Boxing
Ranking This weekend fights: from Navarrete-Suaraz to Lubin-Holmes
Published
12 months agoon
After Devin Haney, Ryan Garcia, Canelo Alvarez and others did not fulfill last weekend, fighting fans do not have to wait long for more on paper, with thrilling duels in various time zones in California, Florida, England, Africa and Japan.
ESPN spreads the best card and evaluates all significant fights this weekend.
1. Anthony Cacace vs. Leigh Wood – Junior Lightweight Fight (Dazn, Saturday at 14:00 et)
After the last fight, Wood said that he wanted to end his career with the fight for the title of Master in the city, the House of the English Club Premier League Nottingham Forest.
None of these wishes will be fulfilled on Saturday for a 36-year-old, but a slight younger fight is still significant. Wood (28-3, 17 KO) is at least boxing in front of family fans of cities in Nottingham, in the internal arena, where Carl Froch carved his excellent career in Super Middle Wweight.
Cacace (23-1, 8 KO) from Belfast in Northern Ireland resigned from the IBF world, which he won against Joe Cordin in May 2024 to make it happen. And despite the fact that there were no recognized titles on the line, this fight sees the two best operators of this division.
Wood was in the first place in a featherweight, before he gave up the WBA belt after winning in the seventh round over Josh Warrington in October 2023. But Wood’s career got stuck since then, while Cacace fought in Saudi Arabia, and the victory of the detention over Cordina raises his career at the highest level.
Cacace, also 36, was more dynamic (he also defeated Warrington, winning a unanimous decision in September) and has significant growth and achievements. He has a good reason to be confident as No. 2 ESPN at Junior Lightweight, entering this fight. But what if Wood does not show a trace of a long release during the first output at the level of 130 pounds, inspired by his home fans to extend his career? It would be another fairy -tale episode in Wood’s career, which still raises dramatic surprises.
The winner of this fight would be a natural opponent of the winner of the Saturday fight Emanuel Navarrete vs. Charly Suarez WBO.
2. Emanuel Navarrete vs. Charly Suarez – Junior Lightweight Title Fight (ESPN/ESPN+, Saturday at 22:00 ET)
1:00
Emanuel Navarrete knocking Oscar Valdez
Emanuel Navarrete claims that the victory over the Oscar Valdez in a rematch with a perilous shot.
Navarrete, a world champion with three divisions, looked sensational during the last exit, when he crushed Oscar Valdez with a shot to the liver in a rematch in December. In this form, a Mexican warrior is mandatory.
Navarrete (39-2-1, 32) defends his lithe WBO belt against the Sanzez Philippines in San Diego on Saturday, and a good performance can strengthen his place at the top of the 130-pound division. Navarrete was ruthless compared to Valdez, raising it three times before stopping, and another stunning display could convince him to try another crack in a lithe division. Navarrete lost his divided decision for Denys Berinchyk, which is hard for the lithe belt WBO in May 2024, but he could be tempted to continue to continue the more lucrative fights in lightweight lithe, if he defeated Suarez (18-0, 10 KO). It is also possible to fight the title of union with the WBC Master O’Shaquie Foster for Navarrete, if he wants to stay at the age of 130.
3. Erickson Lubin vs. Ardreal Holmes Jr. – eliminator of the Junior medium weight title (Probox TV, Saturday at 18:00 et)
This is a clash of two Southpaws who desperately have to win this eliminator of the IBF medium weight title.
Lubin (26-2, 18 KO), from Orlando in Florida, has experience, but he takes place from a long release: he has not fought from September 2023, when he won the unanimous decision about Jesus Ramos, due to a hand injury delaying his return. Holmes (17-0, 6 KO), with Flint, Michigan, is less experienced, but has impetus after registering three wins in 2024.
Lubin can be thrilling and was involved in an thrilling fight with Sebastian Fundor three years ago. The winner of the Saturday fight in Kissimmee in Florida is progressing in the fight with the Bakhram Master Murtazaliev champion.
