Las Vegas –UFC’s first live event on Paramount+ kicks off with a star-studded card headlined by two compelling title fights at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on Saturday, January 24, 2026. In the main event, superstars collide as former interim UFC lightweight champion and former BMF titleholder Justin Gaethje takes on fan favorite Paddy “The Baddy” Pimblett in an interim UFC lightweight title fight. In the co-main event, UFC women’s bantamweight champion Kayla Harrison looks to defend her title and lay claim to G.O.A.T. status as she takes on UFC Hall of Famer Amanda Nunes, who returns to the Octagon for the first time since 2023.

The main card of UFC^® 324: GAETHJE vs. PIMBLETT will take place at an all-new start time of 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT. The prelims will start at 7 p.m. ET / 4 p.m. PT and the early prelims will kick off at 5 p.m. ET / 2 p.m. PT. All bouts will be available on Paramount+.

UFC^® 324 tickets will go on sale Friday, December 12 at 10 a.m. PT and are available at AXS.com. Ticket sales are limited to eight (8) per person. UFC Fight Club ^® will have the opportunity to purchase tickets Wednesday, December 10 at 10 a.m. PT via the website UFCFightClub.com. A special Internet ticket pre-sale will be available to UFC newsletter subscribers Thursday, December 11 at 10 a.m. PT. To access the pre-sale, users must register for the UFC newsletter through UFC.com. 

UFC VIP Experience packages are available via On Location, UFC’s Official VIP Experience Provider. Enjoy exclusive access with an official ticket package that includes premium seating, all-inclusive hospitality, in-seat beverage service, meet-and-greets with UFC Octagon Girls, and more. Visit UFCVIP.com for more information.

Gaethje (26-5, fighting out of Arvada, Colo.) aims to deliver another signature highlight-reel performance to become the first two-time interim UFC lightweight champion in history. A fan favorite for his all-action fighting style that has earned him 14 UFC post-fight bonuses in 14 bouts, Gaethje has entertained the masses in victories over Dustin Poirier, Michael Chandler and Tony Ferguson. He now looks to become the first man to defeat Pimblett in the Octagon and further etch his name in the history books.

Rising superstar Pimblett (23-3, fighting out of Liverpool, England) plans to make good on his championship potential in his first UFC main event. Undefeated in seven UFC appearances, he has proven himself as one of the best in the world with finishes over Michael Chandler, King Green and Jordan Leavitt. Pimblett now intends to keep his perfect UFC record intact and add Gaethje to his increasingly impressive resume.

Harrison (19-1, fighting out of Coconut Creek, Fla.) plans to leave no doubt that she is the best female fighter on the planet by taking out a legend in dominant fashion. A two-time Olympic gold medalist and the first woman to ever win an Olympic gold medal and a UFC championship, Harrison rose to the top of the bantamweight division by defeating Holly Holm, Ketlen Vieira and Julianna Pena. She now has her sights set on conquering the biggest challenge of her career by spoiling Nunes’ Octagon return.

UFC Hall of Famer Nunes (23-5, fighting out of Miami, Fla.) steps back into the Octagon with the intent to remind the world why she is the greatest of all time. The only woman to win UFC titles in two different weight classes, Nunes holds the records for most knockouts (6), finishes (8), wins (13) and takedowns (32) in UFC women’s bantamweight history. She now aims to pick up where she left off by handing Harrison her first UFC loss and further cementing herself as the best ever.  

Additional bouts on the card include:

• An intriguing bantamweight bout pits former UFC champion and current No. 2 ranked contender Sean O’Malley (18-3 1NC, fighting out of Glendale, Ariz.) against No. 5 ranked Song Yadong (22-8-1 1NC, fighting out of Heilongjiang, China)
• No. 5 ranked UFC heavyweight contender Waldo Cortes Acosta (16-2, fighting out of Phoenix, Ariz. by way of Fundacion, Barahona, Dominican Republic) meets UFC knockout king and No. 8 ranked Derrick Lewis (29-12 1NC, fighting out of Houston, Texas) in a can’t-miss matchup
• An exciting featherweight bout seesNo. 6 ranked Arnold Allen (20-3, fighting out of Suffolk, England) take on No. 11 Jean Silva (16-3, fighting out of Sao Paulo, Brazil)
• Top ranked UFC women’s flyweight contenders collide as No. 2 ranked Natalia Silva (19-5-1, fighting out of Pingo D’Agua, Minas Gerais, Brazil) faces former UFC women’s strawweight champion and No. 6 ranked flyweight contender Rose Namajunas (15-7, fighting out of Denver, Colo.)
• No. 1 ranked UFC bantamweight contender Umar Nurmagomedov (19-1, fighting out of Dagestan, Russia) faces former UFC flyweight champion and No. 6 ranked bantamweight contender Deiveson Figueiredo (25-5-1, fighting out of Soure, Pará, Brazil)
• Middleweight knockout artist Ateba Gautier (9-1, fighting out of Yaounde, Cameroon) takes on Andrey Pulyaev (10-3, fighting out of Novosibirsk, Russia)
• No. 13 ranked UFC light heavyweight contender Nikita Krylov (30-11, fighting out of Donetsk, Ukraine) locks horns with Modestas Bukauskas (19-6, fighting out of London, England by way of Klaipeda, Lithuania)
• No. 11 ranked UFC flyweight contender Alex Perez (25-10, fighting out of Lemoore, Calif.) makes a quick return to the Octagon to face always-exciting No. 13 Charles Johnson (18-7, fighting out of St. Louis, Mo.)
• Lightweight action sees veteran Michael Johnson (25-19, fighting out of Boca Raton, Fla.) go toe-to-toe with Alexander Hernandez (18-8, fighting out of San Antonio, Texas)
• Heavyweight prospect Josh Hokit (7-0, fighting out of Albuquerque, N.M.) aims to deliver another impressive performance when he faces Denzel Freeman (7-1, fighting out of Denver, Colo.)
• Ricky Turcios (13-5, fighting out of Sacramento, Calif.) and Cameron Smotherman (12-6, fighting out of Houston, Texas) face off in a thrilling bantamweight tilt

For the latest information on bout announcements and additional information for this event, please visit www.ufc.com. All bouts are subject to change. Please click?here?to apply for the event.

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About UFC^®

UFC^® is the world’s premier mixed martial arts organization (MMA), with more than 700 million fans and 259 million social media followers. The organization produces more than 40 live events annually in some of the most prestigious arenas around the world while broadcasting to over 975 million TV households across more than 170 countries. UFC’s athlete roster features the world’s best MMA athletes representing more than 80 countries. The organization’s digital offerings include UFC FIGHT PASS^®, one of the world’s leading streaming services for combat sports. UFC is part of TKO Group Holdings (NYSE: TKO) and is headquartered in Las Vegas, Nevada. For more information, visit UFC.com and follow UFC at Facebook.com/UFC and @UFC on X, Snapchat, Instagram, and TikTok: @UFC.

About Paramount, a Skydance Corporation
Paramount, a Skydance Corporation (Nasdaq: PSKY) is a leading, next-generation global media and entertainment company, comprised of three business segments: Studios, Direct-to-Consumer, and TV Media. The Company’s portfolio unites legendary brands, including Paramount Pictures, Paramount  Television, CBS – America’s most-watched broadcast network, CBS News, Nickelodeon, MTV, BET, Comedy Central, Showtime, Paramount+, Pluto TV, and Skydance’s Animation, Film, Television, Interactive/Games, and Sports divisions. For more information please visit www.paramount.com. 

PLEASANTON, CALIFORNIA – Welterweight prospect Jacob Macalolooy ended the longest layoff of his blossoming career with a hard-fought six-round majority decision over Angel Munoz in the main event of the seven-bout “Brawl in the Bay” card at the Alameda County Fairgrounds on Saturday night. 

After feeling things out in round one, Macalolooy (10-0, 4 KOs) of Union City, California came out more aggressive in round two, backing Munoz (7-2, 5 KOs) of San Bernardino, California against the ropes and letting loose with his hands. 

Macalolooy, 148 ½, asserted himself in the third as well, pounding Munoz, 146 ½, back into the red corner to highlight the round. Munoz worked his way back into the fight in the fourth, finding a home for two right uppercuts in the early going. Macalolooy, who turned southpaw for a stretch, mirroring his left-handed opponent’s stance, closed the round strong before dancing back to his corner. 

Taking a page out of his opponent’s book, Macalolooy doubled up on his uppercut early in the fifth round. Macalolooy controlled most of the round, but Munoz did land his uppercut again, sending fluid from his foe’s mouth flying across the ring. Each had their moments in the sixth. Munoz landed a stiff right hand early and did some good work through two-and-one-half minutes, before Macalolooy came on strong to close out the fight. 

In the end, judge Kermit Bayless had the fight scored even, 57-57, but was overruled by judges Melissa McMorrow and Brian Tsukamoto, who scored the fight 59-55 for Macalolooy. The fight represented Macalolooy’s return after over a year away from traditional ring action.  

Light heavyweight prospect Kumar Prescod (4-0-1, 4 KOs) of Oakland, California did something not seen in California too often: score four knockdowns in a single round. After some bad blood at Friday’s weigh-in, Prescod had a short, but eventful night in dispatching Isaac Johnson (4-16-1, 1 KO) of Denver, Colorado inside of a single round. 

Prescod, 176, rocked Johnson, 174, early and often, scoring the first knockdown with a straight left. The punch bounced Johnson off a neutral corner’s turnbuckle pad and down. Johnson rose quickly, but was abruptly downed for the second time with a short right hand. The third knockdown was scored with a right to the body. On most nights, that would have been the end. Johnson was allowed to continue before a quick two-punch combination sent him down for the fourth and final time. Time of the stoppage was 2:29 of round one.  

In his U.S. debut, junior welterweight Rob Gutierrez Jr. (3-0, 2 KOs) of San Jose, California was taken the distance for the first time as a professional by Imer Lima (1-1-1, 1 KO) of Los Angeles, California, but came away with his unbeaten record intact via four-round unanimous decision. 

Gutierrez, 141 ½, controlled the action from the outset, pressing Lima, 140, to the ropes. At times it seemed like Gutierrez did the hard work of backing Lima up and getting inside, but did not let his hands go enough once he got there. 

After a second round that mirrored the first, Gutierrez closed the third, having hurt Lima to the body and chasing his adversary while looking to land the put away shot. However, Lima did well to get on his horse and regroup. 

After another clear round for Gutierrez, who looked like he had more gas in the tank, judges Melissa McMorrow and Kermit Bayless scored the shutout, 40-36. Judge Brian Tsukamoto found a round for Lima, turning in a 39-37 scorecard. 

Moving into the win column, Johnie Williams (1-0-1) of Suisun City, California pounded his way to a four-round unanimous decision over Terrence Coleman (0-2) of New York, New York. 

Williams, 170 ½, repeatedly found a home for his overhand right, as Coleman, 171 ½, kept his left low in an Archie Moore-type defensive posture, but without bringing his right hand over to deflect shots upstairs. 

Williams again landed clean with the overhand right late in the second. The punch shook Coleman, but after it scored they tangled up and fell to the canvas. The extra time was probably welcomed by Coleman, who looked weary making the trip across the ring and back to his corner.

Things got more interesting in the third as Williams scored two knockdowns. The first knockdown came from a right hand, but the second had a little more flair. Williams landed a combination, scoring a knockdown that sent Coleman down and out of the ring, under the bottom rope, and to the floor. To his credit, Coleman beat the count back in, but was rocked in the closing seconds by an uppercut. 

Both switched to southpaw briefly in the fourth before Coleman executed a double leg takedown. Williams closed out the round landing upstairs again, but Coleman made it to the final bell. 

Judge Melissa McMorrow scored the bout 40-35, while judges Kermit Bayless and Brian Tsukamoto had it 40-34. 

In an evenly matched contest, Tiare Womack (2-0-1, 2 KOs) of San Francisco, California and Danna Pineda (1-0-1) of Orosi, California by way of Michoacán, Mexico fought to a four-round split decision draw. 

The first two-minute round featured some frantic inside work by both fighters. Womack, 129 ½, appeared stronger on the inside in the early going, but Pineda, 129, held her own in the exchanges. 

Once the fight moved into the second, Womack was holding in close more often, while Pineda kept her hands moving. Womack was cut over right eye late in the round, ruled as a result of a legal punch by referee Michael Margado.

Womack started the third with a clean combination, but Pineda was undeterred and fought tough in the final minute. 

Womack landed her best punch early in the fourth, but Pineda was busier and worked more on the inside whenever her opponent looked to tie up.  

Judge Melissa McMorrow scored the bout 39-37 for Pineda. Judge Kermit Bayless had it 39-37 for Womack. Judge Brian Tsukamoto turned in the even card, 38-38. Both fighters expressed interest in a rematch during the post-fight interview. 

In a fight that was there for the taking for either debuting fighter, Ralie Gulley (1-0) of Fresno, California edged out Colin Madlangbayan (0-1) of Hayward, California, taking a four-round majority decision. 

Madlangbayan, 133 ½, and Gulley, 133 ½, felt out each other in the first round. Gulley turned southpaw at various points, something he would do all fight. Madlangbayan landed with a couple sweeping rights early, but nothing telling was landed by either before the first closing bell. 

Madlangbayan closed the distance in the second and found a home for his straight left hand, which was probably the best punch landed in the round. 

Madlangbayan forced his way inside again early in the third and landed a clean combination upstairs. Gulley landed a few clean shots at range, but had a hard time keeping the distance that would best suit his longer frame.

Gulley found his range again in spots in the fourth, but neither fighter really pressed to close out the fight strong. In the end it was Madlangbayan that suffered for it, as Gulley did enough to win over judges Kermit Bayless and Brian Tsukamoto, 39-37 each. Judge Melissa McMorrow  had the dissenting card, 38-38.

In his U.S. debut, Danny Belloso Jr. (2-0, 2 KOs) of Modesto, California made short work of Antonio Ferrel (0-3) of Santa Rosa, California, scoring a first-round stoppage in under a minute. 

Ferrel, 123, was hurt by the first counter right Belloso, 121 ½, landed. With Ferrel in immediate retreat, Belloso followed with combinations, culminating with two left hooks, to score a knockdown. Referee Michael Margado began his count, before stopping bout without reaching the conclusion of his count at 55 seconds of the first. 

The event was promoted by Elite Underdog Promotions and Benjamin’s Boxing and streamed live by BXNG TV. 

Mario Ortega Jr. can be reached at ortegajr.mario@gmail.com

By Norm Frauenheim

Boxing, unruly and unrepentant, is erupting all over again with Terence Crawford’s shotgun-like blast of insults in a social-media counter to the World Boxing Council’s decision to strip him of his title.

In a social-media post delivered from his vehicle late Wednesday, Crawford unloaded on the WBC and its president, Mauricio Sulaiman, who announced from a convention in Bangkok this week that it was stripping the 168-pound belt Crawford won in his masterful decision over Canelo Alvarez for not paying sanctioning fees.

Sulaiman said he failed to pay a $300,000 fee on a purse that Sulaiman said “allegedly earned” Crawford $50 million. If accurate, that’s less than the traditional fee, 0.6 percent instead of the usual 3%.

But Sulaiman’s use of the word “allegedly” is confusing. It suggests that the WBC did not know what the precise size of Crawford’s purse in a mid-September bout that resulted in Canelo collecting more than $100-million, according to Saudi Prince and promoter Turki Alalshikh.

It’s not clear whether the WBC has filed a lawsuit or intends to.

In a subsequent post to his profane shot at Sulaiman, Crawford said he never agreed to pay anything to the WBC, which also said that the pound-for-pound champion failed to pay a fee for his junior-middleweight decision over Israil Madrimov in August 2024.

“Let’s make things clear …’’ Crawford said on an X post. “I never agreed on anything with (WBC), nor did my team. So, stop the crap with that narrative. I’ve always been a man of my word.’’

It’s also not clear what Crawford paid to the other three ruling bodies, — International Boxing Federation, World Boxing Organization and World Boxing Association. He also won a belt from The Ring, a century-old publication bought by Alalshikh from Oscar De La Hoya for a reported $10 million in November 2024.

Sulaiman said the WBC had tried repeatedly to communicate with Crawford. Sulaiman said there was never a reply. Stripping the belt, Sulaiman said, was a last resort.

Crawford, an undisputed champion in three weight classes, is bigger than any of the belts. After his career-defining decision over Canelo, his legacy is secure.

A prevailing theory is that he reacted angrily to the WBC because the acronym tried to embarrass him by going public with the reasons for its decision.

On any scale, $300,000 is a lot of money. But as a percentage of a reported $50 million, it’s small. Still, nobody likes to get outed for not paying parking tickets.

Crawford is known for his pride and defiance. In other words: Don’t try to tell him what to do. And don’t try to make a fool out of him. The WBC did both. An angry Crawford countered.

“No hard feelings,’’ Sulaiman told reporters late Thursday.

The controversy, however, doesn’t figure to disappear quietly. In a possible bid to monopolize the sport, there have been mounting signs for months that the Saudis are trying to rid

the sport of rival belts and acronym influence.

Alalshikh declined to display the WBC belt during a Canelo news conference in March 2025.  He did, however, happily display The Ring’s belt. It’s fair to wonder whether The Ring, a publication, will eventually become another four-letter acronym, RING.

“The effing real belt is the Ring belt, which is free,’’ Crawford said in a remark that sums up a looming battle over who controls the fighters, the fees, rule-and-regs and purses.

It’s still not clear whether Crawford will retire or fight on in perhaps a rematch against Canelo or in a bid for still another title, this time at middleweight.

 But his presence in the overall future of the business will be there, no matter whether he answers another opening bell. On Wednesday, he showed – he shouted – that he was ready to answer just about anything. 

By Norm Frauenheim

David Benavidez, who made more news after the Anthony Yarde fight than he did during it, is seizing the day.

Canelo’s day.

In a sure sign that Benavidez doesn’t intend to waste time waiting while in his prime, he followed up his stoppage of Yarde with an announcement that he plans to fight Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez for two pieces of the cruiserweight title on the Cinco de Mayo weekend.

A sudden step up in weight for another title was news, much of it precipitated by uncertainty about whether a third Dmitry Bivol-Artur Beterbiev fight will ever happen.

But the real significance was the date, May 2 at Vegas’ T-Mobile Arena. Zurdo, who is scheduled for a Jan. 16 tune-up against Swede Robin Sirwan Safar, confirmed the fight and the date. So did his promoter, Oscar De La Hoya. Already, Benavidez has been installed a 3-to-1 favorite by on-line books.

Odds are: A boxing May Day, a possible sea change at the top of the sport, is happening.

For the last couple of decades, the Cinco de Mayo weekend has belonged to the reigning face of the game.

First, there was Floyd Mayweather Jr., who honored the celebration by wearing a mariachi costume that included everything but a trumpet. Then, Canelo Alvarez, who took it back for Mexico.

But Canelo’s September loss to a masterful Terence Crawford and subsequent fall from the top 10 in leading pound-for-pound ratings for the first time since 2018 leaves a possible opening, a vacant throne, there for a successor.

Boldly, Benavidez has put himself first in line.

“I don’t want to waste any more time,” Benavidez told reporters in Riyadh at the top of his post-fight newser after a solid, expected stoppage in a light-heavyweight title defense.

“I want greatness, and I had an opportunity to go up to challenge Ramirez for two titles at cruiserweight.

“I didn’t get the opportunity at 168, and now I am not getting it at 175. So, I am going to make my own lane and achieve greatness, one way or the other.’’

Benavidez, forced to wait for years, no longer has to, in part because of the momentum that came with his victory over Yarde. The Phoenix-born-and-forged fighter goes into his prime – he’ll be 29-years old on Dec. 17 – with his record unbeaten and his options unlimited.

