3,425 stories on BoxingScene are published under the Cliff Rold byline.
Every story follows our editorial policy. To report a mistake, use our corrections form; for anything else, contact us.
In 1973, bantamweight champion Enrique Pinder was stripped of the WBC belt for failing to defend against Rodolfo Martinez, opting instead for what ultimately was a loss to Romeo Anaya. The lineage of the title would remain intact into the 1980s but the belts remained apart.
Two weeks after the first iteration of the World Boxing Super Series came to a close, we begin again. All three tournaments look good but the most intriguing is in the bantamweight division. On paper, this is every bit as compelling as the first cruiserweight field of eight.
By Cliff Rold - For fans of the international boxing, getting up at odd hours to watch a fight is nothing new. This Sunday, it’s something to get a little more excited about. Subscribers to the DAZN app will be treated to three significant matches live from Japan (7 AM EST). WBC 108 lb. titlist Ken Shiro (13-0, 7 KO) will defend against former IBF titlist Milan Melindo...
While there hasn’t been any movement in the top three spots, there has been plenty below them. Saul Alvarez and Oleksandr Usyk picked up career best victories since the last update and move up accordingly. Which one should be higher?
In the preview piece for Friday’s World Boxing Super Series final, it was noted that promise is only a possibility until it’s fulfilled in the ring. Callum Smith fulfilled his promise in Jeddah with an excellent performance and decisive knockout win over George Groves. Using his long jab, hammering right hands, and a nasty left hook, Smith won the WBA belt, Ring Magazine’s recognition as the champion at super middleweight, and walked away the tournament winner in a field where his place as the second seed looked more speculative than earned. The knockout at least saved him from having to hear what looked like some oddly scored cards through the first six rounds.
In a battle of the top two seeds in the field, arguably the most experienced fighter in the super middleweight division faces a fighter who made it to the World Boxing Super Series final still a question mark. Friday in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia (DAZN, 1 PM EST), questions will be answered.
By Cliff Rold - When the first iteration of the World Boxing Super Series was announced, it was easy to wonder if it could really all come together. The cruiserweight field looked stronger on paper and proved to be so in the ring. It produced a pair of grueling semi-final matches, four-belt unification, a pound-for-pound...
What fans take into a fight can color how they perceive the realities that unfold. Saturday’s heavyweight clash between titlist Anthony Joshua and Alexander Povetkin was happening under an obvious cloud. The majority of boxing fans wanted to see Joshua vs. Deontay Wilder.
Alexander Povetkin has gone from being the hottest young heavyweight in the world to facing him. The 2004 Olympic gold medalist at super heavyweight burst into the upper echelon of the professional ranks in only his fourteenth fight, stopping veteran former titlist Chris Byrd. In his very next fight, he won a decision over undefeated Eddie Chambers and appeared on a rocket towards a crack at Wladimir Klitschko.
By Cliff Rold - When we don’t arrive at the desired destination as soon as possible, sometimes we miss the road. Most of boxing fandom would probably say the fight they wanted to see the most at heavyweight this year was a showdown between WBA/IBF/WBO/IBO titlist Anthony Joshua (21-0, 20 KO) and WBC...