Dubois Batters Joshua, Should Joshua Fight On?

The encounter between IBF Heavyweight world champion Daniel Dubois and former two-time Heavyweight world champion Anthony Joshua on September 21st was one rhat had a bit of controversy attached to it. After all, it was one that came about in part because of the politics of the sport that be forced the recent undefeated Undisputed Heavyweight world champion Oleksandr Usyk to decide to relinquish the IBF crown due to a contractually mandated rematch with former two-time Heavyweight world champion Tyson Fury, which will come on December 18fh in Saudi Arabia.

Often times, when such decisions are made that causes a fighter who was in position to challenge a world champion who is either stripped or relinquishes a championship where the top contender, in this case Dubois, is named world champion, the criticism and yes, vitriol of Boxing fans are aimed squarely at the new champion. All too often, the response is to try and discredit the champion even though, the fighter is not the one responsible for such decisions that are made on the business side of the sport of Boxing.

While Dubois had this scenario placed upon him, his first title defense against a proven stalwart of the Heavyweight division in Joshua offered a chance to make a statement to the cynics and the keyboard warriors that be that he should not be discredited. For Anthony Joshua, this fight not only offered an opportunity to regain a portion of the World Heavyweight championship, but if he were successful, he would add his name to a specific group in Boxing history of being part of a select group of fighters that have won the World Heavyweight championship on three separate occasions. A list that includes Muhammad Ali, Evander Holyfield, Lennox Lewis, Vitali Klitschko, and Wladimir Klitschko. 

A world champion seeking to make a statement and a former champion looking to add his name to a category in Boxing history. Normally, this alone would be enough to draw interest. When you throw in the legendary Wembley Stadium in London, England and a record crowd of 96,000 spectators, you have the definition of an event. The very definition of “Big Fight Atmosphere." 

What stood out to me was not what happened at the opening bell, but rather the ring walk of the champion. From the moment Daniel Dubois emerged from the locker room, he had the look of a fighter on a mission. Some may even go as far as to call him " A Man Possessed." In contrast to Dubois, Joshua emerged looking as though this was another day at the office for a fighter who has taken part in many of these types of events in sold out stadiums over the last decade. Although there was not something that appeared to be unusual, perhaps Joshua was giving a vibe of one who was comfortable, despite being in the role of the challenger.

Dubois took the initiative by immediately taking the center of the ring and putting Joshua on the defensive. It was evident quickly that Dubois, one of the Heavyweight division’s “Knockout Artists" was putting everything he had behind every punch he threw. The champion staggered Joshua with a right hand to the head that had him hurt early in round one. 

Perhaps not expecting Dubois to come out as fast as he had, Joshua did not keep his hands up and was open for the right hand. It would be a right hand thrown by the champion as Joshua was backing straight up against the ropes that would knock the former world champion down in the first round.

From this point in the fight, Joshua was on unsteady legs. When a fighter is hurt as Joshua was, normally the tactical thing to do if you are the hurt fighter is to try and hold your opponent and try to buy yourself time to recover. Joshua not only did not try to clinch Dubois, but he also kept his hands down, seemingly inviting more punishment. Joshua's inability to make tactical adjustments to not only try and give himself time to recover, but also not adjusting himself where he could try and avoid the punishment Dubois was dishing out, resulted in more knockdowns in the third and fourth rounds.

Frankly after the second knockdown in round three, this observer wondered aloud what was keeping Joshua up as he was taking a beating, but also to his credit, trying to fight back in spots. Following a third knockdown in the fourth round, I was surprised the fight was allowed to continue even though Joshua subtly was starting to land some heavy punches of his own.

Going into the fifth round, I felt that if Joshua had any chance of turning things around, he would at minimum have to try and slow the pace of the combat down, if not land something that would turn things dramatically in his favor. At the same time, though Daniel Dubois was clearly dominating the fight and showing he was a Heavyweight champion, in spite of his critics, I wondered whether there would come a point where he would punch himself out.

A problem for some fighters who are labeled as “Knockout Artists" have is they tend to fall in love with the idea that their punching power will always be the component that will lead them to victory. While it is indeed true that a fighter that can score knockdowns has a way at least in theory to dig themselves out of a hole on the scorecards if they can land cleanly due to their power, or build a lead on the scorecards with the same attribute, the danger often is they forget to pace themselves and by throwing everything they have into every punch, if an opponent can find a way to avoid most of those punches or withstand a good majority of them, the asset of having punching power can go from an asset to a detriment that can work against them. 

In this case, Daniel Dubois was clearly dominating the fight, but seemed to be starting to show slight signs of fatigue. It should also not be dismissed as to the potential psychological affect it can have on a fighter when they continue landing hard shots on their opponent round after round and despite all that effort, the opponent is still there. For a brief moment in the fifth round, it appeared as though there was a glimpse of a potential shift in the fight as Joshua connected with a flush right hook to the head of the champion that had Dubois hurt and moving backwards as Joshua pressed forward, he did so recklessly and ended up walking into a flush counter right hook, sending the former champion down for the fourth time. This time, Joshua was not able to beat the count. The fight was over. 

If one were to draw up an ideal scenario for a world champion in their first title defense, this was the type of emphatic statement-making performance you would want to see if you're in the Daniel Dubois camp. Simply put, it was nearly perfect and devastating. While Dubois seemingly put himself in position to challenge the winner of the upcoming Usyk-Fury rematch, it is worth noting that there is a rematch clause here and it would seem that Anthony Joshua has every intention of invoking it.

After the second knockout loss in his career, however, the question is should Joshua continue on? Anthony Joshua is a future Hall of Famer, there is no doubt about it, but there are likely some who are at least suggesting that this could be the end of the road for him. This observer has never been one to tell a fighter when it's time because it is not my place to do so, but longtime readers should know that I have frequently voiced and written of my concerns for fighters health as obvious signs of decline and eroding skills become evident.

This does not appear as though this might be a case of a fighter’s skills eroding, but it is clear something went wrong for Joshua in this fight. Whether that was in preparation for the fight in terms of strategy or not being prepared for the pace that Dubois established, something was not there. While it's important to remember that fighters, like the rest of us, are human and are as prone to a bad night as anyone, there is one thing that I did notice. 

Some might recall Joshua's first encounter with Andy Ruiz in June 2019. A fight that ended his first reign as a World Heavyweight champion. In the third round of that fight, Joshua scored a knockdown of Ruiz with a left hook to the head. Upon the fight resuming following the knockdown, Joshua pressed forward in a manner similar to how he approached Dubois in the fifth round. Ruiz subsequently caught an over aggressive Joshua with a hook of his own and knocked the then champion down to the canvas. Joshua did get up from that knockdown, but he was never the same after he got caught and Ruiz was able to stop him in the seventh round. Although some may view the similarity as purely coincidental, the commonality between the two fights is Joshua did not approach either Ruiz or Dubois with a tactical Boxing mentality once he had his opponent hurt and both were able to exploit vulnerabilities that Joshua has in terms of defense.

If Anthony Joshua is going to continue on with his career, he will need to correct his mindset, be more tactical and wait for opportunities for potential knockdowns and knockouts to come to him rather than recklessly pursuing an opponent looking for the kill. He and his team should have the evidence to suggest that the latter approach is not one that often leads to success. In terms of if he can come back and once again regain his standing in the Heavyweight division, it will take time, but fighters through the entire sport have suffered knockout losses similar to and in some cases worse than the one he suffered here against Daniel Dubois and were eventually able to bounce back. It may be a question of whether Joshua has the commitment to retool his skillset, really focus and refine his defense, and whether he's willing to fight his way back up the ranks if a rematch with Dubois does not happen immediately. 