That said, Yarde, a competent gatekeeper, isn’t exactly Terence Crawford. Guess here, Canelo would have easily beaten Yarde, too. Canelo still looms as a factor in what Benavidez can do, will do. For years, he frustrated Benavidez, denying him a shot at his 168-pound undisputed title.

Now suddenly without a belt, Canelo has lost some of his leverage, but none of his influence. He’s still a draw among Mexican fans, ever loyal and the boxing audience’s biggest demographic. Translation: He’s still box-office. Saudi promoter and Prince Turki Alalshikh paid him a reported purse of more than $100 million for fighting Crawford.

Now there are reports that Canelo wants to double down. Reportedly, he wants a rematch, and there are at least 100 million reasons for why he wants the sequel. 

But there are no reports on what Crawford intends to do. His brilliant decision over Canelo was proof, the punctuation point to a genuine legacy. It would be hard to repeat.

Why risk it against Canelo or anybody else, for that matter? Then again, Crawford, who maybe got half of what Canelo was paid, might ask for the $100 million-plus in a proposed rematch. That might be enough to draw him back into the ring instead of retirement.

Timing is a big factor, second to only the money. Crawford turned 38 just a couple of weeks after delivering a thorough exhibition of Sweet Science skill in a unanimous decision over Canelo. He’ll surely get older, but probably not better. For him, the clock is ticking. Can he still fight? Stupid question. But the longer he waits, the bigger the risk.

If – a big if – a rematch agreement could be reached in early 2026, May 2 – the Cinco de Mayo weekend — would loom, offering Canelo a chance to reclaim a defining date in a still evolving battle with an impatient rival determined to take it from him, one way or another.  

Main Event: WBC Latino Super Welterweight Championship

Francisco Daniel Veron 153.6 lbs. vs. Roiman Villa 152.8 lbs.

Tsendbaatar Erdenebat 133 lbs. vs. Abraham Montoya 134 lbs.

Dante Benjamin 173.6 lbs. vs. Money Powell IV 175.6 lbs.

Francois Scarboro Jr 129.6 lbs. vs. Onyx Sanchez-Medina 130 lbs.

KJ Waialae 154.2 lbs. vs. Rashad Bowens 153.8 lbs.

Claudio Marrero 135 lbs. vs. Jayson Velez 134.8 lbs.

Carlos Velez Colondres 154.6 lbs. vs. Inu Matelau 155.6 lbs.

Dayan Depestre 174.6 lbs. vs. Bernard Thomas 173 lbs.

Daniel Raymond Ramirez 170 lbs. vs. Devario Hauser 176 lbs.

Venue: War Memorial Auditorium in Fort Lauderdale, FL

TV: ProBoxTV 7:00 pm EST

Promoters: Garry Jonas (ProBox Promotions) Sampson Lewkowicz (Sampson Boxing)

Matchmakers: Ramiro Hernandez, Daniel Rubin

Tickets: Start at $105 and are available from the ProBoxTV website or directly from Seat Geek.

How to Watch from Home: ProBoxTV is available in 100% of U.S. and Canadian households with broadband access, on a wide range of platforms and media partners, including ProBoxTV’s YouTube and YouTube Espanol Channels, Amazon, Amazon Prime, Roku, Tubi, Pluto, Swerve TV Combat, Swerve Sports, Fubo TV, Fubo Sports YouTube Channel, Google TV, LG Channels, Plex, SLING TV, Samsung, Vizio, Xumo Play, DIRECTV, Free Live Sports, Lights Out Sports, Zeam, TV and TCL TVs.

On fight night, doors Open at 6:00 pm. The War Memorial Auditorium is located at 800 NE 8th St in Fort Lauderdale. Ph: (954) 828-5380.

# # #

ABOUT PROBOX TV

ProBox TV is the first and only global sports streaming and media company dedicated exclusively to professional boxing. Founded in 2022 by its CEO Garry Jonas, ProBox TV provides boxing fans with the sport’s premiere schedule of contender-level live events and daily/weekly long-form studio content, including talk and debate shows, podcasts, etc. Serving millions of fans globally, ProBox TV is available for free through numerous platforms and media partners, including YouTube, Amazon, Fubo TV, LG, Plex, Roku, Samsung, Tubi, Vizio and more.

For more information, visit us online:

YouTube: @ProBoxTV

YouTube Espanol: @ProBoxTVEspañol

Web (English): proboxtv.com

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Support: support@proboxtv.coma

By Norm Frauenheim

Jesse Rodriguez stands out for what he doesn’t do in a business otherwise full of gasbags and so-called influencers who pontificate more than punch.

Bam, a nickname, is the loudest thing about Rodriguez, a fighter as business-like as he is quiet. But don’t mistake the silence. Call him soft-spoken at your own peril. Many have, and all have been left senseless, if not speechless.

Rodriguez owns boxing’s proverbial bully pulpit, dominating with relentless pressure and precise punching. At ringside, there’s an old line about volume punching. That volume is how Rodriguez expresses himself. He turns it up — loud and lethal, then turns it down – clever and calculated – with a maestro’s sense of tempo that often ends in a beat down.

He answered Sunny Edwards’ trash-talking, unsupported allegations about PEDs with a punishing stoppage. A couple of fights later, Edwards retired, saying he no longer had the will to fight on. In response to the taunts, Rodriguez beat it out of him in a way only he could deliver.

After Edwards, he got up from a knockdown for a brutally efficient stoppage of accomplished Juan Francisco Estrada June, 2024 in Phoenix. Estrada waived a rematch clause, which was his way of saying a second chance offered no chance.  He has fought only once since then.

Quiet, but impossible to ignore, an unfolding run to the top of a contentious game continues, this time in Riyadh Saturday when the 25-year-old Rodriguez (22-0, 15 KOs) attempts to add another piece to his Super Fly crown against Fernando Daniel Martinez, a 34-year-old Buenos Aires fighter, also unbeaten (18-0, 9 KOs).

Predictably, perhaps, the emerging Rodriguez has been getting less attention than anybody else on the Saudi card. It’s been built around David Benavidez and his aspirations to become the so-called next face of the game. For now, it all depends on if the Phoenix-born-and-forged fighter prevails in a light-heavyweight title defense against London’s Anthony Yarde.

Then, there’s Devin Haney in a fight to reassert himself and his place against welterweight belt-holder Brian Norman

Jr. on boxing’s developing marquee for 2026.

Rodriguez hasn’t exactly been ignored. But he goes into Saturday’s bout with credentials that neither Benavidez nor Haney has. In every pound-for-pound rating, he ranks higher. Only on the scale is he smaller. In any other world, he’s a main-event fighter, capable of drawing crowds of 10-to-12,000 in Phoenix or San Antonio, his hometown.

In Riyadh, he’s on the DAZN undercard, the second prelim on the four-fight live-stream topped by Benavidez-Yarde.

It’s reasonable to argue that an emerging pound-for-pound contender on an undercard isn’t good for the overall business. Why not Phoenix, or San Antonio, or any other city in the Southwest? Fans there have been left behind, almost forgotten. Forget them, and eventually nobody gets paid.

It’s a complaint that this corner in Arizona hears with mounting frequency. But it’s not one you’ll hear from Rodriguez, still quiet and ever stoic. He’s there for the Saudi money. It’s huge and it comes at an important time in Rodriguez’ life.

Rodriguez, already the father of an 18-month-old daughter, is expecting a son. He missed media workouts Wednesday in Riyadh. Instead, he monitored social media, an anxious dad awaiting his son’s birth on the other side of the world.

“We knew that our fight was gonna end up a day after his birth, so I was telling my girlfriend (Rebecca) to hold him as long as she can,’’ Rodriguez told SunSport in Riyadh. “But just before I came over here, they had mentioned that he might be born either tonight (Wednesday) or tomorrow (Thursday). This is all for them at the end of the day.’’

Motivation to fight, he went on to say, was now rooted in the need to provide for a growing family.

“I have to put food on their plates and toys in their playpen,’’ he said, a quiet man saying it all.

By Norm Frauenheim

Boxing gets a head start on a New Year next Saturday with a card in Riyadh loaded with potential to set the table for 2026.

Mostly, it’s a card about expectations and an emerging generation poised to take center stage.

It’s face: David Benavidez, who captures the imaginations and hopes for what many foresee in the year after Terence Crawford-Canelo Alvarez.

It’s still not clear what either Crawford or Canelo will do. From rematch to retirement, the inevitable speculation continues to produce names, possibilities and fantasy. Nobody knows, not even them. But Crawford’s masterful, definitive decision over Canelo in mid-September had an air of finality about it.

One generation is moving on and a new one is moving in.

For now, at least, there’s a growing perception that it’ll be led by Benavidez. First, however, the Phoenix-born-and-forged fighter must prove – prove decisively — that he’s here to stay at a new weight, light-heavy, against a competent journeyman, Anthony Yarde, on a DAZN card that also includes welterweight Devin Haney and Super Fly Jesse “Bam” Rodriguez.

Haney is there in a fight to re-affirm his credentials and re-claim his place in the future against welterweight belt-holder Brian Norman, Jr.

Rodriguez, the youngest and highest rated pound-for-pound contender, is there for a Saudi paycheck. He’s a main event in any other part of the world.

Against Argentine Fernando Daniel Martinez, Rodriguez has an opportunity to unify the 115-pound title and strengthen chances at landing an eventual monster date against Naoya Inoue, Japan’s Rising Son whose supremacy faces a looming challenge in Junto Nakatani.

Every opening bell on Nov. 22 signals an intriguing look ahead, but none is capturing more attention than Benavidez, who is within a month of his 29^th birthday.

He enters his prime, full of confidence at the beginning of what figures to be the most important chapter in his unlikely career from a forgotten overweight kid to perhaps the most feared fighter of his day.

The perceived fear is creating its own momentum, including recent endorsements from former heavyweight champions Mike Tyson and Lennox Lewis. Both called the unbeaten Benavidez the most unbeatable fighter.

Emboldened, Benavidez told reporters during a training camp in Dubai that he never felt stronger. In large part there is growing confidence in Benavidez because his future is no longer tied to Canelo.

For years, Benavidez chased Canelo in hopes of a 168-pound showdown. It was futile. In moving up the scale, Benavidez finds a new and unlimited horizon, away from Canelo’s suffocating influence. Now, he has a chance to define himself on his own terms. He moves up and on, a man with an unencumbered opportunity to shape his own destiny.

But, again, he first he must face Yarde, whose resume suggests he could be a so-called gatekeeper. To wit: Benavidez must beat him to gain entry to a place among the elite.

Yarde has tried to crash the party twice, first against Sergey Kovalev and then Artur Beterbiev. He lost both. But the experience indicates Yarde, a relative newcomer to boxing, has seen and endured light-heavyweight power and skill that Benavidez has not.

Odds suggest Benavidez will win easily. He’s a consensus pick, favored by odds as one-sided as 12-to-1.

Still, there’s skepticism, some of it brought on by the way he got the World Boxing Council’s version of the title. He was awarded the belt when Dmitri Bivol vacated it. An awarded belt is like a certificate of achievement, a bureaucratic piece of paper. Only punches can validate it.

That, of course, is what Benavidez intends to do while also planning on what happens after he does. There’s a risk in looking past somebody with Yarde’s experience. Then again, Benavidez’ evident confidence is a sign that maybe – just maybe – he’s as good as Tyson and Lewis think he is.

Already, the unbeaten Benavidez is talking about fights, post-Yarde. Before breaking camp in Dubai and heading to Riyadh late last week, he told reporters he expected to fight Callum Smith after Yarde. Smith had been in reported negotiations to before Yarde suddenly got the nod.

“We’ll probably get Callum next,’’ Benavidez told reporters.

Then, he talked in some frustration about uncertainty over when he’ll get a chance to fight Beterbiev and/or Bivol. Bivol is coming off back surgery. After they split their first two fights, a third is still possible.

“I’m disappointed I’m not fighting one of these guys,’’ said Benavidez, who remembers all the frustration he felt in his futile wait for Canelo.

Benavidez went on to say he respected Bivol for making moves that have kept alive a possible trilogy. Still, he wasn’t happy at the uncertainty about when or if a third would ever happen.

For now, it doesn’t matter.

Benavidez’ newfound future starts with Yarde.

Back to AZ

Eddie Hearn announced plans Friday for early 2026, including Feb. 28 at Desert Diamond Arena in Phoenix suburb Glendale for a bout between Emanuel Navarrete-Eduardo “Sugar” Nunez for two pieces of the junior-lightweight title. Navarrete has the WBO belt; Nunez the IBF.

Initially, the fight was planned for early March at the NBA arena on the Suns home floor in downtown Phoenix.

It’s the first major card in the Phoenix area in more than a year. Phoenix had emerged as a go-to market before Saudi money changed how and where boxing does business.

Example: Super Fly Jesse “Bam” Rodriguez, a main-event attraction, against Argentine Fernando Daniel Martinez in a 115-pound unification fight on a Riyadh undercard Nov. 22.

Boxers, prize fighters, go where the biggest prize is. It’s huge in Saudi Arabia. But the downside is for the crowds and towns that create those stars. They get left behind.

Bam became a star in Phoenix, thanks to Hearn’s promotional skills and the city’s proven appreciation for fighters in the smallest weight classes. It goes all the way back to Hall-of-Fame junior-flyweight Michael Carbajal.

Guess here: The Bam-Martinez fight in downtown Phoenix or Glendale would have drawn a crowd of more than 12,000. The overall health of the boxing business would have been better off if Bam-Martinez had been featured as a main event in Phoenix instead of a prelim on an undercard in Riyadh.

Pay the fighters. But remember the fans. Forget them and eventually nobody gets paid.

By Norm Frauenheim

From the batter’s box to the finish line to the ring, there’s been a lot of good, bad and ugly over the last fifty years. Pete Rose’s ban, Mike Tyson’s prison sentence, Evander Holyfield’s ear and so much more are all there.

Somewhere on that historical list, there’s Victor Conte.

I’m not sure where. But he’s there, a personality hard to know, yet with an influence impossible to separate from the turmoil and triumph, shock and awe, the cream and the clear.

Conte’s gone, dead at 75 last Monday after a five-month battle with pancreatic cancer.

In the many obits, there is always a mention of major-league baseball’s so-called Steroid Era, almost as if Conte created it.

He didn’t.

To be sure, Conte was there, a man with a potion that enabled Barry Bonds to finish his career in 2007 with 762 homers, more than Henry Aaron’s record (755).

But the substance had already been around for at least a couple of decades in old East German, Soviet and Chinese labs populated by mad scientists who created swimmers, sprinters, shot putters and weightlifters who dominated the Olympic medal count in the 1970s and ‘80s.

Conte simply imported the potion, added a mineral here and there for what has been called “designer” steroids — a good fit for every pair of athletic genes.

It got Conte and his BALCO venture a lot of attention, most of it notorious enough to land him in prison for four months. But Conte was never the evil genius that some of the obits suggest. He was a salesman, who sold himself, first and foremost.

He also was shrewd and cynical. He understood his market, which is populated by ambitious, single-minded athletes who will do almost anything to get an advantage, especially if it can’t be detected, at least for awhile.

It’s fair to assume that gladiators entered the Roman Colosseum armed with more than shields and an arsenal of cruel weapons. Modern archeologists are finding evidence that was more in their cooking oil than just olives.

I swam competitively in college for four years, 1967 through 1971 — the Mark Spitz and pre-goggle era. At a dinner hosted by Conte in Vegas a couple of years ago, I told him cryptically that I was glad that he wasn’t around during my time in the pool. I would have taken just about anything to get to the Olympics.

Conte looked at me and just smiled, in retrospect a knowing smile.

I recall talking to late Arizona Senator John McCain in an interview for The Arizona Republic before the 2004 Athens Olympics. The conversation turned to steroids. McCain, who boxed and wrestled for the Naval Academy, looked at me and – without hesitation — said:

“Hell, I would have asked where can I get some and when can I get some more. I’d have been taking that stuff by the handfuls.’’

From Rome to now, athletes are always looking for an advantage — fair or not, artificial or not. There’s always been a Conte to fill that demand.

My first experience with Conte was after he had left prison and entered the inevitable: Boxing.

Then, he had taken on the role of reformer. For the media, he was the go-to source in a counter argument to the fighters who were contesting a positive test. He also had formed his own company, SNAC, an acronym for the supplements and advice he offered.

At the time of Conte’s death, Terence Crawford was on his SNAC client list. Conte was unable to attend Crawford’s masterful upset of Canelo Alvarez in mid-September in front of an Allegiant Stadium crowd of more than 70,000 and a reported Netflix audience of more than 42 million. Reportedly, his worsening condition prevented him from attending a fight he surely wanted to see in person.

Always, he had openly bragged about how he had worked with some of the sport’s best, including Olympic gold medalist Claressa Shields and emerging pound-for-contender Jesse “Bam” Rodriguez. He also had worked with Andre Ward and others.

But his prison time, relationship with Bonds, work with Olympic gold-medalist track star Marion Jones and former 100-meter dash world-record holder Tim Montgomery turned him into an easy target, especially in boxing.

That was never more evident than in Rodriguez’ fight against Sunny Edwards at Desert Diamond Arena for the flyweight title in Glendale, AZ nearly two years ago. Edwards, never shy, had seen the SNAC on Rodriguez’ shorts and jersey.

Edwards attacked, calling out Conte and suggesting that Rodriguez was a PED user throughout the days before opening bell. Rodriguez, who has never tested positive and had never even been questioned about it, responded to the pointed, noisy allegations with stone-faced silence.

That left it up to the media to get a response. I called Conte. He was quick to defend Rodriguez as a fighter who had as much integrity as any in the notorious sport. For the next two days, Conte sustained a loud attack on Edwards. Then, Rodriguez finished the job with a punishing stoppage. Two fights later, Edwards retired, saying he just didn’t have any desire to fight on.

In effect, Rodriguez, who let his hands do his talking, finished him. He also let Conte do all the talking.

No matter what Edwards or anybody else believed, Conte was good on stage and in the bully pulpit. It was a talent he learned, perhaps in his days in 1970 when he was the bass guitarist for a Bay-area R&B band, The Tower Of Power, a name and perhaps a pretty good metaphor for what opposing pitchers saw in Bonds when he came to the plate.

Conte, according to Wikipedia, also played for a band named Pure Food and Drug Act. Sunny Edwards isn’t surprised.

Rest-In-Peace, Victor Conte

Major card back in PHX plans

It looks as if a major card is headed back to the Phoenix area, a go-to city until Saudi money began to dominate the business.

Top Rank has plans for Emanuel Navarrete (39-2-1,32 KOs) against fellow Mexican Eduardo “Sugar” Nunez (29-1, 27 KOs) on March 7 on the Suns home floor. It’s a junior-lightweight unification fight. Navarrete has the WBO belt; Nunez the IBF.

Names have changed since the last major card has been staged in Phoenix. The downtown arena was called Footprint Center. Now, it’s the Mortgage Market Center.

By Norm Frauenheim

Only boxing is killing boxing. It’s an old line, yet

relevant as ever this week with news of talk about a Floyd Mayweather-Manny Pacquiao rematch.

It’s been a decade since the first one, which has been hard to forget for all the wrong reasons. It was a dud, memorable only for all the money that was made. Pacquiao got rich. Mayweather got richer. Everybody else got robbed.

Many in a record pay-per-view audience of 4.6 million for the May 2015 fight grumbled at what they paid for and walked away, never to pay again.

For ten long years, the business has worked through futility and frustration, attempting to bring back old fans while trying to create a few new ones. The jury is out. So are the fans.

Yet, younger faces and new money, Saudi money, are creating newfound possibilities.

