LAS VEGAS – February 21, 2026 – Undefeated two-division world champion and Mexican superstar David “El Monstro” Benavidez and Mexico’s first cruiserweight world champion, unified WBA and WBO king Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez went face to face Saturday at a press conference to officially announce their showdown highlighting Cinco de Mayo Weekend in Las Vegas on Saturday, May 2 headlining a PBC Pay-Per-View event available on Prime Video from T-Mobile Arena.

Benavidez vs. Zurdo will deliver a first of its kind Mexico vs. Mexico showdown on one of boxing’s premier weekends featuring two fighters with a combined record of 79-1, with 55 KOs. During the press conference, the fighters and teams spoke of their intense past sparring sessions and promised that the action on May 2 would far surpass those gym wars.

Pre-sale tickets are available Tuesday, February 24 from 10 a.m. PT until 10 p.m. PT through AXS.com with the codes: PBC or GBP

Public on-sale begins Wednesday, February 25 at 10 a.m. PT through AXS.com.

The event is promoted by Golden Boy Promotions and Sampson Boxing, in association with TGB Promotions.

Here is what the press conference participants had to say Saturday from Park MGM in Las Vegas:

DAVID BENAVIDEZ

“This is something I’ve been working toward for a long time. We’ve had so many great sparring sessions and I told Zurdo then, we’ll have to do this on pay-per-view one day. Now we’re going for two titles on May 2 and I’m very grateful.

“I feel like I’m on the cusp of being the face of boxing. And if Zurdo wins, his stock goes up. There’s greatness on the other side of that tunnel for both of us. So we’re gonna come extremely prepared.

“For the whole history of Cinco de Mayo fights, it’s been tremendous fighters like Oscar and Chavez. Not just great fights, but wars. Because they never took easy fights. That’s what we’re doing. We’re two Mexican warriors going for the title.

“Zurdo is a top fighter. He’s a great fighter. I was helping him get ready for Arthur Abraham and we had some great sessions. I knew he was gonna be one of those guys who would be around for a long time. Eventually we were gonna do this.

“I’m gonna go in there and leave everything in the ring. I’m making sure I’m doing extra reps with anything and everything I do. That’s just the way I fight. I want to earn the fans respect and go in there and put on a great fight.

“I want to make my own lane and achieve greatness.”

GILBERTO “ZURDO” RAMIREZ

“I’m so glad to be here to make a huge fight for May 2. Don’t miss this fight. I know Team Benavidez, they actually helped me a lot for my first world title fight. We’re gonna make this an exciting fight. At the end of the day, the titles are staying with Zurdo.

“I knew this would happen eventually. This is a dream come true. Right now is the right moment at 200 pounds. We’re going to feel comfortable and be at our best.

“He’s the monster. He’s different. He used to beat up a lot of sparring partners. Now we’re here, we’re two warriors and we’re making history.

“I just want to be the best. I want to fight the best and he’s one of the best. I just want to give the fans who love this sport the best fights.”

JOSE BENAVIDEZ SR. David’s Father & Trainer

“David Benavidez doesn’t just have to win. He has to show out to prove he can go after the Bivols and Beterbievs.

“This is gonna be an explosive fight. I also want to thank all the Mexican people for all their love and support. David Benavidez is showing he truly is the Mexican Monster.

“Be there on May 2. A new era will begin. The era of the Mexican Monster.”

JULIAN CHUA, Ramirez’s Trainer

“I can’t say how much of an honor it is to be a part of Cinco de Mayo weekend. The heritage of Mexican boxing built this sport.

“Neither team is too big into talking, and there won’t be a need for it. I’ve seen them sparring up close, and those rounds were all pay-per-view worthy. Now you layer on that it’s a real fight, the competitive nature that brought them both to where they are today, at its peak form, it will be there.

“This is gonna be a shootout and a great war. I don’t feel any pressure, because the way these guys are, it’s gonna be a great fight.”

OSCAR DE LA HOYA, Chairman & CEO of Golden Boy Promotions

“I’m really excited about Cinco de Mayo weekend this year. Traditionally you’ve had great fighters like Julio Cesar Chavez, myself, Canelo Alvarez, fighting on this big weekend. But the fact that two Mexicans are fighting in the main event for the belts, it’s gonna be extra special.

“We have the first Mexican super middleweight and cruiserweight world champion on Cinco de Mayo in one corner in Zurdo Ramirez. And we know that Benavidez brings everything to the table, from round one to round twelve. I expect this to be a classic Mexican war. That’s what fight fans want to see. They want to be part of a historic event. That’s exactly what this fight brings to the table.

“These guys have 55 knockouts between them. They’re not gonna bore the crowd. They’re gonna put on a show. They’re technicians, but they’re fighters. The pressure is on. Cinco de Mayo is a date where people expect fireworks and that’s exactly what we will get.”

SAMPSON LEWKOWICZ, Sampson Boxing

“This is going to be a special Cinco de Mayo. I’m thankful that we’ve come together to make a great show and many more in the future. This is going to be one of the best shows that money can buy.

“Benavidez is taking his own way to become the best of the best. He’s not going to wait around for any challenger or champion. I want to thank ‘Zurdo’ for stepping up, because this is the fight.”

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By Norm Frauenheim –

David Benavidez wore a polished symbol of the Phoenix logo around his neck a few days ago in a long-awaited homecoming.

The medallion represents, he says, where he’s been and who he still is.

In its brass reflection, however, there was something else. Something more. The mythological bird, now a modern city’s identity seen on government doors and busses, means a lot of things.

On this day, there was a message, a bold statement about a fighter transformed, unleashed from the years when he was defined by his futile pursuit of Canelo Alvarez.

He’s moved on, beyond Canelo and up the scale. The Canelo question is still there. Yet now, it’s almost an aside. Sorry to ask, video journalists say apologetically as he stands amid reporters and a long line of fans during an opening of the Visionary Boxing Club in west Phoenix last week.

No problem, Benavidez says, smiling. He hasn’t exactly eliminated Canelo as a possibility. He never will. The maturing Benavidez, 29-years-old last month, is a businessman, too. Business is a fundamental too often not included in a prize fighter’s skillset.

Canelo still means business, lots of it. Benavidez, like everybody else in the fight game, knows Canelo collected $100-million-plus for his September loss to Terence Crawford. That’s more than a prize. It’s a fortune.

Of course, Benavidez says he’d fight Canelo.

Canelo’s future, post-Crawford, was unclear until Thursday when The Ring reported he plans to fight again on Sept.12 in Saudi Arabia. He underwent elbow surgery in the immediate aftermath of the one-sided scorecard loss to Crawford.

In a video, Canelo’s return was called a “big, big,

big fight” by Saudi Prince and promoter Turki Alalshikh, who bankrolled the Canelo-Crawford fight and owns The Ring.

Until then, Benavidez has other plans, all as ambitious as they are risky.

“Zurdo, Beterbiev, Bivol,’’ Benavidez said of Gilberto Ramirez, Artur Beterbiev and Dmitry Bivol.

Of the three, only Ramirez – Zurdo – is on the calendar, penciled in for May 2 – the Cinco-de-Mayo celebration that could have been called Canelo-de-Mayo during the Mexican’s primetime reign.

The risk in the Zurdo date, planned for Las Vegas, looks to be heavy. Benavidez, who defended his light-heavyweight title in a seventh-round stoppage of Anthony Yarde November 22 in Saudi Arabia, is making the jump to cruiserweight.

After only three fights at 175-pounds, the light-heavy limit, Benavidez will fight in a division 25 pounds heavier.

On the scale, it looks risky. According to early odds, however, it’s not. Some betting sites already make Benavidez a big favorite (minus-900).

Benavidez is confident, in part because he knows Zurdo well. They’ve sparred countless rounds. One hundred, 200 rounds, Benavidez says.

“Between 2017 and 2022, we sparred all the time,’’ said Benavidez, now a Miami resident who re-connected with his Phoenix fan-base Saturday by signing autographs for about six hours. “For five years, we sparred championship rounds. I knew then that I wanted to fight Zurdo. One day, I figured we would.

“After all of those championship rounds, it’s going to be a championship fight.’’

Benavidez is already at his new weight.

“I’m at 200 pounds now,’’ he said last Saturday.

The weight looked natural, unlike the 168 pounds that often left him gaunt and hollow-cheeked in the division long dominated by Canelo.

His father and trainer, Jose Benavidez Sr., says his son is already close to the weight he expects hm to be at opening bell May 2.

“Two-hundred, maybe 205,’’ Jose Sr. said.

Still, the jump in weight leaves questions about his hope to go back down to light-heavy for 175-pound dates against Beterbiev and Bivol. For at least a year, the expectation has been that Benavidez will grow into a heavyweight. Could cruiser be the first step in that direction?

It’s still not clear whether Beterbiev and Bivol will fight for a third time. Bivol is back in the gym after undergoing back surgery. Speculation has him back in the ring this Spring.

Meanwhile, time is the biggest question for Beterbiev. He’ll be 40 next Wednesday. He won’t be fighting much longer, unlike Benavidez whose ascent is just beginning.

(December 1, 2025) – WBC Light Heavyweight Champion David “The Mexican Monster” Benavidez says he’s excited about taking over next Cinco de Mayo weekend to face WBA and WBO Cruiserweight Champion Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez, not only because he’ll be vying for world championships in a third division, but also for the history-making aspect of two proud Mexican warriors competing for the cruiserweight world championship for the first time in history.

Fresh off his seventh-round TKO victory over Anthony Yarde in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Benavidez (31-0, 25 KOs) is next scheduled to meet Ramirez (48-1, 30 KOs) on May 2, 2026, at T Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

With some fans wanting Benavidez to unify the titles against IBF, WBA and WBO World Light Heavyweight Champion Dmitrii Bivol or face former IBF Champ Artur Beterbiev next, rather than Ramirez, Benavidez’s longtime promoter, Sampson Lewkowicz of Sampson Boxing wishes to remind fans of some facts concerning the choice to face Zurdo instead.

“After waiting so long for Canelo Alvarez, only to have him avoid us at all costs, David will wait for no one ever again,” said Lewkowicz. “We offered Bivol $8 million to face David last year, and he chose to vacate the WBC title a day before a scheduled purse bid rather than face him. Beterbiev is coming off a loss, so other than money, he brings nothing to table. Besides, David wanted the winner of rematch, not the loser. David would stop Beterbiev. No doubt in my mind and has already dropped Bivol with headgear and big gloves. David is the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world, but he won’t talk about it. He will show it, fight after fight.”

Lewkowicz also wants fans to know their wish will be granted in the near future.

“The WBA has guaranteed us that David is the mandatory for the Bivol/Beterbiev winner,” he added. “Bivol will have to act like a ‘Russian Canelo’ and vacate another title to avoid facing David. He doesn’t want to fight because he knows when they sparred, David put a beating on him and dropped him. He has zero chance of beating David. That I promise you. He has no power to keep David off him, and he will take a brutal beating!”

Benavidez has already held world championships in two weight classes, the WBA Light Heavyweight Title since February 2025 and the WBC Light Heavyweight Title since April 2025. Previously, he held the WBC Super Middleweight Title twice between 2017 and 2020. And, by claiming his first world title at 20 years, and eight months old, Benavidez holds the record as the youngest super middleweight world champion in history.

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.  

LOS ANGELES (November 25, 2025) – Unified world cruiserweight champion Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez (48-1, 30 KOs) has confirmed the first All-Mexican showdown in the cruiserweight division against undefeated, two-division world champion David “The Mexican Monster” Benavidez (31-0, 25 KOs) on Cinco de Mayo weekend, Saturday night, May 2, in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Last month, Ramirez resumed training at Brickhouse Boxing Club in North Hollywood, California, following right shoulder surgery this past July. Before the native of Mazatlán, Mexico takes on Benavidez, “Zurdo” will defend his World Boxing Association (WBA) Super Cruiserweight World and World Boxing Organization (WBO) Junior Heavyweight World championship titles against fight Robin Sirwan Safar (19-0, 13 KOs) on January 16 in Palm Desert, California.

The 32-year-old Safar, a native of Sweden now living in Las Vegas, won his most recent fight on Nov. 8, when he decisioned previously undefeated Derick Miller Jr. (18-0) in Fort Worth, Texas. Safar upset five-time world champion Sergey Kovalev in 2024 by way of a 10-round unanimous decision to get into the world title hunt. This will mark Ramirez’ 50^th pro fight during his illustrious career.

Ramirez, 34, last fought on June 28 in which he won a 12-round unanimous decision victory over Yuniel Dorticos (27-2, 25 KOs) to position himself for a possible 2026 unification fight with Jai Opetaia (29-0, 32 KOs), the International Boxing Federation and Ring Magazine world champion, or wait to unify versus the winner of the December 3^rd match between WBC title holder Badou Jack (29-3-3, 18 KOs) and former WBC Cruiserweight World Champion Noel Mikaelian (27-3, 12 KOs).

Instead, Ramirez chose to fight Benavidez, the reigning WBA Light Heavyweight World Champion who will be moving up in weight to challenge Ramirez in what could very well be an instant classic.

“I’m excited about this fight, and this is something I’ve targeted for years. It will be your classic Mexican versus Mexican/American (Benavidez) war,” Ramirez said, emphasizing the long-standing buildup behind the matchup. “I’m familiar with David and his team and have shared the gym and ring with them in the past. They’re great people, but business is business, and come May, I will have my arm raised.”

When asked about Opetaia and his recent outburst, Ramirez didn’t hold back, countered with: “I’m after the biggest fights possible and I want to make sure I’m fighting the best. To be honest, I didn’t even know who Opetaia was until recently. Someone told me some things he said, and I think he might have rocks for brains. This guy hasn’t impressed me at all; he’s fought a bunch of cannon fodders to get to where he is. All these outbursts and spreading lies – saying he called my phone – reminds me of all my ex-girlfriends.”

Benavidez, 28, was born in Phoenix but his father is from Mexico and David holds dual citizenships. He stopped Anthony Yarde (27-3) this past Saturday in the seventh round. He has defeated former world champions Demetrious Andrade, Anthony Dirrell, David Lemieux, Caleb Plant and Oleksandr Gvozdyk.

Ramirez vs. Benavidez has the potential to be the leading match-up of Mexican descent fighters since 2010, when Erik Morales fought Marco Antonio Barrera.

INFORMATION:

Website: www.ZurdoPromotions.com

Facebook: #ZurdoPromotions #GilbertoZurdoRamirez #3pointmanagement #JulianChua

Instagram: @zurdoramirez @zurdopromotions

X: @ZurdoPromotions @GilbertoZurdoRamirez @JChua10 @3pointmgmt @Julian_Chua

ABOUT ZURDO PROMOTIONS: Headquartered in Las Vegas and Mexico, Zurdo Promotions is the premier combat sports/event led by former World Champion, Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez. Zurdo Promotions strives to be the best in all areas to set a new standard in boxing. Visit us at www.ZurdoPromotions.com.

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.

David Benavidez vs. Anthony Yarde – Light Heavyweight
David Benavidez: 174.3 lbs 

Anthony Yarde: 173.9 lbs 

David Benavidez 

On Anthony Yarde’s comments around taking away his title

“Nobody is taking anything from me. I’ve been training really hard for this fight. I’m eager to get in the ring to see what Anthony Yarde is all about and I’m excited to feel his power. I want to give the fans a great fight. There’s a lot of great talent on this card, but I’m going to steal the show and have the best fight of the night. David Benavidez will have the best fight of the night and I’m going to walk out with both my titles.”

On if there was any strategy weighing in well below the limit 

“There was no strategy behind it. I feel good and the weight cut was easy. I saved a lot of energy and didn’t have to do too much to cut the weight to 175 pounds, so I’ll use that extra energy for the fight.”

Anthony Yarde 

On what lessons he’s looking to apply from his prior fights on Saturday night 

“I’m just ready to fight. The past doesn’t matter, it’s only the present and the future. I’m excited.”

On what he’s visualizing ahead of Saturday night 

“Taking home the victory is all I’ve been visualizing. I want to do it in an explosive and exciting way. It’ll make for a great story because it’s him [David Benavidez]. 

Brian Norman Jr. vs. Devin Haney – Welterweight 

Brian Norman Jr.: 146.12 lbs 

Devin Haney: 146.6 lbs 

Brian Norman Jr. 

On his takeaway from Devin Haney’s demeanor

“It’s about that time. 24 hours to go. The talking is over. Let’s get this action started.”

On what he’s going to eat and focus on over the next 24 hours

“I might eat a few steaks, maybe some sweet potatoes. I have a chocolate cake waiting on me – we’re eating well. Everybody come on through.”

On how Devin Haney will bring out the best in him

“Everyone is going to find out…Norman gang over everything. This belt on my shoulder – I came in with it and I’ll walk out with it, too. Everyone will respect me after this one, just watch.”

Devin Haney 

On how he shows Brian Norman Jr. that there are levels to boxing 

“The talking is done. Now it’s time to do work.”

Fernando Martinez vs. Jesse “Bam” Rodriguez – Super Flyweight

Fernando Martinez: 113.12 lbs 

Jesse “Bam” Rodriguez: 114.6 lbs 

Fernando Martinez 

On how he brings The Ring Magazine Championship home to Argentina 

“I am the champion. I’m coming for those belts – they belong to me. Let’s go, Argentina.”

On how his defeat of Kazuto Ioka gives him confidence to beat one of the best  pound-for-pound fighters in the sport

“I went and beat [Kazuto] Ioka. I’ve been called the person that goes on and takes on challenges and beats champions. I have all the faith that we can go and win this for Argentina. I also have faith that we can win this for my mother, for my daughters, and we’re going to do this. This is for Argentina.”

Jesse “Bam” Rodriguez 

On Martinez’s claims that he’s a “king killer”

“There’s one king and that’s me. He won’t kill me tomorrow…I’m immortal.”

On how surprised he is about the lack of respect from Fernando Martinez 

“They’re all clowns [Fernando Martinez’s fans]. Tomorrow I’m going to tame this little kitty.”

On what the most important factor is for Saturday night 

“Be myself. This is no different. It’s just another fight to me, but I’m going to go out there and show the world who Bam Rodriguez is.”

Abdullah Mason vs. Sam Noakes – Lightweight 

Abdullah Mason: 134 lbs 

Sam Noakes: 134.9 lbs 

Abdullah Mason 

On his last impression from the faceoff

“We’re going to cook tomorrow night. We’re going to eat.”

On what he needs to focus on over the next 24 hours 

“I have an appetite for smoke, so let’s see Saturday night.” 

Sam Noakes 

On how he makes Abdullah Mason make him feel his heavy hands 

“You’ll see tomorrow.”

On how he brings the title home and puts on a show for the fans 

“By giving them a Sam Noakes knockout.”

Samuel Nmomah vs. Vito Mielnicki Jr. – Middleweight 

Samuel Nmomah: 159.6 lbs 

Vito Mielnicki Jr.: 159.6 lbs 

Jiaming Li vs. Mohammed Alakel – Super Featherweight 

Jiaming Li: 132.3 lbs 

Mohammed Alakel: 131.6 lbs 

Pius Mpenda vs. Julio Porras Ruiz  – Super Middleweight

Pius Mpenda: 166.12  lbs 

Julio Porras Ruiz: 167.9 lbs 

Umesh Chavan vs. Sultan Almohammed  – Super Featherweight 

Umesh Chavan: 129.9 lbs

Sultan Almohammed: 129 lbs 

Barker Ssewanyana vs. Juan El Güerito de Tepito – Bantamweight

Barker Ssewanyana: 115.3 lbs 

Juan El Güerito de Tepito: 116.9 lbs 

ENDS 

About Riyadh Season

Saudi Arabia’s capital embraces one of the world’s biggest entertainment events every year during winter. Since the launch of Riyadh Season in 2019, the festival has welcomed visitors from all over the world to experience thousands of concerts, sporting activities, and other unique cultural events. Most recently, Riyadh Season 2024 reached a major milestone after the number of visitors for the year exceeded 20 million for the first time.

