Inoue And Benavidez Make Statements On Cinco De Mayo Weekend

Cinco De Mayo weekend 2026 was highlighted by two significant fights in Boxing's Jr. Featherweight and Cruiserweight divisions. While longtime readers likely saw the preview penned by this observer regarding the Cruiserweight bout that took place on May 2nd in Las Vegas, NV, which will conclude this column, the first bout that occurred on May 2nd was regarded as an event that most would call a “Super Fight” and likely one of, if not the most significant fight to take place in Japanese Boxing history. 

Yours truly is referring to the highly anticipated encounter between undefeated stars of the sport Naoya Inoue and Junto Nakatani, which took place before 55,000 spectators in Japan’s Tokyo Dome. Nakatani, the unbeaten former unified World Bantamweight world champion competing for only the second time in the 122lb. Jr. Featherweight division, facing a man in Naoya Inoue that has two undisputed world championships in two different divisions on his resume with his Undisputed World Jr. Featherweight championship on the line. Nayoa Inoue has proven to be what I have often called a generational talent, much in the same way as Terence Crawford and others throughout the history of the sport that defined their respective eras. In Inoue’s case, he has been defined not only for his ability to often score devastating knockouts that fit his “Monster” moniker, but doing so through multiple divisions ranging from the 108lb. Light Flyweight division to his current weight class the 122lb. Jr. Featherweight division, winning world titles in every division he has competed in.

While Inoue has continued his dominance, there have been occasions where he has appeared vulnerable  and most thought that within the weight classes of Bantamweight and Jr. Featherweight, there was one fighter who posed a legitimate threat to him at this stage of his career in Nakatani, who has similar punching power and a former unified World Bantamweight champion in his own right. Despite the ingredients of a likely shootout between two devastating punchers, what we saw was a surprisingly tactical battle rooted largely in the fact that both fighters had respect for each other and what the other could do. This resulted in an extremely tight, tactical fight where both fighters had moments of success in many of the same rounds. 

When fights are fought in such a way, it can be challenging to determine which fighter gets an edge due to both the pace of the combat and there being nuances therein where an argument can be made either way. At the halfway point of the scheduled world championship bout, I felt the fight was even. It would be over the second half of the contest that the two fighters would begin to open up more offensively and it was Inoue who was more active, the effective aggressor throughout much of that half of the fight, and that is what ultimately led him to retaining his undisputed crown via twelve round unanimous decision. 

Although Naoya Inoue remains at the top of the Jr. Featherweight division, the question remains as to whether or not he has reached his ceiling in terms of how far he can go up the weight scale. With his Hall of Fame resume more than secured anything in the 126lb. Featherweight division should be viewed as icing on the cake at this point in his career. There will come a time, however, as most lower weight fighters eventually discover, where moving up in weight will eventually take a toll on his ability to compete effectively where the risk will be greater than the reward in terms of his legacy.

Another fighter who seems to be chasing a legacy in terms of a defining fight that will allow him to cement his Hall of Fame credentials is David Benavidez, a fighter also known as “The Monster.” While sharing a moniker with Nayoa Inoue is purely coincidental, the similarity between the two has been their ability to often dominate their competition. As Inoue has thus far continued to move through weight classes in search of more accolades, so too has Benavidez, but the latter of the two, a world champion in both the 168lb. Super-Middleweight and 175lb. Light-Heavyweight divisions, has done so without getting a marquee fight that most would consider legacy-defining.

As that search for such an opponent has continued, Benavidez set his sights on the 190lb.-200lb. Cruiserweight division. A division usually void of such marquee bouts, but one that usually serves as the precursor for most fighters before testing the waters of the Heavyweight division. May 2nd closed out with Benavidez challenging unified WBO/WBA world champion Gilberto Ramirez at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, NV. While his Cruiserweight debut carried with it the obvious questions of whether he would have the same type of punching power and hand speed at the higher weight, in addition to whether he would find a test in the form of Ramirez, who himself was a two-division world champion, this fight would be another performance for Benavidez that would show why he has carved out a reputation as an avoided fighter within the sport by fighters considered stars.

