UK Boxing
International Boxing Association Announces Star Guests for ‘Boxing Festival’
Published
3 months agoon
The latest edition of the biennial IBA tournament began yesterday, with the qualifying, quarterfinal and semifinal stages lasting until December 11.
The tournament consists of two sessions, with the afternoon session running from 17:00 to 21:00 local time (13:00-17:00 GMT) and the evening session starting at 21:30 and lasting until midnight local time (17:30-20:00 GMT).
Who’s fighting?
The tournament features the sport’s most promising amateur talent, including multiple Olympic champions, national champions and many others.
More than 100 countries and 400 boxers will compete in Dubai, including six from Great Britain.
The exceptional talents who can showcase their skills include:
- Julio La Cruz (KUB) – Two-time Olympic champion
- Hasanboy Dusmatov (UZB) – two-time Olympic champion
- Abdumalik Khalokov (UZB) – Olympic champion
- Loren Alfonso Dominguez (AZE) – finalist of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games
- Nurbek Oralbay (KAZ) – finalist of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games
- Aibek Oralbay (KAZ) – Two-time Asian champion
- Mohamad Mehdi Sahak (English)
- Vincent Mandair (English)
- Leo’s Church (Scotland)
- Alan Perrie (Scotland)
- Robert McNulty (Scottish)
- Nicholas Devlin (Scotland)
There is a record prize pool at stake, with the boxers taking 50 percent of the prize pool, 25 percent going to the coaches and team, and the remaining funds going to the athlete’s national teams.
The total amount of $8.32 million (6.3 million) will be divided in the following format:
- 1st place: $300,000 (£227,000)
- 2nd place: $150,000 (£113,650)
- Joint third place: $75,000 (£56,800)
- 5th place: $10,000 (£7,500)

Who is part of the IBA team?
Umar Kremlev, former Olympic Games participant and president of the International Boxing Association, spoke during the event.
“In December we will set a modern benchmark in boxing history.
“The Elite Men’s World Championships in Dubai will not simply be a competition, it will be a global boxing festival; unparalleled in scale, talent and spirit. With over 95 national federations to date and world-class athletes such as Hasanboy Dustmatov and the legendary Julio La Cruz of Cuba, this event will be one of the sport’s greatest showcases ever.”
“The IBA is not just an organizer; we are the world authority in boxing. We understand our audience because we are the sport, we live it, shape it and uplift it. Our subject matter knowledge goes beyond what others know, and this championship will be a testament to the IBA’s leadership, vision and legacy.”

Along with Kremlev and CEO Chris Roberts, eight-time world champion Manny Pacquiao was announced as vice president of the IBA.

Kubrat Pulev vs. Murat Gassiev
At the end of the tournament, the IBA will also organize an evening of professional boxing at the stadium December 12.
Kubrat Pulev is scheduled to defend the interim WBA world title against Murat Gassiev. He was originally scheduled to face Moses Itauma, but was later rejected.
An Undercard performance with the participation of stars is also planned.
Muhammed Ali’s grandson, Nico Ali Walsh (11,2,1), will face Jeremiah Sserwadda (12,4,1) at the Duty Free Tennis Stadium.
Yorkshire’s Maxi Hughes travels to try and win WBA lightweight title eliminator against Bakhodur Usmonov (11,0,0).

In addition to the over-week-long talent showcase, IBA promises a star-studded lineup of guests in Dubai, and just a few of the names coming to the event include:
- Ben Whittaker
- Darren Till
- Fabio Wardley

- Dave Allen
- George Groves
- Castillo
- Spencer Oliver
- Paul Smith
- Jackson Rampage
- Frazer Clarke
Global pop star Rick Ross kicked off the event with a spectacular opening ceremony.
Recently announced WBC welterweight number one Conor Benn will also be in attendance throughout the event.

Finally, former heavyweight world champion Deontay Wilder will be in attendance following his stoppage victory over Tyrell Herndon in June.
Wilder was recently challenged by two-time undisputed world champion Oleksandr Usyk during an interview with Boxing King Media.

