Gilberto Ramirez and Chris Billam-Smith are set to go toe-to-toe in the latest instalment of ‘Riyadh Season’ as the two cruiserweight champions set out to unify their belts in the 200lb division. Topping a stellar card, the main-event is expected to be yet another razor-tight affair in the Kingdom and we at have decided to take a deep dive into both that contest and the other bouts on the ‘Latino Night’ bill.

In the opener of the main card, WBA #2 Kenneth Sims Jr. (21-2-1) takes on WBA #9 Oscar Duarte (27-2-1), seven months after Duarte bounced back from defeat to Ryan Garcia with a career-best knockout win against Joseph Diaz.

A 2013 U.S. national amateur champion, Sims Jr. suffered a couple of early setbacks after turning professional as he lost out to Rolando Chinea and Samuel Teah in 2017 and 2018 respectively. Since then, Sims Jr. has been able to rediscover his momentum and has strung together eight victories including an impressive win over Elvis Rodriguez.

Aged 30-years-old, the time is now for Sims Jr. and Oscar Duarte represents an opportunity to step up and prove that he is good enough to win a world title.

Meanwhile, Duarte’s fights have a habit of catching fire and could provide Sims Jr. with the chance to become more of a household name if he and the Mexican can produce the fight of the night. ‘La Migrana’ has not gone the distance in his last twelve contests, with a defeat to Ryan Garcia separating eleven stoppage wins.RYAN GARCIA MET KO OSCAR DUARTE DANS LE 8ÈME ROUND 👑#GarciaDuarte

pic.twitter.com/AQgwUFTAmE

— La Sueur (@LaSueur_off) December 3, 2023

On paper, this meeting will be an acid test for Sims Jr. to test if he can replicate his amateur success as a professional, whilst Duarte will seek to capitalize on the American’s strong world ranking.

Next up is one of two world title fights on the card, as Oscar Collazo (10-0) and Thammanoon Niyomtrong (25-0) collide in a minimumweight unification bout for their WBO and WBA straps.

Puerto Rican Collazo is the latest victim to file amongst the under-appreciated and unrecognised talents across the lower weight divisions, showing tremendous skill and knockout power since turning professional in 2020.🇵🇷Oscar Collazo 📝10-0 (7KOs) 👑WBO Minimumweight pic.twitter.com/EeYU04DjUm

— Tokkerū (@ATokkers5) October 30, 2024

‘El Pupilo’ halted Melvin Jerusalem last year to claim world honours in his seventh pro contest and has made three defences in the 17 months that have followed. At 5’2”, Collazo may struggle to progress through the weight-classes like those of similar talent have done in the past, but there is every chance that the 27-year-old can dominate between 105lbs and 112lbs for years to come.

Niyomtrong is the man hoping to prevent a possible undisputed title run for Collazo and the Thai will be confident that he can pull off the upset. Also known as ‘Knockout CP Freshmart’ and ‘Little Pacquiao’, the 34-year-old is the longest reigning minimumweight champion in history and has held the WBA trinket for almost a decade.

Collazo will step through the ropes as a sizeable favourite against the undefeated long-standing champion and that speaks volumes of his ability. Whether he will be able to deliver on these high expectations remains to be seen.

Shakur Stevenson is widely expected to face-off with William Zepeda (31-0) for the WBC lightweight in early 2025 but ‘Camaron’ must first get past former IBF super-featherweight champion Tevin Farmer (33-6-1).

Famed for his exciting style and relentless output, Zepeda broke a 21-year punch record when threw a mind-boggling 1,536 punches during a decision win over Joseph Diaz in November 2022 and his reputation has only grown since with four consecutive knockout wins.IT'S ALL OVER!

William Zepeda stops Giovanni Cabrera 💥#ZepedaCaberapic.twitter.com/H1RbmvU2ZL

— DAZN Boxing (@DAZNBoxing) July 7, 2024

Earlier this year, Zepeda comfortably stopped Maxi Hughes, who arguably defeated George Kambosos Jr. in the fight prior, before doing the same to Giovanni Cabrera, who recently lost a split-decision to current WBA super-lightweight champion Isaac ‘Pitbull’ Cruz.

Those wins have convinced the boxing universe that the Mexican contender is ready for his shot at the 135lb throne and that he could be the man to hand Stevenson a first career defeat and fans are expectant of yet another show-stopping knockout against Farmer on this card.EXCLUSIVE: Michael Zerafa warns Tim Tszyu not to overlook him ahead of ‘bad blood’ Aussie affair

As for Farmer himself, the 34-year-old returned to the sport after a three-year hiatus last summer and soon scored three wins. Although, that streak was brought to an end when Farmer lost out to Raymond Muratallla in a closer fight than was anticipated back in July.

Farmer’s meeting with Zepeda is likely to be his last shot at potentially becoming a multi-weight world champion – but he has an almighty task ahead of him and he will enter the ring as a huge underdog on the night.

The co-main event is another where a world title opportunity, or possibly even a world title, awaits the winner, as Jose Carlos Ramirez (29-1) faces Arnold Barboza Jr. (30-0) in a WBO final eliminator.

Ramirez was trumped by Josh Taylor in a bid for the undisputed super-lightweight title back in 2021 but has been able to bounce back since and has scored three victories, all of which came close to home at the Save Mart Arena in Fresno, California..@RAMIREZBOXING CLOSES THE SHOW WITH A R11 KO 🏠#RamirezCommeypic.twitter.com/Uda0Vi0SAg

— Top Rank Boxing (@trboxing) March 26, 2023

As a result, Ramirez now finds himself well ranked amongst all other sanctioning bodies but it is Arnold Barboza’s position as WBO mandatory challenger and a future clash with Teofimo Lopez that he is eyeing up.

Barboza Jr. was fortunate to be on the right side of one of the most controversial scorecards of 2024 when he somehow claimed a split-decision win against Belfast’s Sean McComb on his most recent outing and he will be hoping that he can re-establish himself as a worthy title challenger with a career-best win against Ramirez.

To date, Barboza only holds a win over one former world champion in his 30 career victories – that coming against former super-featherweight and lightweight champion Jose Pedraza, who Ramirez has also defeated.

Now, against a proven and respected former super-lightweight champion, it will be intriguing to see whether Barboza’s performance against McComb was an off-night or if it exposed his record to be a carefully crafted one.

Finally, we come to the main attraction of the eventing, where Gilberto ‘Zurdo’ Ramirez (46-1) aims to unify his WBA cruiserweight strap with Chris Billam-Smith’s (20-1) WBO crown.

After becoming WBO super-middleweight champion with a win over the well-respected Arthur Abraham in 2016. Ramirez went on to make five defences of his title before progressing up to 175lbs.

His eye-catching record stretched to 44-0 in the light-heavyweight division ahead of a showdown against Dmitry Bivol in 2022 but it was the Russian who was able to take control of the affair and cruise to a unanimous-decision win.Dmitry Bivol’s masterful performance against Zurdo Ramirez. Two dominant victories over Zurdo & Canelo, losing at most 5 of 24 rounds, won him Fighter of the Year in 2022.pic.twitter.com/zheA6a1Pt5

— b0xingfan (@b0xingfan) May 30, 2024

Following that first career defeat, Ramirez opted to progress further up the weight divisions and was able to outpoint Arsen Goulamirian 118-110 across all three scorecards for the WBA cruiserweight title back in March, continuing to use his rangy arms and boxing skill to outfox his opponent even in the highest weight-classes.

