By Norm Frauenheim

Deontay Wilder’s date with Jai Opetaia on the Dec. 11 Tyson-Fury-Anthony Joshua card in Wales is official, confirmed this week by Dana White after a month of speculation about whether Wilder would instead fight Oleksandr Usyk at a different time and place.

Wilder told multiple media outlets that Usyk wanted too much money for a fight Usyk had said would be the last in his career.

Usyk asked for too much, probably because he discovered he could get a lot more against David Benavidez.

Benavidez, instead of Wilder, appears to be a business decision from Usyk, who looks and acts a lot more like a businessman these days than the rough and rumpled heavyweight with one big payday left in an undisputed career.

In the wake of a problematic stoppage of kick-boxer Rico

Verhoeven in Egypt last May, Usyk relinquished his heavyweight belts, looked around and foresaw Wilder as a possibility for a U.S. bout  in a farewell fight.

Five months later, something changed. Actually, a lot changed. Usyk got a new look, including high-end sunglasses and a visit to a salon instead of a barber. Then, he got a whole new outlook, including Benavidez instead of Wilder.

It makes sense. Probably, a lot more money too. The caveat: Benavidez must beat Michal Cieslak on Dec. 5 in an AZ homecoming and Usyk must schedule and win a tune-up.

Usyk announced the business plan during the live-stream last Saturday of Canelo Alvarez’ decision over Christian Mbilli. It was Halloween, but that was no disguise. Usyk wasn’t fooling around about what he hopes to accomplish in what his Team Director Sergey Lapin is already marketing as The Final Chapter.

Usyk intends to take a bow and collect a good paycheck against an emerging star instead of a faded one. Benavidez instead of Wilder.

Benavidez will be 30, primetime, on Dec. 17, Wilder was 41, years beyond his prime, on Oct. 22.

Put simply, Usyk is betting on the future instead of the past. Benavidez is at the cutting edge of names known by boxing’s emerging generation of fans.

 Wilder, a significant underdog (plus-550) against first-time heavyweight Opetaia in odds released Thursday, is yesterday, a bout or two from getting his name on the Hall of Fame ballot.

What’s more, there’s a chance Usyk can embellish his Hall of Fame resume. He was an undisputed great at heavyweight. He might have been even better at cruiserweight. He’s hoping to prove that for the last time in what is expected to be a fight for the undisputed cruiserweight title next year.

Benavidez or Wilder, who would you pick?

Stupid question.

Notes on a Scorecard

Benavidez has moved his training camp for Cieslak at Desert Diamond Area in Glendale to Gila River Resorts & Casinos – Vee Quiva. He’ll stage a public workout Saturday from noon to 3 p.m. 

Abel Ramos on Haney-Paro card

Welterweight contender Abel Ramos (29-6-3, 22 KOs).

of Casa Grande AZ, faces former champion Brian Norman (29-1, 23 KOs) Dec 19 at San Francisco’s on card featuring Devin Haney-Liam Paro.

“I’m super excited for this opportunity, said Ramos, an uncle to middleweight contender Jesus Ramos Jr. “Brian Norman Jr. always comes to fight, and with my action-packed style, I know this is going to be a fan-friendly fight for everyone at the Chase Center and watching on DAZN.

“This will be my first time in San Francisco, and I can’t wait to put on a show for the boxing fans to close out the year.”

By Norm Frauenheim

It was a boxing news conference without some of the usual trash talk and chest thumping.

An impassive Canelo Alvarez stared straight ahead, his eyes and body language revealing nothing.

“I am the challenger here,’’ Canelo said Thursday during a newser live-streamed from The Venue in Riyadh. “But always in my mind I am the champion, even when I was a little kid.’’

Christian Mbilli, whose super-middleweight belt is the only reason he has a role in the Canelo comeback, was predictable. Thanks, he said as he promised an upset.

Mbili promoter Camille Estephan had a little bit more to say.

“We are not here to be part of the Canelo story,’’ Estephan said. “There is a Canelo bias here. Canelo this, Canelo that. We are here to write our own story.’’

On Thursday, however, neither Canelo nor Mbilli was the story. Instead, it was about something never mentioned during the newser, yet probably impossible to ignore on the streets outside of The Venue.

The story, which quickly went global, was an alert:

“Warning. City of Riyadh is under a hostile aerial threat. Please remain calm, stay indoors or in a safe place away from windows and doors, and follow the instructions of Civil Defense.”

The warning was taken down within hours, according to news reports. Nevertheless, a warning just a couple of days before the scheduled Canelo-Mbilli featured card Saturday at Riyadh’s Kingdom Arena is just the latest in a persistent pattern that says:

The threat is still there.

It follows warnings issued by Mexico and United States, telling its citizens not to travel to Riyadh, which was struck by Houthi missile-and-drone attacks earlier this month. Thirteen were killed and more than 300 injured during an attack on the city’s airport, according to reports.

Yet, the show goes on.

During Thursday’s newser, promoter Richard Schaefer anticipated big numbers for the DAZN-streamed card (First bell: 1:00 pm PT/4:00 pm ET).

Canelo, after all, is still boxing’s biggest draw. After more than a year since a loss to Terence Crawford, fans will want to see how much of Canelo is still there.

Still, it’s impossible not to at least wonder whether a potential attack is also a pay-per-view draw. Cynical? Of course.

But boxing is a cynical business, and too much of what we read and hear about Saturday’s card is money.

 Canelo has been praised for his loyalty to Turki Alalshikh who has said he paid Canelo more than $100 million for his scorecard loss to Crawford in Las Vegas September 2025.

Reportedly, Canelo’s purse is $47 million for the Halloween date. But to collect it, he has to fight in Riyadh Saturday.

Plenty of opinion why the fight shouldn’t happen, of course, has been uttered here and just about everywhere. Trainer Robert Garcia and his junior-welterweight Lindoflo Delgado didn’t go. There are conflicting reports as to why, including Delgado, who is reported to have a visa issue.

Whatever the reason, the wise choice is to stay home. Common sense says the money could have been renegotiated, the card could have been postponed until a later time in a safer place.

It wasn’t, leaving this corner with only the hope that the skies above Riyadh’s Kingdom Arena remain peaceful Saturday.

Notes On A Scorecard

David Benavidez has often said he’d go back down in weight. His speed and overwhelming punch volume, he says, are a result of fighting at light-heavyweight and super-middle.

“My last fight was probably the best fight I’ve had in my whole career,’’ he said at a Hollywood newser Wednesday formally introducing his cruiserweight unification fight versus Michal Cieslak Dec. 5 in an AZ homecoming at Glendale’s Desert Diamond Arena. “It was the heaviest I’ve been and the fastest and strongest I’ve felt.

“Fighting the guys at lower weight classes has helped make this transition to cruiserweight easier. I feel like my combinations and punch output is gonna be too much for anyone in this division.’’

No complaints about Thurman from Ortiz

Vergil Ortiz Jr. comes back on the Dec. 5 AZ card as a middleweight after a year layoff, anxious to fight Keith Thurman, an aging former welterweight champion.

There are a lot of complaints about Thurman, but not from Ortiz.

“I’m facing a very game opponent in Keith Thurman,” Ortiz says. “He was my favorite welterweight in 2017, and I picked him over Shawn Porter and Danny Garcia.’’

He also tried to explain away Thurman’s last fight, a loss to 6-foot-6 Sebastian Fundora.

“He lost to a guy who doesn’t have to bend over to tie his shoes,’’ Ortiz said.

By Norm Frauenheim

The beginning was ignited more than four years ago.

The echoes are still there.

David Benavidez’ December 5 return to where it started at Desert Diamond Arena in Glendale AZ was formally announced Thursday.

It’s a homecoming, a significant reunion of fighter and fans on an astonishing path from chubby kid off nearby Phoenix streets and onto a stage as a leading pound-for-pound contender.

Benavidez was interesting yet mostly unknown before he faced David Lemieux on May 21, 2022. But all of that changed within three intense rounds that ended in a violent stoppage of Lemieux, undersized and overmatched.

Suddenly, interest went viral.

Suddenly, Benavidez went from just another fighter into a force to be feared.

For anybody there, it was like witnessing spontaneous combustion.

The combustion continues, this time with Benavidez back and ambitious for more after six additional victories and two more titles, one at light-heavyweight and another at cruiserweight for the three-time champion.

He’s favored to further unify the cruiser title in a bid for a third belt held by Michal Cieslak, a Polish fighter who  got the World Boxing Council’s version of the 200-pound belt through process instead of punches.

That’s another way of saying that Benavidez is expected to add a third piece to a title in his quest to add the fourth in a projected undisputed showdown with Australian Jai Opetaia next year, perhaps in an early May bout celebrating Cinco de Mayo.

That’s the plan, one introduced this week by Benavidez. He also says he has interest in former 175-pound champion Artur Beterbiev and retired undisputed heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk, arguably the greatest cruiserweight in history.

“I’m excited to be fighting in Arizona once again,” Benavidez said in a statement announcing the card and ticket sales, scheduled to begin Friday. “It’s been a long time coming, but it’s finally here. I’m gonna give the fans in my home state of Arizona a great performance.’’

Benavidez has become an Arizona draw without performing. Recent appearances throughout the Phoenix area have drawn estimated crowds of 5,000, many of whom stood in line during AZ’s triple-digit temps just for the chance at an autograph.

In part, his homecoming also represents a new chapter in his career. It’s his last fight in his promotional contract with Sampson Lewkowicz. He’s forming his own promotional company, however it’s not known if he’ll also sign with a another promotional entity.

There are signs that Zuffa has a strong interest. Zuffa, however, just released pound-for-pound contender Shakur Stevenson, who also says he’s creating his own promotional company.

Meanwhile, the PBC and Tom Brown-promoted card is already looking stacked.

After a year on the sidelines, Vergil Ortiz will be back in the semi-main event, this time as a middleweight against former welterweight champion Keith Thurman.

The card also is expected to feature popular Emiliano Vargas and Jesus Ramos, a middleweight interim champion from Casa Grande, south of Phoenix.  As of Thursday, however, neither Vargas nor Ramos had an opponent.

Ramos, who will fight for only the second time in the Phoenix area, was forced to withdraw from a key bout in San Diego in late September because of food poisoning.

“I had some bad salmon,’’ Ramos said. “It was frustrating. But my team and my dad (and trainer) have always said we only fight if we’re 100 percent,

There are also plans for Elijah Garcia, an Arizona middle and super-middleweight , to fight on the card against unbeaten Irish super-middleweight Thomas O’Toole.

By Norm Frauenheim

CHANDLER, Ariz. — Joshua Anton had more energy. More power. More patience.

There was more of  most everything and perhaps just enough to put him among the top ten ranked junior-middleweights in an Anton victory over Freddie Rojas Friday night in a ProBoxTv bout at Rawhide Events Center.

Anton (15-1) dominated with a comprehensive skillset, scoring a 98-91, 97-92, 98-91 decision over Rojas (15-2), a game, yet overmatched fighter. 

Anton’s varied skills allowed him to alter pace and tactics from round to round in a strategy that left Rojas without many ways to counter, In the seventh, he was penalized a point for using an elbow to knock down Anton. In the tenth, he looked weary. 

In the end, he looked beaten in a fight on a weekend that promises to showcase the junior-her division. Sebastian Fundora, the fighter many to be the best at 154, fights Ermal Hadribeaj Saturday in Las Vegas.

On the undercard

Rawhide was the right place and name for what happened in a wild third fight. It was raw for as long as it lasted. For nearly four rounds, featherweights Carlos Andres Orona (17-1-1) and Bryan Acosta (21-3) went at each other at an exhausting pace. There was no retreat, just a tsunami of punches from all angles. In the end, Orona survived, knocking down Acosta, who somehow got back on his feat, yet unable to continue..

First bell delivered a contentious, head-rocking eight rounds from junior-welterweights Willmank Canonico Brito (14-11-2) and Heiden Martinez Murillo (19-0), a lanky Dominican,  prevailed, scoring repeatedly with a long jab for a unanimous decision.

in the second fight, Omaha junior welterweight Charles Harris Jr. (14-1), who had Terence Crawford trainer Brian McIntyre in his corner, countered a long right hand from Misael Urias often enough to win a unanimous decision. 

In the third fight, there was controversy. Split decisions always are, almost by definition. This split was controversial not for who won. Two of the three judges got it right, scoring it 98-92 and 97-93 for James Paulden (21-2) a Texas lightweight who dictated pace and landed of most the punches in beating  Rene Giron Tellez (23-6).  Yet, somehow, the third judge scored it, 94-92, for Tellez.   

By Norm Frauenheim

The face-off, boxing’s staged ritual, is supposed to be nose-to-nose, eye-to-eye for as long as the fighters can hold a stare without blinking. It’s theater, rehearsed for as long as there has been an opening bell. Sometimes, it’s chaos. But — always — it has to include fighters who can look straight into each other’s pupils.

It’s a ritual not built for Sebastian Fundora’s preternatural dimensions.

Fundora’s 6-foot-6 height makes it impossible. Ermal Hadribeaj would have needed a stepladder to stare into Fundora’s eyes Thursday at the final news conference for their junior-middleweight title fight Saturday at Las Vegas’ Cosmopolitan. 

At one level, it was funny, almost a Mutt-and Jeff like skit. On another, it suggested just how problematic Fundora, boxing’s tallest active champion, is for any challenger at an average height for a 154-pound body. The 5-10 Hadribeaj is expected to encounter the same problems the 5-7 1/2 Keith Thurman did in his loss Fundora March 28.

