By Norm Frauenheim

Marinate, a promotional euphemism for momentum, is either another tiring tease, or an early way to test public interest, or a little bit of both in a recipe that leaves hungry fans wanting but never getting.

The current example: Jesse “Bam” Rodriguez-versus-Naoya Inoue.

There’s more talk than ever, perhaps because of Junto Nakatani’s disappointing decision over Sebastian Hernandez last month in what was supposed to be a convincing steppingstone to Nakatani-Inoue.

Nakatani was left with a bruised right eye and perhaps a bruised resume, yet he survived, still unbeaten for a fight long planned to be the biggest in Japanese history. According to multiple reports — one from Boxing Scene this week and another from the World Boxing Council, the long-planned bout is projected to be on May 2, a Cinco de Mayo celebration in Tokyo.

News of the projected date was also accompanied by a poll conducted by The Ring. Who would you rather see, Nakatani-Inoue or Rodriguez-Inoue?

The timely question was prompted by Nakatani’s problematic performance Nov. 22 in the former bantamweight champion’s first fight at 122 pounds.

Fans, never a patient demographic, apparently have seen enough. Already, it looks as if they’re ready to cast aside Nakatani-Inoue for Rodriguez-Inoue. Seventy-three percent would prefer Bam in the ring against the feared Inoue instead of Nakatani.

The poll, like all polls, could mean just about anything. It also might be unfair to Nakatani, an accomplished fighter who struggled at a new weight against a dangerous foe virtually unknown outside of Mexico. It happens.

It also gives Nakatani more to prove, perhaps enough to make him more dangerous to Inoue than ever. Lessons delivered, lessons learned. That happens, too.

Still, surprising questions are there, left in the wake of his controversial victory. Left there, too, is an affirmation of the emerging interest in Bam, whose move up the pound-for-pound ratings has put the San Antonio fighter among the top five, consistently behind only Inoue and heavyweight Oleksandr Usyk.

Although hard to judge, a poll is one possible ingredient in a fight that might do more than just marinate. Maybe, it resonates. Maybe, it happens. Let’s say that Inoue beats Nakatani as decisively as he has beaten so many others. Then, there could still be questions about his claim – lifelong ambition — on pound-for-pound supremacy. Answers might be there only in a date with Bam.

For now, at least, there are already betting odds on Bam-Inoue, still marinating in the public imagination. Inoue is a solid favorite, minus 550.

In the collective mind of many fans, however, the odds of the fight ever happening are longer. Quit talking about it, they say. It’s a waste of time, they say, because the size difference is too big. Bam is a unified Super-Fly champion, fighting at 115-pounds, seven fewer than Inoue, undisputed at junior-feather (122).

But consider this: The 5-foot-4 Bam and 5-5 Inoue both started at the same weight, junior-flyweight, 108 pounds. The “Bam-is-too-small-for-Inoue” argument sounds a lot like “Inoue is too small for Nonito Donaire.’’

The “too small” Inoue beat Donaire, scoring a unanimous decision, at 120 pounds, in the 2019 Fight of the Year. In 2022, he backed it up, scoring a second-round stoppage of Donaire.

The more significant difference is in that other seven – the years that separate them in age. Bam will be 26 on January 20; Inoue will be 33 on April 10.

The pressure builds with every second on that unforgiving clock, especially for Inoue. It’s no secret that smaller fighters have careers shorter than those in the heavier divisions. Through interpreters, he has hinted at retirement in 2027.

That’s next year, which means the Bam-Inoue marination could be at full boil in about six months.      

By Norm Frauenheim

A year ends and another begins, leaving memories, controversies, brilliance, buffoonery, outrage, the usual suspects and lessons never heeded.

Ignore the lessons, and a battered business moves on from 2025 into 2026 full of the usual good, sad, bad and ugly.

First, the good: Fighter of the Year. It starts with the obvious, Terence Crawford. He’s Fighter of the Year with a singular performance, one of the best in several years.

This corner has said before and will say it again: Crawford’s decision over Canelo Alvarez in mid-September reminded us why boxing was once called The Sweet Science. It was brilliant for its fundamental adherence to time-honored skills, including footwork and smarts.

Lesson: It can be done again. Here are two fighters who have a chance at doing it in forthcoming years, both contenders now.

First runner-up: Naoya Inoue, who in 2025 stayed busy – old-school style – with four fights including this corner’s Fight of the Year, a Las Vegas stoppage of Ramon Cardenas in May. In an early round, then unknown Cardenas floored Inoue, who is at his dynamic best when he’s in trouble. The dramatic comeback from the perilous edge of defeat also saved boxing on a weekend that included the wreckage from an abysmal event in New York’s Times Square.

Second runner-up: Jesse “Bam” Rodriguez. The three-division champ is boxing’s Quiet Man. He lets his performances speak for him. In 2026, they spoke volumes with two lethal stoppages, including this corner’s Knockout-of-the-Year of super-fly Fernando Martinez for a unified title.

It’s no coincidence that he and Inoue are linked in this Fighter-of-the-Year ballot. Bam-Inoue in late 2026 is the fight this corner wants to see more than any other.  

Now, the sad: A solemn 10-count for George Foreman, Ricky Hatton and Nino Benvenuti. Boxing lost all three in 2025. Foreman, ex-heavyweight champ from two eras, was a compelling story about personal transformation from angry to wise. A scary thug in the early 70s, he became as friendly as a cheeseburger in the 90s. Hatton was fearless and transparent, loved deeply by UK fans who serenaded him. Benvenuti, ex-undisputed middleweight champ with a matinee-idol’s look, is forever remembered by his fellow Italians.

Another 10-count for Michael Katz and Thomas Gerbasi, Sweet Scientists badly missed these days in the media seats. During times full of unsourced reports and feigned outrage in social media, both remind this corner that boxing can still be a writers’ sport.

On to the bad. It wouldn’t be boxing without it.

Worst Scorecard of the Year: Nawal Almohaimeed’s 118-110 in favor of Junto Nakatani in a unanimous decision over Sebastian Hernandez Nov. 22 in Riyadh. The other cards were 115-113, both for Nakatani and both debatable. The fight was supposed to set the stage for Inoue-versus-Nakatani in an all-time Japanese fight in May. 

Per sources close to the planned bout, Japanese promoter Akihiko Honda ended any chance of a speculated Bam-Nakatani fight months ago. He didn’t want to jeopardize plans for Inoue-Nakatani. 

Yet, Hernandez almost did what Honda feared Bam would. Questions linger about the decision and what it says about Nakatani’s chances versus Inoue.

The Enemy Within: Gervonta Davis calls himself Tank. That’s what’s he’s doing to his career. He’s tanking it with personal problems that never seem to end.

Davis has pound-for-pound skills and pound-for-pound troubles. The latest — a lawsuit alleging violent behavior, battery, and kidnapping – forced a cancellation of a date with Jake Paul, who wound up with a  fractured jaw when he decided to fight Anthony Joshua. In news conferences, Tank, 31, said he planned to retire after Paul. “Boxing is dead,’’ he said.

Exhibitions Ad Nauseam: Jake Paul, more promoter than fighter, suffered a painful loss – if not lesson – in facing Joshua. When Joshua’s brutal right snapped Paul’s jaw in two places, I immediately thought of an old line: You can’t play boxing. But authorities – the Florida Athletic Commission — allowed him to, despite the risk posed by Joshua’s enormous advantages in size and experience.

It reminded me of Paul’s date in November 2024 against Mike Tyson, aging yet in the ring despite a bleeding ulcer months before opening bell. Texas authorities shouldn’t have licensed Tyson, who was an accident waiting to happen. Fortunately, one didn’t. Against Joshua, the risk was to Paul, who’s victory over an ailing Tyson may have told him he could survive Joshua.

He couldn’t in what proved to be a sobering moment for somebody who is good for boxing only on the promotional side of the ropes.

Lesson: Do we really need to see Floyd Mayweather-versus-Tyson later this year? Resolve to just say no. 

By Norm Frauenheim

A consensus pound-for-pound champion is as temporary as it is rare, and — sure enough — Terence Crawford’s retirement this month reignites the debate about who’s No. 1.

Nobody is.

That’s an opinion, of course, but that’s all a pound-for-pound rating is anyway.

From this corner, the top spot is empty. In acronym-speak, it’s vacant and will remain so until somebody delivers a victory that’s proof of ownership.

For now, there are two contenders, both worthy. Take your pick, heavyweight Oleksandr Usyk or junior-featherweight Naoya Inoue, who was a 40-to-1 favorite to stay in contention before his bout Saturday against Allen David Picasso in Riyadh.

One rating already has filled the top spot. The Ring, Saudi-owned since it was purchased 14 months ago from Oscar De La Hoya, put Usyk into the top spot, moving him up like a passenger waiting in line for an open seat.

It was simple enough and somewhat expected. Usyk had been there, off and on, before Crawford left no doubt with his masterful decision over Canelo Alvarez in mid-September.

Even if Crawford makes a comeback nine months from now, his last fight serves as a guide, a lesson of sorts. To wit: One of boxing’s oldest debates should be driven more by performance than process.

Usyk and Inoue have resumes comparable to Crawford’s. Each is unbeaten; each has multiple belts at multiple weights. But neither has the kind of singular performance the equal of Crawford’s last triumph. Not yet.

With Crawford’s retirement, Inoue is the only undisputed champion in the pound-for-pound top 10. Even that, however, is part process. Usyk relinquished a piece of his undisputed title in November when he gave up the World Boxing Organization’s heavyweight version. 

He did so because of another process: Healing. Lingering injuries from his last fight prevented him from fulfilling a so-called mandatory date laid down by the acronym’s bureaucracy.

