UK Boxing
Huge world title changes at Riyad’s ‘Night of Champions’ – Haney, Mason and Rodriguez make headlines
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia – In an electrifying card at the ANB Arena, three WBO world title fights produced decisive results as boxing’s attention turned to the Middle East. Here is a description of each fight and what it will mean in the future:
- Devin Haney vs. Brian Norman Jr.
In the welterweight division, undefeated Devin Haney won the WBO welterweight title by defeating Brian Norman Jr. by unanimous decision. The official scorecards read 114-113, 116-111 and 117-110 in favor of Haney.
In the second round, Haney dropped Norman with a left hook followed by a right cross, setting the tone for the rest of the fight, which Haney had no trouble controlling. The more experienced fighter “The Dream” is no stranger to world championship belts and thanks to this victory he became the champion of the third weight category, which is a signal that he remains in the boxing elite.
2. Abdullah Mason vs. Sam Noakes
Fighting for the vacant WBO lightweight title, Mason proved his superiority and defeated Sam Noakes by unanimous decision with official scores of 117-111, 115-113 and 115-113. At just 21 years ancient, Mason becomes the youngest energetic male world boxing champion.
Noakes was not an effortless opponent, he came out mighty and took good shots, the scorecards reflect the fight in the ring, but Mason was resilient, shrewd in the ring and ultimately his strength at the end of the round paid off.
3) Jesse “Bam” Rodriguez vs. Fernando Martinez
In an exhilarating match with a lot at stake, WBO world champion Jesse Rodriguez successfully defended his belt, defeating Martinez by knockout in the 10th round at 1:25 m, counterattacking with a left hook.
Rodriguez dominated the fight from the beginning, was true and effective. Martinez’s nose was broken and Rodriguez put his endurance to the test.
It was a night of both consolidation and upheaval. Champions appeared, belts changed owners, and careers took a significant turn. Boxing fans have plenty to talk about, and the effects of this situation will be felt across divisions for months to come.
Jarred Anderson’s return to the ring against Solomon Dacres was canceled just days later.
Dacres and Anderson were scheduled to face on May 9 in Fabio Wardley’s first world title defense against Daniel Dubois.
It looks like “Massive Baby” will continue to gain momentum after suffering his first career loss in 2024.
After a great start to his professional career and 17 impressive victories, Anderson took a gigantic risk in his fight against Martin Bakole in Los Angeles.
This acceleration did not go as planned, as Bakole stopped the American in the fifth round.
The American was forced to withdraw from competition for several weeks after suffering an injury during camp.
Anderson reportedly suffered a torn biceps, and the news was first broken by reporter Chris Mannix during the broadcast of Jarrell Miller’s win over Lenier Pero in Las Vegas.
Anderson, 26, recently signed a promotional deal with Frank Warren’s Queensberry Promotions, strengthening his existing relationship with Top Rank that he has been pursuing since his professional debut in 2019.
He last fought in a 10-round victory over Marios Kollias in February 2025, more than 14 months ago.
For now, no further information has been provided regarding a possible postponement of the fight.
For Dacres, it would be his first fight since his impressive decision victory over Vladyslav Sirenko.
Both Dacres and Anderson have only one loss to their name, and the fight between them will prove to be a great indicator of where each is at in their careers.
Dacres’ only loss came in the first round to David Adeleye in 2024, and he has only had one fight since that defeat.
Although the Anderson-Dacres fight has been canceled, the Manchester event will still go ahead as planned, with Fabio Wardley defending his WBO heavyweight title for the first time after winning the title with a stoppage victory over Joseph Parker.
Wardley remains undefeated and his opponent is Daniel Dubois, who has a 95% knockout rate.
Dubois is heading straight for another shot at the world title after being stopped by Oleksandr Usyk last July.
Wardley vs. Dubois it should be an epic fight, and the pair showed off their incredible knockout ability throughout their careers. The Ipswich fighter has wins over Justis Huni, Frazer Clarke and Joseph Parker, while Daniel Dubois has stopped Jarrell Miller, Filip Hrgovic and Anthony Joshua, so a stoppage seems the most likely outcome for the main event.
The post Jarred Anderson vs. Solomon Dacres Canceled After Injury appeared first on ProBoxing-Fans.com.
Dillian Whyte is eager to fight Joseph Parker again.
In 2018, Whyte and Parker played 12 invigorating rounds, with both hitting the canvas.
