Resendiz Upsets The Plans For Plant-Charlo?

The  premise of the doubleheader that took place on May 31st at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas, NV was to position former IBF Super-Middleweight world champion Caleb Plant and former WBC Middleweight world champion Jermall Charlo, two of the more notable fighters currently competing under the Premier Boxing Champions banner, to face off in a highly anticipated encounter later this year. While the concept of fighters being strategically positioned to face each other, competing on the same card prior to that encounter being made is certainly not new as such tactics are meant primarily to try and build interest in that fight to come, there is always a danger that is attached to the strategy.

Although when cards like this are not expected to for lack of a better term, “Flip The Script" as Boxing is not a predetermined form of performance art, there are times where no matter how lopsided a fight may appear to learn towards the favorite going into it, things do not always go according to plan.

For his part, Jermall Charlo took care of business in his fight against Thomas LaManna. Fighting at a slow and deliberate pace, Charlo simply took his time landing hard, thudding punches when the opportunity was there and had particular success in landing his right hand. It was the right hand that would be responsible for dropping the “Game," but overmatched LaManna three times, once in rounds three, four, and five all from right hands and busting up LaManna over both eyes in the process. After the fifth round a ringside physician recommended the fight be stopped due to cuts and swelling LaManna had suffered and he was not allowed to come out for the sixth round. 

The thirty-fourth victory in his undefeated career was a statement-making performance for Charlo, who has had his share of struggles outside of the ring including dealing with his mental health, which has stalled his career in recent years, but it was also very much according to the best laid plans for those who were anticipating an eventual showdown with Plant. No drama, no frills, just simply a statement in forcing a stoppage of his opponent.

With Charlo having done his part in theory to bring that encounter later in 2025 to fruition, it was time to see if Caleb Plant could do his. Plant’s fight with Jose Armando Resendiz seemed as though it would tilt in the former champion’s favor in the early rounds.

This was due to Plant’s ability to use lateral movement, give angles, and mix offense to the body and head of Resendiz. Subtly, and gradually, however, Resendiz began turning the tempo of the combat in his favor by applying consistent pressure, and landing hard punches. Whether Resendiz landed to the head or body, his punches were the harder of the two fighters and eventually it reduced Plant’s punch output to single punches rather than short combinations. The movement and angles that Plant was able to execute in the first three rounds to great effect also became absent by the middle and late rounds as Resendiz was able to consistently push him back and seemingly get the better of the action with each passing round. 

At the conclusion of the twelve round bout, this observer felt that Resendiz had won the fight clearly due to him seemingly carrying the action from the fourth round on, but I did wonder if the success Plant had in the early rounds along with what could be considered close rounds depending on one's perspective, could result in a closer fight than I felt. It would turn out that one official judge had Plant ahead, but would be overruled by the two remaining judges who had Resendiz as the winner giving him the sixteenth win of his career and a significant upset.

With the win, Resendiz has been catapulted to the number one contender position in the WBA’s Super-Middleweight ratings having earned Interim/Regular champion status with the victory. The obvious question coming out of this card is whether or not Plant’s loss to Jose Resendiz will derail what seemed planned for later this year between himself and Jermall Charlo?

Even though we have seen scenarios where losses do not stop what seemed to be the working plan of promoters and/or networks in the past, if one were to press me and ask for an educated guess, my gut instinct would be for the Premier Boxing Champions group of promoters to attempt to get Plant a rematch with Resendiz first. What makes that interesting now is Resendiz is now the number one mandatory challenger as far as the WBA is concerned for recently recrowned Undisputed Super-Middleweight world champion Saul “Canelo" Alvarez. Although Alvarez will be defending his title against uneaten multi-division world champion Terence Crawford in September, Resendiz has suddenly established himself as a viable option for the winner of that fight by pulling off a convincing victory in a fight where he was considered an afterthought.

As such, Resendiz may not view a rematch with Plant or even potentially being slated to face Jermall Charlo as viable options given that there is at least a possibility in theory that he could be next in line for the Alvarez-Charlo winner either before the end of this year or into 2026. Beyond an opportunity to fight for an undisputed world championship, it may make more sense from a financial perspective for Resendiz to sit and wait for things to be sorted out between Alvarez and Crawford than risk the position he has now put himself in. 

Whatever happens next, this should prove once again that no matter how a fight might look on paper, no matter how tempting it might be for promoters, networks, fans, and yes, fighters to look ahead to what may come in the future, any opponent should not be underestimated by all the above. Boxing is and will forever be a sport where anything can happen at any given time and is truly why one should always expect the unexpected. It is what makes our sport so great.

“And That's The Boxing Truth." 

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Paul-Chavez PPV Card Now Available For Preorder On DAZN

The June 28 pay-per-view Boxing card headlined by a ten round Cruiserweight bout between social media influencer turned boxer Jake Paul and former WBC Middleweight world champion Julio Cesar Chavez, Jr. is now available for pre-order on DAZN. The card, which will feature six bouts and will take place at the Honda Center in Anaheim, CA, will be available globally through the DAZN streaming app and website for $59.99. (*North American Price Only.*) We will have a preview of Paul-Chavez here on The Boxing Truth®️ later in the month of June as we get closer to the date of the event. To order Paul vs. Chavez visit the DAZN streaming app on your favorite streaming device or www.DAZN.com for region-specific pricing in your region of the world. Stay tuned.