For now, we wait on Usyk’s next date, perhaps against the faded Deontay Wilder. Talks are said to be ongoing.

For now, we also wait on Inoue’s next real challenge. Prohibitive odds said it wouldn’t be against Picasso, a fighter with an artistic name and in need of something surreal to pull off a Buster Douglas-like upset.

It’s expected that Inoue’s chance at a definitive performance might happen early May in Japan against Junto Nakatani — also unbeaten and ranked among the pound-for-pound’s second five. Inoue-Nakatani is already being called the greatest prize-fight in Japanese history.

It’s no coincidence that Nakatani shared the Riyadh card with Inoue in a bout against Sebastian Hernandez, unbeaten before opening bell yet fighting a scheduled 12-rounder for the first time. It sets up what powerful promoter Akihiko Honda – Mr. Honda – has been planning for a couple of years. 

Until at least then, there’s a vacancy at the top of this pound-for-pound debate.    

Follow all the action as Jake Paul takes on former Heavyweight champion from Miami.  The action begins at 8 PM ET with Olympian Jahmal Harvey plus Anderson Silva takes on Tyron Woodley as well as unified junior lightweight champion Alycia Baumgardner battling Leila Beaudoin

THE PAGE WILL UPDATE AUTOMATICALLY; NO BROWSER REFRESH NEEDED

Round 1: Right from Joshua

Round 2 Joshua missing

Round 3 Paul gets in a left…Uooercut from Paul..Jab..Left to body from Joshua..

Round 4 Jab from Joshua..Right for Paul..Jab from Joshua,,uppercut..Left from Paul..

Round 5 Bug uooecut from Joshua..Paul lands a right..RIGHT AND DOWN GOES PAUL..RIGHT AND DOWN GOES PAUL..Right from Paul..Big Flurry from Joshua

Round 6 Right and left from Joshua…RIGHT AND DOWN GIES PAUL..Big uppercuy...HUGE RIGHT AND DOWN GIES PAUL..HE DOES NOT BEAT THE COUNT

ROUND 1 

ROUND 2 Right from Baumgardner…Right…

ROUND 3 Right from Baumgardner..Jab and right from Beaudoin…Counter from Baumgardner

ROUND 4 Beaudoin starting to swell under left eye.  Left from Baumgardner

ROUND 5 Counter right from Beaudoin…Short left hook from Baumgardner..Uppercut

ROUND 7 Good Counter from Baumgardmer..Right to head..Lead right..Counter from Beaudoin..Lead right from Baumgardner…Nice right…COUNTER RIGHT AND DOWN GOES BEAUDOIN

ROUND 8  3 punch combo from Baumgardner…Body…1-2…right to the body

ROUND 9 Counter left hook from Baumgardner..Right from Beaudoin,,Right from Baumgardner,,left and jab from Beaudoin..

ROUND 10 Jab from Beaudoin…Chceck left hook from Baumgarder…Body..Left hook..Lead left from Beaudoin..Jab to body from Baumgardner..3 punch combination

ROUND 11 Hard right and body shot from Baumgardner…Another body shot..Right to head from Beaudoin..Body shot..

ROUND 12 Right from Baumgardner

Round 1:
Round 2 Body shot from Silva...BIG RIGHT UPPERCUT AND DOWN GOES WOODLEY…THE FIGHT IS STOPPED

Round 1 Jab from Harvey..LEFT HOOK AND DOWN GOES CERVANTES..Right hook staggers Cervantes
Round 2 Lead right uppercut from Harvey
Round 3 Left from Harvey..2 Hard shots…Right Cross
Round 4 Chopping right from Harvey…Jab…Cerantes lands a right and right to body…Right uppercut and overhand left from Harvey..Double jab and body shot..Nice body 
Round 5 Right from Harvey
Round 6 Jab to body from Harvey.

60-53 ON ALL CARDS FOR HARVEY

It took Anthony Joshua longer then most expected, but once he caught up to Jake Paul, he bludgeoned the YouTube star and scored four knockdowns en-route to a sixth round stoppage at The Kaseya Center in Miami.

Paul started the fight by circling the exterior of the ring like he was trying out for the Olympic track team, not really looking to engage and looking to land a pot shot from time to time. Joshua loaded up on several occasions and swung at air.

Finally in round five, Paul started to look fatigued and Joshua landed some body shots that started to slow Paul down Later In the round, Joshua landed a big right hand that put Paul on the canvas. Joshua started to smell blood and dropped Paul with another right. Paul tried to fight back and was able to get out of the round. With Paul hurt, Joshua scored two knockdowns in round six with the latter being a crushing right to jaw and the Paul did not beat the count at 1:31.

Joshua, 243.4 lbs of Watford, ENG is 29-4 with 26 knockouts. Paul.216.6 lbs of Puerto Rico via Cleveland is 12-2.

Baumgardner Decisions Beaudoin; Retains Unified 130-Pound titles

Alycia Baumgardner retained her IBF/WBA/WBO 130-pound titles with a 12-round unanimous decisions over Leila Beaudoin

In round four, Beaudoin began to swell under left eye.

At the end of round seven, Baumgardner landed a short right to the side of the chin that sent Beaudoin down.

Baumgardner, 129.2 ls of Dallas won by scores of 117-110 twice and 118-109 and is now 17-1. Beaudoin, 130 lbs of Quebec is now13-2.

Anderson Silva Knocks Out Tyron Woodley in 2

50-year-old Anderson Silva stopped Tyron Woodley in round two of a scheduled eight-round cruiserweight bout featuring former UFC champions.

In round two, Silva landed a perfect right uppercut that dropped Woodley hard. Woodley got up but was unable to continue at 1:33.

Silva, 101.4 lbs of Brazil is now 4-2 with three knockouts. Woodleym 194 lbs of Saint Louis is 0-3.

Harvey Decisions Cervantes

Jahmal Harvey scored a six-round unanimous decision over Kevin Cervantes in a super featherweight bout.

In round one, Harvey dropped Cervantes with a left hand.

Harvey landed 185 of 460 punches. Cervantes landed 37 of 196.

Harvey, 129.6 lbs of Oxon Hill, MD won by scores of 60-53 on all cards and is now 2-0. Cervantes, 130 lbs is now 5-1.

In round six, DuBois dropped Panatta with a right hook to the jaw,

Yokasta Valle retained the WBC Strawweight title with a 10-round umajority decision over Yadira Bustillos.

Valle was cut over her right hairline in round three due to accidental headbutt. In round four, Bustillos was cut over her right eye.

Valle landed 154 of 504 punches. Bustillos was 136 of 541.

Valle, 104.8 lbs of San Jose, CR won by scores of 98-92, 96-94 and 95-95 and is now 34-3. Bustillos, 104.6 lbs of Las Vegas is 11-2..

Avious Griffin rebounded from a a knockout defeat to stop Justin Cardona in the opening round of their eight-round welterweight bout.

In round one, Griffin landed a huge left hook that staggered Cardona to the ropes and to the canvas and he did not beat the count at 2:59.

Griffin, 146.4 lbs of Chattanooga, TN is 18-1 with 17 knockouts. Cardona, 145.6 lbs

Olympic Silver medal winner Keno Marley won his pro debut with a four-round unanimous decision over Diarra Davis Jr. in a cruiserweight bout.

Early in round one, Marley landed a perfect right on the whiskers that sent Davis down.

Marley landed 103 of 222 punches. Davis was 25 of 150.

Marley, 198.6 lbs of Sao Paulo, BRA won by scores of 40-35 in all cards and is now 1-0. Davis, 188.4 lbs of Canyon County, CA is 2-2.

By Norm Frauenheim

Terence Crawford’s retirement is being called a surprise. Even a shock. But is it? Really? Or is it just consistent, another thread in a career defined by a stubborn, defiant brilliance?

After all, Crawford, unbeaten and uncompromising, always defied expectations.

In retiring this week just three months after his masterful victory over Canelo Alvarez, he simply did what he’s always done.

Beating Canelo was unexpected, even in the way he accomplished it. A dynamic finisher throughout his career, he instead scored a decision, dismantling a confused Canelo with a comprehensive skillset throughout 12 rounds. It was another example of Crawford doing what nobody thought he could or would.

Boxing’s cynical wisdom, of course, dictates that skepticism be attached to any retirement. History tells us that no retirement is complete without a comeback or three.

“History is never retired,’’ Crawford said Tuesday in his social-media announcement.

But it does get re-written as new generations produce moments and fighters with their own timeless claims and challenges.

Guess here: Crawford’s legacy – three undisputed titles at three weights – will evolve. For now, there’s an intriguing debate about who was better, Crawford or Floyd Mayweather.

Their eras overlap; their styles were different; their ring IQs were similar. There’s no real answer to who was better. Never will be.

But the debate itself suggests that both could have held their own during a golden era defined by Four Kings, author George Kimball’s book about Sugar Ray Leonard, Marvin Hagler, Thomas Hearns and Roberto Duran. If Crawford and Mayweather were fighting then, there might have been six kings.

Crawford’s pursuit of legacy looks to be genuine, even more so than the one created by Mayweather, who has continued to pursue money in exhibitions after ending his real career at 50-0 against mixed-martial artist Conor McGregor.

The often-edgy Crawford is known for a lot of things. Above all, he’s authentic and so is his 42-0 record. He could risk that with a comeback many believe could happen next September in a rich rematch against Canelo, who reportedly had already been seeking a chance to avenge the one-sided loss he suffered at Vegas’ Allegiant Stadium.

Big money is the draw, and $100 million is as big as it gets. There has already been speculation that’s the number Crawford asked for when rumors surfaced that Canelo wanted a rematch. Canelo, the longtime face of Mexican boxing, got $100-million-plus in September, according to Saudi Prince and promoter Turki Alalshikh.

