Tag: Anthony Dirrell

Anthony Dirrell determined to prove that he still has it

Anthony Dirrell is determined to prove against Kyrone Davis on Saturday that he remains an elite fighter.

Anthony Dirrell’s primary goal going into his fight with Kyrone Davis on Saturday in Los Angeles isn’t complicated: The former titleholder wants to demonstrate that he remains one of the best super middleweights in the world.

Dirrell, 36, is coming off a ninth-round knockout loss to then-titleholder David Benavidez in a fight that was stopped because of a cut above Dirrell’s right eye in September 2019.

The veteran was competitive but well behind on the cards when the fight was stopped, 79-73, 78-74 and 78-74 after eight rounds. That and his previous performance against Avni Yildirim led many to believe that his best days were behind him.

Dirrell, as confident as ever, couldn’t care less what anyone thinks.

“I don’t listen to anybody,” he said on a Zoom conference call. “I don’t listen to y’all, to be honest. I know what I bring to the table. I know how I train. If I train the right way, nobody can beat me.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mr–KJPb440&t=675s

No one will question Dirrell’s toughness.

He contracted and overcame non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma in the mid-2000s to reign twice as a super middleweight titleholder. He outpointed Sakio Bika to win the WBC belt in 2014 and lost it to Badou Jack by a majority decision in his first defense the following year.

In 2019, he regained the same title by winning a 10th-round technical split decision over Yildirim. Dirrell was cut above his left eye as the result of an accidental headbutt, which sent the fight to the scorecards.

Dirrell had said before the Yildirim fight that it might be his last because of his long career and desire to spend more time with his family but he couldn’t pass up the opportunity to defend his title against Benavidez, which didn’t turn out well.

Seventeen months later he seems to have a fire beneath him once again. He was asked what he wants to demonstrate against Davis (15-2, 6 KOs), a skillful technician from Delaware who is moving up from 160 pounds.

“That I’m still one of the top contenders, that I never dropped,” he said. “I’m still here, still in contention.”

The fight with Davis is a WBC title eliminator. So is a bout between Benavidez and Ronald Ellis, which is scheduled for March 13. That means the winner of the two fights could face one another for the right to fight titleholder Canelo Alvarez if Alvarez beats Yildirim on Saturday.

However, Dirrell said he wants nothing to do with the Benavidez-Ellis winner at this stage of his career.

“I don’t want it,” he said. “I want a championship, I want to fight for a belt. If it ain’t for a belt, I don’t want to fight for it. I’m not looking past Kyrone. I don’t look past nobody. I train for everybody the damn same.

“He knows what I bring to the table and the world knows what I bring to the table.”

[lawrence-related id=614,18032]

Avni Yildirim: Big opportunity, big underdog, big dreams

Avni Yildirim plans to shock the world in his title fight against Canelo Alvarez on Saturday in Miami.

Avni Yildirim’s worst night as a professional fighter occurred on Oct. 17, 2017, when Chris Eubank Jr. landed a brutal left hook to knock out the normally rugged Turkish fighter in three rounds.

And both fans and journalists won’t let him forget it.

That fight is one of many reasons Yildirim is given little to no chance of beating super middleweight titleholder Canelo Alvarez on Saturday night at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami (DAZN).

Yildirm is tired of hearing the name Eubank.

“I want to tell you something,” he told Boxing Junkie on Wednesday. “Many of the journalists want to mention Eubank. That was 3½ years ago. After that, I had many fights. If you want to see my performance, come see it on Saturday.

“… I want to show something to people. I’m here. I’m ready.”

Yildirim (21-2, 12 KOs) has had some success post-Eubank. He won five consecutive fights, albeit against second-tier opposition. And, in his most-recent fight two years ago, he lost a 10-round technical decision against Anthony Dirrell – a fight shortened because of a cut above Dirrell’s left eye — for the then-vacant WBC 168-pound title.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8J512f1Omhg

The Dirrell fight might’ve been Yildirim’s best performance given the quality of his opponent. Two judges scored it 96-94 (six rounds to four) while third had Yildirim up 98-92.