“And That's The Boxing Truth." 

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Dr. Phil’s MeritTV™ Delivers Back-to-Back Nights of Live TCL Team Boxing The Action Continues on May 30th and June 1st

Press Release: May 30, 2025 By MeritTV -

DALLAS (May 30, 2025) — Dr. Phil’s MeritTV, the multiplatform TV network founded by Dr. Phil McGraw, is set to air a double-header of live matches for the TCL Team Boxing League this Friday, May 30, at 9 PM ET and Sunday, June 1 at 6 PM ET across broadcast, cable, streaming, FAST platforms, and the network’s free app, MeritTV.

The TCL Team Boxing League’s third season continues with high-energy matchups as teams composed of rising stars and veteran athletes go head-to-head in 12 different weight classes. With a team-based ownership model, every punch counts towards the team’s total performance, adding an exciting new dynamic to the world of professional boxing.

Live Matches on MeritTV:

Friday, May 30th, at The Pinnacle, Nashville:

9 PM ET –San Antonio Snipers vs. Atlanta Attack

Immediately following – Nashville Smash vs. NYC Attitude

Sunday, June 1st at Arizona Athletic Grounds, Mesa:

7 PM ET – Los Angeles Elite vs. Las Vegas Hustle

Immediately following – Phoenix Fury vs. Boston Butchers

The following weekend features Dallas vs. Philadelphia and San Antonio vs. Houston, then Los Angeles vs. Las Vegas and Phoenix vs. Miami. As part of a global media partnership announced earlier this year, approximately 20 weekends of TCL Boxing will air exclusively on MeritTV. The culmination of play-off rounds and final battles takes place throughout July and August.

More than just a sporting event, TCL Team Boxing League is helping define MeritTV’s unique programming direction. As Forbes recently reported, the league “satisfies that hunger for sports-related content,” offering opportunities for both competition and storytelling. Through its distinctive format and compelling backstories, TCL is attracting a new audience segment, including a younger, more male-skewing demographic, while delivering the kind of emotionally resonant, personality-driven narratives that fit seamlessly with MeritTV’s brand. With 3.5 million viewers tuning in across the first five weeks, TCL is gaining momentum as a fan favorite.

About Dr. Phil’s MeritTV

Launched in April 2024 under the Merit Street Media banner, Dr. Phil’s MeritTV is a premier multiplatform television network spearheaded by Dr. Phil McGraw, the esteemed best-selling author and award-winning television host. MeritTV creates and distributes compelling content across diverse platforms, reaching audiences nationwide. This fully distributed cable, satellite, streaming, FAST TV (free ad-supported streaming TV channels), and free over-the-air broadcast media Network is also available via the free app MeritTV.

MeritTV boasts a rich tapestry of original and acquired programming, anchored by the nightly talk show “Dr. Phil Primetime.” Situated in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, the expansive Merit studios span five acres and serve as the dynamic hub for the brand. Here, daily morning and evening live news broadcasts unfold, plus live breaking news, embodying MeritTV’s commitment to delivering engaging and informative content. Viewers can access the channel-finder link by entering ZIP codes at MeritTV.com.

Material Courtesy of Material Courtesy of: MeritTV Used with permission. 

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

“The next step is to not take part but take over in Australia.” Corrigan on his upcoming fight at Thunderdome 50

Credit: Mike O'Hara/Dragon Fire Boxing 

Press Release: May 29, 2025 By Dragon Fire Boxing - This Friday, Dragon Fire Boxing Promotions hits the Metro City Night Club for Thunderdome 50.

One of the features is, Irish standout Owen “Bomber” Corrigan looks to keep his undefeated record intact when he fights Alex Muster in his third professional fight.

Back in March, Corrigan defeated China’s Liang Wang in a lopsided unanimous decision. Although the scorecards made the fight look one sided, Wang did make a great account of himself with his durability.

Corrigan revealed that he reflects on that fight as a “welcome package” for the professional ranks.

“Yeah, it wasn't my ideal performance, I trained harder than what I showed.” Corrigan said. “In terms of professional boxing, I think every good pro will always have that one fight that is like a welcome package. Here we go, here's the pros.

 

“I think for me, [Liang] Wang was my welcome package. I was telling everyone during the build-up to the fight how good he was and that he had only lost once. I think ultimately the work I've done over the years carried me over the line.”

 

In his post-fight interview Corrigan dedicated the victory to two of his family members that had attended the event.

 

The first, his mother who was seeing him fight for the first time. The other being his sister Rebecca.

 

When reflecting, Corrigan stated that the moment he had in the ring with his family after the fight was one, he will never forget.

 

“I never even dreamt of anything like that ever happening.” Corrigan said. “My mother has never seen me fight, even when I was boxing back in Ireland, she never felt comfortable coming to watch my fights so she tried to surprise me over here.