One-hundred million changes minds. It’s a fortune Crawford couldn’t ignore, especially against somebody he’s already beaten decisively.

But the risk that lurks is in a number not preceded by a dollar sign. This is about time, measured by years instead of dollars. Crawford, who collected a reported $50 million for beating Canelo, will be 39 next September.

In the here-and-now, his retirement sounds genuine. It takes him away from the rigors and risks of thinking about another opening bell. It also preserves a legacy he knows is already his.

A loss, at any price, wouldn’t destroy that, but it could tarnish the unbeaten record and put him at risk of losing the argument about how his all-time resume stands up against Mayweather.

Whatever happens, his announcement does Canelo a favor. Belt-less for the first time in years, it offers the Mexican a couple of paths back to a world title.

In early December, the World Boxing Council created an alternate path back to a world-title belt by stripping Crawford of the super-middleweight version and then ordering that the vacancy be filled by the winner of a Christian Mbilli-Hamzah Sheeraz fight.

Two weeks later, Canelo, who is recovering from elbow surgery, figures to have a few other options back to IBF, WBO and/or WBA belts vacated by Crawford’s retirement.

The WBC decision was dominated by the controversy brought on by Crawford’s profane social-media counter to the ruling body, which said it took the belt because Crawford had not paid sanctioning fees, reported to be $300,000.

The subsequent furor might set the stage for fundamental change in the boxing-business’ hierarchy. But Crawford’s announcement Tuesday also suggests that the belt didn’t mean a damn thing to him any more.

Instead, he was angered by the WBC going public with why it was making the move. Intended or not, the WBC provoked a Crawford reaction. The proud Crawford, already known for not suffering fools gladly, is even more contemptuous of anybody who tries to make a fool out of him.

He fired back with familiar fury. A personal memory: I’ve long believed that it’s hard to understand Crawford without having seen him fight in Omaha, his hometown. The midwestern city is in his DNA. It’s a long way from the Vegas strip, New York and LA. By boxing standards, it’s in a different universe.

Omaha is a city most great fighters leave. But not Crawford, a loyal son who fights for it with tenacity.

In October 2018, I was there for a fight against Jose Benavidez Jr., David Benavidez’ older brother and then still a welterweight contender. The fight was preceded by trash talk, some of it racial.

At the weigh-in, things came to a full-blown boil. Benavidez, Phoenix born-and-forged, reached across the scale and shoved Crawford.

Crawford quickly reacted as though he was enraged at somebody trying to embarrass him in front of hometown fans. He threw an uppercut, one that was intended to land, yet narrowly missed Benavidez’ exposed chin.

The fight was allowed to proceed. The next night, however, Omaha police were on alert. Armed officers filled the ring before opening bell and were present throughout the building throughout the fight. The place was jammed with Crawford fans, including famed investor Warren Buffett.

Surprisingly, a fearless Benavidez survived 11 rounds, but Crawford finished him with an uppercut followed by two right hands in the final seconds. The crowd went wild, roaring almost as if Crawford, one of them, had won one for them. Within the ropes, retaliation is fair play. Crawford delivered it with authority.

And authenticity. Benavidez was never the same.

In the end, it’s the authenticity that people see in Crawford. Another personal experience: As I finished writing last September and left my seat in the Allegiant Stadium press box high above the ring, I stepped into the elevator. An older woman was the elevator attendant.

As we headed down to the first floor, she looked at me and smiled:

“I love Terence Crawford,’’ she said. “There’s nothing phony there.’’

Nothing phony in that retirement, either.

By Norm Frauenheim

The echoes from last week’s noisy Terence Crawford-World Boxing Council feud include lots of talk about what’s next for an always contentious business suddenly facing some fundamental change.

Still, it’s a guessing game. The only sure thing is that Crawford and the WBC won’t be exchanging Christmas cards this month. All else remains unpredictable. In other words: Business as usual.

Amid all the personal insults and profanity, however, one thing got lost in the WBC’s decision to strip Crawford of its super-middleweight belt for what it said was a failure to pay a $300,000 sanctioning fee. Crawford denied he had agreed to pay anything at all in an angry rant that made fee sound like just another f-word.

Take the belt, said Crawford, who doesn’t need it any more anyway. His undisputed resume is forever there, witnessed throughout his masterful decision over Canelo Alvarez by more than 72,000 at Vegas’ Allegiant Stadium and a Netflix audience in mid-September.  

The WBC can take the belt.

But not the legacy.

The WBC strip, however, created a path for Canelo to reclaim it.

Canelo, the longtime face of Mexican boxing, has already announced he intends to be back, sometime next year after he recovers from left-elbow surgery, which he underwent in October.

For the first time in years, Canelo will be without a belt, especially the WBC’s green belt, by far the most valued one by fighters throughout the acronym era.

Before the Mexico City-based WBC stripped Crawford, the guess was that Canelo would have to face Crawford all over again in a problematic bid to reclaim the WBC belt, long the crown jewel in a collection that includes WBA, WBO, IBF and — increasingly — The Ring.

Crawford’s skillful victory in September suggests that a second fight would play out the same way. Once again, Crawford would dominate.

In the September showdown’s initial aftermath, there looked to be only one way for Canelo to regain a world title at super-middle. He had to go through Crawford. But the WBC opened an alternate path by stripping Crawford and ordering a Hamzah Sheeraz-Christian Mbilli fight for the vacant belt.

Canelo’s chances at regaining a title? Against Crawford or the Sheeraz-Mbilli winner? Dumb questions. After what happened in September, Canelo’s best shot is the latter, against Sheeraz or Mbilli.

Canelo’s are slim to none against Crawford, who goes into the New Year apparently undecided about his future, yet undisputed in the pound-for-pound debate. He’s the consensus No.1, rare in a business known more for only disputes.

By now, of course, the WBC’s relationship with Canelo is no secret. David Benavidez, a Phoenix born-and-forged fighter and current WBC light-heavyweight champion, was the WBC’s longtime interim champion at 168 pounds.

Interim doesn’t mean much, but it is supposed to come with a mandatory shot at the champion. In this case, it was Canelo. But Benavidez never got that mandatory, and the WBC never enforced it with even a threat to strip Canelo.

The WBC has been ripped for its favorable treatment of Canelo. To be sure, Crawford repeated it in his broadside.

That said – and Crawford said plenty, it’s still not clear whether he’ll be fighting for any kind of belt anymore. Before the WBC stripped him, there had been speculative reports that Canelo wanted a rematch. There were also speculative reports that Crawford would ask for the $100-million-plus purse Canelo received in September.

A sequel might attract streaming services willing to pay a fortune for an escalated episode of drama and trash talk. But heightened hostility between Crawford and WBC might be a hurdle. Could the two ever do business together again?

Reported options for Crawford also include a bid for another title at another weight, 160-pounds. At 38-years-old, however, retirement is still another possibility. Crawford just delivered a singular performance, one that reminded us why boxing was once called The Sweet Science.

It would be hard to top that one and maybe even harder to recreate, especially if Canelo opts to take the easier path.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Lamont Roach Jr. and Isaac Cruz fought to a 12-round majority draw in a tough fight for the WBC Interim Super Lightweight title at the Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Texas.

In round three, Cruz landed a left hook that sent Roach sprawling and his left glove hit the canvas for a knockdown. +

In round seven, Cruz was deducted a point for hitting on the hip.

Cruz landed 1599 of 544 punches. Roach was 191 of 467.

Cruz, 138.6 lbs of Mexico City is 28-3-2. Roach of Washington, DC is 25-1-3.

“I knew he would stand his ground and go toe-to-toe, but I know how to box too,” said Cruz. “People don’t realize I can box.”

“Hats off to ‘Pitbull,’” said Roach. “He’s a great champion himself. I gave the fans a great fight. Back to the drawing board.”

“All I want is a fair shake,” said Roach. “I think I should have won a close victory. All I want is a fair shake. That’s it…I don’t know what I got to do. I don’t accept this at all. I clearly thought I won a close fight. I’m tired of this.”

“I did my job,” said Cruz. “I did my work. The ref was on his side. The judges too. The crowd in San Antonio saw I won this fight…Absolutely I’d do a rematch. With a different referee who is not on his side. The referee took this fight from me.”

Foster Decisions Fulton to Win Interim Lightweight Crown

Junior Lightweight titlist O’Shaquie Foster won a 12-round unanimous decision over featherweight World champion Stephen Fulton to win the WBC Interim Lightweight title.

Foster landed 191 of 600 punches. Fulton was 56 of 438.

Foster, 130 lbs of Houston, TX won by scores of 119-109,118-110 and 117 -111 and is now 24-3. Fulton, 132 lbs of Philadelphia was 2 pounds overweight for the 130 lb. bout is now 23-2.

“The game plan was to stay smart, stay sharp and get him out of there in the later rounds,” said Foster. “But he’s a damn good fighter and a veteran and he knew how to survive.”

“I want Shakur Stevenson,” said Foster. “I’ve been saying it for the longest. But it looks like he’s gonna fight at 140. So I have to choose either 130 or 135. I’ll see what happens and make a decision.”

Lara Decisions Gonzalez; Retains Middleweight Title

Erislandy Lara retained the WBA Middleweight title with a unanimous decision over late-replacement Johan Gonzalez.

Late in round 12, Lara landed three straight lefts that put Gonzalez on the canvas.

Lara.159.6 lbs of Houston won by scores of 120-108, 119-107 and 118-108 and is now 32-3-3. Gonzalez, 158.6 lbs of Las Vegas, took the fight after unified world champion Janibek Alimkhanuly failed a drug test is now 36-5.

