It has been 10 months since Chris Colbert last fought, but the lightweight contender is working tirelessly to make a successful return – and to leave the recent past behind him.

In his previous outing, Colbert (17-2, 6 KOs) suffered a sixth-round stoppage defeat against Jose Valenzuela in a tense lightweight rematch last December at The Armory in Minneapolis.

The 28-year-old Colbert is scheduled to fight for the first time on ProBox TV on Oct. 9 against Mexico's Omar Salcido Gamez (19-1, 13 KOs). He is relishing his comeback after a lengthy break.

“It's not even close to a year,” Colbert told BoxingScene. “But, I mean, I needed this for a little while to get my mind right.

“I've been through a lot in my career against a lot of tough guys. In my last three fights, I've been through a lot of wars. So I needed a little break. But I'm feeling back. I'm feeling better, and I'm ready to do what I do best come October 9.”

Colbert is looking to return to winning ways against Gamez, 24, after that devastating knockout defeat. The rematch with Valenzuela was highly anticipated because of the controversy that surrounded their first fight on the undercard of David Benavidez-Caleb Plant in Las Vegas in March 2023. 

Valenzuela had complained about Colbert being scored the winner via unanimous decision at the end of their 10-round contest, leading to Colbert offering a rematch. Valenzuela then stopped Colbert nine months later.

“This is called boxing,” Colbert said. “You gotta land more punches than throwing harder shots, and I definitely did that. Of course, it didn't go in his favor because he didn't win. Everybody got their own opinion. It’s like an asshole. We all have one.

“In the rematch, what happened was I made the No. 1 rule that you're not supposed to make in boxing. Never pull back with your hands down, and I got caught. I paid the price.”

Colbert has since turned his attention to Gamez. The Brooklyn, New York, native is not underestimating his opponent, despite knowing little about him.

“I watch his fights,” Colbert said. “I've seen him fight, but I don't know him besides watching him fight. It's been a long camp. I was supposed to fight a month ago, but I postponed it because of mental health issues. But I'm feeling much better, and I'm in a better place in life.”

Gamez, on the other hand, hopes to make it two wins in succession when he faces Colbert, having secured a unanimous decision victory over Luis Coria last December in his most recent ring outing. Two months prior to that victory, Gamez had lost for the first time, to Jose Nunez.

When asked what a win over Gamez would mean to his career, Colbert responded: “It means a lot as a giveback fight coming off a big, big loss.”

 #ChrisColbert #OmarSalcidoGamez #JoseValenzuela #ProBoxTV #BoxingComeback #LightweightBoxing #BrooklynBoxer #MentalHealth #FightNight #ComebackFight #ColbertVsGamez #ColbertVsValenzuela #Comeback #ValenzuelaRematch #BoxingNews

Former IBF featherweight world champion Luis Alberto Lopez was on the wrong side of one of the upsets of the year last month, but the belt was the least of the Mexican’s concerns during the aftermath. Seven weeks after the brutal defeat, Lopez’s team have spoken out in disgust.

‘El Venado’ upset the odds when he outpointed Josh Warrington on away soil in Leeds to pick up the featherweight strap in December 2022, but since then he has proven himself to be a worthy champion.

Lopez knocked out Michael Conlan in a first defence of his world title and would make a third defence in ten months when he stopped Reiya Abe back in March – a unanimous decision victory against Joet Gonzalez taking place in between.

Last month, Lopez headlined a card in New Mexico against former WBO super-bantamweight title-holder Angelo Leo and the fact that Leo had just eleven stoppages in 26 fights meant Lopez entered the contest as a heavy favourite – many believing Leo lacked the knockout power to be successful at 126lbs.

However, those assumptions were proved to be false when Leo landed a prodigious left-hook onto the chin of the champion and sent ‘Venado’ crashing into the canvas, unable to get back to his feet and beat the referee’s count, resulting in a contender for the both the upset and knockout of the year.LOOK AT THIS BRUTAL KO BY ANGELO LEO ONE MORE TIME 🤯 pic.twitter.com/aPy9PW697g

— Top Rank Boxing (@trboxing) August 11, 2024

Shortly afterwards it was confirmed that Lopez has suffered a bleed on the brain as a consequence of the almighty blow, possibly ending the career of the 31-year-old but causing a significant time away from the ring as a minimum.

Speaking with Boxing Scene, Lopez’s co-manager Hector Fernandez de Cordova labelled Ernie Sharif, the referee of the clash with Leo, as a ‘butcher’, before revealing that the New Mexico Athletic Commission were reluctant to aid Lopez and his team with hospital treatment.

“It was one of the worst referees I’ve seen in my life in boxing,”

“A guy like that does not deserve to be in the ring at a world title level – or even with amateurs. He’s a butcher. As a referee, you need to protect fighters from each other and from themselves.”

“The commission was trying to convince me not to take him to the hospital,”

“They were like, ‘You don’t need to.’ But I was thinking, ‘If you guys don’t want to pay for it, it’s OK. I’ll pay for it. But we’re talking about my fighter’s health.’ He didn’t even know the fight was over.”

Fernandez went on to reveal his belief that the injury was caused by a punch to the back of the head from Leo rather than a trademark left-hook.

Whilst Lopez’s career is up in the air, Angelo Leo may well be poised for the opportunity of a lifetime, once again proving the drastic impact that a singular punch can have on the life of a boxer.

#LuisAlbertoLopez #AngeloLeo #BoxingUpset #KnockoutOfTheYear #BoxingInjury #FeatherweightChampion #IBF #BoxingNews #BrainInjury #HectorFernandezDeCordova #ErnieSharif #NewMexicoAthleticCommission #FightNight #BoxingControversy #BoxingFuture #TopRankBoxing

Gervonta “Tank” Davis will take on Lamont Roach Jnr for the WBA lightweight title on December 14. Roach has received special permission to move up from junior lightweight to challenge Davis without losing his title. This match promises to be a defining moment in Roach's career.

Roach, the current WBA champion at 130lbs, had his promoters submit a request to the WBA for this opportunity. The WBA confirmed they received the request on September 13 and consulted with the team of Albert Batyrgaziev, the mandatory challenger at 130lbs. The organization has granted Roach permission to proceed with this significant fight under specific conditions.