Riyadh Season has hosted a number of memorable boxing showdowns including the first undisputed heavyweight title fight of the 21st Century between Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk, two undisputed light heavyweight title clashes between Artur Beterbiev and Dimitry Bivol, Anthony Joshua v Daniel Dubois in front of a record crowd at London’s Wembley Stadium and September’s blockbuster showdown between pound-for-pound great Canelo Álvarez and undefeated superstar Terence Crawford in Las Vegas.

About The Ring Magazine

Since its inception in 1922, The Ring Magazine has been the cornerstone of boxing journalism, earning it the title as ‘The Bible of Boxing.’ Today, The Ring is more than just a magazine – it’s a growing multimedia empire poised to redefine how the world experiences boxing and combat sports. The Ring is not just chronicling the history of boxing; it’s actively shaping its future. Whether through its digital platforms, community events, or innovative partnerships. The Ring is committed to making the sport more accessible, exciting and engaging for a global audience.

ABOUT DAZN
DAZN, the world’s leading sports entertainment platform, streams over 110,000 live events annually and is available in more than 200 markets worldwide.? DAZN is the global home of European football, women’s football, boxing, and MMA, as well as the NFL internationally. The platform features the biggest sports and leagues from around the world – Bundesliga, Serie A, La Liga, Ligue 1, Formula 1, NBA, Moto GP, and many more, including FIFA Club World Cup 2025. DAZN is transforming the way people enjoy sport. With a single, frictionless platform, sports fans can watch, play, buy, and connect. Live and on-demand sports content, anywhere, in any language, on any device – only on DAZN.? DAZN is a global, privately owned company, founded in 2016, with more than 4,000 employees. For more information on DAZN, our products, people, and performance, visit? www.dazngroup.com.? 

RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA, November 20, 2025 – Today, in Boulevard City in Saudi Arabia’s capital, Ring Magazine’s no. 2-ranked David Benavidez (30-0, 24 KOs) and no. 4-ranked Anthony Yarde (27-3, 24 KOs), along with the co-main event’s Brian Norman Jr. (28-0, 22 KOs) and Devin Haney (32-0, 15 KOs) and accompanying undercard fighters, sat down for the final press conference ahead of Saturday night’s prestigious four 12-round fight card, “The Ring IV: Night of the Champions,” part of Riyadh Season. It all starts on Saturday, November 22 (9 p.m. ET), live worldwide exclusively on DAZN PPV. 

In a card encompassing numerous fights that very well could headline cards elsewhere, “The Ring IV: Night of the Champions” also features no. 9-ranked fighter Abdullah Mason (19-0, 17 KOs) and Sam Noakes (17-0, 15 KOs) battling for the vacant WBO Lightweight Title. Additionally, Ring Magazine’s no. 1-ranked Fernando Martinez (18-0, 9 KOs) is set to take on WBO Super Flyweight Champion Jesse “Bam” Rodriguez (22-0, 15 KOs), while Vito Mielnicki Jr. (21-1, 12 KOs) and Samuel Nmomah (21-0, 5 KOs) duel in a 10-round bout for the WBO Global and Vacant WBC Continental Americas Middleweight Championships. 

Hosted by the voice of DAZN Boxing, Todd Grisham, the fighters expressed their gratitude for being part of this exceptional card in Riyadh while looking ahead to Saturday night’s matchups.  

Below is what the fighters and their teams had to say: 

David Benavidez 

On where Anthony Yarde ranks amongst his toughest opponents

“I’ve had my eye on Anthony Yarde for a long time. I know he’s a great fighter. He has a lot of heart, he has a lot of power, and the thing I like about him is no matter who he’s up against, he’s in there to make it a great fight. Me, I like to make every fight like I’m in a war. I like to give the people the fights they want to see. I had a great training camp. I’ve trained extremely hard and you know this fight is going to live up to the moment. Anthony Yarde, he’s trying to capture a World Title. I’m trying to capture all the titles and unify all the titles in the Light Heavyweight division so there’s a lot at stake here. This has been the hardest I’ve trained out of any of my fights, so I’m very excited. I’m going to go in there and give everyone a war. Boxing fans are really the ones who are going to win on Saturday night. From the top to the bottom, you have myself and Anthony Yarde, Brian Norman Jr. and Devin Haney, Jesse “Bam” Rodriguez, and Abdullah Mason. This card is stacked. It’s going to be a great night of boxing for everybody watching.” 

On if he’s expecting a war or if he will dominate 

“I’m looking to dominate but whatever happens I’m ready for. If it’s going to turn into war then I’m going to turn it into a war, but I’m definitely going to dominate.” 

On if there is a chance that he is overlooking Anthony Yarde on Saturday night

“Definitely not. I’ve never overlooked anybody and that’s why I’m in the position where I’m at now. I’ve given Anthony [Yarde] all the respect he deserves and studied him for a long time. This has been the hardest I’ve trained out of any fight, so I’m extremely ready. I’m extremely ready for whatever he brings to the table and there will only be one man who gets to raise his hand…that man will be David Benavidez.”

On how much pressure he is feeling to knock out Anthony Yarde 

“There’s no pressure. Honestly, I love what I do and I’m extremely ready for this moment. I just want it to be Saturday night already so we can go out there and show out. There’s no pressure at all.”

On his prediction for Saturday night

“I’m going in there to win the fight, whether I get the knockout or I get the decision, I’m looking to dominate, so I’m going to get the victory no matter what.”

Anthony Yarde 

On his claims about putting David Benavidez to sleep

“I want to thank everyone here…Frank Warren and HE Turki Alalshikh. I was picked personally for this fight and we’re here again. I feel like this is the best version of me and I’ve always said I don’t want the easy route. I’ve always said I want to beat someone – that’s why I went to Russia and challenged [Sergey] Kovalev, I know the risk. Everyone told me ‘don’t go to Russia,’ and I said, ‘I’m going.’ Then I got [Artur] Beterbiev. Everyone said he’s a monster, ‘don’t fight this guy, he has 18 wins and 18 knockouts.’ I said, ‘give me him.’ I don’t care who it is. The better the fighter I’m fighting is a better reward for me. You’ve seen me get better each time. This occasion…I want everyone to tune in. I don’t even like to call this an undercard because every fight on this card is a main fight. Let’s make it happen and put on an excellent night of boxing. It’ll be one for the history books.”

On David Benavidez’s biggest vulnerabilities 

“I’m not the type of person that talks for the sake of talking. Everyone can watch him [Benavidez] on TV and say, ‘he does this well,’ or ‘he’s not great at this.’ Personally, I’m only going to know what he’s about when I’m standing in front of him in the ring.”

On why his third shot at a World Title will be the one 

“I keep hearing, ‘third time’s the charm,’ but I don’t really believe in luck. I feel like I’m a better fighter now, a bit more experienced. David [Benavidez] believes he’s going to have his hand raised, and as he should, but I believe the same. This is my time and my moment. Turki Alalshikh called me himself because he wanted me for this fight. Other fighters had their names in the hat, but he called me personally and said, ‘this fight, the way we fight…it’s going to be the clash of the titans…’ I’m excited for Saturday night and I hope everyone else is. I’m ready.”

On his final prediction ahead of Saturday night

“All I know is it’s going to be very exciting. I’m not the person who will go off with predictions, but I do think stylistically this fight will end in a knockout. I want my hand raised and I respect him [Benavidez] highly. I respect his resume, what he’s done in the ring, his highlight reels – they all motivate him. The better the fighter in front of me, the better version of me you’ll see. I’m excited.”

Devin Haney 

On if he feels he should be the favorite with his career accomplishments 

“This is a dream come true of mine. A dream come true to be fighting for another World Title. This is not my first rodeo so it won’t be anything different. I look to bring back the WBO title back home to my family and my team.” 

On his strategy for Brian Norman Jr.

“We fight everybody differently. Like I said, this is not my first rodeo. I fought [Jose Carlos] Ramirez differently than I fought [Vasyl] Lomachenko. I fought him differently than Regis [Prograis], so the world has to see what gameplan my team and I have drawn up. I’m going to beat this guy.”

On calling Brian Norman Jr. a bum

“No, I think he’s a great fighter.” 

On his final prediction for Saturday night

“Devin Haney. WBO Champion.” 

Brian Norman Jr. 

On what he says to those who believe he is not ready to deal with a fighter of Devin Haney’s caliber

“I truly feel like either you got it or you don’t. Of course he has done wonderful things and what he had going on but it’s time for another face to come up and do his own thing. That’s where Brian Norman Jr. steps in.”

On how he plans to force Devin Haney into exchanges with him

“It’s only as far as he can go. We’re in a box. It’s not like he can just run forever so no matter if he runs or if he stays there, no matter what, the boy is going to sleep.” 

On how confident he is that he can get a decision win against Devin Haney or if he has to knock him out 

“I can win by any means necessary. If I want it to go to the cards I can do that, if I want to knock him out I’m definitely going to do that anyway as is. It’s me stamping my name in the game.”

On what will happen Saturday night

“That boy is going to sleep.”

Jesse “Bam” Rodriguez 

On how hard it was to make the decision to be here instead of his wife and newborn son 

“We knew the date was going to fall close to the fight date so we kind of just planned how things were going to go out and they planned exactly the way we expected, but that’s just more fuel to the fire, that’s more motivation to go out there and get the win. It’s all for him. My daughter and my son are what it’s all about, this is what I do it for. Come Saturday night I’m going to come out victorious and take these belts back to both of them.”

On Fernando “Puma” Martinez promising to push him harder than he’s ever been pushed

“Just tune in to DAZN on Saturday night you’ll see. You’ll see why Eddie Hearn just said what he said about me. I’m a special fighter and I’m going to go out there and prove that to everyone once again. This is going to be another fantastic performance from myself and I’m just ready to go out there and get the job done.”

On if he agrees this fight will be a war or a one-sided victory

“Honestly, this fight, it ends how I want. I can take it the distance or I can stand there and end the night early. Whatever I’m feeling that night, I’ll go out there and make it happen.” 

On his official prediction for Saturday night

“I just know I’m going to win, my hand is going to be raised at the end of the night. I’m going to take that belt and take these belts back to my children and that’s that.” 

Fernando Martinez 

On his style and why he’s been so successful in his career

“I want to say thank you to Saudi Arabia for the opportunity. In terms of what I have, we’re very experienced and have fought against some big champions along the way. We’ve also been to the Olympics, so I feel like we’re completely prepared to win this fight on Saturday night” 

On why legends of the sport couldn’t beat Jesse “Bam” Rodriguez

“Becasue he’s never faced a ‘Puma’ Martinez from Argentina and he’s never faced a ferocious ‘Puma’ from Argentina who’s going to eat up ‘Bam’ Rodriguez on Saturday night.” 

On how big of a victory this will be for him and Argentina on Saturday night

“To be honest, it’s a massive fight for me and I think it will be totally historic for Argentina. There’s never been a fight in which an Argentinian has fought to unify so many belts in just one fight and I want to make my mark and be up there with the big names that Argentina has. I just want to be up there with the great champions and become a legend in Argentina.” 

On his official prediction for Saturday night 

“I win this fight by knockout.”

Sam Noakes 

On why his style will give Abdullah Mason so many problems

“Everyone keeps saying my style is one dimensional and all that. I feel like from the outside it looks easy to deal with but he’ll find out Saturday night that it’s not going to be very easy to deal with.”

On why he isn’t receiving the respect he thinks he deserves as the underdog

“Honestly, it doesn’t matter to me being the underdog. All that means is that everyone betting on me is going to win a nice bit of money doesn’t it?”

On what the scenes will be like if he surpassed Jack Green to become the greatest athlete from Maidstone, Kent, England 

“That’s news to me, I didn’t even know that. Bringing it back, I got a few people coming out here. It’s brilliant for me and obviously the fans and my hometown.” 

On what his prediction is for Saturday night

“Sam Noakes by knockout.”

Abdullah Mason 

On his long term goals in the sport of boxing 

“I’m just here, I’m ready.”

On what he learned about himself after being knocked down and why he’s confident it won’t happen again Saturday night

“That was definitely revealing a lot for the better. It showed the resilience I had, it showed everything that was good, it showed the corner, it showed everything that a fighter needs in a ring. Most importantly, I’m ready to take it a step further this Saturday.” 

On his prediction for Saturday night

“Boxing gets to gain its new favorite young talent and I’m going to be dominating the lightweight division from Saturday night on forward.”

Vito Mielniki Jr.

On how satisfied he is right now with his pro career

“My professional career is off to a hot start. I had a great amateur career as well. But to be a part of an event of this magnitude, to have this stage to showcase my talent, to showcase that I’m on another level than this guy, is exactly what I’m gonna do on Saturday night.”

On whether or not he’s impressed by what he’s seen from Samuel Nmomah

“He’s a good fighter, but nothing I haven’t seen before. I’m just excited. Excited to be on the platform and showcase my talent. He’ll see on Saturday night.”

On what kind of statement he’s looking to make to the boxing community 

“I’m here to make a statement in the whole middleweight division. This is my third fight in the division, but my third straight undefeated opponent. I’m just ready to give him his first blemish.”

Samuel Nmomah 

On what kind of fighter he is and what his gameplan is for Saturday night 

“I want to thank everyone for coming and giving me this opportunity. Thank you to Turki Alalshikh and Ring Magazine. I don’t have a plan, I’m just here to do work. Vito, are you ready?” 

On why Vito Mielnicki Jr. was the opponent he wanted for Saturday night 

“When I received the opportunity for this fight, I was really excited to sign the contract because I was already looking ahead to facing Vito [Mielnicki Jr.]. Believe me, we’ll see on Saturday night.”

Carl Moretti, Vice President, Top Rank

On why he thinks Abdullah Mason is ready for “The Ring IV: Night of the Champions”

“I want to thank everybody for putting a great card together. With Sam Noakes and Abdullah Mason you have two contrasting styles: Sam only knows how to knock people out and come forward while Abdullah can box and punch at the same time. I think the only southpaw that Sam has ever fought was Vincenzo Finiello – a fellow countryman – and he stopped him in four [rounds]. Abdullah Mason is no Vincenzo Finiello, we know that. We wouldn’t put our guys in fights that we didn’t think we could win. Nowadays, anyone can fight for a title, but the goal is to win. On Saturday night, Top Rank will have the WBO Lightweight Champion in Abdullah Mason.”  

On what makes Brian Norman Jr. so special

“Saturday night you’ll see why for sure but I really can’t wait for this show, I can’t wait for this fight, I can’t wait for social media. I’ve never seen so many experts in my life tell Devin [Haney] what to do and tell Brian [Norman Jr.] what to do. Let’s see what they say after the fight because they’re all going to be wrong. It’s the best fight in the welterweight division, whoever wins this I can’t wait to see who doesn’t call out the winner. It’s been a trip the whole time, but we’re very confident on what Brian Norman Jr. can do. Bill Haney’s been selling this fight from start to finish. He’s a trip man, he’s one of a kind. He kind of reminds me of the captain of the Titanic who’s bragging that he saw the iceberg. Well, Brian Norman Jr. is the iceberg and we know how that worked out for everybody, so we can’t wait for the bell to ring Saturday night.”

Frank Warren, Promoter, Queensberry  

On Top Rank’s confidence in Abdullah Mason beating Sam Noakes on Saturday night

“It’s great to be here in the world’s capital of boxing – Riyadh – for the Riyadh season and Ring show. What do I think of those comments? We’re here with my man [Sam] and he’s undefeated. He is one of the best young fighters in the United Kingdom – everything that’s been asked of him he’s done. He’s won every title all the way through British Commonwealth, European, and now we’re at the World Title. Abdullah is a good fighter, but let me tell you, he’s going to have his hands full. He won’t have to go looking for him [Sam], not at all. It’s going to be a great, fantastic fight.” 

On why he thinks Anthony Yarde gets the win here in Riyadh 

“First of all, what a fantastic card this is. When you look at this main event and the next three world title fights they feature all undefeated fighters fighting each other. Anthony’s been with us since day one. When you look at where he’s come from – having just 12 amateur fights – to where he is today, he’s had two World Title fights. I thought he was definitely going to win one of them, but he’s learned along the way…this is a big moment in his career. He is in with David [Benavidez], who we respect, 30 [wins] and 0 [losses], but he’s in with a fighter who I promise you will give him the toughest fight he’s ever had. He believes in himself as we believe in him and I genuinely feel there could be an upset on Saturday night.”

Eddie Hearn, Chairman, Matchroom Sport 

On if he’s surprised how good of a fighter Jesse Bam Rodriguez has become

“Thank you to Turki Alalshikh and everyone involved with Ring Magazine. It’s incredible to be back in Riyadh after what was a breathtaking event last week. Another Ring card at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium – over 60,000 people on a very sweet night when Conor Benn beat Chris Eubank Jr. This is the Night of the Champions on Saturday night in Riyadh, but let’s be honest, this is the main champion here. I know he’s too humble to say it, but this is the guy [Jesse Bam Rodriguez]. This is everybody’s favorite fighter in boxing and every fighter on this card’s favorite fighter…he’s definitely one of our favorites, too. I think this is the only reigning Ring Magazine champion on this card and he’s done it all. The two men down there – Robert Garcia, his incredible trainer, and Kevin Rooney – they told me about this guy for years and at just one week’s notice he stepped up two divisions to win the World Title beating Carlos Cuadras and he never looked back. He stepped down to the Flyweight division to win the World Title – a unified [fight] against Sunny Edwards. He then went up against [Juan Francisco] Estrada, then unified against [Phumelela] Cafu, and now he’s attempting to unify again. Like I said, there’s some incredible fighters on this card, but this is the real pound-for-pound star. He’s already top five pound-for-pound. Jesse “Bam” Rodriguez is 25 years of age and it’s so good to see the younger weight classes get recognition because this guy has all the talent in the world. On a card that’s filled with incredible boxers, what you’re watching here is one of the greatest fighters of our generation. The fight against [Fernando] “Puma” Martinez is one of the best fights in the sport. Of course, we want to say congratulations to the birth of his son yesterday. To him, Robert Garcia and the whole team, I truly believe this man is the future pound-for-pound star of the sport.” 

ENDS 

About Riyadh Season

Saudi Arabia’s capital embraces one of the world’s biggest entertainment events every year during winter. Since the launch of Riyadh Season in 2019, the festival has welcomed visitors from all over the world to experience thousands of concerts, sporting activities, and other unique cultural events. Most recently, Riyadh Season 2024 reached a major milestone after the number of visitors for the year exceeded 20 million for the first time.

Riyadh Season has hosted a number of memorable boxing showdowns including the first undisputed heavyweight title fight of the 21st Century between Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk, two undisputed light heavyweight title clashes between Artur Beterbiev and Dimitry Bivol, Anthony Joshua v Daniel Dubois in front of a record crowd at London’s Wembley Stadium and September’s blockbuster showdown between pound-for-pound great Canelo Álvarez and undefeated superstar Terence Crawford in Las Vegas.

About The Ring Magazine

Since its inception in 1922, The Ring Magazine has been the cornerstone of boxing journalism, earning it the title as ‘The Bible of Boxing.’ Today, The Ring is more than just a magazine – it’s a growing multimedia empire poised to redefine how the world experiences boxing and combat sports. The Ring is not just chronicling the history of boxing; it’s actively shaping its future. Whether through its digital platforms, community events, or innovative partnerships. The Ring is committed to making the sport more accessible, exciting and engaging for a global audience.

ABOUT DAZN
DAZN, the world’s leading sports entertainment platform, streams over 110,000 live events annually and is available in more than 200 markets worldwide.? DAZN is the global home of European football, women’s football, boxing, and MMA, as well as the NFL internationally. The platform features the biggest sports and leagues from around the world – Bundesliga, Serie A, La Liga, Ligue 1, Formula 1, NBA, Moto GP, and many more, including FIFA Club World Cup 2025. DAZN is transforming the way people enjoy sport. With a single, frictionless platform, sports fans can watch, play, buy, and connect. Live and on-demand sports content, anywhere, in any language, on any device – only on DAZN.? DAZN is a global, privately owned company, founded in 2016, with more than 4,000 employees. For more information on DAZN, our products, people, and performance, visit? www.dazngroup.com.? 

RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA, November 19, 2025 – Today, Ring Magazine’s no. 2-ranked David Benavidez (30-0, 24 KOs) and no. 4-ranked Anthony Yarde (27-3, 24 KOs), along with co-main event fighters Brian Norman Jr. (28-0, 22 KOs) and Devin Haney (32-0, 15 KOs) held an open media workout ahead of this weekend’s high-powered four 12-round fight card, “The Ring IV: Night of the Champions,” as part of Riyadh Season, live from ANB Arena in Saudi Arabia’s capital, taking place on Saturday, November 22 (9 p.m. ET), live worldwide exclusively on DAZN PPV.

Also taking part in the open workout was no. 9-ranked fighter Abdullah Mason (19-0, 17 KOs) and Sam Noakes (17-0, 15 KOs) ahead of their clash for the vacant WBO Lightweight Title. Stepping into the ring before his Super Flyweight contest for the WBA, WBC, WBO & Ring Magazine Titles, Ring Magazine’s no. 1-ranked Fernando Martinez (18-0, 9 KOs) showcased his moves, though his opponent WBO Super Flyweight Champion Jesse “Bam” Rodriguez (22-0, 15 KOs), was not in attendance due to his wife entering labor. 

Kicking off Saturday’s expansive undercard, Vito Mielnicki Jr. (21-1, 12 KOs) and Samuel Nmomah (21-0, 5 KOs) made their entrances before a 10-round bout for the WBO Global and Vacant WBC Continental Americas Middleweight Championships. A host of undercard fighters also held workouts in front of the media, including Barker Ssewanyana (1-1) and Juan Pérez Guerito before their 4-round Bantamweight contest; Umesh Chavan (3-1) and Sultan Almohammed (1-0) ahead of their 4-round Super Featherweight fight; Jiaming Li (7-5, 4 KOs) and Mohammed Alakel (6-0, 1 KO) as they go head-to-head in a 6-round Super Featherweight bout. Pius Mpenda (11-4, 5 KOs) and Julio Porras Ruiz (13-0, 9 KOs) also worked out prior to their 6-round Super Middleweight battle. 

Here is what the fighters had to say from Boulevard City in Saudi Arabia’s capital: 

David Benavidez 

On how this experience in Riyadh is different for him 

“It feels really good. I’m really excited and happy to be here – very blessed. I’m just happy to be here with my family and we’re looking forward to giving everyone a good show this Saturday night.” 

On if Saturday night’s fight will feel different than others

“No. I’ve faced fighters that have a lot of power and I’ve faced fighters that are really motivated – Anthony Yarde is that type of fighter. I’ve worked extremely hard in my training camp as you guys can see. I’m 100% ready. I’m already at weight and I’m still moving like this in the ring. Imagine when I rehydrate? I’m very excited and ready to give everyone a good show.” 

Anthony Yarde 

On how this preparation compares to his fights against Artur Beterbiev and Sergey Kovalev 

“I don’t know why, but I actually don’t get nervous for my fights. Especially when I’ve made it to a certain level. Even when I went out to Russia, there were no nerves. Some people say ‘you’re crazy’ or ‘that’s weird.’ I think it’s because, where I come from, even the level I’ve made it to already, it’s all just positives. I can’t explain it, but to be here for the third time, fighting someone like David Benavidez, on an occasion like this? Amazing.”

On how he beats a fighter like David Benavidez 

“Land on his chin. We have to just wait and see. It’s not that I’m not giving you nothing, but it’s one of those things where you only know once you’re in front of somebody. What sells this fight naturally and organically is the fact that people have seen us both fight. People know how I approach my career. I approach it like a professional and on an occasion like this, you see the best of me. Stylistically, it’s inevitable that you’re going to get a clash because we both like to come forward and we both like to look for a knockout victory. I’m a natural light heavyweight…been a light heavyweight my whole career. He’s moved up and he’ll try to come and do whatever he wants. I need to be a World Champion. I will be a World Champion.” 

On what he visualizes for the fight on Saturday night  

“Getting the victory, that’s all that’s on my mind. How it happens, we don’t know. This fight, it just feels ripe. The way it’s all happened, the occasion, it just seems ripe, like a fruit.”

On if it’s a fair assessment that he’s found a second wind for closing fights stronger 

“Fair, I take all of my criticisms, I take all of them, because I feel that’s the only way you can grow. Some people don’t like to receive criticism. The only time there’s going to be criticism is when there’s a fault there in someone’s eyes. Even Roy Jones Jr., he got criticized in his prime. Mike Tyson, he went the distance one time and started getting criticized. Then you have people like myself. I can honestly look back at my fights and say ‘I could’ve been better there,’ but it’s all about progression.”

On what he wants to show the American boxing fans on Saturday night

“With all my fights, I want to impress, I want to be entertaining. That’s just my style, that’s the reason I got into boxing. Mike Tyson was a big inspiration for me. Before I knew about boxing, I didn’t know anything about weight classes. All I saw was a small guy knocking out these big guys. Entertainment, pure entertainment. When I went into boxing, I wanted that same flair. I started boxing late, I had a bunch of fights. I started learning how to box when I was 18 years old. I had my first ever amateur fight just before I turned 20. It’s all been very quick but my mindset is ‘if you’re behind you need to work harder.’”

On where David Benavidez ranks among his toughest opponents 

“Within the top three definitely. They are World Champions for a reason. Even when people ask me to rate [Artur] Beterbiev and [Sergey] Kovalev, you can’t do that because they’re different stylistically. I fought them at different times. I fought Kovlev when I was an 18-fight prospect, and I did it in Russia. For Beterbiev, I had a bit more experience so you saw a better performance from me. At the time Beterbiev was this wrecking ball: undefeated, 18 fights, 18 wins, 18 knockouts, and I still pushed him and gave him his hardest test at that time. I’m a confident person and feel like I can beat anybody. There’s little tweaks I can make and we’ll see Saturday.”

Devin Haney 

On how excited he is for Saturday night 

“I’m just happy to be here. Nothing has changed. It’s all business, but now it’s just time for me to do work.” 

On if this speed and footwork is a glimpse into Saturday night

“I am going to go in there and put on a great performance…show how great I really am, and become a champion again.” 

On his father’s comments about training camp 

“I was just very motivated. I know how good Brian Norman Jr is, how hungry he is. Ultimately, this is training camp. I had to take it up two notches and really push myself.” 

On fighting one of the top fighters in The Ring Magazine rankings 

“No disrespect to anybody, but I don’t believe in tune-up fights. I want to fight the best fighters in the world and I want to prove myself. I want to become a champion again. I want to get back on the throne and at least back where I once was.” 

On how he will fight Brian Norman Jr. 

“I look to bring out my whole arsenal. I want to show that I can box. I want to show that I can fight on the inside. I want to show everything. I want to show everything, especially what Devin Haney is made of, and just show that experience really matters and how great I really am.” 

On if he believes that Brian Norman Jr. is just another fighter

“No, I think Brian Norman Jr. is a good fighter. I take nothing away from him. I think he’s a really good fighter and I think he’s just going to bring the best out of me.”

On if he fears Brian Norman Jr.’s power

“No. I don’t fear anyone.” 

On if Brian Norman Jr. will feel his power 

“I think Brian Norman [Jr.] will definitely feel my power, but I think what really separates me in the fight is my skillset and experience. At the top, everybody can punch hard. Everybody can punch, but Brian will see something he’s never seen before on fight night.” 

Brian Norman Jr. 

On how it feels to have all these lights shining on him 

“This is why I put in the work and this is what I was made for. This is my territory.”

On what happened between today and yesterday that made him warmer 

“We’re getting closer to fight time, I get more and more excited.”

Fernando Martinez 

On if this is the best condition he has been in during his career

“I feel great, I feel like this is the best moment for my physical attributes and experience. I am ready to make history for Argentina.” 

On what has changed as he looks to face Jesse “Bam” Rodriguez 

“I think what I first need to do is be a little more intelligent. I need to have a tear up when I need to have a tear up. As I said, I come here now prepared for a war. We’re very confident. I feel like we’re going to go into this fight and do our best. I want to say thank you to a lot of people and hello to the people back home in Argentina. To my mom, to my wife, to my daughters, to my brothers, I love you all. Thank you again to Turki Alalshikh for putting on a great card here in Saudi Arabia.” 

Sam Noakes 

On if he’s hiding anything for Saturday night

“I don’t really have much to show, to be honest with you. Make sure you tune in Saturday night. We’re nearly there now, so I don’t need to be doing too much in here [the ring].”

On if we can expect power and explosiveness from his hands 

“Yes. I think the record speaks for itself. I think we’re going to get that from both guys and I think that’s why we’re going to steal the show.” 

Abdullah Mason 

On how he feels following in the footsteps of Mark Crawford 

“It feels amazing. Right now, we’re just floating. We come from Cleveland and we’ll be bringing those titles back to Cleveland, Ohio. We are having fun with it and I can’t wait until Saturday.”

On what the show of athleticism was all about in the ring

“I was just having a little bit of fun. Every time I step inside the ring I do that – it’s where I have fun.”

Mohammed Alakel 

On why what he showed today is different

“I have more experience, more rounds sparring. I’m looking forward to putting on a good show.”

On what else he wants to prove

“That there’s talented boxers here in Saudi Arabia and with more than two days to go, I’m going to show that.”

On how the experience was in Big Bear

“It was good. It was hard work and I am enjoying it.” 

ENDS 

About Riyadh Season

Saudi Arabia’s capital embraces one of the world’s biggest entertainment events every year during winter. Since the launch of Riyadh Season in 2019, the festival has welcomed visitors from all over the world to experience thousands of concerts, sporting activities, and other unique cultural events. Most recently, Riyadh Season 2024 reached a major milestone after the number of visitors for the year exceeded 20 million for the first time.

Riyadh Season has hosted a number of memorable boxing showdowns including the first undisputed heavyweight title fight of the 21st Century between Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk, two undisputed light heavyweight title clashes between Artur Beterbiev and Dimitry Bivol, Anthony Joshua v Daniel Dubois in front of a record crowd at London’s Wembley Stadium and September’s blockbuster showdown between pound-for-pound great Canelo Álvarez and undefeated superstar Terence Crawford in Las Vegas.

About The Ring Magazine

Since its inception in 1922, The Ring Magazine has been the cornerstone of boxing journalism, earning it the title as ‘The Bible of Boxing.’ Today, The Ring is more than just a magazine – it’s a growing multimedia empire poised to redefine how the world experiences boxing and combat sports. The Ring is not just chronicling the history of boxing; it’s actively shaping its future. Whether through its digital platforms, community events, or innovative partnerships. The Ring is committed to making the sport more accessible, exciting and engaging for a global audience.

ABOUT DAZN
DAZN, the world’s leading sports entertainment platform, streams over 110,000 live events annually and is available in more than 200 markets worldwide.? DAZN is the global home of European football, women’s football, boxing, and MMA, as well as the NFL internationally. The platform features the biggest sports and leagues from around the world – Bundesliga, Serie A, La Liga, Ligue 1, Formula 1, NBA, Moto GP, and many more, including FIFA Club World Cup 2025. DAZN is transforming the way people enjoy sport. With a single, frictionless platform, sports fans can watch, play, buy, and connect. Live and on-demand sports content, anywhere, in any language, on any device – only on DAZN.? DAZN is a global, privately owned company, founded in 2016, with more than 4,000 employees. For more information on DAZN, our products, people, and performance, visit? www.dazngroup.com.? 

This week, the boxing world spotlight will be on Riyadh, Saudi Arabia this Saturday (November 22) for an action-packed matchup in Ring IV: Night of the Champions as David Benavidez (30-0, 24 KOs) steps into the ring to defend his WBC Light Heavyweight Title against Anthony Yarde (27-3, 24 KOs). Headlining the co-main event, Brian Norman Jr. (28-0, 22 KOs, 1 NC) will put his WBO Welterweight Title on the line versus former undisputed lightweight champion Devin Haney (32-0, 15 KOs). The loaded pay-per-view card gets underway at ANB Arena and features four 12-round world title fights in different divisions. 

Also squaring up on Saturday, Sam Noakes (17-0, 15 KOs) and Abdullah Mason (19-0, 17 KOs) are set to go head-to-head for the vacant WBO lightweight title. Mason, the WBO No. 2 ranked fighter, is seeking a victory against the WBO lightweight division’s No. 1-ranked contender, Noakes.

To fully experience all of DAZN’s latest boxing action, fans can now take advantage of DAZN Ultimate, an all-new comprehensive plan that delivers major boxing events through one simple subscription. Launched earlier this month, DAZN, the world’s leading sports and entertainment platform and the global home of boxing, has developed a plan providing boxing and sports fans alike access to 185+ fight nights and a minimum of 12 pay-per-views (PPV) per year. With more choice in how they buy and watch world-class events, fans have the option to opt for a per-month or up-front annual subscription. DAZN Ultimate gives fans access to the most comprehensive lineup of live boxing, including pay-per-view fights, year-round fight nights, an unrivaled archive of classic bouts, and behind-the-scenes content — in a single plan at an affordable price. 

Kicking off in the New Year, boxing fans can look forward to the return of The Magnificent 7 series. In honor of Frank Warren’s 45 years as a licensed British boxing promoter, the card is headlined by a heavyweight showdown between Moses Itauma and Jermain Franklin and arrives at the Co-op Live Arena in Manchester on Saturday January 24, live and exclusive on DAZN.

NEWS & SOCIAL

• “That was the worst… so it can only get better than that” Devin Haney reflects on his fight with Ryan Garcia
• Who is the best fighter on this Ring IV card?
• Introducing the DAZN Ultimate Plan. 185+ fight nights. 12+ pay-per-view events. All in one subscription. 
• Yarde confident of becoming world champ
• “Can I beat that? Let’s go find out” Brian Norman Jr gives Haney his flowers
• ??????? ????????? Some stars from the States are in action on Saturday night
• The Magnificent 7 make their return on a blockbuster card in Manchester 
• @realdevinhaney reacts to Conor Benn calling him out after the win against Eubank Jr…
• Haney names his top 5 pound for pound! 
• Haney and Norman showed some respect during the @InsideRingShow, will they do the same in the ring on Nov 22?

RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA, November 18, 2025 – Ahead of boxing’s return to Riyadh this weekend for the star-studded four 12-round fight card, “The Ring IV: Night of the Champions”, David Benavidez and challenger, Anthony Yarde, along with Devin Haney and Brian Norman Jr., and other fighters on the card, made their grand arrivals today at Boulevard City in Saudi Arabia’s capital ahead of fight night at ANB Arena as part of Riyadh Season. The main event takes place on Saturday, November 22, live worldwide exclusively on DAZN PPV with main event ringwalks taking place at 9 p.m. ET. 

Tuesday’s grand arrivals was headlined by the four fighters from the double-main event: Ring Magazine’s no. 2-ranked David Benavidez (30-0, 24 KOs) and Ring Magazine’s no. 4-ranked Anthony Yarde (27-3, 24 KOs) as the former looks to defend his WBC Light Heavyweight Title. In the second half of the co-main event, Brian Norman Jr. (28-0, 22 KOs) will put his WBO Welterweight Title on the line against former Undisputed Lightweight Champion and Former WBC Super Lightweight World Champion Devin Haney (32-0, 15 KOs). 

Additionally, no. 9-ranked fighter Abdullah Mason (19-0, 17 KOs) and Sam Noakes (17-0, 15 KOs) made their grand arrivals before their lightweight clash for the vacant WBO Lightweight Title, while reigning and defending Ring Magazine champion and Unified WBC and WBO Super Flyweight Champion Jesse “Bam” Rodriguez (22-0, 15 KOs) and Ring Magazine’s no. 1-ranked Fernando Martinez (18-0, 9 KOs) also arrived ahead of their Super Flyweight contest for the WBA, WBC, WBO, & Ring Magazine Titles. 

Encompassing Saturday night’s undercard, Vito Mielnicki Jr. (21-1, 12 KOs) and Samuel Nmomah (21-0, 5 KOs) made their entrances before a 10-round bout for the WBO Global and Vacant WBC Continental Americas Middleweight Championships. Additional undercard fights include: a 4-round Bantamweight contest between Barker Ssewanyana (1-1) and Juan Pérez Guerito who is making his professional debut; a 4-round Super Featherweight contest between Umesh Chavan (3-1) and Sultan Almohammed (1-0); a 6-round Super Featherweight featuring Jiaming Li (7-5, 4 KOs) and Mohammed Alakel (6-0, 1 KO), and a 6-round Super Middleweight fight pitting Pius Mpenda (11-4, 5 KOs) against Julio Porras Ruiz (13-0, 9 KOs). 

Here is what the fighters had to say during their grand arrivals: 

David Benavidez 

On his impression being the defending champ and ready to fight in Riyadh 

“I feel really good…really blessed. I’m really happy to be here in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. I’m happy to be able to perform in front of the beautiful people of Riyadh this Saturday. I have trained extremely hard for this fight. I’m very motivated, very excited, and I’m going to give everyone a great fight this Saturday night.”

On the type of explosiveness we can expect on Saturday night

“I have a lot to prove not only in this fight on Saturday night, but going forward for the rest of my career, too. I want to make a statement that I’m the best in the world and I want to be the greatest of my generation by the time I’m done. It starts with Anthony Yarde. I know he’s [Yarde] come in focused and prepared, but I’m ready to make it a war and I’m not leaving without a victory.”

On the long road that has led him here 

“It’s been a long, long time. I’m coming up on 13 years pro, I’ve been boxing 25 years and I started when I was three years old. We knew eventually we’d be here at this moment, kept working extremely hard every year, and now we’re here.”

On how he feels and acclimatizing

“I feel good. I changed my sleeping schedule. I’m going to sleep at 7 or 8 a.m., so I feel like I should be good. This is why we’re World Champions, we have to adapt to anything that comes our way.”

On how his weight cut has been going

“This is probably the easiest weight cut I’ve had. I have three pounds left to lose. Right now I’m at 178 lbs, but it’s been the easiest weight cut of my career. It’s been one of the best camps of my career. I know Anthony Yarde is coming in really prepared, so I’m prepared as well.” 

On the critics saying how power hasn’t carried over to the light heavyweight

“I know that’s not true. What I’ve done in this camp is gone back to the basics using footwork, using distance, using head movement. We’re not going to set up traps. These are bigger guys. So, me walking them down is not going to work like I did at 168 lbs. But for me, I know for a fact I can hurt these guys. Now I need to follow the game plan and work behind the jab, but I see opportunities of me hurting Anthony Yarde and I just have to follow the game plan.” 

On if he think’s he going to get the knockout 

“I’m not really too worried about the knockout, but what I will say is that I will dominate like I do in every fight. Like I said, I’m going to follow my game plan but I see a lot of opportunities hurting Anthony Yarde so I just have to follow that and when I see the opportunities, go for it.” 

On if his goal is to bully his way into becoming the face of Mexican boxing and boxing as a whole

“That’s exactly the plan. I know the only way of doing that is getting the hard fights and I’m not shying away from them. I want [Artur] Beterbiev, I want [Dmitry] Bivol, I want [Gilberto] Ramirez, and maybe Jai Opetaia in the future. This is the only way to make a name for myself and that’s the only way to take those dates. I want to be the person that takes all the fights that the fans want to see. And this is exactly what we’re going to do.” 

On if he is content staying at light heavyweight

“My main thing that I want to do is make the biggest fights happen so if there’s an opportunity that presents itself in the next fight, I’m going to take it.” 

Anthony Yarde 

On how he feels on this opportunity fighting for a title 

“I feel fantastic. Glad to be here in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. I’m very happy.”

On what he goes through mentally taking on David Benavidez

“Mentally, I’ve already won. Coming from where I was and getting to this stage for the third time and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, I feel like I’ve already won. There’s no pressure on me. I’m an excellent fighter and with a bit more experience I can be the best in the division. I’m excited.”

Devin Haney 

On why he took the challenge in Riyadh 

“For this opportunity, for me to be champion again. For me to be here in Riyadh…this is a dream come true. I want to fight the best fighters in the world, and Brian Norman Jr. is the champion and I’m the challenger. This is not the first time for me, and this is not the second time for me. This will be my third time fighting a champion and I look forward to it.”

