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Daniel Dubois Vows to End Oleksandr Usyk’s Reign as World Heavyweight Champion Daniel Dubois has declared his readiness to take on Oleksandr Usyk for the WBA, WBO, IBO, and IBF heavyweight titles. Usyk, the former undisputed cruiserweight champion, recently walked away from talks to fight WBC champion Tyson Fury, and his team is now looking to fulfill his mandatory obligations. Dubois, the WBA regular champion, suffered an ACL injury in his last fight against Kevin Lerena but underwent surgery immediately after the bout. After months of rehabilitation, the 25-year-old Londoner says he is now fit and healthy and ready to take on Usyk. The WBA had given both teams until April 1 to agree on a "mega fight" that would allow Usyk to forego his mandatory obligation to Dubois. With the collapse of the Fury-Usyk negotiations, the former cruiserweight kingpin must fight Dubois next or relinquish the WBA Super title. Despite some suggestions that Dubois may turn down the opportunity to face Usyk in order to gain more experience at the highest level, the British fighter is determined to seize the moment. "I'm ready to end his reign," Dubois said. "I'm 100 up for it, fit and healthy, and I'm going to knock him out. How do I do it? I just have to land the right shot. It's all about timing, and this is my time." Dubois, who has won 19 of his 20 professional fights, sees Usyk's size as a potential weakness and plans to pressure him with his power and aggression. "I have to test that chin," he said. "Can I do better than Dereck Chisora did? Of course. I've got to let my hands go, not hold back, and just be myself. I know what to do, my trainer knows what to do. When I watch him, I see ways to win, and I know I've got the power to knock him out. That's me, that's how I fight, and that's what I bring: devastation." Dubois also reflected on his recovery from the ACL injury, describing the rehabilitation process as like "learning to walk again." However, he feels his knee is now stronger than ever and is confident of his ability to dethrone Usyk. "It was a major injury, but I had surgery on it straight after the fight nearly four months ago," he said. "To fight by the end of May, June, that would be no problem at all. The rehab is long, boring, and hard, but well worth it. I'm back punching again, bags, pads, all of that, and my knee feels brand new." The date and location of the Dubois-Usyk fight are yet to be confirmed, but the Londoner is ready and waiting for his chance to become a world champion.

David Benavidez calls out Canelo Alvarez for September, but will he get the fight? David Benavidez dominated Caleb Plant with a unanimous decision win on Saturday night, and immediately called out Canelo Alvarez for a fight in September. However, that fight is unlikely to happen, as Canelo is already scheduled to fight Dmitry Bivol in September, provided he beats John Ryder in May. Realistically, the earliest Benavidez can hope for a shot at Canelo is next year in May 2024. David Benavidez's performance against Caleb Plant was impressive, and he made it clear that he's ready for a shot at Canelo. Benavidez has been chasing Canelo for years, and he's made no secret of his desire to face his countryman superstar. He's a tough and skilled fighter, with an impressive record of 24 wins and no losses. His win over Plant was dominant, and he showed that he has the power and the skills to compete at the highest level. However, Canelo is a different kind of opponent. He's one of the best pound-for-pound fighters in the world, and he's beaten some of the biggest names in boxing. He's a master of strategy, and he knows how to use his power and speed to his advantage. If Canelo does fight Benavidez, it would be a highly anticipated match-up. Benavidez has the power and the skills to give Canelo a run for his money, and it would be an exciting fight for fans to watch. For now, though, Benavidez will have to wait his turn. Canelo has other fights scheduled, and it's uncertain when or if he will agree to fight Benavidez. In the meantime, Benavidez will continue to train and prepare for his next opponent, whoever that may be. If Canelo loses in his upcoming homecoming fight, he may consider a fight with Benavidez, but it's unlikely that his trainer/manager Eddy Reynoso will want to risk another loss for Canelo against an apex predator like Benavidez. Benavidez has been chasing Canelo for years, but after watching what he did to Plant, he may not be feeling confident about fighting him. Jermall Charlo, who plans to move up to 168 this year, praised Benavidez's performance against Plant, but it's unclear if he will be the one to challenge Benavidez next. In the end, it's up to Canelo and his team to decide who he fights next. While Benavidez may be a worthy opponent, it's uncertain if he will get the chance to face Canelo anytime soon.