“And That's The Boxing Truth." 

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Bazinyan Gives Munguia A Test Before Succumbing To Pressure

 

A challenge that can occur from time to time when a fighter is coming off of a loss for that fighter's handlers is to determine not only what type of opponent that the fighter will face coming off of a loss in terms of style, but also to decide what the purpose of that opponent will be at least in theory. Will the intention simply be to provide the fighter with an opponent that from a stylistic standpoint as well as overall experience, the fighter should beat without much risk, or will the intention be to match their charge against a dangerous fighter in an attempt to get them back into position to potentially fight for a world championship. In other words, to throw them back into the deep end where the fighter has to for lack of a better term, *Sink Or Swim”

For the former WBO Jr. Middleweight world champion Jaime Munguia, his bout against undefeated Erik Bazinyan on September 20th in Glendale,AZ would prove to be the latter. Not only was this an encounter between a fighter coming off the first loss of his career in Munguia going against an unbeaten opponent, but also one between top contenders with both fighters being rated number two in the 168lb. Super-Middleweight division in the World Boxing Council (WBC) (Munguia) and the World Boxing Organization (WBO) (Bazinyan). What this can simply be summed up to for those who do not regularly follow the sport of Boxing, both fighters, at least in theory, were on the brink of fighting for a world title, which in Munguia’s case, means a potential second opportunity after coming up short against current unified world champion Saul “Canelo" Alvarez earlier this year. 

Although Bazinyan may not have been well-known to some, the Armenian-born, Canadian-based contender entered the bout with thirty-two victories in thirty-three professional fights, with the only negative coming in a draw in his last bout prior to facing Munguia. While this was his first bout against someone of Munguia's caliber in being a former world champion, who has competed near the top level of the sport for the last several years, Bazinyan also entered as the current North American Boxing Federation (NABF) Super-Middleweight champion. 

Bazinyan showed immediately when he met Munguia at the Desert Diamond Arena that he was not awed by the occasion and was intent in making the most of his opportunity. What turned out to be a key part of his approach in doing that was a strategy with an emphasis on fundamentals. In that he kept things simple and did not try to over assert himself. The primary weapon was Bazinyan’s jab. Not just by simply throwing the jab for the sake of throwing it, but knowing when to throw it at the proper distance where it allowed him to offset Munguia's pressure, use lateral movement to try and maintain that distance, and occasionally mix in hooks to the head and body. 

What also stood out was the compact way in how Bazinyan threw his punches, either jabbing then moving or at most throwing two or three punches and not remaining stationary when he threw a hook or a straight right behind his jab. This along with being able to periodically lend counter punches on Munguia seemed to frustrate the former world champion. Though Munguia established he was the harder hitter when he was able to land his punches, particularly with his left hook, Bazinyan showed an ability to withstand those blows and return offense. 

Through the first four rounds, this observer gave three of those rounds to Bazinyan based on his ability to keep the combat limited to a tactical Boxing match, where he seemed to be out thinking Munguia. At the end of six rounds, I had Bazinyan up four rounds to two. It would be over the next four rounds, however, where Munguia started landing more and more to the body and head of Bazinyan. By the end of eight rounds, Munguia had pulled even with Bazinyan on my scorecard. Munguia’s rally and attack would make the issue of scoring in this fight moot. In the tenth round, a barrage of punches set off by a left hook to the head, battered the very “Game” Bazinyan down to the canvas. The effects of not only that barrage of unanswered punches, but seemingly the accumulation of punishment, ultimately would be too much for Bazinyan to overcome as he was unable to beat the count of ten, giving Munguia a hard-fought, but impressive knockout victory.

For Jaime Munguia, a fighter who built a reputation as a “Knockout Artist,” but has struggled to score consistent knockouts as he’s gone up in weight, this fight proved to be one that should serve as a confidence builder, especially when one considers that the knockout was something that did not come easily and he was coming off the first loss of his career. This should at minimum keep him in the discussion for a potential world championship fight. As for Erik Bazinyan, while he might drop a few slots in the Super-Middleweight rankings per this, his first loss in his career, his stock has definitely gone up in defeat and he will likely also remain in the discussion of top Super-Middleweight contenders that could end up fighting for a world championship at any point. It may simply come down to what opportunities are available and when that will determine where Munguia and Bazinyan go next.

“And That’s The Boxing Truth.”

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Mikaelian-Rozicki Postponed For Second Time, New Date To Be Announced For WBC World Cruiserweight Championship Bout

It has been announced that the scheduled September 29th Boxing card promoted by Hall of Fame promoter Don King headlined by a WBC World Cruiserweight championship fight between champion Noel Mikaelian and Ryan Rozicki, which was to take place at Casino Miami in Miami, FL has been postponed. This marks the second time the card, which was originally scheduled to take place in April, has been postponed. As of this writing, no official reason for this latest postponement has been given. in a statement on its official Facebook page, however, Don King Productions said it is working with its partner Three Lions Promotions as well as the World Boxing Council (WBC) to set a new date for the event, which could see an announcement made in the coming days. 

We will keep readers updated on developments as they become available. 

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Announcing: BYB 34 Brawl in the Pines IV

Credit: BYB Extreme Fighting Series 

Press Release: September 21, 2024 By BYB Extreme Fighting Series - BYB’s Pound-For-Pound Baddest Bare Knuckle Fighter on the Planet, “The Cuban Assassin” Gustavo Trujillo, to Take on Reigning BKB Heavyweight Champion, UK’s Richie “The Viking” Leak to Unify the BYB Heavyweight Police Gazette Diamond Belt; BYB Cruiserweight Police Gazette Diamond Belt Champion Cub “The Savage” Hawkins to Defend his Title against #1 Contender Zion Tomlinson.



 MIAMI, FLORIDA – BYB Extreme, the biggest bare knuckle company on the planet, announced today that BYB 34 Brawl in the Pines IV will be held Friday, December 6 in South Florida at the Charles F. Dodge Center in Pembroke Pines. First bell will sound at 7:30 PM ET with live broadcasts on Fuse TV, BeIN Sports and The Fight Network beginning at 8 PM ET. Live International PPV is available at bkbworld.tv.

 

BYB Bare Knuckle Boxing Hall of Fame matchmaker Mel Valenzuela and BYB Head of European Operations Jim Freeman announced that the main event for BYB 34 will feature BYB’s reigning heavyweight champion Gustavo “The Cuban Assassin” Trujillo (Miami, FL by way of Cuba) against the outgoing and reigning BKB heavyweight champion Richie “The Viking” Leak (United Kingdom) in the first title unification match since BYB’s acquisition of the London-based BKB this past May 2024. 

 

Trujillo boasts a 6-0 bare knuckle record with 6 first-round knockouts. He won the BYB Heavyweight title this past July in New Orleans by taking out champion Ike Villanueva at BYB 28 in New Orleans. Said Trujillo on the matchup:

 

"December 6 will be epic, and, once again, I will prove that I am the best pound-for-pound bare knuckle fighter in the world. I’ve beaten the best the US has to offer, and beating Europe’s best will be business as usual. To do so in my hometown, the city that has given me everything - Miami - is just going to make it victory even sweeter.”

