Benavidez-Morrell PPV Card Now Available For Preorder On Prime Video

Credit: Prime Video 

The upcoming pay-per-view card headlined by a WBC Light-Heavyweight elimination bout between undefeated former WBC Super-Middleweight world champion David Benavidez and undefeated top Light-Heavyweight contender David Morrell is now available for preorder on Prime Video. The card, which will take place on Saturday, February 1st at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, NV is being promoted by the Premier Boxing Champions (PBC) group of promoters for $79.99. To order this pay-per-view event on Prime Video Click Here. We will have a preview of Benavidez-Morrell released here on The Boxing Truth®️ on Wednesday, January 29th. Stay tuned.

“And That's The Boxing Truth." 

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Inoue KO's Kim In 4

Undefeated Undisputed Jr. Featherweight world champion Naoya Inoue scored a fourth round knockout of WBO number eleven rated Jr. Featherweight contender Ye Joon Kim on Friday night at the Ariake Arena in Tokyo, Japan. Despite Kim taking the fight on eleven days notice, over 15,000 spectators filled the Ariake Arena, a site that has hosted several of Inoue’s previous fights. A testament to the star power of Inoue in his native Japan where he has become in many observer’s opinions as among the best fighters pound for pound in the world.

This fight also presented a little of a different challenge for the four-division world champion in having to adjust to a change of opponent after original opponent, IBF mandatory challenger Sam Goodman was forced to pull out of the fight twice, first on the original date on Christmas Eve of last year and then having to pull out of the rescheduled date of January 24th due to the cut that he suffered in training prior to the original postponement. Kim appeared to be a capable opponent who stepped in to take the assignment in his first opportunity to fight for a world championship.

The fight began with Kim initially pressing forward and slightly moving Inoue backward fighting out of the southpaw stance. This set up an interesting tactical battle as the two fighters prodded for position with each attempting to attack the other in short bursts of offense with the champion gradually taking over the position as the fighter applying consistent pressure on the challenger. Despite consistently pushing Kim back against the ropes and periodically cornering him, the fight remained very close with Kim being able to periodically land combinations to the head throughout the first three rounds.

As the fight moved into the fourth round, it appeared as though it would be more of the same. The subtle work Inoue was able to do to Kim’s body, however, that was mostly non-descript up to that point, began to create openings to the challenger’s head. Inoue connected with a combination to the head, which had Kim waving him in seemingly inviting the champion, a fighter with a 90% career knockout percentage to throw more at him. This would prove to be a serious mistake as moments later a straight right hand down the middle landed flush on the challenger’s chin and sent him down to the canvas where he was unable to beat the count. At 2:25 of round four, the fight was over in a way that so many of Inoue’s fights have ended throughout his Hall of Fame career, in a sudden and brutal fashion. 

While many expected this type of outcome for Inoue in his latest title defense given the circumstances in which the fight came to fruition, this observer feels that Inoue was not only impressive in his latest performance in his tenth consecutive knockout victory, but he also showed the ability to adapt to a change in opponent on limited notice and even conceded that due to the limited time, he did not study as much film on Kim as he would like. Given the circumstances and the champion’s candor in admitting having limited time to study his opponent before getting in the ring, his ability to seemingly adjust to what was in front of him was impressive.

Perhaps the most interesting development to come out of this fight for the champion, however, is that his co-promoter Hall of Famer Bob Arum announced to the crowd in attendance that Inoue will be returning to the United States for the first time in nearly four years for his next fight in the spring in Las Vegas, which was followed by Inoue telling the crowd that he also intends to fight in Saudi Arabia this year, which has rapidly become a hot spot in the sport as well. 

Frankly, Inoue is one of the few fighters in the sport who could stay where he is comfortable competing, which is in Japan and not only draw massive crowds wherever he fights in the country, but also per his dominance in the sport and that ability to be a massive draw both as a ticket seller and as a fighter that will draw ratings both in Japan and internationally where his fights air in the early morning hours here in the United States via streaming networks, to convince fighters from around the world to travel to Japan to face him where at least financially there is no incentive to go elsewhere. To his credit, however, Naoya Inoue realizes that Boxing is a true global entity and his wanting to not only return to the United States, but also take part in the sport’s global expansion where he will no doubt help open Boxing to new eyes should be seen as a positive both for his legacy and the sport overall. 

“And That's The Boxing Truth." 

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Inoue-Kim Weights From Tokyo, Japan

The official weigh-in for Friday's Undisputed Jr. Featherweight world championship fight between undefeated champion Naoya Inoue and challenger Ye Joon Kim took place earlier today in Tokyo, Japan. The fight, which can be seen here in the United States on digital subscription sports streaming network ESPN+ will headline a card of Boxing held at Tokyo’s Ariake Arena. Both champion Inoue and Kim weighed in identically just under the 122lb. Jr. Featherweight limit at 121 ¾ lbs. The bout is scheduled for twelve rounds.  As of this writing, there is no word regarding what other bouts on the card, which includes four additional bouts, will be included on the ESPN+ broadcast.