From the opening bell, Benavidez simply bided his time and it became clear very early that when he let his hand speed be on display, the champion Ramirez had no answers to combat it. As the difference between the two in terms of hand speed became more clear and the champion began to show signs of breaking down as Benavidez gradually administered a terrible beating on the highly regarded Ramirez, the performance would be highlighted by two knockdowns in round four and round six with the latter being the result of what proved to be a fight ended accumulation of punishment as Benavidez scored a sixth round knockout to cement his arrival in the Cruiserweight division as its new unified world champion.

There simply not much one can say to describe Benavidez’ performance in this fight other than to call it the latest in a line of devastating performances against another highly regarded world champion that simply had no way to combat the skillset Benavidez has. In terms of what's next, an encounter with undefeated former two-time IBF Cruiserweight world champion Jai Opetaia, current holder of the recently introduced Zuffa Boxing World Cruiserweight championship, would seem to be the most logical choice. It is a choice, however, that may prove to be difficult due to Zuffa Boxing appearing intent on not participating in the established model of the sport of Boxing in doing business with existing sanctioning organizations, choosing instead to create their own champions and rankings as well as being front and center in trying to sphere head proposed reforms to the Muhammad Ali Act. 

A challenge will be for the promotion, which falls under the TKO Group banner, to show it can put the interest of the sport takes priority over any promotional-based goals the promotion might have. Co-existence with Boxing’s existing sanctioning organizations and outside promoters are bridges that will have to be crossed to make fights of significant interest happen as well as bring recognition to their own in house world championships, particularly with regard to public opinion much in the same way as established sanctioning organizations all had to do throughout various points in the history of Boxing. A potential fight between Benavidez the new unified world champion and Zuffa Boxing’s first recognized world championship Opetaia, who is also recognized by Ring Magazine as World Cruiserweight champion would appear to be the first test for Zuffa Boxing to show it has the best interest of the sport at heart. It is the most logical fight to make in the Cruiserweight division. Why wait to make it happen?

“And That's The Boxing Truth.”

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DAZN, Top Rank, And The Ever Evolving Boxing Broadcast Landscape

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 is important for me to state for the reader that I do not currently work for any other outlet or network outside of the platform I own here at The Boxing Truth®. The reason for my previous statement in full disclosure and honesty with the reader, is it is important for me to state that my support of DAZN was not and is not rooted in bias and I have not been compensated in any way by the network by being vocal in my support over the last eight years.

Why was I  and remain a vocal supporter? The short version is understanding what a consumer goes through and having seen what had increasingly become a pay-per-view centric approach by many promoters and networks throughout the sport become out of control both in the frequency in how often it was used as well as prices for such cards on a per event basis, something I have often compared to that of the mentality of a compulsive eater. In that more often than not, those with such a mentality know when enough is enough, but simply lack the control to stop themselves. Although I by no means am comparing the mentality of insisting on what was in 2018 and remains an outdated and overpriced model to that of a disorder that many suffer from and is in no way an attempt by yours truly to be humorous, the continued insistence of some to continue using such a model, despite increasing evidence both in changes in consumer habits in how content both television and audio is consumed, but also the steady decline in pay-per-view buys as price points have increased and consumers continue to increasingly reject the model, makes the reference appropriate.

Of course, longtime readers know that while I have been and remain supportive of DAZN and really of any network or platform that is not only consumer-friendly, but also tries to do right and grow the sport by making it more accessible to the public regardless of economic level, I have also called out networks when appropriate. This was no different when DAZN ventured into pay-per-view. Even though the network in the aftermath of the COVID-19 global epidemic, insisted that their use of the pay-per-view model would be selective, I felt it was a mistake, while also acknowledging that the impacts of the epidemic, which affected just about every industry one could name, including the sports and television industries, necessitated the adaptation at least in the short term as a way to try and recoup lost revenue from when sports were inactive, which had to have had a negative impact on subscriptions to DAZN and other streaming networks. 

As pay-per-view has remained an option, the introduction of an “Ultimate” subscription, an upgrade to a standard subscription from DAZN that would include pay-per-view offerings at no additional cost for an increased monthly or annual fee, was no doubt a response to consumers/subscribers not embracing pay-per-view even on a selective basis. Other digital subscription networks within the space, most notably ESPN+ (Now ESPN Unlimited) also saw their attempts at using the pay-per-view model dwindle over time and this included the handful of pay-per-view offerings promoted by Top Rank between 2018-2025 during its most recent deal with ESPN. 