If Roach manages to defeat Davis, he will have five days to decide which title he wants to keep and defend. Conversely, if he loses, Roach must fight the official 130lbs challenger within 120 days of the bout with Davis. The WBA has flexibility in its rules, allowing for modifications based on special circumstances, such as participating in an important title defense.

Roach’s last fight was in June, where he successfully defended his title by stopping Feargal McCrory. Prior to that, he won the title from Hector Garcia. Similarly, Davis had an impressive victory in June, stopping Frank Martin in Las Vegas, making this matchup highly anticipated by boxing fans.

As the fight approaches, both fighters are gearing up for what could be a thrilling night of boxing, with Roach looking to make history and Davis aiming to solidify his legacy.

#GervontaDavis #LamontRoachJnr #WBALightweightTitle #BoxingMatch #ProBoxTV #TankDavis #RoachVsDavis #BoxingNews #BoxingFans #FightNight #WBA #LightweightBoxing #JuniorLightweight #ChampionshipFight #BoxingHistory

We want the steak, but it looks like we may have to settle for the fish.

It’s not the main course we were hoping for, but it shouldn’t leave a bad taste in our mouths. Not given the circumstances, at least. And it’s certainly better than going hungry.

That’s the situation with Gervonta “Tank” Davis’ next fight, which could wind up putting the WBA lightweight titleholder against WBA junior lightweight titleholder Lamont Roach Jr. Nothing is official yet, but boxing reporter Dan Rafael recently said it is possible for a December 21 pay-per-view, while Mike Coppinger of ESPN said Roach is the frontrunner for landing the fight .

It’s fair to be disappointed in that news. 

It’s fair to want better opponents for Davis. 

It’s unfair to blame Davis — at least not this time.

Davis (30-0, 28 KOs) has become one of the biggest stars in boxing by virtue of his obvious talent and captivating performances where his skills and ring savvy and fight-changing power are on display. A video of Davis’ eighth-round win over Frank Martin on June 15, posted by Premier Boxing Champions on July 15, has racked up 5.8 million views on YouTube .

Martin was undefeated and ranked in the top 10 in the lightweight division going into that bout. There have been other respectable foes taken on and taken out by Davis in the past few years, some of which look even better in hindsight, such as Tank’s 11th-round technical knockout of Mario Barrios in June 2021 and a unanimous decision over Isaac “Pitbull” Cruz in December 2021. 

Barrios, a junior welterweight at the time, has since moved up to 147, defeated Yordenis Ugas, and been bestowed a world title. Cruz went up to 140 and dethroned Rolando Romero, another past Davis victim, for the WBA belt. Cruz recently lost that title to Jose “Rayo” Valenzuela. (More on Valenzuela a little later in this column.)

The other world titles belong to Vasiliy Lomachenko (IBF), Shakur Stevenson (WBC) and Denis Berinchyk (WBO). Negotiations between Davis and Lomachenko came to an end when Lomachenko’s team said he didn’t want to get back in the ring for the remainder of the year , that he didn’t feel motivated to fight and preferred to spend time with his family. 

That news was disappointing though not completely surprising, given Lomachenko’s lengthy career dating back to his extended time in the amateurs, given what we’d heard from him and also what little we’d seen of him.

Lomachenko fought just once in 2022, winning a decision over Jamaine Ortiz. He fought just once in 2023, challenging Devin Haney for the undisputed lightweight championship and dropping a close decision that some feel could have gone Lomachenko’s way. And he will end 2024 having fought just once, stopping George Kambosos Jr. in May for the vacant IBF belt.

Stevenson, a free agent after departing from Top Rank, ultimately signed with Matchroom and announced a fight with former junior lightweight titleholder Joe Cordina on the October 12 undercard of Artur Beterbiev vs. Dmitriy Bivol. Stevenson then got hurt in training and had to pull out of the Cordina fight. He’s expected back in 2025.

Berinchyk doesn’t carry the name value or appear to have the attributes that Lomachenko and Stevenson do.

William Zepeda, who is ranked as the No. 1 contender for all four major world titles, initially turned down a fight with Stevenson, reportedly because his wife was due to give birth . But Zepeda has since signed for a November fight with former junior lightweight titleholder Tevin Farmer.

Some thought Cruz would get a rematch with Davis. Cruz was competitive with Davis in their first bout and is one of only two men to last the distance with Tank. (It should be noted here that Davis was fighting through a hand injury.)

That belief disappeared the moment Cruz lost to Valenzuela in August. Would Valenzuela not only seize Cruz’s title, but also inherit the opportunity?

Valenzuela had fought in the 135-pound weight class for most of his career, and he was a lightweight as recently as last December. But he cannot be faulted if he feels junior welterweight is better for his body. Nor can Davis be faulted if he wishes to remain a lightweight right now, even though he went up to 140 before for the Barrios bout.

That leaves Davis with few options, and none particularly alluring among lightweights. Once you get past the three other titleholders and Zepeda, the rest of the rankings from The Ring magazine and the Transnational Boxing Ratings Board are mostly made up of prospects who are still developing (Raymond Muratalla, Keyshawn Davis, Andy Cruz, Zaur Abdullaev), or guys who recently fell short (Kambosos and Martin).

Edwin De Los Santos is unranked by those observers, but he’s rated by the WBA and would therefore be allowed to challenge for the belt. De Los Santos scored a knockout over Valenzuela in 2022 — though he’d also hit a downed Valenzuela one round earlier. His last fight, however, was a decision loss to Stevenson in November 2023.

With not much available at 135, that leaves room for Roach to enter from just down the road at 130. And from down the road in Washington, D.C.

That’s one more reason to make this fight.

If Tank can’t get a match made with any of the top lightweights, and if he doesn’t want to remain inactive for the remainder of 2024, then a bout with Roach is an acceptable substitute. Or it’s at least as good as we’re going to be able to get, even if it isn’t going to satisfy us the same way that the steak dinner would have.

Roach (25-1-1, 10 KOs) has won six straight since his lone loss, a decision dropped to Jamel Herring in 2019. His biggest victory came last November, when Roach topped Hector Garcia by split decision to win a world title. Garcia is another former foe of Tank’s; Davis stopped him in nine rounds in January 2023 up at lightweight, about 10 months before Garcia lost to Roach.

