Paulie Malignaggi likes Tyson Fury’s style against Anthony Joshuabut only if the Gypsy King’s legs still hold up to control range. He points out that Joshua must close the distance, yet doubts AJ has the footwork required to get there.

Fury’s movement creates the main problem. If he keeps Joshua following his lead and constantly resets AJ’s rhythm, Joshua risks spending the entire night chasing shadows instead of landing meaningful shots.

“AJ has to obviously get in close,” Malignaggi told Boxing King Media. “It’s not easy against a guy with the footing of Fury, but who knows, maybe Fury’s old legs are a little slower.”

That lingering doubt stops Paulie from locking in a definitive pick. Fury understands how to dictate distance against AJ, but executing that plan across twelve rounds takes functional wheels.

If Fury has lost a step, Joshua gets a direct route into punching range without burning energy on pursuit. AJ does not need sudden speed if Fury can no longer skip away. Joshua simply has to capitalize whenever Fury sits in the pocket.

At the same time, Malignaggi remains skeptical about Joshua’s mobility.

“I think AJ’s feet are a bit cumbersome, though. So, I think the size of the ring and things like that will also matter in the fight.”

A larger ring hands Fury extra space to glide and forces Joshua to cover real estate. A tighter ring gives AJ a clear path to trap his rival, though he must cut off the ring instead of trailing behind.

Paulie’s breakdown hinges entirely on Fury’s mobility. If the legs work, Joshua’s heavy feet could leave him swinging at air. If those legs fade, AJ suddenly finds a manageable target. Malignaggi spots the stylistic edge, but he refuses to assume Fury can still pull it off. He is analyzing a long-gone version of Tyson Fury from ten years ago, not the lumbering heavyweight who actually steps into the ring today.

That 2015 night in Düsseldorf against Wladimir Klitschko might as well belong to another century. Ever since the Usyk beatdowns, the slow-motion survival against Wach, and that labored outing against Makhmudov, Fury has looked completely grounded.

The twitch reflex is gone, the lateral bounce has vanished, and his upper-body slips look like they are running through wet cement. When heavyweight legs check out, no amount of altitude running or motivational talk in Morecambe brings them back.

Nakisa Bidarian believes Canelo Alvarez could lose his purse if he withdraws from the October 31 fight with Christian Mbilli in Riyadh, but might still get paid if the organizers cancel. His theory offers a financial explanation for Canelo’s commitment to fighting despite the security concerns.

“My read: Canelo is due a lot of money. If he pulls out he is no longer due that money. If the event is cancelled he is probably also due that money. Tough situation,” said Bidarian on X.

Turki Alalshikh says Canelo remains committed to fighting Mbilli in Riyadh following deadly attacks on the city’s international airport. Reuters reported that a Saturday strike killed at least 12 people and wounded more than 300, with another attack on Sunday killing one person.

Bidarian’s reading gives Canelo’s willingness to proceed another possible explanation beyond the “he fears nothing” message. Under that theory, Canelo could protect his payday by remaining ready to fight and letting the organizers decide whether the event can proceed.

That would put Canelo in an awkward position. He could have concerns about traveling without wanting to formally withdraw and potentially give up a huge purse. Saying he’s available would make financial sense even if he privately preferred a postponement or a different location.

However, Bidarian hasn’t presented Canelo’s contract or identified a cancellation clause. His wording makes clear that this is his interpretation. Whether Canelo would receive payment after a cancellation remains unconfirmed.

His post also doesn’t establish that money is driving Canelo’s decision. But the public declaration that he’ll fight tells us little about the contractual consequences of refusing to travel.

There’s also an entire card to consider. Canelo saying he’s willing to fight doesn’t settle the safety and travel questions facing Mbilli, the undercard fighters, their trainers, and the event staff. They all have to get there, prepare, and work through fight week.

The organizers still have to explain how they intend to stage the event safely. Canelo’s commitment gives them a willing headliner. It doesn’t answer those questions.

David Benavidez looks to become a three-belt cruiserweight world champion in December, but whilst many fans hope to see him face Jai Opetaia in the fight that follows, there is another world champion whom ‘The Mexican Monster’ could potentially meet in 2027.

An official announcement is expected imminently for a December 5 showdown between Benavidez and WBC cruiserweight champion Michael Cieslak – with Opetaia mandated to take on the victor of that contest.

Meanwhile, another Benavidez target, Dmitry Bivol, is poised to take on Callum Smith on December 12 and then partake in a rubber match with Artur Beterbiev in Russia in 2027.

However, speaking with Inside The RingBenavidez revealed that Beterbiev has reached out to his team for a shot at cruiserweight honours, before confirming that he will give the 41-year-old Canadian-Russian exactly ‘what he wants’.

“Beterbiev has definitely reached out to our team and he has been actively trying to make that fight. So, we are going to give him exactly what he wants.

“I respect Beterbiev, he is like 45 years old so the fact that he is calling me out is why I have a lot of respect for him!

“That is a great fight for the public.”

Beterbiev hasn’t fought since he came up short in his undisputed light heavyweight title rematch with Bivol in February 2025, and could now look to move up to 200lbs in a bid to get active once again.

As for Opetaia, his mandatory position could be negated if his lawsuit against the IBF is successful and he is reinstated as their world champion, or if the winner of Benavidez-Cieslak decides to vacate the WBC world title during the aftermath.

However, should the Aussie be reinstated as a three-time IBF cruiserweight world champion, Benavidez would presumably still pursue the fight in a bid to fulfil his dream of becoming undisputed at cruiserweight.