Next Saturday night Sunny Edwards and Galal Yafai clash at the BP Pulse Arena in Birmingham in an enticing flyweight clash which could have huge ramifications on both of their careers. Despite the fight from the outset being incredibly tough to call, Edwards has backed himself to do a job on his opponent.

Former IBF World Champion Edwards has wanted to fight Yafai throughout the entirety of his career after the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Gold Medalist was selected to go to the Rio Olympics ahead of him in 2016 – this was after Edwards had beaten him in the amateurs in 2015.

The counter-punching, slick 5’3 man from Surrey lost his IBF title in 2023 after his shot at greatness against Jesse ‘Bam’ Rodriguez ultimately failed as he was stopped in the ninth round.

He did return to the ring in June when he defeated Adrian Curiel by a unanimous technical decision, following a cut to Edwards preventing the fight from carrying on after an accidental clash of heads.

Yafai is only eight fights into his professional career after picking up his Gold meal in 2020.

He has stopped his last two opponents impressively, which could pose problems to Edwards after he struggled to deal with ‘Bams’ heavy hands.

Moreover, a win for him would provide a huge springboard to kick on in his career.Jai Opetaia and Gilberto Ramírez could unify cruiserweight titles

Nevertheless, Edwards is confident that this will not happen as has backed himself to make the fight easier for him than many are expecting.

He spoke on Matchroom Boxing’s new documentary named ‘Make the Days Count’.

“I think as long as I stay disciplined with my feet I can hurt him, I can definitely outbox him.”

“I think if I lose this fight it’s completely on my doing. I think that it is there for me to win.”

Edwards has said that the result of this fight is in his hands, and he also has the power to hurt his opponent.

Whilst he is only 28 years old, a defeat to Edwards would result in a long way back to the level he once was at.

Hamzah Sheeraz has become one of the stars in British boxing after delivering many superb performances on the biggest of stages. The 25-year-old middleweight is already on the cusp of becoming a world champion, and he has now provided an update on why he has chosen to fight WBC champion Carlos Adames over IBF and WBO champion Janibek Alimkhanuly.

2024 has been an incredible year for the heavy-hitting Brit, he has produced three stunning knockout victories against Liam Williams, Austin ‘Ammo’ Williams, and most recently Tyler Denny.

Not only have has the boxing world been impressed by this, the man making all the big fights happen Turki Alalshikh has shown just how much he values Sheeraz by making him an ambassador of Riyadh Season.

Sheeraz now sits as the number one middleweight in the UK and world honours are calling his name.

After it was confirmed that he would return on a proposed February 22nd card on another instalment of Riyadh Season, it looked like he was set to fight Janibek Alimkhanuly.

However after purse bids were set for November 18th, he withdrew from the fight.

It was later revealed that this was because he had agreed terms to fight Carlos Adames instead.

Sheeraz has now spoken out on why he did this on his Twitter/ X account.Hamzah Sheeraz could face Carlos Adames in 2025

“I’ve been saying this for ages. It got ordered after I beat ammo Williams. One step at a time IA”

He has said that this fight was always the plan after it got ordered following his victory over Austin ‘Ammo’ Williams in June.

Adames poses a strong record of 24-1-0, with his only defeat coming in 2021 against Brahian Jose Medina.

Nevertheless, if the fight does take place next, Sheeraz will enter the ring as the favourite.

It is most likely that if the fight happens, it will feature on a February 22nd card, headlined by Daniel Dubois.

Future super fights are there to be made against unified champion Janibek Alimkhanuly and WBA champion Erislandy Lara.

https://twitter.com/sheeraz_hamzah/status/1859361658369405026?s=61

Martin Bakole may well be one of the most dangerous fighters in the heavyweight division at the moment, however, it seems like none of his rivals are rushing to fight him. Nevertheless, his promoter Ben Shalom has said that they will not be able to do this much longer as by next year the man from Congo will be a world champion.

Bakole is coming off an impressive stoppage victory against fellow heavyweight contender Jared Anderson.

His promoter Ben Shalom has on many occasions labelled him as the “most avoided man in the division”.

However, the 6’6 powerhouse does not possess the global name that some of his rivals do, therefore a fight with him offers more risk than it does reward.

Nevertheless, it looked like he would be facing rival Agit Kabayel in a final eliminator bout for the IBF title until the German pulled out of purse bids – which may have been due to an opportunity arising to fight champion Daniel Dubois.

As a result, it is now expected that Zhilei ‘Big Bang’ Zhang will assume Kabayel’s position in the final eliminator.

Speaking to Sky Sports, Boxxer’s Ben Shalom has revealed what he expects Zhang to do and where he expects Bakole to be in a year.

“Agit Kabayel pulled out of the purse bids. He didn’t want the fight. Zhilei Zhang has now been ordered. We expect him to turn the fight down too.”

“They can run but they can’t hide. Martin is in a great position. He will fight for the mandatory spot against whoever is willing to step up and then fight for the IBF World Title.”Tommy Fury and Darren Till will fight in the heavyweight division

“There is a reason people don’t want to fight Martin. We’ve all heard the sparring stories.”

“He is the bogeyman of the division, but his time is coming and once he becomes IBF World Champion, he can rule the division for a long time.”

