Eubank Jr knocked Szeremeta down in the first round, the sixth round, and twice from body punches in the seventh round. Though Szeremeta beat the count, the referee halted the bout after the fourth knockdown. Eubank Jr connected on 43% of his jabs and landed 67 of them. 23% of Eubank Jr’s landed punches were body punches.

Neither fighter made much use of the jab. Opetaia landed 42% of his power punches. 41% of Opertaia’s landed punches were body punches. Opetaia hurt Massey with a body punch in the fifth round, and had landed 8 more body punches in the sixth round when Massey's corner threw in the towel.

A close bout was brought to a sudden end when both combatants went over the top rope at the end of the 5th round. Up to that point, Whittaker had landed 20 more jabs than Cameron, while Cameron had landed 8 more power punches than Whittaker. After Whittaker out-landed Cameron 65-45 over the first three rounds, Cameron out-landed Whittaker 44-36 over rounds four and five. Whittaker couldn’t continue after going over the top rope, so the fight went to the judge’s scorecards. One judge scored the fight 58-57 Whittaker, another judge scored it 58-57 for Cameron, and the third judge scored it a 58-58 draw.

Australia's Skye Nicolson overcame a difficult opening two rounds to keep her unbeaten record and her WBC featherweight title via unanimous decision over Britain's Raven Chapman. The contest, the first women's title fight to be staged in Saudi Arabia, was on the undercard of the Artur Beterbiev-Dmitry Bivol light-heavyweight unification fight at Riyadh's Kingdom Arena.

Chapman (9-1, 2 KOs) began brightly, using fast footwork and  upper-body movement to cut off the ring and seek to apply pressure and put Nicolson on the back foot. A short right hand from Chapman found its mark in the second, but already it was becoming clear that the Brit was using a lot of energy to work herself into a strong position without then throwing enough punches to press her advantage. 

By round three Nicolson (12-0, 1 KO) was beginning to gain her timing and distance, moving away from danger before Chapman could uncork a shot and seeking to time her with counters from mid-range.

By the fifth, Nicolson, 29, was starting to look comfortable, easing into a rhythm and landing effortlessly off the back foot. Seemingly discouraged by Nicolson increasingly controlling the action at mid-range, Chapman began reaching with her punches from distance, giving the Australian further opportunity to land crisp blows and circle away.

The 30-year-old Chapman was showing plenty of movement, but much of it was in straight lines, allowing Nicolson to consistently slide into a comfortable position, and with far too little end result. She broke through with some right hands in the ninth but Nicolson repeatedly responded with southpaw lefts of her own; and the 10th featured Nicolson in cruise control, picking off the onrushing Chapman down the stretch.

The end result was a formality. The ringside judges returned scores in the Australian's favor of 99-91, 98-92 and 98-92.

Nicolson landed 30% of her total punches and 33% of her power punches en route to winning a wide unanimous decision. Two judges scored the fight 98-92 and the third judge scored it 99-91.

When attempting to predict the outcome of the Artur Beterbiev-Dmitry Bivol showdown, which takes place on Saturday night in Saudi Arabia, two things quickly become clear: I am beyond excited and I don’t know – just like nobody possibly can at this stage – who’s going to win.

It’s not so much that it’s difficult to imagine one and not the other with their hands raised, because we’ve seen both triumph a cumulative 43 times, it’s more that it’s a stretch to envision either of these fine light heavyweights actually losing a fight. However much I try, I cannot picture a concussed Beterbiev being rescued by the referee or even being bewitched and outboxed conclusively. Nor can I close my eyes and imagine the always classy Bivol, after sampling one too many right hands, sporting the bedraggled expression of a defeated man. No, we’re so conditioned to seeing Beterbiev and Bivol win, and win handsomely, that it will be quite the sight when – if – one of them is defeated.

If we presume for now that it doesn’t end in a draw, witnessing one of these two beaten for the first time might prove just as memorable as the punches that caused their fall from grace. When one thinks of Frazier beating Ali, for example, the latter tumbling to the canvas in round 15 is every bit as cinematic as the punch that put him there. And when you reflect on Usyk versus Fury, it’s not the Ukrainian’s craft and guile that springs to mind but the Englishman drunkenly tottering from boundary to boundary in the ninth round. The winner here, then, could be about to produce the most spectacular performance of their lives, simply by making a perceived superman look human.

That it’s such a hard fight to call only underlines the brilliance of the matchup. The winner – again, presuming there is one – becomes the best light heavyweight in the world, bar none, so don’t let any of the sanctioning bodies tell you otherwise should they move to strip titles down the line.

But let’s not dwell on such trivialities here. This is arguably the best fight to make in the sport and that’s not because there are four alphabet straps on the line. It’s purely because of the fighters and their quality.

When looking solely at accomplishments in the professional code, Beterbiev can boast a juicier highlight reel and likely edges Bivol in the consistency stakes. It could also be argued that the Russian-born Canadian resident, 20-0 (20 KOs), has fought overall better opposition, even if his record lacks the scalp of someone like Canelo Alvarez, who was outpointed by Bivol in 2022.

Though aficionados had long been aware of the menacing Beterbiev thanks to his amateur exploits, it was his step-up in September 2014, when he demolished former belt-holder Tavoris Cloud in two rounds a mere 15 months after turning over, that really announced his arrival on the light heavyweight landscape. Three years later he won his first title, beating Enrico Koelling in 12 rounds, before surviving a knockdown to fold Callum Johnson inside four. A five-round victory over Radivoje Kalajdzic followed before Beterbiev aced what still might be his toughest test in October 2019 when he broke down Oleksandr Gvozdyk in 10. Since then, the most noteworthy victories came against Marcus Browne (surviving a grotesque cut to win via KO 9), Joe Smith Jnr (TKO 2), Anthony Yarde (TKO 8) and, most recently, Callum Smith (TKO 7) in January this year. The cumulative record of Beterbiev’s foes at world title level is an impressive 204-10-1 and only Johnson (briefly), Gvozdyk and Yarde had any real success.

Beterbiev’s tendency to break the spirit, skin and bones of his rivals evidences his strength of punch yet it’s also important to note that – unlike some who become reliant on their power – his boxing IQ is surprisingly high, particularly when one considers he has no interest in watching or talking about fights in which he’s not involved. Beterbiev is a master boxer, albeit not remotely a boxing fan, and his judgement of distance, the calm head in battle, and the timing and selection of the blows he throws speaks to his irrepressible desire to improve. However, when his team, which includes top brains like Marc Ramsay and John Scully, are talking in the gym about boxing more generally – like, for example, the big fight that occurred the previous weekend – Beterbiev will shrug and walk away. He only has interest if what they discuss pertains to him. 

It should be no surprise, then, that when this contest was announced it was Beterbiev, the all-round master of his trade, who opened as the favourite in the eyes of the bookmakers. Yet it now seems likely that Bivol, come the opening bell, will be the fighter who is the shorter price to win.

Why has Beterbiev gone from favourite to underdog? It can likely be explained by the growing list of injuries suffered in recent years. This showdown was originally scheduled for June 1 only for it to be postponed after Beterbiev suffered a ruptured meniscus. He’s also endured injuries to his ribs and has undergone surgeries to repair his knee and shoulder, leading to his bouts with Yarde and Smith also being pushed back. At 39 he is six years older than Bivol and logic dictates that his body is starting to break down. When that inevitable process begins in an athlete it’s an impossible one to reverse. He’s suffered cuts in the past, too, and if one of the two bodies is to malfunction in battle, it seems likelier that it’s the older man’s.