 

Leak (4-1, 3 KOs) defeated a tough, experienced foe in Dan Podmore by third-round TKO this past March in Wolverhampton for the BKB Heavyweight title, and is ready to use his tenacity and experience to take it to Trujillo: 

 

“He's a great fighter and is due much respect, but he’s also never been past the first round and I am as tough as they come. I’ve proven time and time again that I just keep going. I’m battle-hardened, it’s time to see if he is too.”

 

The BYB 34 co-main event will feature two of the youngest stars in bare knuckle as former two-division champion and reigning BYB Cruiserweight Police Gazette Diamond Belt holder, 26-year-old Cub “The Savage” Hawkins (5-1, 5 KOs), defends his title against the number one contender, 24-year-old Zion Tomlinson. Hawkins is coming off a tough fight of the night performance at BYB 29, and is eager to defend his Cruiserweight belt. Tomlinson, who is undefeated in the Trigon, earned his title shot at BYB 26 when he defeated Uly Diaz in a title eliminator match. 

 

The always business-like Hawkins is looking to re-assert his dominance in the Trigon:

 

“It’s comeback season, and I’m already at the top, so he must fall. Y’all truly don’t know what my last fight did to me and I’ll never lose again because of it. I’m coming.”

 

Tomlinson has said previously, “I was written off and BYB gave me an opportunity and I'm making the most of it. I’m not even in my prime and feel like I’m one of the best bare knuckle fighters on the planet.

 

He added, “This is the end for Cub at 185.”

 

Card subject to change. More fights to be announced soon. Follow @bybextreme on all social media or visit bybextreme.com for more information.

 

ABOUT BYB

Originating in South Florida with backyard legend Dada 5000, whose backyard fights gained worldwide popularity online, BYB was founded to harness the excitement of bare knuckle fighting into a more structured product for a wider, more mainstream audience. Since 2015, BYB has worked diligently to grow the reach of bare knuckle on both a domestic and international level, hosting events in Wyoming, Louisiana, Mississippi, Florida, South Carolina, London, Wales, and Dubai, and is continuing to work with athletic commissions throughout the United States and globally to expand the fanbase growing sport of bare knuckle fighting. In May 2024, BYB acquired London-based BKB, the world’s first professional bare knuckle boxing promotion, who has successfully promoted forty bare knuckle events which were broadcast in over thirty-five different countries with millions of fans and viewers worldwide.For more information on BYB, visit bybextreme.com and follow @bybextreme on social.

 

 

Material and Photo Courtesy of: BYB Extreme Fighting Series Used with permission. 

For more information about BYB Extreme Fighting Series please visit: www.BYBExtreme.com. 

The Boxing Truth®️ is a registered trademark of Beau Denison All Rights Reserved.

The Next Chapter For Jaime Munguia

Most Boxing fans are familiar with the rise a fighter goes through  from prospect, to contender status, to finally a world champion, along the way, also building a fan base. One subject this veteran Boxing scribe has made a point to cover over the many years I have covered the sport as well as other combat sports is a stage that many fans should also be familiar with. It is a stage that this observer has called “The Rebuild" in the past, some may call it a “Fresh Start," but it can also be referred to as "The Next Chapter.”

The latter might be the most appropriate of the aforementioned descriptions because all of the above can easily be used to describe former WBO Jr. Middleweight world champion Jaime Munguia. A fighter who was truly dominant and scary as a 154lb. Jr. Middleweight due to his punching power, Munguia chose to vacate his world championship 2019, choosing to seek greener pastures and more world championships, first in the 160lb. Middleweight division and then ultimately as a 168lb. Super-Middleweight. While he remained unbeaten as he moved up in weight, an opportunity to become a two-division world champion eluded him for several years. 

In May of this year, however, Munguia finally got that opportunity to both become a two-division world champion as well as a lucrative opportunity when he challenged then Undisputed Super-Middleweight world champion Saul “Canelo" Alvarez in Las Vegas, NV. Although it was an opportunity Munguia had earned and seemingly chased after for years to face one of the biggest stars in the sport in Alvarez, Munguia was in many ways a background player in the build-up to the biggest fight of his career. This was due to the highly-publicized feud between Munguia’s promoter Oscar De La Hoya and Alvarez. While once Alvarez and Munguia were promotional stablemates fighting under De La Hoya’s Golden Boy Promotions, the feud and legitimate dislike between Alvarez and De La Hoya, who had an ugly and public break up during the height of the COVID-19 epidemic, overshadowed what should have been, and frankly was an encounter between two of the biggest stars in the sport.

As for the fight itself, Munguia showed his mettle in getting up from the first knockdown of his career in the fourth round and putting in a “Game" effort in losing a twelve round unanimous decision to Alvarez, the first loss of his career. Now, Munguia looks to get back to his winning ways when he faces undefeated contender and current North American Boxing Federation (NABF) Super-Middleweight champion Erik Bazinyan On Friday, September 20th at the Desert Diamond Arena in Glendale, AZ in a fight that can be seen here in the United States on digital subscription sports streaming network ESPN+.

This fight not only represents a new chapter for Munguia in terms of trying to get back on track inside the ring, but will also be his first fight under a new promoter in the Hall of Famer Bob Arum, whom he recently signed a multi-fight deal with. While there is no indication of a bitter split between Munguia and De La Hoya as there was between the latter and Saul Alvarez, this will likely be an adjustment for Munguia after competing for much of his career fighting under De La Hoya’s banner, but one that is certainly not uncommon to see fighters do throughout their careers in switching promoters depending on both opportunities in the ring as well as the financial aspects that go along with it. 

In Erik Bazinyan, Munguia will face a seasoned professional fighter, who is unbeaten in thirty-three professional fights with thirty-two wins and twenty-two coming via knockout. Bazinyan, who will come into this fight off of a draw in his last bout in May against Shakeel Phinn, is rated highly in the top ten in the WBC, WBA, IBF, and WBO, with his highest rating being the number two ranking in the WBO Super-Middleweight ratings. While the ratings process is one that is always open to scrutiny and can be confusing to non-aficionados of the sport when one also factors in the various regional, international titles, and interim championship designations, to name a few, which are all designed to elevate a fighter’s position in the world rankings with an eye towards fighting for a world championship, what it means in this context is this is not a mere “Comeback Fight" for Munguia as Bazinyan is nearing mandatory challenger status and in some cases, is now higher rated than Munguia, depending on sanctioning organization per Munguia coming off of a loss in his last fight.

Furthermore, it means the winner of this flight could be in line to challenge for a world championship in their next fight. How will this fight be fought? Bazinyan is a well schooled boxer/puncher, who despite scoring knockouts in twenty-three of his fights registering a near 72% career knockout percentage, he is not viewed as the fighter with punching power here. What he could do is look to try and implement elements of what was successful for Alvarez against Munguia. Alvaraz, as he almost always does in his fights, implemented a tactical approach against Munguia, dictating how the fight was fought, beating him to the punch consistently, and out-working Munguia over twelve rounds. The challenge for Bazinyan will be to try and do something similar, which can be easier said than done due to the pressure Munguia usually applies on his opponents in addition to his punching power.

Although Munguia is certainly capable of ending a fight with either hand at any time if he connects flush, he looks to generally break his opponents down by applying pressure and cutting the ring off from his opponents. Depending on what Bazinyan’s tactics are from the outset, look for Munguia to apply pressure early and try to back Bazinyan up along the ropes. If this will indeed be the approach Munguia will try to implement, it's logical to think that a focus to establish an attack to Bazinyan’s body will be a focal point as he will try to limit his lateral movement while applying pressure.

