Connect with us

Boxing

WBO sets fight date for Callum Smith after injury

Published

on

Image: WBO Sets Deadline for Callum Smith After Injury Delay

Smith, who holds the WBO interim title at 175, was scheduled to face Morrell to determine the next mandatory challenger to Bivol. The fight was called off after Smith suffered an injury, forcing the Liverpool card to continue without a fight.

WBO president Gustavo Olivieri said the sanctioning body had given Smith 10 days to submit a medical certificate detailing the injury and expected recovery time.

“Matchroom Boxing has officially notified the WBO that interim featherlight heavyweight champion Callum Smith has suffered an injury that prevents him from participating in his scheduled mandatory fight against David Morrell,” Olivieri said.

“Accordingly, the WBO will grant Team Smith a 10-day period to submit a certified medical report containing detailed information regarding diagnosis, prognosis, recovery period and expected return to competition.”

If the injury is confirmed, Smith will have 180 days after Dmitry Bivol’s defense against Michael Eifert on May 23 to fight Morrell. Failure to comply with this condition will result in the loss of the provisional title.

“Under WBO regulations, Mr. Smith has 180 days from the Bivol-Eifert fight to fulfill his mandatory obligations to Mr. Morrell. Failure to comply with this period will result in the WBO interim featherlight heavyweight title being deemed vacant,” Olivieri added.

The delay leaves Bivol temporarily without a clear next mandatory contract, potentially giving him room to pursue other fights before the WBO position is finalized.

Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Boxing

Ryan Garcia vs Floyd Mayweather Fight Agreed, Bob Arum Weighs In on Boxing Showdown

Published

on

Ryan Garcia vs Floyd Mayweather Fight Agreed, Bob Arum Weighs In on Boxing Showdown

Bob Arum has considered the commercial significance of a potential fight between Ryan Garcia and Floyd Mayweather, wondering how much money and interest it would realistically generate.

Despite initially emerging as little more than a rumour, the bizarre welterweight matchup is now seemingly being explored as a genuine option for Garcia – who says it has been ‘agreed’.

The 28-year-old is coming off a successful world title defence last month, scoring a second-round finish over Conor Benn to retain his WBC welterweight strap.

Prior to that, he had dethroned Mario Barrios with a unanimous decision victory after having lost by the same verdict against Rolando ‘Rolly’ Romero in May 2025.

To some extent, that sub-par performance might have had something to do with Garcia returning from a year-long doping suspension and sustaining a hand injury.

Now, though, the American appears to be firing on all cylinders and, at this stage in his career, has perhaps reached his athletic peak.

But rather than defend his title against a genuine world-ranked contender, Garcia has expressed his desire to face Mayweather – and attempt to scupper the 49-year-old’s iconic 50-0 record – in a fully-sanctioned contest.

Speaking with Fight Hub TVTop Rank promoter Arum said he views their possible fight as little more than a cash grab.

“Will people be interested in it? I don’t know. I know Floyd [allegedly] needs the money, because he’s p*ssed away tones of the money that he made.

“Will Garcia-Mayweather generate money? Yes. Will it generate enough money to satisfy these guys? I don’t know.

“I think there’ll be limited interest in a fight where you have a young guy, at the peak of his powers and boxing prowess, fighting an old man.”

Not only is Mayweather considered a strange choice of opponent, but it remains to be seen whether he is free to fight after being hit with a multi-million dollar lawsuit by CSI Sports.

Continue Reading

Boxing

WBO Denies Denzel Bentleys Appeal; Must Face Yoenli Hernandez or Vacate Title

Published

on

"WBO Denies Denzel Bentley’s Appeal; Must Face Yoenli Hernandez or Vacate Title"

Another day, another Zuffa signee losing his belt for shirking his responsibilities. WBO president Gustavo Olivieri announced that the sanctioning body has denied middleweight champion Denzel Bentley’s appeal for a voluntary defense, giving him 24 hours to commit to facing mandatory challenger Yoenli Hernandez.

Bentley (22-3-1, 18 KO) was the beneficiary of Janibek Alimkhanuly’s failed drug test and subsequent emigration to the super middleweight division, as the move elevated the interim belt he’d claimed against Endry Saavendra in April to the real deal. That came with conditions, namely a mandated showdown with Hernandez (11-0, 9 KO) that failed to produce a a contract.

As for who’ll fight Hernandez for it, Vito Mielnicki Jr sits behind him at no. 2, followed by an otherwise-occupied Tim TszyuMichael Zerafa (lmao), and Fiodor Czerkaszyn. We’ll let you know as soon as an enterprising bachelor steps up.

Continue Reading

Boxing

WBO Denies Denzel Bentleys Appeal; Orders Showdown with Yoenli Hernandez or Vacate Title

Published

on

"WBO Denies Denzel Bentley's Appeal; Orders Showdown with Yoenli Hernandez or Vacate Title"

Another day, another Zuffa signee losing his belt for shirking his responsibilities. WBO president Gustavo Olivieri announced that the sanctioning body has denied middleweight champion Denzel Bentley’s appeal for a voluntary defense, giving him 24 hours to commit to facing mandatory challenger Yoenli Hernandez.

Bentley (22-3-1, 18 KO) was the beneficiary of Janibek Alimkhanuly’s failed drug test and subsequent emigration to the super middleweight division, as the move elevated the interim belt he’d claimed against Endry Saavendra in April to the real deal. That came with conditions, namely a mandated showdown with Hernandez (11-0, 9 KO) that failed to produce a a contract.

As for who’ll fight Hernandez for it, Vito Mielnicki Jr sits behind him at no. 2, followed by an otherwise-occupied Tim TszyuMichael Zerafa (lmao), and Fiodor Czerkaszyn. We’ll let you know as soon as an enterprising bachelor steps up.

Continue Reading
Advertisement

OUR NEWSLETTER

Subscribe Us To Receive Our Latest News Directly In Your Inbox!

We don’t spam! Read our privacy policy for more info.

Trending