By Norm Frauenheim

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

On any scale, it’s risky.

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

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

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

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

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

So does Benavidez.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

If there’s a time to fight, it’s now.

SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA – Fighting on the national stage close to home, Amari Jones aims to stamp himself as a top middleweight contender when he takes on former title holder Vincenzo Gualtieri in the DAZN-broadcasted main event from the SAP Center at San Jose on Friday night. Fighters for the nine-bout card took part in a ceremonial weigh-in on Thursday afternoon at the nearby Hayes Mansion, having officially tipped the scales in the morning. 

Jones (16-0, 14 KOs) of Oakland, California will fight in the Bay Area for just the second time in his pro career as he takes a step-up in competition against Gualtieri (25-1-1, 8 KOs) of Wuppertal, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany in the twelve-round IBF elimination bout. 

Jones, the IBF #4/WBC #14 ranked middleweight, has looked impressive in two fights since signing with Golden Boy Promotions last summer. Jones took a modest step-up last time out, scoring a fourth-round stoppage of normally durable veteran Luis Arias on the Mario Barrios-Ryan Garcia card in Las Vegas, Nevada this past February. Jones, fighting in his first scheduled twelve-rounder, weighed-in at 159.2 pounds on Thursday. 

Gualtieri, the IBF #5/WBO #8 ranked middleweight, represents the most accomplished pro the unbeaten Jones has squared off with to date. Gualtieri capped a 22-bout unbeaten run to begin his career by capturing the vacant IBF middleweight crown via twelve-round unanimous decision over previously unblemished Esquiva Falcao in July of 2023. Gualtieri attempted to immediately capitalize on his title victory, but failed to hold up to the offense of WBO kingpin Janibek Alimkhanuly in a unification bout that ended via sixth-round stoppage just three months later. Gualtieri, who has since bounced back with four straight victories back in Germany, scaled 158.2 pounds on Thursday. 

With the IBF #1 ranking, and title, currently vacant, the winner of Friday’s main event could potentially be in line to challenge for the belt as soon as their next outing. 

“This is to put me in position,” said Jones after Thursday’s ceremonial weigh-in. “This is to really show and prove that I belong in those top discussions. Tomorrow night we are going to show. I’m young and hungry. This is his last hope and I’m here to handle anything he is going to do.” 

In the co-main event, Yamil Peralta (18-1-1, 10 KOs) of Del Viso, Buenos Aires, Argentina defends his lightly-regarded WBC Silver cruiserweight title and accompanying world ranking against rising contender Robin Safar (19-0, 13 KOs) of Las Vegas, Nevada by way of Flemingsberg, Stockholm, Sweden in a scheduled twelve-rounder. 

Peralta, the WBC #2/WBA #11 ranked cruiserweight, ended a nearly thirteen-month layoff last time out with a second-round kayo of journeyman Juan Diaz in Argentina this past February. Peralta notably went up against Ryan Rozicki twice in Canada to controversial conclusions. In fact, Peralta’s lone career loss, a 2022 split decision to Rozicki, is recognized by the WBC as a no contest, though the official decision stands. Two years later they tried it again, with the bout being declared a majority draw. Peralta weighed-in at 199 pounds on Thursday. 

Safar, the WBO #4/WBC #12/WBA #12/IBF #14 ranked cruiserweight, has inched closer to a world title bout with two victories since his career-defining win over Sergey Kovalev in May of 2024 and eventual signing with Golden Boy early last year. Safar scaled 199.2 pounds on Thursday. 

The winner of the bout figures to be near the head of the line to challenge recently-crowned WBC champion Noel Mikaelian. Three of the top four WBC contenders (Rozicki, Jai Opetaia and Chris Billam-Smith) have recently signed with promoter Zuffa Boxing, with whom the WBC has a contentious relationship. 

Darius Fulghum (14-1-1, 12 KOs) of Houston, Texas has his eyes set at the top of the super middleweight division but he first must get by Yoanki Urrutia (17-2, 7 KOs) of Miami, Florida by way of Las Tunas, Las Tunas, Cuba in a ten-round bout on Friday. 

Fulghum, the WBA #5 ranked super middleweight, needs to get back on track after a disappointing draw against David Stevens last November. The draw came on the heels of Fulghum’s spirited effort in defeat by decision to Bektemir Melikuziev in a WBA eliminator last May. Urrutia, who has spent the last several years fighting exclusively in Florida, was bested by .500 fighter Ryan Adams via split decision in his last appearance in October. Fulghum scaled 168.8, while Urrutia came in at 169.8 pounds on Thursday. 

Cruiserweight prospect Tristan Kalkreuth (16-1, 11 KOs) of North Las Vegas, Nevada will take on Marco Antonio Canedo (8-3-1, 5 KOs) of Tacámbaro, Michoacán, Mexico in an eight-round  bout on Friday. Kalkreuth, making his 2026 debut, weighed-in at 198.2 pounds on Thursday. Canedo, unbeaten in five fights since dropping down from heavyweight, made 199.6 pounds on Thursday. 

Much-talked about prospect Jordan Fuentes (6-0, 2 KOs) of Fresno, California will open up the main card on DAZN in a six-round bantamweight bout against Dante Ibarra Hernandez (3-1, 3 KOs) of Zapopan, Jalisco, Mexico. The southpaw Fuentes, a reported seven-time national amateur champion, scaled 117.2 pounds, while Ibarra Hernandez made the bantamweight limit of 118 on Thursday. 

In the final preliminary bout to be streamed on the Golden Boy Promotions YouTube channel, Jose Medrano Jr. (2-0, 1 KO) of Salinas, California will take on Anel Dudo (4-8-1, 1 KO) of Aurora, Colorado by way of Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina in a four-round super featherweight bout. The 18-year-old Medrano weighed-in at 127.4 pounds, while the veteran Dudo scaled 126.8. 

Jordan Panthen (11-2, 9 KOs) of Honolulu, Hawaii will take on Jean Rivera-Pacheco (10-2, 1 KO) of San Juan, Puerto Rico in a ten-round bout for the vacant regional WBA Intercontinental title. Panthen was last seen rescuing a show in January by stepping in on very short notice to take on well-regarded Raul Curiel this past January on DAZN. Panthen, who lost a wide unanimous decision on that night, weighed-in at 159.8 pounds on Thursday. Rivera-Pacheco, who has spent much of his career at welterweight, came in at 159.2 pounds on Thursday.  

John “Scrappy” Ramirez (16-1, 9 KOs) of Los Angeles, California looks to extend a three-fight win streak against well-traveled veteran Lucas Fernandez (14-4-2, 9 KOs) of Rosario, Santa Fe, Argentina in a ten-round super flyweight bout. Ramirez and Fernandez both scaled 114.8 pounds on Thursday.

Enkhmandakh Kharkhuu (7-0, 3 KOs) of Los Angeles by way of Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia will take on Adrian Ibarra Herrera (10-4, 8 KOs) of Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico in an eight-round flyweight bout to open the card. Kharkhuu, back down in weight after having to fight at bantamweight in his last two outings, made 112.6 pounds, while the veteran Herrera scaled 112.8. 

Quick Weigh-in Results:

IBF Middleweight Championship Elimination Bout, 12 Rounds 

Jones 159.2

Gualtieri 158.2

WBC Silver Cruiserweight Championship, 12 Rounds

Peralta 199

Safar 199.2

Super middleweights, 10 Rounds 

Fulghum 168.8

Urrutia 169.8

Cruiserweights, 8 Rounds

Kalkreuth 198.2

Canedo 199.6

Bantamweights, 6 Rounds

Fuentes 117.2 

Ibarra Hernandez 118

Featherweights, 4 Rounds

Medrano Jr. 127.4

Dudo 126.8

WBA Intercontinental Middleweight Championship, 10 Rounds

Panthen 159.8

Rivera-Pacheco 159.2

Super flyweights, 10 Rounds 

Ramirez 114.8

Fernandez 114.8

Flyweights, 8 Rounds

Kharkhuu 112.6

Ibarra Herrera 112.8

Tickets for the event, promoted by Golden Boy Promotions, are available online at Ticketmaster.com 

Photos by Cris Esqueda/Golden Boy Promotions

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

SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA – Middleweight prospect Islam Abdusamadov got off the canvas to score a six-round unanimous decision over veteran gatekeeper Moris Rodriguez to remain unbeaten in the main event of a six-bout card at the DoubleTree Hotel by Hilton, Sacramento on Saturday night. 

Abdusamadov (8-0, 3 KOs) of Santa Clara, California by way of Makhachkala, Dagestan, Russia, a natural middleweight, appeared to hold the edge in power over Rodriguez (9-19-3, 5 KOs) of Sacramento, who, despite dabbling in the super middleweight division, began his career at 135-pounds. Though Abdusamadov landed the harder shots, he was outworked at times in the opening round by Rodriguez. After Rodriguez found success boxing and moving for most of the first, Abusamadov sent the Sacramento resident stumbling into the ropes with a left to close the round. Rodriguez waved his glove to signal he was not affected as the bell sounded, ending the first.

The footwork of Rodriguez, 162, appeared to be what bothered Abdusamadov, 161.2, most as the fight progressed. With Abdusamadov attempting to cut off the ring and get in punching range in the third, Rodriguez was clever with his footwork and caught the Dagestan native off balance and scored a flash knockdown. 

Abusamadov had a solid bounce back round in the fourth, as he was much more successful getting in range in keeping up the pressure on his 36-year-old opponent. By the fifth, Rodriguez had slowed on his movement and fought much of the round off the ropes. The inside fighting benefited Abdusamadov, though Rodriguez was never in any danger. Rodriguez got back on his horse in the sixth, before a solid two-way exchange closed out the fight. 

In the end, the knockdown did not hurt Abdusamadov in the scoring. Judge Melissa McMorrow scored the bout 58-55, while judges Michael Margado and Joel Farbstein both had it 57-56, all for Abdusamadov. 

Making his hometown debut, Sergio Gonzalez (5-0, 4 KOs) of Sacramento punished veteran Christian Seals (4-4-2, 2 KOs) of Carson, California for the better part of three rounds before forcing a third-round stoppage in the semi-main event. 

Gonzalez, 155.2, was in control of the action from the early moments of the bout. Fighting for just the second time since forcing a draw with Sacramento favorite Ruben Torres in the same DoubleTree ring in August of 2023, the 34-year-old Seals, 155, struggled to keep pace with Gonzalez, ten years his junior. 

Late in the third round, Gonzalez caught an increasingly weary Seals with two straight right hands, followed by two thudding rights to the body that forced the hand of referee Michael Margado. The time of the stoppage was 2:16 of round three.

Unbeaten featherweight Jose Contreras (3-0) of Oakland, California scored a four-round shutout decision over veteran Jonathan Almacen (7-16-3, 2 KOs) of Muntinlupa City, Metro Manila, Philippines. 

The naturally larger Contreras, 129.2, may have had an easier night had he made a concentrated effort to target the body of Almacen, 127.2, who began his career as a junior flyweight. Instead, Contreras fought mostly as a headhunter and never took away Almacen’s movement. 

Almacen never looked uncomfortable, often showboating when out of punching range, and picking his moments to trade. Contreras struggled to cut off the ring, only managing to pin Almacen along the ropes in brief moments. When Almacen would force Contreras to miss, he was more prone to showboating, rather than capitalizing on the opportunity. As the fighter forcing the action, Contreras won over judges Melissa McMorrow, Joel Farbstein and David Hartman in every round, taking the bout 40-36 across all three cards. 

In the fight of the night, Jorge Luna Ramirez (1-0) of Carson City, Nevada scored a hard-fought unanimous decision over Aaron Wisdom (0-1) of Atwater, California. 

Both fighters wasted no time, as the action was heated from the opening bell. The fight was rough and fought on even terms on the inside, but Luna Ramirez, 126.3, may have held an edge landing at range on the way in close. Luna Ramirez had his best round in the second, landing clean with his right when finding a moment of daylight to get some extension on his punch. 

Wisdom, 127.1, bounced back in the third to have his best round. The Atwater native landed with a clean two-punch combination in the early moments of the round and utilized different angles to roll with some of Luna Ramirez’s punches and create openings for his own. Some rough grappling on the inside created a cut over Luna Ramirez’s left eye, which was incorrectly ruled as the result of a punch by the referee. Spurred on by his own blood perhaps, Luna Ramirez found a second wind late in the round, but Wisdom matched him as the two traded to close the round. 

Both fighters had their moments in the fourth, with Luna Ramirez maybe having a little more steam in the final moments of a fight that had the crowd engaged from the opening bell. All three judges; Melissa McMorrow, Joel Farbstein and Edward Collantes, scored the bout 39-37 for Luna Ramirez. 

In a closely-contested bout, Shavon Furrow (2-0, 1 KO) of Fresno, California maintained her unbeaten record with a four-round unanimous decision over a determined Vicky Zhao (2-3) of Watsonville, California by way of Chongqing, China.

What the naturally smaller Zhao, 114, lacked in power she attempted to make up for in output and determination. Zhao had a strong first round, outworking Furrow, 114, in stretches and forcing the action. 

Furrow’s edge in power began to show in some exchanges in the second round. Despite still being outworked, the way Furrow could back up Zhao with a clean punch likely swayed the judges. Two-way action continued throughout the final two rounds, as both fighters were willing to stand and trade in the center of the ring. 

In the end, all three judges favored the power-punching of Furrow over the workrate of Zhao. Judge Melissa McMorrow scored the bout 39-37, while judges Joel Farbstein and David Hartman scored the bout 40-36, all for Furrow. 

In the opening bout of the evening, Maurice Powell (2-0, 2 KOs) of Sacramento thrilled his supporters in his hometown debut with a first-round kayo of Milton Ramirez (1-3) also of Sacramento.

Powell, 142.1, was able to work behind his strong left jab and touch Ramirez, 145, with his right from the early going. The southpaw Ramirez struggled to maintain pace and looked to land in between Powell’s punches. In the final minute of the round, Powell forced Ramirez along the ropes and landed two chopping right hands to the top of the head that appeared to bother his opponent. With Ramirez attempting to counter off the ropes, Powell loaded up with a sweeping left hand that crumpled the southpaw to the mat. Referee David Hartman reached the count of seven before deciding to wave off that bout at 2:30 of the first round. 

Upper Cut Promotions, promoter of Saturday’s event, returns to the DoubleTree Hotel by Hilton, Sacramento on Saturday, June 27th for “Showdown in Sactown III.” 

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

SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA – Middleweight prospect Islam Abdusamadov takes on veteran spoiler Moris Rodriguez in the six-round main event of “Showdown in Sactown II” at the DoubleTree Hotel by Hilton, Sacramento on Saturday night. Fighters for the six-bout card weighed-in at the host venue on Friday afternoon. 

Abdusamadov (7-0, 3 KOs) of Santa Clara, California by way of Makhachkala, Dagestan, Russia is ready to get his year started, having last seen action in December, scoring an explosive first-round knockout over Jon Thomas. Ready for his second scheduled six-rounder, Abdusamadov weighed-in at 161.2 pounds on Friday. 

Rodriguez (9-18-3, 5 KOs) of Sacramento is back down closer to the middleweight limit, having moved up to upset light heavyweight Tony Hernandez via six-round unanimous decision at the nearby Thunder Valley Casino Resort in Lincoln two months ago. Rodriguez, a pro of seventeen years, weighed-in at 162 pounds on Friday. 

Junior middleweight prospect Sergio Gonzalez (4-0, 3 KOs) of Sacramento fights in his hometown for the first time as a professional to take on six-year pro Christian Seals (4-3-2, 2 KOs) of Carson, California in a six-round bout. Gonzalez, who moved up to the six-round distance in March with a unanimous decision over Michael Portales, weighed-in at 155.2 pounds on Friday. Seals, who local fans may remember for his split decision draw with Ruben Torres at the DoubleTree back in 2023, scaled 155 even. 

In a four-round bout, unbeaten super featherweight Jose Contreras (2-0) of Oakland, California will take on the most experienced opponent of his short career in Jonathan Almacen (7-15-3, 2 KOs) of Muntinlupa City, Metro Manila, Philippines. Contreras was last in the ring in March, scoring a one-sided unanimous decision over MMA fighter-turned boxer Benji Gomez. Almacen, who has managed to hang tough with naturally larger opponents in the past, weighed-in at 127.2 pounds, while Contreras scaled 129.2 on Friday.  

Making their professional debuts, Aaron Wisdom of Atwater, California will meet Jorge Luna Ramirez of Carson City, Nevada in a four-round featherweight bout. Wisdom, an 18-year-old training out of the Merced Crossroads Boxing Gym in Merced, California, weighed-in at 127.1 pounds. Luna Ramirez, a 21-year-old training out of the Carson City Boxing Club in Carson City, weighed-in at 126.3 on Friday. 