The Moloney twins are set to make history in the sport of boxing. Both Andrew and Jason have secured title fights within consecutive weekends, giving them the chance to bring home major titles to Australia. Andrew Moloney’s fight against Japan’s Junto Nakatani for the vacant WBO junior bantamweight title is set to take place on May 20 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. Meanwhile, Jason Moloney will challenge for the vacant WBO bantamweight title one week prior against the Philippines’ Vincent Astrolabio. The Moloney brothers are no strangers to the world of professional boxing. Andrew, who is ranked just one spot below Nakatani in the WBO junior bantamweight rankings, previously won the interim WBA junior bantamweight title in November 2019 and was upgraded to WBA ‘Regular’ titlist in 2020. However, he failed to produce a successful defense, losing his title to Joshua Franco in his June 2020 U.S. debut in Las Vegas. Moloney and Franco then engaged in a bizarre trilogy, with Moloney initially winning the title back in their November 2020 rematch, only for the fight to be ruled a No-Contest when it was deemed Franco’s badly swollen right eye was the result of an accidental clash of heads. Their August 2021 trilogy clash saw Franco prevail via unanimous decision. Andrew’s upcoming fight against Nakatani is a significant opportunity for him to claim another world title. Nakatani was named the mandatory challenger to the WBO junior bantamweight title during the sanctioning body’s convention last October in San Juan, Puerto Rico. He won the WBO flyweight title in November 2020 and made two successful defenses before relinquishing the crown last October. Nakatani made his junior bantamweight debut in his most recent start, when he outpointed former unified strawweight titlist and current top ten junior bantamweight contender Francisco ‘Chihuas’ Rodriguez last November 1 in Saitama, Japan. Jason, on the other hand, is a former Commonwealth Games gold medalist and has been making waves in the bantamweight division. He will challenge for the vacant WBO bantamweight title against the Philippines’ Vincent Astrolabio on May 13 as part of an ESPN telecast. The Janibek Alimkhanuly-Steven Butler WBO middleweight title fight will headline the event from a location that has yet to be determined. The Moloney brothers are determined to bring home the titles and make history in the sport of boxing. If they are successful, they will become the first Australian twins to hold world boxing titles at the same time. This is a significant achievement for the brothers and Australian boxing, as they continue to pave the way for up-and-coming boxers in the country. In conclusion, Andrew and Jason Moloney have a golden opportunity to win major titles in consecutive weekends. Their upcoming fights are set to be some of the most exciting and anticipated bouts of the year, with the potential for them to make boxing history. The Moloney brothers have trained hard and are ready to take on the challenges that lie ahead. We wish them the best of luck as they represent Australia on the world stage.

Cory Sandhagen put on an impressive performance against Marlon Vera in the highly-anticipated bantamweight headliner of UFC San Antonio, except for one judge's scoring. Sandhagen's diverse style kept Vera from gaining momentum throughout the 25-minute fight. Despite judge Joel Ojeda's questionable scorecard in favor of Vera, Sandhagen won decisively with 50-45 and 49-46 scorecards. Sandhagen's high-level skills were on display early in the fight, as he landed a variety of strikes and moved constantly, while Vera relied on his durability and sneaky leg kicks. Even after Sandhagen landed a flying knee and took Vera down, Vera was able to cut him open from his back. However, Sandhagen continued to control the fight with his movement and striking, including an aggressive start to the second round, which saw him secure a takedown and transition to side control, looking for a kimura. In the third round, Vera began to open up more, landing hard kicks and a left hand to Sandhagen's jaw, while Sandhagen continued to switch stances and keep Vera guessing. Sandhagen defended Vera's takedown attempts in the championship rounds and remained relentless with his wrestling attack, despite occasional strikes from Vera. After the fight, Sandhagen called for a fight with Merab Dvalishvili, who was in attendance. Sandhagen's win marked his second consecutive victory and ended Vera's impressive four-fight win streak.

