Boxing

Has Haney silenced his critics? There’s no denying Benavidez’s “Bama” fame

Published

11 months ago

November 23, 2025

David Benavidez defended his “regular” WBC and WBA lightweight heavyweight titles on Saturday in Riyad, Saudi Arabia, after a dominant performance against Anthony Yarde. It was another incredible performance that cemented his position as one of the best pound-for-pound fighters in the world. Will this victory mean that he will replace Canelo Alvarez as the face of Mexican boxing in the near future?

In the co-main event, Devin Haney, often criticized for his conservative style, showed a more aggressive side, defeating Brian Norman Jr. by unanimous decision. and winning the WBO welterweight title. Haney knocked down Norman in round 2, but once again failed to finish his opponent when he had the chance. Whether by design or lack of power, Haney hasn’t scored a KO victory in six years. Will winning the third league title satisfy his skeptics?

Also on the card, Jesse “Bam” Rodriguez unified three junior bantamweight world titles in another world-class performance against Fernando Martinez. And even though Rodriguez is struggling in the minor leagues and just turned 26, Rodriguez is a gigantic star and it’s time to treat him as such.

Abdullah Mason became boxing’s youngest current champion after a hard-fought fight with Sam Noakes for the vacant WBO lightweight title. Mason still has deficiencies defensively and will need to fix that now that he is the champion and becomes the hunted rather than the hunter.

Andreas Hale shares his thoughts on these performances.

David Benavidez will become Mexico’s biggest star in 2026

Benavidez’s systematic and vicious beating of Yarde was further proof of just how special “Mexican Monster” is. He was effective and exhilarating, stringing together one remarkable combination after another, and as usual with his iron chin and constant pressure to get through the Yarde and score.

The victory, coupled with Canelo’s recent loss to Terence Crawford, opened the door for Benavidez to become the novel face of Mexican boxing, and ultimately the face of boxing.

Before the fight, Benavidez, who was born in Phoenix, Arizona, but is of Mexican descent, told ESPN that he tried to take Canelo away from both the customary Mexican boxing fixtures: Cinco De Mayo and the Mexican Independence Day weekend. He also said that in his next fight he plans to fight for the WBO and WBA cruiserweight champion if he fails to fight former champion Artur Beterbiev or unified champion Dmitry Bivol. After the victory over Yarde, Benavidez converted his shot.

“I have some news for you,” he said. “May 2 [it will be] me vs [Gilberto] Zurdo Ramirez. I will move up to cruiserweight to fight for his titles.”

A Cinco de Mayo weekend fight against a Mexican champion in a different weight class is exactly the moment Benavidez takes control. First, in terms of style, this is a fantastic fight.

Benavidez presents a different brand of “Mexican-style” boxing. Yes, he performs with constant pressure and resilience, but the way he beats the crap out of his opponents is what makes him a fan favorite. Additionally, his willingness to fight anyone without hesitation sets him apart from most of his peers. Benavidez turns just 29 in December and has plenty of fights ahead of him as the current crop of stars begins to age.

Much like his fighting style, Benavidez’s star power is like an avalanche that can’t be stopped once it starts. And after his performance on Saturday, things are gaining momentum.

There will still be questions about Devin Haney

Haney silenced his critics by brilliantly eliminating Norman’s punches to win the WBO welterweight title and become a three-division champion.

Leading up to the fight, there were questions about Haney’s impact resistance and whether he was “in shock” after touching the canvas three times against Ryan Garcia in April 2024. Even though the fight was turned from a Garcia win to a no-contest after Garcia failed a drug test and was suspended, the lasting image of Haney falling three times from Garcia’s powerful left hooks stuck with fight fans. This came after a indigent performance against Jose Ramirez in May, during which he didn’t seem too eager to commit.

But against Norman, the toughest fighter in the division, Haney was the aggressor. Norman dared Haney to get in his pocket and trade with him. Haney agreed and in the second round he put Norman on the canvas with a rigid right hand. Norman, not Haney, was in shock from that point on and needed many rounds before he could create any offense. By then it was too behind schedule and Haney made a unanimous decision and, most importantly, silenced his skeptics.

For now.