Pay-per-view is another question. Davis is one of the biggest stars in the United States. Some may purchase the broadcast just to see him perform; the opponent factors less, if not at all, into their consideration. For others, the prospect of Davis vs. Roach may be intriguing enough to tune in but not enough to shell out.

Boxing fans can and should speak with their wallets. Just because a fight is on doesn’t mean you have to buy it. If you really don’t want the fish, you can choose not to eat in the restaurant until the steak is available again.

As for Davis, just because a big fight isn’t available doesn’t mean he should wait on the sidelines. I’d rather Tank get back on the battlefield, even if it’s just to blow through and roll over an outgunned foe. That’s better than sitting around and collecting rust.

#GervontaDavis #LamontRoach #Boxing #PPV #FightNight #BoxingFans #WBA #TankDavis #RoachJr #BoxingNews #MMA #FreddieRoach #Lomachenko #ShakurStevenson #HectorGarcia #MarioBarrios

Mike Tyson was one of the biggest names in the world during the ’90s.

Forget about just boxing, ‘Iron’ Mike was one of the most recognisable names in the whole of the sports and entertainment worlds.

Due to that, anything that the boxer was associated with was big news.

His fights with the likes of Evander Holyfield and Lennox Lewis were probably the biggest fights in that decade.

That popularity is what has spawned such interest in his upcoming fight against YouTuber Jake Paul.

Despite being close to 60, folks fro around the world are looking forward to see the legendary boxer step into the ring once again.

One person who hasn’t faced off with Tyson is Hasim Rahman.

In 2021, Rahman shocked the boxing world when he knocked out Tyson’s previous conqueror Lennox Lewis and was crowned the undisputed world heavyweight champion.

The reign didn’t last long as Lewis won the titles back in the rematch and Rahman subsequently went on to lose to Evander Holyfield.

Hasim Rahman did go on to be win the vacant WBC heavyweight championship in 2005, but he never quite got back to the heights he hit in 2001.

In that list of 62 opponents for Hasim Rahman, the name of Mike Tyson is conspicuous by its absence.Hamzah Sheeraz next fight date revealed

Both boxers were active at around the same time, but they never crossed paths in their careers.

But it seems that Rahman is open to the idea and has indeed challenged Tyson for a fight.

Speaking on the FightHype YouTube channel, Hasim Rahman openly declares his wish for the bout.

“No doubt, there is only one name that comes to mind and that’s Mike Tyson,” said Rahman.

“That’s just one of the only fights that I didn’t get to fight in my era.

“I was supposed to fight Mike Tyson but it didn’t work out that way but I’m still hoping for the fight, yeah, I’m still hoping for the fight, Mike!

“So when you finish with Jake, when he’s finished with ‘Fake Paul’ then I’m available.

“I think it would still be a great fight, I’m in terrific shape, so let’s see how Mike do with Jake and I’m available”.

Could we see this fight take place between both men?

Never say never in this crazy new age of boxing exhibition matches.

It’s clear that, at least from his side, Hasim Rahman is keen to give it a go.

#MikeTyson #HasimRahman #JakePaul #Boxing #HeavyweightChampion #BoxingNews #FightAnnouncement #BoxingFans #ExhibitionFight #SportsNews #TysonVsRahman #LegendaryFighters #ReturnToTheRing #FightHype #BoxingLegends

Daniel Kinahan has been ordered to pay $9.7 million in damages to promoter Moses Heredia.

At the District Court of California, Heredia argued that Kinahan and his former organization, MTK Global, poached his fighter Jo Jo Diaz with money made from the drugs trade. The ruling by the judge marks the end of a four-year legal battle.

“Justice has been done,” Heredia stated.

“We are tremendously grateful and blessed that the court recognized the harm that Kinahan and his business caused us,” he told The Mirror. “We are thankful our attorney Eric Montalvo stayed by our side and believed we could hold him accountable. We are also thankful to people in boxing who saw through the lies and know that my brother [Ralph] and I are champions for our fighters and the profession. We look forward to what comes next.”

Heredia also acknowledged those who have suffered greatly at the hands of the Kinahan organization, including the great Barry McGuigan. “Now is a time for healing for us. We have been heard, and justice has been done,” he added.

In July, a magistrate recommended to Judge John W. Holcomb that damages be paid to Heredia. Kinahan and MTK Global neglected to defend themselves, leading to the order of a default judgment. Holcomb ruled that Kinahan, MTK Global, and Paul D. Gibson, once the chief strategy officer for MTK Global, pay the damages.

“Plaintiff Moses Heredia,” the judge wrote, “shall have judgment in his favor and against MTK Global Sports Management LLC, Paul D. Gibson, Daniel Kinahan, and MTK Global USA LLC, jointly and severally, in the total amount of $9,517,500.”

Montalvo, the Heredias’ lawyer, can now formally target Kinahan’s assets and hopes to acquire those already seized to recover the damages. Kinahan was sanctioned by the US government in 2022, and there exists a potential $15 million reward for information that could lead to the Kinahans’ prosecution.

#DanielKinahan #MosesHeredia #MTKGlobal #boxingnews #justice #courtcase #Boxing #boxingfans #FightFans #boxingnews #news

Hamzah Sheeraz will be a world champion one day, and that’s something you can take to the bank. The 25-year-old sensation is currently undefeated at 21-0 and has held the Commonwealth middleweight title since 2022. But it seems this is just the beginning of what could be an extraordinary career in boxing.

In his last fight, Sheeraz stopped Tyler Denny to claim the European middleweight title while successfully defending his Commonwealth and WBC Silver middleweight titles. The buzz around Sheeraz is undeniable, and it looks like his next bout may finally be for that coveted world title.

Recently, it was revealed that Sheeraz is being advised by Gold Star Promotions, the same team behind Tyson Fury. With Gold Star backing him and Spencer Brown, who confirmed a fight date is already set for just after Christmas, Sheeraz is poised for a huge leap forward. Brown also mentioned in a recent interview with Boxing King Media that the next step is securing a world title fight, something Sheeraz’s promoter, Frank Warren, and his team feel is the natural progression.