The business is also coming off a notable triumph in Terence Crawford’s scorecard upset of Canelo Alvarez in mid-September in front of a crowd of more than 70,000 at Las Vegas’ Allegiant Stadium and a reported audience of more than 42 million on Netflix.

The numbers add up to a reason for cautious optimism, emphasis on the caution. Crawford’s masterful performance reminded an eroding and increasingly exasperated fan base of why boxing was once called The Sweet Science.

It still can be.

But Mayweather-Pacquiao 2 might make a returning crowd wary of getting fooled all over again. Caveat emptor is attached to any prizefighting venture, of course. But Mayweather-Pacquiao almost stands alone for what went wrong and what not to do all over again.

It’s no surprise that Pacquiao and Mayweather would want to, of course. Another chance at even a fraction of the money earned a decade ago is motivation enough to try once more. Pacquiao confirmed there have been negotiations.

“Right now, we have a lot of negotiations about my next fight; there’s a possible rematch with Floyd Mayweather,” Pacquiao said Wednesday during a news conference in Manila. “…”I’d love to have another fight, a rematch with Floyd Mayweather.”

Of course, he would.

However, there was no immediate confirmation from Mayweather, who reportedly has an agreement for an exhibition with Mike Tyson, also next year.

Pacquiao, however, made it sound as if a rematch — perhaps next spring — would be a genuine bout, one for the books.

“A real fight,” he said.

That, of course, would be a risk to Mayweather’s unbeaten, 50-0 record, a cornerstone to his claim on being the best ever. Unbeaten might be an issue, a legacy Mayweather does not want to jeopardize  

Pacquiao is 46 and coming off an entertaining draw with Mario Barrios in a July comeback. Against Barrios, he proved he can still fight. But for how much longer? The former Filipino Senator will be 47 in December.

Meanwhile, Mayweather, who has been on the exhibition tour for years, is 48. He’ll be 49 in late February.

Even a decade ago, both were late in their primes, yet fought with the hesitance of older men. Mayweather won a decision. After the scores were announced and the boos subsided, Pacquiao said he fought with a shoulder injury.

Even then, the fight was said to be a couple of years past its due date. Ten years later, it’s just ancient history. It’s time to move on, both for them and a game fighting to separate itself from their past.

David Benavidez on the move

David Benavidez, a Phoenix-born fighter now living in Miami, has already moved his training camp to the Middle East for his looming light-heavyweight title fight against 175-pound veteran Anthony Yarde in Riyadh Nov. 22.

With the move, he hopes to adjust to new surroundings and time zone. Benavidez will be fighting in Saudi Arabia for the first time. All of his fights have been in the U.S. and Mexico. 

By Norm Frauenheim

Boxing regulation, like colossal shrimp, is often a classic oxymoron, two words aligned yet always in conflict. After all, boxing is at its roguish best or perhaps worst when it avoids regulation. It’s been a way of doing business

These days, however, two emerging faces from the promotional side – one with unprecedented money and the other with White House connections – joined the regulatory side in an apparent effort to gain control over the balkanized game.

It’s hard to understand why else Prince Turki Alalshikh, the money man from the Saudi monarchy, and Dana White, UFC kingpin and friend of Donald Trump, played politics a week ago in seeking an endorsement from the

California State Athletic Commission.

Alalshikh and White, fresh off their triumph in the promotion of Terence Crawford’s masterful decision over Canelo Alvarez last month, are trying to push through the proposed Muhammad Ali Boxing Revival Act.

It’s supposed to replace the shopworn, often forgotten Ali Act, the original attempt to bring some ethics and order to a business known for notorious practices. For too long, fighters have been protected only by a sturdy mouthpiece.

Late Senators John McCain of Arizona and Harry Reid of Nevada had good intentions when they crafted the bill, introducing it in 1999 and enacting it in 2000. Both were former boxers. They understood the sport and the fighters. Both also got a lot of help and advice from Hall of Fame trainer and ringside commentator Emanuel Steward.

But all three are gone. Guess here, all three would see through what White and Alalshikh were doing at the California Commission. It was a campaign stop – a dog-and-pony show — for legislation that could strengthen their control of boxing when their Zuffa promotional banner debuts next year.

It’s evident that Alalshikh and White are trying to eliminate rivals and perhaps critics. White, an unchallenged giant in his promotion of mixed martial arts, says he wants to go into boxing without the old acronyms or rival promoters.

Part of the reported plan is to recognize only The Ring’s title.

It’s no coincidence that Alalshikh bought The Ring from Oscar De La Hoya last November for a reported $10 million. Then, De La Hoya, who has been feuding with White for years, thought he was selling a magazine, a century-old trademark. But now he knows he sold off a piece of what they intend to use as a further way dominate the business.

From this corner, however, it’s not clear that their proposed changes to 25-year-old legislation will have any more of a lasting impact than the original has had. The criticism of the McCain-Reid bill – bi-partisan and well-intended – is that it didn’t include any real way to enforce laws written to protect the fighters themselves.

An example: The Ali Act was supposed to eliminate the confusion about the difference between promoter and manager. But it’s still there, a conflict-of-interest that often leads to a double dip, leaving the unsuspecting fighter with only enough money for that new mouthpiece.

McCain, a Republican, and Reid, a Democrat, got a lot of endorsements for their legislation from fighters, media and fans when it was introduced.

But there’s no enforcement in another endorsement, which — for now — is the only thing fighters got from White and Alalshikh.

By Norm Frauenheim

Just when it looked as if boxing was facing only questions about shifting politics amid uncertainty over whether familiar faces are moving on as new ones move in, along comes Tyson Fury with an announcement that says one thing isn’t changing.

Fury, or at least his promoter, says he’s coming back.

Isn’t he always?

Fury’s comeback, unabridged and uninterrupted, will continue sometime next year, his promoter Frank Warren told Sky Sports last Wednesday.

It’s long been thought that Fury’s comeback would inevitably lead to Anthony Joshua. Apparently, however, Fury has other ideas, according to Warren, who says he is pursuing the third leg in a trilogy with Oleksandr Usyk.

“The fight he really wants is another bout with Mr. Usyk,’’ Warren said. “Those were wonderful, very close fights that were a pleasure to watch. He keeps talking about it.’’

Trouble is, Usyk isn’t talking about it. Neither are fans. Usyk’s disciplined mastery of tactical skill won the first two fights, both in 2024.

The scorecards from each are a sure indication that Usyk has figured out Fury. In May, Usyk wins by split decision. In a December rematch, the Ukrainian is the unanimous winner, 116-112 on all cards. Everybody knows where this one is headed. Been there. Done that. Why do it again?

Fury probably knows that. He also knows the promotional art better than even Warren. His comeback talk about Usyk is perhaps just an opening salvo in firing up fans for the one UK bout still on their most-wanted list. Fury-Joshua still makes money, although only Saudi Prince and promoter Turki Al-Sheikh can afford to pay the purses for a fight that would belong in London instead of Riyadh.

If it can’t be put together, it’s time for the 38-year-old Fury to get off his career-long comeback trail and make room in the media landscape and public imagination for Moses Itauma.

Itauma, a powerful 20-year-old UK heavyweight, is poised to join light-heavyweight David Benavidez, super-flyweight Jessie “Bam” Rodriguez and newly-minted junior-middleweight Jaron “Boots” Ennis in a looming race to become the face of a game suddenly without one.

From retirement to rematch, it’s not clear what’s next for Terence Crawford and Canelo Alvarez.

Crawford is 38. Within a couple of weeks after losing to Crawford in front of a reported Netflix audience of more than 42 million, Canelo, 35, announced plans to undergo elbow surgery.

Maybe Crawford and Canelo fight a couple of more times. Maybe, not. Maybe, they fight each other once again. Maybe not. Whatever they do, they’re a lot closer to an exit than Fury Road, a comeback seemingly never near an end

BROOKLYN – October 16, 2025 – Former two-division world champion Danny “Swift” Garcia held a media workout at world famous Gleason’s Gym on Thursday ahead of his “FAREWELL TO BROOKLYN” event taking place this Saturday, October 18 from Barclays Center as he takes on Queen-native Danny “El Gallo” Gonzalez in the main event of the Swift Promotions event.

The media workout also featured a slew of undercard fighters including undefeated Polish heavyweight Damian Knyba, who takes on Joey Dawejko in an eight-round matchup, Brooklyn’s own Chris “Primetime” Colbert, who faces Blas Ezequiel Caro in an eight-round attraction, and Philly action fighter Gabriel Rosado, who takes on veteran Vaughn Alexander in a super middleweight bout.

The workout also featured a young rising stars in the Swift Promotions’ stable as Brooklyn’s Cristian Cangelosi, who faces Victoriano Antonio Santillan, stepped into the ring in front of the media in Brooklyn.

Tickets for the live event are available NOW through Ticketmaster.com. 

The jam-packed card will stream exclusively through MILLIONS.co with a pay-per-view broadcast beginning at 6 p.m. ET/3 p.m. PT with twelve scheduled attractions featured with purchase of the event. 

Here is what the fighters had to say Thursday from world famous Gleason’s Gym in Brooklyn:

DANNY GARCIA

“Camp has been great. I feel ready. There were no shortcuts. I treated this like a world title fight. I’ve done everything right.

“I got here because of everything I went through as a kid. I came from nothing and that’s why I have the grit that I’ve shown in fight after fight.

“I just want to be remembered as someone who fought everyone and never backed down.

“Danny Gonzalez is someone who’s been under the radar and deserves a shot. Some guys never get the opportunity and I thought he earned it.

“It makes me really happy to give young guys opportunities like this. To a lot of guys fighting at Barclays Center is a dream come true. That means everything to me.”

DANNY GONZALEZ

“I’m just excited to go. I’m calm. On Saturday the talking is done. We’re going in there to hurt each other, and I’m gonna hurt him.

“I don’t think it matters what his mentality is. When he loses, he’s gonna realize it’s time to spend time with his family.

“This is everything. This proves that hard work and consistency pays off. I’ve been grinding for 20 years and now I’m here on the big stage.

“I’m in phenomenal shape for this. He’s gonna be shocked with what he’s in there with. Speed, strength, size, power, it’s gonna be everything.

“I know what I can do and I know that I can beat him.”

DAMIAN KNYBA

“I’m really excited to be fighting in front of the Polish fans at Barclays Center. There have been a lot of great heavyweights like Adam Kownacki who have fought there and I look forward to keeping that tradition going.

“I’m extremely motivated. I’ve fought in big arenas before, so this is nothing new to me. I’m coming in here mentally strong and ready to do what I have to do.

“I’m very motivated to show everyone that I’m the best. The Polish fans mean the world to me. I want to be at my best and make my country proud.”

CHRIS COLBERT

“I’m feeling great. I’m blessed to be here on the big stage again and on Saturday night I just have to do what I do best.

“I’m gonna go back down to super featherweight to get back to the top. I’m actually hungrier now than I was for my last few fights. Right now I’m starving. I have no choice but to go in there and wipe out the 130-pound division.

“I know there’s a lot more that I’m leaving on the table as far as my career, and I can’t leave it there.

“I just want to win. I’m not worried about making a statement.

GABRIEL ROSADO

“I feel good to be here in Brooklyn. This is actually my favorite city to fight in. The atmosphere is amazing and it’s close to Philly.

“We’re doing everything right, that’s why my energy is really good. We’ve had a great training camp in Puerto Rico. It was hot as hell and it was what we needed.

“The heart has to still be in it to fight. That’s one thing about me, I can always count on my heart and my will. Nobody is gonna take that away from me. There was actually a point in my career where I counted too much on my will and slacked on my fundamentals. It’s those little things that make a big difference.”

CRISTIAN CANGELOSI

“I’m looking to put on a good show for all my Italians here in Brooklyn. I’m feeling good and ready to deliver a knockout.

“I have a great team that’s really got me ready to go. We’ve had a great training camp with really strong sparring. I’m gonna be at my best on Saturday night.

“I want to be great and show that I’m a future world champion.”

#         #         #

ABOUT “FAREWELL TO BROOKLYN: GARCIA VS. GONZALEZ”:

Philadelphia boxing great, the former two-division world champion Danny “Swift” Garcia, will return to the ring at the friendly confines of Barclays Center in Brooklyn on Saturday, October 18 in a “FAREWELL TO BROOKLYN” event celebrating the fans and arena that have supported Garcia throughout his storied history of delivering memorable moments over the course of his career.

Garcia will headline a Swift Promotions event in a 10-round super welterweight tilt against Queens-native Daniel “El Gallo” Gonzalez. A fan-favorite at the premier East Coast boxing venue, Garcia will step into the ring for his record 10^th fight at Barclays Center, dating back to him headlining the first-ever boxing event at the arena in 2012.

The jam-packed card will stream exclusively through MILLIONS.co with a pay-per-view broadcast beginning at 6 p.m. ET/3 p.m. PT with twelve scheduled attractions featured with purchase of the event. 

The action will also feature unbeaten popular Polish heavyweight Damian Knyba taking on Philly fan-favorite and veteran Polish-American brawler Joey Dawejko in an eight-round showdown.

Also stepping into the ring is Brooklyn’s own former titleholder Chris “Primetime” Colbert as he returns to fight in his hometown against Argentina’s Blas Ezequiel Caro for an eight-round lightweight affair. Plus, renowned Philly action fighter Gabriel Rosado steps back into action in an eight-round super middleweight matchup taking on veteran contender Vaughn Alexander. 

Tickets for the live event are available NOW through Ticketmaster.com. 

About Swift Promotions:

Swift Promotions is a premier boxing promotion company founded by two-division world champion and boxing legend Danny “Swift” Garcia. Committed to putting on world-class events, Swift Promotions showcases elite talent and rising stars, delivering unforgettable nights of boxing action for fans around the globe.

About MILLIONS.co:

MILLIONS.co is a leading sports streaming, e-commerce, and marketing platform dedicated to empowering athletes and sports content creators. By providing a comprehensive suite of tools for PPV events, merchandise sales, content creation, and sponsorships, MILLIONS.co enables athletes to directly engage with their fanbase and build their personal brands.

Follow all the latest from Swift Promotions at the Official Swift Promotions Website or on social media through Instagram, X (formerly Twitter), Tik Tok, Facebook and YouTube. Follow Danny Garcia on Instagram, X (formerly Twitter), Facebook and Tik Tok. Follow Barclays Center on Instagram, X (formerly Twitter), Facebook and Tik Tok and Brooklyn Boxing on Instagram, X (formerly Twitter) and Facebook.

By Norm Frauenheim

David Benavidez, who is moving up the scale in weight and prominence, didn’t surprise anybody this week when he said he would never fight at super-middleweight again.

He doesn’t have any choice.

Gaining weight and smarts are part of growing up, and the maturing Benavidez is showing a lot of both as he enters his prime at light-heavyweight, a steppingstone toward his hopes of making an enduring statement as perhaps the best of his generation.

Put it this way: At 6-foot-2, Benavidez, who will be 29 on Dec. 17, has a better chance at fighting one day at heavyweight than he has at ever going back to 168 pounds.

The biggest surprise is that he was able to stay at super-middle for as long as he did. He missed weight once, costing him the World Boxing Council’s version of the title in 2020. Over the next three-and-half years, he went on to win six straight bouts as the super-middleweight division’s most feared contender

Truth is, Benavidez is at a weight he probably should have been a few years ago. He actually fought at 175 pounds more than a decade ago – April 2015. As an unknown 18-year-old, he won a fringe NABF title with a first-round stoppage at Celebrity Theatre in hometown Phoenix. Then, he stayed – perhaps overstayed – at 168. A futile wait for a shot at Canelo Alvarez kept him there.

Now, he moves on, beyond a familiar weight and an exasperating wait in his third bout at light-heavy in a title defense against a dangerous gatekeeper, Anthony Yarde, a UK fighter who figures to test Benavidez’ future in his step up the scale Nov. 22 in Riyadh.

Benavidez announced the inevitable in an interview with Fight Hub TV in answer to a question first posed by Saudi Prince and promoter Turki Al-Sheikh at the end of Terence Crawford’s masterful decision over Canelo last month at Las Vegas’ Allegiant Stadium.

“Can David Benavidez still make 168?” Al-Sheikh asked in a tweet.

Definitely not, Benavidez told Fight Hub.

“I’m done,’’ Benavidez told Fight Hub in his formal farewell to super-middle.  “I want to take this opportunity to congratulate Crawford. He put on a hell of a performance. He’s up there on the Mount Rushmore of the greatest fighters of all time. Let Crawford do his thing, bro. At the end of the day, I have no interest in fighting Crawford.

“I have no interest in going down to 168. Yeah, it would be dope, winning all the titles, but I’m way past that at 168. I wouldn’t even go down to 168 for Canelo. I’m just being real with you.”

With his decision over Canelo for the unified title at 168, Crawford did Benavidez a real favor. For too long, Benavidez’ career — and identity — had been defined by his chase for a rich date against Canelo. For now, that’s gone, forced by Crawford’s victory and Benavidez’ natural progression up the scale.

But it’s more than just a step away from Canelo. For Benavidez, it also represents a significant early step into his prime. For him, it’s an opportunity to make — and remake — his identity as a potential pound-for-pound contender.

There’s still a chance, of course, that Canelo comes back from elbow surgery and decides he’s finally willing to fight Benavidez, especially if Benavidez beats Yarde and goes on to a unified light heavyweight title against Dmitry Bivol and/or Artur Beterbiev.

There are lots of questions about what’s next for Canelo, yet there’s a consensus that a fight against Benavidez would still make money. Fans have clamored for Canelo-Benavidez for years. They’re not going away.

If that possibility is resurrected, however, it could be on different terms, this time forged by Benavidez, bigger both in body and name.

HOLLYWOOD, FL. – October 8, 2025 – Rising Cuban middleweight star Yoenli Hernandez says he is ready for battle this Sunday, October 12, at Hard Rock Live at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood in Hollywood, FL and ready for anyone in his division after that.

Rated #1 by the WBA, as well as WBC #2, The Ring #4, and WBO #5, the top-rated Hernandez (8-0, 7 KOs) will face Mexican spoiler Carlos Mohamed Rodriguez (16-14-1, 7 KOs) of La Paz, Baja California Sur, Mexico in the 10-round main event of Kris Lawrence & The Heavyweight Factory’s eighth installment of the “Fists of Fury” boxing series.

Tickets are on sale now and start at $98. All seats are reserved. Tickets are available at Ticketmaster. Doors open at 3:30 p.m. Additional fees may apply.

In an era of rising Cuban stars that includes David Morrell Jr., Andy Cruz and others, Hernández is looking to change the perception of Cuban fighters as risk-averse combatants. With knockout victories in seven of his eight pro bouts, Hernandez is one of the most exciting fighters to come out of the current wave of Cuban boxers looking to overtake the sport.

Originally from Camaguey, Cuba, Hernandez had an outstanding amateur career, competing for the Cuban National Team internationally. He abandoned the Cuban delegation in May 2023 during a stopover in Panama, and is now living in Providence, Rhode Island.

The undefeated Hernández competed at the 2021 AIBA World Boxing Championships, winning the gold medal at middleweight.

After his first two pro fights took place in Mexico, Hernandez’s last six outings have come stateside. His last bout, in May of this year, saw him win the toughest test of his career to date, a shutout unanimous decision over established contender Kyrone Davis (then 19-3-1, 6 KOs). The formidable Davis is a stablemate of former Interim WBA Super Middleweight Champion Caleb Plant, but Hernandez had little trouble controlling him in a dominant performance.

In addition to the experience gained under the bright lights of fight night, Hernandez has been buoyed by rounds spent sparring with former multi-weight, undisputed champion and future hall of famer Canelo Alvarez.

