Cruz-Bravo Preview

 On Saturday, September 19th, top Jr. Welterweight contender and former world title challenger Isaac Cruz will return to the ring to take on fellow top contender Nestor Bravo in a scheduled twelve round bout that can be seen worldwide on digital subscription sports streaming network DAZN. The bout, which will take place at the Pechanga Arena, in San Diego, CA will be for Interim/Regular champion status in the World Boxing Council (WBC) Jr. Welterweight ratings, a designation currently held by Cruz as the WBC’s top contender in the 140lb. Jr. Welterweight division. 

Fighters are often known by their nicknames. Cruz’ style fits his moniker perfectly. “Pitbull.” Known for a relentless come forward pressure style, Cruz has endeared himself to Boxing fans for having a fan-friendly style as well as his willingness to fight anyone in and around the Jr. Welterweight division. In his last fight, Cruz was held to a controversial draw against former world champion Lamont Roach in a fight that some felt should have gone Roach’s way. It served as the latest chapter in what has been a hard luck career for Cruz as he has also found himself on the wrong end of decisions that many felt should have gone his way. The draw nevertheless allowed Cruz to maintain his position as the top WBC Jr. Welterweight contender and in a prime position to either challenge current WBC World Lightweight champion Dalton Smith. 

On this occasion, Cruz will face fellow top contender Nestor Bravo. Bravo will enter this fight with a record of 25-1, with 15 Knockouts and is a former North American Boxing Organization (NABO) Jr. Welterweight champion. Bravo’s one career defeat came in a split decision to veteran Xolisani Ndongeni in March of last year. Bravo was able to get back in the ring and score a knockout win in his last fight in January of this year when he scored a second round knockout of Pedro Campa at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, NY.

This fight is a case where one fighter, Bravo, suffered one setback when he stepped up in caliber of opposition and while one loss does not define a fighter, he will be taking an even steeper step up by facing Cruz, who will enter this encounter with a record of 28-3-2, with 18 Knockouts, that has fought a higher level of competition in his career and has held his own against them including against fighters like Lamont Roach, Rolando Romero, and Gervonta Davis. On this basis, it is understandable how some might view Bravo as an underdog going into this bout. 

What this encounter will come down to in my eyes is virtually the same question that is asked prior to every Isaac Cruz opponent, How will Nestor Bravo contend with the constant pressure Cruz will bring and more specifically, can he do so for twelve rounds and be able to control the tempo of the combat as well. Although Cruz is not known for his punching power, he has been able to gradually break opponents down and the fight plan for him will be to cut off the ring, try to limit Bravo’s movement, and look to establish an attack to Bravo’s body, which has led to success for him in the past. Whether or not such an approach will be successful for him in this fight remains to be seen. 

Obviously, the main goal here for these two boxers beyond attempting to get another victory for their careers is obviously trying to secure an opportunity to challenge Dalton Smith for the WBC Jr. Welterweight world championship. Whether or not that would be more streamlined of a process for the winner of this fight seeing as the promoter of this fight, the Premier Boxing Champions (PBC) group of promoters recently began a worldwide broadcast agreement with digital subscription sports streaming network DAZN and DAZN also has on its ever increasing stable of promoters, which also includes promoter Eddie Hearn of Matchroom Boxing, the current promoter of Smith, also remains to be seen. With a significant majority of the sport’s major promoters now firmly aligned under one global broadcast platform, one can hope that it will lead to more streamlined approaches in making sure fights of not only significant interest get made in a more timely manner than has been the norm for decades, but in this case where a mandatory challenger might be able to get their opportunity to fight for a world title sooner than is typically the norm. If that indeed were to happen, it’s a win for the sport and a significant step forward in the right direction.

“And That’s The Boxing Truth/”

Cruz vs. Bravo takes place on Saturday, September 19th at the Pechanga Arena in San Diego, CA. The fight as well as its full undercard can be seen worldwide on digital subscription sports streaming network DAZN beginning at 8PM ET/5PM PT and is available to both standard and DAZN Ultimate subscribers as part of a subscription. 

(*North American Start Times Only.* *Card and Start Times 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 in your area, and to subscribe please visit: www.DAZN.com.

