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Atif Oberlton calls 175 “open season” because being energetic pays off

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Atif Oberlton flexes during an official weigh-in with Dmitriy Salita standing behind him.

Atif Oberlton believes the featherlight heavyweight division is within reach and says a world title shot may not be far away as he continues his climb up the rankings.

The undefeated southpaw from Philadelphia has posted a 16-0 record with 14 knockouts and continues to climb the rankings at 175 pounds.

Despite growing interest, Oberlton insists he’s taking things one step at a time.

“I fight one at a time. I trust my team and promoters to guide me in the right direction,” Oberlton told World Boxing News.

“In my division I am fifth in the WBA rankings, one in the US and ninth in the world on Boxrec. The division is shallow, I see it as wide open and I see that I am a few fights away from a world title.”

“Open Season”

While Oberlton doesn’t name specific names, he has made it clear he sees opportunities across the league beyond the established champions.

“You have the best guys with equipment and we are starting the open season.

“I know I’m the top guy in the division and whoever else they think is the top guy, put him in front of me.

“I only focus on the guy in front of me because he’s in my way. If you’re not in my way, you’re not in the conversation.”

Oberlton has no doubt where he belongs in the division and says he’s ready for whoever comes before him.

Stay energetic

The only thing Oberlton doesn’t want is inaction.

The 27-year-old has made a quick comeback after recent victories and says his main priority as he continues to climb the rankings is to stay busy.

“I just fought in February on the Claressa Shields card and fought in May in the main event, which is already a quick turnaround.

“My plan is to stay energetic and fight as much as I can to keep climbing the rankings.

“I have an announcement, so stay tuned.”

Stephanie Trapp | Sality promotions

The influence of Salita and Wynn

Oberlton also credited Salita Promotions and Wynn Records with helping him become more energetic, gain wider exposure and gain more opportunities throughout his career.

“Since I’ve been with Salita Promotions, I’ve been more energetic and have more opportunities.

“I have a team that helps me take myself beyond the ring. All of these things were critical to me when I found myself in this situation. I appreciate everyone’s support.”

Oberlton added that much of his early career was spent building his reputation without the same level of exposure.

“I worked in the shadows with my head down. I did the difficult work and made a name for myself.

“You can only do so much without exposure. Salita and Wynn added this variable to the equation.

“I wrestled on DAZN, got more media exposure and was given more opportunities to showcase not only my talents in the ring, but who ‘Lord Pretty Calvo’ is outside of the ring.”

Bigger conversations

Oberlton believes that as his rankings rise and momentum gains, the coming year could be the most critical period of his career to date.

“Over the next twelve months you will see me fighting bigger fights, participating in bigger conversations and continuing to do my job.

“I’m going to continue to do my job, show up and climb the rankings.

“Who knows, maybe I’ll get some candy soon.”

For now, Oberlton is focused on staying energetic and climbing the rankings.

If the department is indeed as open as it thinks it is, the “candy” he mentioned may come sooner rather than later.


About the author

Phil Jay is the editor-in-chief of World Boxing News (WBN) and a boxing veteran with over 15 years of experience. Read the full biography.

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Boxing

Adrien Broner Challenges Ryan Garcia: You Got Stopped, I Never Did

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Adrien Broner Challenges Ryan Garcia: "You Got Stopped, I Never Did"
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“I want to fight you. We can fight next,” Broner said on social. “I know you’re getting nice fights, but you ain’t going to get as much money as you will fighting me. You’re about that money, right? Fight me. I’ll take your belt. Do he got a belt? Whatever he got, I’ll take it.”

Adrien also contrasted Ryan’s career with his own, pointing to his knockout loss and accusing him of quitting while insisting he has never been stopped.

“You got knocked out. You got stopped. I ain’t never got stopped, not ever against no matter who I fought,” Broner said. “You done quit.”

The 36-year-old then shifted from boxing to their personal relationship, saying Ryan had leaned on him during difficult times but failed to return the favor.

“When you were going through your s***, you was calling me, and I was answering every time,” Broner said. “So, don’t be on no fake s*** now.”

