Friday, December 5, 2025

BKB Bare Knuckle Boxing Returns to its London Home, The indigo at the O2 on Saturday, February 21, 2026

 

Credit: BKB



Press Release: December 6, 2025 By BKB: Bareknuckle Boxing - BKB 51 will be headlined by “The Emperor of Bare Knuckle” Marko Martinjak defending his BKB Bridgerweight Championship against former BKB Heavyweight Champion “Hurricane” Ike Villanueva.




LONDON, ENGLAND – BKB Bare Knuckle Boxing announced today its return to the indigo at the O2 for BKB 51, on Saturday, February 21, 2026.




Said BKB CEO David Tetreault: “BKB is proud to announce its return home to the iconic indigo at the O2. This past year, with our partnership with talkSPORT and our expansion to all corners of the UK, BKB has solidified itself as the top promotion in the country. It's only fitting that we kick off our 2026 European calendar year in London with a return to the indigo where our company has sold out dozens of shows over the past decade.”  




Headlining the card will be the first Bridgerweight title defense of Zagreb, Croatia’s 12-2 Marko Martinjak. This past October in Leeds, UK, the then Cruiserweight Champion Martinjak defeated Dan Podmore to win the Bridgerweight title and become BKB’s second two-division world champion. Shortly thereafter, Martinjak relinquished the Super Cruiserweight belt to concentrate on the Bridgerweight division. 




His opponent Ike VIllanueva (Houston, Texas, USA) is the 5-2 former BKB Heavyweight Champion. Villanueva, a former UFC veteran, was successful in his initial Bridgerweight matchup this past November against former Martinjak trilogy foe Jarome Hatch




Said Villanueva: “Kovacs, Fish, Linderman, Olsen, Hatch. I’ve built my BKB resume knocking out big, bald-headed white guys like Marko. I can’t wait to add Emperor to that list.”




Said Martinjak: “Train hard and eat well, Ike. Because on February 21st, hell will be unleashed.”




In the past two years, BKB (originally BYB) has purchased the UK-based BKB, the world’s oldest professional bare knuckle boxing company, and in doing so merged the organizations to create the largest bare knuckle boxing company in the world in terms of roster, library and distribution; ushered in ethical and legalized gambling to the sport; acquired the rights to the historic and prestigious Police Gazette Diamond Belt which now serves as the Bare Knuckle Boxing World Championship; and brought bare knuckle boxing to lineal television on both sides of the Atlantic, including the recent deal with VICE TV and Telemundo Deportes in the US, and in the UK with talkSPORT. 




Tickets for BKB 51 are on sale now at bkbtickets.com/bkb51. Visit bkbbareknuckle.com and follow on social @bkbbareknuckle for tickets, information and all ways to watch. 



Material and Photo Courtesy of: BKB Bareknuckle Boxing Used with permission.


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




Thursday, December 4, 2025

Harvey vs. Cervantes Added To Joshua-Paul Card

Credit:Most Valuable Promotions/Netflix 


Press Release: December 4, 2025 By Most Valuable Promotions and Netflix- MVP Fight Week Showcase 2 takes place Tuesday, December 16 at 6pm ET at LIV at Fontainebleau Miami Beach, featuring Jake vs. Joshua open workouts and three sanctioned, professional bouts featuring MVP’s Luan Medeiros, Shannon Courtenay, and Jocelyn Camarillo



MVP Jake vs. Joshua Press Conference takes place Wednesday, December 17 at 6pm ET at Fillmore Miami Beach



MVP Jake vs. Joshua Public Weigh-Ins take place Thursday, December 18 at 6pm ET at Fillmore Miami Beach



All fight week events are free and open to the public to attend on a first-come, first-served basis




MIAMI, FLORIDA – December 4, 2025 – Most Valuable Promotions (MVP) and Netflix today announced that MVP’s US Olympian, amateur world champion, and 10x US amateur national champion Jahmal Harvey (1-0, 1 KO) will open the main card of MVP’s Jake vs. Joshua: Judgment Day, live only on Netflix, on Friday, December 19. After a statement knockout in his pro debut, Harvey now steps into the global spotlight on Netflix vs. undefeated prospect Kevin Cervantes (5-0, 5 KOs) in a matchup designed to showcase two of the division’s most promising rising talents. Harvey vs. Cervantes will be a 6-round super featherweight bout contested at 130lbs. Tickets for Jake vs. Joshua are on sale now at Ticketmaster.com



MVP and Netflix today also announced the full fight week schedule for Jake vs. Joshua: Judgment Day, headlined by the colossal global showdown between boxing’s biggest disruptor, international superstar and WBA #15-ranked cruiserweight Jake “El Gallo de Dorado” Paul (12-1, 7 KOs) and two-time unified WBO, WBA, and IBF heavyweight world champion, Olympic gold medalist and knockout machine Anthony “AJ” Joshua (28-4, 25 KOs). As part of the buildup to the mega-event at Kaseya Center in Miami, Florida, on Friday, December 19, MVP and Netflix will host three fight week events. Kicking off the week, MVP Fight Week Showcase 2 will feature Jake vs. Joshua open workouts alongside three sanctioned, professional bouts, set to include MVP’s newest signees Luan Medeiros and Jocelyn Camarillo alongside MVP’s Shannon Courtenay at LIV at Fontainebleau Miami Beach, followed by the MVP Fight Week press conference and public weigh-ins at Fillmore Miami Beach. All fight week events will be free and open to the public on a first come, first served basis.



On Tuesday, December 16, MVP Fight Week Showcase 2 will take place at LIV at Fontainebleau Miami Beach, featuring open workouts for Jake vs. Joshua: Judgment Day and three sanctioned professional fights, starting at 6:00 p.m. ET / 3:00 p.m. PT. The second installment of MVP’s fight week showcase bouts will be headlined by Brazilian national champion and MVP’s new signee Luan Medeiros (6-0, 4 KOs) vs. Mexico’s Hugo Macias (7-1-1, 5 KOs) in a 6-round lightweight bout at 135lbs. Also on the card will be MVP and England’s Shannon “The Baby Face Assassin” Courtenay (9-3, 3 KOs) vs. Jessica Radtke Maltez (2-2-2) in a 6-round bantamweight bout at 118lbs and MVP’s new signee Jocelyn Camarillo (5-0) vs. Yazmin Martinez Jimenez (3-2-2, 1 KO) in a 4-round light flyweight bout at 108 lbs. These fights will be officially sanctioned by the Florida Athletic Commission. The entire event, including the three fights, will stream live on MVP’s YouTube Channel and Netflix Sports’ YouTube Channel.