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DAZN Ultimate Put To It's First Big Test On July 25th Event Doubleheader

On July 25th the Boxing world will focus on Jeddah, Saudi Arabia and Sydney, Australia respectively for two pay-per-view offerings that will also serve as the first significant selling point for digital subscription sports streaming network DAZN as both events will be available as part of a DAZN Ultimate subscription. The first of the two events, which will be held in the kingdom of Saudi Arabia, will feature the return of former two-time World Heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua as he returns to the ring for the first time since scoring a knockout of Jake Paul in December of last year as he will face Heavyweight contender Kristian Prenga in a fight scheduled for twelve rounds. 

Although Joshua frankly did what most knowledgeable Boxing insiders including those who cover the sport, like yours truly, expected in knocking out the novice boxer/promoter Paul in six rounds, Joshua’s returns comes following surviving a horrible car accident in the weeks following the fight where he lost two of his close friends. Frankly, after enduring both a tragic accident, the injuries that came with it, and the loss of two friends, it would be understandable if Joshua either chose to remain out of the ring for an extended period or if he chose to not resume his career. In some ways, this fight against a “Knockout Artist” in Prenga comes on a similar timeline as most marquee stars, as Joshua is, compete in the sport, once or twice a year.

The obvious question here not only is what condition Joshua will be in considering what he has been through, but also what Prenga will bring to the table in what could be a dangerous fight for the former world champion, who still has the goal of trying to regain a World Heavyweight championship. Kristian Prenga  will come into this encounter with a record of 20-1, with all 20 wins coming via knockout. The Albanian-born New Jersey-based Prenga has only suffered one defeat in his career when he dropped a six round decision to a  fighter named Giovanni Auriemma in October 2016. Although it was only Prenga’s third professional fight and came against a fighter who ended his career with a 2-6–2 record, Prenga has remained unbeaten in the years since. Despite all of his victories coming via knockout, he has not fought a fighter considered to be a household name. This is likely viewed as a red flag in the eyes of some  because even though Prenga has built an impressive record in terms of numbers and has never been stopped in his career, he has fought a lower caliber of opposition as compared to the former world champion Joshua. 

What could work to Prenga’s advantage, however, is Joshua has been knocked out before and has been susceptible to getting caught even in fights he has won in the past. Although it may not be expected by some, the accumulation of years competing at or near the top level of the sport for most of his career, the punishment sustained both in fights he’s lost as well as those he’s won, and the fact that Joshua is thirty-six years old, in addition to now attempting a comeback from a tragic accident are all things that need to be considered here. Boxing is after all a sport of opportunity and, despite being at a disadvantage in terms of both overall experience and skillset, sometimes all a fighter needs is an opportunity and it is indisputable that this is the biggest fight in Prenga’s career. If he should pull of an upset here, it should put him on a short list of potential world title challengers.

The second main event that will take place on July 25th brings us to Sydney, Australia where two former world champions will meet in a crossroads bout as former unified Welterweight world champion Errol Spence will return to the ring for the first time in three years to face hometown favorite and former WBO World Jr. Middleweight champion Tim Tszyu in a scheduled twelve round Middleweight bout, which can also be seen either as a standalone pay-per-view offering or included as part of a DAZN Ultimate subscription. 

This fight, which will headline a card, the first official card for the Premier Boxing Champions (PBC) group of promoters under their new worldwide broadcast deal with DAZN. What this fight is in more specific context is an encounter between two former world champions, each trying to reestablish themselves in the sport. For Errol Spence, who has not fought since being stopped by Terence Crawford in 2023 in a fight to fully unify the 147lb. Welterweight division at that time, the central issue that surrounds him will be both inactivity as well as what the condition of his eyes will be after spending the last several years dealing with vision problems. In the other corner will stand Tim Tszyu, the former Jr. Middleweight world champion, who while more active over the period of time in which Spence has been inactive, has also suffered some setbacks over that time, which has affected his standing in the sport including two losses to Sebastian Fundora and one loss to Bakhram Murtazaliev. The loss to Murtazaliev and the second loss to Fundora, were via stoppage and it has prompted some to question what Tszyu has left himself.

The 154lb. Jr. Middleweight division has suddenly become a commodity with Jaron Ennis recently becoming a unified world champion in the division having recently stopped previously unbeaten WBO world champion Xander Zayas to unify the WBO and vacant WBA crowns. It is logical to assume that the end goal for both Spence and Tszyu here will be to try to get into the discussion of potential challengers for Ennis. While this fight is not at the highest level the division has to offer, it is still an encounter between two of the recent stars in the sport that are trying to get back into position to challenge for another world title. 