The post International Boxing Association Announces All-Star Guests for ‘Boxing Festival’ appeared first on ProBoxing-Fans.com.
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UK Boxing
Jarrell Miller boldly predicts the Deontay Wilder vs. Derek Chisora fight
Published
3 days agoon
March 5, 2026
Jarrell Miller shared his thoughts on the course of the blockbuster fight between Deontay Wilder and Derek Chisora.
Wilder will face Chisora on April 4 at the O2 Arena and Miller has revealed who he thinks has the advantage.
April 4 marks the 50th fight of the careers of “The Bronze Bomber” and “Del Boy,” and the loser will likely retire.
Miller spoke to Up-to-date Betting Offers and honestly admitted that the threat from Wilder has diminished in recent years.
“Deontay’s skills deteriorated when he changed coaches.
“I feel like if Wilder stuck to his name, being a wild man and fighting wild and doing wild shit, he would still be a guy who is threatening.
“But when you try to tame the beast and become a boxer, he’s not a boxer. He’s never been through boxing the conventional way, and now you’re trying to change his style. It’s not working for him.
“Style makes fights, and Chisora has a style that definitely hurts him.”
Before his trilogy with Tyson Fury, “The Bronze Bomber” had a staggering record of 40 wins, 39 of which came by stoppage.
However, he has emerged as a different fighter in recent years, looking timid in back-to-back losses to Joseph Parker and Zhilei Zhang on Riyadh Season shows.
He last appeared on the field in June 2025, when he stopped Tyrrell Herndon in the seventh round.

Miller continued and talked about the skills Chisora possesses that could lead him to a huge victory in what he promises will be the last fight of his career.
“Chisora is one of those guys who is so sturdy.
“He is very powerful mentally. He has a physically fit engine.
“He may look tired, but he can still fight. Deontay I can’t fight tired, not like this Chisora yes.

“So I think Chisora is in it. The best man wins, but I think Chisora will get him.”
Chisora is on a three-fight winning streak following his loss to Tyson Fury in 2022.
He went the distance in all three contests, scoring unanimous victories over Gerald Washington, Joe Joyce and Otto Wallin in the final stoppage.
The post Jarrell Miller Boldly Predicts Deontay Wilder vs. Derek Chisora appeared first on ProBoxing-Fans.com.
On Sunday, Jai Opetaia will make his Zuffa Boxing debut in a fight against Brandon Glanton.
Opetaia enters the fight against Glanton undefeated.
Since turning professional in 2015, the Australian has dominated with 23 stoppage victories.
His last three fights have been in his native Australia, all three of them competitions ending before the start of the ninth round.
The Australian defeated former unified cruiserweight world champion Mairis Briedis in 2022.
Opetaia really made his mark on the world stage with a series of victories on the season’s card in Riyad, including victories over Ellis Zorro, Briedis in the return and Jack Massey, whose team were forced to throw in the towel.
His name has also made headlines after recently signing with Dana White’s Zuffa Boxing after years of working with Eddie Hearn and Matchroom Boxing.
Opetaia currently holds the IBF and Ring Magazine world cruiserweight titles.

Despite holding the IBF belt, he will not be on the line with Glanton as the pair will instead fight for the Zuffa Boxing cruiserweight crown.
Glanton comes into the competition off the back of a massive win over Marcus Browne last year in Lagos, Nigeria.
Before Browne’s victory, Glanton was outpointed by Chris Billam-Smith on the undercard of the Chris Eubank Jr vs Conor Benn match at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Opetaia vs Glanton – date, place, start time and ring walks
- The pair will fight on Sunday, March 8 at the Meta APEX Arena in Las Vegas.
- Undercard fights start at 18:00 local time (Polish time) / 21:00 ET / 12:00 AEST / 2:00 GMT.
- The main event ring walks are expected to take place at 21:00 local time (PT), 12:00 ET, 05:00 GMT and 15:00 AEST.
Opetaia vs. Glanton – how to watch
- Zuffa Boxing 04 will air on Paramount plus.
- Paramount+ subscription can be purchased from just £4.99 per month.
- You can also pre-pay for an annual subscription from £43.99 per year.
Opetaia vs. Glanton – last three fights
Obadiah
- Jai Opetaia bt Huseyin Cinkara – KO in the 8th round
- Jai Opetaia bt Claudio Squeo – KO in the 5th round
- Jai Opetaia bt David Nyika – KO in the 4th round