On his current weight (147 lbs) and if there will be a difference in his performance 

“I look how I feel. Nice and healthy. I think the world will see much more of my natural and best self – what I am when I’m sparring. I feel as though I’ve been depleting myself most of my fights and hurting myself, making weight and leaving it all in the gym. It will show on November 22.”

On Brian Norman Jr.’s experience at 147 lbs and how he’ll deal with it 

“He’s a hard puncher and a good fighter. I have nothing but respect for him and his team and I thank them for the opportunity. I look to go in the ring and be victorious. The world will see how I do it but you have to tune in on November 22.”

Brian Norman Jr. 

On the words he had for Devin Haney

“We’re about that action boss. Come Saturday, we’re on that.”

On how this experience in Riyadh has been for him 

“This is what I’m accustomed to and this is who I am. I’m the real definition of a World Champion. I’ll go anywhere and everywhere and I will stamp my flag. My name is ‘the assassin’ for a reason. Once I sign the contract it’s like that.”  

On the video he made Saturday and the promise he made to Devin Haney

“Knock him out. Most definitely, I’m not trying to go 12 rounds. I don’t trust no judges at all. God gave me the power to judge myself so I’m going to go out there and use it.”

Jesse “Bam” Rodriguez 

On his “Texas Massacre” shirt and if that’s a precursor for what will happen on Saturday night

“Tune in on DAZN Saturday night and you’ll see.”

On Fernando Martinez talking about his legacy and what it means to him 

“It is what it is. He [Martinez] can feel however he wants to feel, but I’m here to handle business myself and go home and enjoy my win.”

On how this experience is different fighting in Riyadh compared to San Antonio 

“It’s been a little bit different just because of the time and schedule change, but I’m a fighter so I adjust to anything, that’s just the person I am. So, on November 22nd I’ll be ready for whatever they bring to the table.”

On if he’s getting tacos after the weigh in 

“Maybe not tacos, but when I get back home to San Antonio I’ll have all the tacos I want.” 

Fernando Martinez 

On what was going through his head during his arrival

“I always do that pose because I have two tattoos on my arms: one represents my mother and the other my father who is no longer with us…he hasn’t been with us for ten years. I always do that pose to pay respect to them.”

On what it means coming from a long line of Argentinian fighters 

“[Pointing to his shirt] You can see the names of the fighters on my shirt – these are Argentina’s favorite champions. I want to be one of them and be able to write my name in golden letters, be well-respected and make history in Argentina.”

Sam Noakes 

On how it feels fighting for a vacant title

“It’s good. I’m happy to be out here fighting for a world title and what a place to be doing it.” 

On how it feels to be part of Saturday night’s card 

“I’m absolutely buzzing for it [his fight]. I can’t wait to get in there on Saturday.” 

On what we can expect from him on Saturday night

“Fireworks. You’ll have to tune in and watch.”

Abdullah Mason 

On how this experience in Riyadh has been for him

“It’s been amazing, it feels similar to my professional debut. It’s a little different for me to be out here, but we are locked in and we’ve been locked in since we got here. We have business ahead of us and we are going to handle business.” 

How do you think these factors are going to be working in your favor on Saturday night

“It comes down to the preparation and I feel like I prepared really well. Saturday night we’re going to have a lot of fun and I appreciate everyone that has come out to watch me and everyone that’s tuning in. It’s an amazing card and I can’t wait.”

Mohammed Alakel 

On how it feels to be back in Riyadh after his last fight in the US

“It’s good to be back fighting in Saudi Arabia…it’s one of my favorite places. I hope I can put on a good performance.”

On how it was working with trainer Abel Sanchez 

“It’s been hard work, but hopefully I can show that it’s paid off come Saturday night.”

On what we can expect between now and Saturday night

“I’ve learned a lot. 10-rounds in my last fight, so I’ll show him what I’ve learned.”

ENDS 

About Riyadh Season

Saudi Arabia’s capital embraces one of the world’s biggest entertainment events every year during winter. Since the launch of Riyadh Season in 2019, the festival has welcomed visitors from all over the world to experience thousands of concerts, sporting activities, and other unique cultural events. Most recently, Riyadh Season 2024 reached a major milestone after the number of visitors for the year exceeded 20 million for the first time.

Riyadh Season has hosted a number of memorable boxing showdowns including the first undisputed heavyweight title fight of the 21st Century between Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk, two undisputed light heavyweight title clashes between Artur Beterbiev and Dimitry Bivol, Anthony Joshua v Daniel Dubois in front of a record crowd at London’s Wembley Stadium and September’s blockbuster showdown between pound-for-pound great Canelo Álvarez and undefeated superstar Terence Crawford in Las Vegas.

About The Ring Magazine

Since its inception in 1922, The Ring Magazine has been the cornerstone of boxing journalism, earning it the title as ‘The Bible of Boxing.’ Today, The Ring is more than just a magazine – it’s a growing multimedia empire poised to redefine how the world experiences boxing and combat sports. The Ring is not just chronicling the history of boxing; it’s actively shaping its future. Whether through its digital platforms, community events, or innovative partnerships. The Ring is committed to making the sport more accessible, exciting and engaging for a global audience.

ABOUT DAZN
DAZN, the world’s leading sports entertainment platform, streams over 110,000 live events annually and is available in more than 200 markets worldwide.? DAZN is the global home of European football, women’s football, boxing, and MMA, as well as the NFL internationally. The platform features the biggest sports and leagues from around the world – Bundesliga, Serie A, La Liga, Ligue 1, Formula 1, NBA, Moto GP, and many more, including FIFA Club World Cup 2025. DAZN is transforming the way people enjoy sport. With a single, frictionless platform, sports fans can watch, play, buy, and connect. Live and on-demand sports content, anywhere, in any language, on any device – only on DAZN.? DAZN is a global, privately owned company, founded in 2016, with more than 4,000 employees. For more information on DAZN, our products, people, and performance, visit? www.dazngroup.com.? 

By Norm Frauenheim

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

For now, it doesn’t matter.

Benavidez’ newfound future starts with Yarde.

Back to AZ

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

By Norm Frauenheim

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

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

But one thing hasn’t changed. 

Benavidez is still maturing.

Still waiting, too.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

May 5, 2025 – Promoter Sampson Lewkowicz sends his congratulations to Ramon “Dinamita” Cardenas, Rolando “Rolly” Romero and Rafael “El Divino” Espinoza for their success and bravery in the ring over the weekend.

Lewkowicz also says he’ll do whatever it takes to make next year’s Cinco De Mayo celebration in Las Vegas unforgettable by pitting Light Heavyweight superstar David Benavidez against the winner of the upcoming Dmitry Bivol vs. Artur Beterbiev trilogy fight.

Rife with overpaid big-name fighters taking safety-first approaches in terrible fights to watch, Lewkowicz asserts that aside from Rolly Romero’s disciplined performance while upsetting Ryan Garcia Friday night, the entire weekend, normally an occasion for boxing’s marquee matchups, betrayed the spirit of Cinco de Mayo and could have heavily damaged the sport’s integrity.

Fortunately, Lewkowicz says, Sunday’s electric Inoue/Cardenas fight, in which undisputed junior featherweight champion Inoue got off the canvas in round two to stop the brave Cardenas in an eight-round thriller, as well as the intense fire fight between undefeated featherweight champion Espinoza and challenger Edward Vazquez (won by Espinoza in seven exciting rounds) thankfully saved the sport’s reputation.

“You can’t buy good fights,” said Lewkowicz, the exclusive promoter of Benavidez and co-promoter of Cardenas along with Paco Damian of Paco Presents and Garry Jonas of ProBox TV. “Those two events in New York and Saudi Arabia cost in the high tens of millions and they were nothing compared to Sunday’s Top Rank event, which cost a fraction of that amount, but delivered the kind of action we needed to save face for boxing.”

Determined to prevent a similar outcome next year, Lewkowicz says it is his mission to make the showdown for light heavyweight supremacy between “The Mexican Monster” David Benavidez and either Bivol or Beterbiev for 2026’s Cinco de Mayo in Las Vegas.

“After watching Canelo Alvarez Saturday night and how he looked, I wouldn’t put him in with Benavidez for fear he’d be badly injured. David Benavidez will fight in the fall and then be ready for Cinco de Mayo to face either Bivol or Beterbiev, where the torch will finally be passed to him as the new face of boxing.”

Lewkowicz also says he’s very proud of the heart and bravery shown by the San Antonio-based Cardenas, who made the most of the opportunity he earned by looking sensational in three consecutive bouts on ProBox TV.

“Ramon’s career will change trajectory now, as he showed he belongs among the top fighters at junior featherweight and bantamweight. Thank you to Garry Jonas for giving him the chance to shine on ProBox TV and Top Rank for the opportunity against Inoue.”

About Sampson Boxing

Sampson Boxing has promotional partners all over North and South America, Africa, Asia, New Zealand, Australia, Europe and Central America. Sampson Boxing events have been televised on such premiere networks as HBO, Showtime, ESPN, ESPN+, DAZN, VS., FOX, Fox Sports and several international networks. For more information, visit sampsonboxing.com

By Norm Frauenheim 

It’s not exactly the transaction David Benavidez wanted. Benavidez, an instinctive fighter, was hoping to exchange blows for an undisputed title. Instead, he exchanged light-heavyweight belts in a move that was more about process than punches. It didn’t earn him a purse, but it didn’t cost him a sanctioning fee either.

In acronym-speak, Benavidez got “elevated,” from interim to champion without throwing a single jab in a move that was about as elevating as filing taxes. Few fans care, mostly because not much happened in a World Boxing Council shuffle that saw Benavidez move into a title relinquished by Dmitrii Bivol in about the time it takes to send a text message. 

Only when Benavidez elevates a challenger into mid-air with a furious succession of combinations will anybody really care. Maybe, that happens against Callum Smith. Or Anthony Yarde. Until then, however, Benavidez is confronted by skepticism already attached to what fans dismiss as an e-mail title. But don’t blame Benavidez, who understands the inevitable doubts.

“This is not ideal,’’ Benavidez posted on social media in response to a shuffle before a scheduled purse bid last week.

It’s decidedly not. 

But it’s not surprising, either. 

There had been plenty of talk about Bivol-Benavidez instead of a third Bivol-Beterbiev. Benavidez’ growing fan base is impatient, frustrated that Canelo Álvarez continues to say no to their demands for a fight with Benavidez. The Canelo possibility, if there ever was one, looks to be slim-to-none. But the fans’ impatience for Benavidez in an undisputed showdown has followed him up the scale to light-heavy.  

Nevertheless, it was pretty clear that Bivol-Beterbiev 3 would happen — probably this fall — at the moment Prince and promoter Turki Alalshikh  waved three fingers in the immediate aftermath of Bivol’s rematch victory — a majority decision — over Beterbiev Feb. 22 in Riyadh. 

There are reasonable questions about whether the third will be any different than the first or second. Bivol is a slight favorite to win the trilogy fight. But a draw might be the best bet. They are 1-1, each winning by majority decision by identical scores — 114-114, 116-112, 115-113. If there’s a draw in the third, will Alalshikh  wave four fingers? A fourth fight would only heighten the impatience among Benavidez fans.

For the Phoenix-born Benavidez, the good news is that he has a belt that gives him some leverage in potential negotiations with Matchroom-promoted Smith or any other 175-pound challenger. Still, I’m not sure the WBC did Benavidez any favors when the acronym handed him the title. Then again, it’s not as if the WBC did him any favors during his time as the so-called interim champion at 168-pounds. 

That was supposed to lead to a mandatory shot at Canelo.

It didn’t. 

But a Canelo-Benavidez fight was never ordered. There was no purse bid, no threat to strip Canelo and “elevate” Benavidez. Remember, Canelo gets what he wants. It’s the perk that comes with his celebrity and pay-per-view numbers. Now, he has a rich five-fight deal with Alalshikh. 

First, he’ll fight William Scull in a perceived tuneup on the first Saturday in May in Riyadh. Then, there’s the projected date against Terence Crawford, the all-time welterweight great who is coming up from 154 pounds for a 168-pound date in September. After that, who knows? Let’s just say there’s no mention of Canelo-versus-Benavidez. 

There’s been speculation among fans and media that the WBC moved Benavidez into the light-heavy vacancy left by Bivol in part because it wanted to make up for what it didn’t do at super-middle. Maybe. 

The real devil in the fine print, however, appears to be lurking in a looming battle created by Saudi money. In addition to signing Canelo, Alalshikh  bought The Ring, a century-old publication with a trademark name and its own championship belts.

A couple of years ago, the WBC’s Mauricio Sulaiman dismissed The Ring-sponsored titles. The Ring, he said, was just a magazine. But don’t tell that to Alalshikh. He carries The Ring belt around as though it’s permanently attached to one shoulder. Bivol, the man in the middle, relinquished the WBC belt because Sulaiman and Alalshikh left him no reasonable option.

Bivol has a deal with Alalshikh, who underwrote the first two fights with Beterbiev, according to promoter Eddie Hearn. He had a belt with Sulaiman. What would you do? Take the paycheck or keep the belt? Stupid question.

Sulaiman told ESPN Knockout that Bivol had an $8-million offer to fight Benavidez. He said the Bivol offer for a third Beterbiev fight was $2.7-million. The real numbers are impossible to know. It’s not as if the Saudi contracts are public record. 

Even if the numbers are close, however, it’s safe to guess that Bivol sweetened his purse by choosing Beterbiev instead of Benavidez — who according to Benavidez — dominated Bivol in sparring a couple of years ago.

Benavidez, also caught in the middle, got the consolation prize, a belt — a trophy — that comes with a burden of proof. He has yet to fight for it. 

Like Benavidez said, it’s not ideal. But Benavidez is 28. Beterbiev is 40. Bivol is 34.

Longterm, it is ideal.

Ideal for Benavidez.

By Norm Frauenheim –

David Benavidez says he wants to be the Face of the Game. He might have to wait on that one too. 

That’s not his choice. Patience, after all, isn’t exactly a virtue in boxing, which has been defined by the pursuit of paydays ever since prize and fighting became one word. But it’s an inescapable factor in the ongoing emergence of Benavidez. 

He waited on Canelo Álvarez, still to no avail. 

Now, he waits on Dmitrii Bivol.

The current round in the waiting game isn’t exclusive to Benavidez. For now, it’s the state of a game waiting on changes Saudi money has brought. 

And bought. 

There’s talk of moving beyond ruling acronyms and a crazy collection of belts named everything but irrelevant. There’s an agreement for a new league, TKO, although nobody seems to know exactly how that one will be much different than any other acronym.

Nearly a month ago, Benavidez was at ringside in Riyadh for Bivol’s narrow rematch decision over Artur Beterbiev. Benavidez was there as the potential next, the so-called mandatory challenger, for the winner after his solid scorecard victory over David Morrell Feb. 1 in Las Vegas.

Mandatory has been attached to Benavidez’ name for years now. He was in that role, the World Boxing Council’s mandatory at super-middleweight, throughout his futile pursuit of a date with Canelo, undisputed at 168 pounds in everybody’s opinion other than than one acronym, the IBF (International Boxing Federation). 

But mandatory didn’t mean much then. It was never enforced, simply because Canelo’s celebrity and pay-per-view clout comes with prerogatives. Canelo, who intends to re-claim the IBF belt against William Scull during the first weekend in May in Riyadh, fights whoever he wants to.

Benavidez moved up the scale and away from Canelo, in part to create his own career and mostly because he didn’t have much choice. At 28 years old, Benavidez is just getting bigger, perhaps big enough to one day fight at heavyweight.

Whether the move from super-middle to light-heavy changed the meaning of mandatory, however, is still anybody’s guess. 

In the wake of Bivol’s majority decision, the WBC did what it did not do at 168 pounds. It ordered Bivol to defend his 175-pound title against Benavidez, a consensus pound-for-pound pick for the first time since beating Morrell. 

But Saudi Prince and promoter Turki Alalshikh, whose bankroll is redefining boxing’s expectations, announced in The Ring — his new acquisition — that he was not interested. 

That much seemed to be clear at the moment Bivol’s narrow rematch victory was announced. Alalshikh waved three fingers, meaning — of course — that a third Bivol-Beterbiev fight was next. In the wake of the WBC order, however, he said in a somewhat tense declaration that he would not bid on Bivol-Benavidez.

What followed was predictable, perhaps even inevitable in this age of disinformation. There was a social-media report that negotiations for Bivol-Benavidez were underway. That proved to be news to both Benavidez promoter/manager Sampson Lewkowicz and Bivol manager Vadim Kornilov.

Lewkowicz called the report “fake news.” Believe him. After Benavidez blew out ex-middleweight David Lemieux in a third-round beat-down in May 2022 at Glendale, AZ, just a few miles of road work from the Phoenix streets where Benavidez grew up, Lewkowicz told 15 Rounds that talk about a Canelo fight was “fantasy.” It still is.

Then, Kornilov told journalist Dan Rafael of Fight Freaks that there was nothing to reports about Bivol-Benavidez. Bivol was with his family, Kornilov said, resting from a busy stretch that included the majority-decision loss to Beterbiev and the rematch victory, all within five months — October and then February.

In the days after Bivol won the rematch, fans took to social media, calling for Bivol to skip a second rematch with Beterbiev. First, they wanted to see Bivol-versus-Benavidez. It’s a fair opinion, but that’s all it is. Saudi money figures to decide this one. Bivol-Beterbiev 3 looks to be next.

The guess is that a third Beterbiev-Bivol fight will be as close as the first two were. Both were decided by identical scores. If the trilogy fight is a draw, will Alalshikh wave four fingers? A fourth fight for the 40-year-old Beterbiev? 

It’s not clear what that might mean for Benavidez, who already is being mentioned in a possible fight against Callum Smith. Then again, it might mean more of the same.

He’s still waiting, which on one level makes him the only relevant Face of a changing game. Waiting is the only mandatory these days.  

By Norm Frauenheim

David Benavidez emerges from his victory over David Morrell in more control of his career than ever because of how he dominated often edgy pre-fight appearances, how he fought and how the boxing business changed wildly in the aftermath of the significant light-heavyweight fight.

Benavidez, a two-time super-middleweight once known for being the youngest champion in the history of the division, is moving on and up the scale, both in weight and wisdom. He’s a grown-up.

That’s the simplest way of saying it. Too simple, perhaps, mostly because there’s still a lot of maturing to do for an instinctive fighter who has an unrivaled upside. At 28 years old and just entering his prime, there’s still lots of time to grow into the stardom he foresees and many project. 

Is he already there? No, and that’s good news, promising in part because Benavidez understands where he is — who he is — at this point in his ongoing transformation from an overweight, unknown Phoenix kid with no expectations to one who believes he can be the Face of the Game.

“I’ll be the Face of the Game soon,’’ he said boldly after his unanimous decision over Morrell a couple of weeks ago in front of a roaring, pro-Benavidez crowd at Las Vegas’ T-Mobile Arena.

Soon could mean just about anything, of course. There’s a debate about the so-called Face, a mythic title that some have tried to buy and others have tried to steal. For now, at least, it’s fair to argue there is no face. In acronym-speak, it’s vacant. There are choices, but no consensus. The numbers suggest that Canelo Alvarez still gets the nod, despite some support for Terence Crawford, Canelo’s future foe for a projected September date.

The debate is incomplete without at least a mention of Japan’s junior-featherweight whirlwind, Naoya Inoue, the Asian version of The Monster, and heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk, a heroic face amid the Ukraine’s desperate war against the Russians. But if you take a well-worn path and follow the money, it’s Canelo, the only prizefighter to consistently crack the top tier of the Forbes’ list of the world’s wealthiest athletes. Over the last year, however, that changed. Usyk and Tyson Fury surpassed Canelo with two heavyweight title fights last year, both won by Usyk. 

According to Sportico last week, Fury’s total for the two fights was $140 million and Usyk  $120 million, placing both in a different income bracket than Canelo, whose 2024 income was reported to be $73 million. Sportico ranked Fury third, Usyk seventh and Canelo 20th among the world’s highest earning athletes last year.