Sheeraz, one of Queensbury Promotions' rising stars, has made it clear that 2024 could end with him vying for a world title. If that’s the case, it would be an epic conclusion to the year for this talented young fighter, who continues to prove himself as a dominant force in the middleweight division. The anticipation is building—#boxing fans everywhere are wondering if we’re witnessing the next big name in the sport.

Can Sheeraz claim a world title and cement his place among boxing’s elite? Only time will tell, but one thing is for sure: he’s on a path that could shake up the entire #middleweight division.

#KO, #HamzahSheeraz, #worldchampions,#BritishBoxing #Boxing #boxingfans #FightFans

Wearing his signature white sports cap, Don Charles couldn’t hide his smile as he reflected on Daniel Dubois’ biggest triumph to date. Despite battling illness during fight week, Dubois' coach stood by his fighter, helping him secure a career-defining victory against Anthony Joshua in front of a record crowd at Wembley Stadium.

Rumors of a rift in the camp circulated during fight week, but Charles laughed off the speculation, attributing his absence to the flu. "It’s laughable," Charles said, dismissing the rumors. "I was ill, but I summoned enough mental energy to be there for my guy. We would not be denied.”

Dubois, known for his power and endurance, delivered a stunning knockout in the first round, which Charles believes would have dropped anyone. "It doesn’t matter who was in the ring that night. Daniel is a dangerous puncher. If he connects cleanly, he can take you out at any time," Charles stated.

Although Dubois has already achieved significant success, Charles believes the 27-year-old is only operating at 70% of his potential. With a short amateur career and just 95 pro rounds under his belt, the coach sees much room for growth. “He’s developing. We’re putting layers on him. There’s so much more to come," Charles explained.

Looking ahead, Charles envisions Dubois becoming the undisputed heavyweight champion, stating confidently, "The future is bright for Daniel. He’s already dangerous, but when he fully understands the art of boxing, he’ll be unstoppable."

Despite setbacks, including a controversial loss to Oleksandr Usyk, Charles insists that Dubois is learning and improving with every fight. "We didn’t get the result in Poland, but I never discount that fight. Daniel broke him up, and he’ll only get better."

As for what’s next, Charles remains open to any challenge, whether it’s a rematch with Joshua, Usyk, or even Tyson Fury. "We relish the opportunity to right that wrong," Charles said of a potential Usyk rematch. "Daniel knows he can hurt him."

Charles is confident that Dubois is on a path to greatness and believes his student deserves consideration for Fighter of the Year honors after a grueling but successful year in the ring.

“Y.E.S,” Charles grinned, full of pride for his fighter’s incredible achievements.

#DanielDubois #DonCharles #HeavyweightChampion #BoxingChampion #UndisputedChampion #JoshuaVsDubois #DuboisVsUsyk #BoxingFuture

Gervonta ‘Tank’ Davis is set to make his second appearance of the year this December, with his opponent now officially confirmed. After being elevated from WBA (Regular) lightweight champion to full world champion last year, Davis made his first title defense in June, stopping Frank Martin in a knockout performance that earned wide acclaim.

While fans eagerly anticipated potential unification bouts against WBC champion Shakur Stevenson or IBF champion Vasyl Lomachenko, both fights appear to be off the table. Stevenson is gearing up to face mandatory challenger William Zepeda, and Lomachenko has declined the fight with Davis, citing a lack of motivation.

This left Davis searching for an opponent, and rumors swirled that WBA super-featherweight champion Lamont Roach would step up to the challenge. Today, the WBA confirmed that Roach has been granted special permission to move up to 135 lbs and face Davis on December 14th. Should Roach emerge victorious, he will have five days to decide whether to continue campaigning at super-featherweight or permanently move up to lightweight and keep his title.

This event, taking place on Amazon Prime Video PPV, will also feature David Benavidez’s confirmed undercard showdown against Jesse Hart.

#GervontaDavis #TankVsRoach #LightweightTitleFight #BoxingShowdown

Welterweight boxer Mylik Roashun Birdsong (15-1-1, 10 KOs) tragically passed away on Sunday, September 28, after being fatally shot outside his home in Los Angeles.

According to LAPD, Birdsong was standing outside his residence in the Florence-Graham area when a dark-colored SUV drove by and opened fire. The boxer attempted to run toward his home, but two suspects exited the vehicle and chased him, continuing to shoot. Birdsong was found by first responders in his driveway, having sustained seven gunshot wounds to the torso. Despite efforts to save him, he was pronounced dead at the hospital.

Nicknamed "Gifted Black Sheep," Birdsong held a solid record and had won a WBF International title. He was set to face Armenian Gor Yeritsyan on October 26 at Commerce Casino in LA. Just a day before his death, he had posted a video on Instagram, proudly showing off his new puppy.

The suspects fled the scene in the SUV, and the investigation is ongoing.

#MylikBirdsong #BoxingNews #TragicLoss #LAPD #BoxingCommunity #CombatSports #Welterweight 

Haney, 25, suffered a defeat to Ryan Garcia in their WBC junior-welterweight title fight at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York, in April. Haney was knocked down three times before the judges scored the bout 112-112, 114-110, and 115-109 in favor of Garcia.

It was later revealed that Garcia tested positive for the banned substance ostarine in tests conducted by the Voluntary Anti-Doping Association. Despite his insistence of being a clean fighter, the fight was ruled a no contest, and Garcia was fined $1.1 million and suspended for a year.

“I don't believe that Haney wants to fight us,” Lopez Sr. told Fight Hub TV. “You can’t have a guy that just got ripped apart the way Ryan did and then come and fight my son.” He added that Haney (31-0, 15 KOs) avoided fighting Lopez Jr. (21-1, 13 KOs) when Lopez held the IBF and WBO lightweight titles. Thus, he is skeptical that Haney would risk a bout with his son following a loss.

“But could I entertain it?” he continued. “Of course I can. If the money's right, we'll make it happen.”

Lopez Jr. retained his WBO 140 lbs title in June with a unanimous decision victory over Canada’s Steve Claggett. That win marked his fifth consecutive victory after losing his unified IBF and WBO lightweight titles to George Kambosos Jr. in 2021.