 

“My sister is a huge motivation for me, the obstacles my sister was born with and has had to fight her whole life and what she's had to do is unbelievable. My mother fought for years to get my sister the care she needed. That's where I got my fight from, from my family.

 

Not only does Corrigan have a strong following from family, he also has an ever-growing fanbase.

 

“Since moving over to Australia, every time I step into the ring, I've got such a following of Irish people. I feel like boxing means so much to them.

 

“When I step into the ring and I hear the roar of the crowd, I feel that energy and it drives me the extra 10 yards because it's not just me fighting, it's an army fighting.”

 

Riding an undefeated record, Corrigan has received recognition in his hometown. However, since his pro debut late last year, the Irishman has slowly been building up a following in Western Australia. 

 

With his fan friendly style and punching power, Corrigan has been embraced with open arms by the WA boxing fans.

 

When asked about his growing fanbase, The Irishman said he was very flattered about his fans.

 

“It's surreal really, I didn't expect this to go that way at all” Corrigan stated.

 

“At the end of the day, I'm just another guy who's got a dream. I just happened to be from Ireland and I'm very proud of that fact but never expected to get the following that I have now.

 

“I'm unbelievably grateful, the support I get from back home is surreal. I think what's important for me now though is to realise that I'm in Australia, so the support in Ireland is great, but I need to start making a name for myself in Australia.

 

“The next step is to not take part but take over in Australia.”

 

Standing in his way this Friday is Alex Muster, a gritty opponent who will stop at nothing to spoil the party for the Irishman.

 

When asked about his upcoming opponent, Corrigan said that he expects an aggressive approach.

 

“I'm expecting Alex Muster to run across the ring, all guns blazing, throwing bombs” Corrigan said.

 

“This is his first fight at light heavyweight, he's coming down from Cruiserweight. I've gone through his record. He's never made it to the second round, whether he's knocked someone out or he's been knocked out himself.

 

“He's going to be fit and it's a big weight difference he's coming down to, I'm expecting four tough rounds that being said, I'm ready.

 

“In the lead up I've had good sparring sessions and I know Alex Muster is going to feel a lot of power coming from me.”

 

With his fun fighting style and the backing of his family and fans, Ireland’s bomber looks set to steal the show this Friday night.

Material Courtesy of Dragon Fire Boxing/ Photo Courtesy of Mike O’Hara Dragon Fire Boxing Used with permission. 

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

On A Collision Course?: Plant And Charlo Set To Headline Prime Video Twinbill

The month of May 2025 began with Saul “Canelo" Alvarez reclaiming the IBF Super-Middleweight crown and in doing so, also reclaimed his status as the undisputed king of the Super-Middleweight division by scoring a twelve round unanimous decision over previously unbeaten IBF world champion William Scull in Saudi Arabia. While that fight ultimately proved to be formulaic for Alvarez and serve as a set up for a highly anticipated encounter between the champion and the undefeated multi-division world champion Terence Crawford in September, an obvious question that will be asked is what will be in store for the winner of that fight down the line? 

On May 31st a doubleheader will take place at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas, NV featuring two former world champions, who are being positioned to potentially face off later this year, with that winner then potentially in line to possibly face the winner of Alvarez-Crawford. The two bouts, which will co-headline a Boxing card promoted by the Premier Boxing Champions group of promoters and streamed in the United States on Prime Video will first see former IBF Super-Middleweight world champion Caleb Plant, a former opponent of Alvarez, facing Jose Resendiz in a twelve round bout.

This will be Plant’s second fight since dropping a twelve round unanimous decision to David Benavidez  in March 2023. In his last bout, Plant, who will enter this fight with a record of 23-2, with 14 Knockouts, earned Interim/Regular champion status in the WBA’s Super-Middleweight ratings with a ninth round stoppage of previously Trevor McCumby in a fight where he was dropped in the fourth round before ultimately getting to and stopping McCumby in the later rounds. Now, Plant looks to maintain his status as the WBA’s mandatory challenger for Alvarez against Jose Resendiz.

Resendiz, who will enter this fight with a record of 15-2, with 11 Knockouts does obviously have the ability to end a fight if given the opportunity having stopped nearly 74% of his opponents within the distance of a fight. Although he has a knockout win over former Jr. Middleweight world champion Jarrett Hurd, the biggest win and name on his record to date, the jury is out as to whether Resendiz is ready for what is a step up in both class of opposition against the considerably more experienced former world champion Plant, but also only his second fight in the 168lb. Super-Middleweight division. Resendiz’ last outing in February of this year saw him score a fifth round knockout of a fighter named Fernando Paliza, who had a record of 5-2, with 5 Knockouts going into that fight, which took place in Mexico.

While that fight was clearly designed as both a “Stay Busy" fight as well as a way for Resendiz to test the waters of a new weight class, one could wonder how that helped his preparation for this fight given the opponent’s limited experience against non-world-class opposition. We will likely get the answer early on because Plant is a solid boxer/puncher who will likely try to dictate the terms of combat early on in the fight. If Resendiz is not able to hold his own, Plant will likely try to end the fight if given the opportunity rather than looking for a decision victory.

