Boxing
The Real Life of Rocky Brandon Colantonio: The Heavyweight Boxing Return He Still Needs
Published
7 months agoon
Brandon Colantonio didn’t leave Las Vegas with a victory on Saturday night. The scorecards were wide, the odds he faced were 6-0, and the outcome was never in doubt.
And yet, after the final bell, many T-Mobile Arena residents were asking the same question: who is this guy?
Colantonio entered as the B-team opponent for undefeated heavyweight Joshua Edwards on the Ryan Garcia vs. Mario Barrios card. He emerged as the first to take Edwards beyond three rounds, the first to hear the final bell against him and the first to not touch the canvas in the process.
He didn’t win, but he changed the conversation.
A return to the past in a newfangled section
Colantonio calls himself “The Real Life Rocky”. This may sound like branding. On Saturday, that seemed like a description.
The 6-foot-7, 29-year-old native of Victoria, British Columbia, fights like someone from another era, more focused on keeping the distance than chasing highlights.
The origin referenced is intentional. Chuck Wepner’s physical drive. The stubborn resistance of Sammy Scaff, who was hanging around with teenage Mike Tyson. Players who are not made for posters, but for scoring points.
Against Edwards, widely viewed as one of the division’s rising contenders, Colantonio did exactly the same thing. He absorbed the early pressure, adjusted and started landing right hands overdue. He refused to fade.
“If it had been a twelve-round fight, it would have been a different story,” Colantonio said later. “The longer the fight goes on, I just start. I’m a twelve-round fighter. I was born to do this.”
Activity above the noise
Heavyweight boxing in 2026 is rarely about activity. Today’s heavyweights take their time. These are moved carefully, with managed risk, and deadlines are often stretched.
Colantonio’s recent schedule looks different.
On Saturday, he fought his third fight in three months. He boxed in January. He fought in November. In this episode, he already fought for two title fights. His record currently stands at 7-2 with one knockout in 47 professional rounds.
He’s not the type built for highlight reels – he’s the type built to stay there round after round.
“There are things I could have done better,” he admitted. “I wanted to win. But he is tough and that’s what we expected. I’m always in shape and I will always give a good fight.”
This consistency was developed regionally, long before Las Vegas. He learned his craft in the armories and miniature halls of the Northwest, where reputations are made the strenuous way.
From the Armory to Las Vegas
Last year, Colantonio fought for the WBC bridgeweight title inside the brick walls of Victoria’s Bay Street Armory, a venue that once hosted Joe Louis. For a heavyweight who talks about old-school values, the setting is fitting.
The Bay Street Armory is a place where boxing is so close you can touch it, and Rocky Marciano refereed matches there decades earlier.
However, the fight ended in a no contest after a cut interrupted the proceedings, leaving the belt empty.
“Not having a result sucked, but one day the belt will be mine,” Colantonio said at the time, telling Cleve Dheensaw about Times Colonist.
The bridge division between cruiserweight and heavyweight introduced by the WBC in 2020 was another step in a career that was not linear.
As an amateur, Colantonio went 30-10 and finished as the national silver medalist, failing to qualify for the Olympics. Disappointment changed his approach.
“I was very upset when I didn’t get to the Olympics,” he said earlier. “Now I’m more relaxed. I’m having fun. That’s why I love being a professional boxer.”
Outside the ring, he works as a foreman at HL Disposal. He gardens with his wife Liz. He believes coach Jason Heit has refined his style and perfected his fundamentals.
“The reason I am where I am as a boxer is because of Jason,” Colantonio said. “I wasn’t the most talented guy, but I work strenuous with all my heart and I’m determined.”
A statement that goes beyond the scorecards
After losing by unanimous decision, Colantonio did not question the judging. He described that night differently.
“I came to the United States. I love the way you treat me here. I’m here to represent the Pacific Northwest,” he said. “If Golden Boy or anyone else wants me back, I’m ready. I’m always here, I’m always in shape and I’ll always provide a good fight.”