“Martin Bakole will be world champion in the next 12 months,” Shalom said.”

“He has a clear route to the IBF World Title so people can’t avoid him any longer. He’s coming for Daniel Dubois.”

“It’s an exciting time for Martin. He is one fight away from boxing for the IBF World Title.”

Shalom has said that he also expects Zhang to pull out of a fight with Bakole, just like Kabayel did.

Moreover, the UK promoter said that he is going to be crowned world champion in 2025.

A fight between Chris Eubank Jr and Conor Benn was once a fantasy, however, now there seems to be a real possibility that the pair will reignite their father’s rivalry and put it all on the line. Benn’s promoter Eddie Hearn has revealed that this fight is edging closer to being made.

A fight between the two rivals was set to take place in October 2022, but after Benn tested positive for the performance-enhancing drug Clomiphene, the fight was cancelled and ‘The Destroyer’ was suspended by the British Boxing Board of Control (BBBofC).

Now two years on, Benn has been cleared of any wrongdoing by the National Anti-Doping Panel (NADP), but he is yet to be given his boxing license back from the BBBofC.

Despite not having a license to fight in the UK, Benn has fought twice in the States, however, both performances were rather underwhelming.

Eubank Jr after avenging his defeat to Liam Smith, has recently knocked out Kamil Szeremeta in Saudi Arabia on the undercard of Beterbiev-Bivol.

After the fight, Benn stormed the ring demanding the pair finally get the fight on, which was comically refereed by footballer Neymar Jr.

Eubank accepted, and most importantly Turki Alalshikh revealed that he would look to put the fight on.

The rumoured February 22nd card could present the perfect opportunity for the pair to finally fight.

Today Eddie Hearn has revealed where they are with this fight.Main card and date announced for David Benavidez vs. David Morrell

Speaking on Matchroom Boxing’s YouTube channel, Hearn said he is “very hopeful” about a deal being done.

”I think if everyone’s sensible, proactive, and just park the egos for a moment, then I think we can get that fight made.”

Hearn has said that he thinks the fight can be made, as long as both teams co-operate well.

A potential fight on February 22nd could potentially be a reason why Daniel Dubois’ return fight has not been announced yet, as Frank Warren confirmed that ‘Triple D’ would return on this date.

It has now been confirmed that former UFC star Darren Till will be the opponent for Tommy Fury’s comeback to professional boxing, as both men chase lucrative showdowns with Jake Paul and KSI. However, with just nine weeks until fight night, fans may be surprised to hear Till’s current weight.

Fury handed both Paul and KSI their lone career defeats last year and therefore has a target on his back as each of the YouTuber-turned-boxers hope to avenge their respective losses in the future

However, an injury to the 10-0 cruiserweight saw Fury sidelined throughout 2024, unable to capitalize on what would surely be another mammoth payday against either of his former opponents.

Now that his rehabilitation has been complete, it has been announced that Fury will return in a clash with loudmouthed mixed martial artist Darren Till, who makes his professional debut.

Despite fighting in the UFC as a welterweight (170lbs) and middleweight (185lbs), Fury-Till will be an eight-round contest in the heavyweight division, according to The Stomping Ground’s Charlie Parsons, although alternate reports suggest a 205lb catchweight.Tommy Fury vs Darren Till is set to take place at heavyweight, Fury has revealed. He added that the fight will be eight, three-minute rounds with 10oz gloves. [@CharIieParsons]

— Michael Benson (@MichaelBensonn) November 19, 2024

Ahead of what turned out to be a fiery press conference for the event, a clip of Till shadow boxing did the rounds on social media as the Liverpudlian’s fans were shocked to see his weight gain since his UFC days.📸 🦍 @darrentill2

Watch the #FuryTill press conference live from 5pm on the MFB YouTube channel🍿@MF_DAZNXSeries | @KickStreaming | @PrimeHydratepic.twitter.com/C3eXza2a9I

— Misfits Boxing (@MisfitsBoxing) November 19, 2024Hamzah Sheeraz could face Carlos Adames in 2025

Then, in an interview with Ariel Helwani, ‘The Gorilla’ confirmed that he is currently weighing 253lbs and admitted that he plans to continue drinking alcohol throughout his preparation for the fight with Tommy Fury, after revealing that he is not certain of the weight for the fight himself.🚨| Darren Till tells @arielhelwani he current weighs 253 lbs, nine weeks out from his January 18th boxing match with Tommy Fury. ⚖️ pic.twitter.com/AjW7pmAlNZ

— MMA Orbit (@mma_orbit) November 20, 2024

“They said a weight and they asked me if I could get to it, so I said ‘yeah’.

“I don’t know [the weight].”

“Yeah, I was p***ed [drunk] last night, I was f***ing blathered to be honest with you.

“No, [I am not going to stop drinking because] Tommy is that s**t that I don’t need to.”

As for Fury, he weighed-in at 182.5lbs for his most recent outing against KSI and will assumably pile on the pounds to be better suited to a 205lb catchweight or heavyweight bout.

Matchroom Boxing Promoter Eddie Hearn has been teasing the announcement of a plethora of signings in recent weeks, with fans left guessing as to whom may sign the on the dotted line to work with the Brit. Now, one of the most high-profile of these fighters has been confirmed, with Hearn hopeful of bringing a former unified champion back into the world title picture.

