Boxing
Ryan Garcia says the 147 finally has some real competition
Published
3 weeks agoon
Ryan Garcia says today’s welterweight division is finally attracting the massive names boxing fans have wanted to see for years, and he believes champions now have a responsibility to fight the best, not protect positions.
Garcia, who recently won the WBC welterweight title, said the sport frustrated him early in his career because elite fighters often avoided each other in their prime years. Ryan said one of the reasons he agreed to fight Gervonta Davis was because he wanted to see more top fighters facing each other rather than avoid risky fights.
“At the time, no one was fighting each other,” Ryan told Elaborate News, discussing his decision to accept the Davis fight under complex contract terms.
“I think that we, I, as champion, have a responsibility to support boxing in the most respectable way possible without putting myself in bad trouble. But I am the type of person that I will fight anyone, especially when all conditions are equal and fair. I will fight anyone.”
Ryan also rejected the notion that he avoids tough opponents, pointing to fighters he has faced throughout his career.
“I have never been afraid of a top-class fight in my life. Throughout my life, since my amateur days, I have fought everyone. I have fought in the most complex categories,” Garcia said.
Ryan then pointed to the current state of the welterweight division, arguing that 147 pounds has become in the spotlight because so many fighters are currently pursuing major fights there.
“Now you see 147, everyone wants to come here now,” Ryan said.
Garcia is currently expected to return on September 12 in Las Vegas, although he recently cautioned that details regarding a potential fight with Conor Benn are still not fully finalized.

Dan Ambrose is a boxing journalist at Boxing News 24, respected for his direct analysis and extensive coverage of the global fighting landscape. His reports focus on the most crucial fights, division development and the most discussed stories in sports.
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Last updated: 27/05/2026 at 23:48
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Boxing
Official weights for Popper and Seldon Jr. June 13 in Atlantic City
Published
58 minutes agoon
June 17, 2026
Undefeated South Jersey heavyweights Josh “The Hammer” Popper and Bruce “2.0” Seldon Jr. made weight on Friday ahead of Saturday’s Boxing Insider Promotions main event at the Tropicana Atlantic City Showroom. Popper, of Egg Harbor Township, weighed 250 pounds. Seldon Jr. of Smithville weighed 236 pounds. The six-round heavyweight main event caps off a seven-fight card, with the first bell ringing at 7:30 p.m. ET.
The card marks Boxing Insider Promotions’ 21st show since October 2022, with events in Novel York and Atlantic City and planned expansion into additional markets. The series was billed as the last American club boxing series to regularly present regional professional cards at a time when most American promoters have moved away from the club model.
“We did it. Two undefeated heavyweights. The winner goes to the next level. That’s what club boxing is all about. Come to the Tropicana tomorrow and watch the fireworks,” said promoter Larry Goldberg, Novel York Promoter of the Year for 2023 and 2024.
Popper (7-0, 7 KO) trains under Jose Luis Guzman at Bredwinners Gym in Manhattan. Seldon Jr. (8-0, 6 KO) trains under Julio Sanchez at the Pleasantville Recreation Center and is the son of former WBA heavyweight champion Bruce Seldon Sr., who won the title in Atlantic City.
Official scales, full card
Main event, heavyweight, 6 rounds
Josh Popper (7-0, 7 KO), Egg Harbor Township, Novel Jersey, 250 pounds
Bruce Seldon Jr. (8-0, 6 KO), Smithville, Novel Jersey, 236 pounds
Second feature film, super lightweight, 8 rounds
Daiyaan Butt (20-4), Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 142 pounds.
Willmank Canonico Brito (13-10-2, 11 KO), Rosarito, Mexico, 142 pounds
Middleweight, 4 rounds
Damian Tinnerello (5-0, 4 KO), Berlin, Novel Jersey, 160 pounds
Abdalla Nagy (2-4), Albuquerque, Novel Mexico, 160 pounds.
Middleweight, 6 rounds
Kahshad Elliott (7-0, 6 KO), Plainfield, Novel Jersey, 158 pounds
Scottie Stockman (4-2, 1 KO), Medford, OR, 156 pounds
Super lightweight, 4 rounds
Julio Sanchez III (4-1, 2 KO), Pleasantville, Novel Jersey, 140 pounds
Shawn Rall (4-6, 3 KO), Bedford, Ohio, 139 pounds
Featherlight heavyweight, 4 rounds
Jahanzeb Rizwan (1-0, 1 KO), Bronx, Novel York, 171 pounds
Daniel Keepers (pro debut), North Las Vegas, Nevada, 171 pounds.