Haney didn’t finish Norman off when he got him into trouble in Round 2. He allowed him to get to the final bell, and that’s something his opponents will almost certainly be hanging on to before he steps into the ring again. Haney routinely displays enough vulnerability that people question his status as one of the best fighters on a pound-for-pound basis, and his win over Norman was no exception. But for Haney, a win is a win.

“In 2024, I lost everything,” Haney said. “Everything collapsed on me. In 2025 I came to get it back. In 2026 I will come for everything.”

Haney is risk-averse, much like the fighter he is often compared to, Floyd Mayweather. He is very calculating and does enough to win fights. This approach may suggest that it is surmountable. However, he also makes it easier for him to win the fights he wants because everyone thinks they can beat them until they get in the ring with him.

Matchroom Boxing promoter Eddie Hearn is not a fan of Haney’s style.

“You have to show Devin Haney appreciation and respect,” Hearn said during his post-fight interview with DAZN. “I mean, he just became a three-division world champion, but no one is going to want to watch him fight. I mean, he’s fighting with fear.

“You can’t keep fighting like this because no one will want to see it. Again, an amazing achievement, but he doesn’t want to engage in a fight at all.”

It could be a well-thought-out strategy or just the way he fights. Haney hasn’t stopped an opponent since September 2019, when he forced Zaur Abdullaev to resign. This isn’t necessarily because he doesn’t have power, but maybe because he doesn’t feel it necessary to take risks when he already has the upper hand in a fight.

Now that he has the WBO belt, other champions will have to face him if they want to unify the division. Whether it’s the winner of WBC champion Mario Barriosa vs. Ryan Garcia, who is scheduled to fight next February, IBF champion Lewis Crocker, or WBA titleholder Rolando “Rolly” Romero, all options are available for Haney’s next fight. And each of them will believe they can beat Haney.

It’s impossible to ignore the prudent boxing genius of Jesse Rodriguez

“Bam” Rodriguez was the best pound-for-pound fighter on Riyad’s season card, but he was neither the main nor co-main event. For an undefeated lighter champion, he handles himself in the ring like someone much bigger. Boxing purists love him and will be delighted with how patient he was in choosing where to beat Martinez in a fight he dominated from the start.

He is not unknown; it just hasn’t been discovered by everyone yet. It’s the same with many fighters weighing under 130 pounds, where the fight for attention is probably more crucial than the fight in the ring. But “Bam” is just too good not to become a huge star. His fights are always exhilarating and he chases KOs whenever he sees an opening. It took him a few seconds to realize he was a class above Martinez and make sure the fight wouldn’t go the distance. His goal is to win IBF junior bantamweight champion Willibaldo Garcia Perez and Kenshiro Teraji on December 27 to become undisputed before moving up in weight again. None of these opponents will raise his profile, but whenever Rodriguez fights, his TV appearance is a must-see. Before 2026, we need to bang this drum louder than ever before. He turns 26 in January and is ranked No. 5 in the ESPN rankings on a pound-for-pound basis. All that remains is to win the heart of an ordinary fan.

Abdullah Mason’s lesson in firmness and determination will be very helpful

It was the ultimate battle of skill vs. will as Mason was the more talented fighter, but had to face the tough-as-nails Noakes to become boxing’s youngest champion and win the WBO lightweight title. Mason, 21, played 12 innings for the first time in his career and had to dig deep when Noakes refused to disappear.

This type of victory will go a long way in Mason’s development as a player. He still has gaps in his game where opponents are able to break through his defense because his approach is too offensive. Dominating early and often can make a youthful player overconfident in his ability to finish his opponent. But in the Noakes fight, Mason, who was on a nine-fight KO streak entering the fight, learned that no fighter will give up like a wash once he goes on the offensive. This is an crucial lesson that will assist you become a better defensive player for the champion. He is youthful enough to learn novel tricks to compensate for his defensive deficiencies. In a division with a wide range of styles, Mason will have to rely more on his will than his skill against opponents who may be as talented as he is. Don’t be surprised if a fight with Noakes helps him go from good to great in five years.

Boxing

Daniel Dubois vs. Fabio Wardley Rematch: Live Results and Fight Updates

Published

3 hours ago

October 17, 2026

The Punch Junkie™ News

Daniel Dubois vs. Fabio Wardley Rematch: Live Results and Fight Updates

By Boxing News 24 Desk – 10/17/2026 – Comments

Dubois defends his WBO heavyweight title against Wardley on DAZN PPV at The O2 Arena in London on Saturday, October 17.