Vicky Zhao (2-2) of Watsonville, California by way of Chongqing, China will take on Shavon Furrow (1-0, 1 KO) of Fresno, California in a four-round super flyweight bout. Zhao, riding a two-fight win streak, will be competing at the highest weight of her career to this point at 114 pounds. Furrow, moving down a few pounds from her pro debut in February, also weighed-in at 114 on Friday. 

With local bragging rights on the line, Maurice Powell (1-0, 1 KO) of Sacramento will take on fellow Sacramento native Milton Ramirez (1-2) in a four-round light welterweight bout. Powell turned pro with a quick first-round stoppage of Ty Tarver in March. Returning to the ring from a nearly three-year layoff, Ramirez weighed-in at 145 pounds, while Powell scaled 142.1 on Friday. 

Quick Weigh-in Results:

Middleweights, 6 Rounds

Abdusamadov 161.2

Rodriguez 162

Junior middleweights, 6 Rounds

Gonzalez 155.2

Seals 155

Super featherweights, 4 Rounds

Contreras 129.2

Almacen 127.2

Featherweights, 4 Rounds

Wisdom 127.1

Luna Ramirez 126.3

Super flyweights, 4 Rounds

Zhao 114

Furrow 114

Welterweights, 4 Rounds

Powell 142.1

Ramirez 145

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

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

By Norm Frauenheim

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

What can go wrong?

Plenty, of course.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

By Norm Frauenheim

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

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

It’s also just the beginning.

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

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

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

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

Who he is.

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

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

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

He did.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

By Norm Frauenheim

LAS VEGAS —David Benavidez promised dominance. He promised to seize a Cinco de May torch that has belonged to Julio Cesar Chavez, Oscar De La Hoya, Floyd Mayweather and Canelo Alvarez.

For one night, the dominance was there.

So, too was that torch, which Benavidez grabbed with the fastest hands in a dangerous business. It belonged to him Saturday night and perhaps in future years after he claimed a third title in a third division with a sixth-round knockout of Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez Saturday night at T-Mobile Arena.

Benavidez, born-and-forged in Phoenix, is the first in history to win titles at 168 pounds, 175 and 200. In effect, he took the snoozer out of cruiser with hands that move at a rocket rate.

“Speed, power and punch selection,” Benavidez (32-0, 26 KOs) said.”That’s what I do. I’ll fight anybody. Don’t efff with me.”

Zurdo (48-2, 30 KOs) tried. But he had no way of dealing with Benavidez’ singular hand speed. HIs trademark flurries are a blitzkrieg. They overwhelm.

In the fourth round, Zurdo saw it coming at him from angles he never expected. His only escape was to take a knee. A storm shelter wasn’t available. He would got back onto his feet, blood smeared across his nose and both cheeks.

All the while, Zurdo tried to subdue Benavidez with his bigger body and advertised power. 

Benavidez answered the opening bell, looking smaller and somewhat cautious. Within the first round’s final minute, however, he landed the first significant punch, a short right hand. Zurdo countered. Then, however, Benavidez unleashed one of  those swirling, blinding flurries, It was a sign of things to come.

In the second, Zurdo introduced Benavidez to some of that power. It was enough to back Bhim up a step or two. But Zurdo would quickly discover there was nothing he could do to slow down  those hands

In the final second of the sixth, he encountered them again. Still, no counter. This time, the punches cascaded off of Zurdo’s face like incoming waves. Blood poured from his left eye. The right began to swell and take on the color of a purple grape. With one second left in the sixth, it was over. Cinco de Mayo, 2026, officially belonged to Benavidez, who stood in the middle of the ring and repeated his long-standing challenge to Canelo Alvarez, the last man to possess the valuable date..

There was no immediate answer from Canelo, who was at ringside. Then again, Canelo had just witnessed another reason nobody has been able to beat Benavidez, who — hands down — possesses the most devastating weapon in the prizefighting business.

Munguia wins belt, scores dominant decision

Jaime Munguia promised he would return to Tijuana with a title.

Promise fulfilled.

Munguia (46-3, 35 KOs) is homeward bound with a World Boxing Association super-middleweight belt in his bags after he easily beat Armando Resendiz ((48-2, 30 KOs)with superior hand speed, precision and even some surprising endurance.Saturday in the final fight before the David Benavidez-Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez main event at T-Mobile Arena.

For all but the final seconds of the final round, the fight was a mismatch. Put it this way: Munguia dominated Resendiz the way Canelo Alvarez dominated Munguia two years ago. Canelo was there, seated at ringside in support of Munguia. Canelo, who wore a T-shirt that said Jaime, is trained by Eddy Reynoso, who also trains Munguia, who left the ring amid a chorus of Cinco de Mayo cheers.

Within the first few moments, it was clear that Resendiz never had a chance. The scorecards would confirm that. It was Munguia –117-111, 119-109, 120-108. Only in the final seconds did it ever look as if Resendiz, a fellow Mexican, had a chance. 

Munguia was attempting to score a knockout. He swung wildly, leaving himself open. That’s when Resendiz landed a huge overhand right. But Munguia withstood it. Seconds later, he had his promised belt. 

Duarte wins controversial split decision

It began in controversy.

It ended in controversy.

For the winner, there were boos, lots of them.

Oscar Duarte heard them after he was given a split decision over Angel Fierro Saturday night on a Cinco de Mayo card featuring David Benavidez against Zurdo Ramirez at T-Mobile Arena.

“I thought I won this fight,” Duarte (31-2-1, 23 KOs) said. “I believe I won this fight.”

But the chorus of boos said loudly that many didn’t agree. Fierro looked to be in control early. Then, Duarte fought his way back over the final few rounds. Two cards had it for Duarte, 115-113 and 116-112. The third had it 116-112 for Fierro, The Boxing Hour scored it a draw.

Fierro, who was three-plus pounds over the 140-pound mandatory Friday, rocked Duarte repeatedly in the early rounds with a right, a lightning bolt of a punch. Fierro also got floored after the bell ending the fourth. But that right continued to land over the next couple of rounds.

Jose Tito Sanchez wakes up crowd, scores stoppage 

A restless, late-arriving crowd finally got a wake up call, delivered by Jose Tito Sanchez.

Sanchez (16-0, 10 KOs) threw a succession of powerful combinations that put Jorge Chavez down twice in the 10th, a round that finally got  fans out of their seats Saturday at T-Mobile Arena Saturday night on the Benavidez-Zurdo card.

After seven slow-paced bouts on the undercard, Sanchez struck. Suddenly, the crowd roared. It was as if Cinco de Mayo had finally arrived. Only Chavez (18-1-1, 14 KOs), a junior-featherweight from Tijuana, didn’t celebrate. 

First ,a five-punch combo dropped him flat on the canvas. Somehow, he got upright. But not for long. Sanchez, of Cathedral City CA,  quickly followed with another multi-punch combo, finishing Chavez at 2:30 of the 10th.

Ismael Flores scores 154-pound upset

Ismael Flores combined pressure to poise and added just enough patience to a thorough attack that left Isaac Lucero with only one option.

He backpedaled, backpedaled all the way into a  one-sided scorecard loss Saturday on the card featuring Benavidez-Zurdo Saturday at T-Mobile Arena

Flores (18-1-1, 12 KOs), a junior-middleweight from Argentina, sustained his tactical mix throughout 10 rounds, scoring a 98-92, 99-91, 98-92 upset of the favored Mexican, (18-1, 14 KOs), a 9-to-1 betting favorite at opening bell.

Blancas ices Salomon, wins decision

Daniel Blancas calls himself “The Ice Man.” Raul Salomon found out why.

Blancos, still an unbeaten (15-0, 7 KOs) super-middleweight from Milwaukee, repeatedly stopped Salomon’s forward pursuit throughout most of a hard-fought 10 rounds on Benavidez-Zurdo card Saturday at T-Mobile Arena. 

It often looked as if the chilling sting in Blanco’s pouches froze Salomon (16-4-1, 14 KOs) in his tracks, leaving the Southern California fighter without many alternatives in a unanimous-decision loss

Capetillo escapes with narrow decision

Dylan Capetillo, a Las Vegas junior-welterweight, scored repeatedly throughout three-plus rounds and then held onto his scorecard advantage, eluding a late charge from James Pierce for a narrow decision Saturday in the fifth bout on a pay-per-view card featuring Benavidez-Zurdo Saturday at Las Vegas’ T-Mobile Arena.

Capetillo won 39-37 on all three cards over Pierce (2-1, 2 KOs), a Phoenix fighte

Carrillo stays unbeaten, delivers body-shot KO

It only takes one punch and Jose Carrillo, of Colombia, threw it, a lethal body shot that sent Marlon Delgado onto the canvas and kept him there for a fifth-round knockout in the fourth bout Saturday on the card featuring Benavidez-Zurdo at T-Mobile Arena..

The punch suddenly reversed Carrillo’s fortunes. Through four rounds, Carrillo (15-0, 11 KOs) was losing to a more active and precise Delgado, an Ecuadorian who lost for the first time in nine light-heavyweight bouts (8-1, 6 KOs).

No knockdowns, no winner either

There were no knockdowns. No cuts or bruising punches..

In the end, there was no winner either.

Julio Ocampo Hernandez, a Washington fighter who trains at David Benavidez’ Seattle gym, and Carlos Lewis, of Oklahoma City, fought to a draw in the third bout on the Benavidez-Zurdo-featured card Saturday.

Neither lightweight could gain much of an advantage throughout the six rounds.One judge scored 58-56 for Hernandez (9-0-1, 5 KOs). One judge scored 58-56 for Lewis (5-1-1, 3 KOs). On the third scorecard, it was 55-55.

Junior-welterweight Javier Meza dominates, wins TKO

Junior welterweight Javier Meza had more hand speed, more power, more accuracy.

More of everything.

Meza (6-0, 3 KOs) overwhelmed Damonte Smith (3-1, 1 KO), an Iowa fighter was knocked down twice in the fourth and was finished, a TKO victim, in the fifth round of the second fight on the Benavidez-Zurdo card Saturday afternoon at T-Mobile Arena.

First Bell: Middleweight Khamukov delivers opening salvo, wins decision

Sometime between brunch and lunch, the show opened in a ring with more people within the ropes than in the seats.

About eight hours before David Benavidez and Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez would enter the ring, middleweights Petr Khamukov (14-1,6 KOs) of Los Angeles and Bernard Joseph of Massachusetts got things started in an empty T-Mobile Arena.

With punches echoing throughout the venue, a more aggressive Khamukov, prevailed winning a 10-round unanimous decision, 99-91, 98-92, 99-91.

Follow all the action as Gilberto Ramirez defends the Unified Cruiserweight title against David Benavidez.  The card begins at 8 PM ET and will feature the WBA Super Middleweight title bout between Armando Resendiz and Jaime Munguia

THE PAGE WILL UPDATE AUTOMATICALLY; NO BROWSER REFRESH NEEDED

Round 1: Jab from Benavidez..Right hand backs Ramirez Up..right and left…Body shot from Ramirez,,,Blisteing combo from Benavidez

ROUND 2 Body shot and straight right from Benavidez..Right from Ramirez,,Body shot..Nice left hook from Benavidez…Jab From Ramirez..Jab from Benavidez..Left Hook..Body shot from Ramirez,,

ROUND 3 Left hook and right from Benavidez..Left..Right hook from Ramirez…Counter Hooks by both..Left hook frm Benavidez..Right

ROUND 4 Nice left from Benavidez..Left from Ramirez..Left hook to body from Benavidez..Nice Jab from Ramirez..Left from Benavidez..Big right rocks Ramirez…Blisteing shots and DOWN GOES RAMIREZ

ROUND 5 Speed Flurry from Benavidez..Double left hook..2 uppercuts..2 rights..body..Jab and combo from Ramirez

ROUND 6 Ramirez lands a body shot..Upprcut and body …2 lefts from Benavdiez,,Left from Ramirez…Right from Nenavidez…BODY SHOT AND DOWN GOES RAMIREZ,,,,THE FIGHT IS OVER

ROUND 1 Left hook from Munguia..Overhand right from Resendiz..Left hook from Munguia..Jab…

ROUND 2 Jab from Munguia…Hard Right..Right from Resendiz

ROUND 3  Right from Resendiz…Combination from Munguia…Body shot..Right from Resendiz..Left hook from Mungua..Jab to the body..Left Hook..Left Hook..

ROUND 4 Right to head from Munguia..Combination from Resendiz…Left hook from Munguia,..Right from Rsendiz..Combination from Mungua..Right and jab from Resendiz..

ROUND 5 Left hook to body from Munguia..Jab from both..Jab to body Munugia,,Right..6 uppercuts from Resendiz..Combination from Munguia..Right uppercut and left to the body

ROUND 6 Right uppercut and body shot from Munguia…

Round 7 Jab from Munguia..Body shot…Thudding shots

ROUND 8 Right uppercut and left hook from Munguia

ROUND 9 Ripping left hooks from Munguia..Big right from Resendiz

ROIMD 10 Munguia lands a uppercut..Right from Resendiz..Rught uppercut and left to the body from Munguia..

ROUND 11 Right from Munguia

ROUND 12 Hard left hook buckles a staggers Resendiz..Tremendous Action

117-111, 119-108 and 120 FOR JAIME MUNGUIA

Round 1: Jab from Duarte
Round 2 Body Duarte
Round 3 Conbinbation from Duarte
Round 4 Body shot from Duarte…Big left and down Goes Fierro after the bell
Round 5 Big shots from Duarte
Round 6 Big flurry from Fierro
Round 7 Hard right from Fierro
Round 8 Chopping right from Duarte…3 Jabs from Fierro
Round 9 Left hook from Duarte…Right from Fierro…Left from Duarte..Left to the body…Left to body
Round 10
Round 12 Duarte lands a right…Right from Fierro…3 punch combination

115-113 DUARTE…116-112 FIERRO….116-112 DUARTE

Round 1 Sanchez lands a body shot..Chavez lands a body shot
Round 2 Nice Body shot from Sanchez..Right from Chavez..Right uppercut from Sanchez…Chopping right from Chavez
Round 3 Body shot from Sanchez…Right uppercut on inside from Chavez,,Left to head from Sanchez…Right from Chavez..Body shot by Sanchez..Right uppercut on inside…Left uppercut from Chavez..
Round 4 Counter right from Chavez..Left hook from Chavez
Round 5 Left from Sanchez on the inside..2 lefts…Right from Chavez…2 lefts from Sanchez..Chavez lands a right
Round 6 Body shots from Sanxhez..Right to head..
Round 7 Sanchez lands a flurry at the end of the round
Round 8 Left for Sanchez
Round 9 Chavez lands a combination…right uppercut on inside…right from Sanchez..Toe to  toe war
Round 10 Right from Chavez…BIG LEFT FROM SANCHEZ AND DOWN GOES CHAVEZ…BIG RIGHT AND DOWN GOES CHAVEZ…FIGHT IS OVER

Round 1 Big right from Flores…Hard right…Punishing Lucero on the ropes…
Round 2 Lucero is cut around his right eye…Right from Flores…Left hook
Round 3 Left from Lucero…Right to the head,,Jab…Right from Flores
Round 4 Right from Lucero..Chopping right and left..Jab from Flores…Big right from Lucero..
Round 5 Flores lands a hard uppercut..Right..Lucero lands a body shot and lead right..Jab from Flores
Round 6 Overhand right from Lucero…
Round 7 Right from Flores…
Round 8 Right from Flores…Counter right…Right on the inside…
Round 9 Flurry from Flores…
Round 10 Counter right from Flores..Left..Jab…Hard right

98-92 TWICE AND 99-91 FOR FLORES

Naoya Inoue retained the Undisputed Super Bantamweight Title with a 12-round unanimous decision over Junto Nakatani in front of over 55,000 fans at the Tokyo Dome.

The long awaited mega fight was void of sustainable action over the first half of the fight. In that time Inoue was able to build a small leas as he was a bit more active especially with his counter right hand.

In round seven, Nakatani began to bleed from his nose. The two took turns winning rounds as the fight developed into more of a boxing match than the high action slugfest that many expected. Nakatani had some good moments in the later rounds, but was sowed by a headbutt in round 10 that caused a bad cut over his left eye. Inoue showed his championship mettle down the stretch as he was able to box well down the stretch and win by scores of 116-112 twice and 115-113.

Inoue now is 33-0, while Nakatani falls to 32-1.

Takuma Inoue Decisions Ioka

Takuma Inoue defended the WBC Bantamweight title with a 12-round unanimous decision over four-division world champion Kazuto Ioka.

At the end of round two, Inoue landed a counter right hand that set off four flush shots that was capped off by an uppercut that put Ioka down. Early in round three, another uppercut on the chin put Ioka down again.

Inoue of Yokohama, JAP won by scores of 118-108, 119-107 and 120-106 and is now 22-2. Ioka of Tokyo is 32-5-1.