Inoue vs. Kim takes place on Friday, January 24th at the Ariake Arena in Tokyo, Japan. The fight can be seen in the United States on digital subscription sports streaming network ESPN+  beginning at 4:15AM ET/1:15AM PT and will be available for on demand viewing immediately following the live broadcast. 

(*Card and Start Time Subject to Change*)

(*Check your local listings internationally.*)

For more information about ESPN+ including schedules, list of compatible streaming devices, platforms, Smart TVs, and to subscribe please visit: www.ESPNPlus.com. 

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Can Inoue Adjust To A Change On Short Notice?

There is little doubt that one of the biggest stars to emerge in the sport of Boxing over the last several years, not just in the lower weight divisions, but in the entire sport has been Nayoa Inoue. If a fighter with a near 90% career knockout percentage is not enough to earn one star status in the sport on its own, Inoue is a four-division world champion, who has this far won world titles from the Jr. Flyweight to the Jr. Featherweight divisions becoming an undisputed champion in both the Bantamweight and Jr. Featherweight divisions along the way. 

A fighter that has truly carved a Hall of Fame career in just twenty-eight professional fights having fought a who's who along the way, dominating all opposition and emerging still unbeaten. While the question that typically follows a fighter like Inoue who has gone through multiple weight divisions with relative ease is how high up the weight scale before they hit the ceiling, not just in terms of how high they can go, but also doing so while still remaining competitive, Inoue is preparing to do something we have not seen him faced with before on a big stage. The Undisputed Jr. Featherweight champion of the world will defend his crown on Friday, January 24th in a familiar site, the Ariake Arena in Tokyo, Japan, site of many of his fights throughout his career. 

Inoue, however, will not be facing WBO number one Jr. Featherweight contender Sam Goodman, whom he was scheduled to face on Christmas Eve 2024 before it was postponed due to Goodman suffering a cut while in training. Despite the flight being moved to January 24th, Goodman would suffer a second cut after resuming training forcing him to withdraw for a second time. Rather than postpone a scheduled bout for a second time, Inoue will still defend his title on January 24th. In steps WBO number eleven Jr. Featherweight contender Ye Joon Kim to challenge Inoue for the Undisputed Jr. Featherweight crown in a fight that can be seen here in the United States on digital subscription sports streaming network ESPN+.

Although this presents a challenge for Inoue in facing an opponent change with only a few weeks notice, just who is Ye Joon Kim? A veteran of twenty-five professional fights, he has a respectable record of 21-2-2, with 13 Knockouts with a career knockout percentage just over 61%. While this suggests Kim has punching power, he is a boxer/puncher who will enter this fight having won four of his last five bouts via stoppage. The challenger, who is a native of Seoul, South Korea, who goes by the nickname “The Troublemaker," has never been stopped in his career, which in of itself is interesting given Inoue’s reputation as a "Knockout Artist” having knocked out twenty-five of his previous twenty-eight opponents.

The question for "The Troublemaker” here will be whether he will be able to deal with not only the occasion of fighting on the big stage of the sport for the first time, but also the non-stop pressure and attack of the champion known to his fans worldwide as "The Monster." While “The Troublemaker vs. The Monster" is certainly a clever promotional tagline that by circumstance fell into the promoters of this fight’s hands, it is important to keep in mind that there have been few fighters that have been able to last against Inoue and it has proven to be a difficult task to achieve in going the distance with him, let alone come close to scoring a victory over him. 

Perhaps what Kim has in his favor going into this fight beyond coming in on short notice, which is as much an adjustment for the fighter taking the bout as it is for the fighter who had a scheduled opponent fall out, is a bit of the unknown as far as what he will pose in terms of a challenge once he and the champion Inoue are in the ring. There are likely some who are expecting Inoue to for lack of a better term, steamroll through a largely unknown opponent. If Kim and his team are expecting the champion to come out with intentions of ending the fight quickly, it could work to his advantage if he is prepared to show from the outset that he will be dictating how this fight is fought and not the champion. 

Some may say that Kim needs to land someone significant early in order to get the champion's respect, but if this is a rare circumstance where Inoue is not as prepared as he normally is due to a postponement and his scheduled opponent withdrawing twice, if Kim can make things uncomfortable for the champion simply by controlling the pace and making Inoue fight at a pace that favors him more, it could indicate where his chances are to pull what would be considered an upset, especially if Inoue is not prepared to go the twelve round distance on short notice. 

Boxing is certainly a sport of opportunity and as one fighter’s opportunity has for the moment been delayed again due to injury, it now provides another with what could be the ideal opportunity to seize the day and potentially score the first upset of 2025. Whether Kim can do that remains to be seen. 

“And That's The Boxing Truth." 