A couple of weeks ago, Eddie Hearn beamed with delight as he revealed that he was on the verge of confirming a host of signings for his promotional outfit, teasing that he would be set to begin working with multiple former undisputed champions in an interview with The Stomping Ground.

“Two or three Olympians, former world champions, former undisputed world champions – a lot to come.”

Since then, sources have confirmed that Scotland’s former undisputed super—lightweight conqueror Josh Taylor represents one of these names, although the other fighter remained a mystery.

Yet, Keith Idec has today revealed that Australia’s George Kambosos (21-3), whom is still debated as either a former unified or undisputed lightweight champion, has signed a co-promotional deal with Matchroom Boxing and DiBella Entertainment, and that he will now campaign in the super-lightweight division, as per Boxing News.Derek Chisora vs. Jarrell Miller announcement imminent with fight date and location touted

“Boxing News has learned that Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom Boxing has partnered with DiBella Entertainment, Kambosos’ longtime promoter, to represent the former unified lightweight champion.

“Australia’s Kambosos is expected to move up to the super lightweight division for his next fight as well, which will take place on an undetermined date in February at an Australian site to be chosen in Brisbane or Gold Coast.”

Matchroom do have skin in the 140lb game at present, representing current IBF champion Liam Paro, who is also an Aussie, as well as the likes of title hopefuls Richardson Hitchins and Jack Catterall.

Although, if Kambosos is serious about becoming a two-division world champion then he will need to improve upon his recent performances, where a controversial split-decision victory over Maxi Hughes represents his only win in his last four outings.

British heavyweight veteran Derek Chisora has had a resurgence as of late, but that has not stood in the way of his plans to retire in two fights’ time. After searching for a suitable dance-partner for his penultimate bout, ‘Del Boy’ appears to have chosen loudmouthed American Jarrell Miller, with their encounter reportedly a done deal.

Chisora has been ever-present in the heavyweight division’s world rankings for well over a decade, twice challenging for the coveted WBC crown but coming up short on both occasions against Vitali Klitschko and Tyson Fury.

That 2022 defeat to ‘The Gypsy King’ led to calls for Chisora to hang up the gloves, marking a fourth loss in five outings for the Zimbabwean-born contender, but the now 40-year-old chose to ignore those suggestions.

Instead, Chisora ploughed on and got back to winning ways with a unanimous-decision win against Gerald Washington, which earnt him a shot at declining countryman Joe Joyce back in July, in a meeting where many fans feared for Chisora’s wellbeing.

Yet, despite original concerns that the clash was a mismatch, Chisora was able to spring the upset and secure back-to-back wins for the first time since 2019 – encouraging him to continue in the sport and hopefully reach his goal of 50 professional contests.

Meanwhile, Jarrell Miller has returned to the big stage following the completion of his three-and-a-half-year ban that came following a positive drugs test during the build-up to his grudge match affair with Anthony Joshua.

After three wins within twelve months, Miller went to war with Daniel Dubois and gave a good account of himself before being halted with seconds remaining on the clock, in a performance that has aged well.Harlem Eubank wants to face Ryan Garcia and Devin Haney

The 36-year-old then returned to face former unified heavyweight champion Andy Ruiz Jr. in August and was unfortunate to not get the decision on the judges’ scorecards, who ruled the fight as a draw.

With a history of being able to sell fights to the public and having not registered an official win since March 2023, Miller seemed an ideal opponent for Chisora and it has now been reported that their showdown is almost finalised for February 8th, as per esteemed boxing journalist Dan Rafael.Per sources, heavyweight fight between Derek Chisora and Jarrell Miller is being finalized and would take place Feb. 8 in Manchester, England, and headline a Queensberry card. Hard to see this not being a fun fight. #boxing

— Dan Rafael (@DanRafael1) November 20, 2024

“Per sources, heavyweight fight between Derek Chisora and Jarrell Miller is being finalised and would take place Feb. 8 in Manchester, England, and headline a Queensberry card. Hard to see this not being a fun fight. #boxing”

Chisora-Miller is expected to take place at the newly-opened Co-op Live Arena in Manchester, with the heavyweight’s poised to headline the second boxing event to be staged at the venue, after Jack Catterall and Regis Prograis topped the bill at the first.

IBF cruiserweight champion Jai Opetaia (26-0) has emerged as the poster boy of the division over the last couple of years, scoring a trifecta of showstopping wins against British world title hopefuls. Now, after four consecutive outings on the road, the Aussie is set to return home for what will be a first world title defence in his home country.

Little was known of Opetaia when he jumped into a world title challenge against well-respected IBF champion Mairis Briedis back in 2022 but, despite having to deal with a broken jaw, the stern-faced southpaw was able to pull off the upset and dethrone ‘The Latvian Punisher’.

