Jake Paul sets Dec. 24 Dubai return, with opponent still undecided

Jake Paul sets Dec. 24 Dubai return, opponent still undecided

Jake Paul will return to boxing on Dec. 24 in Dubai, but no opponent has been confirmed. His business partner, Nakisa Bidarian, told Sky Sports that three or four names remain in consideration, including Darren Till. Tommy Fury and Francis Ngannou have been ruled out, according to Yahoo Sports.

Tommy Fury said he declined a rematch because he had already committed to another fight date, and said he was open to facing Paul afterward. Separately, Awful Announcing, citing a New York Post report, said Netflix will not stream Paul’s return and DAZN pay-per-view is the most likely option. Paul’s opponent is still unknown.

Canelo Alvarez and Christian Mbilli face off before WBC title fight

Christian Mbilli and Saúl “Canelo” Álvarez met in Riyadh ahead of their WBC super middleweight title fight scheduled for Oct. 31. The WBC reported that Mbilli said he was ready after the best training camp of his life, while Álvarez said he welcomed the chance to challenge the reigning champion.

David Benavidez predicted a Canelo win, saying the matchup suited Álvarez and that he expected him to stop Mbilli with a body shot. Benavidez’s father, Jose Benavidez Sr., also picked Álvarez but described the fight as difficult, citing Mbilli’s youth and hunger.

Dubois and Hrgovic rematch draws predictions as Dubois weighs title options

Heavyweight Dave Allen picked Daniel Dubois to beat Filip Hrgovic in a potential rematch, calling it a bad style matchup for Hrgovic. Allen said Dubois’ pressure could overwhelm Hrgovic, while cuts had been an issue for the Croatian in fights.

Hrgovic has also expressed interest in a rematch and said he would stop Dubois. Before that could happen, Hrgovic is expected to make a mandatory IBF title defense against Frank Sanchez in Croatia in February or March 2027, according to Boxing News. Separately, Seconds Out reported that former WBO champion Joseph Parker could be in the frame for Dubois’ next title defense.

Inoue-Rodriguez talks point toward a possible March 2027 fight

Negotiations for a fight between Naoya Inoue and Jesse “Bam” Rodriguez are progressing, with Inoue’s promoter Hideyuki Ohashi targeting March 2027 in Tokyo. Ohashi said talks were moving forward, while Rodriguez’s trainer Robert Garcia said Rodriguez was willing to skip an interim bantamweight fight to face Inoue next. No agreement has been finalized.

Garcia said Rodriguez has been preparing to compete at 122 pounds and believes the fighters will be the same size in the ring. BoxingScene reported that Rodriguez is already in camp and sparring, with a bantamweight unification bout against Cristian Medina being targeted even as talks for an Inoue fight progress.

Tony Bellew names Frankie Gavin as British boxing’s biggest underachiever

Tony Bellew named former amateur standout Frankie Gavin as the British boxer he considers the sport’s biggest underachiever. Gavin became Britain’s first world amateur champion and won Commonwealth Games and European Championships gold, but missed weight and was unable to compete at the 2008 Athens Olympics.

Gavin went on to become British champion as a professional, but Bellew said his professional career did not reach the level his amateur success had suggested. Gavin’s loss to then-IBF champion Kell Brook in 2015 was followed by no further opportunities to fulfill his potential, Boxing News reported.

Tony Bellew says a Shakur Stevenson fight needs more build-up

Tony Bellew said a fight between Shakur Stevenson and Dalton Smith should be allowed to develop rather than happen immediately. Bellew told DAZN Boxing that he was unsure there was enough interest in the matchup now and said both fighters could benefit from building toward it.

Smith improved to 20-0 by narrowly beating Alberto Puello to retain the WBC light-welterweight title, Seconds Out reported. Stevenson has campaigned at 135 and 140 pounds after leaving Zuffa Boxing, and a bout with Stevenson would be a major step up for Smith.

Shakur Stevenson faces questions over the business of free agency

Boxing 247 reported that Shawn Porter believes Stevenson may need to accept a multi-fight promotional deal to secure major bouts after leaving Zuffa Boxing. Porter said a promoter would want a chance to recoup the cost of financing a high-profile fight, but the report noted that a three-fight minimum was Porter’s prediction, not a disclosed offer.

The report said Stevenson’s negotiations for a fight with Devin Haney stalled over weight and rehydration demands, and that the WBO has ordered him to defend his 140-pound title against Raymond Muratalla.

Ben Davison says Fabio Wardley’s first loss to Dubois could have been stopped earlier

Trainer Ben Davison acknowledged that he may have let Fabio Wardley continue too long in his first fight with Daniel Dubois. Speaking to Playbook Boxing, Davison said the bout probably could have been stopped a couple of rounds earlier and added that protecting fighters is part of a trainer’s job.

Wardley lost the rematch in two rounds earlier this month, with Davison pulling him out after five minutes, DAZN reported. A separate Ring Magazine item was headlined as Davison responding to criticism over the first fight’s stoppage.

Derrick James says Anthony Joshua must use movement against Tyson Fury

Former Anthony Joshua trainer Derrick James said Joshua would need to use his mobility, fast hands and feet, and defensive skills to beat Tyson Fury. James told FightHype that Joshua should counterpunch and use angles, and said he would attend the fight to support his former fighter.

