had, the energy in the crowd. They were standing and cheering. They were singing the songs. It was a tremendous event over there in Dublin, and we're really excited about the prospects of Callum.

With the dates, the difference with HBO, you never quite knew when you would have a date. You'd have to sync up the dates with arenas. Like I said, with GGG, we had maybe three dates, so we couldn't really sign a lot of fighters and develop them on a regular basis. And my other mantra is activity. When you have a young fighter, they have to be active. 

Umar Dzambekov [a light heavyweight prospect] fought six times for us last year, so when you have guys and girls fighting three, four, five, six times a year, that activity makes a huge difference in developing someone's career also on the publicity side. And the great advantage with UFC Fight Pass is they give us the dates well ahead of time, so I can plot out what location makes the most sense for a particular fight like St. Patrick's Day. 

I already have that on the calendar. We're going to Madison Square Garden again with Callum Walsh for St. Patrick's Day, so that makes it much easier to effectively promote an event when you have months to plan a promotion and to plan the opponents and the undercard. I'm a big believer in the undercard fights. And that's a great thing. I have to give a huge compliment to Dana White, where you go to these UFC shows, and they have fans in the arena from the first fight. The doors are opening. Fans are coming in. The first fight, it's already a full arena. In boxing, you go to a big pay-per-view show up in Las Vegas, and it's half-empty, and you think this event didn't do well, and then by the main event, it's packed.

What Dana's done is develop such a great depth of talent that the UFC fans know all these fighters on the undercard, and they're all competitive fights, and that's what we do. This show, October 26, we have 10 fights, 10 competitive fights [Note: This interview took place before Yeritsyan’s original opponent was shot and killed and the initial replacement opponent wasn’t able to make it into the United States in time], and it's going to be a great value and great entertainment for the fans that are coming on the 26th.

BoxingScene.com That's a great point. I think back to some of the shows I used to go to in Montreal, and of course, they'd have Jean Pascal or Lucien Bute, but they would have a whole bunch of prospects on the undercard, and because the fans arrived early enough to see them, they became the next draws, the next stars as they moved up into the main event level. You mentioned Callum Walsh, Gor Yeritsyan, Omar Trinidad and Cain Sandoval. What is the game plan from here as they get closer to becoming contenders? Will they remain on UFC Fight Pass, or are you hoping to land them on other avenues?

Loeffler: Well, we groom them and grow their career on UFC Fight Pass. If there's an opportunity for one of our fighters to fight in a big fight that makes sense for his career, makes sense for us, there's absolutely no issues that I have working with someone else to further the career of our fighters. And you saw that with Serhii, and you'll see that coming up pretty soon with these rising stars. Cain Sandoval is a great example of a guy, [from] Sacramento, tremendous fighter, and making waves in the 140-pound division. We have a lot of talent.

As a promoter, I always kind of focused, like when I was working with the Klitschkos, I really only focused on their events and their fights and their careers. And then with Serhii, same type of thing. This is the first time where I've really branched out. 

We still want to keep a tight ship in terms of bringing value to every person that signs with 360. We want to make sure that they get the proper attention, the proper promotion, whether it's on social media, whether it's a lead-up to the fight. You know, each event needs to have the right build-up for it. That was the beauty of working on the Superfly shows: I could mix and match, you know, between Chocolatito and Carlos Cuadras and Estrada and Sor Rungvisai. They were all willing to fight each other, and that was the genius.

Luckily, Peter Nelson at HBO saw that. We had Chocolatito, I think it was three or four times as the co-feature for GGG. And that was another thing. A lot of promoters say, “We won't put on another fighter unless they're signed with our [company],” but, you know, Chocolatito's with Mr. Honda [of Teiken Promotions]. We felt the value for the fans, both on HBO and live, that Chocolatito would bring to the shows, so it was a great combination having Chocolatito as a co-feature and GGG as the main event. 

Whenever they were fighting on the same show, it was the two best pound-for-pound fighters in the world at that time on the same show, and I think that's pretty much unprecedented, and that's really the atmosphere we're trying to bring with the Hollywood Fight Nights, just giving value to the fans, both watching internationally on UFC Fight Pass or live at the event.

It's a great live experience, and it's a tremendous visual experience on the platform. There's no long gaps. There's no 45-minute breaks in-between fights that you see on some of these bigger shows. That's the other thing that we've taken from Dana's model. If you watch a UFC show, it's like one fight is in there, they do the interview, boom, next fight is in there, and that's what the fans appreciate.They don't want to have to wait around, and now it's another half an hour, now it's 45 minutes before the next fight starts. And unfortunately that happens often on the big shows of boxing. We've modeled our shows around the UFC shows, and it's had a very successful impact with the fans.

David Greisman, who has covered boxing since 2004, is on Twitter @FightingWords2 and @UnitedBoxingPod . He is the co-host of the United Boxing Podcast . David’s book, “ Fighting Words: The Heart and Heartbreak of Boxing ,” is available on Amazon.

Former British middleweight champion and world title challenger Denzel Bentley is circling for another big fight.

Bentley has taken just two rounds to stop his last two opponents, the 16-1-1 Danny Dignum and 13-1 Derrick Osaze, and he is ranked No. 2 by the WBO, waiting to see if the fight will be made between champion Janibek Alimkhanuly and Hamzah Sheeraz, the No. 1 contender - and Bentley promotional stablemate. Purse bids for that bout have been called for November 4.

Bentley lost on the scorecards to Janibek in 2022 in Las Vegas, and it is a return with the now unified champion that the Londoner covets more than anything else.

“Janibek again, I’d like to go for that rematch,” Bentley told BoxingScene.

While Janibek is 16-0 (11 KOs) and has since added the IBF belt to the WBO crown he defended against Bentley, the Englishman does not feel the champion is an improving fighter.

“I don’t think he is,” Bentley added. “I think with Janibek, he’s done all his work and his whole tutelage as an amateur, and he’s as good as he’s ever going to be right now. I think he’s, what, 31 years old? He’s changed trainers a couple of times, he’s been inactive, tried to make the weight one time and passed out and I feel like he’s as good as he’s ever going to be now, and it’s how far his talent can take him, which it has. He probably can unify the division and become undisputed, but I don’t think he’s improving anymore. I think he is where he is and it’s how long he can stay fresh for and what he can do with his talent.”

“I think it’s wide open, but I think you’ve got to give it to Janibek,” Bentley said. “Where he’s got two of the four belts, but I think it’s wide open, to be honest.”

Janibek added the IBF belt to his collection with a one-sided win over brave Andrei Mikhailovich earlier this month. 

Mikhailovich was dropped and hurt early, but fought hard to hang on until the ninth.

“Basically. I saw the last round, I tuned in when Mikailovich got stopped and then I went back to watch the highlights and, like everyone said, if the bell didn’t go in the second round, he probably could have got him out of there in the second round, but it was a good performance from Janibek,” said Bentley.

