UK Boxing
Oleksandr Usyk considers David Benavidez an ‘compelling option’
Oleksandr Usyk does not rule out a future match with David Benavidez and sees him as an “compelling option”, says his manager Sergey Lapin.
Saudi Arabian boxing boss Turki Alalshikh revealed he would like to form Usyk-Benavidez after the latter defeated Zurdo Ramirez in six rounds to become the unified WBO and WBA cruiserweight champion on Saturday.
Usyk will defend his WBC heavyweight title for the first time against former kickboxing champion Rico Verhoeven on May 23 at the Giza Pyramids in Egypt.
39-year-old the heavyweight champion has previously said he has three fights left in his illustrious career, and Lapin admits “Mexican Monster” could be an option.
“This could be a very compelling fight and will definitely attract a lot of attention from fans around the world,” Lapin said proboxing-fans.com.
“Benavidez is a sturdy and aggressive fighter, but he comes from a different weight class and that always plays a role at this level.
“At the same time, we are always open to massive fights that make sense both competitively and commercially.
“It’s definitely an compelling option for Aleksander.
“But at this point in his career, every fight has to be the right one in terms of legacy, challenge and overall value.
“So it’s not just about interest, it has to make complete sense at every level.
“Right now, all our attention is focused on the fight with Rico Verhoeven.
“We are not talking about any other fights at this stage.
“Once we do that, we will evaluate all options and move forward.”
Benavidez insists that a fight with the Ukrainian champion is not in his immediate plans.
The 29-year-old American plans to return to the airy heavyweight division, where he holds the WBC title, to fight for the undisputed title with Dmitry Bivol.
“In my eyes, this is not possible at this time,” he further said Ariel Helwani show.
“I want to be the reigning 175-pound and cruiserweight champion.
“If I move up to heavyweight, I should forget about airy heavyweight because the weight difference is just too massive.
“But I’ll never say never, because maybe in the future, when I’m 35, 36, we can move up to heavyweight.
“But now I only cover the cruiserweight and airy heavyweight divisions.”
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Jaron Ennis called up Demetrius Andrade to aid him prepare for Saturday’s clash with Xander Zayas.
Ennis (35-0, 31 KO) tries to become a two-weight world champion when he faces unified WBO and WBA super welterweight champion Zayas (23-0, 13 KO) at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn.
Even though Zayas is a predominantly orthodox fighter, “Boots” brought in skillful southpaw and former two-division world champion “Boo Boo” Andrade to prepare for the Puerto Rican’s move.
“It was a good job,” Ennis said YSM sports media.
“A cunning guy.
“I was there and had a good time working on different things.
“I like “Boo Boo.” I like his skill set.
“I want to work at the highest level in camp, so fight night could be very effortless.
“I get a different job every week.
“We have lofty guys, miniature guys, southpaws, right-handers, pressure fighters and boxers.
“You never know what these guys are going to bring to the table.
“They fight this guy this way, they fight him this way, they might fight me a completely different way, so you have to be prepared in every way.”
Zayas became the unified world champion in January, dethroning WBA champion Abass Baraou by split decision in Puerto Rico.
Ennis (28) is fighting for the second time in the super welterweight division attacked Uisma Lima round in his 154-pound debut in October.
The former unified welterweight world champion was in talks with Vergil Ortiz Jr, but the fight ended in failure because his American rival was involved in a legal dispute with his promoter Oscar De La Hoya.
As for Andrade, the former welterweight and middleweight world champion will end a more than two-and-a-half-year layoff when he returns to action on July 24 in Connecticut against a to-be-confirmed opponent.
The 38-year-old Providence resident hasn’t fought since a sixth-round retirement loss to David Benavidez in November 2023 and has his sights set on fights against the likes of Edgar Berlanga, Jaime Munguia and Jermall Charlo.
The post Jaron Ennis sparring with former world champion Xander Zayas appeared first on ProBoxing-Fans.com.
Michael Magnesi says fans cannot fight for Ryan Garner ahead of their decisive clash in Southampton on Saturday.
Garner (19-0, 10 KO) has the home advantage when he faces Magnesi (26-2, 13 KO) live on DAZN at St Mary’s Stadium for the interim WBC super featherweight title.
The guest claims that he will not be afraid of the hostile reception that awaits him when he enters the ring.
“It’s not a massive problem,” the 31-year-old said proboxing-fans.com.
“I’m not worried about it because you don’t win fights with fans, you win fights in the ring.
“It’s normal that he has fans on his side.
“It’s okay.
“I’m ready for war.
“I want to live in the moment.
“I want to take the belt home.
“I’m proud and ecstatic to fight Ryan. He’s a great boxer.”
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The winner of this fight will get a fight with the WBC super featherweight world champion, O’Shaquie Fosterwho defeated Raymond Ford by majority decision last month.
“The Lone Wolf” was defeated twice in his 28-fight professional career, losing his IBO title to current WBA champion Anthony Cacace before being stopped by Masanori Rikiishi three fights later.
The Italian has since won three times and insists he is ready to fight Foster, as well as a rematch with Cacace.
“I’m more than ready to do it,” he added.
“We’ll do that fight and then we’ll see what we do with O’Shaquie Foster.
“I would also like to fight Anthony Cacace to unify the world titles.”
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Garner is undefeated in 19 professional fights and hopes to clinch his maiden world title with a victory.
“The Piranha” has won the British, Commonwealth and European belts, the last of which was eliminated in March, defeating Cristian Bielma in three rounds in Ireland.
Watch the full interview with Michael Magnesi below:
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Tyson Fury called on his brother Tommy to take part in his next world title fight.
On Saturday, Fury was ringside at the AO Arena in Manchester to watch his younger brother Tommy perform beat Eddie Hall in his exhibition heavyweight fight.
The two-time world heavyweight champion believes the 27-year-old former Love Island star should aim to challenge WBC cruiserweight world champion Noel Mikaelian, who has been ordered to face unified champion David Benavidez.
“Tommy is a real fighter,” Fury said IFLTV.
“I’d like [WBC president] Mauricio Sulaiman to place him in the top 15 in the lightweight heavyweight or cruiserweight division.
“I think Tommy would put up a good fight against Noel Mikaelian.
“I think Tommy has the potential to beat him.
“Tommy comes from the Fury family. Substantial name, many fans.
“He earned a top-15 ranking by beating Jake Paul and should be able to do that again.
“I think there might be a world title opportunity for Tommy next.”
The 37-year-old was at the White House on Sunday at the UFC Freedom 250 gala.
“The Gypsy King” was photographed with Zuffa Boxing boss Dana White, who claimed he would be promoting his fight against Anthony Joshua.
Fury teased White’s “massive announcement,” but the 56-year-old refused to reveal it when speaking to reporters after the event.
“Over the last few weeks, I have heard from the media and others that I am not involved in the fight,” the 56-year-old said.
“I heard that Tyson Fury couldn’t leave the country or enter the United States, but it seems like everyone is always wrong.
“We will announce it soon.”
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This was confirmed by Fury, who came out of retirement to beat Arslanbek Makhmudov in April Professional boxing fans on Saturday, he plans to have another fight in August before facing “AJ,” likely in November.
On Monday, “The Gypsy King” announced that his promoter is Saudi boxing boss Turki Alalshikh, who has financed his last four fights.
“@turki is the promoter of GK until his retirement,” he wrote on Instagram.
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