On Wednesday, December 17, MVP and Netflix will host the official final Press Conference for Jake vs. Joshua: Judgment Day at Fillmore Miami Beach starting at 6:00pm ET / 3:00pm PT. The press conference will feature the final war of words between main event stars Jake Paul and Anthony Joshua, co-main event stars Alycia Baumgardner and Leila Beaudoin, main card fighters Anderson Silva and Tyron Woodley, as well as additional preliminary card fighters, and will stream live on MVP’s YouTube Channel and Netflix Sports’ YouTube Channel.



On Thursday, December 18, MVP and Netflix will host the Jake vs. Joshua: Judgment Day public weigh-in, streaming live from Fillmore Miami Beach at 6:00pm ET / 3:00pm PT on MVP’s YouTube Channel and Netflix Sports’ YouTube Channel. 



On Friday, December 19, Jake vs. Joshua: Judgment Day streams live on Netflix from Kaseya Center in Miami, Florida. The preliminary card begins at 4:45pm ET / 1:45pm PT on MVP’s YouTube Channel and Netflix’s Tudum, with the main card starting at 8:00pm ET / 5:00pm PT, live only on Netflix. 



“Being on the main card of Jake vs. Joshua is a massive stage and platform to showcase my talent and really introduce Jahmal Harvey to the world; so I’m grateful to my team, MVP and Netflix for making it happen,” said Jahmal Harvey. “I’m looking to seize the moment and make a big statement to kick off the main card live on Netflix!”



“Jake vs. Joshua fight week builds up to the biggest event in boxing this year, with fight week events hosted at the iconic LIV at Fontainebleau Miami Beach and Fillmore Miami Beach, all free and open to the public,” said Nakisa Bidarian, CEO and co-founder of Most Valuable Promotions. “The week will begin with the return of our signature series of sanctioned, professional fights within our open workouts event, MVP Fight Week Showcase 2, spotlighting three MVP fighters: our newest signings Luan Almeida and US prospect Jocelyn Camarillo, joined by former world champion Shannon Courtenay. The week continues with a massive press conference and our public weigh-in, each bringing together the entire fight card. We also look forward to formally introducing the global Netflix audience to US Olympian Jahmal Harvey, who will open the main card of Jake vs. Joshua, and who we believe is the most promising male boxing prospect to come out of Team USA this decade.”



“MVP keeps raising the bar. Two GOATs in Anderson Silva vs. Tyron Woodley, Alycia Baumgardner ready for a takeover and doing so with men’s rules, and now Jahmal Harvey joining the main card to show the world why he’s America’s next superstar,” said Jake Paul. “Jake vs. Joshua Fight Week is stacked, it’s free for fans, and it’s all building to me shocking the world on Friday, December 19 at Kaseya Center, live only on Netflix.”



US Olympian and amateur world champion Jahmal Harvey (1-0, 1 KO) was introduced to boxing at age 13 by his football coach Darrell Davis, who also owned a boxing gym. After competing in both sports, Harvey, an Oxon Hill, Maryland native, soon went all-in on boxing and immediately proved his elite potential at the junior, youth, and amateur levels, becoming a 10x national champion. By 18, he was training and sparring with Olympians, including Keyshawn Davis and Duke Ragan. That same year, he captured gold at the 2021 Elite World Championships— becoming the first American male to win the world title since 2007, while competing as one of the youngest athletes in the tournament. The next year, he took home silver at the 2022 Continental Championships and continued to dominate at the international level in 2023, winning gold at the Santiago Pan American Games. The finish qualified him for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, where he finished as a quarter-finalist. The 22-year-old Harvey signed with Most Valuable Promotions ahead of his professional debut–a knockout win–on MVP’s Most Valuable Prospects 14 in August 2025, heralded as one of the top prospects in American boxing.



Kevin Cervantes (5-0, 5 KOs) comes to the ring from Los Angeles by way of Barranquilla, Colombia. The 25-year-old prospect holds a perfect undefeated record so far in his pro career, and comes to the ring fresh from his latest first-round TKO win in September 2025. He began boxing at just 11 years old after his parents introduced him to the sport to channel his energy and fighting spirit productively. With an impressive 87-fight amateur background, Cervantes has developed into a relentless brawler known for his aggressive, high-pressure style reminiscent of his idol, Roberto “Manos de Piedra” Durán. Defined by his hard work, discipline, and commitment, Cervantes continues to build his name in the professional ranks as one of the sport’s most determined young fighters. He is managed by Rob Suarez and trained by Oscar Negrete. 



MVP’s new signee Luan Medeiros (6-0, 4 KOs) is an undefeated professional lightweight boxer and the current CNB Super Lightweight Brazilian National Champion. As an amateur, he built an extensive career with close to 150 fights, boasting over 114 wins and becoming a Brazilian National Champion, Copa del Pacífico winner in Ecuador, and a Cheo Aponte Tournament runner-up in Puerto Rico. Domestically, he won multiple regional titles, including 4x Rio de Janeiro state champion, 3x São Paulo state champion, Paraná state champion, Sul-Sudeste champion, and Centro-Oeste champion. He also represented Brazil internationally, winning team challenges against Italy and Argentina. Outside the ring, the 30-year-old Luan is known for his relationship with Brazilian A-list actress Mel Maia, who has over 21 million followers. His opponent, Hugo Macias (7-1-1, 5 KOs), is a 32-year-old prospect from Tijuana, Mexico. Macias most recently earned a 4th round TKO win in September 2025, and now makes his international boxing debut in his first pro bout outside of Mexico against Medeiros.



Former WBA bantamweight world champion at 118lbs and Abbots Langley, Hertfordshire native, Shannon Courtenay (9‑3, 3 KOs) transformed her life and career after discovering boxing in her early twenties, trading in a party lifestyle for intense discipline at Finchley ABC in London. Rising through the professional ranks beginning in March 2019, she claimed the vacant WBA female bantamweight title in April 2021, delivering a fiercely technical and emotional unanimous decision over Australia’s Ebanie Bridges in what many hailed as one of women's boxing’s best fights. Courtenay’s jab proved decisive, and she overcame early cut damage and increasing pressure to outmaneuver Bridges and increasingly exploit a swelling eye that nearly shut by round eight. Unfortunately, Courtenay was stripped of her title ahead of her first defense in October 2021 when she came in 2.5 lb over the limit, an issue she attributed to an unexpected menstrual cycle—a rare moment of honesty that highlighted health over title retention. She subsequently faced Jamie Mitchell at Liverpool’s Echo Arena, losing a hard-fought majority decision in October  2021 despite staying in the ring through adversity. Courtenay returned to the ring in October 2024, edged out with a competitive points decision defeat to Catherine Tacone Ramos in a six-round bout at London’s Copper Box Arena. She most recently defeated Bec Connolly in March 2025. Her opponent, Jessica Radtke Maltez (2-2-2) comes to the ring from Waconia, Minnesota. Maltez most recently earned a unanimous decision win in September 2025.