A fairly high stakes encounter for both fighters with a lot on the line. While this is not the ideal scenario one would think of for a fighter coming off of a loss, it is a testament to the kind of fighter Jaime Munguia is that he has chosen to jump right back into the deep waters of the Super-Middleweight division rather than looking for an opponent that would be viewed as a soft touch to try and build his confidence back. Although there is a risk no matter what path a fighter takes, it is not a given that this chapter in Munguia’s career will begin with a bounce back win. Another loss for Munguia would not necessarily put his career in danger, but if he were to lose this fight, it will likely mean the rebuild process will be a longer one and might require a different approach and perhaps some retooling in terms of what is learned, polished, and refined in the gym as far as strategy and tactics. For now, one should not think too far ahead because what Jamie Mungia will look like coming off of the first loss of his career as well as what happens in this fight will obviously play a factor in what may or may not follow. 

“And That's The Boxing Truth." 

Munguia vs. Bazinyan takes place on Friday, September 20th at Desert Diamond Arena in Glendale, AZ. The fight as well as its full undercard can be seen in the United States on digital subscription sports streaming network ESPN+ beginning at 5:45PM ET/2:45PM PT. 

ESPN+ is available through the ESPN app on mobile, tablet, and connected streaming devices and Smart TVs. For more information about ESPN+ including schedules, list of compatible streaming devices, platforms, Smart TVs, and to subscribe please visit: www.ESPNPlus.com.

(*Card and Start time Subject to Change.*)

(*Check your local listings internationally.*)

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Dubois-Joshua Preview

 On September 21st, the Boxing world will converge on the legendary Wembley Stadium for a significant event in Boxing’s Heavyweight division. Before we can talk about this event, however, we must briefly go back to the recent history of the sport to the last major event in the Heavyweight division. This observer is referring to the much-anticipated unification bout between undefeated world champions Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk, which took place in Saudi Arabia on May 18th.

A unification bout, which saw Usyk emerge as the Undisputed Heavyweight champion of the world, becoming the first fighter in Boxing history to successfully unify all five major sanctioning organizations to become a fully undisputed champion. As monumental as that moment in history was in seeing the first undisputed champion in the division crowned in twenty-five years, an element of the business of the sport loomed over the occasion. The fact that there was both a mandatory rematch clause as well as a separate mandatory title defense obligation by the International Boxing Federation (IBF), which conflicted with each other. 

Unfortunately, conflict would mean that there would only be one world champion in the division for several months as Usyk would be contractually unable to fulfill his obligation to the IBF due to his upcoming rematch with Fury in December, which resulted in him relinquishing the IBF crown and IBF number one mandatory challenger Daniel Dubois being named the IBF Heavyweight world champion. Dubois, who nearly dethroned Usyk when they fought in August 2023 now prepares to make the first defense of his world title in Wembley Stadium against former two-time Heavyweight world champion Anthony Joshua in a showdown that can be seen globally on DAZN Pay-Per-View.

While some have already chosen to discredit this encounter as a legitimate world championship fight, a point of view not shared by yours truly for the obvious reasons of regulations and policies needing to be followed and per those policies, this is a legitimate world championship fight, it does nevertheless bring together two of the division's feared “Knockout Artists." 

For the champion Daniel Dubois, he will enter this title defense having scored two impressive knockout wins in his two bouts since he lost to Usyk against Jarrell Miller in December of last year and Filip Hrgovic in June of this year. Dubois has scored knockouts in twenty of his twenty-one career wins registering a 95% career knockout percentage. The criticism of the champion, however, has been what happened to him in his two losses to Joe Joyce and Usyk where he suffered knockout losses.

 Despite suffering a broken left eye socket in his fight with Joyce in November 2020, and being broken down by Usyk, the perception of some was that Dubois quit under pressure in those fights. Although Dubois has shown the ability to bounce back well from those setbacks, he still has to combat that perception. 

If one is looking for Dubois to be tested under circumstances where the pressure will be high due in part to the “Big Fight Atmosphere," that test will likely come against Anthony Joshua.

By now, the story of Anthony Joshua is well known. A former Olympic Gold medalist and two-time unified Heavyweight world champion who is a future Hall of Famer and has spent most of his career competing in the “Big Fight Atmosphere." Much like Dubois, Joshua has suffered setbacks along the way and has also suffered two losses to Oleksandr Usyk.

Manny Boxing fans will recall that Usyk ended Joshua's second reign as a world champion in September 2021 via decision and then lost a decision in their rematch in August 2022. Since those setbacks, Joshua has rebounded winning his last four fights, three coming via knockout. In his last outing in March, Joshua scored a second round knockout of former UFC Heavyweight world champion Francis Ngannou.

While the victory over the novice boxer in Ngannou was not surprising to menu given the significant difference in experience between the boxer Joshua and the MMA star Ngannou, the third consecutive knocked in the span of less than a year showed that Joshua is still a force in the division and will enter this fight rated number three in the IBF ratings. What this fight represents for Joshua is not only an opportunity to regain a version of the World Heavyweight championship, but if he were to be successful, to enter his name into a select group of fighters in the history of the sport to have won the World Heavyweight championship on three separate occasions.

It is logical based on the styles of the two fighters to think of the possibility of a short, but potentially explosive fight given the power each fighter has. The question this observer has is whether the knowledge each fighter has of what the other can do will cause them to take a more tentative approach early on. Both fighters are capable of ending a fight with one punch so the possibility of one or both being gun shy at least early is a real one. An additional thing one should keep in mind is both champion and challenger have been known to fatigue the longer a fight goes on. While that has not always translated into losses for either, it is nevertheless, something to keep an eye on. 

Beyond a version of the World Heavyweight championship being at stake in this fight, what looms ahead also seems obvious for the winner. To put themselves in position to potentially fight the winner of the Usyk-Fury rematch to once again determine one Undisputed Heavyweight champion of the world. So much is at stake for both fighters, not just in terms of the often debated term “Legacy,” but also significant money to be made. We will see who will be able to take a step forward and move himself into the position to potentially fight for “Undisputed.”

“And That’s The Boxing Truth.”

Dubois vs. Joshua takes place on Saturday, September 21st at Wembley Stadium in London, England. The fight as well as its full undercard can be seen globally on DAZN Pay-Per-View for $19.99. The broadcast will begin at 10:30AM ET/7:30AM PT with The DAZN Boxing Show previewing the event with the Boxing action beginning at 11:30AM ET/ 8:30AM PT. (*U.S. Start Times Only*)

For more information about DAZN including schedules, list of compatible streaming devices, platforms, Smart TVs, availability around the world, local start times in your area, to subscribe, for region specific pricing, and to order this pay-per-view event please visit: www.DAZN.com. 

(*Card and Start Times Subject to Change.*)

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Alvarez Teaches The Lessons To Berlanga In The Ring, Both Teach A Lesson After The Fight

The central question that was asked of the unbeaten WBA number one Super-Middleweight contender Edgar Berlanga prior to his challenge of unified WBC/WBA/WBO Super-Middleweight world champion Saul “Canelo" Alvarez on September 14th  at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, NV was whether he was ready for the occasion. To take it a step further, would he freeze under the pressure of the “Big Fight Atmosphere?" 