Bentley and Sheeraz are with promoter Frank Warren, and both fighters are now in pursuit of Janibek, and despite being ranked No. 1 and No. 2, Bentley does not feel Sheeraz is inclined to face him.

“I don’t think so. I don’t think Hamzah wants the fight, and I’m not saying that lightly,” Bentley explained. “We’ve been put to fight a few times, and I guess I can be grateful because the longer it takes, the bigger [a potential fight is] getting. I’ve taken a few losses, which has probably put the fight on hold at times, but it’s the easiest fight to get made. At one point, he was mandatory for my British and I was mandatory for his Commonwealth. It still didn’t get made. I’m mandatory for the EBU now. And obviously he’s been mandated to fight for the world title, so he’ll probably go for that. But I don’t think he’s in a rush to fight, if I’m honest, because that can get made easy.”

Warren has also called for Chris Eubank Jnr to fight his starlet, Sheeraz, but Bentley is waiting in the wings for that contest, too.

“One hundred per cent,” Bentley added, unable to disguise his enthusiasm for that fight. “I’ve spoken to Frank about that as well. He said that’s a fight he’d like to make for me as well. If he can’t make it for Hamzah, he’d like to make it for me. Either one of us, and Eubank’s probably the biggest name in the division in the UK, so that’s definitely a fight I’d like to take, and if I can beat Eubank, I’d be red hot in the division.”

Bentley is ready to fight now, and hopes for another outing before the end of the year. He’s helped Sam Gilley and Dan Azeez to prepare for their recent fights, sparring up to 12 rounds at a time, and, as he says: “I’m always in shape, I’m always in the gym. [Trainer] Martin [Bowers] doesn’t let us off the hook, we’re always training. I don’t have a date but I’m in the gym. I’m fit. I want to fight in December. I’m not sure what’s there, but I want to fight in December.”

Bentley is now 20-3-1 (17 KOs). He has at times looked excellent, and he gave a good account of himself against Janibek. But he was stopped by Felix Cash in 2021 and lost a majority decision to Nathan Heaney last year. He admits he is still learning and still a work in progress.

“I guess by the time I got to Janibek, I was a lot more experienced, with Cash I was a bit naïve,” Bentley recalled. “I won the British title off [Mark] Heffron the first time and I thought, ‘This is easy, cool. This is what it is. I’ll take Cash next and I’ll just go through Cash’.

And while it is tempting for Bentley to look ahead to Sheeraz, Janibek and Eubank, he wouldn’t mind going back to Cash.  

“One hundred per cent. I’ve always said that. I want that back down the line, but I’ve always said he needs to do well in his career and I need to do well in mine so when we meet it will be worth more, it will be bigger and it will be worth my while,” Bentley continued. “At this point in time, he’s been inactive, he’s coming off a loss – which ain’t a problem, because I’ve had a few myself, but he’s been inactive, he hasn’t looked his best and I don’t really feel like targeting him now he’s not at his best. I’m looking forward. I want to go for European and world honors and try and improve my status as a middleweight.”

Bentley also defended the quality of the middleweight ranks. The 160lbs weight class, often one of the glamor divisions, has received plenty of criticism in recent times, and Bentley has seen and felt it. He also feels it is unmerited, saying the skill level and fighters are there, but he admits the starpower is not. Because of that, he feels like the division is now being overlooked.

“It is, but people like to say that just because there’s no big names,” he explained. “They’re not appreciating the level of fighters that are in the division. Janibek’s a quality fighter. Carlos Adames is a quality fighter. Erislandy Lara’s a quality fighter, he’s just getting on. These guys [fans] just want big names and superstars to run the division, but being a superstar doesn’t mean that you can fight! All these guys in the division can fight. Hamzah can fight. I can fight. Do you know what I’m sayin’? All the guys in and around the weight can fight. Every fight’s a tough fight. There’s the Kazakh [Meiirim Nursultanov] fighting Adames in December, he’s a good fighter too. I can’t say his name, but he’s a good fighter. But it’s just there’s no names to carry them and sell out arenas. It’s a division with loads of talent but we need the name to put it on the map.” 

Tyson Fury suffered defeat for the first time in his career in May against Oleksandr Usyk.

Since then, there was no doubt that Fury would want the rematch next, but many have questioned what he has left.

This week, he has confirmed what his plans are for after the rematch.

Fury stepped through the ropes in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, as the bookie’s favorourite, hoping to become the first undisputed heavyweight champion since Lennox Lewis in 1999.

‘The Gypsy King’ was not going to change for the Ukrainian, he started the fight showboating to the crowd, smiling at his opponent, he seemed to be in his perfect flow.

He then took control of the fight during the middle rounds, Usyk was struggling to get near the 6 foot 9 Brit.

Fitting with the occasion and excitement of this divsion, the fight completley changed in the ninth round.

Usyk is one of the best fighters in the world when it comes to the championship rounds, and this fight was no different.

Usyk’s output was extraordinary, he had seemed to have figured his opponent out, landing at will, Fury stumbling all over the ring forced the referee to call a standing count.

Fury did not properly recover until the final round, but this was deemed to be too late, the judges scored the fight 115-112, 114-113 and 114-113 (Fury) in Usyk’s favour.Turki Alalshikh’s mammoth impact continues

Since Usyk became undisputed world champion, he has had to vacate his IBF belt, which is now held by Daniel Dubois, who demolished Anthony Joshua just a few weeks ago.

Thus, the rematch will not be for all four belts.

Fury has stated this week that this does not concern him and has explained why he won’t target undisputed status if he wins the rematch.

Instead, speaking to Sky News, he has confirmed what his future plans are.

”I’d like to have a triology with Usyk,” he said.

”I would be the only heavyweight in history to have had three trilogies.”

After lots of talks in the past few weeks about whether we would finally see the all-British showdown against Anthony Joshua, this has brought some clarity to what could be next in ‘The Gypsy King’s’ career.

Of course, if Fury loses the rematch, then there will no triology and the ‘AJ’ fight will be demanded again.

There is still a lot to happen, but the highly anticipated rematch on December 21st promises to be another epic.

Brazil’s Jose Adilson Rodrigues Dos Santos, “Maguila”, has died aged 66.

The former opponent of, among others, Evander Holyfield and George Foreman reportedly suffered with health complications from suspected chronic traumatic encephalopathy.

He fought 85 times over the course of 17 years, winning 77 of those fights – 68 by knockout – and reigned as the Brazilian and South American heavyweight champion before becoming the only Brazilian to challenge for a version of the world heavyweight title.

Maguila retired in 2000, and it was in 2013 when he was diagnosed with CTE, having by then struggled with memory loss and confusion. The aggressive behavior often associated with his condition contributed to his wife Irani Pinheiro pursuing professional help.

It was in 2018 when he elected to donate his brain to scientific research after his death. The final years of his life were spent at the Anjos de Deus Therapeutic Center in Itu, Sao Paulo.