Given the length of time Spence has been inactive and the fact that this bout, which was originally supposed to occur at a contracted weight of 158lbs., a technicality given that it is two pounds under the 160lb. Middleweight limit, it is logical to expect that Tszyu will attempt to test Spence early on in this fight. The danger for Tszyu is he has been caught before when being overly aggressive and at his best, Errol Spence was a fighter with a good mix of punching power and hand speed, Tszyu should pursue with caution if he is able to have success early. On the flip side of the equation, Spence should look to try and get a few rounds under his belt. What is known as “Ring Rust” is a very real thing for a fighter and it is unrealistic to expect that Spence will not have at least a little rust given his inactivity and the medical issues he has dealt with outside of the ring in his first return to competition in three years.

Both fights that will be showcased here on July 25th have a similar theme. Joshua is looking to get back into the Heavyweight title picture and both Spence and Tszyu are looking to get back into the world title picture as well in either the Jr. Middleweight or Middleweight divisions. Although the theme of both fights are similar in scope, some may argue that Spence and Tszyu are in a scenario where it might be win or go home. This observer will stay clear of such debates, but it does not lessen the intrigue of frankly both fights. What might follow including a planned fight for Joshua with former two-time World Heavyweight champion Tyson Fury aimed for later this year, remains to be seen.

In terms of the business side of the sport these two bouts headlining separate cards, each available either as standalone pay-per-view offerings at $60 and $80 respectively, this either as an unintended coincidence or by design will spotlight the strategy by DAZN as a subscription-based network’s new tiered approach as events like these two are offered under a DAZN Ultimate subscription, which at $44.99 per month does offer value as compared to paying just shy of $140 for these two bouts as standalone options. 

While such a subscription model is clearly aimed at the combat sports enthusiast and was no doubt implemented in response to both criticism of using the pay-per-view model as well as what were likely numbers that showed it was not a winning strategy both for the network and for promoters who insisted on using it, this observer will repeat a point he has made numerous times. It will come down to both matchmaking and which fights are aimed for an ultimate subscription as opposed to a base subscription that DAZN initially launched with in 2018. Clearly, pay-per-view on its own due to both overpricing and the frequency that it has been used has not worked for Boxing in some time, it needed to change and July 25, 2026 is the first day on the Boxing calendar since the introduction of the Ultimate tier subscription for DAZN where the value of this approach will be displayed. With more events coming through the remainder of 2026 and beyond, hopefully, both for the sport as well as its promoters who are largely congregated under one broadcast platform now, it will prove to be a winner both in its implementation as well as providing a reasonably priced alternative for consumers, and for the network, both growing and maintaining their subscriber base without much of the churn that subscription models are often submitted to.

“And That’s The Boxing Truth.”

Joshua vs. Prenga takes place on Saturday, July 25th at the Jeddah Superdome in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. The card is available either as a standalone pay-per-view offering for $59.99 or as part of a DAZN Ultimate subscription for $44.99 per month. The broadcast will begin at 9AM ET/6AM PT.

Spence vs. Tszyu takes place on Saturday, July 25th at the Afterpay Arena in Sydney, Australia. The card is available as a standalone pay-per-view offering for $79.99 or as part of a DAZN Ultimate subscription for $44.99 per month. The broadcast will begin at 9PM ET/6PM PT.

(*North American Start Times Only.*)

(*Cards and Start Times Subject to Change.*

*Both Events Available Worldwide.*

For more information about DAZN including schedules, list of compatible streaming devices, platforms, Smart TVs, availability around the world, local start times and region specific pricing in your area, to order these events separately or to subscribe or upgrade to a DAZN Ultimate subscription please visit: www.DAZN.com. 

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PBC Joins DAZN : Why It Is A Win For Subscribers

 In April of 2018, this observer received word as I was preparing to cover two separate main events being held in the United Kingdom on April 21st of that year, Amir Khan vs. Phil Lo Greco and Carl Frampton vs, Nonito Donaire that there would be a further shock to the system in terms of the way Boxing was broadcast here in the United States following the inception of ESPN’s first direct to consumer streaming network ESPN+, (Now ESPN Unlimited), which had launched days before and in fact, it was the Khan-Lo Greco bout that ended up being the first Boxing event ever televised on the platform. The further shock that I was informed about privately was the pending entry into the United States of another direct to consumer streaming entity whose focus would largely center on Boxing, DAZN.