The second half of this doubleheader will feature undefeated former WBC Middleweight world champion Jermall Charlo facing Thomas LaManna in a scheduled ten round bout. This will be Charlo’s second fight since returning from a lengthy absence in November 2023 and also his second outing in the 168lb. Super-Middleweight division. 

An obvious question here will center on Charlo, who prior to that fight in November 2023, had not fought since June 2021. While Charlo scored a convincing ten round unanimous decision over Jose Benavidez, he has not fought since then and the issue of inactivity can be a silent killer for fighters. 

Charlo’s opponent on May 31st will be veteran Thomas LaManna. LaManna, a former world title challenger, enters this fight with a record of 39-5-1, with 18 Knockouts and will also come into the ring on a nine fight winning streak. This in addition to being significantly more active than Charlo, who will come in with a record of 33-0, with 22 Knockouts, gives the edge at least in terms of momentum to him. 

A red flag some might point to, however, is LaManna has been stopped in three of his five career losses including in his one challenge for a world title, when he was stopped in one round by Erislandy Lara in May 2021, which was his last loss to date.

Charlo is a fighter that has at times looked spectacular, but one who has also appeared sluggish and going through the motions, so the question beyond the issue of inactivity is what version of Charlo will show up. Despite his setbacks, which have come when he has stepped up in caliber of opposition, Thomas LaManna is a solid professional fighter and if Charlo is not on his game or if inactivity, as it often does eventually to most fighters, proves to be a detriment in this fight, it could be a scenario where LaManna might score the biggest win of his career. 

There is an expectation at least by outward appearance that if both Plant and Charlo are successful in these bouts that they could be pitted against each other later this year in an attempt to be in position to face the winner of Alvarez-Crawford in September. Obviously, there is business that each must tend to before that can happen. Whether or not this doubleheader proves to be an appetizer for that potential encounter later this year or if Resendiz and LaManna will be able to upset those plans remains to be seen. 

“And That's The Boxing Truth." 

PBC: Plant-Resendiz / Charlo-LaManna takes place on Saturday, May 31st at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas, NV. The card can be seen in the United States on Prime Video beginning at 8PM ET/5PM PT. For more information, including compatible streaming devices, platforms, Smart TV’s, and to subscribe please visit: www.PrimeVideo.com. 

*Check your local listings internationally.*

*Card and Start time Subject to Change.*

For more information about Premier Boxing Champions please visit: www.PremierBoxingChampions.com. 

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Moses Itauma: The Future of the Heavyweight Division?

In the sport of Boxing it seems like every few years there is a prospect in a given division that stands out amongst the rest and emerges as someone that might be viewed as the division’s future central figure. More often than not, what gets that type of buzz started is when a fighter produces a string of knockouts on their rise that naturally generates interest. This is especially true when the division in question is the Heavyweight division.

From the days of Joe Louis, to the rise of a young Mike Tyson, and so on, there is nothing quite like a Heavyweight that is on the rise who demonstrates an ability to score quick and often devastating knockouts as they climb through the ranks. While Louis and Tyson are two fighters this observer named off the top of his head, the reality is one can pick just about any era in Boxing history where one will be able to point out at least a few fighters regardless of division that fit the label of “Knockout Artist." 

In regard to the Heavyweights, the latest prospect that fits that description is the undefeated Moses Itauma. Itauma, has quickly emerged as a fighter to watch that frankly is turning heads due to his punching power and ability to get an opponent out of there quickly. After a brief amateur career where he went unbeaten, Itauma turned professional in January 2023 and went on to compile eleven victories with nine coming by way of knockout. 

This led to Itauma’s most recent fight on May 24th in Glasgow, Scotland where he faced veteran Mike Balogun in a scheduled ten round bout with the WBO’s regional Intercontinental and the WBA’s International Heavyweight titles on the line. While the titles are footnotes, in reality, they do serve a vital role in terms of elevating fighters into the world rankings with the obvious goal of getting into position to challenge for a world championship. More important than two regional titles being at stake, this fight represented what appeared to be a step up for Itauma in terms of caliber of opponent as Mike Balogun came into the fight with a record of 21-1, with 16 Knockouts and had more experience than Itauma, though recent opponents have had similar records as Balogun, which serves as an indication that Itauma is definitely being groomed as a potential world title challenger in the not too distant future.

While the expectation of at least some when a fighter with an experience edge over a fighter who has risen quickly, is to see if that fighter will be able to draw upon that experience to provide a test, it is also interesting to see how the fast rising fighter will approach the opponent knowing that they carry more experience. In this case, Itauma’s approach in this fight was in a word “Surgical." 

Boxing out of the southpaw stance, Itauma quickly got his right jab going before quickly flooring Balogun with a flush left hook to the head. To his credit, Balogun got up from the knockdown and attempted to bring the fight to Itauma, but the difference in punching power was evident as Balogun was unable to land anything to discourage Itauma from coming forward, but did manage to make it out of the first round, which three of Itauma’s last five opponents were unable to do. 

