Will DAZN's New "Ultimate" Approach Win Over Both Current And Former Subscribers Tired Of Paying Pay-Per-View Prices?

Credit: DAZN

The most consistent topic of Boxing coverage penned by yours truly over the last several years, particularly here on The 

Boxing Truth® ️ has been on the sport’s reliance, despite consistent evidence of decline, on the pay-per-view model and the subsequent need to move away from said model, especially with the rise of digital subscription-based streaming. Without doing a complete refresher as by this point there have been many columns written by this observer that serve as an accurate chronicle of how we have gotten to the present time and topic. What is the topic of this writing the reader might ask? the revamp of sorts for digital subscription-based streaming network DAZN.

As some may recall the network, which launched in 2016 internationally, made a significant expansion into the United States in 2018, which coincided with what turned out to be a significant shift not just in Boxing, but for sports overall as shortly before DAZN entered the United States, ESPN, a major presence in the country as a sports network across cable and satellite television, launched its first attempt at a direct to consumer streaming network ESPN+, (Now ESPN Unlimited) while before the end of 2018, the former network of champions HBO, the one time power broker in Boxing and a major player in pay-per-view, exited the sport after forty-five years.

Upon its entry into the U.S. market and essentially positioning itself as the network that would assume the position that HBO was vacating in the sport, DAZN made a bold claim that it would end the pay-per-view model by going with a strictly subscription-based approach that was more consumer-friendly than the aforementioned model. A strategy that this observer was openly supportive of. Not because I had any vested interest in DAZN, but as one who has covered Boxing and other combat sports dating back to the mid-1990’s and had been familiar with pay-per-view as a child, I saw a model that went from occasional use for legitimate major events in the sport that were at an affordable price point, gradually devolve into a model that was over used and frankly abused and lost its value where you would routinely see pay-per-view offerings only showing a fraction of a full card being priced at upwards of between $60-$80 or even higher for some events. The fact that some promoters would simply say “Well, those are the price points in the U.S.” was the type of example that led to the problem the sport is still dealing with in 2025 as more networks have left the sport, due largely to the insistence of some promoters and even fighters of the use of pay-per-view.

It was on that basis, however, where DAZN not only stood against an outdated model that no longer served a positive for the sport, or consumers, making Boxing as well as other sports it carries on its platform more accessible, and the fact that every fight on a card would be shown rather than three or four out of a full card of for example, eight to ten bouts, I felt was refreshing and thus was vocal in my support of a subscription-based model, which I still stand by. As most know, despite its pledge to offer “Pay-Per-View quality Boxing without the pain of Pay-Per-View!,” the network ultimately went back on that promise and while they insisted their dipping their toes into pay-per-view would be occasional and on a selective basis, which appeared understandable in the aftermath of the global COVID-19 epidemic, which had severe financial implications for many sports and sports networks both traditional and streaming worldwide including DAZN, it seemed also to be used as a means of bringing fighters and promoters insistent on pay-per-view to the negotiating table, even as the model has continued to decline as it was prior to the impacts of COVID-19.

The decision to even dip their toes into the model on an occasional basis has resulted in DAZN walking a tightrope. In that they still have their subscription model, but risk alienating subscribers by taking fights that would/should be included with the subscription and putting it behind a pay-per-view paywall. Adding further insult to that, doing so often at the same inflated price points that turns off many fans and led to the exits of HBO, Showtime, Fox Sports, and most recently, ESPN from Boxing.

It should also not be overlooked that in an attempt to try and counter the obvious decline of pay-per-view, DAZN attempted to sell two pay-per-view cards on back to back days as part of a bundle price in May of this year with the first Boxing card to be held in Times Square in New York City, followed by a card headlined by an Undisputed Super-Middleweight world championship bout between Saul “Canelo” Alvarez and William Scull in Saudi Arabia. While yours truly does not have access to official numbers, it did interest me as to whether subscribers or non-subscribers bit on the bundle offer at $89.99 (Not including tax) for both events versus how those cards did as individual offerings at $59.99 each. 

Word then began circulating over the summer that a new subscription approach would be introduced seemingly at the behest of H.E. Turki Al-Sheikh, Chairman of the Saudi Entertainment Authority who proclaimed that his promoted events under either the Riyadh Season or Ring Magazine banners (A publication which he now also owns) would no longer be offered as pay-per-view, but would be included with a DAZN subscription stating that pay-per-view has hurt the sport and that he stands with the Boxing fans. 

Although I was vocal in saying on social media that common sense had returned to the equation upon hearing such a statement that was subsequently backed up by the network, I was not vocal in the sense of thinking that this would be a complete revert back to DAZN’s original strategy, but likely an approach that would ultimately serve as a way to phase out pay-per-view over time while still offering it for those who prefer it. While Al-Sheikh stated that he intended this new subscription approach to begin with his upcoming Ring IV event in Saudi Arabia on November 22, there was some backlash as it was revealed that both that event and tomorrow's (At the time of this writing) Eubank Jr.-Benn rematch would be available as standalone pay-per-view offerings at $59.99 each or $119.98 combined. This changed slightly, however, with the announcement on November 7th by DAZN with the introduction of DAZN Ultimate. An upgraded Tier subscription that would include not only those two events, but a claimed 12+ pay-per-view events per year. 

The cost for this new subscription (United States and Canada) is $44.99 a month or $449.99 per year on an annual subscription. Full disclosure with the reader, even though I have covered the sport of Boxing for thirty years as of this writing, I do not receive payment or compensation in any form from any promoter or network whose events I regularly cover. Upon hearing this new subscription had launched, I immediately upgraded my existing subscription as a means of limiting my own expenses as, despite what some might believe those of us in media often pay the same price as the average consumer for things like pay-per-view or subscriptions and only so many journalists covering the sport have the opportunity to travel for multiple events that occur during a calendar year, which for yours truly due to physical limitations, is also difficult as I am disabled. With my disclosure in all truth and honesty with the reader having been stated clearly, I will move forward. 

Despite the backlash this announcement received particularly online and from some fellow members of the media, I chose to sit back for a few days and for lack of a better term, feel the room, or in this case, the temperature of those of us in the industry and the fan before I commented further. What I feel needs to be stated clearly, which was not done in my view by the network, is this new “Ultimate Plan” or tier for existing subscribers is an upgrade of an existing subscription rather than paying for two separate subscriptions under one banner, similar in scope to what Prime Video subscribers have the option of doing by potentially subscribing to multiple streaming networks and sports packages like NBA League 

Pass for example under one banner and access it in one app. This rather seems more in line with some streaming subscriptions that offer a less costly plan with adverts or a higher priced option for an ad-free experience or similar to Netflix that offers plans including ads, ad-free, and ad-free with 4K streaming capabilities and multiple streams for different members of a household. While this “Ultimate Plan” gives me a similar impression, there are a few questions that need to be answered here, which while I cannot answer outright, I will try to provide some clarity beyond what I already have in terms of distinguishing what is an upgraded subscription for existing subscribers or a potential option for non-subscribers from a situation where you have a subscription plus an add-on. 