Gervonta Davis: The New Face of Boxing? In the world of boxing, being recognized as the top pound-for-pound fighter is a coveted title that countless fighters aspire to attain. However, there is another mythical title that many fighters yearn for - being the needle mover, the ticket seller, and the star among stars. And according to Gervonta Davis, he is the man who currently holds this title. Despite the likes of Anthony Joshua, Deontay Wilder, and Canelo Alvarez being viewed as the top dogs in the sport, Davis firmly believes that he has usurped them all as the face of boxing. His claims may be audacious, but they may also have some merit behind them. Davis has consistently packed out arenas across the globe and has shown to be a draw in the pay-per-view market, regardless of who he faces. In his most recent fight against Hector Luis Garcia, Davis generated roughly 220k pay-per-view buys. However, that number is expected to increase tenfold when Davis takes on fellow unbeaten and widely popular star, Ryan Garcia, on April 22nd at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. As his mega-clash with Garcia draws near, Davis has taken notice of his surroundings in the boxing landscape. While he acknowledges that there are many talented fighters with growing followings, he firmly believes that they are merely playing follow the leader, and that he is the one leading the charge. Davis has also realized that history repeats itself, and that he is merely following in the footsteps of the greats who came before him, such as Floyd Mayweather and Oscar De La Hoya. He believes that he possesses that intangible quality that cannot be taught, and that many fighters are trying to emulate him in the same way that others tried to emulate Muhammad Ali and Mike Tyson in their prime. Whether or not Davis is truly the face of boxing remains to be seen. However, his unwavering confidence and impressive track record suggest that he may be onto something. As he prepares to take on Ryan Garcia in what promises to be a blockbuster event, all eyes will be on Gervonta Davis to see if he can back up his claims and cement his place in boxing history as one of the all-time greats.

Lawrence Okolie Retains WBO Cruiserweight Title after 13 Months Out of the Ring After 13 months of absence from the ring, Lawrence Okolie drew a line under a turbulent period of his career by defending his WBO cruiserweight title against David Light. Despite Okolie's relocation to Dubai and then to America to work with trainer Sugar Hill Steward, Light was given almost no chance of securing a second consecutive upset following his victory over Brandon Glandon in December. In the end, Okolie's workmanlike performance proved too much for Light, who never got close to the champion throughout the fight. While the judges' scores flattered Light somewhat, with Michael Alexander giving the bout to Okolie 116-112, Deon Dwarte scoring it 117-110, and Jean Gauthier's 119-108 closest to the money, Okolie's point deduction for holding in the 11th made the fight closer on paper than it was in reality. Reflecting on his performance, Okolie admitted that he felt rusty but was happy to have shaken it off. "He was very tough," Okolie said. "I always believe between 7-9 are my rounds to get people out of there, and that was when I was starting to hurt him, but I couldn’t get that last shot to drop him." When asked about his next opponent, Okolie was clear that he was willing to take on all comers, including those who might think he is "rubbish." His willingness to fight anyone is a testament to his confidence and determination to prove himself in the ring. The fight was also significant for Okolie because it marked his first fight under the Boxxer banner after leaving his longtime promoter Eddie Hearn. Okolie won British, Commonwealth, European, and world titles with Matchroom, but he has since left and described Hearn as "vindictive" during this fight week. Okolie's decision to leave Matchroom marks a turning point in his career, and it remains to be seen how his relationship with Boxxer will develop in the future. Despite his long absence from the ring, Okolie's performance against Light was by-and-large the Okolie of old: heavy-handed and dangerous, but often struggling to find his range. Light did little to make an impression on Okolie, but he did well to stay out of any real trouble. In the end, Okolie's victory was hard-fought, but it was well-deserved. With unification options and even a move up to heavyweight on the horizon, Okolie's win over Light marks a new chapter in his career, and fans will undoubtedly be eagerly awaiting his next bout.