Although not doing nearly as many pay-per-view offerings as other promoters and networks, and consistently producing events across ESPN’s networks, the commonality remained the same, consumers generally voted no on pay-per-view. This resulted in the majority of Top Rank’s events being available on ESPN’s streaming platform included with subscription. Despite it mostly being a win for Boxing fans, the network, likely due to increased competition and increasing rights fees for other major sports including the NBA opted not to renew its long-standing deal with Top Rank in the summer of last year. This resulted in Top Rank putting on select events on its free ad-supported Top Rank Classics streaming channel, while actively negotiating for a new broadcast deal with multiple networks, which turned out to be DAZN being able to secure the rights in a multi-year agreement, 

The obvious question is what can one expect now? With so many notable promotional entities under one network banner with DAZN, it's natural to assume that it would be easier at least in theory both in an attempt to keep their broadcaster pleased by putting the best fights possible on the network, and in turn, drawing interest and ratings/subscription numbers to DAZN, that there will be more willingness from promoters to put their top talent in against each other. It is worth pointing out, however, that this is certainly not the first time that multiple promoters, each with sizable stables of fighters, have done business with one network platform and some might say that simply being aligned with the same network does not guarantee a streamlined process nor does it mean that fights of significant public interest will necessarily get made in a more reasonable timeframe than is typically the case.

What makes this a bit different is this consolidation of major promoters is occurring in the streaming realm rather than traditional television or cable. Although the method of distribution has changed significantly, there are other factors that change things slightly from how things were done for decades. There are more than one streaming network that have invested significantly in Boxing as well as new promotional entities such as Zuffa Boxing that are each trying to carve out their respective space within the sport as well as possible changes to the Muhammad Ali Act, which some have claimed is a response at least in part to Boxing’s many ills and flaws within the existing structure of the sport. While this observer has been vocal in stating that I support the existing legislation of the Ali Act and do not support potentially taking rights away from fighters, potentially limiting fighter pay, and possibly giving promoters more power with little or possibly no oversight, which could lead to conflicts of interest including allowing promoters to crown their own world champions and dictate their own rankings, the fact that reforms to existing legislation may indeed become law here in the United States, should put pressure on other promoters and the sport’s existing sanctioning organizations to not only put their best effort forward, but also attempt to clean up some of the flaws that somehow always leaves Boxing open to consistent ridicule and outright mockery.

Much like with the pay-per-view model largely no longer being of value and consistently rejected by consumers, it will likely be those same consumers who will vote both with their opinions and their wallets as to whether or not an approach by promoters, whether it be those who are advocating for significant change via legislation, which could ultimately prove to be good or bad depending on one's perspective and whatever those who are pushing for such reforms are ultimately motivated by, or those existing promoters who continue to operate under the more traditional model of the sport. Although things may seem like they are on an upward wave of momentum for Boxing in a streaming/digital age, promoters will always walk a tightrope and ultimately if consumers reject whatever approach a promoter might take for whatever reason, ultimately those networks that the promoters are aligned with will want to see not only an adequate return on their investment, but will want to see numbers, both in terms of viewership and in terms of their financial bottom lines that will convince the leadership of those networks to keep an ongoing investment in Boxing. Whether it is a commitment of a few years or as was the case with networks like HBO and Showtime, who were each involved heavily in the sport for decades before each bowing out, one should not assume a network will continue to support the sport for the sake of it unless they see consistent performance in both numbers and dollars as well as commitment from promoters to put out the best product possible.

While DAZN now finds itself in a position not unlike those that HBO and Showtime found themselves in at  their highest points, one can only hope that along with a more consumer-friendly approach in a move away from pay-per-view, that the network avoids the type of complacency that arguably led the two one time power brokers in Boxing to each exit the sport within the last decade.

“And That's The Boxing Truth." 

Update: While this column was in development over the last week, it was also announced that Oscar De La Hoya’s Golden Boy Promotions signed a multi-year extension with DAZN keeping its slate of events along with Top Rank, Matchroom Boxing, Queenberry Promotions, Riyadh Season, Ring Magazine, and several other promoters all available on the network.