The ever-evolving Fundora is capitalizing on his height, using it to command distance. Thurman tried to get inside, but he could never get close enough to land his power. Frustrated and angry at a stoppage, Thurman would go on to call Fundora “a human obstacle course.’’

Whether the slightly taller Hadribeaj can get any closer is the Albanian’s challenge. The bookmakers say he can’t, hence 14-to-1 odds favoring Fundora to win on a path that he hopes leads to Jaron “Boots” Ennis, who first is expected to fight Josh Kelly in a title unification bout.

“He’s undefeated, so he knows how to fight,’’ Fundora said of Hadribeaj. “That also makes him hungry. But we’re going to break him.’’

Yet, Hadribeaj, a former MMA fighter, remained confident, all the while looking up at Fundora, a fighter he has always admired. He met him three years ago at a boxing convention. Like a fan, he asked Fundora to pose for a 

photo with him. 

“I tell this story, because I respect him,’’ said Hadribeaj, who then mentioned Vasiliy Lomachenko, the great Ukrainian. “There was a moment with me when I was fighting like Albanian Lomachenko.’’ 

He’ll need more just a few Loma-like moments Saturday.

ProBoxTV in AZ

Ranked junior-middleweight Joshua Kevin Anton (14-0, 12 KOs), of Palmdale CA, was 152.9 pounds and Freddie Rojas (15-1, 11 KOS), of Las Vegas, was at 151.4 Thursday for a ProBoxTV main event Friday at Rawhide Events Center in Chandler, a Phoenix suburb. First bell is scheduled for 5 p.m. ,AZ time.

By Norm Frauenheim

Oscar De La Hoya and Vergil Ortiz start over with plans for Ortiz to come back against a fighter with a known name and a faded skillset.

De La Hoya confirmed that negotiations with Keith Thurman are proceeding before a news conference Thursday for the Floyd Schofield-Lucas Bahdi lightweight title fight Saturday in Chicago.

“It’s the fight being talked about,’’ De La Hoya told DAZN’s Chris Mannix.

Much of the talk, however, has been critical since news broke this week that a deal for Ortiz to fight Thurman is in the works.

“It doesn’t make much sense, but he’s the fighter with a name,’’ said De La Hoya, perhaps in response to what he’s been hearing.

De La Hoya hopes to put together the bout – the first in his reunion with Ortiz after a nasty legal battle — for a middleweight date in December on a card featuring David Benavidez’ homecoming in Phoenix.

The Benavidez card has become a popular destination for fighters looking to close out the year. Ryan Garcia, a Benavidez friend, has talked about the possibility.

Middleweight contender Jesus Ramos, of Casa Grande AZ, is expected to be on the card after pulling out of a September fight in San Diego because of suspected food poisoning.

A huge crowd is expected, all because of Benavidez, who returns to his hometown for the first time since he blew away David Lemieux more than four years ago at Desert Diamond Arena in suburban Glendale.

However, it’s not clear exactly when in December the Benavidez fight for a unified cruiserweight title against Michal Cieslak will happen.

 Originally, it was planned for the 12^th. Now, it might be moved to the 5^th or 19^th in an apparent attempt to avoid a potential scheduling conflict with Netflix’s Anthony Joshua-versus-Tyson Fury Dec. 11 in Cardiff, Wales.

In the UK, Joshua-Fury could actually  happen in the early hours of Dec. 12. Whatever time it goes off, it is sure to dominate attention.

Meanwhile, the complaints about Thurman include his age. He’s 37-years old. He’ll be 38 in November. A former welterweight champion, he’s coming off a stoppage loss to Sebastian Fundora at junior-middle March 28 in Las Vegas.

The Fundora loss was his first at 154 pounds. He has yet to fight at 160. Ortiz would also fight at 160 for the first time.

“It’s not the fight I wanted, but it’s the fight that’s going to get made,’’ De La Hoya said, clearly aware that Ortiz’ fans demand a showdown with Jaron “Boots” Ennis.

But it looks as if that one will have to wait.  Reportedly, Ennis hopes to unify the 154-pound title against International Boxing Federation champion Josh Kelly.

By Norm Frauenheim

Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua are taking the finality out of Finally, the simple declarative promotional tag for their scheduled fight Dec. 11 at Principality Stadium in Cardiff, Wales.

If only it were true.

It looked to be Wednesday during a Iive-streamed news conference full of all the well-practiced rituals that say, yes, book your flight, reserve a room and buy a ticket because it’s happening. The London newser was business-like, a somewhat surprising departure from all that it had been in the chaos that led up to it. 

Fury and Joshua stood in front of each other, looked into each other’s eyes and smiled, as if to say that all the insults and anger were just part of the show. Maybe so. But excuse the rest of us if we’re still bracing for more of the threats and insults that left some inevitable doubt about whether we’ll ever hear an opening bell.

The fight was on; the fight was off. The fight was in New York; the fight was in London. Zuffa was in; Zuffa was out. Dana White was promoting until he wasn’t. From day to day, it was like watching weather reports about an incoming hurricane. Nobody seems to know where in the hell it’s going

Expect more of the same. Issues are part of the game, especially this one, which has been overdue for at least a decade. Fury, ever the provocateur, delivered the most accurate forecast during an interview about Zuffa and White, who for now are not involved in the promotion.

 He was asked about the promoting.

Isn’t that what we’re doing now? he said.

No answer necessary to that rhetorical query. Fury is spot on. Seemingly, there’s not much left say about an all-UK heavyweight fight that has been talked about, off and on, for more than 10 years. But it has stayed in the news, even after Oleksandr Usyk beat each man twice, thanks in large part to Fury, who always has a lot to say. 

Fury understands that any big fight starts long before opening bell. It begins at the bargaining table, and that’s where Fury — a narrow betting favorite (minus-190 to minus-200) has been, delivering cheap shots like they were feints. With the fight still more than two months away, more are on the way. 

It’s almost as intriguing as it is exasperating. Through it all, the quiet party has been Joshua, who has let his promoter, Eddie Hearn,  speak for him. Joshua insisted that the fight happen in the UK, despite plans and Netflix’s urging that it be in New York. It’s written into Joshua’s contract. He refused to drop the clause. Hearn’s stubborn and persuasive arguments said he would not budge.

Then, there was Zuffa and White. According to Hearn, it was also written into Joshua’s contract that they could not be part of the promotion. Again, theJoshua corner would not budge. There’s a theory that Joshua can be bullied. It’s an idea that’s been there since 2019 when an unheralded Andy Ruiz Jr.upset him in Joshua’s only New York appearance.

But there are signs that Joshua has matured. He’ll be 37-years-old October 15. If Fury was trying to bully him, it didn’t work. At least, it hasn’t. Joshua has won  the bargaining and bullying rounds. But many more are sure to come.

By Norm Frauenheim

A fight a decade past its prime was announced Thursday with one word.

Finally.

Truth is, that’s almost redundant. Anthony Joshua-Tyson Fury was a fight wanted by so many for so long and then a fight forgotten by even more, buried by Oleksandr Usyk, who beat both twice in a way that seemed to knock out any reason anyone would ever think about it again. 

But feuds never go away. They just get inherited, from one generation to the next. There’s an old Irish joke. To wit: What is Irish Alzheimer’s? You forget everything but the grudge. The grudge will be there, loud and lively, when the 38-year-old Fury and Joshua, 37 in October, fight at Principality Stadium in Cardiff, Wales Dec. 11, according to an announcement from Saudi Prince and promoter Turki Alalshikh.

“Two of the best heavyweights in history, finally in the ring together,’’ Alalshikh, also The Ring owner, said. “This will be one of the biggest fights in history. I am happy to make this fight happen for the fans.’’

In the end, where it will rank among history’s biggest fights will be determined by what happens in the ring. It’s safe to say it will be big — very big — at the box office and in the size of the Netflix’s audience. 

But big in terms of how it’s remembered? Put it this way: This fight has a chance to be remembered the way Floyd Mayweather-Manny Pacquiao was in 2015. That, too, was greeted with huge anticipation when announced. Yet, it was a disappointment in the end. That’s what happens when long-awaited fights wait too long. They spoil like over-ripe fruit. 

For now, Fury is a narrow, minus-200 favorite. Meanwhile, the odds are pretty good that this fight will continue to generate controversy in the eleven-plus weeks before opening bell. Already, there are questions about uniform drug testing. Expect more issues. Contentious negotiations, a stew of insults and hostility, set the table

For a while, it looked as if the fight wouldn’t happen. Rival promoters, Joshua’s Eddie Hearn on one side and Dana White on the other, said they disliked each other and then said everything they could to prove it. The issue: Location, location, location.

White, Alalshikh, Netflix and especially Fury wanted to fight at New York’s Madison’s Square Garden. Money was their only guide. Fury said he’d fight on Mars, although it’s not clear whether A Red Planet Savings & Loan is located there. The working date was November 20.

Then, there was the UK. First, it was Wembley Stadium, but an agreement couldn’t be reached because of a curfew that Netflix feared would eliminate much of the U.S. audience. From the beginning, the fight always looked as if belonged in the UK. After all, where else would two of the best UK heavyweights fight each other? The UK was written into Joshua’s contract. But the Fury side wanted a rewrite. Drop the demand and fight in New York. But Joshua would not move. For him, it looked more like a righteous stand than than the pursuit of, more moneymoney,

Joshua-Fury anywhere other than the UK just seemed wrong. An All-British fight doesn’t belong in New York any more than the World Series belongs in Tokyo. In the end, Joshua’s argument was made persuasively and stubbornly by Hearn. 

It’s often said that every fight starts at the bargaining table. If true, Joshua won that round , just the beginning to a story and a fight still a long way from Finally.

SAN DIEGO —  It was dogged.

Mostly, it was dirty, Call it a dog fight, but even that’s wrong, an insult to dogs everywhere.The good news was that it didn’t last too long. Thank the fighter with the canine nickname for that.

Pitbull, otherwise known as Isaac Cruz, ended the 140-pound bout in the sixth round with a crushing left hook that sent Nestor Bravo bouncing across the canvas  Saturday night in a Pechanga Arena that often sounded like a crowded kennel.

There were takedowns that would have made Randy Savage jealous.There were low blows, two from Bravo in one round, the third. There was one penalty, a point taken from  Bravo too, for a subsequent takedown. 

The toughest job in the building belonged to referee Thomas Taylor, who repeatedly warned both fighters. At the end of one round, an exasperated Taylor appeared to shove Bravo toward his corner

It got bad and got worse, starting in the first round with Bravo on the canvas, an official knockdown that appeared to happen as he was leaning into and onto Pitbull. A left hand from Pitbull (29-3-2, 19 KOs) in the opening moments seemed to be a shot, a warning that altered Bravo (24-2, 17 KOs) to the fact that he had no chance.

He went on, almost knowing that he was overmatched. In scramble to survive with tactics not found in any ring rule books.

At a post fight newser, Bravo said — almost sheepishly —  that he was ready tp fight.

Maybe.

But he wasn’t prepared for Pitbull, who hoped the victory would launch his career into an elite circle.

“It’s up to my promoter,’’ Pitbull said, “but I’m ready for Ryan Garcia.” 

Via social media, Garcia congratulated Pitbull. He also said he would send him a contract to fight.

“Bring it on,’’ Pitbull said of the possibility December 12 in Phoenix or next May in a Cinco de Mayo date.

Bring a dog, too.

Blancas endures, winning key test in step from prospect to contender

There were boos. 

Some bruises, too.

Daniel Blancas didn’t exactly welcome them. But he was prepared for them on his path from respect to contender. 

A test of Blancas’ promising resume was delivered by Sergio Jimenez’ stubborn resilience and a restless crowd at Pechanga Arena Saturday. In the end, however, he passed, surviving Jimenez and enduring an unhappy crowd for a seventh round TKO victory for the young super-middleweight, a David Benavides stablemate.

Blancas (16-0, 8 KOS), of Milwaukee, wore down Jimenez (17-2-1, 15 KOs) with a sustained body attack. In thet and sixth, Jimenez, a California fighter, rallied with solid shots. Before the seventh, however, he was summoned buy the ringside physician. Jimenez shook his head, saying his energy and  perhaps his chancs at upset  were good.

Nearly 100 second later, he was finished, exhausted by a succession of punches from Blanca’s, who heard the boos and celebrated.

Middleweight prospect Verde gets up from knockdown for TKO win

Mexican middleweight prospect Marco Verde 7-0, 4 KOs), an Olympic silver medallist, got up from a third-round knockdown, survived a rocky fourth and was suddenly the winner over surprising Guillermo Hernandez Saturday.

Verde, who had trained at trainer Eddy Reynoso’s San Diego gym, displayed quick hands through the first couple of rounds. In the third, however, he found himself; on the seat of his pants, knocked drown by four punch combo from Hernandez (7-1, 4 KOs), who lives and training in Calgary in the Canadian Rockies.

Verde was stunned. So was a crowd of Mexican fans gathering to watch the Pitbull Cruz-Nestor Bravo main event.

Early in the fifth, however, the ringside physician took a look at Hernandez, who looked tired. Ninety seconds later, Verde landed a head 

-rocking shot. It was over.

 Hernandez argued that he still had enough energy and power in his punches. But it was to no avail. Verge walked out of the ring with a TKO victory and his credentials as a leading prospect still intact. 

Prospect Huerta knocked out

The chants were Mexico.

The punch was Filipino.

Eumir Marcial ((8-0, 5 KOs), a Filipino living and trining in Las Vegas stunned a Pechanga Arena crowd and maybe himself with a right hand that dropped and finished  middleweight prospect and 2020 Olympian Omar Huerta (15-2-1, 13 KOs)  early in the third round of a fight on the Pitbull-Bravo card.

