https://www.saddoboxing.com/boxingforum/ Chat about the latest boxing news en Mon, 09 Mar 2026 09:23:52 GMT vBulletin 55 https://www.saddoboxing.com/boxingforum/images/misc/rss.png https://www.saddoboxing.com/boxingforum/ https://www.saddoboxing.com/boxingforum/94439-jai-opetaia-v-brandon-glanton.html Sat, 28 Feb 2026 11:54:55 GMT Jai Opetaia has warned that he will be “very f***ing disappointed” if Zuffa Boxing does not enable him to unify the cruiserweight world titles. ... Jai Opetaia has warned that he will be “very f***ing disappointed” if Zuffa Boxing does not enable him to unify the cruiserweight world titles.

Opetaia joined Zuffa last month, as the first high-profile signing by the new promotion, which is headed up by UFC president Dana White.

One curious element of Opetaia’s decision to join is that he has long expressed a desire to become undisputed cruiserweight champion – which would require him to add the remaining traditional belts to his IBF title – while Zuffa suggested it wants to move away from the current belt system.

Yet Opetaia, 30, has stressed that his goal remains the same, as the unbeaten Australian prepares to face Brandon Glanton on 8 March.

Still, he told RG this week that his goal is still “undisputed”, before he fired a warning to the Zuffa hierarchy: “If we don’t get one [unification fight] by the end of the year, I’ll be very f***ing disappointed.

“Don’t take your mind off undisputed. We're chasing unification fights [...] When you think of me, you think: ‘Bro, he wants to be undisputed.’ That’s it. I’m not worried about anyone else, I don’t chase names.

“I don’t even care if it was ‘Zurdo’ [Gilberto Ramirez], or if it was [David] Benavidez, or if it was back when it was [Chris] Billam-Smith. I actually respect these dudes. I think they’re great fighters, I think they’re great world champions.”

In any case, Opetaia insisted that Zuffa has “the same goal” as him, adding: “There was a couple of things. We sort of sat down, we went over what we wanted to do, and they said they can help us make sure things happen like that.

“They’re gonna help us make sure it happens the way we want it, to the best of their ability. But yeah, man, it just fit. It made sense, so why not?”

https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/...-b2927918.html

]]> Boxing Talk Master https://www.saddoboxing.com/boxingforum/94439-jai-opetaia-v-brandon-glanton.html https://www.saddoboxing.com/boxingforum/94438-owen-cooper-v-constantin-ursu.html Sat, 28 Feb 2026 11:49:28 GMT Owen Cooper is set to take on Constantin Ursu on Saturday, February 28th, 2026, at Vaillant Live, Derby. The fight is scheduled for 12 rounds in... Owen Cooper is set to take on Constantin Ursu on Saturday, February 28th, 2026, at Vaillant Live, Derby.

The fight is scheduled for 12 rounds in the Welterweight division, which means the weight limit will be 147 pounds.

Owen Cooper steps into the ring with a record of 11 wins, 1 loss, and 0 draws, 4 of those wins coming by way of knockout.

Constantin Ursu will make his way to the ring with an unblemished record of 14 wins and 0 draws, with 6 of those by knockout.

https://box.live/fights/cooper-vs-ursu/ ]]> Boxing Talk Master https://www.saddoboxing.com/boxingforum/94438-owen-cooper-v-constantin-ursu.html https://www.saddoboxing.com/boxingforum/94437-lawrence-okolie-v-tony-yoka.html Sat, 28 Feb 2026 11:44:07 GMT Tony Yoka will face the biggest test of his professional career to date as he tackles Lawrence Okolie in a Paris homecoming at Adidas Arena on April... Tony Yoka will face the biggest test of his professional career to date as he tackles Lawrence Okolie in a Paris homecoming at Adidas Arena on April 25

The Frenchman, who won gold at Rio 2016 in the super-heavyweight category, last fought on home soil in May with a first-round KO against Patrick Korte.

Now, he will bid to enter the conversation for a world title shot against Okolie, currently the WBO's number-one ranked heavyweight contender.