This accomplishment, however, would not deter Itauma as he immediately dropped Balogun for the second time seconds into round two hard on the canvas courtesy of another left hook to the jaw. Despite the appearance and sound of a knockout courtesy of a human body falling hard on the canvas, Balogun showed his determination by getting up at the count of nine. As he had done following the first knockdown, Balogun tried to fight back, but his courage would not be enough as Itauma zeroed in and sent Balogun down hard for a third time, this time with a right hook, prompting a stoppage of the bout just forty-six seconds into the second round.

When this observer uses the term “Surgical" in describing Itauma, I not only mean in the way he approached his opponent here, but also the surgical precision, in which he strategically placed his punches and maintained his composure. Sometimes when a fighter is blessed with the type of punching power that can end fights quickly, there can be a tendency to be a bit over aggressive in trying to finish an opponent following a knockdown, which in turn depending on how hurt the opponent is and their skillset, could present an opportunity to catch the fighter with a counter punch that do not see. The poise Itauma showed was of a fighter with more experience than his twelve fights would indicate.

It is that limited resume, however, that has produced what could turn out to be a conundrum for his team and his Hall of Fame promoter Frank Warren in that though with only twelve fights Itauma is just at the point where most fighters are approaching prospect status on the verge of trying to break into the top fifteen or top ten in terms of the world rankings, per his holding regional titles in both the WBO and WBA, Moses Itauma is already rated in the top three of both sanctioning organizations, despite only having one name of significance on his record thus far in the form of former world title challenger Mariusz Wach, who was many years removed from being among the top contenders in the Heavyweight division at the time that Itauma fought him and stopped him in two rounds in July of last year. 

Although it is not uncommon for fighters on the way up to be pitted against fighters, who have some name recognition, but who's competitive best days are behind them, Wach, who is to date the most experienced opponent Itauma has fought, offered no resistance. The criticism therein, as has been the case for countless fighters who have ascended up the ranks without facing a top contender to get into that position, is whether politics that be in the sport could be at play could have influenced said ranking.

Is Moses Itauma the future of the Heavyweight division? For the moment one cannot and should not attempt to answer that question if they are objective. The reason for that is there are unanswered questions that will need to be answered. One, how will Itauma respond to adversity under such scenarios like what might happen if he is hurt or knocked down by an opponent, or how he will respond if someone is able to take his best power shots and keep coming forward without going down. Something else one should keep in mind is Itauma has only been extended as far as six rounds twice in his career up to this point and as he is now on a level where he is competing in fights that are scheduled for ten rounds, with an eye towards competing for a world title where the distance is twelve rounds, it is only a matter of when he will be extended further and what opponent will be able to take him into the deeper waters of a fight before we might get some clarity. 

What could be both good and bad news depending on one's perspective is with his ranking being so high in two of the five major world sanctioning organizations, it will likely not take long before we start getting that clarity. For the moment, however. Moses Itauma is on the short list of potential future central figures of the Heavyweight division and it may be a question of how long does his team and his promoter want to give him to get more polish and refinement before taking a gamble by trying to get him in a world championship fight. If Itauma takes on this pace and continues to win, it would not surprise yours truly to see him challenging for a world championship within the next twelve months, where most likely he will still be under twenty professional fights in his career.

“And That's The Boxing Truth." 

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Should Harper Remain At Lightweight?

The fight between thred-division world champion Teri Harper and undefeated former Women's IBF Jr. Welterweight world champion Natalie Zimmermann on May 23rd in Doncaster,England at Keepmoat Stadium, it signaled what could be a beginning. Not only was Harper having a homecoming in front of an enthusiastic hometown crowd, but she was also making the first defense of the WBO Lightweight crown she had won in September of last year. 

What would follow would arguably be one of the champion’s best performances in her career thus far. For ten rounds, Harper used her Boxing prowess, timing, hand speed, and ability to approach Zimmermann at varying angles as well as mixing levels of her attack to the head and body to put on a Boxing lesson for a very “Game," but on this occasion overmatched opponent in Zimmermann.

Despite it becoming evident from early in the bout that Zimmermann was a few steps behind Harper, and did not have an answer to combat the hand speed or timing of the champion, Zimmermann bravely fought on, surviving instances periodically throughout the fight where she appeared to be on the verge of being stopped by Harper inside the distance. Zimmermann’s bravery deserves even more praise when one considers that she suffered a severe gash in the tenth and final round on her forehead due to an accidental clash of heads, which was a gushing wound causing blood to flow over her face. 

Although this observer having seen more than his fair share of wounds throughout the three decades I have covered Boxing and by extension combat sports expected the fight to be stopped given the severity of the gash and the obvious issue of blood flowing into Zimmermann’s eyes, incredibly and likely because of her courage throughout the fight, despite suffering significant punishment, the challenger was able to make it to the final bell. Despite losing a wide unanimous decision to Harper, who successfully defended her WBO Lightweight crown, Natalie Zimmermann, proved her mettle in suffering the first defeat of her career and can hold her head high with the courage she showed in the fight.