Benavidez Decisively Defeats Plant in Grudge Match David Benavidez emerged victorious over Caleb Plant in their grudge match on Saturday night at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. The fight was the highlight of the Showtime Pay-Per-View event, which drew a crowd of 13,865. The two fighters exchanged words and had a contentious buildup leading to the bout, but they embraced each other after the 12-round fight ended. Benavidez, who consistently landed powerful punches and applied pressure throughout the second half of the fight, won convincingly on two of the judges' scorecards. Plant boxed well in the first half of the 168-pound bout, but Benavidez's power wore him down as the fight progressed. Plant also slowed Benavidez at times by holding excessively in the later rounds. Benavidez (27-0, 23 KOs), who was a 3-1 favorite, defended his WBC interim super middleweight title and maintained his spot as the WBC's mandatory challenger for undisputed 168-pound champion Canelo Alvarez (58-2-2, 39 KOs). Plant (22-2, 13 KOs), the former IBF super middleweight champ, lost for the second time in his past three fights. Alvarez dropped him twice in the 11th round and stopped him in their 168-pound title unification fight in November 2021 at MGM Grand Garden Arena. Although Plant couldn't hurt Benavidez with any of his punches on Saturday night, he acknowledged Benavidez as the better fighter after the bout. "David is a helluva fighter," Plant said. "We haven't been the best of friends, but we got into the ring and we settled it like men. That's what you're supposed to do." Benavidez praised Plant as well, saying, "He's a helluva fighter. I'm happy we gave the fans the best rivalry of the year or the last five years. I'm just very happy." With this victory, Benavidez has proven himself to be a serious contender in the super middleweight division, and a potential future opponent for Alvarez.

Jarrell Miller’s Career Hinges on Comeback as Critics Pounce Jarrell Miller, a Brooklyn-based heavyweight contender, has been on a tumultuous journey in the boxing world. He was once on the cusp of achieving worldwide fame and fulfilling a long-standing dream of becoming a world champion. However, a series of failed drug tests derailed his career, and he was handed a two-year ban from the sport. After serving his suspension, Miller has been on a comeback trail, picking up three consecutive victories. However, his latest win against former titleholder Lucas Browne was met with criticism, particularly from Dillian Whyte, who called him “so so so so shit” on his social media account. Whyte is also hoping to position himself for a showdown against one of the heavyweight division’s elite. He eked out a controversial majority decision win against Jermaine Franklin in his last fight and is rumored to be eyeing a rematch with former Olympic gold medalist Anthony Joshua. Miller, on the other hand, continues to work on his comeback, hoping to shed the criticism and regain the respect of the boxing community. His initial shot at worldwide fame, a match against Joshua, slipped through his fingers due to his failed drug tests. However, he remains determined to achieve his dream of becoming a world champion. The road to redemption for Miller is a long and challenging one. He will need to prove himself against tougher opponents and silence his critics to regain his position as a heavyweight contender. However, with his skills and determination, Miller could still make a name for himself in the boxing world and achieve his dream of becoming a world champion. Only time will tell if he will succeed or fall short once again.