Behind only champion Oleksandr Usyk and interim strap holder Agit Kabayel with the WBC, Okolie had been hopeful of securing a bout with the latter.

Now, the former WBO cruiserweight champion will instead make the short trip across the English Channel to tackle a home favourite keen to rebuild his stock.

Yoka was tipped to follow gold at the Olympics with a glittering professional career, but suffered a brutal run of three reverses between 2022 and 2023.

A majority loss to Martin Bakole, followed by split-decision defeats against Carlos Takam and Ryad Merhy significantly dented his glamour-division reputation.

"I am thrilled to be extending our reach to the French capital,” Queensberry's Frank Warren said.. "As in Britain and Germany, the passion for boxing in France runs deep.

"There was immense pressure on Tony when he turned professional following his Olympic success, carrying the hopes of a nation on his shoulders.

"While he performed in sold-out arenas, perhaps the expectations came too soon.

"Now training in London, he returns as a revitalised, confident fighter, and his homecoming clash with Lawrence Okolie will be a cracker."

https://www.dazn.com/en-US/news/boxi...21ptvlhr4hbuqv ]]> Boxing Talk Master https://www.saddoboxing.com/boxingforum/94437-lawrence-okolie-v-tony-yoka.html https://www.saddoboxing.com/boxingforum/94436-oleksandr-usyk-v-rico-verhoeven.html Sat, 28 Feb 2026 11:35:26 GMT Oleksandr Usyk will return to the ring in May when he defends his WBC heavyweight title against former kickboxing champion Rico Verhoeven. at the... Oleksandr Usyk will return to the ring in May when he defends his WBC heavyweight title against former kickboxing champion Rico Verhoeven.

at the Pyramids of Giza in Egypt.

Two-time undisputed heavyweight champion Usyk, who holds the WBA, WBC and IBF belts, has not fought since stopping Daniel Dubois at Wembley Stadium in July.

In a bout organisers have dubbed the 'Glory in Giza', 36-year-old Dutch heavyweight Verhoeven will be boxing for the first time since 2014 when he faces Usyk on 23 May.

"I truly respect people who reach the very top in their sport," said Usyk, who is unbeaten across his 24 professional bouts.

"Rico is one of them - a powerful athlete and a great champion.

"Being a champion isn't just about belts. It's about years of hard work, discipline and belief.

"I respect his journey - he's truly the King of Kickboxing. But this is boxing - a different game, with its own rules and its own kings.

"A big night is coming."

Verhoeven had 76 fights and 66 wins in his kickboxing career before announcing his departure from the sport in November.

"I spent 12 years as the undisputed heavyweight kickboxing champion and accomplished everything I set out to accomplish. But staying at the top for that long didn't take away the hunger, it strengthened it," said Verhoeven.

"I wasn't looking for comfort, so I started looking for the highest challenge available in another world.

"Usyk is undisputed in boxing. That's the kind of challenge that motivates me. Undisputed versus undisputed. The best facing the best."

This is a world heavyweight title fight in the shadow of one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World - a backdrop so spectacular it almost distracts from how extraordinary, and frankly bizarre, the contest itself is.

Details of the fight's location are light, other than that it will be "under the shadow of ancient giants".

But no matter the location, this will be a mammoth mismatch.

Even in this current era of boxing, where hype and profit can outweigh logic, this sits high on the "how did we get here?" list.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/boxing/a...s/c5yqpj9ppkgo

]]> Boxing Talk Master https://www.saddoboxing.com/boxingforum/94436-oleksandr-usyk-v-rico-verhoeven.html https://www.saddoboxing.com/boxingforum/94435-ruben-castillo-rip.html Thu, 26 Feb 2026 22:23:31 GMT Ruben Castillo passed away earlier today. He fought Alexis Arguello and Salvador Sanchez within 90s days of each other and it is very possible that... Ruben Castillo passed away earlier today. He fought Alexis Arguello and Salvador Sanchez within 90s days of each other and it is very possible that his last words were "I beat Sanchez, watch the fight." Quality fighter.
He was also a quality commentator with a great sense of humor. There are at least a couple of us here that remember him from Fight Night at The Forum. ]]> Boxing Talk greynotsoold https://www.saddoboxing.com/boxingforum/94435-ruben-castillo-rip.html https://www.saddoboxing.com/boxingforum/94434-oscar-coming-back-boxing.html Wed, 25 Feb 2026 03:57:42 GMT It seems he has kicked the drugs and has gotten himself back into good form and this time around possibly a serious bid ... It seems he has kicked the drugs and has gotten himself back into good form and this time around possibly a serious bid

