Boxing

Lyndon Arthur on shortlist for Dmitry Bivol bout, per WBA champion’s manager

Lyndon Arthur celebrates victory after knocking out Braian Suarez during the IBO World Light Heavyweight title fight at Toughsheet Community Stadium...

IBO light-heavyweight world champion Lyndon Arthur has been shortlisted to face WBA titlist Dmitry Bivol in a voluntary defence, either next month or early January, according to the long-reigning champion’s manager Vadim Kornilov – who also touched on the difficulties involved with securing the 32-year-old’s next fight after an inactive year typified a frustratingly stagnant 175lb division. Continue reading “Lyndon Arthur on shortlist for Dmitry Bivol bout, per WBA champion’s manager”

Boxing

WBA light-heavyweight world champion Dmitry Bivol eyes October return, after Canelo rematch talks collapse

Dmitry Bivol enters the ring before his WBA light heavyweight title fight against Canelo Alvarez at T-Mobile Arena on May 07, 2022 in Las Vegas,...

After undisputed super-middleweight world champion Canelo Álvarez recently signed a three-fight deal with PBC, kicking off against unbeaten middleweight titleholder Jermall Charlo in September, WBA light-heavyweight champion Dmitry Bivol has been left in the lurch as far as his next plans are concerned. Continue reading “WBA light-heavyweight world champion Dmitry Bivol eyes October return, after Canelo rematch talks collapse”

Specials

Exclusive: Anthony Yarde interview – Plotting his way back into contention

Anthony Yarde before the WBC, IBF and WBO light-heavyweight contest at the OVO Arena Wembley, London. Picture date: Saturday January 28, 2023.

Having had a few months to recuperate and reflect after exceeding expectations in a spirited defeat by long-reigning world champion Artur Beterbiev on January 28, two-time world title challenger Anthony Yarde tells me of his desire to have two fights before 2023 ends and maintain momentum, aware the light-heavyweight division is in a fantastic place right now. Continue reading “Exclusive: Anthony Yarde interview – Plotting his way back into contention”

Analysis, feature pieces

Yes, Zurdo Ramirez’s big weight miss at the weekend was a blessing in disguise

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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”

Boxing

Unification next? Bivol dismantles Zurdo to defend WBA LHW strap, then calls for Beterbiev clash

Dmitry Bivol celebrates his win in the WBA Light-Heavyweight World Title boxing match at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi on November 5, 2022.

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”

Boxing

Rewind: Before LHW title shot vs. Bivol Saturday, a look back at two of Zurdo Ramirez’s recent TKO wins

Zurdo Ramirez works out with trainer Julian Chua during a media workout on October 11, 2022 in North Hollywood, California.

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”

Boxing

Buatsi, Pascal agree IBF invitation to enter talks for final LHW title eliminator bout

Joshua Buatsi celebrates victory against Craig Richards in the WBA Light-Heavyweight World Title Eliminator at The O2, London. Picture date: Saturday...

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”