Photo Courtesy of: DAZN Used with permission.

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Opetaia-Glanton Thoughts

The fight between Jai Opetaia and Brandon Glanton on March 8th at the Meta Apex in Las Vegas, NV was one that could be described as one of the hottest rising stars in the sport going against a top contender, who may eventually also be considered among the best in Boxing, that shined a light on the often lightly regarded and consistently lacking name recognition, Cruiserweight division. A synopsis that frankly did not need controversy.

For the unbeaten Opetaia, however, the fight would have such a shadow of controversy as the fighter, recognized by both the International Boxing Federation (IBF) and Ring Magazine as World Cruiserweight champion, would see the IBF withhold sanctioning of the bout two days before it took place due to what it felt was a lack of respect by the promoter Zuffa Boxing, who is attempting to establish it's own world championships for fights held under its banner in an attempt to establish Unified Boxing Organizations (UBO’s). A format that seems to mirror that of the sport of Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) that has in itself created controversy for its proposed changes to the Muhammad Ali Boxing Reform Act. While the broader subject is one that requires its own column, and perhaps a series of columns to go over everything that it entails, what it meant for this fight was that only the vacant Zuffa World Cruiserweight championship along with Opetaia’s recognition from Ring Magazine would be on the line and the IBF would strip the champion of its world championship for competing in an unsanctioned contest.

The ugliness of the politics that be in the sport of Boxing aside, what would take place in the ring was a superb performance by a potentially great fighter. From the opening bell, Opetaia used his footwork and angles to consistently beat Glanton to the punch. Glanton, who applied constant pressure on Opetaia from the outset was unable to successfully cut the ring off and minimize Opetaia’s movement for a sustained period of time as the fighter known for his ability to score devastating knockouts, put round after round in the bank by frequently landing left hands from the southpaw stance and mixing in combinations. 

Although some would say that the only thing missing from Opetaia’s performance in this fight was a knockout, the ability to show there is more to his skillset than just punching power, being made to use his movement more than had been the case previously in his career, and dominate a determined opponent, who never took a backwards step was impressive in winning a wide and convincing twelve round unanimous decision victory and becoming the first world champion under the Zuffa Boxing banner. Despite the controversy regarding the IBF prior to the bout, Opetaia celebrated his victory with his IBF belt prominently displayed.

While one would think there will be much more to come in terms of established sanctioning organizations and Zuffa Boxing that might see the battleground go from the Boxing ring to the courtroom, one can only hope that Zuffa’s goal is not ultimately to phase out the existing standards in which Boxing has been governed for decades and all of the above will realize there are more benefits to collaboration than being enemies. If everyone involved does indeed have the same goal, to help elevate and grow the sport.

“And That's The Boxing Truth.”

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BREAKING: IBF Withdraws Sanctioning of Opetaia-Glanton, Fight To Be For Vacsnt Zuffa Boxing World Cruiserweight Championship Only

In a developing story, on Friday evening, the International Boxing Federation (IBF) has withdrawn its sanctioning of Sunday’s Cruiserweight championship bout between its champion Jai Opetaia and Brandon Glanton. The decision comes following Zuffa Boxing’s, who will be promoting the bout, refusal to acknowledge independent sanctioning organizations or outside promoters, choosing instead to have their own championships and rankings in house. 

While the latter represents a subject that will have ramifications and possible litigation between the promoter and independent sanctioning organizations as well as outside promoters, the IBF’s decision, in essence strips the undefeated Opetaia of the IBF World Cruiserweight championship regardless of the outcome of Sunday’s contest. The bout, however, will go forward as scheduled with the vacant Zuffa Boxing World Cruiserweight title on the line. The bout, which will headline Zuffa Boxing 04 can be seen here in the United States on digital subscription general entertainment network beginning at 5:30PM ET/2:30PM PT. (*North American Times Only. Card and Start Times Subject to Change.*)  We will keep readers updated on developments as they become available. 