The first among those questions is a guarantee of 12+ pay-per-view events per year? When I first saw that statement, the cynic in me as a born and bred New Yorker began to go off in my mind with the first thought being “Are there really 12 Boxing events per calendar year that are truly major events?” Despite that thought, I immediately thought of other content, which DAZN has also offered on pay-per-view through its platform that will likely be used to fill that schedule including Glory Kickboxing events, select events from the sport of MMA, and select events from the Bareknuckle Fighting Championship (BKFC) Bareknuckle Boxing promotion, who also have their own subscription streaming network. While traditional Boxing is the obvious selling point here, I believe this “Ultimate Plan” will likely evolve over time to essentially be the premium option for DAZN, similar to Netflix's 4K streaming plan that will encompass everything the network has to offer including what should now be referred to as Premium Live Events (PLE) as compared to pay-per-view. 

Question number two that needs to be asked is having seen that the pay-per-view model was not a successful strategy and has not been one for some time regardless of network/platform, will DAZN hold firm and stick with this subscription approach even if they face pressure from promoters and perhaps fighters? This is a difficult question because again, I'm viewing things from the outside as a journalist and not a network executive.  I will say, however, is I do not believe for one second and would testify in court under oath that this “Ultimate Plan” would have been introduced had pay-per-view whether it be Boxing traditional or Bareknuckle, MMA, or Kickboxing were overwhelmingly successful in drawing millions of buys per event regardless of region and price points, which here in America, I've often compared to a compulsive eater in terms of being out of control and not knowing when enough is enough. 

What I will say in viewing things with an industry wide perspective, promoters and there are many of them worldwide, should understand that things need to change with clear evidence that pay-per-view has not worked for many years with the rare exception of a single fight or event that will draw a significantly high paid audience than is typically the norm. Those rare exceptions, however, are often spaced out by years and thus while they may have been successful individually, do not serve as an accurate indicator of the viability of a model, especially one that has only increased in price and does not hold much value for consumers, this holds especially true when one considers that the biggest event in the sport of Boxing in 2025, the Undisputed Super-Middleweight world championship clash between Saul “Canelo” Alvarez and Terence Crawford, a highly anticipated encounter that in some ways brought back memories for yours truly of major fights in the 1980’s and 1990’s in terms of anticipation, would have been a guarantee for pay-per-view in previous eras, but did not air on pay-per-view, but instead aired on Netflix, who over the last year, has entered the sport and seems primarily focused on securing those type of “Pay-Per-View Quality” events for their subscribers. In terms of viewership, the Alvarez-Crawford event drew over thirty-six million live viewers including here in the United States as well as globally. A figure that has increased over time with on demand viewing. Numbers one would never see with a pay-per-view model, even when it was considered viable and consumer-friendly. This only reinforced the viability of a subscription-based approach at reasonable prices rather than using an outdated model that consumers continue to reject.

If one is looking for further evidence, they need look no further than the recently announced deal between the UFC MMA promotion and Paramount in a $7.7 billion broadcast deal that will see the promotion’s scheduled events move from ESPN to Paramount+. A key part of that deal is the promotion, who had been one of the few content providers keeping pay-per-view afloat, will be moving those events to be included with a Paramount+ subscription. No doubt in response to both its own declining numbers for pay-per-view events, which until January 2026, continue to be sold through ESPN Unlimited, but also the success of WWE, who over a decade ago as of this writing went with a digital subscription streaming network strategy that moved it away from pay-per-view. Now under the same corporate banner as the UFC, TKO Group Holdings, which also has its own digital subscription streaming network that houses the full UFC library as well as content throughout combat sports, UFC Fight Pass, WWE has moved away from its network being a direct to consumer product, which in addition to its PLE schedule, includes its vast library of previous events and additional programming, and towards a licensing strategy, which has seen its network first become available on Peacock, but most recently moving to ESPN Unlimited here in the United States and Netflix internationally. Furthermore, Paramount+ will also be home to TKO’s upcoming Boxing promotion Zuffa Boxing, which is slated to begin in 2026, with all events being included with a Paramount+ subscription.

When one takes all of that into account, it should not be difficult for a Boxing promoter or network like DAZN to see and comprehend that pay-per-view is not a winning strategy in 2025 and beyond. This is also underscored by the fact that InDemand previously known for many years as Viewer's Choice prior to 2000, the leading pay-per-view distributor across cable in North America will be ceasing operations at the end of this year after over forty years in service, while its streaming platform PPV.com, will continue to exist for a time. How long is debatable given both the decline of the model as a whole, but also events that would normally be on pay-per-view now generally being aimed for subscription-based streaming primarily because that is the preferred choice of consumers.

As for fighters, it is understandable that fighters will want to make the most money for their efforts, as they should because ultimately, it is fighters who are risking their lives each and every time they compete. While understandable, the pay-per-view model even in a predominantly streaming era has relied on a revenue split structure, often cable/satellite providers, pay-per-view distributors, now streaming platforms, the promoter, network, and finally the fighters as the last entity to profit from such a split and often, the lesser of whatever revenue is generated. When one considers that a significant portion of cards have been taking place either in the Middle East or elsewhere outside of the United States, where time differences can also negatively affect viewership, in addition to the price points for pay-per-view more often than not alienating consumers, one should wonder just how much revenue fighters receive from pay-per-view particularly as buys have continued to decline. Part of the issue is fighters have been preconditioned in a sense to expect that pay-per-view is the only way to make additional money beyond their purse for a given fight.

This is one reason why this observer has strongly advocated for advertising, and sponsorships to become part of the strategy in Boxing. Not only have other sports used those sources of revenue to great success in addition to respective broadcast agreements for various sports leagues, but it also allows those athletes to gain additional revenues beyond their contracts by endorsement deals. All while making the sports in question more accessible and within consumer reach. Boxing is and has been long overdue to adopt a similar approach, which would be more beneficial for fighters in the long-term as well as the sport as a whole than pay-per-view has proven to be. It's a matter of getting promoters, some of whom were saying the pay-per-view model needed to be put out of its misery upon DAZN’s entry into Boxing, but in recent years have backtracked, notably Eddie Hearn of Matchroom Boxing, to come to that realization that there are other avenues to gain revenue, that pay-per-view has proven to hurt the sport more than help it and they are only shooting themselves in the foot by not adapting.

