Mannheim, Germany, Tuesday April 14th 2026 – Ringside Zone today announces ‘Night Of The Heavyweights’, a stacked boxing event set to take place at the SAP Arena in Mannheim on Friday, May 15th 2026. The future of German boxing is on display with a series of heavyweight sensations taking over the arena where heavyweight icon Wladimir Klitschko brought so many big nights to Germany. Now a new generation looks to bring the heavyweight crown back to Germany.

Promoter Florian Winter said: “This is a historic night for German boxing at the SAP Arena. We are delivering a true Night Of The Heavyweights, showcasing the best of our emerging talent against tough international opposition and celebrating the excitement and passion of the sport on a big stage.”

In the main event, seasoned Ukrainian contender Karen Chukhadzhian (26-3, 14 KOs) faces Irish prospect Paddy Donovan (14-2, 11 KOs) in a high-stakes 12-round IBF Welterweight World Title Final Eliminator. Chukhadzhian, a durable and experienced operator who has shared the ring with top-level opposition, looks to position himself for a world title shot, while hard-hitting Donovan aims to bounce back and make a statement on the international stage.

Karen Chukhadzhian said: “This final eliminator is my chance to prove I belong at the very top. I’ve faced the best and I’m ready to outwork and outlast Paddy Donovan to earn my shot at the world title.”

Paddy Donovan said:“I’m coming to Mannheim to win big and move closer to a world title. Karen is tough and experienced, but I have the power and hunger to take the victory and make my mark.”

In the co-main event, hotly tipped undefeated German heavyweight prospect Emanuel Odiase (10-0, 8 KOs) challenges experienced British veteran Nick Webb (19-3, 15 KOs) for the WBO European Heavyweight Title over 10 rounds. Webb has beaten many undefeated prospects in the past and represents the biggest step up in opposition for Odiase to date. The towering Odiase brings explosive power and youthful ambition, while the battle-tested Webb looks to use his ring craft and knockout threat to claim European gold.

Emanuel Odiase said: “This is my opportunity to take the next big step in my career. I respect Nick Webb’s experience, but I’m bringing the power and energy to win the WBO European Title in front of my home fans.”

In a mouthwatering all-German heavyweight clash, Peter Kadiru (22-1, 13 KOs) meets the hard-hitting Senad Gashi (34-4, 32 KOs) in an 8-round bout. Gashi, who has previously shared the ring with former world title challenger Dereck Chisora, represents a massive step up in class for Kadiru in this exciting domestic showdown.

Undefeated 6 foot 9 southpaw heavyweight sensation Viktor Jurk (13-0, 11 KOs) returns in an 8-round heavyweight bout. A former top sparring partner for Oleksandr Usyk, Jurk is now fully focused on his own journey to become world champion in his own right. Whilst rising star Nellie Tiafack (3-0, 3 KOs) steps up in a 6-round heavyweight contest.

In only his fourth professional fight, unbeaten German cruiserweight Aleksander Okafor (3-0, 2 KOs) faces fellow undefeated opponent Elija Ulkuseven (8-0, 6 KOs) in a 10-round German Cruiserweight Title fight. This represents a massive step up in class for Okafor, who recently teamed up with the renowned McCracken’s gym in the UK as his trainers. Okafor wants to put the cruiserweight division on notice and mix it with the very best – a victory here would be a real statement.

Further down the card, unbeaten lightweight Devrin Gokduman (13-0, 8 KOs) contests a 10-round IBF European Lightweight Title bout, Olowule Jan Coisek (4-0, 2 KOs) features in a 6-round middleweight contest, and Edmon Avagyan makes his professional debut in a 4-round cruiserweight bout.

Night Of The Heavyweights is promoted by Ringside Zone and will take place at the SAP Arena in Mannheim on Friday, May 15th 2026. The event is brought to you by an elite line-up of sponsors including Harder & Partner, Aston Martin, Capri-Sun, Snocks, Innovative Digital Systems, SAP SE, Phönix Pharma SE, Kellergroup, and Rogon.

Former world heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua won a 12-round unanimous decision over Jermaine Franklin at The 02 Arena in London.

Joshua landed 117 of 376 punches. Franklin was 58 of 426.

Joshua won by scores of 118-111 and 117-111 twice and is now 25-3. Frankilin of Saginaw, MI is 21-2.

Fabio Wardley Stops Coffie in 4

Fabio Wardley stopped Michael Coffie in round four of a scheduled 10-round heavyweight bout.

In round one, Wardley was bleeding from his nose. In round four, Wardley landed a hard right that backed Coffie up on the ropes. Wardley landed a big assault in the ropes and the referee stopped the bout (maybe a punch or two prematurely) at 45 seconds.

Wardley, 242.9 lbs of Ipswich, ENG is 16-0 with 15 knockouts. Coffie, 269.4 lbs of Kissimmee, FL is 13-4.

Gala Yafai Stops Calleros in 4

2021 Olympic Gold Medal winner Galal Yafai stopped former world title challenger Moises Calleros in round four of a 10-round flyweight bout.

Yafai dropped Calleros in round four, and the fight was stopped by the referee at

Yafai, 113.8 lbs of Birmingham, ENG is 4-0 with three knockouts. Calleros, 114.2 lbs of Monterrey, MEX is 36-11-1.