Still, Alvarez has climbed to roughly a 30-1 favorite to win the fight as of Wednesday evening, according to BetMGM. In other words, he’s in roughly the same boat as Buster Douglas against Mike Tyson and, later, Evander Holyfield and Tyson.

Yes, he has a chance, however small.

Yildirim’s nickname – “The Robot” – illustrates his come-forward, offense-oriented fighting style. That approach didn’t work against Eubank and it is unlikely to be effective against Alvarez, a hard, accurate puncher.

Yildirim seemed to acknowledge his limitations when he hired respected trainer Joel Diaz to help him prepare for this fight. Two things jumped out at Diaz immediately: He works hard and he listens, which has led to some improvement.

Perhaps you could call him Robot 2.0.

“When Avni came to me for the first time, I was surprised [by] his boxing ability,” Diaz told ESPN. “He had no defense whatsoever. He was a straightforward fighter, taking punches to give punches.

“We dedicated time to him to teach him more defense, more offense, more movement. … [But] I noticed that he was willing to learn. He never complains in the gym.

“I put him through some of the most extreme exercises and he never says no, he never complains. He’s mentally focused. He knows, in front of us, we have a tough task. With group preparation, we can become victorious.

“I am with him 100% from beginning to end.”

The oddsmakers say a Dolphins jersey will be the only prize with which Avni Yildirim leaves Miami. Ed Mulholland / Matchroom Boxing

Beginning to end has been quite some time for Yildirim. He became the mandatory challenger not long after David Benavidez stopped Dirrell to win the WBC title in September 2019, after which Benavidez lost the belt on the scales.

Yildirim then stepped aside so Alvarez could fight Callum Smith for the vacant title on Dec. 19 with the understand that Yildirim would face the winner, although he undoubtedly was also paid X amount for his trouble. Alvarez won a one-sided decision.

So now it’s Yildirim’s turn, a chance – however faint – to realize the dreams he’s had since he first stepped into an Istanbul gym at 13 years old.

The oddsmakers and the doubters in general can go you know where. He isn’t showing up simply for a payday and 15 minutes of fame. His plan is to shock the world, a la Douglas and Holyfield.

“I want to accomplish so many things I my life,” he said. “This fight is needed for that. It’s a great chance for me, to reach my goals. I’m not speaking about money. I’m speaking about honor. I want to be remembered as a superstar in boxing.

“I want to be remembered as a great champion.”

[lawrence-related id=18057,18040,17675]

Avni Yildirim: Big opportunity, big underdog, big dreams

Avni Yildirim plans to shock the world in his title fight against Canelo Alvarez on Saturday in Miami.

Avni Yildirim’s worst night as a professional fighter occurred on Oct. 17, 2017, when Chris Eubank Jr. landed a brutal left hook to knock out the normally rugged Turkish fighter in three rounds.

And both fans and journalists won’t let him forget it.

That fight is one of many reasons Yildirim is given little to no chance of beating super middleweight titleholder Canelo Alvarez on Saturday night at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami (DAZN).

Yildirm is tired of hearing the name Eubank.

“I want to tell you something,” he told Boxing Junkie on Wednesday. “Many of the journalists want to mention Eubank. That was 3½ years ago. After that, I had many fights. If you want to see my performance, come see it on Saturday.

“… I want to show something to people. I’m here. I’m ready.”

Yildirim (21-2, 12 KOs) has had some success post-Eubank. He won five consecutive fights, albeit against second-tier opposition. And, in his most-recent fight two years ago, he lost a 10-round technical decision against Anthony Dirrell – a fight shortened because of a cut above Dirrell’s left eye — for the then-vacant WBC 168-pound title.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8J512f1Omhg

The Dirrell fight might’ve been Yildirim’s best performance given the quality of his opponent. Two judges scored it 96-94 (six rounds to four) while third had Yildirim up 98-92.

Still, Alvarez has climbed to roughly a 30-1 favorite to win the fight as of Wednesday evening, according to BetMGM. In other words, he’s in roughly the same boat as Buster Douglas against Mike Tyson and, later, Evander Holyfield and Tyson.

Yes, he has a chance, however small.