While there is little more to say about this fight beyond calling it a dominant performance by Teri Harper, the obvious question is, what will happen next? In previewing this bout between Harper and Natalie Zimmermann, this observer touched briefly on a commonality in Women's Boxing that sees many fighters move up or down in weight seemingly by fight and what opportunities may be available to them as the sport is still very much growing. For Teri Harper, who has won world titles from Jr. Lightweight to Jr. Middleweight, it may be debated as to where she will ultimately land. 

After this performance, a viable option could be to remain in the 135lb. Lightweight division for the foreseeable future where fighters like current WBA world champion Stephanie Han, WBC world champion Caroline Dubois, and others could prove to be lucrative options for Harper, especially if the possibility to become an undisputed world champion ends up on the table for her, which seems to happen more frequently for female fighters as far as getting that opportunity compared to their male counterparts. What is indisputable is Women's Boxing continues to take advantage of long overdue opportunities by way of consistent exposure through television and streaming and as a result, interest not only continues to increase for the entire sport, but there are now far more lucrative opportunities for women in the sport than has ever been the case. If the Lightweight division is the next to benefit from that, the sport as a whole will ultimately reap the reward.

“And That's The Boxing Truth." 

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Veteran Media and Entertainment Executive David Tetreault Named President of Lights Out Productions, Parent Company of BKB Bare Knuckle Boxing and Trigon Combat

Credit: BKB

Press Release: May 23, 2025 By BKB: Bare Knuckle Boxing - MIAMI, FLORIDA – Mike Vazquez, owner of Lights Out Productions, parent company of BKB Bare Knuckle Boxing and its developmental league Trigon Combat, announced today the hiring of David Tetreault, a 30-veteran of the media, sports and entertainment industry, as company President.

Previously, Tetreault held executive positions at Sony Pictures, Warner Brothers, FOX, Clear TV, Golden Boy Productions and Triller.  At FOX, he served as Senior Vice President of Marketing and developed award-winning campaigns for The Simpson’s, American Idol, 24, The X Files and many others. At Golden Boy, serving as the Chief Business Officer, he struck multimillion dollar network deals with Facebook Watch, ESPN and HBO. Tetreault led and negotiated the $600 million deal with DAZN as it became the exclusive home of Canelo Alverez. Tetreault most recently served as President of Triller Fight Club and Chief Business Officer of Triller-owned Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship (BKFC), where he oversaw content strategy, global television rights deals, and integrated sponsorship and marketing initiatives. He also served as Executive Producer for all live sporting events, televised programming, and short-form digital content. Under his leadership, Triller Fight Club produced the historic exhibition bout between eight-division world champion Manny Pacquiao and South Korean martial artist DK Yoo, held on December 11, 2022, at the Korea International Exhibition Center (KINTEX) in Seoul.

In addition to his executive leadership in combat sports and media, Tetreault serves as an adjunct professor at the University of San Francisco and California State University, Los Angeles, where he teaches graduate-level courses in Strategic Management, Sports Business, and Entertainment Marketing. His dual roles in academia and industry reflect a commitment to both innovation and mentorship across the next generation of sports and media professionals.

Said Vazquez, “Lights Out has seen accelerated, strategic growth this past year, with the acquisition of the UK-based BKB to become the largest bare knuckle boxing company in the world, the acquisition of the historic and prestigious Police Gazette Diamond Belt which now serves as the Bare Knuckle Boxing World Championship, securing multiple live television and streaming deals on both sides of the Atlantic, and now the creation of Trigon Combat.

“As we look ahead, having a leader with David at the helm will only make BKB and Trigon Combat better, as we look to go from being the world’s preeminent bare knuckle boxing company to a complete combat sports and entertainment property. From his experience securing massive media rights deals and integrated partnerships, his understanding of ever-evolving media platforms and consumer habits, and his success in live sports, including bare knuckle boxing, our potential in the coming months to redefine the combat sports landscape is exponential and he’s uniquely qualified to lead us on that journey.”

Said Tetreault, “From the very top down, Lights Out/BKB is one of the most professionally-run, creative and strategic combat sports properties in the world.  It owns all of its intellectual property, is one of two organizations to hold a patent on its ring, and has made substantive moves that have positioned BKB as a breakout platform. It is the next investable format in global combat sports. It has one of the largest fighter rosters in combat sports, has global scalability, event flexibility, and is syndication-ready.  I’m excited to be on the team and look forward to making an immediate impact.”

To learn more about BKB Bare Knuckle Boxing visit bkbbareknuckle.com.  For more information on Trigon Combat, visit trigoncombat.com.

UPCOMING BKB SCHEDULE

Broadcast on VICE TV and TalkSPORT

 

BKB 41: Brawl in Duval II, Jacksonville, FL, May 31

BKB 42: Music City Brawl, Nashville, TN, June 21

BKB 43: Bolton Brawl, Bolton, UK, July 5

BKB 44: Denver Brawl V, Denver, CO, August 16

UPCOMING TRIGON COMBAT SCHEDULE

TRYOUTS: San Antonio, TX, May 31

FIGHT: Myrtle Beach, SC, June 12

TRYOUTS: Fayetteville, NC, July 12

TRYOUTS: San Diego, CA, July 26

Material and Photo Courtesy of: BKB: Bare Knuckle Boxing Used with permission.