Donald 'Cowboy' Cerrone has been announced as a member of the 2023 UFC Hall of Fame class, cementing his legacy as one of the greatest fighters to ever step foot inside the Octagon. The official announcement that "Cowboy" will be named into the 2023 UFC Hall of Fame class was made at Saturday's UFC San Antonio event. The ceremony is planned to be held from July 3 to July 9 during International Fight Week. The ceremony's precise date and place have not yet been revealed. Cerrone, 39, follows a distinguished class of 2023 inductees, which also features lighter-weight pioneer Jens Pulver and Brazilian superstars Anderson Silva and Jose Aldo. Cerrone, known for his exciting fighting style and willingness to take on any opponent, holds several records in the UFC. He has the most wins in UFC history, with a total of 36 victories throughout his career. He also holds the record for most finishes, with 23 of his wins coming by way of knockout or submission. Additionally, he has earned the most post-fight bonuses in UFC history, with an incredible 18 fight night bonuses to his name. Cerrone made his UFC debut in 2011, after building a reputation as one of the top fighters in the WEC. He quickly made a name for himself in the UFC, impressively winning his first four fights. Over the years, he has faced many of the top fighters in multiple weight classes. While he was at his peak, Cerrone was recognized for his great activity. He won noteworthy fights versus Charles Oliveira, Jeremy Stephens, Edson Barboza, Eddie Alvarez, Jim Miller, and Benson Henderson which led his way to his first UFC championship chance. Despite never winning a UFC championship, Cerrone's impressive record and willingness to fight anyone put him in the conversation as one of the best fighters in UFC history. His exciting style and willingness to engage in all-out wars with his opponents made him a fan favorite, and he will be remembered as one of the most entertaining fighters of all time. Although losing his final seven fights, he was nevertheless involved in well-known bouts against Conor McGregor, Justin Gaethje, Tony Ferguson, and Anthony Pettis, among others. Cerrone's induction into the UFC Hall of Fame is a fitting tribute to a fighter who gave him his all every time he stepped into the Octagon. His legacy will continue to inspire future generations of fighters, and his place in the Hall of Fame is well-deserved. Congratulations to Donald "Cowboy" Cerrone on this tremendous honor.

Caleb Plant won't be able to handle the pressure and strength of David Benavidez, according to his father and trainer. On March 25 in Las Vegas, Jose Benavidez Sr. predicts that David Benavidez, who will defend the WBC interim super middleweight championship against Plant, will win via knockout. While Canelo Alvarez is the only opponent to halt Plant (22-1, 13 KOs) inside the distance in 23 professional fights, the younger Benavidez has knocked out 88 percent of his opponents since turning pro (26-0, 23 KOs). “We’re training hard not just to win the fight, but to look spectacular and get to even bigger fights,” Jose Benavidez Sr. stated during his son’s open workout recently at their family’s gym in Burien, Washington, just outside of Seattle. “I believe that David is gonna stop Caleb Plant in the eighth or ninth round.” With his unrelenting aggression and heavy punching, both to the body and head, Benavidez often overwhelms opponents. Benavidez has demonstrated an iron chin as well, but the intelligent, skilled Plant is the best boxer he has consented to face over the course of a professional career he started at the age of 16. Benavidez believes that Plant will falter under his pressure given what he has observed each time the former IBF super middleweight champion has faced strong opponents. “You can see that every time Caleb is in the ring with a power puncher, he’s not comfortable,” David Benavidez said. “He beat Jose Uzcategui, but he was hurt in the fight and then Canelo hurt him. Even Anthony Dirrell hit him with good shots, and he’s not a hitter like that.” At the Barclays Center in Brooklyn on October 15, Plant viciously knocked out Dirrell with a picture-perfect left hook in the ninth round. Former WBC 168-pound champion Dirrell (34-3-2, 25 KOs) of Flint, Michigan, was stopped by Benavidez too in the ninth round of their 12-round battle, which took place in September 2019 at Staples Center in Los Angeles. Dirrell was cut badly over his right eye but was still standing. Benavidez believes Plant might go toe-to-toe with him more than people expect because of Plant’s spectacular knockout of Dirrell. “I’ve got the power and I feel like I’m faster,” Benavidez said. “I just have to get my feet in the right position, because he’s going to be moving a lot. I think he has a little bit more confidence after beating Dirrell, though, so we’ll see if he wants to trade with me.”