“Gonzalez came to fight and he came to win,” said Lara. “We knew him a little bit, so we were ready for that and we made the adjustments we needed to make. He was a tough opponent who had a great opportunity in front of him, but we executed the game plan.”

“I spend all my time at the gym, so I had no problem being ready for this fight,” said Gonzalez. There are no excuses, but I did feel that Lara didn’t come to fight me the way he said he would.

“I felt a little uncomfortable in the first few rounds,” said Gonzalez. “The first knockdown was a punch and a slip. The second was a clean shot from Lara.”

“I showed the world that I’m 42-years-old and I’m still at the top of my game,” said Lara. “I can compete with the best. I don’t care at all about Janibek and I don’t wanna talk about him anymore.” 

Ramos Decisions Mosley Jr. To Win Interim Middleweight Title

Jesus Ramos Jr. won a 12-round unanimous decision over Shane Mosley Jr. to win the WBC Interim Middleweight title.

Ramos landed 201 of 613 punches. Mosley was 210 of 573.

Ramos, 159.8 lbs of Casa Grande, AZ won by scores of 117-111 twice and 116-112 and is now 24-1. Mosley, 159.6lbs of Pomona, CA is 22-5.

“I was just being myself,” said Ramos. “I’m not gonna lie, it was tough. I actually had a right hand injury the last three weeks of camp. We didn’t spar for the last four weeks. So it was tough to get my timing. I would catch a rhythm and lose it. I faced a lot of obstacles but I told my family there was no way I was leaving San Antonio without a belt.”

“It was a hell of a fight,” said Mosley. “Thanks to Ramos and everyone who made this fight happen. He was the man tonight. I’ll be back and be better.”

“He never hurt me but he did surprise me,” said Ramos. “I never felt rocked, but I was surprised. He hit me with shots I wasn’t expecting. But I never felt like my legs weren’t there.”

“In those last few rounds I just kept remembering the Erickson Lubin fight,” said Ramos. “I kept getting flashbacks and I didn’t want the same thing to happen again. I kept pushing and pushing. I was in a dark place in that 10th round. I was tired, but I knew it would be worth it when the final bell rang. 

“I want Carlos Adames. He’s the full champion. I don’t want the interim belt, I want the champion.”

Former world title challenger Frank Martin scored a devastating fourth round stoppage over former two-division world champion Rances Barthelemy in a 10-round junior welterweight bout.

In round two, Barthlelemy was cut above the right eye. In round four, Martin dropped Barthelemy with an overhand left. Moments later, Martin landed a perfect left to the jaw that put Barthelemy down and out at 2:56

“Man, it felt good,” said Martin after his first fight with trainer Buddy McGirt in his corner. “I felt more comfortable at this weight. I still got my speed. I felt strong. I felt better than my two fights before this. It took me a little time to warm up and get going but, then I saw the shot we’ve been working on. That’s why I took my chance and landed it.

“I feel like I got slept on. I took one loss. It’s a new era. I’m here and I’m back. No disrespect to any of the main event fighters, but I’ll fight any of them next.”

Martin, 139.4 lbs of Indianapolis, IN is 19-1 with 13 knockouts. Barthelemy, 139.8 lbs of Las Vegas is 30-4-1.

Isaac Lucero stopped Roberto Valenzuela Jr. in round eight of their 10-round super welterweight bout.

In round one, Lucero dropped Valenzuela with a clubbing right.

In round eight, Lucero landed a hard right that drove Valenzuela back to the ropes. Lucero then land five more crushing head shots just before the bell sounded and referee Mark Nelson stopped the bout at 2:59.

Lucero, 153.8 lbs of Le Paz, MEX is now 18-0 with 14 knockouts. Valenzuela, 154 lbs of Aqua Prieta, MEX is 31-6.

Luis Nunez won a 10-round unanimous decision over Hector Sosa in a featherweight bout.

In round seven, Nunez began to bleed from the nose.

Nunez, 126 lbs of Puerto Plata, DR won by scores of 98-92, 97-93 and 96-94 and is now 22-0. Sosa, 1256 lbs of Buenos Aries, ARG is 18-3.

SAN RAMON, CALIFORNIA – Undefeated welterweight Jacob Macalolooy ends the longest layoff of his pro career as he meets his toughest test to date in once-beaten Angel Munoz in the six-round main event of the BXNG TV-broadcasted “Brawl in the Bay” on Saturday night at the Alameda County Fairgrounds in nearby Pleasanton, California. Fighters weighed-in for the seven-bout card, presented by Elite Underdog Promotions, at Benjamin’s Boxing in San Ramon on Friday morning. 

Macalolooy (9-0, 4 KOs) of Union City, California was kept away from the ring over the last 13 months due to the business side of the sport, as it was not anything physical that delayed the rise of the unbeaten welterweight prospect. After fighting five times over the previous two years, Macalolooy has only seen two rounds of competitive ring action thus far in 2025, as he took part in the Team Combat League, fighting two, one-round fights on June 27th in Arizona. 

“It wasn’t up to me,” said Macalolooy regarding his year away from traditional ring action. “I’ve been trying to fight all year. I was signed with another promoter and ended that contract at the beginning of the year. Then I floated around as a free agent, trying to pick up some fights. I came real close, started a camp and everything. When that didn’t happen, I ended up fighting for the TCL for the Phoenix Fury team, but it was just a couple rounds, nothing really serious. But I stayed ready and I had this fight on my radar. They had it set pretty far out, so I knew I was going to finish my year fighting here, but I didn’t know it would be my only fight of the year.”  

Hoping to derail the local favorite’s return, Angel Munoz (7-1, 5 KOs) of San Bernardino, California saw his undefeated rise derailed inside the ring earlier this year. Munoz will be looking to rebound from his only professional defeat, a six-round unanimous decision to well-regarded David Whitmire this past March at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. Munoz, who began his career with three straight knockouts, is a formidable opponent for a local prospect coming back from over a year away and that is by Macalolooy’s design. 

“I am always looking for good fights,” says Macalolooy. “I am never looking to pad my record and take the easy way out. I am trying to push my way up the rankings and get closer and closer to being a contender and getting a title shot. Once they put [Munoz] in front of me, I said, ‘Perfect. Let’s run it.’” 

Macalolooy, a few inches shorter than his fellow southpaw opponent, weighed-in at 148 ½-pounds, while Munoz scaled 146 ½.

An otherwise cordial weigh-in saw a spike in excitement during the face-off between light heavyweights Kumar Prescod and Isaac Johnson, who will fight in a four-rounder on Saturday night. 

Prescod (3-0-1, 3 KOs) of Oakland, California was last in the ring on August 16th when an unfortunate clash of heads brought an unsatisfying end to his night. Prescod was dominant through two completed rounds against Michael Nelson, but along the way an accidental headbutt had opened up a cut above Nelson’s eye. Prior to the start of the third, the fight was called on the advice of the ringside physician, resulting in a technical draw. 

Johnson (4-15-1, 1 KO) of Denver, Colorado presents the most experienced opposition Prescod has seen early in his promising career. When Johnson turned professional in 2015, Prescod was eight-years-old. While it is questionable what type of power he carries at light heavyweight, Johnson has only been stopped four times in his fifteen career defeats. 

Things got heated during the ceremonial weigh-in after some trash talk turned into a shoving match initiated by Prescod. The two were quickly separated, but continued their vocal disagreement before being further removed from each other. According to Johnson, the beef stems from the circumstances of Prescod’s weight. The bout had originally been contracted for 172-pounds. Johnson was not informed of Prescod’s inability to make the weight until the morning of the weigh-in and agreement came to pass just before it took place. By the time they hit the scales for the official weigh-in, which took place before their shoving match during the ceremonial one, Prescod weighed-in at 176-pounds, while Johnson, who turned pro at lightweight, scaled 174. 

Making his U.S. debut, exciting power-punching junior welterweight Rob Gutierrez Jr. (2-0, 2 KOs) of San Jose, California takes on Imer Lima (1-0-1, 1 KO) of Los Angeles, California in a four-round bout on Saturday. Gutierrez, trained out of Benjamin’s Boxing by former world champion James Page and Ali Benjamin, scaled 141 ½-pounds on Friday, while Lima, also making his stateside debut, scaled 140. 

Both looking to nab their first professional victory, Johnie Williams (0-0-1) of Suisun City, California takes on Terrence Coleman (0-1) of New York, New York in a bout contested just over the super middleweight limit and scheduled for four rounds. Williams, whose name has appeared on a few Northern California bout sheets over the last couple years before his fight ultimately falls off, is coming off of a majority draw in Stockton in May. Coleman came up short against a tough assignment in his pro debut, ironically on the same day Williams fought, falling to Ethan Smith, who is now 4-0 with three knockouts. Williams scaled 170 ½-pounds, while Coleman made 171 ½-pounds. 

In an intriguing super featherweight fight, Tiare Womack (2-0, 2 KOs) takes on Danna Pineda (1-0) of Orosi, California in a four-rounder. Womack, who trains out of Benjamin’s Boxing in San Ramon, where the weigh-in was held, thrilled the fans at the Alameda County Fairgrounds by scoring a devastating first-round knockout over six-fight veteran Lauren Michaels in her pro debut this past May. Pineda turned pro with a four-round unanimous decision over Tanishia Lopez in Merced, California on September 12th. Womack and Pineda, two fighters with some amateur accolades to their credit, both scaled 129 ½-pounds. 

Making their professional debuts, Colin Madlangbayan of Hayward, California will take on Ralie Gulley of Fresno, California in a four-round lightweight bout. Madlangbayan, who often can be found sparring at Benjamin’s Boxing, offered his hand in sportsmanship after a long stare down, but Gulley refused to oblige. Both fighters scaled the same 133 ½-pounds. 