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

Harper Set To Defend Lightweight Crown Against Zimmermann

On Friday, May 23rd, a world championship bout will occur in the Women's Lightweight division featuring three-division world champion and current holder of the WBO crown against unbeaten former IBF Women's World Jr. Welterweight champion Natalie Zimmermann at Keepmoat Stadium in Doncaster, England. A world title bout that can be seen globally on digital subscription sports streaming network DAZN.

This will be the first defense of the WBO World Lightweight championship for Harper that she won in September of last year with a ten round unanimous decision over Rhiannon Dixon in Sheffield, England. Harper, who has won world titles from the 130lb. Jr. Lightweight division to the 154lb. Jr. Middleweight division has rightfully earned her place as one of the biggest stars in Women's Boxing. Like many female fighters in the sport, Harper has moved up and down the weight scale depending on the fight and opportunity. While that is an indication of a sport that is still very much in its growing stages for women competing in it both in terms of available weight classes and significantly more opportunities than had been the case in decades past, it will be interesting to see whether along with growth of the sport overall if fighters like Harper will choose to prioritize a division where they feel most comfortable competing in, much like their male counterparts or if the emphasis will seemingly continue to remain on what opportunities might be available on a fight by fight basis. With seemingly more women competing than ever before in the sport and more divisions being available to compete in, there may come a point where the potential to move up or down in weight may not be as lucrative or enticing, simply because with more competition in each respective division, there will be more options for fighters to remain in their division of choice if they choose to do so.

Although the sport may not quite be at that point at present time, Harper has been one of those fighters who has shown that she can compete effectively in multiple divisions and it will be interesting to see where she eventually lands. For the moment, the task at hand for the champion, who will enter this bout with a record of 15-2-2, with 6 Knockouts, will be defending her World Lightweight championship.

The challenger Natalie Zimmermann will enter this bout, attempting to become a two-division world champion, unbeaten with a record of 13-0, with 3 Knockouts. In her last bout in September of last year, Zimmermann scored a ten round decision over Katerina Dvorakova in Spain.

What this fight appears to be is an encounter between two boxers who are experienced both in going the distance and outworking their opponents to win decision victories. While the champion has three more knockouts in her career compared to Zimmermann, neither are known for having punching power. Given the Boxing ability each has, it will be interesting to see if one takes a more aggressive approach than would be the norm in an attempt to get an advantage early. 

Although bouts in Women's Boxing have sporadically begun using three minute rounds, the same as in Men's bouts, the majority of bouts for women are still held with two minute rounds. This normally means fights are fought at a quick pace and given the similarities between these two boxers, who both know how to win rounds and compile points in the process, it would not surprise this observer if both fighters are able to find success to see this potentially end in a close decision. Whomever comes out on top here, the question that will likely follow coming out of this fight is whether the winner will look towards competing in a different weight class next depending on what opportunities might be available, or whether or not possible unification of the Lightweight division could be on the table. 

“And That's The Boxing Truth." 

Harper vs. Zimmermann takes place on Friday, May 23rd at Keepmoat Stadium in Doncaster, England. The fight can be seen globally on digital subscription sports streaming network DAZN beginning at 1PM ET/10AM PT. (*U.S. 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. 

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

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MOST VALUABLE PROMOTIONS SIGNS UNDEFEATED POWERHOUSE AVIOUS “THA UNDERDOG” GRIFFIN

Press Release: May 21, 2025 By Most Valuable Promotions- MVP bolsters its roster with the signing of Griffin, a rising star with a 17-0 record and 94% knockout rate, further solidifying its commitment to showcasing boxing’s most compelling rising stars

LAS VEGAS, NV – May 20, 2025 – Most Valuable Promotions (MVP) today announced the signing of Avious “Tha Underdog” Griffin (17-0, 16 KOs), one of boxing’s most electrifying rising stars in the 147lb division. Hailing from Chattanooga, Tennessee, and now based in Las Vegas, Nevada, the 31-year-old welterweight sensation joins MVP’s elite roster, bringing his devastating 94% knockout rate, ten-fight knockout streak, and an inspiring story of resilience that has captivated the boxing world. Griffin’s addition underscores MVP’s mission to identify and elevate young prospects and contenders with star potential.

Avious Griffin has quickly emerged as a force in the 147-pound division, boasting an unblemished 17-0 record with 16 knockouts. With a relentless style and staggering 94% stoppage rate, the Las Vegas-based fighter originally from Chattanooga, Tennessee continues to prove why he's one of the most dangerous and exciting welterweights in the sport today. 

Since early 2024, Griffin has trained under the esteemed Brian “BoMac” McIntyre, widely recognized for guiding Terence Crawford’s rise to championship status. He also works closely with Esau Diéguez and renowned strength and conditioning coach Larry Wade, who joined his team in October 2023. Together, this elite team has helped transform Griffin into one of the sport’s most dangerous and disciplined rising contenders. On February 20, 2025, Griffin captured the vacant WBC USA Welterweight Title by stopping Jose Luis Sanchez in the eighth round at Sony Hall in New York City. 

