Boxing
Opetaia will be even more shunned if she defeats Cinkara
Published
5 months agoon
IBF cruiserweight champion Jai Opetaia and challenger Huseyin Cinkara successfully weighed in on Friday at the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Center in Surfers Paradise, Australia. Opetaia (28-0, 22 KO) will defend against Cinkara (23-0, 19 KO) this Saturday, December 6.
Zurdo and the monster avoid Jai?
It’s a fight that should ideally open the door for Opetaia to face the winner of the fight between WBA and WBO cruiserweight champion Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez and David Benavidez from the May 2, 2026 fight. The likelihood of this happening is remote.
Benavidez has already said he wants to return to the delicate heavyweight division after fighting Ramirez for his two belts. Fans took this as a signal that the “Mexican Monster” did not want to take part in a confrontation with Opetaia and would avoid him like the plague, just like Zurdo Ramirez did.
If Jai breaks Cinkara – expect more dodges
The reality is that if Opetaia destroys his mandatory No. 1 IBF fighter in the IBF league on Saturday night, he will be shunned even more than he already is. He is part of the “who needs them” club and is seen as a career destroyer.
Weighing results
- Jaia Opetay – 199.5 vs. Housing Cinkara – 200.5
The event will be broadcast live on UFC Pass outside Australia.
Danny Green supports Jai in a brutal way
“Jai Opetaia is the best cruiserweight in the world and he’s going to prove it tomorrow night. Cinkara is undefeated, but he hasn’t had the same opponents as Jai,” said former two-division world champion Danny Green. Jai McAllister boxing.
“When you have nothing to lose, being in Cinkara’s shoes makes you more threatening. Jai doesn’t look beyond Cinkara. They are consummate professionals. Cinkara was chosen and he’s going to be in a lot of trouble. He’s really good and he’s terrifying.”
It doesn’t matter how desperate Cinkara is for his career. His performance against Opetaia is too penniless and he lacks the qualifications to have a chance of winning. Cinkara’s resume is filled with unknown opposition from top to bottom.
Cinkar’s biography under the microscope
- Juan Diaz
- Armend Xhoxhaja
- Reinaldo Gonzalez
- Wacław fireplaces
“Jai has to be next,” Green said when asked about David Benavidez fighting WBA and WBO cruiserweight champion Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez for the titles in early May 2026. “I think it works in Jai’s favor because it will be an even bigger fight when Jai unifies.”
Bob Smith wrote for Boxing News 24 since 2008, making him one of the site’s longest-serving contributors. With over a decade of experience, he has established himself as a senior boxing writer who accurately covers the global fight scene.
Bob’s work includes fight reports, news and features featuring world champions and emerging fighters alike, giving fans a clear picture of the sport’s past and present. Known for his consistency, accuracy and deep understanding of boxing, Bob remains a trusted voice for readers who want to stay up to date with global martial arts news.
Last update: 12/05/2025
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Boxing
Kelvin Davis escapes by split decision over Peter Dobson
Published
60 minutes agoon
May 17, 2026
Welterweight Kelvin Davis (16-1, 8 KO) escaped with a split decision victory over Peter Dobson (17-4, 10 KO) after a hard-fought 10-round fight that drew noisy boos from the crowd after the result was announced. The judges scored it 99-91 and 97-93 for Davis, while the third judge scored it 98-92 for Dobson.
Davis boxed effectively early on, using his jab, foot movement and reach to keep Dobson out and gain the advantage in the early rounds. Dobson had difficulty getting close enough to land consistently in the first half of the fight as Davis remained disciplined and chose areas with cleaner strikes.
Dobson had more success in the second half of the fight, getting inside and landing to the body. As the action became increasingly brutal and physical, Davis spent more time on the ropes and in clinches.
Dobson’s aggression and work in the middle helped put an end to the fight, and a few delayed rounds proved challenging to score. Davis continued to land enough pointed counters and straight shots to convince the two judges that he had done enough to secure the victory.
Many fans online and in the arena reacted negatively to the decision, especially due to the wide score of 99-91 in favor of Davis. Several unofficial scorecards indicated that the fight was much closer together, and some viewers felt that Dobson did enough to force a draw or provide an advantage in the decision.
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Last update: 2026/05/16 at 22:46
Boxing
Canelo officially announces return to world title fight, dubbed ‘fight of the decade’
Published
3 hours agoon
May 16, 2026
Saul “Canelo” Alvarez confirmed the reports about his fight with WBC champion Christian Mbilli in an official statement.