Speculation about a potential fight with four-division champion Terence Crawford has also surfaced. Crawford recently won the WBA 154 lbs title by earning a unanimous decision over Israil Madrimov in August but has expressed a preference for a super-middleweight showdown with Saul “Canelo” Alvarez.

When asked if Lopez, 27, would consider fighting Crawford, Lopez Sr. replied: “We want the Haney fight, and a Crawford fight is definitely something we want for legacy. But that boy [Crawford] isn’t beating up my son, and he knows it. He’s too slow. His legs are gone.

“I've been in this game for 25 years. You think I'm stupid? I know what I'm saying. That boy is weak and scared because if he loses to Teofimo Lopez, his career is done.”

#TeofimoLopez #DevinHaney #BoxingNews #LopezVsHaney #HaneyVsLopez #CrawfordVsLopez #BoxingTalk #WBC #WBA 

Leigh Wood has established himself as a fan-favorite and a deserving featherweight world champion, showcasing some of the UK's most thrilling fight nights. As he prepares to move up to super-featherweight, a rising star has made ominous threats against the Nottingham-born fighter.

Initially seen as a contender stuck at the British and European levels, Wood’s impressive victories over Reece Mould and Xu Can propelled him to the position of WBA (Regular) champion, setting the stage for a bout with Leo Santa Cruz. However, the real hurdle was Ireland’s Michael Conlan. In March 2022, the two faced off in an unforgettable fight that earned the Ring Magazine Fight of the Year award, culminating in a dramatic final-round knockout for Wood despite being behind on the scorecards.

Wood's elevation to full champion came after Santa Cruz struggled to meet the weight limit. He controversially opted for a voluntary defense against the dangerous Mauricio Lara, known for his knockout of Josh Warrington. Unfortunately, Wood suffered a significant knockout defeat in that match but reclaimed his title in a rematch just three months later. Most recently, he demonstrated his resilience again with a knockout win over Josh Warrington, only to vacate his title later that month.

Now set to jump to 130 lbs, Wood aims to become a two-weight world champion. However, 22-year-old rising star Jadier Herrera (15-0), a recent signing with Queensberry Promotions, has issued a chilling challenge to Wood. Speaking to iFL TV, Herrera said, "I am ready for Leigh Wood. Send me a contract, bro, I will fing kill you. I will fing destroy your life, bro. Remember my f***ing name."

After previously fighting in Dubai, Herrera is looking to make a statement in Liverpool on the undercard of the Nick Ball vs. Ronny Rios fight. Currently ranked #15 by the WBC, he hopes to climb higher with a win against Oliver Flores (31-5-2) this Saturday.

#LeighWood #JadierHerrera #BoxingRivalry #Featherweight #SuperFeatherweight #Knockout #FightNight #BoxingNews #BoxingLife #CombatSports

Bare-knuckle boxing is poised for a resurgence, thanks in part to Conor McGregor's recent involvement with the sport. The former UFC star's ownership stake in the Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship (BKFC) aims to elevate the sport's profile and compete with traditional boxing and the UFC.

One fighter making headlines is former WBA welterweight champion Austin Trout, who will defend his BKFC welterweight title for the first time next month against Rico "BonBon" Franco. Trout secured the title earlier this year with a fourth-round knockout of Diego Sanchez.

On October 12th, the BKFC will host an event in Spain for the first time at the Marbella Arena, traditionally a venue for bullfighting. The card features three world title fights, including a light-heavyweight bout between David Mundell and Danny Christie, alongside a lightweight title clash involving Franco Tenaglia and Tony "Loco" Soto, which is expected to headline the event.

Trout won't be the only boxing champion on the card; Scotland's Hannah Rankin, a former WBA and IBO super-welterweight champion, is set to make her BKFC debut against Iranian kickboxer Sahey Bayat. Known as "The Classical Warrior," Rankin hopes to follow in Trout's footsteps and aim for the BKFC featherweight title if she secures victory.

Fans can catch all the action live on DAZN as the BKFC continues to carve out its place in the combat sports landscape.

#BareKnuckleBoxing #BKFC #FightNight #ConorMcGregor #Boxing #BoxingNews #FightFans

Teofimo Lopez Sr. believes Devin Haney is suing Ryan Garcia to salvage his "destroyed image." Garcia previously defeated Haney in April in New York, scoring three knockdowns, but that majority decision was later overturned to a no contest after Garcia tested positive for the banned substance ostarine.

Haney has filed a lawsuit against Garcia, alleging fraud, battery, and unjust enrichment—five months after being fined $1.1 million and suspended for a year.

“Devin Haney is just trying to play chess, positioning the right pieces to recover from the damage Ryan Garcia did to his image,” said Lopez Sr., the father and trainer of WBO junior-lightweight champion Teofimo Lopez Jr., Haney's rival.

Since that fight, the 25-year-old Haney has yet to return to the ring, raising questions about whether he will be the same fighter when he does.

“I don't know if it's true, but Ryan Garcia claimed that if you grabbed a pinch of salt and put it in an Olympic-sized pool, that’s how much substance he had in his body,” Lopez Sr. added. “If that's the case, then you know what I'm saying?”

#HaneyVsGarcia #BoxingDrama #LegalBattle #FightForReputation #BoxingNews #BoxingRivalry #DevinHaney #RyanGarcia 

Tyson Fury is promising to bring a different demeanor to his rematch with Oleksandr Usyk on December 21. 

The former WBC heavyweight champion (34-1-1, 24 KOs) suffered a knockdown and a split-decision loss to Usyk in May, when the Ukrainian outlanded him 170 to 157 over 12 rounds by overcoming a serious size disadvantage with precision, power and speed over the second half of the fight. 

Although the blemish will forever exist on Fury’s record, the “Gypsy King” still doesn’t believe it belongs on his resume. 

“I didn’t think he beat me last time, and I’m damn sure not going to let him beat me this time,” Fury told IFL. “I’ve got to knock Usyk out, and I’ll be training for a good knockout. I’ll get it like I did [in the second fight versus Deontay Wilder in 2020]. And that's what I will do. I said I was going to knock [Wilder] out, and I did. 

“I’m going to knock this c*** out this time, and I will. Believe it first. See it first in your mind, and execute it out there. I can't take anything away from the ugly bastard Usyk. I can't say that I didn't prepare or do any training. I did what I had to do. He's got the decision over me, and we got to run it back. 