MVP’s new signee Jocelyn Camarillo (5-0) is a 3x amateur national champion, former #1-ranked US amateur in the light flyweight division, and a proud training partner for Team USA Youth & Elite. She proudly represents Indio, California as one of the brightest young talents coming out of the Coachella Valley boxing community. Jocelyn grew up watching boxing and developed a natural passion that eventually led her to train at the historic Coachella Valley Boxing Club, where she built a strong amateur foundation and sharpened her skills among some of the region’s best athletes. Known for her speed, accuracy, and high-IQ pressure style, Jocelyn has quickly developed a reputation as a disciplined athlete with true star potential. Both inside and outside the ring, she brings charisma, professionalism, and a growing fanbase that continues to follow her journey. As she enters the next chapter of her career with MVP, standing 5-0 on her pro career, Jocelyn is focused, hungry, and ready to take on bigger challenges. She will face Yazmin Martinez Jimenez (3-2-2, 1 KO) over 4 rounds at light flyweight. Jimenez, the 24-year-old prospect, fights out of Mexico City, Mexico and most recently earned a TKO win in March 2025 and a split draw in October 2025 against highly touted and undefeated prospect, Perla Bazaldua.



For more information, follow on X via @MostVPromotions and @Netflix, on Instagram via @MostValuablePromotions and @Netflix, or on Netflix’s Tudum.




About Most Valuable Promotions (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 has produced Jake Paul’s last seven global pay-per-view events, including the recent Paul vs. Chavez Jr. 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, earning a nomination for Event of The Year by Sports Business Journal. MVP made history again in November 2024 with Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson and Katie Taylor vs. Amanda Serrano 2, the first-ever live professional sports event on Netflix. MVP’s Paul vs. Tyson streamed live globally on Netflix and shattered records, becoming the most-streamed sporting event ever with 108 million live viewers globally. MVP followed that up by Katie Taylor vs. Amanda Serrano 3 in July 2024 the first all women’s boxing card to be featured on Netflix.  Co-founder Nakisa Bidarian was an executive producer of Paul vs. Tyson and the historic Triller Presents Mike Tyson v. Roy Jones Jr., which was the 8th most bought pay-per-view event in history.



About Netflix 


Netflix is one of the world's leading entertainment services, with over 300 million paid memberships in over 190 countries enjoying TV series, films, and games across a wide variety of genres and languages. Members can play, pause, and resume watching as much as they want, anytime, anywhere, and can change their plans at any time.



About Fontainebleau Miami Beach


A spectacular blend of Golden Era glamour and modern luxury, Fontainebleau Miami Beach merges striking design, contemporary art, music, fashion, and history into a vibrant guest experience. A revered landmark and symbol of style and sophistication since its opening in 1954, Fontainebleau Miami Beach boasts 1,504 guestrooms and suites appointed with lavish amenities; the world-renowned LIV™ Nightclub, 12 restaurants and lounges including AAA Four Diamond signature restaurant Hakkasan and Mirabella, celebrating coastal Italian cuisine; the 40,000-square-foot Lapis Spa with mineral-rich water therapies and invigorating treatments; a dramatic oceanfront pool-scape offering lush cabanas; and is home to BleauLive, the innovative concert series that combines intimate performances with memorable weekend escapes. For general information or accommodations at Fontainebleau Miami Beach, visit fontainebleau.com or call 1.877.512.8002. 



About Fillmore Miami Beach


Fillmore Miami Beach at the Jackie Gleason Theater, located in the heart of Miami Beach, is one of South Florida’s premier live entertainment venues. For more than 70 years, the 2,400-seat theater has helped shape Miami’s vibrant entertainment culture by hosting many of the world’s most celebrated artists and performances across concerts, comedy, and special events. Operated by Live Nation, Fillmore Miami Beach continues to deliver world-class live experiences for fans throughout the region and beyond.



About Kaseya Center


Located in the center of booming downtown Miami and the Entertainment District, Kaseya Center—home of the NBA Champion Miami HEAT—hosts 80+ non-basketball events each year including A-list concerts, family shows, sporting events, national conferences and more. Built with state-of-the-art sound and lighting and HD and electronic media signage inside and out, the impressive 19,600-seat Kaseya Center is currently ranked the #1 arena in Florida for the 10th consecutive year—and the 13th time during the past 14 years—according to Billboard’s 2024 year-end rankings. Kaseya Center is also among the leading facilities in the country for hosting Latin entertainment. The Center has led the renaissance of downtown Miami over the past two decades, helping to transform the area into a thriving arts and entertainment district. The facility has hosted more than 1,200 events including diverse musical superstars such as Marc Anthony, Celine Dion, Ed Sheeran, Lady Gaga, Bruno Mars, The Killers, Bad Bunny, Carrie Underwood, Dua Lipa, Tool, Imagine Dragons, Kane Brown, Karol G, Drake, Andrea Bocelli and Paul McCartney, just to name a few. In 2009, Kaseya Center became among the first existing buildings in the country to have achieved LEED certification by the United States Green Building Council for its commitment to sustainability practices. More recently, in 2021, the Arena achieved its second LEED gold recertification. For more information about Kaseya Center, visit kaseyacenter.com.



Material and Photo Courtesy of: Most Valuable Promotions and Netflix Used with permission 


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



Wednesday, December 3, 2025

UPDATE: Lara Now To Defend WBA World Middleweight Championship Against Gonzalez

In a follow-up to a previous story we have been following here on The Boxing Truth®, it has been announced per Ring Magazine that WBA World Middleweight champion Erislandy Lara will now defend his title against Johan GonzalezAs previously reported here on the website, Lara was to face unbeaten unified WBO/IBF World Middleweight champion Janibek Alimkhanuly in a unification bout, but Alimkhanuly ha been pulled from the fight due to testing positive for a banned substance. As of this writing, it remains unclear as to Alimkhanuly’s status with regard to both the WBO and IBF as each respective organization’s current World Middleweight champion. 