It is a question that there is not a simple answer. Berlanga did after all enter his challenge of Alvarez with a record of 22-0, with 17 Knockouts, and as this observer pointed out in previewing this fight, the development of a young fighter, specifically when decisions are made by a fighter’s handlers to step up in caliber of opposition is not an exact science and should be viewed on a case by case basis. With his first sixteen fights ending in first round knockouts, however, and with Berlanga remaining unbeaten since that streak came to an end, it was perhaps inevitable that a gamble would be made.

A gamble not towards a notable opponent with name recognition and more experience that could be used as a way to gage whether Berlanga would be ready to fight for a world championship, but rather right to the champion in Alvarez. Despite his undefeated record, Berlanga was viewed as a significant underdog. Not only due to the fact that he was going up against a fighter in Alvarez with considerably more experience, but also due to the champion’s status as one of the top fighters in the sport and a future Hall of Famer. While Berlanga showed no signs of the “Big Fight Atmosphere” getting to him, it did not take long for the significant gap in experience between the challenger and the champion to show itself in the fight.

Alvarez immediately began applying pressure from the outset and forced Berlanga backwards towards the ropes. Although this was the expected strategy that Alvarez usually looks to implement, Berlanga had no answer to keep what became the pattern of the fight from happening round after round. Alvarez coming forward throwing and landing hard punches to the head and body, and pushing Berlanga back. Whether Berlanga thought that he would be able to plant his feet and keep Alvarez from pressing him backwards is a question that only he can answer, but his inability to stay off the ropes and try to turn Alvarez as he pressed forward is what worked against him in this fight. Something else that worked against him was also an inability to avoid the precision timing of Alvarez, something that has been the champion’s trademark. It was that timing of Alvarez that resulted in a knockdown in the third round courtesy of a perfectly timed flush counter left hook to the jaw that sent Berlanga down to the canvas and visibly frustrated as he banged his gloves together seemingly angry with himself for getting caught by one of the best counter punchers in the sport.

Although the pattern of the fight is something that did not change from round one, what was impressive about Berlanga, despite gradually suffering significant punishment throughout, was he did manage to have periodic moments throughout the fight in catching Alvarez with flush hooks to the head as well as managing to land some body shots. What should also not be overlooked is, despite the punishment he was sustaining, which can only be described as a gradual beating, Berlanga never quit and never stopped trying to turn things around til the final bell. 

While nothing is never really certain in combat sports, particularly when it comes to knowing how judges will see things when scorecards become necessary, this was another dominant performance by a true great fighter in Alvarez as well as one where the courage and determination of his challenger was on full display. The wide and convincing unanimous decision for Alvarez was not a surprise, but as Alvarez taught a lesson to his younger and inexperienced opponent, both fighters taught the Boxing world and it’s fans a lesson in class and respect immediately following the final bell as Berlanga and Alvarez grabbed each other and had a lengthy exchange of words for several minutes following the end of the twelfth round where Berlanga expressed his respect for Alvarez, calling him his idol and Alvarez telling his younger opponent that he has great potential and to continue with his career then embracing in a show of mutual respect.

All too often it is tempting for folks to get caught up in pre fight hype, where more often than not, personal attacks are front and center if nothing else, to drum up interest in a fight. Such personal attacks naturally carry over to the realm of social media where those who are not risking their health in competition will throw whatever insults they can to gain attention. Sadly, conduct that one would expect from children, are often shown by grown adults who mistake an opinion for what often goes over the line of what is acceptable in what is supposed to be a largely polite society. Although that is sadly a more broader reflection of where society has gone in present times, both Alvarez and Berlanga taught the Boxing world a lesson in “Class” that hopefully will show those who spend their time looking for attention and only that, that there are still things such as respect and dignity in the world and it costs nothing to show it even if you share a different opinion or if your standing across the ring from an opponent. 

“And That’s The Boxing Truth.”

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BKFC And DAZN Announce Multi-Year Worldwide Broadcast Deal

Press Release: September 14, 2024 By DAZN- Philadelphia, PA (September 13, 2024) – Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship (BKFC), The World’s Fastest Growing Combat Sports Promotion, today proudly announced a landmark three-year broadcast partnership with DAZN.  As part of this groundbreaking deal, DAZN will become the official home for BKFC, delivering exclusive live shows, pay-per-view events, and a variety of shoulder programming to fans around the world. 

Credit: DAZN

 

The partnership kicks off with BKFC Marbella, Spain emanating from the iconic Marbella Arena in Marbella, Spain, on Saturday, October 12, 2024. This highly anticipated event marks the beginning of an exciting new era for BKFC and DAZN as the partnership is slated to deliver up to 24 exclusive live events annually, solidifying DAZN as the destination for combat sports enthusiasts. 

  

BKFC’s Founder and President, David Feldman, highlighted the significance of this collaboration: “Our partnership with DAZN represents a major inflection point in BKFC’s global expansion. This three-year deal allows us to bring the adrenaline-pumping action of BKFC to an even larger, worldwide audience. DAZN shares our vision of elevating the sport of bare-knuckle fighting, and together, we will deliver an unparalleled experience to combat sports fans across the globe.” 

  

The announcement of Conor McGregor joining BKFC as a new owner and partner this past April marked a significant milestone in the promotion’s history. As one of the biggest names in combat sports, McGregor’s involvement has already brought unprecedented attention to BKFC, particularly following his appearance at the BKFC-Marbella, Spain Launch Press Conference in July. McGregor’s involvement is a testament to BKFC’s rise in profile within the combat sports world, particularly as the organization forges ahead with its global broadcast partnership with DAZN. 

  

Jared Kass, SVP North America, DAZN Group, expressed his excitement for the partnership: “We are thrilled to become the exclusive home of BKFC’s premier events. This collaboration speaks to DAZN’s dedication to delivering innovative and unforgettable combat sports experiences. With BKFC now part of our portfolio, fans worldwide will have access to some of the most exciting fights and content in the sport.” 

  

Adding to the excitement, Mario Lopez, a popular television personality, will host select BKFC events, providing his star power to further enhance the BKFC viewing experience. This deal with DAZN offers an exciting opportunity to feature not only the top BKFC fighters but also key brand ambassadors and partners; McGregor and Lopez, amplifying the visibility of BKFC globally. 

 

DAZN’s comprehensive BKFC coverage commences with BKFC Marbella, Spain on October 12 and as part of the ongoing collaboration, DAZN will broadcast a slate of upcoming BKFC premium events in 2024,

 

October 12, 2024 – Marbella, Spain

November 9, 2024 – Billings, Montana

December 14, 2024 – Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

December 21, 2024 – Hollywood Florida

 

In addition to these live events, DAZN will provide fans with an extensive catalog of exclusive BKFC programming, enhancing the viewing experience with behind-the-scenes content, fighter profiles, and more. The platform will feature: 

 

“Untapped” – A compelling behind-the-scenes series that delves into the lives, training, and personal journeys of BKFC fighters. 

Best of the BKFC Library – An expansive archive of past fights, showcasing some of the most memorable and legendary moments in BKFC history. 

Fighter profiles – Highlighting rising stars, top-tier fighters, and exclusive footage of their careers. 

 

David Tetreault, President of Triller Sports and Chief Business Officer of BKFC, played a pivotal role in securing this partnership drawing on his extensive experience with DAZN from his tenure at Golden Boy where he was the architect of the landmark Canelo Alvarez deal with DAZN. Tetreault emphasized the importance of DAZN’s global reach for the collaboration. “This partnership marks a new era for BKFC,” said Tetreault. “We are forming a steering committee composed of top executives from both DAZN and BKFC to take this partnership to new heights. With our combined expertise in Media and Entertainment, Global Marketing, and Content Distribution, we will redefine combat sports worldwide.”  