He made another point just as clearly.
“I am a pure athlete. I represent the people with pride. I am here to fight.”
There was no knockdown. No dramatic unraveling. Just resistance, overdue momentum and the kind of resilience that rarely makes headlines but often shapes careers.
Colantonio’s record is not spotless. In addition to seven wins, he has losses and a no-contest. What’s more, he has only one knockout in ten professional fights.
But that’s not the point here; The story is about bringing back an old-school heavyweight fighter who many thought no longer existed after the 1980s and 1990s.
He didn’t leave Las Vegas with a victory. He left with proof that boxing still needs fighters like him.
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.
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Boxing
Joshua vs Fury Confirmed for December 11 in Cardiff on Netflix
Published
3 hours agoon
September 24, 2026
Principality Stadium secures the British heavyweight fight, with a London press conference next week and the undercard to follow.
Anthony Joshua (30-4, 27 KOs) and Tyson Fury (36-2-1, 25 KOs) will fight at Cardiff’s Principality Stadium on Friday, December 11. Netflix will broadcast the full event exclusively after organizers secured a British venue for the heavyweights’ first professional meeting.
Turki Alalshikh announced the fight, and Joshua and Fury are scheduled to attend a London press conference next week. The supporting card will be announced later; no undercard opponents were named in the supplied announcement.
The December date replaces the November plan discussed earlier in negotiations. Wembley had been Joshua’s preferred destination, but Cardiff secured the event following talks over whether the fight would remain in Britain or move to the United States.
Joshua and promoter Eddie Hearn insisted on a UK venue. His contract included that requirement, and their position held despite discussions involving New York, Las Vegas and Los Angeles.
Dana White said: “For more than a decade, boxing fans have been clamoring for the heavyweight showdown between Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua. Together, they bring 66 wins, 52 knockouts and multiple heavyweight world titles into the ring. On December 11, two of the biggest heavyweights of this generation finally collide and the winner will take a significant place in heavyweight history.”
Netflix to broadcast the full Cardiff card
Netflix’s preference for an evening American broadcast drove the push to stage the fight across the Atlantic. Madison Square Garden emerged as the leading US option before negotiations returned to Britain.
Cardiff keeps the contest on British soil, with a late opening bell expected to accommodate viewers in the United States.
The main event is expected around 1 a.m. UK timealthough the exact time has not been confirmed. If that schedule holds. A 1 a.m. GMT start would put the main event at 8 p.m. ET on Friday, December 11 for viewers on America’s east coast.
The fight is expected to take place beneath Principality Stadium’s retractable roof.
London press conference scheduled for next week
Alalshikh welcomed the agreement after months of negotiations over the event.
“Two of the best heavyweights of this generation, finally in the ring together. This will be one of the biggest fights in boxing history, I am very happy to make this fight happen for the fans,” he said.
Joshua and Fury previously signed a two-fight agreement in 2021. That booking collapsed after an arbitration ruling required Fury to face Deontay Wilder again.
Their December meeting now has a confirmed date, venue and broadcaster. Next week’s press conference will bring both fighters to London, with the remaining card and precise event timetable still to follow.

About the author
Boxing 24/7 Wire
Boxing247.com is an independent boxing news publication covering the sport since 2001. It provides original reporting, fight analysis, schedules, results, and informed coverage of major fighters and events worldwide, backed by more than 25 years of professional boxing journalism.
Boxing
Manny Pacquiao and Shakur Stevenson Discuss Potential Fight in Cardiff
Published
8 hours agoon
September 24, 2026
Manny Pacquiao against Shakur Stevenson remains under discussion for the proposed Anthony Joshua-Tyson Fury card in Cardiff. It would give the event a second major fight, but neither Pacquiao nor Stevenson has received a bout agreement.