Whyte won his dramatic heavyweight fight by unanimous decision at the O2 Arena.
‘The Body Snatcher’ is now planning a rematch with the Recent Zealander, who is looking to clear his name after testing positive for cocaine following his October defeat to Fabio Wardley.
“There are a lot of good fights and Joseph Parker is one of them,” the 38-year-old said Ring Magazine.
“I would love to fight Joseph Parker, I think it’s a really good fight.
“He has to come back, he has to be cleared or whatever. I don’t know the situation.
“So in the meantime I have to stay busy and fight my way back, so let’s see.
“I feel like I still have a little bit to give, so let’s see what we can do to finish the season on a high.
“I’m training now and I want to come back in May or June.
“Now it’s just a matter of training and seeing what comes out on this kind of date.”
The former world title challenger from Brixton has not fought since a crushing first-round knockout defeat to rising contender Moses Itauma last August in Riyad.
Former world champion Parker won six times on spin before being stopped in the 11th round against Wardley, losing the WBO interim title and a shot at unified champion Oleksandr Usyk.
The 34-year-old says he is going through this process after failing the test and hopes it will be resolved soon.
“Let’s hope so [I’m back] soon,” Parker said Professional boxing fans.
“I’m just going through the process and practicing patience.
“We just have to be patient and learn from what they say happened.
“I know what happened and I handed over everything, so let’s see.”
The post Dillian Whyte Eyes Joseph Parker Rematch appeared first on ProBoxing-Fans.com.
Tony Yoka has broken his silence on Lawrence Okolie’s failed test that canceled their scheduled heavyweight fight.
On Saturday in Paris, Yoka was scheduled to face Okolie in a fierce heavyweight fight.
But on Tuesday, the Briton failed a VADA test, reportedly for GHRP 2 and its metabolite M8, a synthetic substance that stimulates the body to release human growth hormone.
Promoter Frank Warren tried to find a slow replacement, but later canceled the entire show.
Yoka (33) admits that he was bitterly disappointed with the situation.
“I was disappointed because I wanted to fight,” said the 33-year-old talkSPORT.
“Of course I was ready.
“It’s not like it happened a few months before, it was three, four days before the fight.
“It was a great opportunity.
“It would have put me in a really good position, so it really worried me.
“What was more disappointing to me was that they just canceled the entire show, but I understand it’s a business.”
The Frenchman says he won’t wait too long and has been told he will either fight on the card Fabio Wardley vs. Daniel Dubois May 9 in Manchester or on the bill Dave Allen vs Filip Hrgovic on May 16 in Doncaster.
See this post on Instagram
Okolie, the WBC’s number one contender for Oleksandr Usyk’s title, promised in a statement to clear his name.
“Before anyone starts imagining the worst, after last year’s bicep injury, I suffered an elbow injury on the same shoulder during this camp.
“I underwent treatment and now we are here.
“I hope common sense will prevail.
See this post on Instagram
“I will of course cooperate fully with all relevant authorities and I am confident that any investigation will clear my name.
“I will not be making any further comments at this time.
“Thank you for all your support and see you soon.”
The post “I Was Nervous” – Tony Yoka’s Reaction to Lawrence Okolie’s Failed Test appeared first on ProBoxing-Fans.com.
Alycia Baumgardner STRUTS in & BOWS during Face Off vs Bo Mi Re Shin
Oleksandr Usyk said he “can’t run away” from the newly emerged title challenger: “I will bully him”
David Benavidez has no room for error in the fight against Ramirez
-
Opinions & Features1 year agoPacquiao vs marquez competition: History of violence
-
MMA1 year agoDmitry Menshikov statement in the February fight
-
Results1 year agoStephen Fulton Jr. becomes world champion in two weight by means of a decision
-
Results1 year agoKeyshawn Davis Ko’s Berinchyk, when Xander Zayas moves to 21-0
-
Video1 year agoFrank Warren on Derek Chisora vs Otto Wallin – ‘I THOUGHT OTTO WOULD GIVE DEREK PROBLEMS!’
-
Analysis1 year agoRobert Garcia discusses the debate on the greatest Mexican warrior in history
-
Video1 year ago‘DEREK CHISORA RETIRE TONIGHT!’ – Anthony Yarde PLEADS for retirement after WALLIN
-
Results1 year agoLive: Catterall vs Barboza results and results card