Yildirim’s nickname – “The Robot” – illustrates his come-forward, offense-oriented fighting style. That approach didn’t work against Eubank and it is unlikely to be effective against Alvarez, a hard, accurate puncher.

Yildirim seemed to acknowledge his limitations when he hired respected trainer Joel Diaz to help him prepare for this fight. Two things jumped out at Diaz immediately: He works hard and he listens, which has led to some improvement.

Perhaps you could call him Robot 2.0.

“When Avni came to me for the first time, I was surprised [by] his boxing ability,” Diaz told ESPN. “He had no defense whatsoever. He was a straightforward fighter, taking punches to give punches.

“We dedicated time to him to teach him more defense, more offense, more movement. … [But] I noticed that he was willing to learn. He never complains in the gym.

“I put him through some of the most extreme exercises and he never says no, he never complains. He’s mentally focused. He knows, in front of us, we have a tough task. With group preparation, we can become victorious.

“I am with him 100% from beginning to end.”

The oddsmakers say a Dolphins jersey will be the only prize with which Avni Yildirim leaves Miami. Ed Mulholland / Matchroom Boxing

Beginning to end has been quite some time for Yildirim. He became the mandatory challenger not long after David Benavidez stopped Dirrell to win the WBC title in September 2019, after which Benavidez lost the belt on the scales.

Yildirim then stepped aside so Alvarez could fight Callum Smith for the vacant title on Dec. 19 with the understand that Yildirim would face the winner, although he undoubtedly was also paid X amount for his trouble. Alvarez won a one-sided decision.

So now it’s Yildirim’s turn, a chance – however faint – to realize the dreams he’s had since he first stepped into an Istanbul gym at 13 years old.

The oddsmakers and the doubters in general can go you know where. He isn’t showing up simply for a payday and 15 minutes of fame. His plan is to shock the world, a la Douglas and Holyfield.

“I want to accomplish so many things I my life,” he said. “This fight is needed for that. It’s a great chance for me, to reach my goals. I’m not speaking about money. I’m speaking about honor. I want to be remembered as a superstar in boxing.

“I want to be remembered as a great champion.”

[lawrence-related id=18057,18040,17675]

Fight Week: Canelo Alvarez returns to defend 168-pound titles

Fight Week: Canelo Alvarez returns on Saturday to defend his 168-pound titles.

FIGHT WEEK

Canelo Alvarez makes the first defense of his 168-pound titles against prohibitive underdog Avni Yildirim on Saturday night in Miami

***

DANIELE SCARDINA (18-0, 14 KOs) VS.
CESAR NUNEZ (17-2-1, 9 KOs)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u9KlsKzTnIU

  • When: Friday, Feb. 26
  • Where: Allianz Cloud, Milan, Italy
  • TV/Stream: DAZN
  • Division: Super middleweight (168 pounds)
  • At stake: European title
  • Pound-for-pound ranking: None
  • Odds: NA
  • Also on the card: Maxim Prodan vs. Nicola Cristofori, welterweights; Francesco Grandelli vs. Davide Tassi, featherweights; Tobia Loriga vs. Nicholas Esposito, welterweights
  • Prediction: Scardina KO 9
  • Background: Scardina is a 28-year-old Italian who is based in Miami. The capable boxer-puncher from the town of Rozzano has had success against European-level opposition but has yet to face elite opposition. He has a good knockout record but has gone the distance in his last three fights. He was last in the ring in Dec. 18, when he outpointed Serhiy Radchenko. Nunez, a 35-year-old Spaniard, probably isn’t a significant threat to Scardina. He’s coming off a second-round TKO victory over journeyman Alejandro Mostazo in Spain but failed to win his previous three fights, in which he was 0-2-1. He was stopped by light-punching Vincent Feigenbutz (eighth round) and Edgar Berlanga (first) in those losses.

