Boxing

Bernie Davis encourages “Boots” to fight Bakhram Murtazaliev

Published

1 year ago

October 13, 2025

Image: “Fight the Boogeyman”: Coach Bernie Davis Urges ‘Boots’ Ennis to Step Up Against Bakhram Murtazaliev to Back Up Eddie Hearn’s Hype

Trainer Bernie Davis says he wants Jaron “Boots” Ennis next to pursue 154-pound bogeyman, IBF champion Bakhram Murtazaliev, to prove his worth.

Davis says that given the way Ennis’ promoter Eddie Hearn is praising him as Terence Crawford’s successor, he wants him to take a real risk and fight Murtazaliev (23-0, 17 KO) next. He doesn’t think WBA champion Abass Baraou is worthy of fighting in the Boots.

Strike while victory is fresh

Hearn only briefly mentioned Murtazaliev’s name last Saturday after Ennis’ first-round knockout victory over Uisma Lima in Philadelphia. The fighter he talked about most was WBC junior middleweight champion Vergil Ortiz Jr., whom he credits as the first step toward earning a fight with Crawford. I disagree. Ennis is now ready for Crawford.

Defeating Vergil Jr. and there is no need for Bakhram for “Boots” to call in Crawford and fight him now, before he gets much older. He already has an age excuse if he loses, claiming he is 38 years venerable.

If Ennis waits another year or two, Crawford will live to be 40; there is little to be gained by beating him in terms of legacy. It’s time. Crawford just defeated Canelo Alvarez, and while that victory is still fresh, “Boots” should fight him before it fades away. You saw how tired Crawford looked after the fight. He looked 38 and then older and fought like him too. Except Canelo was worse.

Beating Bakhram means something

“If Bakhram is a bogeyman and this guy [Ennis] is a Roy Jones Jr. hybrid. and Terence Crawford, there’s no reason why he shouldn’t fight this guy,” coach Bernie Davis said. MillCity Boxing that Jaron “Boots” Ennis will next face IBF 154-pound champion Bakhram Murtazaliev.

Bakhram, 32, has not fought since last year, when he defeated Tim Tszyu in the third round on October 19, 2024. Who knows what impact this year has had on him outside the ring? Besides, he had never beaten anyone of note before this fight, and he was fighting Jack Culcay. As we saw with Tszyu’s recent seventh-round loss to Sebastian Fundora on July 19, he is not as good as fans thought. Fundora is not a robust puncher, but he crushed Tszyu.

“I’m looking for him to make a statement against Bakhram. Because this kid doesn’t want to fight,” Davis said. “If he [Ennis] he fights the WBA champion [Abass Baraou]we might as well cancel it. I don’t want to hear anything about “Boots” anymore. If he doesn’t fight Bakhram, Vergil Ortiz or Xander Zayas.

Baraou (17-1, 9 KO) is a better fighter than WBO champion Xander Zayas. The way he performed in his recent 12-round unanimous decision defeat of WBA 154-pound interim champion Yoenis Tellez suggests he’s tougher than Zayas. If the shoe had been on the other foot, Xander couldn’t have done this to Cuban Tellez.

Davis: Boots vs. Vergil is 50-50

“I prefer him over Xander. I think it’s 50-50 between him and Vergil Ortiz because Vergil won’t be impressed with those combinations,” Davis said.

Chris Williams is a senior writer for Boxing News 24covering sports since 2013 and reporting on major events around the world. His relationships range from established champions to hungry prospects vying for recognition. Over the years, Chris has worked with many of boxing’s top brass, earning respect for his insightful analysis and insider perspective.

Last update: 13/10/2025

Boxing

Tony Bellews Bold KO Prediction for Dubois vs Wardley 2: Yep, I Said It

Published

4 hours ago

October 17, 2026

The Punch Junkie™ News

Tony Bellew's Bold KO Prediction for Dubois vs Wardley 2: "Yep, I Said It"

Tony Bellew is going against the grain for tonight’s Daniel Dubois vs Fabio Wardley rematch.

The pair meet again just five months on from their thrilling first encounter, with Dubois now WBO champion having won the belt from Wardley via eleventh round stoppage.