Follow all the action as Naoya Inoue and Junto Nakatani square off in a mega fight for the Undisputed Super Bantamweight Championship

THE PAGE WILL UPDATE AUTOMATICALLY; NO BROWSER REFRESH NEEDED

Round 1: Jab from Inoue..Jab from Nakatani…Right from Inoue..Jab to Body

ROUND 2 Jab from Nakatani..Body shot from Inoue

ROUND 3 Jab from Nakatani…another one…Right from Inoue..Right…Good body shot

ROUND 4 Good shots Inoue..Left from Nakatani..

ROUND 5 Left from Nakatani..Right from Inoue…Nakatani lands a couple of body shots..Jab from Inoue

ROUND 6 Jab from Nakatani..Jab from Inoue…Jab from Nakatani..

ROUND 7 Combination from Nakatani…Inoue lands a right…Blood from the nose of Nakatani..Right from Inoue..

ROUND 8 Left from Nakatani..Jab from Inoue..Right..Jab…Combination from Nakatani

ROUND 9 Combination MakatanI..Combination..Right from Inoue..Uppercut from Nakatani..

ROUND 10 Combination from Inoue…Left from Nakatani..3 head shots..Clash of heads opens up cut over left eye of Nakatani…Right from Inoue

ROUND 11 Right from Inoue…Counter Uppercut..Right

ROUND 12 Left from Nakatani

116-112, 115-113 and 116-112 FOR INOUE

By Norm Frauenheim

LAS VEGAS – For the first time ever, David Benavidez is looking up to look into an opponent’s eyes.

It’s an unfamiliar sight, yet also a symbol, a metaphor of sorts for a fighter who was looked down upon for much of his career.

Two decades ago, he was a chubby 9-year-old running through ropes and bouncing off bags at the old Central Gym near downtown Phoenix. Mike Tyson was there, probably never knowing that one day he would call that kid the Mexican Monster.

His prizefighting career began without any of the attention so often focused upon Olympic boxers and Police Athletic League champions. Instead, he fought quietly in small Mexican towns south of the border with Arizona.

He won but nobody knew, or even cared. All of the attention was on his brother, Jose Benavidez Jr., a celebrated prospect, an amateur prodigy who won a national Golden Gloves title as a 16-year-old.

David was just little brother, a kid running around an old-school gym like it was a playground. There was never any sign that little brother might transform himself into a fighter as feared as perhaps any in today’s generation.

But here he is, still somewhat unknown, yet ready to show just how far he has traveled in a boxing career as unlikely as any.

The burden of proof is still there, but so is the opportunity to knock out old doubts Saturday night in a bid for a title in a third weight class against the bigger Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez at T-Mobile Arena in a pay-per-view, Cinco de Mayo bout.

In a mock weigh-in Friday afternoon at the MGM Grand, Benavidez looked up into Ramirez eyes with an intensity that suggested his career path had finally reached a critical juncture. It was as if he was looking at all of the doubts he has long encountered and conquered.

“The doubters have always been there and are still there,’’ said Benavidez, who believes the bout against Zurdo is a chance for him to deliver an opening statement on how good he is and how much better he intends to be throughout the next decade.   

In many ways, his Cinco de May appearance is a multi-sided chance to finally and definitively introduce his ferocious skillset to an audience that still doubts, even about his right to call himself Mexican.

At a media event Thursday night celebrating the boxing history that has evolved around Cinco de Mayo, Julio Cesar Chavez, the face of Mexico’s great ring tradition, seemed to dismiss Benavidez, who has a Mexican father, Ecuadorian mom and grew up American on Phoenix’s westside streets

In Mexico, many don’t even know who he is, Chavez told reporters after a discussion and film that included his old rival, Oscar De La Hoya, Zurdo’s promoter.

As Benavidez stood in front of Ramirez, the intensity in his stare seemed to say that on Saturday all of Mexico will know and remember him.

“This is going to be my best performance to date,’’ he said.

But the risks are there. Benavidez, a former super-middleweight champion and current light-heavyweight champ, is jumping up 25 pounds in his bid to take two cruiserweight belts held by Zurdo, a popular and soft-spoken Mexican champion Mazatlan.

There’s no bigger jump in weight in boxing. The boiler-plate question, of course, is just how Benavidez will react. At the official weigh-in behind closed doors Friday morning Benavidez was at 196.8 pounds. Zurdo was at a sculpted 200-even.

Benavidez’ father-and-trainer, Jose Sr., wants his son to be at 210 pounds at opening bell Saturday night. Jose Sr. expects Zurdo to be at 225 pounds.

The extra pounds, Jose Sr. says, will fortify his son when Zurdo leans in on him. Still, the open question is just how David Benavidez, who was campaigning in the 168-pound division just a few years ago, reacts the first few times he feels Zurdo punches leveraged by about a 15-pound advantage.

For Benavidez, the answer might be the difference between instantly forgettable and forever memorable.

By Norm Frauenheim

LAS VEGAS – Cinco De Mayo has its own boxing history, a lively legacy that starts with Julio Cesar Chavez in a bloodied line of succession that includes Oscar De La Hoya, then Floyd Mayweather and finally Canelo Alvarez.

A peaceful transition, it’s not. Never has been. From fight-to-fight, it’s ruthless as it is perilous, scarred and scary all at once.

Enter David Benavidez. Since Canelo’s scorecard loss to Terence Crawford, the hunt is on for a new successor, a crown prince ready to crown himself and anybody who stands in his way.

Whether he’s ready and able to be next is what’s at stake Saturday in big move upscale against a credible champion, Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez at T-Mobile Arena.

Benavidez insists he is. He uses words like destiny. Zurdo says he will try his best to win. But Benavidez has eliminated the maybe from his language.

He will win, says the Phoenix born-and-forged fighter, a former super-middleweight champion and current light-heavyweight champ who is boldly moving up 25 pounds in a risky attempt to prove that Cinco De Mayo belongs to him.

“A championship in a third division will catapult me into a place along the greats,’’ he said Thursday during a final news conference at the MGM Grand.

He talks the part. Thursday, he looked the part.

He wore a sequined black coat, complete with black gloves, to the newser. It was as if he found the look in Michael Jackson’s old closet. It was one sign perhaps that he’s ready to be The Mexican Monster, a nickname Mike Tyson gave him. He’s ready to dance the Monster Mash all over Zurdo, who holds two titles yet is still the betting underdog.

“At the end of the day, I’m a bad m-effer, and I like to take the risks,’’ Benavidez said with a characteristic edge that he and his brother Jose Benavidez Jr., say was just part of growing up on Phoenix’s west-side streets.

They survived.

They thrived.

Over the last few years of prize-fighting success, some of that edge has moderated. There’s less trash talk, fewer profanities.

“Yeah, you’re right, we don’t trash-talk like we used to,’’ Jose Jr., a former junior-welterweight champion said. “Over the years, we’ve learned to respect opponents more. If they respect the craft, we respect them. You learn that.’’

David Benavidez referred to Zurdo, a former sparring partner, as a friend.

“I want to give a big shutout to Zurdo Ramirez,’’ David Benavidez said Thursday. “He’s always been a friend. I like him. I respect him and the way he goes about his business.

“That said, it’s time to go to war. I’m going to walk into the fire and walk out of that fire a winner. I like Zurdo a lot. But he’s never seen a fighter like me. I’m different.’’

Different enough, perhaps, to possess the Cinco De Mayo mantle and all that it means.

“I plan to fight 10 more years,’’ I want to be there, at the top, proving myself. I still have to do that. This a step in that direction.’’

Still, there are old rivalries, one  intense as ever. For years, a younger Benavidez called out Canelo with one profanity after another. But Canelo would never fight him. That possibility seems to have passed, gone away for good.

But the rivalry has not. It still burns hot. Canelo is expected to be in the arena Saturday. Officially, he’s there to support Jaime Munguia, who is fighting super-middleweight champion Armando Resendiz in the co-main. Munguia is trained by Canelo’s trainer Eddy Reynoso.

But an inevitable question will follow Canelo to his ringside seat. To wit: Is he there to plot his own attempt at reclaiming the date he once owned? Benavidez is promising that he won’t give him that chance.

Even a question about Canelo brought back that old edge in a maturing, wiser Benavidez. The Boxing Hour asked him what he thought about fighting with Canelo in the audience. In part, the bout is a potential passing-of-the-torch, from Canelo to Benavidez. But don’t expect them to shake hands.

As Thursday’s news conference ended, news broke in The Ring that Canelo will come back in September against Christian Mbilli in Saudi Arabia. It’s a sign that Canelo won’t just surrender Cinco De Mayo to Benavidez or anybody else.

“They just announced it today,’’ Benavidez said in response to a question from The Boxing Hour.

“Who wants to see that? You guys want to see that?

“I’m not trying to be a (bleep), bro. But at the end of the day, nobody wants to see that shit. Who’s Mbilli?’’

For now, just somebody else in the way of a Benavidez quest for what he calls his destiny.

By Norm Frauenheim

LAS VEGAS – David Benavidez is bigger than ever, both on the scale and the stage.

He commands a room with energy and charisma, delivering answers at the rate he throws punches. He’s moving up, moving fast. Stand in his way at your own peril. He’s an incoming stampede.

His momentum– all of it — was there Wednesday in a ring at one end of the MGM Grand’s casino floor. The sports book was at one side. A restaurant on the other. Center stage belonged to Benavidez, who entertained a gathering crowd of onlookers and then tirelessly spoke to one group of reporters after another.

There’s an old line about winning the news conference. There was no debate about it Wednesday. It was Benavidez, undisputed in every way.

Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez, the champion, was there, but almost as an afterthought in a promotional step toward a cruiserweight showdown Saturday in a Cinco de Mayo celebration at T-Mobile Arena.

On paper, at least, Zurdo has all the advantages. He’s taller, tall enough to look down at Benavidez, who has never had to look up to look into an opponent’s eyes. Zurdo knows the cruiserweight division.

Like an old pair of shoes, it seems to be perfect fit for Zurdo, who won a title in March 2024 and defended twice.  Meanwhile, Benavidez is trying it on for the first time in a jump up in weight bigger and perhaps as daunting as any in boxing.

Twenty-five pounds pack a punch that many believe will provide Zurdo with enough of an advantage to steal the evident momentum and imminent stardom from Benavidez

“We’ll see,’’ Zurdo, a popular Mexican, said in a tone that was hard to judge.

Cautious?

Confident?

We’ll see.

In Benavidez’ tone, however, there was no room for guessing. No mistake, either, about what he intends in his bid to win a title at a third weight. As he stepped out of the ring after an entertaining display of his trademark hand speed, the ring announcer closed the show by saying he’s “looking to become” a three-division champion.

Benavidez quickly amended that.

“I’m not looking to become,’’ the Phoenix-forged fighter said into the microphone. “I will be a three-belt champion.’’

For now, there’s not much disagreement. Benavidez has been a solid betting favorite since the fight was announced. Even Zurdo’s promoter, Oscar De La Hoya, picked Benavidez to win what he predicts will be A Fight of the Year contender.

“I’m going to pick Benavidez to win by a haymaker,’’ said De La Hoya, who also suggested that Benavidez’ vulnerability might be his chin.

Zurdo has power and precision, according to De La Hoya. A precise shot from Zurdo could result in an upset, said De La Hoya, who apparently won’t be betting on that possibility.

What’s clear is that Benavidez is going into the fight pursuing a dominant victory. He wants to make a statement about credentials that’ll keep him in the pound-or-pound debate for a decade.

“I plan on doing this for the next 10 years,’’ he said.

And he plans to do it at the top of the game, which might mean nine more appearances on the Cinco de Mayo weekend that once belonged to Canelo Alvarez.

The date’s former owner is expected to be in the audience. Canelo, scheduled for a comeback in September from his loss to Terence Crawford, plans to be ringside for the Eddy Reynoso-trained Jaime Munguia against super-middleweight Armando Resendiz.

He’ll also get a look at whether Benavidez can prove that his Cinco de Mayo appearance is more permanent than temporary. 

By Norm Frauenheim

The witnesses outnumbered the Senators

Only three of the 28 members of the Senate’s Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee showed up for a hearing that some say could lead to a bill that changes boxing. But the 25 empty seats seemed to say something else. Maybe, the absent Senators were busy kissing Donald Trump’s ring or campaigning for his impeachment.

Ted Cruz was there instead of Cancun. Then again, the Texas Republican had to be. He’s the committee Chairman.  Who else was going to ring that silly, cringe-worthy bell? It echoed throughout the room. But the commanding stage was mostly empty. So was the hearing, perhaps because we’ve already heard it all.

The hearing loomed as another step toward what many believe will be the passage of the Muhammad Ali American Boxing Revival Act. It’s being sold as a rewritten version of the Ali Boxing Reform Act, first passed in 1996.

Throughout the last three-plus decades, however, boxing has proven, ad nauseam, that it can’t be revived or reformed.

Or regulated.

It’s not clear how many of the committee’s absent Senators know much about boxing, or how it has governed itself.

Their committee also oversees the Coast Guard. I’m not sure even it could save boxing from itself.

The guess in this corner: Some of the Senators, like a lot of fans, don’t care anymore. It’s on the fringe, pushed there by its inherent chaos, which is often charming yet also a flaw as permanent as a nasty scar.

The testimony Wednesday in Washington DC from opponents Oscar De La Hoya and Ali grandson Nico Ali Walsh and supporter Nick Khan, a TKO Group/Zuffa Boxing executive, was competent enough.

De La Hoya, Olympic gold medalist and popular multi-divisional champion, voiced his position in boiler-plate fashion. He was there, he said, to support the first Ali Act. He said it was working the way it was designed, meaning the fighters get a lion’s share of the revenue.

De La Hoya, a Hall-of-Fame fighter was speaking in behalf of the current generation, supporting

boxers instead the billionaires.

As De La Hoya spoke, however, it was hard to forget his role in giving Saudi Prince and promoter Turki Alalshikh an honorary induction into the Nevada Boxing Hall of Fame (NBHOF) before Alashikh’s American debut in Terence Crawford’s 154-pound victory over Israil Madrimov in Los Angeles in 2024. It was embarrassing.

Kahn, a lawyer, was thorough in giving his reasons why the rewritten Ali Act would help bring back money and major networks. Khan blamed the acronyms for the ridiculous accumulation of titles. He’s right, of course. But there are no Four Kings – Sugar Ray Leonard, Marvin Hagler, Thomas Hearns and Roberto Duran – in today’s generation of fighters. Without them, HBO eventually – inevitably – moved on.

From the TKO/Zuffa group, there is also the introduction of another acronym, UBC, Unified Boxing Organizations. Move over WBC, WBA, IBF and WBO, make room for UBC. Acronyms in, acronyms out.

TKO/Zuffa promises enhanced medical care and better money per round for apprentice fighters. But, Ali Walsh argues, that’s just window dressing on a bid to monopolize the sport with long term contracts and rules that would limit what they have been able to earn under the original Ali Act.

Increasingly, the rewritten Ali Act includes devils in the details that look a lot like the UFC model, which resulted in a $375 million settlement in a UFC move to resolve two antitrust lawsuits filed by about 1,200 fighters.

Examples include what Zuffa fighters wear and collect in endorsements. Zuffa fighters wear a Zuffa uniform. Manny Pacquiao once got $2.25 million for wearing an ad on his trunks. Zuffa would have taken a sizable percentage of that, according to reports of what the UBC is planning. It’s a fee, not unlike the controversial sanctioning fees charged by the current acronyms.

Does anybody really think that Shakur Stevenson, recently stripped of a WBC belt for not paying a sanctioning fee, would salute and pay one to a UBC for an ad on his trunks? Didn’t think so. The rewritten bill calls itself American, but nothing could be more un-American.

From Walsh’s perspective, it’s just one detail, a single stitch in TKO/Zuffa’s plan to conquer and monopolize a balkanized sport populated by young fighters, who have worked like individual entrepreneurs. At opening bell, only they are at risk.

UBC control, Ali Walsh said, “removes independence. When that happens, you fight who you’re told to fight, or you don’t fight at all. At that point, real choice disappears…”

Few were ever as independent in word and deed than a grandfather who sacrificed a prime part of his career by saying what he thought in opposition to the Vietnam War.

If the rewritten Ali Act passes, his grandson wants boxing’s most revered name removed from it.

Don’t take Ali’s name in vain.

Carbajal Classic

Michael Carbajal is known for a lot of classics. This weekend he’ll sponsor one.

Carbajal, a Phoenix Hall of Famer and an all-time great in the lightest weight classes, will stage an amateur tournament this weekend at Shrine Auditorium located at 552 North 40^th Street in Phoenix.

The Michael Carbajal Classic, a USA Boxing sanctioned tournament, begins with preliminaries Friday at 5 p.m. It will continue Saturday and Sunday. 

By Norm Frauenheim

Cinco de Mayo, known for history in one century and hangovers in this one, goes global in a couple of weeks with a Las Vegas-Tokyo doubleheader sure to enhance the date’s significance to boxing.