Canelo, who has a professional record of 63-3-2 and 39 KOs, last fought in September 2025 when defeated by pound-for-pound star Terence Crawford.
The Mexican icon lost his undisputed super middleweight title that night, his first defeat in the division, but now he hopes to win one of the belts outright when he challenges fresh champion Mbilli on September 12 in Riyad, Saudi Arabia.
Confirming the news, Alvarez said:
“After so many years in this sport, my motivation is still the same: to challenge myself, represent Mexico and continue to build my legacy.
“Mbilli is undefeated and he’s a great fighter and I respect that. But my focus is always on my preparation, performance and giving the fans another great night of boxing.
“On September 12 in Riyad, we start a fresh chapter with the same discipline, ambition and vision that have accompanied me throughout my career.”
Mbilli secured the WBC interim belt by defeating Maciej Sulecki in June 2025 and regained it after an engaging draw with Lester Martinez on the Canelo vs Crawford card. When Crawford retired, the 29-0-1 Mbilli was elevated to full champion.
The fresh champion announced the “fight of the decade” in his own statement.
“My last fight was the fight of the year. In September against Canelo Alvarez, it will be the fight of the decade. And when the fight is over, the world will witness my historic victory.”
The fight will be the culmination of the gala titled “Mexico vs. the World”, and details of the card will be revealed at the press conference opening the gala, which will be held next week in Egypt.
BBBofC British lightweight champion Louie O’Doherty improved to 12-0 (3 KO) with a unanimous decision victory over Ahmed “No Mercy” Hatim, retaining his British title and adding the vacant Commonwealth lightweight title.
Hatim had it moments earlier, rocking O’Doherty with a right hand in the second round, but O’Doherty gradually took control with sharper combinations and a faster work rate. As the rounds progressed, the fight became increasingly physical, with O’Doherty landing consistently and Hatim struggling to keep up. O’Doherty closed the final rounds strongly, including a dominant tenth and a busy twelfth round in which Hatim was forced to hold out multiple times. The scores were 119-109 and 118-110 twice.
In a joint film, Michael Gomez Jr. improved his record to 23-2 (8 KO) after a sixth-round victory over Lee McGregor in a hard-fought lightweight fight.
The fight was action-packed from the first round, with both fighters trading aggressively. Gomez hurt McGregor several times during the fight and dropped him with a right hand slow in the third round. McGregor continued to fight despite swelling around his eye and blood from his nose, but Gomez’s pressure eventually became too much. In the sixth round, McGregor’s corner threw in the towel after another sustained attack.
Welterweight Joe Hayden improved to 23-0 (3 KO) after a fifth-round victory over Ryan Frost in a six-round fight. Hayden was in control throughout and fired shots to the body in the third and fifth rounds before referee Michael Alexander stopped the fight.
2024 Olympic gold medalist Asadkhuja Muydinkhujaev improved to 2-0 (1 KO) with a six-round victory over replacement Alexis Torres. Muydinkhujaev controlled the fight with his jab and left hand, hurting Torres several times while winning on the scorecards.
Ted Jackson stopped Mike Byles in the first round after he scored a knockdown early in the fight and forced referee Michael Alexander to intervene. Jackson improved to 7-0 (2 KO).
Brad Casey also remained undefeated, improving to 5-0 (2 KO) after stopping Renars Rusin in the second round. Casey hurt Rusin with a right hand before referee Howard Foster stepped in to stop the fight.
Leighton Birchall remained undefeated after four rounds in a featherweight fight with Leonardo Baez.
Kian Hamilton improved to 2-0 with a four-round victory over Les Urry. Hamilton landed several sturdy body shots during the fight and closed the fight well as Urry spent most of the final round in survival mode.
John Tom Varey improved to 2-0 with a four-round decision over veteran journeyman Stephen Jackson. Varey controlled the action throughout, changing positions and repeatedly forcing Jackson into the ropes, looking for a late-fight stoppage.
Carl Fail improved his record to 12-0 (4 KO) after an eight-round victory over Luis Montelongo. Fail controlled the fight with his jabs and bodywork, hurting Montelongo several times during the fight, making the score 80-72.
Ken Hissner is a senior boxing journalist at Boxing News 24 with over 20 years of experience in the industry. Known for his in-ring reporting, detailed results and historical perspective, he provides authoritative coverage of boxing through the eras.
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