Saudi Arabia's February 22 card a bettors' and boxers' paradise

After years of comfortable favorites accompanied by betting lines of -500 or greater in championship bouts, the six-fight Saudi Arabia pay-per-view broadcast has just one prohibitive favorite, with the rest viewed as near pick-ems.

Boxing, family and destiny: Steven Navarro has found his path

Steven Navarro is a gifted junior bantamweight prospect – and much more. For all his early boxing success, his greatest influence has been the inspiration he has provided to his father.

Richardson Hitchins: ‘Liam Paro is a one-trick pony’

The last time we saw Richardson Hitchins in April, he looked vulnerable in a fight against Gustavo Lemos, as many observers believe he lost the contest despite being awarded a split decision win.

Is Oscar Valdez's expiration date at hand?

A little more than 10 years ago, before he became a two-division world champion, Oscar Valdez fought on a Manny Pacquiao pay-per-view card as promoter Top Rank assembled a powerful contingent of young fighters.

The training wheels are off in 2025 for PBC and Amazon Prime

After an exciting but somewhat restrained start to their partnership, the union between Amazon Prime Video and Premier Boxing Champions is expected to deliver a more robust boxing schedule in 2025, according to former head of Showtime Sports, Stephen...

Curmel Moton added to Ryan Garcia’s December 30 undercard

Junior lightweight Curmel Moton returns to action against seasoned veteran Albert Pagara on December 30 in Japan.

Why Gervonta Davis will not retire… yet

Gervonta Davis’ announcement that he will retire next year raised some eyebrows but only him fulfilling his promise should be the surprise.

Sam Noakes anticipates ‘perfect’ test from Ryan Walsh

Sam Noakes revealed the extent of his respect for Ryan Walsh as he nears what could prove the toughest fight of his career.

December undercard for Alexis Rocha-Raul Curiel clash is set

The undercard is set for the welterweight clash between Alexis Rocha and Raul Curiel, taking place December 14 at Toyota Arena in Ontario, California.

Gervonta Davis wasn’t ready to face me in December, says Lamont Roach

Lamont Roach provided his own justification for why his lightweight title fight with Gervonta “Tank” Davis was pushed back nearly three months from December 14 in Houston to March 1 at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York.

Ryan Walsh excited by the violence Sam Noakes will bring

Ryan Walsh started 2024 as British boxing’s forgotten man. He gets the chance to end it as Britain’s top lightweight.

Top coach interested to see how Shakur Stevenson-Floyd Schofield plays out

Bob Santos cares more about the Shakur Stevenson-Floyd Schofield matchup than whether it should be happening.

Trainer Robert Garcia open to sharing his talents in Saudi Arabia

On a recent episode of BoxingScene’s Top Stories on ProBox TV, trainer Robert Garcia told Hall of Famer Marco Antonio Barrera that he might have some interesting career decisions ahead.

Lawrence Okolie-bound Hussein Muhamed seeks to impress Frank Warren

Hussein Muhamed views Saturday’s fight with Lawrence Okolie as a springboard to more lucrative contests in the heavyweight division.

Boxing owes it to its fighters to stop letting them fight

Taking punches to the face and body from rigorously trained athletes seems, in theory, like a profession with a very high rate of alienating its participants. Instead it seems to have an addictive effect. Fighters retire too late at a nearly perfect...

Robeisy Ramirez wants to end Naoya Inoue’s historic run: ‘He’s too small for 126 pounds, you hit your limits at some point’

Robeisy Ramirez is determined to avenge his loss and regain the WBO featherweight title when he faces Rafael Espinoza in a rematch on Saturday.

Gervonta Davis dismisses fight with Shakur Stevenson: 'What has he done in the sport?'

Despite calls for them to fight, Gervonta Davis is unimpressed with Shakur Stevenson's resume and lack of aggression.

Gervonta Davis says recent birth of son has him ready to retire after 2025

Gervonta Davis's mindset is shifting away from the fight game.

Devin Haney is overhyped, says Richardson Hitchins: ‘He's not the guy you think he is’

Gervonta Davis suggests retirement awaits in 2025 ahead of Lamont Roach showdown

At the press conference ahead of the March 1 Gervonta Davis-Lamont Roach bout, Davis indicated that he plans to retire after one more year of fighting.

Terence Crawford will be sidelined until May due to injury

According to Turki Alalshikh, Terence Crawford will not be able to fight until May.

Xander Zayas jilted by Vergil Ortiz, who’ll instead fight Madrimov: ‘I accepted the fight, never heard back’

The carousel of contenders who emerged for Vergil Ortiz Jnr’s next fight featured plenty of top fighters far and wide, but eventually, it was Israil Madrimov who was the winner and got the chance to face the knockout artist on February 22 in Saudi Ar...

Bob Santos rules out Abel Ramos rematch, says Mario Barrios prefers either Manny Pacquiao or Conor Benn

Renowned trainer Bob Santos has ruled out a possible rematch between Mario Barrios and Abel Ramos, saying they’re looking in a different direction.

Adam Azim ready to take ‘step up’ against Sergey Lipinets

Junior welterweight prospect Adam Azim takes another step-up boxing’s ladder on February 1 when he takes on former IBF champion Sergey Lipinets.

The Manny, Manny Hall of Fame-worthy sides of Pacquiao

This is hardly an original observation, but it is nonetheless a remarkable reality that would be true of very few boxers in history: you could divide Manny Pacquiao’s boxing career into two distinct halves...

Gavin Gwynne: Even Cameron Vuong knows I deserved the decision

The vast majority of observers believed that Gavin Gwynne deserved to win Saturday. Instead Cameron Vuong maintained his unbeaten record courtesy of a close, disputed unanimous decision.