Although it would be a few weeks later that the network dubbed by some as the “Netflix of Sports” would hold a press conference in New York to formally announce their entry with Matchroom Boxing promoter Eddie Hearn as the centerpiece attraction to serve as the network’s main promoter, upon hearing the information I was given, I began researching what DAZN, which launched in 2016, had to offer in other markets internationally. As first and foremost a Boxing lifer and combat sports aficionado, but just as a sports fan in general, when I saw the amount of content offered in various regions, particularly amongst the major sports here in the United States, I would be lying if I said my mouth did not begin to water. Obviously, I knew that a global streaming network’s available content would vary by region due to existing broadcast agreements with various networks around the world and I also knew based on years of experience in covering media broadcast rights as it relates to Boxing and other combat sports, that there was not going to be the amount of content that I had seen offered internationally upon DAZN’s U.S. launch, primarily the major sports leagues in this country. What I did see, however, was potential.

With regard to Boxing, the network offered a schedule of events from both major and regional promoters that was unparalleled in the sport. While yours truly has written extensively over the years of the benefits of the subscription-based model as compared to the pay-per-view model, which had gotten out of control before DAZN’s launch, for the purposes of this column, the focus will be centered on how DAZN has strategically put together a roster of promoters and Boxing content that frankly has never been seen before on one platform as along with Hearn’s Matchroom Boxing and wider sports offerings under Matchroom Sport, the network eventually added Golden Boy Promotions under promoter and Hall of Fame fighter Oscar De La Hoya, OPI Since 82 out of Italy, the highly acclaimed World Boxing Super Series, as well as various other promoters who have appeared on the platform periodically. Most recently, the network had signed Hall of Fame promoters Frank Warren of Queensberry Promotions and Bob Arum’s Top Rank, Inc. to multi-year broadcast agreements. Although having clearly established itself as the dominant broadcaster in the sport not just in the United States, but worldwide to a degree we have never seen in Boxing before, the network has not rested on its accomplishments as it continues to build to its platform. On July 9th, during the launch press conference for the upcoming WBA World Welterweight championship bout between champion Rolando Romero and former two-division world champion Teofimo Lopez an announcement was made that the Premier Boxing Champions (PBC) group of promoters, one of the last remaining major promoters in the sport that had spent recent years as a largely pay-per-view centric promoter first through the now defunct Showtime Sports and most recently through digital streaming general entertainment network and platform Prime Video, had signed with the network on what was described as a multi-fight agreement with events being simulcast on Prime Video on a pay-per-view basis for the remainder of 2026.

In all honesty, I was not surprised when I was informed of the pending announcement as frankly, with the exception of a few obscure pay-per-view offerings promoted by independent promoters that have yet to align with DAZN, the PBC group of promoters was really the last hold out, who was attempting to continue to rely largely on what this observer has called the outdated and overpriced model of pay-per-view. Despite DAZN in the period following the global COVID-19 epidemic dipped their toes into the pay-per-view model, a decision that though understandable to an extent given the loss of revenue from the pause of live sports that occurred while the world was essentially shut down during the epidemic, I was highly critical of, which I stand by, the network has always been a subscription-based focused entity. With regard to the PBC’s recent history with Prime Video acting as a distributor for PBC pay-per-view offerings with a handful of free events for Amazon Prime members, though no one has access to how successful or not successful those events have been in terms of buys, the PBC, which launched in 2015 with its initial mission of “Free Boxing For All” with initial time buy arrangements with broadcast and cable networks, had seen its output of events year over year drop significantly as compared to when it launched. Although no one can say how successful a largely pay-per-view centric strategy was for the PBC. One could assume that continuing to rely on what became an increasingly outdated model and doing so at price points of $74 or above, may not have proven to be a winning approach for them, which could have necessitated aligning with DAZN after vocally opposing what the network was attempting to bring to the sport with a subscription-based focus for several years.