That said, if people are picking Bivol to win purely because they presume this is the fight when Beterbiev will creak and crack, they are doing so without seeing any evidence of such in his most recent performances in the ring. Beterbiev was brutally effective when walking through Smith and though Yarde managed to push back Artur on occasion, the champion ended the fight when he realized he needed to find an extra gear to quieten his brave opponent.

But what Beterbiev will meet in Bivol is something different entirely. The 33-year-old, born in Krygzstan and based in Indio, CA, is a patient, sharp-shooting stylist who won’t be rushed nor feel overawed. A Russian amateur champion in the vest, Bivol can, like his opponent, boast many years of education in the fistic arts. Furthermore, the manner he handled Canelo two years ago should be a cause for concern because what Bivol does so well is dictate the pace, often slowing down his rivals and drawing mistakes when they attempt to hasten their work.

The other standout success on his 23-0 (12 KOs) record came against the highly regarded (and 44-0) Gilberto Ramirez in November 2022 and Bivol dominated to such an extent that everyone thought they’d been overrating “Zurdo” all along. Furthermore, and perhaps crucially in a contest as evenly poised as this, there is a feeling that we’re still to see the best of Bivol.

It’s true, however, that Bivol has looked ordinary on occasion. A specialist in winning over the 36-minute distance, he lost some rounds to Craig Richards when they clashed in 2021, Lyndon Arthur managed to last 12 two years later and there was a sense that Bivol merely coasted through points victories over the likes of Jean Pascal, Umar Salamov and Isaac Chilemba. One might also want to reference the moment when he was stunned and straightened against Joe Smith Jnr in 2019 as a reason why, when faced with someone like Beterbiev, he will eventually succumb.

Yet Bivol, even when not in full flow, always appears in complete control of both his own mind and his opponent. Consequently, so content is he inside that squared circle, if he doesn’t need to overexert himself, he won’t. In his most recent outing in June, Bivol thrashed Malik Zinad inside six rounds and we should remember that though he’s not a famed hitter, he can bang with authority and accuracy to both head and body, always with fluency and confidence.

Bivol will need to be alert for 36 minutes and, though he’s elusive, he’s not a defensive wizard with a Matrix-mode; he does get hit. But he knows how to get hit, to deflect, to slip, to make the target small and how to then take advantage when his opponents grow too ambitious. His feet are excellent and, when faced with Beterbiev, he won’t take too many chances without being afraid to take necessary ones. Though only a fool would stand in front of Beterbiev and ask him to do his worst, Bivol will nonetheless know that to win, he must do more than stay out of harm’s way. Therein lies the key to victory for Beterbiev – when Bivol is at his bravest, Beterbiev must be at his fearsome, intelligent best.

It's hard to envision either boxer dominating, however. Therefore, that draw should not be discounted and is perfectly feasible. After all, it’s been a while since we had one in a fight as big as this and purely by the laws of chance in a two-horse race, one could say we’re overdue a draw in a contest that is almost impossible to call – and one where it’s far easier to envision both fighters having periods of success than it is to visualize either man crumbling or being conclusively defeated.

Former junior middleweight titleholder Raul Marquez, now a prominent boxing analyst, believes light heavyweight titlist Dmitry Bivol could emerge as the world’s top fighter after his 175lbs undisputed bout against three-belt champion Artur Beterbiev on Saturday.

Beterbiev and Bivol will clash in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, in what is considered the most significant light heavyweight matchup since Andre Ward faced Sergey Kovalev. Marquez, meanwhile, will be broadcasting in Stockton, California, where he will call lightweight Gabriel Flores Jnr's fight against Dennis Contreras.

In an interview with BoxingScene, Marquez highlighted several top fighters, including Gervonta Davis, before expressing his admiration for Bivol (23-0, 12 KOs). Marquez believes a Bivol victory could elevate him to the top spot in the sport.

“The winner between him and Beterbiev – I go back and forth on it,” Marquez told BoxingScene. “I think it's a 50-50 fight, but I believe, in the end, Bivol will be able to keep him away. I really love Bivol. He’s not just a master boxer; he’s exciting, he hurts guys, controls distance well and is well-rounded.”

Bivol, who has held the WBA title for seven years, has been criticized for a perceived lack of power, despite more than half his wins coming by knockout. In contrast, Beterbiev (20-0, 20 KOs), 39, has won all of his bouts by knockout.

Marquez dismissed the notion that Bivol, 33, is a defensive, passive fighter. 

“People sometimes think he’s a boxer who runs around, but no, he creates action fights,” Marquez said. “He’s powerful, too.”

Marquez cited Bivol’s 2022 unanimous decision win over Saul “Canelo” Alvarez as proof of his skill, and he claimed that a win this Saturday would cement Bivol’s legacy.

“If he beats Beterbiev, he’ll be the best fighter out there,” Marquez said.

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.

We can only hope that Saturday’s undisputed light-heavyweight title fight between Artur Beterbiev and Dmitry Bivol in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, will wind up on a similar list years from now. But, included here, are some of the great 175lbs match-ups from over the years, spiked by controversy, drama, heart, courage and featuring plenty of Hall of Famers.

We can only hope that Saturday’s undisputed light-heavyweight title fight between Artur Beterbiev and Dmitry Bivol in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, will wind up on a similar list years from now. But, included here, are some of the great 175lbs match-ups from over the years, spiked by controversy, drama, heart, courage and featuring plenty of Hall of Famers.

1. Archie Moore w ko 11 Yvon Durelle (December 10, 1958)

The great Archie Moore, a huge hitter, was down three times in round one and once in the fifth in front of 8,848 rabid fans at the Forum in Montreal. However, he dropped Durelle four times and won in the 11 th of a breathless fight – one of the great slugfests of all time. The referee was former heavyweight Jack Sharkey.

3. Matthew Saad Muhammad w ko 14 Yaqui Lopez II (July 13, 1980)

4. Charles Williams tech. draw 7 Merqui Sosa (January 13, 1995)

6. Bob Foster w ko 14 Chris Finnegan (September 26, 1972)

Harding had come in for Donny Lalonde at short notice, and he was behind on all three cards and had never been beyond 10 rounds.

The Australian was cut over both eyes, his nose was bleeding and battered and he spat out blood from his mouth. Harding was also down in the fifth, though some observers say it was a push. Round 11 was gruelling, and Andries was down twice in the 12th before being rescued by the referee Joe Cortez.

Alex Wallau said: “This is as much action as you will ever see with two guys of this size.”

The International Boxing Hall of Famer Harry Mullan wrote: “There can have been few harder-won championships in the history of boxing than the 12-round stoppage substitute challenger Jeff Harding scored over Dennis Andries for the WBC light-heavyweight title in a brawl even Sylvester Stallone would blush to have scripted.”

Mullan added of the winner: “I don’t think I’ve ever seen a braver man in the ring.”

They would fight two more times, with Andries stopping Harding in Australia, but Harding winning the decider by majority decision in England.

8. Victor Galindez w tko 15 Richie Kates I (May 22, 1976)

Ringside in Johannesburg, the writer Bert Blewett described the first bout between Argentine Galindez and New Jersey’s Kates as “one of the most savage and sensational fights ever seen in South Africa” adding: “It was a fight of bloodiness, courage, and controversy, and it had the crowd of more than 35,000 screaming from bell to bell.”

9. Battling Siki w dq 6 George Carpentier (September 24, 1922)

Both fighters were down in the third; Carpentier was floored in the fifth and sixth, and Siki was originally disqualified for tripping the French hero up in the sixth by the referee Henry Bernstein, only for the president of the French boxing federation and ringside judges to overrule him and eventually declare Siki the winner.