Inoue vs. Kim takes place on Friday, January 24th at the Ariake Arena in Tokyo, Japan. The fight can be seen in the United States on digital subscription sports streaming network ESPN+  beginning at 4:15AM ET/1:15AM PT and will be available for on demand viewing immediately following the live broadcast. 

(*Card and Start Time Subject to Change*)

(*Check your local listings internationally.*)

For more information about ESPN+ including schedules, list of compatible streaming devices, platforms, Smart TVs, and to subscribe please visit: www.ESPNPlus.com. 

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BKFC Fight Night Pechanga January 18, 2025 Results From Pechanga, CA

Welterweight Evgenii Kurdanov scored a five round unanimous decision over former Bareknuckle Fighting Championship (BKFC) World Welterweight champion Elvin Brito on Saturday night at the Pechanga Resort and Casino in Pechanga, CA. A very tactical fight from the opening bell that saw both fighters trying to find openings and looking to counter each other in what were five very closely fought rounds, it was ultimately, Kurdanov’s better timing, combination punching in close, and ring generalship that ultimately proved to be the difference as Kurdanov scored the unanimous decision victory over the currently rated number five rated BKFC Welterweight contender in Brito.  Official scores were: 50-45 (On two scorecards) and 49-46 for Kurdanov. Evgenii Kurdanov advances to 5-2, with 0 Knockouts. Elvin Brito falls to 6-6, with 2 Knockouts.

Also on this card:

Lightweight Robbie Peralta scored a five round unanimous decision over Jordan Christensen. Peralta controlled the tempo of the combat early throwing jabs to the body and following it up with right hands to the head. As the fight progressed Christensen had periodic success, but was unable to break the rhythm and Peralta was able to secure the unanimous decision. Official scores were: 50-45 (On two scorecards) and 49-46 in favor of Peralta. Robbie Peralta advances to 4-2, with 0 Knockouts. Jordan Christensen falls to 3-6, with 2 Knockouts.

In a battle of unbeaten Welterweights, Ryan Petersen scored a five round decision over previously unbeaten Matt Sochlotiuk. Peterson dominated the first three rounds of this fight with combinations to the body and head as well as opening a cut under the right eye of Sochlotiuk. Sochlotiuk was able to turn the momentum slightly in rounds four and five by forcing the fight in close, which saw several heated exchanges, but he was unable to turn things in his favor.Official scores were: 49-46 (On two scorecards) and 50-45 all for Petersen. Ryan Petersen advances to 2-0 with 1 Knockout. Matt Sochlotiuk falls to 2-1, with 2 Knockouts.

Also in the Welterweight division,  Rodney Thomas scored a five round unanimous decision over Art Driscoll. Thomas scored a knockdown with a double left hook to the head in round two and floored Driscoll for a second time with a flush left hook the the jaw in round three that appeared for a moment to end the fight, but Driscoll was able to get up and made it to the final bell. Official scores were: 49-44 (On two scorecards), and 48-45 all in favor of Thomas. Rodney Thomas advances to 1-2, with 0 Knockouts. Art Driscoll falls to 0-3, with 0 Knockouts.

Lightweight Mike Andaya scored a second round knockout in his Barekuckle debut of Dan Godoy. A slow tactical first round where neither fighter stood out suddenly came to an end in the second round when Godoy was dropped by a jab to the eye that seemed to cause a delayed reaction and Godoy could not continue. Official time of the stoppage was :45 of round two. Mike Andaya advances to 1-0, with 1 Knockout. Dan Godoy falls to 0-3, with 0 Knockouts. 

Heavyweight Caleb Avila scored the first win of his Bareknuckle career with a third round stoppage of Tylor Sijohn. Avila dropped Sijohn for the first time with a counter right hand in the first round, this would be followed by both fighters going down in the second round in what was ruled a slip. Despite landing wide overhand rights of his own that periodically stunned Avila, Sijohn would be sent down for the second time in round two by a right hook, left hook combination. At this point in the fight, Sijohn looked utterly exhausted by the pace of the fight and the punishment he sustained. Three more knockdowns of Sijohn that seemed in part due to his exhaustion followed in round three before the fight was stopped. Official time of the stoppage was 1:25 of round three. Caleb Avila advances to 1-1, with 1 Knockout. Tylor Sijohn falls to 0-2, with 0 Knockuts.

Also in the Heavyweight division, Iman Williams, son of former Heavyweight contender Jeremy Williams made his Bareknuckle professional debut with a first round knockout of Gabriel Mota. A jab opened a cut on the bridge of the nose of Mota and a left hook to the body caused Mota to go down in a delayed reaction for the count of ten.  Official time of the stoppage was 1:54 of round one.Iman Williams advances to 1-0, with 1 Knockout. Gabriel Mota falls to 1-3, with 1 Knockout. 

