TOMORROW evening at Wembley Stadium in London, former heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua must win to keep alive his dreams of a domestic blockbuster with Tyson Fury or a third fight with Oleksandr Usyk.

In the opposite corner, current IBF heavyweight champion Daniel Dubois is tasked with derailing the AJ train and bringing the Watford fighter one step closer to retirement.

Before they fight, 10 other contenders get a chance to shine for boxing’s newest power broker, Turki Alalshikh. There’s an eclectic mix of newborn fighters looking to make a name for themselves and senior hands trying to hold on to something they may have lost. Let’s see who Frank, Eddie (and Ben) have on this show.

Tyler Denny vs. Hamzah Sheeraz

An intriguing clash for Denny’s middleweight title. Once thrown into the national scrapheap, Denny is a boxing everyman determined to continue his budding fairy tale. But the powerful fists of Sheeraz await him.

Denny is finally getting the payday the former plumber deserves. If he beats Sheeraz, he’ll earn every penny. It’s a lofty order, because Sheeraz has looked exceptional at times throughout his career, learning and developing toward world-class status. To reach that level is admirable for the beloved left-handed champion, but this is probably a step too far.

Anthony Cacace vs. Josh Warrington

While Cacace’s IBF title is out of the question (due to boxing politics), the IBO title remains, so this is a 12-round fight. Leeds favourite Warrington is reaching veteran status, but if his fuel tank and fitness levels stay up, he has every chance of causing an upset.

Cacace from Belfast is very talented and hits incredibly tough (just ask Joe Cordina). If his stamina holds up to the end, Anto will lose the fight. Two passionate fan bases will be ready to lead their man to victory. Warrington’s long, tough career could catch up with him.

LONDON, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 19: Anthony Cacace and Josh Warrington react onstage before their Super Featherweight fight during the Riyadh Season – Wembley Edition press conference at Guildhall on September 19, 2024 in London, England. (Photo by Richard Pelham/Getty Images)

Joshua Buatsi vs. Willy Hutchinson

Another stylistic mashup that divided opinion. Willy Hutchinson is certainly a character and his win over Craig Richards answered many questions. Buatsi also defeated Richards and is a talent whose career came close to taking off but never quite took off.

Willy has excelled at breaking up lesser-known opponents, but when Lennox Clarke attacked him, he underestimated the heat, although he claims there were extenuating circumstances behind the loss. If Buatsi’s punches are true and his motivation matches his skills, he’s the best bet to press tough and seal the deal, whether it’s from range or on points.

Josh Kelly vs. Ishmael Davis

When original competitor Liam Smith withdrew, things looked uncertain for former Olympian Josh Kelly. Enter Ishmael Davis, a hard-working man with a troubled past who redeemed himself through noble art. Davis is fit, mighty, clumsy, and has already prepared for the fight. He may also have a few strategic tricks up his sleeve.

Kelly is talented, but how badly does he need a fight? He dominated Troy Williamson (Davis also won against Troy), but the Darlington man operates in straight lines. Davis, who strikes from both sides, is not as predictable. Kelly’s ability is there for all to see, but Davis’s desire could be the equalizer. This match could be a surprise.

LONDON, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 19: Hamzah Sheeraz and Tyler Denny react onstage ahead of their European middleweight title fight during the Riyadh Season – Wembley Edition press conference at Guildhall on September 19, 2024 in London, England. (Photo by Richard Pelham/Getty Images)

Mark Chamberlain vs. Josh Padley

Two undefeated fighters face off as Turki Alalshikh’s favorite fighter, Mark Chamberlain, takes on Josh Padley. Chamberlain is adept at finding his opponents’ weaknesses and using them to his advantage. The undefeated Padley technically moved up in weight to get this gigantic opportunity.

There’s a lot riding on this, as Chamberlain has promotional rival Sam Noakes on his radar. The way Chamberlain dismantled Gavin Gwynne was impressive. Padley will need to weather the early storm and persevere if he’s to have any chance of winning.