Former boxing titleholder Austin Trout continues to make his mark in the world of bare knuckle fighting as he prepares to defend his welterweight title against Ricardo Franco at Marbella Arena in Marbella, Spain. 

Trout, already considered one of the top modern bare knuckle fighters, is embarking on just his third bout on the circuit.

Trout, 39, began taking bare-knuckle fights in February 2023, citing difficulties in securing traditional boxing fights. His transition to glove-less fighting has been a success, and he is now striving to extend his career – and possibly add further achievements as he approaches his 40s.

“The cool thing about Austin is, we’ve really studied the bare knuckle game,” said Bobby Benton, Trout’s trainer. “Austin’s always been an IQ guy, so making the transition has been fun. Everyone thinks you just go in and box, but it’s totally different. You can grab hands, and there are little techniques that make it unique.”

Benton explained how bare knuckle fighting requires a different approach from traditional boxing. Given that Trout’s best trait is his fight intelligence, this new corner of combat sports is allowing him to show it at an enhanced age.

“He’s a smart fighter, and he’s adapted well to these nuances,” Benton said. 

Looking ahead, Benton believes Trout’s potential in the sport has no ceiling. 

“I don’t think there’s anyone out there who can beat him,” Benton said. “He could move up or down in weight and be champion. I think he could even beat Mike Perry at 178 pounds. Austin’s footwork alone makes him dangerous.”

Benton pointed to Trout’s dominant win in his most recent fight – a win over Luis Palomino – as evidence of his potential to become one of the modern legends of the newly cemented sport, on the outskirts of boxing. 

“Palomino was their pound-for-pound king, and Austin dismantled him,” Benton said. “He dropped him, made the fight look easy. If they let Austin be more active, I think he could beat anyone.”

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 debutant Mohammed Alakel kicked off the main card at the Kingdom Arena, Riyadh, in Saudi Arabia with victory over the now 3-3 Colombian Jesus Gonzalez.

The first session was a free-swinging affair in which Alakel, 20, used his height and reach to keep the South American at bay while raiding in behind straight shots.

He tried to get his jab pumping in the second and he showed some good variety. Gonzalez, 21, couldn’t find his way into range, and when he did he was often picked off.

Alakel, trained by Joe Gallagher, stayed ahead the rest of the way and should be pleased with his performance after a limited amateur career.

Gonzalez was satisfied to hear the final bell, and Alakel equally jubilant to have won his first professional contest.

All three judges scored 40-36 in favour of Alakel.

Earlier in the evening, at junior middleweight, another debutant in Marco Maric also won over four rounds, via a score of 40-36, over Christian Lopez Flores, who is now 14-46-2 (14 KOs).

There is a new IBF junior-flyweight champion.

For two years, the title has been synonymous with Sivenathi Nontshinga.

From South Africa, the 25-year-old originally won the vacant title in 2022.

After one successful defence, he lost the title in late 2023 to Adrian Curiel, only to win it back in February this year.

During this reign, however, Nontshinga hasn’t managed to get a single successful defence in as he’s lost it earlier today.

Travelling to Tokoname, Japan, Sivenathi Nontshinga was taking on Masamichi Yabuki.

Yabuki is a former WBC light flyweight and was going into the fight as the underdog.

However, he put on a performance that many weren’t expecting.

The 32-year-old Yabuki floored Nagoya three times on the way to a ninth-round stoppage.Chris Eubank Jr downplays altercation with Conor Benn

After a series of rounds where Yabuki was growing in confidence, the bout came to life.

In the eight round, Yabuki hit combinations with both hands that led to Nontshinga and dropping to his knees.

That was the first knockdown and could have been worse if it wasn’t for the bell.

Nontshinga was dropped again in the ninth thereafter and you could visibly see a cut by his right eye.

The final devastating came later in the same round as Yabuki landed a right and the referee waved the fight over.

The result meant that Masamichi Yabuki has now become a two-time world champion and achieved this victory in his home land.

Sivenathi Nontshinga will likely look to earn a rematch and claim his title back, but today belongs to Yabuki as he claims the W in a dominant win and becomes the new IBF junior-flyweight champion.

In this week’s can’t miss mailbag, Stephen “Breadman” Edwards weighs up this weekend’s big fight between Dmitry Bivol and Artur Beterbiev, discusses how geography might affect a fighter, answers more questions on Ryan Garcia and he ponders Danny Garcia’s Hall of Fame credentials. 

Hello Breadman,

It seems to me more like Bivol doesn't commit unless he's safe, he never gets greedy (another big plus in this matchup), and will even stop an attack midway through if he senses danger. He's cautious like a bird, if that makes sense. So I can even see a boring fight playing out, because Bivol tends not to commit if he knows you're trying to time him. To the point about the amateurs supposedly Beterbiev lost twice to Usyk (I haven't checked), but it also works in vice-versa Bivol will have fought many people with Beterbiev's style also. Maybe you were implying this when you said who is more effective at what they do. To the point about discipline, I think there is a slight difference between the two on what I've looked at so far. Both are high IQ fighters, but the difference I noticed is Bivol always remains calm. Beterbiev has a little bit of that devil in him where if you hurt him he is willing to exchange like a savage. It will be extremely interesting to see how he reacts if Bivol hurts him, and vice-versa. My hunch is Bivol is even more disciplined than Beterbiev admittedly is.

I get what you are saying about Marciano, but he was maybe a one of one and also had that one hitter quitter that I've not seen from Beterbiev so far – and it was against better competition.

Bread’s Response: Here is how I see the fight. I have been watching Beterbiev because I noticed he had different level performances throughout his career. With Callum Smith being his best performance in my opinion. There were times where he took a little long to warm up. Then in the Smith fight, he got right to it. Executed his gameplan and took Smith apart. 

I believe that the Beterbiev that showed up for Smith has to show up for this fight or he will lose and we all know it’s hard to have back to back career best performances. So that’s in Bivol’s favor.

Bivol is pretty much the same every fight. Pendulum rhythm. A good jab. Crisp but loose straight punches. And the same stoic, conservative approach. 

I think the key to this fight is how soon Beterbiev warms up to the task. And can he use his jab to offset Bivol’s rhythm. I believe he can but I don’t know he can. Both have subtle brilliance. But Beterbiev’s success will depend on his Alpha Male energy in my opinion. Bivol doesn’t seem to care about harming Beterbiev. He doesn’t seem to view him as anything else except an opponent. Beterbiev seems to want to hurt everyone. I believe he has to keep Bivol in his place very early. 

Beterbiev doesn’t have to drop him or stop him early. But he has to make Bivol feel his presence. If Bivol gets comfortable like he did vs Canelo, he wins.

When I look at the Anthony Yarde fight, I do see a space where Bivol can win a decision. Beterbiev is great but he’s not an invincible force. He’s more of a destructive force. 

My guess is Beterbiev is too mean of a human being for Bivol. He starts off fast with a good jab. The fight is evenly contested on the outside but Beterbiev is putting doubt in Bivol’s mind on the inside of his soul. As the fight goes on, Bivol has a choice. He can go out on his shield or he can stay conservative and lose a decision. Yes, I believe Beterbiev can win a decision in this fight. Similar to the one Chavez won against Camacho. My pick is Beterbiev and I’m not ruling out a decision.

Hi Bread,

Bread’s Response: I noticed it too. I didn’t say much when Garcia tested positive because I wanted to allow due process to take place and allow Garcia to defend himself. I heard several different theories that Garcia came up with, from the Ashwaganda, to the supplement you speak of, to VADA and Victor Conte setting him up, to a trainer giving him something he wasn’t supposed to, but nothing was ever substantiated. All I can say is this is boxing. And this is a business. 