In the opposing corner will be fan-favourite Chris Billam-Smith, who has been able to continuously pull off upset wins and make a fool of the bookmakers. There was little hope that the Bournemouth-born sensation was good enough to achieve success beyond the British and European level up until 2023 but ‘The Gentleman’ soon proved his doubters wrong.

At the stadium of his beloved A.F.C. Bournemouth, CBS rocked the cruiserweight division with a fairytale victory over former sparring partner and reigning undefeated WBO world champion Lawrence Okolie – flooring ‘The Sauce’ on three occasions on his way to a majority-decision triumph.Okolie hits the deck in round four after a HUGE left hook/uppercut from Billam-Smith 😮

🎬 @SkySportsBoxing#OkolieBillamSmithpic.twitter.com/dTkdydHf3g

— IFL TV (@IFLTV) May 27, 2023

Yet, it his perhaps the fact that Billam-Smith has been able to defend the strap against tough contenders on two occasions that has proven to be the bigger shock, overcoming Mateusz Masternak before a decision win over Richard Riakporhe – for which he was considered the underdog once again.

The naysayers are becoming few and far between for Billam-Smith these days but Ramirez represents his most difficult test to date. A further unification bout against IBF title-holder Jai Opetaia is supposedly waiting for the victor but whom that may be is anybody’s guess.When?

The card will take place at in The Venue in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on Saturday, November 16th with the undercard expected to begin around 7pm (BST), whilst Ramirez and Billam-Smith are poised to take centre stage around 10:30pm (BST).How To Watch

The full event will be available to watch as a part of a standard DAZN subscription, which can be purchased flexibly at £19.99 per month, or for a price of £9.99 per month as a part of a one-year subscription.Running OrderKenneth Sims Jr. (21-2-1) vs. Oscar Duarte Jurado (27-2-1) – Super-LightweightOscar Collazo (10-0) vs. Thammanoon Niyomtrong (25-0) – WBO & WBA Minimumweight TitlesWilliam Zepeda (31-0) vs. Tevin Farmer (33-6-1) – WBC Interim Lightweight TitleJose Carlos Ramirez (29-1) vs. Arnold Barboza Jr. (30-0) – WBO Super-Lightweight Final EliminatorGilberto Ramirez (46-1) vs. Chris Billam-Smith (20-1) – WBA & WBO Cruiserweight Titles

The undisputed title is the crown jewel of boxing, a sign that a fighter has truly conquered their respective division, allowing them to stand proud and confidently confirmed that they are the best fighter in the planet for their weight. With six undisputed contests already having taken place during 2024 and another three being scheduled, it seems as though the trend of these legacy-defining contests will continue in 2025 – with a Brit determined to participate in one of them.

Naoya Inoue became a two-weight undisputed champion when he halted Marlon Tapales in late 2023 and he has been able to defence all four of his super-bantamweight titles on two occasions this year, stopping both Luis Nery and TJ Doheny to extend his undefeated record to 28-0, 25KOs.

In December, Inoue will make a third defence of the 122lb marbles as he fights Australia’s Sam Goodman in Tokyo, before plans for a mammoth 2025 that will likely include showdowns with both Murodjon Akhmadaliev and Junto Nakatani.

Elsewhere, legendary pound-for-pound superstar Canelo Alvarez defended all four super-middleweight titles when he dominated and outclassed fellow Mexican Jaime Munguia back in May – although Alvarez has since been stripped of the IBF world title, which now controversially belongs to William Scull.

Later that month, Oleksandr Usyk and Tyson Fury went toe-to-toe in a first undisputed heavyweight title contest since 1999 and it was the Ukrainian who came out on top in an instant classic. Those two will rematch in two months’ time but will do so without the IBF title, after Daniel Dubois captured the belt following Usyk’s decision to vacate it.

Meanwhile, Artur Beterbiev and Dmitry Bivol finally met in razor-tight affair for the undisputed light-heavyweight title earlier this month, Beterbiev getting the nod on the scorecards in what was a tactically mouthwatering contest edged by the front-footed aggression of the serial knockout-artist.

As for the women, Seniesa Estrada and Yokasta Valle fought in the only female undisputed title bout of the year, Estrada doing enough in their minimumweight clash in March and then announcing her retirement from the sport last week – one of few champions in history to hang up the gloves with an undefeated record.

Additionally this weekend sees Gabriela Fundora and Gabriela Alaniz meet for all four belts in the flyweight division, whilst Katie Taylor and Amanda Serrano are scheduled to rematch one another for Taylor’s undisputed super-lightweight titles, in a record-breaking bout on the Paul-Tyson undercard on November 16th.IBF sets purse bid for Anthony Cacace vs. Eduardo Núñez

Speaking with the BBC ahead of her fight with Patricia Bergult, Chantelle Cameron explained that the victor of Taylor-Serrano II will ‘need to fight her’.

“Whoever wins out of Serrano and Taylor, I will be in a position where they’ll need to fight me because I’m mandatory [challenger to the WBC title],”

“If I don’t win [against Berghult], I won’t see the belts again. I’ve got loads of faith in [Queensberry] to hunt them down,”

“When it comes to fighting for those world titles again, I am going to get them back because I will be improved and better.

“I was undisputed before and with these improvements I know I will be undisputed again.”

Cameron faces Berghult on Saturday night in Birmingham on the Davies-Masoud undercard in what will be her second fight with Grant Smith in her corner. Should she be successful, her dream of landing a trilogy showdown with Katie Taylor may come true.

Two-time heavyweight champion Mike Tyson is fabled for his ruthless mindset during his rise to superstardom, taking on all comer’s and dispatching of them with little remorse. Now, as the 58-year-old prepares for a comeback to professional boxing, that same fear inducing mentality appears to be creeping back into the head of ‘Iron Mike’.

Tyson became the youngest heavyweight world champion in history when he dethroned Trevor Berbick with a second-round knockout in 1986 aged just 20-years-old. Just nine months later, Tyson would defeat Tony Tucker to become the undisputed heavyweight champion, extending his record to 31-0 with 27 KOs.

However, as impressive as this run was, it was the mindset of the ‘Baddest Man on the Planet’ that made him a global sensation, just as much as his knockout wins and obvious skill.

After being on the wrong side of the biggest upset in the history of boxing and later enduring a stint in prison, a matured Tyson would return to the heavyweight throne in 1996 before losing his belts to Evander Holyfield.

During a run that would eventually result in an unsuccessful bid at three-time champion status, it was clear to see that the vicious mindset of Tyson was still present in a 33-year-old Tyson – who unleashed one of the most famous and intimidating speeches in sporting history after he knocked out Lou Savarese at Hampden Park in 2000.Mike Tyson’s message after knocking out an opponent in 38 seconds.

Glasgow, Scotland, 2000. pic.twitter.com/HcjdOjudjH

— fastr (@fastrlife) November 4, 2022

“I was gonna rip his heart out. I’m the best ever. I’m the most brutal and vicious, the most ruthless champion there has ever been. No one can stop me. Lennox is a conqueror? No! I’m Alexander! He’s no Alexander! I’m the best ever. I’m Sonny Liston. I’m Jack Dempsey. There’s never been anyone like me. I’m from their cloth. There is no one who can match me. My style is impetuous, my defence is impregnable, and I’m just ferocious. I want his heart! I want to eat his children!”New candidates emerge for shot at Daniel Dubois’ title as Anthony Joshua rematch doubts grow

In 2005, Mike Tyson hung up the gloves after suffering a defeat to Kevin McBride and he has mellowed out since, caring for his pigeons as well as his cannabis business and appearing much calmer and content with life on his popular podcast ‘Hotboxin’ with Mike Tyson’.

