Nick Ball is the third defense of his WBA featherweight title against Sam Goodman on August 16. While Ball is the second longest prevailing champion in the division, or he can win with Goodman, crowning him as a warrior No. 1 who beat 126 pounds?
Oleksandr Usyk is fresh from the impressive KO from the fifth round of Daniel Dubois on July 19, to unite heavyweight titles, but WBO has already ordered Utcun to face the mandatory pretender Joseph Parker. It is expected that Usyk will fight Tyson Fury in the trilogy next year, but if he first refuses to face Parker, he will have to give up the WBO belt and will no longer be the undisputed champion. What will Usyk do?
The unified heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua, who lost to Uyk twice, tries to return after losing KO in the fifth round of Dubois twice. He decided on the long -awaited fight with the English fury compatriot or a thunderous fight with YouTube, which is Jake Paul, who said that the fight would “take place”. However, the chance to fight Tony Yoka in a duel between British Olympic gold medalists from boxing is also very intriguing for Joshua. Will this fight be the melody he needs?
Another former Master, Manny Pacquiao, returned to the ring on July 19 after four -year retirement and fought with the WBA WBA HEADE Master Mario Barrios. The 46 -year -old Pacquiao looked impressive and after the fight he called WBA Master Rolando “Rome”. Can he win the title in a crowded 147-pound division?
And Master WBO Junior D WADZKA WEFRESIBLE Teofimo Lopez has the next IBF Richardson Hitchins champion. Can Lopez unite lanes and aim at other masters in the division, wanting to become the undisputed champion in the second weight class?
Here are the answers to those burning questions, offered to separate what is real and what is not.
Real or not: Oleksandr Usyk will fight Joseph Parker
play
0:42
Usyk breaks Dubois to become a heavyweight champion of unquestioning
Oleksandr Usyk breaks Daniel Dubois in round 5 to become the world champion again in ponderous weight again.
True. With the deep pockets of the Riyadh season Apparently uninterested In the staging of Usyk vs. Parker, a compulsory pretender WBO, Uyk must either take a salary with another promoter, or wait for the fury to return in 2026. If the Utyk was to wait, he would have to abandon the WBO belt so that the Ukrainian probably continues to fight Parker. A good idea may be to keep a fight at the indoor football stadium in Germany, closer to Ukraine than Riyadh.
Vitali and Wladimir Klitschko, former heavyweight champions, who also come from Ukraine, had most of their fights in places in Germany, which borders with Poland, where there is a gigantic Ukrainian population. Usyk also fought many times in Great Britain, recently in the fifth round of KO from Dubois at the London Wembley stadium on July 19. But the place in Great Britain to fight Usyk-Parker would cause lower interest; It is challenging to imagine two non-British fighters attracting 60,000 people, even if Usyk is considered the best ponderous weight of the last two decades.
If Parker is his last opponent, do not be surprised if the fight takes place in Germany or Poland at the end of this year. Parker is the strongest current contender for Utyk and the best duel for the undisputed master.
Real or not: Nick Ball should be No. 1 in a featherweight
It is not real. In some divisions it is quite an uncomplicated call to who the boss is. Usyk in ponderous weight, Nayya Inoue at Junior Feather Wweight, Canelo Alvarez in Super Middle Wweight – there are no arguments there. But with a featherweight, it is debatable about who is sitting at the top.
Although there is a sturdy possibility that the ball retains its WBA title on August 16 against Goodman (Ball is a favorite, according to the ESPN plant), even KO would not be enough for the ball to be widely considered warrior No. 1 in the Penage Science Division. To achieve this status, he must defeat one of the other masters. Goodman accelerates the division and fought only once last year. The Australian is not a banner or former world champion, and Ball from Liverpool in England should make a third defense at a distance.
But some think WBO Master Rafael Espinosis, who won 23 out of 27 KO fights or the title owner of WBC Stephen Fulton Superior from Ball. Espinosis not only has a gigantic KO ratio, but at 6 feet-1, also towers over 5-2 ball. Espinosis is extremely high for a featherweight and in the last two fights, Stoppage over Robeisa Ramirez and Edward Vazquez wins. Ball must do more to get everyone voting as number 1 at 126 pounds.
Real or not: Another opponent of Anthony Joshu will not be Jake Paul or Tyson Fury
True. From northern London there are sturdy rumors that Joshua, a former world champion in ponderous weight, will face Tony Yoka – not Paul or Fury – then. Speculation has carried out that Joshua would face Paul, YouTube, who turned around, after Paul’s comments during the fight Uyk vs. Dubois.
“It will happen,” said Paul during an interview about Dazna. “So drink seat belts or anything else, and when I knock it out, I go to historical books forever.”
Eddie Hearn, promoter Joshua, held talks with the Paul team and excitedly spoke about the possibilities of a record number of income in the fight, which was ridiculous recently.
“AJ-Paul is never a fight we expected, and it is never a fight we targeted,” said Hearn Sky Sports News after the fight with Usyk-Dubois.