From Madison Square Garden to Wembley Stadium, the where has always been meaningful, but that when matters more now than ever.

The first weekend in May is center stage. That’s when and where Naoya Inoue will be against Junto Nakatani in Tokyo, when and where David Benavidez will be against Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez at Vegas’ T-Mobile Arena, both on May 2, three days before the 164th anniversary of a stunning Mexican victory over the French in the Battle of Puebla.

Old military victories fade away like statues of the soldiers who fought them, but this date has evolved, recreating itself within the ropes. The day’s significance was not lost on Benavidez, who quickly began to lobby for the date after Canelo Alvarez’ loss to Terence Crawford last September.

Benavidez couldn’t get a fight with Canelo, so he took the next best thing. The Phoenix-forged fighter took the date that Canelo owned for years in a reign that earned him huge wealth and celebrity. Will it, all of it, eventually belong to Benavidez?

That fight begins May 2 in a risky move up the scale to cruiserweight against Zurdo, a popular Mexican champion and the betting underdog who surely hopes to repeat some of his country’s history.

Benavidez and his father-trainer, Jose Sr., have no illusions. They are promising a kind of dominance that will suggest they – like Canelo – will own the day. Already, it’s significance is evident in its impact on Benavidez’ career.

Still a light-heavyweight champion, Benavidez first appeared among the second five in pound-for-pound rankings a few months ago. Now, he’s ranked No. 5, according to some. Does he belong there? Cinco de Mayo includes a party and a double-shot burden of 180-proof for anybody who wants it.

The day’s significance for the world’s best is the same in any language. In Japanese, that means Inoue. His May 2nd junior-featherweight title defense against Nakatani is being called the biggest prize-fight in a Japanese history that already includes the biggest upset ever – Buster Douglas’ stoppage of Mike Tyson February 11, 1990.

The Tokyo Dome crowd for Douglas-Tyson was estimated to be 40,000. No estimate necessary for Inoue-Nakatani, also at the Dome. It sold out – 55,000 — March 31, more than a month before opening bell.

Inoue is a solid favorite over Nakatani, about a 3-to-1 underdog who has been training in Los Angeles since he was a teenager. Still, the fight – much like Benavidez-Zurdo – is loaded with potential drama inherent to a match between Japan’s face of boxing and a Japanese challenger. The bout also includes its own pound-for-pound implications. Inoue is a consensus No. 2, behind heavyweight Oleksandr Usyk.

Yet, Usyk is scheduled to fight a kickboxer in his next bout, scheduled for May 23 in Egypt. That’s a factor, motivation perhaps for Inoue to prove that the pound-for-pound No. 1 belongs to him. Nakatani won yet struggled in his last fight in December on a Riyadh card featured by Inoue.

But Nakatani might have learned from a problematic performance. He’s also taller and has a longer, one-inch advantage in reach. Even more significant, he’s younger. Nakatani is 28, squarely in his prime.

Inoue, a four-division champion who had a birthday on April 10, is 33. Historically, fighters from the lightest weight classes age faster. If anybody is an exception, it’s Inoue.

Throughout his career, the former 108-pound champion has been at his dynamic best when he’s in the most peril, which is what he might be facing in Nakatani.

That’s why Inoue is called The Monster, also Benavidez’ nickname. After May 2, there’s a pretty good chance that there’ll be only one Monster.

That’s what we’ve come to expect from Cinco de Mayo, a monster day.

Fight Club PHX set for Saturday

Outdoor boxing is scheduled for Saturday (April 18/6 p.m.) at the Arizona Center in downtown Phoenix.

Micky Scala (12-1, 6 KOs), a middleweight from Mesa who has been fighting on the East Coast, is the featured boxer in a Northstar Sports Advocates-promoted event – Fight Club PHX — that will open with MMA bouts. Vendors and live music are also planned.

Former welterweight champion and current analyst Shawn Porter is expected to be among the celebrities.

Notes on a scorecard

A report by The Athletic that the Saudis plan to stop funding LIV Golf, an alternate to the PGA, is raising questions about the Saudi investment in boxing.

Without oil money, could there have been Canelo-versus-Crawford?

Canelo collected a purse reported to be more than $100 million. Crawford, the winner, earned a reported $50 million.

The ongoing blockade of the Strait of Hormuz has impacted Saudi oil revenue, according to reports. Canelo is supposed to make his comeback Sept. 12 in Riyadh.

By Norm Frauenheim

Youth defines Xander Zayas and will continue to do so through at least his challenging date against Jaron “Boots” Ennis in an intriguing crossroads fight for both.

For the 23-year-old Zayas, it looms as an early milestone, a measure of maturity in his career path from a high school kid with a Top Rank contract.

For the 28-year-old Ennis, it’s an opportunity to finally deliver on his long-advertised potential, including a place among pound-for-pound contenders.

It’s compelling, mostly because it’s a steppingstone, a stage for the future. For now, it looks as if the key to that future is there for Ennis. 

Seemingly, he’s been emerging for years, always at the edge of crashing the pound-for-pound party but never quite getting there perhaps because of inactivity or Terence Crawford’s long reign of dominance.

Crawford is retired. The formal announcement this week of Ennis’ 154-pound bout June 27 at Brooklyn’s Barclays Center is a sign of renewed possibilities in a very active division. Never has Ennis had a better chance to announce his arrival. He talked as if he knew that at a formal news conference this week

“I think Xander bit off way more than he can chew,’’ Ennis, a former unified welterweight champion, said Wednesday in Brooklyn. “Come fight night, he’ll see. I’m going to show everyone that I’m the best in the world.”

Betting odds suggest that’s exactly what Ennis will do. He’s about a 3-to-1 favorite. By knockout?

“For sure,” Ennis said.

Given the difference in their ages, it’s an irony that Ennis, 1-0 at 154, is the challenger. With two pieces of the junior-middleweight title, Zayas is boxing’s youngest current champion.

But youth, often called fickle, might be Zayas’ problem against Ennis, who at 147 occupied and conquered bigger stages. That, at least, is a theory, one that helps explain the early odds.

“There’s levels to this and I’m going to show him that,’’ Ennis said. “It’s about legacy for me. I want to show the world why I’m the best.”

Legacy is one of the most overused words in sport. As Ennis enters his prime, however, he might have a better understanding of what it means than Zayas, still more prodigy than legend. For Ennis, legacy is now. For Zayas, it’s tomorrow.

Despite the promise and plaudits attached to champions barely out of their teens, the experience can often be a crucible.

David Benavidez, a Phoenix-forged fighter, is just the latest example. Benavidez — a former two-time champion, yet still unbeaten – won his first 168-pound title when he was 20, making him the youngest champion in the history of the super-middleweight division. He beat Ronald Gavril in 2017. Then, the belt was stripped because of a positive drug test.

A couple of years later, Benavidez regained the title, stopping Andre Dirrell.

In his first defense of his second title in 2020, an overweight Benavidez lost it on the scale and then took out his frustration with a punishing stoppage of Roamer Alexis Angulo. He was 23-0, 23 years-old and – yet suddenly — a two-time ex-champion without a loss on the ledger. Growing-up is hard to do.

Benavidez has. In what is still an evolving career, he has moved beyond 168 and Canelo Alvarez to a prime-time resume that includes a light-heavyweight belt and a much-anticipated Cinco de Mayo date May 2 in a bid to take Gilberto “Zurdo’’ Ramirez’ cruiserweight titles. He’s added a commanding personal presence to his command of the ring.

For Zayas, however, there are lessons from Benavidez’ formative years. There are also a couple of notable parallels: Zayas is 23-0 and 23-years-old. Welcome to the crucible.

Ennis wasn’t the only one to talk legacy Wednesday. Zayas did too.

“It’s always been about legacy,’’ said Zayas, a Puerto Rican living in Florida who grew up wanting to be Miguel Cotto in a Puerto Rican lineage that also includes Wilfredo Benitez, a 17-year-old champion, still the youngest ever. “Becoming the youngest world champion at 22 when I did it. Youngest unified world champion. And now fighting one of the best in the world in the division. It’s about legacy.’’

Maybe lessons, too. 

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – It was not pretty, but lightweight contender Andres Cortes was successful in his lightweight debut, scoring a unanimous decision over Eridson Garcia in the ten-round main event of Zuffa Boxing 05 at the Meta Apex on Sunday night. 

Neither fighter imposed themself in the opening rounds and the fight was a bit of a clunky southpaw-orthodox clash for much of the contest. Both fighters had trouble finding their range and proper footing, as they smothered their offense in close for much of the bout. 

Cortes (25-0, 13 KOs) of Las Vegas had more facets and Garcia (23-2, 14 KOs) of Houston, Texas never found a rhythm over the ten rounds. 

Garcia, 135, was deducted a point for excessive holding in the fourth, which seemed to momentarily light a spark for both fighters, as action picked up in the immediate aftermath. 

Cortes, 135, landed with an overhand right early in the fifth and closed the sixth pressing the action after some of the more heated exchanges in the bout began the round. The overhand right was a consistent weapon for Cortes, including in the seventh. By the eighth, Garcia looked a bit dejected and Cortes continued to potshot and evade or get so far inside that neither really had a clear opening. 

In the end, all three official judges scored the bout for Cortes, as judge Steve Weisfeld had it 97-92, judge Max DeLuca had it 96-93 and judge Patricia Morse Jarman had it close, 95-94. 

Cortes, who entered the bout as the WBO #4/WBC #5 ranked super featherweight, called out Mark Magsayo, who was impressive in the co-feature, as they have now positioned themselves as two of the top lightweights on the Zuffa Boxing roster.

Former featherweight title holder Mark Magsayo (29-2, 19 KOs) of Las Vegas by way of Tagbilaran City, Bohol, Philippines looked sensational in scoring a one-sided fifth-round stoppage of former title challenger Feargal McCrory (17-2 9 KOs) of New York, New York by way of Coalisland, County Tyrone, Northern Ireland. 

Magsayo, 134, controlled much of the first and second with his speed and combinations, including doubling up on the right hand to great effect. Before the end of the first, McCrory, 135, was bloodied above the right eye. The Filipino was also an elusive target for McCrory’s return attempts throughout the fight. 

Magsayo continued his boxing masterclass in the third, landing combinations to the body and head and getting out of danger when McCrory would find a moment to fire back. Magsayo continued to be too quick for McCrory in the fourth, as the Irishman could not keep up with his opponent’s varied offense and ring generalship on defense. Late in the round, Magsayo uncorked an overhand right that sent McCrory reeling to the ropes. Magsayo closed the round punishing the Irishman with both hands. McCrory roared towards the crowd at the bell after absorbing the beating, showing his toughness. 

It would be a moot demonstration, as McCrory’s corner signaled to referee Robert Hoyle to call a halt to the bout at the first sign of trouble in the opening moments of fifth, much to the dismay of McCrory, who kicked his mouthpiece across the ring in disgust. 

The time of the stoppage came at 21 seconds of round five. Magsayo, who entered as the IBF #5/WBO #12 ranked lightweight, looks to have adapted well to the 135-pound weight class.

Fighting one-handed for much of the bout, veteran featherweight contender Azat Hovhannisyan (23-6, 17 KOs) of Glendale, Arizona by way of Yerevan, Armenia took a step forward back towards contention with a ten-round majority decision over former title challenger Eduardo Baez (25-8-2, 10 KOs) of Calexico, California by way of Mexicali, Baja California, Mexico. 

Hovhannisyan, 126, hurt his left hand in the early going, made evident as he continually shook it out in the opening rounds. Baez, 125, came on as Hovhannisyan adjusted to the injury in the second round of the fight. 

Hovhannisyan had a successful third, using his left hand mostly to measure Baez and loading up on power right hands. Despite limited use of his left, Hovhannisyan dominated the round. During a good exchange in the fourth, time was called so referee Allen Huggins could warn Hovhannisyan for a low blow. 

Baez pressed forward in the fifth. There was solid two-way action late in the round, as Hovhannisyan landed clean off the corner, before Baez fired back and landed with the right. Hovhannisyan got a little leeway from Huggins as he pressed down with his left and landed with his overhand right in the sixth and at various moments as the fight progressed. Baez had his moments in a competitive sixth as well.

Hovhannisyan was warned for holding after landing with an upper cut in the seventh. Baez landed with a solid right that got Hovhannisyan to hold for a moment before the Armenian veteran opened up with a minute left in the round. 

Hovhannisyan got busy to start the eighth, but Baez landed in spots. Hovhannisyan flicked out his left, but not aiming to land with it. Hovhannisyan landed with a wild right uppercut from distance and continually looked to land his overhand right. 

Hovhannisyan outworked Baez in the ninth and the two closed out the fight exchanging shots in the tenth before the bell rang and the bout went to the cards. 

Judge Sal D’Amato scored the fight even, 95-95, but was overruled by judge Jack Reiss, 97-93, and judge Steve Weisfeld, 96-94, for the Armenian former title challenger. Hovhannisyan swept the last four rounds on the decisive card of Weisfeld to claim the decision.

In a pairing of previously unbeaten featherweights, Alexis De La Cerda (9-0, 5 KOs) of Federal Way, Washington scored a highlight reel third-round knockout of Ervin Fuller III (12-1, 6 KOs) of Fort Washington, Maryland. 

After a feeling out first round, De La Cerda, 125.5, was more aggressive in the second as Fuller, 125.5, struggled to get on track with his offense in the early going. The Maryland native was having his moments early in the third, landing to De La Cerda’s body. Things changed quickly as De La Cerda landed clean with a brutal right hand from his toes. Fuller was out before he hit the mat, face down near the ropes. Referee Robert Hoyle immediately called a halt to the bout at 2:33 of the third. 

Stepping up to the big stage for the first time in his career, Tony Hirsch Jr. (8-0-2, 4 KOs) of Oakland, California met the moment and hung the first loss on the record of lightweight prospect Robert Meriwether III (10-1, 4 KOs) of Las Vegas via eighth-round majority decision. 

Meriwether, 135, started boxing well in the opening rounds before Hirsch, 134, made the adjustments and took control of the fight by the midway point of the eight-rounder. Hirsch had a very strong fifth round and looked more energetic as the action stayed on the inside for much of the stanza. Hirsch landed clean with some popping right hands in the sixth, continuing his momentum through the seventh as Meriwether’s corner shouted for their fighter to let his hands go. Hirsch landed well with right hands early in the eighth and the solid action fight closed with a back-and-forth exchange. 

Judge Chris Migliore handed in the even card, 76-76, but was overruled by judge Steve Weisfeld, 78-74, and judge Lisa Giampa, 77-75, for Hirsch. 

Junior middleweight prospect Jorge Maravillo (12-0-1, 9 KOs) of Salinas, California overcame a slow start to halt Elias Diaz (15-4, 8 KOs) of National City, California in the fifth round of a scheduled eight. 

Diaz, 147, started the fight boxing well as Maravillo, 149.5, kept his offense holstered in stretches and had trouble landing anything meaningful in the opening rounds. The fight began to turn in the early moments of the fifth round as Maravillo hurt Diaz to the body.

Maravillo capitalized on his momentum and landed with a clean right upstairs in an exchange that instantly changed the fight. Diaz could never clear his head and Maravillo kept up the pressure, eventually downing the National City resident with another right. Diaz made it to his feet, but Maravillo soon had him backed into the red corner, taking punches. Referee Thomas Taylor leaped in to make the save, calling a halt to the action at 2:46 of the fifth. At the time of the stoppage, Maravillo was down 39-37 and 40-36 twice on the official scorecards.

The question for Maravillo going forward is whether he can make the 147-pound welterweight limit, as his promoter Zuffa Boxing has pledged to limit the weight classes it recognizes. Tonight’s bout was to be contested at 148 pounds, as Nevada has a one pound over contract allowance. Maravillo came in one-and-one-half pounds over that allowance at Saturday’s weigh-in and has not made welterweight in five years. 

In his second appearance under the Zuffa Boxing banner, Troy Nash (7-0-1, 1 KO) of Colorado Springs, Colorado scored a decisive-looking eight-round decision over a game Bryan Rodriguez (8-2, 1 KO) of Donna, Texas, but settled for a majority decision in the night’s curtain raiser. 

Scheduled for the eight-round distance for the first time in their pro careers, Nash, 127, and Rodriguez, 127.5, began at a measured pace. By the third round, the fight settled into a rhythm, with Rodriguez pressing forward and Nash playing the role of counter-puncher. As the fight progressed into the later rounds, Rodriguez was less successful offensively. Nash opened up and let his hands go in combination, while still maintaining his elusiveness on defense. 

Judge Patricia Morse Jarman scored the bout even, 76-76, but was overruled by judge Lisa Giampa, who had it a shutout for Nash, 80-72, and judge Sal D’Amato, who scored the bout 79-73. 

Zuffa Boxing on Paramount+ returns to the Meta Apex on May 10th as Shane Mosley Jr. meets Serhii Bohachuk in the ten-round main event.