Making his U.S. debut, Danny Belloso Jr. (1-0, 1 KO) of Modesto, California will take on Antonio Ferrel (0-2) of Santa Rosa, California in the four-round super bantamweight opener on Saturday night. Belloso, who turned professional in Mexico at age 17 this past March, scaled 121 ½-pounds, while Ferrel, taking on his third straight tough assignment, weighed-in at 123-pounds even.     

Quick Weigh-in Results:

Welterweights, 6 Rounds

Macalolooy 148 ½ 

Munoz 146 ½ 

Light heavyweights, 4 Rounds

Prescod 176

Johnson 174 

Light welterweights, 4 Rounds

Gutierrez Jr. 141 ½ 

Lima 140

Super middleweights, 4 Rounds

Williams 170 ½ 

Coleman 171 ½ 

Super featherweights, 4 Rounds

Womack 129 ½ 

Pineda 129

Lightweights, 4 Rounds

Madlangbayan 133 ½ 

Gulley 133 ½ 

Super bantamweights, 4 Rounds

Belloso Jr. 121 ½ 

Ferrel 123

Tickets for the event, promoted by Elite Underdog Promotions and Benjamin’s Boxing, are available online at Eventbrite.com 

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

By Norm Frauenheim

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

the sport of rival belts and acronym influence.

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

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

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

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

By Norm Frauenheim

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

Canelo’s day.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Boldly, Benavidez has put himself first in line.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

David Benavidez retained the WBC Light Heavyweight title with seventh round stoppage over Anthony Yarde at the ANB Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

In round seven, Yarde began to bleed from his mouth and nose. Late in the round the pressure of Benavidez took over as he scored a knockdown from a non stop flurry of punches. Benavidez finished off Yarde when he continued he ferocious assault that was capped off by two left hooks on the chin and the fight was stopped at 1:59.

Benavidez, 174.3 lbs of Phoenix is 31-0 with 25 knockouts. Yarde, 173.9 lbs of London is 27-4.

Haney Drops, Decisions Norman; Wins Welterweight Title

Devin Haney became a three-division world champion as he won the WBO Welterweight title with a 12-round unanimous decision over Brian Norman Jr.

In round two, Haney dropped Norman with a hard left hook to the head that was followed by a crushing right.

Haney, 146.6 lbs of Miami won by scores of 117-110, 116-111 and 114-113 and is now 33-0. Norman, 146.12 lbs of Decatur, GA is 28-1.

Jesse Rodriguez Knocks Out Fernando Martinez To Unify 115 Lb. Title

Jesse Rodriguez is now the WBA/WBC/WBO 115-pound champion with a 10th round stoppage over Fernando Martinez.

In round 10, Rodriguez landed a perfect left counter on the jaw that sent Martinez down for the count at 1:27.

Rodriguez, 114.6 lbs of San Antonio is now 23-0 with 16 knockouts. Martinez, 113.2 lbs of Buenos Aires, ARG is 18-1.

Mason Decisions Noakes to Win Vacant WBO Lightweight title

In a terrific back and forth brawl, Abdullah Mason won the vacant WBO Lightweight title with a unanimous decision over Sam Noakes

In round three, Noakes began to bleed around the left eye due to a clash of heads. In round four, Mason was cut under the right eye.

Mason, 134 lbs of Cleveland won by scores of 117-111 and 115-113 twice and is now 17-0.. Noakes, 134.9 lbs of Kent, ENG is 17-1.

At 21, Mason is now the youngest world champion.

Mielnicki Jr. Stops Nmomah in 9

Vito Mielnicki Jr. stopped Samuel Nmomah in round nine of their 10-round middleweight bout.

In round nine, Mielnicki landed a perfect counter right that hurt Nmomah. Mielnicki followed that up with a flurry that was punctuated with a left that put Nmomah hard on the canvas and the fight was stopped at 3:09.

Mielnicki, 159.1 lbs of Roseland, NJ is 22-1 with 13 knockouts. Nmomah, 159.6 lbs of Lagos, NIG is 21-1.

Mohammed Alakel remained undefeated with a six-round unanimous decision over Jiaming Li in a junior lightweight bout.

In round five, Alakel dropped Li at the end of the frame with a perfect counter right to the head.

Alakel, 131.6 lbs of Riyadh, SA won by scores of 60-53 on all cards and is now 7-0. Li, 132.4 lbs of Zho Hi, CHN is 7-6.

Julio Porras and Pius Mpenda fought to a six-round draw in a super middleweight bout

All three cards read even at 57-57.

Porras, 167.9 lbs of Sonora, MEX is 13-0-1. Mpenda, 166.12 lbs of Tanzania is 11-4-2.

In round five, Porras began to bleed from his nose.

Mohammad Alohammad stopped Umash Chavan in the opening round of their four-round junior lightweight bout

Alomohammed dominated and landed a flurry in the corner that forced Chavan to turn his back and the fight was stopped at 2:05.

Alomahammed, 129 lbs of Riyadh is now 2-0 with one stoppage. Chavan, 129.9 lbs of Mapusa, IND is 3-2.

Juan El Guerito De Pito made a successful pro debut with a four-round unanimous decision over Barker Sswanyama in a bantamweight fight.

In round four, Ssewanyana was deducted a point for holding.

The 16-year-old De Pita, 116.9 lbs of Mexico City won by scores of 40-35 on all cards and is 1-0. Sswanyama, 115.3 lbs of Uganda is 1-2-1.

By Norm Frauenheim

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Jr. on boxing’s developing marquee for 2026.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

By Norm Frauenheim

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

For now, it doesn’t matter.

Benavidez’ newfound future starts with Yarde.

Back to AZ

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Conor Benn won a 12-round unanimous decision over Chris Eubank Jr. in a middleweight rematch in front of over 65,00 fans at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London

Unlike the first fight, which saw the two offspring of legendary rivals, the fight was fought at a slower boxing pace which saw Benn use his speed to dominate from the early going. Eubank could never get anything going as Benn was extremely focused on his gameplan.

In round 12, Benn put the cherry on top of his performance by scoring two knockdowns. The first coming from a perfect 1-2 where the right hand hit Eubank on the top of the head. Benn dropped Eubank again when he landed a flurry of punches on Eubank, whose legs were wobbly and he fell to the canvas for a second time.

Benn, 159.3 lbs of Essex won by scores of 119-107, 118-108 and 116-110 and is now 24-1. Eubank, 159.1 lbs of Brighton is 35-4.

Catterall Stops Essuman in 11

Jack Catterall scored a 11th round stoppage over Ekow Essuman in their 12-round welterweight bout.

In round four, Catterall landed a perfect straight left to head that put a bloody Essuman on his back. In round 11, Catterall upped the pressure and hurt Essuman until the fight was stopped at 51 seconds.

Catterall, 146.7 lbs of Chorley, ENG is 32-2 with 14 knockouts. Essuman, 146.5 lbs of Nottingham is 22-2.

Azim Takes Out Scoby in 12th

Adam Azim scored a 12th and final round stoppage over Kurt Scoby in a junior welterweight bout.

Azim beat down Scoby over 11 rounds and in round 12, Azim landed a left hook to the jaw that made Scoby take a knee. Scoby got to his feet, but was deemed unable to continue and the fight was stopped at 2:01.

Azim, 139.9 lbs of Slough, ENG is 14-0 with 11 knockouts. Scoby, 139.8 lbs of California is 18-2.

Riakhphore Stops Welch in 2

Richard Riakphore stopped Tommy Welch in round two of their 10-round heavyweight bout.

In round two, Riakphore dropped Welch with a hard right to the head. Later in the round, it was another right to right to the head that put Welch down. Riakphire ended things with a big right on the ropes for a third knockdown and the fight was stopped at 2:48.

Riakphore, who challenged for a ctusierweight world title, bulked up to 236.7 lbs and the London native is now 19-1 with 16 knockouts. Welch, 233 lbs of Brighton, ENG is 16-1.

Ishmael Davis Decisons Dam Gilley

Ishmael Davis eked out a 12-round unanimous decision over Sam Gilley in a junior middleweight bout.

Davis, 142.9 lbs of Leeds won by scores of 115-113 twice and 115-114 and is now 15-3. Gilley, 154 lbs of London is 18-2-1.

Mikie Tallon stopped Fezan Shahid in round five of their six-round flyweight bout.

In round five, Tallon landed a perfect uppercut that followed a combination that put Shahid down for the count at 3:06

Tallon, 111.5 lbs of Liverpool is 11-0 with two knockouts. Shahid, 11Bradford. ENG is 4-3-2.

Vergil Ortiz Jr. took out Erickson Lubin in round two of a 12-round WBC Interim Super Welterweight bout at Dickie Arena in Fort Worth, Texas.

After a feeling-out first round, Ortiz pinned Lubin on the ropes and landed six short shots which was highlighted by a right around the gloves to the head and a left hook to the jaw that completely froze Lubin on the ropes and the fight was stopped before Lubin could get seriously hurt at 1:30.

Ortiz, 153.8 lbs of Grand Prairie, TX is 24-0 with 22 knockouts. Lubin, 154 lbs of Kissimmee, FL is 27-3,

After the fight, Ortiz and Jaron “Boots” Ennis confronted each other and stared down which will hopefully set up a huge fight between the two that will take place in the first quarter of 2026.

“There wasn’t much to evaluate — I just capitalized on his mistakes. I took as much information as I could and used it. The adjustments I made in the second round were to just be cautious. I’m patient,” said Vergil Ortiz Jr.

