Tag: Oleksandr Gvozdyk

Eddy Reynoso: No offer made for Canelo Alvarez to face David Benavidez

Eddy Reynoso: No offer was made for Canelo Alvarez to fight David Benavidez. Also, the Mexican star isn’t afraid of his rival.

Canelo Alvarez’s manager/trainer is setting the record straight.

Eddy Reynoso told ESPN Deportes in Spanish that he did not receive a $55 million offer for Alvarez to face David Benavidez, as Benavidez’s promoter Samson Lewkowicz reportedly suggested. And he dismissed the notion that the undisputed 168-pound champion is afraid of Benavidez as being “in very bad taste.”

Alvarez is expected to fight on May 4 but has not announced an opponent. And Benavidez reportedly is in talks to face 175-pounder Oleksandr Gvozdyk in late spring or the summer.

“The reality is that none of the big promoters, not Al Haymon from Premier Boxing Champions, not Eddie Hearn from Matchroom, not Bob Arum from Top Rank and not even Oscar De La Hoya from Golden Boy have given me an offer to fight Benavidez … and certainly not …Terence Crawford,” Reynoso said.

He went on: “Canelo Team has a direct line with Al Haymon and I really doubt that anyone from PBC will come out to support what [Lewkowicz] is saying for wanting to save the way he has handled his fighter. It is not our fault that Benavidez has not had the opportunities that they shout so much about. Our job is for Canelo to shine and continue to shine as he has until now.”

And he doesn’t understand how anyone could question Alvarez’s courage given his deep resume.

“I find it in very bad taste that they say that Canelo is afraid of him,” Reynoso said. “I don’t know how they dare to classify as fearful a fighter who did not hesitate to take the opportunity against Floyd Mayweather, who has been the best boxer of the last 20 years, a fighter who faced the fearsome Gennadiy Golovkin who was about to set a new mark [for knockouts], of defenses at middleweight and had knocked out half the world, a fighter who rose to light heavyweight risking everything to face Dmitry Bivol, who faced Miguel Cotto, who beat the best super middleweights of his time to make history.”

Reynoso reportedly has said that Alvarez’s opponent will be announced within a week. Jermall Charlo had been rumored to be the leading candidate but now fellow Mexican Jaime Munguia is in the mix.

[lawrence-related id=40802,40773,40743,40515,39876]

Eddy Reynoso: No offer made for Canelo Alvarez to face David Benavidez

Eddy Reynoso: No offer was made for Canelo Alvarez to fight David Benavidez. Also, the Mexican star isn’t afraid of his rival.

Canelo Alvarez’s manager/trainer is setting the record straight.

Eddy Reynoso told ESPN Deportes in Spanish that he did not receive a $55 million offer for Alvarez to face David Benavidez, as Benavidez’s promoter Samson Lewkowicz reportedly suggested. And he dismissed the notion that the undisputed 168-pound champion is afraid of Benavidez as being “in very bad taste.”

Alvarez is expected to fight on May 4 but has not announced an opponent. And Benavidez reportedly is in talks to face 175-pounder Oleksandr Gvozdyk in late spring or the summer.

“The reality is that none of the big promoters, not Al Haymon from Premier Boxing Champions, not Eddie Hearn from Matchroom, not Bob Arum from Top Rank and not even Oscar De La Hoya from Golden Boy have given me an offer to fight Benavidez … and certainly not …Terence Crawford,” Reynoso said.

He went on: “Canelo Team has a direct line with Al Haymon and I really doubt that anyone from PBC will come out to support what [Lewkowicz] is saying for wanting to save the way he has handled his fighter. It is not our fault that Benavidez has not had the opportunities that they shout so much about. Our job is for Canelo to shine and continue to shine as he has until now.”

And he doesn’t understand how anyone could question Alvarez’s courage given his deep resume.

“I find it in very bad taste that they say that Canelo is afraid of him,” Reynoso said. “I don’t know how they dare to classify as fearful a fighter who did not hesitate to take the opportunity against Floyd Mayweather, who has been the best boxer of the last 20 years, a fighter who faced the fearsome Gennadiy Golovkin who was about to set a new mark [for knockouts], of defenses at middleweight and had knocked out half the world, a fighter who rose to light heavyweight risking everything to face Dmitry Bivol, who faced Miguel Cotto, who beat the best super middleweights of his time to make history.”