Photos by Ed Mulholland/Zuffa Boxing

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

Longtime super featherweight contender Andres Cortes makes the move north five pounds to the fairly wide-open lightweight division against once-beaten Eridson Garcia in the Paramount+ main event of Zuffa Boxing 05 on Easter Sunday night. The intriguing ten-round bout between two guys that have not appeared to be fond of one another in the lead-up to Sunday caps a seven-bout card from the Meta Apex in Las Vegas, Nevada. Fighters weighed-in early Saturday morning at the host venue. 

Cortes (24-0, 13 KOs) of Las Vegas seemed to be one win away from a world title opportunity for the last 2 ½ years, perhaps squandering his last audition with a lackluster ten-round decision on the Emmanuel Navarrete-Charly Suarez undercard last May. On that night, Cortes moved past unheralded Salvador Jimenez, but failed to make himself a marketable opponent for 130-pound champion Navarrete. Since, Cortes, the WBO #4/WBC #5 ranked super featherweight, stopped overmatched Derlyn Hernandez-Gerarldo before signing with Zuffa and announcing his move to 135 pounds. Cortes weighed-in at the 135-pound lightweight limit at Saturday’s weigh-in. 

Garcia (23-1, 14 KOs) of Houston, Texas made a statement as he himself moved up to lightweight in his last bout. Garcia met well-regarded Japanese prospect Taiga Imanaga on the Naoya Inoue-David Picasso undercard last December and sealed a close fight with a picture perfect right hand to score a knockdown in the eighth round of a ten-round bout. After closing the final two rounds with punishing left hands, Garcia edged the cards to score the split decision. Garcia, still the WBO #9/WBA #14 ranked 130-pounder despite fighting for the second straight time at lightweight, weighed-in at 135-pounds on Saturday morning. 

Former featherweight titleholder Mark Magsayo (28-2, 18 KOs) of Las Vegas by way of Tagbilaran City, Bohol, Philippines will take on former title challenger Feargal McCrory (17-1 9 KOs) of New York, New York by way of Coalisland, County Tyrone, Northern Ireland in a ten-round lightweight bout in the co-feature. 

Magsayo, the IBF #5/WBO #12 ranked lightweight, had actually dropped back down to super featherweight to score a win over Jorge Mata on the Mario Barrios-Manny Pacquiao undercard in Las Vegas last July. Despite his lofty rankings at 135-pounds, Magsayo had only fought north of 130 twice against nondescript opposition. With his new promoter Zuffa Boxing not recognizing the 130-pound weight class, Magasayo will now campaign at lightweight full-time, weighing 134 pounds on Saturday morning. 

McCrory has fought north of 130-pounds for much of his career, but trimmed down to the super featherweight limit as he got into contention and ultimately met up with titleholder Lamont Roach in a failed bid at the WBA belt in June of 2024. McCrory hit the canvas three times prior to the eighth-round stoppage, but regrouped since to stop Keenan Carbajal in eight last March. McCrory weighed-in at the lightweight limit of 135 pounds on Saturday.  

In a make-or-break fight of sorts, veterans Azat Hovhannisyan (22-6, 17 KOs) of Glendale, Arizona by way of Yerevan, Armenia and Eduardo Baez (25-7-2, 10 KOs) of Calexico, California by way of Mexicali, Baja California, Mexico will meet in a ten-round featherweight bout to open the main broadcast. 

Hovhannisyan is best remembered for his super bantamweight title eliminator defeat to Luis Nery in what was one of the better fights of 2023. Hovhannisyan, who had previously failed in a bid for a portion of the 122-pound crown against Rey Vargas back in 2018, was stopped on his feet in the eleventh by Nery, which set off a three-fight skid. Hovhannisyan got back into the win column last time out: an eight-round unanimous decision over previously unbeaten Aidos Medet this past January. Hovhannisyan weighed-in at the featherweight limit of 126 pounds on Saturday. 

Former title challenger Baez enters on a two-fight win streak having taken on tough opposition for much of his career. In his failed title bid, Baez succumbed to a vicious body shot from power-punching champion Emanuel Navarrete in round six of a bout back in 2022. Since, Baez has provided a stiff test to top prospects and contenders to mixed results. Baez scaled 125 pounds at Saturday’s weigh-in.

In the preliminary card main event, unbeaten Alexis De La Cerda (8-0, 4 KOs) of Federal Way, Washington will meet fellow unblemished prospect Ervin Fuller III (12-0, 6 KOs) of Fort Washington, Maryland in a ten-round featherweight bout. 

De La Cerda has built his resume mostly in the Pacific Northwest, but did make a Las Vegas appearance defeating journeyman Sharone Carter via third-round stoppage in March of last year. Fuller comes off of a sixth-round unanimous decision over tougher-than-his-record Erik Ruiz this past January. The bout is a step-up for both and De La Cerda and Fuller both scaled an identical 125.5 pounds on Saturday morning. 

In an eight-round lightweight bout, Robert Meriwether III (10-0, 4 KOs) of Las Vegas returns to the Meta Apex to take on Tony Hirsch Jr. (7-0-2, 4 KOs) of Oakland, California. Meriwether impressed in his Zuffa Boxing debut, scoring a mostly one-sided six-round unanimous decision over previously undefeated Cesar Correa in January. Hirsch, the 24-year-old son of former rugged gatekeeper of the middleweight and super middleweight division of the same name, last saw action in December, scoring a six-round decision over journeyman William Flenoy in Stockton, California. Meriwether weighed-in at 135, while Hirsch came in at 134 pounds on Saturday.

Jorge Maravillo (11-0-1, 8 KOs) of Salinas, California attempted to drop back down to welterweight for the first time in nearly five years to take on Elias Diaz (15-3, 8 KOs) of National City, California in an eight-rounder. Maravillo fought just once last year, bouncing back from a draw against fellow Zuffa fighter Damoni Cato-Cain in 2024, to shutout longtime journeyman Cameron Krael in a six-rounder back in November. Diaz is coming off a July 2025 loss to .500 fighter Sergio Garcia Herrera, who may be much improved since he went on to defeat previously unbeaten Jose Vargas last December. Maravillo weighed-in 2.5 pounds above the welterweight limit and thus 1.5 pounds more than the contract allowed at 149.5 pounds on Saturday. Diaz made the welterweight limit of 147. 

In the featherweight opener, Troy Nash (6-0-1, 1 KO) of Colorado Springs, Colorado returns to the Meta Apex, site of his thrilling decision victory over Jaycob Ramos back in January, to take on once-beaten Bryan Rodriguez (8-1, 1 KO) of Donna, Texas in a eight-rounder. 

Nash, who has taken the path of most resistance in his young career, ends a six-fight streak of meeting undefeated opponents on Sunday night. Ramos, who entered their contest 4-0, pushed “The Bank” in the maiden bout for Zuffa Boxing, but Nash won over the judges with his jab and boxing acumen. 

Rodriguez bounced back from an upset defeat by springing an upset decision of his own over previously unbeaten, Robert Garcia-trained Daniel Cortez (11-0) last November. Nash weighed-in at the contracted maximum of 127-pounds, while Rodriguez came in heavy at 127.5 pounds, 1.5 pound above the featherweight limit and thus half a pound over the allowed weight. 

Quick Weigh-in Results:

Lightweights, 10 Rounds

Cortes 135

Garcia 135

Lightweights, 10 Rounds 

Magsayo 134

McCrory 135

Featherweights, 10 Rounds

Hovhannisyan 126

Baez 125

Featherweights, 8 Rounds

De La Cerda 125.5

Fuller III 125.5

Lightweights, 8 Rounds

Meriwether III 135

Hirsch Jr. 134

Welterweights, 8 Rounds

Maravillo 149.5*

Diaz 147

Featherweights, 8 Rounds

Nash 127

Rodriguez 127.5**

*Maravillo weighed-in 1.5 pounds over contracted weight

**Rodriguez weighed-in .5 over contracted weight 

Tickets for the event, promoted by Zuffa Boxing, are available online at AXS.com 

Photos by Ed Mulholland/Zuffa Boxing

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

By Norm Frauenheim

Floyd Mayweather cast doubt last Saturday on whether his September 19 sequel with Manny Pacquiao will be documented as a real fight and where it’ll happen, but tickets were available this week for a date already scheduled on the Las Vegas Sphere’s calendar.

Tickets, priced from $1,882 to $29,214, were up for sale on the Sphere’s website Thursday amid controversy raised by Mayweather, whose comments suggested the event was not the done deal it seemed to be when announced February 23 by Netflix and CSI Sports.

During a busy boxing day dominated by Sebastian Fundora’s stoppage of Keith Thurman last weekend, Mayweather told Vegas Sports Today that the venue was uncertain.

“We don’t know if it’s a hundred percent going to be there,’’ Mayweather said during a reported meet-and-greet at Caesars Palace.

Days later, however, the MSG-sponsored Sphere is moving forward as if it is certain.

Mayweather also told Vegas Sports Today that the fight would not count in the official record book, which has him at 50-0 after a boxing victory over then MMA star Conor McGregor in August 2017.

“This is not actually a fight,’’ Mayweather said. “It’s an exhibition.”

In a video posted by Source of Boxing, Pacquiao countered, saying he didn’t sign up for an exhibition.

“…he signed a real contract,’’ says Pacquiao, who lost a 2015 decision to Mayweather in a much-hyped fight remembered mostly for the record-setting pay-per-view revenue. “Yes, the contract that we signed is a real fight. I wouldn’t fight an exhibition.’’

There’s a theory that Mayweather is attempting to re-negotiate, because he wants to protect his official record. He might need money, but he still values the 0 on the loss side of the ledger more than anything. It’s his identity. Maybe, his future. He’ll be 50 next year. One loss might ruin the birthday party.

From the Netflix and Sphere point of view, however, that risk is part of the drama, a compelling reason to watch. After all, the first fight, more than a decade ago, was a dud.

As of Thursday, it’s not clear whether Mayweather thinks he’s found a loophole that will allow him to re-negotiate. The Pacquiao camp is certain he does not.

Mayweather is in breach of contract,

Jas Mathur, Manny Pacquiao Promotions CEO, told ESPN and Boxing Scene.  Now, there are reports that Mathur is demanding Mayweather re-confirm that he intends to fulfill the terms that –Pacquiao says — he agreed to.

Will he? Mayweather, a calculating and clever master of the feint within the ring, also uses it outside of it. Keep them guessing, before and after opening bell.

He’s done it often enough to think he’s trying to do it all over again. It also might help explain the odds. Mayweather opened as a slight betting favorite, minus 175. A couple of days later, money came in on Mayweather, making him more of a favorite, minus 190.

There are no odds on whether the fight, real or not, happens at all.

Not yet anyway.

Sebastian Fundora stopped former unified world champion Keith Thurman in round six to retain to the WBC Super Welterweight title at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.

Fundora took the first three round to establish his jab and follow with right hands and uppercuts.

In round three, Thurman started to swell around the right eye. In round six, Thurman’s left eye was a bloody mess. In round six, Fundora turned up the pressure and began to batter Thurman all over the ring and the fight was stopped at 1:17.

Fundora, 153.6 lbs of Coachella, CA is 24-1-1 with 16 knockouts. Thurman152.6 lbs of Clearwater, FL is 31-2.

Tellez Decisions Mendoza

Yoenis Tellez won a 10-round unanimous decision over Brian Mendoza in a super welterweight bout.

In round two, Tellez was cut badly on his nose from an accidental headbut.

In round eight, Mendoza was cut around the left eye from an accidental haedbutt.

Tellez landed 147 of 435 punches. Mendoza was 125 of 501.

Tellez, 153.8 lbs of Santiago De Cuba, CUB won by scores of 98-92 and 97-93 twice and is now 12-1. Mendoza, 153.2 lbs of Las Vegas is 23-5.

Hernandez Stops Gausha in 5

Yoenli Hernandez stopped former two-time world title challenger in round five of their 10-round middleweight fight.

Hernandez landed thudding power shots throughout until the fight was stopped at 1:17.

Hernandez, 158.4 lbs of Camaguay, CUB is 10-0 with nine knockouts. Gausha, 160.8 lbs of Cleveland is 21-6-1.

Hovhannisyan Stops Navarro in Five

Massive heavyweight Gurgen Hovhannisyan in round five stopped Cesar Navarro of a 10-round bout.

Hovhannisyan dominated using mostly the jab and in round five, Hovhannisyan turned it up and battered Navarro in both hands until the bout was stopped at 2:45.

Hovhannisyan, 281.4 lbs of Los Angeles is 10-0 with nine knockouts. Navarro, 210.2 lbs pf Phoenix is 15-4.

Kevin Newman II won a 10-round majority decision over Elijah Garcia in a super middleweight bout.

Newman, 171.4 lbs of Las Vegas won by scores of 98-92, 06-94and 95-95 and is now 19-3-1; Garcia, 171.4 ls of Phoenix is 17-2.

Bryan Gonzalez stopped Brandon Medina in round five of their six-round featherweight bout.

Gonzalez, 125 lbs of Phoenix is 6- with four knockouts. Medina, 124.6 lbs of Mexico is 7-5

Kaipo Gallegos got dropped for the first time in his career, but he was able to shake it off and win a 10-round unanimous decision over Julian Gonzalez in a lightweight bout.

In round three, Gonzales dropped Gallegos with a straight right on the chin. That was the only blemish for Gallegos as he countered very well thtoughout.

Gallegos, 134.3 lbs of Las Vegas won by scores of 98-91 and 97-92 twice and is now 12-0-1. Gonzalez, 134.2 lbs of Reading, PA is 16-2-1.

By Norm Frauenheim

Keith Thurman promises history. A lot of people think he already is.

There’s a challenge in that, one that offers Thurman the motivation that always comes with an opportunity to prove them wrong.

It also gives him a chance to talk, and there’s never been a doubt he’s still better at that than just about anybody on boxing’s bully pulpit.

He was there, center stage, Thursday with a volume of words full of philosophy, preaching and psychology. If it weren’t for Sebastian Fundora’s much-hyped height, you wouldn’t have known Fundora was there at all.

Fundora, all 6-foot-6 of him, walks into a room and everybody looks up, including the 5-7 Thurman, who must have suffered a crick in his neck during the ritual stare down during a live-streamed newser a couple of days before the title fight Saturday at Vegas’ MGM Grand.

Fundora let his 154-pound title, recent string of impressive victories and that height do most of his talking. The 28-year-old with an emerging ring IQ is a smart guy. So, he listened.

Word-for-word, Thurman is unrivalled, if not undisputed. He has a broadcaster’s skillset. For now, however, he’s a fighter who plans to stay active. Thurman, nicknamed One Time, said Thursday he doesn’t intend to retire. One Time promised at least one more in a fight — he says — could open the door to Hall of Fame consideration

“A historic night,’’ he said many times.

In part, Premier Boxing Champions’ pay-per-view bout on Amazon Prime is historic for both PBC and Thurman. Thurman was featured in PBC’s first main event, a decision over Robert Guerrero 11 years ago — March 7, 2015 – also at the MGM Grand.

“It’s called PBC,’’ Thurman said. “It should be PB Me.’’

He’s a poet, too.

But a question lingers: Is he still the puncher with the finishing power defined by his nickname? The answer determines the fight.

Despite the nickname, his career has been a story about not enough times. It’s impossible to judge inactivity. That’s not exactly fair. There was Covid. There were injuries, including three surgeries. 

But none of that is attached to his record like an asterisk offering an explanation. It’s just a fact, including only 15 rounds since July 2019. 

That’s nearly seven years, a stretch when some fighters retire, come back and retire all over again.

At 37, Thurman is closer to the end than his prime. Perhaps, inactivity helped protect him from the inevitable wear-and-tear sustained in a busy career. But the surgeries suggest otherwise.

Thurman hears the skepticism. He uses it, effectively on stage and in video. The psychologist in him also might be using it against the younger Fundora. Media and fans were there with questions Thursday. In part, however, Thurman might have been talking to an audience of one: Fundora.

Fundora, he said many times, has been knocked out in his only loss to Brian Mendoza in 2023. Fundora’s muscle memory of that KO will be there, Thurman said, when a big shot lands. The body, he promised, will react in a way Fundora’s mind can’t control.

“I don’t know what all is going to go down,’’ Thurman said. “I just know Sebastian Fundora is going down.’’

It’s no coincidence that Mendoza is on Saturday’s card against Cuban prospect Yoenis Tellez in the co-main event. It’s also no coincidence that Thurman was seated next to Mendoza on the stage for the news conference.

“He gave me the cheat code,’’ Thurman said to Fundora, who was seated on the other side of the pulpit. “Night, night.

“I’m going to give you that flashback. Do you remember? Maybe, you forgot. I will make you remember.’’

Maybe, make some history, too.

Carlos Adames retained the WBC Middleweight title with a 12-round unanimous decision over Austin Williams to retain the WBC Middleweight title over Immanuwel Aleem at the Caribe Royale in Orlando, Florida.