Luna penalized, yet still wins decision

Diego Luna banked two first-round knockdowns, more than enough for him to overcome a one-point penalty in the end for a unanimous decision over Renny Mastrapa   in a 140-pound bout Saturday on the Pitbull-Bravo card at Pechanga Arena.

Luna’s overwhelming power had already guaranteed  a scorecard win when in the sixth and final round, he dropped Mastrapa (4-5-2, 12 KOs) with a head rocking punch. Trouble was, Luna (9-1-1, 6 KOs), of San Diego,, threw it coming off a break and just as Mastrapa, of Las Vegas, had dropped his hands.

But there was no DQ, ensuring Luna of his ninth victory.

Lorenzana wins narrow decision

It was a battle of Tijuana, Lazaro Francisco Lorenzana versus Ronny Viamonte Rodriguez. 

For eight rounds, Rodriguez (21-3-1, 10 KOs) tried to impose his size and power. But the smaller Lorenzana (22-0, 13 KOs) refused to back away from his fellow Tijuana super-middleweight, landing precise punches set by his agile feet, just enough of them to score a victory, a majority decision in the third fight on the Pitbull-Bravo card Saturday. 

Guerrero Jr. scores quick KO

Two fights, two first-round stoppages.Robert Guerrero Jr, the latest in a famed fighting family, contained what Valerii Tadtaev started.

Guerrero (9-0, 4 KOs) a lanky junior welterweight, scored a first-round stoppage of Shawn Rall (4-8 3 KOs) , of Ohio, Saturday on the Pitbull-Bravo card.

First Bell: Heavyweight wipe out

It was a good day for a wipeout.

That’s exactly what  Valerii Tadtaev did, opening the show by wiping out Juan Silva just a few miles away from some of southern Calfornia’s famed surf towns in the first fight  on a card featuring Isaac “Pitbull” Bravo-versus-Nestor Bravo Saturday afternoon at Pechanga Arena. 

Tadtaev (6-0, 6 KOs), a heavyweight living in Southern California, scored a fist round stoppage, overwhelming Silva (3-2, 3 KOs), of Ohio’s  like an incoming tsunami

By Norm Frauenheim

SAN DIEGO — Jesus Ramos’ bid to take the interim out of his middleweight title is suddenly on hold because of suspected food poisoning that forced him off a PBC card Saturday at Pechanga Arena.

Ramos  got sick Thursday night, was hospitalized and released early Friday. His fight against unbeaten Kazak Meiirim Nursultanov was canceled before a ceremonial weigh-in at high noon on Friday.

According to the PBC and DAZN promotional team, the fight will be rescheduled. However, there were no details about when and where.,

Ramos, a fighter from Casa Grande in central Arizona, did extensive interviews during a news conference Thursday. He talked about an opportunity to win the World Boxing Council’s version of the 160-pound title held by Carlos Adames. Earlier in the week, the WBC ordered Adames to fight the Ramos-Nursultanov winner. Ramos was a solid favorite. 

However there has been persistent speculation that Adames would move up in weight to super middle. Had he done that and  Ramos fulfilled expectations with a victory, the WBC was expected to strip Adames of the belt and give it to Ramos, who was recently honored in Casa Grande with a key to the city. His fans were expected to make the trip to San Diego.

Without Ramos, the card was left with Isaac “Pitbull” Cruz at junior welter in another fight for an interim title against Nestor Bravo. Both made weight, Bravo at 139.2 pounds and the popular Cruz at 139.0 Both engaged in a noisy face-off after stepping off the scale.

“I hope he’s coming tomorrow with the same kind of energy,” said Cruz, a Mexico City fighter. 

By Norm Frauenheim

SAN DIEGO — A return to light heavyweight is still an option for David Benavidez, despite plans to unify and defend titles at cruiserweight in his next two bouts, his father and trainer Jose Benavidez Sr. said Thursday.

There were conflicting reports about whether the ambitious Benavidez still had saw the 175-pound division as a  possibility last Saturday when he stepped into the ring in an encounter with Jai Opataia after Opetai’s victory at 200 pounds on the  card dominated by Ryan Garcia’s beat down of Conor Benn last Saturday in Las Vegas.

“175 is still there for us,’’ Benavidez Sr. told The Boxing Hour Thursday before a news  conference for the   Isaac Cruz-Nestor Bravo featured card Saturday Pechanga Arena.

Benavidez Sr, who  will be in super-middleweight Daniel Blancas’ corner on Saturday’s undercard, still holds the World Boxing Council’s 175-pound belt. He continues to hope for a shot at Dmitriy Bivol or Artur Beterbiev in a title defense. Bivol is planning a title defense against Callum Smith. It’s never been clear whether there are any real plans for a third Bivol-Beterbiev fight.

Meanwhile, Benavidez next fight in defense of two 200-pound titles is expected to be Dec 12 against Michal Cieslak in Phoenix in what would be his first hometown appearance in four years. In a confusing procedure, the World Boxing Council performed a strip-and-elevate two step, declaring Cieslak its cruiserweight champion.

A Benavidez victory would then lead to Opetai in a bout planned for next May on boxing’s valuable Cinco de Mayo date. If Bivol is still there and still a champion at 175, Benavidez Sr. said his son is ready to take the risk and go down 25 pounds. His father estimated that Davld is at about 210 now.

“We’re talking about it, and we came up with all kinds of things,’’ Benavidez Sr. said of a wild scenario which sounds more like fantasy than real . “We could go up to heavyweight and fight Andy Ruiz Jr. Then maybe (Oleksandr) Usyk.

In mind and on scale, Benavidez foresees  no  limits these days.

By Norm Frauenheim

Skillset, a word straight out of a hardware store, is an old-school way of describing what a fighter possesses in terms of speed, power, footwork and all the other dimensions fundamental for success, if not survival. One word is missing: Maturity, called an intangible because it eludes any traditional measure.

But it’s there, the element that unifies the skills into a fighting force. Without it, yesterday’s prospect is nothing more than a bucket of bolts. 

With it, he might be Teofimo Lopez.

Or, maybe, Ryan Garcia.

Both are there, players in an unfolding story about a couple of fighters moving into their late twenties, grown up and maybe with a prime-time chance to make some welterweight history. Who knew? Just a few years ago, both looked as if their potential had been wasted, trashed by too much money and too much attention too early. 

Like the cliche says, growing up is hard to do, especially on a public stage amplified by today’s omnipresent social media.

Lopez, 29, has already displayed some surprising maturity from his whiny, man-child days of denial in the wake of a 2021 loss to George Kambosos. 

In beating longtime friend Rolly Romero a couple of weeks ago, he was disciplined in sustaining tactical pressure throughout 12 rounds, the first in a new four-fight deal with DAZN. There was calm and control. Through much of his career, there was always potential for chaos in his corner. This time, however, his volatile dad kept his cool on a night when it almost looked as if roles had been reversed. The son was parenting his father.

Now, it’s Garcia’s turn Sept. 12 against Conor Benn in a welterweight title defense at Las Vegas’ T-Mobile Arena

For the last couple of years, fans and media have watched Garcia fight mostly to see which Garcia would show up. Will the crazed fighter chugging a beer on the scale before beating Devin Haney and testing positive for a PED after the April 2024 fight? Or the composed Garcia, now 28, who delivered a purposeful, solid decision over Mario Barrios in his last fight in February? 

Since the over-the-line behavior before and after Haney, there’s less of the shock-jock taunts and threats from Garcia on social media. He still talks trash. That’s  part of his personality, ever the showman. But it’s beginning to sound as if there’s more of a plot,  long-range plan. Like Lopez, Garcia has had to deal with defeat — Romero in 2025 at New York’s Times Square.

“From entertaining — creating content to being a great fighter — you’ve got to be able to do it all in this day,” a a business-like Garcia said Tuesday in media-day workout. “You’ve got to be the best at everything you do.

“If not, you’re going to be falling behind the wheel.”

 And, maybe, falling behind Teofimo Lopez.

For now, all things point to a Lopez-Garcia showdown, later this year or maybe early 2027. Each corner is talking about it. Mandatories and a lot more could get in the way. Benn could get in the way. 

But the momentum is building for a huge fight, Lopez-versus-Garcia, the only grown-up thing to do. 

By Norm Frauenheim

Light-heavyweight champion Dimitry Bivol agreed to a mandatory against Callum Smith, a move that leaves questions about what’s next for Artur Beterbiev and probably makes David Benavidez’ hopes for a 175-pound bout less likely.

The Bivol-Smith agreement was announced by the World Boxing Organization, which canceled a scheduled purse bid Thursday.

In a statement, the WBO said Bivol, the acronym’s 175-pound champion, and Smith, the mandatory challenger. had reached terms, including date and venue. The announcement, however, included neither the specific date nor venue.

The news was not a huge surprise. Bivol promoter Eddie Hearn, also Smith’s promoter, had been predicting it for months.

Yet, there were questions, in part because Bivol underwent elbow surgery after his last fight, a unanimous decision over German Michael Eifert May 30 in Russia.

The agreement appears to eliminate any chance of a trilogy fight with Beterbiev, who will be 42 years old in January. He and Bivol are 1-1. Beterbiev hasn’t fought since February 2025 when he lost for the first time in a rematch with Bivol, who holds three – WBO, International Boxing Federation and World Boxing Association – of the light heavyweight belts.

He vacated the World Boxing Council’s version in April 2025, the day before a scheduled purse bid for a fight with Benavidez, then the mandatory challenger.

In a procedural move, Benavidez was moved into the vacancy, a title he later defended with a stoppage of Anthony Yarde November 2025 in Saudi Arabia.

Maybe, Benavidez and Beterbiev could fight. Benavidez still holds the WBC title. But he moved up the scale, taking two cruiserweight titles from Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez in a dramatic stoppage in a Cinco de Mayo fight at Vegas’ T-Mobile Arena.

Benavidez continues to say he wants to go back down in weight – from 200 pounds to 175 – for a risky light heavy-defense.

For now, at least, that would mean Beterbiev is an option.

As of last week, Benavidez plans were to stay at cruiserweight. He’s already in training in Seattle for a planned defense against Michal Cieslak Dec. 12 in a Phoenix homecoming at Desert Diamond Arena in suburban Glendale, AZ.

Then, the plan, according to father and trainer Jose Benavidez Sr. is a 2027 Cinco de Mayo showdown against feared Australian Jai Opetaia, a Zuffa fighter who is already calling out Benavidez.

LAS VEGAS — The pressure was on Teofimo Lopez. It came from all sides. It was there, on both sides of the ropes. It was there, in his past and his future, a double-edged presence dangerous to  reputation and livelihood. There was no escape.

So,, Lopez did what he could only do.

He embraced the danger poised by skeptics created by his one-sided loss to Shakur Stevenson.

He embraced the risk that came with a new DAZN  deal worth a reported $20-million.

And, above all, he embraced the decision to move forward against a friend and fighter with power enough to destroy his ambition and crush his credibility. There were moments when it looked as if Rolly Romero would do exactly that. He rocked Lopez early and late. He cut midway, leaving him with a stream of blood pouring down one side of his face. But this time the wound was just a price to be paid for all that was at stake.

Lopez prevailed, scarred face and all, winning a majority decisions on score card debatable only because they failed to reflect how big his victory really was.It was 114 – 114 on one card. On the other two, both for Lopez, it was 115-113 and 116-112.

“I could care less about the scorecards,” Lopez said after taking Romero’s welterweight belt in his first fight at 147 pounds..

Only winning mattered  for Lopez, who entered the ring faced by an either-or scenario.

“There’s still a lot of work to do,” he said. “When you lose and come back, you;’never lost. You’re a winner.  I’m a winner.”

He was Saturday because of his willingness to walk straight into a tactic that Romero set up as a trap. Once, Lopez stepped in, Romero’s plan was to unleash his power. It worked in the fifth round, opening a cut near Lopez’ right eye. But the blood, a nasty reminder of what happened to his face against Stevenson, was a bad sign.

But Lopez continued to move forward, certain he would eliminate that possibility. Slowly yet surely, he turned Romero’s measured defense into a liability. In the final few rounds, Romero appeared to back way as just an escape.

After it was all over, Romero questioned the scorecards. He also suggested they were close enough for a rematch.

No, Lopez said.

He has already moved on, to a future he fought to protect.

Yoenli Hernandez wins majority decision

Yoenli Hernandez’ reputation — fearless and powerful — preceded him.He was advertised as the next great middleweight.

But reputation and advertising are suddenly on hold, because of skilled Argentinian Francisco Daniel Veron, who didn’t beat him yet might have shown a way how to Saturday night at T-Mobile Arena.

Veron (17-2-1, 10 KOs) withstood the power, stood up under the Cuban’s strength and took him to the scorecards, losing a 10-round majority decision at T-Mobile Arena. One judge scored it a draw, 95-95. The other two judges saw a different fight, one favoring Hernandez, 98-92, and the other, 99-91. 

Hernandez’ raw strength was impossible to ignore. Harder to see was an effective jab from Verson, who used it repeatedly to keep him at distance. In the fifth round, a Veron hook knocked Hernandez off balance. He often made the Cuban look awkward, never often enough to prevail, 

Dull to dynamic, Russell scores 12th round knockdown

For eleven rounds, it was deadly dull.

For one — the final one,there was sudden drama.

Gary Antonio Russell put some life into a fight and probably woke up a lot fans with a right hook that punctuated a junior-featherweight  bout like an exclamation point Saturday night at T-Mobile Arena.