***

CANELO ALVAREZ (54-1-2, 36 KOs)
VS. AVNI YILDIRIM (21-2, 12 KOs)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ev2k8kucKTk

  • When: Saturday, Feb. 27
  • Where: Hard Rock Stadium, Miami
  • TV/Stream: DAZN and PPV
  • Division: Super middleweight (168 pounds)
  • At stake: Alvarez’s WBA and WBC titles
  • Pound-for-pound ranking: Alvarez No. 2
  • Odds: Alvarez 21-1 (BetMGM)
  • Also on the card: Julio Cesar Martinez vs. McWilliams Arroyo, flyweights (for Martinez’s WBC title); Zhang Zhilei vs. Jerry Forrest, heavyweights
  • Prediction: Alvarez KO 7
  • Background: Alvarez will be making the first defense of the titles he won by easily outpointing Callum Smith on Dec. 19. The 30-year-old Mexican star agreed to fight Yildirim because the Turk is his mandatory challenger and to keep busy after a year-long layoff before the Smith fight. He could fight four times this year, including a title-unification showdown with Billy Joe Saunders in May and possibly another unification matchup with Caleb Plant in September. Yildirim, a 29-year-old from Turkey, is a solid all-round fighter but not in Alvarez’s class. He has a few notable victories (Aaron Pryor Jr. and Marco Antonio Periban) but was blown out by Chris Eubank Jr. in three rounds and lost a unanimous technical decision to Anthony Dirrell in a fight for the then-vacant WBC 168-pound title in February 2019. That was Yildirim’s most-recent fight, which means he will have been out of the ring for two years when he faces Alvarez. The challenger agreed to step aside temporarily so Alvarez could fight then-champion Smith for the titles.

[lawrence-related id=17675,17520]

***

KAMSHYBEK KUNKABAYEV (2-0, 2 KOs)
VS. STEVEN WARD (13-1, 4 KOs)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zJ_JTdHHr2Q

  • When: Saturday, Feb. 27
  • Where: Tynyshpayev Academy of Transport and Communications, Almaty, Kazakhstan
  • TV/Stream: ESPN+
  • Division: Cruiserweight (200 pounds)
  • At stake: No major titles
  • Pound-for-pound ranking: None
  • Odds: NA
  • Also on the card: Evgeny Smirnov vs. Nurtas Azhbenov, lightweights; Zhanibek Alimkhanuly vs. TBA, middleweights
  • Prediction: Kunkabayev KO 7
  • Background: Kunkabayev is another former amateur star on a fast track in the professional ranks. The 29-year-old two-time silver medalist at the World Championships is taking part in a scheduled 10-rounder in only his third pro fight, albeit in his home country. He is a southpaw. Ward, 30, is probably best known for taking on Game of Thrones star “Mountain,” Thor Bjornsson, in an exhibition last month. However, he’s had some success as a legitimate boxer. He started his career 12-0, capped by a technical decision over Liam Conroy to win a minor light heavyweight title in June 2019 only to be stopped in one round by Ricards Bolotniks at the same weight six months later. He bounced back to outpoint journeyman Jone Volau in his first fight as a full-fledged cruiserweight this past September. Bottom line: Ward will be in with a naturally bigger, better and (if you count his amateur career) more experienced opponent.

***

ANTHONY DIRRELL (33-2-1, 24 KOs)
VS. KYRONE DAVIS (15-2, 6 KOs)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PPMe-VIFYC4&t=149s

  • When: Saturday, Feb. 27
  • Where: Shrine Auditorium and Expo Hall, Los Angeles
  • TV/Stream: FOX
  • Division: Super middleweight (168 pounds)
  • At stake: No major titles
  • Pound-for-pound ranking: None
  • Odds: NA
  • Also on the card: Jesus Alejandro Ramos vs. Jesus Emilio Bojorquez, 10 rounds, welterweights
  • Prediction: Dirrell UD
  • Background: Dirrell, a two-time 168-pound titleholder, has been out of the ring since September 2019. That’s when he lost his second belt to David Benavidez by a ninth-round knockout, the result of a deep cut above Dirrell’s right eye that was caused by a punch and ended the fight prematurely. Dirrell was competitive in that bout but faded in the last several rounds. The native of Flint, Mich., had won six consecutive fights before that, including a technical decision over Avni Yildirim in February 2019 to regain a belt. He also was cut in that fight. Dirrell, 36, might be making his last run at another title. Davis, 26, is a capable boxer but is moving up in class. The resident of Wilmington, Del., has beaten two journeymen since he lost a unanimous decision against Patrick Day in March 2018. His last fight was in January of last year, when he stopped Antonio Todd in four rounds.

