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Nov 10 2024

Ryan Garcia Challenges Jaron Ennis After Narrow Victory Over Karen Chukhadzhian

Ryan Garcia has weighed in on Jaron Ennis’s recent victory over Karen Chukhadzhian, expressing confidence that he could easily knock out the welterweight champion. The popular Californian boxer took to social media to issue a bold challenge:

“Boots [Jaron Ennis] will get knocked out by me. This ref still sucks. And Eddie [Eddie Hearn] gotta stop calling his fighters legends prematurely,” Garcia wrote on X (formerly Twitter).

In response, Ennis addressed Garcia’s comments in the post-fight press conference, not holding back. “Just bring him on (next). C’mon, all he does is talk and tweet, you know what I’m saying. I’m here to make history. I guarantee you, I’ll put him out… FOR SURE,” Ennis fired back.

The fight took place on November 9, 2024, at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, where Ennis successfully defended his IBF welterweight title. However, the bout wasn’t as one-sided as many had predicted. Chukhadzhian, who had previously been defeated by Ennis, came in more prepared, complicating the champion’s performance. While Ennis retained his title, the fight raised questions among fans, as many expected a more dominant display from the undefeated champion.

Garcia’s comments stirred up further discussion, but they weren’t the only reaction to the bout. Fellow welterweight Terence Crawford, who has a close connection with the division, offered his support to Ennis, advising him to keep improving after a tough fight.

Garcia’s bold statements seem to hint at a possible future showdown with Ennis. Although the two currently compete in different weight classes, Garcia has expressed interest in moving up to challenge Ennis at 147 pounds. Eddie Hearn, Ennis’s promoter, responded with skepticism, suggesting that Garcia and his team are unlikely to take the fight.

"[Laughs] Come on, let’s be real," Hearn said in a recent interview. "There’s no way in a million years they’re going to fight Boots. If they want it, they can come out and fight Boots first fight back for the world welterweight title. No problem. But they won’t, but we’d love to make that fight happen."

While Garcia’s challenge may just be the beginning of a heated rivalry, it has certainly sparked intrigue among boxing fans, who are eager to see if this potential fight could become a reality in the near future.

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Nov 10 2024

Hamzah Sheeraz vs Janibek Alimkhanuly: WBO sets purse bid date

The World Boxing Organization (WBO) has set the date for the official purse bid for the mandatory middleweight title fight between champion Janibek Alimkhanuly and undefeated challenger Hamzah Sheeraz.

The WBO’s decision comes after failed negotiations between Queensberry Promotions and Top Rank. Both promoters were unable to reach a prior agreement for this highly anticipated championship fight.

Gustavo Olivieri, president of the WBO, stated that all attempts to reach a consensus between both fighters’ teams have been exhausted.

The WBO has scheduled the official purse bid for November 18.

British promoter Frank Warren had previously hinted that Hamzah Sheeraz would be seeking a world title shot by February. Initially, it was not confirmed which champion Sheeraz would face, though the name Carlos Adames was mentioned.However, with the purse bid now set, it appears that Hamzah Sheeraz will ultimately take on Janibek Alimkhanuly.

Hamzah Sheeraz, 25, comes into this fight with an undefeated record of 21 wins, no draws, and no losses. The British fighter has stood out for his knockout power and technical skill in the ring.

His last fight was on September 21, 2024, when he secured a technical knockout victory against Tyler Denny in London, UK. Sheeraz dominated the bout from the first round and finished his opponent in the second, showcasing his impressive form.

On the other hand, Janibek Alimkhanuly, the current WBO and IBF middleweight champion, also enters the matchup unbeaten, with a record of 16-0-0. The Kazakh boxer has proven to be a well-rounded fighter, with a blend of power and technique that makes him a tough opponent to beat.Vergil Ortiz Jr. denies rejecting fight against Jaron Ennis

His most recent fight was on October 4, 2024, against Andrei Mikhailovich in Pyrmont, Australia. Alimkhanuly won by technical knockout in the ninth round, demonstrating his endurance and ability to control the fight until the end.

It is worth noting that Janibek Alimkhanuly has yet to make a mandatory defense of any of his world titles. This adds an extra layer of pressure for the champion, who will look to maintain his reign against a young and hungry challenger like Hamzah Sheeraz.

The November 18 purse bid is expected to determine the financial and logistical terms of the fight, including the purse split and the promoter in charge

The WBO has now set a November 18 purse bid date for their ordered Middleweight mandatory bout between champion Janibek Alimkhanuly and challenger Hamzah Sheeraz. pic.twitter.com/GM3jlBsFJM

 

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Nov 10 2024

World champion calls for showdown with Jesse Rodriguez

After Jesse Rodriguez successfully defended his WBC super flyweight title, an undefeated world champion issued a bold challenge to the American boxer. The fighter took to his Instagram Stories to publicly call out Rodriguez for a unification bout.

In his official Instagram Stories, the current WBA super flyweight champion, Puma Martinez, who holds an undefeated record of 17 wins (0 losses, 0 draws), didn’t hold back and targeted Jesse Rodriguez, who also remains unbeaten with 21 wins (0 losses, 0 draws).

“He saw me fight Ioka, and now he doesn’t mention me anymore. Why don’t you say you want to fight me? After Ioka on December 31, I’m ready for you. Do you want to unify or not?? @espnknockout @210bam,” wrote Martinez on Instagram.The Argentine boxer continued his challenge, insisting that Jesse Rodriguez avoided him after watching him fight in Japan:

“You mentioned me so much, but then when you went to see me in Japan against Ioka, you didn’t say anything. Now you’re dodging me? Come on, unify! I’m waiting here. Let’s make it happen in 2025. @210bam @espnknockout,” challenged Puma Martinez.

Jesse Rodriguez shined in his latest bout, where he successfully defended his WBC super flyweight title. The fight took place on November 9, 2024, at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, USA. Rodriguez defeated Mexican boxer Pedro Guevara with a brutal uppercut in the third round, once again showcasing his dominance in the division. His performance impressed both the audience and boxing experts.

For his part, Puma Martinez’s last appearance was in an intense bout against Japan’s Kazuto Ioka on July 7, 2024, in Tokyo, Japan. In that fight, Martinez became the WBA super flyweight world champion by defeating Ioka via unanimous decision after 12 rounds.

Since then, Martinez has not made a mandatory title defense, but his intention to unify titles became evident with his recent challenge to Jesse Rodriguez. The Argentine has shown his interest in facing the best in the division and does not seem willing to wait long to prove his supremacy.

A clash between Martinez and Rodriguez would be a high-caliber matchup in the super flyweight division, and both fans and analysts are already speculating about the possibility of it taking place in 2025. With both champions undefeated and at the peak of their careers, the fight could become one of the most anticipated events of next year.Carl Froch makes controversial prediction ahead of Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson

So far, neither Jesse Rodriguez nor his team have responded to Puma Martinez’s public challenge. However, the pressure from the Argentine boxer and the buzz on social media could accelerate negotiations to make this highly anticipated unification fight a reality.“Me vio pelear con loka y ahora ya no me nombra más, ¿por qué no decís que querés pelear conmigo? Después de loka el 31 de diciembre ya estoy listo para vos, ¿querés unificar o no?”