The shot from the resilient Russell (21-1,13 KOs) dropped Victor Santillan ((16-3, 7 KOs), who fell to the canvas slowly. The crowd and perhaps Russsell would have been happy if it had ended then, Somehow, however, Sabtijjangot up just as some in the crowd woke up, A few moments later it was over, and Russell left the ring with a unanimous decision and an interim 122-pound champion in a division dominated by pound-for pound No. 1 Naoya Inoue., 

Carlos Utria gets win and boos

Carlos Utria got the victory.

Got the boos, too.

Utria (15-0, 12 KOs) overcame some late fatigue and sporadic rallies from Israel Mercado often enough to escape with a split decision, an unpopular one , too — Saturday in the pay-per-view opener to a card featuring Teofimo Lopez-Rolly Romero at T-Mobile Arena. 

The junior-welterweight fight figured to be close, And it was,, one fighter gaining momentum and the other regaining it ,from round to-round. After the 10th and final round, it looked as if it might be a draw. But two judges said no, both favoring the Colombian, 96-94 and 97-93. The third scored it 96-94 foot Mercado (13-2-2, 7 KOs).

A gathering crowd disagreed loudly, booing Utria as he left the ring.

Marco Romero overwhelms in Vegas debut

Marco Romero introduced himself to Las Vegas.

You might of missed it.

Within three minutes, Romero said goodbye to Khalil Mitchell (7-1, 4 LOs) and hello to Vegas Saturday on the Teofimo Lopez-Rolly Romero card at T-Mobile Arena, Romero (15-0, 13 KOs), a middleweight prospect from Kansas, overwhelmed Mitchell , of Chattanooga,in a fight stopped at 2:33 of the first round.

Joseph Brown’s dances to victor, gets booed

Joseph Brown, a prospect who has sparred with Boots Ennis, is unbeaten and — by the sound of it — unlikable,

Brown (8-0, 6 KOs) got booed after turning in a dominant performance for a one-sided decision over Alton Wiggins Saturday on the card featuring Teofimo Lopez-Rolly Romero at T-Mobile Arena.

Wiggins (3-3-1), of Modesto CA, never had a chance against Brown’s powerful rightt-hand.It was a rout, no reason for a celebration. Brown did anyway, dancing in the center of the ring. Scattered boos were hisreward.

Aldo Blancas, a Milwaukee prospect and a David Benavidez stablemate, flashed some Benavidez-like hand speed, scoring s second-round knockdown with a body shot and went onto win a  one-sided decision over Ricky Mamone

First Bell: Benjamin Johnson opens show with dominant decision

It started with more people in the ring than the seats.

That didn’t bother Maryland welterweight Benjamin Johnson (8-0, 8 KOs). 

He dominated, landing solid shots that echoed throughout an empty T-Mobile Arena for a unanimous decision over Gabriel Rodriguez (4-4-1, 3 KOs), of Ecuador, in a Saturday matinee, the opening bout on a card featuring Teofimo Lopez-Rolly Romero

By Norm Frauenheim

LAS VEGAS — If silence speaks volumes, Rolly Romero said a lot Friday.

He said nothing.

 In what proved to be the deafening final punctuation point to a ceremonial weigh-in, Romero (17-2, 13 KOs) had only silence as an answer to questions from DAZN’s Chris Mannix the day before opening bell to a defense of his welterweight title against Teofimo Lopez (22-2, 13 KOs) in pay-per-view bout at T-Mobile Center.

It was an awkward moment — a rare one too–  in a business that is nothing if not noisy. It also was newsworthy on a day when both fighters made weight in the morning at the official weigh-in at the Park MGM, just across the street from T-Mobile.. Lopez was at 147 pounds, the welterweight limit. Romero was at 146.6, slightly lighter perhaps because he shed all the verbiage.

There was no explanation, of course, because Romero would have had to speak. Instead, he waved his title belt  above his head and in Lopez’ face as he stepped away from an extended stare-down in the ritual face-off after the weights were announced.

There were lots of questions, most of them raised during a contentious news conference Thursday. That’s when Lopez dismissed Romero as if he was nothing more than a mere sparring partner. Romero has been that, too.

 Yet in this fight, Lopez suggested he was only a steppingstone in Lopez’ move up to welterweight in his first fight in a rich new deal with DAZN. He reminded Lopez that he was elevated from mandatory challenger to the World Boxing Association’s real champion in a procedural move after his stunning upset of Ryan Garcia. Interim was just another insult

Nobody, Lopez suggested, was going to get in the way of his second chance at fulfilling the promise that defines his nickname, The Takeover.

Romero’s silence seemed to say:

 Prove it

By Norm Frauenheim

A boxing news conference without theatrics is a little bit like a dead battery in a high-end sports car. It’s not going anywhere.

Teofimo Lopez and Rolly Romero made sure that didn’t happen Thursday, kicking a newser out of some early yawns and transforming it into a variety show full of all the insults, threats, taunts, laughs and groans expected in the plotline before any opening bell.

Predictable?

Probably. 

Tickets, after all, were still for sale a couple of days before Lopez makes his welterweight debut in a bid to take Romero’s 147-pound belt Saturday at Las Vegas’ T-Mobile Arena in a DAZN-streamed bout. 

That said, the newser included Teofimo and his volatile dad and trainer, who is always poised to deliver expletives and pound tables. Sure enough, Teofimo Jr. obliged, doing both midway through the newser in a ballroom at the nearby Park MGM.

Still, there was no clue that a genuine boxing newser would break out  when all of the key actors took their assigned seats like suits at an executive lunch. 

The talk was about Teofimo’s long term friendship with Romero and his new deal with DAZN, believed to be worth $20-million.

“Thank you,” Teofimo said in a polite, business-like tone.

A unanimous yawn was the audience’s reaction. But quickly, the tone changed, thanks to Romero, who has mastered an imitation of Teofimo Sr.’s voice. It’s just raspy enough to make Teofimo Sr. sound ridiculous. Apparently, both Tefimos, Jr. and Sr,. had heard it once too often. They reacted angrily, first Jr. and then Sr.

“You’re fans,” Teofimo Jr said, suddenly  in a tone more edgy than polite. “All of you are fans. I’m fighting my fans right now.

“Tell me, who is the best fighter Shakur Stevenson has on his resume? Me. They put him at No. 3 (pound-for-pound). Get out of here with all of that stuff, man. I think everybody needs a reality check on this thing. I’m coming back with a vengeance. And I mean that. I mean that.”

Then, Teofimo Jr., who is coming off a one-sided scorecard loss to Stevenson, took a breath, long enough to cast a menacing look at Romero, his former sparring partner.

“And I’m coming for you first,” Teofimo Jr. said, adding a First Testament reference. “You’ll be my Judah. My Judah.”

It wasn’t long before Teofimo Sr. joined in, raspy and predictably outraged.

“We beat Vasiliy Lomachenko and we’ll beat you,” Sr. said as he pounded the table with both fists. 

Sr. went on to rip Romero’s Cuban trainer, Ismael Salas, quiet and dignified. Through an interpreter, Salas said he didn’t want to indulge in the escalating trash talk.

“I am a trainer and not a clown,” Salas said.

Of course, Sr. took offense.

“You called me an effing clown,” he said. “You started this. Nobody knows who the hell you are. Go back to effing Cuba.”

The show was effing on. Initially, it looked as if Romero had tried to gain a psychological edge in the pre-fight maneuvering. Within minutes, however, he was on his feet, pointing accusatory gestures at Teofimo Jr.

“Have you ever had reconstruction surgery done to your face?” Romero shouted at Junior.

Finally, Junior smiled. He even sang and danced. In the ritual face-to-face pose for the cameras, Romero laughed instead of glared.

Show over. 

Maybe some of those tickets got sold, too.

Teofimo Lopez is coming off a one-sided loss with a rich new deal that coincides with a move upscale and a primetime birthday.

Call it a bet.

DAZN signed Lopez to a $20-million, multi-fight contract before his bid for a third divisional title at welterweight against Rolly Romero August 22 and after he turned 29 years old on July 30.

The timing, double-edged, is intriguing for his potential on one side and risky for his past on the other.

The risk: Lopez’ loss to Shakur Stevenson, who delivered a masterpiece –119-109 on all three scorecards – the last time we saw Lopez on January 31 at Madison Square Garden. Lopez never had a chance, yet DAZN invested in him anyway.

The potential: Lopez displayed newfound maturity in a realistic acceptance of the loss to Stevenson. At 29, fighters mature, physically and personally. After a couple of troubling meltdowns earlier in his career, a grown-up Lopez might be poised to fulfill his evident potential as he enters his prime at 147 pounds.

Perhaps wiser, Lopez still has the edgy confidence of the younger man. He’s the first to sign a unique deal with DAZN. More are expected to follow.

“The Zone has started with The Takeover,’’ Lopez said, jumping at the chance to mention his nickname – also the name of his promotional company, during a media workout in Los Angeles about 10 days before opening bell at Las Vegas’ T-Mobile Arena.

Lopez is favored to take the World Boxing Association welterweight belt from Romero, a friend who took the title from Ryan Garcia in a notable upset.

If the odds are accurate, it’s the beginning of a lucrative second chapter for Lopez, known for victories over Vasiliy Lomachenko and Josh Taylor, yet also remembered for a loss he would not accept against George Kambosos Jr..

When asked why he signed with DAZN, Lopez was quick to answer:

“It was a no-brainer.’’

Garcia looms as possibility for the winner, either against Lopez in a fight of two known names or against Romero in a rematch. Garcia — almost a 4-to-1 favorite, according to some books — is expected to beat Conor Benn on Se

By Norm Frauenheim

Teofimo Lopez is coming off a one-sided loss with a rich new deal that coincides with a move upscale and a primetime birthday.

Call it a bet.

DAZN signed Lopez to a $20-million, multi-fight contract before his bid for a third divisional title at welterweight against Rolly Romero August 22 and after he turned 29 years old on July 30.

The timing, double-edged, is intriguing for his potential on one side and risky for his past on the other.

The risk: Lopez’ loss to Shakur Stevenson, who delivered a masterpiece –119-109 on all three scorecards – the last time we saw Lopez on January 31 at Madison Square Garden. Lopez never had a chance, yet DAZN invested in him anyway.

The potential: Lopez displayed newfound maturity in a realistic acceptance of the loss to Stevenson. At 29, fighters mature, physically and personally. After a couple of troubling meltdowns earlier in his career, a grown-up Lopez might be poised to fulfill his evident potential as he enters his prime at 147 pounds.

Perhaps wiser, Lopez still has the edgy confidence of the younger man. He’s the first to sign a unique deal with DAZN. More are expected to follow.

“The Zone has started with The Takeover,’’ Lopez said, jumping at the chance to mention his nickname – also the name of his promotional company, during a media workout in Los Angeles about 10 days before opening bell at Las Vegas’ T-Mobile Arena.

Lopez is favored to take the World Boxing Association welterweight belt from Romero, a friend who took the title from Ryan Garcia in a notable upset.

If the odds are accurate, it’s the beginning of a lucrative second chapter for Lopez, known for victories over Vasiliy Lomachenko and Josh Taylor, yet also remembered for a loss he would not accept against George Kambosos Jr..

When asked why he signed with DAZN, Lopez was quick to answer:

“It was a no-brainer.’’

Garcia looms as possibility for the winner, either against Lopez in a fight of two known names or against Romero in a rematch. Garcia — almost a 4-to-1 favorite, according to some books — is expected to beat Conor Benn on Sept. 12, also at T- Mobile. 

By Norm Frauenheim

In a shuffle between the only two cruiserweights anybody knows, David Benavidez and Jai Opetaia changed opponents like pawns on a chess board.

Nobody much noticed.

Zuffa announced this week  that Noel Mikaelian will fight Opetaia despite reports that Mikaelian’s  94 year-old promoter, Don King, already had an agreement for him to fight Benavidez.

Meanwhile, Benavidez is expected to pursue a date against Micha? Cie?lak instead.

It all happened before anybody knew who Mikaelian and Cieslak were. They’re obscure names, Mikaelian still a champion late Thursday and Cieslak a contender, both in a division sometimes more snoozer than cruiser.

As opponents, they’re almost interchangeable. Mikaelian is 6-foot 3; Cieslak is 6-3. Mikaelian has 28 victories; Cieslak has 28 victories. Mikaelian hasn’t fought since 2025; Cieslak hasn’t fought since 2025

Almost mirror images, they’re still not exactly carbon copies. Of the two, the 35-year-old Mikaelian has a title; the 37-year-old Cieslak does not.

Yet, Mikaelian’s belt, the World Boxing Council’s cruiserweight version, looks to be in jeopardy if the announced deal to fight Opetaia unravels because of a lawsuit.

The expectation is that the WBC will strip him before he meets Opetaia Sept.12 on the Ryan Garcia-Conor Benn undercard at Las Vegas’ T-Mobile Arena.

In no uncertain terms, the WBC declared Mikaelian would get stripped if he did not face Benavidez, still the WBC’s reigning light-heavyweight champion who also has two of the cruiser belts, both won in a beat down of Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez May 2, also at T-Mobile.

The expected strip figures to be followed by Benavidez- Cieslak for the WBC’s newly vacated belt Dec. 12, perhaps in Glendale AZ, a Phoenix suburb in what would be Benavidez’ first hometown fight in more than four years – a scary stoppage of David Lemieux May 21, 2022.

Expect Opetaia to beat Mikaelian.

Expect Benavidez to beat Cieslak.

In a reasonable business, the next step would be easy to forecast:

Benavidez-versus-Opetaia.

But this is boxing, which is another way of saying nothing is reasonable.

Opetaia-Benavidez is at the cutting edge of Zuffa versus every other governing and promotional entity. While awaiting the U.S. Senate to vote on a revised Muhammad Ali Act, the two sides have been warily looking at each other like predators circling the same water hole.