Self-proclaimed ‘The Face of Boxing’, WBA lightweight champion Gervonta Davis demands attention regardless of who he is fighting.

Since, yesterday’s news that the fight is in jeopardy due to venue problems, there has been a fresh update on when the fight could take place.

Despite world title fights falling through against Vasyl Lomachenko (IBF) and Shakur Stevenson (WBC), it was confirmed that on December 14th he would be fighting the current WBA super featherweight champion Lamont Roach at the Toyota Centre in Houston, TX.

‘Tank’ is coming off another stellar knockout victory against Frank Martin – increasing his knockout per cent ratio to 93.

His opponent, the man known as ‘The Reaper’ is in red-hot form too, in his last performance he TKO’d previously unbeaten Feargal McMcrory in the eighth round.

Perhaps most notably though, he defeated former ‘Tank’ opponent, Hector Luis Garcia, last November to claim his WBA title.

Yesterday, the fight was cast into doubt after Dan Rafael reported on his Twitter/X account that, due to venue issues, the fight may need to be rescheduled.

There have now been further reports of when this fight will take place.

According to BoxingScene, PBC is considering placing Davis-Roach on the proposed billing of the light heavyweight bout between David Benavidez and David Morrell on January 25th in Las Vegas.

Whilst the fight would no longer be a main event, it would be on a much bigger card and it would remove any fears that their proposed December 14th fight may undersell.Update provided on Mike Tyson knee injury ahead of Jake Paul showdown

It could be argued that the reason why this fight is not currently taking place is because of apathy from fans to want to see the fight.

Fans have been calling for ‘Tank’ to fight the likes of Shakur Stevenson, Vasyl Lomachenko and Edwin De Los Santos.

Moreover, whilst Tank is a big money fight for Roach, he had his ‘0’ taken from him in 2019 by Jamel Herring.

Therefore, it is likely that fans would much rather him seek revenge by taking this rematch.

The highly anticipated clash between the two light heavyweights in their primes, Benavidez and Morrell, has yet to be announced.

We do not have a clear understanding of when the Davis-Roach fight will take place, if at all.

‘Tank’ will always bring eyeballs to the sport but fans are becoming increasingly frustrated that he is not facing other prominent names in the division.𝐓𝐀𝐍𝐊 & 𝐁𝐄𝐍𝐀𝐕𝐈𝐃𝐄𝐙 𝐃𝐎𝐔𝐁𝐋𝐄𝐇𝐄𝐀𝐃𝐄𝐑?

Gervonta Davis shifting off December 14 date could lead to another David Benavidez doubleheader

✍️ @pugboxing

— BoxingScene.com (@boxingscene) October 25, 2024

The potential fight between legendary Manny Pacquiao and Mario Barrios could be on the rocks, according to Barrios’ trainer Bob Santos.

Barrios, 29, of San Antonio, has a date with Abel Ramos for the WBC welterweight championship on the Mike Tyson-Jake Paul undercard at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas on November 15.

As it stands, Santos thinks it’s unclear whether the Barrios-Pacquiao fight would happen due to the latter’s political engagement in the Philippines' senate.

“Manny Pacquiao wanted to fight Barrios and we wanted the fight but the fight couldn't be made in time because he's gonna be running for the senate again, I think, in January or February,” Santos told BoxingScene.

“So, [Pacquiao] has to take care of that, and we have to take care of Abel Ramos and then we'll see what the future holds after that.”

Barrios and eight-division champ Pacquiao were said to be negotiating a fight some months back with the Filipino great looking to come out of retirement at age 45. However, the negotiations failed to materialize and the fight fell through.

In his place, the 29-2 (18 KOs) Barrios is expected to face 33-year-old Ramos, who bears a record of 28-6-2 (22 KOs), for the WBC championship. Barrios has been out of the ring since earning a 12-round unanimous decision win over Fabian Andres Maidana five months ago.

The win over Maidana extended Barrios’ winning streak to three, securing him the WBC interim championship in the process. Prior to those wins, the San Antonio native had lost consecutively to Gervonta ‘Tank’ Davis and Keith Thurman.

Santos anticipates a difficult fight for Barrios against Ramos.

“I know Abel Ramos very well and I've watched him against Omar Juarez. I’ve also watched him against Ugas. We know him very well. I know his trainer Jesus Ramos very well. I've seen him in the gym.

“I've seen him train. I've watched many of his fights. It's gonna be a tough fight. Obviously, we feel confident. We're gonna be victorious.”

The fight against Barrios could be a tall order for Ramos, who is under pressure to revive his career after just two wins in his last five bouts. Following consecutive losses to Luke Santamaria and Cody Crowley, Ramos returned to winning ways against Juan Ramon Guzman with a fifth-round stoppage victory in April.

When asked if Ramos possesses the ability to hurt Barrios, Santos said “I mean, like I said, anytime you go in against anybody, they’ve got two hands just like the other guy. So, they’ve got a punch chance like anybody. Right? 

“So, you have to know that going in. That's why when everybody's talking about Tim Tszyu, oh, it's this, it's that, hey maybe it's just the case that you just got caught with one punch you didn't see coming, and that's boxing. That's what makes boxing a great sport.”

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 .

At 41 years of age, Pablo Valdez is proving that age is just a number.

Valdez is set to face Eudy Bernardo in an eight-round welterweight bout on November 9 at the Osceola Heritage Park in Kissimmee, Florida.

Valdez, 7-0 (6 KOs), is eager to show he still has plenty left as he continues training alongside super middleweight contender Edgar Berlanga. Reflecting on his return to the sport, Valdez expressed gratitude for the opportunities that have come his way.

“When I first came home, I said I wanted to go 2-0, and I dreamed of fighting in Madison Square Garden,” Valdez told ProBox TV. “I’ve fought there three times, Edgar got me in. Now, there are even bigger opportunities coming my way, but I’m taking it one fight at a time.”

Berlanga, a longtime supporter and teammate, praised Valdez's mindset and determination. “He wants to inspire people who think they can’t do things because of their age,” Berlanga told ProBox TV. “It’s not about how old you are – it’s about the power of your mind and how far you can push yourself.”

Valdez’s opponent, Eudy Bernardo, 25-7 (18 KOs), is a battle-tested 37-year-old from the Dominican Republic, having faced the likes of Mario Barrios. Despite Bernardo’s experience, Valdez remains confident. “I like to fight, and I like to come forward, but now, I’m working on being smart – using angles,” Valdez said.

For Valdez, this fight is another chance to prove that age is not a barrier, but a badge of honor. “When I came home at 33, a lot of people told me not to fight,” Valdez said. “Now, at 41, I’m sparring with these young guys. My statement is simple – I want to prove that I still got it.”

Looking ahead, Valdez hinted at something big on the horizon. “I got a big opportunity that I really can’t speak about,” Valdez said. “But if that comes, I’m going to take it.”