Griffin’s rise has been shaped by extraordinary personal resilience. Introduced to boxing at age eight by his father, Alvin, the sport quickly became both a passion and a powerful bond between them. In 2016, just weeks before Griffin’s professional debut, Alvin passed away unexpectedly from a brain hemorrhage  as Avious frantically rushed his dad to the hospital—a devastating loss that Griffin continues to honor through his career. The following year brought another life-altering setback: a wrongful murder conviction that led to 11 months of incarceration before his exoneration. These hardships forged Griffin’s “TTD” (To The Death) mentality—an ethos that powers his performance in the ring and his commitment to breaking generational cycles of poverty, while advocating for mental health and addiction recovery. With a compelling personal story and elite performance inside the ropes, Avious Griffin represents one of the most promising new faces in professional boxing.

“I’m thrilled to join Most Valuable Promotions, a team that truly values fighters and their stories,” said Avious Griffin. “Jake Paul and Nakisa Bidarian are building something special, giving athletes like me a platform to shine. My journey hasn’t been easy, but it’s made me who I am—a fighter in and out of the ring. With MVP behind me, I’m ready to chase world titles, while being a motivational, inspirational vessel of God, and show the world what Tha Underdog is all about.”

“Avious Griffin is an exceptional talent whose combination of elite power, mental toughness, and personal resilience positions him for long-term success in the sport,” said Jake Paul and Nakisa Bidarian, co-founders of Most Valuable Promotions. “His compelling backstory and knockout ability make him one of the most exciting rising contenders in boxing, and we believe he has the potential to become a global star. We’re proud to welcome Avious to the MVP family and give him the platform he deserves to reach the top of the sport and inspire the world in the process.”

Griffin joins MVP’s powerhouse roster of athletes and up-and-coming talents including international superstar Jake “El Gallo” Paul, boxing trailblazer and unified featherweight world champion Amanda “The Real Deal” Serrano, undisputed super featherweight world champion Alycia “The Bomb” Baumgardner, MVP’s first homegrown champion, the new WBO super middleweight champion Shadasia “The Sweet Terminator” Green, reigning unified bantamweight world champion and Boxrec’s #1 pound-for-pound female boxer Dina Thorslund, IBF and Ring Magazine super middleweight world champion at 168lbs Savannah “The Silent Assassin” Marshall, WBC super lightweight interim world champion at 140lbs Chantelle “Il Capo” Cameron. English boxing phenom and unified 122lb super bantamweight world champion Ellie Scotney, IBF bantamweight world champion at 118lbs Shurretta Metcalf (14-4-1, 2 KOs), Spain’s WBA Interim featherweight world champion at 126lbs Jennifer Miranda (12-0, 1 KO), multi-talented megastar Javon “Wanna” Walton, India’s most successful professional boxer Neeraj Goyat, top-ranked lightweight “Prince” Lucas Bahdi, Puerto Rican sensation Krystal Rosado, three-time US national boxing champion and high-fashion model Alexis “Chop Chop” Chaparro, Puerto Rican National Team star Jan Paul Rivera, 2x Canadian Olympian and amateur world champion Tamm Thibeault, 2x US national amateur champion and rising bantamweight star Alexander “The Alley Cat” Gueche, Nigeria’s 126lb featherweight Elizabeth Oshoba, the multi-talented Somali-British boxer, activist, and high fashion model Ramla Ali, Costa Rica’s 20-year-old undefeated WBC Youth light flyweight world champion Naomy Valle, 15x US national amateur champion Nat “No Love”' Dove, two-time Brazilian Olympian Keno Marley, undefeated Yolanda Vega and Boxrec’s #2 greatest pound-for-pound women’s boxer of all time and former UFC 135lb champion Holly “The Preacher's Daughter” Holm.

For more information, follow on X via @MostVPromotions, @JakePaul, and @AviousGriffin, or on Instagram via @MostValuablePromotions, @JakePaul, and @aviousgriffin.

About Most Valuable Promotions (MVP)

MVP was founded by Jake Paul and Nakisa Bidarian in 2021. With the mission to provide more creative control to fighters, MVP works to identify, grow, and maximize return for its own events and talent partners. One year into its inception, MVP was nominated as one of the prestigious Sports Breakthroughs of the Year in 2022 by Sports Business Journal. MVP has produced Jake Paul’s last six global pay-per-view events, including the recent Paul vs. Perry match. The promotion company also signed one of the most decorated Hispanic athletes of all time, Amanda Serrano, in its first year. Serrano and MVP made history in April 2022 when Serrano went head-to-head with Katie Taylor, marking the first female fight to headline at Madison Square Garden, earning a nomination for Event of The Year by Sports Business Journal. MVP made history again in November 2024 with Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson and Taylor vs. Serrano 2, the first-ever live professional sports event on Netflix, which became the most-streamed sporting event ever with 108 million live viewers globally. Co-founder Nakisa Bidarian was an executive producer of Paul vs. Tyson and the historic Triller Presents Mike Tyson v. Roy Jones Jr., the 8th most-bought pay-per-view event in history.

Material Courtesy of: Most Valuable Promotions Used with permission.

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