Lara, (31-3-3, with 19 Knockouts) will now defend his title against Gonzalez, (36-4, with 34 Knockouts) who is stepping in in a little less than four days notice to challenge Lara, and who is not currently rated in the top ten in the World Boxing Association’s Middleweight ratings. Lara vs. Gonzalez will take place on the undercard of the Isaac Cruz-Lamont Roach bout that will be broadcast on Prime Video pay-per-view on Saturday, December 6th in San Antonio, TX. We will continue to update readers on developments as they become available. Stay tuned.


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Tuesday, December 2, 2025

BREAKING: WBO Statement Regarding Janibek Alimkhanuly

The World Boxing Organization (WBO) has released an official statement through its website and social media channels following it's World Middleweight champion Janibek Alimkhanuly testing positive for a banned substance ahead of his scheduled unification bout with WBA World Middleweight champion Erislandy Lara on the undercard of the Isaac Cruz-Lamont Roach pay-per-view card scheduled for Saturday night in San Antonio, TX. As of this writing, the International Boxing Federation (IBF), whose World Middleweight championship Janibek Alimkhanuly also holds, has not released a statement regarding the situation. The WBO’s official statement can be read below.



Credit: WBO

As of this writing, the scheduled bout where the WBO, IBF, and WBA World Middleweight championships would be on the line, remains on as scheduled. We will keep readers updated on developments as they become available. Stay tuned.


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MOST VALUABLE PROMOTIONS ANNOUNCES COMMERCIAL DISTRIBUTION PARTNERSHIP WITH EVERPASS MEDIA FOR HIGHLY ANTICIPATED JAKE VS. JOSHUA: JUDGMENT DAY EVENT

Press Release: December 2, 2025 By Most Valuable Promotions- EverPass holds the exclusive commercial rights to sell and distribute the upcoming Jake vs. Joshua event to bars, restaurants and casinos nationwide



Boxing’s biggest disruptor Jake Paul challenges heavyweight powerhouse Anthony Joshua in a colossal global showdown at 8pm ET / 5pm PT on Friday, December 19, 2025 on Netflix



NEW YORK – December 2, 2025 – Most Valuable Promotions (“MVP”), the trailblazing boxing promotion founded by Nakisa Bidarian and Jake Paul, and EverPass Media (“EverPass”), the premier media platform delivering premium live sports content to commercial businesses, today announced a commercial distribution partnership providing EverPass the exclusive right to sell and distribute MVP’s upcoming boxing mega-event between Jake Paul and Anthony Joshua and also featuring a matchup between two MMA legends in Anderson Silva and Tyron Woodley, to bars, restaurants and other commercial businesses in the United States. The event will take place on Friday, December 19, at Kaseya Center in Miami, FL and stream globally on Netflix.



“At Most Valuable Promotions, our mission is to bring premium, must-see fight nights to fans wherever they choose to watch,” said Nakisa Bidarian, CEO of Most Valuable Promotions. “Partnering with EverPass Media for Jake vs. Joshua: Judgment Day ensures that fans have the chance to experience one of the biggest boxing events in a decade, in the shared energy of bars, restaurants, casinos, and commercial venues nationwide.”



“This partnership with MVP underscores EverPass’ role as the leader in bringing premium live events to the commercial market,” said Alex Kaplan, CEO of EverPass Media. “Jake Paul events reliably bring fans through the door, and EverPass turns that demand into real business impact by aggregating must-see sports and making access simple for bars and restaurants.”



Kaplan continued, “The commercial ecosystem is moving fast, and EverPass sits at the center of it. Our platform gives businesses one place and one partner for premium sports, backed by a growing slate of marquee events. Events like this are meant to be experienced together, and that shared atmosphere is what sets the commercial market apart. We are proud to work with MVP and Netflix to deliver this event to audiences nationwide.”



Jake vs. Joshua: Judgment Day will be headlined by boxing’s biggest disruptor, international superstar and WBA #14-ranked cruiserweight Jake “El Gallo de Dorado” Paul (12-1, 7 KOs) and two-time unified WBO, WBA, and IBF heavyweight world champion, Olympic gold medalist and knockout machine Anthony “AJ” Joshua (28-4, 25 KOs). The matchup unites Paul, the sport’s most-watched fighter, whose showmanship has redefined modern boxing and shattered records at every turn, with Joshua, one of boxing’s most accomplished, respected, and feared punchers, a global icon who has headlined sold-out stadiums across the UK and beyond. The event marks Paul’s second live event on Netflix in just over a year, following his record-breaking victory over Mike Tyson in November 2024. In the co-main event of Jake vs. Joshua: Judgment Day, MVP’s undisputed super featherweight world champion Alycia “The Bomb” Baumgardner (16-1, 7 KOs) will make a unified WBA, WBO, and IBF world title defense at 130lbs against Canada’s #2 IBF, #3 WBO and WBA contender Leila Beaudoin (13-1, 2 KOs). Tickets for Jake vs. Joshua: Judgment Day are on sale now at Ticketmaster.com. The event will also feature MVP’s exclusive VIP experiences, including the MVP Owner’s Experience.



Additional EverPass sports offerings include Netflix’s exclusive NFL 2025 Christmas Day games, NFL Sunday Ticket, Peacock Sports Pass (Premier League, Big Ten football and basketball), UEFA Champions League (Paramount+) and more. To learn more about how EverPass can bring premium live sports to your business, visit https://everpass.com/.



About EverPass Media


EverPass Media is a premier streaming platform dedicated to commercial businesses, that aggregates, distributes and enables streaming of live sports and entertainment content, and offers a wide array of consumer engagement and performance marketing tools for bars, restaurants, hotels and other commercial venues. Launched initially as the exclusive distributor of NFL Sunday Ticket to commercial establishments in the United States, EverPass partners with rightsholders, distribution partners and business owners to unlock greater access to premium live events and drive business growth. EverPass was founded in 2023 in partnership with RedBird Capital Partners and 32 Equity, the strategic investment arm of the National Football League. TKO Group Holdings, parent company of UFC and WWE, joined as an investor in 2024.



About Most Valuable Promotions (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 has produced Jake Paul’s last seven global pay-per-view events, including the recent Paul vs. Chavez Jr. 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, earning a nomination for Event of the Year by Sports Business Journal. MVP made history again in November 2024 with Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson and Katie Taylor vs. Amanda Serrano 2, the first-ever live professional sports event on Netflix. MVP’s Paul vs. Tyson streamed live globally on Netflix and shattered records, becoming the most-streamed sporting event ever with 108 million live viewers globally. MVP followed that up by Katie Taylor vs. Amanda Serrano 3 in July 2024, the first all-women’s boxing card to be featured on Netflix. Co-founder Nakisa Bidarian was an executive producer of Paul vs. Tyson and the historic Triller Presents Mike Tyson v. Roy Jones Jr., which was the 8th most bought pay-per-view event in history.


