Boxing
Fighters’ ratings: did Crawford or Inoue have a better weekend?
Published
1 year agoon
Three of the top 10 ESPN fighters for pounds were in action this weekend, because No. 3 Terenka Crawford clashed with No. 8 Canelo Alvarez at the Allegiant stadium in Las Vegas and No. 2 Nayya Inoue placed his undisputed younger titles of the Peather weight in line against Murodjon Ahmadaliev in Nagoya in Japan.
Crawford opposed the opportunities by moving two weight divisions and the brilliant course of Canelo to become the undisputed champion in 168 pounds. Crawford added four more belts to his collection and became the first male boxer in the era of four stripes, which maintained the undisputed status in three weight classes (MW trucks and super medium junior weight (super average average weight).
Meanwhile, Inoue made another statement with thorough teaching Akhmadaliev to keep his unquestioned championship. Akhmadaliev was expected to be a complex challenge for “Monster”, but was heavily directed by an opponent who was better in every aspect.
Thanks to the struggle loaded in this way, let’s look at the noteworthy duels and assess the individual results of the winners and losers.
Saturday report card
Terenca Crawford: A+
1:25
Teddy Atlas released by the performance of the Terenka Crawford vs. Canelo Alvarez
Teddy Atlas and Timothy Bradley Jr. They break the victory of Terenka Crawford over Canelo Alvarez.
This performance could be even more impressive than his detention of Errola Spence Jr. In July 2023 no, he was not so violent, but he was more complete. Crawford had to overcome something that was seen as a significant unfavorable situation and exploit almost every tool in his repertoire. He showed the exceptional work of his legs, maintained the balance of Canelo with aurely stab, Canelo in his pocket, presented a forceful chin and completely pulled the master out of the game. Trying as he could, Canelo could not settle in Groove and began to show signs of frustration in the middle rounds. And Crawford did all this while moving two weight classes, fighting two weeks in relation to his 38th birthday. It is almost impossible to indicate weakness in Crawford’s game, and this performance against a friend of all time secured his place on a miniature list of the greatest warriors in this generation.
Canelo Alvarez: B-
Canelo simply convinced himself against Crawford. Results cards 115-113, 115-113 and 116-112 suggest that the fight was closer than it was, but it was Canelo on the receiving boxing lesson. It wasn’t like Alvarez didn’t try. He went forward and attacked Crawford’s body. The problem was that Crawford was very well prepared for everything Canelo had to offer. Alvarez tried to combine combinations and even cut off the ring, and was routinely beaten to the blow to the exchange. In later rounds Crawford became stronger and skillfully worked in his pocket, which should have been recreated by Canelo’s strength. However, the fight was beaten with Canelo, and the frustrated master showed it both in the body and face. The Canelo version seen on Saturday could beat most of the warriors, but was inclined and outsmarted by the crop cream.
Christian Milli: Grade: B-
Mbilli had one strategy and was lucky to escape from Las Vegas with a draw in a humorous slugfest. At the beginning he was relentless in striving for Lester Martinez and exerted constant pressure, landing. Usually this strategy is enough for the opposition to be submitted. Unfortunately, Martinez was more than a challenge with a special condition and a solid chin. Mbilli will not be criticized for the lack of effort. Instead, his fall was his lack of adaptation when it was obvious that the plan is not enough. Half, Mbilli ran out of gas and he consumed many punishments, including the disturbing number of mountains. But the transient champion of WBC Super Middle Wweight pushed through fatigue and fought tough to hear the last bell.
Lester Martinez: Grade: B+
In his fight there were concerns about Martinez’s ability to survive the upcoming storm. He passed this test with flying colors, holding firmly during the initial Blitz Mbilli. His granite chin could not be broken, and Martinez made a few delicate corrections that paid off, including the release of the upper part in close quarters, which routinely collected points and slowed the WBC master. It was clear that Martinez fully prepared for the Battle of High Oktan and it seemed that he was moving away in later rounds, when French-cameronius began to disappear. The result with resolution may not be desirable, but the warrior from Guatemala proved that he belonged to the upper shell of the 168 pounds unit.