“I feel people think I’m just a come-forward fighter. Yeah, I’m a come-forward fighter — I love the fight. That’s why I’m in boxing. But you have to be smart too, and I can be smart when I want. I kind of felt I would dominate Lubin, but I just had to believe in myself, and that’s what I did. There were so many people saying I was going to get gassed or that he was going to knock me out. Look, he’s a great fighter, but there are levels to this.”

“This win motivated me a lot. We’re ready for the best — we’re going to fight the best. Boots, come over here!”

Fulghum and Stevens Fight to Draw

Darius Fulghum and David Stevens fought to a 10-round majority draw in a super middleweight bout.

Scores were 96-94 for Fulghum and 95-95 twice.

Fulghum landed 99 of 359 punches. Stevens was 97 of 414.

Fulghum, 167.8 lbs of Houston is 14-1-1. Stevens, 168 lbs of Reading, PA is 15-2-1.

Safar Decisions Miller

In a battle of undefeated cruiserweight, Robin Safar won a 10-round unanimous decision over Derrick Miller Jr.

At the very end of round two, Safar tried to headbutt Miller and he was deducted a point.

Safar, 199.8 lbs of Las Vegas won by scores of 99-90 twice and 98-81 and is now 19-0. Miller, 197.6 lbs of Monroe, MI is 18-1

Eric Priest and Esneiker Correa battled to a eight-round draw in a middleweight bout.

Priest won a card 79-73; Correa took a card 77-75 and a third card was even at 76-76.

Priest, 160.2 lbs of Los Angeles is 16-0-1. Correa, 159.6 lbs of Miami us 16-6-3.

Javier Meza won a six-round unanimous decision over Joshua Briones in a welterweight bout.

Meza, 142 lbs of Amarillo, TX won by scores of 59-55 and 58-56 twice and is now 5-0. Briones, 141.2 lbs of El Paso, TX is 3-5-1.

Sam Castellanos stopped Ricardo Elizalde in round two of their four-round super welterweight clash.

Castellanos scored a knockdown in round two and the bout was stopped at 1:55 when the corner of Elialde stopped the bout,

Castellanos, 152,2 lbs of Gilroy, CA is 4-0 with tree knockouts, Elizalde, 153 lbs of Tulsa, OK is 0-2.

By Norm Frauenheim

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

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

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

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

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

He didn’t.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Rest-In-Peace, Victor Conte

Major card back in PHX plans

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

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

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

By Norm Frauenheim

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

It still can be.

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

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

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

Of course, he would.

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

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

“A real fight,” he said.

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

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

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

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

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

David Benavidez on the move

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

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

Mikaela Mayer won the WBA/WBC/WBO super welterweight titles with a 10-round unanimous decision over Mary Spencer at Montreal Casino in Montreal, Canada.

Mayer was the more active fighter as she came out from the opening bell unleashing heavy combinations. She seemed to do that round after round with the bigger Spencer landing some good shots but they were one at a time. Mayer, who was a champion at 130, 135 (interim) and is currently the WBO Welterweight title adds more hardware to her trophy case as she won by scores of 100-90 and 98-92 twice.

Mayer, 151 lbs of Colorado Springs, CO is 22-2. Spencer, 152.8 lbs of Montreal is 10-3.

“Usually, I’m the taller fighter. But because I’m the taller fighter, I also know how to beat me. And it’s never good when you’re the taller fighter and you let the other fighter get underneath.”

“So, I knew I had to come up underneath Mary Spencer and just come over the top with the big hooks. That’s what we trained for, and you saw me towards the last three rounds of the fight, really landing those big right and left hooks to the head.”

“I think the most important thing is I have options. That’s great in boxing. You always want options. I came off two years where my career kind of took a left turn. I had to navigate my way back to this position. So having options is definitely a blessing.”

“I’ll have to go back and go over things my team. I would love to defend both belts. I can go back to 147, become undisputed there, and maybe come back up and defend at 154.”

“I think I’m a natural 147-pounder. Mary Spencer is a strong, solid opponent. Props to her. She didn’t have to take this fight. She took a big risk taking on a fighter like me. And I always come forward and put on tough fights, so props to her.”

“She’s a heavy-handed girl. And 154 is different. But I think that was a great experience for me, and I can do both. I can do both, so we’ll have to see what is the best option we have.”

In an entertaining super middleweight bout, Wilens Mathieu won a 10-round unanimous decision over Shakeel Phinn.

In round three, Mathieu rocked Phinn with a hard right and then dropped Phinn with a right to the head.

Mathieu had Phinn in trouble several more times, but Phinn hung in there and was able to back up Mathieu and make the fight interesting, but it was noy enough as Mathieu won by scores of 99-90 and 98-91 twice.

Mathieu, 167.8 lbs of Montreal is 15-0. P

Arthur Biyarslanov remained undefeated with a 10-round unanimous decision over former world champion Sergey Lipinets in a junior welterweight bout.

Biyarslanov, 139.7 lbs of Toronto won by scores of 99-90,97-92 and 96-93 and is now 20-0. Lipinets, 139.6 lbs of Woodland Hills, CA is 18-5-1.

In round four, Lipinets began to bleed from his forehead

In round three, Biyarslanov landed a straight left that put Lipinets on his back.

Christopher Guerrero won an 10-round unanimous decision over Williams Andres Herrera in a welterweight bout.

Guerrero, 146.9 lbs of Montreal won by scores of 99-91, 98-92 and 97-93 and is now 16-0. Herrera, 146.3 lbs of Argentina is 17-10.

Fabio Wardley stopped former world champion Joseph Parker to win the the WBO Heavyweight title in a thrilling fight at The O2 Arena in London.

In round 10, Wardley opened up with a big flurry at the end of the round that caused a cut around the left eye of Parker. In round 11, Wardley landed a similar flurry that had Parker reeling on the ropes, but he seemed to have his senses but the fight was stopped at 1:54.

Wardley, 242.7 lbs of Ipswich, ENG is 20-0-1 with 19 knockouts. Parker, 262.4 lbs of South Auckland, NZ is 36-4,

Uldedaj Decisions Lambert

Juergen Uldedaj won a 12-round unanimous decision over Rolly Lambert in a cruiserweight bout.Ui

Uldedaj, 199.15 lbs of Germany via Albania won by scores of 120-108, 119-109 and 118-110 and is now 21-1. Lambert, 199.8 lbs of Dubai via Cameroon is 18-4-1.

Taylor Stops Woodall in 9

Ezra Taylor remained undefeated with a ninth round stoppage over late replacement Steed Woodall in a light heavyweight bout.

Taylor dominated the fight against the game Woodall. In round nine, Taylor opened up on Woodall with a flurry of power shots on the ropes that forced the corner to throw in the towel at

Taylor, 173.9 lbs of Nottingham, ENG is 13-0 with nine knockouts. Woodall, 174.9 lbs of Birmingham, ENG is 20-4-1.

Barney-Smith Decisions Quartermaine

Royston Barney-Smith won a 10-round unanimous decision over Danny Quartermaine in a super featherweight bout.

In round seven, Quartermaine was deducted a point for holding. In round 10, Barney-Smith dropped Quartermaine with a right hook.

Barney-Smith won by scores of 98-90 and 100-88 twice and is now 15-0. Quartermaine is now 13-1-1.

Smith Decisions Dawson

Mitchell Smith won an eight-round decision over Arnie Dawson in a lightweight bout.

At the end of the opening round, Smith landed a big right over the top that cracked Dawson the jaw and sent him to the canvas.

Smith, 134.2 lba of London won by scores of 98-91 and 96-93 twice and is now 19-1. Dawson, 134.14 lbs of Clacton, ENG is 8-1.

By Norm Frauenheim

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

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

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

California State Athletic Commission.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

By Norm Frauenheim

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

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

Isn’t he always?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

PHILADELPHIA--Jaron Ennis won the WBA Interim Super Welterweight title with a first round anhelation of Uisma Lima at Xfinity Mobile Arena in Philadelphia

Early in round one, Ennis landed a right hook that rocked Lima and after a wicked flurry sent Lima to the canvas. The fight was basically over as Lima was dropped again from vicious flurry. With Lima in serious trouble, Ennis opened up with another barrage of punches in the corner and referee Shawn Clark stopped the bout at 1:58.

Ennis Of Philadelphia is 35-0 with 31 knockouts. Lima of Portugal is now 14-2.

Vianello Stops Barriere in Five

Guido Vianello stopped Alexis Barriere in round five of their 10-round heavyweight bout.

In round four, Vianello landed two hard rights on the ropes that was followed up by a flurry that put Barriere on the canvas. In the opening seconds of Vianello landed a big right to the side of the head that put Barriere down for the count and the fight was over at 26 seconds.

Vianello of Rome, Italy is now 14-3-1 with 12 knockouts. Barriere of Quebec, CAN is 12-1.

Smalls Drops, Decisions Roman

Tahmir Smalls remained undefeated with a 10-round unanimous decision oer Jose Roman in a welterweight bout.

In round three, Smalls dropped Roman with a powerful right hand.

Smalls of Philadelphia won by scores of 98-91, 96-93 and 95-94 and is now 16-0, Roman of Bayamon, PR is 14-2.

Thompson Outlasts Diaz

In a six-round toe-to-toe-slugfest between undefeated super bantamweights, Dennis Thompson won a six-round split-decision over Sean Diaz.

In round five, Diaz was deducted a point for holding. That point was huge as the judges saw the bout 60-53 Thompson, 57-56 Diaz, 57 -56 Thompson.

Thompson of Philadelphia is now 8-0. Diaz of Guadalajara, MEX is 9-1.

Zaquin Moses won a six-round unaninous decision over Antonio Dunton-El in a super featherweight bout.