Poll Conducted On X (Seen Above) Asking DAZN Subscribers If They Intend To Upgrade To Ultimate Plan Credit: Beau Denison 

Finally, the last question that should be asked here is whether or not this “Ultimate Plan” or tier will be able to not only maintain DAZN’s existing subscribers, but also grow it and potentially win back some subscribers who felt lied to when they went into pay-per-view rather than being the alternative it promised to be? It will likely come down to what fights and other content is offered on this “Ultimate Plan” that will determine whether it will be successful. While it is understandable to see incremental price increases over time, what should be a priority is to ensure the subscription plan remains affordable. This in addition to a bit of increased competition from networks that are in the general entertainment genre in the streaming space should keep DAZN on their toes along with the knowledge that folks can be fickle and as my late father instilled in me as a child, you are only as good as your word. Even during a period where there aren't as many networks involved in Boxing including at least for the time being the proclaimed “Total Sports Network” ESPN, and promoters like Bob Arum’s Top Rank Inc. continue to look for new broadcast deals, DAZN will have to prove both to its current subscriber base as well as any potential new or returning customers that this is the approach from here on while still making some cards available as standalone pay-per-view offerings for those who may be reluctant to upgrade knowing the past history of broken promises and lack of accountability of promoters who could have prevented the move to dip into pay-per-view to begin with. At some point the line of “Well, The Market Changed.” does not hold water and is merely an excuse. For all the good DAZN has done for Boxing over the last seven years, they should look at the list of all the networks that were involved in Boxing, in some cases for decades, both here in the United States and internationally that are no longer in the sport. Unfortunately, it is a long list, and while Boxing’s detractors will claim it's because the sport is dying, it is more a case of bad business decisions, which often included pay-per-view as the culprit that led to those networks exiting the sport. 

As one who does not see as many options to watch the sport I have loved my whole life and have been involved in for most of it, I sincerely hope DAZN will not join that long list. To think, however, that this new “Ultimate Plan” is a cure all for a sport that desperately needs to embrace not only subscription-based streaming, but also methods of revenue generation that will help grow Boxing  by making it more accessible for consumers, may be wishful thinking, but hopefully it is a step in the right direction that others outside of DAZN who still have a pay-per-view mentality will take notice.

“And That's The Boxing Truth.”

For more information about DAZN including schedules, list of compatible streaming devices, platforms, Smart TV’s, availability around the world, to subscribe and learn more about DAZN’ Ultimate subscription plan please visit: www.DAZN.com. 

Photo Courtesy of: DAZN Used with permission.

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Joel “Lethal” Lewis Inks Managerial Deal With Dragon Fire Boxing

Press Release: November 12, 2025 By Dragon Fire Boxing -

Credit: Dragon Fire Boxing 

Welterweight, Joel “Lethal” Lewis has signed with Oceania management juggernauts, Dragon Fire Boxing as he looks to continue his progression in the professional ranks.

Lewis has reached 7-1 as a professional, with his last outing seeing him defeat amateur sensation and Fano Kori via a brutal Knock out of the night, in which many deemed Lewis to be a long shot.

Lewis opened up about his recent victory and his plans moving forward.

“I was really happy with my last fight on the Thunderdome 51 event in Metro City, Perth, and thank you to Tony Tolj for getting me on and allowing me to show off skills in one of the featured fights.

“The Thunderdome series is an iconic part of Australian boxing so to be able to compete on these events really means a lot to me & I’m just getting started.

“People can underestimate me all the want but I’ve shown when I get in there they are facing someone with the attitude of stone cold killer.

“I want to continue to be in these real fights and give people value for money when I fight. I have great support so anyone who fights me, will know I’m Lethal by name and Lethal by nature.”

Lewis is now under the guidance of Australian boxing chieftain, Tony Tolj, and Lewis weighed in on his decision to sign with one of Australia’s mainstays.

Lewis has now moved to Kingscliff and trains with Angelo Hyder and will be mentored by stablemates Andrew and Jason Moloney.

“Angelo is the best and a boxing genius he has lifted my game to another level, he sees everything and it’s the 1 percenters that make all the difference.

I’d like to thank the team at Dragon Fire Boxing for giving me this opportunity.

“Tony always gets great opportunities for his fighters and I believe he’ll do the same for me.. Ive already won two State titles and a WBC Australia silver title and I believe I have titles in me and when the time is right titles will come. I’m gonna make some noise in the Welterweight division, its gonna be one hell of a ride, Lethal by name, Lethal by nature Lets go!

Material and Photo  Courtesy of: Dragon Fire Boxing  Used with permission.

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

The Rivalry Continues: Previewing Eubank Jr.-Benn II

In April of this year, an enthusiastic crowd of over 60,000 spectators crammed into London's Tottenham Hotspur Stadium for the renewal of one of Boxing’s great rivalries. Eubank vs. Benn. A rivalry of legitimate bad blood that began with world champions and legends Chris Eubank Sr. and Nigel Benn in the 1990s, would be carried on by their offspring IBO Middleweight world champion Chris Eubank Jr. and Conor Benn in a non-title twelve round bout that was more about the rivalry itself rather than each fighter’s respective standings in the sport.

The fight did not disappoint with both fighters engaging in a battle of wills from the opening bell that did not let up from start to finish where despite at times late in the fight that he might have been stopped due to utter exhaustion, Eubank was able to prevail to win a hard fought twelve round unanimous decision. Now, only seven months later the two British stars will return to the site of their first meeting, Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on November 15th that can be seen worldwide on DAZN Pay-Per-View or included with subscription for DAZN Ultimate Tier subscribers.

In all truth and honesty with the reader, the fact that this rematch, which is essentially chapter four of the rivalry between the two bloodlines, is occurring as quickly as it is. Certainly not because this veteran Boxing scribe does not feel a rematch is warranted, but because all too often, the business of Boxing tends to rear its head where highly anticipated fights, let alone rematches occur in a reasonable timeframe. It also is worth noting that there was two years and eleven months between the first fight between their fathers and their rematch.

In one sense it is refreshing to see a quick return, but on the other hand, one might question if this second encounter between the two sons is a bit too soon. After all, the first fight was highly anticipated and took years to come to fruition for various reasons, but the fight that was fought back in April was an exhausting one that had to take a lot out of both fighters. Often after a battle like that, it does take time for one to recover from the physical and mental toll a fight like that can take from a fighter. While there are exceptions to that thinking obviously, especially in previous eras where fighters at or near the top of the sport fought more frequently during a calendar year as compared to present day, will this turn out to be one of those exceptions?