Whether through his knockout power or tenacity, Valdez’s story is one of perseverance and empowerment. As Berlanga summed it up, “He’s fought on the biggest platforms, and he’s done it at 39, 40, and 41. He’s a legend, and he doesn’t even know it, but he is a legend already.”

To live on the streets of Bukom in Accra, John Laryea had to defy orders from his parents to follow a boxing dream at age nine.

It was not an easy decision for the youngster who endured hardship in the fishing community of Bukom in Accra – a community famous for producing several world champions for Ghana.

“I was a street boy when I met Carl Lokko and he decided to teach me boxing,” Laryea told BoxingScene. “Meeting my trainer changed everything for me.”

Laryea teaming up with Lawrence Carl Lokko saw him sleeping at the Bronx Boxing Gym in Bukom where he started learning the basics of boxing. Lokko is noted for guiding former IBF lightweight champ Richard Commey’s career to his maiden world title fight against Robert Easter Jnr in 2016.

“I’ve been training with Lokko since meeting him and he’s been a blessing to me and my career. He’s taught me a lot in life that has built my career to where I am today.”

Through Lokko, Laryea met his manager and promoter Samuel Anim Addo, who led him into a pro career at age 18 after a short spell in the amateur ranks.

“I was at the gym one day when my trainer told me to prepare for a sparring session with Emmanuel Tagoe the following day,” Laryea explained. “After that session, my trainer introduced me to Samuel Anim Addo as my manager and that kickstarted my pro journey.”

In October 2018, Laryea opened his pro career with a four-round KO win over Emmanuel Laryea. After an eight-fight winning streak, Laryea challenged Kamarudeen Boyefio for the vacant Ghana national featherweight title in March 2021.

That same year, Laryea became a WBO Africa titlist by dethroning Namibia’s Sebastianus Natanael in four, going on to make four successful defenses. Laryea’s undefeated status - his record currently reads 13-0-1 (11 KOs) - has earned him a US debut against Alexander Mejia, 19-9 (8 KOs), at Caribe Royale Orlando in Florida .

To Laryea, next week’s fight against Mejia represents a positive turn in his career.

“It hasn’t been easy for me but it is about to pay off now. I’m very happy for the opportunity to fight in the US and I’m ready to take it.”

Laryea, 22, is yet to fight this year after a TKO victory over Isaac Dowuona 10 months ago. With victory in his next fight, Laryea wants to announce himself to the US boxing market.

“ I know my opponent as a very good boxer but I’m ready to come out victorious. This is the home of boxing and I know what I stand to gain by winning the fight against Mejia.

“Training has been very good for me and I believe it is time to make a statement with an emphatic win. That’s all I’m looking forward to against Mejia.”

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 .

Omar Trinidad is still just 17 fights into his pro career, with number 18 coming up on Saturday against Hector Andres Sosa at Commerce Casino in Commerce, California. But if you look at how he’s progressed and what he’s stepping into this weekend in his first 12-rounder, it’s evident that he’s about to step into a new world in 2025 if he beats Sosa.

He knows it, too. And he’s already starting to look at the landscape of the Top 15 at 126 pounds, especially the WBC and IBF rankings, where he currently sits in the 10 and 13 spots, respectively.

“I've been keeping my eye on that list as I went up,” Trinidad said. “I've been looking at the top names and, yeah, I look at them because they could be a potential fight in the near future. Who knows, even next year may be a title shot or any of those heavy hitters. I'm getting this fight out of the way in October and just focusing on this one until I get called out, and I'm sure I'll be ready.”

Winner of 16 in a row since a draw in his pro debut in 2018, with 13 of those wins coming by way of knockout, the 28-year-old has done all that’s been asked of him against anyone put in front of him, and he’s built a large fan following along the way, earning him the unofficial nickname “King of Los Angeles.” That’s quite the compliment, given the talent that always seems to come from the area, but through it all, he’s remained grounded.

“I don't mind the attention,” he said. “I like to show people what I'm capable of and why I train so hard for it. I feel like I'm built for it. I feel like I'm a showman and I deal good with the attention and the pressure.”

He’ll have the attention as the main event of the card, which is being aired on UFC FIGHT PASS, and as far as the pressure, he’ll get plenty of it from Argentina’s Sosa, who lives up to his nation’s tradition of toughness inside the ropes. So Trinidad has done his homework.

“I'm always curious about who I'm going to share the ring with that night,” he said. “I look at the BoxRec, I look at his opponents, and I also look at his tapes. I've been watching the one where he won the IBO belt (against Jazza Dickens), and I'm watching that over and over again and trying to get guys that simulate his style and practicing where I could block and counter.”

Sosa, 17-2 (9 KOs), knocked out Dickens in 10 rounds in July 2023 and followed that career-best win with a near shutout of Keenan Carbajal in June of this year, putting him in top form heading into this one. Plus, he’s never been stopped, which means Trinidad may have to go into deep waters if he wants to leave with his “0” intact.

“I’ve got enough gas in the tank to go 12 rounds,” he said. “I know he's a tough guy, he has heart, but I'm going to be the one that's going to ruin his night and try to get the early stoppage or go put him in a blender for 12 rounds.”

That blender stuff sounds harsh.

“Boxing ain't nice,” Trinidad laughs. “I'm just trying to show him that I was born to be a fighter and that's my night. Nobody's going to take that away from me.”

And truth be told, with his last two wins ending in the 10 th and eighth rounds, Trinidad does carry his power late, so if it’s early or late, he’s chasing a finish. 

“That's why I say I'm going to put him in a blender because I'm going to shred him little by little,” he said. “And when I see the opening, I'll throw the power shot and hopefully that takes him out. Most of the time, they get back up, but they don't get back up the same. I noticed that I carry that power in the late rounds, and it’s all from the work at the gym. My coach (Don Chuy Lopez) teaches me the precision and timing. So I always keep that in mind and I always try to be smart, pick my shots and get them in the late rounds.”

If Trinidad hits his mark, he may have another look at the rankings and see his name move up, which is almost as good as a win sometimes. 

“It feels nice,” he said. “I started from nothing. I remember looking at the stars that they (Boxrec) puts on us when they rank us and it used to be half a star, one star. And now I'm four stars and it's pretty humbling. I'm glad that all this hard work I've been doing all these years is actually paying off.”

All he needs is that fifth gold star.

“Oh yeah,” he said. “And with that crown next to it.” 

The two-time junior welterweight titleholder Regis Prograis has aspirations for a third crack at a division crown, and he’ll move one step closer to this should he get past Jack Catterall on Saturday at the Co-op Live Arena in Manchester, England on DAZN.

Prograis, 29-2 (24 KOs), will fight for the first time since losing his WBC 140-pound belt to Devin Haney in December during a lopsided unanimous decision defeat. 

Catterall, 29-1 (13 KOs), meanwhile, is coming off a unanimous decision win against Josh Taylor, the only other fighter to have beaten Prograis in his 12-year career. 