It was a fast paced fight with several instances of toe-to-toe action

In round two, Adames dropped Williams with a perfect straight right down the middle.

In round 12, Williams was bleeding from the mouth.

Adames, 158.6 lbs of Elias Pina, DR won by scores of 118-108 and 117-109 twice and is now 25-1-1. Williams, 159.6 lbs of Palm Beach Gardens, FL is 20-2.

Omari Jones Decisions Christian Gomez

Omari Jones won a eight-round unanimous decision over Christian Gomez in a junior middleweight bout.

Jones landed 109 of 396 punches. Gomez was just 20 of 175.

Jones, 151.6 lbs of Orlando, FL won by scores of 80-72 on all cards and is now 6-0. Gomez, 151.6 lbs of Guadalajara, MEX is 23-7-1.

Marksman Decisions Gomez

Corey Marksman won a 10-round unanimous decision over Jaycob Gomez in a lightweight bout.

Marksman landed 123 of 397 punches. Gomez was 106 of 375.

Marksman, 134 lbs of Sanford, FL won by scores of 98-92 and 96-94 twice and is 13-0-1. Gomez, 134.2 lbs of Caguas. PR is 14-1-1.

Teremoana Stops Harper in 1st

Teremoana Teremoana stopped Curtis Harper in round one of their 10-round heavyweight bout.

At the end of round, Teremoana landed a crushing short right to the head that sent Harper crashing to the canvas and the fight was over at 2:59.

Teremoana 265.5 lbs of Queensland, AUS is 10-0 with 10 knockouts. Harper, 270.2 lbs of Jacksonville, FL is 19-13.

By Norm Frauenheim

There are questions. Optimism, too. Mostly, there’s relief that Top Rank’s 60-years of expertise in the promotion and development of fighters is back on a significant platform with potential to sell and sustain the volatile boxing game.

We still don’t know exactly how long Top Rank’s deal with DAZN is, or whether there are any clear limits on exclusivity regarding dates and matchups with fighters tied to rival promoters.

Potential land mines, of course, are buried in the fine print of a deal announced Wednesday. It wouldn’t be boxing if they weren’t. Risk and reward, drama and disaster are all there. Caveat emptor. It’s a timeless warning, one that simply leads to another one heard before every opening bell. Defend yourself at all times.

Top Rank has, brilliantly so throughout a turbulent eight-month stretch when fans, pundits and a new generation of promoters were saying the longtime entity was dead. Mark Twain once had something to say about premature obits. News of his death, he said, had been exaggerated.

In Top Rank’s case, it surely was. After Top Rank’s final show with ESPN in July, it looked as if there was a vacuum. Saudi money, The Ring, Zuffa and TKO threatened to take over.

The threat is still there. The idea is to rewrite the Ali Act and do away with the confusing array of weight classes and titles prevalent throughout the so-called four-belt era. But there are still no real answers. Questions linger. Chaos looms.

Fans, so often forgotten, sit and wait, wondering whether it’s just a revolving door. The WBC, WBO, IBF and WBA leaving; The Ring, Zuffa and TKO arriving. Acronyms in; acronyms out.

Some fans don’t know much about it. Many don’t care. But they do know good fights and who puts them together. Over the last eight months, that’s been 94-year-old Bob Arum’s Top Rank. Amid the mess of uncertainty throughout the last year, Top Rank’s trademark resilience has been there with a quiet, yet powerful adherence to fundamentals.

The Top Rank template was never more evident than the co-promotional role it played with Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom on Feb. 28 in a stunning performance by Emanuel Navarrete in an upset stoppage of Eduardo Nunez for a unified junior-lightweight title in front of a crowd of about 12,000 at Desert Diamond Arena in Glendale, a Phoenix suburb.

In the card’s immediate aftermath, it was a story about a couple of dramatic

comebacks, Navarrete and the Phoenix market, which had gone dormant with the advent of Saudi money and the Riyadh season.

A couple of weeks later, it became evident there was a third comeback: Top Rank. In part, it was expressed by Emiliano Vargas, the emerging son of former great Fernando Vargas, also his trainer. Vargas, boxing’s hottest prospect and a Top Rank fighter, had just embellished his credentials with a victory – punishing and powerful — over junior-welterweight Agustin Ezequiel Quintana.

Vargas thanked the fans and then said what fellow fighters are beginning to learn about the AZ crowd, called “educated” by Hearn. They know what they’re watching. He says he wants to fight his first main event in Phoenix. The crowd roared its approval.

Eighteen days later, there was a further approval in the Top Rank-DAZN alliance, formally announced during a news conference at New York’s Madison Square Garden.

The deal is still being worked out, according to Arum. It had probably been under negotiation for weeks before Feb. 28.

But that last night in February was full of reasons, all comebacks, about why it got done. Top Rank is calling it “a new era,’’ and for the younger generation in that AZ crowd it is.

But it’s also proof that new eras work because of old fundamentals that always do.

By Norm Frauenheim

Reborn Emanuel Navarrete fought his way back from the edge of retirement and now looks at a restored future that starts with options, a decision and perhaps a dilemma.

What’s next?

More to the point, who’s next?

A couple of weeks after a dramatic career-best stoppage of Eduardo Nunez, Navarrete must choose between a promise and an opportunity.

Charly Suarez?

Or O’Shaquie Foster?

The either-or could change, of course. Unforeseen options are like insults from feuding promoters. There’s always another one.

This week, however, there were only two for Navarrete, who on Wednesday got an order that — in acronym-speak — told him he had 20 days to negotiate a deal for a “mandatory” rematch.

The only mandatory here is skepticism, of course. The only bet is an extension. Negotiations and Navarrete’s decision figure to go on for a while.

The dilemma was Navarrete’s own doing. In a contentious arena often devoid of what Ernest Hemingway called “grace under pressure,” a maturing Navarrete showed some.

He thanked Suarez.

He also acknowledged he owed him one.

“I know I owe Suarez that rematch,’’ Navarrete said at a news conference in the immediate aftermath of his 11^th-round TKO of Nunez in front of a roaring crowd in Glendale, AZ.

The rematch has been there, at one level or another, amid lingering echoes of the controversy over the Navarrete-Suarez fight in May. At first, Navarrete was declared the winner by an eighth-round “technical decision.” The referee ruled that a cut above his left eye was caused by a punch.

Thirty minutes after the San Diego fight, however, video showed the cut was caused by a Suarez punch.

Weeks later, the California State Athletic Commission changed the result, ruling it a dreaded “No Contest.”

Ten months later, there’s still no rematch. It screams for one. It sounds as if Suarez is already counting on it. The Filipino told Boxing Scene that he wants the rematch in Las Vegas.

On the last night in February, he was in the Arizona crowd for Navarrete’s victory, a definitive performance that proved to be a powerful answer to most questions about Navarrete’s future. It’s never been brighter.

Nevertheless, a ruling at a regulatory meeting allowed him to retain a title that many believe Suarez had rightfully taken from him in the ring. It remains unresolved, because Suarez stepped aside, allowing Navarrete to fight Nunez.

For that, Navarrete is thankful. But it’s still not clear whether he’ll agree to a sequel, or simply relinquish the WBO belt and move on to another 130-pound unifier against Foster.

Foster was in the Arizona crowd, too.

“Let’s do it …let’s make it happen,’’ Foster told reporters.

Then, he went on to suggest he has more name-recognition than Suarez.

“My profile has been raised,” he said.

Foster also has something that Suarez doesn’t. He’s got a junior-lightweight title, the World Boxing Council’s version – the green belt valued more than any other, especially by Mexican fighters.

The powerful Foster, who like Navarrete is a Top Rank fighter, also represents a significant 130-pound challenge to Navarrete’s renewed aspirations. There was talk that Navarrete merits some serious pound-for-pound consideration after his stoppage of a feared Nunez, a fellow Mexican who was the betting favorite at opening bell.

A victory over Foster would validate what Navarrete did against Nunez. It also would answer a lingering question about Navarrete’s consistency.

He had grown erratic, which was all too evident in a now-forgotten, yet still-controversial stoppage of unknown Australian Liam Wilson, also in Glendale where Navarrete won a then-vacant WBO title in February 2023.

To do it, Navarrete had to get up from the only knockdown in his career. He was floored by a left hook. Clearly dazed, he was still alert enough to spit out his mouthpiece, giving him a controversial 27 seconds to recover. He survived.

Wilson’s corner was outraged. It threatened a protest. It demanded a rematch. Wilson never got one. Will Suarez?

For now, not even Navarrete knows. It’s a tough question, one bound to be controversial in the court of public opinion.

Stand-up guy?

Or pound-for-pound guy?

By Norm Fraueneim

David Benavidez, once branded as a weight bully, now looks up-and-down the scale and sees only options.

Bullies are sometimes hostages, too, trapped by a narrow pursuit that eliminates other possibilities.

For Benavidez, that was Canelo and only Canelo. It kept him at 168 pounds, a super-middleweight division long ruled by Canelo Alvarez. For as long as it did, there was nowhere else to go for Benavidez.

At 23-years-old, he missed weight in 2020, losing the World Boxing Council’s 168-pound title for the second time since a positive drug test, yet never losing it in the ring. Still, he chased Canelo for five more fights over three-and-half years. The pursuit bullied the bully, keeping him at 168 and only 168.

From bout to bout, birthday-to-birthday, he battled to make the weight while his maturing body told him to move on, move up.

His toughest fight?

“The scale,’’ Benavidez, now 29, said at a recent news conference for the formal announcement in his bid for a cruiserweight title against Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez May 2 in Las Vegas.

It was a joke. Kind of. The question asked by The Boxing Hour, should have been more specific. To wit: Who was his toughest opponent?

“Caleb Plant,” said Benavidez, a Phoenix born-and-forged fighter who battled and beat Plant, scoring a hard-fought decision in Vegas March 2023.

He would fight once more at super-middle, winning both the fight with the scale and then Demetrius Andrade later that year.

Still, Canelo would not budge, perhaps because he saw Benavidez as too big, or too loud or too much of both. Whatever the reason, Benavidez moved on, moved up. The question, however, is still there.

“For as long as Canelo is still out there, still active, it’ll always will be,’’ Benavidez said.

Canelo is planning a September 12 comeback in Riyadh from his scorecard loss to Terence Crawford. Christian Mbilli and others have been mentioned for what will be Canelo’s first fight in a year. But don’t bother to look too far down the list. Benavidez’ name is not there. The question is, of course.

These days, it’s almost always preceded by an apology. Sorry, but we have to ask.

Benavidez is happy to answer. Maybe, relieved, too. His move up the scale has freed him from the frustration that had been attached to the futile pursuit of what would have been a rich date with Canelo. It’s also freed him to take on risks that can make or break a legacy.

Cruiserweight is that risk. After three fights at light-heavyweight, Benavidez is making the jump, from 175- pound champion to 200-pound challenger.

Zurdo, Benavidez’ old sparring partner, has been at the weight for three fights over the last two years. He’s won two of the belts. His experience, familiarity, gives him an edge.

Another Zurdo advantage is measurable. Benavidez has always been the bigger fighter. In a face-off at the end of a Las Vegas newser late last month, however, Benavidez had to look up to look into Zurdo’s eyes. Will that matter? Maybe not.

But that photo is just one indication of adjustments confronting Benavidez in a bid for a third division title.

There’s a sense that Benavidez’ energy and whirlwind punching rate will propel him to victory. Betting odds reflect that. Benavidez is a slight favorite, minus 310.

Jai Opetaia, the world’s most feared cruiserweight, talked about Benavidez-Zurdo during the days before his bout against Brandon Glanton in a Zuffa-promoted card Sunday in Vegas. He wants the winner.

Opetaia, the most interesting big guy from Down Under since David Tua, also talked to Benavidez during the Ryan Garcia-Mario Barrios fight on March 21. They weren’t exchanging gardening tips. The Benavidez-Opetaia possibility has got fans talking.

Whatever happens, Benavidez hasn’t eliminated anything on either side of his current place on the scale. He says he still wants to fight Dmitry Bivol and Artur Beterbiev at light-heavy.

The difference between 175-to 168 is seven pounds however. That’s a lot less than the 25 pounds separating 200 from 175.

Can he go back down, win another fight with the scale? He’s done it before, which explains why he’s confident he can do it again.

But doubts increase as he gets older. It’s also not clear what Bivol and Beterbiev plan to do. There was talk of them in a second rematch, a trilogy. But both names have begun to fall out of the media and the pound-for-pound ratings. Their careers are close to the end.

Meanwhile, Benavidez is just beginning on a path that some say will lead to heavyweight. Cruiserweight is just seen as a steppingstone for him and Opetaia, as it was for Evander Holyfield and Oleksandr Usyk. But that option will have to wait.

“The question is not whether I can fight at heavyweight,’’ Benavidez said. “It’s whether I want to.’’

Jai Opetaia won the inaugural Zuffa Boxing Cruiserweight title with a 12-round unimous decision over Brandon Glanton at the Meta Apex in Las Vegas.

In round six, Glanton was deducted a point for holding.

In round 11, Opetaia was deducted a point for holding.

Opetaia of Australia won by scores of 119-106 on all cards.

The bout was marred in controversy all week as Opetaia was seemingly stripped of his IBF title after the organization was on board with the sanctioning. The IBF made the decision late on Friday night, apparently feeling disrespected for the placement of their title bout during fight week activities.

Salas Stops Saracho in 8

Ricardo Salas stopped Jesus Saracho in round-eight of their scheduled 10-round welterweight bout.

Salas dominated and poured on the volume over the second half of the fight and the bout was stopped at 2:09 of round eight.

Salas is now 23-2 with 18 knockouts. Saracho falls to 16-3-2.

Rubio Gets Dropped Twice But Decisions Palma

Pablo Rubio Jr. was dropped two times in round three, but was able to comeback and out work Adan Palma and take an eight-round unanimous decision in a featherweight bout.

In round three, Palma was able to hurt and drop Rubio with a left hook along the ropes. Later in the round, it was a short right that put Rubio down again. Rubio was able to gather himself and begin landing volume for the remaining round and took the unanimous decision by scores of 77-73 twice and 76-74.

Rubio of Whittier, CA is 15-0. Palma is is 14-1.

Vlad Panin stopped Shinard Bunch in round nine of their 10-round welterweight bout.

Panin dominated the action and a big flurry caused a stoppage ay 2:29 of round nine.

Panin, 146.5 lbs of Las Vegas is 24-2 with 16 knockouts. Bunch, 147 lbs of Trenton, NJ is 22-4-1.

Joshua Juarez remained undefeated with an eight-round unanimous decision over Jardae Anderson in a heavyweight bout.

Juarez, 256 lbs of Laredo, TX won by scores of 79-73, 78-74 and 77-75 and is now 15-0. Anderson, 263 lbs of Davenport, IA is 11-2.

Jaycob Ramos and Ethan Perez battled to a six-round draw in a featherweight battle featuring fighters from the Lone Star State.

Each fighter landed 83 punches.

Ramos took a card 57-55 and two cards were even at 56-56.

Ramos, 126 lbs of Dallas is 4-1-1. Perez, 125.5 lbs of San Antonio is 8-0-1.

In round two, Perez dropped Ramos with a straight left to the chin. In round three, Ramos returned the favor by dropping Perez with a counter right,

In a battle of undefeated lightweights, Brady Ochoa and Adrian Serrano battled to a six-round majority draw.

Ochoa outlanded Serrano 105-104.

Ochoa took a card 58-56 while two cards were even at 57-57.

Ochoa, 134 lbs of Las Vegas is 9-0-1. Serrano, 135 lbs of Salinas, CA is 6-0-2.

Emiliano Alvarado remained undefeated with a six-round unanimous decision over Erick Rosado in a featherweight bout.

After a good first round from Rosado, Alvarado landed a perfect double left hook to the body and then head that put Rosado on his back.

Alvarado, 125.5 lbs of Coachella, CA won by scores of 59-54 on all cards and is now 11-0. Rosado, 1245 lbs of Santo Domingo, DR is 16-5.

By Norm Frauenheim

GLENDALE, Ariz. –The blood poured into a right eye. A swelling bruise began to close the left eye. Only the end was easy to see.

Emanuel Navarrete’s punches, long and deadly, bloodied, bruised and busted-up Eduardo Nunez, forcing the ring physician to call an end to the carnage in the first second of the eleventh round Saturday night at Desert Diamond Arena.

Navarrete’s victory proved to be a definitive answer to a growing chorus of critics who believed that the three-division champ was in a steep decline. He’s not. Instead, he’s a unified junior welterweight champion. He took Nunez’ International belt and added it to his World Boxing Organization title.

“I feel like I got back to what it is to be a Mexican warrior,” he said to a roaring crowd after his fourth appearance in the state since 2023.