Yet, now that a professional fight is scheduled, it seems as though Tyson has reverted back to the killer instincts of old, reluctant to allow YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul have a permanent impact on his résumé.

Speaking with talkSPORT, Tyson admitted that he does not fear for Paul, despite the vast difference in their ring experience and declared that his goal is to ‘catch and slaughter’ his younger dance-partner.

“He is going to be running around and I have to catch him and slaughter him.

“[No, I don’t fear for him], because he is stepping into the ring. If my Mother stepped into the ring, she has a problem with me. Whoever is in that ring – they have a problem with me. Don’t go into the ring if you don’t want that problem.”

Paul-Tyson will take place at the AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas on November 15th, headlining an intriguing card that will be available to watch live on Netflix.

Self proclaimed ‘The face of boxing’, Gervonta Davis is always in the headlines and today is no different. It has been confirmed that his latest outing against Lamont Roach has been postponed.

Just last week there were talks of the fight between the WBA lightweight world champion, and the WBA super featherweight champion, being in jeopardy after issues regarding the venue.

The fight was set to take place on December the 14th in Houston, TX

However, after rumours that the fight was unlikely to take place in December, it was suggested that the pair could meet on January 25th, on the same bill as the proposed light heavyweight fight between David Benavidez and David Morrell.

Despite talks of the fight being rescheduled, Davis took to his Twitter/ X account to quash any rumours.

“Cap,” Davis responded to the proposed January 25th date.

Moreover, it appeared that the fight was still set to take place on December 14th after Davis provided another update on his account

“Everything still a go..,” he said.

This implied that all the rumoured problems were false and December 14th was still on.Joseph Parker ready to fight Daniel Dubois

However, in a message to Dan Rafael, ‘Tank’ Davis has said that he is hearing that the fight will take place in January.

Therefore, the fight will now officially no longer take place on December 14th.

It could be said that a reason why the fight has been postponed is because the fight would likely not do very well in terms of numbers, especially during the holiday season and it being just a week before Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk have their rematch.

The fight could headline its own event but after its postponement, it could be added to another card – most notably the proposed card headlined by Benavidez and Morrell.

Fans will have to wait to find out when the fight will happen and they will be hoping that they see Gervonta Davis in some blockbuster clashes in 2025.

Shakur Stevenson, Vasyl Lomachenko and Edwin De Los Santos – to name a few.Everything still a go..

— Gervonta Davis (@Gervontaa) October 29, 2024Cap https://t.co/A1CZ0zIe7I

— Gervonta Davis (@Gervontaa) October 26, 2024

The proposed fight between Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez and Chris Eubank Jr has been strongly dismissed today by the Mexican’s coach, Eddy Reynoso.

This news comes after Boxxers’ Ben Shalom announced that conversations had restarted for the fight.

Four-weight world champion and the first ever man to become undisputed super middleweight world champion, Canelo, is arguably the biggest name in the sport.

The WBC, WBA, and WBO world super middleweight champion was stripped in July of his IBF belt after deciding to fight Edgar Belanga.

Canelo defeated Belanga emphatically on points, the judges scored the fight 118-109 (X2) and 117-110.

Chris Eubank Jr is coming off a dominant win over Kamil Szeremeta, in which he dropped his opponent four times on the way to a seventh-round TKO victory.

After the fight, his arch-rival Conor Benn stormed into the ring and the pair faced off – which was comically overseen by Neymar.

By all accounts, this fight is set to take place in February next year.

However, after the news of a potential Canelo-Eubank fight next, speaking to Dan Rafael, Reynoso has emphatically shut this claim down.

“It’s totally false,” Reynoso said.Queensberry Promotions sign contract extensions with six boxers

“Eubank had his chance to fight Canelo in September and the only thing he did was complicate the negotiations.”

”We will not touch base with him again for a future fight!”

Therefore, this suggests that any fight between Canelo and Eubank Jr will not be taking place next.

Canelo may want to assess his options as he most likely will want to avenge his defeat to Dmitry Bivol, however, it looks like Bivol will fight Artur Beterbiev again after their extraordinary bout a few weeks ago.

Furthermore, it now looks likely that Chris Eubank Jr will finally be facing Conor Benn.

Conor Benn has since reacted to the news by posting on his Twitter/ X account.

”Just face it Junior the welterweight is your biggest pay day and the only fight for you and I promise you im going to leave you flat on the canvas,” Benn wrote.That’s why 🤣🤣🤣🤣@ChrisEubankJr 🤡

Just face it Junior the welterweight is your biggest pay day and the only fight for you and I promise you im going to leave you flat on the canvas.

3 rounds done ✔️ @Turki_alalshikh@EddieHearnhttps://t.co/gAHhMa0snwpic.twitter.com/TpHJKzZ62k

— Conor Nigel Benn (@ConorNigel) October 30, 2024

Heavyweight champion Tyson Fury has selected another promising British boxer as his new sparring partner. Fury is preparing for his highly anticipated rematch with Oleksandr Usyk, scheduled for December 21. This young boxer has previously trained with Fury, joining his camp before their first fight was postponed.

Joining Fury’s training camp now with an impeccable record of 10-0 and eight knockout wins is Moses Itauma, who already has remarkable experience at his young age. Itauma will face Demsey McKean on the undercard of the same night when Tyson Fury will seek victory over Oleksandr Usyk, the current unified champion.

In an interview with Sky Sports, Itauma stated that this sparring will benefit Fury due to the similarities between his style and that of the Ukrainian Oleksandr Usyk, allowing Tyson Fury to prepare for a more demanding and tactical fight.

“It just compliments me,” Itauma mentioned. “I’m not going to go there just to help him. I want to gauge my ability off his ability.”Despite his role in Tyson Fury’s training, Moses Itauma emphasized that his primary focus remains his own fight against Demsey McKean.

Itauma’s selection comes as no surprise, as he is considered one of the biggest teenage prospects in world boxing and a future heavyweight champion. The young boxer has previously trained with Tyson Fury, joining his camp before their first fight with Usyk was postponed.

Itauma recalls the experience as enriching, mentioning that he learned important lessons on patience in the ring. “I learned a lot, definitely. Outside the ring, maybe getting a balance in life; inside the ring, being a bit more patient, a bit calmer, not trying to kill everyone,” Itauma explained.New candidates emerge for shot at Daniel Dubois’ title as Anthony Joshua rematch doubts grow

Itauma’s in-ring skills have become evident in his recent fights, especially in his victory over veteran Mariusz Wach, whom he knocked out in just two rounds. This impressive performance has drawn interest in his career, highlighting the power and precision of his punches.

Moses Itauma admitted that his style can intimidate his opponents: “That many people have pulled out of fights with me, and I don’t blame them. If I was in their shoes, I would pull out as well. I wouldn’t want to fight me either,” said Itauma.His trainer, Ben Davison, also highlighted Itauma’s maturity and tactical ability, rare qualities in such a young boxer.

According to Davison, Itauma has an instinctive ability to adapt in the ring, which is essential in his progression toward a world championship. “He’s a very smart, intelligent fighter. He’s a thinking fighter. He’s able to recognize traps that better opponents are trying to set on him,” Davison said.

For Itauma, becoming a world champion is the only logical path to justify his dedication to boxing. “If I don’t want to be aiming to go there, what’s the point of me being in this boxing game? I’m not here to mess around,” Itauma declared.

Moses Itauma plans to showcase his skills in every match, including his upcoming bout with Demsey McKean. The boxer assured that a victory in this fight will accelerate his career and bring him closer to new challenges on a global level.