“It makes sense to do the rematch and get my victory back. I’ve gotten past the point of really caring. It probably took that decision to wake me up and give me the type of aggression back where I want to smash someone in.”

With Fury’s loss to Usyk, the long-planned all-British battle against Anthony Joshua suffered another serious setback. Joshua then seriously compounded matters again on September 21 by losing via fifth-round knockout to Daniel Dubois, in what represented the fourth loss of his career. 

Fury, who fights Usyk again in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, insisted that he’s not concerned about the lucrative clash against Joshua while Usyk awaits. 

“I have somebody [in Usyk] who has a win over me, who broke me and took my virginity, and stole it back to wherever he lives,” he said. “That's what I am concerned about. I'm not concerned about [Joshua] and what he is doing. I've got a man holding my balls, let's just say, for the moment.” 

#TysonFury #Boxing #OleksandrUsyk #knockout #rematch #boxingnews

It’s easy to overlook that Oleksandr Usyk is the reigning world heavyweight champion. While names like Anthony Joshua, Tyson Fury, and more recently Daniel Dubois often dominate media coverage, Usyk remains the man to beat in the division.

One of Usyk’s toughest challenges since moving to heavyweight came against Daniel Dubois in August last year. During that fight, Dubois landed a shot that the referee ruled as low, granting Usyk time to recover. Many observers believed the punch was legitimate and argued that Usyk should have received a ten-count to see if he could continue. Instead, he took his time and came back strong, winning by knockout in the ninth round.

Since then, Dubois has made headlines by knocking out Anthony Joshua, reestablishing his name in the heavyweight title picture. The question now arises: will Daniel Dubois face Oleksandr Usyk again?

Adding fuel to this rivalry, Dubois’ trainer, Don Charles, has launched a scathing attack on Usyk, labeling him a cheat for his reaction to the punch during their last bout. In an interview with talkSPORT, Charles expressed his feelings bluntly, stating, “Everything was stacked against us. This is actually personal. Mr. Usyk is fake. He’s an exceptional boxer, a masterful talent, but he’s also a liar and a cheat. He claims to be a God-fearing man, but if you believe in the same God that I do, one of the ten commandments is you cannot cheat. If you worship God, then you should not act the way he did when Daniel dropped him—he deserves an Oscar for that performance.”

These strong words from Charles indicate his belief that Usyk exaggerated the impact of the punch, potentially costing Dubois the win. Regardless of opinions on the comments, they are sure to escalate tensions between the two as they look toward a possible rematch.

#UsykVsDubois #HeavyweightChampion #BoxingRivalry #FightNight #BoxingDrama #BoxingNews #HeavyweightBoxing #Usyk #Dubois

Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson is shaping up to be quite the spectacle for Netflix. Scheduled for November 15, this bout is already generating significant interest and is poised to be a major hit for the streaming platform. Despite Tyson’s age, he remains a box office attraction, and with Paul’s large following, this event promises to deliver excitement.

The contest is expected to be a lucrative affair for both fighters as they step into the ring. Questions are swirling about whether Tyson, at 58 years old, can keep up with the much younger Paul, who is 27. One of the requests from Tyson’s team is to shorten the rounds to 2 minutes instead of the traditional 3, which could benefit Tyson by reducing the energy he needs to exert.

Jake Paul, however, has responded to this request as he ramps up promotional momentum for the fight. In an interview with the Daily Mail, he criticized Tyson’s request, stating that it won’t affect the fight's outcome. “I’m giving him everything he wants. I’m going to his playground, and I’m going to beat his a**,” Paul said, showcasing his confidence.

This matchup has not been without controversy, as many commentators question the fairness given the age difference. In the twilight of his career, Tyson suffered some heavy losses, while Jake Paul continues to impress with his punching power. At least the shorter rounds may mitigate the potential for serious punishment in what some are calling a glorified exhibition match.

#JakePaul #MikeTyson #BoxingMatch #NetflixFight #ExhibitionMatch #BoxingNews #FightPromotion #CombatSports #BoxingFans #CelebrityBoxing.

Toro Promotions, Inc. launched its pro boxing series, "The Heartbeat of LA Boxing," with a successful event at Pacific Palms Resort last night. Undefeated heavyweight Tsotne "Mr. T" Rogova (10-0, 7 KOs) headlined the card, capturing the vacant WBC U.S. heavyweight title with a unanimous decision over Alexander "The Great" Flores (19-5-1, 17 KOs) after 10 action-packed rounds. Rogova, a 2020 Ukraine Olympian, knocked down Flores in the second round and controlled the fight early. Flores mounted a mid-round comeback, but Rogova regained command to secure the victory.

In the co-main event, Walnut High School senior Paolo "Pow" Barredo (1-0, 1 KO) celebrated his pro debut with a fourth-round stoppage of featherweight Mychaquell "Myche" Shields (2-6). Barredo, a 2021 Junior Olympics champion, dropped Shields in the third round, setting up his impressive win just a week after his 18th birthday.

Other standout debuts included La Puente’s Alexandro “El Capitan” Alvarado (1-0, 1 KO), who stopped Eduardo Mondragon "El Azteca" Lopez in the third round of their lightweight bout, and Riverside’s Oscar Trujillo Enriquez (1-0, 1 KO), who knocked out Jesse "Suavecito" Zuniga (0-1) with a body shot in the second round.

The night opened with flyweight Enkhmandakh “Machine Gun Magi” Khurkuu (4-0, 1 KO) scoring a first-round knockout over Richard Morales (1-8).

Junior welterweight Sonny "The Bear" Robledo (10-0, 3 KOs) dominated Matt Gaver (3-10-2, 1 KO) over six rounds to keep his unbeaten record intact, while Hector Oros (1-0) edged Alexander Robles (0-1) in a close four-round junior bantamweight fight. In a closely contested junior lightweight bout, Michael "Chamuco" Bracamontes (10-2-1, 5 KOs) narrowly defeated Arsen Poghosyan (3-3-1) by majority decision.

Toro promoter Azat Torosyan praised the night, saying, “This was Southern California boxing at its finest. You won’t find many shows as good as tonight's.”