“I'm ready to get back to my roots and the basics,” Prograis told BoxingScene. “I feel like I lost myself over the last year. I put too much pressure on myself. I need to go back to being me again. My goal is to now become a three-time champion. 

“Jack did what he was supposed to do versus Taylor in the rematch. I feel like Taylor is shot right now. I don't think he's the same fighter. Josh definitely pushed the action more. But I feel like they owed Jack that win, so that's why he got it. 

“Our fight is the biggest fight you can make in the division without a belt being on the line. All of these guys at 140 are getting beat. They are not looking good. Jack is one of the ones at the top right now.”

The current junior welterweight titleholders include Teofimo Lopez (WBO), Liam Paro (IBF), Jose Valenzuela (WBA) and Alberto Puello (WBC). Prograis and Catterall, two of the best of the rest, were originally supposed to fight on August 24 but the clash was delayed due to Catterall suffering an injury. 

“I heard it was a bruised rib,” said Prograis. “I don't know if that's true, because a bruised rib takes longer to heal. Maybe he wasn't ready to fight. Mentally, it's a good thing for me, and it adds more confidence that they needed extra time. Stalling me out is not going to work.” 

Catterall will mark the eighth southpaw opponent Prograis has faced in his last 13 fights, a run that dates back to 2017.

“I enjoy fighting southpaws now. I'd rather fight a southpaw than an orthodox fighter,” said Prograis. “I feel like it's easier right now. I fought a bunch of them and I am used to them.” 

Manouk Akopyan is a sports journalist, writer and broadcast reporter whose work has appeared on ESPN, Fox Sports, USA Today, The Guardian, Newsweek, Men’s Health, NFL.com, Los Angeles Times, Philadelphia Inquirer, Ring Magazine and more. He has been writing for BoxingScene since 2018. Manouk is a member of the Boxing Writers Association of America and the MMA Journalists Association. He can be reached on X (formerly Twitter) , Instagram , LinkedIn and YouTube , through email at manouk[dot]akopyan[at]gmail.com or via www.ManoukAkopyan.com .

Following the official weigh-in for the highly anticipated fight between Jack Catterall and Regis Prograis, set for October 26, promoter Eddie Hearn confirmed new additions to Matchroom Boxing. In an interview with Pro Boxing Fans, Hearn

“We’ve signed 2 fighters this week which we’ll be announcing soon and another 2/3 before the end of the year.” Without revealing names, the promoter hinted that these are “former world champions and a couple of amateur standouts.”

The news sparked an immediate response on social media, with some fans speculating that one of these signings could be British boxer Josh Taylor. The 32-year-old fighter is currently a free agent with a record of 19 wins, 2 losses, and 0 draws. His last fight took place on May 25, 2024, in Leeds, UK, where he was defeated by Jack Catterall by unanimous decision after 12 rounds.

Another rumored signing could be British heavyweight Patrick Brown. After his elimination in the first round of the Olympics, Brown announced he would leave amateur sports to turn professional. Although some suggest he may also be one of Matchroom Boxing’s new signings, nothing is confirmed yet, and the official announcement is awaited.

Eddie Hearn, who has advanced the careers of numerous boxers on the international scene, expressed confidence in the value of these signings for the growth of Matchroom Boxing. The promoter highlighted the importance of strengthening the promotion’s roster with high-caliber fighters, especially with the addition of former champions and emerging talent from amateur boxing.

Anticipation is growing as fans debate who might be joining to Matchroom Boxing Promotions.

WBC and WBO bantamweight champion Dina Thorslund had no problems retaining the titles against Japanese challenger Terumi Nuki. Thorslund moved to 23-0 (9 KOs) while Nuki fell to 15-6 (10 KOs). It was scored 99-91 on all cards. 

Nuki was robotically persistent in her performance, coming forward no matter what, but also ineffective. She walked into some heavy counters early in the fight and while her face looked swollen and beaten she kept coming. Thorslund picked her punches well and outboxed the challenger most of the fight. Only in the fifth did Nuki seem to outwork the champion.

The event, staged by TK Promotions. was billed as "The Last Dance." Ahead of Thorslund now is retirement or lucrative fights abroad. There have been talks of a Super Six tournament promoted by Lou DiBella but nothing is set.

The undercard lasted about 16 minutes in total, spilled out over a nearly three-hour time frame. 

Super middleweight Oliver Zaren, 14-0 (5 KOs), is not known for his punching power but he had no problems with the Spain-based Nicaraguan Roberto Arriaza, who is 19-13 (14 KOs). Zaren mixed his punches well in the first round and then floored his opponent with a right uppercut early in the second. Three more knockdowns followed before it was stopped at 2:13 of the same round. It was scheduled for eight.

Junior middleweight Victor Hoveling, perfect at 6-0 (6 KOs) stopped the 2-5 (0 KOs) Dmitri Blinov at 2:38 of the second round in a scheduled six-rounder. Blinov was shaken by a right hand earlier in the round but was fighting back when the referee stepped in and stopped it.. The Dane was in trouble late in the first round and was caught again early in the second.

Lightweight Francis Fordjour opened the show and stopped Mihail Zubenco (2-8) at 2:33 of the first round. The 3-0 (3 KOs) Fordjour put pressure on his opponent from the first bell to last and Zubenco, 2-8 (1 KOs) was shaken twice. The writing was on the wall when the bout was stopped.

Featherweight Melissa Mortensen moved to 2-0 (1 KO) knocked out Nino Mgebrishvili (0-3) at 0:19 of the second in a gross mismatch. Mgebrishvili, 0-3, was a late substitute for Gabriella Mezei. 

This Friday, Jack Catterall and Regis Prograis completed the official weigh-in in Manchester, England. The fight will take place on Saturday, October 26, at Manchester’s AO Arena. Originally scheduled for August 24, the fight was postponed due to an injury sustained by Catterall.

At the official weigh-in, both fighters, promoted by Matchroom Boxing, met the 140-pound limit without issue. Catterall registered an exact weight of 140 pounds, while Prograis came in at 139.7 pounds. Now, both boxers are ready to face off, each aiming to strengthen their records and their trajectories in the boxing world.

Jack Catterall, with 29 wins, one loss, and no draws, seeks to extend his winning streak following his recent victory over Josh Taylor. In their last match, Catterall defeated Taylor by unanimous decision after 12 intense rounds on May 25 of this year. Catterall has also expressed interest in facing Australian Liam Paro, who will defend his IBF super lightweight title against Richardson Hitchins on December 7 in Puerto Rico.

On the other hand, Regis Prograis enters the fight with a record of 29 wins, two losses, and no draws. In his most recent fight, held on December 9, 2023, in San Francisco, Prograis lost to Devin Haney. This unanimous decision loss after 12 rounds was a tough setback for the American, who now seeks redemption on British soil.