After 14 months of rehabilitation and inactivity, Opetaia returned to make a stunning defence of his title against Jordan Thompson in a brutal beatdown that was brought to a close after four rounds at Wembley Arena, London.Opetaia 🇦🇺 v Thompson 🇬🇧 pic.twitter.com/Q4FiGAkGNF

— jb 🥊 (@BoxingJb) December 12, 2023

However, complications with the IBF then saw Opetaia stripped of the title prior to his meeting with Ellis Zorro on the fabled ‘Day of Reckoning’ card in Riyadh, although a first-round knockout understandably caught the attention of Saudi boxing powerhouse Turki Al-Alshikh.Jai Opetaia KO1 Ellis Zorro pic.twitter.com/yCV0nswJaV

— b0xingfan (@b0xingfan) December 31, 2023Anthony Joshua plans confirmed by Eddie Hearn

Confusingly, Opetaia and Briedis then went to war again in a rematch for the vacant IBF strap just months later and once again it was Opetaia who claimed the unanimous-decision win, before following up that victory with a technical knockout of Jack Massey in a third successive appearance at the Kingdom Arena.

Whilst fans are hopeful that Opetaia could attempt to become an undisputed cruiserweight champion during 2025 and collide with unified champion Gilberto ‘Zurdo’ Ramirez, the IBF have ordered a showdown between the undefeated Australian and his mandatory challenger, Huseyin Cinkara (22-0).

First reported by The Courier Mail, Opetaia will return to the scene of his first world title win and face the unbeaten German veteran at the Gold Coast Convention Centre on Wednesday January 8th.👑 of the cruisers is back!

🥊 @jaiopetaia1 v Hussein Cinkara

🏆 IBF and Ring World Championships

🗓️ 8th January 2025

📍 Gold Coast, Australia

📺 @DAZNBoxing

🤔Beat Cinkara and then fight Zurdo? #OpetaiaCinkarapic.twitter.com/lFK51w8c9h

— On the Ropes (@Ontheropes12) November 21, 2024

Further details regarding the undercard are yet to be announced but the event will be available to watch live with a standard DAZN subscription.

The bout between Gervonta Davis and Lamont Roach, initially set for December 14 at the Toyota Center in Houston, has been postponed. Sources close to Premier Boxing Champions (PBC)

The Toyota Center in Houston was ruled out for the new date due to a Houston Rockets game scheduled that evening.

A close source indicated that the Barclays Center in Brooklyn might be the chosen venue. This arena hosted Gervonta Davis’ knockout victory over Rolando Romero in 2022.

Similarly, according to sources close to Premier Boxing Champions (PBC), the fight is set to take place on March 1 as a PBC Pay-Per-View (PPV) event on Prime Video.In a recent interview with Boxing Scene, Davis’ promoter, Leonard Ellerbe, confirmed that the venue announcement is imminent.

“Stay tuned. Lamont Roach is still the opponent. It’s all about timing. It’s Tank over everybody. None of these guys can f*** with Tank, not one of them,” Ellerbe stated.

“It’s just a matter of time. Line them up, and Tank is going to knock each of them down, whomever that might be,” he added.Gervonta Davis holds an undefeated record of 30 wins, 0 losses, and 0 draws. Out of his 30 victories, 28 have come by knockout.

Davis has solidified himself as a box-office star in key U.S. markets.

In his most recent fight, Davis knocked out Frank Martin in the eighth round on June 15, 2024, in Las Vegas, Nevada.Lamont Roach boasts a record of 25 wins, 1 loss, and 1 draw. Of his 25 victories, 10 were by knockout.

Roach won the WBA super featherweight title against Héctor Luis García, defeating him via split decision after 12 rounds on November 25, 2023.Anthony Joshua plans confirmed by Eddie Hearn

In his last fight, Roach secured an eighth-round TKO victory over Feargal McCrory on June 28, 2024, in Washington, D.C.

Notably, the organization granted Roach special permission to move up in weight and challenge Davis for the lightweight title.

The Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C. a logical choice given Roach’s hometown and its proximity to Davis’ birthplace, Baltimore, was also ruled out.

The venue is booked for a college basketball game and an NHL match on March 1.

Despite the changes, anticipation for the fight continues to build. Gervonta Davis aims to cement his legacy, while Lamont Roach aspires to secure one of the biggest wins of his career.

In a recent interview on BoxNation’s YouTube channel, Mauricio Sulaiman, president of the World Boxing Council (WBC), revealed key details about Hamzah Sheeraz’s future. The young British boxer is reportedly set to face WBC middleweight champion Carlos Adames.

This news comes after negotiations for a fight between Sheeraz and Janibek Alimkhanuly, the unified WBO and IBF champion, were canceled.

The World Boxing Organization (WBO) had mandated this fight, but purse bids were postponed several times.

Eventually, WBO President Gustavo Olivieri confirmed that Sheeraz and his team withdrew from the negotiations.During the interview with BoxNation, Mauricio Sulaiman explained that the matchup between Hamzah Sheeraz and Carlos Adames had previously been ordered by the WBC.

This happened before the WBO mandated the fight between Sheeraz and Alimkhanuly.

“I believe Sheeraz will fight for the WBC title,” Sulaiman stated.

If finalized, this bout could take place on February 22 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

This would mark a new addition to the growing calendar of major boxing events in the Middle East.Dillian Whyte teases trilogy fight with Derek Chisora

For Hamzah Sheeraz (21-0-0), who is just 25 years old, this fight would represent his debut in a world title match.

Carlos Adames (24-1-0), on the other hand, enters with a strong record as WBC champion and has proven to be a formidable challenger.