Material Courtesy of: Most Valuable Promotions Used with permission 


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




BREAKING: Benn Named Number One Welterweight Contender By WBC

It was announced earlier today by the World Boxing Council’s (WBC) annual convention in Bangkok, Thailand that Conor Benn, who recently scored a twelve round unanimous decision in his rematch with former two-division world champion Chris Eubank Jr. on November 15th in a bout held in the 154lb. Jr. Middleweight division, has been named the new WBC number one contender in the 147lb. Welterweight division. This announcement puts Benn as a replacement for previous number one contender and Hall of Famer Manny Pacquiao, who fought to a draw in July of this year with current WBC World Welterweight champion Mario Barrios.


Barrios is rumored to be nearing a title defense early in 2026 against Welterweight contender Ryan Garcia, which has not been officially announced as of this writing. As for Manny Pacquiao, his next move as he intends to continue his comeback in 2026 is uncertain as of this writing. We will keep readers updated on developments as they are made available. Stay tuned.


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Monday, December 1, 2025

Cruz-Roach Preview

On Saturday, December 6th, the Boxing world will focus on the Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, TX for a fight, which in all likelihood will have repercussions in the 140lb. Jr. Welterweight division heading into 2026 and to be specific, with regard to the World Boxing Council (WBC) Jr. Welterweight ratings. This observer is referring to the battle between top contenders Isaac Cruz and Lamont Roach, a fight that will headline a pay-per-view card promoted under the Premier Boxing Champions (PBC) banner and streamed in the United States by Prime Video. What makes this an intriguing battle beyond an interesting clash of styles, which alone should draw interest amongst Boxing aficionados is the stakes of this encounter have potentially increased since the time the bout was announced.


First we have the clash of styles between a come forward pressure fighter in Cruz that tries to break his opponents down gradually in the mold of a Julio Cesar Chavez Sr., in that often from the opening bell, he comes forward and tries to apply constant pressure and back his opponent up with a swarming attack to the body and head. In thirty-two professional bouts, Cruz, who will walk into this fight holding an interim championship designation in the WBC Jr. Welterweight ratings, has a record of 28-3-1, with 18 Knockouts.


Standing across the ring from him on December 6th will be Lamont Roach. Roach, a former longtime top contender in the 130lb. Jr. Lightweight division, who briefly held a similar interim designation in the WBA’s rankings in that weight class, is a well-rounded boxer/puncher that can do a little of everything, who will enter the fight with a record of 25-1-2, with 10 Knockouts. Despite the contrast in styles, both fighters share a commonality. Both have previously found themselves in decisions that many feel should have gone their way against the same fighter in Gervonta Davis. Some may recall Cruz putting forth a spirited effort against Davis four years and one day from where this fight will take place against Roach, in December 2021. A fight where many believed he deserved the decision based on the pressure and body work he inflicted on Davis over the course of the fight, but ended up losing a close twelve round unanimous decision. 


More recently, Roach found himself on what many considered to be the wrong end of a decision against Davis in March of this year where he appeared to not have what should have been credited as a knockdown in his favor in the ninth round where Davis took a knee and had one of his cornermen wipe his face with a towel before continuing on. This blown call by Referee Steve Willis by not ruling a knockdown against Davis, as should have been the case when a fighter takes a knee for any reason outside of after suffering an illegal blow, is what many point to in resulting in Roach getting a twelve round majority draw as opposed to a victory that many observers including this one, felt he deserved. Obstacles toward a rematch with Davis, coupled with the latter’s choosing to sign to participate in an exhibition with Jake Paul, before ultimately being removed from that endeavor due to accusations of domestic violence against him, have resulted in Roach now facing Cruz.


What this fight comes down to in my eyes is virtually the same question that is asked of all Isaac Cruz opponents. Can Roach find a way to offset the pressure attack that Cruz will be trying to execute? While Cruz is not known for punching power, his knockouts have come from breaking his opponents down and he tries to more or less pin himself onto an opponent's chest where he not only cuts the ring off, but makes it extremely difficult for that fighter to get any breathing room where they can move, let alone find a consistent rhythm.


Although this has proven to be a difficult task to combat for many opponents, Lamont Roach does have good lateral movement, the ability to use angles, and a good mix of hand speed and accuracy when it comes to counter punching. Whether or not he will be able to set traps for Cruz as he comes forward to set up counter punch opportunities and whether he can evade the pressure and body/head attack of Cruz for all twelve rounds remains to be seen. 


The wrinkle that has emerged since this fight was announced that could potentially raise the stakes is while Cruz’ WBC Interim designation will be at stake in the fight, current WBC World Jr. Welterweight champion Subriel Matias, who has a scheduled title defense in January against Dalton Smith in New York, recently tested positive for the banned substance Ostarine during randomized testing conducted by the Voluntary Anti-Doping Agency (VADA) while in training for that title defense. As of this writing, the status of both that fight as well as Matias’ standing as WBC world champion in the Jr. Welterweight division is unknown. 


The possibility certainly exists, however, that the WBC could strip Matias of the title per the testing results either before or shortly after the Cruz-Roach fight takes place, which would obviously either elevate this fight to a world title bout or create a situation where the winner of it will be named world champion and possibly be mandated to fight Dalton Smith in 2026 assuming that Matias would not be permitted to fight due to possible suspension both by the WBC as well as the Association of Boxing Commissions that has both state and international membership due to the failed test.


Either way one chooses to look at this situation, the stakes are high for both Cruz and Roach regardless of a world title is on the line here as regardless, the winner will be in a position for potential lucrative fights going into 2026 and even though world championships still mean something and will always hold value in the sport, the possibility for more lucrative paydays often man as much or more than the championships themselves. Which fighter will find himself in such a position remains to be seen.


“And That's The Boxing Truth.”


Cruz vs. Roach takes place on Saturday, December 6th at the Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, TX. The fight as well as its undercard can be seen in the United States on Prime Video Pay-Per-View beginning at 5:30 PM ET/2:30 PM PT with free preliminary bouts with the pay-per-view portion beginning at 8PM ET/5PM PT for $79.95. To order this pay-per-view event download the Prime Video app on mobile, tablet, or connected streaming devices and smart TVs and find Premier Boxing Champions in the Sports section or click the following link : PBC: Cruz vs. Roach


(*Card And Start Times Subject To Change.”