After surviving two early knockdowns, the Londoner – who is now in his second stint as heavyweight titlist – took over the contest with a solid jab setting up thudding attacks that exhausted Wardley.

Though the Ipswich man stayed on his feet throughout, referee Howard Foster waved it off as the punishment because too much.

It is how the fight ended, and those last few rounds in which Dubois was largely dominating, that make him a strong favourite to retain his belt.

Giving his prediction to the BBCformer cruiserweight world champion Bellew backed Wardley to have success early again, but capitalise fully this time and end it.

“I’m going to be the difference. I am going to back Fabio Wardley by knockout within six rounds. Yep, I said [it]. I’m going for Fab within six.”

Dubois was on the canvas within ten seconds last time out, and took a knee in the third when hurt again.

Bellew has questioned Dubois’ resolve in the past, pointing to his stoppage loss to Joe Joyce as proof that there is a point he can be pushed to that he is not willing to go beyond. Many, however, will look to the first Wardley performance and disagree.

Both men recorded the highest weights of their careers on the scalessuggesting that neither will be changing the gameplan to a more measured affair, rather looking to engage in round 13 from the off tonight at London’s O2.

Boxing

Peter Fury Shares Final Thoughts on Daniel Dubois vs Fabio Wardley 2: I Still Think That

Published

5 hours ago

October 17, 2026

The Punch Junkie™ News

Peter Fury Shares Final Thoughts on Daniel Dubois vs Fabio Wardley 2: "I Still Think That"

Top trainer Peter Fury has offered his expert analysis on the rematch between Daniel Dubois and Fabio Wardley, believing it is still a 50/50 fight.

Others, meanwhile, will argue that Dubois should be made a considerable favourite, based on how he was able to dismantle Wardley in their first encounter.

In order to do so, the ‘Dynamite’ puncher was compelled to climb off the canvas in rounds one and three, having been put down by blows to the top of his head.

Proceedings then became a little one-sided as Dubois, utilising his fundamentals, managed to score an 11th-round finish with his thudding jab and superior footwork.

Wardley, however, wasted little time before activating the rematch clause in their contract and, in turn, securing the chance to reclaim his WBO title at London’s O2 Arena tomorrow evening.

Many will argue that such a swift turnaround could lead to his downfall while, due to his power and toughness, others would suggest that the 31-year-old is always dangerous, no matter the opponent standing across from him.

As such, coach Fury has told Boxing King Media that, while Dubois is rightfully brimming with confidence, it would be foolish to entirely dismiss Wardley’s attributes.

“I think it’s a great heavyweight fight – Dubois has got heavy hands and a good jab as well, so it’ll be interesting.

“You’ve got to say Wardley’s got it all to do, because the confidence of Dubois will be high. And if Dubois’ super confident, he’s a problem.

“But let’s see – Wardley was able to hurt Dubois early on. I still think that fight is a 50/50 fight.”

If he emerges victorious against Wardley, then Dubois will likely be targeting a unification match with Agit Kabayel or Filip Hrgovic in 2027.

Boxing

Daniel Dubois vs Fabio Wardley 2: Round-by-Round Live Updates and Results

Published

7 hours ago

October 17, 2026

The Punch Junkie™ News

Daniel Dubois vs Fabio Wardley 2: Round-by-Round Live Updates and Results

Daniel Dubois will face Fabio Wardley in a rematch of a heavyweight slugfest from earlier this year, with Dubois defending the WBO heavyweight title he took from Wardley on that night.

Live coverage will kick off at 2 pm ET, and we’ll have results and updates during the four-fight, main card undercard, then live, round-by-round scoring and updates for the main event itself.

How to watch Dubois vs Wardley 2

Start time: 2:00 pm ET for main card, prelims begin at 11:00 am ET

Streaming: DAZN (Ultimate subscription or Pay-Per-View)

PPV Cost: As a standalone, one-off purchase Pay-Per-View, the price is $59.99 (or £24.99). With DAZN’s Ultimate tier, the show is included as part of your subscription.

Location: O2 Arena – London, England