#Boxing #ProBoxing #BoxingLife #BoxingNews #FightNight #Knockout #HeavyweightChamp #TitleFight #Undisputed #BoxingHighlights

Boxing has its share of unsung heroes, and Terry Lee, who passed away on September 6, was one such figure. Widely regarded as the godfather of boxing in Contra Costa and East County, Lee's contributions to the sport were known by those who encountered him, though he rarely spoke of his impact.

Lee's professional boxing record stood at 18-20-5 (4 KOs), but his influence went beyond his own bouts. A light heavyweight on the Navy boxing team alongside famed trainer Jesse Reid, Lee had sparred with legends like Muhammad Ali and George Foreman. He even fought notable figures like Yaqui Lopez and once defeated future referee Richard Steele in the ring. Born December 13, 1943, Lee was a larger-than-life character, both inside and outside the ropes.

“He had great footwork, was a character in and out of the ring, and people just liked him,” said Linda Hudson, Lee’s former partner. 

Hudson recalled that Lee sparred with Foreman before the iconic "Rumble in the Jungle" against Ali. During Foreman’s recovery from a hand injury, Lee even spent time with Ali’s camp, sparring with the champ and joining in on card games.

Hudson also shared stories of Lee's charm outside of the ring, like how he convinced the entire Irish Olympic team to visit their home, drawn by the warmth of a stove during the 1988 Olympic Trials in Concord. “I was with Terry for over 15 years, and we were partners in boxing,” she said. 

Lee’s speed and agility in the ring made him an ideal sparring partner for Foreman, who famously dubbed him, “Now you see him, now you don’t Terry Lee.”

Karl Sharrock, one of Lee’s proteges, shared a quote that stuck with him: “How do you think I survived against five or six No. 1 contenders? With a great jab and footwork,” Lee once told him. Sharrock added, “It made sense, and it hit home.”

Sharrock also highlighted Lee’s athleticism, noting his prowess in basketball.

Angelo Dundee once remarked that Lee could’ve made a lot of money if he fought at heavyweight. Former title contender Yaqui Lopez, recalled, “He was a very good person. I learned a lot from him... we were enemies in the ring, but we were friends outside of it.”

Local coach Sean Sharkey remembered Lee from his childhood. 

“I knew him as a young child, around 10 years old,” Sharkey said. 

Lee was a good friend of Sharkey’s father, Bruce Sharkey, a union organizer and professional wrestler. Sharkey recounted a unique ritual where his father hypnotized Lee before fights to strengthen his legs.

After retiring from boxing following a knockout loss to Vonzell Johnson on May 5, 1976, Lee transitioned into coaching, starting at the Martinez Boys Club and eventually founding his own gym in the late 1980s. Cliff Eidson, his son, discussing Lee’s impact on the community, said, “Terry Lee was a good person and helped a lot of kids in this area. I love him for that.”

According to David Burns, an amateur boxer in Lee's boxing program as a child, Lee’s philosophy was straightforward. “He could take a guy with no experience and build him into a real fighter,” Burns noted. 

Reflecting on Lee’s career as a coach, Burns added, “The sign of a good coach is when you can take a guy who knows nothing and make a fighter out of him.”

Jay Heater, a former Contra Costa Times writer, added, “Terry was the heart of the local boxing scene. He wasn’t just training pros – he was building a community. If you were around him, you knew he loved his fighters, and they loved him back.”

Hudson recalled an amusing story involving Muhammad Ali during a fundraiser in Concord. “We were coming out of the Orinda Tunnel at 65, 70 miles an hour. Ali tapped the driver on the shoulder, slid into the driver’s seat, and took the wheel. He looked over at me and raised his eyebrows – he was a real tease,” she said with a laugh. “That’s why he and Terry got along so well.”

Jeff Ruf, a matchmaker, fondly remembered Lee’s humor. “Terry could have me crying with laughter,” he said, recalling a story about Jules Sweeney, a coach who trained at Lee’s gym. “Jules came in hitting the heavy bag like a maniac, then asked us how he looked. Terry said, ‘You’re a bumblebee, Jules!’ That was Terry – always quick with a line.”

Mike Rodriguez, a cutman who has worked with nearly 30 world champions, remembered Lee as a legendary figure in East Bay boxing where Rodriguez was originally from. “Terry taught me to master the fundamentals,” Rodriguez said. “At a time when new-age trainers overlook the basics, Terry never let me forget how important the fundamentals are. That’s your foundation, no matter what you do in life.”

Rodriguez, who began training with Lee at 10 years old, recalled Lee’s emphasis on shadowboxing. “I can still hear his voice when he’d say, 'Get in the mirror.' It was all about mastering the fundamentals,” Rodriguez said. Despite breaks due to military service and a law enforcement career, Rodriguez, now 59, still thinks about Lee’s lessons.

Lee’s roster of fighters included Golden Glove and state champions, and one of his first professional fighters was junior middleweight Royon Hammond. “Terry and Linda did their best. They were new to the pro game, but Terry was really knowledgeable about boxing,” Hammond said.

Undefeated welterweight Art Morales, who started boxing at 10, recalled Lee’s mentorship. “Right off the bat, he said, ‘Hey, you know what, I like you.’ He started teaching me,” Morales said. This led to Morales sharing a hotel with room at the who knocked out Ruben Coronado on October 7, 2000, for his pro fight. Lee didn’t trust him to be left alone, Morales recalled. 

Lee, who was 80 years old, had been suffering from symptoms of dementia in his later years. 

“He was tired,” Eidson said. “He wanted to go see his mom.”

#TerryLee #BoxingLegend #EastBayBoxing #ContraCosta #GeorgeForeman #MuhammadAli #RumbleInTheJungle #BoxingCommunity #CoachLee #MartinezBoysClub #LegacyOfChampions #FightersRemembered #DementiaAwareness #BoxingMentor #RememberingTerryLee

Here’s a thought experiment for boxing fans who love a good “what if?” Just like the endless debate about the Trail Blazers passing on Michael Jordan for Sam Bowie in basketball, boxing often accepts outcomes as final. Let’s challenge that mindset. Here are five what-if scenarios from 2019 onward that could have reshaped the boxing world, while comparing them to see decent movies.