 

BKFC Marbella, Spain is headlined by three highly anticipated world title fights, promising a night of thrilling action. The main event features the BKFC Lightweight World Title Clash between Spain's Franco Tenaglia and Tony ‘Loco’ Soto of the United States while the BKFC Middleweight World Title showdown sees reigning champion David Mundell defending his title against top contender Danny Christie of the United Kingdom. In addition, Austin Trout, the reigning BKFC Welterweight World Champion, will put his title on the line for the first time against Rico Franco. Having competed across the globe, Trout is excited to showcase his skills in Spain and aims to make a statement in his title defense, while Franco is eager to stake his claim as the top welterweight in BKFC. 

 

Partnership with Triller and DAZN 

Our ongoing collaboration with Triller and DAZN continues to propel BKFC’s presence in the digital and global arenas. The partnership, which began with the Jake Paul vs. Nate Diaz boxing event, utilizes Triller’s suite of innovative tools, including the Triller app and Amplify AI technology, to increase our marketing reach. As we push forward, we are leveraging Triller TV’s streaming service as an alternative pay-per-view provider, ensuring that our events reach the widest audience possible. The upcoming BKFC 67 event will benefit from this enhanced digital strategy, driving storylines and engagement through Triller’s cutting-edge AI tools.  

 

About Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship (BKFC) 

 

Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship (BKFC) is the first promotion allowed to hold a legal, sanctioned, and regulated bare knuckle event in the United States since 1889. Based in Philadelphia, and headed by President and former professional boxer David Feldman, BKFC is dedicated to preserving the historical legacy of bare knuckle fighting, while utilizing a specifically created rule set that emphasizes fighter safety. BKFC holds all of its bouts in a revolutionary circular four-rope ring, designed to encourage fast-paced and exciting bouts. The patented BKFC “Squared Circle” contains scratch lines, based on the Broughton Rules which governed bare knuckle fighting in the 19th century, and which requires fighters to “Toe the Line”: start every round face to face, and just inches apart.  

 

In BKFC, only those fighters who are established professionals in boxing, MMA, kickboxing, or Muay Thai are allowed to compete. The referees and judges are required to have extensive professional combat sports experience. All fights are held under the auspices and control of an Athletic Commission. Unlike other fighting organizations and combat sports internationally which claim to be “bare knuckle”, but require wraps, tape, and gauze; BKFC is true to its word as fighters are not allowed to wrap their hands to within one inch of the knuckle. This makes BKFC unquestionably the truest form of bare knuckle fighting. BKFC is dedicated to not just creating the safest, most exciting, and highest-level bare-knuckle fighting organization in the world, it’s also leading the way for a new fully recognized professional combat sport. BKFC is truly the sport of the future, which fully respects its remarkable past.  

 

About DAZN   

 

DAZN is the home of European football, women’s football, boxing and MMA, and the NFL (excl. USA). DAZN is building the ultimate sports entertainment platform, based on premium sports rights, world-leading tech, and multi-platform distribution. DAZN believes that fans from across the globe should be able to watch, read, bet, play, share, socialize, buy tickets and merchandise, all in one place, with one account, one wallet and on one app. For more information on DAZN, our products, people, and performance visit dazngroup.com

 Material and Photo Courtesy of DAZN Used with permission. 

For more information about DAZN including schedules, list of compatible streaming devices, platforms, Smart TVs, availability around the world, local start times in your area, and to subscribe please visit: www.DAZN.com. 

The Boxing Truth®️ is a registered trademark of Beau Denison All Rights Reserved.

Gloves Off: Canelo vs Berlanga Live Now on Prime Video

Press Release: September 10, 2024 By Prime Video-

Credit: Prime Video 

 

All-new editions of Gloves Off explore the backstories of two elite world-class fighters who will be trading punches in a PBC Pay-Per-View event on Prime Video at T-Mobile Arena on September 14

NEW YORK—Sept. 9, 2024— Prime Video announced the release of Gloves Off: Canelo vs Berlanga, the fourth edition of the compelling behind-the-scenes presentation, Gloves Off. As momentum builds for an intriguing night of PBC Pay-Per-View action on Prime Video on September 14 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, this two-part edition of Gloves Off explores what motivates both main event participants while setting the stage for the latest chapter of the heated ring rivalry between Mexico and Puerto Rico. Mexican native Canelo Álvarez brings his Super Middleweight World Championship belts into the ring for a showdown with undefeated top-rated challenger, Edgar Berlanga, who is seeking to add another extraordinary accomplishment to the storied legacy of Puerto Rican boxing. Narrated by Barry Pepper, the program takes fans far beyond the ring. The series blends footage and stories of the fighters’ lives, families, training camp team members and training camp activity as the build-up increases for this highly anticipated 168-pound World Championship battle.

 

Having already secured his placed as one of Mexico’s all-time great fighters and destined for the International Boxing Hall of Fame, superstar Canelo Álvarez (61-2-2, 39 KOs) is putting his unified WBC, WBA and WBO Super Middleweight World Titles on the line against undefeated WBA No. 1-Ranked Mandatory Contender Edgar Berlanga (22-0, 17 KOs). The 12-round battle headlines a Mexican Independence Day weekend celebration in a city well-known for memorable athletic achievement.

 

 

Canelo-Berlanga clash marks the latest chapter of the historic and intense ring rivalry of Mexico vs. Puerto Rico

The Canelo-Berlanga pay-per-view event is also available for pre-order for $89.99 through the Prime Video app on Mobile, Tablet, and Connected Streaming Devices/Smart TVs or can also be purchased at the following link: Canelo vs. Berlanga.

Material, Photo, and Trailer Courtesy of: Prime Video and Premier Boxing Champions Used with permission. 

The Boxing Truth®️ is a registered trademark of Beau Denison All Rights Reserved.

Will Edgar Berlanga's Gamble Pay Off Against Alvarez?

The sport of Boxing and by extension combat sports is far from an exact science. While that statement by its nature is one that can cover a lot of ground, for the purposes of this column, the term “Exact Science" will be in regard to the development of a young fighter. To be more specific, when the decision is made to allow the fighter to step up in caliber of competition.

In the case of undefeated Super-Middleweight contender Edgar Berlanga, it seems like it was only yesterday that he was a rising prospect, who began his career with a streak of sixteen knockouts. As impressive as that is, what makes it more impressive is all of those knockouts came in the first round. It should not be a surprise based on that statistic that Berlanga, who turned professional in 2016 has moved up the ladder of contention rather quickly, though the first four years of his career resulted in only sixteen rounds inside the ring.

A conundrum that all fighters who have risen through the ranks as Berlanga has is to deal with the label of “Knockout Artist." As much attention as the fighter who earns that label receives for having such an ability as scoring quick and often devastating knockouts, equal attention, perhaps more so, is given when the fighter fails to continue scoring knockouts as frequently as the level of competition increases. Berlanga has not been an exception as following an eight round decision over veteran Demond Nicholson in April 2021, Berlanga has only scored one knockout since his initial string of sixteen consecutive knockouts ended with that decision victory.