A fight for dominance looms, although there are voices that say both sides can co-exist, if not work together. But this is a business that sells fights.  Almost by definition, peace is not priority.

Already, the seeds of hostility are there from Opetaia, a feared Zuffa fighter who has trash-talked Benavidez. In Zuffa’s announcement this week that Mikaelian will fight him instead of Benavidez, Opetaia couldn’t resist.

“David Benavidez, I’m talking about you, continue to run and hide,” said Opetaia, who already has filed suit in Nevada against the International Boxing Federation for stripping him of its cruiserweight belt.

Just another pawn?

Or an opening salvo?

LAS VEGAS — There were only a couple of draws and lots of controversy for Lamont Roach Jr. last year

This year, there’s only a loss and no controversy.

William Zepeda (33-2, 27 KOs), an incoming missile throughout 12 rounds, eliminated any possibility that Roach (25-2-3, 10 KOs)would emerge with a career-correcting victory and a title Saturday night at Virgin Hotel in a TNT/DAZN opener to a monthly series.

On a night with open scoring, Zepeda managed to shut the door on Roach early and often, winning the World Boxing Council’s vacant lightweight title with a unanimous decision — 117-111, 118-110 and 117-111. 

Through the first four rounds, the left-handed Zepeda did what he was expected to. The popular Mexican moved forward, incoming almost in a straight line. Quickly, Roach found himself  on his back foot, often scrambling to find ways to slow Zepeda’s advance.

In the second round, he threw quick combinations. In the third, he tried to target Zepeda’s body. In the fourth, he retreated into a defensive posture, both gloved hands surrounding his face like castle walls.

Still, Zepeda moved forward, scoring with punches and aggressiveness. In a bout with open scoring, Zepeda led narrowly through the first four.

A Roach expectation — perhaps prayer — is that Zepeda would tire some time after the sixth. Then, the plan was for him to use all of the different weapons in his varied skill set. But there was no sign of fatigue apparent in Zepada’s march forward in the seventh and eighth. After eight, Zepeda continued to hold a narrow lead in the open scoring. 

Roach, a Washington DC fighter seeking a second dtile at a second weight,  still had a chance. But there was no chance of Zepeda slowing down. Not this time. He sustained his furious pace, throwing multiple punches — uppercuts, hooks, the kitchen sink — with every step toward his target. 

For Roach, there was no shelter

No title either.

Muratalla scores dominant decision

Raymond Muratalla had options. He still does, perhaps one or two morethan he had a few days ago.

In a business-like bout, Muratalla checked all the boxes with a thorough decision over aging contender Robson Conceicao Saturday night at Las Vegas’ Virgin Hotel.

Muratalla, still the International Boxing Federation’s lightweight champion, kept himself in the hunt for a shot at a unified title, perhaps the World Boxing Council belt that was at stake in Saturday’s  next bout, Lamont Roach-versus-William Zepeda.

More significant,perhaps, he stayed unbeaten, extending his record to 25-0, with 17 KOs). That’s a resume good enough to get some attention in the pound-for-pound neighborhood.

A lot of that was expected, of course. He was a 14-to-1 favorite, one- sided odds that explain why he wasn’t in the main event. He didn’t;t get a knockout or even a knockdown. Still, he was dominant.

Early on, it was evident that Muratalla was the better fighter. He moved forward, his feet moving in a tireless dance all the while. He was setting the pace, aggressively throwing jabs in an apparent effort to test Conceicao’s stamina. The Brazilian is 37. He’ll be 38 in October.

In the fifth and sixth rounds, it looked as if the younger man’s tactics might be working. Conceicao dropped his hands, first to his waist and then down to his hips. It was an invitation for the 29-year-old Muratalla to attack And he did. 

But that’s when Conceicao (21-4-1, 10 KOs) found some life in his legs. He began a sideway shuffle — a step left, two or three steps to the right and a short hop backwards. It wasn’t much, but it was enough to deflect some of the dangerous power headed his way. In the end, however, it was only a way to survive. Only Muratalla would thrive.

Crazy Cards: Curiel wins decision

It was supposed to be a fight fit for television.

But there was more reason to nap than watch Raul Curiel beat Quintin Randall  in a junior-middleweight fight on a Lamont Roach-William Zepeda card that was the first in a monthly TNT-DAZN series.

Curiel (18-0-1, 14) did more, just  enough to win a narrow decision that was a so-called majority, yet all over the place in terms of scores. On one card, it was 97-93 for Curiel. On another, it was 100-90, also for Curiel.  On the third, it was 95-95. Nowhere was a card that made much sense.

Curiel, of Mexico, was more active. Randall (17-4-1), of Houston, was more elusive. Neither was dominant.  

Charles Conwell back with victory

It was dull.

Also predictable.

For Charles Conwell, it had to be.

In Conwell’s first fight in 16 months, the 2016 Olympian (22-1, 17)  needed a victory and he got one Saturday, employing superior speed that kept Paul Kroll (12-1-2. 8 KOs), a Philadelphia junior-middleweight, on his back foot and into a retreat that finally ended with no counter or energy on the Lamont Roach-William Zepeda card at Las Vegas’ Virgin Hotel..

With Kroll defenseless and on the ropes, it  ended in the ninth round, Conwell a winner by TKO in his first fight since a loss in April 2025.

Prospect Dylan Capetillo stopped in stunner

Danger is written into a prospect’s job definition.

How much danger?

Dylan Capetillo, a much hyped 17-year-old from Las Vegas, found out Saturday in a stunner Saturday on the card featuring Lamont Roach-William Zepeda at Vegas’ Virgin Hotel.

It struck hard and fast, a lightning bolt that left Capetillo with his first loss in only three fights. It was delivered by Juan Becerril, a Mexican who also has only three fights yet threw a left hand with all of the authority of a tested veteran.

Becerril (3-0, 2 KOs), knocked down in the second, floored Capetillo (2-1, 1 KO) in  the third. It lifted Capetillo up and onto the canvas with a crash. The back of his head landed hard. He got up. But the referee had seen enough. He ended it at 48 seconds of the round, a hot prospect no more. 

Joel Iriarte stay unbeaten with 8th-round stoppage

Joel Iriarte employed advantages in size and strength to walk down, wear down Jorge Lagunas, who was still on his feet yet unable to offer punch resistance when the welterweight fight was stopped in the eighth round of the fourth bout Saturday on a card featuring Roach-Zepeda at Vegas’ Virgin Hotel.

Lagunas (19-10, 16 KOs), of Mexico, was unhappy at the stoppage, a decision made by ringside physicians. He walked around the ring, throwing his hands in the air as if to say he wanted to continue. For that, he got applause, but not much else.

Iriarte, of Bakersfield CA, stayed unbeaten (11-0, 10 KOs) and retained a fringe welterweight belt.

Fabian Guzman rocks and rolls to dominant decision

Fabian Guzman threw more punches. They landed with more precision. And with more power.

In the end, Guzman (11-0, 7 KOs), a middleweight from Southern California, simply had  more of everything, all enough to score a unanimous decision over Aaron Coley (17-6-2, 7 KOs), of Oakland, in the third bout on the Roach-Zepeda card Saturday at Vegas’ Virgin Hotel

Gael Cabrera stays unbeaten with dominant decision

Gael Cabrera calls himself Terror.

Terror is what he delivered.

For eight rounds, Cabrera (12-0, 7 KOs), a junior-featherweight prospect from Mexico, scored at will with punches from every possible angle Saturday in the second bout on the Lamont Roach-William Zepeda card at Vegas’ Virgin Hotel.

For an overmatched Francisco Portillo (20-15, 2 KOs), there was nowhere to hide. There was no counter either in a scorecard shutout put together by the dominant Cabrera, a Golden Boy Promotions fighter.

First Bell: Dalis Kaleiopu says Aloha with first-round stoppage

Aloha means hello. 

Means goodbye.

Dalis Kaleiopu delivered both sides of the Hawaiian greeting, saying Hello to the Mainland and then Goodbye to Yeyery Castillo for a stunning first-round stoppage in a knockout opener Saturday to a card featuring Lamont Roach Jr.-versus-William.Zepeda at Virgin Hotel.

Castillo (14-3, 11 KOs), a lightweight from Philadelphia, never had a chance against Kaleiopu, who grew up in Waianae on the leeward side of Oahu, a cultural home for Hawaiian history. There’s power in that heritage. Kaleiopu (9-0, &KOs) displayed it, scoring a first-round stoppage for the third straight time. 

By Norm Frauenheim

LAS VEGAS — A draw creates inevitable controversy and often doubt, but none of that was apparent in bold confidence expressed by Lamont Roach Jr,, who is coming off successive draws last year, first to Gervonta “Tank” Davis and then Isaac “Pit Bull” Cruz.

Roach stepped off the scale Friday after a mock weigh-in for his bid Saturday for a second division title against William Zepeda at the Virgin Hotel.

“I’m leaving no questions, no doubts,’’ said Roach, who was at 134.6 pounds, safely under the lightweight limit, 135, Friday morning at the official weigh-in. “I’m the best fighter in the world, no question.’’

That begged a question, of course.

How dio you expect to win?

“Anyway I want,’’ Roach (29-1-3, 10 KOs) said without hesitation.

 Zepeda (33-1,27 KOs)  who was also at 134.6 pounds, might have something to say about that. He was beaten in his last bout by Shakur Stevenson. But he went the distance, losing a decision to the pound-for-pound contender. It was a performance that said he can upset anybody, including Roach. 

Roach, of Washington DC, has been a betting favorite — minus 145 — since the bout was announced for a World Boxing Council title vacated by Stevenson. The narrow odds suggest only one thing: A 50-50 fight.

Roach gets the nod because of a comprehensive skillset. Simply put, he has more options than Zepeda, known for his aggressiveness. Zepeda knows how to apply pressure, especially in the opening rounds. But here’s the question: Can he sustain it?

If not, expect Roach to make adjustments. A boxer-puncher, he can fight from the outside and throw counters on the inside. In other words, any way he wants.

A Roach victory would restore much of the promise he had before Tank and Pit Bull sidetracked him. Ultimately, Roach says he wants a fight with Stevenson.

“It would be a great chess match,’’ he said.

First, however, he has to make all the right moves against Zepeda. Then, the next step might be a date with the winner of the co-main event, Raymond Muratalla against Robson  Conceicao on a card also newsworthy because it’s the first in a TNT/DAZN monthly series. 

 Muratalla (24-0, 17 KOs), the International Boxing Federation’s lightweight champion, was also at 134.6 pounds Friday. More significantly, he’s a much bigger favorite to win than Roach is. The Robert Garcia-trained Muratalla is a minus-14 choice to beat  Conceicao (23-3-1, 10 KOs), a competent, yet aging contender from Brazil. The 37-year-old Brazilian, who was at 135 pounds Friday, has an Olympic gold medal, yet he is still seeking his first world title belt.

“I expect a great fight, a tough fight,’’ Conceicao said through an interpreter. “He’s a great champion. But I’m ready for this.’’

From the sounds of it, so too is Roach.

By Norm Frauenheim

LAS VEGAS — Bear Bryant, who is to college football what Elvis is to rock-and roll, once said a tie is like kissing your sister.  Translation: Forget about it.

Lamont Roach Jr. intends to.

Roach has more than one. He’s got two — two straight, a double shot of the dreaded draw that is boxing’s version of what was Bryant’s tie. College football got rid of it for the most part, although there are still games that end in a draw because of weather. Boxing hasn’t been quite so fortunate, mostly because there not much that can be done about inclement judging.

It happens.

Still, there is a one way to at least correct it. To quote another football guy, Win baby, just win. Roach intends to take Al Davis’ advice against William Zepeda Saturday in an intriguing lightweight bout for a vacant World Boxing Council title at Virgins Hotels. 

Roach is coming off the double draw, both in 2025 — first with Gervonta “Tank” Davis in March and again with Isaac  “Pitbull” Cruz in December. Both were controversial. Both were majority draws, one scorecard for each and one tied, But there was no majority in the crowd. It was divided and still is.

Only Roach has an opportunity at a final say-so against Zepeda, an aggressive fighter promoted by Oscar De La Hoya.  He promises to deliver a definitive performance with a versatile skill set.

“I think I will because of what I present in the ring,”  Roach said Thursday at the final news conference for the DAZN-streamed bout. “I have hundreds of skills and a ton of will.’’ 

In Zepeda, he faces a fighter known for what pundits call volume punching. There are a lot them. The key for Roach is to alter his skills often enough to perhaps fatigue Zepeda.

“That’s a bad m-effer,’’ Zepeda said when asked what he thought of Roach when he looked at him. “He’s got experience. He knows what he’s doing. He already knows what it is to be a champion.’’

Roach, of Washington DC, an already held a would junior-light weight, 130-pound belt. He hopes to emerge from Saturday’s bout with a double that will supplant the double that hurts and haunts. Beat Zepeda and he’s a two division champion.

He looked at the WBC’s belt Thursday and said:

“I can’t wait to cuddle with it.’’ 

By Norm Frauenheim

Boxing, often said to be on the fringe, will be there and just about everywhere else this weekend with fights across the globe and the virtual universe.

Center Stage:

Down Under.

That’s where Errol Spence Jr. and Tim Tszyu will meet in Sydney in a middleweight fight intriguing because it’s hard to know what will happen.

Everything about it is uncertain, which is one way to describe the state of today’s boxing, a sport that’s already a working definition for chaos.

Spence hasn’t answered an opening bell in the three years since his devastating loss to Terence Crawford.  There were questions then. And now.