Middleweight Jeremy Sauceda scored a first round knockout of Luis Villasenor. Sauceda scored a knockdown with a counter right hand early in the first round and then dropped Villasenor for a second time with an uppercut. Villasensor took the ten count indicating an ankle injury. Official time of the stoppage was :38 of round one. Jeremy Sauceda advances to 2-2, with 2 Knockouts. Luis Villasenor falls to 1-2 with 1 Knockout. 

Flyweights Justyn Martinez and Alexander Gutierrez began the evening in a fight that saw two clinches where Martinez jumped on Gutierrez similar to an MMA grapple. On the second occasion, Gutierrez claimed a back injury and the bout was stopped with Martinez being declared the winner via technical knockout. Gutierrez was livid and contended that Martinez should have been disqualified. Official time of the stoppage was 1:05 of round one. Justyn Martinez advances to 1-4-1NC, with 1 Knockout. Alexander Gutierrez falls to 1-1, with 0 Knockouts. 

The first event for the BKFC for 2025 took place in the midst of the ongoing situation involving the wildfire disaster that has severely impacted the state of California. While sports is gradually starting to resume in the state the BKFC is among the first to offer a much-needed diviersion for those who have been impacted by the disaster. 

In terms of what took place inside the BKFC squared circle ring, we saw elements of a sport that is still very much growing under the modernized Bareknuckle format, which has seen several Bareknuckle-based promoters emerge as players in the Bareknuckle end of the sport of Boxing. For Evgenii Kurdanov, it will be interesting to see where he emerges in the upcoming BKFC Welterweight rankings, having defeated not only a former world champion, but one who was rated in the top five currently in the Welterweight division in Elvin Brito. How this will factor into the future plans of recently crowned BKFC World Welterweight champion Austin Trout, who has an undefeated record in Bareknuckle bouts since moving from traditional pro Boxing remains to be seen. Trout, who won the championship in October of last year with a unanimous decision over Ricardo Franco, currently has no bouts formerly announced to defend his title. With a Bareknuckle record of 3-0, with 1 Knockout, however, Trout will likely face at least one of the current top contenders in the BKFC Welterweight division at some point this year. Although the also unbeaten Carlos Trinidad (6-0, with 4 Knockouts) is the current BKFC number one Welterweight contender at the time of this writing, it will be interesting to see if Evgenii Kurdanov has made a strong enough argument to potentially get a shot at Trout next, or at minimum, possibly face the winner of a fight between Trout and Trinidad. He has certainly earned a place in the discussion of likely future challengers.  With the first event on the 2024 calendar in the books for the BKFC, as the promotion headed by promoter David Feldman prepares to travel to Philadelphia, PA for it’s Knucklemania 5 card on January 25th, which will be broadcast globally on digital subscription sports streaming network DAZN, the goings of Evgenii Kurdanov, Iman Williams, and several other fighters who appeared on the first card of 2025, will be a likely topic of discussion throughout the sport as 2025 progresses.

“And That’s The Boxing Truth. “

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Gloves Off: Benavidez vs. Morrell Now Available On Prime Video

Press Release: January 18, 2025 By Prime Video -

The fifth Installment of Gloves Off will explore the backstories of the two world-class fighters trading punches in a PBC Pay-Per-View event on Prime Video at T-Mobile Arena on February 1

 

Photo Credit: Prime Video 

 NEW YORK—January 18, 2025—Today, Prime Video announced a Saturday, January 18 premiere date for Gloves Off: David Benavidez vs David Morrell, the fifth installment of the compelling docuseries. As momentum builds for an epic night of PBC Pay-Per-View action on Prime Video on Feb. 1 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, this two-part edition explores the motivations behind the main event fighters in a highly anticipated, 12-round light heavyweight championship clash between undefeated stars.

 

A former two-time Super Middleweight champion, David “El Monstro” Benavidez sports a record of 29-0, 24 KOs, while David Morrell Jr. boasts a mark of 11-0, 9 KOs. They will meet for Benavidez’s Interim WBC Light Heavyweight Title and Morrell’s WBA Light Heavyweight Title in the main event of the stacked PBC Pay-Per-View card on Prime Video.

 

Narrated by Barry Pepper, the program takes fans far beyond the ring. The series blends footage and stories of the fighters’ lives, families, training camp team members, and training camp activity as the build-up intensifies for this can’t miss 175-pound encounter.

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

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Trinidad Scores Decision Win Over Plania

Undefeated WBC Continental Americas Featherweight champion and number two rated WBC Featherweight contender  Omar Trinidad scored a workmanlike ten round unanimous decision over veteran Mike Plania on Friday night at the Commerce Casino and Hotel in Commerce, CA. While not a notable fight in terms of highlights, Trinidad simply went through his paces, worked behind a consistent jab, managed distance and outworked the always “Game” Plania to the point of frustration for the veteran over ten lopsided rounds to earn a convincing unanimous decision victory. Official scores were: 100-90 (On two scorecards) and 99-91 in favor of Trinidad. Omar Trinidad advances to 18-0-1, with 13 Knockouts. Mike Plania falls to 31-5, with 18 Knockouts.