Mark Chamberlain’s career has reached a novel level in 2024. (Photo: Richard Pelham/Getty Images)

Nilo Guerrero has taken a huge step towards contender status.

Guerrero defeated Mandeep Jangra by majority decision on Thursday night at the Legends Casino Hotel in Toppenish, Washington. Judge Alan Krebs (95-95) scored the fight a draw. Vincent Santino (96-94) and Perla Rodriguez (98-92) had enough of Guerrero in a clash of undefeated junior lightweights.

With this victory, Guerrero (10-0, 7 knockouts) won the lightweight world title.

“I’m so grateful for this opportunity,” said Guerrero, a Nicaraguan candidate who lives in Coachella, Calif. “All the sacrifice and demanding work was worth it. Now I’m more motivated than ever to get back to work and try to be better every day.”

Guerrero was the more effective fighter in the first half of the fight, with the undefeated 24-year-old outboxing Jangra, switching attacks and landing combinations to the head and body.

Feeling like he was in the red, Jangra rebounded in the final three rounds, winning the tenth round on two of the three cards. If he had won on Santino’s card, the fight would have ended in a split decision draw.

Instead, Jangra — an Indian-born boxer who now lives in Florida — was forced to suffer his first defeat. The 31-year-old, represented by Roy Jones Jr. Boxing Promotions — who also trains with the Hall of Fame boxer from Pensacola — fell to a 10-1 (7 KO) loss.

In his previous fight on June 15, Guerrero defeated Duke Olguin by unanimous decision. The win over Olguin came exactly four months after Guerrero knocked out Dan Hernandez in the first round.

Guerrero is promoted by Toro Promotions and his manager is Vartan Torosyan.

Two athletes trained by Jones won.

Featherweight contender Dominique Roundtree of Augusta, Georgia defeated Roberto Cantu Pena by decision in six one-sided rounds. All three judges scored the fight 60-53 in favor of Roundtree, who improved to 10-0, 6 KOs.

Cantu Pena, originally from McAllen, Texas and currently residing in Rio Bravo, Mexico, lost 4-4, 3 KOs.

In a junior middleweight fight, Keon Papillion (10-0-1, 7 KOs) of Lafayette, Louisiana, defeated the experienced Rondale Hubbert (16-33-3, 10 KOs) of Duluth, Minnesota, in two rounds.

Follow @FSalazarBoxing

Junior middleweight contender Callum Walsh scored a stunning knockout victory over Przemysław Runowski on Friday at the 3Arena in Dublin, Ireland.

Walsh (12-0, 10 KO) stopped Runowski (22-3-1, 6 KO) at 2:06 of the second round, marking a successful comeback for the 23-year-old Irishman, who has never fought professionally in his home country.

Walsh started cautiously, trying to counterattack as the lively Dublin crowd cheered him on. Despite his circumscribed power, Runowski pressed forward but was stunned by Walsh’s left hook behind schedule in the first round. Runowski’s body began to turn red as Walsh ended the round with a keen left jab.

In the second round, Walsh opened with a left-handed body shot, then dropped his hands to his hips in a gunslinger stance. He soon floored Runowski with a powerful left hook after absorbing a right hook from his opponent. Although Runowski beat the count of exactly 10, the referee dismissed the fight.

A 360 Promotions representative confirmed to BoxingScene that the event was sold out with 8,000 people in attendance. The fight, promoted by 360 Promotions, was broadcast worldwide on UFC Fight Pass.

After the fight, Walsh joked about the celebratory atmosphere, saying, “I hope Dana White [UFC’s CEO and president] “he brought an umbrella” – referring to the beer that flew towards the ring after his victory.

Reflecting on his knockout, Walsh added: “It’s unbelievable. They said he never got stopped until he got in my face. I just hit too demanding.”

Walsh, who is riding a three-fight knockout streak, hinted at regular returns to Ireland for future fights. “Dana White told me we’re coming back. This is just the beginning,” he said.

With his eyes set on a bigger challenge, Walsh declared, “I’m a contender, not a candidate. I’m coming for all the belts and I want to give them back to the Irish.”