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Nov 10 2024

Terence Crawford sends message to Jaron Ennis after hard-fought victory

World champion Terence Crawford has weighed in following Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis’ recent win. The November 9, 2024, bout at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia saw Ennis, the IBF welterweight champion, successfully defend his title against Ukrainian challenger Karen Chukhadzhia.

Crawford shared his thoughts on X (formerly Twitter), offering Ennis both praise and caution:

“@JaronEnnis I did see the fight, but I heard about it. Stay focused and keep working on your craft. Every night's not going to be the same. Never get too comfortable in this game if you're trying to get to the mecca of the sport. Stay on your mission because all it takes is 1 slip up,” Crawford wrote.

The boxing community saw Crawford’s words as a reminder of the sport’s inherent unpredictability. Ennis’ rematch with Chukhadzhia was more challenging than anticipated, despite his previous victory. This time, Chukhadzhia entered the ring better prepared, making it difficult for Ennis to secure an easy win.

During the fight, Ennis absorbed more punches than expected as Chukhadzhia’s persistent pressure temporarily disrupted his rhythm. However, Ennis maintained his composure and managed to knock down his opponent in the fifth round, showcasing his power. The match concluded with a unanimous decision win for Ennis, scored 119-107, 117-109, and 116-110.

Despite retaining his title, Ennis’ performance was met with mixed reactions, as fans anticipated a more dominant display. Analysts commended Chukhadzhia for his significant improvements in strategy and technique since their first bout.

On the same fight card, Jesse ‘Bam’ Rodriguez delivered an electrifying performance, defending his WBC super flyweight title against Mexican veteran Pedro Guevara. Rodriguez’s swift third-round uppercut secured the knockout, displaying his blend of speed, precision, and power. His impressive victory earned him the spotlight and overshadowed Ennis’ harder-fought win.

Crawford’s message underlines the importance of constant vigilance and dedication in boxing. For Ennis, the path to reaching the sport’s highest level, as Crawford described, will require refining his craft and staying sharp—because one slip could change everything.

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Nov 10 2024

Daniel Dubois preferred next opponent revealed

After beating Anthony Joshua and becoming the IBF world heavyweight champion, the stock of Daniel Dubois has never been higher.

The manner of the stunning knockout has propelled Dubois back to the elite of the heavyweight landscape.

Daniel Dubois is once again a box office attraction.

What that ultimately means is that fight fans want to know who the 27-year-old will be fighting next.

For the longest time, it was expected that there would be a rematch between AJ and Dubois in February 2025.

However, that rematch has been nixed for the time being with Daniel Dubois commenting on it to confirm the status of it.

So the next question is, who is the man who will Dubois will be facing instead?

A number of names have been thrown into the mix.

Martin Bakole has recently had his name thrown into the hat.

Fabio Wardley is another, but Wardley has been advised to wait for that fight rather than take it now.

exclusively revealed that Zhilei Zhang was also up for the challenge.

One of the most prominent names has been New Zealand heavyweight Joseph Parker.Keyshawn Davis vs. Gustavo Lemos: Weigh-In Update

Parker was written off by many after losing to the likes of Anthony Joshua, Dillian Whyte and Joe Joyce.

However, stunning wins against Deontay Wilder and Zhilei Zhang have revitalised his career.

That’s why Joseph Parker was named as a potential opponent for Daniel Dubois too.

And it seems that we know now who the preferred opponent for Dubois is.

Sky Sports report that Joseph Parker is the fighter that is most preferred to fight Daniel Dubois next.

With the AJ fight now off the table, at least for February, this is the most likely fight for that date.

Despite Parker rehabilitating his image with his recent wins, Dubois will surely go into that fight as overwhelming favourite.

However, that shouldn’t write off Joseph Parker.

And Daniel Dubois knows better than most to not count out the underdog.

Just like he did against Joshua in their clash, an underdog in the heavyweight division can be crowned winner easily if they connect their opponent well enough.

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Nov 10 2024

Crawford vs Ennis: Why Boots Won't Beat Bud—At Any Weight

Jaron "Boots" Ennis (32-0) is undeniably one of boxing's brightest rising stars, and his recent rematch win over Karen Chukhadzhian (24-2) has only furthered that reputation. Ennis was expected to show an even better performance this time around, following his earlier dominance of the IBF mandatory challenger. However, despite a decisive fifth-round knockdown, Ennis’ display raised some questions, especially about his defensive lapses.

In the rematch, Chukhadzhian came out with a more aggressive approach, capitalizing on the openings Ennis left in his defense. While Boots did eventually grow into the fight, he was tagged too often for a fighter of his caliber, especially considering Chukhadzhian’s status as a 20/1 underdog. Despite the knockdown and a point deduction for Chukhadzhian, Ennis’ performance was far from flawless. The Ukrainian challenger had his moments, making the fight less impressive than expected for a fighter as hyped as Boots.

With his lack of defensive refinement on display, the question has been raised: Is it time for Ennis to move up to 154lbs? The move could open doors to high-profile matchups, but if his defensive vulnerabilities are present at super-welterweight, they could become even more costly against heavier hitters. Ennis' power and speed are unquestionable, but the key to his success lies in tightening up his defense.

This is where a potential fight with Terence "Bud" Crawford becomes especially concerning. Crawford, who has proven himself at the highest levels of both welterweight and light-middleweight, is a master tactician with the ability to exploit even the slightest openings. Against someone like Bud, who has an impeccable defense and can adjust mid-fight, Ennis’ current shortcomings could be magnified. Crawford's experience and fight IQ would likely overwhelm the young contender, even at 147lbs, and especially if the fight moves up to 154lbs.

Ennis may still be a rising star with limitless potential, but until he addresses his defensive lapses, the thought of him beating Crawford remains unrealistic. If he can't solve the defensive problems that allowed Chukhadzhian to land clean shots, it’s hard to imagine him having the tools to deal with a fighter as complete as Bud Crawford.

As Ennis looks to move forward, his next steps will be critical. If he decides to pursue the dream of unifying the 147lb division, he’ll have to fix his defensive holes first. Otherwise, jumping up in weight may expose him to even bigger challenges, especially against power-punching, tactically sound fighters like Crawford. Until then, it's hard to see how Boots could overcome the puzzle that is Terence Crawford—at any weight.

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Nov 09 2024

Mike Tyson names key difference between himself and Jake paul

Mike Tyson is arguably the greatest man to ever enter a boxing ring. However, at 58 years old he is returning to the ring to face Jake Paul. He has named the key difference between him and his opponent.

The fight will take place next Friday at the AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.

Despite once being the explosive, powerful ‘Iron Man’, Tyson is certainly not what he once was, which has led many within the sport to fear for his health going into this fight.

None other than ‘The Cobra’ Carl Froch has come out in disgust when asked about what he thinks about the fight.

Jake Paul, once a Youtuber has in the past few years pursued a career in boxing.

Despite fighting the likes of Nate Diaz and Tommy Fury, Paul has never faced any boxer who is currently at a top level.

This had led to the likes of Matchroom’s Eddie Hearn labelling him an ‘average’ boxer, which Paul has not taken well.