[lawrence-related id=614]

***

JOSEPH PARKER (27-2, 21 KOs)
VS. JUNIOR FA (19-0, 10 KOs)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6F2x47-ebX0

  • When: Saturday, Feb. 27
  • Where: Spark Arena, Auckland
  • TV/Stream: DAZN
  • Division: Heavyweight (unlimited)
  • At stake: No major titles
  • Pound-for-pound ranking: None
  • Odds: NA
  • Also on the card: Alrie Meleisea vs. Lani Daniels, heavyweights
  • Prediction: Parker UD
  • Background: Parker’s mission is to remain in contention for a title shot should one present himself. The 29-year-old former beltholder from New Zealand has won three consecutive fights – all by knockout – since he lost to Anthony Joshua (which cost him his title) and Dillian Whyte back to back in 2018. Parker last fought in February of last year, when he stopped journeyman Shawndell Winters in five rounds. Fa, also from New Zealand, reportedly defeated Parker twice in the amateurs but has yet to reach the elite level as a professional. Of course, this is his opportunity to get there. He’s coming off a unanimous-decision victory over Devin Vargas in November 2019. Fa is 6-foot-5, an inch taller than Parker, and thick. He weighed 267.5 for the Vargas fight. Parker weighed 245.25 against Winters.

Fight Week: Canelo Alvarez returns to defend 168-pound titles

Fight Week: Canelo Alvarez returns on Saturday to defend his 168-pound titles.

FIGHT WEEK

Canelo Alvarez makes the first defense of his 168-pound titles against prohibitive underdog Avni Yildirim on Saturday night in Miami

***

DANIELE SCARDINA (18-0, 14 KOs) VS.
CESAR NUNEZ (17-2-1, 9 KOs)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u9KlsKzTnIU

  • When: Friday, Feb. 26
  • Where: Allianz Cloud, Milan, Italy
  • TV/Stream: DAZN
  • Division: Super middleweight (168 pounds)
  • At stake: European title
  • Pound-for-pound ranking: None
  • Odds: NA
  • Also on the card: Maxim Prodan vs. Nicola Cristofori, welterweights; Francesco Grandelli vs. Davide Tassi, featherweights; Tobia Loriga vs. Nicholas Esposito, welterweights
  • Prediction: Scardina KO 9
  • Background: Scardina is a 28-year-old Italian who is based in Miami. The capable boxer-puncher from the town of Rozzano has had success against European-level opposition but has yet to face elite opposition. He has a good knockout record but has gone the distance in his last three fights. He was last in the ring in Dec. 18, when he outpointed Serhiy Radchenko. Nunez, a 35-year-old Spaniard, probably isn’t a significant threat to Scardina. He’s coming off a second-round TKO victory over journeyman Alejandro Mostazo in Spain but failed to win his previous three fights, in which he was 0-2-1. He was stopped by light-punching Vincent Feigenbutz (eighth round) and Edgar Berlanga (first) in those losses.

***

CANELO ALVAREZ (54-1-2, 36 KOs)
VS. AVNI YILDIRIM (21-2, 12 KOs)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ev2k8kucKTk

