Boxing

Irail Madrimov vs. Seymur Isayev: Scheduled Return on October 30

Published

3 weeks ago

October 7, 2026

"Irail Madrimov vs. Seymur Isayev: Scheduled Return on October 30"

Israil Madrimov gets back to work on October 30 at Humo Arena in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, taking on Seymur Isayev after another lengthy stretch of inactivity. The Uzbekistan Professional Boxing Federation confirmed the booking, per Sports.kz.

This marks just the second ring appearance for the former WBA junior middleweight champion since dropping tough decision losses to Terence Crawford then Vergil Ortiz Jr. Madrimov took care of business against Luis David Salazar back in January. Still, sitting out for nine months right after that win stalled his momentum toward the division belt holders.

Isayev brings a southpaw stance from Azerbaijan into the biggest test of his career. He rides a string of knockout victories, but stepping into Tashkent against an elite operator like Madrimov represents an entirely different level of competition.

Madrimov gets a prime opportunity to showcase his skills in front of his hometown supporters. Whether that victory actually pushes him toward the top contenders at 154 pounds really hinges on his performance plus how fast his team lines up the next assignment.

Madrimov secured world championship status by halting Magomed Kurbanov in 2024. Crawford took the belt later that summer, with the Ortiz defeat arriving in February 2025. Those setbacks came against the absolute best fighters in boxing, so they never completely booted him from title relevance.

Health troubles also disrupted his schedule. He struggled with bronchitis that spiraled into pneumonia around the Ortiz bout, followed by surgeries on his shoulder along with his knee. That ordeal kept him out of action for roughly eleven months before he defeated Salazar.

Nobody has officially explained the reason for the latest delay. We have a confirmed fight date now, though nothing points to another physical setback.

Madrimov wants to turn his earlier victory into real traction. Putting on a clinic against Isayev will help, but another long vacation right afterward keeps him running in place. He needs this hometown showcase to serve as a launchpad. Madrimov is 31 years old with only 14 professional bouts under his belt, so running a once-a-year schedule is boxing suicide for a guy trying to claw back into championship contention.

At 154 pounds, the division moves too fast to sit on the shelf for eight or nine months between tune-ups. When an ex-champion drops back-to-back decision losses to the very top tier, taking almost a year off just to beat Luis David Salazar, and then disappearing for another nine months before fighting an unproven Seymur Isayev, all momentum disappears.

A four-fight schedule would force mandatory activity, keep him sharp, and put him in front of the sanctioning bodies every three months. Even if two of those dates are quick stay-busy showcases against guys he can blast out early, it builds the fight frequency he desperately lacks. Right now, by the time he gets through two prolonged training camps and unexplained layoffs, another year has evaporated, and the younger contenders pass him by.

If he does not start fighting every three to four months, his physical prime will be completely gone before he ever touches another major purse or world title shot.

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Boxing

Abel Sanchez Dismisses Ryan Garcias Fighter of the Year Claims

Published

10 hours ago

October 27, 2026

The Punch Junkie™ News

Abel Sanchez Dismisses Ryan Garcia's Fighter of the Year Claims

Abel Sanchez is unconvinced by Ryan Garcia’s bid for Fighter of the Year, arguing that Garcia’s marquee wins crumble upon closer inspection. The veteran trainer throws his support behind O’Shaquie Foster or Daniel Dubois instead, openly questioning how Conor Benn ever climbed so high in the WBC rankings before stepping into the ring with Garcia.

Foster earned his credentials by beating Raymond Ford before unifying three super featherweight belts against Emanuel Navarrete. Dubois took care of business by stopping Fabio Wardley twice. To Sanchez, both fighters compiled far more credible resumes than Garcia did by beating Benn and Mario Barrios.

When pressed on Benn holding the WBC’s top spot at welterweight, Sanchez brushed it off entirely.

“In whose mind was he rated number one? He wasn’t rated number one. He didn’t belong in the top 10,” Sanchez said to Fight Hub TV. “When reminded that Benn was the official mandatory challenger, the trainer fired back: “Of course, for Ryan Garcia.”

Sanchez highlights a glaring issue with Garcia’s case. Benn lacked meaningful experience against elite competition, regardless of the sanctioning body’s endorsement. His signature victory came against a mid-30s Chris Eubank Jr., whose career mostly unfolded at domestic and continental levels. While beating Eubank gave Benn name recognition, it hardly proved he was a top-tier welterweight.

Barrios entered the ring holding a belt, yet observers widely viewed him as the most vulnerable titlist in the division. Split draws against Manny Pacquiao and Abel Ramos exposed clear vulnerabilities. Sanchez also pointed out that Barrios gained his champion status through elevation outside the ropes rather than claiming the crown in a fight.