Also on this card: 

Undefeated Women’s WBO Jr. Bantamweight world champion Mizuki Hiruta scored an eight round technical unanimous decision over former WBA Jr. Bantamweight world champion  Maribel Ramirez. Hiruta’s footwork and ability to attack Ramirez at angles were the story of this fight. After Ramirez went down twice in the first round in what were ruled as slips, Hiruta was credited a knockdown in the second round in a very similar scenario. A combination of punches opened a deep cut over the left eye of Ramirez, which bled significantly throughout the remainder of the fight. Despite the flow of blood being unable to control by Ramirez corner, the fight continued. It was an accidental clash of heads, however, in the eighth round that clearly disabled the former world champion and due to her being disoriented the fight was stopped and went to the scorecards for a technical decision. Official scores were: 80-71 (On two scorecards), and 79-72 in favor of Hiruta. Mizuki Hiruta advances to 7-0, with 2 Knockouts. Maribel Ramirez falls to 15-11-4, with 3 Knockouts. 

Super-Middleweight contender Ali Akhmedov scored a second round stoppage of Malcolm Jones Akhmedov brought an end to things in round two with a barrage of punches that started with a hook to the head and continued to several body shots, which forced Referee Thomas Taylor to stop the fight while Jones was seemingly defenseless on the ropes before a knockdown occurred. Official time of the stoppage was 1:17 of round two. Ali Akhmedov advances to 23-1, with 17 Knockouts. Malcolm Jones falls to 17-5-1, with 10 Knockouts. 

Women’s Jr. Lightweight Roxy Verduzco scored a third round stoppage of Lindsey Ellis to move to 3-0 in her young career. Verduzco was in control from the opening bell and bloodied the nose of Ellis with a right hand and just continued to dish out punishment until the fight was stopped. Official time of the stoppage was 1:34 of round three. Roxy Verduzco advances to 3-0, with 1 Knockout. Lindsey Ellis falls to 2-2, with 2 Knockouts. 

Unbeaten Jr. Featherweight Adan Palma scored a close six round split decision over a veteran in Sharone Carter, who was competing for the final time in his career. Carter was crafty and made it difficult throughout for Palma, but ultimately, Palma’s consistent aggression was enough to convince two of the three official judges to earn the split decision victory.   Official scores were: 59-55 (Palma) 58-56 (Carter) and 58-56 for the winner Adan Palma. Adan Palma advances to 11-0, with 6 Knockouts. Sharone Carter falls to 14-9-1, with 3 Knockouts.

Women’s Jr. Flyweights Gloria Munguilla and Brook Sibrian went toe to toe in eight rounds of near non-stop action where neither fighter took a backward step and fought to the final bell. After eight hard-fought rounds, the three official judges rendered a unanimous decision for Munguilla. Official scores were: 77-75 (On two scorecards) and 77-73 in favor of Munguilla. Gloria Munguilla advances to 7-2, with 9 Knockouts, Brook Sibrian falls to 5-2, with 2 Knockouts.

Unbeaten Jr. Middleweight Kevin Anton outworked veteran Cameron Krael over six rounds of constant volume punching to win a six round unanimous decision in Anton’s first fight where he was made to go the distance. Official scores were: 60-54 (On all three scorecards) for Kevin Anton. Kevin Anton advances to 9-0, with 8 Knockouts. Cameron Krael falls to 21-34-3, with 7 Knockouts. 

 Bantamweight Alexander Gueche moved to 7-0 in his young career by scoring  a six round unanimous decision over Lito Dante. Gueche scored knockdowns in rounds one and fight both as a result of the swarming offense from Gueche. Official scores were 60-52 (On all three scorecards) for Gauche. Alexander Gueche advances to 7-0, with 5 Knockouts. Lito Dante falls to 21-14-4, with 12 Knockouts. 

Undefeated Lightweight Tayden Beltran scored a third round stoppage of veteran Eugene Lagos. A fight that saw several exchanges and seemed even between the two fighters through three rounds was stopped shortly after the bell to begin the fourth round rang when Lagos was ruled unable to continue due to a shoulder injury. Tayden Beltran advances to 10-0-1, with 5 Knockouts. Eugene Lagos falls to 16-9-3, with 11 Knockouts.

This card, which was promoted by Tom Loeffler’s 360 Promotions, was the first Boxing card to take place in the state of California since the ongoing wildfire crisis. A card that was broadcast in combination on digital combat sports streaming network UFC Fight Pass as well as the network’s YouTube Channel with a portion of the undercard being streamed, provided plenty of action and a much-needed diversion for those who have been affected by the tragic circumstances, which unfortunately remain ongoing in the state of California. For Omar Trinidad, he appears poised to be the latest in a long line of fighters from Los Angeles to fight and potentially win a world championship in the near future. Whether that comes later in 2025 remains to be seen.