The pair were set to face off back in July, however after Tyson suffered an injury resulting in him being hospitalised, the fight was postponed.

Controversially, the fight is set to be a licensed professional bout, with eight two-minute rounds, with neither fighter wearing head guards.Carl Froch makes controversial prediction ahead of Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson

It is incredible to think that Tyson could have a defeat on his professional record handed to him by a former Youtuber.

On the newly released Netflix show ‘Countdown: Paul vs. Tyson’, Tyson has made it clear what he feels the key difference between himself and Paul is.

”There’s a fundamental difference between me and Jake, he’s a manufactured killer.”

”Television and papers made him a killer, he’s manufactured.”

“I’m a natural born killer, that’s the difference.”

Tyson has said the difference between himself and his opponent is that he is a born killer, whereas Paul is not.

Fight fans will be hoping that the legendary fighter suffers no injuries in this fight and the majority of fans are suggesting that the result will not have any impact on his legacy.

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Nov 09 2024

Oscar De La Hoya claims Gilberto Ramirez will go down as an ‘all time great’

WBA cruiserweight world champion Gilberto Ramirez returns to the ring next Saturday when he faces WBO champion Chris Billam-Smith in an unification clash on the next installment of ‘Riyadh Season’. His promoter, Golden Boy’s Oscar De La Hoya has claimed that by the end of his career, he will go down as one of the greatest men to entire the sport of boxing.

Ramirez’s only defeat of his career to date came in 2022 against Dmitry Bivol, however this was at super-middleweight.

The Mexican has since moved up to cruiserweight, picking up two wide point decision victories, including a triumph over Arsen Goulamirian back in March when he claimed his WBA strap.

His opponent, ‘CBS’, is in red-hot form and will be looking to produce another upset victory – something he has done continuously over his career.

The Bournemouth-born sensation, became world champion by defeating former stablemate Lawrence Okolie at the stadium of his beloved A.F.C Bournemouth back in 2023.

He has since gone on to claim wins over Mateusz Masternak and Richard Riakporhe.

Ramirez has been very outspoken about where he wants to get to in his career, notably he has mentioned the name Oleksandr Usyk as a potential opponent.Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson; full card preview, rules, time and how to watch

His promoter, De La Hoya, speaking to DAZN’s The Roundtable has suggested that a fight with the current three-belt heavyweight champion, could put him amongst the greats.

“I’m excited not because of him unifying, but because of the fact Zurdo is talking about Usyk, and Usyk coming back down to cruiserweight.”

“That’s pretty exciting. He doesn’t like to show off what he’s accomplished. But when all is said and done, I think we’re going to call him one of the all-time greats.

“If he unifies this title, then imagine him fighting Usyk. If something miraculous happens and he beats him, then you have a legendary fighter.”

Ramirez has said that he is happy to fight at any weight to make the fight with Uysk.

Usyk returns on December 21st in his rematch against Tyson Fury out in Saudi Arabia, on the final ‘Riyadh Season’ card of the year.

#GilbertoRamirez #ChrisBillamSmith #CruiserweightUnification #WBAChampion #BoxingNews #OscarDeLaHoya #RiyadhSeason #BoxingGreats #OleksandrUsyk #BoxingLegends

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Nov 09 2024

Carl Froch makes controversial prediction ahead of Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson

Carl Froch has never exactly seen eye to eye with Jake Paul, on many occasions, he has even asked the American to call him out. Now ahead of Jake Paul’s fight with legendary ‘Iron Man’ Mike Tyson, he has offered a controversial prediction on how the fight will play out.

The fight itself is hugely controversial, as despite once being one of the most feared men in the entire world, Tyson is 58 years old now.

Therefore many within boxing are not only wary of him losing, but they are fearful of how it may affect his health.

In 2020, Tyson did return to the ring in an exhibition fight against fellow hall of famer, Roy Jones Jr.

However, everyone knew there was little risk of either man getting hurt due to it not being in a professional ring.

Furthermore, his fight with Paul was originally postponed due to an injury he himself sustained.

Despite this, the fight taking place next Friday at the AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, is a professionally licensed bout.

There will be eight two-minute rounds, with no headgear worn and knockouts are permitted.

Former three-belt world super middleweight champion, who famously fought in front of ‘80,000 at Wembley’ Carl Froch has suggested something rather significant regarding the fight’s result.Eddie Hearn outlines Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis plans

Speaking to GB News Froch said, “Paul can’t lose. It’s in the contract, he can’t lose. He is a useless w****r.”

Froch then went on to give his opinion on whether a loss for Tyson would damage his legacy.

“I think (Paul) he’s unlikely to grab the microphone and start bragging after beating up an old man. If he does, he really does have more deluded energy than I thought.”

“Mike Tyson is an iconic name after what he achieved in the sport when he was physically fit and capable, but not at the age of 58.”

Froch has suggested that it is in the contract that Jake Paul cannot lose the fight.

Moreover, he has said that whatever happens regarding the fight, Tyson’s legacy will remain intact.

The fight will be shown exclusively on Netflix as part of a subscription for fans to watch from around the world.

#JakePaul #MikeTyson #CarlFroch #BoxingControversy #TysonVsPaul #BoxingNews #MikeTysonLegacy #JakePaulFight #BoxingPredictions #NetflixBoxing

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Nov 09 2024

Keyshawn Davis calls out lightweight superstars

Last night, Keyshawn Davis produced a career-best performance, knocking out Gustavo Lemos in the second round. Speaking after his statement victory, he called out the biggest names in the lightweight division.

The talk before his latest outing was all about how Lemos could provide the toughest test of his career.

Moreover, to make things tougher for Davis, on Thursday’s weigh-in, his opponent came in overweight by a mammoth 6.4lbs.

However, the fight still went ahead after Lemos met the rehydration limit on Friday morning.

He knocked his man down in the second round, before turning to dance in the corner whilst his opponent rose to his feet.

Davis then followed this up by brutally stopping the Argentinian, handing him his first stoppage defeat of his career

The highly decorated amateur has claimed many times that he will be ‘the face of boxing’ within the next five years.

He certainly is not shy and by producing showings like last night, this could potentially become a reality.

As a result of his victory, he has potentially set himself up for a world title shot, after in the latest WBO convention, it was announced that the winner would most likely be made mandatory challenger for champion, Denys Berinchyk.Keyshawn Davis scores statement knockout to edge towards world title shot

In the ring after the fight, he was not exactly shy when it came to who he wanted next.

“I honestly thought Lemos was going to put up a stronger challenge than Berinchyk but I knocked him out in the second round, so we’ll see what Berinchyk’s got to put up.”

“A world title is definitely going to be next. 2025, we’ve got big, big plans for everybody in the boxing world.”

“Hey Gevonta – knock, knock.”

Davis called out current WBO lightweight champion, Berinchyk and WBA super lightweight champion, Gervonta Davis.

He has called out fellow self-proclaimed ‘face of boxing’, Gervonta Davis before and just this week fuel was added to the fire when Gervonta leaked DM’s between the pairing.

It makes sense for Davis to fight Berinchyk next, due to potentially becoming mandatory for his belt, and this would be an easier fight than Gervonta Davis.

However, Keyshawn and Gervonta’s paths will likely at some point meet in the future.