Sup Breadman,

Bread’s Response: I think trainers are starting fighters out with things that are more “attractive” to fighters. Like fancy padwork. Whereas fighters longer ago started out with footwork because a structure is built from the bottom up, not from the top to the bottom. And they didn’t throw fancy combinations at first. They used a jab. A simple jab. 

So, yes, the foundation is different in most places. But to answer you directly, different regions produce a different level of fighters. Overall Philadelphia, Detroit, Ohio, LA and the DMV produce the better fighters overall in the US. It doesn’t mean other places can’t produce excellent fighters. But overall if you take a large sample size of fighters, you will see those are the places that a great deal of the top amateurs and top pros come out of. It’s not a coincidence.

Hey Bread, Hope you’re well. Is Beterbiev-Bivol slightly more significant than Spence Jr-Crawford? I’m not saying bigger, I mean erasing doubts about who’s behind? At 147 one could argue Ennis could have beaten them both. At 175 I feel like the winner would be a clear number one. Unless you see Benavidez (or Morrell) as the favorite for the next one. What do you think of Sheeraz? He surely gets the push but he seems like the goods. Do you like him vs the Kazak the WBO ordered? Ennis needs to keep building his profile and fight often ala GGG. But down the line, in one or two years top, who are the two guys who would represent the biggest threats and most credible opponents? As with GGG vs Canelo down the line, would you give more than a 20% shot to Teo vs Crawford? Do you think Tim is the guy for Ennis at 154? I feel like now Benavidez vs Morrell is a 60/40 fight.

Best match up for a crown at 154 for the Spence return? Cheers, Diego

Bread’s Response: I think Beterbiev vs Bivol is 1 of the 5 biggest/best light heavyweight title fights of MY lifetime. Spinks vs Qawi, Hopkins vs Calzaghe, Ward vs Kovalev and Jones vs Tarver II. This is a huge fight!!!

I think Sheeraz is really good. But I don’t know how good just yet. I don’t rush to judgement with fighters. But from what I see he’s the goods. I don’t know enough to say if he can beat Janibek. But I suspect he’s even money with Janibek and Adames right now. But again, I want to see more.

The biggest threats for Ennis, in the future…..Hmmmm……It’s tough to say. But if I had to guess, I will say Charles Conwell and Tim Tszyu. 

I have no idea if Crawford will even fight Lopez. 

I agree on Benavidez vs Morrell. 60/40 in Benavidez’s favor.

Whoever Spence wants and whenever he’s ready to come back is a big fight. Spence is a superstar and he moves the needles.

Mr. Edwards, I truly hope all is well with life! Once again, amazing strategy by you and Plant! Outstanding! My question to you is this; I have been reading up on Bivol. We know that Beterbiev has had knee surgery. Now I have come to understand that Bivol not only has had hand surgery, but that he has a stress fracture in both his elbow and his spine! If this is true, which it seems to be, won’t this greatly affect his punching ability and his overall performance against a cyclone of an opponent in Artur? Is this the reason his KO ratio has been lowered? Thank you in advance for your knowledge and your column! All the best! Kindest Regards, Jon L Aka-NC Uppercut 

Bread’s Response: I think the reason Bivol’s KO% is lower, is simply because of his temperament. Once he gets the fight under control, he’s ok with winning. It’s simply not worth it, to go put himself in harm’s way to get a stoppage. In this fight his temperament may help him. But I suspect he has to put some hurt on Beterbiev to win. Not so much stop him, but punish him somewhat.

If Janibek Alimkhanuly, Erislandy Lara and Carlos Adames all fought each other, who would you expect to emerge as the undisputed champion? All three of them looked incredibly impressive the last time they set foot in a boxing ring. Thank you for your thoughts!

Bread’s Response: I don’t think all three looked so impressive. Lara dominated Danny Garcia. So let’s say that was impressive. But what was so impressive about Adames vs Terrell Gausha? I thought that fight was basically contested on even terms. And I thought Janibek was being roughed up in his fight vs a limited opponent. But I would expect all to be better if they fought each other. I would give Janibek a slight edge over Lara and Adames but nothing significant.

Hi Bread,

Why all the hate for Haney and him suing Garcia? Like Eddie Hearn said this could start a precedent where if fighters are getting sued for using PEDs for millions (providing Haney wins) then they'd in theory be less likely to use them because it would hurt more than having an enforced year off? I read a lot of your mailbags and occasionally the comments section and some people just really like being angry. I personally don't have any sort of para social relationships with fighters/celebrities for that reason, it's too tiring being that angry. Kind Regards Peter

Bread’s Response: Never read the comments section. It’s toxic. And you will never understand why people read a mailbag just to complain when they don’t have to read it at all. 

I don’t know why Haney gets so much hate. It’s bizarre. I suspect it’s because they wanted him to keep that one in the loss column. And now that it’s gone, people are aggravated. But I’m not going to do the mental gymnastics to even try to figure out why people are mad at a fighter who’s opponent came in overweight and on PEDs. 

Sup Bread,

Bread's Response: I think Sanchez and Chavez are in the argument for the best ever to come out of Mexico. I have watched both fight perfect fights. Sanchez vs Gomez and Chavez vs Rosario. Both were dominant and both struggled somewhat in other fights that people overlook. Chavez vs Laporte and Lockridge, Sanchez vs Ford and Caldwell. 

I think Sanchez's untimely death actually works in his favor in terms of his historical standing because we never got to see him on the other side of his prime. With Azumah Nelson improving, Jeff Fenech and Chavez emerging, Arguello being much bigger in 1982. Pernell Whitaker emerging. It's safe to say Sanchez would have taken some losses if he fought until 1990. Don’t forget Barry McGuigan and Eusabio Pedroza. Sanchez never unified vs Pedroza.

I have no issue with the people who pick Chavez as No. 1. His longevity deserves recognition and his peak was comparable. I also have no issue with the people who pick Sanchez because his peak was so high. His nine title defenses are notable. And he has three wins over HOF. 

I don't want to leave out Ricardo Lopez who was just as good as both in my opinion. Today I will say Chavez 1a, Sanchez 1b.

Greetings Breadman, hope all is well!

Bread’s Response: I love Danny Garcia. And I wanted him to beat Lara. I felt that a thirrd division title and being the third man in history to win titles at Junior Welterweight and Middleweight would have gotten Danny in the HOF. But he didn’t win the fight. I think he deserves consideration but I don’t think the media is impressed enough with his accomplishments or ability to vote him in. There are fighters from Danny’s era like Israel Vasquez and Chad Dawson who had better careers than Danny and probably won’t get in. If he gets in, I would be happy for him. But honestly it’s going to be tough. Danny hasn’t had a significant clear win vs an elite opponent since 2013 over Matthysse. I don’t know if that’s enough in this era. Let’s see what happens. He has to get on the ballot first. However, I'm rooting for him. Danny has been a bright light for boxing for my city for a very long time.

Hello Bread, I know you like them short and sweet so I'm wondering if you had to go into battle with a handful of fighters all time, who would they be and why? I’d go with Marciano, Ali, Hagler, Holyfield, Beterbiev. 

Sam from Australia 

Bread’s Response: I love your list. But you didn’t clarify what type of battle. If it’s a street fight to the death, I would pick Sonny Liston, George Foreman, David Tua, Mickey Walker and Jack Johnson. If it’s in RING BATTLES and the fighters I would be most comfortable with to overcome anything, I would go with Muhammad Ali, Ray Leonard, Ray Robinson, Roberto Duran and Salvador Sanchez.