“But if you want Jake Paul to be a toasty -up for a fury – and you want to provide the opportunity to extinguish Jake Paul from the world of boxing – then Joshua would commit herself.”
Joshua, who is recovering after the elbow surgery, suggested that 2026 would be his last year in boxing, and his most critical priorities will finally secure the fight against Fury and Paul.
“I signed twelve years ago with you,” Joshua wrote in a post on social media directed in WW last week at Hearn’s Matchroom Boxing. “And 12 years later I will throw the last blow with you.”
Joshua is coming down in September the defeat of the 5th round of Dubois, and the clash of contrary to Yoka – a colleague with the Olympic gold medalist heavyweight (Joshua in 2012, Yoka in 2016) – can restore his momentum.
This fight would also provide Hearn and Joshua, time to secure the contract with Paul at the beginning of 2026. It was an eye -catching event would pave the way to fight Fury in the second half of 2026.
Real or not: Manny Pacquiao will win the title fight again
play
2:05
Pacquiao ready to fight again
After the fight with Mario Barrios with most draws, Manny Pacquiao says he has not yet done.
Probably true. With proper creation, the Pacquiao boxing legend can avoid hazardous men in welterweight and fight the opponent that he can still overcome. When Master WBA, Jaron “Boots” Ennis up and ultimately leaves his title, there will be the possibilities of 46-year-old Pacquiao.
Rolando “Rolly” Romero, a regular owner of WBA titles, takes the best unanimous career, winning in Ryan Garcia in May and would be an opponent of high risk for Pacquiao because of his intensity and aggression. Pacman should also stay away from Brian Norman Jr., WBO master, taking into account his current form. Norman produced the best KO from 2025, when in May he recommended Jin Sasaki with his left hook. The rematch with WBC Master Mario Barrios, after their draw of July 19, would be another arduous task for Pacquiao, but one of the safer options. Pacquiao began well in this fight and was overtaken on the results cards, but lost the last three rounds against Barrios, who is 16 years younger than him.
Lewis Crocker and Paddy Donovan will fight for the free IBF title on September 13, and if Pacquiao can be set in a queue to fight the winner, it would be his best chance to become a champion again.
Nobody wants to see Pacquiao, the only eight -person world champion in boxing, ultimately like Sasaki, but if the Pacquiao team can lead him towards the IBF belt, there may be a fairytale ending of the extraordinary career of the Filipinos.
Real or not: Teofimo Lopez will unite titles against Richardson Hitchins
True. If Lopez, a WBO -secondary weight master, continues the form of his latest fight and improves his strategy, he should be able to defeat Hitchins, the IBF titles holder. If this struggle for the title of union occurs, Lopez must remain disciplined and break away from Witriol, which is already brewing on social media.
Leaving the round of George Cambosos Jr., Hitchins will try to lure Lopez to a fight. But if Lopez is able to stick to glossy movement and boxing, his quick combinations and original crime will give him enough rounds to win a decision against Hitchins.
Lopez returned to the best when in May he is not appointed by Arnold Barboz Jr. After a disappointing exhibition against Steve Claggett in June 2024, when Lopez boxes and moves as he did his time, and when he overtook Vasiliy Lomachenko (2020) and Josh Taylor (2023), he is a can beyond anyone, and he did not overtake Vasiliy Lomakenko (2020) and Josh Taylor (2023).
It is true that Lopez lost his divided decision from Cambosos in 2021, and Hitchins definitely coped with the Australian last month. But ordinary opponents are not always a reliable predictor, especially when it comes to inconsistent Lopez. Lopez will not have motivation in the fight against other Recent Yorker Hitchins, a hazardous opponent who, if he can impress, will not only win another belt, but also boost his profile and potential to become the most critical attraction of boxing.
World Boxing News provides a round-by-round scorecard as Johnny Fisher faces Michael Pirotton at the Copper Box Arena in London.
Fisher and Pirotton collide over ten rounds at heavyweight as Zuffa Boxing stages its latest card in the United Kingdom.
The Romford Bull returns to action with Pirotton standing in his way as the British heavyweight looks to continue his climb.
WBN provides a live scorecard of the contest below, plus live results throughout the event.
Fisher vs Pirotton Scorecard
Johnny Fisher vs Michael Pirotton
(Round-by-round scorecard will refresh every 2 mins)
Heavyweight Copper Box Arena, London 10×3
Round
Fisher
Pirotton
Round 1
10
9
Round 2
10
9
Round 3
9
10
Round 4
9
10
Round 5
10
9
Round 6
10
9
Round 7
10
9
Round 8
10
9
Round 9
10
9
Round 10
10
9
WBN Totals:
98
92
Official Result: FISHER MD – 98-92, 96-95, 95-95
Zuffa Boxing
Preview
Fisher faces Pirotton in the first fight of his lucrative deal with Dana White and Zuffa Boxing.