Obviously we are likely to get some clarity on that question depending on what occurs in this rematch. What could be different this time? Well, in the eyes of this observer, it will boil down to what approach Conor Benn will try to implement. If one were to look at the first fight and specifically how this bout was fought, they might be surprised that it went the distance. Both fighters seemed to go all out and while it resulted in an entertaining bout that exceeded expectations especially given that Benn was moving up two divisions from Welterweight to Middleweight to face a fighter in Eubank who had held world titles in both the Middleweight and Super-Middleweight divisions. Whether that pace in which the combat was fought was rooted more in emotion in terms of the bad blood between the fighters and their fathers more than a strategic approach is something only the fighters can answer, but a potential benefit for Benn from the rematch coming so quickly is he might be able to approach Eubank more tactically.

Although Eubank ultimately won the first fight by a margin of eight rounds to four or 116-112 in points on all three scorecards, it is indisputable that Benn had periods of significant success throughout the fight and appeared at points where he may have been able to stop Eubank later in the fight due to exhaustion. While I thought the fight was closer than the official judges and ended up with a six rounds to six scorecard at the end of the twelve round bout, I ended up with a unique score in that, despite ending up even in rounds, I had Eubank up two points 114-112. This was due to Eubank, despite looking extremely fatigued having a strong eleventh and twelfth round. In particular, the final round, which he dominated to such a degree that I scored it 10-8 on my unofficial scorecard, despite Eubank not being able to score a knockdown of Benn.

If Benn is able to control the pace this time where it's more about tactics rather than trying to stand and trade shots toe to toe, things may tip more in his favor this time around. How does Benn accomplish this? He needs to cut the ring off and limit Eubank’s ability to move. Although Benn is the fighter known as the puncher of the two, the key will be whether he can be strategic and look to try and gradually break Eubank down rather than trying to end the fight with every punch he throws and he must make sure he conserves his stamina in the event this fight goes into the later rounds as was the case in the first encounter.

In contrast, Eubank needs to be elusive, needs to control the pace in such a way that he can avoid the periods of fatigue that almost got to him in the first fight. While this may be easier said than done, if Eubank can box more than be forced to trade punches this time and find a way to nullify Benn any time he gets close, he may be able to get his second victory in this renewed rivalry, but it may be more lopsided this time around.

The first fight was more about the curiosity of the offspring of two great fighters and the event of the occasion. This time, while it is still about the rivalry between the two bloodlines, hopefully it is more about these two fighters and more about the contrast of styles between them rather than expectations that are hard to live up to. In fairness, the first fight did exceed every possible expectation, what happens in this latest chapter remains to be seen.

“And That's The Boxing Truth." 

Eubank Jr. vs. Benn 2 takes place on Saturday, November 16th at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London, England. The fight as well as its full undercard can be seen worldwide on DAZN Pay-Per-View for $59.99 or as part of DAZN’s newly introduced Ultimate subscription tier for $44.99 per month or $449.99 per year. The broadcast will begin at 11:45AM ET/8:45AM PT.

(*North American pay-per-view and subscription prices only.*)

(*Card Subject To Change.*)

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

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Push To Secure Aussie Andrew Moloney's Hometown World Title Shot

Press Release: November 7, 2025 By Murray Wenzel - 

Credit: Richard Wainwright/AAP PHOTOS)

Talks have begun to bring Andrew Moloney's world title fight to Australia as the pint-sized champion eyes a move to Jai Opetaia's stable.

The IBF has ordered that the winner of December's clash between Mexico's super flyweight champion Willibaldo Garcia and Japan's two-division king Kenshiro Teraji must fight the Australian before June 25 next year.

Moloney, who shook off ring rust with a win in Fiji on Saturday, expects Teraji to beat the Mexican champion in their Saudi Arabia bout.

The Kingscliff-based boxer, who stopped Indian Pawan Kumar in the fifth round in Suva, thinks Garcia has "sold his belt" by seeking an exemption to delay their bout and fight on the big-money Saudi card.

So a trip to Japan as challenger appears the likely route, but Moloney's manager Tony Tolj is hopeful an allegiance with Opetaia's Tasman Fighters can bring it home.

Moloney spent a frustrating year waiting for a fight before a winning return in Fiji on Saturday. 

Moloney spent a frustrating year waiting for a fight before a winning return in Fiji on Saturday. (November 1sr)

Tasman Fighters boss Mick Francis is preparing to host one of the country's deepest cards on December 6, when Opetaia will defend his IBF and The Ring cruiserweight belts for a seventh time.

Heavyweights Justis Huni and Teremoana Teremoana, rising stars Max McIntyre and Austin Aokuso, as well as veteran Paul Fleming, fighting Jake Wyllie, all feature on the Gold Coast.

Moloney's twin brother Jason will also make his Tasman Fighters debut after the brothers' deal with American promoter Top Rank expired.

A bantamweight world champion less than a year ago, Jason has fought in front of more than 50,000 at the Tokyo Dome and hopes a union with Opetaia's team will rekindle his own title dream.

Francis also promotes Brisbane-based Irish light heavyweight star Conor Wallace, who is on the cusp of his own world title opportunity.

Opetaia and Huni will join Francis at a press conference in Sydney on Thursday to announce broadcasting details for the blockbuster Gold Coast card.

But Francis has bigger plans brewing, the Gold Coast promoter already working to secure hometown title shots for Moloney and Wallace early next year.

Moloney's Fiji victory was a relieving bright spot in an otherwise frustrating year.

He spent nearly five weeks in Mexico preparing to fight Argi Cortes in an IBF eliminator before pulling out after the date and location was changed multiple times.

The IBF awarded Moloney the Mandatory spot as challenger to Garcia's belt but then allowed the Mexican an exemption to fight in Saudi Arabia.

That meant Moloney spent nearly a year out of the ring before Saturday's successful return.

Jason Moloney defended his WBO bantamweight belt once before a gut-wrenching defeat in Tokyo last May when Yoshiki Takei, slumped on the ropes, was saved by the bell after dominating the early exchanges.

Material Courtesy of: Murray Wenzel/Photo Courtesy of: Richard Wainwright/AAP PHOTOS) Used with permission.

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

Sydney Sweeney, Who Portrays Christy Martin in the New Biopic, Christy, Says the Former Boxing Champion’s Story “Will Save Lives"

Credit: AARP Movies For Grownups

Press Release: November 5 , 2025 By AARP Movies For Grownups  -   Actress Sydney Sweeney tells AARP’s Movies for Grownups that transforming herself, in body and mind, into former boxing champion Christy Martin in the new biopic Christy (in theaters November 7) was a no-brainer choice.

“I wanted to take Christy on because she challenged me in new ways that I’ve never been challenged before,” Sweeney tells AARP’s Movies for Grownups. “Her story inspired me.  I couldn’t believe that I didn’t know who this amazing woman was, and I wanted her to be seen by the world.”

Sweeney adds: “I think that her story will save lives, and I needed to help facilitate that.”