  • When: Saturday, Feb. 27
  • Where: Hard Rock Stadium, Miami
  • TV/Stream: DAZN and PPV
  • Division: Super middleweight (168 pounds)
  • At stake: Alvarez’s WBA and WBC titles
  • Pound-for-pound ranking: Alvarez No. 2
  • Odds: Alvarez 21-1 (BetMGM)
  • Also on the card: Julio Cesar Martinez vs. McWilliams Arroyo, flyweights (for Martinez’s WBC title); Zhang Zhilei vs. Jerry Forrest, heavyweights
  • Prediction: Alvarez KO 7
  • Background: Alvarez will be making the first defense of the titles he won by easily outpointing Callum Smith on Dec. 19. The 30-year-old Mexican star agreed to fight Yildirim because the Turk is his mandatory challenger and to keep busy after a year-long layoff before the Smith fight. He could fight four times this year, including a title-unification showdown with Billy Joe Saunders in May and possibly another unification matchup with Caleb Plant in September. Yildirim, a 29-year-old from Turkey, is a solid all-round fighter but not in Alvarez’s class. He has a few notable victories (Aaron Pryor Jr. and Marco Antonio Periban) but was blown out by Chris Eubank Jr. in three rounds and lost a unanimous technical decision to Anthony Dirrell in a fight for the then-vacant WBC 168-pound title in February 2019. That was Yildirim’s most-recent fight, which means he will have been out of the ring for two years when he faces Alvarez. The challenger agreed to step aside temporarily so Alvarez could fight then-champion Smith for the titles.

[lawrence-related id=17675,17520]

***

KAMSHYBEK KUNKABAYEV (2-0, 2 KOs)
VS. STEVEN WARD (13-1, 4 KOs)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zJ_JTdHHr2Q

  • When: Saturday, Feb. 27
  • Where: Tynyshpayev Academy of Transport and Communications, Almaty, Kazakhstan
  • TV/Stream: ESPN+
  • Division: Cruiserweight (200 pounds)
  • At stake: No major titles
  • Pound-for-pound ranking: None
  • Odds: NA
  • Also on the card: Evgeny Smirnov vs. Nurtas Azhbenov, lightweights; Zhanibek Alimkhanuly vs. TBA, middleweights
  • Prediction: Kunkabayev KO 7
  • Background: Kunkabayev is another former amateur star on a fast track in the professional ranks. The 29-year-old two-time silver medalist at the World Championships is taking part in a scheduled 10-rounder in only his third pro fight, albeit in his home country. He is a southpaw. Ward, 30, is probably best known for taking on Game of Thrones star “Mountain,” Thor Bjornsson, in an exhibition last month. However, he’s had some success as a legitimate boxer. He started his career 12-0, capped by a technical decision over Liam Conroy to win a minor light heavyweight title in June 2019 only to be stopped in one round by Ricards Bolotniks at the same weight six months later. He bounced back to outpoint journeyman Jone Volau in his first fight as a full-fledged cruiserweight this past September. Bottom line: Ward will be in with a naturally bigger, better and (if you count his amateur career) more experienced opponent.

***

ANTHONY DIRRELL (33-2-1, 24 KOs)
VS. KYRONE DAVIS (15-2, 6 KOs)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PPMe-VIFYC4&t=149s

  • When: Saturday, Feb. 27
  • Where: Shrine Auditorium and Expo Hall, Los Angeles
  • TV/Stream: FOX
  • Division: Super middleweight (168 pounds)
  • At stake: No major titles
  • Pound-for-pound ranking: None
  • Odds: NA
  • Also on the card: Jesus Alejandro Ramos vs. Jesus Emilio Bojorquez, 10 rounds, welterweights
  • Prediction: Dirrell UD
  • Background: Dirrell, a two-time 168-pound titleholder, has been out of the ring since September 2019. That’s when he lost his second belt to David Benavidez by a ninth-round knockout, the result of a deep cut above Dirrell’s right eye that was caused by a punch and ended the fight prematurely. Dirrell was competitive in that bout but faded in the last several rounds. The native of Flint, Mich., had won six consecutive fights before that, including a technical decision over Avni Yildirim in February 2019 to regain a belt. He also was cut in that fight. Dirrell, 36, might be making his last run at another title. Davis, 26, is a capable boxer but is moving up in class. The resident of Wilmington, Del., has beaten two journeymen since he lost a unanimous decision against Patrick Day in March 2018. His last fight was in January of last year, when he stopped Antonio Todd in four rounds.