(*Check your local listings and Prime Video for availability and pricing internationally.*)


For more information about Premier Boxing Champions please visit: www.PremierBoxingChampions.com 


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Cruz-Roach PPV Card Now Available For Pre-Order On Prime Video

The December 6th Premier Boxing Champions (PBC) pay-per-view card headlined by a a twelve round Jr. Welterweight bout between WBC Interim contender Isaac Cruz and Lamont Roach with Cruz’ Interim status in the 140lb. Jr. Welterweight division will be at stake, is now available for pre-order on Prime Video for $79.95. To order this pay-per-view event download the Prime Video app on mobile, tablet or your streaming device or Smart TV of choice or click the following link. PBC: Cruz vs. Roach. We will have a preview of Cruz-Roach available here on The Boxing Truth® later this evening. Stay tuned.


“And That's The Boxing Truth.”


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Sunday, November 30, 2025

ThunderDome 52 Results From Metro City Nightclub, Perth, Australia


Credit: Mike O'Hara/Dragon Fire Boxing 

Press Release: November 26, 2025 By Lewis Moss - Last night, (Friday, November 28th) DragonFire Promotions returned to the Metro City Night Club for their final event of the year.


 


The main event saw Lewis Clarke defeat Bilal Seidu to put himself in pole position for a shot at the State Cruiserweight Title.


 


The undercard saw Sherwyn Watkins claim championship gold, along with other exciting prospects.


 


Bilal Seidu vs Lewis Clarke II


In the main event of the evening, Lewis Clarke defeated Bilal Seidu in their highly anticipated rematch to win the Interim WA State Cruiserweight Championship.


 


Back in August, the two fought for the first time in what was said to be a Cruiserweight title eliminator. 


 


Despite many believing Seidu had done enough to get the victory, it was Clarke who walked away with the controversial split decision.


 


Both men started off the fight on the front foot, eager to pick up the statement victory.


 


In the second round, Seidu landed a massive right hand that drew a loud reaction from the crowd. Seidu pushed for the finish, but Clarke managed to weather the storm.


 


Seidu kept up his momentum throughout the third and fourth rounds, backing Clarke onto the ropes and unloading flurries as he pressed the action.


 


Clarke rallied back and started the final round on the front foot. However, Seidu eventually pushed Clarke back into another exchange on the ropes.


 


The two men continued to trade shots before the final bell sounded.


 


Despite the crowd’s chants for Bilal Seidu, it was Lewis Clarke who was awarded another controversial split decision victory.


 


The win for Clarke sets him up for a fight with current champion Billy Quinncroft next year. A win would make the Aussie a two-division WA State titleholder, further cementing his rise through the ranks.


 


Binny Folan vs Sherwyn Watkins


In the Co Main Event, Sherwyn Watkins defeated Binny Folan to win the WA NITRO Super Middleweight Championship


 


The fight started at a fast pace with the two men trading in the pocket.


 


Late in the second round, the momentum shifted in Watkins’ favour after he rocked Folan with a series of heavy shots, before unloading a flurry that forced the referee to issue a standing count.


 


Watkins continued his onslaught for the rest of the fight by constantly backing Folan against the ropes.


 


The fifth round saw both men bite down and trade once again. Watkins looked close to finishing the job, but Folan showed tremendous heart, battling back despite taking significant punishment.


 


When the final bell sounded, it was Watkins who was given the clear unanimous decision and the WA NITRO Super Middleweight Title.


Holly McMath vs Sarah Higginson


Holly McMath and Sarah Higginson fought to a split draw in their bout for the ANBF Australasian Flyweight Title.


 


The two women fought each other at the RAC Arena earlier in the year, with the fight being cut short after an accidental head clash rendered Higginson unable to continue. 


 


This time fans finally got the competitive matchup they were hoping for, but once again there was no decisive winner.


 


The fight started off with Higginson trying to get on the inside, but McMath utilized her range well by keeping her opponent at the end of her jab.


 


Higginson found more success in the second and third rounds by upping the pressure and landing the cleaner shots. McMath began to regain momentum in the fourth and fifth as she settled back into her rhythm.


 


Higginson increased the tempo in the sixth round by connecting with multiple flush shots on her opponent to finish strong.


 


When the final bell sounded, many in attendance were unsure of who won the fight. The judges felt the same, ultimately scoring the bout a split draw to leave both fighters dissatisfied.


 


With inconclusive endings to both of their fights, a third bout between these two women seems inevitable.


 


Joel Lewis vs Sonny Manakane 


Joel Lewis picked up his fourth stoppage victory in a row, as he knocked out Sonny Manakane in brutal fashion.


The win for Lewis marks his second under new trainer Angelo Hyder, as he continues his journey up the boxing ranks.


 


Manakane came out aggressively, pushing forward from the opening bell. 


 


The Aussie stayed composed and stayed light on his feet while looking for counter-punching opportunities.


 


In the final seconds of the first round, Lewis connected with a hard right cross that sent Manakane to the canvas.


 


The Indonesian answered the count, but was met with one last flurry from Lewis that put him to the floor again, prompting the referee to stop the fight.


Sam Rennie vs Rivo Rengkung 


After winning his first fight overseas, Sam Rennie returned to Perth and comfortably outclassed Rivo Rengkung


 


The fight opened at a measured pace, with Rennie setting the tone early by picking Rengkung apart behind sharp jabs and well-placed body shots. 


 


Rengkung made several attempts to close the distance, but Rennie’s range control and footwork kept him a step ahead throughout.


 


Early into the third round, Rennie connected with a huge shot to the body that brought his opponent down to one knee. The Englishman tried to press for the finish, but Rengkung survived.


 


Rennie remained in control of the fight in the fourth and fifth rounds, resulting in a standing count in the final round.


 


When the final bell sounded, the Englishman walked away with the unanimous decision win.


 


The victory for Rennie marks his fifth victory of the year and with this momentum behind him, he is looking to make even more noise in 2026.


Owen Corrigan vs Liang Wang II


 


Owen Corrigan kept his undefeated record intact after defeating Liang Wang for the second time.


 


Corrigan set the tone early, applying pressure from the opening bell. Wang fired back, but the Irishman answered with sharp jabs and well-timed hooks to the body.


 


Momentum briefly shifted in the third round when Wang backed Corrigan onto the ropes and landed a series of heavy shots. Corrigan regrouped quickly, as he stunned Wang with a big cross in the fourth round that forced him backwards.