The Briton enters the contest with a 14-1 record, while Pirotton brings a 12-2 record into the Zuffa Boxing 11 bout.
The event is available live on Sky in the United Kingdom and Paramount+.
The Fisher vs Pirotton event unfolds alongside more live coverage on World Boxing News.
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.
World Boxing News provides results and updates as Johnny Fisher faces Michael Pirotton on Zuffa Boxing 11 at the Copper Box Arena in London.
Fisher returns to heavyweight action over ten rounds against Pirotton as part of Zuffa Boxing’s latest event in the United Kingdom.
Craig Richards faces Radivoje Kalajdzic at light heavyweight, while Lee Cutler takes on Louis Greene and Cesar Mateo Tapia faces Leo Ruiz at middleweight.
WBN provides results and updates from every bout as they happen.
Results
All times are local BST.
23:41
Johnny Fisher defeated Michael Pirotton by majority decision after ten competitive heavyweight rounds at the Copper Box Arena. WBN scored the fight 98-92 for Fisherwhile the official judges returned scores of 98-92 and 96-95 for Fisher, with the third scoring it 95-95.
22:42
Radivoje Kalajdzic improved to 31-3 with a unanimous decision over Craig Richards, who dropped to 20-5-1 after a good ten-round scrap. Both men had their moments and hurt each other at times before “Hot Rod” got the verdict on the scorecards, which included knocking Richards down for the first time in his career.
21:43
Lee Cutler carded a unanimous decision win over Louis Greene in their ten-round middleweight clash. Judges scorecard 98-92 and 97-93 twice in favor on Cutler, who improves to 17-2.
20:52
Ahead of the three main bouts, Zuffa’s only female fighter, Kayla Allendefeated Edina Kiss via TKO in their super lightweight bout.
20:32
Leo Ruiz overcame Cesar Tapia over 10 rounds at middleweight, scoring a unanimous decision to move to 18-1 as Ruiz Tapia suffered a first loss.
19:29
Alex MacMillan moved to 5-0 with a second-round stoppage of Guillaume Azagier, who went down twice in the opening round and again before the finish at 0:32 of the second.
18:40
Rogelio Romero improved to 7-0 with a third-round stoppage of previously unbeaten Aurel Ignat, ending the cruiserweight contest at 2:12.
18:24
Alexis De la Cerda improved to 10-0 with a unanimous decision over Cain Lewis, taking the eight-round contest 80-72, 79-74 and 79-73.
17:42
Fred Pullen marked his professional debut with a four-round points victory over Leonardo Faretina, who was dropped in the second round.
Remaining Bouts
Johnny Fisher vs. Michael Pirotton — 10 rounds, heavyweight
Craig Richards vs. Radivoje Kalajdzic — 10 rounds, light heavyweight
TV Coverage
The event is available live on Sky in the United Kingdom and Paramount+.
Follow WBN’s live boxing coverage throughout the event.
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.
World Boxing News provides results and updates as Liam Davies faces Nathaniel Collins in the main event at bp pulse LIVE in Birmingham.
Davies and Collins collide over 12 rounds for the EBU European featherweight title at the top of the Queensberry Promotions card.
Luke McCormack faces Kay Prospere for the vacant British super lightweight title, while Bradley Goldsmith takes on Amir Abubaker for the IBF International middleweight title.
WBN provides results and updates from every bout as they happen.
Results
All times are local BST.
23:11
Gerome Warburton defeated Nathan Heaney for the second time running as the middleweight put an exclamation mark on his first victory.
Heaney walks away from the sport having been an entertainer through a long carer, without reaching the heights of a world title.
22:04
Liam Davies improved to 19-1 after Nathaniel Collins retired at the end of the seventh round due to a cut over his right eye. Collins had also been dropped in the opening round as Davies successfully defended the European featherweight title.
21:22
Bradley Goldsmith improved to 17-1 with a seventh-round stoppage of Amir Abubaker to retain his IBF International middleweight title. Abubaker went down in the fourth and three times in the seventh before the finish at 2:42.
20:10
Lewis Richardson improved to 3-0 with a shutout six-round points victory over Ivan Trofimovich, earning a 60-54 decision.
19:56
Luke McCormack moved to 6-0 and claimed the vacant British super lightweight title with a tenth-round knockout of Kay Prospere, who was counted out after a right uppercut at 1:28.
18:55
Michael Hussain moved to 5-0 with a four-round points victory over Nabil Ahmed, earning a 39-38 decision.
18:11
Nelson Birchall moved to 12-0 with a third-round stoppage of Lewis Morris, who went down before the finish came at 1:12. Lasha Guruli also remained unbeaten at 5-0 after edging Hughie Wilson 77-75 over eight rounds.
17:22
Early action saw John Tom Varey and Reese Lynch claim four-round victories to move to 3-0 and 5-0 respectively.
TV Coverage
DAZN provides full worldwide coverage.
Follow WBN’s live boxing coverage throughout the event.
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.