Boxing
What would a potential Golden Boy vs Top Rank 5v5 event look like?
Published
5 months agoon
The events of the RIYADH SEASON series have become a lasting fixture in the boxing calendar, and the fantasy world has seen several invigorating fights.
Turki Alalshikh has largely led this groundbreaking change, seamlessly realizing his lofty ambitions while the sport’s most influential figures dance to his rhythm.
The latest to broker deals with Alalshikh are Bob Arum and Oscar de la Hoya, after their separate partnerships with Riyadh Season were revealed last month.
So it appears that boxing is now on the verge of being completely submerged by a once-little-known Saudi sports-entertainment initiative that has made no attempt to hide its meteoric rise.
In reality, the warning signs were plentiful, much like in the land of Westeros, where (albeit in a fictional context) the kingdom’s most powerful players were confronted with a very heartfelt and constant reminder: “Winter is coming.”
Unlike winter, however, this time of year is clearly here to stay, and instead of bringing in an army of White Walkers, Alalshikh has turned to Eminem and Liam Gallagher to support elevate the event.
And while it’s effortless to get lost in this fascinating world, there’s an equally clear motivation shared by every promoter who will look back in anger if they fail to capitalise on the lucrative opportunities that the season in Riyadh presents.
For example, Arum and De la Hoya have the opportunity to pit their promotional teams against each other, and with several intriguing matchups yet to come, one would assume that a potential 5-on-5 fight between Top Rank and Golden Boy would only produce fireworks.
But what does that look like? It gives you five potential combinations.
Christian Mbilli vs. Jaime Munguia (super middleweight)
A clash of two powerful punchers with incredible engines – what’s not to like? While both have upcoming tasks ahead of them, with Mbilli taking on Sergiy Derevyanchenko this Saturday and Munguia set to return to the ring against Erik Bazinyan in September, the pair would undoubtedly go all-out if called upon to fight.
And the fight is not out of the realm of possibility, as both fighters boast high WBC rankings, so an eliminator fight for Canelo Alvarez’s belt could be organized in the near future. However, in this true 50-50 fight, predicting the outcome is far from uncomplicated.
Xander Zayas vs. Vergil Ortiz Jr (super welterweight)
Most would agree that Zayas, a dazzling super welterweight prospect who looks set to become one of boxing’s brightest stars, remains a level or two below Ortiz. While that may be the case, the 21-year-old is clearly a few wins away from reaching the upper echelons of his division after a dominant showing against former world champion Patrick Teixeira.
Ortiz, on the other hand, was forced to overcome a arduous test in his last outing, winning a majority decision after twice getting up from the floor in his fight with Serhiy Bohachuk. Nevertheless, the American reminded fans of his quality with some nasty body attacks, and while Zayas also has a reputation as an effective boxer, the Puerto Rican would certainly benefit from more experience before facing one of the sport’s hazardous fighters.
Sandor Martin vs. Arnold Barboza Jr (Super Lightweight)
Since his highly controversial split decision defeat to Teofimo Lopez in 2022, Martin has largely distanced himself from the world super lightweight scene. However, despite amassing just two knockout fights against a narrow number of opponents in the past year, the WBC number one-ranked Spaniard could catapult himself back into contention with a win over the likes of Barboza.
It’s fair to say that both fighters are members of the “club that needs him,” but while Barboza is the mandatory challenger for Lopez’s WBO belt, his recent clash with Sean McComb suggests that his style still needs some refinement. The 32-year-old has looked more convincing in his performances over the likes of Jose Pedraza and Danielito Zorrilla, and his animated could see him secure a close decision win over Martin.
Teofimo Lopez vs. Jose Carlos Ramirez (Super Lightweight)
Of course, a potential fight between Lopez and Ryan Garcia — two explosive fighters — still carries a lot of weight. But after Garcia’s failed drug test, it might be best to leave him out of the conversation for now.
Regardless, former super lightweight champion Ramirez remains a formidable contender, coming off a comprehensive points victory over Cuban fighter Rances Barthelemy. Lopez, meanwhile, has failed to set the world on fire since his scintillating performance against Josh Taylor that clinched his WBO belt.
In truth, his win over Jamaine Ortiz earlier this year could have gone either way, but the 27-year-old proved that against a fighter like Ramirez, someone he wouldn’t have to look for, it would likely be a completely different fight.
Emanuel Navarrete vs. William Zepeda (lightweight)
It’s difficult to fathom that Zepeda — the No. 1 contender in all four sanctioning bodies — has yet to receive a title shot. To some, it would make more sense for the 28-year-old to face Vasiliy Lomachenko, who currently holds the IBF lightweight title.
