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Oleksandr Usyk gives up the world title and gives the belt to the British boxer

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British boxer Fabio Wardley is on the verge of being crowned heavyweight champion of the world after Oleksandr Usyk vacated the title. Wardley scored an 11th-round victory over Joseph Parker in a thrilling fight last month to secure his position as WBO interim champion. Usyk had previously been ordered to defend his four belts against the Ipswich fighter, but opted not to continue in his ninth fight against a British opponent.

The Ukrainian was the undisputed world champion twice after victories against Tyson Fury and Daniel Dubois. He was only going to fight one more fight, but recently revealed plans to extend his career for another two years. For Wardley, being crowned world champion would mark a remarkable culmination to a career that began on the white collar boxing stage. Although he did not have an amateur career, since turning professional in 2017, he has triumphed in all but one of his professional fights.

His impressive record of 20 wins, zero losses and one draw includes a total of 19 knockouts, defeating opponents such as Justis Huni, David Adeleye, Nick Gorman and Nathan Webb.

The only boxer to draw with Wardley so far, destroying his otherwise perfect record, is Frazer Clarke, who first faced the 30-year-old in March last year.

However, their immediate rematch in October of the same year removed any doubts as to who was the better boxer when Wardley secured a first-round TKO against the Burton-born heavyweight.

Wardley has previously expressed his desire to meet Usyk, telling Sky Sports: “It’s been a goal for many years. That’s been the goal. It’s been everything I’ve wanted.”

Ultimately, however, no fight against the sport’s currently dominant force proved necessary for Wardley to fulfill his world champion ambitions. This is the second time Usyk has vacated the belt after he vacated the vacant IBF title last year after opting for an immediate rematch with Fury rather than face the promotion’s mandatory challenger, Dubois.

Dubois then won the IBF title with a fifth-round knockout of Anthony Joshua at Wembley last September. His reign proved to be short-lived, however, and he eventually met Usyk in July 2025 at the same venue where the British fighter himself suffered a fifth-round stoppage.

Wardley’s promoter, Frank Warren, quickly reacted to the news that his fighter had become the WBO world heavyweight champion. Posting a photo of his boxer on X, he declared: “Britain has a novel heavyweight world champion and a novel star in the sport.

“One of the most incredible stories I have seen in my 45 years as a promoter. I couldn’t be more proud of FabioWardley. We have some massive fights ahead of us in 2026 where he will defend his WBO belt and create a true legacy in the sport.”

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UK Boxing

Josh Padley vs Aqib Fiaz – results and post-fight report

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Padley celebrates his narrow victory over Fiaz. Photo: Mark Robinson Matchroom Boxing

Josh Padley defended his European super featherweight title for the first time at the Utilita Arena in Sheffield, beating Aqib Fiaz by split decision on Saturday.

Padley (19-1, 6 KO) scored to stop Jaouad Belmehdi in the second round to win the vacant European belt in January. Fiaz (14-2, 2 KO) retired after eight bouts for the Commonwealth crown against Reece Bellotti in 2023 and has since lost only twice, with his last victory on points coming against Alex Murphy last July.

In the second, Fiaz pushed the Yorkshireman back into the ropes and went to the body, disturbing his opponent.

The pair opened up in round three and Fiaz landed well to the body again in round four, clearly hurting Padley as he bravely finished the round.

The bodywork was evident again in the fifth round, but the champion fired back and pushed Fiaz away in the seventh round to gain a foothold.

Padley celebrates his narrow victory over Fiaz. Photo: Mark Robinson Matchroom Boxing

The pace increased as Padley began to tighten the screws, but in the ninth round ‘Ambush’ put Padley under a lot of pressure and the 30-year-old once again survived the session in bleak conditions.

Padley, who had lost his world title fight to Shakur Stevenson, rallied and a left hand rocked Fiaz to the core in the 10th, and he kept landing as the fight came to an end.

Padley celebrates retaining his European title. Photo: Mark Robinson Matchroom Boxing
Padley celebrates retaining his European title. Photo: Mark Robinson Matchroom Boxing

Fiaz was deducted a point for a headbutt, and as the fight reached its climax, the pair went mad with lust for leather.

Scores of 115-113 and 114-113 allowed Padley to retain the belt, while the third score was 114-113 in favor of Fiaz.

Sulaimaan is the English champion

On the card below, Ibraheem Sulaimaan won the English super featherweight title with a crushing points defeat against Ibrahim Nadim (16-2, 2 KO).

Sulaimaan (11-0, 5 KO) looked at two cards and the third judge declared him the winner 98-92.