Campbell Hatton Stops Fielding in 1

Campbell Hatton remained undefeated with a first round stoppage over Louis Fielding in a scheduled eight-round super lightweight contest.

Hatton landed a perfect left hook to the rib area that put Fielding on the deck for the 10-count at 1:29. Fielding, 138.8 lb of Tamworth, ENG is 10-8.

Hatton, 139.12 lbs of Hyde, ENG is 11-0 with four knockouts.

Ammo Williams Stops Wilson-Bent in 8

Austin Williams remained undefeated with an eighth round stoppage over River Wilson-Bent in a scheduled 10-round middleweight bout.

In round seven, Williams dropped Wilson-Bent with a straight left Wilson-Bent began to bleed over his right eye. In round eight, Williams continued the assault and the towel was thrown in at 1:01.

Williams, 162.3 lbs of Houston, TX is 14-0 with 10 knockouts. Wilson-Bent, 162.7 lbs of Coventry, ENG is 14-3-1.

John Hedges won a eight-round unanimous decision over Daniel Bocianski in a light heavyweight bou

Hedges, 189.14 lbs of Takely, ENG won by an 80-72 and is now 8-0. Bocianski, 186.4 lbs of Nowy Saczm POL is 11-3.

Ziyad Almaayouf won a four-round decision over Georgi Velichkov in a welterweight bout.

Almaayouf, 145.14 lbs of Saudi Arabia won by a 39-37 score and is now 3-0. Velchkov, 142.7 lbs of Sofia, BUL is 3-12.

Jordan Flynn remained undefeated with a hard fought eight-round decision over Kane Baker in a super featherweight bout.

Flynn, 129.10 lbs of Oxford, ENG won by a 77-75 score and is now 9-0. Baker, 129.8 lbs of Birmingham, ENG is 18-10-1.

In a mild upset, Benoit Huber won a eight-round decision over Juergen Uldedaj in a heavyweight bout.

Huber, 200 lbs of Sjon, SWI won by a score of 77-75 and is now 9-3. Uldedaj, 203.8 lbs of Lezhe, ALB is 15-1.

Peter Kadiru stopped Alen Lauriolle after the opening round of their six-round heavyweight bout.

Kadiru’s body work hurt Lauriolle’s ribs and the bout was stopped in between rounds.

kadiru, 239.3 lbs of Hamburg, GER is 15-1 with eight knockouts. Lauriolle, 273.2 lbs of Skopie, MAC is 6-2.

World-ranked heavyweight Agit Kabayel won a 10-round unanimous decision over Evgenios Lazaridis in Magdeburg, Germany.

Kabayel, 236 3/4 lbs won by scores of 100-90, 99-91 and 98-92 to stay perfect at 20-0. Lazaridis, 255 lbs is 16-3.

Peter Kadiru remained undefeated after Eugen Buchmeuller could not continue after round three of their eight-round heavyweight bout.

Buchmueller complained of an arm injury in the 2nd frame, and the fight was stopped after the 3rd round.

Kadiru, 239 lbs is 8-0 with four knockouts. Buchmueller, 213 lbs if 16-6.

Collins Ojal won a six-round unanimous decision over Georgij Fibich in a heavyweight bout.

Ojal, 230 1/2 lbs won by scores of 60-54 twice and 60-55 to raise his mark to 4-0. Fibich, 248 lbs is 1-1.

Arthur Ohanyan Beck made a successful pro debut with a four-round decision over Miguel Aguilar in a super middleweight bout.

Aguilar, 167 1/2 lbs if 1-0. Aguilar, 165 1/2 lbs is 11-66-1.

(July 14, 2020) — Live boxing is back on ESPN+ Saturday, July 18, with the return of undefeated heavyweight contender Agit Kabayel in a 10-rounder against Evgenios “Achilles” Lazaridis from Seebühne Elbauenpark in Magdeburg, Germany.
 
The event, promoted by SES Boxing, will take place in front of a limited number of fans and will mark Kabayel’s first fight since he signed a co-promotional pact with Top Rank last year. Kabayel-Lazaridis and select undercard bouts will stream live beginning at 3 p.m. ET/12 p.m. PT.
 
Kabayel (19-0, 13 KOs) is a former European champion who is currently ranked in the top 15 by three of the major sanctioning organizations. Based in Germany, standing 6-foot-3 and weighing 230-plus pounds, Kabayel won the title in February 2017 with a unanimous decision over Belgian veteran Herve Hubeaux. He defended the title three times — including a November 2017 majority decision over longtime contender Derek Chisora — before vacating it last year to make his mark stateside.
 
The COVID-19 pandemic delayed Kabayel’s United States debut, but he returns following a 16-month layoff to fight Lazaridis (16-2, 10 KOs), a former Greek amateur star who has won four in a row. Now based in Germany, the 32-year-old Lazaridis is a seven-year pro who, at 6’6, will have a three-inch height advantage over Kabayel.
 
In other action on the ESPN+ stream:

• Heavyweight prospect Peter Kadiru (7-0, 3 KOs), who was victorious on the Tyson Fury-Tom Schwarz undercard in Las Vegas last June, will fight fellow unbeaten Ruben Wolf (5-0, 3 KOs) in an eight-rounder.
   
• In a six-round heavyweight tilt featuring a pair of unbeatens, Collins Ojal (3-0, 2 KOs) will take on Georgij Fibich (1-0, 1 KO).

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