“And That’s The Boxing Truth.”

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Simpson Retains British and Commonwealth Middleweight Championships By Stopping Woodall In 2

Undefeated British and Commonwealth Middleweight champion Callum Simpson scored a second round stoppage of Steed Woodall to retain his championships on Saturday night at the   Park Community Arena in Sheffield, England. After an uneventful first round, Simpson dropped Woodall with a double left hook, right uppercut combination to the head in the second round. Woodall got up on unsteady legs and was put on the ropes after getting up at the count of nine only for Referee Mark Bates to seemingly step in at a questionable moment and stop the fight. Official time of the stoppage was 1:56 of round two. Callum Simpson advances to 16-0, with 11 Knockouts. Steed Woodall falls to 19-3-1, with 12

Also on this card:

WBC Women’s World Lightweight champion Caroline Dubois retained her world title via a three-round technical draw with two-time world title challenger Jessica Carmara. Dubois was in control from the opening bell and dropped Carmara with a one, two combination to the head in the opening round, Carmara’s right eye became severely swollen due to trying to block the onslaught of offense from the champion, but an accidental clash of heads opened a bad cut over Carmara’s left eye and the bout was not allowed to continue after the second round, but will go into the record books as a three round technical draw due to the referee calling time at the beginning of the round to have Carmara examined by the ringside physician, who would not allow Carmara to continue. Caroline Dubois advances to 10-0-1, with 5 Knockouts. Jessica Carmara advances to 14-4-1, with 3 Knockouts.

Undefeated Cruiserweight Scott Forrest scored an impressive second round knockout of Deevorn Miller. Forrest scored a knockdown in the first round with a perfectly timed counter right hand to the head as Miller was pressing the action. In round two, Forrest countered Miller again with a left uppercut, right hook, left hook combination to the head that sent Miller down for a second time and the bout was stopped. Official time of the stoppage was 1:49 of round two. Scott Forrest advances to 7-0, with 4 Knockouts. Deevorn Miller falls to 8-3, with 6 Knockouts. 

Middleweight Sam Hickey scored the second win of his young career by scoring a first round knockout of Lewis Howles. Three knockdowns were scored, all as a result of left hooks to the body with the corner of Howles mercifully throwing the towel in following the third knockdown in the closing seconds of round one. Official time of the stoppage was 2:59 of round one. Sam Hickey advances to 2-0, with 1 Knockout. Lewis Howles falls to 3-2, with 1 Knockout. 

Off-Air Preliminary bouts on this card: (Times and official scores not available as of this writing.)

Lightweight Elis Price (2-0, 1 Knockout) scored a first round stoppage of Liam Fitzmaurice* (0-1, 0 Knockouts) *Pro Debut for Fitzmaurice.*

Light-Heavyweight Billy Deniz (13-0, 5 Knockouts scored an eight round decision over Mickey Ellison (15-8, 5 Knockouts)

Middleweight Mauro Silva (7-0, 3 Knockouts scored a six round decision over Emmanuel Zion (6-3, 3 Knockouts)

Boxing is very much coming out of the holidays and this card promoted by Ben Shalom’s Boxxer and broadcast here in the United States on digital subscription entertainment network Peacock was ultimately short and sweet with four televised bouts producing a total of six rounds of action. While not the best for those looking for competitive action, sometimes styles and how fighters execute with those styles produce short nights at the office for lack of a better term. 

Nevertheless, Callum Simpson is establishing himself as a fighter to watch in the 160lb. Middleweight division as he looks to continue progressing towards the world rankings in what was an impressive performance, in spite of what at worst was a questionable stoppage in when the decision was made to stop the fight and not so much on if the fight would have been stopped. 

Caroline Dubois, like her brother, current IBF Heavyweight world champion Daniel Dubois was in his defense against Anthony Joshua in September of last year, was successful in her first defense as WBC Women’s World Lightweight champion. While she did not get a victory in a fight that was stopped due to an accidental clash of heads, she was impressive and appeared to be on the verge of getting that win via stoppage before the accident occurred.  

Meanwhile, the two rising prospects that competed on this card Sam Hickey and Scott Forrest  turned in impressive performances of their own in separate bouts and frankly showed skillsets in scoring knockout wins that seem to be advanced for the level that they are currently competing at. Whether that means both will be moved up to potentially more difficult competition as 2025 moves along, remains to be seen, but for now, they have emerged as fighters to keep an eye on moving forward. 

“And That’s The Boxing Truth.”

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Opetaia Brutally KO's Nyika In 4 To Retain IBF World Cruiserweight Championship

Undefeated IBF World Cruiserweight champion Jai Opetaia scored a brutal fourth round knockout of previously undefeated IBF number ten rated Cruiserweight contender David Nyika on Wednesday night at the Gold Coast Convention Centre in Queensland, Australia. Opetaia, who has quickly established himself as a “Knockout Artist" faced what should be considered a stern test in the form of a determined David Nyika, who showed no hesitation in being willing to engage with the champion.

