Boxing

Saturday’s fight rankings: Roach-Cruz, Foster-Fulton and more

Published

11 months ago

December 4, 2025

Fight fans have plenty of choices for what to watch on Saturday, with notable fights taking place all over the world.

From Lamont Roach and Isaac “Pitbull” Cruz fighting for the vacant WBC interim 140-pound title, to O’Shaquie Foster defending his WBC junior lightweight belt against former featherweight champion Stephen Fulton Jr., to ESPN’s No. 1-ranked cruiserweight Jai Opetai putting his IBF title on the line against Huseyin Cinkara in Australia, there are multiple championships at stake.

ESPN is showcasing the best fights to watch this weekend, from San Antonio to Monte Carlo to the Gold Coast in Queensland, Australia.

1. Lamont Roach Jr. vs. Isaac “Pitbull” Cruz – interim junior welterweight title fight on PBC PPV on Prime Video

Roach takes on a risky assignment when he faces “Pitbull” Cruz in his junior welterweight debut in San Antonio, Texas, after a rematch with Gervonta “Tank” Davis failed to materialize.

Roach (25-1-2, 10 KO) deserves credit for taking on a second world title (vacant interim WBC junior welterweight title), but should he take another fight to adjust to the fresh weight class? We’ll find out when he faces Cruz, who, along with Roach, are the only boxers who made Davis decide. Cruz (28-3-1, 18 KO), who has recorded two wins since losing the WBA world title to Jose Valenzuela in August 2024 via split decision, impressed in a decision loss to Davis in 2021, while Roach took Davis to a disputed majority draw in March. In this fight, Roach should have received the decisive knockdown in round 9, when David took a knee and then went to his corner to wipe his eyes with a towel. An extra point for the knockdown would have tipped the scales in Davis’ favor.

Roach, a former WBA lightweight champion, doesn’t have KO power, but his counter-punching and movement could earn him a decision if he avoids being drawn into a fight with the power-hitting Cruz, who will be looking to repeat his destructive performance in a Round 8 stoppage victory over Rolando “Rolly” Romero in March 2024.

2. O’Shaquie Foster vs. Stephen Fulton Jr. – junior lightweight title fight on PBC PPV on Prime Video

This fight was scheduled on the Sebastian Fundora vs. undercard. Keith Thurman on October 25, but the event was canceled after Fundora injured his hand during training.

Fulton (23-1, 8 KO) will try to become a three-division world champion when he faces Foster for the WBC junior lightweight title on Saturday in San Antonio, Texas. Fulton’s only loss was an eighth-round stoppage to the powerful Nayoua Inoue in July 2023 in a junior featherweight loss, and he has since passed Carlos Castro and Brandon Figueroa in featherweight fights.

Fulton impressively outworked Figueroa in their rematch earlier this year, and it’s a strategy he should employ against Foster. But can he be as successful against Foster’s clever movement and skill?

After reclaiming his junior lightweight title with a split decision victory over Robson Conceicao, Foster (23-3, 12 KO) appears to be the better choice for this fight that could take his career to fresh heights. Foster’s high size could also be a factor against Fulton, who was eliminated during the September 2024 fight against Castro.

This is Foster’s sixth fight at junior lightweight and it looks like it will be an opportunity for him to put in a spectacular performance that will strengthen his position.

3. Shabaz Masoud vs. Peter McGrail – junior featherweight fight on DAZN

This will be an extremely competitive fight between two English junior featherweights aiming to fight for the world title. For Masoud (16-2, 4 KO), a fight for the vacant European title couldn’t come soon enough, as he hasn’t boxed since winning a split decision over Liam Davies in November 2024. A training injury suffered by Masoud delayed that fight in June.

McGrail (12-1, 6 KO), who won four straight fights after being knocked out by Ja’Rico O’Quinn in December 2023, has had an excellent amateur career and experience gives him an advantage, but he suffered an injury in his last two fights, which is worth paying attention to. This fight will not disappoint.

4.Jesus Ramos Jr. vs. Shane Mosley Jr. – interim middleweight title fight on PBC PPV on Prime Video

Both fighters are in good shape to take advantage of the opportunity to capture the vacant interim WBC middleweight title. Ramos (23-1, 19 KO) has impressed with two stoppage victories this year, while Mosley (22-4, 12 KO) earned a career-best win over former middleweight champion Daniel Jacobs. However, the victory over Jacobs came in July 2024 and Mosley has not fought since. This inaction could cost him.