While pay-per-view still remains part of the sport, it should be noted that DAZN after testing the waters of periodically dipping its toes into the model, has reverted back to a subscription based approach with the introduction of DAZN Ultimate, a higher priced tier subscription that now includes pay-per-view offerings at no additional cost. This should be of value to many Boxing fans due to now the PBC events being available to DAZN Ultimate subscribers at no additional cost. Although it is not my intention to pen what could essentially be copy for a commercial promoting the network, a monthly or annual subscription is indeed more cost-effective for consumers as opposed to being asked to pay an inflated fee on a per-event basis, regardless of what the headline attractions of those events might be. 

The question is obviously with so many promoters on one platform does it create a monopoly and ultimately, will it serve in the best interest of both consumers and the sport? A cynical viewpoint as well as a realistic one, is Boxing does not have as many broadcasters involved in the sport in 2026 as was the case in decades past. There are several reasons for that, none of which have anything to do with the sport itself or its appeal, but have a lot to do with what became a focus on what was meant to be used for legitimate special occasions in the sport/major events, pay-per-view, which in turn gradually eroded not only the amount of content offered across both free to air broadcast television as well as cable, which over time took what would have been marquee bouts away from free television or from cable networks like HBO and Showtime, which for lack of a better term made whatever was televised on those networks seem secondary by putting the perceived major bouts in the sport behind a paywall. This in addition to consistently raising prices for such events, the frequency of which the pay-per-view model has been used, and the stalling tactics, which delayed fights of significant interest from being made and promoters and fighters refusing to come to the negotiating table for such bouts eventually it created a scenario where free to air networks like ABC, NBC, CBS, and Fox eventually bowed out of the sport and were ultimately followed by HBO and Showtime as well after both networks, who had invested significantly in Boxing over decades eventually divested and exited as both became to a significant extent casualties of corporate mergers that is still a major issue in the overall landscape of television.

It goes without saying that having less platforms actively invested in Boxing along with the over reliance on the pay-per-view model has led to where things are now for Boxing. An obvious concern is even with essential 95% of the sport’s major promoters under one global broadcast platform, is that the ways of old including a reluctance of the various promoters to work together to bring about fights of significant interest and to do so in a more reasonable timeframe than  having the public wait, at times several years, before a fight takes place where more often than not, by the time it does it leaves the public feeling very underwhelmed. There is also an obvious danger as well for DAZN in that now with a tier subscription approach, the motivation should be to try and increase long-term subscriptions, but also make it appealing for existing subscribers to stay on. There will come a point where subscription prices will have to stabilize where the ceiling of how high subscription rates can go will have to reach a ceiling or like other networks that were heavily invested in Boxing before them, DAZN may eventually find themselves making a similar decision to that of the aforementioned networks, first by divesting and then by exiting Boxing altogether. It would be a shame if that happens because the potential to grow the sport far beyond any level it has seen before and expose it to new eyes regardless of one’s economic level is there. Will this be the watershed moment where Boxing finally gets out of its own way for the good of the sport? I sincerely hope so. 

“And That’s The Boxing Truth.”

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Fundora-Thurman Preview

 

Credit: Prime Video

In March of 2024, the Premier Boxing Champions (PBC) group of promoters embarked on a new era following the end of its long-standing broadcast deal with United States premium cable network Showtime, which also coincided with the network not only exiting Boxing, but also shuttering its entire sports division as part of a broader corporate restructuring of its parent company Paramount. This led the PBC to its new home of Prime Video. The first event under their new deal was to feature then WBO Jr. Middleweight world champion Tim Tszyu defending his title against former Welterweight world champion Keith Thurman. 

An encounter that would not take place as Thurman pulled out of the bout days before it was to take place due to tearing his bicep in training. Rather than canceling the event, the PBC opted to bring in top Jr. Middleweight contender  as a replacement for the injured former Welterweight cornerstone. In a grueling and bloody fight, Fundora, known as “The Towering Inferno” emerged victorious taking the WBO world title from Tszyu and also emerging with the vacant WBC crown in the 154lb. Jr. Middleweight division as well. Boxing is truly a sport of opportunity and there is no doubt that Fundora took full advantage of Thurman's misfortune in not only seizing the opportunity by becoming a world champion, but remaining a world champion since that faithful night of March 30, 2024. 