Middleweight, 4 rounds
David Malul (4-0, 2 KO), Queens, Novel York, 154 pounds
Julius Thomas (1-3-1, 1 KO), Youngstown, Ohio, 155 pounds
How to watch
Full card broadcasts live and free on the website BoxingInsider YouTube Channel starting at 7:30 p.m. ET.
Tickets for Saturday’s card at the Tropicana Showroom are available on sale through Ticketmaster.
Boxing
12-year-old boxer Anderson Aguilar among two people killed after tragic incident
Published
1 hour agoon
June 17, 2026
The death of 12-year-old boxer Anderson Aguilar continues to reverberate through the Midland community as tributes pour in for the teenage fighter whose journey in the sport has only just begun.
Aguilar died on June 9 from stern injuries in a June 1 accident in Midland, Texas.
As a result of the tragedy, 18-year-old James Baker also died, and three other teenage passengers were taken to hospital and are currently recovering.
As the community continued to mourn, those who knew Anderson through boxing remembered a teenage fighter whose love for the sport left a lasting impression.
The boxing community pays tribute
Texas boxer Ernest Bustos shared an emotional message after learning of Anderson’s death.
“It was nice meeting you, Andy,” Bustos said.
“Seeing you in your element sparring with anyone willing to share the ring with you was truly inspiring and exhilarating to be out of it!”
“To all those affected in these complex times, we must mourn, but let us not forget that these are wonderful children who now have a place in heaven.”
A remembered teenage boxer
According to his family, boxing was one of Anderson’s greatest passions.
“He had been training since he was a child and was just starting his adventure with the sport he loved so much,” relatives said.
Sports also strengthened the bond between Anderson and his father, who proudly watched his son pursue the same dream he once had.
Family members described Anderson as a content child with a kind heart and a personality that brought smiles at every turn.
He loved music, especially Bruno Mars, and was known for singing, dancing and making people laugh.
His mother affectionately called him “Gordito” – a nickname that has become a indefinite part of many treasured family memories.
Community support
While the investigation is ongoing, Anderson’s family thanked the community for its support and continued prayers.
They also asked people to think of other teenage survivors who will continue the long road to recovery.
To those who knew him, Anderson will be remembered not only as a teenage boxer with a passion for the sport, but also as a child whose energy, kindness and enthusiasm made a lasting impression on those around him.
A GoFundMe page set up to support the Aguilar family also collected donations from community members mourning Anderson’s loss.
About the author
Phil Jay is the editor-in-chief of World Boxing News (WBN) and a boxing veteran with over 15 years of experience. Read the full biography.
Boxing
Terence Crawford predicts Jaron Ennis will beat Xander Zayas
Published
3 hours agoon
June 17, 2026
Ennis moved up from welterweight last year after winning the IBF and WBA 147-pound titles previously held by Crawford. In his first appearance at 154 pounds, “Boots” immediately made a statement by stopping Uisma Lima in the first round.
Now Ennis faces the toughest test of his tiny career in the division when he faces undefeated WBA and WBO champion Xander Zayas.
Sharing his thoughts on the matchup, Crawford praised Zayas for taking on such a challenge at this point in his career, but ultimately sided with Ennis to get the job done.
“Man, it’s a tough fight, especially for Xander at this point in his career, but it shows his heart and belief in himself. He’s ready to make history for his country and he’s going to do really well in this fight,” Crawford told Jai McAllister canal.
“I just think it’s a little too early for him at the moment.”
A victory for Ennis would take him one step closer to becoming the undisputed 154-pound champion. Sebastian Fundora currently holds the WBC title, and Josh Kelly is scheduled to make his first defense of the IBF belt on July 25 against Caoimhin Agyarko.
Meanwhile, Zayas will look to prove Crawford’s assessment wrong by handing Ennis the first defeat of his professional career and cementing his position as the division leader.
Ennis and Zayas will meet on June 27 at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, Fresh York for the unified super welterweight titles.
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.
Adrien Broner PREDICTS Ryan Garcia vs Conor Benn: “The Talent Will Show!”
Official weights for Popper and Seldon Jr. June 13 in Atlantic City
12-year-old boxer Anderson Aguilar among two people killed after tragic incident
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