 


In the fifth round, Corrigan managed to land another right cross, but Wang continued to retaliate with shots of his own.


Despite Wang giving the Irishman some problems, Corrigan kept his composure and picked his moments throughout the bout.


While the fight remained competitive, Corrigan’s cleaner work and control was enough to secure a deserved unanimous decision win.


Full Fight Card Results


Lewis Clarke DEFEATED Bilal Seidu by Split Decision

Interim WA State Cruiserweight Title


Sherwyn Watkins DEFEATED Binny Folan by Unanimous Decision

WA NITRO Super Middleweight Title


Owen Corrigan DEFEATED Liang Wang by Unanimous Decision


Holly McMath vs Sarah Higginson ended in a Split Draw

ANBF Australasian Flyweight Title (vacant)


Michael Bazley DEFEATED Damien Johnson by Fourth Round KO

Alan Pond Cup 2025


Sam Rennie DEFEATED Rivo Rengkung by Unanimous Decision 


Tanaka Saburi DEFEATED Joel Hogan by Unanimous Decision


Joel Lewis DEFEATED Sonny Manakane by First Round KO


Jaidyn Chin DEFEATED Rigor Angeles by Fourth Round TKO


Gareth Hilton DEFEATED Faturochman by First Round TKO


Youseff Radwan vs Joel Pinici ended in a Split Draw (Exhibition Fight)


Tyrone Lacey DEFEATED Mitchell Arnold by Majority Decision


Sherwyn Watkins Jr DEFEATED Harigan Sutton by Unanimous Decision (Exhibition Fight)


Harrison Kruenert DEFEATED Gerrie Camama by Unanimous Decision (Exhibition Fight)


 


Material Courtesy of: Lewis Moss/Photo Courtesy of Mike O'Hara Dragon Fire Boxing Used with permission.


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



Friday, November 28, 2025

Belated Ring IV Thoughts

The fourth event held under the Ring Magazine banner titled Ring IV, which was held at the ANB Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on November 22nd was promoted as a night of champions. It is indeed true that the event featured four world championship fights that produced a variety that just about every type of Boxing fan is bound to have an opinion on. The most dominant performance of the evening in the view of this observer was the one put forth by WBC/WBO Jr. Bantamweight world champion Jesse Rodriguez, who defended his title against WBA number one contender and former IBF Jr. Bantamweight world champion Fernando Martinez.


After an opening round where Martinez seemed to narrowly get the better of the action and was able to land some hard punches particularly with his right hand, Rodriguez simply went to work. From the second round on, the champion put forth what can only be described as a “Masterclass" in displaying a full arsenal of Boxing skills. A display of lateral movement, defense, counter punching, and hand speed that Rodriguez frankly made his opponent, a world-class top contender and former world champion look outclassed to the point where what was going on in the ring looked more like a sparring session where a world champion was preparing for a fight rather than a defense ot a unified world championship. Although as high a compliment to Rodriguez skillset and standing in the sport as one of the top fighters currently active in Boxing, the one-sided combat may not have been appreciated for the dominant performance that it was. Perhaps a reason for that is it had the unenviable task of following a fight that will be discussed at the conclusion of this column that frankly stole the show and from an entertainment standpoint seemed to exhaust the crowd in attendance during the overnight hours in Saudi Arabia.


Nevertheless, Rodriguez’ performance was as good an illustration as any why so many, including yours truly regard him as the top fighter in the 115lb. Jr. Bantamweight division. Just as it appeared as though the champion was content to box his way to a wide unanimous decision victory, Rodriguez unleashed a brutal left hook to the jaw that sent Martinez down on his back for the ten count on the canvas in the tenth round. The fight was over. For the champion, his sixteenth knockout in twenty three professional fights also signaled the eighth successful title defense for Rodriguez. Simply put, it was as close to a flawless performance as one could draw up. If there is one criticism one might have it could be that Rodriguez waited a little longer than perhaps he should have to end the fight as it became apparent after six rounds that the contest had been decided and Fernando Martinez, though very “Game” was simply outclassed by a fighter that will likely be a Hall of Famer when all is said and done. 


Perhaps one of the most anticipated fights on the card took place in the 147lb. Welterweight division as undefeated WBO world champion Brian Norman Jr. defended his title against unbeaten former two-division world champion Devin Haney. An encounter that seemed rooted in legitimate bad blood between the fighters and their fathers, who were the respective trainers for their respective offspring. By now, most Boxing fans are familiar with the recent history of Devin Haney, a fighter who is one of the best currently in the entire sport, but one who recently suffered what was thought to be the first loss of his career, only to have his record restored due to his opponent Ryan Garcia testing positive for a banned substance. In his one outing since that controversy, prior to this fight earlier this year in Times Square in New York City, Haney did rebound and resumed his undefeated ways by scoring a twelve round unanimous decision over Juan Carlos Ramirez, but failed in terms of producing the type of crowd pleasing performance that fueled demand for a fight like this. Despite that fact, on this night Haney produced a career best performance.


After an uneventful opening round where neither fighter did much, to the surprise of many, Haney responded in the second round dropping the champion with a short, but crisp left hook, right hand combination to the jaw. Although Norman was able to get up from the knockdown, it was from that point in the fight that Haney seized full control of the combat, showcasing hand speed, lateral movement, and showing a willingness to stand in the pocket rather than solely relying on his legs to evade Norman. By doing this, Haney consistently beat Norman to the punch, seemed to stun him periodically, and simply got the better of most of the exchanges on the way to winning a convincing twelve round unanimous decision and with the victory, successfully becoming a world champion in a third weight division. A dominant performance that should also be viewed as a redemption of sorts for Haney after what he went through against Garcia, though he cannot and should not be blamed for the circumstances that followed that fight, which led to the restoration of his undefeated record. Whether Haney has a goal of eventually meeting Garcia again remains to be seen.


The official main event of Ring IV was a World Light-Heavyweight championship bout that saw undefeated two-division world champion David Benavidez defend his WBC crown against longtime top contender Anthony Yarde, who was making his third attempt at a world title. While frankly this had all the appearance of a fight designed to be a showcase for Benavidez, there were periods throughout this fight that were competitive. This was primarily due to Yarde attempting to limit the champion's ability to throw his punches in volume. David Benavidez has always had exceptionally quick hands for a fighter that stands 6’2 and has competed as a 168lb. Super-Middleweight and now as a 175lb. Light-Heavyweight and it is one aspect of his offense that truly makes him dangerous and a fighter fitting of his nickname “The Monster” because often, opponents are not used to facing and thus are unprepared for a fighter with such attributes in addition to the constant pressure Benavidez applies.