Martin also reveals to AARP’s Movies for Grownups, “I did not talk to Ben Foster,” who co-stars as her emotionally and physically abusive husband James Martin, during the filming of Christy.  “I could not be in the room when he was doing the lines.  I just couldn't,” she adds.  “And I stayed away from him the entire film.  And I think he probably was glad, but it affected me…” 

In Christy, we see Martin’s brutal fights in the ring. Her struggle to come out as gay in an ultra-conservative family. The emotional rollercoaster with her misguided mother. And the brutal domestic battles with her former husband and manager. At one point James Martin repeatedly stabbed and shot Christy in the chest. (He was convicted of attempted second-degree murder and sentenced to 25 years in prison, where he died behind bars last year.)

For her part, Christy Martin came away thoroughly impressed by Sweeney, whose involvement helped get the film made in the first place.

“[It is] so much unlike what people expect from her, and she wanted to show that she has a broad range,” notes Martin, who spent a lot of time by Sweeney’s side on set. “I think it's a challenge for her, and I think she cares about helping people, and this movie is going to help people in many different ways, in many different groups of people.”

Martin adds: “I wanted it to be an underdog story, reaching domestic violence survivors, reaching parents that their children are coming to them saying they're gay or for some reason they're not exactly fitting into what the family thinks they should be.”

Martin became the face of female boxing in the ‘90s and brought the women-led sport to mainstream attention.  She was promoted by the king of boxing promoters, Don King (Muhammad Ali, Joe Frazier, George Foreman), appeared on the cover of Sports Illustrated, won a welterweight title, and was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame. 

AARP's Movies for Grownups is a program dedicated to championing films and television shows that resonate with audiences age 50 and over, while also working to combat ageism in the entertainment industry. For more than two decades, AARP’s Movies for Grownups has recognized the talent and experience of older actors and filmmakers. AARP continues to champion movies for grownups, by grownups, by advocating for the 50-plus audience, and encouraging films and TV shows that resonate with older viewers.

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Paul-Davis Cancelled

Press Release: November 3 , 2025 By Most Valuable Promotions - Most Valuable Promotions and Netflix have announced that Jake Paul vs. Gervonta Davis, originally scheduled for Friday, November 14 at the Kaseya Center in Miami, Florida, will no longer be moving forward.

“Our team has worked closely with all parties to navigate this situation responsibly,” said Nakisa Bidarian, CEO of Most Valuable Promotions. “While we will not be moving forward with this event, our plan still remains for Jake Paul to headline an event on Netflix in 2025. Details regarding a new date, location, Jake’s opponent, and additional bouts will be shared as soon as they are finalized. We thank Netflix, the Kaseya Center, and the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino for their partnership.”

Most Valuable Promotions appreciates the continued support and understanding of our athletes, partners, sponsors, and fans as we work to finalize updated event plans.

Fans who purchased tickets via Ticketmaster for the Jake Paul vs. Gervonta Davis event will get an automatic refund through their original point of purchase within 14-21 days. Fans who purchased through secondary markets should contact them. For ticket assistance, please contact Ticketoffice@heat.com.

MVP thanks everyone for their patience and looks forward to delivering an extraordinary boxing event in 2025, live globally only on Netflix.

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Bruno Tarimo Resigns with Tony Tolj's Dragon Fire Boxing

Credit: Dragon Fire Boxing 

Press Release: November 3 , 2025 By Dragon Fire Boxing  -  Featherweight contender Bruno Tarimo is ready to kick-start his career now that he and his family members have received Australian visa approval & are settled in Australia. 

Tarimo (29-5-2, 8 KOs) soared into the super featherweight rankings after a string of upset victories over Aussie contenders Billy Dib, Joel Brunker and Nathaniel May in 2019. Tarimo’s link-up with Aussie trainer Angelo Hyder and manager Tony Tolj saw him become a firm fixture in the Australian & World boxing scene.

“Bruno is doing better than ever before in the gym but was left lost and without direction but now has come back and hes hunry, hes got that Eye of the Tiger which I havent seen in him for quite some time,” Tolj. "He's now come back to the team and I can promise there will be a new and improved wiser Bruno Tarimo

“He has brought his wife and kids with him here to live so that he can focus fully on training. His focus has been a little off over the last couple of years, and I completely understand it. During COVID time, he didn’t see his family for over two years. That’s some sacrifice. I got kept away from my family for eight weeks. God knows how he coped with two years.”

Tarimo, a 29-year-old southpaw, saw his time at 130 pounds end following a wide points defeat against Zelfa Barrett in December 2021. Tarimo would move down two divisions to his natural super super bantamweight to face Yoshiki Takei, but that matchup produced a second straight defeat. Tarimo has since posted two successive victories in his native Tanzania.

“We are planning a big 2026, where we can get him back in the rankings and challenge for a world title,” Tolj said. “He wants to campaign at Featherweight; we believe he can compete there and it’s his natural weight. He was fighting up at super featherweight, which wasn’t his weight. But during COVID times, they couldn’t get anyone into the country, so he jumped up. He just kept fighting Aussie after Aussie and just kept beating everyone. He ended up getting into a position where he was fighting in a world title eliminator.

“He lives close to Jason and Andrew [Moloney], and also young prospect Jesse Wicks is around there. They are all friends; Bruno is another extension of our boxing family. He will be a big help in Jason’s next fight in the Gold Coast on the Opetai card, Andrew IBF World title challenge next year and Brunos big year coming up. He's been a big part of all the big camps we have had with the Moloneys. Takei has had eight fights with eight knockouts at that point, but Bruno’s fight was stopped due to a cut. Hes World class and 2026 is gonna be a stand out year for him.

“First thing I need to do is get him active, then back into the world ratings,” ToIj added. “Now we can get him into a position where he will fight for a world title. Now he is going to be settled, not worrying about his family, not detached from those he loves. I think he will have a good run now and really looking forward to it.”

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Official Statement From Most Valuable Promotions Regarding Status Of Paul-Davis

Press Release: November , 2025 By Most Valuable Promotions -  

Credit:Most Valuable Promotions 

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CHANTELLE CAMERON TO VACATE WBC SUPER LIGHTWEIGHT TITLE IN SUPPORT OF WOMEN’S BOXING CHOICE AND EQUALITY

Press Release: November 1, 2025 By Most Valuable Promotions - Most Valuable Promotions (MVP) today (October 31st) announced that WBC Super Lightweight world champion, Chantelle Cameron has decided to vacate her WBC Super Lightweight Title as part of her continued commitment to advancing choice and equality in women’s boxing.

Cameron’s decision follows her longstanding position that women should have the option to compete under the same rules as men, including three-minute rounds, rather than the two-minute rounds mandated by the WBC for women’s fights.