4. Fernando Martinez vs. Kazuto Iok – fight for the title Junior Bantameight on Sunday
After the relentless fire of the fire in July last year, Martinez and Iok meet again on Sunday in Tokyo and more are expected of the same. Martinez (17-0, 9 KO) won a unanimous decision after he won Iok in their struggle with the title of unification in Japan.
How much this fight took a 36-year-old Iok will determine whether it can take revenge and win the title of world champion in the third weight class.
Iok (31-3-1, 16 KO), from Japan, began his career 16 years ago and will have to undo years to keep up with a 33-year-old WBA master from Argentina.
This rematch has been delayed since December, after Martinez withdrew with the disease, but it is worth waiting.
5. Souleysteme Cissokho vs. Egidijus Kavaliauskas – WBC Wytreight Walteight Eliminator on Saturday
Equatorial Guinea, place of Saturday’s fight, is 2000 miles from Senegal, where Cissokho was born (17-0, 9 KO). But it will still look like a fight to return home. He will make a dream of boxing in Africa when he faces Kavaliauskas (24-2-1, 19 KO) at the Eliminator of the WBC welterweight title in the capital of Malabo.
Cissokho, who has the title shot, is based in Paris, but trains in California with Virgil Hunter. If he wins, he will have this opportunity and time in the spotlight.
The injury delayed the fight, and the 18-month absence of the ring will be Cissokho’s concern, which will face a perilous hit in California Kavaliauskas.
But Kavaliauskas was detained twice that he increased the level (by Vergil Ortiz in 2021 and Terenka Crawford in 2019), and this looks like a golden opportunity for an knowledgeable boxer, like Cissokho to seal the great fight for later.
You may like
Boxing
Ryan Garcia signals doubts about Benn’s fight, calling Rolly to reserve
Published
59 minutes agoon
April 26, 2026
In recent comments, Garcia said that Benn is the fight he wants. At the same time, he openly announced the emergency plan.
“If Conor doesn’t want it, we’ll go back to it with Rolly,” Ryan Garcia told Ring Magazine, referring to Rolando Romero.
That alone was revealing. Players who believe that an agreement is imminent tend to limit their message. When alternative opponents are publicly mentioned, it often means that there are still obstacles related to money, timing, broadcasters or promotional control.
Then another wrinkle appeared when Óscar De La Hoya publicly supported a completely different fight.
“I’m most interested in a rematch with Devin Haney,” De La Hoya said, adding that it could be massive enough to accommodate Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas.
Now Garcia’s public trail includes three separate names: Benn, Romero and Devin Haney. Rarely does a finalized fight sound like this.
Benn’s matchup still makes sense on paper. Benn has become one of the more recognizable names in the UK and has now added to his profile after signing with Zuffa Boxing. Garcia remains one of boxing’s biggest social media attractions and continues to attract attention regardless of the results.
Put these names together and you have clear commercial value.
But picking a fight and liking the fight are two different things. Garcia has ties to the Golden Boy. Benn’s modern setting creates fresh business layers. Place also matters. An event in the US, an event in the UK, or support from Saudi Arabia would change the economy.
This helps explain why backup options are already provided.
A rematch with Haney also remains valuable as unfinished business continues to sell. Their first meeting generated headlines, controversy and debate. Whether fans loved the event or not, they remember it. In state-of-the-art boxing, remembered fights are often easier to sell than fresh ones.
Meanwhile, Romero proposes the simplest, practical way. It is known, accessible and connected to Garcia’s recent history.
Ryan may really prefer Benn, but preference doesn’t always dictate the schedule. This is usually what promoters, networks and time do.
Boxing
Ryan Garcia and Oscar De La Hoya disagree on who he should fight next
Published
3 hours agoon
April 26, 2026
Ryan Garcia and Oscar De La Hoya have offered conflicting perspectives on a potential rematch with Devin Haney, while rumors of a Conor Benn fight become more likely.
Garcia won the welterweight world title in February, dethroning Mario Barrios by unanimous decision following a first-round knockout.
Since then, his name has been most closely linked to Benn, the WBC No. 1 contender at 147 pounds, whose last fight was at 150 pounds against Regis Prograis.