But it’s a good bet that Canelo will re-take his income supremacy among prizefighters in 2025. Fury says he’s retired. But don’t count on it. Also, don’t count on him getting anywhere close to his 2024 income if he makes a comeback. Meanwhile, Usyk says he’ll fight two more times and retire. But no fight figures to pay him anything approaching the pay he collected against Fury. Meanwhile, Canelo has a rich, multi-fight deal with the Saudis

Add that to his documented command of pay-per-view numbers and the risk-reward ratio, and Canelo’s face still belongs on the game for the same reason George Washington’s face is on the dollar bill. That’s still where the value is. That’s also why Saudi Prince Turki Alalshikh, boxing’s new money man, scrambled to sign him to a four-fight contract and away from a Netflix spectacle with showman Jake Paul in an 11th-hour deal five days after Benavidez secured his own place as a prominent factor on boxing’s board of potential moves over the next couple of years. 

The deal left one significant question. To wit: How much longer will Canelo hold the key to the vault? Like everything else amid the constant chaos, it’s impossible to know. Expectations, the business agenda’s glass jaw, is full of repeated examples. One unforeseen punch changes everything. For now, Canelo’s plans include a perceived tuneup in Riyadh during the first weekend in May against William Scull, a Cuban living in Germany who holds a piece of the 168-pound puzzle that the IBF — Irrelevant Boxing Federation took from Canelo. It’s an opportunity to restore some order, restore Canelo’s undisputed status, both in name and fact. 

Barring that aforementioned punch, Canelo’s business plan then takes him to the intriguing September date with Crawford, perhaps in a ring on the Las Vegas Raiders home field at Allegiant Stadium. It’s a fight between two of the best from different weight classes. Canelo has more size and presumably power; the smaller Crawford has more speed and skill. There’s a reasonable argument for either in what looks to be pick-em fight between the best of a their generation.

Age is a factor. For Crawford, the Canelo challenge — and the payday it’ll include — looks to be a career ender. Crawford is 37. He’ll be 38 on September 28. From Jaron “Boots’’ Ennis to Vergil Ortiz, the former welterweight great, who has fought once at junior-middle, has ignored challenges from the young lions.

Then, there’s Canelo. Between Scull and Crawford, Mexico’s pay-per-view star will celebrate a birthday. He’ll be 35 on July 18. He’s talked about retiring when he turns 37. Beyond the planned Crawford date, there are two more fights on his contract with Alalshikh. What happens against Crawford is sure to dictate what happens to the remaining dates. If Canelo loses to the smaller man, maybe he retires. If he wins, presumably he fights on in a scenario that could include Benavidez. 

If nothing else, Canelo’s deal with Alalshikh has revived some of the talk about Benavidez-versus-Canelo, which for years has been No. 1 on the list of fights the fans most want to see. Those fans haven’t forgotten. Benavidez has moved on, onto light-heavy, after years of calling out Canelo in a futile chase that threatened to define him. He continued to hear the question, even on the night after he proved he could stand on his own — define himself on his own terms — against Morrell.

What about Canelo? The question was inevitable, of course.

“I would love to fight Canelo, it would be a massive, massive, fight,’’ Benavidez said. “But, Canelo says he has other things and he says I’m being ‘too mean’ in the way I’m approaching him. I guess I got to work on my attitude.”

Then, it was a joke, almost said as if it was a parting shot. But the Canelo-Alalshikh deal five days later kept the possibility on the table. It depends on the Crawford-Canelo outcome. It also depends on Benavidez’ next move. He’s expected to be in Riyadh next Saturday (Feb. 22) for the Artur Beterbiev-Dmitrii Bivol rematch of Beterbiev’s narrow victory for the light-heavyweight title last October. Benavidez is in line to face the winner. Even that plan is uncertain, however. Father Time, also like that unforeseen punch, can change everything. Beterbiev had another birthday last month. He turned 40 on January 21. Retirement can’t be too far away.

What remains in place, however, is Benavidez’ current place among the fighters who hold the key to boxing’s future. Benavidez, a consensus pick for the pound-for-pound’s top 10 for the first time this month, is there alongside Tank Davis and Jesse “Bam” Rodriguez. He’s younger than Crawford, Canelo and Beterbiev. He’s younger, too, than Inoue, 31, and Usyk, 38.

Meanwhile, Benavidez is just getting started, a still emerging and maturing force who used his comprehensive victory over Morrell as a way to announce he’ll be around for awhile.

Follow all the action as David Benavidez and David Morrell get it on in a cant-miss Light Heavyweight Battle. The four-fight card begins at 8 PM ET / 5 PM Pt with Jesus Ramos taking on former unified champion Jeison Rosario. In all-Mexican showdown, former world champion Isaac Cruz takes on Angel Fierro. In a rematch for the WBC Featherweight title, Brandon Figueroa takes on former unified champion Stephen Fulton.

NO BROWSER REFRESH NEEDED

Round 1:Body shot from Brnavidez..Body combination..Right hook from Morrell
Round 2 Straight left from Morrell…Left to body..Uppercut from Benavidez…Nice uppercut and right from Morrell…2 hard rights from Benavidez..
Round 3 Combination from Benavidez…Benavidez cut over left eye
Round 4 The Two unloading heavy punches..Left hook to body from Benavidez..Big left from Morrell
Round 5 Counter left from Benavidez..Left to the body..Left..Nice right and right to the body
Round 6 Left uppercut from Morrell..Another uppercut..2 more uppercuts
Round 7 Body shot from Benavidez…Right from Benavidez…Counter left from Morrell..Combination..
Round 8 Counter left from Morrell..Combination..Left from Benavidez…Short left from Morrell
Round 9 Body shots and uppercuts from Benavidez..3 punch combo from Morell…Right hook..Body shot
Round 10 Chopping right from Benavidez…Another right
Round 11 Left hook to body from Benavidez..Chopping right..Morell landing on the ropes…COUNTER RIGHT AND DOWN GOES BENAVIDEZ..POINT DEDUCTED FROM MORRELL FOR HITTING AFTER THE BELL
ROUND 12 Right to body from Benavidez…Uppercut…Left hook…Swelling under both eyes of Morrell

115-111 twice and 118-109 FOR DAVID BENAVIDEZ

ROUND 1 

ROUND 2 Counter right from Fulton..Counter right..Jab and right to body

ROUND 3 Right from Fulton..Sharp right

ROUND 4 Body shot from Fulton…Body shot from Figueroa…Left to head from Fulton…

ROUND 5 Counter uppercut from Fulton..Right and left

ROUND 6 Double right from Figueroa..Counter from Fulton…Right uppercut…Body shot

ROUND 7 Jab from Fulton..And another..Right from Figueroa..

ROUND 8 Double left and right from Figueroa…Fulton Outlanding Figueroa 139-84

ROUND 9 Uppercut on inside from Figueroa..right..

ROUND 10 Nice counter right from Fulton…nice Left hook

ROUND 11 Body shot and left hook from Fulton..Left to body…Counter left from Figueroa

ROUND 12 Body shot from Fulton..Left from Figueroa..Right from Fulton

116-112 TWICE AND 117-111 FOR STEPHEN FULTON

Round 1: They come out wailing away in the center of the ring.  Left to body from Fierro…Big right from Cruz..2 Hard rights..
Round 2 Big Left hook from Cruz..Left hook and right hand…2 left hooks to the live..Combination to the head..Left hook to body from Fierro..Lead left to body from Cruz..left to head..Jab…
Round 3 Body shot…Uppercut…1-2…Right from Fierro..Uppercut..Big right from Fierro…toe-to-toe war…Big right from Fierro..Big right
Round 4 Jab from Cruz..Left…Straight right..Big right..
Round 5 Counter right from Fierro..Right from Cruz..2 rights drives Fierro to the corner…Right to the head..Right from Fierro..4 punch combination
Round 6 Straight right from Cruz
Round 7 Jab from Fierro…2 rights from Cruz
Round 8 Left hook from Cruz…Body work..Leaping left..Hard left…Fierro throwing back
Round 9 Right to head from Cruz. Right upper cut. left to body from Fierro..Lead left hook from Cruz..Big left and big right…
Round 10 Left from Fierro..Big left from Cruz…Uppercut..Left from Fierro..Right..

96-94, 97-93 and 98-92 FOR ISAAC CRUZ

CRUZ Outlanded Fierro 248 of 624  to 238 of 786…Fight was a Fight of The Year Candidate for sure.

Round 1 Right to body from Rosario…2 shots from Ramos…Left…Straight Right
Round 2 Jab from Ramos..Left…Right from Rosario…Right to the body from Rosario,,Right to body
Round 3 3 Body bunches from Ramos..Straight left to the body…Good right to the body. Straight left to the body. Combination featur4ed by a right to th e body
Round 4 4 punch combination from Body..More Body work…3 punch combination
Round 5 Jab and left from Ramos…3 punch combination finished off by a body shot.  1-2..Lead left..  Ramos outlanding Rosario 137-37
Round 6 Uppercut drives Rosario back…Rosario backtracking..Body shots…
Round 7 Punishing body shot..PERFECT LEFT TO THE HEAD AND DOWN GOES ROSARIO
Round 8 Doctor checking out Rosario…Huge right hook from Ramos and THE FIGHT IS STOPPED

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – Before David Benavidez and David Morrell lock horns in a light heavyweight championship eliminator in the main event of a four-bout pay-per-view broadcast, a seven-fight undercard entertained the early arrivals at T-Mobile Arena on Saturday night.

In a WBA featherweight title elimination bout, Mirco Cuello (15-0, 12 KOs) of Arroyo Seco, Santa Fe, Argentina rose from the deck early to stop a determined Christian Olivo (22-2-1, 9 KOs) of San Diego by way of Hermosillo, Mexico late in the tenth round. 

Olivo, 125.6, scored his knockdown in the opening moments of round two as he waited his turn after a Cuello flurry and uncorked a short right inside that dropped the former Argentine Olympian. Cuello, 125.6,  rebounded well in the third round, turning up his output and placing his shots well, while Olivo struggled to maintain the pace. 

The middle rounds were tit-for-tat, as each found their spots in a fight fought at close range. Olivo, the WBA #5 ranked 126-pounder, had a strong seventh round, snapping back Cuello’s head at times during their exchanges. Olivo had another solid round in the eighth, outworking his Argentinian adversary and breaking through with several power punches. 

Sensing perhaps that his opponent had hit a lull in his energy level, Cuello, the WBA #3/IBF #15 ranked featherweight, came on strong in the ninth. With Olivo’s mouth agape, looking for oxygen, Cuello pressed his attack and carried that aggression into the early moments of the tenth, before Olivo stemmed the tide momentarily with some well-placed counters. However, Olivo’s success was fleeting, as before long Cuello placed a left to the liver that dropped the Mexican to his knee. Olivo rose slowly, before Cuello went to the well again and dropped the southpaw with a body shot for a second time. Olivo made it to his feet, but referee Chris Flores waved off the contest anyhow at  2:01 of the tenth and final round. 

At the time of the stoppage, Olivo led on all three scorecards by a wide margin. Judge Max DeLuca had it 88-82, judge Zachary Young had it 87-83 and judge David Sutherland the fight scored 86-84. All Olivo had to do was hang on for 59 more seconds to be declared the winner. With the victory, Cuello puts himself as the next in line for WBA 126-pound kingpin Nick Ball, who fights T.J. Doheny in a fight he should win next month. 

WBA #1/WBC #7 ranked middleweight Yoenli Feliciano Hernandez (7-0, 7 KOs) of Providence, Rhode Island by way of Camaguey, Cuba stayed busy with a fifth-round stoppage over Angel Ruiz (18-4-1, 13 KOs) of Los Angeles, California by way of Culiacan, Sinaloa, Mexico. 

Feliciano Hernandez, 158.4, defending his regional WBA Continental Latin America title, gave Ruiz, 159.6, a tough inside fight for the duration. Despite fighting at the distance Ruiz probably wanted, Feliciano Hernandez was able to create angles and space, which made it difficult for the Mexican fighter to find any success. Feliciano Hernandez began to turn up the offense in the third round, spinning Ruiz’s head around with his right. 

By the fifth, Ruiz began to wither, holding back on his offense to create less counter opportunities. With Feliciano Hernandez landing a flurry in the blue corner, referee Allen Huggins decided he had seen enough and waved the fight off to a mild protest from Ruiz. Time of the stoppage was 1:06 of round five. 

With the win, Feliciano Hernandez, who ascended to the WBA #1 ranking without a recognizable name on his professional resume, continues to bide time until his management team decides to pull the trigger on a fight worthy of a top contender. 

In the first fight of the preliminary broadcast, Curmel Moton (7-0, 6 KOs) of Las Vegas stopped Frank Zaldivar (5-2, 3 KOs) of Miami, Florida by way of Santiago de Cuba, Cuba in the third round of a scheduled eight. 

Moton, 134.8, and Zaldivar, 135.8, traded in the center of the ring for much of the first. Zaldivar took the head shots well, but when Moton found his body late in the round, that seemed to bother the Mexican fighter. Zaldivar continued to show his toughness in the second, withstanding some clean power shots and still offering back as the round came to a close. 

Moton upped his intensity a notch in the third round and quickly had Zaldivar in trouble along the ropes. With Zaldivar backed into a neutral corner and no longer answering back, referee Harvey Dock leapt in to stop the contest at 1:51 of round three. 

In a stirring battle between two previously unbeaten super middleweights, former amateur star Daniel Blancas (12-0, 5 KOs) of Milwaukee, Wisconsin was tested by Juan Barajas (11-1-2, 7 KOs) of Victorville, California before notching what was scored as a wide unanimous decision. 

Blancas, 166.2, a regular David Benavidez sparring partner, and Barajas, 159.6, fought on fairly even terms in the early rounds. Blancas was a successful aggressor, but found a decent counter-puncher in Barajas.  

Blancas came out aggressively to start the fifth, landing a short left hand, followed by a right in close that rocked Barajas momentarily. Blancas kept up the pressure, but Barajas was willing and landed occasionally with his own rights inside, while circling away from his opponent’s power hand. After some clean right hands snapped back the head of Barajas in the sixth, the Victorville native was less apt to counter and more focused on his foot movement and defense. 

Barajas found his second wind early in the eighth, treating the early onlookers to some great two-way action as he engaged with Blancas in the center of the ring for much of the stanza. Each fighter had their moments in an excellent action round. 

In the end, the official scorers did not give Barajas much credit. Patricia Morse Jarman and Don Trella had all but one round for Blancas, 79-73, while judge Cory Santos scored the bout a shutout, 80-72.

Mayweather Promotions’ super middleweight John Easter (8-0, 7 KOs) of Las Vegas remained unbeaten but was taken the distance for the first time as a professional by a tough Joseph Aguilar (6-3-1, 3 KOs) of Portland, Oregon.  

Easter, 169.4, and Aguilar, 171.8, engaged in a rough-and-tumble inside fight for the duration. Accidental headbutts and elbows caused cuts from the early moments. 

Easter turned up the offense as he landed with power combinations late in the fifth. Aguilar had a few moments in the sixth, but ultimately lost the decision wide, as judges Chris Migliore and David Sutherland scored the bout 60-54, while judge Fernando Villarreal had it 59-55, all for Easter. 

Nearly eight hours before he would be sitting ringside in support of his younger brother, Jose Benavidez Jr. (29-3-1, 20 KOs) of Phoenix walked down an unwilling Danny Rosenberger (20-10-4, 10 KOs) of Youngstown, Ohio, eventually forcing a fifth-round stoppage. 

Benavidez, 163, only had trouble with himself, earning warnings for late punches and a low blow that forced a time-out in the first round. Rosenberger, 159, was on his bike for much of the bout, but Benavidez was not in a rush at the start. 

Rosenberger quickly found himself in trouble in the fifth, as Benavidez landed with an uppercut and kept up the pressure until referee Allen Huggins had seen enough. With Rosenberger backed into his own corner, taking punishment, Huggins leaped in to call for the stoppage at 2:39 of round five. 

In a bout which took place before the paying public was allowed inside, Gabriela Tellez (4-0, 1 KO) of San Antonio, Texas had to dig down deep, but managed to get by a willing Abril Anguiano (4-1, 2 KOs) of Garland, Texas via six-round majority decision.  

The southpaw Anguiano, 125.2, was strong to start, landing with regularity in exchanges. Tellez, 127.8, began to really come on in the fifth, sitting down on her punches, while Anguiano appeared to be reaching for a second wind. 

After a competitive sixth that Tellez probably cinched late, judge Chris Migliore scored the bout a draw, 57-57, but was overruled by judges Eric Cheek and Fernando Villarreal, who both scored the bout 58-56, for Tellez.

In the walk-out bout, which took place after the night’s main event concluded, local prospect Kaipo Gallegos (8-0-1, 6 KOs) of Las Vegas outboxed veteran Leonardo Padilla (24-7-1, 17 KOs) of Petare, Venezuela to a six-round unanimous decision. 

Things began to heat up in the third, as Gallegos, 134.6, began to find distance and angles, whereas before Padilla, 129.8, was forcing a rough, inside fight in the opening two rounds. 

Gallegos kept up the attack in the fourth, rocking Padilla along the ropes. After tasting some power shots, Padilla was cautious to close out the fight, helping aid his ability to see the final bell in a bout shortened from eight to six rounds.

Judge Tim Cheatham scored it 59-55, while judges Max DeLuca and Fernando Villareal both had the fight shutout, 60-54.  

Photos by Ester Lin/Premier Boxing Champions

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

LAS VEGAS – February 1, 2025 – Sensational top prospect Curmel Moton will kick off a three-fight PBC on Prime Video lineup tonight, now beginning at a new time of *5:30 p.m. ET/2:30 p.m. PT*, as he takes on Frank Zaldivar in an eight-round lightweight battle from T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.  

The streaming presentation will be available via free access to all fans, regardless of Prime membership or purchase of the PPV card and is topped by undefeated Argentine Olympian Mirco Cuello taking on Mexican contender Christian Olivo in a 10-round featherweight matchup, plus WBA No. 1-ranked middleweight contender Yoenli Feliciano Hernandez stepping in against all-action contender Angel Ruiz in a 10-round duel.

These three fights lead into a stacked PBC Pay-Per-View available on Prime Video as Interim WBC Light Heavyweight Champion David “El Monstro” Benavidez and WBA Light Heavyweight Champion David Morrell Jr. meet in a battle of unbeatens in the main event. The pay-per-view begins at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT and also features WBC Featherweight World Champion Brandon “The Heartbreaker” Figueroa defending his title against former unified world champion Stephen Fulton Jr. in a rematch of one of 2021’s best fights.

The pay-per-view will also see Mexican star and former world champion Isaac “Pitbull” Cruz dueling the hard-charging contender Angel Fierro in an all-Mexican super lightweight duel, plus rising Mexican star Jesus “Mono” Ramos Jr. steps in against former unified champion Jeison Rosario in a 10-round middleweight fight that opens the pay-per-view.

Tickets for the live event are on sale now through AXS.com.

In addition to the PPV being available for purchase on Prime Video in the US, UK, and now Canada — regardless of Prime membership — fans will also be able to continue to access the telecast through traditional cable and satellite outlets as well as PPV.com. 

Fighting out of the Mayweather Promotions stable, Moton (6-0, 5 KOs) grabbed the boxing world’s attention last March on Prime Video with a dominant eight-round unanimous decision victory over the previously unbeaten Anthony Cuba, going toe-to-toe and controlling the action throughout a scintillating bout. The 18-year-old was born in Salt Lake City, Utah and now trains and resides in Las Vegas, fighting out of the famed Mayweather Boxing Club. Moton has added three more KO’s since the Cuba fight, including most recently stopping Hilario Martinez Moreno in the first round in October. He will take on the 28-year-old Zalvidar (5-1, 3 KOs), who will look to bounce back from a decision loss in his last fight against Yosdiel Napoles in August. Originally from Santiago de Cuba, Cuba and now fighting out of Miami, Zalvidar turned pro in 2019 following a sensational amateur career that included a triumph over Olympic gold medalist Andy Cruz.