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Opetaia-Glanton Preview

On Sunday, March 8th, the newest promotional player in the sport of Boxing, Zuffa Boxing will showcase its fourth Boxing card at the MetaPlex in Las Vegas, NV. While this observer has quietly observed the previous three Zuffa events this column will not focus on the promotion itself, nor will it delve too deeply into its spearheading legislation that some will argue could lead to radical change in the sport of Boxing both for good and bad, but what Zuffa 4 will produce is the first world championship bout promoted under the Zuffa banner as in the main event undefeated IBF World Cruiserweight champion Jai Opetaia will defend his title against current IBF number fifteen rated Cruiserweight contender Brandon Glanton in a scheduled twelve round bout that can be seen in the United States on digital subscription general entertainment network Paramount+. 

This fight obviously will mark the first bout for the champion under the Zuffa banner, but most knowledgeable Boxing fans are likely aware that Jai Opetaia has quickly evolved into one of the sport’s hottest rising stars and through his aggressive style as a “Knockout Artist,” who has developed a reputation for scoring devastating knockouts, has been able to shine a light squarely on the often scarce Cruiserweight division that has consistently lacked both long-term name recognition value as well as marquee match ups that generate the type of attention that is often afforded to other divisions throughout the sport when top fighters in a division face each other, most notably the Heavyweight division. Much like virtually every notable Cruiserweight before him, Opetaia appears destined at some point to set his sights on the Heavyweight division both for bigger paydays and more mainstream recognition.

In twenty-nine professional bouts, Opetaia has scored twenty-three knockouts registering a near 80% career knockout percentage. Perhaps the most scary among those knockouts came in his last title defense last December when he scored a brutal eighth round knockout of previously undefeated Huseyin Cinkara in his native Australia. A knockout that left Cinkara hospitalized for several days with a brain bleed and a fractured vertebrae. While obviously no one wants to see any fighter sustain serious injuries, the knockout served as another example not only of what Opetaia is capable of, but the type of power he has in either hand. The type of punching power that is just as dangerous and capable of ending a fight at any moment as it progresses as it is early in a bout.

On this occasion, Opetaia will step in the ring with veteran contender Brandon Glanton. While Glanton will come into this fight rated fifteenth by the IBF and is likely viewed as a significant underdog, he does have a respectable record of 21-3, with 18 Knockouts and has a career knockout percentage of over 85% coming into what will be his first world championship opportunity. Glanton is a boxer/puncher that in addition to slowing an ability to score knockouts in his own right, has also never been stopped in his career and has shown the ability to go deep into fights as well. 

What this fight will come down to in my eyes will all center on whether Glanton will be able to deal with and have an answer for the non-stop pressure and power of the champion. The thing that we have not really seen to this point is how Jai Opetaia will respond to a significant test. Brandon Glanton does have a well-rounded skillset and it will be interesting to see if he will be the opponent that can provide such a test.

In addition to the IBF world championship in the Cruiserweight division as well as recognition by Ring Magazine as its champion, this bout represents the first Zuffa Boxing world championship bout. Not simply the first world title bout promoted by Zuffa, but a world title bout in which the promotion which is part of TKO group which includes both the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) and WWE under its corporate umbrella, will recognize its own champion complete with world championship belt as the promotion is attempting to establish a different format in the sport known as Unified Boxing Organizations (UBO’s) which in essence mirrors the format of the sport of Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) where championships and rankings vary by specific promotion rather than rankings and championships being overseen by an independent sanctioning body. While the jury is out on whether this approach will be successful, beneficial for fighters, and likely requires a separate column in of itself due to the broader spectrum regarding proposed changes to the Muhammad Ali act, what I will say for now is even though the model of which the sport of MMA is not without its flaws and has thousands of promotions worldwide each with their own world championships per promotion, this should be viewed as an attempt to establish a different type of sanctioning organization albeit under a different format than the standard of traditional professional Boxing, but one that has been used with regard to Bareknuckle bouts that also have a promotional based championship format. Whether it will be successful on the traditional side of professional Boxing remains to be seen.

“And That's The Boxing Truth.”

Zuffa Boxing 04: Opetaia vs. Glanton takes place on Sunday, March 8th at the Metaplex in Las Vegas, NV. The fight as well as its full undercard can be seen in the United States on digital subscription entertainment streaming network Paramount+ beginning at 5:30PM ET/2:30PM PT. (*Card and Start Times Subject To Change*) Check your local listings internationally.

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