After being stripped of the WBO portion of the World Jr. Middleweight championship due to the politics that be in the sport, the 6 '6 Fundora has scored two knockouts in defense of the WBC Jr. Middleweight world title, including forcing the always “Game” Tszyu to submit in a rematch in July of last year. This leads us to his third title defense, which will take place on March 28th, nearly two years to the day of his becoming a world champion at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, NV, against the man he replaced in that title bout two years ago Keith Thurman in a twelve round bout that can be seen in the United States on Prime Video Pay-Per-View. The third defense of his WBC crown in just under two years, which is more active by present day standards for most world champions in the sport, has the dynamic of youth versus experience.

Fundora, a twenty-eight year old world champion who may be just entering his physical prime, against a thirty-seven year old former champion, who at one time was considered one of the best fighters in the entire sport. While the dynamic of youth versus experience is certainly not a new one, what this fight will center on will be the challenger. While Thurman ironically is known by the nickname “One Time,” which seems appropriate going into this fight given how he was once among the best in Boxing’s mythical pound for pound debates, he has become more known for much of the last decade for inactivity whether it be because of injuries or fights that were planned that for one reason or another did not come to fruition.

It is indeed true that Thurman has fought only twice since losing the WBA World Welterweight championship to Manny Pacquiao in July 2019. Although that loss remains the only setback on Thurman's record, having only fought twice since could be and probably should be viewed as a red flag as far as the odds he faces going into this fight. An old adage that this observer strongly believes in that is supported by years of seeing it with my own eyes is that inactivity is a silent killer and often does more harm to fighters in the long-term as far as the concept of “Ring Rust,” reaction time, and punch resistance than solely basing an opinion on what a fighter faces across the ring in an opponent. For his part Thurman got back in the ring in March of last year in scoring a third round knockout over a “Game,” but over matched Brock Jarvis in Australia.

Although Thurman looked good in that fight, his first in over three years at that point, and simply did what he needed to do, one might question whether the caliber of opposition in that fight as well as no further in-ring action since she Thurman is adequate preparation for this world title opportunity given both lengthy stretches of inactivity throughout his career as well as trying to come back from injuries and advancing age. Based on the above alone, it is not hard to understand why some would consider Thurman a significant underdog going into this fight. There are also things to consider with regard to what will be standing across this ring from him on March 28th.

The primary hurdle for virtually every opponent Sebastian Fundora has faced is he not only has been blessed with significant height and reach advantages over most, if not, all his opposition in the 154lb. Jr. Middleweight division, he is also a southpaw that has a good mix of hand speed, punching power, and tries to walk down his opponents with near non-stop pressure. The champion has won twenty-three of his twenty-five professional fights and the one loss on his record came in April 2023 when he was caught by a left hook, right hook combination from contender Brian Mendoza that dropped him in the seventh round and he was not able to beat the count. Though that knockout obviously showed that it is possible to hit Fundora if one can find a way to get on the inside of his 80” reach, it has proven to be a task that has been easier said than done for opponents outside of that one instance and to Fundora’s credit, he not only rebounded to win a world title in a short period of time after that setback, he has been able to withstand offense when he's had to since, most notably in his world title victory over Tim Tszyu in their first fight.

At his best, Keith Thurman was an exciting come forward fighter that brought the fight to his opponents with punching power and deceptive hand speed. The task at hand for the challenger will be to see if he can rekindle some of his prime form and be able to get on the inside of Fundora’s reach, though some will concede that he will likely have to take some punishment to get close to the champion in order to have a shot here. On the flip side, if Fundora chooses to box behind a consistent jab and keep Thurman on the outside with his reach, the question might be whether he boxes towards a potential lopsided decision victory or if he will try to gradually break Thurman down as the fight progresses.

It is logical to assume that if Keith Thurman is not successful in this fight that it could be the final time he steps into the ring. Meanwhile, if Sebastian Fundora succeeds in his third title defense, he could set his sights either on potential unification or possibly moving up to the 160lb. Middleweight division. A high stakes battle with no shortage of intrigue. We will find out who emerges victorious on Saturday, March 28th. 

“And That's The Boxing Truth.”