https://youtube.com/shorts/5dJ2s0WRW...gLv15gfayzk962 ]]> Boxing Talk zoley https://www.saddoboxing.com/boxingforum/94434-oscar-coming-back-boxing.html https://www.saddoboxing.com/boxingforum/94433-floyd-mayweather-yall-had-know-coming-hahaha.html Mon, 23 Feb 2026 21:43:03 GMT https://sports.yahoo.com/boxing/breaking-news/article/floyd-mayweather-vs-manny-pacquiao-2-set-for-netflix-rematch-11-years-after-record-setting-mega-... https://sports.yahoo.com/boxing/brea...sgQK8ejxySU_Rk

"Floyd Mayweather vs. Manny Pacquiao 2 set for Netflix rematch, 11 years after record-setting mega-fight"



Boxing may not be dead. But damn.... it's certainly in a worse place than it was 10 years ago. ]]> Boxing Talk TitoFan https://www.saddoboxing.com/boxingforum/94433-floyd-mayweather-yall-had-know-coming-hahaha.html https://www.saddoboxing.com/boxingforum/94432-gilberto-zurdo-ramirez-v-david-benavidez.html Sat, 21 Feb 2026 10:37:46 GMT David Benavidez is set to challenge for world titles at a third separate weight. The WBC light heavyweight champion steps up to 200lbs on May 2 to... David Benavidez is set to challenge for world titles at a third separate weight.

The WBC light heavyweight champion steps up to 200lbs on May 2 to take on Gilberto 'Zurdo' Ramirez for his WBA and WBO cruiserweight titles.

Premier Boxing Champions and Golden Boy Promotions will co-promote the event, which is set take place at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

The bout will be broadcast live on Amazon Prime PPV, with a launch press conference scheduled for Saturday in Sin City.

Ramirez (48-1) enjoyed a lengthy reign as WBO super middleweight champion before moving up to light heavyweight and then settling at cruiserweight.

He comes into the fight fresh off a points victory over Yuniel Dorticus on the Jake Paul vs Julio Cesar Chavez Jr undercard on June 28.

https://talksport.com/boxing/3998922...ez-date-venue/ ]]> Boxing Talk Master https://www.saddoboxing.com/boxingforum/94432-gilberto-zurdo-ramirez-v-david-benavidez.html https://www.saddoboxing.com/boxingforum/94431-aj-return-back-boxing.html Fri, 20 Feb 2026 11:05:56 GMT Hearn has confirmed that there are tentative plans in place for his client to return to the ring in July. “Originally, the plan with ‘AJ’ was for... Hearn has confirmed that there are tentative plans in place for his client to return to the ring in July.

“Originally, the plan with ‘AJ’ was for him to fight in March and then fight Tyson Fury in August,” Hearn told BoxingScene.

“That’s not happening. He’s not fighting Tyson Fury next.

"He’s going to come back, I believe, in late summer, but physically he’s not yet in a position to return to camp.

“So, I’m planning, but he’s just resting and preparing.

"So, for me, I’m looking at options to get him back in the ring in July time.

"But we’ll only know if that’s a real possibility when he returns to camp, which will hopefully be in the next couple of weeks or a month."