Garcia capitalized on the openings in front of him. Even so, glossy rankings and sanctioning titles can be deceiving when evaluating true resume strength.

If Ryan fought Ennis and took his title, nobody could argue the matchmaking was soft. A high-profile catchweight or junior middleweight scalp against an undisputed or unified titlist. If he moved up to challenge an established world champion at 154 and convincingly defeated them, the sheer ambition and degree of difficulty would outweigh rival claims from Foster or Dubois.

Right now, voters see flash and opportunistic matchmaking. To lock down Fighter of the Year, Garcia has to deliver a signature win where he enters the ring as the underdog against an elite, prime world champion and completely dominates.

Foster presents the standout claim, turning back two proven operators and stripping Navarrete of his hardware. Dubois made an undeniable statement with consecutive stoppages over Wardley. While Garcia delivered flash, Foster collected the victories with real substance.

Shawn Porter Predicts Canelo Will Score KO Against Christian Mbilli in Title Fight

Published

14 hours ago

October 27, 2026

The Punch Junkie™ News

Shawn Porter Predicts Canelo Will Score KO Against Christian Mbilli in Title Fight

Canelo Alvarez attempts to reclaim the WBC super-middleweight title as he challenges Christian Mbilli on Saturday, and ahead of the action, two-time welterweight world champion Shawn Porter has predicted that the fight will not go the full distance.

Canelo has gone the full 12 rounds in his last eight bouts, having not registered a stoppage since he halted Caleb Plant in 2021 to become the first undisputed super-middleweight world champion in boxing history.

Meanwhile, 24 of Mbilli’s 29 career victories have not required the judges and the French-Cameroonian has scored first-round knockouts in two of his last four contests, quickly disposing of both Mark Heffron and Maciej Sulecki.

Speaking to DAZNPorter advised Mbilli to target the body of Canelo, in what will be the champion’s first ever world title bout.

“He has a similar style to me, I could do a lot of what Mbilli does. I would tell Mbilli, ‘While you are pushing Canelo back, make sure you are digging to the body and then also make sure that you are stepping around him’.

“I think that the most important part for Mbilli is making sure that he stays off the line because he is going to be right in line for a right-hand all night because we know he is straight, he is right there in front of you.”

Yet, despite offering ‘Solide’ some words of wisdom, Porter went on to predict that Canelo will end his ongoing decision streak and score a statement stoppage win.

“I got him [Canelo] stopping Mbilli. Uppercut or left-hook.”

Canelo-Mbilli takes place on Saturday, October 31 at the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, with world champions Rafael Espinoza and Jaime Munguia also set to appear on the undercard.

Boxing

Shakur Stevenson Faces 20-Day Deadline to Fight Former World Champion or Risk Losing Title

Published

15 hours ago

October 27, 2026

The Punch Junkie™ News

"Shakur Stevenson Faces 20-Day Deadline to Fight Former World Champion or Risk Losing Title"

Shakur Stevenson has been ordered to fulfil the first mandatory defence of his WBO super-lightweight world title.

The Newark southpaw moved up from lightweight – subsequently being stripped of his WBC belt in that division – to face Teofimo Lopez back in January.

Stevenson put on a boxing masterclass to become just the second man to beat Lopez and a four-division world champion.

He has since signed with, and been released from, Zuffa Boxing, while targeting fights with the likes of Devin Haney, Gary Antuanne Russell and Manny Pacquiao.

Fresh off his free agency – a decision he says he made in order to secure the biggest and best fights in the sport – Stevenson has now been ordered to face Raymond Muratalla.

Muratalla vacated his IBF lightweight belt last month, having been upgraded from interim to full champion in June 2025. He defended the belt against Andy Cruz and Robson Conceicao before making the decision to move up.

Promoter Top Rank recently lobbied the WBO to install the Robert Garcia-trained fighter as mandatoryand President of the sanctioning body, Gustavo Olivieri, has now confirmed the decision.

“Please be advised that the WBO World Championships Committee has unanimously resolved to order the commencement of negotiations between WBO Jr. Welterweight World Champion Shakur Stevenson and WBO #1 World-Rated Contender Raymond Muratalla, in fulfillment of the outstanding mandatory championship obligation.

“The parties shall have 20 days to reach terms, pursuant to WBO Regulations.

“This determination reaffirms our institutional commitment to the consistent enforcement of mandatory championship obligations, competitive fairness, & the integrity of our World Championships.

“The formal negotiation order notice will be issued shortly.”

The ball is now in Stevenson’s court, with his immediate options being face the undefeated mandatory or vacate the belt.