Sulaimaan became the English super featherweight champion. Photo: Mark Robinson Matchroom Boxing
Sulaimaan became the English super featherweight champion. Photo: Mark Robinson Matchroom Boxing
Undercard remaining

Potential middleweight contender Aaron Bowen (8-1, 6 KO) proved to be too much of a challenge for Troy Coleman (15-5-1, 7 KO), who won his ninth and penultimate stoppage victory in their fight.

Leon Atang (7-0, 6 KO) didn’t need long to defeat Fouad Shaili (5-5-2, 3 KO), as the heavyweight hope prevailed in just over two minutes and 30 minutes of the first round of the fight.

In the super featherweight division, Adam Maca (6-0, 5 KO) was forced to go the distance for the first time and won all six frames in defeating Cesar Ignacio Paredes (18-35-1, 5 KO), and featherweight newcomer Edward Hardy (7-0, 3 KO) stopped Jesus Carrasco (2-5-2) in the final round of the fight, after which both received multiple point deductions.

Connor Mitchell (3-0, 2 KO) needed just over two minutes to defeat Super Featherweight Rodrigo Matias Areco (5-22-2), and in the only four-round fight, Chris Mulunda (3-0) won all four middleweight rounds against Connor Goulding (6-13).

The post Josh Padley vs Aqib Fiaz – results and post-fight report appeared first on ProBoxing-Fans.com.

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UK Boxing

Chris Billam-Smith vs. Ryan Rozicki – results and post-fight report

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Billam-Smith had to weather Rozicki's early storm. Photo: Zuffa Boxing

Chris Billam-Smith forced Ryan Rozicki to retire on the stool at the end of the seventh round of a thrilling Zuffa Boxing UK fight on Saturday in Bournemouth.

Billam-Smith (22-2, 14 KO) finally defeated the tenacious Rozicki before the visiting corner pulled him out before the start of the eighth round of the cruiserweight clash at the Bournemouth International Centre.

Rozicki (21-2-1, 20 KO) started at a breakneck pace, forcing Billam-Smith to exchange pockets with him.

Favorite house obliged, and a cut was already noticeable under the Canadian’s left eye.

In the second round, Rozicki worked continuously, but in the same round he was deducted a point for constantly using his head.

Billam-Smith had to weather Rozicki’s early storm. Photo: Zuffa Boxing

Billam-Smith fired a huge uppercut in the third period, rocking Rozicki as he tried to continue trading.

‘The Bruiser’ regained momentum in the fourth quarter, pinning the Bournemouth player to the ropes and having to take several well-placed punches.

In a pulsating fifth quarter, both players continued to trade blow for blow, with both finding success inside.

The former WBO world champion landed at will in the sixth place, and yet Rozicki bravely and incredibly remained standing in the midst of an avalanche of almost eight punches.

Billam-Smith finally tired of Rozicki. Photo: Zuffa Boxing
Billam-Smith finally tired of Rozicki. Photo: Zuffa Boxing

The 31-year-old staggered back to the corner, looking distressed and bloody after throwing further unanswered punches tardy in the seventh period.

Rozicki’s corner saw enough and withdrew his man to give ‘The Gentleman’ his first win since overtaking Brandon Glanton last April.

Billam-Smith has lined up a potential clash with former IBF world champion and Zuffa stablemate Jai Opetaia.

Clarke survives two knockdowns, stops Massey in a thriller

Cheavon Clarke rose to the top twice, stopping Jack Massey in the seventh round of a thrilling cruiserweight bout.

Massey (23-4, 13 KO) was poised for an early stoppage after Clarke (11-2, 9 KO) floored Clarke (11-2, 9 KO) in the fourth with a powerful right hand.

Massey dropped Clarke twice in the fourth round. Photo: Zuffa Boxing
Massey dropped Clarke twice in the fourth round. Photo: Zuffa Boxing

“One Smack” increased the pressure and a body shot knocked down the Kent fighter again.

However, “C4” pulled himself together and delivered a right hand in the seventh set, knocking the 33-year-old down to his pants.

Clarke sensed a break and used a series of right hands, prompting referee Bob Williams to intervene.

Clarke rallied to stop Massey in race seven. Photo: Zuffa Boxing
Clarke rallied to stop Massey in race seven. Photo: Zuffa Boxing
Cutler said goodbye to Sutton after his injury

Lee Cutler returned to winning ways after losing to Sam Eggington, and Aaron Sutton withdrew from the competition due to an injury in the third round.

Cutler (16-2, 8 KO) landed a right hand that left Sutton (19-3, 3 KO) writhing in pain from a shoulder injury.

Cutler scored a TKO in the third round after Sutton was injured. ​​Photo: Zuffa Boxing
Cutler scored a TKO in the third round after Sutton was injured. ​​Photo: Zuffa Boxing
McKenna blows Streeter away

Stephen McKenna bounced back from his loss to Lee Cutler by defeating Casey James Streeter in the first round.