This was really no different in terms of the champion's approach, but what was a wrinkle to that attack at least for a period of time was Yarde attempted to punch with Benavidez rather than being strictly on defense and for a time did have some success in at least limiting Benavidez from being unable to unleash rapid fire bursts of combinations. Yarde was also able to periodically counter the champion. As has often happened in his fights, however, Benavidez was able to gradually increase his pace as the bout progressed and the challenger, though very “Game” found himself in a similar predicament as many previous Benavidez opponents, gradually succumbing to the pressure as the volume of punches increased and ultimately being dropped and stopped in the seventh round. 


What was a bit of a surprise came after the fight when Benavidez revealed his intention to move up in weight to challenge current WBO Cruiserweight world champion Gilberto Ramirez, possibly during Cinco De Mayo weekend in 2026. Obviously, if that fight does indeed happen, it would be one of the biggest bouts that could be made as the two have sizable fan followings and are similar in style. It also will shine a light on the Cruiserweight division that has seemingly always struggled for consistent exposure and marquee attractions that generate significant interest.


While David Benavidez had the honor of headlining this card as the official main event,  it would be a battle for the vacant WBO World Lightweight championship that would steal the show and frankly albeit unexpectedly became a Fight of the Year candidate. This observer is referring to the battle between undefeated top contenders Abdullah Mason and Sam Noakes.


Despite this being the third fight on the card where two unbeaten fighters were pitted against each other, it was expected by many that this would serve as a coronation of sorts for Mason in making a transition from highly touted prospect, turned contender, to a world champion. This perception was rooted in the fact that Mason is promoted by the Hall of Famer Bob Arum's Top Rank Inc., who until this past July had a long-term broadcast deal with United States sports cable, now streaming network ESPN, and thus from the very start of Mason's professional career, he was one of the fighters in Top Rank's stable that was able to benefit from such exposure. 


While not necessarily being given a similar platform at least until his promoter the Hall of Famer Frank Warren's Queensberry Promotions signed a global broadcast deal with digital subscription sports streaming network DAZN, which finally enabled the UK-based Warren to have a steady broadcast platform here in the United States as well as globally, Noakes did bring a similar record into the fight as Mason in addition to being a former British, Commonwealth, and European Lightweight champion. It did not take long for Noakes to show that this would not be a mere showcase for Mason.


From the opening bell Noakes forced the fight on Mason, forcing the combat to be fought in close. Despite suffering a deep gash in three as a result of an accidental clash of heads, Noakes consistent aggression and forcing a fight on the inside seemed to carry the ebb and flow for a significant portion of this fight. 


Although this would be a different type of fight than had been the norm for him up to this point in his career, which had been highlighted by hand speed and dominant performances, this fight would serve as not only a test for Mason, but also one where he showed a willingness to fight fire with fire as he was more than willing to stand and trade with Noakes. Despite being forced to fight in a manner he had not been before, Mason responded to the test. Whenever Noakes would land something significant, particularly to the body, Mason would often respond almost immediately and this was also what would happen when the roles were reversed with Mason landing first and Noakes responding as quickly as he could.


This resulted in several rounds being closely fought, but where yours truly felt that Noakes seemed to be edging many of the rounds as I had him up five rounds to two through round seven. Despite the view of this observer, which was based largely on the fact that Noakes forced the fight to be fought on his terms, I did sense that it was likely a closer contest than a 5-2 score would give an impression through seven rounds. As I have often said over the many years I have covered the sport of Boxing, when it comes to close fights, it will often come down to what a judge prefers in their own criteria based on the criteria in which Boxing is scored, clean punching, effective aggressiveness, ring generalship, and defense. What often also plays a role in the aforementioned criteria is one's perception. In this case, speaking only for myself, the perception I had was this was a close fight round by round, but after seven of the scheduled twelve rounds, I felt Noakes was doing enough to edge many of those rounds, based not only on aggression, but how he often brought the fight to Mason.


As the second half of this fight progressed, however, the pace understandably slowed, but the contest also began to narrow in my view with Mason taking control and landing hard body shots, which had Noakes hurt periodically, which was a bit of a reversal as earlier in the fight when he focused his own attack to Mason’s body, Noakes seemed to get the better of the action. As it was during those exchanges where Noakes seemed to have an advantage and had Mason hurt periodically, with the roles reversed, Noakes was able to respond as Mason did and the two fighters ultimately ended up splitting the final rounds on my scorecard resulting in an even score of six rounds to six or 114-114 in points. 


After a tooth and nail battle that also seemed to exhaust the crowd in attendance in the overnight hours in Saudi Arabia, it would be Mason who would emerge victorious via a twelve round unanimous decision with one judge having him up nine rounds to three or 117-111 in points while the other two remaining judges having scores that appeared more accurate based on the action that occurred of seven rounds to five or 115-113 in points. Although I felt the fight was a draw, I can easily see a seven rounds to five margin in favor of either fighter. Simply put, it was that kind of fight and though Mason won it unanimously, it was close and competitive from start to finish. 


Close and competitive to the degree that my immediate reaction that I shared on X (Formerly Twitter) along with my analysis of not only this fight, but of the entire card as I observed it in real time was “Rematch in 2026…” Not only did it prove to be a sleeper candidate for Fight of the Year honors, but it was the fight of the late night on this card to such a degree that not only did every fight that followed it have a tough act to follow, but it seemed to take the energy of the crowd along with it. While the latter element could be attributable to the fact that this card was held in the overnight hours in Saudi Arabia, which meant an early or late afternoon start time depending on where you live here in the United States, it is a fight definitely deserving of an encore and the promoters attached to this event as well as the broadcaster of it DAZN are likely smart enough to recognize that and so too should the WBO, whose World Lightweight title was on the line and is now subsequently held by Mason. 


With one more card under the Ring Magazine banner to be held in Riyadh remaining for this year, which will be on December 27th while most of the world is observing the Christmas/end of year holidays, it is obviously too soon to think rematch by present day standards and both Mason and Noakes will likely need some time to recuperate from an exhausting battle they fought. It would seem logical, however, that a rematch would likely be a shoe-in for a future Ring Magazine card presumably either Ring VI or Ring VII depending on when those events are scheduled and how quickly the two fighters want to meet again. It would also seem logical that a rematch deserves to be a main event of such a card. The fight that would have led to a potential rematch did steal the show after all.


“And That's The Boxing Truth.”


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