#         #         #

ABOUT BENAVIDEZ VS. MORRELL

Benavidez vs. Morrell will see Interim WBC Light Heavyweight Champion David “El Monstro” Benavidez and WBA Light Heavyweight Champion David Morrell Jr. meet in a battle of unbeatens that pits two of the sport’s most exciting fighters against each other in the primes of their careers headlining a PBC Pay-Per-View event on Prime Video taking place Saturday, Feb. 1 from T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

The co-main event will see WBC Featherweight World Champion Brandon “The Heartbreaker” Figueroa defend his title against former unified world champion Stephen Fulton Jr. in a rematch of one of 2021’s best fights.

The pay-per-view will also feature Mexican star and former world champion Isaac “Pitbull” Cruz facing the hard-charging contender Angel Fierro in an all-Mexican super lightweight duel, plus rising Mexican star Jesus “Mono” Ramos Jr. battles former unified champion Jeison Rosario in a 10-round middleweight fight that opens the pay-per-view at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT.

For more information visit www.PremierBoxingChampions.com, follow #BenavidezMorrell, follow on Twitter @PremierBoxing, on Instagram @PremierBoxing or become a fan on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/PremierBoxingChampions

By Norm Frauenheim

LAS VEGAS — Words, mostly the four-letter variety, have been exchanged. So have threats, insults and all of the rest. David Benavidez and David Morrell played their roles and memorized their lines. It was boxing theater at its best. And its worst. Promoter Tom Brown promises violence, which of course is exactly what you’d expect in a fight.

By Friday, there wasn’t much left to say. After all, there are only so many four-letter combinations. We’ve heard them all, and none of them have really changed any minds. Benavidez-Morrell was a pick-em fight when it was announced. It was virtually a pick-em fight Friday after both stepped off the scale — appropriately enough — without a fraction of a pound separating them.

Their weights were like their first names. Both Davids came in at an identical 174.2 pounds, safely under the 175-pound mandatory for a light-heavyweight fight Saturday night at T-Mobile Arena that is supposed to lead to a shot at the Artur Beterbiev-Dmitrii Bivol winner on Feb. 22 in Saudi Arabia.

The weigh-in, a staged version of the official one earlier Friday, was perhaps noteworthy for what didn’t happen. There were no blows, not even a shove.

Escalating rhetoric, mostly sparked by Benavidez, at news conferences and public appearances had set off more than a few alarms. A few punches the day before opening bell would not have surprised anybody. But it didn’t happen, mostly because of Morrell.

As the two rivals moved toward center stage for the ritual face-off, Morrell suddenly looked down and stepped back, exiting left and away from an impending storm. It’ll happen anyway, sometime around 8 p.m. (PT) in the Amazon streamed bout.

That doesn’t exactly mean that the two camps were suddenly at peace. They’re not. The evident hostility was there, behind closed doors,  at the official weigh-in in a moment best described by Morrell manager Luis De Cubas. 

Benavidez and De Cubas have been insulting each other all week. There have been allegations about performance-enhancing drugs, a knockdown of Morrell in training camp, money and even hand shakes. According to De Cubas, Friday morning’s chapter of discontent started with an attempted hand shake.

De Cubas said Benavidez arrived at the official weigh-in, offering to shake De Cubas’ hand. De Cubas refused. He said he wouldn’t accept anything — not an apology or anything else — from Benavidez. De Cubas called him a “——sucker” at Thursday’s news conference.

“He called me a thief,’’ De Cubas said.

By the time everybody reached the MGM Grand Garden Arena for the staged weigh-in, Benavidez  was only offering promises of pain and peril for the 27-year-old Morrell, an unbeaten Cuban living in Minneapolis.

“I guarantee that I’ll knock him out,’’ the 28-year-old Benavidez (29-0, 24 KOs) said to a crowd of a few thousand, most of whom made the drive up to Vegas from Phoenix, Benavidez’ hometown.

The weigh-in crowd was clearly there for Benavidez, who has gone from fat kid to feared fighter in an unlikely ascent to stardom. Fans at the weigh-in identify with Benavidez and the westside Phoenix streets that produced him.

“Benavidez, Benavidez”, they chanted.

Morrell (11-0, 9 KOs) heard them. His only answer was a gesture. He blew them kisses. It also might have been his way at telling them to kiss off. He and his corner enter Saturday’s fight confident that they can slow down Benavidez, often a freight train in the late rounds of any fight. The Cuban’s left hand, they say, will do to Benavidez what he guaranteed he’ll do to Morrell. A KO is Morrell’s promise.

Best bet?

Violence.

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – The first must-see fight of 2025 takes place this coming Saturday night at T-Mobile Arena as power-puncher David Benavidez takes on boxing savant David Morrell to determine the next in line at 175-pounds, as mandated by not only two of the sport’s sanctioning bodies, but by the public as well. Fighters for Saturday’s event weighed-in this morning, but reenacted their trips to the scale before a large gathering on Friday afternoon at the MGM Grand Garden Arena at the MGM Grand. 

Benavidez (29-0, 24 KOs) of Las Vegas by way of Phoenix, Arizona has appeared motivated and agitated in the lead-up to Saturday’s fight, something that looked to be missing in his debut at 175-pounds. If the Arizona native unleashes “The Monster” of previous fights, Morrell will have his hands full once the bell rings. 

Morrell (11-0, 9 KOs) of Minneapolis, Minnesota by way of Santa Clara, Cuba has been waiting for an opportunity at one of the big names at 168 or 175-pounds to agree to put him on the big stage. When a fight with Canelo Alvarez, which has eluded Benavidez as well, was not forthcoming, Morrell’s team switched their focus to the Arizona puncher. Morrell, like Benavidez, did not look like his best self in his debut at the weight, even while scoring a wide decision. 

To many in the boxing world, the matter of who could stake claim as the number one light heavyweight in the world was settled last October when Artur Beterbiev decisioned Dmitrii Bivol to unify the four major world titles. Finding ways to cloud up a clear situation, the WBC and WBA each had anointed additional champions at 175-pounds, prior to the unification bout last fall. Benavidez claimed the interim WBC title in his light heavyweight debut via unanimous decision over Oleksandr Gvozdyk last June. Morrell, in his light heavyweight debut, moved past a tough Radivoje Kalajdzic to claim a secondary version of the WBA title last October. 

While Beterbiev and Bivol are set to meet again later this month, the winner of Saturday’s bout will unequivocally become the clear leading contender for the winner. Benavidez and Morrell both came in at 174.2-pounds. 

In a long awaited rematch, Brandon Figueroa (25-1-1, 19 KOs) of Weslaco, Texas attempts to avenge his lone career defeat while also defending the WBC featherweight title against Stephen Fulton Jr. (22-1, 8 KOs) of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in the co-main event of the evening. 

From the moment Figueroa heard the official cards go against him back in November of 2021, he believed he deserved the nod and wanted the rematch, but at 126-pounds, four pounds north. Figueroa made the necessary move to 126 where he would claim and defend the interim version of the WBC title, before being elevated to full-champion when Rey Vargas was demoted to the title of “champion in recess.” Now in his first defense of the full title, Figueroa will get the second chance at Fulton that he has yearned for since 2021. 

Fulton remained at 122-pounds after his victory over Figueroa, making one successful defense of his unified title before running into the buzzsaw that is Naoya Inoue and falling by way of eighth-round stoppage. Fulton, the WBC #2 ranked featherweight, made this bout a possibility by moving past veteran Carlos Castro via split decision last September here at T-Mobile Arena. Figueroa weighed-in at 125.8-pounds, while Fulton met the division limit of 126. 

Always a crowd favorite, Isaac Cruz (26-3-1, 18 KOs) of Mexico City, Distrito Federal, Mexico hopes to take a step back towards a world title opportunity when he takes on former regional title holder Angel Fierro (23-2-2, 18 KOs) of San Diego, California by way of Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico in a ten-round junior welterweight bout. 

Cruz looks to rebound from a decision defeat to Jose “Rayo” Valenzuela last August and regain the momentum he had accrued since his memorable decision defeat to Gervonta Davis in 2021. Fierro moved up to the 140-pound class two fights back and was unsuccessful in Puerto Rico, before a get-well welterweight victory back home in Tijuana last time out. Cruz scaled 138.6-pounds, while Fierro made 139. 

WBC #6/WBA #7/IBF #8 ranked junior middleweight Jesus Ramos Jr. (21-1, 17 KOs) of Casa Grande, Arizona attempts to get his career rolling again against former champion Jeison Rosario (24-4-2, 18 KOs) of Miami, Floria by way of Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic in a ten-round middleweight bout to open the pay-per-view telecast. 

Ramos last saw action in May of last year when he moved past Johan Gonzalez by ninth-round stoppage in this same arena. For Ramos, that victory is the one bout he has had since coming up short against Erikson Lubin the year prior. Rosario, who claimed the IBF light middleweight title, stopping Julian Williams, in January of 2020, is attempting to resurrect his career at Ramos’ expense. Ramos scaled 159-pounds, while Rosario came in at 159.2. The bout is for the vacant WBA North America middleweight title. 

In the final appetizer before the main pay-per-view card, Mirco Cuello (14-0, 11 KOs) of Arroyo Seco, Santa Fe, Argentina will take on Christian Olivo (22-1-1, 9 KOs) of San Diego by way of Hermosillo, Mexico in a ten-round elimination bout, putting the winner potentially next in line to securing a title opportunity against WBA featherweight champion Nick Ball. Cuello, the WBA #3/IBF #15 ranked featherweight, scaled 125.6-pounds. “Kiki” Olivo, the WBA #5 ranked 126-pounder, made 25.6-pounds.

In another of the broadcasted preliminaries, Yoenli Feliciano Hernandez (6-0, 6 KOs) of Providence, Rhode Island by way of Camaguey, Cuba will aim to get his countrymen in attendance warmed-up for the main event when he meets Angel Ruiz (18-3-1, 13 KOs) of Los Angeles, California by way of Culiacan, Sinaloa, Mexico in a ten-round middleweight fight. Feliciano Hernandez, who scored an eighth-round stoppage of a previously unbeaten opponent last time out in October, weighed-in at 158.4-pounds. Ruiz, who in 2021 stunted the career of Kazak Bobirzhan Mominov by decision, scaled 159.6-pounds. Feliciano Hernandez’s regional WBA Continental Latin America title is at stake. 

A late addition to the preliminary broadcast, which is free to all on Prime Video, Mayweather Promotions’ budding star Curmel Moton (6-0, 5 KOs) of Las Vegas returns to the ring against Frank Zaldivar (5-1, 3 KOs) of Miami by way of Santiago de Cuba, Cuba in an eight-round lightweight bout. Moton, returning to the scheduled eight-round distance for the first time since his second pro bout, came in at 134.8-pounds. Zaldivar, who dropped a ten-round decision in his last bout, made 135.8-pounds. 

Homegrown prospect Kaipo Gallegos (7-0-1, 6 KOs) of Las Vegas makes his second career appearance at T-Mobile Arena when takes on Leonardo Padilla (24-6-1, 17 KOs) of Petare, Venezuela in an eight-round lightweight bout on Saturday. Gallegos, reportedly an 18-time national champion as an amateur, scaled 134.6-pounds. Padilla, who scored his signature win over Andy Vences in 2023, but has struggled to see the final bell against the majority of his class opponents, weighed-in at 129.8. 

In a pairing of unbeaten super middleweights, former amateur star Daniel Blancas (11-0, 5 KOs) of Milwaukee, Wisconsin battles Juan Barajas (11-0-2, 7 KOs) of Victorville, California in an eight-round fight. Blancas, a regular David Benavidez sparring partner, scaled 166.2-pounds, while Barajas, entering the contest off of two consecutive draws, weighed-in 166.6. 

The elder of the fighting Benavidez brothers, Jose Benavidez Jr. (28-3-1, 19 KOs) of Phoenix is back in action against former Nico Ali Walsh adversary Danny Rosenberger (20-9-4, 10 KOs) of Youngstown, Ohio in an eight-round middleweight bout. Benavidez, looking to rebound from his one-sided defeat to Jermall Charlo back in November of 2023, came in at 160.8-pounds. Rosenberger, who notably fought Ali Walsh to a draw, only to have the decision changed to a no contest when the Ohio native’s random drug test came back with high levels of testosterone, scaled 159-pounds. 

Mayweather Promotions’ super middleweight John Easter (7-0, 7 KOs) of Las Vegas takes a step-up in class in just his second fight on U.S. soil when takes on Joseph Aguilar (6-2-1, 3 KOs) of Portland, Oregon in a six-rounder. Easter, in his first action since taking on award-winning trainer Bob Santos, weighed-in at 169.4-pounds. Aguilar, who has more wins than Easter’s previous seven opponents combined, made 171.8-pounds, which was 1.8 over the contracted limit. 

In a battle for Lone Star State bragging rights, Gabriela Tellez (3-0, 1 KO) of San Antonio, Texas will meet Abril Anguiano (4-0, 2 KOs) of Garland, Texas in a six-round featherweight bout. Tellez, a standout amateur before turning professional in July of last year, weighed-in at 127.8-pounds. Anguiano, who won a six-round decision in her last official bout over a solid fighter in Melissa Holguin last March, but also logged four rounds over two nights in Team Combat League last summer, came in at 125.2-pounds. 

Quick Weigh-in Results:

WBC Interim Light Heavyweight Championship

WBA Light Heavyweight Championship

WBC Light Heavyweight Championship & WBA Light Heavyweight Championship Elimination Bout, 12 Rounds

Benavidez 174.2

Morrell 174.2

WBC Featherweight Championship, 12 Rounds

Figueroa 125.8

Fulton Jr. 126

Light welterweights, 10 Rounds 

Cruz 138.6

Fierro 139

WBA Continental North America Middleweight Championship, 10 Rounds

Ramos Jr. 159

Rosario 159.2

WBA Featherweight Championship Elimination Bout, 10 Rounds

Cuello 125.6

Olivo 125.6

WBA Continental Latin America Middleweight Championship, 10 Rounds

Feliciano Hernandez 158.4

Ruiz 159.6

Lightweights, 8 Rounds

Gallegos 134.6

Padilla 129.8

Super middleweights, 8 Rounds

Blancas 166.2

Barajas 159.6

Lightweights, 8 Rounds

Moton 134.8

Zaldivar 135.8

Middleweights, 8 Rounds

Benavidez Jr. 160.8

Rosenberger 159

Super middleweights, 8 Rounds

Easter 169.4

Aguilar 171.8*

Featherweights, 6 Rounds

Tellez 127.8

Anguiano 125.2

*Aguilar 1.8-pounds over contracted weight 

Tickets for the Premier Boxing Champions event, promoted by TGB Promotions, Warriors Boxing Promotions, Sampson Boxing and Mayweather Promotions, are available online at Ticketmaster.com 

Photos by Ester Lin/Premier Boxing Champions 

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

LAS VEGAS, NV (January 31, 2025) – Rising middleweight power puncher, John “The Candyman” Easter (7-0, 7 KOs) will make his Las Vegas debut on February 1, 2025, at the T-Mobile Arena. Fighting in a scheduled six-round bout on the stacked undercard of David Benavidez vs. David Morrell Jr. event, Easter will face a rough, durable opponent in Joseph Aguilar (6-2-1, 3 KOs), who has never been stopped.

Originally from Charleston, South Carolina, the undefeated knockout artist now calls Las Vegas home, where he trains under the guidance of the highly acclaimed Bob Santos, the 2022 Ring Magazine and Sports Illustrated Trainer of the Year. Promoted by Floyd Mayweather’s TMT Promotions, Easter has quickly become one of the rising stars in boxing, with all seven of his victories coming by way of knockout.

“Fighting in Las Vegas, the fight capital of the world, has been very instrumental in my development,” said Easter. “This is my chance to make a statement and show the world what ‘The Candyman’ is all about. I’ve been putting in the work, and I’m ready to deliver an explosive performance.”

Training with Bob Santos has taken Easter’s game to the next level. “Working with Bob has been incredible. He’s one of the best minds in the sport, and we’ve built a great connection. He knows how to bring out the best in me, and I can’t wait to show the results of our hard work on fight night.”

Easter also credits Floyd Mayweather for playing a pivotal role in his career. “Floyd has been an amazing mentor. His advice and support have been invaluable, both inside and outside the ring. He’s always pushing me to be the best version of myself, and having his guidance means the world to me.”

With his perfect record and a reputation for electrifying knockouts, Easter urged fans to arrive early to catch his fight. “If you haven’t watched me fight before, you’re in for something special. My power and style do all the talking. Be sure to grab your seat early because this fight will nothing short of amazing.”

Easter’s upcoming bout against Aguilar represents a significant step forward as he continues march up the rankings in the middleweight division. Fans and critics alike will be watching closely as “The Candyman” looks to make an impression on one of the year’s biggest boxing stages.

By Norm Frauenheim

LAS VEGAS — Two days before opening bell, promoter Tom Brown promises violence. Minutes later, David Benavidez says enough to enrage David Morrell and his manager, Luis DeCubas, pushing Brown’s promise ever closer to reality during a contentious news conference Thursday. 

Benavidez turned up the rhetoric, elevating the potential hostility by several octaves, with everything from profane threats to personal insults during an angry hour in a ballroom at the MGM Grand.

Ordinarily, trash talk at a boxing news conference is a redundancy. It’s all part of the show. Increasingly however, a method in Benavidez’ madness is apparent. It’s in his words, to be sure. But it’s also in his eyes. Again and again Thursday, the Phoenix-born fighter looked  across the table at Morrell and De Cubas with eyes that flashed like sparks off flint. Benavidez, nicknamed The Monster and sounding like one, looks to be serious in the final hours before his light-heavyweight clash with Morrell Saturday at T-Mobile Arena.

The trash talk is like another training session, one that further sharpens the edge on his mind and emotion. Ask him about it, and he acknowledges that the verbal exchanges help channel his energies and maybe his anger, too.

That wasn’t apparent in his last fight, a light-heavyweight debut, a bout with former 175-pound champion Oleksandr Gvozdyk in June. Benavidez won, but without any of the dynamic energy that has been a trademark for so long. He liked Gvozdyk, a quiet and skillful Ukrainian.

“We spoke different languages and we respected each other, unlike this effing guy, who I don’t effing respect at all,’’ Benavidez told The Boxing Hour/15 Rounds as he waved a dismissive gesture toward Morrell’s side of the stage.

One thing became loudly clear at the newser. Benavidez and Morrell understand each other. Both are fluent in profanity. But there were signs that Morrell wanted to insert a little civility to the pre-fight proceedings.

“Peace and love,’’ Morrell, a Cuban living in Minneapolis, said at the end of his first turn at the bully pulpit.

Benavidez reacted to that like a predator pursuing prey.

“Peace and love, what’s the hell is that?’’ Benavidez said. “But I’m not surprised, because I know he’s effing afraid of me.’’

The hostility, sparked by Benavidez, began with a barrage of insults aimed at De Cubas. De Cubas tried to keep his cool as he spoke amid one interruption after another. But it was to no avail. Finally, De Cubas answered, profanity-for-profanity.

“—-sucker,’’ he yelled, throwing out an obscene insult that set the stage for an X-rated show.

It got so bad that Benavidez manager and promoter, Sampson Lewkowicz actually admonished De Cubas.

 “I want to apologize for De Cubas’ behavior,’’ said Lewkowicz, who isn’t exactly known for diplomacy. “We didn’t need anybody to scream. This fight sells it itself.’’

But the screaming continued anyway for an intriguing light-heavyweight bout between young fighters, both entering their primes and both unbeaten. They’re both cocksure, which isn’t exactly the word De Cubas used to describe Benavidez. But you get the idea.

After the newser, De Cubas said he wasn’t surprised at how Benavidez went at him.

“We know all about Benavidez’ bullying and all of that other stuff,’’ De Cubas said in the relative calm just outside the doors to the MGM Grand’s media room. “I knew it was coming. But when you behave like that, it’s because of fear. I saw that fear in him. Look, I think he knows that some time during the fight he’s going to realize that he shouldn’t have taken this fight in the first place.

“He’s complaining about not shaking hands. Before that, there was all this stuff about steroids. But we were the first to agree to VADA testing. There’s always something. Why? Because he’s afraid he’s gonna get knocked out.”