Fabio Wardley gets another crack at Daniel Dubois five months after dropping him twice but losing their first fight. Dubois recovered to stop Wardley in the 11th round in Manchester.

UPCOMING

Daniel Dubois vs. Fabio Wardley

2026-10-17 · 14:00 ET / 7:00 PM UK · O2 Arena, London · Live on DAZN

Daniel Dubois0

AFTER0ROUNDS

Fabio Wardley0

ROUNDDaniel DuboisFabio Wardley

Wardley returns as the challenger. Dubois makes his first defence against the heavyweight he dethroned in May, with DAZN PPV and DAZN Ultimate Tier carrying the rematch.

Start Time and Ring Walks

Coverage starts at 7 p.m. BST / 2 p.m. ET / 11 a.m. PT.

Dubois and Wardley are expected to make their ring walks at approximately 10:30 pm BST / 5:30 pm ET / 2:30 pm PT. All times fall on Saturday, October 17.

DAZN PPV Price

The standalone PPV costs £24.99 in the UK and $59.99 in the USincluding the undercard and main event.

DAZN Ultimate Tier subscribers receive the event without a separate PPV purchase.

Full Fight Card, Weigh-In Results and Expected Times

Daniel Dubois vs Fabio Wardley

WBO heavyweight title

Dubois: 253.9 lbs (115.17 kg) | Wardley: 248.3 lbs (112.63 kg)

Expected ring walks: 10:30 pm BST / 5:30 pm ET / 2:30 pm PT

Louie O’Doherty vs Michael Gomez Jr.

British and Commonwealth lightweight titles

O’Doherty: 134.12 lbs (60.84 kg) | Gomez Jr.: 134.3 lbs (60.92 kg)

Approximate start: 9:30 pm BST / 4:30 pm ET / 1:30 pm PT

Adam Olaniyan vs Dan Garber

Heavyweight

Olaniyan: 250.15 lbs (113.47 kg) | Garber: 223.15 lbs (101.22 kg)

Approximate start: 9:10 pm BST / 4:10 pm ET / 1:10 pm PT

Bakhodir Jalolov vs Solomon Dacres

Heavyweight

Jalolov: 255.12 lbs (115.72 kg) | Dacres: 242.9 lbs (110.18 kg)

Approximate start: 8:10 pm BST / 3:10 pm ET / 12:10 pm PT

Nelson Birchall vs Levi Gilles

Approximate start: 7:10 pm BST / 2:10 pm ET / 11:10 am PT

Image: Daniel Dubois vs. Fabio Wardley Rematch Live Results and Fight Updates

Watch Daniel Dubois vs Fabio Wardley 2 on DAZN

About the author

Boxing News 24 Desk

BoxingNews24.com has delivered independent boxing coverage since 2007, including original news, fight analysis, schedules, and results. Our experienced boxing writers cover major fighters and events worldwide, with published content reviewed by editors for accuracy.

Boxing

Solomon Dacres Confidently Takes on Bakhodir Jalolov in Epic Showdown

Published

4 hours ago

October 17, 2026

The Punch Junkie™ News

"Solomon Dacres Confidently Takes on Bakhodir Jalolov in Epic Showdown"

Solomon Dacres expects to stop Bakhodir Jalolov tonight, but his record offers little support for that prediction against the 6’7″ two-time Olympic gold medalist.

Jalolov has looked sluggish enough lately to give critics room for skepticism. The dominant puncher seen in the amateur ranks rarely appears in his prize ring outings, prompting a few observers to sniff an upset. Regardless, Jalolov looking flat does not suddenly transform Dacres into a top threat.

“Got to get him out of there, man,” Dacres told SecondsOut. “Mid to late rounds.”

That would be a considerable leap for a fighter whose most revealing professional result remains his first-round stoppage defeat to David Adeleye in December 2024.

Dacres describes that loss as a “blip,” but it came against the most notable opponent he had faced. Across five years as a professional, he hasn’t built a record of beating contenders that would make a Jalolov knockout seem likely.

His points win against Vladyslav Sirenko also requires context. Sirenko amassed numbers without testing himself against true threats, meaning that victory hardly proves Dacres can deal with Jalolov’s height, reach, and southpaw boxing skills.