Spence has acknowledged them, which raises one of the biggies: Is this the end? Will he retire if he loses to Tszyu in a DAZN-streamed bout (Sunday in Australia/Saturday in the United States on a card scheduled to begin at 9 pm ET, 6 PM PT)?

“This feels similar to when I went over to England to fight Kell Brook,’’ said Spence, who during a media workout talked about a victory that turned him into a pound-for-pound contender before suffering serious injuries in a serious car crash. “The mentality doesn’t change at all. It’s me-versus-him, everything on the line.

“The hunger is still there, and I’m still here to show everyone that Errol Spence is still here.’’

Tszyu, himself, is fighting in his homeland to restore all the promise he had before losses to Sebastian Fundora.’

“I just want to get in there and smack him,’’ said Tszyu, who during pre-fight talk and turmoil said he wanted to damage and hurt Spence.  “…He seems ready. He looks strong. I want to see how bad he wants it. We’ll see how he reacts to getting hit.’’

We’ll see.

That’s the operative phrase, perhaps caveat, for everything else on this weekend’s busy schedule.

Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua are fighting. Fury was scheduled to face Mariusz Wach in Thailand Friday in a fight not scheduled to be televised. It’ll be over when Joshua faces Kristian Prenga in Saudi Arabia Saturday on DAZN.

Both bouts are considered tune-ups for a projected all-UK showdown at Wembley Stadium later in the year. Then again, it almost feels as if their careers have been one long tune-up. UK fans have talked about Fury-Joshua for more years than anyone can remember.

We’ll see,or — if its Fury-Wach — maybe not.

It all ends Sunday with Zuffa in its New York debut at Madison Square Garden’s Infosys Theater with two Brooklyn-born fighters, super-middleweight Edgar Berlanga and welterweight Richardson Hitchins on Paramount Plus.

Berlanga faces Steven Butler; Hitchins fights Ricardo Salas.

Zuffa has already had plenty to say about the state of the game. Sunday, it has a chance at some final say-so about a weekend that might be the beginning to a new chapter in how boxing is run and who runs it.

Will Zuffa deliver with a powerful statement?

We’ll see.

By Norm Frauenheim

Errol Spence Jr. arrived in Sydney to a friendly welcome this week despite mounting hostility before opening bell against Tim Tszyu, who might want to introduce Spence to a hungry crocodile.

Since their fight was announced in early May, Spence has refused to shake Tszyu’s hand, was a no-show for a virtual appearance alongside Tszyu on an Australian talk show and then decided he wanted to change the weight months after it was written into the contract.

What’s next?

Tszyu must wonder.

Ten days before the bout, Spence was greeted by a traditional Aboriginal ceremony amid news that he would fight at 160 pounds, middleweight, instead of the contracted catchweight, 158.

That raised questions about whether he was having trouble making weight for his first fight since a devastating loss at welterweight to Terence Crawford three years ago.

Nope, Spence said.

“No reasoning at all,’’ Spence told Aussie television crews after his 15-hour flight.

No reason is perhaps the only way to explain Spence’s dismissive words and moves since the fight was scheduled for the last Saturday in July.

For Tszyu, there’s no excuse. He and his trainer, former bantam and featherweight great Jeff Fenech, are increasingly angry at what they say is an insulting lack of respect.

The proud Tszyu had no problem with the new weight. Couple of pounds here,

couple of pounds there? For Tszyu, there’s a ton of motivation to silence Spence in what is a chance to resurrect his career in his homeland.

“I just don’t want any excuses,” Tszyu told The Ring. “I want him here, refreshed, rejuvenated, make sure he’s not struggling with weight, make sure everything’s on point, because I wanna beat up the best Errol Spence.”

In dissing Tszyu, Spence, whose skillset has never included diplomacy, has said what many think after losses to Sebastian Fundora.

“I don’t give a bleep what Tszyu says,’’ said Spence, who continued to amplify the stakes for Tszyu for the media that welcomed him to Sydney. “He’s just another fighter to me. He doesn’t matter.’’

Only Tszyu can prove that he does.

By Norm Frauenheim

In a rare show of unity in boxing’s balkanized state, an alliance of promoters and a streaming service staged a news conference, introduced young fighters, plans, possibilities and one intriguing fight.

In a predictable counter and a sure sign that unity in boxing is still an oxymoron, a rival promotional entity sent out a news release announcing it had signed one of the game’s biggest names.

It was that kind of day. Pick a side? Not exactly, at least not for fans, who on Thursday witnessed an emerging battleground for control of the fight game.

On the unified side, there was Premier Boxing Champions (PBC) and DAZN with a blueprint for the rest of 2026, including an intriguing fight Aug. 22 featuring resilient champion Rolly Romero against Teofimo Lopez in Lopez’ welterweight debut at Las Vegas T-Mobile Arena.

For the entertaining Lopez, a shot at a third-division belt is a step up and perhaps away from his last fight, a one-sided loss at junior-welterweight to multi-division champion Shakur Stevenson in January.

“When I face the champion, I’ll be 29,’’ said Lopez, whose manager Keith Connolly said the Romero fight will launch Lopez into a series of mega-fights.. “I’ve got a lot of good prominent years left. I’m gonna answer all the questions on August 22.’’

Presumably, one will be a definitive answer to what happened against Stevenson, whose masterful performance against Lopez put him among the top five in the pound-for-pound debate.

Only Lopez’ volatile father and trainer, Teofimo Sr., referred to his son’s last fight in what was almost almost an aside during the newser. It didn’t resonate.

In an almost choreographed response, Zuffa followed up the Romero-Lopez newser by announcing what everybody already knew. Stevenson signed.

“Line them up, one-by one, and I’ll beat all the top guys once I get them in front of me,’’ the news release quoted Stevenson as saying. “With Zuffa Boxing, I’m going to go after the biggest fights in the sport and I will become the number one pound-for-pound fighter in the world.’’

Who and when weren’t included in the Zuffa release. Teofimo Lopez wasn’t mentioned either. But the timing clearly said he was the target, probably just one of many in a rivalry still in its infancy.

By Norm Frauenheim

Errol Spence Jr., unseen in the ring since his devastating loss to Terence Crawford nearly three years ago, goes Down Under in late July against Tim Tszyu with fans and foe wondering who will show up.

Thursday, he didn’t show up at all.

Spence was a no-show for a video appearance via-satellite at a Sydney television studio, where he and Tszyu were scheduled to talk about their 158-pound catchweight date on the last Saturday in July.

Tszyu, an Aussie living in Sydney, waited.

And waited.

No Spence.

No explanation either.

But there was plenty to say, mostly by a frustrated Tszyu.

“He’s a diva,’’ Tszyu said after an awkward 45 minutes that turned a studio into a waiting room.

Thursday morning in Sydney, he might as well have been an extraterrestrial. Repeatedly, there were attempts to reach Spence, who was in – of all places – Houston, a city known for communicating with satellites.

But there was no answer from Spence, who might as well have been in another universe or maybe just in bed. He’s been training in Houston with Jermall Charlo, who fights on the Sydney undercard against Aussie Koen Mazoudier.

Turns out, the often-volatile Charlo wasn’t lost in space. He caught his satellite and made his virtual appearance, right on time.

Charlo was there and Spence wasn’t. That only seemed to sharpen Tszyu’s anger.

I’m quite upset,” said Tszyu, a slight betting underdog in his own country

“Just a diva attitude.”

“I had to change plans. But it is what it is.

“Right now, I’m thinking about every limb of his body that I want to hurt. I want to inflict pain. And in three weeks I get to put my hands on him …”

Spence had already angered Tszyu. Before the fight was formally announced at a Las Vegas news conference on a May day when David Benavidez’ stopped Zurdo Ramirez for a unified cruiserweight title, Spence refused to shake hands with Tszyu during an encounter at the MGM Grand.

“The guy is living in his own little fairytale, thinking he runs the show.’’ Tszyu said. “He thinks everyone is on his time. But, unfortunately, we’re not. Just as I won’t be when we finally step into that ring.”

Uncertainty about Spence has been there, even before his loss to Crawford. Questions still linger about whether he has ever completely recovered from injuries suffered in a scary car crash October 2019.

Even Spence acknowledges the questions. He’s also mentioned retirement more than once. However, he expressed only confidence during a media workout Wednesday in Houston.

“Camp has been great.,” he said. “I can’t complain at all. We’re putting in the work and leaving no stone unturned. I’m excited.

“…This was the right time to come back, and against the right opponent. My body feels good, so I said why not?

“…We’re focused on the task at hand and that’s conquering Australia.’’

The continent, not the studio.

By Norm Frauenheim

Manny Pacquiao versus-Floyd Mayweather Jr.? Did anyone really want to see it all over again?

Didn’t think so.

The good news is that it looks as if the rematch – or is that redundancy? –won’t happen because of the legal mess surrounding Mayweather, who used to call himself Money May.

Lawsuits that seem to multiply by the day, however, suggest money may be gone and on to a life of uninterrupted court dates.

The latest evidence came Thursday when Mayweather’s exhibition against Mike Zambidis in Athens Saturday was called off, according to federal court records filed in New York.

The bout was in jeopardy after CSI, an events company reportedly contracted to stage Mayweather dates, sued, alleging breach of contract. CSI also filed for an emergency injunction to halt the fight. According to the suit, CSI claims it has rights to stage other Mayweather exhibitions, including one against Mike Tyson.

But it was never clear when – or if – the Mayweather-Tyson exhibition would ever happen. Now, it’s fair to say that the Pacquiao-Mayweather rematch is in doubt.

In effect, that’s what Pacquiao told Boxing Scene’s Lance Pugmire Thursday in the wake of news that Mayweather- Zambidis was suddenly just another Greek myth. No live stream was reported. No ticket sales were reported. No opening bell was inevitable.

Then, Pacquiao told Boxing Scene that the Mayweather rematch, scheduled for Sept. 25, had been postponed indefinitely. Indefinitely can mean lots of things, including forever.

Deepening doubt is there because of the avalanche of lawsuits involving Mayweather, who is believed to have earned a billion dollars in his prize-fighting career.

Dollars, of course, have been the only reason for a rematch. Mayweather’s victory over Pacquiao eleven years ago is memorable only for the record revenue it generated. The fight itself was a dud. Mayweather won a unanimous decision in what was a unanimous bore.

International interest before the fight was squandered during the fight. Then, the money generated by the fight was apparently squandered. Who wants to do that all over again?

That verdict has already been delivered by fans who aren’t likely to pay again for another money-grab between fighters more than a decade past their primes.

Notes on a Scorecard

Elijah Garcia (18-2, 14 KOs), a prominent prospect a couple of years ago, got back into the win column with a mandatory victory, a first-round stoppage, of Ryan Adams last Saturday at Celebrity Theatre in Phoenix, Garcia’s hometown.

Jose Benavidez Sr., dad and trainer of three division champion David Benavidez, confirms reports this week that he has talked with troubled and talented Tank Davis about being his trainer. “Tank will announce his plans and we’ll go from there,’’ Jose Sr. tells The Good Fight.  There’s uncertainty because of Tank’s problematic legal issues.

By Norm Frauenheim

Speculation continues to circulate that the long-awaited Tyson Fury-Anthony Joshua fight, projected for November, will land in the United States instead of the UK.

It gained further traction this week with a report in The Athletic that Las Vegas is a leading possibility.

Reaction: Fury-Joshua belongs in Vegas or any other U.S. city about as much as London Bridge belongs in Lake Havasu City in western Arizona.

It’s a lousy fit, an insult to history and a betrayal of UK fans, who have been waiting on the Fury-Joshua heavyweight showdown for years.

Don’t deny them.

It’s hard to know what to believe about the speculation, especially amid the confusing exchange of taunts and insults that cover boxing’s promotional edifice like obscene graffiti.

Eddie Hearn and Dana White don’t like each other. We get it. They accuse each other of lying and a whole lot of other things that keep lawyers in expensive suits and fans exasperated.

“There are more court cases than I’ve ever seen,’’ Hearn said last week in Glendale, Ariz., before Jesse “Bam” Rodriguez delivered something worth watching in stopping Antonio Vargas at Desert Diamond Arena.

Bam, thanks for a genuine statement amid all the garbage.

What’s missing in all the trolling and legalese are fans. With the advent of Zuffa and it’s ongoing attempt to monopolize the sport, fans are a forgotten factor. Did they get mentioned in the recent US Senate hearings for the Muhammad Ali Boxing Revival Act? Didn’t think so.

But the fear is that UK fans, the biggest and most fiercely loyal demographic anywhere, are about to get screwed. In 1968, the old London Bridge was moved, brick-by-brick, to Arizona and rebuilt over a shallow, muddy piece of water in bleached bone-dry desert.

If they can take away the London Bridge, they can take away Fury-Joshua.

For now, at least, there’s a clause in Joshua’s contract that says the projected fight must happen in the UK, according to Hearn, his promoter. However, there is no similar clause in Fury’s contract, Hearn told Boxing Scene last week.

Meanwhile, Fury showed up at the White House for Dana White’s UFC event Sunday. Fury had come back – he’s always coming back  — to the US for the first time in at least five years, reportedly because of his ties to alleged Irish gangster Daniel Kinahan.

Fury, whose promoter-of-record is Frank Warren, talked about plans, some of them presumably about joining Zuffa and White. But it was short on details. More tease than news. Yet, the fact he was in the US – at the White House, no less — suggests he’s open to fighting Joshua in Vegas or any other US city.

Meanwhile, it’s not clear what Joshua thinks. Hearn said his contract can be re-negotiated, including the clause mandating the fight happens in the UK. Saudi Prince and promoter Turki Alalshikh has enough money to change a lot of minds.