Fundora vs. Thurman takes place on Saturday, March 28th at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, NV. The fight as well as it's undercard can be seen in the United States on Prime Video pay-per-view for $74.99. The broadcast will begin at 5:30PM ET/2:30PM PT with free preliminary bouts with the pay-per-view portion beginning at 8PM ET/5PM PT.

(*North American Times Only* *Check your local listings for availability internationally.*)

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

To order this card download the Prime Video app on your streaming device of choice or click the following link: Fundora vs. Thurman.

Photo Courtesy of: Prime Video Used with permission.

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Fundora-Thurman PPV Card Now Available For Preorder On Prime Video

Credit: Prime Video 

The March 28th Premier Boxing Champions pay-per-view card headlined by WBC World Jr. Middleweight world champion Sebastian Fundora defending his title against former Welterweight world champion Keith Thurman, which will take place at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, NV is now available for pre-order on Prime Video. The cost of this card will be $74.99 and will begin with free preliminary bouts at 5:30PM ET/2:30PM PT with the pay-per-view portion beginning at 8PM ET/5PM PT. (*North American Times Only. Check your local listings internationally.*)  We will have a preview of Fundora-Thurman released here on The Boxing Truth® on Wednesday, March 25th. Stay tuned. 

“And That's The Boxing Truth.”

To order Fundora vs. Thurman download the Prime Video app on your streaming device of choice or click the following link :  Fundora vs. Thurman 

Photo Courtesy of: Prime Video Used with permission.

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

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Gloves Off: Fundora vs. Thurman Now Streaming On Prime Video

Press Release: February 28, 2026 By Prime Video -

 

The eighth installment of Gloves Off explores the compelling, high-stakes world championship showdown between one of the sport’s hottest new stars and a crafty former champion as they headline an action-packed PBC Pay-Per-View event on Prime Video on Saturday, March 28

Credit: Prime Video 

NEW YORK—February 27, 2026— Today, Prime Video announced Gloves Off: Fundora vs Thurman. the latest installment of its compelling, all-access docuseries. Debuting Saturday, Feb. 28 on Prime Video, this edition explores the journey both WBC Super Welterweight World Champion Sebastian Fundora and his formidable challenger Keith Thurman have taken in preparation for this high-stakes 154-pound world championship showdown. The PBC Pay-Per-View on Prime Video event is set to take place at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.

 

Few boxers have had a more satisfying two-year run than California native Sebastian Fundora (23-1-1, 15 KOs). The reigning WBC Super Welterweight Champion, Fundora is putting his title on the line versus a fighter who excels in the international spotlight. Keith Thurman (31-1, 23 KOs) soared through the welterweight ranks, unifying the titles at 147 pounds.  Now, the seasoned Clearwater, FL native is making his first bid for a 154-pound title against a red-hot fighter in his prime.

Narrated by Barry Pepper, the series takes fans beyond the ring, blending footage of fighters' lives, families, and training, as excitement builds for this prime-time showcase in a city famous for career-defining performances.

Material Courtesy and Photo Courtesy of: Prime Video Used with permission.

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

Can Lamont Roach Get A Fair Shake?

The fight between Isaac Cruz and former WBA Jr. Lightweight world champion Lamont Roach on December 6th in San Antonio, TX not only was an encounter between two of the best fighters currently in the sport of Boxing, but also represented Roach’s debut in the 140lb. Jr. Welterweight division. One could also say that Roach was riding a career high after receiving a draw in his previous bout in March with the talented, but troubled Gervonta Davis. In facing Cruz, Roach was in some ways going back into a fire pit by facing a fighter known for his aggression that while not known for the type of knockout power that Davis had, has a non-stop come forward, pressure attack that many fighters including Davis have found difficult to combat. It was also a fight that Roach openly sought after not being able to secure a rematch with Davis.

The question of this fight was both simple and complex. Would Roach be able to deal with a fighter like Cruz who suffocates opponents with pressure and could he do so ten pounds heavier than where he was a world champion in the 130lb. Jr. Featherweight division? It became apparent early on when the two fighters met at the Frost Bank Center that Cruz had every intention of being as difficult a task to combat as he has been for virtually every opponent he has ever faced. 