Send Questions & Comments to dabreadman25@hotmail.com

For a man who was once the most dangerous man in heavyweight boxing, Deontay Wilder has been knocked down a peg or two over his past few fights.

Four defeats in five fights has left ‘The Bronze Bomber’ at a bit of a crossroads in his career.

Losing two fights to Tyson Fury was one thing, but the subsequent defeats to Joseph Parker and Zhilei Zhang have resulted in questions around the future for Wilder.

The knockout defeat to Zhang was especially damaging as Wilder was seen as a coup for Matchroom Boxing in their 5v5 against Queensbury Promotions.

Still regarded as one of the hardest hitters in the game, not many are sure what’s next for the man from Alabama.

Deontay Wilder was called out by Lawrence Okolie a couple of months back, but that doesn’t seem to be on hands since Okolie vacated his title belt.

But it seems that another heavyweight champion is happy to give Wilder a shot.

Due to the name value that Deontay Wilder still has, he’s still a get as an opponent for most boxers.

Kevin Lerena is the man who took the World Boxing Council (WBC) bridgerweight title after it was vacated by Lawrence Okolie.

And it seems that the South African southpaw is willing to keep that title opportunity open for Wilder if he wants it.

Speaking to World Boxing News, Lerena extends an opportunity in the path of Deontay Wilder.

“I’ve always been keen to fight Wilder,” Lerena said.Frank Warren reveals tension with Chris Eubank Jr

“He was one of the most feared heavyweights for a very long time. Wilder is someone I respect a lot, but it’s my time, and I fear no man.

“Look, I know Wilder didn’t lose in a positive way [against Parker or Zhang], but having said that, this is heavyweight boxing. These things can happen, but he will always be seen as a dangerous, spiteful puncher no matter what!

“I’d be more than happy to give Wilder the opportunity to face me if he’s willing to make the move down”.

This doesn’t seem to be all talk either.

Kevin Lerena confirms that although no official communication has taken place between the two sides, he’s at least aired the conversation from himself to others.

“There hasn’t been any contact with Wilder’s team as far as I know, not as of yet anyway, but I did mention it to Spencer Brown, and it’s a fight I would take next.

“If not Wilder, then a massive fight for the bridgerweight world title would be [cruiserweight champion at 200 pounds] Jai Opetaia and me. I think he’s a class boxer, but I’m a fighter, so it makes for a good scrap!

“I hope to be back in the ring around December or probably early in the new year, so there’s plenty of time to talk to Wilder, Opetaia, or anyone else for a massive fight”.

It seems as if the ball is firmly in Wilder’s court if he wishes to accept the opportunity.

At the very least, we know that there is willing from one side to make it happen.

It just remains to be seen what Deontay Wilder and his team want to do next at this stage of his career.

Artur Beterbiev-Dmitry Bivol is every bit as appealing as was Tyson Fury-Oleksandr Usyk and Terence Crawford-Errol Spence. It’s one of the fights fight fans have been salivating over for a very long time.

There are certain fights in certain weight classes that you look at and think, “That’s the one that has to happen”, and wonder why they’re not made – but this is one that’s happening. There was a time, when Beterbiev was consistently fighting on Top Rank bills and Bivol was on Matchroom’s that this wouldn’t have happened, but Riyadh Season’s investment means a fight of the very highest level is here.

Fury-Usyk was a terrific fight, and there’s cause to hope this will be similar. But even if it doesn’t, the important thing is that it’s happening, and hopefully at the right time. There’s a chance it’d have been timed even better if it had been scheduled for 12 months earlier, but it’s still a great time for it to be happening – everyone agrees they’re the top two light heavyweights in the world. Some of the biggest fights of the modern era have happened, but happened years after they should have and been less appealing because of it – Crawford-Spence was one of those. Beterbiev-Bivol also has the clash of styles and the undisputed title-fight qualities offered by Fury-Usyk, which enhances its appeal.

One of my frustrations at super middleweight, where Saul “Canelo” Alvarez-David Benavidez still hasn’t happened, is that the wheels aren’t turning there like they should be. By Beterbiev-Bivol happening before it is well overdue, the careers of Joshua Buatsi, Ben Whittaker and other light heavyweights should receive the opportunities they’ve been fighting for and deserve. This is the pinnacle of an era – the end of a generational cycle – and almost as important is that the face of the 175lbs division could be set to change. 

A fight like this – between two Russians – might be even more appealing if it was staged in Russia, or in a hotbed like Las Vegas, but we’ve seen this nature of event before, such as the Thrilla in Manila between Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier, and Mike Tyson-Buster Douglas in Tokyo, Japan. Does anybody every really reflect on the quiet atmosphere at Tyson-Douglas like it’s close to the main part of the story? The atmosphere took a backseat, behind the big fight actually happening and what unfolded. Beterbiev-Bivol being scheduled for Riyadh, Saudi Arabia is nothing new.

Bivol is the fighter who’s closer to his peak. He’s a very good fighter. He’s got a terrific ability to control and understand range, and he knows not only how to make opponents pay for obstructing and misjudging range, but also how to force them to misjudge range – which really complements his in-and-out style. He’s not only excellent at making adjustments, but he’s also excellent at making opponents pay, and to the point that when they’re having to reach and out of position they no longer want to throw back. 

If anything, Bivol’s mean streak is underrated. He punishes opponents harshly and puts them in his pocket. Canelo went the distance with him in 2022 but was in his pocket from the halfway point and stopped trying to win; Canelo fought Bivol the way Edgar Berlanga fought him in September, to go the distance without too often getting punished.

It won’t be enough for Bivol to be that same consistent fighter on Saturday. It won’t be enough to keep Beterbiev out of range – he’ll need to consistently hurt him. Even if he does that he won’t knock the winning mentality out of Beterbiev, who will keep trying to win the entire time – he will have to be sharp, and active, and reactive. But he understands that. Both fighters have a good understanding of what they need to do to win. It’s going to be a high-level fight. 

Beterbiev’s power is dangerous beyond the level of any other active fighter. Pound for pound, he’s the biggest puncher in the world. Even if he is slightly past his peak, he believes in that power and will cut off the ring to try to put Bivol in a position where he makes a mistake and Beterbiev can land the big shot he wants. 

His fundamentals are terrific, and he knows how to make opponents work much harder than him. The combination of his power and fundamentals stress his opponents, because they know they’re at risk of being hurt, so they become tired by moving more. When opponents do that he can cut down the ring without working as hard, which unlike a lot of other pressure fighters he knows how to do. He won’t overreach, either. Beterbiev has been like Gennady Golovkin – so intimidating that opponents haven’t wanted to fight him.

All of which is why their styles clash so well. Bivol can be the cat-and-mouse fighter who makes opponents chase him and pay for it – will he make Beterbiev pay enough that Beterbiev slows down, or will Beterbiev cut off the ring well enough that he catches him, makes him uncomfortable, and hurts him? The chances are we’ll see both, and therefore a great fight.

The winner of this fight will be remembered as producing his best ever performance on Saturday. I’ve changed my mind more than once about who will win, but as it nears it’s Bivol I’m leaning towards.

I of course wouldn’t be shocked if Beterbiev got the knockout, but it’s Bivol I see winning, via stoppage. It won’t be enough to outbox him; he will need to beat him up to keep him off.

Russ Anber will not be in Artur Beterbiev’s corner when on Saturday he and Dmitry Bivol contest the undisputed light-heavyweight title.

The Russians are to fight at the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, but after Anber, who has long wrapped Beterbiev’s hands and been his cuts man, refused to work his corner in his victory in January over Callum Smith, he will again not be involved.