After being frustrated by his lack of opportunities at junior middleweight, Ramos is counting on his strength to aid him succeed at 160 pounds. He has certainly matured and developed since his September 2023 unanimous decision loss to Erickson Lubin. If Ramos is successful, he could get a chance to fight WBC middleweight champion Carlos Adames in 2026, instead of returning to junior middleweight.

5. Beatriz Ferreira vs. Elif Nur Turhan – women’s lightweight title fight on DAZN

Ferreira makes his fourth defense of his IBF lightweight title against a perilous challenger in Turhan, who has won his last three fights by stoppage. Both fighters are undefeated, so the fight promises to be fierce.

Ferreira (8-0, 2 KO), ESPN’s No. 2 lightweight, has made two convincing title defenses this year, both at home in Brazil, but she will be pushed out of her comfort zone in Monte Carlo. Turhan (11-0, 7 KO) moved up to junior lightweight before her last fight and needed just six rounds to defeat then-undefeated Rima Ayady in August. The rising star has won two of his last three fights within two minutes, so we can expect a lively start.

6. Jai Opetaia vs. Huseyin Cinkara – fight for the cruiserweight title

Opetaia, ESPN’s No. 1 cruiserweight, should get through this fight without any drama. And if it’s another convincing win, could Opetaia announce he’s moving up to heavyweight? Or maybe he will call for a title unification fight with WBA, WBO champion Gilberto Ramirez?

Opetaia (28-0, 22 KO) made her 5th round KO victory over Claudio Squeo look basic in June and is not expected to pose any difficulties against 40-year-old challenger Cinkara (23-0, 19 KO), who has three quick wins in the last two years against lower-level opponents.

7. Johnny Fisher vs. Herbert Matovu – heavyweight fight on DAZN

Fisher (13-1, 11 KO) needs to win if he wants to maintain interest in his career, so expect him to be looking for a KO, and that makes this a must-see fight.

If Fisher gets back on track after a shock fifth-round loss to David Ryan in May, a trilogy with Ryan or even a chance to fight fresh British champion Jeamie “TKV” Tshikewa is possible. Failure and his championship chances could disappear.

Boxing

DAZN Announces Signing of Devin Haney: A Game-Changer in Boxing

Published

2 hours ago

October 23, 2026

The Punch Junkie™ News

DAZN Announces Signing of Devin Haney: A Game-Changer in Boxing

It’s been talked about quite a lot lately, almost to the point it’s almost common knowledge, but today DAZN officially announced they’ve signed an exclusive multi-deal with welterweight titleholder Devin Haney. The formal announcement comes directly on the heels of a proposed fight with Shakur Stevenson falling by the wayside.

“I’m at a point in my career where I want the biggest challenges and the fights the fans want to see,” said Devin Haney. “I’m excited to partner with DAZN. This agreement removes any doubt or uncertainty about my ability to make the major fights in boxing. I’m in position to fight anyone, and I’m focused, motivated and ready for whoever is next.”

DAZN executive mentione that they expect the deal to pave the way for them to deliver marquee matchups for Haney and their network heading forward.

Haney, 27, hasn’t fought in nearly a year, last beating Brian Norman last November to take the WBO welterweight title. Hopefully this announcement will have him more active than he has been as of late.

Boxing

Dalton Smith Discusses Lifetime Bans Ahead of Puello Test

Published

7 hours ago

October 23, 2026

The Punch Junkie™ News

"Dalton Smith Discusses Lifetime Bans Ahead of Puello Test"

Dalton Smith is putting Alberto Puello’s failed drug test back into the conversation before Saturday’s WBC light welterweight title defense in Sheffield. If the champion loses, an explanation beyond the boxing will already be circulating.

That doesn’t prove Smith is preparing an excuse. But his comments give a difficult first defense a moral storyline before either fighter throws a punch.

Smith called for lifetime bans for fighters who fail drug tests. Puello tested positive for clomiphene in 2023 and received a six-month suspension. The article reports no new failed test ahead of Saturday’s fight.

“I think it stinks. I’m well against it myself,” Smith said to BoxingScene. “But I went in there and proved last time, sometimes you need more than just steroids. I’ll do it for the fighters in the sport that are clean.”

That last sentence turns Smith’s title defense into something bigger than defending his belt. It casts him as fighting on behalf of clean boxers, with Puello’s past providing the backdrop.

Puello’s violation is legitimate history to discuss. It also cannot explain punches, missed opportunities, or lost rounds before they happen.