Joshua and Fury are scheduled to meet on Dec. 11 at Cardiff’s Principality Stadium. The Independent separately reported that Ben Davison, who has reunited with Joshua, described Fury’s “traitor” jibe as tongue-in-cheek and said his work with Joshua was business.

Joe Cordina awaits decision on possible Manny Pacquiao fight

Two-time super-featherweight world champion Joe Cordina said he has agreed to terms for a possible fight with Manny Pacquiao on the Dec. 11 Tyson Fury-Anthony Joshua card in Cardiff. Cordina told talkSPORT he is waiting for Pacquiao and his team to decide, and said he also needs to know whether the bout would be at 147 pounds or if he would face another opponent at a different weight.

Cordina said he would prefer the opportunity to fight Pacquiao in his hometown, though he is also in line for a WBO lightweight title fight against Abdullah Mason. News on the undercard is expected soon, according to the reports.

Roman Fury appears set for brother Tyson’s Joshua undercard

John Fury appeared to indicate on social media that his son Roman will box on Tyson Fury’s Dec. 11 undercard against Anthony Joshua. Roman has a 6-0 professional record, with three wins inside the distance, and last fought in January, when he stopped Kevin Greenwood.

The card has not been announced. Roman previously shared a bill with Joshua at the latter’s March 2024 event against Francis Ngannou, talkSPORT reported.

Tyson Fury documentary trailer details family and mental health struggles

A Netflix documentary about Tyson Fury will explore his boxing career and personal life, including mental health, addiction, bereavement and family relationships. The Independent reported that Fury says in the trailer that after achieving his childhood dreams, he “didn’t want to live.” His wife, Paris, and father, John, also appear.

The documentary, titled “TYSON FURY,” is directed by Lucy Wilcox and includes archive footage, Boxing 247 reported. Netflix is set to release it on Nov. 27, two weeks before Fury’s scheduled Dec. 11 fight with Anthony Joshua.

Jaime Munguia prepares to defend WBA title against Nikita Zon

Jaime Munguia is scheduled to defend his WBA super middleweight title against unbeaten Nikita Zon in Riyadh on Saturday, as the co-feature to Canelo Alvarez’s fight with Christian Mbilli. Munguia said at the final press conference that he was ready and would show his best version.

DAZN reported that a win could put Munguia in position for a possible rematch with Álvarez, who beat him by unanimous decision in 2024. The report also noted uncertainty about Munguia’s next opponent because the WBA had previously installed Bektemir Melikuziev as mandatory challenger.

Gabriela Fundora set to defend flyweight title against Jasmina Zapotoczna

Gabriela Fundora is scheduled to defend her flyweight title against Jasmina Zapotoczna in California on Nov. 20, 2026. The WBC described the bout as a voluntary defense of its flyweight championship, while FightNews called it a defense of the undisputed flyweight championship.

The reports said Fundora would seek to use her height, reach and aggression, while Zapotoczna would rely on footwork and technical skill in her bid to win the title.

Alma Meraz to defend interim title against Eveling Ortega in Nicaragua

Alma “La Leona” Meraz is scheduled to defend her WBA interim light flyweight title against Nicaragua’s Eveling “La Colocha” Ortega on Oct. 30 at the Olof Palme Convention Center in Managua. The WBA described the matchup as a contest between Meraz’s inside strength and Ortega’s speed and movement.

Meraz is expected to press forward and work the body, while Ortega will have home-crowd support and look to use quick combinations and movement, according to the WBA.

Sebastian Fundora calls out winner of Ennis-Kelly fight

WBC super welterweight champion Sebastian Fundora stopped mandatory challenger Ermal Hadribeaj by 12th-round technical knockout, 3Kings Boxing reported. Fundora made the fourth successful defense of his title.

Fundora said he would be ready to face the winner of a potential Jaron Ennis-Josh Kelly fight. The report said that matchup was expected in the first quarter of 2027, though it had not been officially announced.

Alexander Volkanovski willing to vacate featherweight title for lightweight shot

Alexander Volkanovski said he would vacate his featherweight title to pursue a lightweight championship fight against Justin Gaethje or Arman Tsarukyan. The Australian said he was becoming more excited about the possibility of fighting Tsarukyan if Gaethje retires.

Volkanovski defended his featherweight title on Oct. 24 by stopping Movsar Evloev in the second round, according to Fight Sports. He said a lightweight title opportunity could be the final fight of his career, win or lose.

Mike Tyson’s one-man show set for Netflix release

Mike Tyson’s one-man show, “Mike Tyson: Return of the Mike,” is set to premiere on Netflix on Nov. 3. The production combines comedy with reflections on Tyson’s boxing career, personal struggles and public controversies.

The show was filmed at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Florida, and directed by Tyson’s wife, Lakiha “Kiki” Spencer. Fight Sports said Tyson’s return to the stage is his first since “Mike Tyson: Undisputed Truth” in 2013.

“I Play Rocky” biopic to reach U.S. theaters in November

“I Play Rocky,” a biographical drama about Sylvester Stallone’s efforts to make the 1976 film “Rocky,” is directed by Peter Farrelly and stars Anthony Ippolito as Stallone. The WBC reported that the film follows Stallone’s struggle to get his screenplay produced while insisting on playing the lead role.

The film is set for a U.S. theatrical release in November, followed by releases in Spain and Latin America beginning in January 2027, according to the WBC.