Canada’s Anber declined to work Beterbiev corner's on the grounds of him also having repeatedly worked with Smith and Smith’s older brother Liam – he decided to not work with either fighter that night – and a more recent conversation with Beterbiev’s trainer Marc Ramsey informed Anber of their plans.

Anber was most recently in the corner of Janibek Alimkhanuly for his stoppage of Andrei Mikhailovich in Sydney, Australia, and will work the corner of Bakhram Murtazaliev against Tim Tszyu next, and he told BoxingScene: “I enquired with Marc, and Marc just informed me that they were just going to go with the corner and the team that they used for the fight against Callum Smith.

“I anticipated that that was going to happen. It didn’t really come as a shock to me. I understand his position; I understand Artur’s position. That’s their choice.

“We’re friends. There’s no issue. No problem. He just said, ‘Russ, I’m going to go with the team I had in January’. I understand he has to do that, because he also has a responsibility to them. I made my decision in January and he stuck with the team that he had for the Smith fight. I knew it would happen, but I’m okay with it. 

“There’s no way I could have felt that I was doing either fighter a justice working with them knowing that I couldn’t give 100 per cent in the corner or cheer them on to win or jump for joy or celebrate with them. It was better I withdraw myself from that. 

“I certainly don’t hold it against Marc. I’m okay with it.”

Anber was then asked whether part of him regretted not working with the 39-year-old Beterbiev – Bivol is 33 – the night the IBF, WBO and WBC champion stopped Smith, and he responded: “Absolutely not. One million per cent not. I knew I was gonna do that from the time there was the buzz the fight might be happening. 

“I tried to keep it under wraps as long as I could, but after the win against Anthony Yarde [in January 2023] we knew that Callum would be next. I do not have any regrets – I would repeat it. I’d do the same thing over again. It was the right thing to do.

“One hundred per cent [I’ll be supporting Beterbiev against Bivol] – and I think he will win. He’ll win in masterful fashion as well. As good as Bivol is, and he’s talented; great skill set. I just think Artur’s on a high now, coming off of the Callum Smith fight. He prepared extremely well for that fight, and he knows that he can beat Bivol and this is what he’s been striving for his whole career.

“I firmly believe that in order for Bivol to emerge victorious, he will not only have to be perfect for every minute of every round, he must also prove to be an extremely elusive target. If Beterbiev senses that he can get to Bivol, I think his confidence will grow with every round, and it could prove to be a very painful night for Bivol.”

Fabio Wardley and Frazer Clarke couldn’t be separated at the conclusion, in March, of 12 of the hardest-fought rounds of 2024.

Their fight for the British and Commonwealth heavyweight titles was scored 115-112 in Clarke’s favour, 114-113 to Wardley, and 113-113. Wardley consistently had blood pouring from his nose – it was only upon their arrival in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia for their rematch that he clarified that it had not been broken – and Clarke recovered from a knockdown to perhaps do enough to deserve to win.

That their first contest had been so entertaining, and attended by a vociferous crowd at London’s O2 Arena, inevitably contributed to a sense of disappointment that they will fight for the second time at the Kingdom Arena, on the undercard of the endlessly appealing undisputed light-heavyweight title fight between Artur Beterbiev and Dmitry Bivol. If their rematch proves anywhere near as physical, away from their supporters it may even be the fighters who suffer from the location the most.

Wardley, 29, acknowledged in the early hours of April 1 that a fight that taxing can shorten not only the careers, but the life expectancy of those involved in it. He is not only younger than the 33-year-old Clarke, despite entering his 19th professional contest against the 8-0-1 (6 KOs) Olympic bronze medallist, Clarke’s amateur career means that Wardley can be considered fresher, too.

If Wardley, 17-0-1 (16 KOs), was the favourite for March’s fight, on account of his superior experience and opposition as a professional, there existed also a school of thought that Clarke’s superior education – Wardley was a white-collar boxer before turning professional, since when he has surpassed expectations – gave him the edge. When Wardley knocked him down with a right hand in the fifth round he looked on course to record his latest stoppage; Clarke instead impressively recovered, and demonstrated the greater boxing IQ, mobility and jab to the extent that had he not had a point deducted in the seventh round for repeated low blows he would have narrowly won. 

In so many respects they proved so evenly matched in March that unless Clarke’s age and extensive amateur career – complemented by the damaging effects of the 12 rounds he previously shared with Wardley – have caught up with him, ahead of Saturday’s rematch for the British title it is reasonable to expect a fight that is similarly competitive and that will be settled by two questions above all else. 

After the most testing night of each of their careers, which fighter, if it proves necessary, will be most willing to give as much of himself as he did the first time around? If it doesn’t, which fighter will benefit most from the opportunity those previous 12 rounds gave them to learn to read the other and also to adapt?

Judging by the way their first fight unfolded, it was Clarke who most grew in confidence and who adjusted best to the threat Wardley posed. It may also prove relevant that Wardley had such momentum going into their first fight – a sense of momentum that was halted when for the first time one of his fights didn’t end in victory – and that if Clarke can fight with the same conviction he increasingly showed in March, when Wardley by extension was made to look more limited, he can be expected to earn a career-transforming victory, and perhaps a clear one, on points.

If the IBF cruiserweight title fight between the champion Jai Opetaia and Jack Massey isn’t expected to be as competitive, it regardless involves the world’s leading cruiserweight defending his title against an opponent, in Massey, who continues to improve. Massey was the underdog when in June, on the undercard of Chris Billam-Smith-Richard Riakporhe, he earned a deserved unanimous decision to defeat Isaac Chamberlain and to win the Commonwealth and vacant European title. 

The 29-year-old Opetaia agreed to fight Massey when a unification contest with the WBO champion Billam-Smith didn’t materialise – Billam-Smith instead fights Gilberto Ramirez on November 16 – and makes the first defence of the vacant title he regained when labouring to victory over Mairis Breidis in May. The Australian southpaw, 25-0 (19 KOs), transformed his career by resisting a broken jaw to outpoint Breidis two years earlier; before their rematch he stopped both Jordan Thompson and Ellis Zorro, who both proved overmatched, in a combined five rounds, which potentially makes Massey, 22-2 (12 KOs), an intriguing test of his development. 

In January 2023, Massey – 31 and of England – demonstrated his ability to be able to survive against dangerous opponents when he avoided significant punishment throughout the course of losing to Joseph Parker at heavyweight, over 10 rounds. The nature of his approach will prove decisive in deciding how it unfolds – and the history of his proven trainer Joe Gallagher compounds that sense of uncertainty. Gallagher has trained fighters both to enter their biggest fights with ambition, and merely to survive them. If Massey is aggressive, the more cultured, faster and more powerful Opetaia can be expected to punish him, and eventually to stop him. If he isn’t, he is capable of frustrating Opetaia as he did Parker, but not without losing another wide decision.

Opetaia’s compatriot Skye Nicolson, 29, makes the second defence of her WBC featherweight title against Raven Chapman in the first women’s world-title fight in Saudi Arabia. Nicolson, unlike England’s 30-year-old Chapman, has long been groomed for a future at the highest level, and it can be expected to show. 

Also relevant is the reality that Matchroom are invested in Nicolson in a way that no promoter is invested in Chapman. They previously hoped that she would appear on the undercard of a Liam Paro fight in December; the aggressive Chapman was identified as the calibre of opponent incapable of disrupting their wider plans. 

For all that the 9-0 (2 KOs) Chapman can be expected to fight with ambition, she lacks the subtlety required to test the more rounded and naturally talented Nicolson. The Australian southpaw, 11-0 (1 KO), not only has the superior experience, she is proven against a higher level of opposition, and continuing to improve. Over the course of 10 two-minute rounds her skill set is likely to gradually make Chapman look one-dimensional, and to the extent she may even earn another stoppage – even if a clear unanimous decision represents the likeliest outcome.