Who’s afraid of who? Brown’s promise suggests that nobody is afraid at all. In part, that’s why he’s forecasting violence.

“At the end of the day, we’re selling fights, right?’’ said Benavidez, who lives in Miami these days yet continues to honor his Phoenix roots with PHX boldly stitched onto the waistband of his trunks. “Would I rather say he’s a good fighter? I’m trying to sell the fight. I’m trying to sell pay-per-views. I’m trying to generate interest because if I don’t say anything, this effing guy’s not going to say anything. People are paying hard-earned money for this fight. 

“They want to see something. Let’s give them something to see.”

Angry words, but they’re also words from a fighter who hopes to be a peoples champ. Perhaps, The Peoples Champ

“I want to be the Face of Boxing,’’ said Benavidez, who on Thursday was a face hard to ignore. 

Harder to silence. 

By Norm Frauenheim

LAS VEGAS — If trash talk is a reliable way to measure David Benavidez’ readiness, it’s at the top of the scale and climbing  just a few days before he faces David Morrell Saturday in a bout as big as any in his career.

Benavidez welcomed a crowd of gamblers, guests and fans on the MGM Grand’s casino floor Wednesday with promises and threats about what he intends to do to Morrell at the nearby T-Mobile Arena in a light-heavyweight eliminator streamed by Amazon Prime.

“I’m going to beat the bleep out of him,’’ Benavidez (29-0, 21 KOs) shouted as he stepped into the ring for a public workout that included three-year-old son, Anthony, who imitated his father with a display of fast hands and a playful look.

Subtract a bleep or two, and Morrell (11-0, 9 KOs) said pretty much the same thing to a crowd of fans anxious to see the former Cuban amateur, now a left-handed light-heavyweight living in Minneapolis.

If the trash-talk exchange sounds familiar, it is. Benavidez, a Phoenix fighter now living in Miami, shouted some of the same insults with the same intensity at Caleb Plant before he scored a punishing super-middleweight decision over Plant in March 2023 at the MGM Grand. 

Benavidez and Plant exchanged profane threats then. They also exchanged hugs after it was all over.

“Truth is, I always hate the guys I’m about to fight,’’ said Benavidez, whose older brother, Phoenix-born fighter Jose Benavidez Jr. (28-3-1, 19 KOs), is also scheduled for the undercard in an eight-rounder against Danny Rosenberger (28-9-4, 10 KOs), a junior-middleweight from Youngstown, Ohio. “But this time, the guy is promising to beat me up, knock me out. All of that makes me respond. I never been more ready to beat the bleep out someone more than I am this guy.’’

Benavidez, who said he was ready for Morrell’s southpaw style, also enters the clash — David-versus-David — with some intriguing help from one of the best light-heavyweights ever. 

Andre Ward, who retired unbeaten, spent some time with Benavidez in a training camp that was divided between Miami and Las Vegas.

“It was good,’’ said Benavidez, who spent time with Ward during the Vegas half of the camp. “We talked about a lot of stuff. The biggest thing is something you’ll see Saturday. He told me to keep my lead hand up. There were other things. But that’s help I’ll use right away.’’

LAS VEGAS – January 29, 2025 – Interim WBC Light Heavyweight Champion David “El Monstro” Benavidez and WBA Light Heavyweight Champion David Morell Jr. kicked off fight week events on Wednesday with a grand arrivals and media workout event before they meet in a battle of unbeaten stars this Saturday, February 1 headlining a PBC Pay-Per-View event on Prime Video taking place Saturday, Feb. 1 from T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

Wednesday’s event also featured fighters competing on the loaded four-fight pay-per-view, including WBC Featherweight World Champion Brandon “The Heartbreaker” Figueroa and former unified world champion Stephen Fulton Jr., who square off in the co-main event in a rematch of one of 2021’s best fights.

Rounding out the lineup Wednesday were Mexican star and former world champion Isaac “Pitbull” Cruz and hard-charging contender Angel Fierro, who compete in an all-Mexican super lightweight pay-per-view attraction, plus rising Mexican star Jesus “Mono” Ramos Jr. and former unified champion Jeison Rosario, who duel in a 10-round middleweight fight that opens the pay-per-view at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT.

Tickets for the live event are on sale now through AXS.com.

In addition to the PPV being available for purchase on Prime Video in the US, UK, and now Canada — regardless of Prime membership — fans will also be able to continue to access the telecast through traditional cable and satellite outlets as well as PPV.com. 

Here is what the fighters had to say Wednesday from MGM Grand:

DAVID BENAVIDEZ

“I’ve been working extremely hard. I told you all I was going to break David Morrell’s face and that’s exactly what I’m going to do on Saturday.

“Everyone is gonna see a great fight. I’ve prepared extremely well for this fight. Don’t blink, because this fight is gonna end early.

“There’s nothing left to say, David Morrell is gonna see what’s up. I don’t care what he has to say, I just hope he’s ready to fight.

“I’m very grateful for all of the love and support from the fans. That’s why I do it and that’s what’s gonna make Saturday night such an incredible event.”

DAVID MORRELL JR.

“I don’t care what he brings into the ring. They call him the monster, but I’m not worried about any of that. I have my team behind me and I’m ready.

“I’m 100% confident. I have Ronnie Shields in my corner and we had a great training camp in Texas. I feel great and I’m not worried about what anyone else is saying. I’m going to get the last word on Saturday.

“Inside of the ring, nobody can stop what we’re gonna do to each other, just the referee. I promise that I’m here to knock him out.

“I have everything I need to win. This is my time and my moment. 2025 is my year.

“I’m excited for this big opportunity. This is going to open the door for other Cuban fighters to follow me. I’m extremely happy to have this moment almost be here.”

BRANDON FIGUEROA

“I’m very excited and can’t wait to get my lick back. It’s going to be a fun fight. I’m focused and ready.

“This preparation was different. I feel stronger and sharper. I’m a different fighter at this weight and everyone will see on Saturday.

“I come to steal the show. I want to take over boxing and go down in the history books as one of the greats.

“What happened in the first fight isn’t important anymore. I have a new opportunity on Saturday and we’re going to make the most of it.

“This card is stacked. It’s elite level boxing all night. You don’t want to miss this card, because I’m coming for the knockout.

STEPHEN FULTON JR.

“Being a two-division world champion would mean a lot for my career and mean a lot to me. I had great preparation for this fight and everything is on track for me to be prepared on Saturday night. I’m going to be ready.

“My mindset, my body and how I’m feeling going into this ring will be different this time, but the outcome will be the same. I will be victorious and I will leave no doubters. I’m not worrying about anything but getting the win.

“We’re both going to be better this time, but I feel like I’m the better man overall. I’m more intelligent in the ring and I feel like I have a better skill set. When I utilize those things, it all lands my way.”

ISAAC CRUZ

“I’m very happy to be back here in Las Vegas once again. This is going to be a great fight that will be etched in Mexican boxing history. I have to give everyone a show they’ll remember.

“I worked extremely hard with my team in Mexico City. I have to be at my best to come out with the victory on Saturday night.

“You’re going to see a renewed version of Isaac ‘Pitbull’ Cruz. I wouldn’t be here without these fans and I promise that I’ll be the best version of myself on Saturday night.

“We’re in a powder keg right now and Saturday night it’s gonna be an explosive show for everyone watching.”

ANGEL FIERRO

“I’m elated to be here because this is going to be a great fight on Saturday night. I’m going to prove that I’m up to this kind of challenge. I’m here to beat ‘Pitbull’ Cruz.

“I love being the underdog and upsetting the favorite. I’ve done it before and I’m here to do it again.

“Everyone is going to see a hungry fighter who wants to be a world champion. In order to be the champion you have to beat the champion. I’m coming to shine and show that I’m the next big thing in boxing.

“To all the fans, and to ‘Pitbull’ Cruz as well, get ready, because it’s gonna be an all-out war.”

JESUS RAMOS JR.

“I’m going to come out strong on Saturday. I’m motivated. My approach from now on is to deliver knockouts. It’s nothing against him, but that’s what the fans want and that’s what I want as well.

“I have to be explosive being on a card like this. I’m opening the show, so I have to set the tone for the rest of the fighters and make sure we all bring exciting fights. I’m trying to steal the show.

“I was a fan of Rosario’s when he became a world champion. I studied his style and watched a lot of him, and that’s how the business goes sometimes. I have to do my job on Saturday night.

“Without the fans none of this is possible. They make fight week exciting and get me more motivated to be back in the ring. I can’t wait for Saturday night.”

JEISON ROSARIO

“I’m 100% ready for this fight. I had a great training camp. I’m here to rip Jesus Ramos’ head off. That’s what it’s all about. I’m gonna show up on Saturday.

“I’m really happy and excited to be here on the big stage. This is a great fight on a great card and I can feel the energy.

“I don’t feel pressure. I’m just committed to doing what I came here to do. We have to give the fans a great fight and that’s what they’ll see on Saturday.

“Ramos said he’s gonna knock me out. I think he’s getting too cocky. That’s gonna make his fall even harder.

“I’m a different person inside of the ring. I’m going to be at my best. The past is the past and I’m just here to shine on Saturday night.”

#         #         #

ABOUT BENAVIDEZ VS. MORRELL

Benavidez vs. Morrell will see Interim WBC Light Heavyweight Champion David “El Monstro” Benavidez and WBA Light Heavyweight Champion David Morrell Jr. meet in a battle of unbeatens that pits two of the sport’s most exciting fighters against each other in the primes of their careers headlining a PBC Pay-Per-View event on Prime Video taking place Saturday, Feb. 1 from T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

The co-main event will see WBC Featherweight World Champion Brandon “The Heartbreaker” Figueroa defend his title against former unified world champion Stephen Fulton Jr. in a rematch of one of 2021’s best fights.

The pay-per-view will also feature Mexican star and former world champion Isaac “Pitbull” Cruz facing the hard-charging contender Angel Fierro in an all-Mexican super lightweight duel, plus rising Mexican star Jesus “Mono” Ramos Jr. battles former unified champion Jeison Rosario in a 10-round middleweight fight that opens the pay-per-view at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT.

Preceding the pay-per-view, Prime Video will stream a two-fight prelims card at 6:00 p.m. ET/3:00 p.m. PT that will be available via free access to all fans, regardless of Prime membership or purchase of the PPV card.

The streaming presentation will feature undefeated Argentine Olympian Mirco Cuello taking on Mexican contender Christian Olivo in a 10-round featherweight matchup, plus WBA No. 1-ranked middleweight contender Yoenli Feliciano Hernandez stepping in against all-action contender Angel Ruiz in a 10-round duel that opens up the live stream.

For more information visit www.PremierBoxingChampions.com, follow #BenavidezMorrell, follow on Twitter @PremierBoxing, on Instagram @PremierBoxing or become a fan on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/PremierBoxingChampions

 LAS VEGAS – January 28, 2025 – With fight week underway and a titanic showdown looming, boxing’s top fighters, trainers and media members have weighed-in to offer predictions and analysis for this Saturday’s matchup between Interim WBC Light Heavyweight Champion David “El Monstro” Benavidez and WBA Light Heavyweight Champion David Morrell Jr. as they headline a PBC Pay-Per-View event on Prime Video from T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

This main event showdown is years in the making as Benavidez and Morrell will meet with a chance to not only establish themselves as the future of the light heavyweight division, but as a potential force on pound-for-pound lists and one of the faces of the sport for years to come.

Tickets for the live event are on sale now through AXS.com.

In addition to the PPV being available for purchase on Prime Video in the US, UK, and now Canada — regardless of Prime membership — fans will also be able to continue to access the telecast through traditional cable and satellite outlets as well as PPV.com. 

The boxing pundits have unanimously expressed their anticipation for this matchup, with most seeing paths to victory for either fighter. The oddsmakers agree on the 50-50 nature of the fight, with DraftKings Sportsbook listing the odds as Benavidez -190 and Morrell +155. See below for an expansive gathering of fight analysis from the boxing world before this rivalry between Benavidez and Morrell is settled in the ring on Saturday night:

Juan Manuel Marquez, Boxing Legend & ProBox Analyst

“This is going to be a complicated fight for Benavidez across the first few rounds. However, Benavidez’s speed and the level of his past opponents are better than Morrell’s. Benavidez has shown us his speed, his power and his conditioning, which will be very important and allow him to overcome Morrell and win this fight by a decision.”

Stephen A. Smith, ESPN (Via Sean Zittel, @Sean_Zittel on X)

“David Benavidez vs. David Morrell Jr. is a big fight. I’m a huge David Benavidez fan and I applaud him because he ducks no one. He’s ready to fight at all times. He is the Mexican Monster. Sometimes I wonder if someone is going to hurt him, because he doesn’t really move. He’s shown that he can take a punch and he can damn sure give one, with either hand. He’s got speed, he’s got power, he’s got boxing ability and he’s got heart. I don’t know if there’s a bigger fan of David Benavidez than me. I have a lot of love for his skills and I want to see him on the big stage.”

Lamont Roach, WBA Super Featherweight World Champion

“Benavidez vs. Morrell is a very interesting fight and one of the better fights of the year coming up in 2025. It’s a barnburner of a fight. Morrell is a flash Cuban fighter, but he’s also got the power. With David Benavidez, he’s a monster. He overwhelms his opponents, punches hard, has good shot selection and good defense that people sleep on. I’m going with David Benavidez by late stoppage. I think he wears Morrell down and hurts him to the body.”

Large, Barstool Sports

“Some people think that Morrell has been moved along too quickly, but it’s not like Benavidez is the master of the light heavyweight division just yet. Morrell has more than a puncher’s chance and I’m going to buck the trend and take the upset. One of the reasons why is that I’m hoping for a trilogy out of this one, because this first fight is probably gonna be a banger.”

Jesus Ramos Jr., Rising Contender

“I’m very excited for this David Benavidez vs. David Morrell Jr. main event, but I do have Benavidez pulling it off based on his experience. I see him taking over in the later rounds in a competitive fight.”

Raheem Palmer, The Ringer

“Many fans and analysts see this as a 50-50 fight, with two guys in their prime risking it all in a fight that has Fight Of The Year potential. Nonetheless, David Benavidez is anywhere from a

-166 favorite to a -220 over David Morrell according to the Vegas odds, denoting that he has anywhere from a 62% to a 68% chance of winning. I think the oddsmakers have this one pegged correctly as Benavidez should have the edge in terms of experience, as he’s faced top notch competition like Oleksandr Gvozdyk, Demetrius Andrade, Caleb Plant and David Lemieux.

“While Morrell has the size, power, reach advantage and speed to make this a tough fight for Benavidez, his experience is lacking as he made his mark as an amateur, but only has 11 fights as a pro for a total of 54 rounds. Coming off a lackluster performance against Radivoje Kalajdzic, it’s tough to imagine him winning here against the more seasoned fighter. This fight is a huge step up in class against an aggressive high volume puncher like Benavidez who can smother an opponent with his offense and yet also has the ability to move, box and make adjustments. That said, Benavidez also left a lot to be desired in his first fight at 175 and you have to wonder if Benavidez has the same power at light heavyweight as he did at Super Middleweight? I’m not sure he does but the top tier experience and pedigree should win out here. I’m picking Benavidez to win this by decision.”

Chris Mannix, Sports Illustrated & Boxing with Mannix & Mora

“Tremendous fight and kudos to both guys for taking it. Two reasons I favor Benavidez: Experience and activity. Benavidez’s pro resume is significantly better and that matters, particularly in the later rounds. That’s also where Benavidez’s motor will become a factor. I see this being a competitive fight over the first half with David taking over to win a clean decision in the second.”

Chava Rodriguez, ESPN Deportes

“This is not an easy fight to predict, but I believe that the experience that David Benavidez has gained the last couple of years will work in his favor. It’s a great fight and I wouldn’t be surprised if Morrell won, but I’m going with Benavidez on February 1.”

Keith Idec, Ring Magazine; Uncrowned.com

“Morrell might be the most complete opponent of Benavidez’s 11-year professional career. The skillful, strong southpaw should make the first several rounds very competitive, but his inexperience in this type of battle of attrition will eventually lead to Benavidez breaking down the unbeaten Cuban and stopping him before the championship rounds.”

Jake Donovan, Ring Magazine

“There are some days where I feel like David Benavidez is just too much for David Morrell Jr., and he’s going to properly grow into light heavyweight and stop Morrell. There are other days where I feel we didn’t see the best David Morrell Jr. last August and that he’s going to be even better on February 1 and show that Benavidez bit off more than he could chew. As much as I go back and forth, I’m going with my original instinct of David Benavidez finding a way to win. I don’t see a stoppage either way though. I could see Morrell having a lot of success early, and Benavidez staying in the fight and not falling too far behind before eventually pulling away in the second half. I think he edges out a decision in a very very good fight.”

Brian Campbell, Host of “Morning Kombat”

“How good is David Benavidez vs. David Morrell Jr.? It’s easily one of the best five fights you can make in all of boxing. Two unbeatens in their physical primes ready to face off against one another to see who gets the shot at the undisputed light heavyweight crown. Plus, they don’t like each other. It’s also a perfect style contrast in many ways. They’re both going to bring the passion, intensity and big-time power in both hands. You’ve got the southpaw Morrell with the crafty technical skills and the well-rounded game against the monster himself in Benavidez, who once he starts going downhill on you, it comes down to whether you can handle the heat in the kitchen. This is the epitome of a 50-50 fight at the highest level. I can certainly see a decision that looks like it could go either way, but until I see David Benavidez lose, I’m not going against the monster.”

Dan Rafael, Fight Freaks Unite

“Benavidez vs. Morrell is one of the best fights that could have been made. It’s a 50-50 fight on paper, it has high significance and it’s been brewing for a while. In the ring, both guys are very skilled, but they also usually make for entertaining fights, so I am really looking forward to it. It’s a hard pick but I’m going with Benavidez by decision in a tough fight.”

Mark Anderson, Associated Press

“I expect David Benavidez to go for the knockout in the early rounds, with his aggressiveness also opening him up to taking shots on his end. If David Morrell Jr. can get through those first rounds and land his own share of punches, I like his chances the later the fight goes on. He would either rack up enough points to win on the judges’ cards or deliver a KO late against a worn-down Benavidez.”

Ricardo Celis, ProBox Anchor

“I think that Benavidez vs. Morrell will be a real war between two fighters that come forward. Benavidez may have a slight edge because of his experience and because he uses his jab well. Morrell is going to feel things get harder as he starts to feel the ‘Mexican Monster’s’ power.”

Tris Dixon, Boxing Scene

“What a terrific fight. You always know a match is good when you aren’t sure if it’s actually been made or if it’s fake news doing the rounds. Is it too early for Morrell? Is it too risky for Benavidez? Regardless of the above, it’s hard not to see the styles gelling. We know what we get from both fighters: skill, ambition, power, and the will to fight the best. I’m hoping that the bad blood that’s manifested itself in the build-up means they will come out fast and we get the breathless firefight we crave. If that’s the case, I’m picking Benavidez to ride out some unpleasant moments, and maybe even climb off the deck, to win a battle in which volume and courage see him cross the finish line.”

Elie Seckbach, ESNews

“I can’t wait for February 1, it’s one of the biggest fights of the year. I used to watch Benavidez when he was 11-years-old in the gym with Manny Pacquiao and I’ve seen him grow from there, and now he’s fighting the very very tough David Morrell Jr., who’s also a tremendous fighter. I’m picking Benavidez by late stoppage, but it’s gonna be a great fight. It’s must-see TV. Every second will be exciting.”

Sean Zittel – Sean Zittel YouTube Channel

“In this fight you have two guys with speed, power, undefeated records and a real belief that they can knock the other guy out. I have to favor David Benavidez because he has something that David Morrell Jr. does not, and that’s championship experience in 12 round fights. I think that experience will pay dividends and make Benavidez the savvier fighter. It’s asking a lot of Morrell, who hasn’t lost a lot of rounds or been hurt as a pro, to have to navigate the deep waters against a seasoned and in his prime professionally. I have Benavidez winning this fight between rounds seven and 10 by TKO.”

