Boxing

Roach Eyes won the WBC title after facing Cruz in December

Published

11 months ago

November 29, 2025

Image: Roach Eyes WBC Crown After Cruz Clash

Lamont Roach says he still wants to fight whoever wins the WBC welterweight title after Subriel Matias’ defense against Dalton Smith on January 10, 2026.

The fight between Roach (25-1-2, 10 KO) and WBC interim 140-pound champion Isaac “Pitbull” Cruz will take place in eight days on December 6 at the Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Texas. If Lamont wins the interim belt, he will have the key to fighting the winner of the Matias-Smith fight.

However, Roach cannot afford to ignore “Pitbull” Cruz (28-3-1, 18 KO), because he will fight a much more arduous fight than he thinks. Lamont had a lot of trouble with the hefty shots that Tank and Hector Luis Garcia were hitting him with.

“I want to fight whoever is the WBC 140-pound champion. Then Shakur, because I think it’s the best fight in boxing. It’s the best fight in our weight class that can be had,” Lamont Roach said to Nightcap on his desire to fight WBC lightweight champion Shakur Stevenson after he faces WBC 140-pound interim champion Isaac Cruz on December 6.

“I think it would be a very fan-friendly fight. Everyone wants to see this fight. They’ve been calling for it since my last fight [Gervonta Davis]Roach said.

Shakur wants to fight Roach, so it’s doable if he returns to 135 pounds. Fighting Roach gives Shakur a better chance of winning than if he were to fight younger, arguably more talented lightweights like Andy Cruz, Abdullah Mason and Floyd Schofield. It’s understandable why Shakur wants to fight Roach so badly. He has a better chance of winning and can get a nice payout. Shakur’s life would be much more arduous in the face of Mason, Cruz and Schofield.

Third, I would like to fight Gary Antuanne Russell. He is the WBA 140-pound champion. Whichever comes first,” Roach said when asked if he was trying to team up at 140 or 135.

Fighting Antuanne Russell wouldn’t be a good idea for Roach. He hits too strenuous and he would be all over him. The way Roach fights, he will fight Russell.

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: 28/11/2025

Boxing

Daniel Dubois vs. Fabio Wardley Rematch: Live Results and Fight Updates

Published

1 hour ago

October 17, 2026

The Punch Junkie™ News

Daniel Dubois vs. Fabio Wardley Rematch: Live Results and Fight Updates

By Boxing News 24 Desk – 10/17/2026 – Comments

Dubois defends his WBO heavyweight title against Wardley on DAZN PPV at The O2 Arena in London on Saturday, October 17.

Fabio Wardley gets another crack at Daniel Dubois five months after dropping him twice but losing their first fight. Dubois recovered to stop Wardley in the 11th round in Manchester.

UPCOMING

Daniel Dubois vs. Fabio Wardley

2026-10-17 · 14:00 ET / 7:00 PM UK · O2 Arena, London · Live on DAZN

Daniel Dubois0

AFTER0ROUNDS

Fabio Wardley0

ROUNDDaniel DuboisFabio Wardley

Wardley returns as the challenger. Dubois makes his first defence against the heavyweight he dethroned in May, with DAZN PPV and DAZN Ultimate Tier carrying the rematch.

Start Time and Ring Walks

Coverage starts at 7 p.m. BST / 2 p.m. ET / 11 a.m. PT.

Dubois and Wardley are expected to make their ring walks at approximately 10:30 pm BST / 5:30 pm ET / 2:30 pm PT. All times fall on Saturday, October 17.

DAZN PPV Price

The standalone PPV costs £24.99 in the UK and $59.99 in the USincluding the undercard and main event.

DAZN Ultimate Tier subscribers receive the event without a separate PPV purchase.

Full Fight Card, Weigh-In Results and Expected Times

Daniel Dubois vs Fabio Wardley

WBO heavyweight title

Dubois: 253.9 lbs (115.17 kg) | Wardley: 248.3 lbs (112.63 kg)

Expected ring walks: 10:30 pm BST / 5:30 pm ET / 2:30 pm PT

Louie O’Doherty vs Michael Gomez Jr.

British and Commonwealth lightweight titles

O’Doherty: 134.12 lbs (60.84 kg) | Gomez Jr.: 134.3 lbs (60.92 kg)

Approximate start: 9:30 pm BST / 4:30 pm ET / 1:30 pm PT

Adam Olaniyan vs Dan Garber

Heavyweight

Olaniyan: 250.15 lbs (113.47 kg) | Garber: 223.15 lbs (101.22 kg)

Approximate start: 9:10 pm BST / 4:10 pm ET / 1:10 pm PT

Bakhodir Jalolov vs Solomon Dacres

Heavyweight

Jalolov: 255.12 lbs (115.72 kg) | Dacres: 242.9 lbs (110.18 kg)

Approximate start: 8:10 pm BST / 3:10 pm ET / 12:10 pm PT

Nelson Birchall vs Levi Gilles

Approximate start: 7:10 pm BST / 2:10 pm ET / 11:10 am PT

Image: Daniel Dubois vs. Fabio Wardley Rematch Live Results and Fight Updates

Watch Daniel Dubois vs Fabio Wardley 2 on DAZN

About the author

Boxing News 24 Desk

BoxingNews24.com has delivered independent boxing coverage since 2007, including original news, fight analysis, schedules, and results. Our experienced boxing writers cover major fighters and events worldwide, with published content reviewed by editors for accuracy.