Sunday report card
Nayya Inoue: Class A-
Inoue did not have to be a “monster” to throw away Akhmadalieva and keep his unquestionable titles in a featherweight. Instead, he fought intelligently, avoided Akhmadaliev’s strength and landed with thunderous body shots that his physically forceful opponent wore. Inoue was supposed to be a complex test against Akhmadaliev, but he passed the exam, implementing a strategy that consisted of speed and technology to thwart his opponent. Although he was not close to knockout, Inoue beat and embarrassed Akhmadaliev in every aspect of the fight. He punished Akhmadalieva from a distance combinations, avoided counter -disposal Akhmadaliev with relative ease and overthrew his torso with a vile body. Inoue was brilliant and it is terrifying to know that he does not have to knock out the opponent to dominate.
Murodjon Akhmadaliev: Grade: D+
Akhmadaliev simply did not have the answer to the inoue speed and technique. He was not forceful enough or quick to defeat “Monster” and consisted in counteracting to drag him. This plan had a zero chance to work because Inoue was clearly dynamic in another plateau. The difference in skills between Inoue, warrior No. 1 in Division and No. 3 Akhmadaliev was extremely wide. Akhmadaliev looked disheveled and lost against the opponent who presented a puzzle that he had no idea how to solve. Akhmadaliev could rely on his physicality and counterattacking against greater opponents to win, but he was not lucky against one of the best pound fighters in the world.
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Boxing
Arturo Torres Collapses After Fatal TKO: Shocking Video Highlights Tragic Boxing Incident
Published
3 hours agoon
September 29, 2026
Horrific footage has emerged showing Arturo “Lobito” Torres collapsing in the ring moments after his final fight was stopped in Mexicali.
Torres died on September 25six days after suffering serious injuries following his fight at Parque Vicente Guerrero on September 19.
The 26-year-old’s corner had already stopped the contest when Torres remained on his feet for a matter of seconds.
Then his body gave way.
Footage shows Torres slumping limply to the canvas as those around him immediately rush to his aid.
He was subsequently hospitalized and underwent emergency surgery, but his injuries ultimately proved too severe.
Torres died six days after stepping into the ring for the final time.
Horrific 💔 pic.twitter.com/Nnqo5bsrLn
— World Boxing News (@WorldBoxingNews) September 29, 2026
Arturo Torres Funeral
Torres was laid to rest in Mexicali on September 28 as family, friends and members of the local community said goodbye to the young fighter.
Footage from Mexico showed a lengthy funeral procession making its way through the city nine days after his final fight.
Sadly, the sight of a boxer’s limp body slumping to the canvas is not unfamiliar in this sport.
Having covered boxing for 16 years, World Boxing News is all too familiar with the distressing sight of a fighter in trouble after a hard contest.
Sometimes the consequences mean the end of a career. On terrible occasions, they are far greater.
For Torres, what happened after his final fight ended with a young life being cut tragically short.
The footage is difficult enough to watch without knowing what happened next. Knowing that Torres never recovered makes those final moments in the ring considerably harder.
Nine days after the fight, the streets of Mexicali filled for his funeral procession.
Arturo “Lobito” Torres was only 26.
About the Author
Phil Jay is the Editor-in-Chief of World Boxing News (WBN), a BWAA-acknowledged boxing news website founded in 2010. A veteran boxing reporter with 16 years of experience, he has interviewed world champions, broken international exclusives, and reported ringside from major events. His work is published worldwide through WBN and distributed on platforms including Apple News.
Read Phil Jay’s full bio and latest stories.
Boxing
Mike Tyson vs. Larry Holmes: The Underrated Crown Jewel of Boxing History
Published
5 hours agoon
September 29, 2026
What happens when an unstoppable force at the peak of his destructive powers collides with one of the craftiest, most durable former champions in heavyweight history?
Today we take a closer look at a defining world heavyweight championship clash from January 1988: undisputed, unified powerhouse “Iron” Mike Tyson squaring off against living legend and former long-reigning heavyweight champion, “The Easton Assassin” Larry Holmes.

While general consensus often points to Tyson’s 91-second blowout of Michael Spinks as the eternal highlight of his prime, his battle with Holmes remains vastly overlooked. On paper, critics were quick to dismiss the 38-year-old former champion returning from a lengthy 21-month layoff. To many, an aging Holmes was simply being served up to a relentless young demolition man.
Yet, when the opening bell rang, the narrative shifted. Holmes did not enter the ring merely to collect a paycheck. Armed with an 81-inch wingspan, an all-time great jab, and deep veteran savvy, Holmes brought a cynical, tactical game plan designed to neutralize Tyson’s explosive combinations, tie him up, and drag the young phenom into deep, frustrating waters. It was wisdom and experience against a peak destructive force.