While some perhaps unfairly will and have seen this as a reason to criticize the twenty-seven year old native of Brooklyn, NY, his competition level, as it does for all fighters who continue to progress, has increased. Though some may take issue with some of Berlanga’s performances since that run of sixteen knockouts came to an end, what should not be overlooked is he has been given time to get more time in the ring under his belt, has learned how to go the distance and that can only help a fighter in their development. Now, with a record of 22-0, with 17 Knockouts and a number one ranking in the World Boxing Association’s (WBA) Super-Middleweight ratings, Berlanga now prepares to take another step up as he will challenge unified WBO/WBA/WBC Super-Middleweight world champion Saul “Canelo" Alvarez on September 14th at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, NV. A world championship bout that can be seen on Prime Video Pay-Per-View.

The obvious question going into this fight is whether Berlanga is ready for what is a significant step up. Not only because it's his first opportunity to fight for a world championship, but also, because he is now going to be in the ring with a future Hall of Famer in Alvarez, who until recently, was the longtime undisputed world champion of the 168lb. Super-Middleweight division. While the International Boxing Federation's (IBF) decision to strip Alvarez of its world championship for his failure to fulfill his mandatory defense obligation against current number one contender, the unbeaten William Scull, which was due in the rotation of mandatory defenses among the various organizations, whose world titles Alvarez holds, means that this will obviously not be for an undisputed world championship, Berlanga will still be facing the number one fighter in the division. 

Therefore, if Berlanga would emerge victorious in this fight, his path to being an undisputed champion would obviously likely be a short one as he will likely look to make a fight with the winner of the bout between Scull and Vladimir Shishkin, the IBF’s number one and two contenders respectively, who are tentatively set to meet for the vacant IBF world championship later this year. The task of dethroning Alvarez, however, is not likely to be an easy one. 

In his last fight, Berlanga ended a five fight knockout drought, by scoring a sixth round knockout of previously unbeaten former IBO Light-Heavyweight world champion Padraig McCrory in February of this year in Orlando, FL. While that win showed that Berlanga still has the type of punching power that can end fights if given the opportunity, McCrory, despite being a former world champion and undefeated at the time he fought Berlanga, is not considered a household name having fought his previous eighteen bouts in the United Kingdom and Germany. Nevertheless, the knockout win over a former world champion did succeed in getting Berlanga this opportunity to challenge Alvarez,

In contrast to Berlanga, Alvarez is coming off a successful title defense in May in scoring a twelve round unanimous decision over previously undefeated former WBO Jr. Middleweight world champion Jaime Munguia in the same venue in which this fight will take place. Alvarez, though still dominant as the longtime king of the Super-Middleweights has a bit of a streak going as well, in that for the third consecutive fight, Alvarez was able to knock down his opponent in Munguia as he had done to previous opponents Jermell Charlo and John Ryder, but he could not finish either of them. 

Although this is due to the toughness and resilience of all three, some might view Alvarez’ inability to score stoppages/knockouts in those fights as a sign of possible decline. Alvarez is only thirty-four years old, but one must keep in mind that he has had sixty-five professional fights in his career and the possibility of wear and tear from so many fights as well as moving up and down the weight scale winning numerous world championships in multiple divisions along the way, all taking an accumulative toll is real.

This is a case, however, where the onus is not on the champion, who not only has a significant edge in overall experience against top caliber opposition, as well as well over a decade fighting in bouts fought at the highest level of the sport, but it is on the challenger to show he is not only ready, but can compete effectively at this level. In thinking of how this fight might be fought, two things stood out to this observer as logical. 

One, Alvarez is a fighter that is a precision counter puncher and is otherwise very compact in how he sets up and throws his punches. This is something one should expect to see the champion implement in this fight. Given the challenger’s reputation in having scored early knockouts, it is logical to think that Alvarez will be looking to bait Berlanga into making mistakes, perhaps from the opening bell. A tactic that the champion has used at times is to sit on the ropes in a defensive posture and waive his opponent in, inviting them to come forward and throw punches. While this is an obvious tactic to try and bait the opponent into making mistakes, one opponent refused to take that bait when he fought Alvarez.

This observer is referring to unbeaten now unified Light-Heavyweight world champion Dmitry Bivol. A fighter, who not unlike Berlanga, began his career with a string of early knockouts, was labeled a “Knockout Artist," but over time evolved into a master boxer that can do a little of everything. In his fight with Alvarez, Bivol not only did not allow himself to be baited by Alvarez’ tactics, but executed a near flawless fight plan, which had an emphasis on tactical Boxing. The result was a convincing decision win for Bivol in defense of his Light-Heavyweight championship in being the only fighter to beat Alvarez in over a decade.

Edgar Berlanga has shown that he is a fighter that does not strictly have punching power, but most would say and would be correct that Dmitry Bivol is at another level in terms of being a master boxer. Nevertheless, Berlanga needs to find a way to be tactical in this fight and not rely strictly on his punching power. It is also crucial that he pace himself early on. One needs to keep in mind that Berlanga has never fought at this level before and as such, this is new territory for him. There are countless stories of fighters allowing what is known as “The Big Fight Atmosphere" to get to them in some way. Whether it is being overcome by the atmosphere of the event where they freeze under the pressure of it, or, being influenced by it where they are overly aggressive, the atmosphere of the event can often be as difficult an opponent to combat as the one a fighter has standing across from them in the ring. 

Berlanga needs to approach this fight with caution from start to finish. Even if he is able to find success at points and perhaps hurt Alvarez, he needs to remember who he is in the ring with and everything the champion has shown he is capable of. Equally important, the challenger must maintain his stamina. Alvarez’ fight plan is rooted in his experience and as such, if he does not bait Berlanga into making a mistake that he can capitalize on early, the plan will likely be to extend Berlanga into the middle and late rounds at a pace that the challenger is not used to, to either try and stop him late in the fight or box his way to victory to retain his world championship. 

While this is yet another chapter in the Hall of Fame career of Saul “Canelo" Alvarez, there comes a point in just about every star fighter’s career where one might wonder if the time has come where for lack of a better term the torch will be passed from one great fighter to potentially another who will carry it for a significant period of time. Yours truly cannot say whether we might be approaching one of those moments, but it is certainly a possibility that a fighter, even a great one such as Alvarez, might get old in one fight on one night. Whether Edgar Berlanga ends up being the fighter to make such a scenario occur is a question yet to be answered. 

“And That's The Boxing Truth." 

Alvarez vs. Berlanga takes place on Saturday, September 14th at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, NV. The fight as well as it's full undercard can be seen on Prime Video Pay-Per-View presented by Premier Boxing Champions beginning at 6PM ET/3PM PT with the main card beginning at 8PM ET/6PM PT for $89.95. To order this pay-per-view card download the Prime Video app on mobile, tablet, and connected streaming devices/Smart TVs or click the following link to order: Canelo vs. Berlanga. (*Card and Start Time Subject To Change.*) (*Check your local listings internationally.*)

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KEVIN BROWN DEFEATS JOHN BAUZA TO RETAIN WBA SUPER-LIGHTWEIGHT CONTINENTAL AMERICAS TITLE ON MVP’S MOST VALUABLE PROSPECTS 8

Press Release: September 7, 2024 By Most Valuable Promotions -  Hendri Cedeno, Yoelvis Gomez take home TKO victories, with Carlos Lebron and Luis Quiles battling to majority draw on main card

Photo Credit: Joseph Correa/Most Valuable Promotions

Bree Howling illustrates top contender status with UD win over Beata Dudek, Antraveous Ingram puts on a show with TKO victory against Cruse Stewart