He closed by claiming Garcia had the resources to help him but chose not to.

“You call your people, and my people are ready. I ain’t with nobody. I’m doing this from the ground up,” Broner said. “If you felt that way about me, you would have came and picked me up. You had the money, right? You didn’t come and pick me up.”

Broner has not fought since his unanimous decision win over Blair Cobbs in June 2025 and has repeatedly called for high-profile opponents as he attempts to revive his career. Whether Garcia has any interest in the matchup remains to be seen, but Broner made it clear he’s looking for a title shot rather than a tune-up.

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Diego Pacheco Makes Debut with Buddy McGirt as Andy Cruzs Opponent Changes

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"Diego Pacheco Makes Debut with Buddy McGirt as Andy Cruz's Opponent Changes"
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The Matchroom Boxing card streams live on DAZN this Saturday, July 18, from Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, California. In the co-feature, lightweight contender Andy Cruz will face late replacement Abraham Montoya (24-7-1, 14 KOs)) after Albert Bell withdrew to accept a world title shot against WBO lightweight champion Abdullah Mason.

Cruz, who many fans believed did enough to defeat IBF lightweight champion Raymond Muratalla before dropping a disputed 12-round majority decision last January, had been scheduled to meet Bell in what was widely viewed as a more compelling matchup. Bell’s withdrawal forced Matchroom to find a replacement on short notice, with Montoya getting the opportunity.

Pacheco (25-0, 18 KOs) enters the fight looking to continue his rise toward a world title shot while beginning his partnership with McGirt, one of boxing’s most accomplished trainers. Aleem (22-4-3, 14 KOs) is an experienced veteran who has shared the ring with several respected contenders and will look to derail Pacheco’s momentum.

Cruz (6-1, 3 KOs), a two-time Olympic gold medalist, remains one of boxing’s most highly regarded lightweight contenders despite the controversial loss to Muratalla. A victory over Bell would have strengthened his case for another title opportunity, but Bell’s decision to pursue a championship fight changed those plans.

The opponent switch drew criticism from some fans on social media, with many describing the revised matchup as a mismatch and expressing disappointment that Cruz would no longer face Bell. Others questioned the overall strength of the doubleheader.

However, the change was not Cruz’s doing. Bell withdrew after landing a title shot against Mason, leaving Matchroom to secure an available replacement rather than remove Cruz from the card. While Montoya may not generate the same interest as Bell, Cruz can still make a statement with an impressive performance and move himself closer to another lightweight title opportunity.

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Boxing

53-Year-Old Heavyweight Champion Prepares for Boxing Comeback: Im Outperforming Everyone in the Gym

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"53-Year-Old Heavyweight Champion Prepares for Boxing Comeback: 'I'm Outperforming Everyone in the Gym'"

Lennox Lewis and Evander Holyfield are regarded as two of the best heavyweights in recent history, and now a former world heavyweight champion who fought them both is planning a shock return to the sport at the age of 53.

Lewis and Holyfield ruled the heavyweight division at various stages throughout the 1990s, which led to the duo famously colliding on two occasions in 1999.

The first bout ended in a controversial split decision draw, before Lewis left no doubt in the second meeting as he won by unanimous decision to become undisputed heavyweight champion.

Just under 18 months later, Lewis suffered an upset defeat, as he was knocked out inside five rounds by Hasim Rahman, and it is Rahman who is now planning on returning to the sport at the age of 53, as he looks to compete for the first time since June 2014.

After his victory over Lewis, Rahman lost by fourth round knockout in their immediate rematch, before he then headed straight into a bout with Holyfield, suffering a technical decision loss after eight rounds due to an eye injury after an accidental head clash.

Further defeats followed, with his record currently standing at 50 wins from 62 fights, but he has told Sean Zittel about his current success in the gym.

“I feel like in every aspect of my life, I feel like a 25-year-old. I go in the gym and I’ll work everybody in the gym, every single person.”

Rahman is scheduled to compete at the ESL Ballpark in Rochester, New York on Tuesday 18 August, with an opponent yet to be announced.

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