Nqothole (22-3, 13 KO) won by scores of 117-111, 116-112 and 116-113 after controlling most of the contest with his jab, footwork and cleaner work from distance. The South African arrived on foreign soil as an underdog but looked sturdy during long stretches against the former WBC flyweight champion.

Edwards (21-3, 7 KO) struggled to establish a consistent attack in the first half of the fight and spent most of the night reacting to Nqothole’s movements and timing. Whenever Edwards tried to close the distance, Nqothole often managed to move away and respond with keen counters.

The Englishman had more success slow in the fight and rose to the top during the championship rounds. He landed some of the cleaner punches in the closing stages of the match and tried to force action, but there was a significant deficit on the scorecards in the first rounds.

Nqothole’s performance was noteworthy as it did not benefit from the home advantage. The judges rewarded the guest’s work, and most of the unofficial scorecards were in line with the official verdict.

This victory will make Nqothole the mandatory challenger for the IBF super flyweight title. He is expected to face the winner of the June 6 championship fight between Willibaldo Garcia and Andrew Moloney later this year.

For Edwards, the defeat marks yet another setback in a career that has seen both championship success and frustrating near-misses. At the age of 33, he entered the fight with the hope that he was one victory away from winning his second world title. Instead, he leaves York Hall after his third professional defeat, with his path back to championship contention looking much more hard than it was a week ago.

Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao are set to have a shocking rematch in September, and now Mayweather’s former opponent Canelo Alvarez has revealed his thoughts ahead of the fight.

Mayweather famously trained Canelo in 2013 and followed that up with a back-to-back victory over Marcos Maidana ahead of his long-awaited showdown with tough rival Pacquiao.

“TBE” maintained his undefeated record against the Filipino fan favorite in 2015, but now the two are set to repeat it 11 years later, with the fresh date being Saturday, September 26, which is currently being advertised – after long debates as to whether the competition will be a fully sanctioned competition or an exhibition.

The fight was met with mixed reactions, with some fight fans ecstatic to see the legends getting back together, while others felt disappointed that they felt the need to do so at the ages of 49 and 47.

Speaking to Boxing News, Canelo seemed disinterested in the event, admitting he didn’t like their first meeting and suggesting a second one was even less likely.

“I can’t say anything about it. I didn’t like the first part. So we’ll see [in] second, if worse [they both are]”

Mayweather and Pacquiao aren’t the only fighters returning this fall, with Canelo also ending a less dramatic period of inactivity when on Saturday, September 12, he will fight for the WBC super middleweight title against Christian Mbilla.

As the organization announced on Wednesday, WBA heavyweight champion Murat Gassijev will defend his title for the first time against 2016 Olympic gold medalist Tony Yoka on July 11 in Moscow, headlining the IBA Pro 19 gala.

The card is co-promoted by IB Challenger, Epic Sports & Entertainment, Patriot Promotion, Ural Boxing Promotions, Queensberry Promotions and Yoka Boxing in association with Winline.

Gassiev returns home with the belt

Gassiev (33-2, 26 KO) won the WBA belt with a sixth-round knockout of Kubrat Pulev at IBA Pro 13 in Dubai last December, becoming the first Russian heavyweight world titleholder in 13 years. The 32-year-old from North Ossetia already held the unified cruiserweight titles before he started moving up in weight, with his only career defeats coming against Aleksander Usyk in the final of the World Boxing Super Series 2018 and Otto Wallin in 2021.

“It’s an honor to defend my WBA heavyweight world title for the first time, and doing it at home in front of my Russian fans makes it very special,” Gassiev said in a statement released by the promotion. “Tony Yoka is a great champion, an Olympic gold medalist, a massive, forceful heavyweight with earnest skills. I have huge respect for him.”

Yoka in pursuit of French history

Yoka (15-3, 12 KO) won super heavyweight gold at the 2016 Rio Olympics before turning professional later that year. The 6-foot-10 Parisian, who trains under Don Charles and is promoted by Frank Warren’s Queensberry Promotions, would become France’s first professional heavyweight world champion with victory.

The 33-year-old has lost three of his last seven fights, including a decision loss to Carlos Takam in 2022 and consecutive defeats to Martin Bakole and Ryad Merhy. Since linking up with Charles, he has won three straight games, most recently stopping Petar Milas in 2025.

“I intend to win this title for all my people in France and Congo who not only support me, but still believe that I will become a professional world champion,” Yoka said in a statement. “I have been working strenuous with Don Charles for over two years and I am ready to present the changes in my professional boxing to the boxing world.”

Warren added: “It’s a great fight and at Queensberry we really believe our man will win. Tony and Don Charles have been working extremely strenuous in the gym so we have every hope that they will go to Russia and sort out a tough opponent in Gassiev and bring the title back to France.”

ONLY on the 19th

The event is held under the banner of IBA Pro, the professional arm of the International Boxing Association, headed by Umar Kremlev. Card and broadcast details have not yet been announced.

“Murat Gassiev and Tony Yoka represent the absolute pinnacle of boxing excellence,” Kremlev said in a statement. “One an incredible WBA world champion defending his crown at home, the other a legendary Olympic gold medalist fighting for professional glory.”

IBA Pro 19 will take place on Saturday, July 11 in Moscow. Tickets are sold as part of a promotion.