During a break in final training preparations this week, the 28-year-old talked about his upcoming fight and his plans for taking over the 160-lb division in the very near future.

Here’s what he had to say:

What do you know about your opponent and why will you win this fight?

I don’t really know much about him. I trust my team. They have watched some of his fights and I’m very confident that they have come up with the right game plan.

Are you surprised by the speed of your rise in the professional ranks?

I am very surprised at how fast I have risen up the ranks after my fight with Kyrone Davis. I am now at or near the top of all the ranking sanctioning bodies.

How does it feel to be one of the fighters everyone is talking about as headed for big things?

I’m very happy with all the recognition I have received from the boxing world. I’m ready, willing and absolutely able to face the big names in my division.

Do you have a message for your Cuban fan who will be in attendance that day?

To all my Cuban fans, thank you for all the support in my career from the amateurs to this moment.

Do you think you’re ready for a world championship fight?

This is a stay busy fight until those big names actually make a fight with me. I am ready for whoever has the belt in my division. Bring them on!

In the night’s 10–round lightweight co-feature power-punching WBA #4- and WBC #13-ranked lightweight Armando Martinez Rabi (16-0, 15 KOs) will take on tough Mexican veteran Willmank Canonico Brito (13-8-2, 11 KOs).

In another heavyweight special attraction, Gustavo “The Cuban Assassin” Trujillo (8-0, 7 KOs) of Miami via Morón, Ciego de Ávila, Cuba, will face the more experienced Juan Camilo Novoa (35-13-1, 32 KOs) of Coral Gables, Florida, for the WBO Latino Heavyweight Championship.

In a significant eight-round heavyweight battle, 20-year-old promising local heavyweight prospect Lorenzo “Giant Killer” Medina (13-0, 11 KOS) of Hollywood, Florida, will take on once-beaten Jardae Anderson (9-1, 7 KOS) of Davenport, Iowa.

Also scheduled for eight-round bouts are undefeated super lightweight Raynel Mederos (8-0, 2 KOs) of Santa Clara, Cuba, facing Isidro Curiel (11-5-1, 6 KOs) of Ciudad Madero, Tamaulipas, Mexico; plus super lightweight Aaron Aponte (12-3-1, 3 KOs) of Hialeah, Florida, doing battle against Cancun, Quintana Roo, Mexico’s Luis May (22-21-1, 8 KOs); and undefeated super featherweight Neslan “Pitbull” Machado (20-0, 9 KOs) of Miami, via Cuba, going against California-based veteran Diuhl Olguin (17-46-7, 10 KOs).

In scheduled four-round supporting bouts, undefeated female super flyweight Evelyn Romo (2-0) of Jupiter, Florida, will face Cocoa Beach, Florida, Shawna Ormsby (0-4-1); super welterweight Andrew Garcia (1-0, 1 KO) of Sunrise, Florida, will look for his second career victory against pro debuting Dominicque McBride of Dallas; undefeated lightweight Miguel Rosario Paredes (3-0, 2 KOs) of Miami, will take on Kadhim Alkhazaali (0-2) of Woburn, Massachusetts; and Orlando middleweight Carlos Velez will make his pro debut against Brandon Trollinger (0-1) of North Charleston, South Carolina.

Rounding out the action will be a light heavyweight four-rounder, featuring Elliot Sven Taylor (1-0) of Sunrise, Florida, taking on pro debuting Joaquin Lagree of West Palm Beach

All bouts subject to change. On fight night, doors open at 3:30 pm and the actions starts at 4:00 pm. Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood is located at 1 Seminole Way in Hollywood, FL. For more information, visit them online at visit them online at seminolehardrockhollywood.com or call (866) 502-7529.

# # #

About Hard Rock Live

Hard Rock Live at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood is South Florida’s premier entertainment venue. An investment of more than $125 million, the 7,000-person capacity indoor venue features clamshell-style seating, offering guests an intimate experience. In 2024, Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood ranked No. 5 in Newsweek’s Reader’s Choice Awards for Best Casino with Live Entertainment. Hard Rock Live also ranked No. 4 worldwide in 2024 gross revenue for Pollstar Magazine. Designed by Scéno Plus, the 225,000-square-foot facility is equipped with state-of-the-art, in-house sound and lighting, large HD viewing screens and mobile-stage technology. With its advanced capabilities, Hard Rock Live can support some of the entertainment industry’s biggest performers, as well as nationally and internationally televised awards shows, sporting events and more. A-list entertainers to perform at Hard Rock Live include The Rolling Stones, Metallica, Guns N’ Roses, Maroon 5, Billy Joel, and Dave Chappelle, among others.

About Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood

Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood is the flagship-integrated resort of Hard Rock International, owned by the Seminole Tribe of Florida. The renowned entertainment, gaming and hospitality destination unveiled a $1.5 billion expansion in 2019, highlighting the debut of the world’s first and only Guitar Hotel. Between three hotel towers, the resort boasts 1,271 luxury guestrooms. Amenities include a 42,000 square-foot Rock Spa® & Salon; an 18-acre recreational water experience; private “Bora Bora” style cabanas; more than 20 food and beverage outlets; a 26,000 square-foot retail promenade; 120,000 square feet of premier meeting and convention space; and an expansive gaming floor with more than 2,500 slots, more than 200 table games and a 45-table poker room. In 2023, the casino launched live craps, roulette and retail sports betting, offering 10 craps tables, 20 roulette tables, and sports betting locations including both electronic kiosks and kiosks with live sports betting agents. Introducing the new games is a historic milestone that immediately puts Florida in the same league as the world’s great gaming destinations. Hard Rock Live, ranked No. 4 worldwide in 2024 gross revenue for Pollstar Magazine, highlights A-list entertainers and performers, sporting events and live broadcast productions in an intimate 7,000-person capacity setting. Seminole Hard Rock Hollywood is located on 87 acres of the Hollywood Seminole Reservation along State Road 7 (U.S. Highway 441). For more information, visit us online at www.seminolehardrockhollywood.com call 1 (800) 937-0010 or follow us: Facebook: @HardRockHolly.

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By Norm Frauenheim

Unintended consequences, or at least attention and speculation, have been there for Terence Crawford and Canelo Alvarez in the wake of their fight, one of the biggest in years.

That’s no surprise. More than a reported 42 million watched on Netflix. More than 70,000 watched in person. Everybody walked away wondering what’s next.

From the fighters, however, there’s been mostly silence, especially from Crawford, the winner whose hometown celebration took a wild turn when he was held at gunpoint in a traffic stop just hours after Omaha gave its loyal son a key to the city.

Crawford has yet to comment about what happened early Sunday. If he’s going to say anything, the best guess is that he’ll wait until a possible court appearance, perhaps in December. A crush of speculation and an ongoing in-house investigation by Omaha police suggest that’s the only smart move. Crawford has made a lot of those over the last couple of years.

Meanwhile, Canelo also has been silent about news, reported by The Ring, that he’ll undergo surgery on his left elbow.

At 35 years old, that raises questions, lots of them He’s talked about retiring when he turns 37. But he’s under contract for two more fights with Saudi Prince and promoter Turki Alalshikh, whose seemingly unlimited bankroll is revolutionizing the prize-fighting biz.

The guessing game has Canelo, who will be 36 next July, returning to the ring some time in mid 2026. His next opening bell had been expected in February. Now, it looks as if he won’t fight again until sometime between May and September – Cinco de Mayo and Mexico’s Independence Day on Sept. 16

The biggest question, of course, is against whom? His army of Mexican fans want to see him avenge his scorecard loss to Crawford. But Crawford’s dominance raises questions whether a sequel would be any different.

In hindsight, the cards – 115-113 twice and 116-112, all for Crawford, look to be too close, especially the 115-113 scores.

Canelo never had a chance.

Why would he have one eight to 12 months from now?

Good question, but news of the surgery already is generating some second-guessing about whether Canelo’s left elbow was somehow injured before opening bell.

He never complained about it during or after the fight, yet his partisans already are pointing out that, according to ringside stats, he landed only 16 jabs in losing the undisputed super-middleweight title Sept.13 at Las Vegas’ Allegiant Stadium.

But he’s never been known for his jab. The power in his left hand is considered his best weapon. Would he have had a better chance if it had been attached to a healthy elbow? The answer might be as much marketing as it medical.

The questions are all part of speculation that often leads to a hunger for more.   

For both, there are rich reasons to do it all over again. Count them. Bank them. There are more than 150-million reasons. Canelo collected an astonishing $100-million-plus, according to Alalshikh.

Yet, Canelo, who is getting ready for surgery on Oct. 23, isn’t talking about the reported injury.

He doesn’t have to. Everybody around him is talking about it and how surgery might repair an elbow and the public interest in a rich rematch. 

By Norm Frauenheim

Terence Crawford’s celebration of a career-long fight for respect took a crazy turn when Omaha honored him with a parade Saturday and held him at gunpoint early Sunday.

Crawford was released and no charges were filed, according to multiple reports which included a statement from Omaha Mayor John Ewing and a promise to investigate from city police Chief Todd Schmaderer.

As of Sunday, Crawford had not commented on what happened early on his birthday and just hours after Omaha gave him a key to the city.

According to social-media reports, Crawford spent his first few hours as a 38-year-old in handcuffs. If accurate, his key to the city wasn’t enough to unlock them.

According to sourced news stories, Crawford’s vehicle was stopped for reckless driving just before 1:30 a.m., Central time. According to reports and posted video, he was the driver. Crawford and three passengers were ordered out of the car at gunpoint after a weapon was seen.

Omaha police issued a statement. Police, it said, stopped a vehicle that was traveling “recklessly.” During the stop, “a firearm on the driver’s side floorboard” was “observed.” For safety, “all four occupants were ordered out of the vehicle at gunpoint.”

According to the statement, police questioned Crawford and found that he had a legal permit to carry the weapon. A member of Crawford’s security team was among the passengers. According to the police report, he also was found to be carrying a weapon.

“Police have confirmed that all occupants are legally permitted to carry firearms,” the statement said.

Omaha police also confirmed that Crawford requested that a department supervisor and lieutenant be called to the scene.

At the time of the stop, somebody in the vehicle can be heard saying on a social-media post that “I’m not reaching for no gun” as the officer orders them to “step out.’’

According to the video, Crawford – remaining as poised outside of the ring as he is in it — calmly cooperated with every order, including keeping his hands raised above his head. He was cited for reckless driving.

The controversial moment happened after an estimated 100,000 turned out for a parade honoring Crawford for a masterful upset of Canelo Alvarez in Las Vegas a couple of weeks ago, Sept. 13.  With the victory, he made some history – a third undisputed title at a third weight.

Crawford has long been known for being Omaha’s loyal son. Boxing is populated by prizefighters who leave their roots to live in Vegas or Los Angeles.

But Crawford stayed home, drawing huge crowds in Omaha and nearby Lincoln. Famed billionaire investor Warren Buffett is often seen in a seat alongside Crawford’s many fans for fights in his home state.

Against Canelo, Crawford’s mouthpiece included Nebraska’s red football logo, N, front and center.

Omaha, all of Nebraska, decided to honor Crawford after he honored the city and state with a decision over Canelo that reminds many old-school fans of why boxing was once called The Sweet Science.

Even before the parade, it wasn’t clear what he’ll do next. There might be another bout. Might not. From a farewell fight at the Cornhuskers’ college football stadium in Lincoln to a Canelo rematch or a bid for still another divisional title, the possibilities are a lot like the countless angles on his punches.

Whatever’s next, however, has been complicated, left even more uncertain by questions that just weren’t there on a weekend that began with a celebration stopped in a way neither he nor anybody else could foresee. 

By Norm Frauenheim

A performance that reminds us why boxing was once called The Sweet Science screams for an encore.

In the days after Terence Crawford pulled a fading craft off the fringe and back onto center stage for 12 magnificent rounds in a masterful decision over Canelo Alvarez, there’s an inevitable clamor for more.

Fans and media are asking: Who’s next? A lot of fighters, some worthy and most not, are asking to be next. But there’s no immediate next on Crawford’s calendar, other than a birthday.

He’ll be 38 on Sept. 28, just 15 days after he celebrated a victory watched by more than a reported 41 million on Netflix and more than 70,000 at Vegas’ Allegiant Stadium last Saturday.

It’s an age – early middle-aged — that comes with questions. At 37, Crawford answered many with sustained movement and footwork not expected by a fighter with more than 40 bouts on his odometer.

Crawford never stopped in a tireless dance that confused Canelo, who saw Crawford in a different spot, with a different posture and at a different angle at almost every turn.

In the end, there was more than just confusion. It left Canelo, the younger man, without options and energy. He was exhausted. Crawford, the 35-year-old Canelo said, did everything.

Everything, other than knock him out.

Maybe it’s just coincidence, but Crawford patiently applied every element in his endlessly versatile skillset throughout. For one night, he managed to do all of what he does best. For most of his career, he was a finisher. We knew that, it’s there in his unbeaten record – 31 KOs in 42 wins.

Against Canelo, he had a chance to display even more.

In the days since the scorecards – 116-112, 115-113 (twice) were announced, the video of his comprehensive victory has been studied and re-studied for segments that were just missed. 

Here’s classic: A double left hand.

First, it lands squarely between Canelo’s eyes. Canelo seems to look away. As he does, that same left hand drops down by an inch, maybe two, and then lands onto Canelo’s jaw, all delivered as Crawford ducks in and away.

It was a thing of beauty, art according to the book on The Sweet Science.

Canelo’s reaction says it all. Stunned, he looks back at Crawford in disbelief, as if to say: Where in this universe did that punch come from?

It was a moment – one of many, that secured Crawford’s place as the best in his generation. Today, he’s the consensus – if not unanimous — pound-for-pound champion, ahead of heavyweight Oleksandr Usyk and junior-featherweight Naoya Inoue, who delivered his own statement with a dominant decision over Murodjon Akhmadaliev in Japan just a few hours after Crawford’s triumph.

For Crawford, the history-making victory for a third undisputed title at three weights in his first bout at super-middle was a definitive counter to the critics who have questioned his record for years. Repeatedly, his credibility was undercut by doubt about the quality of his opposition.

Those doubts, perhaps, were reflected by the 115-113 scores. The 116-112 score was more accurate. On this scorecard, the margin grew – 116-112 in the arena to 117-111 the next day after watching the video.

Against Canelo, Crawford simply proved – round after round — he’s just been better than everybody else.

The dominance suggests that there’s more than that. Crawford has plenty of fight still within him.

But it also includes a question about what another fight or two might do to his legacy as an all-time great. There’s a pretty good argument that he has run out of opponents.

A rematch was mentioned. A second fight against Canelo would probably make money. But it’s hard to imagine a different result against the faded Canelo (63-3-2, 39 KOs), who has been fighting professionally since he was 15 years old and still had freckles. The popular Mexican is 68-fights old, and it’s beginning to show.

The other possibilities swirling around Crawford’s future are predictable. 

There’s the emerging Jaron Ennis, Canelo’s sparring partner for Crawford. 

There’s talk about a move down to middleweight – from 168 pounds to 160 – for another division title – his sixth.

There’s even David Benavidez, a former super-middleweight champion from Phoenix now training for a light-heavyweight title defense against Anthony Yarde in Nov. 22 in Riyadh.

Saudi Prince and promoter Turki Alalshikh teased the Benavidez possibility from his ringside seat late in Canelo-Crawford by asking on social media whether the 6-foot-2 Benavidez could still make 168. 

Maybe, but at 28 and counting, Benavidez will only mature, which means more pounds and an even heavier division. In another year or two, he could be at cruiserweight, 200-pounds.

Crawford’s victory on one of boxing’s biggest stages in years includes prerogatives. To wit: He can do whatever he wants. But at what cost?

In a notable quote at the post-fight news conference in a tent outside of Allegiant, Canelo was asked to compare Crawford with Floyd Mayweather Jr., who beat him twelve years ago by decision in September, 2013.

“Crawford is way better,’’ Canelo said.

That one comment is a bigger victory for Crawford’s legacy than another title, say the middleweight belt held by 42-year-old Erislandy Lara.

It’s also a legacy, including an unbeaten record, maybe worth protecting against one of those young lions — Ennis, unbeaten at welterweight and seeking to move to junior-middle and/or a much bigger Benavidez.

Legacy or encore? This time, it’s a decision only Terence Crawford can make.

By Norm Frauenheim

LAS VEGAS – It was called ceremonial. But a huge, roaring crowd called for it to be known as something else.

Something more.

Much more.

It was off the scale, a Woodstock of weigh-ins Friday at T-Mobile Arena for a crowd that gathered in huge numbers and generated noise that echoed up-and-down the Vegas Strip in a sure sign of mounting interest in the Canelo Alvarez-Terence Crawford fight Saturday night at Allegiant Stadium.

The weigh-in, the real one, had already happened, hours earlier in a chilly, quiet ballroom in a luxury hotel at the opposite end of The Strip.

For the record, both Canelo and Crawford weighed the same, each at 167.5 pounds, safely under the super-middleweight’s 168 limit.

There wasn’t an ounce of difference between them, perhaps an indication of just how close this fight for Canelo’s super-middleweight title really is. The late afternoon weigh-in was staged to sell a few more tickets and Netflix subscriptions.

But the crowd, perhaps as big as any in Vegas’ long and colorful boxing history, delivered an exclamation point to anticipation rare in this era of boxing. It’s been called a dying sport. From lower bowl to the upper deck at T-Mobile, however, that obituary sounded premature Friday.

This ceremony wasn’t a funeral. It was a celebration. Even Crawford and then Canelo seemed almost surprised at the roar that greeted them as they walked onto the stage and stepped onto a scale that was little more than a prop.

It came with expectations, all of which will echo throughout the hours before opening bell in a ring that figures to be near the 50-yard line on the Raiders home field.

Canelo, the favorite, spoke to the crowd of Mexican partisans with a promise to do everything.

“I trained for everything,’’ said Canelo, who continues to be a narrow betting favorite. “I’ll need to do everything in this fight.”

He said it in a way that suggested some emerging respect for Crawford and his comprehensive skillset.

Throughout the build-up for the fight, there’s been a sense that Canelo and Crawford are more than just business partners in a bout that reportedly will add at least $100 million to Canelo’s net worth. They like each other. There’s been no trash talk and an absence of dismissive gestures.

Crawford, a two-time undisputed champion at welterweight and junior welter, hears boos only from the Canelo fans. They – fans and boos — were everywhere Friday.

Crawford jumped on and off the scale quickly Friday. He exited the stage, before Canelo spoke. Then, the promoters asked him back for a word.

When he returned, there they were, the boos all over again.

Nobody had to ask him about them. Instead, he was asked:

How are you feeling?

“Lovely,’’ Crawford said as if he were enjoying a deep breath of the noisy element that has motivated him throughout his brilliant career.

Defiance is Crawford’s oxygen.

“I can’t wait for tomorrow,’’ he said.

This time the crowd only roared, as if to say nobody else can either.

By Norm Frauenheim

LAS VEGAS – First, there was Terence Crawford, dressed in a white top and a friendly smile.

Then, there was Canelo Alvarez, his eyes hidden by sunglasses darker than the undershirt he was wearing.

For about the next hour, both answered questions, talked philosophy, exchanged a few promises and threats.

There were a lot of roles on stage at T-Mobile Arena throughout a news conference Thursday, and both fighters played them well for a super-middleweight fight hard to predict, yet loaded with story lines and opinions

Sometime after opening bell at nearby Allegiant Stadium Saturday night, however, neither the opinions nor the stories will matter much in a ring near the 50-yard line of the NFL Stadium.