Moses of Newark, NJ won b scores of 60-54 on all cards and s now 5-0. Dunton-El of Baltimore is 6-5-2.

Georgio Visioli won an eight-round unanimous decision over James Wilkins in a lightweight fight.

Visioli of Aldersob, EMG won by scores of 80-72 on all cards and is now 9-0. Wilkins of Staten Island, NY is 13-4.

Harley Maderos remained undefeated with a stoppage of Hylon Williams Jr.. after round one of their six-round lightweight bout.

Maderos dropped Williams twice and dominated. The corner of Williams stopped the bout after the opening frame.

Maderos of Brooklyn is 9-0 with eight knockouts. Williams of Houston is 16-7-1.

Naheem Parker won a six-round unanimous decision over previously undefeated Justin Palmieri in a lightweight bout.

Parker of Camden, NJ won on all cards by a 60-54 tally and is now 6-3. Palmieri of Malple Shade, NJ is 5-1.

By Norm Frauenheim

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

He doesn’t have any choice.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Definitely not, Benavidez told Fight Hub.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

By Norm Frauenheim

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Canelo never had a chance.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

By Norm Frauenheim

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

By Norm Frauenheim

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Everything, other than knock him out.

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

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

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

Here’s classic: A double left hand.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

“Crawford is way better,’’ Canelo said.

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

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

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

By Norm Frauenheim

LAS VEGAS – There was no blood. There were no knockdowns. There was only Terence Crawford.

Crawford’s dance, as brilliant as it was defiant, continued Saturday, reaching a peak few others have achieved or even imagined with an upset of Canelo Alvarez in front of a crowd of 70,482 at Allegiant Stadium.

Crawford, booed when he entered the arena and booed for weeks after the fight was announced, did what he was always done in his historic path to undisputed title in three weight classes.

He did it with his feet, frustrating Canelo at almost every turn in winning a unanimous decision. It was 115-113 on two scorecards and 116-112 on the third. Two of the cards appeared to be closer than what the dominant Crawford did in moving across the ring, in and out of harm’s way and into history.

Canelo always seemed to be a step behind, a dance partner that couldn’t quite keep up with the master.

If there was a surprise, it was in Crawford’s footwork. He moved his feet with an agility not seen in almost a decade. For 12 rounds, the 37-year-old Crawford sustained the dance that earned him the undisputed super-middleweight title and a place among boxing’s all-time greats.

If he had been around in another time, the game would have Five Kings alongside the foursome of Ray Leonard, Marvin Hagler, Thomas Hearns and Roberto Duran.

In his hometown – Omaha, they simply call him Bud. On this night, however, boxing historians could have called him Sugar. He was that good, a former welterweight and junior-welter champion coming up two weight classes to take down Canelo, one of the most feared punchers in his day,

After it was all over, Crawford (42-0, 31 KOs) went to one knee and looked toward Allegiant Stadium’s ceiling as though he was looking to the heavens.

Thanks, he said

The thank-you was preceded by a confident Crawford who opened the fight in the southpaw style. His right hand led the attack and hinted at imminent alterations. But he never switched up, never went from left-handed to right-handed. But the threat was always there, forcing Canelo to be wary.

Above all, Crawford’s two-handed, ambidextrous threat  threw some hesitancy, if not outright  confusion into Canelo’s tactical plans.

Crawford right hand landed first, followed by a glancing left in the opening round. The crowd roared. Canelo remained cautious.

But in the second round, the popular Mexican hinted, perhaps, at what he had planned. He moved forward, almost stalking and in an almost straight line that led him to his target: Crawford’s midsection.

The body punch landed, forcing Crawford to step to one side and then another. In the third, it began to look as if Crawford was poised to pick up the pace.

In the fourth, he did, landing a couple of quick hands, first a right than a left. Momentum in the fourth, however, suddenly shifted when Canelo landed a straight right hand. Crawford looked at at him and smiled as if to say: You can’t catch me.

Over the next eight rounds, Canelo never could.

Callum Walsh dominates in one-sided decision over Vargas Jr.

Callum Walsh had too much power and too much accuracy.

In the end, he had too much of everything in overwhelming Fernando Vargas, Jr, who has a legendary name but none of his father’s resilient skillset. 

On the scorecards, Vargas (17-1, 13 KOs) never had a chance. The judges nearly scored the 10-round junior-middleweight fight as a shutout for Walsh (16-0, 11 KOs), an agile Irishman who knows his way around the ring.

 It was 99-91 on two cards and 100-90 on the third in the final fight before the Terence Crawford-Canelo Alvarez main event at Allegiant Stadium.

Mbilli, Martinez fight to a bruising draw

It was punishing, a fight full of momentum swings and exhausting exchanges of punches that landed everywhere and from all angles. It was hard to pick a winner.

In the end, nobody could..

Christian Mbilli-Lester Martinez was a draw. The good news is that the super-middleweight fight set the stage for a sequel and perhaps a great new rivalry. The only winner was the gathering crowd for the main event, Canelo Alvarez-versus-Terence Crawford. The early undercards didn’t offer much in terms of drama. Allegiant Arena eats were empty. Knockouts were few. Cheers were muted.

Then, Mbilli and Martinez stepped through the ropes.

In the early rounds, it looked as if Mbilli (29-0-1, 24 KOs) might win easily. He appeared to have an edge in the number and power of inside punches. In the middle rounds, however, Martinez. (19-01, 16 KOs), showed a stubborn streak and and his own brand of body shots and uppercuts. The Guatemalan wasn’t going anywhere. In the eighth and again ninth, it looked as if the body assault had robbed Mbilli of his energy. He looked fatigued.

In the final moments of the tenth and final round, however, Mbilli recovered, scoring repeatedly and often enough to perhaps ensure a draw. One judge scored it for him, 96-94. One scored it for Martinez, 97-93. On the third, it was a draw, 95-95

Can’t wait for the rematchThe punishing fight ended with exchanges of punches and moment

Mohammed Alakel wins unanimous decision

Saudi junior-lightweight Mohammed Alakel (5-0, 1 KO) employed faster hands and feet, scoring quickly and repeatedly for a unanimous decision  overTravis Crawford (7-4) a hard working fighter from (7-4-1) from Corpus Christi, TX in the first fight on the Netflix part of a card featuring Terence Crawford-versus-Canelo Alvarez at Allegiant Stadium Saturday. 

Brandon Adams wins rematch, scores decision over Bohachuk

Brandon Adams wore a gray wig to news conferences and weigh-ins. He shed the costume in the ring and answered questions about his age with a variety of punches.

Body shots, hooks and uppercuts were repeated answers to Serhii Bohachuk, who called the 36-year-old Adams — a Los Angeles middleweight — an old fighter.

Age is just a number, or at least it was for 10 rounds of punishing shots from multiple angles from Adams in a rematch victory Saturday at Allegiant Stadium over Bohachuk (26-3, 24 KOs) , a Ukrainian known for his power. 

In the end, Adams made the 30-year Bohachuk look old.  Adams, who scored an eighth-round TKO of Bohachuk in 2021, landed shots almost at will, winning a unanimous decision in the final fight before the Netflix portion of the Canelo-Crawford card.

Jermaine Franklin wins dull decision

It was unanimous.

On the cards.

And in the seats.

Jermaine Franklin Jr. won the decision. He also shared some of the contempt hurled at Ivan Dychko from a few fans scattered across Allegiant Stadium’s 65,000 seats Saturday on the Canelo Alvarez-Terence Crawford card in a heavyweight matinee Saturday.

Franklin (24-2), of Saginaw MI,  and Dychko (15-, 14 KOs), a two-time Olympic bronze medalist from Kazakhstan, clinched and clutched more than they punched through 10 forgettable rounds. By the fifth, the scattered crowd began to jeer. By the eighth, the boos began to echo through the empty arena.

By the end of the 10th, there were cheers.

Finally, it was over. 

Tsutsumi scores first-round stoppage

Reito Tsutsumi, a Japanese junior lightweight, didn’t need much time, mostly because Javier Martinez didn’t have much of anything at all.

Tsutsumi (3-0, 2 KOs) did it all within 2:18, walking down Martinez (7-3,4 KOs), hurting the Dallas fighter first with a succession of body shots and then finishing him with with straight punches that put Martinez on the canvas, a lonely figure in an empty building early on a card featuring Terence Crawford-versus-Canelo Alvarez fight.

Sultan Almohammed made a succsessful pro debut with a four-round unanimous decision over Martin Caraballo in a lightweight bout.

In round one, Almohammed dropped Caraballo with a right to the jaw.

Almohammed, 132.5 lbs of Jeddah, SA won by scores of 40-36 on all cardsa and is now 1-0. Caraballo, 133 lbs of Hollywood, FL is 0-1-1….Marc Abrams

Raiko Santana scored a mild upset by stopping Steven Nelson in the opening round of their 10-round light heavyweight bout.

Santana landed a hard right hand that hurt Nelson and a follow-up flurry forced the stoppage at 2:38.

Sanatana Of El Paso, TX is 13-4 with with seven knockouts. Nelson of Omaha, NEB is 20-2…...Marc Abrams

Potential Mexican star, Marco Verde stopped Sona Akale in round our of their six-roumd middleweight bout.

In round one, Verde landed a right hook that put Akale on the canvas.

In round four, Verde continued the assault and referee Mark Nelson stopped the bout at 1:11.