But when it comes to watching a gladiatorial spectacle between two Mexican fighters, turning on the bling is neither here nor there. While Navarrete suffered a loss to Denys Berinchyk, the three-division world champion has proven to be a formidable operator, with an unorthodox style and devastating power that poses problems for anyone in the 135-pound division.
That said, the aggression of Zepeda’s front leg, who demolished Giovanni Cabrera in three rounds, may prove too much for his compatriot.
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Boxing
Ryan Rozicki is waiting for Badou Jack’s consent to mandatory cooperation with the WBC
Published
1 day agoon
January 13, 2025The World Boxing Council (WBC) ordered world cruiserweight champion Badou “The Ripper” Jack (20-1-1, 19 KO) to make a mandatory title defense against Ryan “The Bruiser” Rozicki (20-1), number 1 in the WBC ranking – 1, 19 KOs).
If both camps fail to successfully negotiate an agreement, the WBC will organize a tender on February 4, followed by the Jack vs. Rozicki. Rozicki’s promoter, Three Lions Promotions, immediately sent Team Jacek an offer to promote the fight in Canada last week.
“We are waiting for their counteroffer,” explained promoter Dan Otter of Three Lions Promotions. “Boxing has had a huge resurgence in Canada and Ryan is leading the way. He is one of the most electrifying and hardest-hitting fighters in boxing, definitely in the cruiserweight division. He wants the WBC green belt and ultimately the unification of the division. Ryan will fight Jack anywhere for the belt.”
29-year-old Rozicki, born in Sydney (Nova Scotia) and living in Hamilton (Ontario), fought 22 professional fights against 21 different opponents (twice against Yamil Alberto Peralta), stopping 19 of the 20 opponents he defeated. an eye-opening 95-KO percentage.
Jack, 41, was a 2008 Olympian representing his native Sweden. He is a three-division world champion, as well as the WBC super middleweight and World Boxing Association (WBA) lightweight heavyweight title holder. Jack has a record of 5-0-2 (2 KO) in world championship fights.
“We respect Jack and I don’t want to sound disrespectful,” Otter added, “but he’s over 40 years vintage and has been relatively inactive for two years (only one fight). He brings a lot of experience and respect to the ring, but he will fight a newborn defender with a lot of power. Jack is going to struggle and honestly, I don’t think he’ll make it past the first few rounds.”
Ryan Rozicki is on a mission to become the first Canadian cruiserweight world champion.
The next move is Badou Jack’s.
Boxing
Floyd Mayweather’s record is not normal, it can’t happen in 70 years
Published
3 days agoon
January 12, 2025Floyd Mayweather’s incredible 50-0 record is not normal and cannot be repeated in sports for another seventy years.
This is the view of Saudi Arabian president Turki Alalshikh, who wants to adopt the UFC model in which fighters lose many fights during their career.
In a speech as he hosted the Ring Magazine Awards after acquiring the long-running boxing publication from Oscar De La Hoya, Alalshikh was unequivocal in his opinion.
“Now losing some fights in boxing must be normal,” he explained. “All fighters want a career similar to Floyd Mayweather – no losses. This may happen once every 50, 60 or 70 years.
“We need it [to be] like currently in the UFC model, where champions lose and win,” added the matchmaker during the Riyad season.
Mayweather rose through the sport in the tardy 1990s to become one of its youngest superstars. Mayweather’s professional success came after winning a bronze medal at the Olympics after losing to Serafim Todorov.
Winning world titles in five weight classes, Mayweather was untouchable. The Grand Rapids native only came close to defeat a few times. He dominated Manny Pacquiao and overtook Canelo Alvarez and Oscar De La Hoya after heated debates, with decisions that should have been made unanimously.
Towards the end of his career, Mayweather chose to face Andre Berto and Conor McGregor, easily winning and ending his boxing career at the age of 50 without ever going out. Calling himself “the greatest of all time,” Mayweather earned first-ballot Hall of Fame honors and is widely considered one of, if not the greatest defensive fighter of all time.
However, Alalshikh says this type of career needs to end so that fans can get the most out of boxing, as is the case with the Ultimate Fighting Championship. Boxing needs to become more attractive, and Alalshikh sees the failures of top stars as a way to keep interest at an all-time high.
In this sport, many boxers enjoy undefeated streaks, the most notable of which is Oleksandr Usyk. The Ukrainian Pound for Pound King is 23-0 and has beaten the best he has to offer in his division and cruiserweight classification.
It remains a mystery how Alalshikh plans to make Usyk suffer while he dominates everyone else. By the time his grand plan goes into action, Usyk will be long gone, and Gervonta Davis, Shakur Stevenson and Devin Haney may be more realistic targets.
Boxing
Manny Pacquiao remains the favorite to win the title against Mario Barrios
Published
1 week agoon
January 6, 2025WBN 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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