The official confirmation of the event is still pending. Similarly, Sheeraz and his team have yet to make a formal announcement or comment on the matter.

However, what is confirmed by promoter Frank Warren is that Hamzah Sheeraz will challenge for a world title in February.

In a recent interview with Louis Hart from , Natasha Jonas

Jonas, the IBF welterweight world champion, appeared cautious yet optimistic about what could be a career-defining fight in women’s boxing.

Louis Hart, discussing the possibility of the two facing off in the future, mentioned that Lauren Price had indicated the bout could be next for both fighters, provided they overcome their respective challenges in December.

Natasha Jonas confirmed this, stating she has already signed to fight Price.

“Yeah, it’s the fight that I’ve signed to do,” Jonas affirmed.

However, she made it clear that she wouldn’t get ahead of herself before both fighters fulfill their commitments in December.

“We both have to go out and do what we need to do,” Jonas remarked.Natasha Jonas also clarified that, despite the rumors, she already has a signed contract for the potential fight, though she is unsure about Price’s arrangements.

“I don’t know what she’s contracted, but it’s definitely contracted for me”, said Jonas.

Louis: “From what you’re saying, is there an agreement for that fight to be next, assuming both get through in December?”.

“For me, yes, there is”, Jonas affirmed.

Unfazed, Jonas noted that she is focused on living in the moment and prioritizing her current opponent.

“I just have to focus on what’s in front of me. Like I’ve been saying, living in the moment, I just have to deal with what’s in front of me”, Jonas concluded.Dillian Whyte teases trilogy fight with Derek Chisora

On December 14, both Jonas and Price are set to appear at the Liverpool Exhibition Centre.

Jonas will face Ivana Habazin, the WBC world champion, in a highly anticipated title unification bout.

Meanwhile, Lauren Price, the undefeated WBA welterweight champion, will defend her title against Colombian fighter Bexcy Mateus.

BOXXER founder and CEO Ben Shalom emphasized the significance of this fight for Natasha Jonas, noting that the Liverpool native aims to cement her legacy as one of the best of her generation.

In his statements, Shalom suggested that a win for Jonas in December could pave the way for a bout against Lauren Price, potentially in 2025.

“If Natasha and Lauren both win on December 14, it will set the stage for a massive ‘Battle Of Britain’ world title unification match-up next year,” Shalom said.

A potential showdown between Jonas and Price for the world title unification would generate significant excitement among boxing fans.

Thus, the prospect of a fight between Natasha Jonas and Lauren Price shapes up to be one of the most anticipated matchups for next year.

However, both must first overcome their respective December 14 bouts, which will serve as a crucial test for their aspirations as champions.

British boxer Harlem Eubank will debut in the welterweight division on Friday, November 22, 2024. His opponent will be French fighter Nurali Erdogan, and the match will take place at the Walker Activity Dome in Newcastle, UK. This bout will mark a milestone in Eubank’s career, as he seeks to establish himself as a serious contender in the division.

Originally, Eubank planned to face the talented Adam Azim. This fight was scheduled for June 2024 but was postponed due to an injury sustained by Azim.

With the cancellation of that match, Eubank has been forced to explore new options to continue his rise in professional boxing.Despite the fight against Adam Azim not taking place, Harlem Eubank’s ambitions remain unchanged.

In a recent interview with Boxing Scene, the undefeated British boxer mentioned two of the biggest names in boxing: Devin Haney and Ryan Garcia.

Both fighters are top contenders in the super lightweight division, and Eubank has set his sights on them for the upcoming year.

“It’s about going in there and making a statement whoever it’s against and setting up them big fights,” Eubank stated.

“Obviously, the division is hot at 147lbs and 140lbs in America and domestically. We want all the big fights,” Eubank added.

In his statement, Eubank emphasized the importance of facing the big names in today’s boxing.5 world champions Jake Paul could fight next

“The Garcias, the Haneys, the guys over there in America making noise. We want all those fights too,” Eubank said.Furthermore, Eubank highlighted his aspirations to reach world title contention in the near future.

“We’re working towards world title contention, world title winners,” Eubank mentioned.

Finally, Eubank made it clear that his main goal is to take on fights that will bring him closer to the major figures in boxing and excite the public.

“We want the fights that push us closer to them. We’re open to all the big fights that get people excited in 2025. That’s what I’m looking forward to,” Eubank concluded.

With his upcoming welterweight debut, Eubank is focused on establishing himself as a serious opponent to challenge Ryan Garcia or Devin Haney in the future.

However, Harlem Eubank must first overcome his fight against Frenchman Nurali Erdogan this Friday in Newcastle.

Following the victory of Gilberto ‘Zurdo’ Ramirez over Chris Billam-Smith, the entire boxing world has called for a unification fight between ‘Zurdo’ and IBF champion Jai Opetaia. Now Opetaia’s promoter Eddie Hearn has confirmed that this is the fight they are looking to make next.

Last weekend, Zurdo outclassed Billam-Smith to unify the division, adding the WBO belt to the WBA belt he had claimed already.

It was an impressive performance as whilst he was the pre-fight favourite, many thought CBS’ size may cause him some difficulties.

However, he in fact out-fought his opponent, landing some beautiful body shots to slow down the 6’3 Brit.

