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Top Super Middleweight Boxers in Under 10 Fights

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The super middleweight division has come a long way since 1984, when the IBF (formerly known as USBA-I) decided to create a world super middleweight title. Briton Murray Sutherland defeated Ernie Singletary to win the belt, and within five years three other sanctioning organizations had joined the fray.

The 12-stone class also saw Thomas Hearns and Sugary Ray Leonard win another world title – despite being well beyond their best years – and the 1990s saw the return of Britons. Nigel Benn, Chris Eubank, Robin Reid, Richie Woodhall and Glenn Catley all won hardware. But none of them faced the great Roy Jones Jr. during his two-year break on his way to heavyweight history.

Joe Calzaghe and Andre Ward not only won titles but also became known as two of the best players of their generation, while Carl Froch was another Briton whose career exceeded expectations.

In 2024, Canelo Alvarez is the king, and his reign has faced little challenge since becoming the undisputed four-belt champion in 2021. The Mexican, currently the three-belt holder, will face Puerto Rican Edgar Berlanga next month.

Lithe heavyweights David Benavidez and David Morrell could drop back down to 168lbs to fight Canelo if the deal is right, while Christian Mbilli, Jaime Munguia (who Canelo beat last year), Diego Pacheco (who fights this Saturday) and Osleys Iglesias are all in the running for future titles. In the UK, Callum Simpson and Mark Jeffers look like our best bets for success in the next few years.

On Saturday night in Carson, Diego Pacheco continues his climb toward a super middleweight world title shot when he takes on Maciej Sulecki. But who is the next generation? Looking at the fighters under 10 fights, there isn’t much to get excited about, but he has picked three to keep an eye on.


Hebert Conceição Sousa (Brazil)

Balance: 6-0 (3 KOs)

Age: 26

Height: 6 feet 1½ inches

Next fight: TBC

Sousa won middleweight gold at the delayed 2020 Tokyo Olympics, defeating Oleksandr Khyzhniak in the final by third-round knockout with a stunning left hook after appearing to take silver. However, the Ukrainian went on to win the top prize at this year’s Paris Olympics in the 80kg category.

The Brazilian’s career began when he signed with the now-defunct Probellum in December 2021. Sousa had just six fights in two years, but the last of them was a spectacular points victory over compatriot and 2012 silver medalist Esquiva Falcao in June. Before that meeting, Falcao fought for his first professional world title (middleweight) against Vincenzo Gualtieri, but lost on points to the eventual IBF champion.

Sousa is flashy, quick with his hands, an true puncher and looked a level above Falcao. He is certainly worth keeping an eye on.


Serhat Guler (Türkiye)

Record: 7-0 (6 KOs)

Age: 28

Height: 6 feet

Next fight: TBC

Güler is considered one of the best prospects to ever come out of Turkey. He started his career as a featherlight heavyweight but is now ranked 14tht with the WBC at 168 pounds. And his move to super middleweight seems to be working out well for him

Güler’s imposing and menacing appearance allows him to throw punches, but as soon as his high guard intercepts them, he springs into action and delivers powerful jabs and hooks.

In his third outing, Güler defeated Leon Bunn by a 10th-round knockout, which is respectable at this early stage of his career. Future opponents seem to have a tough task ahead of them in Germany or Turkey.


Luka Plantić (Croatia)

Record: 9-0 (8 KOs)

Age: 27

Height: 5 feet 11½ inches

Next Fight: vs. Catalin Paraschiveanu (10 rounds) – September 7

Before Güler scored a tough knockout victory over Bunn, Plantić had picked up his sixth win in six starts. His 10th-round knockout of Yusuf Kanguel gave the 2020 Olympian his fifth win since resuming his career in 2022 after a four-year layoff, making his pro debut in 2018.

“The Thunder” uses his aggression effectively and will rarely be involved in a tedious fight, but his overriding concern is his defense, and if he continues his upward trajectory from his WBC No. 9 ranking, he will soon find himself in deep water. But so far, his power and smothering tactics have proven too much for his nine opponents.

Former British champion Jack Cullen postponed his retirement to travel to Germany to face the Croatian but was defeated and stopped in the fifth set. A future fight between Güler and Plantić could take place within the next 18 months.

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Manny Pacquiao remains the favorite to win the title against Mario Barrios

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Manny Pacquiao vs Barrios

WBN understands that despite alternative options emerging, it is more likely that Manny Pacquiao will face Mario Barrios next.

Bob Santos, coach of WBC welterweight champion Barrios, told World Boxing News that he is currently in contact with Pacquiao’s team. Asked by WBN if he had spoken to Pacquiao or representatives of any other challenger, Santos replied: “Yes, Pacquiao’s promoter, Sean Gibbons.” Pressed on whether Barrios vs Pacquiao might happen next, he added: “It’s challenging to say. We’ll have to see how this plays out.”

WBN contacted Santos after Conor Benn emerged as a potential alternative to Barrios. The British fighter, who recently returned from a suspension following two positive drug tests, is keen to return to competition.

Benn showed favor with the World Boxing Council at the recent WBC Convention, the WBC Evaluation Committee and during an interview with the sanctioning body over the weekend. “The Destroyer” is ranked second in the rankings at 147 pounds, despite less than solid opponents during his time in exile, during which Benn competed twice in the United States while his career in the United Kingdom was in doubt.

As he battled to clear his name and with the British Anti-Doping Authority finding no evidence that Benn had intentionally taken ostarine, the 28-year-old’s career took a pointed nosedive. Despite this, he remains highly rated and at least one step away from fighting for an eliminator or one of the remaining championship titles.