“Women’s boxing has come a long way, but there’s still progress to be made,” said Chantelle Cameron. “I’ve always believed in equality, and that includes the choice to fight equal rounds, equal opportunities, and equal respect. I’m proud of my accomplishment in becoming a WBC champion, but it’s time to take a stand for what’s right and for the future of the sport.”

“Chantelle has never backed down from a challenge, inside or outside the ring,” said Nakisa Bidarian, co-founder of Most Valuable Promotions. “This decision underscores her integrity and her leadership as one of the sport’s elite fighters. MVP stands firmly behind Chantelle and her commitment to help drive women’s boxing toward true parity.”

Cameron will continue to pursue championship opportunities and marquee bouts maintaining the choice to fight three-minute rounds, and she remains focused on returning to the ring in early 2026.

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 six global pay-per-view events, including the recent Paul vs. Perry 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 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 Taylor vs. Serrano 2, the first-ever live professional sports event on Netflix, which became the most-streamed sporting event ever with 108 million live viewers globally. Co-founder Nakisa Bidarian was an executive producer of Paul vs. Tyson and the historic Triller Presents Mike Tyson v. Roy Jones Jr., the 8th most-bought pay-per-view event in history. 

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Mayer Adds To Future Hall of Fame Resume By Defeating Spencer For Unified Jr. Middleweight World Championship

The fight between Women's WBA Jr. Middleweight world champion Mary Spencer and two-division world champion Mikaela Mayer on October 30th in Montreal,Canada, largely centered on Mayer attempting to add the Jr. Middleweight division to her resume of having won world championships after winning world titles in the 130lb. Jr. Lightweight and 147lb. Welterweight divisions. It was also a fight void of personal animosity and was rooted in respect between the two world champions. This was simply about two champions putting their respective skills against one another.

Although as this observer stated in previewing this fight, this amounted to an away game for Mayer by traveling to Casino Montreal to face the Montreal native Spencer for her WBA world championship on her home turf, it did not appear as though that was a factor both in her approach in the lead up to the fight as well as how she approached the combat once the fighters were in the ring. A world champion moving up in weight to challenge another world champion in a different weight class in of itself is intriguing, the added wrinkle that emerged in the days prior to this encounter that the WBC and WBO, whose world titles in the Jr. Middleweight division was recently won and vacated by the newly retired future Hall of Famer Cecilia Braekhus, would also be on the line in addition to Spencer's WBA world championship, raised the stakes of the bout and the position of the winner in the division moving forward significantly.

Despite having established herself as a fighter who approaches her opposition at varying angles and throwing combinations where the opponent often has trouble finding a rhythm, Mayer's approach in this fight differed. From the outset, the challenger and current World Welterweight champion backed up the naturally bigger and theoretically stronger World Jr. Middleweight champion Spencer. What was also different from the norm for Mikaela Mayer was she appeared to be sitting on her punches more than is usually the case.

In that she seemed to be throwing and landing punches with the intention of scoring knockdowns and potentially a knockout, which is rare in Women’s Boxing due primarily to the two minute round length as compared to three minutes afforded to their male counterparts. A subject yours truly has frequently criticized and continues to advocate for female fighters to be allowed to compete in three minute rounds. Whether the change in approach can be attributed to now competing in a higher weight class or perhaps working with former Jr. Middleweight world title challenger and top contender Kofi Jantuah, who has joined her corner as a trainer, who in his fighting days, was known for deceptive punching power and an aggressive style. Much like her trainer, who is now a co-trainer along with Al Mitchell, who has been with Mayer her entire career, Mayer found an opening and frequently landed her left hook to the jaw of Spencer and at times even doubled up when she threw it.

This set up the consistent pattern of the fight. Mayer coming forward, pushing Spencer back, beating her to the punch consistently, and landing hard shots. Spencer, however, did find periodic success throughout, particularly when she was able to land her right hand, which did put Mayer's ability to take a punch from a Jr. Middleweight. A test that she was able to pass.

Despite those periodic moments for the champion, Mary Spencer was simply unable to break the pattern that Mayer had established. Unable to score knockdowns to narrow the deficit she was in on the scorecards, and ultimately lacking a knockout punch that would have obviously altered the ebb and flow significantly, she simply could not find the answer she needed on this night to retain and unify her world championship. A wide and convincing ten round unanimous decision for Mikaela Mayer was the ultimate outcome. 

Now, with a unified world champion in a third weight division, Mayer finds herself in a unique position that is not uncommon in Women’s Boxing as the sport is still growing.  Mayer still holds the WBO World Welterweight championship in addition to now being a unified world champion in the Jr. Middleweight division. This puts Mayer in a position where much like many other world champions on the Women’s side of the sport, she might determine her fight or fights based on what opportunity might be available and which fight will be more lucrative. For her part, Mayer stated after defeating Mary Spencer that she is interested in potentially going back and forth between the Welterweight and Jr. Middleweight divisions to maintain her world championships in both divisions and potentially try to become an undisputed world champion in both. 

While certainly not impossible given that world champions often move up or down in weight by fight in Women’s Boxing, the goal and possibility of pulling off what would be a significant achievement, will likely come down to whether Mayer can do it and maintain going up or down in weight physically. Much as is often the case for male fighters who are not natural Heavyweights, there often comes a point where fighters reach a ceiling where they either cannot go up any further in weight and compete effectively or down in weight without depleting themselves physically once they have moved up in their careers. Whether Mikaela Mayer will find such a ceiling in the near future is unknown, but after becoming a world champion in three separate divisions and being regarded as one of the top fighters in the sport of her era, she has already cemented a Hall of Fame resume,  now it is simply a matter of what additional achievements will serve as the icing on the cake of the career of a great fighter.

“And That's The Boxing Truth.”

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Can Mayer Become A Three-Division World Champion?

The recent history of Boxing overall will largely and rightly center on the long overdue spotlight that has finally shined on female fighters over the last decade. Recognition that has finally resulted in the women in the sport not only being featured at the top of cards in main events on events that also feature men's bouts, but more specifically significant strides made towards female fighters earning higher purses for their efforts inside the ring. One fighter that has been able to take advantage of the increased exposure for women in the sport is Mikaela Mayer.

Mayer, a 2016 Olympian, has gone on to have a successful career as a professional since turning pro in 2017 compiling a record of 21-2, with 5 Knockouts, becoming a two-division world champion along the way including a unified world champion as a 130lb. Jr. Lightweight and world champion as a 147lb. Welterweight. Those accomplishments, along with a crowd-pleasing style as a boxer/puncher has made her one of the top stars in the sport along with names like Katie Taylor, Claressa Shields, and Amanda Serrano. As all three have cemented their future status as Hall of Famers, Mayer now prepares for the next chapter of what will likely be her Hall of Fame career as she will move up in weight once more to challenge WBA World Jr. Middleweight champion Mary Spencer on Thursday, October 30th at Casino Montreal in Montreal, Canada a ten round world championship bout that can be seen here in the United States on Top Rank Boxing’s Classics Fast Streaming channel across multiple streaming app platforms.