The Mexican confirmed after the fight that he wants to unify and fight the very best that the division has to offer.

Hearn has said many times that Opetaia is undoubtedly the best in the division currently, proven by his most recent performances.

In his latest outing, the Australian was levels about Jack Massey, which whilst he was expected to win, sent out a statement to the division.

Moreover, wins over Mairis Briedis and Ellis Zorro have cemented his position as the best that the 200lb division has to offer.

Therefore, a fight with Zurdo makes perfect sense.5 world champions Jake Paul could fight next

Zurdo’s promoter, Eddie Hearn speaking to Ariel Helmani and Ade Oladipo on DAZN has confirmed this fight should be next.

”It’s the best fight in the division and it’s a must make fight.”

”As good as Zurdo is, Opetaia’s a different animal.”

Hearn has said this fight must be made.

Furthermore, he has said that whilst Zurdo possesses incredible traits as a fighter, ultimately Opetaia will prove too good.

This fight could take place on a Riyadh Season card, as it is one of the best fights in boxing and Opetaia has fought on these cards in his last three fights.

The winner of this fight may then fight WBC champion Norair Mikaeljan in a unification bout, or there is a possibility that both Zurdo and Opetaia could move up to heavyweight.

During his break from mixed martial arts, former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou ventured into boxing with mixed but significant results. Despite losses to Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua, he managed to establish himself as a profitable figure in the sport, generating millions in revenue.

His latest boxing match, against Joshua, ended in a devastating knockout in the second round. However, Ngannou made it clear that his journey in the ring is far from over.

Among Ngannou’s potential future opponents, Deontay Wilder, known as “The Bronze Bomber,” emerges as an enticing option.

The former WBC heavyweight world champion, Wilder, recently expressed his interest in facing the Cameroonian.

Currently, Wilder is going through a tough streak of losses and an injury that have slowed his rise.Speaking to TMZ Sports, Deontay Wilder confirmed his willingness to make the fight happen.

“Yeah, that’s a combination station. I’m still looking to get in there, in the mix, and talk about it,” Wilder said. This interest has heightened expectations for a potential showdown between the two fighters.

At 39 years old, Wilder is seeking to bounce back after consecutive losses to Joseph Parker and Zhilei Zhang.

These defeats, unexpected to many, make a clash with Ngannou even more intriguing, as both fighters

It is worth noting that Deontay Wilder revealed in a recent interview that he fought Parker and Zhang with a broken arm.

On the other hand, 38-year-old Ngannou does not rule out the possibility of balancing his career between MMA and boxing.

After his successful debut in the PFL Super Fights: Battle of the Giants, defeating Renan Ferreira on October 19, 2024, the Cameroonian has stated that he wishes to explore more opportunities in both disciplines.

The idea of facing Deontay Wilder seems especially appealing to Ngannou, who remains intrigued by the challenges professional boxing can offer him.

Boxing promoter Eddie Hearn has revealed his strong interest in organizing a cruiserweight unification fight between Jai Opetaia and Gilberto ‘Zurdo’ Ramírez. The potential clash, which would unify the WBA, IBF, and WBO cruiserweight world titles, is being pushed by Hearn as the biggest fight in the division.

In a recent interview with Ariel Helwani, Hearn discussed the likelihood of the fight taking place, emphasizing his commitment to creating meaningful matchups. He called Opetaia a “different animal” in the division, suggesting that despite Ramírez’s impressive credentials, the IBF champion would present a significant challenge.

“It's the best fight in the division, and it’s a must-make fight… As good as Zurdo is, Opetaia’s a different animal,” Hearn said.

Gilberto ‘Zurdo’ Ramírez, who recently defeated Chris Billam-Smith to claim the WBO cruiserweight title and become the first Mexican unified cruiserweight champion, has also expressed interest in facing Oleksandr Usyk, but it appears that his next move could involve Opetaia or potentially WBC champion Noel Mikaelian.

A unification bout between Ramírez and Opetaia would likely determine the undisputed cruiserweight champion, with Hearn confident that the fight will happen soon.

Since Anthony Joshua’s stunning knockout defeat to Daniel Dubois, speculation has been rife about who he will face next. However, his promoter, Eddie Hearn, has now revealed key details about Joshua’s upcoming fight.

Immediately following the loss, Hearn suggested that Joshua might pursue a rematch with Dubois. But, unfortunately for the former champion, an injury has forced him to delay the rematch, putting the immediate fight plans on hold.

At 35 years old, time is running out for Joshua to secure a third world title. The long-discussed showdown with Tyson Fury is still on the table, but there’s no certainty it will happen anytime soon. With the highly anticipated Usyk-Fury rematch scheduled for December 21st, there’s a possibility of a trilogy between the two. However, Joshua’s promoter has now clarified that the rematch with Dubois will not be taking place anytime soon.

Speaking on DAZN with Ariel Helwani and Ade Oladipo, Hearn explained Joshua’s next move: “It could be the Dubois rematch, but it won’t be on February 22nd. We have to see how December 21st unfolds (Usyk-Fury II) and make a decision after that."

While the rematch with Dubois isn’t on the immediate horizon, Hearn confirmed that Joshua will likely return to the ring in May or June 2025. The exact opponent remains to be seen, but it’s clear that Joshua's future will depend on the outcome of the Usyk-Fury fight and potential developments in the heavyweight division.