Smith has a boxing problem to solve here. Puello’s southpaw movement could make him a frustrating opponent for a champion coming off his fifth-round stoppage of Subriel Matias in January.

Matias gave Smith opportunities to meet him with hard shots. Puello could make him work much harder to find those openings. If Smith follows without cutting off the ring, he risks spending rounds pursuing a challenger who refuses to give him the fight he wants.

Smith and Eddie Hearn have ambitions for a Hillsborough Stadium event. Puello could spoil those plans through positioning, timing and making the champion miss.

“If anything, they need lifetime bans, don’t they? But it’s out of my hands,” Smith said.

Saturday’s performance is in his hands. Smith can hold strong views on drug penalties while still being expected to handle an awkward mandatory challenger.

If Puello wins, his work in the ring deserves to be the first subject discussed. Smith’s comments have already supplied another one.

Introducing a moral crusade into fight week sets up an immediate psychological cushion. If Dalton goes out there and gets outboxed, frustrated, or dropped, the post-fight discourse among his local base will not be about his inability to cut off the ring or solve Puello’s southpaw stance. The talk will instantly circle back to: Well, Puello should have never been in that ring anyway because of 2023.

It gives sympathetic observers a pre-packaged storyline to diminish Puello’s ring IQ and shield Smith from the harsh reality of being tactically exposed in his own backyard.

The fantasy of a lifetime ban is quite telling. If the WBC or sanctioning bodies had handed down a permanent ban, Puello would be out of the sport entirely. That would have cleared him off Smith’s mandatory radar, allowing Matchroom to steer Smith toward an easier, straight-line brawler or an accommodating voluntary defense where the Sheffield crowd gets their highlight-reel knockout without the sweat.

Puello represents the classic “high-risk, low-reward” assignment. He does not come forward recklessly like Subriel Matias did; he refuses to stand still, he is awkward, he fights out of the southpaw stance, and he makes opponents look clumsy. When a fighter starts preaching about how their opponent technically should not exist in the division just days before the opening bell, it reveals anxiety about the stylistic nightmare waiting for them.

It is far easier to argue Puello should not be legally permitted in the ring than it is to actually pin him down and beat him for twelve rounds.

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Boxing News 24 Desk

BoxingNews24.com has delivered independent boxing coverage since 2007, including original news, fight analysis, schedules, and results. Our experienced boxing writers cover major fighters and events worldwide, with published content reviewed by editors for accuracy.

Boxing

Ryan Garcia vs Floyd Mayweather Fight Agreed, Bob Arum Weighs In on Boxing Showdown

Published

9 hours ago

October 23, 2026

The Punch Junkie™ News

Ryan Garcia vs Floyd Mayweather Fight Agreed, Bob Arum Weighs In on Boxing Showdown

Bob Arum has considered the commercial significance of a potential fight between Ryan Garcia and Floyd Mayweather, wondering how much money and interest it would realistically generate.

Despite initially emerging as little more than a rumour, the bizarre welterweight matchup is now seemingly being explored as a genuine option for Garcia – who says it has been ‘agreed’.

The 28-year-old is coming off a successful world title defence last month, scoring a second-round finish over Conor Benn to retain his WBC welterweight strap.

Prior to that, he had dethroned Mario Barrios with a unanimous decision victory after having lost by the same verdict against Rolando ‘Rolly’ Romero in May 2025.

To some extent, that sub-par performance might have had something to do with Garcia returning from a year-long doping suspension and sustaining a hand injury.

Now, though, the American appears to be firing on all cylinders and, at this stage in his career, has perhaps reached his athletic peak.

But rather than defend his title against a genuine world-ranked contender, Garcia has expressed his desire to face Mayweather – and attempt to scupper the 49-year-old’s iconic 50-0 record – in a fully-sanctioned contest.

Speaking with Fight Hub TVTop Rank promoter Arum said he views their possible fight as little more than a cash grab.

“Will people be interested in it? I don’t know. I know Floyd [allegedly] needs the money, because he’s p*ssed away tones of the money that he made.

“Will Garcia-Mayweather generate money? Yes. Will it generate enough money to satisfy these guys? I don’t know.

“I think there’ll be limited interest in a fight where you have a young guy, at the peak of his powers and boxing prowess, fighting an old man.”

Not only is Mayweather considered a strange choice of opponent, but it remains to be seen whether he is free to fight after being hit with a multi-million dollar lawsuit by CSI Sports.