On November 15, women’s boxing will witness a historic moment as Katie Taylor and Amanda Serrano face each other once again. The fight will take place at AT&T Stadium in Dallas, Texas, and is set as the co-main event on a stellar card that features Mike Tyson and Jake Paul in the main event.

Taylor and Serrano previously clashed on April 30, 2022, at Madison Square Garden in New York. In that initial encounter, Taylor claimed victory by split decision in a nail-biting fight that kept spectators on the edge of their seats. It was an even match, with both boxers showcasing their skill and dedication in the ring.

For this rematch, Taylor and Serrano will compete at a contracted weight of 138 pounds, adding intrigue to the bout. In a recent interview with the Irish Mirror, Taylor explained the weight change. “I think we’re probably the same size, to be honest,” Taylor told the Irish Mirror on a call with media members on Tuesday. “The fight has actually been made at 138; it’s a catchweight. But I think if you look at myself and Serrano, we’re the same size. I could make 126 pounds as well if I tried. I don’t think she’s looked too well at that weight for the last few fights,” the Irish boxer mentioned.Katie Taylor also expressed feeling comfortable at this weight, stating she feels strong and prepared for the challenge.

“She looks drained from making that weight, so I don’t know if it’s any advantage or not, but I certainly feel good at this weight; I feel strong at this weight,” noted Taylor.

For her part, Amanda Serrano has maintained an impressive record (47-2-1) since her first fight with Taylor. Following that loss, Serrano has secured five consecutive victories, including her most recent bout, where she defeated Stevie Morgan by stoppage in the second round on July 20 in Tampa. This winning streak showcases Serrano’s excellent form and renewed focus, as she seeks to avenge her only recent defeat and claim victory.

Katie Taylor, with a record of 23 wins and only one loss, has also sustained her competitive momentum. Her last fight was against Chantelle Cameron on November 25, 2023, in Dublin, Ireland, where Taylor won by majority decision in the tenth round. This victory underscores Taylor’s tenacity, as she aims to further solidify her position as one of the greatest boxers in history.3 WEEKS AWAY FROM THE BIGGEST FIGHT NIGHT IN HISTORY!🥊

Main Card: 🇺🇸🇵🇷 Jake Paul vs. 🇺🇸 Mike Tyson 🇮🇪 Katie Taylor vs. 🇵🇷 Amanda Serrano 🇲🇽 Mario Barrios vs. 🇲🇽 Abel Ramos 🇮🇳 Neeraj Goyat vs. 🇧🇷 Whindersson Nunes @boxer_barrios

Prelims: 🇺🇸 Shadasia Green vs. 🇨🇦 Melinda… pic.twitter.com/dPoSz3O2f8

— Most Valuable Promotions (@MostVpromotions) October 25, 2024

Queensberry Promotions has unveiled the official card for the highly anticipated show, “The Magnificent 7,” set to take place on December 7 at the OVO Arena in Wembley. The night will be headlined by an exciting middleweight title defense, where British champion Brad Pauls will face Denzel Bentley, the current WBO international champion, in a battle that promises to keep fans on the edge of their seats.Brad Pauls vs. Denzel Bentley

Brad Pauls, known as the “Newquay Bomb,” will make his first defense of the British middleweight belt. Pauls, who also holds the WBA Continental title, comes with an impressive record of 19-1-1, including 4 knockouts. In July, Pauls claimed the title by knocking out Nathan Heaney, marking a strong comeback after a draw in their first encounter.

He will face Denzel Bentley, an experienced challenger with a record of 20-3-1 and 17 wins by knockout. Bentley has established himself as a force in the division, recording two consecutive second-round wins since losing his British title in 2023. Bentley currently ranks second in the WBO standings, bringing him closer to a potential world title shot.Sam Noakes vs. Ryan Walsh

The card also includes a lightweight clash for the British, Commonwealth, and WBO International titles, in which Sam Noakes (15-0, 14 KOs) will face Ryan Walsh, a veteran with a record of 29-4-2. Known for his explosive power, Noakes is one of the most exciting names in the division and will defend his European crown after stopping Gianluca Ceglia in his last appearance. Walsh, 38, showed his resilience by defeating Reece Mould, adding tension to this clash of styles.Solomon Dacres vs. David Adeleye

The English heavyweight title will be on the line in a showdown between Solomon Dacres (9-0, 3 KOs) and David Adeleye (12-1, 11 KOs). Dacres, who has successfully defended his title against opponents like Michael Webster, will now face Adeleye, returning to the ring after a loss to Fabio Wardley. Both fighters aim to establish themselves on the British heavyweight scene in what is expected to be one of the most intense fights of the night.Lawrence Okolie’s Heavyweight Debut

World champion Lawrence Okolie (20-1, 15 KOs) will make his heavyweight debut against Germany’s Hussein Muhamed (18-1, 14 KOs) in a championship bout. Former cruiserweight champion Okolie is ready to make an impact in the premier weight class, in what will be one of the night’s key moments.

Pierce O’Leary (15-0, 8 KOs), WBC International super lightweight champion, will aim to make his fifth title defense while aspiring to a future world championship opportunity. Sean Noakes (8-0, 4 KOs) will also defend his English welterweight title against Mathew Rennie (13-0-1, 1 KO), a southpaw undefeated fighter from Douglas, Isle of Man.

In another matchup, young Aloys Jr (8-1, 7 KOs) and Lewis Oakford (6-1) will battle for the WBA Continental and Commonwealth Silver cruiserweight belts. Aloys Jr, one of Britain’s most promising talents, recently defeated Oronzo Birardi, while Oakford seeks to reaffirm himself after his victory over Deevorn Miller.Statements from Frank Warren, Promoter at Queensberry Promotions

Frank Warren expressed his enthusiasm for the event: “This is yet another thrilling card, fully in keeping with our Magnificent Seven series, where once again our fighters step up into serious title action in largely even-money fights. There is something for everyone on this card and I am delighted to transport the Magnificent Seven concept to London for the first time,” Warren concluded.

The night of December 7 in Wembley is set to be an event full of excitement and action across every division. The “Magnificent 7” series marks a new milestone in British boxing, with bouts that could change the course of these fighters’ careers.The Magnificent 7 Heads to London.

It is an early December boxing cracker with a card packed full of action and titles on the line. 😤

Tickets on sale tomorrow @AXS_UK and @TicketmasterUKpic.twitter.com/SUsLQWeaO0

— Queensberry Promotions (@Queensberry) October 30, 2024

As the boxing world eagerly anticipates Tyson Fury’s rematch with Oleksandr Usyk, a consensus is forming among boxing experts and former champions, including Lennox Lewis and Daniel Dubois, that Fury must adopt a more aggressive approach to secure victory. However, the crucial question remains: could this aggressive strategy ultimately backfire?

Aggression, while often viewed as a pathway to success in the ring, comes with inherent risks, especially when facing a fighter of Usyk’s caliber. Known for his exceptional footwork and tactical acumen, Usyk excels at creating angles and exploiting openings. An all-out offensive may appear appealing, but it may lead Fury directly into a carefully laid trap.

Envision Fury charging forward, determined to overwhelm Usyk with a barrage of punches. In doing so, he risks exposing himself to Usyk's counterattacks, an area where the Ukrainian fighter particularly thrives. Usyk’s ability to pivot and respond with precision could leave Fury vulnerable, turning his aggression against him.