As for the Dubois rematch, while it remains a possibility, Hearn has made it clear that it won’t be Joshua’s next fight, and Dubois is expected to fight someone else before a potential meeting with Joshua.

With all eyes on the heavyweight division, Joshua’s next move could set the stage for a pivotal moment in his career—whether it’s facing Fury or another major contender, the next steps for AJ will be crucial in determining if he can reignite his world title ambitions.

On Saturday, November 16, Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramírez achieved a historic milestone by becoming the first Mexican unified cruiserweight champion. In a 12-round fight, Ramírez defeated Chris Billam-Smith by unanimous decision in Saudi Arabia.

The judges scored the bout 116-112 twice and 116-113, all in favor of the Mexican. This victory marks a significant milestone in Ramírez’s career, adding another title to his impressive professional record.

Ramírez showcased impeccable technique, while Billam-Smith fought valiantly despite suffering multiple injuries.

Chris Billam-Smith, who lost his WBO title to the WBA champion, ended the fight with a severe cut above his left eye and other serious injuries that hampered his performance in the later rounds.

Despite the loss, the British fighter demonstrated remarkable physical and mental toughness throughout the bout. He will now need time to recover before returning to the ring.According to Mauricio Sulaimán, president of the World Boxing Council (WBC), Chris Billam-Smith has strong chances of fighting for a world title under the organization.

“I’m sure he will be highly ranked by the WBC. We’ll certainly rank him, and he has the possibility of fighting for a title,” Sulaimán stated to Sky Sports.

Current WBC champion Noel Mikaelian faces legal complications with his promoter, Don King.

This has continuously delayed his mandatory defense against Ryan Rozicki, who will now face Yamil Peralta for an interim title on December 7.Jake Paul says he wants to become boxing world champion

The cruiserweight division is experiencing a period of uncertainty due to multiple factors. Mikaelian, Rozicki, and the return of Badou Jack create a scenario filled with questions.

“It’s all a mess,” admitted Sulaimán.

“He [Billam-Smith] could go straight to fight the winner. We also have Badou Jack trying to come back; he was champion in recess,” Sulaimán added.

Sulaimán also emphasized the importance of consistently working with the rules to address any circumstances that may arise.

For now, the focus will first be on the outcome of the Rozicki-Peralta fight.

Likewise, Badou Jack is waiting for his opportunity, while Chris Billam-Smith still needs to recover from his injuries after his fight with Ramírez.

Jake Paul is not a name boxing fans may have been aware of until recent years, however it is now impossible to not know who the once YouTuber, 27-year-old is.

Last Friday at the AT&T Arena in Arlington, Texas, Paul returned to the ring to fight 58-year-old hall-of-famer Mike Tyson in what was one of the most controversial fights of all time.

It was of no one’s surprise that the younger man won with ease. Yet the significance of this fight went far beyond any outcome.

Paul first entered a boxing ring in 2018 against fellow YouTuber Deji Olatunji in a white-collar fight on the undercard of the fight between their brothers, KSI and Logan Paul.

Now six years on ‘The Problem Child’ has had twelve professional bouts, which include names such as Tommy Fury, Nate Diaz, Michael Perry, and now ‘Iron’ Mike Tyson.

As a result of the huge fame he has gathered from YouTube, Paul is now one of the biggest names in the sport.

In his fight with Tyson, he managed to secure an incredible 60 million viewers on the streaming platform Netflix – for context, this is 900 per cent higher than any other major boxing or MMA event this year.

He has also not been shy about his desire to “take over” the sport and has labelled himself as the “biggest draw in boxing”.

Due to this, he has now caught the attention of some of the biggest names this sport has to offer.

In this article we will look at 5 world champions who he could fight next – yes this is no joke.1. Daniel Dubois

The current IBF world heavyweight champion is now two months on since his demolition job over Anthony Joshua and despite talks of potential fights against other top heavyweights, he has incredibly offered Paul a shot at his belt.

Whilst this may seem completely absurd, his promoter Frank Warren has even confirmed that they would take this fight in a heartbeat.

Paul responded to the challenge by telling the Brit to “Get in line.”

Dubois is set to return to the ring on February 22, with an opponent set to be announced imminently.2. Artur Beterbiev

After his sensational victory against Dmitry Bivol to become the first undisputed light heavyweight champion since Roy Jones in 2000, Beterbiev has cemented himself as one the greatest fighters in history.

Nevertheless, he has astonishingly offered Paul a shot at his belts.Who is Rukiya Anpo? – Ryan Garcia’s December Opponent

Paul responded to the call out by claiming he now runs the sport.

Despite this, it looks like we will see the rematch between Beterbiev and Bivol next.3. Kevin Lerena

Following Lawrence Okolie vacating his WBC bridgerweight to move up to heavyweight, Lerena has been promoted to full champion after becoming mandatory back in May.

Now speaking to BoxingScene, he has also offered Paul a shot at his belt.

Despite not currently being ranked by the WBC, President Mauricio Sulaiman has said he expects Paul to be entered into the rankings soon.4. Julio Cesar Chavez Jr.

Former WBC middleweight champion Chavez Jr returned to the ring on July 20th against UFC star Uriah Hall, on the undercard of Paul-Perry.

