Boxing
Ranking boxing fights: Beterbiv-Bivol 2, Dubois-Parker, more
Published
1 year agoon
The Saturday program in Riyadh in Saudi Arabia was hailed as the best boxing card he has ever seen – and for a reason.
Boxing promoters are known for hyperboli and the sale of events that they plan. But the seven fights were to take place in the Kingdom of Arena, they are good enough to be the main event on sold -out arenas.
The biggest of the plot is the main event, the undisputed lightweight title rematch between Artur Beterbieal and Dmitryjum Bivol, the two best pound boxers for pounds in the world. But much more happens earlier in the same ring in the highest night of boxing in 2025.
Four world titles and three ephemeral titles will be on the line. What are the best fights, why should you watch them and who should win? ESPN evaluates the fight for you.
1. Artur Beterbiev vs. Dmitriry Bivol, 12 rounds, Until the unquestioned Beterbavie Championships
2:02
Artur Beterbiev stunns Dmitriry Bivol through most of the decision to become the undisputed champion
Artur Beterbaven leaves because of victory in making most decisions over Dmitry Bivol before a crowd filled in Saudi Arabia.
Few boxers managed to stay at the top of the game at the age of 40. Bernard Hopkins was the equivalent boxing of Peter to the Lord and finally closed his marathon career (1988-2016) with a record of 55-8-2, 32 knockout as the oldest world champion in boxing aged 49. Beterbiev (21-0, 20 Kos), who recently turned 40, showed a petite sign of the distribution in a high-quality clash with Bivol in October. But how much did the epic meeting get the master? Last time it was a close fight, which Beterbiev won with most decisions, but some won Bivol. Bivol (23-1, 12 KO), guided by a sense of injustice, could pull out another fierce fight if he maintains his intensity to the last bell. The Bivol work indicator basically fell in the first fight, allowing Beterbiv to get the last three rounds on the results of the results of all three judges.
Bivol, 34, is a more versatile boxer, with the possibility of producing something different in a rematch. Beterbiev, a knockout specialist, needs only one opening to end the fight that he could lose.
There are solid arguments for both winning, and the third decisive meeting would be inevitable if it is close again or if Bivol equals the result.
2. Daniel Dubois vs. Joseph Parker, 12 rounds, up to the IBF Dubois heavyweight title
1:09
Dubois focused on “demolition work” vs. Parker to configure Clash Usyk
Daniel Dubois claims that Joseph Parker cannot be seen against the defense of the IBF heavyweight title.
The growing number of boxing experts and fighters expects Parker Zdetrone Dubois, who is going down in September because of the stunning knockout of the former master Anthony Joshu. Despite the four -time amazing Joshua in a total beating, pretender Martin Bakole and promoter Eddie Hearn (who does not promote any of them), support Parker to win. To do this, Parker must adopt the same strategy that he performed perfectly when he dominated the former WBC DEONTAY WILDER master in December 2023. Wilder is a cruel blow, but Parker (35-3, 23 KO) frustrated him with his movement, work indicator and work App.
Dubois, 22-2, 21 Kos) will be threatening with his powerful blows, but the longer he fights, he plays Parker’s hands.
3. Vergil Ortiz Jr. vs. Ismail Madrimov, 12 rounds, too tardy ephemeral title WBC Junior Middle Wweight
This promises to be an absolute cracker. After getting involved in one of the best fights in 2024, when he had to get off the canvas twice to assemble Serhia Bohachuk in August, Ortiz must be almost perfect against Madrimov.
Bohachuk revealed some gaps against Ortiz, and the fight against Madrimov looks threatening to him. Madrimov (10-1-1, 7 KO), from Uzbekistan, but WHO Trains in California, is a similar warrior to Bohachuk, but probably a slightly better version. Just look at how well Madrimov coped with Terenka Crawford in August last year, when he lost close, well -invented unanimous decision.
Ortiz (22-0, 21 KO) could utilize any Madrimova hesitation when reporting. He will want to impose early, which will add entertainment values for viewers.
They both know each other from previous sparring sessions, which suggests that they will not spend time getting to know each other in the early rounds. It can quickly turn into a uncomfortable, total fight.
4. Joshua Batsi vs. Callum Smith, 12 rounds, for Batsi’s WBO Lithe Heavyweight Tymeim Title
This meeting would pack a huge place in Great Britain, and its result will be significant. Two competing English question the opportunity to face the winner of the main event between Beterbiv and Bivol.