Claressa Shields likely to see her influence expand with biopic

Claressa Shields, widely regarded as the most accomplished women’s boxer in history, is set to add another milestone to her historic career with the release of a feature film based on her life and career.

Lawrence Okolie: Forgettable Hussein Muhamed ‘must not have been good’

Lawrence Okolie believes his inability to recall sparring Hussein Muhamed is a reflection of the German not impressing him.

Tributes mark the tragic death of Israel Vazquez

Tributes are being paid to Israel Vazquez after Mauricio Sulaiman, the president of the WBC, confirmed that the Mexican had died of cancer at the age of 46

Promoter Ben Shalom eyeing ‘special event for women’s boxing’

With Lauren Price and Natasha Jonas meeting in separate fights on Saturday, December 14, attention has already turned to a unified championship fight between them next year.

Richardson Hitchins says he overlooked Gustavo Lemos in 'ass' performance

Richardson Hitchins is fortunate to be fighting for a world title against IBF junior welterweight champ Liam Paro on Saturday night in San Juan, Puerto Rico on DAZN.

Unified champion Oscar Collazo only at the beginning of his journey

Oscar Collazo says that his recent visit to Saudi Arabia took “at least three years” off his life. That was the flight, not the fight. “Man, it hurt a lot,” he said of the 20-hour trip to Riyadh from Puerto Rico. “When we arrived ov...

The curious case of the diverse featherweight division

The featherweight division, a curious weight class where fighters defy the typical size standards, is among boxing’s most perplexing. From 5ft 2ins Nick Ball to 6ft 1ins Rafael Espinoza, who defends his WBO title this weekend against Robeisy Ramirez,...

Teofimo Lopez Jnr: Devin Haney ignored 'good, reasonable' offer

Teofimo Lopez Jnr had a mostly quiet year defending his WBO junior welterweight crown against Jamaine Ortiz and Steve Claggett. Come 2025, however, Lopez wants to live up to his nickname of the Takeover once again by being involved in big-time fights...

Artur Beterbiev-Dmitry Bivol II set for February 22 in Riyadh

Artur Beterbiev and Dmitry Bivol will rematch for the undisputed light heavyweight title on February 22 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

TV Picks of the Week: Rematches! Emanuel Navarrete-Oscar Valdez II and Rafael Espinoza-Robeisy Ramirez II

The biggest fights to watch on TV between December 5 and December 7, 2024.

Champion ‘Rayo’ Valenzuela sues Benavidez Snr in potential precedent-setting claim

In an effort to void his management agreement, WBA junior-welterweight champion Jose “Rayo” Valenzuela has filed a lawsuit in Southern California.

Lamont Roach Snr: ‘Only right to have Gervonta Davis fight on this side of town’

Lamont Roach Snr is buzzing with excitement, thrilled not just about his son’s shot at Gervonta Davis but also that the fight will unfold closer to home.

Liam Smith targeting February return to action

Former WBO junior middleweight champion Liam Smith will have to wait a little bit longer before getting back into the ring.

WBC interim heavyweight title to be on the line when Zhilei Zhang and Agit Kabayal collide

The heavyweight 12-rounder between Zhilei Zhang and Agit Kabayel, slated for the huge February 22 card in Saudi Arabia, will be for the WBC interim strap.

Swimming in the darkness: The tragedy of Darren Sutherland

In 2009, Irish prospect and former Olympian Darren Sutherland was a new pro who was tipped for the top. A few months later, Sutherland hanged himself. It's a tragedy we're still making sense of today.

Rick Mirigian miffed over failed Vergil Ortiz Jnr-Jaron Ennis talks

It’s a somber time for Rick Mirigian, manager of Vergil Ortiz Jnr, as he grapples with the reality that the highly anticipated fight between Ortiz and Jaron "Boots" Ennis will not take place.

Jack Catterall waiting on Liam Paro before plotting next move

Jack Catterall has had a few weeks to recover from October’s decision victory over Regis Prograis and is ready to begin planning a big 2025 – but not before Liam Paro and Richardson Hitchins meet Saturday.

Adam Azim set to fight Sergey Lipinets on February 1

Adam Azim is to be matched with Sergey Lipinets of Kazakhstan on February 1, BoxingScene understands

Shakur Stevenson-Floyd Schofield a 'done deal'

Shakur Stevenson and Floyd Schofield are nearing an agreement to fight for Stevenson’s WBC lightweight title

Boxxer aims to build from ground up, not via marquee signings

Boxxer promoter Ben Shalom is planning to bring through more talent by adding to his stable, rather than signing established fighters in or around the world scene.

Eddie Hearn: Shakur Stevenson-Floyd Schofield has 'a chance'

Matchroom Boxing chairman Eddie Hearn says he isn’t yet sure whether Floyd Schofield is the opponent to take on Shakur Stevenson – but won't rule it out.

Mickey Bey reflects on a fighting career that might not be over just yet

Mickey Bey’s career might not have been perfect, but the former IBF lightweight titleholder is always about finding ways to win, even when the odds weren’t in his favor. Now 41, the Cleveland-born fighter is in the twilight of his career, training on...

Manny Pacquiao ‘could be fighting until he's 50’ – still eyeing comeback against Mario Barrios

The sand in the hourglass of Manny Pacquiao’s on-again, off-again flirtation with fighting could be winding down.

‘Cosmopolitan’ Mahmoud Charr says he plans to make Kubrat Pulev quit and ‘stop his career’

When heavyweights Mahmoud Charr and Kubrat Pulev finally meet in Sofia, Bulgaria this Saturday (December 7), they will bring to the ring a combined 72 professional fights, 83 years, and almost as many years’ worth of inactivity, confusion, and frustr...