Glanton
- Brandon Glanton bt Marcus Browne – 6th round RTD
- Brandon Glanton lt Chris Billam-Smith – Unanimous decision
- Brandon Glanton bt Aleksei Egorov – KO in the 11th round
What the future holds @JaiOpetaia1?
“Undisputed.”
The inaugural Zuffa Boxing World Cruiserweight Boxing Championships are this Sunday! Watch LIVE MARCH 8 @ParamountPlus! #ZuffaBoxing04 pic.twitter.com/NurGYsEV4N
— Zuffa_Boxing (@Zuffa_Boxing) March 2, 2026
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- Vlad Panin (23-2-0) vs. Shinard Bunch (22-3-1) – welterweight
- Adan Palma (14-0-0) vs. Pablo Rubio Jr (14-0-0) – featherweight
- Joshua Jay Juarez (14-0-0) vs. Jardae Anderson (11-1-0) – heavyweight
- Brady Ochoa (9-0-0) vs. Adrian Miguel Serrano (6-0-1) – lightweight
- Jaycob Ramos (4-1-0) vs Ethan Perez (8-0-0) – featherweight
- Emiliano Alvarado (10-0-0) vs Erick Rosado (16-4-0) – featherweight
The post Jai Opetaia vs. Brandon Glanton – how to watch it appeared first on ProBoxing-Fans.com.
UK Boxing
Emanuel Navarrete vs Eduardo Nunez – results and post-fight report
Published
7 days agoon
March 1, 2026
Emanuel Navarrete became the unified super featherweight champion, adding the IBF title to his WBO belt by defeating Eduardo “Sugar” Nunez in the penultimate round on Saturday at the Desert Diamond Arena in Glendale, Arizona.
The heavy-hitting Navarrete (40-2-1, 33 KO) was previously the WBO champion in three different weight classes, but he failed to claim the WBO lightweight title and belt in a fourth different weight class after losing a split decision to Denys Berinchyk. Nunez (29-2, 27 KO) had to go out of shape in the seventh round before claiming a wide points victory in his first defense against Christopher Diaz.
Nunez started by using his boxing skills rather than his trade, and used the move to cause his compatriot to miss in the first round.
Navarrete quickly adjusted, closing the gap with a powerful punch to end the streak of a wobbly Nunez delayed in the round.
Most expected “Sugar” to shoot, but he preferred boxing and worked his jab in the fourth round.
The 28-year-old then decided to change it in the fifth set and fought with fire, and in the sixth, Navarrete landed some great body shots and a powerful right hand.
Nunez gradually got into an argument, but had to take bulky fire from his opponent and bravely performed well in the eighth quarter, reducing the advantage and moving to the body.
“Vaquero” followed with a great left hand in the ninth and a powerful right followed by an uppercut that left Nunez at sea, eyes closed due to injuries.

The Sinaloa resident was re-attached to the left hook as the writing appeared on the wall.
Nunez now wilted under the pressure, and after a punishing 10th place his promoter Eddie Hearn he pleaded for the fight to be stopped and a ringside doctor was called to check his eye.
He recommended that the competition be stopped and the fight ended, crowning Navarrete the unified champion.
Vargas stops Quintana
On the card, Emiliano Vargas defended his WBO Latino and NABF super lightweight titles, forcing Argentine Agustin Ezequiel Quintana to retire after nine rounds of the fight.
Quintana (22-3-1, 13 KO) gave Vargas (17-0, 14 KO) all he could handle, but was cut down in both eyes, with referee Raul Caiz Jr waving his hand against the fight, much to the Argentine’s protests.
Smalls defeated by Ramos
Tahmir Smalls suffered his first defeat as a professional, losing a split decision to Abel Ramos in their welterweight meeting.
Ramos (29-7-3, 22 KO) earned a deserved victory by scores of 98-92 and 97-93, while the third judge awarded Smalls (16-1, 11 KO) a barely deserved nod 96-94.
Undercard remaining
WBC Continental Americas super bantamweight champion Arturo Cardenas (17-0-2, 9 KO) defended his title, but after ten rounds he drew with Jordan Martinez, who also remained undefeated.
Martinez (16-0-1, 15 KO) received a verdict of 98-92, Cardenas had one score of 96-94 and the third judge ruled it a draw 95-95.

The only fighter to go eight rounds won the super lightweight division, where Trini Ochoa (21-1, 9 KO) was upset by Oscar Alvarez Guerrero.
Guerrero (15-2, 12 KO) secured a comfortable winner with two scores of 78-74 and the third 79-73.
In six-round fights, Hector Beltran (7-0, 5 KO) fought all six sessions against Cesar Diaz (10-2, 5 KO) at super welterweight, and in the bantamweight division, Phillip Vela (5-0, 2 KO) did the same against Brayan Ramos Armenta (8-8-1, 2 KO).
Rahman Muhammad (2-0, 2 KO) defeated Mitchell McFadden (1-1, 1 KO) in the second round in a four-round welterweight fight.
The post Emanuel Navarrete vs Eduardo Nunez – results and post-fight report appeared first on ProBoxing-Fans.com.
Leigh Wood vs. Josh Warrington 2 • FULL WEIGH IN & FINAL FACE OFF | DAZN Boxing
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