Despite his recent defeat, Prograis is confident about facing Catterall. According to Prograis, Catterall did not actually intend to face him, preferring instead to fight Teófimo López. Additionally, Prograis has downplayed Catterall’s record, noting that only Josh Taylor and Jorge Linares stand out on his list of opponents, but he questioned their conditions at the time they faced the Brit.Tyson Fury confirms training team for Oleksandr Usyk rematch

Jack Catterall’s home advantage could be a factor, but Regis Prograis seems unfazed. The former WBA and WBC super lightweight world champion has expressed enthusiasm about fighting outside the United States, where his recent performances have not favored him.⚖️ CATTERALL-PROGRAIS WEIGHTS

🇬🇧 Jack Catterall – 140lbs 🇺🇸 Regis Prograis – 139.7lbs

✅ Both men inside the limit for tomorrow’s super lightweight main event fight in Manchester live on DAZN.

😤 THE FINAL FACE OFF #CatterallPrograis

Michel Rivera, ranked No. 14 by both the WBC and IBF, has his sights set on WBC junior welterweight champion-in-recess Devin Haney.

Haney, 25, holds a 31-0 (15 KOs) record and was involved in a controversial no-contest with Ryan Garcia. Initially ruled a loss, the result was overturned after Garcia tested positive for the banned substance ostarine. Alberto Puello, who was recognized as the WBC titleholder in June, now holds the belt.

Rivera, 26-1 (14 KOs), from the Dominican Republic, believes he is the best option for Haney. 

“I’m always available for Haney,” Rivera told BoxingScene. “They know me, and they know what I bring. I know I can beat him. I can do better than Ryan Garcia. His father knows me well. I’m confident this is the fight that should happen.”

In March, Rivera signed a long-term promotional deal with Salita Promotions. He’s on a two-fight win streak since his December 2022 loss to Frank Martin. Rivera earned a unanimous decision victory over former titleholder Sergey Lipinets in November 2023, followed by a split-decision win against Hugo Alberto Roldan in July.

“I am here, and I’m calling him out,” Rivera said. “I need this fight. I want it.”

Rivera also pointed out that Haney can’t target a rematch with Garcia, as Garcia is currently suspended. Asked what message he’d send to Haney, Rivera didn’t hesitate: “I want to be a world champion, and I’m a better fighter than him. I’ve built my name through my skills, not just promotion. Everybody knows me because I fight pretty good. I’ll beat him anytime and anywhere.”

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

The Brazilian boxing world mourns the passing of José Adílson Rodrigues Dos Santos, better known as “Maguila,” who died at 66 in São Paulo on October 24, 2024. After suffering from multiple health complications, “Maguila” leaves behind a legacy that deeply marked the history of boxing in Brazil.

Over 17 years, “Maguila” maintained a remarkable professional career, with 85 fights, 77 wins, 68 of which were by knockout. This exceptional record allowed him to stand out as the Brazilian and South American heavyweight champion.

Additionally, “Maguila” was the first and only Brazilian to compete for a world title in this division, becoming a sports icon in his country. He also had memorable fights against names like Evander Holyfield and George Foreman.His passing was confirmed by his wife, Irani Pinheiro, in an interview with the “Record” channel.

José Adílson Rodrigues was born on June 12, 1958, in Aracaju, in a low-income family. From a young age, “Maguila” was inspired by boxing greats like Muhammad Ali and Éder Jofre, watching their fights on a neighbor’s television. At 14, he moved to São Paulo, where he survived by working in construction and faced serious financial difficulties.

His professional career began in 1979, debuting two years later in the “Forge of Champions” tournament, the most important boxing event in Brazil. In 1983, “Maguila” won his first national title by defeating Waldemar Paulino at the Ibirapuera Gymnasium in São Paulo, establishing himself as Brazil’s top heavyweight. A year later, in 1984, he won the South American title by defeating Argentine Juan Antonio Figueroa in the first round, a title he held for a decade.

In 1985, “Maguila” suffered his first defeat against Argentine Daniel Falconi, who knocked him out in São Paulo. However, the following year, “Maguila” avenged his defeat and retired Falconi from boxing. In 1986, he won the WBC Americas title, and in 1996, the WBA and IBF Latin American titles. Although he did not win one of the major world titles, Maguila became the Brazilian heavyweight champion under the WBF in 1995 by defeating Johnny Nelson in Osasco.In 2000, after a final fight against Daniel Frank, “Maguila” retired from boxing. Though away from the ring, the impact of his career endured in Brazilian sports and popular culture.

In 2013, “Maguila” was diagnosed with chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), also known as punch-drunk syndrome, a neurodegenerative disease that affects many former boxers. This diagnosis was preceded by symptoms of memory loss and confusion, which intensified over time. As the disease progressed, “Maguila” experienced episodes of aggression, prompting his wife to seek professional help.Sam Jones responds after Regis Prograis leaks his controversial fight prediction

In 2018, with his family’s consent, “Maguila” decided to donate his brain to scientific research after his death. This decision will allow researchers at the University of São Paulo to study the impact of repeated trauma on the brain and develop preventive measures for athletes in contact sports.

In recent years, “Maguila” lived at the Anjos de Deus Therapeutic Center in Itu, São Paulo, where he received specialized care and participated in physical therapy sessions.Morre um dos maiores boxeadores da história do Brasil! Aos 66 anos, José Adilson Rodrigues dos Santos, o Maguila, nos deixou nesta quinta-feira (24). O brasileiro foi campeão mundial de boxe entre os pesos-pesados e chegou a enfrentar nomes como Evander Holyfield e George… pic.twitter.com/GQEcWnVTF3

— TNT Sports BR (@TNTSportsBR) October 24, 2024

Without hesitation, Raymond Muratalla says he’s willing to fight fellow unbeaten Top Rank lightweight Keyshawn Davis. The way things are transpiring, it’s more likely to occur as a unification bout.

“The way I’m feeling is that after this, I should be getting a call for a title shot,” Muratalla told ProBox TV and BoxingScene this week. “I’ve been putting in the work my whole career. I’m ready for it.”

With Top Rank-affiliated Denys Berinchyk (WBO) and Vasiliy Lomachenko (IBF) currently wearing lightweight belts, Southern California’s Muratalla, 21-0 (16 KOs), is hopeful a strong showing against Mexico’s Jesus Antonio Perez Campos, 25-5 (18 KOs), in the co-main of the November 2 ESPN+ Robson Conceicao-O’Shaquie Foster rematch in Verona, New York, will launch him to a title fight.

While there has been speculation that the second-ranked Muratalla (WBC, WBO) and No. 3-ranked Davis (WBC, WBO, IBF) are on a collision course toward a title eliminator of sorts, with Davis headlining an ESPN November 8 card in his hometown of Norfolk, Virginia, a highly placed official involved in such conversations told BoxingScene on Thursday, “I don’t think [Muratalla] fights Keyshawn next,” instead labeling a Muratalla title fight being next as “possible.”