“Turki Alalshikh pays the bills,’’ Hearn said.

But UK fans are about to pay the price.

Here’s a better idea:

It’s time for Joshua to step up and speak for UK fans. Time to insist that the fight happens in the UK and only the UK, whose fans have followed him, stuck with him after losses to Andy Ruiz and are fundamental to his wealth and celebrity.

Hearn told The Boxing Hour and The Good Fight last week that he didn’t think it was in Joshua’s personality to take a public stand.

“I don’t think that would be his way,’’ Hearn said. “It’s not in his nature.’’

But it might be time for nature to change. He owes it to the fans who made him.

Elijah Garcia back

Elijah Garcia (17-2, 13 KOs), a prominent prospect a couple of years ago, hopes to get his career back on track at Celebrity Theater in Phoenix Saturday night.

Garcia, now a super-middleweigt from Phoenix, faces Ryan Adams (12-11-1) of Saint Louis.

Garcia is coming off a loss by a debatable majority decision to Kevin Newman in March at Las Vegas’ MGM Grand.

The card features Kingsley Ibeh (16-3-1, 14 KOs) against Dante Stone (21-2, 13 KOs) for an Arizona heavyweight title..

First Bell is scheduled for 6 p.m. (PT).

By Norm Frauenheim

GLENDALE, Ariz. Jesse “Bam” Rodriguez added a third division title with his sixth round knockout of Antonio Vargas Saturday, yet his career goal of a showdown with Naoya Inoue remained unclear in the immediate aftermath of his successful debut at bantamweight.

Trainer Robert Garcia said he wanted Bam to fight once more at 118 pounds before any deal is made to face Inoue.

“We’ve talked about January or February, next year, for the Inoue fight,’’ Garcia Said after Bam knocked down Vargas after some rocky moments in front of a roaring crowd åt Desert Diamond Arena. “We can still do that. That doesn’t have to change.But I want Bam to have one more fight at 118. We can do that in September or October.’’

Bam (24-0, 17 KOs) struggled at times in the early going against Vargas, who leaned on him and backed him up with a succession of punches.

Not until the fifth round did Bam make a key adjustment. It started where it usually does: His feet. With his singular footwork, he stepped to the left of Vargas (19-2-1, 11KOs) and delivered a textbook left hand, putting the World Boxing Association’s defending champion onto the canvas.

In the sixth, Bam did it again, this time ending Vargas’ one-fight reign as the WBA champion.

In an interview inside the ring, Bam was asked about Inoue.

“If you’re asking me if I’m ready, I’m going to say yes,’’ he said. “I’m going to say yes I’m ready for anyone and yes I’m ready for whatever my team plans next.”

This Cardenas scores unanimous decision, wins rematchtime there was no debate. No trash talk either.

Arturo Cardenas made sure of it Saturday, scoring a unanimous decision over Jordan Martinez in a rematch at Desert Diamond Arena.

“I did what I didn’t last time, said Cardenas (18-0-2), who fought Martinez to a draw in early February.” I was aggressive early. I didn’t give away those rounds.’’

Martinez (16-1-1), a popular Phoenix fighter, didn’t quarrel with the result, despite at least one debatable score, a 100-90 shutout. On the other cards, it was 98-92 and 97-93, both for Cardenas

Turkish champion retains belt in narrow win over Gabby Tellez

Elif Nur Turhan kept the belt. Gabby Tellez got the cheers.

In a close and somewhat awkward fight for the women’s International Boxing Federation lightweight title Saturday at Desert Diamond Arena, the bigger Turhan sustained an aggressive pace, scoring enough points on the scorecards for a unanimous decision — 96-94 on all cards — over Tellez (7-1, 3 KOs).

With Phoenix trainer Jose Benavidez Jr. in her corner, Tellez circled Turhan, a powerful Turk, throughout the 10 rounds. Turhan landed a couple of long punches in the final couple of rounds, which might have been just enough to claim a victory that allowed here to take the belt back to Turkey

Terraza wins quick stoppage

Terraza said he knew victory was just a matter of time.

That time came swiftly.

And decisively.

Within two rounds, Terraza, an unbeaten junior-lightweight from Mexico, overwhelmed a shorter Javier Rodriguez, who was down midway through the round and finished within its final few seconds. 

Rodriguez (10-1, 6 KOs), who grew up in the Glendale neighborhood surrounding Desert Diamond Arena, simply had no counter for Terreza’s  reach. Terraza (14-0, 10 KOs) knocked him down with an overhand right and then folllowed with successive punches from all angles.

Trini Ochoa lands right to land back in win column

Trini Ochoa, a popular junior welterweight from Mesa, got back into the win column Saturday. All he needed was a right hand.

It landed, flooring Tristan Perez (12-5-1, 7 KOs) Saturday in a stunning second round at Desert Diamond Arena. Ochoa was coming off his first defeat

Esquina delivers punishing stoppage

It was punishing.

Punishing mostly for Sepu Taylor.

Xechal Esquina, an undefeated featherweight from Phoenix, tirelessly moved forward for six-plus rounds, landing shots that echoed throughout Desert Diamond Saturday on a card featuring Bam Rodriguez-Antonio Vargas.

Somehow, Taylor (1-2-1), of Denver stay edupright. Early in the sixth, however, he began to back away on unsteady feet, At 2:39 of the round, he was down. And done, a bruised stoppage loser to a relentless attack Esquina (6-0, 5 KOs).

Hector Beltran wins second round TKO

Hector Beltran Jr., who calls himself Handsome, must have looked scary to Shaquile Felicia.

Beltran (8-0, 6 KOs), a junior-middleweight From Dallas, threw a quick combo that dropped Felicia (3-2). It also left Felicia with a look that seemed to say he’d rather be back home in Anchorage. Seconds and few more combos later, he was finished, a TKO loser at 2:53 of the round.

First Bell: Ronny Alvarez stoppage opens the show

With temperatures pushing 110 degrees, a small crowd began to escape and gather inside Desert Diamond Arena.

Anything for a little air conditioning.

In the ring, however, Cuban super-middleweight Ronny Alvarez (7-0, 6 KOs) continued to pour on the heat, scoring a seventh round stoppage of Serbia Flip Stankovic (9-4, 6 KOs) Saturday afternoon in the opening bout on a card featuring Jesse “Bam” Rodriguez-Antonio Vargas.  

By Norm Frauenheim

GLENDALE, Ariz. – Jesse “Bam” Rodriguez has formally said goodbye to superfly, all in a quest for the challenges he hopes will lead to the biggest one of all:

Naoya Inoue

That’s not exactly a secret anymore. Talk — and perhaps some real momentum — has been building for a Bam-Inoue showdown.

Now, that possibility enters a new stage, one evident by what was missing Thursday at a formal news conference for his bantamweight debut against 118-pound champion Antonio Vargas Saturday at Desert Diamond Arena in a DAZN-streamed bout.

Bam wasn’t seated behind the collection of belts that are usually there. They’re gone. In boxing-speak, they’ve been vacated to make room for what Bam has said is an “inevitable” showdown with Inoue in what would be the biggest fight ever at the lighter weights.

It was news delivered Wednesday by Bam trainer Robert Garcia, who announced on social media that Bam was relinquishing three of the four.

He’s replacing them with a new challenge at a new weight.

“New challenges are more important to me that just another title defense,’’ said Bam, now a former unified champion who suddenly finds himself in the unfamiliar role of being the challenger.

There are signs that Bam won’t be a challenger for long. Vargas is being called underrated by his corner. Maybe, he is.  On the World Boxing Association’s shuffleboard, he was elevated from secondary to the real 118-pound champion a couple of weeks ago. Vargas’ credentials include experience against some of the world’s best, including Shakur Stevenson, who beat him as an amateur.

But prohibitive odds suggest that Bam won’t be a challenger for long. He has an opportunity to win a third belt at a third weight. What’s more significant, however, might be in how he performs at bantam. Success at 118 pounds would represent a steppingstone to junior-feather — 122 pounds, Inoue’s current weight.

At 26-years old, Bam has improved with each move up the scale. He also seems to get better with each fight, all victories That plants an inevitable expectation. Just how good can he be?

“I feel like I haven’t shown 50 percent of who I’ll be,’’ Bam said during Thursday’s newser.

If accurate, half of what Bam’s potential already is good enough to put him among the top five in virtually every pound for-pound rating, many of which have Inoue at No. 1

For now, at least, the question is what Inoue plans to do. Since his victory over Junto Nakatani in front 55,000 Japanese fans in Tokyo, he’s been quiet. Still, there’s talk that he’ll move up to 126 pounds, featherweight.

Garcia believes that would be a move intended to keep him away from a date with the San Antonio fighter.

“Take a look at 126,’’ said Garcia, who agrees that fans have yet to see the best Bam. “There’s nobody at 126 who would make a better fight than one against Bam.

“Moving up to 126 would say that he doesn’t want to fight Bam.’’

For now, the only relevant measurement is Bam’s first time at 118. There’s been talk about a further move up the scale to 122-pounds before a speculated date – December or January — against Inoue.

“But I can only make the right decision based on what I see Saturday night,’’ Garcia said. “I can’t be thinking about more before I see him at 118.’’

By Norm Frauenheim

GLENDALE, Ariz. – Jesse “Bam” Rodriguez has formally said goodbye to superfly, all in a quest for the challenges he hopes will lead to the biggest one of all:

Naoya Inoue

That’s not exactly a secret anymore. Talk — and perhaps some real momentum — has been building for a Bam-Inoue showdown.

Now, that possibility enters a new stage, one evident by what was missing Thursday at a formal news conference for his bantamweight debut against 118-pound champion Antonio Vargas Saturday at Desert Diamond Arena in a DAZN-streamed bout.

Bam wasn’t seated behind the collection of belts that are usually there. They’re gone. In boxing-speak, they’ve been vacated to make room for what Bam has said is an “inevitable” showdown with Inoue in what would be the biggest fight ever at the lighter weights.

It was news delivered Wednesday by Bam trainer Robert Garcia, who announced on social media that Bam was relinquishing three of the four.

He’s replacing them with a new challenge at a new weight.

“New challenges are more important to me that just another title defense,’’ said Bam, now a former unified champion who suddenly finds himself in the unfamiliar role of being the challenger.

There are signs that Bam won’t be a challenger for long. Vargas is being called underrated by his corner. Maybe, he is.  On the World Boxing Association’s shuffleboard, he was elevated from secondary to the real 118-pound champion a couple of weeks ago. Vargas’ credentials include experience against some of the world’s best, including Shakur Stevenson, who beat him as an amateur.

But prohibitive odds suggest that Bam won’t be a challenger for long. He has an opportunity to win a third belt at a third weight. What’s more significant, however, might be in how he performs at bantam. Success at 118 pounds would represent a steppingstone to junior-feather — 122 pounds, Inoue’s current weight.

At 26-years old, Bam has improved with each move up the scale. He also seems to get better with each fight, all victories That plants an inevitable expectation. Just how good can he be?

“I feel like I haven’t shown 50 percent of who I’ll be,’’ Bam said during Thursday’s newser.

If accurate, half of what Bam’s potential already is good enough to put him among the top five in virtually every pound for-pound rating, many of which have Inoue at No. 1

For now, at least, the question is what Inoue plans to do. Since his victory over Junto Nakatani in front 55,000 Japanese fans in Tokyo, he’s been quiet. Still, there’s talk that he’ll move up to 126 pounds, featherweight.

Garcia believes that would be a move intended to keep him away from a date with the San Antonio fighter.

“Take a look at 126,’’ said Garcia, who agrees that fans have yet to see the best Bam. “There’s nobody at 126 who would make a better fight than one against Bam.

“Moving up to 126 would say that he doesn’t want to fight Bam.’’

For now, the only relevant measurement is Bam’s first time at 118. There’s been talk about a further move up the scale to 122-pounds before a speculated date – December or January — against Inoue.

“But I can only make the right decision based on what I see Saturday night,’’ Garcia said. “I can’t be thinking about more before I see him at 118.’’

By Norm Frauenheim

It’s beginning to feel as though boxing has entered a statement season, as in delivering one.

Dmitry Bivol delivered last Saturday, beating an overmatched German in Russia, yet the message from Bivol was within his performance.

Bivol, still as flawless as any sweet scientist against challenger-without-a-chance Michael Eifert, showed there’s been no evident erosion in the light-heavyweight’s comprehensive skillset after back surgery and a long stretch of inactivity following his rematch victory over Artur Beterbiev.

He knows what he’s doing. But what will he do next? There are plenty of rumors, but no sources and zero hints from Bivol, a quiet Russian who is as taciturn as he is skillful.

The real – for now, only — news is that he’s back in the conversation, including the pound-for-pound debate. He’s among the second five after falling out of the subjective ratings altogether. His options are as viable as ever, including a third fight with Beterbiev and/or a date with newly minted cruiserweight champion David Benavidez, who also continues to hold a light-heavyweight belt.

For Bivol, the task was to restore leverage, his negotiating power and presence for whatever possibility — Beterbiev or Benavidez – develops.

Statement delivered.

Now, it’s Jesse “Bam” Rodriguez’ turn.

Bam’s chance will be there June 13 in Glendale, AZ, a few miles of roadwork from Benavidez childhood home in west Phoenix.

That’s when and where Bam can further his pursuit of a showdown with current pound-for-pound king Naoya Inoue at Desert Diamond Arena in a bantamweight debut against Antonio Vargas, who isn’t given much more of a chance than Eifert had against Bivol.

Eifert was a 25-to-1 underdog, according to various betting sites. At opening bell, the odds facing Vargas might be even bigger. The spread ranges from 25-to-1 to 33-to-1, according to numbers posted this week, also by various betting sites.