#KeyshawnDavis #BoxingKnockout #GustavoLemos #WBOChampion #BerinchykVsDavis #GervontaDavis #BoxingFuture #TitleShot #LightweightDivision #FaceOfBoxing

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Nov 09 2024

Anthony Joshua injury details revealed

After confirmation that Anthony Joshua will not rematch Daniel Dubois in February due to picking up an injury, his promoter Eddie Hearn has now revealed the specifics of the injury.

Joshua was demolished on September 21st by Dubois in front of a record Wembley crowd.

He was knocked down four times and the fight was stopped in the fifth round.

Despite failing to join an exclusive club of heavyweights to become three-time champion, it was expected that he would have the opportunity again by rematching his opponent straight away.

However, it was revealed that he was injured and would be unable to be ready for a proposed February date.

Now his promoter Eddie Hearn, speaking to The Stomping Ground, has shed light on why Joshua cannot make this date.

“There’s no major injury. Every fighter has niggles in camp, especially when you’re a heavyweight who trains every day and spars really hard.”British Boxing Board of Control releases statement on Conor Benn’s Future

“There’s nothing that’s going to be a long-term problem. For a turnaround after a five or six-week break after a defeat like that, it’s just not possible to be a hundred percent.”

“That’s all. There’s no tear in the bicep, there’s just wear-and-tear that means he cannot go into a training camp with the same intensity that he would want to.”

Eddie Hearn has said that there is no major injury to Joshua, however due to the manor of the defeat, his body needs longer to recover than it normally would.

Moreover, ‘AJ’ is 35 years old, therefore fights are likely to take more out of him than they would have a few years ago.

For Daniel Dubois, this fight solidified his status as IBF heavyweight champion after he previously was granted the title following Oleksandr Uysk being forced to vacate.

The champion is set to return to the ring in the first quarter of 2025, with the likes of Zhilei Zhang, Joseph Parker, and Martin Bakole being mentioned as potential opponents.

For Joshua, he will most likely be ready by the summer when the rematch could take place or we could finally see the greatly anticipated clash against Tyson Fury.

#AnthonyJoshua #DanielDubois #HeavyweightBoxing #EddieHearn #BoxingNews #JoshuaInjury #BoxingRematch #IBFChampion #TysonFuryVsJoshua #Boxing2025

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Nov 09 2024

Shakur Stevenson agrees to shocking Oscar De La Hoya demand

Yesterday, WBC lightweight world champion Shakur Stevenson confirmed he will be facing his mandatory challenger, William Zepeda (31-0) in February. Now after a fresh demand from Golden Boy’s Oscar De La Hoya, he has accepted the proposal, despite it potentially being a huge disadvantage for him.

Stevenson is one of the most talented fighters in the world, however, he does not have the profile to match his ability.

Despite only being 27 years old, he is already a three-weight world champion.

He picked up his WBC strap in November 2023 in a famously dull encounter against Edwin De Los Santos.

De Los Santos picked up the unwanted record of landing just 40 punches, the fewest number of punches landed in a twelve-round fight since 1985.

Since then, Stevenson defended his WBC belt in July against Artem Harutyunyan and was set to fight Joe Cordina on the Beterbiev-Bivol Riyadh Season card.

However, after an injury to the Welshman, the American was without a fight.

It was then expected that he would face his mandatory, Zepeda, before the end of the year.

However, after the Mexican previously asked for more time to prepare, he went ahead and agreed to fight Tevin Farmer (33-6-1), which takes place on the Ramirez-CBS card next weekend.Gervonta Davis and Ryan Garcia fuel rematch talk

Nevertheless, assuming Zepeda comes through his fight, he will be fighting Stevenson in February.

Zepeda’s promoter, Oscar De La Hoya, has come out and demanded a smaller ring if he is to fight Stevenson.

This is because the Mexican fights on the front foot, whereas his rival is much more defensive and would benefit from a bigger ring due to being able to move around.

However, Stevenson has accepted these terms.

#ShakurStevenson #WilliamZepeda #WBCChampion #BoxingNews #StevensonVsZepeda #GoldenBoyBoxing #OscarDeLaHoya #BoxingMandatories #LightweightTitle #BoxingFight

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Nov 09 2024

Keyshawn Davis scores statement knockout to edge towards world title shot

Tokyo 2020 silver medallist Keyshawn Davis has been an obvious threat to the lightweight world champions since turning professional back in 2021. However, the Norfolk-born sensation may well have just moved into a position to challenge for the throne after he scored an authoritative knockout over Gustavo Lemos.

Davis famously picked up a trifecta of silver medals as an amateur at the 2019 Pan American Games, 2019 World Championships and at the Olympics the following year – losing in the final of all three tournaments to Cuba’s Andy Cruz, who he seems destined to meet as a professional in the coming years.

Over the last couple of years in the professional ranks , Davis has increased the level of his opposition and proven that he is capable of achieving success in the lightweight division, knocking out former world title challenger Anthony Yigit and two-division world champion Jose Pedraza.

However, this weekend appeared to be Davis’ toughest test on paper, as ‘The Businessman’ geared up to take on Argentina’s Gustavo Lemos (29-1), who’s lone career defeat came in a controversial defeat to well-respected super-lightweight Richardson Hitchins.

Ranked at #6 with the IBF, Lemos was expected to give Davis a serious run for his money in what was a homecoming bout for the latter at the Scope Arena in Norfolk, although things took a dramatic turn during fight week.

Lemos astonishingly missed weight by over six pounds on Wednesday but with Davis lobbying for a world title shot, the 25-year-old prospect decided to proceed with the bout against ‘El Electrico’, in spite of the away fighter’s weight advantages.Keyshawn Davis’ opponent misses weight by huge margin

Come fight night, Lemos was made to pay for his ill preparation, as Davis floored the Buenos Aires-based contender with a left-hook in the second-round that left him on wobbly legs.THAT’S HOW YOU FINISH THE HOMECOMING!@KeyshawnDavis8 gets a brutal KO in Round 2. pic.twitter.com/8XtvJAgtlV

— Top Rank Boxing (@trboxing) November 9, 2024

After stumbling into the corner like a drunken man on a high street, Lemos got back to his feet, but could only do so for five more seconds of action as Davis sent him crashing into the canvas once again with an eye-catching three-punch combination that resulted in the referee bringing the contest to a close.

Positioned amongst the top three contenders with all but one sanctioning body before the career-best win, Davis seems well-poised to get an opportunity to challenge for world honours upon his next outing and deservedly so after a coming of age display that has put the 135lb division on notice.

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Nov 08 2024

Vergil Ortiz Jr. denies rejecting fight against Jaron Ennis

In a recent interview with Boxing News, Bozy Ennis, trainer and father of boxer Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis, claimed that Vergil Ortiz Jr.’s team rejected an offer to face his son. According to Ennis, the offer was declined just a few days ago, although he could not confirm whether Golden Boy Promotions made the decision.

During the interview, the interviewer asked if Jaron Ennis’ team would be interested in fighting Vergil Ortiz Jr. at the super welterweight division. Bozy Ennis’ response was clear: “They already asked about that and they said they turned it down.”

When asked if Golden Boy Promotions made the decision, Bozy Ennis said he wasn’t sure, but emphasized, “We’ll fight him in a heartbeat.”