That’s when Canelo and Crawford will take matters into their own hands – hands as dangerous as any over the last decade of prize-fighting

Boxing newsers are always part of the show, of course. They set the stage for feints and perhaps a little bit of psychology.  Rhetorical jabs before the real ones.

Crawford and Canelo were there, each with an answer for whatever was asked in front of a crowd that has already made up its mind.

For Crawford, that means changing minds.

For Canelo, it means affirming what many already think in the remaining hours before the Netflix-streamed bout.

No matter what else was said Thursday, Crawford and Canelo were in the place they’ve been since their intriguing super-middleweight fight was announced several weeks ago.

Crawford is the underdog, defiant and yet seemingly happy to be in the role.

“They say I’ve fought nobody, they say I can’t sell, they say I’ve got no personality,’’ Crawford said with the defiant edge that has helped him forge a career with skeptics but no losses

For the last decade, Crawford has proven everybody wrong. It was clear Thursday that he intends to deliver some definitive say-so against Canelo, who has played the popular favorite throughout most of his career.

It was no surprise that Canelo was the crowd favorite at Thursday’s newser. He’s been a powerful favorite for about as long as Crawford has been doubted.

The news-conference crowd amplified its expectations Thursday. It is betting Canelo’s long reign as Mexico’s best fighter since Julio Cesar Chavez will continue.

Canelo said he doesn’t listen to cheers or criticism. Maybe not. Go ahead, he says, and debate about his place in Mexican history, which has for long started and ended with Julio.

“In the end, the people will decide,’’ Canelo said. “The numbers will be there or they won’t.’’

For now, however, the numbers are in the seats, there at least in terms of support for Canelo in his risky date as the bigger man in defense of his undisputed super-middleweight. 

Those numbers also add up to what might be an astonishing paycheck. There’s talk that Canelo will collect $100-million for fighting Crawford

Wrong, Saudi Prince and promoter Turki Alalshikh said Thursday.

“Our contract is for more than that,’’ said Alalshikh , who negotiated a three-fight deal in an 11^th hour offer that convinced Canelo to agree to the Crawford fight.

Like the purses perhaps, Crawford, it’s thought, will enter the ring smaller. He’s a former undisputed welterweight and junior-welter champion, who is jumping up the scale from junior-middleweight to fight Canelo.

The Canelo chants, like the expectations, were bigger Thursday, echoing throughout the building like an old lyric.

Crawford heard them and smiled. He’s been there. Defiance has been his lifestyle. He’s good at it, and he intends to be just as good for at least one more time.

But defiance isn’t a physical attribute. It’s not included on any tale-of-the -ape. There’s no way to measure it. Canelo’s experience and documented power at a heavier weight might just be too much for Crawford.

It’s easier to defy skeptics than it is a left counter. In the end, it might prove to be that stark, that simple, no matter what else was said Thursday. In boxing, some roles never change.

LIMERICK, Ireland (September 8, 2025) – Six months after the most disappointing and devastating night of his young life, Paddy “The Real Deal” Donovan (14-0-1, 11 KOs), is ready to take care of unfinished business this Saturday night against archrival Lewis “Croc” Crocker (21-0, 11 KOs), headlining the Matchroom Boxing card outdoors at Winsor Park in Belfast, Northern Ireland.

The 26-year-old Donovan battered Crocker from pillar to post in their IBF Welterweight Eliminator fight in March, until he was unfairly disqualified by the referee for hitting Crocker just after the end of the eighth-round while throwing a flurry of combinations. Crocker, having already been knocked down once, was bloody, bruised, with one eye shut and headed down to the canvas again when the eighth round ended. Team Donovan immediately appealed, arguing that since it was an unintentional late punch, disqualification was not permitted under the rules. The International Boxing Federation (IBF) agreed and ordered a rematch of the IBF Welterweight Eliminator. When IBF World Welterweight Champion Jaron “Boots” Ennis decided to relinquish his IBF 147-pound division belt and move up the junior middleweight, the IBF then ruled that Crocker-Donovan 2 would be contested for the vacant IBF World welterweight title.

All of the anguish associated with the original fight has been placed in the past and Irish eyes are all focused on this week’s clash, which will be streamed live on the DAZN.

“I worked hard with Andy Lee (his head trainer and co-manager with New York City-based attorney Keith Sullivan) on specific things for this fight. I’m sharp and my mind is fresh. I’ve achieved so much in boxing at the age of 26, but I haven’t achieved what I want in boxing…to become world champion. I believe that everything I’ve done – 20 years in boxing, the last 6 with Andy – is about getting that done this Saturday night. All the work has been done and it’s about getting in there and getting that done. I’ve been through some changes as a professional boxer inside and outside the ring, but I’ll never change as a person, even after I’m world champion.

“Every fighter in the world wants to stay undefeated, but that’s not the be-all, end-all, especially because of the way it happened. But that will all be in the past when I win this fight. We regrouped and worked hard every day in the gym. Now, we’re just looking forward to the fight. It’s been challenging and different (since his last fight); I can’t say it hasn’t been. I wasn’t used to having something like that happen to me, but I’m on a journey and it’s part of my life. I executed Andy’s game plan and it’s all worked out better. The winner of our last fight was supposed to travel to the United States to fight a great champion. I really thought the rematch would happen, but now it’s for the world title. I remember Keith telling me we won the appeal, and we had the rematch, then a few weeks later, Andy buzzed me to say the rematch was for the world title and back in Belfast. I can’t think of anything better than that for me. It’s part of God’s plan.”

Crocker-Donovan 2 has been billed as the first All-Irish world title fight. Donovan is honored and proud to be part of history, and he fully intends to take care of his unfinished business.

“It is my time to become one of the best fighters in the world,” he claimed. “When there was talk about me fighting Crocker the first time, he was a 70-30 favorite, but seeing my performance has changed that perspective. I know what it takes to beat him and I’m going to do it this Saturday night. Everything has come together. This is the best I’ve ever been, no excuses. I’ve had great sparring with David Avanesyan (31-5-1, 19 KOs, former WBA Welterweight World Champion in 2017).

“This is history, and we are changing Irish boxing. Ireland produces some of the best amateur fighters on the planet and to be world champion as a professional boxer is very special in Ireland. I know this is my time. I believe I can beat any welterweight in the world and that’s not bragging. There will be bigger and bigger fights when I am world champion. I want to fight the best welterweights in the world — Devin Haney, Ryan Garcia, Conor Benn, Rolando Romero, Brian Norman, Jr., — and unify titles. And they’ll have to come to Ireland to fight me!”

“In boxing,” Lee noted, “nothing is given. It has to be earned. So, I feel like with this training camp, Paddy is earning the right to step in there and become a world champion.”

Sullivan added, “We’re excited to be back in the great fight city of Belfast. At the last press conference for their first fight, Team Crocker laughed off Paddy’s prediction and confidence. They’re not laughing anymore, and Paddy is poised to repeat another spectacular performance on Saturday night.”

The Donovan Clan will have another reason to celebrate: Paddy’s cousin Jim Donovan, will make his professional debut this Saturday in Belfast, facing middleweight Lukasz Barabasz in a 4-round bout. He is trained by Lee and co-managed by Lee and Sullivan.

INFORMATION:

X: @PaddyDonovan23

Instagram: @paddy_realdeal_donovan

Facebook: /PaddyRealDealDonovan

ROCKLIN, CALIFORNIA – Unbeaten middleweight prospect Islam Abdusamadov will make the move up to the six-round distance in taking on hard-nosed veteran Jose Manuel Gomez in the headlining attraction of the “Thunder Showdown III” event at the Venue at Thunder Valley at Thunder Valley Casino Resort in Lincoln, California on Saturday night. Fighters for the nine-bout card weighed-in on Friday afternoon at Lucille’s Smokehouse BBQ in nearby Rocklin. 

Abdusamadov (5-0, 2 KOs) of Santa Clara, California by way of Makhachkala, Dagestan, Russia last saw action in the very same ring back in March, scoring a hard-fought four-round unanimous decision over Josias Gonzalez. Abdusamadov flashed his power, scoring a second-round knockdown, which would end up being the difference in the final tabulations. Now, ready for his first scheduled six-rounder, Abdusamadov weighed-in at 158-pounds. 

Gomez (4-5-1, 4 KOs) of Livermore, California is no stranger to the six-round distance, nor unbeaten prospects. The battle-tested Gomez has fought four previously undefeated fighters, giving many of them tough rounds but coming up short on the scorecards. Last time out, Gomez was bested by heralded Jorge Maravillo via unanimous decision in June of last year. On his first attempt, Gomez weighed-in .4 over the contracted 158-pounds, before returning to the scale and hitting the mark.

Junior middleweight prospect Sergio Gonzalez (2-0, 2 KOs) of Sacramento, California will make his return to the Thunder Valley ring against Juan Meza Moreno (4-7, 3 KOs) of Los Angeles, California in a four-round bout. Gonzalez, who weighed-in two pounds over the contracted weight at 156, is coming off of a dominant first-round stoppage over Tyre Travon Reed in May. Meza Moreno, who will be fighting his eighth straight opponent with one or fewer defeats on their record, scaled 152-pounds on Friday. 

Featherweight prospect Kyle Lacanlale (5-0, 2 KOs) of San Ramon, California will take on late replacement opponent Phillip Ramirez (2-6) of Sacramento in a four-rounder. Lacanlale’s original opponent Enrique Uvalle bowed out early in fight week and Ramirez quickly stepped-in. Lacanlale was last in the ring in May, scoring an exciting four-round decision over Rodolfo Molina. Ramirez, who has already fought six previously unbeaten foes in his career, weighed-in at 126-pounds, while Lacanlale scaled 124. 

Iris Contreras (4-0) of Richmond, California returns to the ring after battling the injury bug over the last year against Tatiana Almaraz (1-4) of Pittsburg, California by way of Guatemala City, Guatemala in a six-round bantamweight bout. Contreras scored a four-round unanimous decision over Maribel Guerrero in April of last year. Almaraz moved into the win column last time out, getting the nod over Vicky Zhao by four-round unanimous decision last October. Contreras scaled 117-pounds, while Almaraz came in at the bantamweight limit of 118. 

Super heavyweight Junlong Zhang (20-1, 19 KOs) of Elk Grove, California by way of Qingdao, Shandong, China will make his U.S. debut against Vikash Deol (4-0, 3 KOs) of Hayward, California in a four-round bout. Zhang, a thirteen-year pro, ended a nearly two-year layoff with a first-round kayo last July in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Deol reeled off two knockout victories in Colombia in June and July after ending a six-year layoff with a four-round unanimous decision over Herman Hodnett at Thunder Valley in March. Zhang scaled a whopping 314-pounds Friday, while Deol came in at 219. 

Veteran Muay Thai champion Fayeda An of Long Beach, California will make her professional boxing debut against Vicky Zhao (0-2) of Capitola, California by way of Chongqing, China in a four-round flyweight bout. An, who has held multiple Muay Thai titles, came in 1.2-pounds over the contracted weight at 113.2-pounds. Zhao, looking to get into the win column after a hard-fought defeat to Tatiana Almaraz last time out, came in at 111.5-pounds on Friday. An was fined for being overweight. 

Former amateur standout Orion Cyrus Dizon of Las Vegas, Nevada will make his professional debut against Jaycee King (0-4) of Sacramento in a four-round lightweight bout. Dizon, nicknamed “Cyrus the Virus,” scaled 133-pounds, as did King, who has fought nothing but tough opponents in his short career. 

Middleweight prospect and recent Stanford University graduate Dante Kirkman (4-0, 2 KOs) of East Palo Alto, California returns to Thunder Valley to take on Dylan Carlson (2-10-3, 1 KO) of Klamath Falls, Oregon in a four-round middleweight bout. Kirkman, who graduated in June, was last in the ring with a quick first-round stoppage over Jose Cruz at Thunder Valley in March. Carlson, who despite ten defeats has never been stopped, scaled 159-pounds, while Kirkman came in at 158. 

Leonard Ocampo of Pinole, California will make his professional debut against tough Rodolfo Molina (0-2) of Antioch, California in a four-round super bantamweight bout. Ocampo, fighting out of the D.F. Boxing Club in Richmond, came in a half pound over the contracted weight at 120.5-pounds. Molina, coming in off of a hard-fought decision defeat to Kyle Lacanlale in May, scaled 119.5-pounds on Friday. Ocampo opted to take a fine instead of attempting to drop any weight. 

Quick Weigh-in Results:

Middleweights, 6 Rounds

Abdusamadov 158

Gomez 158*

Middleweights, 4 Rounds

Gonzalez 156**

Meza Moreno 152

Featherweights, 4 Rounds

Lacanlale 124

Ramirez 126

Bantamweights, 6 Rounds

Contreras 117

Almaraz 118

Heavyweights, 4 Rounds

Zhang 314

Deol 219

Flyweights, 4 Rounds

Zhao 111.5

An 113.2*** 

Lightweights, 4 Rounds

Dizon 133

King 133

Middleweights, 4 Rounds 

Kirkman 158

Carlson 159

Super bantamweights, 4 Rounds 

Ocampo 120.5****

Molina 119.5

*Gomez was .4 over contracted weight on first attempt before dropping the extra poundage. 

**Gonzalez weighed-in two pounds over and was fined 

***An was 1.2 pounds over and was fined 

****Ocampo was .5 pounds over and was fined 

Tickets for the event, promoted by Upper Cut Promotions, are available online at uppercutpro.com 

Mario Ortega Jr. can be reached at ortegajr.mario@gmail.com

Middleweight prospect Islam Abdusamadov moves up to the six round distance when he takes on rugged Jose Manuel Gomez as part of “Thunder Showdown III,” presented by Upper Cut Promotions at the Venue at Thunder Valley at the Thunder Valley Casino Resort in Lincoln, California this Saturday night.  

Abdusamadov (5-0, 2 KOs) of Santa Clara, California by way of Makhachkala, Dagestan, Russia may be short on professional experience, but is not short on confidence as he moves up in scheduled distance and in class on Saturday. 

“I feel great,” says Abdusamadov. “I feel that I will beat him easily because I always train hard. I am always confident that I will beat anyone that fights me. I just feel like I can smash anybody.” 

Abdusamadov will be taking a step-up in class against the battle-tested Gomez (4-5-1, 4 KOs) of Livermore, California. The veteran Gomez has been stopped just once and given unbeaten prospects tough rounds over his six-year career. 

“I know he’s a tough guy, but I’ve fought tough guys before too,” says Abdusamadov. “It has never been too much for me. I know I can fight anyone. I think it will be easy for me.” 

After going the full four-round distance in two consecutive fights, Abdusamadov is now ready to extend himself two additional rounds if need be. The power-puncher plans to make it a short night, but has complete faith that his preparation has readied him for distance. 

“I want to finish him early,” says Abdusamadov. “I am not too worried about the last round, to be honest. I sparred more rounds; ten, twelve rounds sometimes. Before [my previous fights,] I sparred less. With the fight being six rounds, I worked on conditioning more and sparred more rounds. I like to start fast, fight aggressively and finish fast. It is a fight, so you never know what will happen. If it goes the six rounds, I am ready for six rounds, eight rounds. But if I can, I will finish him earlier.” 

In his last bout, which took place this past March at Thunder Valley, Abdusamadov passed the test of Josias Gonzales, a scrappy southpaw that has been matched tough in his career, but fights to win. Abdusamadov went into the bout with his signature confidence, but despite scoring a knockdown, had to fight hard until the end to secure the unanimous decision. 

“Before that fight, I did think it would come easy,” says Abdusamadov of the Gonzales encounter. “That guy was tough though. I did knock him down in the second round, but he kept coming and wanted to beat me. For me, Gonzales was my toughest fight out of my five fights. He was a southpaw and he was always busy. He’s a good fighter and tough and I like the tough fights. It was a good fight for my experience.” 

As the competition increases, the pressure on an unbeaten fighter to maintain his record mounts. Abdusamadov, who has grown his fanbase fight-by-fight, is conscious of the importance placed on protecting his loss column and plans to keep it empty this Saturday night. 

“When everyone comes out to see me, I have to win,” says Abdusamadov. “If I keep winning, then they will want to keep coming every time. I want to stay undefeated. It is important, because people want to keep coming to see a winner. Come to watch my fight and I promise you will like this one. It will be the best fight on the card.” 

Tickets for event, promoted by Upper Cut Promotions, are available online at uppercutpro.com

Mario Ortega Jr. can be reached at ortegajr.mario@gmail.com 

By Norm Frauenheim

It’s in Japan. But it might as well be on Jupiter. It’s the forgotten fight, shoved off stage and out-of-mind by attention and anticipation captured by the Canelo Alvarez-Terence Crawford fight next week at Vegas’ Allegiant Stadium.

At any other time, Naoya Inoue-Murojdon Akhmadaliev would be a talker. It’s a big fight, significant enough to include pound-for-pound implications. For Inoue, it’s perhaps the biggest challenge to his pound-for-pound claim and emerging celebrity since victories over Nonito Donaire in 2019 and again in 2022.

In the here-and-now, however, only Canelo-Crawford is doing numbers that multiply and amplify as the Sept. 13 opening bell approaches. Will Inoue and Akhmadaliev the next day eventually matter? Forgotten now, but unforgettable later?

The relevance to their  junior-featherweight fight, of course, hinges – first – on Canelo-Crawford Sept. 13 in Vegas and then what they do a few hours later in Nagoya Sept. 14. By the time Inoue and Akhmadaliev enter the ring, they should know who won between Canelo-Crawford.

On Vegas’ clocks, Inoue-Akhamadaliev is scheduled to begin at about 1 a.m. Sept 14. That’s about the same time Canelo has been known to arrive at post-fight news conferences.

It’s anybody’s guess as to who will celebrate at the newser. Canelo-Crawford is hard to pick for reasons that have been analyzed and over-analyzed over the last few weeks. Betting odds suggest the super-middleweight fight is a close call, which helps explain some of the interest. Those odds suggest the post-fight newser could be controversial, too.

Inoue-Akhmadaliev is not expected to be as close, although the Uzbek’s punching power is reason not to rule out an upset. Still, the odds are one-sided. Inoue is about an 11-1 favorite, which simply means his unbeaten run continues. Also, Inoue is the only fighter the public really knows.

Most people, including media, are still learning how to spell Akhmadaliev.

But people know Canelo, maybe Mexico’s best fighter ever and still the game’s only pay-per-view star. They know Crawford, still unbeaten and bidding to be an undisputed champion at three weights.

Both have been at the top of the pound-for-pound debate for years. Canelo-Crawford is full of reasons to stop and watch. Guess here, Inoue and Akhmadaliev will too in the hours before they face each other.

What they’ll witness, however, is anybody’s guess. Still, the result might be the source of some motivation, especially for Inoue. The dynamic little guy, Japan’s Rising Son and a giant name in a sports universe dominated by Shohei Ohtani of the Dodgers, is already arguing that he’s the world best fighter, No. 1 in the pound-for-pound debate.

Above all, Inoue needs to beat Akhmadaliev to keep himself in the argument, which for the last year has been down to three — Inoue, Crawford and Oleksandr Usyk.

A knockout of Akhmadaliev would strengthen Inoue’s claim, especially if Canelo-Crawford comes down to a debatable result on the scorecards – a split or majority decision.

Crawford by stoppage or one-sided decision would probably end the argument, putting him at No. 1 in what could be the final punctuation to a fight some speculate will be the last in his brilliant career.

Canelo, whose record includes two defeats, could resurrect his pound-for-pound claim with a big knockout. Whatever happens, Usyk, unbeaten at two weights and undisputed at heavyweight, will still be there with another date, another fight to stay relevant.

Oscar Valdez comeback scheduled for ESPN Deportes

Oscar Valdez Jr. is going home in a fight to resurrect his career in a bout against Ricky Medina Saturday that will be televised by ESPN Deportes.