The only way back to his warrior roots, however, was through a determined challenge from another resilient Mexican. Nunez (29-2, 27 KOs) was a slight favorite. And there were moments when it looked as if he might prevail.

“I want to be champion again,” he said after hugging Navarrete in the center of the ring. “I will continue to learn. 

Nunez’ right eye was cut in the fourth round. From the fifth through about the eighth, however, his power and evident discipline forced Navarrete to retreat.

But his corner stopped the bleeding after the round.  The blood was gone, suddenly and seemingly replaced by a sharper Nunez. He began to find his range. He landed a solid body-to-head combination that backed Navarrete into the ropes. 

The double shot, perfectly executed, seemed to surprise Navarrete, whose loosey-goosey style managed to confuse Nunez over the first two to three rounds. But the combo interrupted Navarrete’s momentum. He hesitated just enough for Nunez to get back into the fight.

Nunez’ power was finding avenues under Navarrete’s long, spaghetti-like arms. First, he targeted Navarrete’s body. Then his head, Navarrete went into reverse. He marched forward in the opening round. He retreated in the seventh. Increasingly, the relentless Ninez was there, his head and face in Navarrete’s chest. In the eighth, Nunez backed  him into the ropes and followed with a succession of head shots that landed with an echo that could be heard above the roar from the crowd. 

In the ninth, the blood started flowing again. A rapid swelling, the color of a purple grape, appeared around the left. Only the end was left.  

Emiliano Vargas prevails in punishing fight

There’s more to Emiliano Vargas than just a pretty face. There’s a mean streak too.He displayed it Saturday in a contentious, bruising stoppage of Augustine Quintana Saturday In a junior-welterweight fight that was a good measure of the young prospect’s chances of fulfilling his potential at Desert Diamond Arena.

“I want to become a world champion in my next fight,” the 21-year-old Vargas said after forcing Quintana’s corner to end it after the ninth round.

In the early rounds, it looked as if Vargas would win easily. In the fifth, however, Quintana (22-3-1, 13 KOs)  suddenly got aggressive. He marched forward, pursuing Vargas and throwing punches at a wild rate and in every direction. One landed low. Then, another. Vargas was in evident pain. The referee called time and warned Quintana.

For a few seconds, Vargas walked it off. The warning, however, changed the fight. It got nasty, borderline ugly. Quintana continued to throw punches, some that repeatedly seemed to land just at or below the beltline. But Vargas didn’t back away. 

Instead, he stood and exchanged shots that echoed throughout the old ice hockey arena. In the eighth, Quintana slipped onto his hands and knees. Vargas looked at him. Actually, he glared and gestured at the Argentine, urging him to get up. No interpretation necessary. Vargas wanted to administer some more punishment. 

He did with punches that forced another timeout  Quintana was sent to his corner where the ringside physician was waiting. The  good doctor took a look at his busted-up face and determined the fight could continue. Nobody was happier about that than Vargas.  A round later, it was over, despite angry protests from the busted-up Quintana.

Abel Ramos storms back, scores decision over Smalls

Now we know why Mario Barrios wouldn’t fight Abel Ramos again.

Ramos, fighting for the first time since a controversial draw with Barrios for the WBC welterweight title more than a year ago, displayed great conditioning, unleashing another furious rally for a victory over prospect Tahmir Smalls at Desert Diamond Arena.

It was close, but this time the judges got it right, giving Ramos (29-6-3, 22 KOs) a split decision– 98-92  and 97-93 for Ramos, 96-94 for Smalls.

Ramos and the crowd — populated by many fans from hometown Casa Grande about an hour drive from Glendale — celebrated as though they had been waiting for fate and fairness to finally favor Ramos.

For months, he waited and wondered, praying and hoping for a rematch with Barrios. 

“It’s been awhile since I last fought,” he told The Boxing Hour before opening bell.  “I thought I’d get the rematch. There were. a couple times I thought it was done. They kept saying yeah. But then he got the Manny Pacquiao fight. That’s when I knew I’d have to fight somebody else. No regrets. 

“I’m just happy to be here, fighting again. 

“I just love to fight.”

For the last six rounds, that was evident, painfully so for Smalls (16-1 11 KOs). First, there were body shots from  Ramos. Then, head shots. In the final round, Smalls slipped to the canvas, a picture of exhaustion..

“It’s exactly how I thought it would go,” said Ramos, who resurrected his future. “I hope this win will give me another title shot. I want Ryan Garcia, all of the champions.” 

Martinez, Cardenas fight to a draw

Jordan Martinez didn’t get the win. But he got the cheers and probably a rematch.

Martinez, an entertaining mix of energy and speed, wound up with a draw in front of hometown fans Saturday against favored Arturo Cardenas in the first fight of the DAZN live stream of the Emanuel Navarrete-Eduardo Nunez fight at Desert Diamond Arena.

Martinez (16-0-1, 15 KOs) appeared to grab the early momentum in the junior-featherweight fight. He danced into the ring and kept his feet moving throughout most of the early rounds. By the mid rounds, however, Cardenas (17-0-2, 9KOs) began to catch with solid shots. It was enough for him to also catch him on the cards — 98-92 for Martinez, 96-94 for Cardenas and 95-95. It was a split draw. A split audience, too..

“Most of his shots were hitting me on the gloves,” Cardenas, of Mexico, said.

The, crowd booed,

“We can run it back for sure and I’ll come back better,” said Martinez, a Phoenix fighter who wore the city’s logo on the back of his trunks.

Mesa junior welterweight Ochoa suffers first loss

Mexican Oscar Alvarez Guerrero brought Julio Cesar Chavez out of his broadcasting seat and onto his feet with a resilient burst of late energy that led to an upset decision over Trini Ochoa, a popular junior welterweight from Mesa, Saturday at Desert Diamond Arena.

The early moments in the eight-round fight appeared to belong to Ochoa, who delivered an effective body attack. But the lanky Guerrero (15-2, 12 KOs) endured the shots, recovered and then began to dominate, especially in the final couple of rounds. That’s when Guerrero mounted a relentless attack, backing Ochoa (21-1, 9 KOs) on to the ropes and into the loss column for the first time.

Bantamweight Velle stays unbeaten with dominant decision

Phillip Velle, an accomplished amateur, continued to add a prospect’s credibility to his resume Saturday, displaying a comprehensive skill set in a dominant decision over Brayan Ramos at Desert Diamond Arena.

Velle (5-0, 2 KOs), landed several well-executed counters throughout a sxi-round bantamweight fight. He staggered Ramos (8-8-1, 2 KOs), a resilient Mexican who managed to stay on his feet and in the fight. 

Prospect Beltran extends unbeaten record

Hector Beltran calls himself Handsome. The nickname still works. His face and record remains unmarked.

Beltran, a Robert Garcia-trained prospect, stayed unbeaten with a shutout decision over a game Cesar Diaz in the second fight on the Navarrete-Nunez featured card Saturday at Desert Diamond Arena.

Beltran (7-0, 5 KOs), of Dallas, took complete control of the welterweight bout in fourth, landing successive shots that rocked Diaz (10-2, 6 KOs) from one side of the ring to the next. 

First Bell: Navarrete-Nunez card opens with quick KO

Las Vegas welterweight Rahman Muhammad turned a scheduled matinee into a short feature Saturday at Desert Diamond Arena

Muhammad (3-0, 2 KOs) wasted little time, opening the show with second-round stoppage of Mitchell McFadden, (1-1), of Atlanta, on a Matchroom card featuring the Emanuel Navarrete-Eduardo Nunez fight for two pieces of the junior-lightweight title

By Norm Frauenheim

GLENDALE, Ariz. – For a while, the only thing separating Emanuel Navarrete and Eduardo Nunez was a valid passport. Now, even that’s gone.

Navarrete and Nunez stood face-to-face, seemingly even for perhaps the most intriguing fight in a new year Friday, just a day after Navarrete resolved issues over a lost passport and boarded a private jet in Mexico City for a flight to Arizona.

He landed, his papers and weight all in order. As he stepped off the scale, he looked relieved. Finally, he was where he was supposed to be. Finally, there were no issues about the weight. He safely came in under the junior-lightweight limit of 130 pounds.

In a staged weigh-in after the official one behind closed doors Friday morning at Desert Diamond Arena, he was at 129.2 and Nunez at 129.8.

Over the last few years, the 31-year-old Navarrete (39-2-1-1, 32 KOs) has often struggled to make weight. But this time, more than a passport was lost.

Pounds were, too, enough for him to stay in the hunt to keep his World Boxing Organization belt and to take Nunez’ International Boxing Federation title Saturday night at Desert Diamond in a DAZN-streamed bout.

“Obviously, we had our setbacks, all out of our hands,’’ Navarrete said through an interpreter. “But, finally, we’re here.’’

Navarrete sounded confident. The three-division champion is no stranger to Arizona where he’s already fought three times since 2023.

“This is a lot like my second home,’’ Navarrete said.

He’s been lucky in Maricopa County. He escaped with a victory over Australian Liam Wilson, scoring a stoppage after getting up from a controversial knockdown. He’s also been dominant, punishing Oscar Valdez, first at Desert Diamond and again at the Suns home arena in downtown Phoenix.

He knows the city. It knows him. But a boxing ring never includes any of the comforts of home. It’s full of danger and shifting allegiances, both of which are personified in the emerging face of Nunez.

Navarrete has the resume and an awkward style, a puzzle to most who have tried to solve it.

But Nunez has the momentum, which includes an astonishing knockout rate. He’s not perfect, but he’s close. He’s stopping opponents at a 93.1-percent clip.

Twenty-nine victories in 30 fights, 27 by stoppage. It comes with no surprise, perhaps, that his only loss came on the scorecards early in his career. Nunez’ power has dictated what he does. Who he is.

“Navarrete has been a champion for a long, long time,’’ Nunez said, also through an interpreter. “But I feel like it’s my time to write my own destiny.’’

Nunez woke up Friday as the favorite. The betting odds have been close since the fight was announced. Throughout, however, Nunez has been the bettors’ slight favorite, a sign perhaps that the fighter from Sinaloa has captured the imagination of Mexican fans.

For now, at least, Nunez is a name. Few American fans have seen him fight. In August 2024, he beat Miguel Marriaga in Carson, Calif. Last May, he traveled to Japan, scoring a unanimous decision over Masanori Rikiishi for a vacant IBF title in Yokohama. Twice, his passport has been punched with some noteworthy credibility.

But none would be more powerful than a victory over Navarrete, whose name has been near the top of Mexico’s boxing royalty for many years.

A victory over Navarrete would be a sure sign that he has arrived, especially among Mexicans, boxing’s biggest and loudest demographic. It’s no coincidence that promoters, Matchroom and Top Rank, have dubbed the fight “King of Mexico.”

Canelo Alvarez, who still plans a post-Terence Crawford comeback in September, might argue with that one. For one night, however, the marketing title works.

The 27-year Nunez has youth and evident energy. Against a Navarrete, he might need a lot of both. Navarrete’s edgy victories over Valdez suggest he’s at his best against fellow Mexicans. Valdez is popular in Arizona, in part because he has roots in Tucson. But Navarrete walked through him. From round to round, it looked as if he was energized by a partisan crowd. Those Valdez fans might be his fans now.

Nunez figures to encounter that version of Navarrete, who is also motivated by talk that he is not the fighter he was five years ago. In his last fight, he escaped against Charly Suarez. It ended in controversy over whether a punch or a head butt left Navarrete with a nasty cut. Eventually, it was ruled a No Contest. Navarette kept his belt, but couldn’t shed the questions.

“Some of the criticism was unfair,’’ said Navarrete, who has never had a better chance to prove just how unfair.   

By Norm Frauenheim

GLENDALE, Ariz. — Emanuel Navarrete missed a news conference Thursday for a fight for a unified junior-lightweight title Saturday against emerging fellow-Mexican Eduardo Nunez at Desert Diamond Arena because he lost his passport.

The fight for the World Boxing Organization and International Boxing Federation belts was still on, however. 

During the  undercard portion of a delayed news conference, promoter Eddie Hearn confirmed a story first reported by The Boxing Hour and said  Navarrete was on a private jet from Mexico City to Phoenix.

“”Earlier, he was sitting in an embassy in Mexico City,” Hearn, Nunez’ promoter, said. “Nobody could find his passport.

Hearn had hoped to stage the ritual stare-down between Navarrete and Nunez later in the night. But there was still no sign of Navarrete as the undercard part of the newser ended.

Representatives for Top Rank, Navarrete’s promoter, were confident he was enroute.

“We had some drama this week,” Top Rank vice president Carl Moretti said.

Moretti then thanked Hearn for acquiring a private jet.

“We’re still negotiating that,” Hearn said.

Navarrete is popular in the Phoenix area. His scheduled Saturday fight on DAZN is his third at Desert Diamond and his fourth in Maricopa County since 2023. He beat Oscar Valdez in a rematch in December, 2024 at the Suns home arena in downtown Phoenix in his last Arizona appearance. His drawing power has been evident.

“This fight will happen in front of what will be 12,0000 fans,” Hearn said.

By Norm Frauenheim

LAS VEGAS – Belts and acronyms are at stake, but a date matters the most to David Benavidez’ in his upscale move to prove he’s the undisputed face of the game.

Ownership of that date, Cinco de Mayo, is there, up-for-grabs on May 2 in an intriguing fight against cruiserweight champion Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez.

It’s been there, vacant and valuable, ever since a masterful Terence Crawford beat Canelo Alvarez in September. Crawford retired; Canelo abandoned the date amid plans for a comeback in September.

For Benavidez, just the chance to claim the date is an opportunity to kick his career into prime time.

“That date doesn’t belong to just one fighter,’’ Benavidez said at a formal news conference announcing the Zurdo bout early Saturday, just hours before the Ryan Garcia-Mario Barrios fight at nearby T-Mobile Arena.

No, but it does belong to a long list of legends.

“Julio Cesar Chavez, Oscar De La Hoya, Floyd Mayweather, Canelo,’’ Benavidez, a Phoenix born-and forged fighter, said to an audience that included De La Hoya, Zurdo’s promoter. “It’s for the best fighter of his time.’’

Benavidez, still a light-heavyweight champion, thinks his time is approaching. A definitive victory over Zurdo during the first weekend in May would serve as a sure sign that it is.

For Benavidez’ trainer and dad, the opportunity also serves as motivation for his son to deliver the kind of performance that will ensure an encore.

“We’re not going to let anyone take it from us,’’ Jose Sr. said.

Zurdo, of course, has other plans. He knows Benavidez. Since 2016, they’ve sparred about 100 rounds. 

“Pay-per-view rounds,’’ Zurdo trainer Julian Chua said during the newser for a bout that will be streamed by Amazon Prime Video.

There’s some debate about how the rounds went.

“I hurt him,’’ Benavidez said. “He might not say that, but I know he knows. But I also remember that through all that sparring I once told him that one day we’re going to do this on pay-per-view.’’

Turns out, it’ll happen on boxing’s biggest day.

Claressa Shields retained the undisputed Heavyweight title with a 10-round unanimous decision over Super Middleweight champion Franchon Crews-Dezurn in front of over 16,000 fans at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit.

In round eight, Crews-Dezurn was bleeding from the mouth.

Shields, 174 lbs of Flint, MI won by scores of 100-90 on all cards and is now 18-0. Crews-Dezurn, 174.2 lbs of Baltimore is 10-3.

This was a rematch of the pro debuts of each fighter that saw Shields win a four-round decision in 2016.

Oberlton Stops George After 1; George Momentarily Collapses on Stool

Atif Oberlton got stoppage after round one when Joseph George Jr. collapsed on his stool.

Not much happened in round one, but replays showed a clash of heads between the two. In between rounds, George plummeted of his stool and seemed to momentarily unconscious.

Oberlton, 174.8 lbs is 14-0 with 13 knockouts. George, 173.4 lbs of Houston is 13-2.

Perkins Knocks Out Kenneally To win WBA Light Heavyweight Title

Danielle Perkins won the WBA Light Heavyweight title with a sensational one-punch knockout over Che Kenneally in round six.

In round six, Perkins landed a perfect right hook to the jaw that sent Kenneally down. Kenneally was bleeding from her mouth and the fight was stopped at 1:45.

Perkins, 174.4 lbs of Houston is 6-1 with three knockouts. Kenneally, 171 lbs of Gold Coast, AUS is 5-1.

Pryce Taylor Stops Evans in 3

Pryce Taylor remained undefeated with fifth round stoppage over James Evans in an eight-round heavyweight bout.

In round four, Pryce landed a left to the body that took Evans into the ropes for a knockdown. Moments later, Taylor landed a clubbing right that put Evans on the cannvas.

In round fiive, Taylor continued to land hard clubbing shots that put Evans down for a third time. When Evans got to his feet, the fight was stopped at 53 seconds.

Taylor, 275.2 lbs of Brooklyn is 11-0 with seven knockouts. Evans, 223.8 lbs of Toledo, OH is 9-3-1.