A fight between the 38-year-old and Paul has been rumoured before, but now WBA president Gilberto Mendoza has confirmed he would sanction this fight.5. Carl Froch

Froch and Paul, have never seen eye to eye, on many occasions, the former three-belt world super middleweight champion has blasted the American.

Most recently, Froch has called Paul out, claiming he would beat him with one arm tied behind his back.

Paul responded in fury telling the Brit to let him know if he wanted to wash his cars.

Nevertheless, there is certainly the demand for a fight.

It is unlikely that any of these fights will actually materialise as they all carry serious jeopardy for Paul, and he has shown thus far that he will only take fights against those where he will likely win.

Despite losing to Tommy Fury, this fight was more to prove that he could compete against professional boxers.

However, this claim is questionable as since this fight, Fury has chosen to fight the likes of KSI and now most recently Darren Till.

Paul is a serious commercial asset, which is likely why so many world champions want to fight him – along with the incentive to stop the American in his tracks.

Boxing fans whether they love or hate Paul, may have to get used to him as it does not look like he will be leaving the sport anytime soon.

Anthony Joshua’s career took a brutal hit when he lost out on the opportunity to become three-time world heavyweight champion after being demolished by Daniel Dubois in front of 96,000 at Wembley Stadium. His comeback fight has been of stark interest since his defeat, and now former WBC cruiserweight champion Tony Bellew has had his say on who he should face next.

It was assumed that Joshua would go into an immediate rematch with Dubois, however after picking up an injury it was confirmed that this would not be taking place.

At 35-years-old, ‘AJ’ does not have long left in his career, therefore getting the best fights, with the best opposition, for the most money, is going to be crucial moving forward.

Whilst a fight with Fury has been talked out for years, there is no still guarantee that this happens due to a potential trilogy with the ‘Gypsy King’ and Usyk.

Nevertheless, the next fight is arguably the most important of his career to date, a loss could mean the end, yet a win could reignite potential world title fights.

Speaking to talkSPORT, fan-favourite Tony Bellew has had his say on who Joshua should face in his rematch.

“It’s a difficult one because I’d assume he’d have wanted the rematch.”

“It’s an event any time he steps in the boxing ring, if AJ just says he is coming back against Charlie Chaplin it sells out Wembley.”

“The fact is he’s a huge global name and the main faces of boxing never mind just the heavyweight division.”World title clash confirmed for New Year’s Eve

“So it never really matters who he fights, people just want to see him in the ring again.”

“There’s so many names, but who wouldn’t want to see him face Dillian Whyte again?”

“The first fight they had was fantastic, and there really is so many other fights too.”

Bellew has said that he would not mind seeing Joshua rematch Dillian Whyte in a domestic showdown.

The pair were set to fight in August 2023, however after a failed drugs test Whyte was pulled out of the fight.

Nevertheless, he was cleared to resume his career after an investigation confirmed that the reason for his adverse finding was because of a contaminated supplement.

Whyte is set to return to the ring on December 15 against Ebenezer Tetteh in Gibraltar.

It will be interesting to see who Joshua fights in his comeback fight, but a fight with Whyte would most likely be welcomed by fans.

Jake Paul’s victory over a faded Mike Tyson has triggered a wave of call-outs from world champion boxers, but perhaps the most unexpected challenge came from IBF heavyweight champion, Daniel Dubois. Now, Frank Warren, Dubois’ promoter, has weighed in on the possibility of such an unconventional matchup.

Dubois, who was elevated to full IBF champion after Oleksandr Usyk vacated the title following his undisputed victory over Tyson Fury, has quickly made a name for himself with dominant stoppage wins against Jarrell Miller and Filip Hrgovic. His rise seemed set to face a significant test when a showdown with former two-time champion Anthony Joshua was agreed upon.

However, Dubois shocked the boxing world by overpowering Joshua at Wembley Stadium. From the opening bell, Dubois dominated the fight, knocking Joshua down four times before scoring a fifth-round stoppage victory. The knockout was a career-defining moment for Dubois, cementing his place at the top of the heavyweight division.

The two were slated to meet again on February 22nd in Riyadh, but Joshua has since confirmed that he will not be ready in time, forcing Dubois to seek an alternative opponent for his second voluntary title defense.

In a surprising twist, Dubois reached out directly to Jake Paul via social media, offering him the chance to fight for the IBF heavyweight crown following Paul’s decision victory over Tyson.

Frank Warren, in an interview with BoxNation, made it clear that while he would support such a fight, he remains skeptical about Jake Paul stepping up to face a hard-hitting champion like Dubois.

"No one can offer any fights on behalf of Daniel except me and Queensberry, that is number one," Warren said. "Number two, would we do that fight? In a heartbeat. Would Jake do it? No, I don’t think so. He is certainly not ready to be fighting a Daniel Dubois!"

Warren’s comments suggest that the Dubois vs. Paul fight may be more of a publicity stunt than a serious proposition, with the 27-year-old champion likely to face a more recognized contender in his next bout.

With Dubois’ next opponent expected to be announced soon, it seems the focus will remain on solidifying his heavyweight reign rather than taking a risk with a high-profile but untested opponent like Jake Paul.