What resulted was a give and take, toe to toe battle through most of the fight. When one fighter would land solidly with their punches, the other would respond almost immediately with punches of their own. Frankly, through much of the flight, there was not much to separate the two fighters. This began to change ever so slightly in round three when Opetaia began to vary his attack to the body and head of the challenger.

It would be in round four where the champion would find his opening. Opetaia started to slightly get some separation between himself and Nyika, was able to land a short left uppercut that popped the challenger’s head back and moments later in an exchange of punches in close range, Opetaia dropped Nyika hard to the canvas with another short uppercut to the head. Nyika, who entered the fight unbeaten in ten professional fights, showed his mettle by getting up from the knockdown on very unsteady legs. Opetaia, however, knew his opponent was in trouble and pressed forward looking for the finish. The champion would land a brutal follow-up barrage of punches to the head of Nyika sending him down hard a second time and appearing to knock him out cold as the fight was immediately stopped without a count. Official time of the stoppage was 2:17 of round four. Jai Opetaia advances to 27-0, with 21 Knockouts. David Nyila falls to 10-1, with 9 Knockouts.

The first world championship bout in the sport of Boxing in 2025 proved to be short, explosive, and devastating in how it ended. Jai Opetaia, who became a world champion in winning the IBF Cruiserweight world championship in July 2022 frankly has all the tools that one looks for in a rising star. Explosive power in either hand that can end a fight at any time, and a willingness to mix it up with his opponents. Such traits often mean that the fighter will draw significant attention whenever they compete because Boxing fans tend to favor action. Something that in his twenty-seven professional fights Opetaia has demonstrated in spades.

While there is a possibility that Opetaia might seek to unify the Cruiserweight division, something that only Evander Holyfield and Oleksandr Usyk have done in becoming the only fighters to fully unify the division before setting their sights on the Heavyweight division in two Hall of Fame careers, the issue for the Cruiserweight division, also known as the Jr. Heavyweight division in years gone by, is it has never been a career destination for most fighters.

In that it has never enjoyed the type of marquee value that is enjoyed by other divisions both below it and in the Heavyweight division. As such, it has been viewed by many as, for lack of a better term, “Stepping Stone" for fighters deemed too big for the 175lb. Light-Heavyweight division, to test the waters against bigger opposition before embarking on competing as a Heavyweight. Therefore, the Cruiserweights are often deemed as a bridge for fighters moving up to Heavyweight or for fighters who have had trouble competing effectively as a Heavyweight, but who cannot get down in weight to the 175lb. Light-Heavyweight division. A perception that was only increased by the fact that for many years, Evander Holyfield was viewed as the only marquee fighter to come out of the Cruiserweight division, even though his stay in it was a relatively short four year period from 1984-1988 where he became a world champion, went on to become undisputed champion, then went on to Heavyweight. Although there have been many great former Cruiserweights that have tried their luck as Heavyweights, not many were viewed as marquee stars and the fact is in addition to Holyfield and Usyk, only one other former Cruiserweight world champion, David Haye, went on to win a portion of the World Heavyweight championship.

Now, the division is faced with what could be the same scenario. A fighter who has the makings of a potential superstar, much like Holyfield, Haye, and Usyk that could elevate the Cruiserweight division by staying in it and potentially trying to become an undisputed world champion of it, but who also clearly has the potential of a future World Heavyweight champion as well. Promoters, managers, and yes, even fighters can boast about how they see the Cruiserweight division as a commodity, but with limited marquee value in the division, despite being populated by several world-class and talented fighters, a move to Heavyweight for most is seen as almost inevitable. For now, Jai Opetaia is firmly established as the top Cruiserweight in the world even without the status as an undisputed world champion. One should ask, however, if he will turn his attention to the Heavyweight division before the end of 2025. In this observer’s view, unless he has a path to become undisputed champion that is both straightforward and lucrative, the discussion of Opitaia as a potential future World Heavyweight champion as he enters the field of contenders should commence. 

“And That's The Boxing Truth." 

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Delayed Usyk-Fury 2 Thoughts

As fate would have it with several scheduled bouts that were to take place over the Christmas holidays and were intended to be covered in a package form in this column by this observer being postponed, it would turn out that the last major event on the Boxing calendar in 2024 was the second encounter between undefeated unified WBO/IBO/WBA/WBC Heavyweight world champion Oleksandr Usyk and former two-time Heavyweight world champion Tyson Fury. A highly anticipated rematch that took place on December 21st in the same location as their first meeting for the then Undisputed Heavyweight championship of the world on May 18, 2024, the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

By now, most Boxing fans are familiar with the close competition of that first fight and also familiar with the showboating approach through several of the early rounds by Fury, which in addition to a controversial knockdown ruled against him in the month round, in which some believed the fight should have been stopped, cost him the victory in what was otherwise a close and competitive fight. Unlike some circumstances where a rematch is warranted due to an exciting battle and/or a fight where the outcome is deemed controversial, we knew going into that historic first bout that there would be a rematch due to a pre-ordained rematch clause in the contract. 