Translation: Bam is considered a virtual lock. Like Bivol, the significance – message – is within how he wins.

A few weeks ago during a media workout at Central Boxing in Phoenix, Bam, already a two-division champion, said he thought a fight with Inoue was inevitable. Since then, there have been multiple stories about  Bam-Inoue, still a dream fight. A Netflix interest was reported. Even a projected time frame for the much discussed, much anticipated possibility has been mentioned. Some speculation has it happening in early 2027

That’s not inevitable, but it is momentum, the kind that could make it happen. So far, Inoue, who is coming off a defense of his undisputed junior featherweight title against Junto Nakatani, has been about as talkative as Bivol.

Inoue has talked about moving to featherweight. He’s also has mentioned Bam. But now Japan’s Rising Son is quiet, perhaps waiting to see what kind of message Bam delivers against Vargas.

About a week ago, Vargas was declared the World Boxing Association’s 118-pound champ. The acronym’s move was merely a paper shuffle. Vargas had held a secondary belt. For Bam, it’s an opportunity – perhaps a gift. He can add a third division title to his resume.

But a long stop at bantam has never been in the Bam plan. On his blueprint, 118 pounds is another step toward his inevitable. Always has been.

A convincing performance could move Bam closer. Currently, he’s a consensus No. 3 in pound-for-pound ratings, behind No. 1 Inoue and No. 2 Oleksandr Usyk. But there are doubts about Usyk after his problematic victory over kick boxer Rico Verhoeven May 23 in Egypt.

A dominant Bam on June 13 could vault him over Usyk into the No. 2 spot. No. 1 versus-No. 2 is a classic scenario in what would be the biggest little-guy fight in history. Maybe those stories about Netflix’s interest are accurate.

Only Bam can make sure of it with the delivery of another convincing statement.

By Norm Frauenheim

It looks as if hints to David Benavidez’ immediate future will play out Saturday with light-heavyweight champion Dmitry Bivol’s comeback from back surgery against German Michael Eifert in Russia, but that hasn’t stopped anybody from talking — ad nauseam — about Canelo Alvarez.

By all accounts, Canelo-Benavidez won’t happen. At least, that’s what Canelo said definitively during a news conference in Egypt for a Sept. 12 fight against Christian Mbilli.

Benavidez is a cruiserweight and possibly an emerging heavyweight, Stay there, Canelo said. In a rare agreement with Canelo, Benavidez father and trainer Jose Sr. also told Fight Hub TV that the fight was no longer a possibility.

The only sure thing is that fans and media will continue to debate, wonder and fantasize about it.

Canelo-Benavidez has become a permanent fixture in the public imagination, which is where it figures to stay.

Nevertheless, Benavidez repeated what he said after his beatdown of Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez for a unified cruiserweight title May 2. He can still make 175 pounds. Meanwhile, Canelo is staying at 168 in a bid for a World Boxing Council title against Christian Mbilli Sept. 12.

If a heavily favored Bivol wins Saturday, a return to 175 could create Benavidez’ first opportunity at an undisputed title, a key addition to his pound-for-pound resume. The Phoenix born-and-forged fighter has the WBC version of the light-heavy title; Bivol has the other three belts.

“I was ready then and I’m ready now,’’ said Benavidez, who was in Mexico City Wednesday to honor his father as the WBC’s Trainer of the Year. “I can still make 175.’’

Benavidez went on to mention Canelo. It’s impossible not to. Yet, his promised 25-pound move downscale is really about a shot at Bivol and that undisputed distinction.

Against Eifert, there’s a chance to see what Bivol still has. Has he completely recovered from back surgery? Is he still the same fighter who upset Canelo and evened the score with a rematch decision over Artur Beterbiev?

Answers will go a long way to figuring out what and who are next for Benavidez, now a top five pound-for-pound contender. But the questions will still be about Canelo.

FIGHT CITY

Bivol, who is of Russian and Korean descent, will be fighting in his home country in a city, Yekaterinburg, with lots of history, some noteworthy and some ominous.

It is Russia’s fourth largest city, located east of the Ural Mountains. In the early to mid-19^th century, the city’s mines produced 45 percent of all the gold in the world. Some of that gold can be seen, glittering off domes at the top of an old church.  

It’s called Church on the Blood. Czar Nicholas II, Russia’s last monarch, and his family were murdered there by the Bolsheviks in July, 1918.

By Norm Frauenheim

David Benavidez has gone upscale and now looks down scale, all in search of belts that add up to undisputed.

On any scale, it’s risky.

How heavy a risk?  The best measure is on that unforgiving scale. Benavidez gained 25 pounds to take Zurdo Ramirez’ cruiserweight belts. Now, Benavidez, still the reigning World Boxing Council’s light heavy champion, intends to lose those 25 pounds in a planned pursuit of Dmitrii Bivol’s three 175-pound belts.

That’s 50 pounds within just two fights, a dizzy up and down roller coaster ride on any scale. Charles Barkley says he lost 62 pounds within six months on Ozempic. The former Round Mound of Rebound must be jealous. Maybe, hungry, too

But Benavidez is nothing if not bold. He dramatically enhanced his pound-for-pound clout with a dominant stoppage of Ramirez at cruiser and now looks at Bivol in pursuit of the light-heavy belts that could make him undisputed for the first time.

The Bivol plan was disclosed this week on The PorterWay Podcast when Benavidez confirmed that there had been preliminary talks. Preliminary, of course, could mean just about anything.  A simple hello, after all, qualifies as preliminary.  However, longtime Bivol promoter Eddie Hearn also told Boxing Scene that he has had discussions with manager Luis DeCubas and PBC

“We like Bivol-Benavidez,’’ Hearn said.’’…I think Bivol-Benavidez is the fight to make.’’

So does Benavidez.

“Bivol is really the only fight I want, that I truly want, ‘’ said the Phoenix born-and-forged fighter, who no longer has any interest in an immediate bout with Zuffa cruiserweight Jai Opetaia. “He has all the belts. I really want those belts. I want those accolades. That’s the only thing I want right now.”

Odds are the belts will be there. Bivol is a 25-to-1 favorite May 30 to beat German challenger Michael Eifert in a fight with a couple of problematic wrinkles. It’s in Ekaterinburg, a Russian city about 1,778 mils from Ukraine.  Because of the Russian-Ukrainian war, only two – the International Boxing Federation and World Boxing Association – of Bivol’s belts are at stake.  The third — World Boxing Organization’s version — will not be. The WBO withdrew it because of the conflict.

The belts – accolades – are part of a resume planned by Benavidez. He’s trying to test limits few ever have. He’s already achieved one. In stopping Zurdo, he became the first in history to win world titles at 168, 175 and 200 pounds.  Yet, he still has not won an undisputed title, unlike the consensus pound-for-pound No. 1 Naoya Inoue, undisputed at two weights – bantam and junior-feather.

His pursuit of a date with Bivol, however, is no sure thing. It hinges on Bivol’s first fight since back surgery, which he underwent after he beat Arturo Betebiev in a rematch February 2025. Initially, it looked as if Bivol and Beterbiev, now 1-and-1, were headed for a trilogy fight.

But there has been no news from Beterbiev or his plans. He’s 41-years old, six years older than Bivol and 12 years older than Benavidez.

Meanwhile, interest in Benavidez has spiked since his May 2^nd star-making statement over Zurdo. It put him squarely in the race for 2026 Fighter of the Year.

Even before Zurdo, there had been talk of a fight with Bivol, who — like Zurdo — sparred multiple rounds with Benavidez when he was still at super-middle and just beginning his futile pursuit of a fight with Canelo Alvarez.

The sparring favored Benavidez, according to him and many who witnessed it. But years have come and gone. Benavidez is entering his prime; Bivol is near the end of his.

If there’s a time to fight, it’s now.

By Norm Frauenheim

Home can be just about anywhere, especially if it only includes a couple of stools and is surrounded by ropes.

What can go wrong?

Plenty, of course.

But Jesse “Bam” Rodriguez has found only success in what he calls a second home.

Rodriguez, who grew up in San Antonio, is about to fight a fourth bout in the Phoenix area, this time at Desert Diamond Arena in nearby Glendale for a significant step up the scale to bantamweight in a bout that looks a lot like a test of his hopes to one day face Naoya Inoue.

“They gave him two options for June 13,’’ Bam trainer Robert Garcia said. “San Antonio or Phoenix? He picked Phoenix.’’

He did, for more than one reason. He trains in Riverside, Calif., which is closer to Phoenix than San Antonio. But Phoenix has also become a key to his emergence as a pound-for-pound contender.

“This place changed my life,’’ Bam, a two-division champion, said Thursday during a media workout at Central Boxing for his June 13 118-pound date against Antonio Vargas.

He won his first title, a 112-pound belt, with a 2022 victory over Carlos Cuadras at the Suns arena, a few blocks from Central.

Since then, Bam has emerged, from a so-called little guy to a very big name near the top of the pound-for-pound debate. 

In the process, he has created a big fan-base in central Arizona, which has probably appreciated fighters in the lighter weight classes more than any other boxing market.

AZ, after all, grew up on watching one of the best little guys ever in Hall of Fame junior-flyweight Michael Carbajal.

“Carbajal was the first,’’ Garcia said. “He made history.’’

In Bam’s dangerous hands, that history might continue to unfold. The two-division champion is planning on Inoue, perhaps sometime next year..

Bam called the Inoue possibility “inevitable” Thursday. He also said he watched Inoue’s victory over Junto Nakatani in front 55,000 at the Tokyo Dome May 2.

“It was a great performance,’’ Bam said. “Nakatani is a really tough fighter.’’

Throughout all the hype for Inoue-Nakatani, Inoue mentioned Rodriguez and confirmed that a fight with Bam was a real possibility.

For Bam, that’ll mean more than one more move up in weight. Inoue has been fighting at 122 pounds. He’s talked about fighting at 126, featherweight.

For Bam, that means making two – maybe three –more moves up the scale and one more move back to Phoenix, where it all started.

By Norm Frauenheim

David Benavidez’ rocket-ride to stardom with a beatdown of Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez makes him a consensus top five pound-for-pound contender and the early leader for 2026 Fighter of the Year.

His ascent from a forgotten teenager who was never called a prospect to a prime-time spot at the top of the game is as rare as it is compelling.

It’s also just the beginning.

Now 29 years old, Benavidez, once a kid from the streets in west Phoenix, said repeatedly before opening bell May 2 that he was only getting started at building a genuine legacy.

“That just catapults me into the same category as the greats,’’ Benavidez said a couple of days before a brutal sixth-round stoppage of Zurdo that put him into boxing’s long, bloodied history as the first to win titles at 200, 175 and 168 pounds. “You know, it’s very hard to become world champion. It’s very hard to become world champion in two weight classes.

“So, three weight classes would put me in the same conversations as the greats. At the end of the day, I want to keep giving the fans what they want to see, the best fights, and keep winning world titles to solidify my legacy.”

The task now is to stay in the conversation. For Benavidez, that just means more of the same thing he’s been doing since nobody knew – or cared – who he was.

Who he is.

His personality, his lifestyle, has been forged into a stubborn, sometimes edgy, pursuit of proving doubters wrong.

Even in the wake of his convincing victory over Zurdo, doubters are still there. Benavidez is glad they are. Without them, there wouldn’t be the motivation. This time, doubts are rooted in part by Zurdo himself.

Zurdo, soft spoken and popular in Mexico, was almost forgotten in the ritual hype throughout the promotional marketing for the cruiserweight fight. A former Benavidez sparring partner, Zurdo was also a friend. At times, however, he was almost too friendly. But Benavidez never had any illusions. He promised to walk through a friend.

He did.

Now, however, the doubters wonder if somebody not so friendly – say Dmitry Bivol or Jai Opetaia – might be able to stop Benavidez’ march to the pound-for-pound No. 1 and Fighter of the Year.

Bivol, a 175-pound champion and another former Benavidez sparring partner, and Opetaia, a feared cruiserweight, have been mentioned more than any other.

But neither looks likely for a mid-September date, the second step in Benavidez’ attempt to take over the Mexican holiday dates that once belonged to Canelo Alvarez. After his smashing dominance in his Cinco de Mayo debut, Benavidez hopes for an encore celebrating Mexico’s Sept 16^th Independence Day.

But Bivol might be too busy. He has a title defense scheduled for May 30 against Michael Eifert. If he wins, a third fight against Artur Beterbiev is a possibility.

A date with Opetaia is the best fight out there, Benavidez said. Yet, he also dismissed it, in large part because of boxing’s forever balkanized politics. Opetaia is a Zuffa fighter.

He has a Zuffa title, yet was stripped of the better-known International Boxing Federation belt, which is traditionally a part of the collection of belts that add up to undisputed.

At this stage, Benavidez is seeking undisputed, again all in a lifelong fight to prove doubters wrong.

Benavidez said he has no interest – Z as in Zero — in fighting Opetaia for only a Zuffa belt.

Yet, Benavidez’ surging popularity is impossible to ignore, even for Saudi Prince and promoter Turki Alalshikh, Zuffa’s financial backer. 

According to The Ring, also Saudi-owned, Alalshikh is talking about Benavidez fighting heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk in 2027. First, Usyk, perhaps the greatest cruiserweight ever, has a curious date against kick-boxer Rico Verhoeven May 23 in Egypt

The story was reported just a few days after Benavidez, a longtime Usyk admirer, asked reporters at a post-fight news conference to quit asking him about heavyweight.

“Maybe in five years,’’ said Benavidez, a fighter suddenly looking at a future when just about anything looks to be possible.