"I think we’re open to the Tyson Fury fight, but probably that’s more likely end of the year – maybe early 2027," Hearn added.

https://talksport.com/boxing/3996399...y-eddie-hearn/ ]]> Boxing Talk Master https://www.saddoboxing.com/boxingforum/94431-aj-return-back-boxing.html https://www.saddoboxing.com/boxingforum/94429-muhammad-ali-just-lying-here.html Tue, 17 Feb 2026 06:24:06 GMT https://youtube.com/shorts/WmOOQWZA7UE?si=tl9qLd9WhSIPgbuN https://youtube.com/shorts/WmOOQWZA7...9qLd9WhSIPgbuN ]]> Boxing Talk zoley https://www.saddoboxing.com/boxingforum/94429-muhammad-ali-just-lying-here.html https://www.saddoboxing.com/boxingforum/94428-efe-ajagba-v-charles-martin.html Tue, 10 Feb 2026 17:27:07 GMT Efe Ajagba is set to take on Charles Martin on Sunday, February 15th, 2026, at Meta Apex, Las Vegas. The fight is scheduled for 10 rounds in the... Efe Ajagba is set to take on Charles Martin on Sunday, February 15th, 2026, at Meta Apex, Las Vegas.

The fight is scheduled for 10 rounds in the Heavyweight division.

Also on the undercard will be Umar Dzambekov's and Ahmed Elbiali's contest, and Abel Mejia's and Jaybrio Pe Benito's bout.

Ajagba has beaten 4 of his last 5 opponents, stopping 1 of them, going the distance 3 times.

In his last fight, he drew Martin Bakole on May 3, 2025, by majority draw in their 10 round contest in their IBF World Heavyweight championship fight at Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Prior to that, he had defeated Guido Vianello on April 13, 2024, by split decision in their 10 round contest at American Bank Center, Corpus Christi, United States.

Charles Martin has stopped 3 of his last 5 opponents.

In his last fight, he lost to Jared Anderson on July 1, 2023, by unanimous decision in their 10 round contest at Huntington Center, Toledo, United States.

https://box.live/fights/ajagba-vs-martin/ ]]> Boxing Talk Master https://www.saddoboxing.com/boxingforum/94428-efe-ajagba-v-charles-martin.html https://www.saddoboxing.com/boxingforum/94427-fabio-wardley-v-daniel-dubois.html Tue, 10 Feb 2026 13:42:38 GMT There is a rumour about Wardley v Dubois being the next fight. This would be a huge clash of British heavyweights that would be an exciting fight.... There is a rumour about Wardley v Dubois being the next fight.

This would be a huge clash of British heavyweights that would be an exciting fight. Wardley has got better with each performance and has earned the respect of fans by taking on all comers even when he is the underdog. Dubois flattened AJ but got destroyed by Usyk in his last fight so is a big risk for him to take on a dangerous Fabio.

I think Wardley will win as he is faster, fresher, resilient and hits harder. ]]> Boxing Talk Master https://www.saddoboxing.com/boxingforum/94427-fabio-wardley-v-daniel-dubois.html https://www.saddoboxing.com/boxingforum/94426-errol-spence-v-tim-tszyu.html Tue, 10 Feb 2026 10:20:21 GMT Errol Spence Jr will finally return to the ring in an intriguing clash with Tim Tszyu. A report from the Ring Magazine indicates that Spence will... Errol Spence Jr will finally return to the ring in an intriguing clash with Tim Tszyu.

A report from the Ring Magazine indicates that Spence will face Tszyu, son of boxing legend Kostya.

The bout is being targeted later this year, and could land in either Dallas or Tszyu's home territory of Australia.

It is first expected that Tszyu will return in a tune-up fight in Australia.

And Spence could even follow suit given he has been absent from the ring for an extended period of time.

Both fighters will compete at the 154lbs limit if they meet, seeing Spence finally move up from the welterweight division.

Victory over the Australian will immediately put him into prominence for a shot at a world champion at 154lbs.

But defeat could spell some uncomfortable conversations over his future in the sport.

As for Tszyu, he is looking to continue his bounce back from defeat in a real war with Fundora last year.

He got back to winning ways in December with victory over Anthony Velazquez, and a warm-up fight win would set him on the right path ahead of facing Spence.

The 31-year-old will fancy his chances given his higher level of activity, and victory over the American would provide the biggest scalp on his resume.

https://talksport.com/boxing/3972883...ght-tim-tszyu/ ]]> Boxing Talk Master https://www.saddoboxing.com/boxingforum/94426-errol-spence-v-tim-tszyu.html