However, underestimating peak Mike Tyson’s discipline is a dangerous mistake. Guided by Kevin Rooney, Tyson was far more than an athletic slugger. He displayed calculated poise, cutting off the ring with terrifying patience while systematically solving an all-time great veteran puzzle.
Did Iron Mike deliver an emphatic statement that history has unfairly buried? Is this the single most underrated victory during the long and illustrious career of the Easton Assasin?
This edition of Rummy’s Corner breaks down the tactical clash, the subtle ring craft, and the enduring historical vindication behind this classic heavyweight showdown. This is Rummy’s Corner (written, narrated, and produced by Geoffrey Ciani).
About the author
Geoffrey Ciani
Geoffrey Ciani has covered boxing since 2000 and is the creator and host of the popular YouTube channel Rummy’s Cornerwhere he delivers in-depth analysis, storytelling, and breakdowns of classic and modern fights.
Boxing
50 Years Ago: Remembering Muhammad Ali vs. Ken Norton III – The Titanic Rubber Match at Yankee Stadium
Published
11 hours agoon
September 28, 2026
Throughout his incomparable ring career, the one and only Muhammad Ali always, always had nothing but trouble with one particular fighter and his “awkward” style. This was Ken Norton, whom Ali fought three times in the 1970s, with each fight going all the way to the judges’ scorecards.
Ali, it’s fair to say, never once comprehensively defeated Norton; the three fights were all desperately close affairs, with the final fight being viewed by many as highly controversial. It was 50 years ago today when Ali and Norton met for the final time.
The fight took place inside a sold-out Yankee Stadium in New York, with richer fans shelling out a then quite enormous $200 for a ringside seat. The fight proved memorable, the scoring in particular. For once again, Norton, with his great physical strength and stamina, his counter-punching ability and his unusual cross-armed defense, gave the great Ali fits. Back when the two legends met the first time, in March of 1973, a then-unknown Norton broke Ali’s jaw and won a 12-round split decision. Ali, when his jaw had mended, blamed poor training and a lack of respect for his foe for the loss. Ali trained perhaps as hard as he ever did ahead of the rematch. The sequel was another tough affair for both men, with Ali this time edging Norton via split decision. It would be three years before the two met in the rubber-match, with Ali’s world title on the line.
However, by September of 1976, Ali really should have been retired. The great man had shocked the world – again – by regaining the crown from an “invincible” George Foreman, but Joe Frazier had taken too much from Ali in their brutal Manila trilogy, and Ali’s legs, reflexes and internal organs had been suffering ever since. Norton – who had bounced back after being crushed by Foreman in a March 1974 world title challenge – had won seven fights in a row. Now set to face Ali with the title on the line for the first time, the former Marine was in absolutely tip-top shape.
Ali approached his third date with the trickiest, most unsolvable opponent of his career with a grim determination. Still, Ali was in full form vocally, with “Norton must fall” being the champion’s mantra. But was Ali trying to convince himself? In truth, Ali had to know there was very little chance of him knocking out Norton, a man he had never come close to putting on the canvas.
And so the fight raged on. Norton, again never once hurt by Ali, did what he had done in fights one and two. Norton seemed to have an innate ability when it came to timing Ali, his jab especially.
Ali really did try everything he could to unnerve Norton in the third fight. Ali danced, for as long as he could manage before fatigue intervened; he rope-a-doped, and Ali talked constantly, hurling insults at Norton. But at one point, having been doubled over by a nasty Norton body shot, Ali had to dig down into his inner reserves. It was all up for grabs going into the final round, but then Norton’s corner made a terrible decision. Norton’s corner instructed their warrior not to take any chances, that he was ahead and needed only to hear the final bell.
Ali used every ounce of strength and guile he had left, and he won the final round. This clinched Ali the fight. Ali, looking embarrassed in mid-ring, saw his challenger break into tears. All these years later, the fight and its decision are often debated, with most fans and historians feeling that, yes, Norton did win the fight. But Ali was the true King of the Ring, and his enormous reputation and ability to win over the scoring officials perhaps won him this fight more than anything else. One thing is certain: Joe Frazier aside, nobody ever tested Ali’s mettle as severely as Norton did.

About the author
James Slater
James Slater is a senior boxing journalist at Boxing247.com (formerly East Side Boxing) and has covered the sport for more than two decades. Known for his deep expertise, he reports on breaking news, conducts fighter interviews, and delivers authoritative perspective on boxing’s past and present.
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