David Benavidez has always placed more value on securing his legacy than maintaining his spotless track record. He pushed for a collision with Caleb Plant rather than a stay-busy battle against worn-out Jose Uzcategui because of this. It required staying away from the ring for an additional two to three months than anticipated, but the unbeaten former two-time WBC super middleweight champion believes the risk was well worth it. “I’ve said for a while that if I have to carve out my own history, that’s even better for me, fighting all these f-----’ guys nobody wants to face,” Benavidez told the media. “The thing about guys like us at the top is, we don’t care about the possibility of losing. The sparring I’ve done against world champions, the best always comes out of me. I need that in the ring, in a fight that counts. “I’ve been the one talking the most sh!t at 168. I just turned 26. How is the youngest guy the one talking the most sh!t? But I’m always gonna be vocal about wanting to fight the best. If the other guys aren’t willing to speak up and demand better or proven themselves, that’s their f------’ problem.” Benavidez's (26-0, 23KOs) perseverance allowed for the long-awaited rematch with Plant. (22-1, 13KOs). This Saturday's Showtime Pay-Per-View event, which will be broadcast from Las Vegas' MGM Grand Garden Arena, will feature a clash of past super middleweight champions. In their twelve-round fight, Benavidez's interim WBC championship is on the line. The winner of this fight should theoretically become the mandatory challenger for Saul "Canelo" Alvarez (58-2-2, 39KOs), the undisputed super middleweight champion, who will next defend his title against interim WBO champion John Ryder (32-5, 18KOs) on May 6 on a DAZN pay-per-view from his hometown of Guadalajara, Mexico. Benavidez has accepted the fact that Alvarez will hold him up for however long the Mexican champion deems necessary. In his quest to establish himself as the best in the division, the unbeaten 26-year-old receives at least one name from his preferred hit list, which is fine with him whether or not Alvarez ever steps into the ring with him. “I stopped worrying about him a long time ago, to be honest,” insisted Benavidez. “The longer he takes to fight me, the more experience I can gain by beating everyone else. The only thing Canelo beats me at is experience. I’m bigger, I’m stronger and I feel I’m faster. The only f------- thing he has on me is experience. “How do you get experience? You just go do it. You can’t buy experience, you just go get it. So if I have to fight Caleb Plant, David Morrell and all these guys, that’s fine. I’ve been calling out all these guys. I know I’m gonna beat them all. Whatever order I receive them doesn’t matter to me as long as I get them in the ring.”

Joe Joyce still hoping for Tyson Fury vs. Oleksandr Usyk undisputed showdown British boxer Joe Joyce is hoping that Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk can still find a way to make their highly-anticipated undisputed heavyweight showdown happen. Despite both camps admitting that the fight is currently off the table due to disagreements over the monetary split for the rematch, Joyce is optimistic that the fight can still be made. Joyce, who is the WBO’s mandatory challenger, believes that the undisputed heavyweight title fight needs to happen, and that it will open up more opportunities for fighters in the division. He prefers a domestic showdown with Fury, but first, he must beat Zhilei Zhang on April 15. “I’ve got the WBO Interim, I want the full title. Then people can challenge me for it, be in some great fights and then we can all live happily ever after,” Joyce said. “First I’ve got to beat up Zhang, before I can go and beat up Fury. I aim to have a destructive performance and beat him in style and then push [for] the Fury fight.” Joyce is hoping that the Fury-Usyk fight can still be made, as he believes it will be a great spectacle for boxing fans. Usyk, who holds the WBO, IBF, IBO, and WBA world titles, has several mandatory obligations on the table, with the WBA’s mandatory, Daniel Dubois, up first. “Can you just get the fight made please guys? I thought it was on. What’s the reason this time?” Joyce said. “Everyone wants to see undisputed. It’s been such a long time. Once that fight’s happened, then there’s another undisputed fight queued up. In the meantime, I’m hoping that [Fury-Usyk] fight gets across the line. A big fight with Zhang and hopefully things will get ironed out and I fight Fury after.”