History is replete with examples of fighters who have fallen victim to the seductive lure of aggression, only to find themselves outmaneuvered and outsmarted. As Fury seeks to impose his will on the fight, will he inadvertently compromise his defense? A singular focus on aggression could also lead to fatigue, especially over the course of a 12-round bout. If Fury finds himself exhausted from relentless pursuit, Usyk could capitalize, showcasing his superior stamina and adaptability.

Beyond strategic considerations, the effectiveness of Fury’s aggressive approach will largely depend on his conditioning and preparation. Will he weigh in at the same weight as their first encounter, or will he come in heavier or lighter? His weight can significantly impact his mobility and endurance in the ring. A heavier Fury might bring more power but could sacrifice speed and stamina. Conversely, a lighter Fury may enhance his agility but risk losing the strength needed to assert his dominance.

Furthermore, the mental and physical preparation Fury undergoes leading up to this rematch will be critical. Conditioning is paramount; if he hasn’t maintained peak fitness, the aggressive strategy could quickly lead to exhaustion, leaving him vulnerable to Usyk’s calculated counters.

Ultimately, the central question is whether Fury can effectively balance aggression with strategy and conditioning. It is not enough to simply adopt an aggressive stance; he must be astute in how he applies that aggression. Will Fury heed this multifaceted warning, or will he risk falling into the traps that have ensnared others before him?

As fight night approaches, the stakes could not be higher. Aggression may very well become Fury’s greatest ally—or his most significant downfall. The boxing community will watch closely to see if Fury’s strategy proves wise or reckless against the cunning Usyk.

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In a recent interview with Boxing News, legendary former heavyweight champion Lennox Lewis

During the interview, the journalist asked Lennox Lewis whether Fury should make any changes to his strategy for the upcoming fight. Fury had previously stated that he doesn’t see the need to change his approach, asserting that he simply needs to “do more of the same” without getting caught. On this, Lewis was emphatic in his response, pointing out that Fury cannot afford to stick to exactly the same tactic.

“No, it’s not as simple as that,” Lewis said. “He does need to make some adjustments. If he didn’t make any adjustments, then he would lose the fight again,” the former champion asserted, emphasizing that Fury needs to step into the ring with a clear approach and be ready to throw far more punches than in the first bout.For Lennox Lewis, the key lies in a more aggressive and focused Fury, able to adapt to Usyk’s speed and precision—factors that challenged Fury’s style in their first encounter.

The journalist also asked Lennox Lewis if Fury was perhaps being reserved with his response, suggesting that the British champion might just be hiding his true strategy. At this, Lewis opined that Fury likely doesn’t want to reveal too many details before the rematch, a common tactic among elite-level fighters.

“I don’t think he wants to give too much away, and I think we’re going to get a different Tyson for this fight,” Lewis explained. According to the former champion, Fury is aware of the mistakes he made in his first fight against Usyk, which could give him a strategic edge if he can correct them in the ring.

It’s worth noting that the first bout between Fury and Usyk was decided by a split decision in favor of Usyk, who won after 12 intense rounds. At the time, fans and critics questioned the clarity of the instructions Fury received from his corner, and in a recent statement, trainer Andy Lee acknowledged that “there were probably too many voices” during the fight.

This confusion in Fury’s corner, according to Lee, might have affected his performance, although he stated that, for the rematch, SugarHill Steward’s voice will be the primary one guiding Fury’s instructions, aiming to avoid distractions.

American boxer Alycia Baumgardner, 30, has expressed her willingness to fight Claressa Shields, as she stated to Boxing Kingdom. The World Boxing Association (WBA) super featherweight champion showed confidence and readiness to face the undefeated Shields.

Baumgardner, with a current record of 15 wins, 1 loss, and 0 draws, has proven her power in the ring, with seven of her 15 victories coming by knockout. Her last fight took place on September 27, 2024, against Delfine Persoon in Atlanta, USA.In the first round of the fight against Persoon, Alycia Baumgardner managed to knock down the experienced Belgian, tipping the scales in her favor.

However, Persoon stayed in the fight, looking to capitalize on every opportunity to land effective punches. The intense action continued until a head clash shifted the course of the match. The accidental headbutt between the two boxers caused a cut on Persoon’s eyebrow, prompting medical intervention.

After a medical review, it was recommended to stop the fight, and the referee declared the match a no-decision. This outcome left Baumgardner with her championship belt, maintaining her position in the WBA super featherweight division.

For her part, Claressa Shields, another undefeated American champion, holds a record of 15 wins, 0 losses, and 0 draws. Shields has dominated all her fights, with three of those wins by knockout. Her last bout took place on July 27, 2024, in Detroit, where she defeated Vanessa Lepage Joanisse by technical knockout in the second round.

Alycia Baumgardner’s willingness to face Claressa Shields in her next fight adds even more interest to a potential showdown between these two prominent figures in women’s boxing.EXCLUSIVE: Alycia Baumgardner has informed Boxing Kingdom that she will happily fight Claressa Shield’s next. pic.twitter.com/j8L7ycdtiN

— Boxing Kingdom (@BoxingKingdom14) October 30, 2024

Teofimo Lopez has made a name for himself as a pound-for-pound contender, highlighted by his notable victories over Vasyl Lomachenko and Josh Taylor. However, there are growing rumors that the WBO super-lightweight champion might vacate his title and move up to the welterweight division, which could further solidify his place among the best in boxing.

In 2020, Lopez pulled off a stunning upset by defeating unified lightweight champion Vasyl Lomachenko, a victory that remains a highlight of his career. Yet, his reign was abruptly halted by a surprising loss to George Kambosos Jr., marking a significant setback for the young fighter.

After that defeat, Lopez shifted his focus to the super-lightweight division, quickly making a splash by defeating Taylor in just his second fight at 140 lbs. Once again, he proved his critics wrong.

Despite these achievements, Lopez’s recent unanimous-decision wins over Jamaine Ortiz and Steve Claggett have raised eyebrows and led some to question his status as a champion. Nevertheless, he continues to call out other champions for unification bouts.

Now, Lopez is feeling the pressure from challengers in the WBO rankings. Jack Catterall has recently expressed interest in a title shot, revealing in an interview that he has heard Lopez may be planning to vacate his belt, especially after his latest victory against Regis Prograis.

“I’ve been told that Liam Paro, who holds the IBF title, is set to fight Richardson Hitchins on December 7th, and that could open doors for me,” Catterall explained. “As for the WBO, I’m hearing Teofimo is moving up to 147 lbs. We would love to face him, whether at 140 or 147. If he vacates, the winner of the Ramirez-Barboza fight on November 16th might get a shot at the title.”

Catterall is hopeful that his manager, Sam Jones, will push for a title opportunity at the upcoming WBO convention, especially with the possibility of Lopez vacating his title looming. The next few weeks could be pivotal in determining the future of the WBO championship.

Daniel Dubois’ emphatic knockout of Anthony Joshua last month proved that he is worthy of being a heavyweight world champion. Despite initial assumption that a rematch between the British duo would be around the corner, it appears as though the likelihood of ‘AJ’ being ready for the rematch is becoming lesser and lesser. As a result, a number of new candidates are hopeful of a shot at dethroning Dubois in February.

‘Triple D’ needed just five rounds to pull off the upset and halt Joshua, making a first successful defence of the IBF crown and becoming recognised as potentially the future of the division, once Joshua, Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk hang up the gloves.

Nevertheless, Joshua was itching for the opportunity to avenge the defeat, and the proposed date of February 22nd provided an ideal opportunity for the victor of the rematch to align themselves for a shot at Fury or Usyk, with the pair scheduled for their own rematch on December 21st.

However, Eddie Hearn has since admitted that the February date could be too soon for Joshua, who has not fully recovered from his devastating defeat and is still suffering from injuries.