By Norm Frauenheim

LAS VEGAS ––For one night, there were no doubts about Ryan Garcia.

He eliminated them with a disciplined, thorough decision over Mario Barrios Saturday night at T-Mobile Arena.

Garcia (25-2, 20 KOs), often known for wild controversy, simply performed, a boxer trying to redeem the considerable talent in his skillset. He did that, dominating the scorecards – 119-108, 120-107 and 118-109.

Barrios (29-3-2, 18 KOs) never had a chance, mostly because Garcia never lost control.

Along the way, Garcia picked up his first world title, the World Boxing Council welterweight belt.

He also reconnected with his dad, Henry, who was back in his corner. Garcia wore dad’s first name, stitched onto the beltline of his red trunks.    

He also put himself in line for bigger fights, perhaps a sequel in a grudge match with Devin Haney. There’s also Shakur Stevenson, who has quickly emerged as a pound-for-pound contender. Stevenson was at ringside. Sure enough, Garcia called him out after the scores were announced. He still knows when and how to deliver a line.

There were no complaints, except for maybe one.

“To be honest, I should have got the knockout,’’ Garcia said.

He didn’t, perhaps, because defense is the only weapon in Barrios’ skillset. He’s careful, but now he’s also an ex-champion

It didn’t take long for Garcia to display just how fast and powerful his hands are. Not long after David Benavidez’ young son, Anthony, welcomed him into the ring with a fast flurry of his own punches, Garcia went to work. But it began with a surprise

He’s known for a lethal left. But he opened with a right that put Barrios down just seconds after opening bell.

Barrios kept his poise. He got up, patience instead of panic in his eyes. Those eyes, however, also had to be filled suddenly with some unexpected concern.

Barrios had to be as wary of the right as much as that feared left. It confronted Barrios with some double-edged danger. Power on one side and diversionary on the other.  

It was meant, perhaps, to set Barrios up for a finishing blow. But the defending champion from San Antonio proved to be tougher than perhaps Garcia expected. He withstood what Garcia threw with either hand and from almost any angle.

Still, there was a toll. From round-to-round, it became increasingly evident. Garcia punches and stubborn pressure began to wear down Barrios. He remained upright in trough the remaining eleven rounds.

But there were moments when his balance looked shaky. Barrios’ attempts at landing his best punch, a counter, began to dwindle as he kept his distance, perhaps because he didn’t want to step inside and within the range of the destructive power in both of Garcia’s hands.

It was a tactic. But Barrios couldn’t win that way. It allowed Garcia to stand outside, often with his hands down, as he fired from distance, almost sniper-like. Again and again, he scored enroute to the fist win on what might be redemption.

Russell survives, scores decision over Hiraoka

It was a fight for survival, or at least a punishing exhibition in how to prevail. Gary Antuanne Russell. won. Andy Hiraoka lost.

To the winner, there were mostly bruises. Russell’s resilience and early energy guaranteed victory. But the defending World Boxing Association’s junior-welterweight champion (19-1, 17 KOs)  suffered mightily in the tenth round because of an ugly low blow, thrown inadvertently but right on target. 

Hiraoka (24-1, 19 KOs) was penalized a point. But it didn”t matter. He lost on all three cards — 117-110 and 116-111 twice. In the Japanese junior-welterweight’s first loss, he won over the fans. The gathering crowd for Ryan Garcia-Mario Barrios at T- Mobile Arena cheered him and booed Russell when the scores were announced.

Hiraoka was fighting just a couple of days after a long flight from Japan. He was delayed by VISA problems. Early on, he looked stiff and tentative, almost as if he was suffering from jet lag. If he was , however, he shook it off in the middle rounds, That’s when he began to land big lefts and thundering body shots.

As the fight went on, it began to look as if jet lag might be contagious. Russell looked tired. In the end, however, he had scored often enough in the early round to survive.

Martin, Albright fight to wild draw

Anybody for a rematch?

It sounds as if everybody is, including  Frank Martin and Nahir Albright who set the stage for one with a wild draw Saturday on a card featuring Ryan Garcia-Mario Barrios at T–Mobile Arena.

Through eight rounds, Martin (19-1-1, 13 KOs), a Detroit junior-welterweight, appeared to hold a slight edge. He dictated pace. He landed more solid shots. In the ninth, the lefthander rocked Albright (17-2-1, 7 KOs), of Philadelphia.

In the tenth, however. Albright attacked, capturing the momentum and badly hurting Martin with a head-spinning combination of ;punches. Martin stumbled, then desperately held on and held himself up just enough to avoid defeat.

In the end, it was 95-95 on all three scorecards.

“Should we re-run it?” Martin asked the fans.

The crowd roared yes.

Melikuziev Stops Agbeko in 7

Bektemir Melikuziev stopped Sena Agbeko in round seven of their 10-round super middleweight bout,

In round four, Melikuziev was cut around the right eye from a clash of heads. Agbeko was cut on his forehead

In round seven, Melikuziev wobbled Agbeko with a right hook and then was dropped with a straight left. Agbeko was badly hurt and ate another straight left and the fight was stopped at 2:58.

Melikuziev is now 17-1 with 11 knockouts. Agbeko is 29-5.

Amari Jones dominates, scores stoppage

It started with a counter hook. It ended in a beatdown.

From start to end, it was all Amari Jones (16-0. 14 KOs), a middleweight from Oakland, CA, who delivered a perfectly-executed hook that put Luis Arias down onto his rear and sliding across the canvas Saturday on the Ryan Garcia-Mario Barrios card.

Arias (22-7-1, 11 KOs), of Las Vegas, got up from the shot, but never really covered from the damaging impact. He looked hurt. He moved around the ring  in evident fatigue. In the fourth, he was down again.The ringside physician took one look at him and ended it.  Before the fifth, he was finished.

Uppercut thunder keeps Alakel unbeaten

Mohammed Alakel is unbeaten because of an uppercut.

David Calabro (5-2, 3 KOs) couldn’t elude it. It landed once, leaving him with a bloodied nose. It landed again, this time landing on his midsection with a shot that echoed throughout an empty Mobile Arena Saturday afternoon. Both put Calabro, of Aston PA,  on the canvas, both within a few moments in the second round. 

Calabro had seen enough. So had the referee, who ended it at 2:17 of the second in a TKO victory for Alakel (8-0, 2 KOs) of Riyadh.

First Bell: Hitchins withdraws from title defense versus Duarte as Garcia-Barrios card gets off to slow start

The show opened with empty seats, news that the co-main event was off the card and Joshua Edwards.

A few fans had just reached their seats at T-Mobile Arena when it was reported that junior-welterweight Richardson Hitchins withdrew from his title defense Saturday against Oscar Duarte on the Ryan Garcia-Mario Barrios card because of an undisclosed illness. Delay and dull followed.

Edwards, a former Olympic heavyweight, appeared to have the power to eliminate the dull. But there was no stoppage. Edwards, a perfect five knockouts in five fights before the bout, could never land anything solid against Canadian Brandon Colantonio (7-3, 1 KO). Instead, Edwards settled for his first scorecard win, a unanimous decision.

By Norm Frauenheim

LAS VEGAS – The weigh-in was staged on a day when nothing else was.

Ryan Garcia, known to miss weight, was a half-pound lighter than the 147-pound mandatory and Mario Barrios was at the welterweight max Friday just as boxing’s familiar chaos descended all over again.

There’s redemption, and maybe Garcia (24-2, 20 KOs) gets some along with his first real title Saturday at T-Mobile Arena in a DAZN-streamed fight.

There’s respect, and maybe Barrios (29-2-2, 18 KOs) gains some by retaining the World Boxing Council’s green belt after keeping it twice with a couple of unconvincing draws.

From redeem to retain, there’s an R-word for just about everything in boxing. The only missing one is retirement. There’s no such thing. Prizefighters are like the tide. They keep coming back.

As Garcia and Barrios stepped off the scale and then indulged in the trashing-talking, non-blinking stare-down ritual, Floyd Mayweather, now more Sr. than Jr., was announcing a comeback.

Who knows if it really happens – and there are reasons to be skeptical. If it does, however, maybe the 30-year-old Barrios or the 27-year-old Garcia are in his future. Mayweather will always get closer to social security than he will his prime. He’ll be 49 next Tuesday (Feb. 24).

Who knows if Mayweather needs the money or the attention or both. Whatever the motivation, he becomes a legendary name that younger fighters – a Garcia or a Barrios – might one day want to have on their resume. 

One way to become a legend is to beat one. Mayweather is surely that, although his plan for a comeback risks his 50-0 sanctioned record. 

A loss to a face in the game’s emerging generation – again a Garcia or a Barrios – is a risk to Mayweather’s carefully-calculated claim on being an all-time great.

There’s a lot of talk that Mayweather’s comeback plan will include a rematch of his revenue record-setting victory over Manny Pacquiao. On Friday, at least, it was impossible not to note that Barrios fought to a controversial draw in July with Pacquiao in his last fight.

In announcing his comeback plan, Mayweather said he would fight his next sanctioned bout after a reported exhibition with Mike Tyson this spring. He’s also engaged in a looming court battle, a lawsuit against Showtime for $340 million.

Meanwhile, no specifics – date, place and network – have ever been announced about the speculated Mayweather-Tyson show. It’s fair to be as skeptical about that as it is to wonder whether we’ll ever see his comeback really happen. At 49, things change.

The body doesn’talways cooperate. Ask Bernard Hopkins, who went from an ageless wonder until he got stopped, knocked out of the ring by Joe Smith in 2016. Hopkins was 51. His body finally said no mas.

For now, however, Mayweather says he has contract, deal with CSI Sports/FIGHT SPORTS for a comeback career, post Tyson. 

“I still have what it takes to set more records in the sport of boxing,” Mayweather said in a written statement.

More records, maybe more revenue too, But there’s another R-word: Regret. Without retirement, that’s often all that’s left.   

By Norm Frauenheim

LAS VEGAS – Ryan Garcia came in from the storm.

He didn’t exactly leave it behind. He never does. But on a rare day that left Vegas chilled by rain instead of warmed by the desert sun, Garcia stepped inside, looking peaceful. Almost serene.

Calm before an opening bell vanishes like spilled beer up-and-down the Strip in mid-summer. It’s there, then it’s gone faster than a mirage.

Perhaps, that’s all it was for Garcia Thursday during a news conference that was moved from an outdoor pavilion and onto the bottom floor of T-Mobile Arena because of persistent showers.

But you never know with Garcia, who has more roles in his erratic career than he has angles on his

punches.

For Mario Barrios, a peaceful Garcia on a Thursday before their welterweight title fight Saturday night on DAZN might have been a little eerie.

After all, the last time they shared a stage, he encountered a Gracia full of the usual mocks, insults and theatrics.

Who is this guy? His father, Henry Garcia, hears the question. Dad, who is back in his son’s corner, promised a fighter fans remember.

“The boxer that beat Luke Campbell, beat (Javier) Fortuna, beat (Devin) Haney, that’s the fighter you’re going to see,’’ Henry Gracia said.

The fighter who beat Haney, of course is the fighter who tested positive for a PED that might have explained his ferocity throughout a wild and notorious fight in New York. It led to Garcia’s suspension and widespread condemnation.

But this is boxing. Ferocity is the way many of his fans want to remember him. The passive, disinterested fighter they saw in a subsequent loss to Rolly Romero in his last bout is the fighter they’d rather forget.

The Haney fight, eventually ruled a no-contest, has them hoping for a rematch, one that could be there if Garcia beats Barrios and claims the World Boxing Council’s 147-pound belt. That possibility is why The Ring has attached the promotional label, High Stakes, to the bout.

Haney-Gracia would be a grudge fest, a storm for which there would be no shelter. For now, at least, Garcia’s quiet confidence suggests confidence he’ll take a step in that direction against Barrios.

During the newser, Barrios said he hoped to make Garcia uncomfortable

Garcia was asked the inevitable: 

Can he?

“No,” he said.

Then, he paused, almost ominously

“I don’t,’’ he said

Since the bout was announced, Garcia has been the favorite, both in the ring and on the billboards. Barrios has the title, but Garcia owns the show.

There’s been a lot of talk about Barrios trainer, Joe Goossen, who is Garcia’s ex-trainer. In the first news conference, Garcia passed out T-shirts that said Traitor. Then, that was what Garcia apparently wanted everybody to think of Goossen. On Thursday, however, there were no divorce-like insults.

There were just questions about whether Goossen’s experience with Garcia might give Barrios an advantage.

Barrios didn’t talk much about that possibility. He doesn’t talk much at all, anyway.

But Garcia had a profane response.

Goossen, he said, knows him, knows what he can do.

“He also knows I can be a bad m-effer,’’ Garcia said. “On Saturday night, I’m going to be a bad m-ffer.’’

Moments later, Garcia and Barrios walked to the middle of the stage for the ritual face-off. Just as they broke off, Garcia flashed the middle finger, an obscene gesture that flashed like lightning on the horizon.

Another m-effing storm might be coming.  

By Norm Frauenheim

From outrage to silly, Ryan Garcia’s many sides have shown up on either side of the ropes and lots of other places.

There are so many roles, it’s hard to know what’s genuine, who’s real. Garcia has a mask for every opening bell. In a craft dictated by feints, it often works.

Along the way, he’s made fools out of opponents, fans, media and regulators.

Sometimes, he just makes a fool out of himself

That sets up a new stage. This time, however, who’s-fooling-who is more than just a question. It’s a theme, the inescapable drama, for his return next Saturday (July 21) against Mario Barrios in a DAZN-streamed bout from Las Vegas’ T-Mobile Arena.

The Ring, the promotional entity, calls the fight “High Stakes”, a fair enough marketing that suggests Devin Haney will be there for a rematch if Garcia prevails.

He’s expected to. He’s favored, but the odds (minus 225) are close, in part because of Garcia’s scorecard loss to Rolly Romero last May on a messy night at New York’s Times Square.

Garcia performed more like a guy trying to wave down a vacant cab than an elite fighter trying to land a punch in a fight that could have restored credibility badly damaged in a notorious New York night against Haney.

Eventually, a beat-down of Haney was ruled a no-contest because Garcia tested positive. Sometimes, masking doesn’t work. In his first fight – opportunity — since then, Garcia just looked disinterested.

Just another disguise, or a real look at what, who Garcia has become? Guess here: Narrow odds are also a fair reflection of the public perception of Garcia. Fans don’t know what to make of him, either.

High Stakes, perhaps, says more about him — his identity — than his future. If he fails against Barrios, his career is in crisis.

If he loses to Barrios, forget Haney, who might move on to a speculated shot at newly-minted junior-welterweight and pound-for-pound contender Shakur Stevenson. For this fight, fans will watch, knowing that only Garcia’s future is at stake.

Is that fair to Barrios? No. But fair and boxing, like jumbo and shrimp, don’t belong in the same sentence. Boxing is always a working definition for oxymoron.

Barrios, a nice guy in a notorious workplace, seems to understand his role in the looming show. He’s the B-side, which is the same bit-player role he had in a controversial draw with middle-aged celebrity Manny Pacquiao in July.

Garcia was there for that one too, reportedly engaging in some extracurricular exchanges on the arena floor after Barrios escaped with the draw.

Seven months later, the two would meet in the ring. Who knew? In a news conference dominated by Garcia last month, Barrios watched the show and reviewed it simply with perhaps the only trash talk he’s ever delivered. He called Garcia a clown.

“Payaso,’’ the proud Mexican-American said of Garcia who arrived on-stage with T-shirts, insults and his own dancing girls, all with ring cards mocking the World Boxing Council.

There’s more than just Bozo in the Spanish definition of clown. It could mean buffoon. It also could mean mischief, which, of course, has been a Garcia specialty. Expect some more.

For Barrios, a clown is what he hopes to make out of Garcia, who has been pretty good at doing that all by himself. In the process, Barrios hopes to put together a performance worthy of a shot at Haney in what would be a welterweight title-unification fight.

For now, there are just questions about Barrios’ path to the WBC’s version of the 147-pound belt.

He was awarded the belt without throwing a punch after Terence Crawford moved up,  from welter to junior-middle for a victory over Israil Madrimov

Then, Barrios kept the title with two draws, the last one with Pacquiao and the first one against Abel Ramos.

Ramos, resilient and tireless, battled his way back and seemed to dominate Barrios throughout the final rounds on the Mike Tyson-Jake Paul show in November 2024.

Barros retained the belt, but didn’t answer gathering questions with a rematch. Ramos, of Casa Grande south of Phoenix, earned a shot, yet never got one.

More than a year later, Ramos makes his first appearance since then. Seven days after Garcia-Barrios, Ramos faces prospect Tahmir Smalls on the Emanuel Navarrete-Eduardo “Sugar” Nunez Feb. 28 at Desert Diamond Arena in Glendale, AZ.

Who’s fooling who? Maybe only time can answer that one. Garcia-Barrios is a fight for one.