“This fight here is beyond English title level, man,” Dacres said. “This is like world level.”

Jalolov deserves criticism for how slowly his professional career has moved and for performances that haven’t matched expectations. His Olympic medals don’t excuse that, and Dacres has an opportunity to make him work.

Expecting Dacres to win because Jalolov underwhelms ignores his own modest punch output. Managing just three stoppages across ten victories, he lacks the firepower to back up big talk.

For Dacres to land the kinds of sustained combinations required to stop someone Jalolov’s size, he has to pin him down. Jalolov does not fight like a traditional, stationary heavyweight slugger. Even when he looks uninspired, he uses lateral footwork, maintains long range with his southpaw lead hand, and angles off before opponents can set their feet.

Dacres lacks both the foot speed to cut off the ring effectively and the explosive one-punch power to make Jalolov cautious. If Dacres tries to force the issue, he’ll put himself at risk of getting caught. Pressing aggressively against a 6’7″ southpaw who excels at firing straight left hands down the pipe is asking for trouble.

Unless Jalolov completely checks out mentally and stands against the ropes to trade, Dacres will be eating long jabs and counters all night, with a Jalolov stoppage being the far more probable outcome.

Watch Daniel Dubois vs Fabio Wardley 2 on DAZN

About the author

Boxing News 24 Desk

Boxing

Atif Oberlton Promises Exciting Future Ahead of Deon Nicholson Match

Published

5 hours ago

October 17, 2026

The Punch Junkie™ News

Atif Oberlton Promises Exciting Future Ahead of Deon Nicholson Match

Undefeated American light heavyweight Atif Oberlton believes there is plenty more to come after rating his last performance seven out of ten as he prepares to face knockout puncher Deon Nicholson on November 7.

Oberlton improved to 17-0 with a shutout decision over Roamer Alexis Angulo in August, but believes he has another level to reach despite winning every round.

Speaking exclusively to World Boxing News, the Philadelphia southpaw reflected on his victory over Angulo and becoming the first fighter to stop Carlos Gongora earlier this year.

“They said Carlos Gongora was going to be a very tough opponent, and he was one of my toughest challenges thus far. He’d never been stopped, and I was able to get the stoppage pretty early on because I locked in and trained the way I needed to.

“Looking back, I’d rate my performance against Angulo maybe a 7 out of 10—I could have definitely done better. But this camp is different mentally. We had a lot of factors going on last time, but I’m entirely focused now,” he told WBN.

The assessment comes as promoter Dmitriy Salita looks to establish Oberlton as America’s leading light heavyweight.

Oberlton Faces Nicholson

Nicholson enters their November 7 contest in Albuquerque, New Mexico, with 19 knockouts from 23 victories and a reputation for dangerous punching power.

The Alabama fighter was previously linked to a showdown with former undisputed champion Artur Beterbiev, making him another significant test for Oberlton.

“Nicholson is a good opponent—a good dance partner. We’re getting closer to the level of opponents that allow for a standout performance because the challenge keeps stepping up. I definitely don’t take him lightly. I respect everyone who gets in the ring and stands in front of me, but I’m going to go out there and do what I trained to do.”

The ten-round bout at Kiva Auditorium will be Oberlton’s fourth appearance of 2026, with Salita Promotions delivering on its promise to keep the unbeaten contender active.

Atif Oberlton pictured with promoter Dmitriy Salita ahead of his fight against Deon Nicholson — Salita Promotions

Salita Promotions Keeps Promise

Oberlton says his relationship with Salita has allowed him to build momentum while continuing to work toward a world title opportunity.

“Salita Promotions told me they were going to keep me busy when I signed, and they’ve kept their end of the bargain. I’m keeping mine by going out there, performing, and winning—whether by early stoppage or decision.

“As long as they keep putting people in front of me, I’m going to keep fighting. Every time I step in the ring, I want to perform better than the last time, climb the ladder, and take some hardware home. I’m ready to take some candy.”

Oberlton has already stopped Joseph George and Gongora in 2026 before proving he could dominate over ten rounds against Angulo.

With 14 knockouts in 17 victories, Oberlton has shown he can finish opponents early and control fights over the distance.

Now, with another training camp behind him and a fourth fight of the year approaching, Oberlton believes his best performances are still ahead of him.

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.