[lawrence-related id=614]

***

JOSEPH PARKER (27-2, 21 KOs)
VS. JUNIOR FA (19-0, 10 KOs)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6F2x47-ebX0

  • When: Saturday, Feb. 27
  • Where: Spark Arena, Auckland
  • TV/Stream: DAZN
  • Division: Heavyweight (unlimited)
  • At stake: No major titles
  • Pound-for-pound ranking: None
  • Odds: NA
  • Also on the card: Alrie Meleisea vs. Lani Daniels, heavyweights
  • Prediction: Parker UD
  • Background: Parker’s mission is to remain in contention for a title shot should one present himself. The 29-year-old former beltholder from New Zealand has won three consecutive fights – all by knockout – since he lost to Anthony Joshua (which cost him his title) and Dillian Whyte back to back in 2018. Parker last fought in February of last year, when he stopped journeyman Shawndell Winters in five rounds. Fa, also from New Zealand, reportedly defeated Parker twice in the amateurs but has yet to reach the elite level as a professional. Of course, this is his opportunity to get there. He’s coming off a unanimous-decision victory over Devin Vargas in November 2019. Fa is 6-foot-5, an inch taller than Parker, and thick. He weighed 267.5 for the Vargas fight. Parker weighed 245.25 against Winters.

David Benavidez fails to make weight, stripped of 168-pound title

David Benavidez was stripped of his 168-pound title Friday after failing to make weight for his fight against Roamer Angulo on Saturday.

No title will be on the line when David Benavidez fights Roamer Alexis Angulo on Saturday at the Mohegan Sun in Uncasville, Conn.

Benavidez on Friday weighed in 2.8 pounds over the super middleweight limit of 168. Thus, he was stripped of his WBC belt and. Angulo would claim the title with a victory. It will become vacant if Benavidez wins.

Benavidez (22-0, 19 KOs) reportedly said he tried to lose the final few pounds but gave up when he couldn’t do so.

Jose Benavidez Sr., the fighter’s father, told ESPN that his son’s body shut down. Also, Benavidez said that training during the coronavirus pandemic and in the Mohegan bubble made it difficult to work out adequately.

Benavidez said he plans to stay at 168 for the time being.

“I’m very disappointed. Obviously, this is my first time missing weight,” Benavidez said. “I’m very disappointed losing my title on the scales, but I still have a job to do tomorrow. I lose the title, but I’m still going to win the fight tomorrow.”

Benavidez is no stranger to losing his title outside the ring. He was stripped of the 168-pound title he won in 2017 after testing positive for cocaine. He regained the belt when he stopped Anthony Dirrell last September.

[lawrence-related id=12833,8287,7072,6918]

David Benavidez fails to make weight, stripped of 168-pound title

David Benavidez was stripped of his 168-pound title Friday after failing to make weight for his fight against Roamer Angulo on Saturday.

No title will be on the line when David Benavidez fights Roamer Alexis Angulo on Saturday at the Mohegan Sun in Uncasville, Conn.

Benavidez on Friday weighed in 2.8 pounds over the super middleweight limit of 168. Thus, he was stripped of his WBC belt and. Angulo would claim the title with a victory. It will become vacant if Benavidez wins.

Benavidez (22-0, 19 KOs) reportedly said he tried to lose the final few pounds but gave up when he couldn’t do so.

Jose Benavidez Sr., the fighter’s father, told ESPN that his son’s body shut down. Also, Benavidez said that training during the coronavirus pandemic and in the Mohegan bubble made it difficult to work out adequately.

Benavidez said he plans to stay at 168 for the time being.

“I’m very disappointed. Obviously, this is my first time missing weight,” Benavidez said. “I’m very disappointed losing my title on the scales, but I still have a job to do tomorrow. I lose the title, but I’m still going to win the fight tomorrow.”

Benavidez is no stranger to losing his title outside the ring. He was stripped of the 168-pound title he won in 2017 after testing positive for cocaine. He regained the belt when he stopped Anthony Dirrell last September.

[lawrence-related id=12833,8287,7072,6918]

Eric Gomez of Golden Boy: ‘Very good chance’ Canelo fights Brit

Eric Gomez of Golden Boy said there’s a ‘very good chance’ Canelo Alvarez will fight either Callum Smith or John Ryder in September.

Will it be either Callum Smith or John Ryder?

