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David Benavidez got what he wanted, a world-class opponent in former IBF world champion Caleb Plant – who posed questions aplenty for the 26-year-old. It required patience, especially with a trigger-happy referee, but he finished viciously in a commanding decision win before calling out undisputed super-middleweight champion Canelo Álvarez, who returns on May 6 vs. John Ryder. Continue reading “Benavidez’s barrage of punishment decisive vs. spirited Plant display, as he calls for Canelo clash”
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All things considered, Zurdo Ramirez’s massive weight miss – cancelling a matchup against friend and former sparring partner Gabe Rosado last Saturday night – was a blessing in disguise for the former super-middleweight world champion. After suffering a decisive world light-heavyweight title defeat by WBA champion Dmitry Bivol last November, he’s had some decisions to make. Continue reading “Yes, Zurdo Ramirez’s big weight miss at the weekend was a blessing in disguise”
For the best part of eight rounds, Anthony Yarde made everyone inside the OVO Arena believe. The unthinkable looked likely at times, especially in R5. Tunde Ajayi saw the writing on the wall though, watching his charge absorb a knockdown in the eighth, and a back-and-forth battle was ended abruptly – Artur Beterbiev retaining his WBO, IBF and WBC light-heavyweight titles. Continue reading “Beterbiev retains unified light-heavyweight titles with R8 stoppage win despite spirited Yarde display”
There was less fanfare this time around, in a different continent against another fearsome Mexican champion. WBA light-heavyweight champion Dmitry Bivol got the job done all the same in his 10th world title defence and ultimately eased to a wide UD victory (118-110, 117-111, 117-111) over Gilberto Ramirez, inflicting the 31-year-old’s first professional defeat before calling for the much-anticipated unification bout against compatriot Artur Beterbiev in 2023.
Continue reading “Unification next? Bivol dismantles Zurdo to defend WBA LHW strap, then calls for Beterbiev clash”
After all that talking, bold predictions and a five-fight stoppage streak, WBA mandatory challenger Gilberto ‘Zurdo’ Ramirez finally has his chance tomorrow night to inflict Dmitry Bivol’s first career defeat and seize the WBA light-heavyweight strap in Abu Dhabi. Before then though, here’s a look back at two of the 31-year-old’s recent victories – against Sullivan Barrera last summer and Dominic Boesel in May – as he gears up for the biggest fight of his career. Continue reading “Rewind: Before LHW title shot vs. Bivol Saturday, a look back at two of Zurdo Ramirez’s recent TKO wins”
Another compelling domestic duel. This one arrives November 26 as John Ryder looks to build on his split decision win over Daniel Jacobs, presenting an acid test for the unbeaten Zach Parker. Who said what, ahead of next month’s WBO interim super-middleweight title clash? Continue reading “John Ryder vs. Zach Parker media day: Who said what, ahead of November 26’s main event?”
Roy Jones Jr didn’t bother watching. Shawn Porter declared Canelo’s stock has now fallen. Oscar de la Hoya, whose Golden Boy Promotions firm was responsible for the first two instalments, used much stronger language altogether. ESPN said GGG’s legacy was secured – despite another chastening defeat – while Bleacher Report called the undisputed 168lb champion the sport’s king once again. So after Saturday night, which is closest to the truth? Continue reading “Canelo ends Golovkin trilogy with UD win to retain his 168lb titles as expected, but underwhelms”
As the legendary pair finish their preparations before doing battle in their long-awaited trilogy clash for Canelo Álvarez’s undisputed super-middleweight titles on Saturday night, I take a look back at their rematch four years ago this month (Sept. 15th) – with controversy aplenty about the decision for the second time in twelve months… How will things be different a third time? Continue reading “History revisited: Canelo’s R12 MD win over Golovkin, in previewing this weekend’s trilogy bout”
Unbeaten mandatory challenger Gilberto ‘Zurdo’ Ramirez will face WBA champion Dmitry Bivol next, so it seems. Joshua Buatsi, whose world title ambitions were solidified after beating Craig Richards, agreed to enter talks for a sanctioned IBF final eliminator against Jean Pascal for one of the three light-heavyweight titles currently owned by Bivol’s compatriot Artur Beterbiev.
Continue reading “Buatsi, Pascal agree IBF invitation to enter talks for final LHW title eliminator bout”
Although he’s set to make a mandatory defence of his newly-won WBO light-heavyweight title before this year is up against Anthony Yarde, Artur Beterbiev hasn’t been shy about the fact he has bigger fish to fry at 175lbs: a undisputed fight with fellow unbeaten champion Dmitry Bivol.
Continue reading “Beterbiev questions Bivol’s eagerness to fight for undisputed, hopes deal can get done”
This was billed as a clash of two heavy-handed champions, yet it was the boogeyman at 175lbs who raced to score four knockdowns en route to maintaining his unblemished record (18-0, 18 KOs). For all the talk surrounding Anthony Yarde’s WBO mandatory status for another world title shot, it’s increasingly difficult to see the powerful Brit overcome this test later this year.
Continue reading “Beterbiev blasts past Smith Jr inside two rounds – sorry Yarde, there’s bigger fish to fry”
It wasn’t perfect, but domestic duels rarely are. Joshua Buatsi’s world title ambitions got another boost as he started well and led throughout en route to a unanimous decision victory over Craig Richards, in a battle of south London which didn’t disappoint from the O2 Arena. Continue reading “Buatsi stays unbeaten at 16-0 with impressive UD win over domestic rival Richards”
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