Streeter (15-4-2, 6 KO) somehow stayed on his feet after McKenna (16-1, 15 KO) detonated a brutal left hook, but the subsequent attack knocked him to the ground.

The American defeated the count, but McKenna was relentless and after another series of punches, he forced the referee to intervene.

McKenna stopped Streeter in the first round. Photo: Zuffa Boxing
McKenna stopped Streeter in the first round. Photo: Zuffa Boxing
Undercard remaining

Sam Hickey (5-0, 2 KO) defeated Todd Tompkins with a mighty right hand punch in the second round of the middleweight fight.

Tompkins (4-1) was administered oxygen while he was on the canvas, but the 29-year-old was fortunately back on his feet shortly after.

Heavyweight Ivan Dychko bounced back from his loss to Jermaine Franklin Jr. after a split decision he won against Harvey Dykes (7-1-1).

Dychko (16-1, 14 KO) came away with two scores of 97-92, outscored by a score of 95-94 in favor of Dykes.

Welterweight prospect Alex MacMillan (4-0, 3 KO) defeated Leo Fanthome (7-3, 1 KO) three times en route to a brutal second-round stoppage victory.

Potential airy heavyweight fighter Leon Hughes (5-0, 4 KO) defeated Mario Vergiev (8-5, 5 KO) in the third round.

The post Chris Billam-Smith vs. Ryan Rozicki – results and post-fight report appeared first on ProBoxing-Fans.com.

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UK Boxing

How to watch Fame Fighting vs Misfits Boxing – channel, live stream and start time

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KSI, co-founder of Misfits Boxing (Photo: Getty)

Fame Fighting vs Misfits Boxing: Channel, Live Stream, Start Time and Full Card

  1. Event overview: The upcoming Fame Fighting vs Misfits Boxing event is being described as the Super Bowl of influencer boxing, bringing together two of the world’s biggest celebrity promotions for a massive night of crossover fights. Social media stars, reality TV personalities and crossover icons will face off in the highly anticipated fight series.

  2. Place and time: The blockbuster gala will take place this Saturday, June 6, at the Ostermann Arena in Leverkusen, Germany. Live coverage of the stimulating card action officially begins at 5:00 p.m. BST, with walk-ins for the main events expected at 10:00 p.m. BST, depending on the length of the undercard fights.

  3. Coverage in the UK, Ireland and USA: The entire event will be streamed exclusively online and via mobile devices via Sun Club, The Sun’s premium membership platform. UK viewers can access the broadcast on the website or via official apps by purchasing a crossover access card for £9.99, which also includes a full year of membership.

  4. The beginnings of the fight for fame: Fame Fighting was founded in 2023 by Eugen Lopez, a 33-year-old combat sports enthusiast born in Russia and living in Germany. The fast-growing promotion quickly evolved from hosting diminutive events in hotels to selling out arenas, with its long-term goal of building an international “Champions League” of boxing influence.

  5. Misfits The beginnings of boxing: Misfits Boxing was founded in 2022 by British YouTube star KSI, along with his manager Mams Taylor and sports promotion company Wasserman. Initially heavily criticized by boxing purists who said it was disrespectful to the sport, the brand has grown into the world’s leading celebrity boxing organization, combining influencer matches with professional fights.

  6. Main event: The main attraction of Saturday’s gala will be a gigantic heavyweight champion vs. champion clash between Chase DeMoor and Alex Petrovic. DeMoor, who secured the Misfits heavyweight crown after defeating Andrew Tate last December, will look to defend his status against Petrovic, the German reality TV star who holds Fame’s super heavyweight title.

  7. Featured Stars Undercard: Outside of the main event, the line-up includes renowned social media names such as American YouTube star and actor Slim Albaher, who is expected to fight Turkish-born German influencer Can Kaplan. Popular reality show star Filip Pavlovic, former winner of the German edition of “The Bachelor,” will also lace up his gloves to fight Misfits veteran Luis Alcaraz Pineda.

Full fight card:

  • Chase DeMoor vs. Aleks Petrovic
  • FaZe Temperrr vs MckyTV
  • Tobias Pietrek vs. Josh Brueckner
  • Slim vs. Can Kaplan
  • Tommy Pedroni vs. Fez Batista
  • Ediz Tasci vs. Nathan Barnatt
  • Filip Pavlovic vs. Luis Alcaraz Pineda
  • Oliver Ginkel vs. Norbert Ruzicka
  • Ty Mitchell vs. Aro Schwartz
  • FoxTheG vs. Shazan Idrees (Preliminary)

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