In a continuation of a similar theme on an undercard that, Wardley-Clarke II aside, largely contrasts the most competitive of main events, Chris Eubank Jnr has been matched with Kamil Szeremeta in another fight that increasingly looks like it is a building fight towards a higher-profile date. As with Opetaia and Nicolson being prepared for future contests, Eubank Jnr is on course to finally fight Conor Benn in 2025, if their confrontation in Riyadh on Friday – conveniently in front of countless cameras – is any indication.

The enigmatic Eubank Jnr, 35, has been inactive for just over a year, since what is widely recognised as a career-best performance on the night in September 2023 that he stopped Liam Smith. His success that night was largely attributed to his then-new trainer Brian “Bomac” McIntyre; the 33-3 (24 KOs) Eubank Jnr, naturally, has since replaced McIntyre with the similarly respected Johnathon Banks, ensuring that an often-unpredictable fighter is capable of again being difficult to predict.

That Szeremeta, also 35, is his opponent ultimately helps with that. The Pole’s record reads 25-2-2 (8 KOs). His draws with the lightly regarded Abel Mina, in his past fight, and Nizar Trimech demonstrate his level. Before fighting Trimech in 2021 he had recorded successive stoppage defeats, by Jaime Munguia and the once-great Gennady Golovkin. Neither defeat is anything about which to be remotely ashamed, but it is relevant that Munguia was far from the fighter he is proving in 2024, and that Golovkin was already in decline. 

The athleticism and strength the detector of scumbags Eubank Jnr – who has previously succeeded at super middleweight – has demonstrated at 160lbs should similarly prove too much for Szeremeta if Eubank Jnr, from England, is focused. If he fights to win convincingly, and therefore with a high work-rate, instead of to simply coast to victory – when he can be guilty of posturing and admiring his sometimes ineffective output – he will become the third to stop Szeremeta.

Ben Whittaker is capable of rivalling Eubank Jnr as both a showman and a fighter guilty of posturing and excessively admiring the impact of his punches. He fights Liam Cameron at light heavyweight, in what represents the toughest of his nine fights. There is little comparison between the natural talent of Whittaker, 8-0 (5 KOs), and the 23-6 (10 KOs) Cameron. There is also a significant difference in their physiques; Cameron, 33 years old, has previously competed at middleweight. 

He is, however, also a hungry, aggressive opponent, which is more than can be said for the previous fighters the 27-year-old Olympian Whittaker has shared the ring with. In Cameron’s past fight he truly tested Lyndon Arthur, who is proven beyond Whittaker’s level. But there remains a suspicion that Arthur, who didn’t make weight that evening in June, was guilty of complacency, and it is equally relevant that the fight Cameron is most given credit for was also ultimately a defeat. The style match-up between them can be expected to favour Whittaker; if Cameron is again aggressive, it will present Whittaker with opportunities to fight with greater intensity. Throughout the course of his six defeats Cameron has never been stopped, however, so if Whittaker wins inside the distance of their 10-round fight it will be his most impressive statement so far. A decision victory, and perhaps his most mature performance to date, is the likeliest outcome.

There, inevitably, is considerably more mystery surrounding the debutant Mohammed Alakel’s four-round super-featherweight contest against Jesus Gonzalez. Colombia’s Gonzalez, 21, is 3-2. Alakel is 20, from Saudi Arabia, and trained by Gallagher. A cynic might be tempted to suggest that he is highly unlikely to be matched with an opponent expected to do anything other than lose to him on a promotion intended in part as a celebration of Saudi Arabia. 

The gamble of South Africa's Sivenathi Nontshinga failed to pay as he lost his IBF junior-flyweight title to the inspired Japanese veteran Masamichi Yabuki in Japan.

Yabuki became a two-weight world champion with an impressive ninth-round stoppage, and although Nontshinga courageously battled to hang on to his title, the power of the challenger eventually told. 

Yabuki, a 32 year old from Nagoya, floored the now ex-champion three times on his way to a memorable victory. He started aggressively, initially jabbing often but thumping in an early left hook and lashing away with a right uppercut that just missed its intended target.

But Yabuki, 17-4 (16 KOs), landed a couple of quick right hands as the round progressed and his hand speed made an early difference inside the Aichi Sky Expo in Tokoname.

A further right hand caused the South African to momentarily back-pedal early in the second, although the champion was defiantly looking for gaps with his jab.

Nontshinga kept his respectful high guard in the third, and he began to target the challenger’s body, but he was clearly wary about what was coming back.

The 25 year old was more explorative and adventurous in the fifth, but paid for over-extending with a looping right by shipping a counter left hook. Still, he thumped the challenger with a big right hand with 30 seconds remaining in the round.

Neither were pulling their punches, although Nontshinga was holding his feet, seemingly cautious of Yabuki’s speed and pace, and the South African’s corner was warning him he was taking too long to close the gap.

A left hook from Yakubi to the body in the seventh caused Nontshinga to drop his right elbow to protect the area but it was a good round, and Nontshinga had replied downstairs moments later.

Nontshinga tried to shake off a right hand in the eighth, but the still aggressive Yabuki stormed forwards with both hands and Nontshinga turned his back and dropped to his knees.

The champion made it back to his feet, and the bell preserved his title for another minute.

Nontshinga’s team, including his trainer Colin Nathan, urged him to go on the front foot to prevent Yakubi pouring forwards but the South African was dropped again and cut by his right eye. Although Nontshinga, now 13-2 (10 KOs), gamely fought on, he was sent tumbling from a long right hand once more and the referee Mark Calo-oy waved it over.

Light-heavyweight prospect Ben Whittaker believes he is not far from facing Artur Beterbiev or Dmitry Bivol for a world championship.

Whittaker has taken to the professional ranks impressively and has quickly become one of the hottest prospects not only in the 175lbs . “The Surgeon” has dazzled with his impressive skills and will get the chance to show them off on Saturday on the undercard of the undisputed Beterbiev-Bivol fight in Saudi Arabia.

Beterbiev and Bivol have been by far the two standout light heavyweights of their generation and victory on Saturday will not only decide the best of their era, but will also crown the first undisputed 175-pound champion since Roy Jones Jr. in 1999.

The opportunity to fight on the undercard of the two best light heavyweights for some would be a huge occasion, but Whittaker insists he will be treating it just like another fight.

“I’m not going to stand here and say I’m super excited, for me it's just another fight, another show,” Whittaker told BoxingScene. “I think if you start overthinking it, start making it bigger than it is. For me it's another fight and luckily enough from my amateur career I've been all around the world. For me, I'm packing my bags just like that and I'm going to the ring just like that.”

Whittaker, 27, will have the chance to watch both of the best fighters in his division up close after his victory. However, this is an opportunity that Whittaker may not make the most of.

“Yeah well, Beterbiev walked past, and I was like, ‘Oh he's not that big,’ I thought he was this big, massive monster,” he said. “But, yeah, it'll be good [to watch them up close]. I might lie to you and say I'm going to watch it, but truthfully after every fight I like to go home, eat and play my PlayStation. So, I'll be bringing my PlayStation out to Riyadh and I'll probably do the same there.”

Whittaker has gone through previous opposition like a knife through butter, and many expect him to go on to win world championships. Whittaker believes that a title shot is not too far away and would be happy to fight either Beterbiev or Bivol—if they’re still holding the belts.

“I’m not far at all really [from fighting Beterbiev and Bivol],” Whittaker said. “But then when you look, I'm 27, Beterbiev is 40, so for me I've got a lot in this game. By the time I'm 30, I want to be a world champion. So if they're there then, if they're not, whoever it will be. That's why I want to be a world champion.”