Top Rank isn’t sure of Lomachenko’s future plans – whether he’ll opt to retire or take a 2025 unification bout against WBA titleholder Gervonta “Tank” Davis. And unanimous top-ranked lightweight contender William Zepeda is being pointed toward a February 22 title shot against unbeaten WBC belt holder Shakur Stevenson.

Said Muratalla trainer Robert Garcia: “I think [Muratalla and Davis] will fight as champions, because when Zepeda fights for the WBC, that puts Raymond at No. 1 [in the WBO] … and if the word is true that ‘Loma’ retires, Keyshawn gets that one.”

Yet that also empowers Top Rank with the flexibility to flip Muratalla and Davis toward those titles, and an official familiar with the situation said Davis is being aimed toward a title shot at Berinchyk while Muratalla is being pointed to No. 5-ranked contender Zaur Abdullaev, 20-1 (12 KOs), for the belt vacated by a leaning-toward-retirement Lomachenko.

“I didn’t do this on purpose, but fighting [Perez Campos] is the perfect style for Muratalla to prepare for Abdullaev,” said Brad Goodman, Top Rank’s Hall of Fame matchmaker.

Muratalla, 27, expressed confidence that he’ll produce an entertaining bout against Perez Campos, a forward-fighting contender who has beaten Joseph Diaz Jnr and fought at welterweight against current 147lbs champion Brian Martin Jnr and Golden Boy Promotions’ Alexis Rocha.

That rugged test dialed up by Goodman follows a flatter July 13 showing in which Muratalla struggled to impose his will on the evasive, clutchy former junior lightweight champion Tevin Farmer.

“The only reason I gave [Muratalla] Tevin Farmer is the possibility that Raymond was going to fight Shakur next. … Who better to prepare for Shakur than Tevin?” Goodman said.

Muratalla still won by unanimous decision, but it followed another unanimous decision in March that zapped the excitement he had generated by knocking out Jeremy Hill in 2022 and Jeremia Nakathila in May 2023.

“Muratalla knows he has to go out there and make statements now because he hasn’t in his last couple of fights,” Goodman said.

“It showed me the stuff I still need to work on,” Muratalla said of the Farmer fight. “His movement, holding … I should’ve roughed him up a bit more. That will move me forward. It’s always a good learning experience. But I’m looking to throw my hands and entertain the fans.”

Trainer Garcia called the Farmer fight “a good win, a good test, a good learning experience. … I know who Raymond is. I see it here in the gym.”

Muratalla said he expects an entirely different type of performance against Perez Campos.

“We’ve seen him fight a lot of experienced guys. … We know he’s a tough guy and he’s going to come forward. He’s there to win,” Muratalla said. “It’s going to be a great show, one with fireworks. I can’t wait. I am fully prepared for this one.”

Top Rank President Todd DuBoef told BoxingScene that it’s up to Muratalla to seize the day.

“He’s knocking on the door of a title and now it’s his time to capitalize on that,” DuBoef said. “When you become a top contender and position yourself for great things, in a sense, that’s the start of your career.

“It’s now all about improved performances, activity, finding the right fights and winning in the biggest moments. He’s going to have to figure that all out now and make the right decisions.”

Muratalla said he accepts the advice/constructive criticism.

Being in Garcia’s gym, where Muratalla is currently training alongside unbeaten two-division champion Jesse “Bam” Rodriguez and former unified 140lbs titleholder Jose Ramirez, has made the preparation a vigorous, inspired exercise.

“It’s amazing being around those guys,” Muratalla said. “They keep it 100 percent real. They’re not going to tell you what you want to hear. They’re here to help you.”

That mindset shapes Muratalla’s desire to join Rodriguez and another Garcia gym occupant, 140-pound WBA belt holder Jose “Rayo” Valenzuela, as world titlists.

“I just want to be a champion,” he said. “It doesn’t matter who I fight. When I’m at my best, I feel no one can beat me.”

Lance Pugmire is BoxingScene’s senior U.S. writer and an assistant producer for ProBox TV. Pugmire has covered boxing since the early 2000s, first at the Los Angeles Times and then at The Athletic and USA Today. He won the Boxing Writers’ Association of America’s Nat Fleischer Award in 2022 for career excellence.

Save for an eleventh-hour hiccup, it appears as though super lightweights Jack Catterall and Regis Prograis will at last share a ring on Saturday (October 26) in Manchester.

The pair were of course originally meant to fight on August 24, also in Manchester, only for an injury suffered by Catterall to scupper those plans and push the event back a couple of months.

Now, with them both having successfully weighed in within the 140-pound limit this evening, all they have to do is show up tomorrow fit and ready to go and the fight will finally take place.

In terms of their weights, Catterall, 29-1 (13), tipped the scales at 140 pounds, while Prograis, 29-2 (24), checked in at 139.7 pounds.

Recently, renowned boxing promoter Eddie Hearn

Conor Benn has faced challenges in his career since an incident in 2022. Prior to his fight against Chris Eubank Jr., an irregularity was detected in his doping test. This setback led to intense scrutiny of Benn and put his sporting future on hold. However, earlier this year, Benn managed to return to the ring and faced Peter Dobson, showing a solid performance. Nonetheless, Benn has made it clear that his aim is to participate in high-profile fights.

As for his next fight, Benn has been repeatedly linked to a potential matchup with Eubank Jr. The tension between the two fighters escalated after a recent face-off in Saudi Arabia, where they exchanged words in a tense encounter. This clash continues to build excitement and could materialize in the near future, driven by fan interest and his promoter’s support.Eddie Hearn spoke with Pro Boxing Fans about Benn’s situation and outlined the tentative timelines for his return.

“We’ll be finding out soon when Conor Benn will be ready to fight in the UK,” Hearn stated, showing optimism about the recovery of Benn’s career. Although he didn’t provide an exact date, Hearn mentioned that the fight could happen between December and March, indicating they are working to set a precise date.

Eddie Hearn underscores his commitment to reviving Benn’s career. The possibility of a bout against Chris Eubank Jr. in the UK could mark an important moment for the boxer, with Benn seeking to establish himself on the international stage and regain public trust.

After the recent press conference for the rematch between Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk, Fury has confirmed that his training team will remain unchanged. He emphasized that he will not make drastic changes to his strategy for the rematch against Usyk. The highly anticipated rematch between the two is scheduled for December 21 in Saudi Arabia.

Despite the split decision loss in May, where Usyk took the undisputed world title, Fury decided to keep his team, which includes head trainer SugarHill Steward, assistant Andy Lee, and his father, John Fury.

During the first fight, there were questions regarding the clarity of his corner’s instructions, and Andy Lee admitted that “there were probably too many voices.” Now, the dynamic in the corner is expected to be more controlled, avoiding distractions for Fury.