With the IBF confirming that Dubois is free to make an optional defence of his belt before April 22nd, when either Martin Bakole or Agit Kabayel will be called for a mandatory defence, there are a number of candidates who could land themselves a surprise shot at world honours in four months’ time.Joseph Parker

Joseph Parker holds the WBO interim heavyweight title and as such is not ranked by the IBF, although that hasn’t stopped the New Zealander’s trainer from calling for the title challenge.

The 32-year-old has impressed on Saudi shows over the last twelve months with three increasingly difficult wins, stopping Simon Kean before decision wins over Deontay Wilder and Zhilei Zhang thrust him back into the world title picture.

After an extremely active five months spell, Parker has not fought since March and will likely hope to secure a fight date soon rather than put all of his eggs into the WBO basket and he may even vacate the belt if it opens the door for a shot at Dubois’ throne.Zhilei ZhangDonald Trump believes that boxing feels ‘unimportant’ right now

Although China’s Zhilei Zhang lost out to Parker at the beginning of the year, the 41-year-old veteran was able to bounce back and knock Wilder out in June to get back to winning ways and revitalise hopes of a world title shot.

‘Big Bang’ is the next available challenger after Kabayel and Bakole and would likely be seen as the most dangerous but most exciting candidate for Dubois, given how Zhang twice dismantled Joe Joyce – one of two men to hold a win over the current IBF champion.

The hard-hitting southpaw predicted a Dubois knockout prior to his showdown with Joshua but asked for a title challenge of his own during the aftermath, and he finds himself well positioned to capitalise on his world ranking if Dubois is willing to roll the dice and attempt that he is worthy of champion status once again.Fabio Wardley

If Dubois cannot fight one fan-favourite Briton in Joshua, why not take on another in Wardley? An in-house Queensberry contest would be one that Frank Warren would either love or hate but the hype surrounding right now Wardley makes him one of the most talked about heavyweights on the planet and he is hopeful of a world title shot next year.

Wardley ran through Frazer Clarke in just one-round in their rematch last month and now sits at #12 in the IBF rankings. The undefeated Ipswich sensation sticks out as a high-profile opponent for a fight in which Dubois would presumably enter the ring as a strong favourite, meaning Wardley could be a lower risk option than other potential dance-partners ahead of a fruitful clash with either Usyk, Fury or Joshua later on in 2025.

Whether Anthony Joshua will be ready for February 22nd remains to be seen but it seems as though Dubois will attempt a second defence of his belt on that date regardless of whom may be in the opposing corner – showing the true ‘take on all comers’ attitude that many great heavyweight champions have portrayed in the past.

Campbell Hatton suffered a second consecutive defeat at the weekend and now his abilities inside of the ring are being questioned more than ever. Following the loss, Hatton’s promoter, Eddie Hearn, provided an update on the 23-year-old’s future at Matchroom Boxing.

Son of legendary British boxing icon Ricky Hatton, Campbell debuted back in 2021 and has been extremely active since, winning his first 14 professional contests and scoring some eye-catching body shot stoppage victories.

Back in March, ‘The Hurricane’ challenged for his first professional title as he sought to step up the level of opposition and claim the vacant Central Area super-lightweight strap, but he was left wanting, as Jimmy Joe Flint was able to hand the youngster a first career defeat.

Just seven months later, Hatton went to battle with Flint once again, with his rival also going into the contest off of the back of a defeat, having been trumped by Kyle Boyd during the interim.

Yet, despite facing Flint in front of his Mancunian faithful, Hatton was once again unable to get the better of the Yorkshireman and lost another unanimous-decision in a closely fought and bloodied affair.

Consequently, fans have begun to question whether Hatton has a future in the sport beyond the English level and in an interview with Boxing UK, Eddie Hearn offered his verdict.

“It is difficult because he is very young. If the guy was 29/30 then maybe you would say ‘that is your lot’.Andy Lee promises clarity in Tyson Fury’s corner for rematch against Oleksandr Usyk

“I think that right now, Campbell Hatton’s level is Area and English level – that is no disgrace, a lot of fighters don’t even reach that level.

“Obviously, with our stable and where we are looking to take fighters, we don’t really work with and continuously back, after back-to-back defeats, Area title and English level fighters.

“Campbell is a little bit different. One – because he is a really good kid, two – because he works his nuts off and three – because he has given us back-to-back brilliant fights and he is still young.

“So, Campbell has got to look at himself and say ‘if that is my level, am I happy to continue?’. If he is happy to continue, then he should absolutely continue. Whether that means to go and have a couple of fights on the smaller shows and without the pressure, he ended up being a co-main event tonight in front of about 8,000, it is not easy.

“Again, he gave us a brilliant fight but it just wasn’t good enough and he is not really progressing. The performance wasn’t really much better, in my opinion, than the last performance. But, he is young and if he is enjoying the game and wants to stay at it, then he absolutely should.”

Whether Hatton will decide to appear on some small hall shows to gain some confidence remains to be seen but his time in the Matchroom spotlight does appear to be over – at least for now.

Former IBF flyweight champion Sunny Edwards is set for a high-profile clash with fellow Brit and amateur rival Galal Yafai next month. Now, just weeks away from the domestic dust-up, it has been announced that Edwards will have a new trainer in his corner.

London-born Edwards has trained at Sheffield’s Steel City Gym under the guidance of the well-respected Grant Smith throughout his professional career and often being seen in the corners of his stablemates in what seemed a close-knit team in South Yorkshire.

During that time, we have seen Edwards develop a reputation as one of the most impressive defensive fighters to come out of the United Kingdom, regularly making his opponents look foolish by slipping and sliding out of exchanges with ease and speed – his footwork right up amongst the best in the sport.Here's 3 𝙂𝙇𝙊𝙍𝙄𝙊𝙐𝙎 minutes of unbeaten @SunnyEdwards making opponents punch nothing but fresh air 💨 pic.twitter.com/bhbq4AZBWq

— Frank Warren (@FrankWarren) March 20, 2021

Those skills saw Edwards rise to the world level in 2021 as he outpointed Moruti Mthalane to pick up the IBF crown, before making four defences of the title ahead of a unification clash with pound-for-pound superstar Jesse ‘Bam’ Rodriguez back in December.

Unfortunately for Edwards, Rodriguez was a step too far and ‘Showtime’ was dominated when they met in Arizona, picking up a first career defeat as he retired in the corner.

Still, Edwards’ personality saw his reputation grow in the United States and he has since been able to get back into the winning column with a technical-decision victory over former IBF light-flyweight title-holder Adrien Curiel, in what was a second consecutive Arizona appearance.

However, Edwards is now set to return to the United Kingdom as the inevitable meeting with Tokyo 2020 Olympic gold medallist Galal Yafai awaits and ahead of the tantalising scrap, Liverpool-based Chris Williams confirmed that he would be training Edwards.Joseph Parker ready to fight Daniel DuboisView this post on Instagram

A post

“Made up to be working with showtime @sunnyedwards for his next fight, the end of November against Galal Yafai.

“Expect a heavy performance in 8 weeks’ time.”

Williams also trains UFC sensation Paddy ‘The Baddy’ Pimblett, as well as British super-flyweight duo Ryan Farrag (22-4) and Brandon Doard (10-0).

Edwards-Yafai takes place on November 30th in Yafai’s hometown of Birmingham, as the pair top a card that features an intriguing step-up for highly-rated prospect Cameron Vuong, as well as an all-action between front-footed welterweight pair Conah Walker and Lewis Ritson.

