Jaron Ennis officially released the titles of WBA and IBF in the welterweight, while both organizations are now moving to the fresh Crown Masters.
They were a unified holder of titles, this week, he started a hill up to 154 pounds.
IBF EYES CROCKER vs Donovan Remat for full title
Frank Smith from Matchroom confirmed that the rematch between Lewis Crocker and Paddy Donovan is close to finalizing the free IBF champion. The couple fought at the beginning of this year in a controversial duel that left the unfinished business.
“Every day you should finalize,” said Smith at the end of June, when the world title was asked about the rematch.
“This, of course, will add a great story to the fight. The first fight ended with controversy. This is their chance to prove who deserves to win and become the world champion.
“I hope that in the coming days we will have an update on this topic and confirmation of IBF that it will be the full title of the world champion.”
Both Crocker and Donovan are currently sitting first and number three in IBF rankings.
According to Matchroom IBF, he officially sanctions the Crocker VS Donovan rematch for a free title.
WBA can raise Romero or order giyasov
In the ranks of WBA, the situation is equally uncertain. Rolando “Rolly” Romero currently has the “ordinary” title of WBA “regular”.
WBA is now facing the choice: either lift Romero to the “great” master without a fight, or orders the title, probably with the participation of the Olympic silver medalist Shachram Giyasov.
Giyasov can also be called a mandatory contender, especially if WBA decides to do the title, not at height. Giyasov took first place and undefeated at 17-0, he publicly pressed his tardy title.
If Romero becomes “Super Rolly”, Giyasov could be adapted to Eimantas Stanionis or Raul Curiel regarding the free “ordinary” title.
Ryan Hafey
147 wide open
Ennis’s output creates a uncommon reset in welterweight, with all four main belts potentially changing hands before 2026.
IBF is ready to act first, while the next WBA movement can determine the course of the rest of the division.
Crocker, Donovan, Romero and Giyasov expect development in a few weeks when the sanctioning bodies move quickly.
Considering that Mario Barrios defends his Crown in WBC welterweight before the Legend of Boxing Manny Pacquiao on July 19, whoever holds any belt in a 147-pound division, will be able to unite with “PAC-Man” if he wins back.
The title owner of WBO, Brian Norman Jr., also has a tent defense when he faces Devin Haney in November on the Ring IV card. This fight can lead to further unification talks throughout the division.
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He added that the cameras also recorded Smith allegedly “pushing past people to resume the incident, punching someone on the floor”.
Judge Gilbart adjourned the hearing until 28 November. Smith was told to be ready to enter his pleas on that date.
The fighter, nicknamed ‘Beefy’, was granted bail with conditions not to contact Nke or to enter Manchester, unless to attend court, or for appointments with his solicitor.
Judge Gilbart fixed a provisional trial date for the week commencing 15 March 2028.
Smith, now of Formby in Sefton, was due to make a comeback in a fight on 4 September in Finland, but pulled out due to a calf injury, according to reports.
Smith, one of four brothers who all boxed professionally and all won titles at British level, has fought some of the biggest names in the sport including a defeat to Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez.
More recently he fought British rival Chris Eubank Jr twice, defeating him in the first fight in January 2023, before suffering a defeat in the rematch eight months later.
Oleksandr Usyk could be involved in one of the “biggest fights in cruiserweight history”, just so long as he is willing to drop back down to 200lbs.
The 39-year-old has not fought at the weight since 2018, when he became the undisputed king by dethroning Murat Gassiev with a wide points victory.
Usyk also defined his cruiserweight reign with a majority decision triumph over Mairis Briedis, before moving up in weight and becoming a two-division world champion.
He did so by dethroning Anthony Joshua in 2021, with the Ukrainian then winning their rematch and eventually facing Tyson Fury for all four major heavyweight belts.
Then, this past June, Usyk made the decision to vacate his titles after having become a two-division undisputed champion and secured a harder-than-expected 11th-round stoppage of former kickboxer Rico Verhoeven.
Still, though, the decorated southpaw intends to fight for a short while longer and, according to Ring Magazine’s Mike Coppinger, has mentioned a Fury trilogy and David Benavidez clash as possible options.
Speaking to Last Stand Podcastunified cruiserweight champion Benavidez said he would gladly face Usyk at his current fighting weight.
“The point I wanted to make when we’re talking about Usyk is: I don’t know if that would be at heavyweight or cruiserweight. Didn’t Usyk relinquish all his belts?
“In my opinion, it would be a bigger fight at cruiserweight because, once I capture this [WBC] title, that would be three belts [on the line]. It would probably be one of the biggest fights in cruiserweight history.”
While a potential Usyk showdown could be explored, Benavidez has already committed to facing WBC champion Michal Cieslak in December and verbally agreed to fight Jai Opetaia next year.
Oleksandr Usyk could be involved in one of the “biggest fights in cruiserweight history”, just so long as he is willing to drop back down to 200lbs.
The 39-year-old has not fought at the weight since 2018, when he became the undisputed king by dethroning Murat Gassiev with a wide points victory.
Usyk also defined his cruiserweight reign with a majority decision triumph over Mairis Briedis, before moving up in weight and becoming a two-division world champion.
He did so by dethroning Anthony Joshua in 2021, with the Ukrainian then winning their rematch and eventually facing Tyson Fury for all four major heavyweight belts.
Then, this past June, Usyk made the decision to vacate his titles after having become a two-division undisputed champion and secured a harder-than-expected 11th-round stoppage of former kickboxer Rico Verhoeven.
Still, though, the decorated southpaw intends to fight for a short while longer and, according to Ring Magazine’s Mike Coppinger, has mentioned a Fury trilogy and David Benavidez clash as possible options.
Speaking to Last Stand Podcastunified cruiserweight champion Benavidez said he would gladly face Usyk at his current fighting weight.
“The point I wanted to make when we’re talking about Usyk is: I don’t know if that would be at heavyweight or cruiserweight. Didn’t Usyk relinquish all his belts?
“In my opinion, it would be a bigger fight at cruiserweight because, once I capture this [WBC] title, that would be three belts [on the line]. It would probably be one of the biggest fights in cruiserweight history.”
While a potential Usyk showdown could be explored, Benavidez has already committed to facing WBC champion Michal Cieslak in December and verbally agreed to fight Jai Opetaia next year.