This amounts to what one would call an away game for Mayer if this were a team sport due to the current WBO Welterweight world champion and native of Colorado Springs, CO traveling to Canada to face Spencer, a native of Montreal on her home turf. It is not a position that Mayer is not unfamiliar with, however, having fought four times in the United Kingdom under similar circumstances. 

While Mayer’s two career defeats occurred over that four fight stretch in losing close decisions to world champions Alycia Baumgardner and Natasha Jonas in 2022 and 2024 respectfully, two fights that ended in razor thin split decisions, this is a case where, despite being the fighter moving up in weight, many likely view her as the favorite going into this fight. This is due to both the challenger having more experience compared to Spencer as well as overall caliber of opposition. Perception, however, may not necessarily be reality.

The champion will come into this title defense, her first since winning the vacant WBA world championship in April of this year with a ten round unanimous decision over Ogleidis Suarez, with a record of 10-2, with 6 Knockouts. Although at a disadvantage in terms of overall experience as well as marquee opposition as compared to Mayer, Spencer does have punching power and has scored knockouts in 60% of her career wins. She is also two inches taller than Mayer at 5’11 and is seemingly the naturally bigger of the two fighters. Whether that shows when champion and challenger are in the ring on fight night remains to be seen. 

What this fight will come down to in this observer’s mind is whether Spencer will be able to dictate the combat and do so for the entire fight. At her best, Mikaela Mayer is a fighter that is good at controlling the distance between herself and her opposition, and often varies her attack by approaching an opponent at different angles and getting the better of the action with her hand speed and being able to evade with footwork and lateral movement. Spencer, whose two career defeats came to the same fighter, former unified Jr. Middleweight world champion Femke Hermans, must find a way to cut the ring off, apply consistent pressure and limit Mayer’s ability to both move and get her punches off first. Although there are some who feel Mayer’s losses to Alycia Baumgardner and Natasha Jonas should have gone her way, both fighters were successful in being able to limit what she was able to do for periods throughout those fights and were also able to back her up consistently along the ropes. Both fights were extremely close, but those aspects often can be the subtle differences that can determine who will win a fight in scenarios where it otherwise might be too close to call. 

The story going into this fight may indeed center on Mikaela Mayer attempting to become a world champion in a third weight division, but in an era where the level of competition is ever increasing as the sport for women continues to benefit from long overdue exposure and growth that will manifest in the coming years as a result, Mary Spencer is likely looking at this fight and her opportunity to add her name to the list of notable world champions that have served as cornerstones of the most recent era of Women's Boxing by defending her title successfully against one such cornerstone. 

“And That's The Boxing Truth.”

UPDATE: As this column was being prepared for publication, it has been announced that in addition to the WBA Jr. Middleweight world championship currently held by Mary Spencer, the vacant WBC and WBO world championships in the 154lb. Jr. Middleweight division will also be on the line giving the combatants a chance to win those vacated titles and become a unified world champion in the division. The WBC and WBO Jr. Middleweight world championships were previously held by Cecilia Braekhus, who defeated previous unified world champion Ema Kozin on October October 4th in her native Norway before retiring as champion and thus opening a vacancy in both the WBC and WBO in the Women's Jr. Middleweight division, which will be filled barring a draw outcome in this fight. 

Spencer vs. Mayer takes place on Thursday, October 30th at Casino Montreal in Montreal, Canada. The fight can be seen in the United States on Top Rank Boxing’s Classics Free 24/7 Fast Streaming channel across multiple streaming app platforms beginning at 8PM ET/5PM PT. For more information and a full list of available platforms where the Top Rank Classics Fast Streaming channel is carried please visit: https://toprank.com/TR-Classics

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

(*Check your local listings internationally.*)

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Wardley Rescues Himself From The Brink Again, But Was Stoppage The Right Call?

The Heavyweight encounter between former WBO World Heavyweight champion Joseph Parker and undefeated top contender Fabio Wardley on June 25th at the O2 Arena in London, England was one that could and frankly should have repercussions for the talent-deep Heavyweight division going into 2026. Not only was it a rarity in that two number one contenders in two separate world sanctioning organizations,  chose to risk their respective standings against each other rather than sit and wait for a title shot to come to them, but stylistically, it provided the dynamic of a boxer/puncher in Parker, who has been at or near the top of the division for more than a decade going against a “Knockout Artist” in Wardley. 

It was also a fight that came following a significant scare for Wardley in his previous outing against previously unbeaten Justis Huni earlier this year in a fight where Wardley was trailing on all three scorecards before dropping Huni late in the tenth round to score a dramatic come from behind knockout, saving his undefeated record and his standing as the WBA's top Heavyweight contender in the process. As thrilling as that knockout was, however, it did present a question for at least some regarding whether it might be too much, too soon for him in terms of competing at the top level of the Heavyweight division. In particular, by opting to roll the dice against a former world champion in Parker, who not only had more experience than both he and Huni, but also a more well-rounded skillset than Huni. 

The old adage of “Styles Make Fights” was almost immediately appropriate from the opening bell. Parker throwing and landing punches consistently behind a quick jab and seeming to get the better of the action when he used his hand speed, Wardley not outworking Parker, but landing hard thudding blows seemingly every time he connected. It did not take long before the dynamics in terms of the styles of the two fighters provided an entertaining bout.

It was a bout that though Parker seemed to be in control for a significant portion of it, there were plenty of back and forth heated exchanges that kept one on the edge of their seats. Both fighters had periods throughout the fight where they were able to stun the other, but after round four where this observer felt the two fighters split the first four rounds, Parker was able to gradually build a lead on points. This was due primarily to both his ability to throw and land crisp combinations, but also doing so with accuracy. In the seventh round one such heated exchange of offense between the two fighters was won by Parker. The exchange, however, triggered a response from yours truly as I observed the bout on X (formerly Twitter) that while Parker had pulled ahead by a five rounds to two margin on my scorecard, he was playing with fire by being willing to stand and trade with Wardley. As Justis Huni learned earlier this year in his own bout with Wardley, you can be winning every minute of every round without a question of doubt and still get caught. 