Valdez (32-3, 24 KOs), a former two-division champion,  returns to Nogales, his birthplace, for his first fight since a punishing rematch loss to Emanuel Navarrete in December in Phoenix.

The card featuring Valdez-Medina is scheduled to begin at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. The fight at Domo Binacional will be Valdez’ first in Nogales, the Sonoran town on the Mexican-Arizona border.

“The main goal for me right now is to become a world champion again,” Valdez, a two-time Mexican Olympian, said. “I want to return to Nogales as a world champion, and I want to be your champion.

“But in order to do that, I have to get through this fight. I’m taking this fight very seriously. I respect Ricky Medina a lot. I have seen him fight. He is strong and young, and he has the same dream that I have. All boxers want to become a world champion, and that’s why we are all here.”

The 34-year-old Valdez, popular in Mexico and Arizona, held world belts at featherweight and junior-lightweight. He was beaten twice by Navarrete and once by Shakur Stevenson.

His most noteworthy victory was a stunning stoppage of Miguel Berchelt. Medina (16-3, 9 KOs) is a 24-year-old junior-lightweight from San Antonio.

Throughout his rise in the amateur ranks and through four fights as a professional, middleweight prospect Dante Kirkman was living a dual life. While shining athletically in boxing, Kirkman was also excelling in school, eventually making his way to prestigious Stanford University in Stanford, California. Having graduated in June, Kirkman can now fully focus on his professional boxing career beginning this Saturday night as he takes on Dylan Carlson in a featured four-round bout at the Venue at Thunder Valley at Thunder Valley Casino Resort in Lincoln, California. 

Kirkman (4-0, 2 KOs) of East Palo Alto, California developed a passion for both boxing and academics at a young age, through his parents Robert and Catherine. Kirkman’s father competed as an amateur boxer and continued to follow the sport as an adult. Robert’s love for boxing eventually rubbed off on his younger son Dante, who had tried his hand at team sports, but gravitated to the one-on-one aspect of the sweet science. 

“In boxing, I could control my own destiny and with my dad being a boxing fan, he always wanted to raise my brother and I to protect ourselves,” recalls Kirkman. “Part of that was watching boxing. I remember watching Floyd Mayweather and thinking he was awesome. He gets to do his own thing and he wins without other people being a factor. Whether he loses a round or anything, it was always up to him. It wasn’t up to a lineman or somebody else making a bad pass.” 

The studious side of Kirkman was heavily influenced by his mother Catherine, as well as his brother Tremaine, who is eight years older and graduated from Stanford in 2016. 

“My mom went to Harvard for undergrad and Stanford for law school,” details Kirkman. “We grew up near Stanford, so if we went to a football game or a basketball game, that’s where we went. Obviously, with my mom having a history there and it being one of the best schools, it was always a dream for my brother and that passed down to me. For my dad, he always wanted us to have a good life. He would always say he wanted us to be cool nerds.” 

As he progressed and began challenging himself as a fighter in national tournaments, Kirkman was hitting the books just as hard so that he could realize his dream of attending Stanford. 

“It was pretty intense,” says Kirkman of the juggling of both worlds. “My mom played a big factor, making sure I didn’t slack off. It would have been very easy to slack off because I was tired after training. Whenever I would get back after training, I’d hit myself with the massage gun and be tired and my mom would go, ‘Alright it is homework time.’ So I would do homework for three or four hours until midnight or however long it took and then wake up for the next day. It was a grueling process that I feel is a testament to the people that care about me. It was not a fun experience necessarily, but something I was able to bite down and get through.” 

By the time Kirkman was accepted and enrolled at Stanford, the COVID-19 pandemic had hit, which meant beginning college life off campus in a remote learning setting. With the coronavirus uncontrolled, Kirkman did not have any sanctioned competitions to worry about as he began school and continued to train. While most of his classmates were likely disappointed, Kirkman found the positive in his unique situation. 

“That year, USA Boxing was on pause for a majority of it,” explains Kirkman. “It was good for my training though, because I could really focus and then hop on the computer and go do homework and then go back to training. That year things were shut down for the most part.” 

In 2023, while preparing for the U.S. Olympic Trials, Kirkman took a break from school to prepare for the tournament. 

“For my schooling, we actually took a little bit of a break before the Olympic Trials,” explains Kirkman. “We felt like this was the time to take a few quarters off and have a good performance in the qualifiers. In the first round, I beat the National Golden Gloves champion of that year. In the quarterfinals, I beat the national champion of the weight class above me, who was also the number two seed. In the semi-finals, I lost a tough fight to Keon Davis. After the Olympic Trials, I went back on campus. Immediately after I lost, I knew that meant I was going to be turning pro and that was pretty tough with school.” 

In many academic programs, student-athletes are given some level of grace with assignment deadlines and the like. As Kirkman prepared for his professional debut, which took place in May of last year and resulted in a four-round unanimous decision win over Henry Rivera, he found out that being a student/professional athlete did not garner him any leeway at Stanford. 

“I thought maybe it might be easier,” admits Kirkman of his expectations. “I thought that professors would be a little more understanding since they knew I was competing at a high level in amateur boxing. But the label amateur led them to believe it was more of a hobby thing. As an athlete, but not an actual Stanford athlete, I wasn’t getting a lot of support from professors. I thought that might change with the professional label, but that did not change. So that was a pretty difficult process. I still had an amazing training camp and a dominant performance in my debut.” 

Despite the heavy workload in school, Kirkman continued to excel in the ring as a professional. The East Palo Alto native, nicknamed “The Inferno,” scored a four-round unanimous decision over awkward Miguel Soto-Garcia last August before notching his first two stoppage victories last November and this past March. While finishing up his last quarter at Stanford, Kirkman was scheduled to fight this past May against tough Jose Manuel Gomez, before needing to withdraw from the bout. 

“I saw he is also fighting on the sixth, so hopefully I will be able to share the ring with him after this fight,” says Kirkman of Gomez, who will be in the main event on Saturday against undefeated Islam Abdusamadov. “I was hoping to fight him in this fight, but I saw he was already booked. I think it would be a really great fight and I would like to take that step-up.” 

While he did not get to fight in May, Kirkman, who majored in Art Practice, soon thereafter achieved one of his ambitions by graduating from Stanford University. 

“It was pretty tough, but I grinded it out and officially finished as Stanford’s first professional boxer and graduate,” says Kirkman proudly. “It was really an honor. It was a letdown that I didn’t get to fight then, because I did want to fight then, but I was still very happy to graduate at that time and achieve one of my goals.” 

Now, with his degree mounted on the wall, Dante Kirkman can focus entirely on his pursuits as a professional boxer. Outside of his time preparing for the Olympic Trials, Kirkman has always had his studies drawing his time and attention away from boxing, yet he still managed to compete at a high level. With that time no longer diverted, Kirkman the boxer is excited to show what he can do. 

“I am blessed to be boxing full-time and I am really excited for this new journey,” explains Kirkman. “My whole boxing career, both in amateurs and professionally, has been while simultaneously trying to be the best I can be academically. I am excited to be getting the proper rest and proper training times and reaching new levels.” 

Having graduated in June, Kirkman began camp for his next bout in July, his first as a professional boxer only. 

“I graduated in June, so this camp has been pretty clear of anything to interrupt my training, so it has been great,” says Kirkman. “Now that I am out of school and not trying so hard to get an A in class or be late or anything, it really just makes things a whole lot easier. Now that I am full-time boxing, it also makes things easier mentally as well. I am mentally clear and fully have my mind on boxing. We have just been getting ready, looking to get back active and get as many fights as possible. We will take it one fight at a time, but after this, hopefully go up to six rounds and step-up the competition.” 

Dylan Carlson (2-10-3, 1 KO) of Klamath Falls, Oregon may not sport the best record, but he has never been stopped, despite the ten defeats. While four rounds does not always provide the time required to finish a tough opponent inside the distance, Kirkman worries only about putting on the best performance possible and securing the victory this coming Saturday night. 

“Whatever happens in the fight happens,” says Kirkman. “If he gets stopped, he gets stopped, but we are looking overall to just get the win. Our end goal is to get me to the top championship level, so we are always trying to increase our skillset and our secret sauce. I had a lot of improvement in my last fight camp. That fight ended up only being one round, so I didn’t get to show a whole lot of it in there. So for this fight, I am looking forward to showing how I’ve been developing as a pro and hopefully giving a sneak peak of what is to come in the future.” 

Kirkman, no longer the student-athlete and now simply a prizefighter, plans to show his supportive fanbase what he can do when fully focused on his craft, beginning this Saturday in Lincoln. 

“My fans can expect to see someone that is very passionate about boxing, displaying their skills on the blank canvas of the ring and doing what I always do: bringing the heat, as my Inferno nickname indicates,” says Kirkman. “I plan to put on a great show and a dominant performance.”

Tickets for the event, promoted by Upper Cut Promotions, are available online at uppercutpro.com 

Photo by Ed Silva/Original Solo Photos

Mario Ortega Jr. can be reached at ortegajr.mario@gmail.com

By Norm Frauenheim

Pressure is for tires, Hall of Fame pundit Charles Barkley once said famously.

A couple of weeks before opening bell, however, there’s more than just hot air evident in the anticipation building for the Canelo Alvarez-versus-Terence Crawford fight Sept. 13 in front of an expected football-sized crowd at Las Vegas Allegiant Stadium.

Alongside big money, lots of legacy is at stake for fighters already wealthy, yet still pursuing proof of what they’ve done and who they’ve become.

Legacy, of course, is overused enough to be meaningless these days. Just about everybody has one. But the size and significance of Canelo-Crawford puts a spotlight on careers that will meet in a collision that promises to provide a real answer.

Who’s the best of their generation? That’s the simple question. Crawford is 37; Canelo is 35. They come from different weight classes, are from different places, are motivated by different opinions and answer to different fan bases.

Over the years, however, they have emerged as rivals despite that difference in weight, which ironically might be what determines the answer.

But the weight was close enough to be negotiable. Only the date, place and purse remained. Where better than in a four-sided ring where two fighters will seek to be the definitive best of an era they defined? It doesn’t happen that often.

Forget those historical parallels, which have often turned boxing into little more than an exasperating video game.

To wit: How would Oleksandr Usyk, the best heavyweight of this era, have done against Muhammad Ali? Okay, it’s a fun argument, but still mere fantasy. There’s no answer. Never will be. But one is possible in Canelo-Crawford. It’s what makes Canelo-Crawford special. It’s not virtual reality. It’s blood-and-guts real, rare in this day and perhaps in any other.

That’s where the pressure starts. It’ll be there, building throughout next week, fight week, weigh-in, opening bell and post-fight conversation.

For now, it also explains all of the talk preceding the bout between Crawford, an all-time great at welterweight who is coming up from junior-middleweight and jumping two divisions to fight Canelo, the greatest super-middleweight in history.

The biggest risk — in the ring, at least — appears to be in Crawford’s corner, simply because he’s never taken, much less endured, a punch in a sanctioned bout from a true 168-pound fighter.

How will Crawford react when Canelo lands the power that is his trademark? There’s no answer until it lands. That uncertainty sums up the odds. Since the fight was announced, they’ve never changed. Canelo was a slight favorite then. He’s a slight favorite now.

It’s a reflection of an old, reliable guide in a game that has seen it all. To wit: In a fight between two good fighters, always bet on the bigger one.

The documented difference in weight might force Crawford to take a chance. If he hopes to win, he’ll have to step into Canelo’s dangerous wheelhouse at some point. By any definition, that’s a huge risk.

Yet, Crawford might be the personification of what, who Barkley was talking about with his dismissive take on pressure.

Crawford has been known for his cool, calculating demeanor throughout his reign as a four-division champion, including undisputed at 140 pounds (junior-welterweight) and 147 (welter). Ringside commentators like to say Crawford has the It factor. It is in his composure. It is overall poise

In Boxing Speak, Crawford is also known for another intangible called Ring IQ. There’s no exam to measure that, other than his unbeaten record. Let’s just say he knows what he’s doing with a versatile, two-handed style that includes unerring anticipation and a keen predatory instinct. If there’s a weakness, he’ll find it.

And attack it.

If there’s a weakness in Canelo, it appears to be his endurance, especially in the later rounds against fighters known for agile footwork. Crawford’s middleaged feet don’t move at the rate they did a decade ago.

But Canelo’s scorecard loss in May 2022 to light-heavyweight Dmitrii Bivol – perhaps mandatory viewing in Crawford’s video library – showed what’s possible in the late rounds. Canelo gets tired.

If that fatigue factor persists, there’s an opportunity for Crawford if he can withstand – survive – Canelo’s power through the first six to eight rounds. That’s an IF, as big as it is decisive.

Bivol threw punches at varying angles as he moved in-and-out of harm’s way in the late rounds of a decision over Canelo. Canelo was slow to react, slower to recognize, the angles on Bivol’s punches.

Angles are one of Crawford’s unequalled specialties, an aspect augmented by his ability to switch hit. The ambi-dextrous Crawford can fight left-handed, right-handed and makes the switch from one to the other and back in quicksilver fashion.

A tired Canelo might not see what’s coming. But Crawford, who will have to prove he can endure early power shots to the body and upper arms, might have to battle through some early rocky moments just to take the fight into that late stage when Canelo has proven to be vulnerable.

Pick here: Crawford will, getting up from an early knockdown to win a narrow decision.

CANYONVILLE, OREGON – Featherweight prospect Osvel Caballero scored a third-round knockout of Ernesto Sebastian Franzolini to cap the seven-bout “Clash at the Casino II” event at the Seven Feathers Casino Resort on Saturday night. 

After taking the first round to get warmed up, Caballero (6-0, 5 KOs) of Los Angeles, California by way of Lajas, Cienfuegos, Cuba let his hands go in the second round. With Franzolini (21-17-2, 2 KOs) of Pinamar, Buenos Aires, Argentina coming forward, Caballero landed a short right hand to score the first knockdown in the fight. Franzolini, 130.2, gamely rose to his feet, but Caballero, 130.9, kept up the pressure, eventually downing the Brazilian with a combination late in the round. 

At the start of the third round, referee Ray Armendariz called for the ringside physician to take a look at Franzolini. After some discussion, the fight was allowed to continue. Caballero moved in, eventually landing with the right and dropping Franzolini for the third time. After a brief look, the referee opted to wave off the bout at 31 seconds of the third round. 

In the semi-main event, Tony Cruz Herrera (4-0) of Eugene, Oregon boxed his way to a five-round split decision over Blaiwas Eaglepipe (2-3, 1 KO) of Salem, Oregon. 

After a slow start, action picked up in the third round. Cruz Herrera, 130.8, was wider with his punches, while Eaglepipe, 130.8, was more up the middle. Both had their moments in the stanza and traded punches through the bell to end the third. Cruz Herrera controlled the fourth and fifth, catching Eaglepipe on the way in and avoiding much of the Salem native’s attempts to answer. 

After five rounds, one judge scored the bout 48-47 for Eaglepipe, but was overruled by the other two judges, who both scored the bout 49-46 for Herrera. 

Unbeaten light heavyweight prospect Rocky Sanchez (5-0, 3 KOs) of Monmouth, Oregon pounded away at late replacement Idrees Wasi (1-5, 1 KO) of Sacramento, California for three minutes en route to a stoppage victory. 

Sanchez, 185.8, came out aggressively, looking to land to the body and head, while Wasi, 178.1, mostly just covered up. Sanchez landed an unanswered combination, with referee Ray Armendariz looking closely, to close out the round. While Sanchez landed several clean punches over the course of the round, Wasi’s decision not to answer the bell for the second round was unexpected by the crowd. 

In a bout he seemed to win clearly, aggressive southpaw Emmanuel Ojeda (3-0) of Salem scored a four-round majority decision over Joel Hernandez (1-1) of Wenton, Washington. 

After a feeling out first round, Ojeda, 126.8, stepped on the gas in the second round and pressured Hernandez, 124.8, for the duration. Ojeda kept coming in the third and fourth as Hernandez attempted to time the Salem native on the way in, but was not busy enough to slow his southpaw adversary. Both fighters stood and traded to close out the fight. 

One of the three judges scored the bout even, 38-38, but was overruled by the other two who scored the bout 39-37 twice for Ojeda. 

Alessandro Singson (2-1) of Surrey, British Colombia, Canada scored a five-round unanimous decision over a game Christian Torrico (1-1) of Medford, Oregon. 

Singson, 143.6, got behind his jab and used his longer reach early in the first. Late in the first, Singson scored a knock down as he landed an overhand right that forced one of Torrico’s gloves to touch the canvas. Torrico, 143, was more aggressive in the second round and was able to get in range as Singson slowed his output. Torrico spun Singson’s head with a right, but the Canadian fired right back, just before the bell. 

Torrico controlled the action early in the third, before Singson sprang to life and uncorked a series of combinations late in the round. With the referee Ray Armendariz urging Torrico to answer back, the Medford native answered the request and fought his way out of the blue corner, backing up Singson to close the round. Both fighters had their moments in the fourth round, before Torrico came out aggressively to start the fifth and final act. Singson again came alive to close the round firing at the ten-second warning. Singson took all three judges’ cards by scores of 48-46 and 49-45 twice. 

In a pairing of fighters making their professional debut, Sam Mednick (1-0) of Portland, Oregon outworked Bryce Bradbeer (0-1) of Grants Pass, Oregon to score a four-round unanimous decision. 

Mednick, 156.5, was able to get in range and land some power shots in the opening round, while Bradbeer, 159.8,  did well at range with his jab. Mednick timed Bradbeer well with his right hand early in the second and maintained a busy pace. Bradbeer was not nearly as active as in the first round and would struggle to keep up with Mednick’s output as the fight progressed. Mednick controlled the pace in rounds three and four, although Bradbeer did time an uppercut and overhand right, When Bradbeer would land one, Mednick would come back and land two or three. Both fighters, who converted southpaw at various times in the fight, closed out the final round throwing until the final bell. All three judges scored the bout for Mednick by scores of 39-37 and 40-36 twice. 

In an entertaining opener, Vasyl Yakymiuk (1-0) of Spokane, Washington dropped Cesar Pineda (0-1) of Hillsboro, Oregon in the third round en route to a four-round unanimous decision. 

There was some good back-and-forth action in the first round. Yakymiuk, 129.8, found success with some winging shots at distance early, but Pineda, 128.6,  found a home for his lead left in the latter half of the round. Pineda successfully forced an inside fight in round two. Yakymiuk struggled to keep up with Pineda’s pace and the Hillsboro native kept the pressure for the duration. 

Pineda began round three strong, finding a home for his uppercut, but Yakymiuk kept coming with his winging shots. Late in the third, Yakymiuk downed Pineda with a winging right seemingly out of nowhere. Pineda beat referee Ray Armendariz’s count and made it out of the round. Pineda again made excellent use of his uppercut in round four, but Yakymiuk stayed with him, looking to land as Pineda made his way inside. All three judges scored the bout for Yakymiuk, 39-36 and 38-37 twice. 

Saturday’s event was promoted by WhiteDelight Promotions, who will bring professional boxing back to the Medford Armory in Medford on Saturday, May 16, 2026.

Photos by Ryan Hemme/Authentic Media

Mario Ortega Jr. can be reached at ortegajr.mario@gmail.com

CANYONVILLE, OREGON – Featherweight prospect Osvel Caballero will aim to continue his upward advancement in the eight-round main event of “Clash at the Casino II” against Ernesto Sebastian Franzolini at the Seven Feathers Casino Resort on Saturday night. Fighters for the seven-bout card weighed-in at the casino’s Elements Lounge on Friday night. 