Boxing

Atif Oberlton Promises Exciting Future Ahead of Deon Nicholson Match

Published

4 hours ago

October 17, 2026

The Punch Junkie™ News

Atif Oberlton Promises Exciting Future Ahead of Deon Nicholson Match

Undefeated American light heavyweight Atif Oberlton believes there is plenty more to come after rating his last performance seven out of ten as he prepares to face knockout puncher Deon Nicholson on November 7.

Oberlton improved to 17-0 with a shutout decision over Roamer Alexis Angulo in August, but believes he has another level to reach despite winning every round.

Speaking exclusively to World Boxing News, the Philadelphia southpaw reflected on his victory over Angulo and becoming the first fighter to stop Carlos Gongora earlier this year.

“They said Carlos Gongora was going to be a very tough opponent, and he was one of my toughest challenges thus far. He’d never been stopped, and I was able to get the stoppage pretty early on because I locked in and trained the way I needed to.

“Looking back, I’d rate my performance against Angulo maybe a 7 out of 10—I could have definitely done better. But this camp is different mentally. We had a lot of factors going on last time, but I’m entirely focused now,” he told WBN.

The assessment comes as promoter Dmitriy Salita looks to establish Oberlton as America’s leading light heavyweight.

Oberlton Faces Nicholson

Nicholson enters their November 7 contest in Albuquerque, New Mexico, with 19 knockouts from 23 victories and a reputation for dangerous punching power.

The Alabama fighter was previously linked to a showdown with former undisputed champion Artur Beterbiev, making him another significant test for Oberlton.

“Nicholson is a good opponent—a good dance partner. We’re getting closer to the level of opponents that allow for a standout performance because the challenge keeps stepping up. I definitely don’t take him lightly. I respect everyone who gets in the ring and stands in front of me, but I’m going to go out there and do what I trained to do.”

The ten-round bout at Kiva Auditorium will be Oberlton’s fourth appearance of 2026, with Salita Promotions delivering on its promise to keep the unbeaten contender active.

Atif Oberlton pictured with promoter Dmitriy Salita ahead of his fight against Deon Nicholson — Salita Promotions

Salita Promotions Keeps Promise

Oberlton says his relationship with Salita has allowed him to build momentum while continuing to work toward a world title opportunity.

“Salita Promotions told me they were going to keep me busy when I signed, and they’ve kept their end of the bargain. I’m keeping mine by going out there, performing, and winning—whether by early stoppage or decision.

“As long as they keep putting people in front of me, I’m going to keep fighting. Every time I step in the ring, I want to perform better than the last time, climb the ladder, and take some hardware home. I’m ready to take some candy.”

Oberlton has already stopped Joseph George and Gongora in 2026 before proving he could dominate over ten rounds against Angulo.

With 14 knockouts in 17 victories, Oberlton has shown he can finish opponents early and control fights over the distance.

Now, with another training camp behind him and a fourth fight of the year approaching, Oberlton believes his best performances are still ahead of him.

About the Author

Phil Jay is the Editor-in-Chief of World Boxing News (WBN), a BWAA-acknowledged boxing news website founded in 2010. A veteran boxing reporter with 16 years of experience, he has interviewed world champions, broken international exclusives, and reported ringside from major events. His work is published worldwide through WBN and distributed on platforms including Apple News.

Read Phil Jay’s full bio and latest stories.

Boxing

Tony Bellews Bold KO Prediction for Dubois vs Wardley 2: Yep, I Said It

Published

8 hours ago

October 17, 2026

The Punch Junkie™ News

Tony Bellew's Bold KO Prediction for Dubois vs Wardley 2: "Yep, I Said It"

Tony Bellew is going against the grain for tonight’s Daniel Dubois vs Fabio Wardley rematch.

The pair meet again just five months on from their thrilling first encounter, with Dubois now WBO champion having won the belt from Wardley via eleventh round stoppage.

After surviving two early knockdowns, the Londoner – who is now in his second stint as heavyweight titlist – took over the contest with a solid jab setting up thudding attacks that exhausted Wardley.

Though the Ipswich man stayed on his feet throughout, referee Howard Foster waved it off as the punishment because too much.

It is how the fight ended, and those last few rounds in which Dubois was largely dominating, that make him a strong favourite to retain his belt.

Giving his prediction to the BBCformer cruiserweight world champion Bellew backed Wardley to have success early again, but capitalise fully this time and end it.

“I’m going to be the difference. I am going to back Fabio Wardley by knockout within six rounds. Yep, I said [it]. I’m going for Fab within six.”

Dubois was on the canvas within ten seconds last time out, and took a knee in the third when hurt again.

Bellew has questioned Dubois’ resolve in the past, pointing to his stoppage loss to Joe Joyce as proof that there is a point he can be pushed to that he is not willing to go beyond. Many, however, will look to the first Wardley performance and disagree.

Both men recorded the highest weights of their careers on the scalessuggesting that neither will be changing the gameplan to a more measured affair, rather looking to engage in round 13 from the off tonight at London’s O2.