Reynoso reportedly has said that Alvarez’s opponent will be announced within a week. Jermall Charlo had been rumored to be the leading candidate but now fellow Mexican Jaime Munguia is in the mix.

[lawrence-related id=40802,40773,40743,40515,39876]

David Benavidez vs. Oleksandr Gvozdyk reportedly in works at 175 pounds

A fight between David Benavidez and Oleksandr Gvozdyk for a secondary 175-pound title reportedly is in the works.

David Benavidez evidently is moving on, at least for now.

The 168-pound contender, who has coveted a showdown with Canelo Alvarez, reportedly has agreed to face 175-pound contender Oleksandr Gvozdyk for the “interim” WBC title in late spring or the summer, although the deal has not been finalized.

WBC President Mauricio Sulaiman confirmed on X that he has approved the matchup.

Benavidez (28-0, 24 KOs) presumably would not sign to fight Gvozdyk if Alvarez chooses to defend the undisputed 168-pound championship against his WBC mandatory challenger on May 4.

Samson Lewkowicz, Benavidez’s promoter, reportedly said that Premier Boxing Champions has indicated it would guarantee Alvarez $55 million to fight Benavidez, but so far the Mexican star hasn’t accepted the offer.

Gvozdyk (20-1, 16 KOs) appears to be a fall back opponent, although it would be an important matchup for Benavidez.

A victory over the 36-year-old Ukrainian would make Benavidez a mandatory challenger in two divisions, meaning he should be first in line to face Alvarez and in a good position to face the winner of the Dmitry Bivol-Artur Beterbiev fight for the undisputed 175-pound championship.

Benavidez would seem to be an ideal opponent for Alvarez in September, when the champion typically fights. Mexican Independence Day is Sept. 16.

Gvozdyk suffered his only loss against Beterbiev, a 10th-round knockout that cost him the WBC 175-pound belt in October 2019. He has defeated three journeymen since the setback.

He’s ranked No. 2 by the WBC, behind champion Beterbiev and No. 1 Joshua Buatsi.

Benavidez is one of the hottest fighters in the world, with consecutive victories over Caleb Plant (UD) and Demetrius Andrade (TKO 6) in his last two fights. He’s a former two-time 168-pound beltholder.

[lawrence-related id=40802,39939,39932,39928,39911,39880,39876,40743,10130,1402]

David Benavidez vs. Oleksandr Gvozdyk reportedly in works at 175 pounds

A fight between David Benavidez and Oleksandr Gvozdyk for a secondary 175-pound title reportedly is in the works.

David Benavidez evidently is moving on, at least for now.

The 168-pound contender, who has coveted a showdown with Canelo Alvarez, reportedly has agreed to face 175-pound contender Oleksandr Gvozdyk for the “interim” WBC title in late spring or the summer, although the deal has not been finalized.

WBC President Mauricio Sulaiman confirmed on X that he has approved the matchup.

Benavidez (28-0, 24 KOs) presumably would not sign to fight Gvozdyk if Alvarez chooses to defend the undisputed 168-pound championship against his WBC mandatory challenger on May 4.

Samson Lewkowicz, Benavidez’s promoter, reportedly said that Premier Boxing Champions has indicated it would guarantee Alvarez $55 million to fight Benavidez, but so far the Mexican star hasn’t accepted the offer.

Gvozdyk (20-1, 16 KOs) appears to be a fall back opponent, although it would be an important matchup for Benavidez.

A victory over the 36-year-old Ukrainian would make Benavidez a mandatory challenger in two divisions, meaning he should be first in line to face Alvarez and in a good position to face the winner of the Dmitry Bivol-Artur Beterbiev fight for the undisputed 175-pound championship.

Benavidez would seem to be an ideal opponent for Alvarez in September, when the champion typically fights. Mexican Independence Day is Sept. 16.

Gvozdyk suffered his only loss against Beterbiev, a 10th-round knockout that cost him the WBC 175-pound belt in October 2019. He has defeated three journeymen since the setback.

He’s ranked No. 2 by the WBC, behind champion Beterbiev and No. 1 Joshua Buatsi.

Benavidez is one of the hottest fighters in the world, with consecutive victories over Caleb Plant (UD) and Demetrius Andrade (TKO 6) in his last two fights. He’s a former two-time 168-pound beltholder.