Caballero (5-0, 4 KOs) of Los Angeles, California by way of Lajas, Cienfuegos, Cuba was actually in the ring just one week ago, competing as a member of the Las Vegas Hustle in Team Combat League. Caballero won both of his one-round bouts by decision over Ariel Perez De La Torre in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Throughout the 2025 season, Caballero won 16 of his 19 one-round bouts as one of the top performers in the league. Saturday marks Caballero’s first traditional bout of the year. Last February, Caballero, a 2021 AIBA World Boxing Championship gold medalist, made his U.S. debut and scored a fourth-round stoppage of Jason Buenaobra in Santa Ynez, California. Caballero weighed-in at 130.9-pounds on Friday night. 

Franzolini (21-16-2, 2 KOs) of Pinamar, Buenos Aires, Argentina is a thirteen-year pro making his fourth appearance in the U.S. on Saturday night. Franzolini is coming off of back-to-back victories in his native Argentina this year, lastly a second-round stoppage just three weeks ago. In two fights against American prospects last year, Franzolini failed to last past the second round against Angel Barrientes and Dylan Price, who combined to have a record of 27-1 at the time. Franzolini weighed-in at 130.2-pounds on Friday night. 

In the semi-main event, Anthony Cruz Herrera (3-0) of Eugene, Oregon will take on Blaiwas Eaglepipe (2-2, 1 KO) of Salem, Oregon in a five-round super featherweight bout. Herrera, who weighed-in at 130.8-pounds on Friday, moved up to the five-round distance in his last bout, a unanimous decision over veteran Rob Diezel in Salem this past February. Eaglepipe, who also scaled 130.8-pounds, will be looking to rebound from a seven-round decision defeat to Gerardo Esquivel this past April. 

Light heavyweight prospect Rocky Sanchez (4-0, 2 KOs) of Monmouth, Oregon will meet short-notice replacement Idrees Wasi (1-4, 1 KO) of Sacramento, California in a four-round cruiserweight bout. Sanchez, who weighed-in at 185.8-pounds, had been pegged to rematch Thomas Turner, who was ruled out early in the week. Wasi, who came in at 178.1-pounds, was named as the new opponent on Tuesday. 

Emmanuel Ojeda (2-0) of Salem will take on Joel Hernandez (1-0) of Wenton, Washington in a four-round featherweight bout. Ojeda, who turned pro in April and was last in the ring just one month ago, weighed-in at 126.8-pounds. Hernandez, who scaled 124.8-pounds, turned pro in January with a four-round unanimous decision over Julio Lanzas Carrillo. 

Christian Torrico (1-0) of Medford, Oregon will meet Alessandro Singson (1-1) of Surrey, British Colombia, Canada in a five-round welterweight bout. Torrico, who weighed-in at 143-pounds, turned pro at Seven Feathers with a second-round stoppage over Angel Manrajos last October. Singson, who scaled 143.6-pounds on Friday, looks to rebound from his first professional loss, which took place on the same October night at Seven Feathers. 

In a pairing of fighters making their pro debuts, Sam Mednick of Portland, Oregon will take on Bryce Bradbeer of Grants Pass, Oregon in a four-round middleweight bout. Mednick, also 7-1 as an MMA fighter, scaled 156.5-pounds on Friday. Bradbeer, also an experienced MMA fighter and kickboxer, weighed-in at 159.8-pounds. 

In a four-round super featherweight bout, former amateur standout Cesar Pineda of Hillsboro, Oregon will make his professional debut against Vasyl Yakymiuk of Spokane, Washington, also in his first start as a professional. Pineda, a former state and regional champion, weighed-in at 128.6-pounds, while Yakymiuk came in at 129.8 on Friday night. 

Quick Weigh-in Results:

Super featherweights, 8 Rounds

Caballero 130.9

Franzolini 130.2

Super featherweights, 5 Rounds

Cruz Herrera 130.8

Eaglepipe 130.8

Cruiserweights, 4 Rounds

Sanchez 185.8

Wasi 178.1

Featherweights, 4 Rounds

Ojeda 126.8*

Hernandez 124.8

Welterweights, 5 Rounds

Torrico 143

Singson 143.6

Middleweights, 4 Rounds

Mednick 156.5

Bradbeer 159.8

Super featherweights, 4 Rounds

Pineda 128.6

Yakymiuk 129.8

*.8 over contracted weight, but Oregon allows 1 pound over contract 

Tickets for the event, promoted by WhiteDelight Promotions, are available online at sevenfeathers.com

Photos by Keith Weir

Mario Ortega Jr. can be reached at ortegajr.mario@gmail.com 

By Norm Frauenheim –

Jake Paul announced another show this week on Don King’s birthday.

Presumably, it was a coincidence. It was also appropriate, or perhaps inappropriate depending on the perspective.

Put it this way: Not even King, 94 on Wednesday, would have been allowed to put a lightweight in against a guy who last fought at cruiserweight.

In effect, that’s what Paul plans, according to reports Wednesday of a done deal for an exhibition between him and Gervonta Davis, who might want to change his nickname from Tank to Tiny for another Netflix spectacle scheduled for mid-November in Atlanta.

Exhibition could mean just about anything these days. It’s a euphemism for anything goes. There are 65 reasons for why it shouldn’t happen. During an era when weight classes still meant something, that’s the difference – 65 pounds of leverage — between Paul, a natural cruiserweight and Davis, a lightweight champion.

Paul was at 199.4 pounds the day before his victory in June over Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. in a unanimous decision in a 200-pound bout. Davis was at 133.8 for his controversial draw in March with Lamont Roach, who was robbed of a deserved victory in a 135-pound title fight.

Tank-versus-Paul simply would never have happened during King’s tumultuous era. Try to imagine Evander Holyfield, undisputed at cruiserweight in 1988, against Julio Cesar Chavez, the unified lightweight champ at the time.

You can’t.

King always pushed the envelope, crossed several lines of decorum, yet never really trespassed on the craft itself. Then, a 65-pound difference was off the scale, real or imagined. It was simply impossible, beyond comprehension.

But no more. Reasonable these days is defined by whether it can make money. Paul-Tank can, so it’ll happen no matter what kind of risk the massive weight difference creates.

Paul was a 227.2-pound heavyweight for a sad victory over Mike Tyson in a bout that Texas allowed, despite news that Tyson, now 59, had suffered an ulcer in May. His condition forced a postponement from July to November.

Still, Tyson’s performance was full of signs that the ulcer had impacted him physically and perhaps psychologically. He was hesitant at every turn and in every moment. It was hard to watch.

Yet, the fight went on, made possible by a Texas commission represented by Governor Greg Abbott. Gov. Gerry Mandering was there, at ringside, applauding a bout with re-written rules, including two-minute rounds instead of the traditional three. It was a sanctioned exhibition, as in anything goes.

In terms of money, it worked. The live gate at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, TX, was announced at 72,300. The average ticket price was $302. Texas regulators did the math and smiled. Netflix reported an audience of 60-million households.

Those are numbers that add up to an encore, including Paul, the promoter, against Tank, an agile pound-for-pound contender when he’s ready and willing to do more than just collect a paycheck. He’s erratic in and out of the ring.  

What’s clear, however, is that a lot of viewers still follow. Tank continues to be one of boxing’s best draws.

What’s unclear, however, is exactly how Georgia will supervise. Rewritten, Texas-like rules? Shorter rounds? A ladder for Tank?

Everything is up for negotiation, including weights and the other fundamentals that have long defined the ring craft.

The key in so much of this is Paul. Within the ropes, he’s a fighter who says he wants to win a cruiserweight belt. Safe to say, somebody is going to give him that opportunity. He’s already ranked by one acronym.

Above all, he also has the best promoter of the day: Himself. He’ll say anything, do almost anything. He’s King-like in that way.

The difference is that King didn’t answer any opening bells, at least sanctioned ones. Paul answers all of them at multiple weights and does so with a successful promoter’s clout and money. He’s created his own audience, a so-called influencer with some unprecedented punch throughout social-media.

If the Boxing Writers Association of America had an annual award – say, the Don King Promoter of the Year, Paul would have already won it repeatedly.

Is that a good thing? Is he an evolution from King’s contentious reign, often marked by noisy feuds with Bob Arum?

Social-media, Paul’s home turf, has erupted with condemnation at his plan to fight Tank. The angry posts read like last rites. Boxing-is-dead, of course, is a lyric to a very old dirge. We’ve heard it. And we’re hearing it again.

Weights apparently don’t matter much anymore, but there’s still a lot on a scale that this time might provide an answer to whether it’s a game forever changing or forever gone.  

In just over six months since joining the paid ranks, light heavyweight prospect Rocky Sanchez has kept a busy pace and goes for his fifth professional victory this Saturday night, taking on late replacement Idrees Wasi in a four-round special attraction at the Seven Feathers Casino Resort in Canyonville, Oregon as part of “Clash at the Casino II.” 

Originally from Sacramento, California, but residing in Monmouth, Oregon and training out of Young Guns Boxing in Vancouver, Washington, Sanchez (4-0, 2 KOs) originally had different squared circle dreams as a youngster. 

“When I was younger, about four or five, I told my dad I was going to be WWE champion,” recalls Sanchez. “He told me, ‘Why would you do that if you could become a boxer?’ He ended up showing me a bunch of videos of Mike Tyson and ever since then I fell in love with boxing. I kept bugging him to get into it and, finally, when I was eleven-years-old, I got into it and I have been in love with it ever since.” 

Unfortunately, Sanchez’s father passed away before he could see his son’s greatest amateur achievement: a silver medal at last year’s National Golden Gloves Tournament of Champions in Detroit, Michigan. Sanchez, who moved to Oregon at the age of 15 to live with his mom after his father’s passing, moved up in weight class and scored decisions on three consecutive days before falling in the finals on a split verdict against a very experienced Isaiah Olugbemi. 

“I was going to fight at 189 that year, but they did not have that weight class in the Golden Gloves, so I went up to heavyweight,” explains Sanchez. “Once I got to the nationals, I was the smallest heavyweight, out of 26 of them.” 

Despite the size disadvantage, Sanchez thought he deserved the nod in the final round. Even without the gold medal finish, the national tournament experience was a positive one for the aspiring fighter, giving Sanchez confidence as he looked toward the pro game. 

“I thought I won the fight, honestly, but it ended up being a split decision loss,” recalls Sanchez of the final round bout. “It was the most challenging, toughest experience I ever had. The mindset of going to the nationals and fighting day-after-day, I still have had nothing else like that. Honestly, I feel like it helped me get ready for the pros.” 

Sanchez had one last goal as an amateur and that was to meet Olugbemi in a rematch and even up the score. Tragically, Isaiah Olugbemi was shot and killed by his own neighbor in Odenton, Maryland just a month after the National Golden Gloves. 

“I was going to go to the Summer Fest,” recalls Sanchez, referring to the national event held in Kansas last June. “I wanted to run it back with him, but I ended up finding out later that after he got home, he got murdered. So it cut that off. I ended up not going to the Summer Fest and decided I would be going pro.” 

Sanchez prepared for the National Golden Gloves by training himself out of his home gym. Once he made it be known he would be turning professional, several gyms and managers made overtures about working with the young prospect. During a sparring event in Washington, Sanchez met former fighter Jason Davis of Young Guns Boxing in Vancouver, who offered his services and the two quickly hit it off. 

“I went to an event for sparring and we started talking,” recalls Sanchez of meeting Davis, who once went the distance with Joel Casamayor. “Once I met him, he said if I ever needed help, I could reach out to him. He’s a real cool dude and I feel like he’s real. We ended up clicking and been with each other ever since.”

With his team assembled, Sanchez turned professional this past February with a first-round stoppage of Joshua Brice in Salem, Oregon. 

“During the weigh-in, he was smiling at me or laughing at me and it ticked me off,” remembers Sanchez of Brice. “The next day, when we were getting ready, he was laughing again, and I told my corner, ‘I am going to hurt this motherfucker.’ It felt good. I never realized how small the gloves are until I was in the ring. We ended up just going at it and I got the knockout.” 

Two months later, Sanchez was back in action, taking on Thomas Turner in Clackamas, Oregon. 

“We had a pretty good fight, but what happened was that he broke his hand in the fight,” explains Sanchez. “After the third round, he told me, ‘I’m going to quit. We are going to have to run it back.’ I had never had anyone hug me during a fight before. I went back to my corner and they told me to stay focused, because he could just be playing around. But the ref ended up waving it off, saying that he did quit. When we had our talk with the doctors, he kept talking to me, saying we needed to run it back and he didn’t get his fair shot. I told him we could run it back at any time, I don’t care.”

After two unanimous decision wins in May and July, the plan was to give Turner that second opportunity this Saturday in Canyonville. However, on Tuesday word came down that Turner’s hand was not cleared and would require surgery. 

“I think he was coming into this fight unprepared and I am in the best shape I have ever been in my life,” says Sanchez of Turner, who had already requested a higher contracted weight. “If anything, I wanted to stop him in this fight, just to prove that the first fight wasn’t a fluke.”

Putting the definitive stamp on the Turner victory will have to wait until another day. Luckily for Sanchez, a new opponent was signed quickly, as Idrees Wasi (1-4, 1 KO) of Sacramento has stepped-in. The larger Wasi, who has additional experience in kickboxing and Muay Thai, will likely present a much different challenge than Turner. 

“I don’t know anything about him,” admits Sanchez. “ I haven’t seen any video of him yet, but I am pretty sure he is going to come awkward. It was a last minute replacement. I told them I could go up in weight, or whatever we needed to do [to keep the date.] So we are going to cruiserweight for this fight. I feel like everything happens for a reason. I am just trying to fight anybody I can right now.”

Sanchez, who has been campaigning at light heavyweight, will not add any additional weight to prepare for his new heavier opponent and has designs on moving down to the 168-pound super middleweight division. 

“I plan on coming in at the same weight [as I planned originally,] because I want to feel sharp, I want to feel strong,” explains Sanchez. “I feel good at this weight right now. We wanted to see how I felt during the weight cut, but the plan, since I feel great, is to shoot down to 168, most likely after this fight.”

In addition to possibly moving down in weight, Sanchez’s other goal is to remain active to close out the year, with a move up to the six-round distance in the offing. 

“I am just trying to stay as active as I can this year,” says Sanchez. “It is getting hard to find opponents over here, so after this next fight, we are probably going to start travelling to get the fights.” 

With eyes on the road, Saturday night’s bout in Southern Oregon presents a great opportunity for Sanchez’s following from both the Northwest and Northern California to see the young prospect in action before he starts logging airline miles. 

“It is going to be big,” says Sanchez. “I have a lot of people coming out, so it is going to be wild. I am coming aggressive. I am looking to hurt him. I want to put him away.”

Tickets for the event, promoted by WhiteDelight Promotions, are available online at sevenfeathers.com 

Photos by Josi Welter/Josi Welter Photography 

Mario Ortega Jr. can be reached at ortegajr.mario@gmail.com  

OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA – Lightweight prospect and co-promoter Lorenzo Powell remained unbeaten in the blink of an eye, stopping Mexican import Javier Rojas Campos to cap a seven-bout event at the Oakland Marriott City Center on Saturday night. 

Powell (5-0, 2 KOs) of Sacramento, California moved quickly, forcing Campos (3-5, 1 KO) of Guadalupe Victoria, Baja California, Mexico down to his knees with an unrelenting flurry, highlighted by a left to the body and finished with the right hand. Rojas Campos, 135.4, grimaced in pain and made no signs of getting up as Powell, 136.8, moved to a neutral corner and waited for referee Edward Collantes’ count to reach ten. 

The official time of the stoppage was 1:30 of the opening round. Powell, part of the promotional team at G1 Promotions, co-promoters of tonight’s event alongside Lion’s Den Boxing Promotions, is tentatively slated to return to the ring this November. 

Light heavyweight prospect Kumar Prescod (3-0-1, 3 KOs) of Antioch, California looked to be on his way to a fourth professional victory over Michael Nelson (4-2-1, 2 KOs) of College Park, Georgia before an unfortunate accidental headbutt forced an early end to the contest after two completed rounds. 

After getting warmed up, Prescod, 176.1, stunned Nelson, 173, late in the first, forcing the Georgia native to hold on as the round came to a close. The bout took a turn in the following round as an accidental headbutt opened a cut above Nelson’s right eye, which did not aid his ability to see Prescod’s power left hand. After a dominant round for Prescod, referee Michael Margado called for a time-out prior to the start of the third. After taking a quick look at Nelson, ringside physician Kevin Mitchell advised referee Margado to end the contest, resulting in a technical draw. 

In a pairing of veteran middleweights, Aaron Coley (17-5-1, 7 KOs) of Oakland ended a nearly three-year layoff with a shutout six-round unanimous decision over a game Moris Rodriguez (8-18-3, 5 KOs) of Sacramento. 

Coley, 160.8, caught Rodriguez, 161.9, leaning in with a right to the body, then followed it upstairs in the third. Late in the round, Coley caught Rodriguez clean with a sweeping right to the head and pressured the Sacramento resident into a neutral corner. The veteran Rodriguez weathered the storm and the bell to end the round soon followed. 

Much of the fourth was fought at a measured pace, but Coley finished the round strong as he forced Rodriguez back into the blue corner with a clean left just before the end of the round. The pace picked up in the fifth, as Coley let his hands go and Rodriguez did his best to respond. 

Early in the sixth, Coley caught Rodriguez with a strong left after catching a punch on the gloves. Rodriguez shook his head to show the blow did not shake him and, after touching the canvas on a slip, kept coming until the final bell. 

Judges Melissa McMorrow, Kermit Bayless and Joel Farbstein all scored the bout 60-54 for Coley. 

In a thrilling offensive showing, Tony Hirsch Jr. (6-0-2, 4 KOs) of Oakland impressively halted veteran former regional title holder David Reyes (25-14-2, 13 KOs) of Ciudad Obregon, Sonora, Mexico inside of two rounds. 

Hirsch, 134.5, was in constant motion from the opening bell, overwhelming Reyes, 133.7, in moments. Early in the second, Hirsch wobbled and then dropped Reyes with the follow-up right hand. The Mexican veteran gamely made it to his feet, but Hirsch smelled blood in the water. With Reyes taking unanswered combinations, referee Michael Margado leaped-in to call a halt to the contest at 1:39 of the second. 

Pleasing his vocal crowd in attendance, Alberto Velasco (2-0, 1 KO) of Stockton, California made short work of an unrefined Antonio Ferrel (0-1) of Santa Rosa, California. 

Velasco, 131.7, landed with both hands from the outset as Ferrel, 128.7, struggled to defend or maintain his footing. After landing clean with both hands along the ropes, Velasco forced Ferrel into the blue corner and kept punching. Despite losing some of the steam on his punches towards the end of the continued onslaught, Velasco forced the hand of referee Edward Collantes, who called a halt to the bout at 1:46 of the first round. 

In a rematch of a bout in May, Alton Wiggins (3-1-1) of Ceres, California repeated the feat, this time via four-round split decision, over a tough and determined Michael Portales (3-5-1, 1 KO) of San Jose, California. 

The taller southpaw Wiggins, 154.6, engaged in more of a close range fight after positioning himself as more of a boxer-mover in their first engagement. With four full rounds already in their memory bank, neither fighter felt the need to feel out the other.

Wiggins had his best round in the second, rocking Portales, 155.6, with his right. Portales began to find a home for his overhand right, but Wiggins closed the round strong, forcing the San Jose native into a neutral corner as the round came to a close. Portales clearly won the fourth, repeatedly snapping Wiggins’ head back with his right. 

Judge Melissa McMorrow scored the bout 39-37 for Portales, but was overruled by judges Kermit Bayless and Joel Farbstein, who had it 39-37 the other way. Wiggins, who claimed victory by unanimous decision in their first go-around, admitted to the crowd on hand that the second fight was tougher. 