Marcos Villegas – Fight Hub

“First off, what a great matchup between two of the top 175-pound fighters in the world. This fight for me really comes down to if David Morrell Jr. can handle the volume and pressure of Benavidez over the course of 12 rounds and if can maintain his poise and fight his fight. He’s been uncharacteristically emotional in the build up to this fight and if he decides to mix it up with Benavidez it won’t end well for him. I predict a very close fight and a split decision for either.” 

Bob Santos, Trainer of Mario Barrios, Jeison Rosario & More

“It doesn’t get any better than this fight. You have two elite, young athletes in their primes. This is great for the sports world. Benavidez has fast hands, an unbelievable jab, high ring IQ and savviness from his plethora of fights. David Morrell Jr. has those superior Cuban skills, with his hand speed, foot speed and athleticism to burn. Get your popcorn ready, because it’s gonna be unbelievable. I know both guys very well and I’m rolling with David Morrell Jr. It’s gonna be a great fight, a 50-50 fight.”

Naji Grampus, Cigar Talk

“The best fight of 2025 so far is David Benavidez vs. David Morrell Jr. What more could you ask for? This is truly a 50-50 fight. When I’m looking at it and breaking it down, I have to give the edge to David Benavidez. I think in David Morrell’s last fight, he struggled against the jab and foot movement. I didn’t see the necessary adjustments from him that he needs to overcome the volume and intensity of David Benavidez. Benavidez wasn’t at his best in his last fight, but he still dominated the fight. I’m going with Benavidez by decision, but I could be wrong, because this is a 50-50 fight.”

Jose Romero, Arizona Republic

“I feel like David Morrell will be David Benavidez’s toughest opponent that he’s faced to date. He’ll definitely land some shots here and there and some of them might serve as a wakeup call for Benavidez. But in the end I think that Benavidez will come out on top because he’s faced better opponents and he knows what the bright lights feel like.”

Derrick James, Trainer of Jermell Charlo, Frank Martin, Ryan Garcia & More

“I believe that Benavidez has the faster hands and better foot movement, while Morrell could be the bigger puncher. Morrell has to cut the ring off and set Benavidez up. Whoever implements their strategy best will be the winner.”

Kevin Iole, KevinIole.com

“I love this light heavyweight title fight on February 1 between David Benavidez and David Morrell Jr. Both guys are in their primes, both guys are unbeaten and both guys deserve to be right there at the top of the division. I’m going to take David Benavidez because I believe he has more ways to win the fight. He can box, he can punch, he can make adjustments in the fight and I believe he’s fought better competition. I think Benavidez wins an excellent fight by decision.”

Manouk Akopyan, Ring Magazine

“David Benavidez vs. David Morrell Jr. is a welcome breath of fresh air for boxing featuring two undefeated light heavyweights in their prime squaring off for supremacy in a highly competitive fight. The 50-50 matchup sells itself, but the disdain between the Davids has been a surprising development throughout the buildup of their bout. Benavidez, 28, and Morrell, 27, both understand the magnitude of their high-stakes meeting. The winner is sitting pretty and pounding the table for the undisputed light heavyweight championship and even Canelo Alvarez. The loser potentially toils with middling opposition over the next 18 months as they rebuild their stock. This matchup presents a classic clash of styles: Benavidez’s relentless and aggressive offensive approach against the crafty southpaw Morrell’s technical yet prodigious finesse. Like oddsmakers, I edge a thrilling fight toward Benavidez, who has more experience and a proven track record at the elite level.

Joe Santoloquito, Ring Magazine

“I like David Morrell in this one. I will admit he has a lot going against him, given Benavidez’ championship-rounds pedigree. Morrell, I feel, has dimensions to his skillset that we have yet to see and feel someone as talented as Benavidez will make them surface.”

Jeandra Labeuf, Best Women’s Boxing Show

“David Benavidez’s relentless pressure and physicality will eventually overwhelm David Morrell Jr. While Morrell may have early success with his technical skills and athleticism, Benavidez’s ability to cut off the ring and impose his will will begin to wear him down. By the later rounds, Benavidez pace and power will dominate, leaving Morrell struggling to keep up. I’m expecting to see Benavidez take over decisively as the fight progresses, potentially securing a late stoppage or a dominant decision victory.”

Matt Lenihan, Boxing Social

“For David Benavidez vs. David Morrell Jr. I have to favor Benavidez, but only slightly. Both guys are fighting in their primes and putting it all on the line, but I believe David Benavidez has the crucial edge in big fight experience. He’s fought at a higher level with significant victories over world class operators like Caleb Plant and Demetrius Andrade. I also believe his power could come into play down the stretch. So for me, I lean David Benavidez by late stoppage.”

Ron Goodall, FightHype

“I think on paper, this is the perfect fight for each Benavidez and Morrell. Although both fighters possess similar size attributes, I have Benavidez winning. His experience will produce a dominant second half, which could lead to a potential late stoppage.”

Jamil Parker, YSM Sports Media

“First I would like to commend David Benavidez for taking on tough challenges again and again, but stylistically David Morrell Jr. is a bad matchup for him. Benavidez thrives on pushing the pace, punching in bunches and overwhelming opponents with his size and volume. Morrell is bigger, faster and more skilled than Benavidez. In those early rounds when Caleb Plant and Demetrius Andrade out boxed Benavidez, Morrell will have the same success, but will hurt him in the process, constantly turning him and using angles while punching in between Benavidez’s punches. I see Morrell stopping Benavidez in either round nine or 10.”

Cynthia Conte, Best Women’s Boxing Show

“Benavidez vs Morrell is a mouth-watering fight. They both are undefeated dangerous fighters that both need to work behind their jabs. I expect Morrell to be flashy and quick with his hands and feet in the first couple rounds, but once Benavidez finds his rhythm and figures out Morrell’s timing, I believe Benavidez’s volume punching, non-stop pressure and punishing Morrell’s body will break Morrell’s will. I’m taking Benavidez by late TKO.”

Ricardo Lopez, La Opinion

“David Benavidez vs. David Morrell is, in a word, an explosion. Two dynamic and talented sluggers who guarantee an awesome match. It can be said that Benavidez hasn’t faced an opponent as good as Morrell, and for sure the Cuban hasn’t been in the ring with a champion like the Mexican-American Benavidez. Both fighters are really stepping up for the fans with this one. This will be one spectacular fight where both guys will be punched… and hurt. Benavidez prevails by a close decision where his big heart will be proven.”

Ronnie Duncan, Sports Rap Network

“It’s going to be a good one…and for a moment, Morrell’s awkwardness will cause some problems, however Benavidez’s work rate and intestinal fortitude will stop Morrell by knockout in round seven.”

Rob Tebbutt, Boxing News

“This is a bout that is fraught with danger for both men, which is why it brings such intrigue. For Benavidez, a relentless pressure fighter who throws punches in bunches, the explosive offense of Morrell could spell danger, particularly early on in the fight. Benavidez won’t be able to rely on sheer brute force to grind Morrell down, and will have to be switched on defensively from the outset. He will not be able to give any free shots away to Morrell. Morrell, on the other hand, must try and make his power count early in the contest. We’ve seen Benavidez overwhelm opponents as the rounds go on, and Morrell has only been the twelve round distance twice in his career.

“I think Benavidez will struggle early on with the angles and variety of Morrell’s offense, but should he survive the first four rounds without taking too much damage, I’m banking on the experience and engine over the longer distance to be enough to outlast Morrell. Make no mistake, this is a fight that could go either way, but I’m edging towards Benavidez weathering an early storm before finishing strong and rallying to a competitive decision victory.”

2ToneDaSupastar, 2ToneDaSupastar YouTube Channel

“I am going with the Mexican Monster David Benavidez. He’s got too much experience. Morrell has never fought in a fight of this magnitude, while Benavidez has faced Demetrius Andrade and Caleb Plant. So I have to go with David Benavidez.”

Frank Sanchez, Heavyweight Contender

“This fight on February 1 will be very difficult for both fighters. However, I predict that David Morell Jr. will win. He has everything he needs to win and become champion. He has the desire and is very hungry and eager to prove himself. I know he’s going to achieve his goals for Cuba.”

ShowBizzAdult, ShowBizzTheAdult YouTube Channel

“I’m going with the Mexican Monster because of his experience. Morrell doesn’t have the same kind of pro experience that Benavidez has. Now we have seen fighters with very little pro experience make a huge splash as a pro. But those fighters were all Olympic champions, and while Morrell has a great Cuban amateur background, Benavidez just has more pro experience on his resume.”

EzRaw, Brunch Boxing

“To me this fight is a top three matchup that you can make in boxing right now. These are two guys in their physical primes and it promises a violent outcome. I think Morrell will look to do damage from a distance, while Benavidez will look to go inside and break his opponent down. That’s where Benavidez has been successful and I think he’ll do it again with a stoppage in the ninth round.”

Yoenli Hernandez, WBA No. 1 Middleweight Contender

“I’ve been in training camp with David Morrell and with the way everything is going, I think he’s going to get the knockout in the eighth round.”

Liliana Ulloa, Xicana Boxing

“What was already a salivating matchup at 168 pounds now reaches a boiling point at 175. Both looked mortal in their debuts at 175, each going the distance. But as Benavidez told me in our interview, not all performances are created equal. Morrell went 12 rounds with an unheralded opponent, while Benavidez fought a former WBC light heavyweight champion and Olympic medalist, dominating despite injuries. Morrell’s footwork and Cuban-style boxing make the early rounds tricky for Benavidez, who might struggle to close the distance. But once Benavidez finds his rhythm, ‘El Monstro’ delivers. Expect ‘RoboCop’ to eventually cut off the ring with relentless pressure, corner Morrell, and unleash his trademark lightning-fast combinations for a late stoppage.”

Steven Cureño III, K.O. Artist Sports

“Benavidez vs. Morrell is a true 50/50 fight! Both guys were monsters at 168 and had debuts at 175 that left the public wondering if they would be the same menacing powerhouses they were at the lighter weight class. This fight comes down to experience, and with over double the amount of fights, Benavidez has that in his pocket. I see ‘The Mexican Monster’ edging out a close, tactical but violent decision after 12 rounds.”

#         #         #

ABOUT BENAVIDEZ VS. MORRELL

Benavidez vs. Morrell will see Interim WBC Light Heavyweight Champion David “El Monstro” Benavidez and WBA Light Heavyweight Champion David Morrell Jr. meet in a battle of unbeatens that pits two of the sport’s most exciting fighters against each other in the primes of their careers headlining a PBC Pay-Per-View event on Prime Video taking place Saturday, Feb. 1 from T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

The co-main event will see WBC Featherweight World Champion Brandon “The Heartbreaker” Figueroa defend his title against former unified world champion Stephen Fulton Jr. in a rematch of one of 2021’s best fights.

The pay-per-view will also feature Mexican star and former world champion Isaac “Pitbull” Cruz facing the hard-charging contender Angel Fierro in an all-Mexican super lightweight duel, plus rising Mexican star Jesus “Mono” Ramos Jr. battles former unified champion Jeison Rosario in a 10-round middleweight fight that opens the pay-per-view at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT.

Preceding the pay-per-view, Prime Video will stream a two-fight prelims card at 6:00 p.m. ET/3:00 p.m. PT that will be available via free access to all fans, regardless of Prime membership or purchase of the PPV card.

The streaming presentation will feature undefeated Argentine Olympian Mirco Cuello taking on Mexican contender Christian Olivo in a 10-round featherweight matchup, plus WBA No. 1-ranked middleweight contender Yoenli Feliciano Hernandez stepping in against all-action contender Angel Ruiz in a 10-round duel that opens up the live stream.

For more information visit www.PremierBoxingChampions.com, follow #BenavidezMorrell, follow on Twitter @PremierBoxing, on Instagram @PremierBoxing or become a fan on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/PremierBoxingChampions

LAS VEGAS, NV (January 28, 2025) – Undefeated WBA and WBO Youth Super Featherweight Champion Kaipo Gallegos (7-0-1, 6 KOs), is set to make his highly anticipated 2025 debut on February 1, at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. Fighting on the undercard of the blockbuster David Benavidez vs. David Morrell Jr. event, Gallegos will face veteran Leonardo Padilla (24-6-1, 17 KOs) in an eight-round bout.

This marks Gallegos’ first fight of the year, and the Las Vegas native is eager to perform at home in front of a passionate crowd. The 18-year-old star on the rise, co-promoted by Boxlab Promotions and Shuan Boxing, is quickly ascending through the ranks with his combination of explosive power and technical skill. Now, he’ll take on his most experienced opponent yet in Padilla, who has over 30 professional fights under his belt.

“Fighting at the T-Mobile Arena in my hometown is always a good feeling, as I know I’ll have the support of family and friends,” said Gallegos. “Padilla is a tough, experienced opponent, and I know he’ll come to fight. But these are the challenges I need to grow as a fighter and show everyone what I’m capable of.”

The Benavidez-Morrell card is one of the biggest boxing events to kick off 2025, and Gallegos is thrilled to be part of it. “This is a huge event, and I’m honored to be on the same stage as some of the best fighters in the world. It’s an opportunity to show fans what I bring to the table.”

Gallegos also urged fans to get to the arena early to catch his fight. “If you’ve never seen me fight, you’re in for a treat. I promise to bring excitement, power, and action. Don’t miss it.”

“Kaipo has all the tools to become a top contender in the super featherweight division,” said Amaury Piedra, President of Boxlab Promotions, in regard to Gallegos’ future. “Fighting tough opposition like Padilla is exactly what he needs at this stage of his career. We’re excited to see him continue to grow and make a statement on a massive stage like this.”

Coming off an impressive 2024 campaign, Gallegos plans to stay active this year and build on his momentum. “Staying busy is very important. I want to keep improving and fighting the best competition available. Every fight is a step toward my ultimate goal of becoming a world champion.”

With a perfect record and a growing reputation as one of boxing’s most exciting young talents, Kaipo Gallegos is poised for a breakout year. Fans won’t want to miss his first fight of 2025 at the T-Mobile Arena on February 1st.

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – It can be debated when Vegas became the boxing capital of the world. Of course, New York was once the city the boxing world revolved around, but when hotel-casino moguls needed something to pull patrons to the desert to visit their City of Lost Wages, big time boxing became one of the major drawing cards. By the time George Foreman exchanged knockdowns with Ron Lyle, before a national television audience, in the 1976 Fight of the Year, from the Sports Pavilion at Caesar’s Palace, big time boxing had found its new permanent home. Despite that fact, it took 37 years before Ishe Smith defeated Cornelius Bundrage for the IBF light middleweight title to become widely recognized as Las Vegas’ first homegrown world champion. Very few have followed in the years since, but one young rising star, in super featherweight Kaipo Gallegos, aims to make certain that drought does not last much longer. 

The 18-year-old Gallegos (7-0-1, 6 KOs) returns to fight in his hometown for just the second time as a professional, taking on well-traveled veteran Leonardo Padilla (24-6-1, 17 KOs) of Petare, Venezuela in an eight-round bout this coming Saturday night at the T-Mobile Arena on the undercard of the light heavyweight unification bout between David Benavidez and David Morrell. For the aspiring 130-pound wunderkind, it will be his second time fighting at the big arena in his hometown, a moment that is not lost on Gallegos. 

“It feels good, because ever since I was a little kid, I wanted to fight in my hometown, in front of my family and just put on a good show for them,” says Gallegos. 

Gallegos’ family is as deeply involved in the sweet science as a family can be. His father, Jayson, is his trainer and the long-time proprietor of the Las Vegas Fight Club, a gym that serves young school-age boxers-to-be, as well as professionals, such as Kaipo and his older brother Jayson, an undefeated 130-pound pro as well. 

“It has been a long journey,” explains Kaipo’s father-trainer. “I was a really bad kid growing up, so I guess I am giving back. I give back to the kids that I work with everyday, almost 80 kids a day and adults. God put me in this situation to give back after all the bad I did.” 

Whatever wrongs the elder Jayson may have had in his past, he has done many things right since, as evidenced by the success of his sons. Kaipo was one of the most decorated U.S. amateur boxers in recent years, claiming 18 national titles during his time in the unpaid ranks. All that success came with great sacrifices, as Kaipo followed his father’s instruction, giving up on many of the pleasures most of us enjoy during our youth. 

“We’ve been doing this so long, ever since he was five,” says his father. “I’m also his nutritionist, I’m his trainer, I make sure he goes to sleep on time, I make sure he recovers on time. We’ve been doing this so long, I don’t even have to tell him. He does everything on his own. He knows what he needs to do. He’s a very disciplined kid.” 

Gallegos was able to amass an incredibly full trophy collection, despite leaving the amateur game behind for the paid ranks at the ripe age of 16. With few exceptions, most commissions in the United States will not even license a fighter at that age. For Kaipo, who began fighting at the age of five, moving to the pros was just the next natural step in his progression. 

“We have been doing this since I was little,” explains Kaipo. “Through the amateurs, where I became an 18-time national champion. Now, we just are going to take it on in the professionals and keep moving forward.” 

With his long and successful amateur pedigree, Gallegos’ father and team did not take any baby steps out of the gate in the pros, despite his young chronological age. 

“He started his career off in the Dominican Republic until he had four fights, but every fight was a hard fight, it wasn’t easy,” explains Jayson. “We never went to Mexico. We never took those easy fights. They haven’t given us anybody easy. His first fight, on the BoxRec rating, he had a star-and-a-half match rating. Even in the Dominican Republic, those guys he fought were hungry. It is not like going to Mexico and they fall down or take a knee so they can get paid. In the Dominican Republic, everybody over there is hungry and they want to kill you.”

Gallegos jumped into deep waters right away during his stretch of fights in the Dominican Republic. After scoring a fourth-round stoppage in his pro debut in April of 2023, Gallegos returned and jumped up to the six-round distance against a fighter in Misael Vazquez that was eleven years older and a veteran of 17 pro fights at the time. The hometown fighter was able to force a split decision draw, which represents the only thing resembling a blemish on Gallegos’ ledger to date. Failing to come away with the victory did not slow Gallegos’ career trajectory, as he immediately jumped up to the eight-round distance for his next outing. 

“Ever since Kaipo was young, he’s had a pro style,” explains Jayson. “He takes his time and round-by-round he gets stronger, so having more rounds helps him. He had his first eight-rounder at 17, he won the WBO Youth title. He fought two eight-rounders last year and got them out of there early. He was ready for eight-rounders.” 

In his last fight, this past November, Gallegos picked up a WBA Youth title against another durable and game opponent in Iron Alvarez, who managed to hang in there in stretches, but ultimately was stopped standing in the seventh round in Orlando, Florida. 

“I felt like it was a tough fight,” says Kaipo. “He was a durable guy that was not just in there to lay down. So I feel like that was a good fight for me and a good step up in my career.” 

On Saturday, Gallegos will take on Padilla before the early arrivers T-Mobile Arena, in what could be one of his last eight-round contests before moving up to the ten-round distance.

“I feel like I am going to put on a good performance this time because I fought recently, so I am ready,” explains the young fighter. “I expect a tough fight, but I feel that I have what it takes to beat him. I feel like I am going to break him down and bring him to the later rounds and get him out of there. I picked up some stuff [from watching footage,] but once we get into the ring, I will find out more about him.” 

Having fought at T-Mobile Arena a little under a year ago, early in the night on the undercard of Sebastian Fundora’s bloody war with Tim Tszyu, should serve Gallegos well this coming Saturday. The 18-year-old fighter will know what to expect, but one thing his local following in attendance can expect is that the Gallegos family will make them proud. 

“When we were in the amateurs, people would come up to us and ask us about being from Vegas and I would say, ‘Yes, born and raised.’ We were all so proud to be representing Las Vegas,” recalls Gallegos’ father. “My boxing gym is called Las Vegas Fight Club, so we represent that with pride. This is his hometown. Family, friends will all be there. We grew up representing Vegas for his whole life. Vegas is our home, both my sons were born and raised here.” 

Those who decide to show up early for the marathon night of boxing this weekend could be treated to seeing the next step in the career of Las Vegas’ next homegrown world champion.  

“Watch out for me and tune-in on February 1st at T-Mobile Arena,” says Kaipo. “And just be ready for me to put on a great performance.”

Photo by Damon Gonzalez/Boxlab Promotions

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