Smith (30-2, 22 KO) has more experience and perhaps is more known: he is a former WBC champion of Super Middle Libra, who was taken by Canelo Alvarez in December 2020. In addition, Smith’s only failure was to stop the seventh round for a break in the seventh round of Beterbiev a little over a year ago, when he was sent on a canvas for the first time in his career in punishment. How many Smith remained at the age of 34 and does the younger Batsi have more appetite and energy?
Batsi (19-0, 13 KO), born in Ghana, but raised in southern London, looked skilful in recent wins on Willy Hutchinson and Dan Azeez. Batsi sat down Hutchinson twice with body shots on the way to a divided decision to win for the then heavyweight title WBO.
5. Carlos Adams vs. Hamzah Sheeraz, 12 rounds, for the title of Adames’ WBC Middle weighing
The time of this fight is ideal for Sheeraz, which years high with 15 subsequent knockout victories. He has not heard the last bell in over six years. In 2024, Sheeraz detained three opponents in an impressive style. Although Adames will be a step, it is tough to follow a man with rush behind him.
Sheeraz (21-0, 17 KO) looked particularly destructive in his last fight, closing Tyler Denny in just two rounds in September last year. But his previous fight was even more impressive when he conveniently overtook Austin “Ammo” by Williams, dropping him in the 10th round with the right hook and incapacitating him in round 11. Williams was previously invincible in 16 duels.
Adames (24-1, 18 KO) was not so busy that in the last 18 months he only registers the decision victory over Terrell Gausha. Sheeraz, which has a four -inch advantage of height, can overwhelm Adames and notify the medium weight division.
6. Agit Kabayel vs. Zhilei Zhang, 12 rounds, weighty weight
This is the first fight of the main card, but it is worth tuning early, because it promises emotions and spilling.
Kabayel (25-0.17 KO) will look for a significantly excluded Zhang, but Zhang ruined warriors who previously won their dishonest power of Southpaw. Zhang (27-2-1, 22 KO) detained Joe Joyce twice in 2023, and during his last fight in June he made a mess of Deontay Wilder in just five rounds.
Kabayel shone when he sent Arslanbek Makhmudov on canvas three times in winning TKO in the fourth round in December 2023, and then aimed at the body among lasting pressure to stop Frank Sanchez in May last year. Kabayel can take a similar strategy as Sanchez Fight vs. Zhang. Joseph Parker used the move to win the decision on Zhang in March last year, and Kabayel could utilize a page from Parker’s book if he is to win.
But Zhang will want to end the fight before it hits results cards, thanks to which this fight is intriguing. The ephemeral WBC title is on the line, which means that the winner will be in a good position for a shot at Oleksandr Usyk’s champion this year.
7. Shakur Stevenson vs. Floyd Schofield, 12 rounds, for the lightweight title WBC Stevenson
1:08
Shakur Stevenson takes off Artem Harutynaan through the decision
Shakur Stevenson overwhelms Artem Harutynaan with a tow truck in round 9.
Stevenson (22-0, 10 KO) did not deceive in his last two wins, but this may change in his latest lightweight defense of the title.
Schofield (18-0, 12 KO) likes to appear, which will suit Stevenson’s brilliant skills. Stevenson, a world champion with three divisions, forced to fight Joe Cordina in October because of the hand injury, is technically too good for Schofield, who is five years younger and seems to be lacking experience to test the master.
If Stevenson won and avoid recurrence of his hand injury, expect to call the fight with Gervont “Tank” Davis.
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Boxing
Errol Spence names the champion he was targeting before signing the deal for Tszyu’s return: ‘I’m not crazy’
Published
2 hours agoon
May 13, 2026
Errol Spence Jr will end three years of inactivity in July when he faces Tim Tszyu in Australia.
The main event will be the first time Spence bounces back from defeatafter a final loss to Terence Crawford in 2023 for the undisputed welterweight title.
Due to the nature of this loss and past injuries, many believed Spence’s time as a player was over and expected a retirement announcement rather than confirmation of a return.
Despite concerns that he would no longer be the same elite fighter – a concern Spence admitted he shares – the former unified champion was preparing for an even tougher test than Tszyu.
A conversation with former opponent Shawn Porter FOX SportsSpence confirmed that the long-rumored clash with Sebastian Fundora is at the top of his hit list.
“[Tszyu] wasn’t the best I could get. I’m not crazy, but I’m not ruling anything out. So I looked at Fundora, I looked at the top names.