Boots’ father also clarified that the rejection of the offer happened just a few days ago, hinting that Ortiz Jr.’s team may not be willing to face his son at this time.

Bozy Ennis’ statements quickly prompted a reaction. Oscar De La Hoya, founder of Golden Boy Promotions, responded swiftly on his official X account, categorically denying Ennis’ claims.

“Bullshit 😂😂 we will see who turns it down when the 17’ by 17’ foot ring is in play,” Oscar De La Hoya wrote on X.Vergil Ortiz Jr. himself intervened in the controversy to clarify the situation.

Through his official X account, Ortiz Jr. expressed his surprise at Bozy Ennis’ statements, stating that it was the first time he had heard of this offer and reaffirmed his willingness to face any high-level opponent.

“First time I’m hearing about this lol I’m always down for a great fight, I didn’t turn anything down!” Ortiz Jr. wrote on X.

Although rumors about a fight between Vergil Ortiz Jr. and Jaron Ennis have been circulating, nothing has been confirmed yet.

Ortiz Jr.’s trainer, Robert Garcia, told Boxing Scene that the fight could take place on February 22, during the Riyadh season in Saudi Arabia. If true, the bout could mark Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis’ debut at super welterweight, where he would challenge Vergil Ortiz Jr. for the WBC interim title.Martin Bakole ready to face Daniel Dubois

For now, fans will have to wait for an official confirmation while both teams continue their back-and-forth statements.First time I’m hearing about this lol I’m always down for a great fight, I didn’t turn anything down! https://t.co/t1onWn3HhG

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Nov 08 2024

Janibek Alimkhanuly vs. Hamzah Sheeraz to go to purse bid

In a recent update, WBO President Gustavo Olivieri revealed that Queensberry Promotions and Top Rank failed to reach an agreement for the mandatory middleweight title fight.

The World Boxing Organization (WBO) had ordered the bout between Janibek Alimkhanuly and Hamzah Sheeraz.

Previously, the WBO President asked both teams to send an email requesting a one-week extension.

The deadline was extended until November 11, after which the championship committee would vote on their request.

Since the terms were not finalized, the fight will now be decided through an official purse bid.

Additionally, it was stated that the minimum bid for the fight is set at $200,000.

The purse bid will ultimately determine the terms of the bout, including the purse split and the promoter in charge.

Promoter Frank Warren recently hinted that Hamzah Sheeraz will aim for the world title in February.

The middleweight division currently features three major champions, opening up the possibility for Sheeraz to face different opponents.Keyshawn Davis vs. Gustavo Lemos: Weigh-In Update

Among the most likely options, Janibek Alimkhanuly emerges as a strong candidate. The Kazakh fighter holds an undefeated record of 16 wins and no losses.

On the other hand, another potential opponent for this fight is Carlos Adames. Adames, with a record of 24 wins and only one loss, has proven his worth in recent bouts.

According to Warren, the expected date for the fight is February 22. However, he did not confirm if Sheeraz will ultimately face Janibek Alimkhanuly or another contender.

In any case, Hamzah Sheeraz will face a champion in February, entering the ring with an impeccable record of 21 wins and no losses.Official: WBO Middleweight Division Zhanibek/Sheeraz. Be advised @Queensberry & @trboxing jointly petitioned an extension of the negotiation period. #WBO Committee granted the extension. Therefore, agreement must be reached no later than Monday, Nov. 4 @ 4:00 pm (AST).

Queensberry and Top Rank were unable to agree terms for the WBO-ordered Middleweight title Mandatory bout between Janibek Alimkhanuly and Hamzah Sheeraz. The fight will now head to purse bids. pic.twitter.com/BZaYA2eaZm

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Nov 08 2024

Eddie Hearn outlines Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis plans

Renowned boxing promoter Eddie Hearn has mapped out an ambitious path for Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis, who aims to conquer the welterweight division in 2025. The undefeated American boxer plans to stay in his current weight class before considering a potential move up.

This Saturday, Ennis is scheduled to make the second defense of his IBF title against Karen Chukhadzhian. The bout will be the main event of an action-packed card at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, broadcast live on DAZN.

In addition to Ennis, the event will feature Mexican-American Jesse “Bam” Rodríguez, who will face Pedro Guevara in the co-main event for the WBC and Ring Magazine Super Flyweight titles.

Ennis holds an undefeated record of 32 wins, 0 losses, and 0 draws. He has knocked out 29 of his 32 opponents, cementing his status as one of the most dominant welterweights in the division.

Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis’ most recent fight took place against David Avanesyan on July 13, 2024, in Philadelphia, USA. Ennis defeated Avanesyan by technical knockout in the fifth round.

With this upcoming fight, the goal is to maintain his dominance and add to his victories before closing out the year. Despite rumors of a potential move to super welterweight, Eddie Hearn clarified in a recent interview with Oscar Bevis from “The Stomping Ground that the immediate plan is to dominate the welterweight division.

“When this mandatory [defense] was called, we had to make a decision. He said [he wanted to] win the championships at 147, so we stayed here,” Hearn expressed.Huge fight ruled out for Naoya Inoue; likely to be stripped of world title

The team’s plan is clear: fulfill the mandatory defense against Chukhadzhian and then target unification fights in 2025. Eddie Hearn mentioned possible opponents, including champions Mario Barrios (WBC), Eimantas Stanionis (WBA), and Brian Norman Jr. (WBO).

“If we have to move to [super welterweight] in the meantime, to have a little monster fight, no problem also. But the priority for him is to pick up the other belts at 147,” stated Hearn.

It is worth noting that Ennis was elevated to IBF world champion in 2023 after Terence Crawford vacated the title upon moving up to the super welterweight division.

With four current champions in the welterweight division, Jaron Ennis finds himself in a prime position to set up a unification bout next year. A victory over Chukhadzhian this weekend could pave the way for a showdown against another champion or a high-level contender.

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Nov 08 2024

Martin Bakole ready to face Daniel Dubois

Martin Bakole is emerging as the next potential opponent for world champion Daniel Dubois, according to promoter Ben Shalom. Bakole’s opportunity comes after a series of victories that have solidified him as one of the top contenders. Dubois is set to return to the ring in February, following his impressive knockout victory over Anthony Joshua in September.

The opponent for Daniel Dubois’ next title defense has yet to be confirmed. This uncertainty has positioned Martin Bakole as a strong candidate, as Ben Shalom explained in an interview with Sky Sports News.

“Martin Bakole is ready to face Daniel Dubois next. If they’re looking for an opponent for Daniel in February, Martin is ready to step in,” Shalom commented.

In the IBF rankings, Bakole holds the fourth spot and is one fight away from being ordered as the mandatory challenger.Last month, it was officially announced that the IBF ordered a final eliminator between Martin Bakole and Agit Kabayel.

The winner of this fight will become the next mandatory challenger for the IBF heavyweight world title held by Daniel Dubois.

The negotiation deadline for this fight is November 14, as both parties aim to reach an agreement before that date.

The young promoter and founder of BOXXER, Ben Shalom, praised Bakole’s performance, highlighting his growth in the heavyweight division.

