The Boxing Truth®

Credit: DAZN  On March 18th, the focus of the Boxing world focused on Madison Square Garden in New York City where a press conference was held where digital subscription sports streaming network DAZN announced its latest partnership in forming a multi-year worldwide broadcast deal with Hall of Fame promoter Bob Arum and Top Rank Inc , marking the latest promotional entity to join the network that has marketed itself as “The Global Home of Boxing.” While the aforementioned tagline is a clever marketing tool, it is really as close to reality as one could claim. After all, in 2018 when DAZN entered the United States market, many laughed at the idea of a strictly streaming-based platform that would operate primarily under a subscription model as a potential power broker in the sport of Boxing. This observer has from the moment I was informed of the network’s entry both into the United States, but also Boxing was supportive of what was being attempted. Before I elaborate further, it ...

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 st...

The story leading up to undefeated three-division world champion Shakur Stevenson's bout against Artem Harutyunyan on July 6th was his first title defense as the WBC World Lightweight champion.  Before a hometown crowd, Stevenson put forth a dominant performance, skillfully out Boxing Harutyunyan over twelve rounds to retain his world title.  While this observer summed up what occurred at the Prudential Center in Stevenson's hometown of Newark, NJ,  there is more to the story, which was omitted from the preview penned by yours truly last week, but was not done so as a means of ignoring on my part. It was simply something that I chose to hold off discussing until after the fight. Just what am I referring to? The fact that this fight and what turned out to be the latest successful, lopsided outing for Stevenson, was the final bout under his current promotional agreement with Hall of Fame promoter Bob Arum's Top Rank Inc. Normally, I do my best to try and avoid discussing th...

  Press Release: May 25, 2024 By Lewis Moss - A modern day Cinderella man story could unfold June 21st when undefeated Top Rank prospect Floyd Diaz takes on Mexico’s 29 year old 12 year fight veteran Javier "Rayito" Pedroza 18-11 at the Fontainebleau Las Vegas , Las Vegas , Nevada , USA June 21 st .   Credit: Mike O'Hara/Dragon Fire Boxing Pedroza opened up about his fight preparation, what the fight means to him and a final message.   “Preparation has been the best of my life; discipline has always characterized me but this time applying the experience throughout my 12 years as a professional. I was lucky enough to start the year sparring with Jason Moloney for his first title defense against Saul Sanchez, then straight into camp with Jonthan Rodriguez for his WBA Title Eliminator then later with Luis Nery for his Undisputed World title fight in Japan with Inoue.   “This fight right now represents a better future for me and my family. I am aware of what Top Rank me...

The storyline going into the IBO Lightweight world championship bout between defending champion Maxi Hughes and former Undisputed Lightweight champion George Kambosos was whether Kambosos could find a way to bounce back after losing his crown to Devin Haney and suffering a second loss to Haney in an immediate rematch. Two fights where Kambosos was out boxed by the superiorly skilled Haney. While at the moment that Kambosos' challenge of Hughes on July 22nd in Shawnee, OK, the four world championship that comprise the undisputed championship in the 135lb. Lightweight division remain unified and in Haney's procession, there was also the wrinkle of Hughes, who was making the third defense of the one world championship not in the undisputed Lightweight crown, being treated as an opponent rather than a world champion from the broadcasters broadcasting the bout for sports cable network ESPN and it's streaming network ESPN+ to him being announced first during ring introductions pr...

One of the biggest fights of 2023 will take place on Tuesday, July 25th in Tokyo, Japan as undefeated unified WBO/WBC Jr. Featherweight world champion Stephen Fulton will defend his crown against undefeated former Undisputed Bantamweight champion of the world Naoya Inoue. The bout, which can be seen here in the United States on digital subscription sports streaming network ESPN+ not only brings together two of the top stars in Boxing's lower weight divisions, but also presents an interesting clash of styles. Fulton, who will enter the bout unbeaten in twenty-one professional bouts is a slick boxer/puncher that has thus far has proven to be elusive and a difficult puzzle for opponents to solve. The unified world champion in the 122lb. Jr. Featherweight division likely has an eye towards further unification of the division towards the eventual goal of becoming an undisputed world champion. Fulton's opponent on July 25th is a fighter that has already accomplished that goal as a 1...