By applying pressure early, Cruz made it difficult for Roach, a well-rounded boxer/puncher, to find a consistent rhythm by forcing him to stand and fight on the inside, which is not typically the norm for Roach, who uses lateral movement and angles to attack his opponents. This approach for Cruz, the current WBC number one Jr. Welterweight contender, by making it a rough and at times ugly fight, was highlighted in round three when he was credited with a knockdown when a left hook to the jaw knocked Roach off balance where one of his gloves touched the canvas. Although this was the correct call by Referee James Green, it was a cruel irony that the first knockdown of Roach’s career came in a similar manner as when he was not credited with a knockdown when Davis took a knee in the ninth round of their fight back in March of this year. In that instance, however, a knockdown, which would have been the correct call was not made and that error, arguably resulted in that fight being scored a draw and not a victory for Roach as many observers, including this one, felt he deserved. 

Unfortunately for Roach, the irony and the cruelty would not stop with the knockdown here, despite that ruling being correct. From the point in which Roach got up from the knockdown, he gradually got himself into a rhythm by throwing short and consistent combinations that often caught Cruz as he came forward. Often when Cruz did get in close, he clinched and held Roach on the inside. It was such holding that often resembled more grappling on the inside as opposed to what is considered holding to necessitate a separation from the referee or holding when the fighter doing so is hurt and trying to avoid being knocked down or out, that resulted in him being penalized a point for holding excessively in round seven. By that point, however, Roach seemed to have nullified the effects of the knockdown in round three in terms of points as this observer felt, though many of the rounds remained competitive, he took over the tempo of the fight and carried the action for the remainder of the twelve round bout.

At the conclusion of the twelve round fight, I arrived with a 114-111 scorecard in favor of Lamont Roach. A three point margin, but I had Roach winning eight rounds to four. Normally when there is an eight-four margin in a twelve round fight, one usually arrives at a 116-112 scorecard in points. The three point margin rather than a four point margin is a reflection of both the knockdown of Roach in round three, which was scored 10-8 in favor of Isaac Cruz per it being a round where he scored a knockdown, and the point deduction against Cruz in round seven in a round where he was losing the round prior to that penalizing. Without the point being taken from him, he would have lost the round by a score of 10-9. The deduction, however, resulted in a 10-8 score and ultimately how I ended up with a 114-111 final score rather than the standard 116-112 score for an eight rounds to four margin. 

The thorough explanation and analysis of scoring from yours truly is moot in this case as the result of this fight would ultimately be a majority draw with only one judge, having a victor in Cruz on his scorecard. The cruelty for Roach is that this is now the second consecutive fight in less than a year where he was held to a draw in a fight many feel he won. 

The question I have coming out of this fight is Can Lamont Roach get a fair shake, or as several fighters in previous eras have had a label placed on them, has Roach become Boxing’s latest hard luck fighter? A label usually reserved for fighters who either end up with losses against more notable opposition or end up with draws as Roach has now done twice. For his part, Roach did not hide his frustration in a post-fight interview in the ring immediately after the decision was announced calling the verdict quote “Bullshit” and saying he was tired of not getting a fair shake. While this observer does not often display expletives in his writings per professional/journalistic standards, the quote offered by a frustrated fighter in Lamont Roach, who has proven to be one of the best fighters in the sport, despite not getting the victories in these two recent outings that many feel, including yours truly that he deserved, was both blunt and one that many fighters throughout history have expressed at one time or another when on the wrong end of a decision they felt should have gone their way, whether justified in those feelings or not. 

It is hard to not sympathize with a fighter that clearly has the talent and credentials to be one of the top fighters of his era, who feels like they were not given the credit/victory they felt they were due. Unfortunately, the Cruz-Roach bout will also now take its place as the latest in a long line of controversial fights over decades to be held in the state of Texas, which have often revolved around controversial scoring. Whether this decision, like Roach’s bout with Gervonta Davis, which was held in Brooklyn, NY is simply a case of judges, who like the rest of us, are human beings, having a bad night at the office is something that will likely be debated. What is perhaps more troublesome for sanctioning organizations and state and international regulatory boards is if fighters feel that they aren't being treated fairly and that perception slowly spreads amongst fellow fighters and subsequently gains public support, it will become increasingly harder to hold combat sports events and have the credibility that it is truly an even playing field for all combatants where adequate decisions will be rendered. When one also considers the times in which we live where it is all too easy for one, whether they have credibility or not, to air their grievances publicly, such controversies should not be dismissed.

“And That's The Boxing Truth.”

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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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