[lawrence-related id=40802,39939,39932,39928,39911,39880,39876,40743,10130,1402]

Dmitry Bivol vs. Artur Beterbiev? Bivol wants it

Dmitry Bivol says he would like to face Artur Beterbiev in a showdown of unbeaten 175-pounders.

How does a showdown between unbeaten light heavyweight titleholders Dmitry Bivol and Artur Beterbiev sound?

Bivol likes the idea. And he’d like it to happen in Russia, where both stars live and have strong followings.

“I would like to fight with Artur Beterbiev,” Bivol said on a conference call, per BoxingScene.com. “I think he also wants this. It would be a great fight. I would love to fight this fight in St. Petersburg.”

Competing television alliances would have to be overcome. Bivol is aligned with DAZN, Beterbiev with ESPN.

Bivol (17-0, 11 KOs) last fought in October of last year, when he easily outpointed Lenin Castillo in defense of his 175-pound title. He is a native of Kyrgyzstan but resides in Russia.

Beterbiev (15-0, 15 KOs) is coming off a sensational 10th-round KO of Oleksandr Gvozdyk in Philadelphia, also in last October. That gave him two 175-pound titles.

Both Bivol and Beterbiev plan to fight again before the end of the year. Bivol has yet to secure a date and opponent. Beterbiev reportedly will defend his belts against Adam Deines in December.

[lawrence-related id=13593,8109,1176,13765,7852]

Dmitry Bivol vs. Artur Beterbiev? Bivol wants it

Dmitry Bivol says he would like to face Artur Beterbiev in a showdown of unbeaten 175-pounders.

How does a showdown between unbeaten light heavyweight titleholders Dmitry Bivol and Artur Beterbiev sound?

Bivol likes the idea. And he’d like it to happen in Russia, where both stars live and have strong followings.

“I would like to fight with Artur Beterbiev,” Bivol said on a conference call, per BoxingScene.com. “I think he also wants this. It would be a great fight. I would love to fight this fight in St. Petersburg.”

Competing television alliances would have to be overcome. Bivol is aligned with DAZN, Beterbiev with ESPN.

Bivol (17-0, 11 KOs) last fought in October of last year, when he easily outpointed Lenin Castillo in defense of his 175-pound title. He is a native of Kyrgyzstan but resides in Russia.

Beterbiev (15-0, 15 KOs) is coming off a sensational 10th-round KO of Oleksandr Gvozdyk in Philadelphia, also in last October. That gave him two 175-pound titles.

Both Bivol and Beterbiev plan to fight again before the end of the year. Bivol has yet to secure a date and opponent. Beterbiev reportedly will defend his belts against Adam Deines in December.

[lawrence-related id=13593,8109,1176,13765,7852]

Artur Beterbiev suffers rib injury, title defense postponed

Artur Beterbiev’s title defense against Adam Deines, scheduled for Oct. 23 in Moscow, has been postponed because the champion was injured.

Those looking forward to the return of Artur Beterbiev will have to wait a little longer.

The light heavyweight titleholder’s defense against Adam Deines, scheduled for Oct. 23 in Moscow, has been postponed because the Russian suffered a rib injury in training, his promoter announced.

The fight is expected to be rescheduled before the end of the year, probably in December.

Beterbiev (15-0, 15 KOs) is the only current world titleholder who has stopped all of his opponents. He’s coming off an impressive 10th-round stoppage of previously unbeaten Oleksandr Gvozdyk in a title-unification bout in October of last year.

Deines (19-1-1, 10 KOs) has won two consecutive fights since he lost a unanimous decision to Fanlong Meng in June of last year. He’s a native of Russia who lives in Germany.

Artur Beterbiev suffers rib injury, title defense postponed

Artur Beterbiev’s title defense against Adam Deines, scheduled for Oct. 23 in Moscow, has been postponed because the champion was injured.

Those looking forward to the return of Artur Beterbiev will have to wait a little longer.

The light heavyweight titleholder’s defense against Adam Deines, scheduled for Oct. 23 in Moscow, has been postponed because the Russian suffered a rib injury in training, his promoter announced.

The fight is expected to be rescheduled before the end of the year, probably in December.

Beterbiev (15-0, 15 KOs) is the only current world titleholder who has stopped all of his opponents. He’s coming off an impressive 10th-round stoppage of previously unbeaten Oleksandr Gvozdyk in a title-unification bout in October of last year.