However, Pacquiao remains Barrios’ favorite. Now it’s up to the boxing legend and Hall of Famer who got the first votes to secure his shot. WBN believes a July date – most likely at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas – is the most realistic date for a Nevada swan song.

Pacquiao could extend his record as the oldest welterweight champion by six years if he can secure a huge victory over the 29-year-old world champion. At 46 years antique, such a scenario remains unlikely, but he can never be compared to one of the greatest players of this generation.

Unlike heavier boxers and his training regiment, Pacquiao looks in great shape despite his advanced age. Everything is set for a massive return to the boxing capital of the world, provided Pacquiao and his team can manage his political ambitions, which are expected to run from this month until May. After that time, Pacquiao could find himself in the summer finals and become the all-time champion, regardless of the result.

Barrios is based in the city, where he trained with Santos, and would be the perfect opponent to see out the career of one of the greatest fighters in history.

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A report about Deontay Wilder retiring at the age of 39 has been confirmed as false

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Deontay Wilder masked up

Deontay Wilder has not retired from boxing at the age of 39, and the former WBC heavyweight champion has not issued any official statement.

World Boxing News can confirm that reports circulating on social media are false and originated from a imitation account on Up-to-date Year’s Day. As of January 2, 2025, WBN has had no word from Wilder that he plans to hang up his gloves.

As usual, WBN also asked Shelly Finkel for comment. However, Finkel has repeatedly said in the past that Wilder is not retiring. This case seems to be no different.

The last time Wilder spoke publicly was while promoting a mental health app, the Brown Bomber was unveiling plans to return to the sport.

He said: “The push-up protocol has been disabled. Strengthen your body and train your mind; no paid subscription required! It’s not about money. It’s about a mission to strengthen mindsets and improve mental health for all.
To everyone: operate your services and achieve greatness.

“There will be people who tell you, ‘No, you can’t.’ [No] People trying to stop you or putting up stop signs. [No] People who want to bring you down and keep you down. But you can’t give up.

“No matter how many times you fall, no matter how many times you get knocked down, it’s a resilient mind, a confident mind, a powerful mind that gets back up and keeps moving forward to achieve your greatness.

“Apply your service. Achieve your greatness,” he added.

Deontay Wilder could announce his retirement tomorrow if he changed his mind, but at the time of the report, there was no truth to it.

When Zhilei Zhang knocked him out on June 1 in Saudi Arabia, the formidable top-flight contender needed time to assess his situation. WBN understands that Wilder has received offers, including contact from Francis Ngannou, regarding a possible boxing match with the MMA star.

The Wilder vs. Ngannou fight only makes sense for an American his age. Many voluntary positions [of which Wilder is WBC number 13] are occupied by threatening opponents who would start each clash as favorites.

Meanwhile, the Ngannou fight is winnable with less risk and more rewards, meaning Wilder can still earn a significant payday before hanging up his gloves for good.

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Paddy Donovan is looking forward to his clash with Lewis Crocker on March 1

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Crocker vs Donovan

Rising Irish boxing star Paddy “The Real Deal” Donovan (14-0, 11 KO), the current World Boxing Association (WBA) welterweight continental champion, had to withdraw from his scheduled December “stay busy” fight due to a minor injury but now is preparing to fight his biggest rival in what may be the most anticipated Irish boxing match in history.

The All-Ireland fight between Donovan, who fights in Limerick and trains in Dublin, and Lewis “The Croc” Crocker (20-0, 11 KO) of Belfast, Northern Ireland, is scheduled for March 1. “Point of Pride” will headline the Matchroom Boxing card, which will be broadcast live on DAZN from the SES Arena as part of the International Boxing Federation (IBF) world title eliminator. Just two fights away, Donovan could win a world title if he defeats Crocker as the IBF mandatory challenger.

“There is something different about a good Irish fighter and I believe I will be next,” Donovan declared. “I think turning pro at 19 and now 25 has required a lot of life changes since I turned pro. What matters most is what I learned in the gym, because it was the ups and downs in life – being a husband and father, losing loved ones – that helped me improve. I improved as a person, which helped me become a better fighter.”

A true fighter from the past, Donovan is currently rated by three of the four major sanctioning bodies: WBA No. 5, IBF No. 6 and World Boxing Council No. 14. He has dreamed of being a world champion since he was seven years senior.

“I’m in an amazing position, so I thank God for that and my team, Andy Lee (head coach/co-manager) and (Up-to-date York lawyer) Keith Sullivan (co-manager),” Donovan noted. “It’s great to be ranked so highly at this stage of my career, but I’m where I need to be. To be ranked so high on three major sanctioning bodies is great. I know I won’t stop until I become world champion.

“I’m always at the gym thinking about the next challenge. I say it’s time. I love what I do. I am very grateful to God for being in this situation. I believe in God’s plan for me to become world champion.”

“It’s definitely going to be an explosive fight,” commented Up-to-date York attorney Keith Sullivan, who co-manages Donovan with former world middleweight champion Andy Lee, who is also Paddy’s head trainer. “Two tough, resilient Irishmen who have a lot to prove to the world. We were worried about the injury, but we are sure it will not be a problem during the March 1 battle. Paddy is locked down and training difficult under the watchful eye of coach Andy Lee.

Donovan has dedicated several of his recent fights to Pieta, using his boxing platform to promote the suicide prevention charity, which provides mental health services across Ireland. Paddy lost two relatives to suicide. The Pietra Crisis Helpline, at 1-800-247-247, offers crisis intervention support 24 hours a day, 365 days a year to anyone experiencing suicidal thoughts or self-harm, as well as support for those grieving as a result of suicide.

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