Nat Dove takes UD win over Wendy Villegas in another impressive showing for the up and coming star

ORLANDO, FL – September 6, 2024 – Kevin Brown (6-0, 3 KOs) successfully defended his WBA Super Lightweight Continental Americas title with a thrilling UD victory (96-93, 98-91, 97-92) over John Bauza (18-2, 8 KOs) at MVP’s Most Valuable Prospects 8 tonight at the Caribe Royale Resort in Orlando, FL. The undefeated rising star and WBA’s #14 ranked contender from Camaguey, Cuba, showcased his power and skill, dominating the bout from start to finish. Despite the vast difference in professional experience, Brown controlled the pace with sharp combinations and relentless pressure, knocking Bauza down with a hard body shot late in the first round. As the fight wore on, his confidence and power became more evident as Brown delivered some vicious shots throughout the bout. With this impressive win, Brown maintains his unbeaten record and continues his rise as a formidable force in the super lightweight division. MVP’s fourth installment of the 2024 Most Valuable Prospects series, presented by CELSIUS Live Fit Essential Energy, took place at the Caribe Royale Resort in Orlando, FL, available globally on DAZN subscription with Boxlab Promotions serving as the official licensed promoter.

Dominican prospect Hendri “La Bazuca” Cedeno (14-0, 11 KOs) maintained his unbeaten streak with a decisive TKO win over Enriko “Gudan” Gogokhia (13-2-2, 8 KOs) in their 8-round super lightweight bout on the main card. Cedeno, a 26-year-old rising talent from La Romana, Dominican Republic, displayed impressive speed, footwork, and precise punching against the seasoned Gogokhia. Cedeno remained in control, while Gogokhia showed grit and promise with unorthodox style and well-placed shots. Despite showing intent to continue at the end of the fourth round, Gogokhia suffered a shoulder dislocation, leading to a TKO victory for La Bazuca before the start of the fifth round.

In a main card matchup, 26-year-old Yoelvis “La Joya” Gomez (8-1, 7 KOs) showcased his knockout power with a thrilling TKO victory over Diego Ferreira (11-3-1, 7 KOs) in their 8-round middleweight fight. Gomez, the rising Cuban standout, made his mark from the opening bell with his aggressive style and relentless pressure. As the fight progressed, Gomez continued to find openings, landing a series of massive right hands throughout the fourth round, ultimately wearing down Gomez and leading him to retire at the end of the fourth round.

In the main card opener, Orlando, Florida’s 19-year-old talent Carlos “Pretty Boy” Lebron (3-1-1, 3 KOs) went the distance against Cidra, Puerto Rico’s Luis Quiles (2-0-1, 1 KO) in a four-round bantamweight fight. Lebron, who entered the bout with all his wins by knockout, methodically broke down Quiles with powerful combinations in the opening two rounds. Quiles made a strong showing late in the bout, coming to life in the third round and mounting a steady attack against Lebron’s power and precision through the end of the bout, resulting in a majority draw (39-37, 38-38 x2).

Kissimmee, Florida’s promising prospect Antraveous Ingram (8-0, 3 KOs) kept his undefeated record intact with a fifth-round TKO victory over Cruse “Hitman” Stewart (8-4, 6 KOs) in a super welterweight bout on the preliminary card. Ingram, fighting in front of his enthusiastic home fans, used his speed and footwork to neutralize Stewart’s power from the opening bell. Stewart pressed the action, but Ingram’s defense and heavy counterattacks knocked Stewart down in the fourth round before ultimately landing a vicious body shot at 1:31 in the fifth round, sending Stewart to the mat for good. 

26-year-old Bree “Bam Bam” Howling (8-0, 2 KOs) continued her undefeated streak with a commanding performance, defeating Hungary’s Beata Dudek (4-4, 4 KOs) by unanimous decision (80-72 x3) in an 8-round bantamweight bout on the preliminary card. Howling, ranked in the top 10 by the WBA, proved her future contender potential with technical skill and speed. Despite Dudek’s height and reach advantage, Howling controlled the pace and distance, earning the unanimous victory.

Nat “No Love” Dove (3-0) put on a commanding performance against Wendy Villegas (2-3, 2 KOs) in their four-round bantamweight bout, securing a unanimous decision (40-36 x3) victory. Dove, a training partner to MVP’s own Javon “Wanna” Walton, dominated from the opening bell with superior speed, footwork, and striking power. Throughout all the rounds, Dove's relentless pressure and impressive combinations left Villegas unable to mount a significant offense. The judges awarded Dove a unanimous decision, keeping her perfect record intact and further highlighting her potential as a rising talent in the ring.

In a thrilling 4-round lightweight bout on the preliminary card, Harley “Dennis the Menace” Mederos (7-0, 6 KOs) delivered an impressive TKO win against Russia’s Nikolai Buzolin (9-10-1, 5 KOs). Mederos knocked down Buzolin in the first round with a series of devastating blows to the head and body, and repeated the feat in the second round. In the third round, Mederos unleashed a relentless barrage, knocking Buzolin down three times before the referee stepped in to stop the fight, awarding Mederos a TKO victory. 

In the final fight of the night, Christian Rivera (1-0) defeated Rommel Toran (1-2-1, 1 KO) by unanimous decision in a 4 round welterweight fight

The Most Valuable Prospects series is produced and marketed by MVP with Boxlab Promotions serving as the official licensed promoter and is distributed globally by DAZN. The eighth event in the series continued the commitment from MVP co-founders Jake Paul and Nakisa Bidarian to highlight the world’s best up-and-coming boxing talent. All events within Most Valuable Prospects will take place on Friday nights in 2024. CELSIUS Live Fit Essential Energy, maker of lifestyle energy drink, is the exclusive energy drink sponsor of MVP and the Most Valuable Prospects series. Fansly and Event Ticket Center have joined on to sponsor Most Valuable Prospects as well.

For more information, follow on X via @MostVPromotions and @DAZNBoxing or on Instagram via @MostValuablePromotions and @DAZNBoxing.

About MVP

MVP was founded by Jake Paul and Nakisa Bidarian in 2021. With the mission to provide more creative control to fighters, MVP works to identify, grow, and maximize return for its own events and talent partners. One year into its inception, MVP was nominated as one of the prestigious Sports Breakthroughs of the Year in 2022 by Sports Business Journal. MVP have produced Jake Paul’s last five global pay-per-view events, including the recent Paul vs. Diaz match. The promotion company also signed one of the most decorated Hispanic athletes of all time, Amanda Serrano in its first year. Serrano and MVP made history in April of 2022 when Serrano went head to head with Katie Taylor, marking the first female fight to headline at Madison Square Garden, recently earning a nomination for Event of The Year by Sports Business Journal. Co-founder Nakisa Bidarian was an executive producer of the historic Triller Presents Mike Tyson v. Roy Jones Jr., which was the 8th most bought pay-per-view event in history.

About DAZN

DAZN is the home of European football, women’s football, boxing and MMA, and the NFL (excl. USA). We are building the ultimate sports entertainment platform, based on premium sports rights, world-leading tech, and multi-platform distribution. DAZN believes that fans from across the globe should be able to watch, read, bet, play, share, socialise, buy tickets and merchandise, all in one place, with one account, one wallet and on one app.

For more information on DAZN, our products, people, and performance, visit: dazngroup.com

Material Courtesy of: Most Valuable Promotions/Photo Courtesy of: Joseph Correa/ Most Valuable Promotions Used with permission. 

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