“I’m the type of guy who really doesn’t believe in ring rust. If I look good in the gym for nine, 10 weeks, why can’t I look good in a fight? It’s a mental thing… I feel like coming to fight night and showing everyone that ring rust doesn’t exist. It doesn’t concern me at all.
WBC super welterweight champion Fundora has been openly discussing a fight with Spence, and several rumors have come and gone over the past twelve months. Instead, “The Towering Inferno” faced Keith Thurman in March, retaining the belt until a sixth-round stoppage.
If Spence beats Tszyu and looks good doing it, he may want to re-enter the talks. His return will be set at a catchweight of 158 pounds with the possibility of dropping to 154 pounds.
The fight gave Muratalla credibility to defeat one of the best technicians in the lightweight division. He also showed how hard life at an elite level could become for him. Cruz landed multiple times during exchanges and forced Muratalla into a grueling fight that could take something out of the lightweight division over time.
Muratalla became the IBF champion after passing Vasily Lomachenko earlier this year. Lomachenko’s promotional contract with Top Rank officially expired this week, leaving the former three-division champion free to pursue outside fights if he decides to return.
Tuesday’s reports indicated that Lomachenko was considering a return at age 38 and would only return for a earnest fight.
One possibility the official mentioned was a fight against Muratalla, who immediately became the biggest name in the champion’s history.
There has been talk of a fight between Muratalla and Shakur Stevenson before, but no earnest talks took place until Stevenson moved up to 140 pounds earlier this year.
The IBF rankings leave several possible destinations for Muratalla’s return in August, including Albert Bell, Lucas Bahdi and Floyd Schofield Jr.
Meanwhile, Andy Cruz is reportedly being considered for another elimination fight, raising the possibility that Muratalla will eventually have to face the Cuban again if both fighters continue to win.
The uncertainty surrounding Gervonta Davis also left an open question in the lightweight division. Davis hasn’t fought since March 2025 and is reported to be aiming to return to fighting in the early fall while also dealing with legal issues in Florida.
This inaction has left fighters like Muratalla trying to take control of the division while the biggest names remain in uncertainty. August 8 may look like a homecoming date on paper, but Muratalla still has a ways to go before fans fully accept him as the man who replaced Lomachenko rather than a fighter who simply inherited the belt.
Robert Segal is a boxing reporter at Boxing News 24 with over a decade of experience covering fight news, previews and analysis. Known for his first-hand reporting and in-ring perspective, he delivers authoritative coverage of champions, challengers and emerging talent from around the world.
Boxing
Teddy Atlas ranks one above Mayweather and Crawford as the greatest welterweight of all time
Published
6 hours agoon
May 13, 2026
Teddy Atlas named him the best welterweight fighter of all time, ahead of fighters such as Floyd Mayweather and Terence Crawford.
Mayweather and Crawford are viewed by many as two of the best 147-pound fighters in history, with Mayweather scoring huge victories over the likes of Manny Pacquiao and Shane Mosley, and Crawford notably defeated Errol Spence to become the undisputed champion.
Despite these accolades, Atlas believes that neither Mayweather nor Crawford deserves the number one spot as the greatest welterweight fighter in history. revealed on his YouTube channel that I give this honor to Sugar Ray Robinson.
“[He] might be the greatest fighter of all time, Sugar Ray Robinson. 173 wins, 19 defeats, most of them in elderly age, six draws, 108 knockouts. That’s a lot of knockouts. That’s a lot of fighting.
“He had a 91-fight unbeaten streak – that’s pretty good. Those losses, like I said, most of them came when he was elderly, well beyond his best. Welter and the middleweight champion, he would also win the lightweight heavyweight title.
“He fought [Joey Maxim] at Yankee Stadium it was about 30 degrees outside in the ring on a summer night in June. The referee had been carried out early because of the heat, carried out of the ring – it was so scorching, it was so brutal.
“I don’t remember what round it was, it was a very tardy round [13] and Robinson fell. He had the advantage in the fight, he was going to win the lightweight heavyweight title, but he collapsed from heat exhaustion, just as the referee had done four or five rounds earlier.
It’s certainly challenging to argue with Atlas’s assessment that Robinson was world welterweight champion for five years, from 1946 to 1951, during which he had a remarkable 91-fight unbeaten streak.
At one point he had recorded 129 wins in 132 fights, scoring 85 knockouts along the way, before finally hanging up his gloves in 1965, winning 174 of 201 fights, clearly demonstrating why so many rightly held him in such high regard.
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