Joseph Parker, former WBO heavyweight world champion, has set his sights on a possible matchup with Daniel Dubois. According to his trainer, Andy Lee, Parker is ready to fight for the IBF world title in February 2025. This option comes as a potential rematch between Dubois and Anthony Joshua is being considered.

Andy Lee, Joseph Parker’s trainer, recently confirmed that his team is prepared to face Daniel Dubois. This IBF title bout could take place on February 22, 2025. Parker wants to seize the opportunity in case the rematch with Anthony Joshua doesn’t go ahead.

Dubois, 27, defeated Joshua on September 21 in London. Although there has been talk of a rematch, plans are currently on hold due to Joshua’s physical condition.

Joshua’s promoter, Eddie Hearn, revealed that the British boxer is not yet at 100%. Hearn mentioned that Joshua needs more time to recover from his recent loss to Dubois. Although the former champion desires a rematch, Hearn admits this isn’t an immediate possibility. Joshua, who is still experiencing physical discomfort, may not be ready by February 22, which could allow Parker to take his place.

Additionally, Hearn explained that Joshua prefers to wait to see the outcome of the rematch between Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk. This fight between the heavyweight champions is scheduled for December 21 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Joseph Parker, 32, holds a solid record of 35 wins, 3 losses, and 0 draws. He has knocked out 23 of his opponents and is seeking a new shot at the world title. His last fight was on March 8, 2024, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, where he faced China’s Zhilei Zhang. Parker won by majority decision after 12 tough rounds.Turki Alalshikh reacts to Manchester United’s sacking of Erik Ten Hag

Meanwhile, Daniel Dubois has a record of 22 wins, 2 losses, and 0 draws. Known for his knockout power, Dubois has ended 21 of his fights before the final bell. In his last bout, he knocked out Anthony Joshua in the fifth round, marking his first defense of the IBF title and establishing himself as a threat in the division.

Although the potential rematch between Anthony Joshua and Daniel Dubois remains the main objective, Joshua’s quick recovery is uncertain. If this fight doesn’t materialize, Joseph Parker and his team are ready to seize the opportunity.Joseph Parker’s trainer Andy Lee has declared that they would be ready to challenge Daniel Dubois for the IBF heavyweight world title on Feb 22nd, if the Anthony Joshua rematch doesn’t happen.

— Michael Benson (@MichaelBensonn) October 29, 2024

The career of Tim Tszyu has taken a downward spiral in 2024 after suffering the first and second defeats of his career, costing him his super-welterweight world title. Now, only one man seems to remain as a viable opponent for his next fight—and it’s an opportunity close to home.

Tszyu became the darling of Australian boxing when he claimed the WBO super-welterweight championship and defended it against Brian Mendoza, seemingly setting up an eventual showdown with either Jermell Charlo or Terence Crawford.

Yet, before either of those fights could materialise, ‘The Soul Taker’ accepted a showdown with Keith Thurman – who was then later replaced by the lanky and unorthodox contender, Sebastian Fundora.

With the help of an early cut, Fundora was able to capitalize on a seemingly unprepared performance from Tszyu, pulling off an upset to win the unified WBO and WBC world titles via split-decision.

However, it wasn’t all doom and gloom for Tszyu, as he was subsequently presented with an opportunity to reclaim the 154-lb throne against the relatively unknown IBF titleholder Bakhram Murtazaliev.

In a shocking turn, it was Murtazaliev who was able dominate Tszyu earlier this month and score an emphatic third-round TKO victory and hand Tszyu a second consecutive defeat in the United States.

Tszyu now finds himself in no-man’s-land within the super-welterweight division, with many suggesting he return home to Australia to regain form, confidence, and momentum.

Aside from his brother Nikita, however, there are few notable names in the domestic super-welterweight division to create an intriguing contest. Instead, Tszyu appears likely to target former middleweight world title challenger – and Australian pantomime villain – Michael Zerafa in a potential catchweight bout.

Zerafa bounced back from an unsuccessful world title bid against Erislandy Lara with a first-round victory over Tommy Browne in August—an injury forced Browne to withdraw after the opening round. Despite having fought only three rounds since 2022, Zerafa told that the timing of Tszyu’s shortcomings is ideal.

“Between me and Tszyu, there has always been bad blood. He thinks that he is the best, I think that I am the best in our divisions. Obviously, he is in a lighter division, but he thinks that he is the best in the country and I think that I am the best in the country and there is only one way to settle that and that is to fight.

“We have both cleaned out our backyards and then there is just that competitiveness that we have between each other and our personalities clash. There is nothing personal towards him.

“We are very similar, we’ve cleaned out our backyards and there is nobody left for us but each other. For me, I’m keen to fight whenever he wants to fight and I think we will be in negotiations pretty soon. His promoters are getting back from America, so I am just waiting.IBF sets purse bid for Anthony Cacace vs. Eduardo Núñez

“I believe that timing plays a huge role in boxing and Zerafa vs. Tszyu is now. He is coming off of two losses, whereas I’m getting my momentum back.”

Whispers of a Tszyu vs. Zerafa fight have been circulating in Australian boxing circles since their cancelled bout in 2021. Rumours that the pair could finally meet had already surfaced before the Murtazaliev defeat. However, it was previously believed that ‘Pretty Boy’ would need to defeat Tszyu’s brother, Nikita, before earning a shot at Tim.

Zerafa went on to reveal that this plan was indeed in place but that it has since gone out of the window ‘now that everything has gone sour for Tim’, before adding that he believes himself to be hungrier than the former WBO world champion.

“We didn’t actually want Nikita, they were basically shielding Tim with Nikita. They gave me Nikita and promised that if I beat Nikita then they were going to give me Tim, but now that everything has gone sour for Tim, we are going straight for him.

“Styles make fights and we are stylistically perfect for each other. I believe I bring more hunger and grit, I have a lot more to prove and that motivates me.”

Summarising the Murtazaliev battering, Zerafa then declared his belief that Tim Tszyu has a habit of overlooking his opponents and thinking too far ahead – warning that he will be handed a third successive loss if he does the same when the Aussie duo go toe-to-toe.

“Plain and simple – he [Tszyu] overlooked him. He does that every fight. He always worries about what is coming next.

“He was making t-shirts with Crawford and Canelo and Charlo’s names on it, it is clear to see that he doesn’t focus on the task ahead and just overlooked his opponent.

“I don’t think that he is arrogant, he is just over-confident and worries about the media too much and what is happening next. I just focus on what the task it and it is looking like all roads are leading towards Tim. Hopefully he focusses on me, if not, he is going to have another loss next to his name.”

It remains uncertain when Tszyu-Zerafa will take place, with many advising that Tszyu take time away from the ring to recover. However, when the 29-year-old decides he’s ready for a comeback, Zerafa will be waiting.

In a recent interview with Sky Sports, Frazer Clarke spoke about the injuries he suffered in his defeat to Fabio Wardley. The rematch took place on October 12, 2024, as part of the Artur Beterbiev vs. Dmitry Bivol card. The event was held at Riyadh Season in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Clarke lost by technical knockout in the first round.

Frazer Clarke, a bronze medalist from the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, now holds a record of 8 wins, 1 loss, and 1 draw. Out of his 8 wins, he has managed to knock out 6 of his opponents. After his defeat to Wardley, Clarke underwent surgery for a fractured jaw. This injury was caused by a punch he received during the first round of the fight.