The main goal of just about every fighter that competes in and around the 168lb. Super-Middleweight division is to secure a fight with Saul "Canelo" Alvarez. Not only is Alvarez one of the superstars in the sport of Boxing, which obviously means whomever he fights is most likely assured a career high payday, but in regard to the Super-Middleweight division, he remains the undisputed champion of the world. As such whenever a fight occurs in the division that does not directly involve Alvarez, the obvious question that surrounds it is whether those participating in a fight can make a convincing argument as being a potential opponent for him either in the near future or perhaps further down the road. Undefeated Super-Middleweight contender Edgar Berlanga is one fighter that is trying to make that argument. Unbeaten in twenty professional fights with sixteen knockouts, Berlanga has quickly developed not only a fan following, but also buzz due to his punching power and ability to ...

Press Release: July 1,2022 By Team Moloney –  Australian Mayhem, Jason Moloney has landed himself at number 1 in the latest World Boxing Council & World Boxing Organizations ratings, with the hopes of a world title shot being imminent.   Credit:Mikey Williams Top Rank Boxing  In recent times, a former foe of Moloney, the pound-for-pound star Naoya Inoue put on a masterclass performance against the legendary Filipino Nonito Donaire, unifying the WBA, IBF, and WBC world titles. What is next for Inoue remains to be seen, however, Moloney doesn't want to hang around for the world title, as he gave his assessment on his future prospects.  The all-action Aussie said, "I've been in with Naoya Inoue, he really is a pound-for-pound superstar. Not many people will get near him, even when he moves up in weight. I can't see anyone beating him right now. "I am delighted to be ranked at number one in the WBC & WBO and thank you to my team. Tony Tolj, Top ...

  Press Release: May 27, 2022 By Team Moloney – Mayhem comes home, as Jason Moloney gets ready for the biggest stage of his career, as he defends his WBC silver and competes for the WBO international bantamweight strap against highly touted Aston Palicte. Credit: Mikey Williams/Top Rank Boxing   Palicte has been on the world stage before, having controversially drawn with a great of the little big men, Donny Nietes back in 2018 at the Inglewood Forum in Los Angeles. The Filipino standout has since challenged another monster of the lower-weight classes, Kazuto Ioka for the Japanese warrior's world title.   Moloney weighed in on his highly-rated opponent on June 5 in his native Australia. 'Mayhem' said, "I'm really excited for this fight. Thank you to Top Rank, DiBella Entertainment, and my manager Tony Tolj for putting it together and getting me a great opportunity against a world-class fighter.   "Palicte is well known to anybody in the lower weight classes...

  Press Release: By Top Rank Boxing – Under multi-year deal, Autograph and Top Rank will pair digital collectibles with unparalleled experience. Credit: Top Rank Boxing   LOS ANGELES, CA, New York, NY – April 11, 2022 – Boxing promotional powerhouse Top Rank, Inc. and Autograph, the leading NFT platform co-founded by Tom Brady that is revolutionizing the Web3 space, today announced an exclusive, multi-year deal to create a one-of-a-kind line of NFTs.      Under the agreement, Autograph will utilize Top Rank’s unrivaled library of fights to offer fans and collectors the ability to purchase premium digital collectibles tied to their favorite fighters, historic matchups and some of the most unforgettable events in boxing history. The first products of the collaboration will be released to the public on Wednesday, April 13 via fiat auction on the DraftKings Marketplace. Additional drops will be announced over the coming months. “Our community members are con...

 The official weigh-in for Saturday’s WBO World Light-Heavyweight championship fight between champion Joe Smith Jr. and Steve Geffrard took place earlier today in Verona, NY. Geffrard steps into what will be his first attempt at a world championship on more than a week’s notice following original opponent Callum Johnson being forced to withdraw from challenging Smith due to contracting the COVID-19 virus. Weights for the entire card, which can be seen here in the United States on digital subscription sports streaming network ESPN+ is as follows.   Main Event: WBO Light-Heavyweight world championship – 12Rds.   Joe Smith Jr. (Champion) 174 1/2lbs. vs. Steve Geffrard (Challenger) 173 1/2lbs.   Featherweight – 10Rds.   Abraham Nova 126 3/4lbs. vs. William Encarnacion 127lbs.   Jr. Welterweight – 6Rds.   Omar Rosario 139 1/2lbs. vs. Raekwon Butler 138 1/2lbs.   Middleweight – 6Rds.   Troy Isley 156 1/2lbs. vs. Har...