“Martin is the future of the heavyweight division. He’s now closing in on his world title shot. Once he gets it, there’s going to be no stopping him. He beats Daniel Dubois, and then he can unify the division,” Shalom expressed.On the other hand, the promoter also showed his admiration for Daniel Dubois, acknowledging his quality as a boxer:

“Daniel Dubois is a great fighter. He really impressed me with his performance against Anthony Joshua. I’m not surprised AJ doesn’t want to fight him again next, but Martin Bakole is a different animal. There’s a reason he’s the most avoided man in heavyweight boxing,” Shalom said.Frazer Clarke shock return date revealed

Martin Bakole currently holds a record of 21 wins, 1 loss, and 0 draws, with 16 of his victories coming by knockout. His last fight took place against Jared Anderson on August 3, 2024, in Los Angeles, USA. Bakole defeated Anderson by knockout in the fifth round.

Meanwhile, Dubois has a record of 22 wins, 2 losses, and 0 draws, managing to knock out 21 of his 22 opponents. Daniel Dubois’ most recent fight was against Anthony Joshua on September 21, 2024, in London, UK. In this bout, Dubois stunned the boxing world by securing a knockout victory over Joshua in the fifth round.

Now, Bakole’s immediate focus is the fight against Kabayel, which would place him as the mandatory challenger for the IBF title. Shalom emphasized the determination of the Congolese fighter, who is eager to secure his shot at the world title.

“The IBF title is his focus. He’s set to fight Kabayel next for mandatory status. Once he’s won the IBF title, he will be coming for all the belts,” Shalom concluded.🚨 Martin Bakole is ready to face Daniel Dubois next!

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Nov 08 2024

Keyshawn Davis vs. Gustavo Lemos: Weigh-In Update

The fight between Keyshawn Davis and Gustavo Lemos remains on after the second official weigh-in, held on Friday morning. Gustavo Lemos, who raised concerns by missing the initial weight limit, registered 144.6 pounds in this second measurement.

This weight complies with the regulations of the Virginia Boxing Advisory Board, which allows a maximum of 10 additional pounds above the division limit.

On Thursday, during the first weigh-in, Lemos weighed in at 141.4 pounds, exceeding the agreed-upon limit of 135 pounds by 6.5 pounds. This discrepancy caused controversy among the spectators, who booed the Argentine boxer.

Gustavo Lemos explained that “he faced training issues and relied on his own scale”, which apparently showed a different weight than the official one.

Despite the initial failure to make weight and the notable difference, Keyshawn Davis agreed to proceed with the fight. Davis, considered one of the most promising young talents in boxing, showed his professionalism by stating:

“I was happy, I’m the one getting paid more money (due to the fine Lemos will have to pay for missing weight). The show must go on.”The fight between Keyshawn Davis and Gustavo Lemos will be a 12-round contest in the lightweight division.

The matchup will take place at The Scope, a renowned venue in Norfolk, Virginia, on the night of Friday, November 8.

Both the main event and the undercard will be broadcast live on ESPN+.Anthony Joshua next fight date revealed by Eddie Hearn

This fight represents a significant opportunity for Keyshawn Davis, as he faces a tough opponent in Gustavo Lemos. Notably, Lemos will be aiming to overcome the weigh-in controversy and deliver a memorable performance on American soil, aware that he is under close scrutiny after his initial misstep.134.2 libras para Keyshawn Davis y 141.4 para Gustavo Lemos. Hay pelea para mañana. Pelea estaba pactada en 135 libras.

Dijo el argentino que hubo un descontrol en la báscula que llevaba. Parece que hay límite de 148 libras para él, mañana. pic.twitter.com/hkPbu1kJPA

— Salvador Rodriguez (@ChavaESPN) November 7, 2024

Update for the #WeighInHeads. Gustavo Lemos met 2nd day weigh-in requirement; tonight’s ESPN+ main vs Keyshawn Davis proceeds as planned. Lemos was 141.4 yesterday for contracted 135 fight. Those who followed his career knew he was never making that from moment fight was set. https://t.co/u5XWH8mVbD

 

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Nov 08 2024

Eddie Hearn would be willing to face Oscar De La Hoya

The renowned British promoter Eddie Hearn has added more fuel to his rivalry with Oscar De La Hoya. In a recent interview with Oscar Bevis from “The Stomping Ground,” Hearn expressed his willingness to step into the ring and face the boxing legend if a multimillion-dollar offer from Turki Alalshikh is on the table.

During the interview, Bevis asked Hearn about the possibility of putting his promotional record on the line, to which the Matchroom Boxing promoter gave a firm response. Hearn stated that his fighters face tough challenges due to the high-level bouts they organize, adding:

“If Oscar De La Hoya is a man of his word and wants to do the 5v5, he will find out what it’s like to lose in big fights.”Eddie Hearn outlined how his team would come out victorious in a series of matchups between Matchroom Boxing and Golden Boy Promotions.

Hearn mentioned that even if De La Hoya chose which of his fighters to match against Hearn’s, they would still come out on top. He cited potential matchups like Vergil Ortiz Jr. against Jaron “Boots” Ennis, where he was confident his fighter would win. He also mentioned a bout between Shakur Stevenson and William Zepeda, claiming Stevenson would be the victor. Additionally, he pointed out a fight between Jack Catterall and either José Ramírez or Arnold Barboza Jr, giving the edge to his fighter.

He even alluded to a fight between Devin Haney and Jaime Munguía, despite neither currently being under their respective promotions. Hearn explained:

“If we can make those fights, we win that 5-0. He hasn’t even talked about Gilberto ‘Zurdo’ Ramirez against Jai Opetaia because his guy is gone now.”

Eddie Hearn also suggested he might personally face Oscar De La Hoya if the financial offer was enticing enough. Hearn admitted he would prefer to watch the fight from the front row alongside His Excellency Alalshikh, enjoying a great night of boxing. However, he made it clear he would be willing to take punches if the price was right.Shakur Stevenson announces his next opponent and fight date

“Listen, if Turki Alalshikh wants to get his chequebook out, I will f*cking stick the gloves on, no doubt about it. But we’re talking double-digit millions. I’ve got a massive, massive size advantage over Oscar. The slight problem is he was one of the greatest pound-for-pound fighters of all time, so I am slightly up against it. But I will get my head punched in for the right price,” Hearn stated.Eddie Hearn’s proposal comes after agreeing to a group matchup with Oscar De La Hoya.

The concept involves a series of bouts between the top fighters from each promotion. In this case, Matchroom Boxing’s best would face Golden Boy Promotions’ best in a 5 vs. 5 format.

Hearn previously took part in a similar event against Queensberry Promotions’ Frank Warren, where his team lost all five bouts. However, the situation has changed, as Hearn and Warren have now joined forces following the recent agreement between Queensberry Promotions and DAZN, a platform that also has a deal with Matchroom Boxing.

The idea of a personal showdown between Eddie Hearn and Oscar De La Hoya has created quite a buzz among boxing fans. Many believe that such a fight, along with the 5 vs. 5 matchup, would be a highly entertaining spectacle. Furthermore, the potential involvement of Turki Alalshikh with a multimillion-dollar offer only heightens the excitement to see if this promotional and personal clash becomes a reality.