Although that knowledge took nothing away from the atmosphere of that historic event in determining albeit temporarily, the first Undisputed Heavyweight champion of the world in twenty-five years and the first in an era where there are five recognized world sanctioning organizations, who's respective claims to the World Heavyweight championship were at stake, much like when a great movie spawns a sequel and eventually evolved into a series of films, when it comes to rematches, seldomly does a new chapter in a rivalry between two fighters equal the anticipation and competitive nature of the original encounter.

In this case, as yours truly pointed out in previewing Usyk-Fury 2, the question was whether Fury, now back in the role of a challenger, would approach this fight with a more serious mindset as compared to the first fight and if he did, whether that would make a difference in terms of scoring, particularly in the early rounds, which due to his decision to showboat in the first fight, ended up going against him in the end. 

To Fury’s credit, he did take this fight more seriously and did come forward more in the early rounds compared to what his approach was in the first fight. As he would find out, however, even a more serious approach sometimes does not result in a change in outcome as, despite having periodic success throughout the twelve round world championship bout, Fury as many previous opponents have learned, Oleksandr Usyk’s skillset proves to be a very difficult puzzle to solve.

Unlike the first fight where there were moments throughout where the fighters were able to hurt each other and thus be highlighted, this fight was a tactical Boxing match from start to finish, which is Usyk's specialty. While Fury’s best moments throughout came when he was able to land solidly, particularly with his right hand, Oleksandr Usyk is a master boxer who fights out of the southpaw stance, with an emphasis on his ability to use lateral movement and foot work to come at his opponents at varying angles as well as his ability to change his level of attack from the head to the body. Fury's best moments often came in single punches. The difference between the two fighters was Usyk’s punches consistently came in three and four punch variations.

It was this consistency as well as Fury’s inability to limit Usyk's ability to move and use angles that ultimately resulted in this observer scoring the fight unofficially eight rounds to four or 116-112 in points for Usyk in what was a straightforward contest that was clean and void of controversy. Although this is not always what happens, despite this observer’s decades long experience covering the sport and thoroughly understanding how fights are scored on every possible level Boxing has to offer from amateur, to professional, to professional Bareknuckle, to the point where I have been told periodically by others in the sport that I should consider being an official judge, the way I saw this fight was mirrored by the three official judges who scored this fight the same way I did with an 8-4 margin in rounds 116-112 in points for Usyk making it a successful title defense for him and earning him his second victory over Fury.

As straightforward as this fight appeared to be in determining a winner, it was understandable that Fury was disappointed with the result and immediately left the ring refusing to do interviews. When one dedicates themselves as seriously as Fury did in attempting to become part of a select group of fighters to have won a version of the World Heavyweight championship on three separate occasions, when one does everything they can do to prepare and still comes up short, despite performing better as Fury did in this second fight with Usyk, it is hard to digest.

Fury, however, has nothing to be ashamed of, he gave it everything he had. It may be a case where Fury will beat many of the top fighters in the Heavyweight division, but Oleksandr Usyk may not be one of them. That last sentence might leave one wondering what this observer means. Yes, Oleksandr Usyk has defeated Tyson Fury in two consecutive fights in the span of seven months, the second of which unlike the split decision in the first fight, seemed more convincing. This, however, should not be viewed as a clear conclusion to this rivalry. Tyson Fury is after all one of the biggest names in the Heavyweight division and if he were to continue fighting and score a victory over a top contender, he will be right back in the discussion of potential challengers for Usyk or possibly current IBF world champion Daniel Dubois.

Dubois, who was named IBF world champion shortly after the first Usyk-Fury fight due to Usyk not being able to fulfill his obligation to defend the IBF title against Dubois, whom was a mandatory challenger and whom Usyk defeated in August 2023, is due to make his second defense of the IBF crown against former WBO Heavyweight world champion Joseph Parker on February 22 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Depending on the outcome of that fight, the winner could either face Usyk if Usyk wants to attempt to fully unify the Heavyweight division for a second time, or could see a potential challenger in Fury, who is still a top contender and one of the more lucrative options available for either fellow contenders or world champions.

While a third chapter of the story between Oleksandr Usyk and Tyson Fury may not come as quickly as chapter two followed their first meeting, it may not be a story that is concluded. One thing is certain as 2025 has begun, the goings on in the Heavyweight division with two current world champions and no shortage of contenders and forner champions all looking for a shot, will continue to be a hot topic in the sport of Boxing.

“And That's The Boxing Truth." 

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