During the interview, the Sky Sports host began by thanking Clarke for his time, especially during his recovery. Clarke responded: “I’m good. Recovering well and just glad to be here speaking to you guys. It’s been a difficult night for me and definitely a challenging few weeks, both as a fighter and as a person. But I’m recovering well and looking forward to the future now,” Clarke said.The host continued by asking how Frazer Clarke has processed what happened in the fight.

Clarke acknowledged the difficulty of the process, although he claims he is not one to make excuses: “I have to congratulate Fabio Wardley on a great performance. In terms of processing, it’s been very difficult. I’m not one for making excuses, and I never will.”

Frazer Clarke reflected on his performance in the fight. “Maybe a slow start on my part. Heavyweight boxing is tough; I got hit with a shot, and after that, it was really difficult to recover. I felt like I was in the best mental and physical shape of my life, and then, in a second, it was over,” Clarke said.

The boxer also expressed his gratitude for the support he has received. “I’ve had great support from former teammates, friends, and really everyone in the community. Everyone’s been wishing me well, and I appreciate all those people who have shown me so much love. I can’t get back to everyone, but a massive thank you to all of them,” Clarke expressed.

Sky Sports asked about the importance of the physical aspect of his recovery compared to the psychological one. Clarke was clear in his response while explaining his previous experience with injuries: “The quick answer is, in my opinion, no. I’ve been injured before; I’ve broken bones in my face before, and now I have another one. I’ll get past this; I’ll get through it with no problem,” Clarke said.

Frazer Clarke also highlighted the support he received at the event from the medical team. Likewise, he expressed gratitude for the attention he received and noted that even the Sheikh personally ensured Clarke received proper care during the surgery.Paris 2024 Olympic medallist joins Team Canelo ahead of switch to professional ranks

“I have another check-in with the medical staff in a few weeks, and I just want to give a big shout-out to them and to the doctors over in Saudi. The ringside staff and everyone who was there, the security, they really took care of me, and the Sheikh personally got the best surgeon out of bed to look after me. Big shout-out to them,” Clarke thanked.

Finally, Clarke expressed that he is doing well and noted that, regardless of the adversities, he will recover and is ready to take on the upcoming challenges.

“I’ll be fine. This is part and parcel of my job, and I knew that going into it. It’s hard to take; my pride is hurt, but physically I’m fine, and mentally, I’m up for the challenge once again. I have a few more people to prove wrong now”, Clarke concluded.

With a strong mindset to get back into action, Frazer Clarke is preparing for his next stage in boxing. It’s worth noting that boxer Johnny Fisher recently wished Clarke a speedy recovery with a view to a possible matchup between them in 2025.

Queensberry Promotions has strengthened its commitment to some of its top talents. The company, led by renowned promoter Frank Warren, has renewed long-term contracts with six high-profile boxers who have demonstrated great potential in the ring. This move ensures that these fighters, some champions and others notable prospects, will continue building their careers under the Queensberry umbrella.

WBA featherweight world champion Nick Ball has recommitted to Queensberry Promotions after successfully defending his title against Ronny Ríos in Liverpool on October 5. Ball has become a key player within the Queensberry team and a fan favorite.

Another world champion renewing his contract is Anthony Cacace, who currently holds the IBO super featherweight world title. Cacace, who recently defended his title successfully against the experienced Josh Warrington at Wembley Stadium, has solidified his position as one of the strongest champions in his division.

IBO super bantamweight world champion Liam Davies has also decided to continue his career under Queensberry’s mantle. Davies is preparing to defend his title against Shabaz Masoud in Birmingham on November 2. With an upward trajectory that includes British and European titles, as well as international WBC and WBO titles, Davies continues to establish himself as a serious contender in his category and aims to demonstrate he can defend his championship on high-level stages.

Hamzah Sheeraz, one of the strongest contenders in the middleweight division, has also signed an extension. Sheeraz boasts an impressive streak of 15 consecutive knockout victories. The WBC Silver and Commonwealth champion has been a prominent figure on the Queensberry team, and his recent win over Tyler Denny at Wembley has further elevated his profile.

Among the signees is also Moses Itauma, a promising heavyweight who has attracted attention since his transition to the professional ranks early last year. Represented by Francis Warren, Itauma has accumulated an undefeated record of 10-0 in just a few months. This young talent is scheduled for his next fight on the preliminary card of the anticipated Usyk vs. Fury rematch, where he will face Demsey McKean, an experienced opponent with a record of 22-1.

Finally, Commonwealth, British, and European lightweight champion Sam Noakes has also renewed his contract. With a professional record of 15-0 and 14 wins by knockout. Noakes’ last fight took place against Gianluca Ceglia on September 6, 2024, in Bethnal Green, United Kingdom. He won by technical knockout in the 8th round.Frank Warren, the promoter of Queensberry Promotions, expressed his satisfaction with the recent extensions.

“I am thrilled to secure the futures of six such richly talented fighters,” said Warren.Andy Lee promises clarity in Tyson Fury’s corner for rematch against Oleksandr Usyk

“We have worked with nearly all of them right from the beginning or very early in their careers, and the faith we have shown in each other has been rewarded by them realizing their potential and justifying the belief we had in them.”

“That Nick Ball, Anthony Cacace, and Liam Davies have reached world title status is a particular joy, and the good news is that I am certain there are more world champions to come from this group, who are all set for further exciting developments in the coming months,” Warren concluded.

With these renewals, Queensberry Promotions demonstrates its commitment to the long-term development of its boxers. The promoter continues to establish itself as a solid platform for professional boxing, ensuring the continuity of its elite team and projecting a promising future in the industry.Six of the world’s most exciting fighters re-sign long-term contracts with Queensberry! 🥊

The future is bright!

Read the full story here: https://t.co/bM3aHV8Igzpic.twitter.com/TkROwOvImg

— Queensberry Promotions (@Queensberry) October 29, 2024

Despite only just moving up to heavyweight after vacating his WBC bridgerweight title , Lawrence Okolie has announced that he has no intentions of just taking part in his new division.

This comes after the surprising news that the WBC has entered Okolie into their rankings at number five.

Moreover, he has recently signed a new promotional deal with Queensbury Promotions and Frank Warren.

This is significant as Warren’s heavyweight stable is arguably better than any other promoters in the world.

Okolie joins the likes of Fury, Dubois, Parker, Zhang, Itauma and Wardley.

The former two-weight world champion has struggled with momentum in his career.

After leaving Matchroom in 2022, he joined up with Boxxer after a falling out with promoter Eddie Hearn.

Okolie then went on to lose his WBO cruiserweight world title against former stable-mate Chris Billam-Smith.

Since then, he moved up to bridgerweight where he won the WBC bridgerweight title after knocking out Łukasz Różański in the first round.Turki Alalshikh reacts to Manchester United’s sacking of Erik Ten Hag

At 6’5 Okolie has always had to cut weight, so now after announcing his move up to heavyweight he is relishing the opportunity to finally fight at his natural weight.

Speaking to talkSPORT he has revealed his plans for his career moving forward.

”I hope to have a fight before the end of the year because I need to have a fight as I haven’t fought since May,” he said.

”Straight after that I want to face someone in the top five and then we will go straight into a world heavyweight title fight.”

”I’m looking at summer next year to be a world champion again, three-weight world champion, why not?”.

This shows that Okolie is not short of any confidence and is keen to accelerate his career after struggling to find any rhythm previously.

The heavyweight landscape is set to change again come December 21st when Tyson Fury faces Oleksandr Usyk in their much anticipated rematch.

With Anthony Joshua carrying an apparent injury, it will be interesting to see who IBF world champion Daniel Dubois fights next.

Lawrence Okolie certainly is ambitious and if he can find some momentum, he could be a real problem within the division.