Deines (19-1-1, 10 KOs) has won two consecutive fights since he lost a unanimous decision to Fanlong Meng in June of last year. He’s a native of Russia who lives in Germany.

Oleksandr Gvozdyk, 33, announces retirement from boxing: report

Oleksandr Gvozdyk, the former light heavyweight titleholder, reportedly is retiring from boxing at 33 to pursue business opportunities.

Oleksandr Gvozdyk’s knockout loss to Artur Beterbiev in a title-unification bout this past October evidently was his last fight.

Gvozdyk’s manager, Egis Klimas, told ESPN that the former light heavyweight beltholder is retiring from boxing at 33 to pursue business opportunities.

The 2012 Olympic bronze medalist from Ukraine won his title by stopping Adonis Stevenson in 11 rounds in December 2018, successfully defended once and then lost it by a 10th-round stoppage against Beterbiev.

“He’s a very smart guy, so he thinks it’s going to be inconvenient for him to do that kind of business and box at the same time,” Klimas told ESPN Tuesday afternoon. “So he needs to give himself 100% to boxing or business. So he decided to do that.”

The loss to Beterbiev didn’t play a role in Gvozdyk’s decision, Klimas said. However, a rematch might be the only thing that could bring him back.

“Actually, what kept him from moving away from boxing, that motivation to go back into the ring, was Beterbiev,” Klimas explained. “That was the only one holding him because he wanted to get that rematch. There might be a possibility that someone will get him a rematch, he might change his mind.”

Trainer Teddy Atlas, who worked with Gvozdyk, thinks a lot of his former protégé.

“All you need to know is that I wasn’t planning on coming back [to train], just like I wasn’t with Timmy Bradley at the time. I only did it because of the kind of human being that he was, same as Timmy,” said Atlas, who reportedly spoke with Gvozdyk about his decision Monday.

“Obviously he was a tremendous fighter, a bronze medalist, won a world title. But again, it starts with me, my decision to train him, it was all based on visiting him for a few days and seeing the kind of person, the father, husband and man that he was.”

Coronavirus no threat to Beterbiev-Meng bout on March 28

Artur Beterbiev doesn’t have to worry about the coronavirus when he takes on Chinese contender Fanlong Meng on March 28 in Montreal.

The fists of light heavyweight titleholder Artur Beterbiev knock out opponents inside the ring but are useless against the deadly coronavirus that has killed more than 400 people and infected 20,000 others worldwide.

There were concerns in some corners that the novel virus, which originated in the city of Wuhan, China, would lead to the cancellation of Beterbiev’s projected defense of his two titles against Chinese challenger Fanlong Meng on March 28 in Quebec City. A formal announcement of the bout is pending. 

Yvon Michel, who is working with Beterbiev promoter Top Rank to stage the fight, told The Montreal Journal that Meng’s promoter Dino Duva assured him that his charge has had virtually no chance of contracting the virus. 

“I contacted Meng’s promoter (Dino Duva) when the very first cases of death from the coronavirus had been announced,” Michel told the newspaper. “He quickly assured me that his boxer had been living in New Jersey for the past few years and that he had not returned to China for some time.”

Most of the coronavirus cases have occurred in China. The infectious disease has spread to at least 23 countries, according to multiple reports.

“Our lawyers are already working to obtain a visa for Meng,” Michel added. “We would love to have him be present for our press conference launching the fight.”

Top Rank canceled its Feb. 1 card in Haikou, China featuring a junior welterweight title fight between Jose Ramirez and Viktor Postol out of concern for the virus outbreak.

Beterbiev-Meng was supposed to take place in China after Chinese promoter LoveJoy Sports turned in the winning bid to the IBF. But after failing to make timely payments to the sanctioning body, the rights to the bout reverted to the second highest bidder, Top Rank. There were also concerns that Beterbiev, who is Muslim, would boycott the fight if it took place in China because of that country’s appalling treatment of Uighur, an ethnically Turkic Muslim minority group living in the westernmost province of Xinjiang.

Beterbiev (15-0, 15 KOs) unified the WBC and IBF light heavyweight titles when he stopped then titleholder Oleksandr Gvozdyk in the 10th round last October.

Meng (16-0, 10 KOs), who represented China at the 2012 London Olympics, fought twice in 2019, picking up wins over Gilberto Rubio and Adam Deines.