Boxing
Murtazaliev warns Ennis after Lima explosion: ‘I am ready’
Published
7 months agoon
Bakhram Murtazaliev responded on social media to Jaron “Boots” Ennis’ victory over Uisma Lima last Saturday night, saying: “I’m ready.”
Hearn’s target list keeps Bakhram waiting
IBF junior middleweight champion Murtazaliev (23-0, 17 KO) is one of five names Ennis’ promoter Eddie Hearn wants to mention next in his fight. Hearn is taking aim at all champions, including interim belt holder Vergil Ortiz Jr.
Unfortunately for Bakhram, he is not the main target of “Boots” (35-0, 31 KO) and Hearn. They want Vergil Jr. (23-0, 21 KO) because he is better known, more popular and it would be a bigger pay-per-view fight. Moreover, it is probably easier than facing Murtazaliev, who had a terrible left hook that could have caused Ennis a lot of problems.
The Mute Shark Finally Speaks
I’m ready 😉
— Bakhram Murtazaliev (@bakhram95) October 12, 2025
No one wants Tszyu treated like this again
Murtazaliev’s inactivity may be a problem for him. He has not fought since a third-round knockout of former WBO junior middleweight champion Tim Tszyu on October 19, 2024. All the top fighters and their promoters showed no interest in fighting him after he reduced Tszyu to rubble.
As you might expect, Hearn and Ennis will save Murtazaliev for last, after they first fought these fighters and won belts at 154:
- Vergil Ortiz Jr: WBC interim
- Sebastian Fundora: WBC
- Abass Baraou: WBA
- Xander Zayas: WBO
Last night, “Boots” didn’t have to worry so much about getting hit, as he crushed the inexperienced Lima (14-2, 10 KO) in the first round after dropping him twice at the Xfinity Mobile Arena in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
The ending came when Ennis hit Lima with a barrage of fire, prompting referee Shawn Clark to stop the fight at 1:58. Lima, 32, had no experience fighting top fighters in the 154-pound weight class.
The only fighter on Lima’s resume is Aaron McKenna, a middleweight who lost to him by a one-sided, 10-round unanimous decision two years ago on June 16, 2023. Hearn smartly chose Uisma as the ideal exhibition opponent for “Boots” to debut against at 154, rather than someone who could give him real fight.
This was a waste of time for Ennis and dampened fan reaction. If he had fought a better opponent than Lima, his popularity would have increased much more today than it did after defeating the losing, little-known Uisma Lima. This fight didn’t even look sporty.
Woods’ view: the fight Hearn doesn’t want yet
Hearn’s top two options – Vergil Ortiz Jr. and Sebastian Fundora for Ennis’ next fight – clearly show that he is not yet willing to test his fighter against IBF champion Murtazaliev.
It appears that Hearn wants to take his fighter slowly, in tiny steps, next fighting brawler Vergil Jr. and then Fundora.
So if Ennis beats these fighters and looks like pure gold, Hearn will roll the dice and compare him to the 154-pound boogeyman, Bakhram. This is a clever way to fit the “Boots”, but it will also snail-paced down its development, stunting its popularity and growth.
Is it possible that Hearn still remembers Ennis’ performance against Karen Chukhadzhian in the rematch last November, which caused him to put on the brakes to face unsafe striker Murtazaliev?
Ken Woods was a senior writer in Boxing News 24 since 2013, covering sports from every angle. With years of reporting from the ring, he delivers fight news, results and analysis that cuts through the noise. Ken’s work consistently focuses on champions, challengers and prospects, giving fans a piercing and informed view of the global boxing scene.
Last update: 12/10/2025
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Boxing
Erik Morales Gives Fair Verdict on Mayweather vs Pacquiao 2: “Who Will Win”
Published
1 hour agoon
April 28, 2026
Mexican boxing legend Erik Morales, who is the same age as Floyd Mayweather, presented his version of the 49-year-old’s expected rematch with Manny Pacquiao.
The two pound-for-pound icons will face off in a professional competition on September 19, headlining the Netflix event at The Sphere in Las Vegas.
However, their second meeting seemed to be in jeopardy after Mayweather stated last month that it would be an exhibition match.
Pacquiao and his team have since stated that it will be a fully sanctioned fight, but we are still waiting for an official announcement.
Their first meeting took place in 2015 and earned Mayweather a unanimous decision victory in an event that quickly became known as the most lucrative boxing event of all time.
Shortly thereafter Pacquiao claimed he entered the welterweight fight with a shoulder injurybut he never had the opportunity to exact his revenge.