Eric Gomez, president of Golden Boy Promotions, told Sky Sports that there’s a “very good chance” Canelo Alvarez will face a British fighter when he returns to the ring in September, meaning either Smith or Ryder.

However, Gomez also said, “We are not discarding any of the top guys.” And he added that it would be easier for Alvarez to face an American opponent because of coronavirus-related visa restrictions.

In other words, the search goes on.

Sky Sports asked Gomez specifically whether he could face Smith or Ryder. He responded by saying, “There is a very good chance. There are a couple of guys we are looking at as a possibility.”

Then he got into the visa issues, saying the selection of an American opponent would be less complicated.

“We don’t have to deal with any visa restrictions that have been imposed by the government,” he said. “If there is someone already here in the U.S.? That helps. It is more difficult now because of the restrictions.

“The borders are not all open so it isn’t easy to bring some fighters to the U.S. It all depends on the negotiations. We are not living in the world that we lived in last year. Canelo will be taking a significant pay cut. It depends on the negotiations.

“Anybody willing to come to the table and be reasonable, he will fight. We are not discarding any of the top guys.”

Sergiy Derevyanchenko (13-2, 10 KOs) of Ukraine, David Lemieux (41-4, 34 KOs) of Canada and Anthony Dirrell (33-2-1, 24 KOs) of Flint, Michigan, also have been mentioned as potential opponents for Alvarez (53-1-2, 36 KOs).

Smith (27-0, 19 KOs) is a super middleweight titleholder who would afford Alvarez an opportunity to win a major belt in a fourth weight class. Ryder (28-5, 16 KOs) lost to Smith in a competitive fight in November, the last time both fighters were in the ring.

Alvarez was scheduled to face 168-pound titleholder Billy Joe Saunders in May but that fight was canceled because of the coronavirus pandemic and the two couldn’t come to terms for a meeting in September.

That news prompted Smith’s trainer, Joe Gallagher, to say, “It’s supposed to have been a two-horse race, wasn’t it? Now he’s pulling himself out of it, Canelo has got no excuse now, but to fight Callum Smith.

“If that date and opportunity is put to Callum Smith, he’s ready to go.”

Ryder told Sky Sports: “There’s a few names in the hat. Hopefully my name is at the top and it gets picked out. Listen, he’s looking for an opponent, and I know the money is not there for these big shows. It’s a chance in a lifetime, I’m up for it.”

Video: Mannix, Mora: Who is the best opponent for Canelo Alvarez?

Who will Canelo Alvarez fight next? That question remains unanswered. And the possibilities seem to be growing every day. Among the current list of potential foes: Sergiy Derevyanchenko, Anthony Dirrell, David Lemieux and John Ryder. Derevyanchenko …

Who will Canelo Alvarez fight next?

That question remains unanswered. And the possibilities seem to be growing every day. Among the current list of potential foes: Sergiy Derevyanchenko, Anthony Dirrell, David Lemieux and John Ryder.

Derevyanchenko probably is the best fighter among that lot. But is he the best opponent for Alvarez when the Mexican superstar returns to the ring in September? And don’t forget: The Ukrainian fighter also has received an offer to fight middleweight titleholder Jermall Charlo.

So how does this drama end?

DAZN commentators Chris Mannix and Sergio Mora give their thoughts on this episode of Jabs with Mannix and Mora.

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Video: Chris Mannix: Who should Canelo Alvarez fight next?

Who will Canelo Alvarez fight in September? That’s the multi-million-dollar question and an answer doesn’t seem to be imminent. Recent reports indicate that there isn’t enough money on the table for the Mexican star to face a reigning champion, …

Who will Canelo Alvarez fight in September? That’s the multi-million-dollar question and an answer doesn’t seem to be imminent.

Recent reports indicate that there isn’t enough money on the table for the Mexican star to face a reigning champion, which seems to leave out super middleweight beltholders Billy Joe Saunders and Callum Smith.

That makes the pickings slimmer and the job of Alvarez and his handlers more complicated.

In this episode of Boxing with Chris Mannix, the DAZN commentator gives his thoughts on Alvarez’s options under the unusual circumstances in which we’re all living at the moment.

Here’s what he had to say.

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