BoxingScene’s Lance Pugmire reports that two people connected to the talks say Netflix wants the matchup as part of a “double main event.” December 11 is the date under consideration at Principality Stadium, with December 18 also possible. Pacquiao adviser Jas Mathur told BoxingScene that Pacquiao’s financial terms are still being negotiated.
That leaves a great deal to settle before anyone can call this a fight. The Cardiff show itself has yet to be formally announced, and moving Joshua-Fury from the previously discussed Madison Square Garden setting means assembling the rest of the card around a different venue and date.
Pacquiao-Stevenson would bring two very different attractions to that card. Stevenson, 29, is coming off his January win over Teofimo Lopez and has since signed with Zuffa Boxing. Pacquiao, 47, drew with Mario Barrios in his July 2025 return. His name would draw attention far beyond the usual boxing audience, though the long layoff and age difference would become part of the conversation as soon as the fight was announced.
The proposed pairing also raises a practical question: what weight would they fight at? Pacquiao’s return came at welterweight, while Stevenson’s recent work has been at lighter weights. No weight, number of rounds, or title terms have been announced.
For now, the news is that Pacquiao-Stevenson has survived the reported switch to Cardiff and remains in Netflix’s plans, according to BoxingScene. The decisive development would be agreements reaching both fighters. Until then, it belongs on the list of fights being negotiated, rather than the Joshua-Fury undercard.
Pacquiao turns 48 on December 17. If the fight lands on December 18, Shakur would face him one day after his birthday. Pacquiao won his first world title in 1998, before Shakur turned two.
That age difference makes the matchup a hard sell as a competitive fight. If Shakur wins easily, how much credit does he get for beating a man nearly two decades older? If he boxes his way to a quiet decision, Pacquiao’s name may bring viewers to Netflix, but the fight may give them little reason to watch Shakur again.
Pacquiao’s fame can make this a major event. Turning it into a fight that helps Shakur is another matter. First, both men need to agree to terms; neither has received a bout agreement.
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
Teofimo Lopez Set to Defend World Title on Tyson Fury vs Anthony Joshua Undercard – Boxing News
Published
13 hours agoon
September 23, 2026
Teofimo Lopez has been offered a slot on the Tyson Fury vs Anthony Joshua card, which is set to take place at Cardiff’s Principality Stadium on December 11.
‘The Takeover’ comes off a majority decision victory over Rolando Romero, who he dethroned last month after surviving a genuine scare in round five.
In reality, though, it was a far more convincing win than the scorecards suggested and, despite suffering a one-sided defeat to Shakur Stevenson in January, Lopez proved that he remains a highly-skilled operator at world level.
But while he has expressed an interest in unification matches at 147lbs, particularly one against WBC champion Ryan Garcia, the 29-year-old must first make a mandatory defence and retain his WBA title.
He has, in other words, been ordered to face Jack Catterallwho claimed his WBA ‘Regular’ title by producing arguably a career-best performance to unanimously outpoint Shakhram Giyasov in May.
Lopez, meanwhile, had attempted to swerve his mandatory duty and, according to boxing journalist Dan Rafaelis considering vacating his welterweight belt in pursuit of more lucrative opportunities.
If he is to proceed with the Catterall fight, however, then the three-division world champion could end up featuring on the expected Fury-Joshua card later this year.
Equally, Catterall has taken to social media and acknowledged that, as the champion, Lopez can choose to defend his title on home soil.
“Hey mate [Lopez]you fancy scrapping on the [Fury-Joshua] card? If not don’t worry, I’ll come to America and get my belt. Either way I’ll see you soon champ.”
Hey mate @TeofimoLopez you fancy scrapping on the fury aj card ? If not don’t worry I’ll come to America and get my belt. Either way I’ll see you soon champ 🤝 https://t.co/l6tDpimzE9
— Jack Catterall (@jack_catt93) September 22, 2026
According to WBA president Gilberto Mendoza, both parties have until October 22 to reach an agreement or risk a purse bid hearing being called.
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