What If #1: Teofimo Lopez never lost to George Kambosos Jr., and Vasiliy Lomachenko fought Devin Haney in 2019? Imagine Fight Club meets Sliding Doors. In this scenario, the key decision was two-fold: Kambosos’ upset win over Lopez and the lack of a pre-pandemic fight between Haney and Lomachenko. Picture Lomachenko battling Haney in 2019. Regardless of who wins, the logical next step would be a clash with Lopez. Erase Kambosos’ victory over Lopez, and suddenly, lightweight boxing has a clear path for epic showdowns. Haney’s prolonged series with Kambosos wouldn’t have happened, and we might have seen Haney vs. Lomachenko faster or Lopez at their peaks. Maybe Shakur Stevenson or Gervonta Davis? Instead, the division remains tangled in rematch clauses and star egos, akin to Ocean’s 11 with too many actors refusing to share the spotlight.

What If #2: Anthony Joshua didn’t lose to Andy Ruiz Jr. and fought Deontay Wilder instead? This is The Departed – a single pivotal action changes everything. If Joshua had avoided defeat by Ruiz in 2019, he’d be gearing up for a major showdown with Deontay Wilder. Wilder had just come off a dramatic knockout of Dominic Breazeale and a draw with Tyson Fury, while Joshua, despite some shaky performances, was still the next big thing. Ruiz’s unexpected win made Joshua beatable. If Joshua had won against Ruiz, even narrowly, he and Wilder would have been on a collision course. Instead, Wilder faced Luis Ortiz, lost twice to Fury, and Joshua dropped two fights to Usyk. The heavyweight division shifted from must-see to “What happened to these guys?” with Usyk and Fury emerging as the top guys of the era, not Joshua and Wilder.

What If #3: Canelo Alvarez fought David Benavidez? Think The Godfather Part III of boxing what-ifs. Something people remember, but maybe not fondly. Canelo’s career will reach legendary status just like The Godfather, although the fight against Benavidez might serve as the ending of Godfather Part III to his career. A bout between these two might have solidified Alvarez’s legacy as not just the best of his era but potentially the greatest Mexican boxer ever. Now, it seems that ship has sailed. Canelo, like an aging rock star on a reunion tour, is content fighting whoever he chooses. Benavidez, meanwhile, remains a promising talent without a major test. His losses of the WBC super middleweight belt, once due to the scale and once due to a drug test (a recreational drug), could have paved the way for this fight. Instead, we’re left speculating about what could have been, feeling increasingly indifferent as time passes, much like the anticipation of Lennox Lewis vs. Riddick Bowe – great on paper but ultimately never happening in the pros. The only difference, we got Lewis-Bowe in the Olympics, we never saw Alvarez-Benavidez before. 

What If 3b: Canelo Alvarez Gets Praised for Not Fighting David Benavidez?

Here’s a wild thought: What if the world actually praised Alvarez for not fighting Benavidez as a savvy business move? Think about it. Floyd Mayweather got all kinds of love for stringing out the Manny Pacquiao fight, dragging it through a half-decade of will-they-won’t-they drama, and then cashing in for a record payday. It wasn’t just boxing skill; it was a masterclass in business. Mayweather knew exactly how to squeeze every last drop from the fight, playing chess while the rest of the sport was stuck on checkers.

Now, Canelo? He gets a little bit of that praise, but not quite to the same extent. Sure, he’s got his loyal fans and a fat paycheck every time he steps in the ring, but he’s not getting the same "genius businessman" narrative that Floyd had. Could it be that Mayweather was the pioneer in dragging out fights just as social media was blowing up, giving him that perfect storm of hype? (Side note: remember when Floyd was plugging that “Shots App” during the Andre Berto post-fight presser, labeling it ‘the anti-bullying app’? That was peak Money Mayweather.)

With Canelo, it’s different. Instead of a collective pat on the back for milking the clock on a Benavidez showdown, there’s this sense of bitter indifference.

This is boxing’s version of Heat – two elite talents at their peak, circling each other like De Niro and Pacino at Kate Mantilini’s, yet the fight still hasn’t happened. Terence Crawford and Jaron Ennis in the same ring would be a welterweight fan’s dream. But as thrilling as the matchup sounds, it’s stuck in the usual boxing limbo of “maybe next year” and endless negotiations, or even worse – no talks at all.

On paper, it's a blockbuster. Crawford’s a seasoned 36, a pound-for-pound king, while Ennis is the rising 27-year-old star, hungry for his defining moment. But that age gap makes it feel a little too good to be true, like watching Pacino and De Niro in The Irishman – you just wish it happened a few years earlier. Ennis hasn’t really fought anyone with Crawford’s level of experience, and that’s probably what's keeping this fight from getting made. You know, the whole “he’s got to prove himself first” argument we always hear in boxing.

Still, it's one of those matchups you can't help but imagine. Fans are already salivating over it, the same way they get excited about Vergil Ortiz vs. Ennis. Crawford vs. Ennis has that “now or never” energy. If it just happened, it could define the next era of welterweight boxing. But for now, we’re stuck waiting, hoping it doesn’t turn into another fight that fizzles – making us say ‘what-if.’

What If #5: Kenshiro Teraji didn’t get knocked out? For the hardcore fans, this is the Kaiser Soze of what-ifs. Teraji, a junior flyweight champion with 12 title defenses, was knocked out by Masamichi Yabuki in 2021. Although he avenged the loss in style, that knockout could have had more significant repercussions. Without that defeat, Teraji might have been in line for high-profile fights against Roman “Chocolatito” Gonzalez or Juan Francisco Estrada (yes, he’d move past his ideal weight classes, but it will still be talked about). Instead, it’s like The Usual Suspects ending – leaving us craving more details and wondering how Teraji’s unbeaten status might have affected potential matchups, such as a fight with Jesse “Bam” Rodriguez. 

#AnthonyJoshua #TeofimoLopez #CaneloAlvarez #KenshiroTeraji #DavidBenavidez #DeontayWilder #GeorgeKambososJr #AndyRuizJr #ShakurStevenson #DevinHaney #TerenceCrawford #JaronEnnis #TysonFury #OleksandrUsyk #MasamichiYabuki