In the opener, Shawn McCollum (1-0-1) of Hayward, California edged out Ricky Esquibel (1-4, 1 KO) of Albuquerque, New Mexico via four-round unanimous decision. 

The action was frantic in spots, especially on the inside. McCollum, 140.8, backed up Esquibel, 136.9, with his jab early in the fight, but did not utilize it enough to make his night a little easier. Esquibel switched to southpaw at times and landed a left that forced McCollum to hold for a moment in the second. McCollum backed up with his hands down in the third, allowing Esquibel to double up without worrying about a return. Things heated up in the fourth. Esquibel landed first in an exchange of stiff right hands, but McCollum’s seemed to land with more authority. “The Irish Bad Boy” followed up and backed Esquibel up with a combination that likely gave him the round. 

All three judges; Melissa McMorrow, Kermit Bayless and Joel Farbstein, scored the bout 39-37 for McCollum, who thanked his coaches for believing in him as he earned his first professional victory. 

Photos by Michelle Morgan

Mario Ortega Jr. can be reached at ortegajr.mario@gmail.com

By Norm Frauenheim

David Benavidez has moved up the scale and into the pound-for-pound ratings, both marks of progress that say that bigger stardom is imminent.

But one thing hasn’t changed. 

Benavidez is still maturing.

Still waiting, too.

The wait game continues with his approaching date, a light-heavyweight title defense against Anthony Yarde on a date, Nov. 22, and place, Riyadh, that might test that maturity as much as the opponent.

It’s easy to think of Benavidez as forever young, mostly because of his resume. He was a 20-year-old champion, youngest in the history of the super-middleweight division and young in any weight class.

But there is no forever in young. There’s only that clock, stubborn and relentlessly demanding. Benavidez begins a new stage just five days before Thanksgiving. He’ll enter the ring at 28, within a month of turning 29 on Dec. 17. Ready or not, his prime has arrived. So, too, have the expectations that come with it.

He’s already been fighting professionally for more than a decade. He made his debut as a teenager in Puerto Penasco, a Sonoran fishing town at the top of the Gulf of California about four hours south of Phoenix, his hometown. He won that one and that’s all he’s done ever since.

He’s won, and only won, at a ferocious rate and in a punishing manner that has denied him a true test of his maturity. That’s what happens when a feared fighter gets stuck with the most-avoided tag. He gets stuck in the waiting room, an enforced limbo with lots of potential, but none of it ever completely fulfilled by a significant test. Blame Canelo Alvarez. Blame boxing’s balkanized politics. Blame both.

Now, however, Benavidez enters a stage of his career armed with the potential to generate more money and a name now known to be among the second five in the pound-for-pound-for-pound debate. Both represent leverage, enough of it perhaps to secure the defining fight he has yet to land.

For now, however, the frustration is that it’s still not there. Surely, it’s not Yarde. Benavidez is a 10-to-1 favorite to beat the UK challenger in a 175-pound title defense.

Already, there’s confusion about whether and when the big fight will finally land on his calendar. When the November date with Yarde was first announced by Saudi Prince and promoter Turki Alalshikh, it was thought that a Benavidez victory would lead to a showdown for the light-heavyweight’s undisputed crown against the winner of a third Artur Beterbiev-Dmitrii Bivol fight.

But Beterbiev-Bivol 3 fell apart. First, there were rumors that there was Russian money involved for a fight expected to be in a nation still trying to destroy Ukraine in Vladimir Putin’s desperate war. Even by boxing’s crazy standards, it just made no sense. As it turned out, a third Bivol-Beterbiew fight didn’t either.

Finally, Bivol announced on social media that he decided to undergo back surgery, a procedure that will sideline him for at least the rest of this year.

Frustrated, Beterbiev decided to move on. Eventually, he was added to the Nov. 22 card against second-tier contender Deon Nicholson. Presumably, the idea is for Benavidez to fight Beterbiev. But Beterbiev is fighting at an age when most are making comebacks. He’s from the generation personified by Manny Pacquiao, who at 46 came back last month and fought Mario Barrios to a draw.

Beterbiev is 40. He’ll be 41 before – make that if – he ever agrees to fight Benavidez, who is at an age and a point in his career when he needs a defining date.

It could still happen, of course. For Benavidez, the immediate task is to take care of business – simply do his job. Benavidez has yet to fight outside of North America. In Riyadh, Benavidez figures to fight at an unusual hour, perhaps early in the morning in a move to accommodate viewers in Mexico and the United States.

In a tune-up for his fight next month against Terence Crawford at Las Vegas’ Allegiant Stadium, Canelo fought William Scull May 7 at 6 a.m., Riyadh time.

Canelo complained about the early hour after delivering a dull – call it sleepy – performance at dawn. The crowd wasn’t exactly awake either. From Phoenix to Vegas, Benavidez – known for his abundant energy in the later rounds — has been fueled by loud, passionate crowds.

How he’ll react without one at an unusual hour could prove problematic against Yarde, whose only edge might be his well-traveled resume.

Put it this way: Benavidez might have to beat more than just Yarde in a bout that could finally get him out of the waiting room and into prime time.

OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA – Well-regarded lightweight prospect Lorenzo Powell takes center stage as he and his promotional team at G1 Promotions join with Lion’s Den Boxing Promotions to present “Straight Outta Oakland,” at the Oakland Marriott City Center on Saturday night. Fighters for the seven-bout card weighed-in on Friday morning at the host venue. 

Powell (4-0, 1 KO) of Sacramento, California will take on Javier Rojas Campos (3-4, 1 KO) of Guadalupe Victoria, Baja California, Mexico in the six-round main event. 

Powell has been building his professional resume in Stockton, California, including a six-round unanimous decision over Michael De La Cruz this past May. Powell took to the scale last at Friday’s weigh-in, coming in at 136.8-pounds. Rojas Campos, who fought three times last year, going 2-1, weighed-in at 135.4-pounds. 

In the co-main event, rising light heavyweight prospect Kumar Prescod (3-0, 3 KOs) of Antioch, California will meet Michael Nelson (4-2, 2 KOs) of College Park, Georgia in a four-rounder. 

Prescod, who weighed-in at 176.1-pounds, is coming off of a one-sided second-round knockout in May. Nelson, who sprung an upset over previously unbeaten Carlos Fidel Miranda before hitting a two-fight skid, weighed-in at 173-pounds. Nelson initiated a brief shoving match during the face-off photo op, which was the one spike in excitement during an otherwise cordial weigh-in ceremony. 

Former middleweight contender Aaron Coley (16-5-1, 7 KOs) of Oakland ends a nearly three-year hiatus in taking on fellow veteran Moris Rodriguez (8-17-3, 5 KOs) of Sacramento in a six-round bout. 

Coley, who will be fighting before his home crowd for the first time in nine years, weighed-in at 160.8-pounds on Friday. Rodriguez, coming off of a split decision defeat to Delen Parsley in February, came in one pound over the contracted weight at 163-pounds before shedding the overage and returning to the scale at 161.9-pounds.  

Tony Hirsch Jr. (5-0-2, 3 KOs) of Oakland will meet former regional title holder David Reyes (25-13-2, 13 KOs) of Ciudad Obregon, Sonora, Mexico in a four-round lightweight bout. 

Hirsch, who bested a different David Reyes in an exciting fight at the Oakland Marriott City Center last August, scaled 134.5-pounds. Reyes, a thirteen-year veteran, came in at 133.7-pounds. 

Alberto Velasco (1-0) of Stockton will meet debuting Antonio Ferrel of Santa Rosa, California in a four-round super featherweight fight. The Oakland-born Velasco weighed-in at 132.2-pounds on his first attempt, but scaled 131.7 on his second try, under the contracted 132. Ferrel, who was drinking water before getting on the scale, came in at 128.7-pounds. 

In a rematch of a highly-competitive bout this past May, Alton Wiggins (2-1-1) of Ceres, California and Michael Portales (3-4-1, 1 KO) of San Jose, California will battle it out in a four-round junior middleweight bout. Wiggins, who claimed a four-round unanimous decision in their first meeting, scaled 154.6-pounds, while Portales made 155.6. 

Shawn McCollum (0-0-1) of Hayward, California takes aim at professional victory number one against Richard Esquibel (1-3, 1 KO) of Albuquerque, New Mexico in a four-round lightweight bout. McCollum came in heavy at 140.8, but Esquibel who scaled 136.9, agreed to some extra pay in lieu of forcing his opponent to shed any weight. 

Super featherweight prospect Braulio Ceja Navarro (5-0, 2 KOs) of Concord, California had been slated to fight Brandon Sandoval (3-4, 1 KO) of Salem, Massachusetts in a lightweight bout. 

Sandoval made the trip all the way to Oakland, only to pull out of the fight just before the weigh-in. Obed Sepulveda (0-7-1) of Ciudad Juarez, Chihuahua, Mexico was originally pegged to fight Cesar Olvera (1-0, 1 KO) of Tracy, California, who was a late scratch, and offered to step-in for Sandoval, but that fight was not approved by the California State Athletic Commission. 

Quick Weigh-in Results:

Lightweights, 6 Rounds 

Powell 136.8

Rojas Campos 135.4

Light heavyweights, 4 Rounds

Prescod 176.1

Nelson 173

Middleweights, 6 Rounds 

Coley 160.8

Rodriguez 161.9

Lightweights, 4 Rounds

Hirsch Jr. 134.5

Reyes 133.7

Super featherweights, 4 Rounds

Velasco 131.7

Ferrel 128.7

Light middleweights, 4 Rounds

Wiggins 154.6

Portales 155.6

Lightweights, 4 Rounds

McCollum 140.8*

Esquibel 136.9

*McCollum 2.8 pounds over, fight will go on

Tickets for the event, promoted by G1 Promotions and Lion’s Den Boxing Promotions, are available online at g1promotions.com 

Mario Ortega Jr. can be reached at ortegajr.mario@gmail.com 

Main Card

Omar Trinidad, 126lb. (19-0-1, 13 KOs) © vs. Lorenzo Parra, 124.8lb. (23-1, 17 KOs) – Ten Rounds

WBC Continental Americas Featherweight Title

Mizuki Hiruta, 114.8lb. (8-0, 2 KOs) © vs. Naomy Cardenas-Gomez, 115.8lb. (9-0, 2 KOs) — Ten Rounds

WBO Super Flyweight World Title

Abel Mejia, 131.4lb. (8-0, 5 KOs) vs. Aston Palicte, 129.2lb. (28-8-1, 23 KOs) — Six Rounds

Guadalupe Medina, 104.6lb. (10-0, 2 KOs) vs. Rubi Gutierrez, 106.2lb. (5-2-1) – Eight Rounds

Angel Carrillo, 125lb. (4-0-1, 2 KOs) vs. Damien Basulto, 121.8lb. (3-0,1 KO) – Four Rounds

Prelims

Jonathan Vasquez, 130.4lb. (Pro Debut) vs. Brian Rodriguez, 134.2lb. (Pro Debut) – Four Rounds

Abraham Morales, 129.2lb. (1-0, 1 KO) vs. Nesly Trezile, 131lb. (1-3)

Venue

Chumash Casino Resort

Santa Ynez, CA

Presented by Tom Loeffler’s 360 Promotions, remaining tickets for Hollywood Fight Nights, priced at $105, $85, $75, $65 and $55, can be purchased online through the Chumash Casino Resort. The Chumash Casino Resort venue is located at 3400 East Highway 246, Santa Ynez, CA 93460.

OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA – Former middleweight contender Aaron Coley makes his ring return, fighting at home for the first time in nearly a decade, when he takes on veteran Moris Rodriguez to headline “Straight Outta Oakland,” a ten-bout card co-promoted by G1 Promotions and Lion’s Den Boxing Promotions at the Oakland Marriott City Center this coming Saturday. 

Coley (16-5-1, 7 KOs) of Oakland last saw ring action in 2022, suffering back-to-back defeats: a debatable eight-round split decision to Jamontay Clark and the only stoppage loss of his career to Serhii Bohachuk seven months later. After a nearly three-year hiatus, Coley’s return was ignited by his 11-year-old son Ahki’s dedication and success in the amateurs. 

“The team, the people around me and my son motivated me to [return] just by him boxing and him wanting to see me in action,” explains Coley. “With him being a little bit older, he moved me by working his corner. It did get me going, because I wanted him to see me work and pick up some of the craft that I’ve got and the skills that I possess that other people don’t.” 

In Coley’s time away from competition his son Ahki went from just getting his first fight or two under his belt to advancing to the semi-finals of the 75-pound weight division at the USA Boxing National Championships in December of last year. Now that Ahki is older and an accomplished competitor himself, there is an extra layer of excitement added to the elder Coley’s ring return. 

“It is going to be great,” says Aaron about sharing this moment with his son. “Just hearing him say, ‘I really can’t wait to see you fight.’ That just gives me the chills. He wasn’t old enough to really see me when I was active and busy. When you are about three-years-old you really don’t understand the magnitude of things. Now that he has been on the big stage in the amateurs, at nationals, placing number three in the nation, he really knows the magnitude of the situation. So it is pretty big.” 

Coley had been a road warrior throughout most of his career, but will make this ring return at home in Oakland, making it easy for Ahki and his entire fanbase in the Bay Area to be ringside when “Heavy Metal” begins this next phase of his career. 

“It is awesome to get back because a lot of my people have been asking me when I would fight back at home,” explains Coley. “They did not realize that I was off for a little bit. [It is special] being able to kick it off at home before I get back on that road.” 

Coley will have a familiar voice, but one new to his corner, when he makes his return this Saturday. Khamza, who came up in Bay Area gyms with Coley and amassed an unbeaten record before injuries forced him from the ring, now serves as his head trainer. 

“Not only has he been my friend for so long, but we have been watching boxing and tapes together ever since we were training together at SFC, so that goes way back,” explains Coley. “We used to sit there for hours, watching different tapes and talking boxing. Now to have him in my corner, it is so easy. It just gel real smooth.” 

Opposing Coley in the six-round bout on Saturday night will be fellow ring veteran Moris Rodriguez (8-17-3, 5 KOs) of Sacramento, California. Rodriguez, despite his uneven record, has proven to be a solid test for up-and-coming prospects as well as comebacking veterans in recent times. Rodriguez was last in action in February, forcing a majority draw against returning former prospect Delen Parsley. In his fight prior, Rodriguez dropped unbeaten Victor Guerrero early, before the tables were turned en route to a stoppage defeat. Despite their many years, each plugging away in Northern California gyms, Coley and Rodriguez never have crossed paths before.

“I have never seen him,” explains Coley. “It is crazy that I have never heard of him, being that I have been all over this part of Northern California, getting work. So he is new to me. I have not seen anything on him or expect anything from him. I really just got to come at my best. I know when I am at my best, there is really nothing you can do. When I am really doing my thing and boxing, there is really nothing you can do to come and rattle my cage.” 

With nearly three years away to refresh his body, Coley believes now is the time to chart his course back to the big stage. The road back begins this Saturday, at home in Oakland. 

“I just see getting back into championship contention,” says Coley about where this return will take him. “I was there once before, so just getting back to that green belt status, going after that WBC belt, that is what I am looking for. I want to get a shot at the top 160-pounders.” 

Tickets for the event, promoted by Lion’s Den Boxing Promotions and G1 Promotions, are available online at g1promotions.com 

Photo by Lina Baker/360 Promotions

Mario Ortega Jr. can be reached at ortegajr.mario@gmail.com 

By Norm Frauenheim

Jesse “Bam” Rodriguez’ rocket-like rise in the pound-for-pound debate and overall name recognition comes with a lot of risk, including the inevitable temptation to look too far ahead.

Actually, it’s not even a temptation anymore. It happened in Rodriguez’ last fight. Saudi Prince and Promoter Turki Alalshikh signed and announced his next fight before he had even answered the opening bell before his last one.

News of Rodriguez’ title unification date against dangerous Argentine Fernando Martinez Nov. 2 in Riyadh was all over social media in July long before Rodriguez took care of business, scoring a 10^th-round stoppage of South African Phumelela Cafu in Frisco, TX. Bam, he’s reliable, too.

But here’s the caveat: History is littered with examples of young fighters thinking more about what’s next instead of looking out for the incoming power punch thrown in the here-and-now. It’s a trap. Yet, it’s one that Rodriguez, mature beyond his 25 years, understands with a quiet, almost unnerving poise. The future is a feint. Rodriguez, already among the top five in several pound-for-pound rankings, hasn’t been fooled by it.

Yet, it’s here, all over again, this time in news that Junto Nakatani is expected to vacate his bantamweight titles, the 118-pound International Boxing Federation and World Boxing Council belts. Boxing Scene reports that Nakatani will announce his move up to junior-featherweight in a recording for WOWOW’s Excite Match SP series early next week.

The move opens the door for Rodriguez, already a champion at flyweight and super-fly, to win a third division title. First, however, he has to add a third piece of the super-fly title against Martinez to the growing collection of hardware draped across his shoulders. By all accounts, he’s a huge favorite, minus-1000, according to Fan Duel.

The expectation – and Bam has fulfilled them all so far – suggests that that he would move up, perhaps pursue one of the two belts vacated by Nakatani or one of the two held by the other two champions. Antonio Vargas is the World Boxing Association’s version and Yoshiki Takei the World Boxing Organization’s.

Nakatani’s expected decision to move up the scale isn’t a surprise. The top-10 pound-for-pound fighter had been calling out Bam before a stoppage of Ryosuke Nishida June 8 in Tokyo. Then, however, there was silence about Bam from the Japanese fighter who trains in Southern California.

There had been various reports that Bam and Nakatani had agreed to fight. But the reported possibility was quashed by Akihiko Honda, the powerful “Mister Honda” of Teiken Promotions.

The long-range plan has always been an all-Japanese showdown between Nakatani and super-star Naoya Inoue, ranked alongside Oleksandr Usyk and Terence Crawford among the top three in the current pound-for-pound debate. Inoue faces a challenging date in Murodjon Akhmadaliev for Inoue’s undisputed 122-pound belt Sept. 14 in Tokyo.

Then, there are reported plans for Inoue to keep sharp in a stay-busy fight against Mexican Alan David Picasso in December before a long-anticipated showdown against Nakatani next year.

According to sources in Japanese media, Mister Honda didn’t want a Nakatani-Bam fight to get in the way – perhaps risk – Inoue-Nakatani, a fight projected to break revenue records in Japan. It makes sense.

The timing of Nakatani’s move up would allow him a fight or perhaps two to get familiar with the new weight.

Meanwhile, it would allow Rodriguez to further his own reputation and perhaps move ever closer to his own shot at Inoue in a bout that is climbing up the list of “dream fights” as quickly as Bam is moving up the pound-for-pound ratings.

Oscar Valdez going home

Former two-division champion Oscar Valdez Jr. (32-3, 24 KOs) is going back to where it all started. Top Rank announced he’ll face Ricky Medina (16-3, 9 KOs) Sept. 6 in his hometown, Nogales, on the Mexican side of the border it shares with Arizona.

It’ll be the first time Valdez, an ex-champ at featherweight and junior-lightweight, will fight as a pro in the Sonoran city where he was born.

Valdez is fighting for the first time since a punishing loss to Emanuel Navarrete in a rematch last December in Phoenix. Before and after the loss, there was talk that Valdez would retire. But former Mexican Olympian, known for his no-quit mentality, has decided to fight on.

“Oscar Valdez is a proud warrior, and this is a great opportunity for him to return home and prove he still has what it takes to contend at 130 pounds,” Top Rank Chairman Bob Arum said. “Oscar has been with Top Rank since he turned pro, and we are in his corner as he attempts to become a three-time world champion.”