In a recent interview with Fighting Hub TVGarcia confirmed that this is the fight he wants.
“Devin Haney never wanted this. He doesn’t want a rematch at all… [I’m going to return in] August. Can’t wait. I just want Conor [Benn]”
Unlike Garcia, said Golden Boy promoter De La Hoya Fight the noise that he “would like” to make a rematch with Haney a priority.
“I’m most interested in the rematch with Devin Haney. It could be a blockbuster event.
“I would love for this fight to take place in Las Vegas at Allegiant Stadium – it could be such a substantial fight.
“I believe this fight is the best fight that can be had right now.”
Garcia reached a majority decision against Haney in April 2024, but the result was declared a no contest after he tested positive twice for the banned substance Ostarine. It remains one of the most intriguing fights in boxing, especially considering the doubts surrounding the first result and the fact that it is currently a unification fight in the welterweight ranks.
But it appears Benn will take his shot despite recently signing a contract with Zuffa Boxing, the latest major promotion of the sport whose frontman Dana White has no interest in working with the four customary sanctioning bodies.
Tim Bradley raised modern questions about Naoya Inoue ahead of a possible fight with Junto Nakatani, saying the undisputed champion has been hit too tough recently and could be he’s starting to get tired of fighting.
“I was hesitant on what to choose,” Bradley said on his channel while talking about Saturday’s Inoue vs. Nakatani fight. “I don’t know who I’m going to favor yet. I’ll let you know later, man. I don’t know. I really don’t know.”
Bradley explained that Nakatani’s length, timing and counters give him the tools to give Inoue more trouble than recent opponents. “Nakatani got a chance to bat,” Bradley said. “In any case, she needs to close the distance from him. The question is, will she do it safely?”
He also pointed out a recurring error in Inoue’s style, noting moments where the undisputed champion can be caught stepping in.
“He’s defenseless. He’s getting hit. That’s what it is,” Bradley said. “Like Nakatani.”
Bradley praised the way Nakatani uses his range and setup play, saying it all starts with his lead hand.
“It all depends on the leading hand and whether he can get his opponent into the action,” Bradley said. “He wants you to reach so he can teach.”
Still, Bradley sees Inoue as a more adaptable player and therefore can’t fully engage in an upset conversation.
“You can never predict. You look at Inoue’s fights and you see this guy doesn’t fight the same,” Bradley said. “He always adapts his game to the style he is dealing with.”
Bradley also questioned whether years of activity could compensate Inoue after his recent struggles.
“He was hit too tough,” Bradley said. “I wonder if he’s getting tired of fighting?”
Even with these concerns, Bradley expects both men to be in top shape should the fight happen.
“It’s going to be a hell of a fight, man,” Bradley said. “These guys are going to beat the living [expletive] from each other.”
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.
Click here to sign up for our FREE newsletter
Related boxing news:
Last updated: 26/04/2026 at 17:17
Ryan Garcia signals doubts about Benn’s fight, calling Rolly to reserve
Ryan Garcia and Oscar De La Hoya disagree on who he should fight next
Tim Bradley wonders if Inoue is tired of fighting
Trending
-
Opinions & Features1 year agoPacquiao vs marquez competition: History of violence
-
MMA1 year agoDmitry Menshikov statement in the February fight
-
Results1 year agoStephen Fulton Jr. becomes world champion in two weight by means of a decision
-
Results1 year agoKeyshawn Davis Ko’s Berinchyk, when Xander Zayas moves to 21-0
-
Video1 year agoFrank Warren on Derek Chisora vs Otto Wallin – ‘I THOUGHT OTTO WOULD GIVE DEREK PROBLEMS!’
-
Analysis1 year agoRobert Garcia discusses the debate on the greatest Mexican warrior in history
-
Video1 year ago‘DEREK CHISORA RETIRE TONIGHT!’ – Anthony Yarde PLEADS for retirement after WALLIN
-
Results1 year agoLive: Catterall vs Barboza results and results card