Whittaker was then asked for his prediction for the main event between Beterbiev and Bivol.

“I don't have a clue what's happening man, I don't really know because if you asked me to break down AJ-Dubois, it wouldn't have gone like that. But for me it'll either be cagey at the start or they’ll just start swinging.

“I've said for the whole build-up, Beterbiev, but now I've been looking into it a bit more, I've swayed to Bivol. His distance control, his output, he's a younger fighter too, he hasn't had any injuries. So, for me I'd edge towards more Bivol, but it’s a great fight for all the belts, it's not happened for a good while now at this weight and I'm excited.”

If you blinked, you might have missed middleweight Kamil Szeremeta’s comments this week, but don’t worry—you didn’t miss much. Don’t let his personality fool you, though. He could prove to be a tougher test for Chris Eubank Jr. than most expect.

Szeremeta finds himself headlining high on the bill against the more popular, heavily favored Eubank, the son of Chris Eubank. The 12-round bout is part of Riyadh Season, tacked onto the Artur Beterbiev-Dmitry Bivol undercard. While DAZN gets the undercard, the main event will air on ESPN+.

Szeremeta (25-2-2, 8 KOs) is the classic case of an opponent brought in to make the favorite look good. Think of him like the opening act at a concert—there to fill time, but no one’s really paying attention. At 34, with a low knockout percentage, Szeremeta has somehow managed to stay relevant despite two draws in his last six fights and back-to-back stoppage losses to Gennadiy Golovkin and Jaime Munguia. 

On the other side, Eubank, now 35, is still a recognizable name, even if "active" isn’t the word anyone would use to describe his career lately. This fight marks Eubank’s return to the ring after a 13-month hiatus—a recurring theme for him. Last year, he was knocked out by Liam Smith but managed to redeem himself by stopping Smith in their rematch. 

This will be his fifth fight since the pandemic. Based on the press conference hints, middleweight Hamzah Sheeraz could be next, but Szeremeta might just have a chance to ruin those plans—though he’s given us little reason to believe that.

“My plan is simple,” Szeremeta said through a translator at the grand arrivals. “I want to go into the ring and go out as a winner.” Groundbreaking stuff.

While Eubank fully embraced the Saudi experience, strutting around in a thobe at every event, Szeremeta looked more like a lost tourist in casual designer clothes, blending in with the crowd. When asked about fighting in Saudi Arabia, Szeremeta was characteristically neutral: “I’m very happy to be here. It’s my first time. I hope I win on Saturday so I can come back.”

The issue for Szeremeta is that nearly everyone’s counting him out—and for good reason. He’s done nothing to suggest otherwise. Eubank got knocked out by Smith last year, but at least Smith had a resume. As much as you might want to give Szeremeta a shot, Eubank’s inconsistency doesn’t change the fact that Szeremeta gives you very little to work with. He sounded like a politician glued to his talking points: “We’ve got our tactic with our trainer, and we’re going to show you on Saturday,” he said when pressed on his strategy.

At the press conference, Szeremeta was asked one solitary question. His answer? Predictably vague. “I can adapt my style. I can switch my style. I love to fight,” Szeremeta said via translator.

To be fair, it’s not just Szeremeta. For what’s supposed to be a big fight week, the pageantry has been dialed down considerably with no fighter giving notable quotes.

Meanwhile, Eubank, not content with just wearing a thobe, arrived at the press conference wielding a sword (or something like a sword), because why not? Eubank stole the show, of course, and talk of future big fights dominated the conversation, not his upcoming fight. There’s an unspoken concern hovering: How does Eubank avoid another upset? It’s not like it hasn’t happened before. His response sounded like something out of a motivational poster. 

“A lifetime’s worth of preparation and dedication is how you make sure you don’t slip up on fights like this,” Eubank said. “People ask, ‘How was camp? How’s your weight? How you feeling?’ It’s not about a camp, it’s about how you’ve lived the last 20 years of your life.”

Once upon a time, fighters dreamed of becoming the British or European champion. Plenty spent long, successful and difficult careers campaigning for the prestigious titles whilst they waited for an elusive world title opportunity to present itself.

These days, the proliferation of world title belts means that lots of younger fighters view the belts as a staging post on the way to bigger and better things.

Dennis McCann (16-0-1, 8 KOs) is the reigning British, Commonwealth and European junior featherweight champion but wants to continue progressing. 

“Yeah, I’m 23 years of age,” he told BoxingScene. ”People forget that, but to be honest with you, them belts mean nothing to me.

“They don't feed my kid and my wife, so them belts are nothing to me. If I could get that world title and get a proper few quid out of the game, it would be handy.”

In some ways, McCann’s sentiments hold true. Once a fighter reaches title level, it is the quality of their opponents that has a direct effect on their bank balance rather than the number of belts they collect. However, those titles have resulted in a high-profile and – as it turns out – lucrative mandatory title defense.

On Dec. 21, McCann will defend his belts against Peter McGrail. The fight will take place on the undercard of the heavyweight title rematch between Oleksandr Usyk and Tyson Fury in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, and is the latest fight in the ongoing Queensberry-versus-Matchroom promotional battle.

It is exactly the type of showcase that the charismatic McCann has been waiting for.

“ Yeah, I think they'd love me,” he said. “ One hundred percent. Getting that money and just fighting in front of them new fans. Something different. Traveling would be some experience, you know.

“That's what I need next. I'm looking at all these fighters – Hamzah Sheeraz, he has no more belts than me. Mark Chamberlain ain't got one of my belts. 

“You need to give me a slice of the cake, because everyone's eating and I'm not.”

In July, McCann scored the best victory of his career by outclassing the tough Ionut Baluta to win the vacant European title. Professionally, the win elevated him to his current position, but personally it meant even more. Last August, the Romanian dragged McCann into a brutal, bloody battle. After nine rounds, a terrible cut to McCann’s forehead brought an early end to matters and the fight was declared a technical draw.

The manner in which McCann dealt with Baluta in the rematch illustrated just how much a young fighter can benefit from some early-career adversity. McCann was disciplined but still boxed with his fair share of flair and imagination. The explosive teenager who once specialized in corkscrew uppercuts has become a well-rounded, mature fighter.

“After all the hate comments going on for 12 months, I couldn’t wait to get my hands on him, to be honest with you,” McCann said. ”I'm buzzing, I've got the win now.

“It was just a big relief. I just wanted to put my middle fingers up to all the haters because, believe me, I got a lot of hate after the first fight.”

The happy-go-lucky McCann is a real character and doesn’t appear the type to let other people’s opinion’s trouble him too much. The fact that he hid his feelings so well and focused them on self-improvement is another sign of his growth. 

“Usually I don’t [let it bother me], but it's just the fashion it was in,” he said. “It got to be too much for 12 months straight, but I've done a better number than everyone thought I would, as well. It was easy work.

“He spit his gumshield out a couple of times when he was on the verge of getting stopped. If he spit his gums out intentionally, [the referee] was supposed to let the fight carry on. But he kept stopping the fight. I really wanted to stop him, as well.

“I knew the level I was on. I believe I'm a world-class fighter. I think I'm going to go through the weights, I really do. That's how much I back myself.

“It's about me staying disciplined. I'm always in the gym and I'm always fit. I still like my Haribos, but I'm always fit. It’s all about staying disciplined and keeping my feet grounded. I feel like I’m ready for the big names now, to be honest.”

John Evans has contributed to a number of well-known publications and websites for over a decade. You can follow John on X @John_Evans79