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Nov 08 2024

Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson; full card preview, rules, time and how to watch

Whether fans love it or hate it, Mike Tyson is set to make a controversial comeback to professional boxing as he takes on YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul in an event that is under much scrutiny. Still, the night seems poised to be one of the most-watched cards of 2024 and we at have decided to take a deeper dive into the night’s action.Neeraj Goyat vs. Whindersson Nunes – Middleweight – Six Rounds

To kickstart the event, Neeraj Goyat (18-4-2) will appear for the first time since signing with Paul’s promotional outfit ‘MVP Promotions’, just months after going viral for calling out the polarising social media sensation himself.Indian boxer Neeraj Goyat pulls up on Jake Paul pic.twitter.com/NCOnWh2SG1

— Daily Loud (@DailyLoud) February 26, 2024

Goyat has travelled the world as a professional but most of his experience has come in four and six-rounders in Asia, with a notable ten-round decision loss to three-time world title challenger Jose Zepeda last year being an eye-catching exception.

Yet, despite his unconventional résumé, Goyat boasts a huge upset win over former WBA featherweight world champion Can Xu, defeating the well-respected Chinese 126lber as a 1-2-2 opponent in the early days of Can’s eventually successful career.

In the opposing corner is a man with far less experience, professional debutant and famous YouTuber Whindersson Nunes (0-0). The Brazilian boasts over 44 million subscribers on YouTube and although many will write the 29-year-old off, he could prove to be a surprise package and has been training with the likes of UFC light-heavyweight champion Alex Pereira in preparation for the fight.‼️ Whindersson Nunes has trained with Alex Pereira ahead of his fight against Neeraj Goyat on November 15th 🥊🇧🇷

[Via – @whindersson on IG] pic.twitter.com/B5NpGcO3Zq

— IFN (@IfnBoxing) November 3, 2024

Nunes has recorded wins over Mario Silva and ‘Filipek’ on influencer boxing cards in the past but lost his last two bouts against ‘King Kenny’ and ‘My Mate Nate’ in fights that were broadcast live on DAZN.

Although, the performance that sticks out for Nunes comes in an exhibition against former two-division world champion Acelino Freitas, who handed Welshman Barry Jones the lone defeat or his career.

Nunes and Freitas went the distance when they engaged in an eight-round contest that was ruled a draw back in 2022 and that experience against a well-skilled opponent could serve him well come Friday night.

From two relatively unknown quantities to one who is being touted for the top, undefeated Bruce Carrington (13-0) currently sits as the #1 contender for the WBC featherweight title (#2 with WBA and WBO) and is set for a quick turnaround from his latest contest.

‘Shu Shu’ underwhelmed in a majority-decision victory against Sulaiman Segawa on September 27th and looks to quickly regain momentum after his run of three consecutive knockout wins came to an end, hoping to re-establish himself as a title threat on one of the most high-profile cards of the year.Boxing’s 2023 Prospect of the Year, Bruce “ShuShu” Carrington’s brutal 4th round knockout from Saturday night. What a talent!pic.twitter.com/DlLLlp8jOz

— b0xingfan (@b0xingfan) February 18, 2024

Turning professional off of the back of a stellar amateur career that consisted of over 250 wins, the time is now for Carrington to push on and claim world honours in a division that is there for the taking and the 2023 Prospect of the Year has the perfect platform to build support ahead of an imminent title challenge.

In an eight-round contest, Australia’s Dana Coolwell (13-2) is hoping to capitalize on Carrington’s poor performance just weeks ago, but will enter the ring as a sizeable underdog.

Both of Coolwell’s professional defeats have come via split-decision and ‘Deadly Dana’ is unbeaten in the six contests that have followed since losing out to Ender Luces in April 2022.

Yet, this clash with Carrington represents a monumental jump up in both levels and exposure, going from fighting in front of 500 attendees at the Caloundra RSL to the home of the Dallas Cowboys, which has a capacity of 80,000.

Paul-Tyson was originally scheduled to take place on July 20th until Tyson was forced to withdraw due to stomach ulcers. Instead, Paul went ahead with the fight date and faced Mike Perry, but it was Lucas Bahdi (17-0) who stole the show with an upset win over Ashton Sylve that is likely to be a knockout of the year contender.Huge KO upset! Ashton Sylve is brutally knocked out cold by Lucas Bahdi 💥 #boxing

pic.twitter.com/pUSpOXO5Ve

— BOXRAW (@BOXRAW) July 21, 2024

Bahdi lost the first five rounds of the affair to Paul’s promotional poster boy, but in the sixth the Canadian was able to turn the tides and score a devastating combination to leave Sylve face down on the canvas, and put an end to Sylve’s hopes of taking on Floyd Schofield any time soon.

Aside from that career-best stoppage win, Bahdi is a proven power-puncher with 14 additional knockout wins to his name but he had been relatively untested against opponents of Sylve’s calibre. The Ontario-born lightweight will look for a similar performance here, as he sets out to prove that his victory over Sylve was no fluke.

Italian super-lightweight champion Armando Casamonica (14-0) will drop down in weight for the opportunity to announce himself on the big stage and the 24-year-old will do so as a late-notice replacement after Corey Marksman’s withdrawal.

Casamonica also currently holds the IBF Youth Title and will be eyeing up a move into the top 15 with a victory here. However, just three wins inside of the distance in 14 victories does lead one to believe that he could struggle to keep the hard-hitting Bahdi off of him.

Fans will then witness the first of three world title contests on offer, as Shadasia Green (14-1) bids to become a super-middleweight world champion at the second time of asking.

Green was handed a first career defeat when she was outpointed by Franchon Crews Dezurn in December, in a scrap for the WBC title, but she was able to bounce back with a points win of her own against Natasha Spence on the Paul-Perry undercard in July.

‘The Sweet Terminator’ has now opted to challenge for the vacant WBO super-middleweight strap and she will be tasked with unbeaten Canadian Melinda Watpool (7-0), who defeated the same Natasha Spence seven weeks ago.

Watpool is a five-time national amateur champion and has risen into world title contention is just over two years since turning professional, meaning she is certainly not one to be overlooked.

The victor will assumably target a showdown with unified WBC and WBA champion Crews-Dezurn, with IBF title-holder Savannah Marshall instead focussing on a career in mixed martial arts for now.

Meanwhile, recently cleared #2 WBC welterweight contender Conor Benn is sure to have a vested interest in Mario Barrios’ (29-2) appearance on the card, as the Texan prepares for a first defence of his WBC welterweight world title after being upgraded from interim title-holder earlier this year.

Barrios has been linked to a questionable meeting with legendary pound-for-pound superstar Manny Pacquiao since being named champion, but a disappointing exhibition display from ‘Pac-Man’ has put those talks on ice.

To his credit, ‘El Azteca’ has only lost to former world champions in Gervonta Davis and Keith Thurman and has shown major improvements in the three fights that have followed those back-to-back defeats, defeating each of Jovanie Santiago, Yordenis Ugas and Fabian Maidana.EXCLUSIVE: Denzel Bentley to join elite club if he defeats Brad Pauls next month.@Boxer_Barrios puts on for his city 🌃

Barrios defeats Santiago via 8th round TKO in his hometown #BarriosSantiago | #VargasFosterpic.twitter.com/d3xDQ5b92x

— All the Smoke Boxing (@atsboxing) February 12, 2023

The upset win over Ugas sticks out as the 29-year-old’s greatest victory to date but he will assumably have the chance to improve upon that if he is able to successfully defend his title here, as names such as Benn, Pacquiao and Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis await.