Promoter Frank Warren emphasized that Tyson Fury’s team “cannot get carried away by emotions” and highlighted the importance of calm in crucial moments of the fight. In an interview with Sky Sports, Warren noted, “Tyson is very sensible and knows boxing inside out. He knows what he has to do and will make sure it’s done.”

Warren also expressed understanding of the influence Fury’s father has in the corner, emphasizing that “emotions can take over” in critical situations, as happened in the ninth round of the first fight when Fury took a hard hit. However, Warren cautioned that this time, “that corner cannot be emotional; it has to be calm.”

Andy Lee also acknowledged the criticism the team received after the May loss and assured that the team has learned from it. “When you lose, you’re open to criticism. If we had won the fight, nobody would have said a word, but there were probably too many voices in the corner,” Lee told Sky Sports.Furthermore, the assistant coach stressed the importance of Tyson Fury staying focused during breaks between rounds, avoiding any type of information “overload.”

For the rematch, the focus will be on maintaining calm and providing Fury with precise, necessary instructions at every moment. “There won’t be any changes. Sugar’s going to say what he’s going to say. John’s going to say what he’s going to say,” said Lee. “I don’t usually speak. I just told Tyson he was down on the cards. I was told that and had to relay it to him. That’s when I spoke.”Tyson Fury explains why he won’t target undisputed title if he defeats Oleksandr Usyk

Fury’s team is confident that the British champion can make the necessary adjustments to defeat Usyk in the second bout. According to Lee, “The better fighter wins the rematch. Usyk will be better, but Tyson can be a lot better.” Lee even suggested that in the first fight, Fury “was nowhere near his best,” hinting at significant room for improvement.

The highly anticipated rematch between Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk promises not only a strategic battle but also a test of control and composure in Fury’s corner. With a team seeking greater clarity and calm, Fury aims to regain his world title and reaffirm himself as the undisputed heavyweight champion.Andy Lee acknowledged there “probably were too many voices” in Tyson Fury’s corner during the defeat to Oleksandr Usyk .

One of the conditions of taking The Substance, a cell-replicating matter that temporarily creates a younger, better version of oneself, is that after seven days the old self and the new self must plug in and switch back. 

You can, in other words, spend only seven days as the new version before having to revert to all you had attempted to leave when agreeing to the procedure in the first place. How you choose to spend these seven days is of course up to you. But if you try to squeeze more than seven days out of The Substance, you will suffer the consequences, grave ones at that.  

This was something Demi Moore’s character, Elisabeth, learned the hard way not long after Sue, played by Margaret Qualley, crawled out of her body on the bathroom floor in act one of the 2024 film The Substance . A faded, 50-year-old celebrity, one whose relevance and success was linked to her beauty, Elisabeth inevitably saw the value in creating a young, better version of herself and just as inevitably fell in love with this version, preferring it to the old one. Chaos then ensued; Monstro Elisasue was born. 

In boxing, there are many drugs available for fighters keen to improve performance or feel like a better, young version of themselves. Yet, thankfully, traces of The Substance have so far failed to show up on any fighter’s drug test. 

Still, that doesn’t mean the idea and principle is new in boxing. In fact, when watching British heavyweights Johnny Fisher and Dave Allen talk so respectfully at a press conference on Wednesday (October 23), there was very much a sense of old version and new version; or an upgraded model coming face to face with its prototype. 

Fisher, you see, is, at the age of 25, everything Allen, now 32, used to be. He is honest, both with his words and in his fighting style, and carries a brand of relatability which promoters look to monetise and fans appear to appreciate. There are some flaws, yes, and a few rough edges, but Fisher, like Allen, never claims to be anything he is not and often conveys a level of self-deprecation which almost borders on parody. 

Together, as they were on Wednesday, Fisher and Allen make quite the double act. To have them then share a ring and fight each other on December 21 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia – in support of Oleksandr Usyk’s rematch against Tyson Fury – makes complete sense. 

“It’s a fight I wouldn’t have taken if I didn’t think I could win,” said Allen. “It depends how good Johnny Fisher is. If he is really, really, really good, I’m probably in trouble. But if he’s not, I’m just the guy to beat him.”

“I don’t know if I’m really, really, really good,” said Fisher, “but I’m all right, and I can punch, and I train hard, and I’m fit, and I’m strong. I’ve got to be all those things to beat Dave Allen. I know what it’s like sparring Dave Allen. We sparred five years ago when I was 19 or 20 years old and he gave me a bit of a pasting, if I’m being honest. But I knew that day when I walked out of that gym that I’ve got the minerals it takes to be a heavyweight boxer. 

“It’s up to me to set about Dave. He might be my mate but when it comes to the 21st of December, I’m going to give it 110 per cent, and I’m sure he’ll be doing the same.”

If there is a criticism to be levelled at Dave Allen it would have to do with his tendency to sometimes enter fights not fully prepared or prepared to give 110 per cent. He would be the first to admit this and he would say, too, that the persona he has used to make his money has been both a blessing and a curse. On the one hand, it has helped him gain a reputation and degree of popularity which exceeds, perhaps, his skill set, yet, on the other hand, it has led Allen into fights against opponents for whom he was considered merely a side act or an amusing, self-promoting punch bag. 

That, for better or worse, is the game he elected to play. Now, as a result, the Allen record stands at 23-6-2 (18) and he has on more than one occasion flirted with the idea of retirement, usually motivated by health concerns or a frustration with the way he was guided – both by others and his own hunger for attention. 

In contrast to Fisher, 12-0 (11), Allen has been matched tough throughout his career and has both the defeats and damage to prove it. His time as a prospect did not last long and, once it became clear that he could talk and sell himself, Allen was offered the chance to sacrifice any long-term ambition in favor of making life-changing money quickly. It was a deal to which he agreed and now, at 32, he feels wiser than most but also older than most. 

“This is my last chance really,” he confessed on Wednesday. “I’ve said that about eight times but I think this might actually be the last one. I’m stubborn. That’s what I am really. There’s nothing really special about me at all. I’m not fast, I don’t punch that hard, but I’m just stubborn. I’ve been around forever, I’ve sparred everyone, I’ve boxed everyone, I’m just stubborn. From round one to 10, I’m going to be there. If he’s (Fisher) the real deal, I’m in trouble. If he’s not, I will beat him.”

With or without The Substance, Allen must surely look at Fisher and see something of himself in him. It might not be a look of regret or sadness, and he might not yet be thinking what could have been, but the similarities are too obvious to ignore. 

Also, what makes this fight between the two so interesting is the fact that both men, although peas in a pod and on good terms, will see in the other something that must be destroyed in order for them to exist. In the case of Allen, he must destroy Fisher, this prospect he once taught a lesson in sparring, just to keep his career alive and remind himself of the natural talent he possesses. Meanwhile, Fisher, the favorite, will aim to beat Allen decisively to stop people drawing similarities between them and instead make it abundantly clear how different they are. 

Because in the end, as the old version and the new version, they can only switch. They cannot coexist.