While I do not claim any psychic abilities, the one thing I do have as a proud Boxing lifer and one who has dedicated his life to covering the sport over the last thirty years, is experience in having covered thousands of fights on every level of Boxing and thus having an instinct based on that experience as to what might happen based on what I can see. This was a case where at that point in the fight, I felt all Parker needed to do was use his lateral movement to evade Wardley as he came forward and continue out boxing him by throwing short, but compact combinations. Although after eight rounds I felt the fight was still on the table for both in terms of being able to win a decision, and keeping in mind that up to that point, Parker had withstood Wardley’s hardest punches, particularly his right hand, I felt that the wise approach was for Parker to be elusive and not give the noted “Knockout Artist” an opportunity to take advantage of an opening.

Rounds nine and ten followed a similar pattern as the majority of rounds throughout the fight, Parker seeming to control the majority of those rounds, beating Wardley to the punch, and at times looking as though he might be able to get a stoppage as Wardley seemed to be wilting periodically due to both the high pace the fight was being fought at as well as likely the accumulation of Parker's combinations throughout. Wardley did manage to stun Parker late in the tenth round, but it was at that point that I made another observation in real time on X that we had reached the point in the contest where Wardley needed a knockout to win this fight and that scoring knockdowns would not be enough to get the job done on points. 

As often happens in combat sports, one should always keep a mentality that anything can happen at any time and until you hear a final bell, one should not dismiss the possibility of something unexpected and dramatic happening. The eleventh round can be summed up in three words.”Sudden,” “Dramatic,” and “Controversial.”

The statement made by this observer just prior to round eleven would prove to provide the exact scenario that Wardley needed to turn things in his favor to bring the fight to a sudden, dramatic, and controversial conclusion. At the midway point of the round, Wardley connected with a flush right hand that staggered Parker badly. A scenario that had played out periodically throughout the fight whenever Wardley had been able to land solidly, but up to this point, Parker was able to withstand those blows. 

This appeared as though it would be similar as, despite being badly stunned and largely on the defensive, Parker’s eyes appeared clear and he was trying to weather the storm of offense that Wardley was throwing relentlessly with urgency, clearly sensing both that he was at a point where he was going to lose this fight on the scorecards and that this was his opportunity to change that narrative. While not landing with every shot he threw in the seemingly endless barrage, he did succeed in keeping Parker on the defensive where it appeared to yours truly that he was only able to get off one or two punches in response to what Wardley was throwing at him. It was at this point where Parker was attempting to evade punches and deflect what he could with his gloves that Referee Howard Foster stepped in and stopped the fight at 1:54 of round eleven without a knockdown occurring or Parker seemingly getting hit with a blow that would force the referee’s hand to step in and stop it.

Reacting in real time, I commented on X following the stoppage that Foster would be criticized for stepping in. Before I go deeper in that assessment, first some context is appropriate for what will follow. 

Referee Howard Foster, who is based in the United Kingdom has been a referee on the professional level of the sport of Boxing for twenty-eight years having officiated over 1,500 professional fights including many world championship bouts, European, and British/Commonwealth championship bouts. While Foster also has served in the capacity as a judge scoring fights for over twenty-five years, which includes nearly 700 bouts, including many non-title bouts on the British/Commonwealth level where the referee is the sole judge scoring those bouts, nearly 2,220 bouts of combined service as a referee and judge indicates that Foster is extremely experienced and frequently called upon to serve in either capacity by the British Boxing Board of Control (BBBofC) and other athletic commissions and regulatory boards throughout the world where he has been called upon to either referee or serve as a judge.

Referees like the rest of us are human beings and along with experience they bring with them into the ring are as prone to human error as the rest of us. The aspect of one's experience, while serving as an indication that the individual has paid their dues and is trusted to be in the position they are in regardless of what field they are in, the human aspect and the potential for errors to be made is always there. Despite Foster’s extensive resume, he is no stranger to controversy and has developed a reputation over the years in some circles as one who is at times quick in stopping fights.

Anyone who has followed the career of this observer over the last three decades either knows or should know that more often than not, when it comes to fights being stopped, I will side with the referee, doctor, or corner of a fighter who ultimately makes that often difficult decision. More often than not, such decisions are judgement calls that are ultimately motivated by the sole intention of protecting the fighter from further punishment and the potential of serious injury or God forbid worse.

Anyone who has spent any significant time in and around combat sports knows that often these types of judgement calls boil down to split second calls. It is far from an easy task to know what the right call might be in the heat of the moment. No one, however, wants to live with what can happen if a fight that should be stopped is allowed to go on where it results in either permanent injury to a fighter or unfortunately death.

This was a case where Joseph Parker did not appear to be in danger of possible serious/permanent injury or possibly having his life in danger. It is indisputable, however, that he was badly stunned and was not returning offense at a rate that would have convinced Foster that he was capable of continuing. On the other side of the equation, several of Wardley’s shots during this final barrage were not landing cleanly and it is certainly possible that Parker though under heavy fire, was trying to both compose himself and look for an opening to return offense or get off the ropes.

Having viewed the stoppage more than once, I believe Howard Foster was a bit early in stepping in for the sole reason that Parker's eyes appeared to be clear and he was able to avoid some of what Wardley was dishing out. We could be talking about a span of between 10-15 seconds that may have provided some clarity one way or another as to whether Parker may have been able to survive or whether Foster was justified in stepping in. 

If Foster had given Parker that benefit of doubt, there are a few scenarios that could have occurred. One and perhaps the most obvious is that Wardley could have landed another solid blow that may have either resulted in a knockdown of Parker or would have served as the trigger for Foster to step in where the justification would not be questioned. Scenario two, and the most logical if you are a fighter in Parker's position would be to attempt to clinch and buy yourself some seconds to get your legs and faculties back while waiting for the referee to initiate a break and thus allow you a chance to get off the ropes. Possibility three, Parker may have found an opening and landed something that would have stopped the barrage of punches Wardley was throwing, and finally scenario four, the exhausting pace of the fight, which was significant by Heavyweight standards, combined with Wardley putting everything he had behind this final barrage of offense could have resulted in him punching himself out, which in turn could have provided Parker with an opportunity to at minimum evade and get through the round.

All of this is hypothetical, of course, because the fight was stopped. Although the winner of this fight was supposed to be theoretically next in line to challenge undefeated Undisputed Heavyweight championship Oleksandr Usyk, the fact that there is that element of controversy regarding whether the fight should have been stopped coupled with the fact that Fabio Wardley was indeed trailing on all three official scorecards at the time of the stoppage, would appear to create the ideal conditions for an immediate rematch. When one factors in that Usyk, who recently became the only man in Boxing history to fully unify the World Heavyweight championship twice, has yet to indicate what he wants to do next and may be heading towards retirement, it seems all the more logical that there be a rematch between Wardley and Parker. One should also take into consideration that it was also one of the more entertaining Heavyweight fights in recent memory. 

“And That's The Boxing Truth.”

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