But now the 47-year-old hopes to break Mayweather’s 50-0 record after ending his nearly four-year hiatus from professional boxing last July.
But while the Filipino drew with Mario Barrios, the then-WBC welterweight champion, many suggested he and Mayweather shouldn’t be entering the ring at this stage of their lives.
One of them is Morales, who fought Pacquiao three times, winning the first meeting but losing the next two. He told Fight Hub TV that the rematch would be won by the Hall of Famer who turned down the fight the least.
“We’re not at the age to get into fights. But hey, it’ll be intriguing. Whoever arrives the least injured and a little faster, [will win]”
Erik Morales Predicts Mayweather vs Pacquiao 2‼️‼️
“We’re not at the age to get into fights… This will be intriguing. Whoever wins must come to fight less hurt and a little faster!” – Erik Morales
Watch Benavidez vs. Zurdo this Saturday on DAZN. Go to… pic.twitter.com/6fVLRqTza1
— Fight Hub TV (@FightHubTV) April 27, 2026
Ahead of any rematch with Pacquiao, Mayweather confirmed he would fight Greek kickboxer Mike Zambidis on June 27.
“You can’t be disappointed with something that never happened,” Finkel told Sky Sports. “Eddie never contacted us and Joshua obviously had no intention of fighting Deontay Wilder. Same venerable story, just novel date.”
The comments question Eddie Hearn’s recent suggestions that Anthony Joshua could face Wilder ahead of his planned clash with Tyson Fury in slow 2026.
Joshua is instead scheduled to face Kristian Prenga on July 25 in Riyad, ending any immediate speculation about the long-discussed clash with Wilder.
Just a few weeks ago, Eddie Hearn was here calling Wilder a warm-up fight for Joshua’s scheduled fight with Tyson Fury. This is a solemn marketing move. This keeps the fans engaged and gives the impression that AJ is willing to take on the most risky puncher in the league just to keep himself busy.
However, Shelly Finkel’s answer is fascinating. He firmly stated that there was “no reason” to be frustrated because no real approach was ever taken. If Hearn was solemn, the first step would have been to email or call Finkel. According to Wilder’s camp, such a thing never happened.
Instead of Wilder, Joshua is now officially scheduled to face the little-known Prenga. This move serves two purposes for Joshua’s camp: It is a much safer fight as Joshua rehabs from his car accident earlier this year. It also opens the door to a massive fight with Fury in slow 2026 without the risk of Wilder ruining a payday with one right hand.
This has been a pattern for years. We saw this in 2019 when uncontested talks failed, and again in 2023 when both were on the “Day of Reckoning” card but never actually paired up.
Wilder, who recently returned to the ring after a victory over Derek Chisora, also mentioned his interest in a future fight with unified champion Oleksandr Usyk.
Finkel’s comments suggest that Joshua’s fight remains in familiar territory, being discussed publicly but never formally pursued behind the scenes.
Boxing
Hall of Fame champion claims he would be the one to beat Terence Crawford: ‘I’m going to win’
Published
5 hours agoon
April 28, 2026
The star fighter, who has made an astonishing 15 defenses of his welterweight world title, supported himself in a fantastic showdown with Terence Crawford.
Many consider “Bud” to be one of the greatest welterweight champions of all time, considering his size undisputed triumph over Errol Spence Jr in 2023
He had previously won seven straight 147-pound world titles, all through stoppages, but he could only cement his position as top dog by dethroning Spence.
Not only did he defeat “The Truth” and win his three world titles, but Crawford secured a surprisingly one-sided defeat over nine rounds.
After that career-defining moment, the American became the undisputed three-division champion, moving up to 168 pounds to dethrone Canelo Alvarez.
However, at welterweight, Crawford managed to produce some of his best performances, perhaps striking the perfect balance between being vigorous and impressively fit.
Another man who has had considerable success at 147 pounds is, of course, Felix Trinidad, who reigned as the IBF world champion for almost seven years.
Two of his greatest victories came against Oscar De La Hoya and Pernell Whitaker, who both went on to create Hall of Fame careers in their own right.
It is therefore natural that “Tito” sees his chances in a direct fight with Crawford, saying: Fighting Hub TV that he would give “Bud” his only professional flaw.
“With all due respect to Crawford…Tito Trinidad – I will win.”
While no fighter has been able to answer Crawford’s mystery, it is equally safe and sound to say that the former five-division world champion has never faced someone like Trinidad.
Erik Morales Gives Fair Verdict on Mayweather vs Pacquiao 2: “Who Will Win”
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