Abel Ramos (28-6-2) is aiming to derail those plans and steal Barrios’ potential place in those proposed mega-fights as well as the WBC crown, finding himself challenging for the world title despite three losses in his last five outings.

Regardless of what appears to be poor form on paper, Ramos will take confidence from the fact that he pushed undefeated Cody Crowley to the limit despite the verdict of a majority-decision defeat and will hope that his power can cause issues for Barrios – winning without the judges’ intervention in 16 of his last 17 victories.

Despite the allure and debate surrounding the main-event, the highlight of the card for the boxing purists will almost unanimously be the undisputed title rematch between Katie Taylor (23-1) and Amanda Serrano (47-2-1).

Taylor got the nod over Serrano when the pair headlined Madison Square Garden in their first encounter – a match-up to crown the undisputed lightweight champion that resulted in an instant-classic.The final 30 seconds of Katie Taylor vs. Amanda Serrano (2022) pic.twitter.com/6h8dKTarBr

— Fight Videos That Go Hard (@hardfightvideos) September 27, 2022

Lauded as the greatest female boxer of all-time and as one of the most influential sportswomen of this generation, Taylor’s success in both the amateur and professional ranks has acted as an inspiration for girls around the world, as well as in her native land of Ireland. Although, it was the victory over Serrano that has been the crown jewel of Taylor’s career, taking women’s boxing to new heights in the process.

However, 2023 brought a new challenge to Taylor’s doorstep when she suffered a first career defeat against Northampton’s Chantelle Cameron, but then levelling the scores in the rematch against Cameron with a dubious majority-decision win.

Now, Taylor must prove if she has still got what it takes to overcome a fellow pillar of women’s boxing in Amanda Serrano for a second time, as she and the Puerto Rican make history once again.

Much like Taylor, the career of Amanda Serrano is one that can never be disrespected. ‘The Real Deal’ is not only the lone female fighter to have held world titles in more than four weight-classes, she has gone one step further, an astonishing seven-division world champion – holding belts from super-flyweight to super-lightweight.

Serrano’s loss to Taylor in 2022 is one that will surely haunt her but it is equally one that could have gone either way, and with the pair now both two years older, the fight will be a test of who has declined less in the time that has passed.

Whilst Taylor has fought three times since and lost once, Serrano has returned on five occasions and won all five fights, appearing to have maintained her abilities if not improved upon them since she and Taylor last met.

In a salivating 50/50 affair, the heart of both women is sure to be put to the test once again and fans are expectant of a high-level, high-intensity thriller and a war of attrition.

Finally, we come to the media-embroiled, divisive collision between Jake Paul (10-1) and heavyweight boxing icon, ‘Iron’ Mike Tyson (50-6).

Paul has campaigned as a cruiserweight since turning professional in 2020 and overcame former UFC champions in Tyron Woodley and Anderson Silva within his first six bouts.

As a result of criticism for refusing to fight professional boxers, Jake Paul then decided to test himself against British cruiserweight prospect Tommy Fury but was left wanting and exited the ring with the first defeat of his career.

Nevertheless, after getting back to winning ways with a hard-fought victory over Nate Diaz, Paul once again fought boxers to silence his doubters and scored first-round knockout wins over Andre August and Ryan Bourland, before heading into a supposed meeting with Tyson – only for Tyson to be replaced by Mike Perry, who he halted in six rounds.JAKE PAUL KNOCKS OUT ANDRE AUGUST IN THE FIRST ROUND 😱 #PaulAugustpic.twitter.com/YBwawxuckc

— betr (@betr) December 16, 2023

Now ‘The Problem Child’ will finally face a well-recognised professional boxer, but it is one who is 31-years older than he, who last took part in an official contest when Paul was 8-years-old.

Regardless of his age, Tyson is a one-of-a-kind athlete and if there is any fighter who can defeat Father Time it is he. Yet, concerns regarding his knees, back and stomach ulcers would make Father Time the betting favourite.

‘Kid Dynamite’ burst onto the scene in the 1980’s and became the youngest heavyweight champion of all-time when he dispatched of Trevor Berbick inside two rounds in what was a 28th contest in just twenty months as a professional.50 pro wins 44 pro knockouts 24 first-round knockouts

Eight minutes of Mike Tyson showing he was THE baddest man to ever step foot inside a boxing ring 😳 pic.twitter.com/k0kDHUVV6K

— Boxing on TNT Sports (@boxingontnt) November 26, 2020

Tyson would go on to dominate the heavyweight division and score a plethora of knockout wins on the big stage to become the undisputed champion before falling victim to the upset of the century when he was trumped by Buster Douglas in 1990.

A stint in prison would follow before Tyson returned to the heavyweight throne by stopping Frank Bruno but his second and final reign was cut short when he lost consecutive fights to Evander Holyfield – the latter being one of the most shocking moments in sporting history.

The ferocious New Yorker would challenge for the coveted heavyweight titles on one more occasion, where he was knocked out by Lennox Lewis, before defeats to Danny Williams and Kevin McBride brought Tyson’s career to a close almost two decades ago.

But even that much depreciated 2005 version of the ‘Baddest Man on the Planet’ is not the man turning up on Friday night.

Aged 58-years-old, Mike Tyson is set to make boxing history as he overtakes Roy Jones Jr.’s record of the longest career of any heavyweight world champion, hoping he can at least roll back some of the years that have passed in a 19-year spell of inactivity.

A figure that would at one-time make onlookers tremble by his presence alone, there is no disputing that Tyson will be a shadow of his former self come fight night. Despite reverting back to his destructive mindset of old, his body cannot do the same and whether that remaining shadow is enough to get past Paul is the question at hand.

The full Paul-Tyson card will be available to watch as a part of a standard Netflix subscription. At present, a monthly subscription can be purchased for £4.99 (with adverts) or £7.99 (without adverts) for those based in the United Kingdom.When and Where is Paul-Tyson?

Jake Paul will go toe-to-toe with Mike Tyson on Friday 15th November at the AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, although U.K. viewers the event will take place in the early hours of Saturday morning. The card is set to get underway at 1am (BST), whilst ringwalks for the main-event are expected to commence around 4am (BST).Full CardNeeraj Goyat (18-4-2) vs. Whindersson Nunes (debut) – MiddleweightBruce Carrington (13-0) vs. Dana Coolwell (13-2) – FeatherweightLucas Bahdi (17-0) vs. Armando Casamonica (14-0) – LightweightShadasia Green (14-1) vs. Melinda Watpool (7-0) – WBO Super-Middleweight World TitleMario Barrios (29-2) vs. Abel Ramos (28-6-2) – WBC Welterweight World TitleKatie Taylor (23-1) vs. Amanda Serrano (47-2-1) – WBC, WBO, WBA & IBF Super-Lightweight World TitlesJake Paul (10-1) vs. Mike Tyson (50-6) – Heavyweight

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