Verde, 158 lbs of Mazaltan, MEX is 3-0 with two knockouts. Akale, 158 lbs of St. Paul, MN is 9-4….Marc Abrams

Follow all the action as Canelo Alvarez and Terence Crawford get it on in a mega-fight from Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas. The action kicks off at 9 PM ET with a three-fight undercard freturing Christian Mbilli against Lester Martinez as well as Callum Walsh taking on Fernando Vargas Jr,

NO BROWSER REFRESH NEEDED. THE PAGE WILL UPDATE AUTOMATICLLY

Round 1: Right from Alvarez..Jab from Crawford…

ROUND 2 Right to body from Alvarez…Jab from Crawford..

ROUND 3 Left from Crawford…Left…Counter left..

Round 4 Combination from Crawford..Straight left…Right from Alvarez…Rught..Left from Crawford..

ROUND 5 Counter from Crawford..

ROUND 6 Big combination from Crawford…

ROUND 7 Jab…Alvarez right eye is swelling

Round 8 Right from Alvarez…Combination from Crawford…Right from Alvarez..

Round 9 Headbutt by Alvarez..Right from Alvarez…Left from Crawford..

ROUND 10 Right from Alvarez…Combination from Crawford…

ROUND 11 2 rights from Alvarez..ANother..Jab from Crawford..Left…

ROUND 12 Combibation from Crawford..Counter left…hard left from Crawford

116-112 and 115-113 TWICE FOR TERENCE CRAWFORD 

rOUND 1 Combination from Walsh…Right to body from Vargas,,,Right hook from Walsh…Right hook

Round 2 Body combo from Walsh…

Round 3 Combination from Vargas..Body work from Walsh..

Round 4 Body shot from Vargas..Right to bidy..left to body..Combination from Walsh

Round 5 Body shot from Walsh..Jab from Vargas…

Round 6 Straight left from Walsh…Jab from Vargas…Left…Left…

Round 7 Left to body from Walsh…

Round 1: Right from Martinez..Right from Mbilli..Left to body/Right to head,..Left and right from Martinez..Right to body…

ROUND 2 Mbilli trying to crowd Martinez..Uppercut from Martinez..Right from Mbilli..double uppercut from Martinez..Right from Mbilli..Left to body..

ROUND 3 Left hook from Mbilli..Combination to the head..Double left hook..Body combination

ROUND 4 Mbilli landing to the body

ROUND 5 Right to body from Mbilli…Combination…right to head..Left hook..Jab from Martinez…Good uppercut..

ROUND 6 Double left hook from Mbilli..Flurry from Martinez…Uppercut from Mbilli..Hard right from Martinez..Uppercut..Right frim Mbilli..

ROUND 7 Left hook from Mbilli..Uppercut..Uppercut rom Martinez..Uppercut from Martunez..

Round 8 Right from Mbilli..Right to head..Right and left on ropes..Chopping left..Counter right and uppercut from Martinez..Right

ROUND 9 Right from Martinez…Counter uppercut..Right..Big flurry…

OUND 20 Left from Martinnez…Uppercut…Left…Left from Mbilli…Uppercut from Martinez…

97-93 Martinez….96-94 Mbilli….95-95 DRAW

Round 1 Right and jab from Alakel…Right..Left to body..
Round 2 Jab from Alakel…Left hook..Left to body

99-91 twice and 98-92 for Alakel

By Norm Frauenheim

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

Something more.

Much more.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

How are you feeling?

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

Defiance is Crawford’s oxygen.

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

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

By Norm Frauenheim

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

For Crawford, that means changing minds.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Wrong, Saudi Prince and promoter Turki Alalshikh said Thursday.

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

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

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

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

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

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

LINCOLN, CALIFORNIA – Rising middleweight prospect Islam Abdusamadov scored a workmanlike six-round unanimous decision victory over durable Jose Manuel Gomez in the featured attraction at the Venue at Thunder Valley at the Thunder Valley Casino Resort on Saturday night. 

Abdusamadov (6-0, 2 KOs) of Santa Clara, California by way of Makhachkala, Dagestan, Russia boxed his way to the decision win in his first foray into the six-round distance over the veteran Gomez (4-6-1, 4 KOs) of Livermore, California.  

Abdusamadov, 158, controlled the early part of a feeling out round one with his jab as Gomez, 158, got off to an uncharacteristically tentative opening start. Gomez upped his output in round two as Abdusamadov looked to time his right hand and counter. In round three, Gomez failed to let his hands go and gave away the round to Abdusamadov, who mostly popped his jab and occasionally followed with the right. 

As the fight moved into the second half, Abdusamadov began to find a home for his right with greater frequency. Gomez got active again in the fourth, but a few well-timed rights likely gave the Russian import the round. Both had their moments in the fifth as they met each other in the middle of the ring. Abdusamadov showed great ring generalship and made subtle moves to evade some of Gomez’s offense. Abdusamadov landed with a couple more precision rights in round six to edge another one on the cards. Both took their swings in the final ten seconds before the bell sounded to end the fight. 

Judge Joel Farbstein scored the bout 59-57 and judges Melissa McMorrow and Edward Collantes had it 58-56 all for the still unbeaten Abusamadov. 

Without breaking much of a sweat, unbeaten middleweight Sergio Gonzalez (3-0, 3 KOs) of Sacramento, California rolled past Juan Meza Moreno (4-8, 3 KOs) of Los Angeles, California via first-round stoppage in the last fight of the night.

Gonzalez, 156, hurt Meza Moreno, 152, with the first right hand he threw and scored the first knockdown of the first with another soon thereafter. Meza Moreno unwisely returned to his feet before leaving himself open for a clean right hand that had him reeling again. Backed into the blue corner, Meza Moreno was touched by a left to the body and crumpled to a knee. Referee Edward Collantes did not bother a count and waved off the onslaught at 1:40 of round one. 

Featherweight prospect Kyle Lacanlale (6-0, 3 KOs) of San Ramon, California flashed his power with a first-round body shot knockout of Phillip Ramirez (2-7) of Sacramento. 

The much shorter Ramirez, 126, landed with a right early as he worked his way inside, but after that it was all Lacanlale. At range, Lacanlale, 124, landed with both hands at a distance that Ramirez could not counter. Soon Lacanlale pressed Ramirez back with a left and moved-in with the final left to the body that immediately dropped the Sacramento native to his knees. As referee Michael Margado counted, Ramirez slammed his glove against the mat and showed no sign of getting up. Margado reached ten and waved off the bout at 1:59 seconds of round one. 

In the fight of the night, Tatiana Almaraz (2-4) of Pittsburg, California by way of Guatemala City, Guatemala battled her way to a six-round majority decision over previously unbeaten Iris Contreras (4-1) of Richmond, California. 

Contreras, 118, was strong early, but Almaraz, 117, appeared to have an edge in conditioning and seemed to have more in the tank in later rounds. Almaraz came on late in round three before Contreras fought hard to take round four. 

The final two rounds featured exciting two-way action. Almaraz seemed to have more steam down the stretch and outlanded Contreras in the sixth and final round.  

Judge Joel Farbstein scored the bout even, 57-57, but was overruled by judges David Hartman and Melissa McMorrow, 58-56 for Almaraz. 

Vicky Zhao (1-2) of Watsonville, California by way of Chongqing, China spoiled the professional debut of multi-time Muay Thai champion Fayeda An (0-1) of Long Beach, California via four-round unanimous decision.

Zhao, 111.5, landed with the harder shots and outworked An, 113.2, in stretches. Judges Melissa McMorrow, Joel Farbstein and Edward Collantes all scored the bout 39-37 for Zhao.

In his professional debut, former amateur standout Orion Cyrus Dizon (1-0) of Las Vegas, Nevada scored a decisive four-round unanimous decision over Jaycee King (0-5) of Sacramento.

Dizon, 133, had King, 133, in trouble at the end of round two and kept the pressure up as the fight moved into the second half. After surviving some shaky moments, King found his footing late, but was outworked by the faster, more aggressive Dizon. All three judges scored the bout a shutout, 40-36 for Dizon. 

In a good action fight, middleweight prospect Dante Kirkman (5-0, 2 KOs) of East Palo Alto, California scored a four-round unanimous decision over a willing Dylan Carlson (2-11-3, 1 KO) of Klamath Falls, Oregon. 

Kirkman, 158, threw in combination and maintained a fast pace. Carlson, 159, placed a few solid shots of his own, including a clean right uppercut. The busy Kirkman got the better of every round, taking the cards of judges David Hartman, Joel Farbstein and Michael Margado, 40-36. 

Two fights that weighed-in yesterday did not take place on Saturday night. Super heavyweight Junlong Zhang (20-1, 19 KOs) of Elk Grove, California by way of Qingdao, Shandong, China was to have made his U.S. debut against Vikash Deol (4-0, 3 KOs) of Hayward, California in a four-round bout. However, Zhang was ruled out earlier in the day after his pre-fight medical check. 

Leonard Ocampo of Pinole, California withdrew from his scheduled four-round bout with Rodolfo Molina (0-2) of Antioch, California earlier in the day. Both fighters had weighed-in on Friday, with Ocampo coming in half-of-a-pound over. Ocampo cited health reasons according to the Molina camp. 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Quick Weigh-in Results:

Middleweights, 6 Rounds

Abdusamadov 158

Gomez 158*

Middleweights, 4 Rounds

Gonzalez 156**

Meza Moreno 152

Featherweights, 4 Rounds

Lacanlale 124

Ramirez 126

Bantamweights, 6 Rounds

Contreras 117

Almaraz 118

Heavyweights, 4 Rounds

Zhang 314

Deol 219

Flyweights, 4 Rounds

Zhao 111.5

An 113.2*** 

Lightweights, 4 Rounds

Dizon 133

King 133

Middleweights, 4 Rounds 

Kirkman 158

Carlson 159

Super bantamweights, 4 Rounds 

Ocampo 120.5****

Molina 119.5

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

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

***An was 1.2 pounds over and was fined 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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