Dmitry Bivol desperately needed a fight. The 2023 calendar was just about over with and the WBA titleholder didn’t have anything planned. As the months went by, it appeared more and more likely that Bivol would remain on the shelf. But, seemingly out of nowhere, he was given an arbitrary phone call, telling him to get himself ready by December. ...
It’s been a while since fans have seen Gary Russell Jr. in the ring. The former featherweight champ has been both out of sight and out of mind since losing his title to Mark Magsayo in January of 2022. In addition to undergoing shoulder surgery, Russell (31-2, 18 KOs) simply hasn’t been interested in jumping back in the mix with ...
Eight division champion Manny Pacquiao was present at the MMA event RIZIN 45, which took place at the Saitama Super Arena in Japan. The Filipino star entered the ring and indicated to the crowd that he was would be facing Floyd Mayweather in a rematch, as part of a RIZIN card in 2024. "I hope to see you in Japan ...
Sometimes, when things are going your way, you can get ahead of yourself. Jose “Rayo” Valenzuela can admit that hubris began seeping into his bloodstream with each highlight-reel-worthy knockout. Against Edwin De Los Santos in 2022, Valenzuela (13-2, 9 KOs) believed that once he connected, their showdown would be called off. Their matchup didn’t go incredibly long, but with both ...
The WBC's introduction of the bridgerweight division has been met with mixed reviews ever since it was announced in 2020. Boxing executives, media, fans, and organizations alike have given little credence to the addition of boxing’s 18th weight class, which is sandwiched in between the cruiserweight and heavyweight divisions. But in December, the WBA joined the trend when an executive ...
John Ryder is a good fighter but in the eyes of oddsmakers, he couldn’t make the leap to true championship contender. With a handful of losses already smeared onto his record, the betting world had a feeling that he would come up short against Daniel Jacobs in February of 2022. They were wrong. Ultimately, they doubled down in his next ...
When Asemahle Wellem was growing up, he says he used to dream of joining Golden Gloves. This week, that dream reached fruition when he put pen to paper, joining South Africa’s biggest promoter under the management of the Brian Mitchell Academy. The South African super middleweight champion has operated largely under the radar, but that will all change under the ...
Malik Scott, head trainer for former WBC heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder, believes there are plenty of options out there for his boxer. Last weekend in Saudi Arabia, Wilder snapped a 14-month layoff and suffered a twelve round unanimous decision loss to former WBO champion Joseph Parker. The loss was highly unexpected, with many observers tabbing Wilder a significant favorite entering ...
BCB Promotions is kicking their 2024 schedule with a vacant Midlands welterweight title clash between James Scarrott and Jamie Stewart at the H Suite in Birmingham on February 16th. ‘February Firepower’ will be Scarrott’s first ten-rounder and his first time challenging for a belt after putting together an unbeaten five-fight record since turning professional in June 2022. The 20-year-old from ...
Kazuki Anaguchi remains unconscious following emergency brain surgery. Grave concern has been expressed for the 23-year-old southpaw who has yet to regain consciousness from injuries sustained in a December 26 unanimous decision defeat to countryman Seiya Tsutsumi. The ESPN+/Lemino aired bout saw Anaguchi go all-in during a Fight of the Year candidate between unbeaten Japanese bantamweights, though also featured the ...