David Benavidez targets third cruiserweight title in Phoenix fight with Michal Cieslak

David Benavidez targets third cruiserweight title in Phoenix fight with Michal Cieslak

David Benavidez worked out for the public in Phoenix ahead of his Dec. 5 cruiserweight unification fight with WBC champion Michal Cieslak at Desert Diamond Arena in Glendale. The unbeaten WBA and WBO champion says he is seeking a third cruiserweight title in his first Arizona fight since 2022.

Benavidez, 32-0 with 26 knockouts, won two belts in his cruiserweight debut by stopping then-champion Gilberto Ramirez in the sixth round. At the workout, he said he is focused on combinations, defense, body shots and his jab, and has plans to adjust if Cieslak complicates the early rounds.

Eddy Reynoso says Willy Hutchinson is an option for Canelo Alvarez

Canelo Alvarez’s trainer, Eddy Reynoso, told ESPN Knockout that newly crowned WBC light-heavyweight champion Willy Hutchinson is an option for Alvarez’s next fight. Reynoso said he had been watching Hutchinson and believes Alvarez could beat him.

Hutchinson won the vacant title with a unanimous-decision victory over Joshua Buatsi. He told talkSPORT he had received a phone call about an Alvarez fight and was ready to take it. Hutchinson has also called out Anthony Yarde for his first title defense.

Floyd Mayweather lists four possible opponents for a 2027 fight

Floyd Mayweather named Ryan Garcia, Oscar De La Hoya, Manny Pacquiao and Conor McGregor as possible opponents for a “big fight” in 2027. Mayweather and De La Hoya fought in 2007, with Mayweather winning by split decision.

Mayweather is scheduled to face Matty Floyd in a Dec. 19 exhibition, which he has described as a warm-up for a possible Garcia fight, BoxingScene reported. TalkSPORT reported that a planned rematch with Pacquiao has been complicated by a contract dispute.

Jaron Ennis and Josh Kelly set for three-belt unification, reports say

Jaron “Boots” Ennis and Josh Kelly are set to meet Feb. 27 at State Farm Arena in Atlanta for a WBA, WBO and IBF super-welterweight title unification, Uncrowned reported, citing sources close to the situation. TalkSPORT also reported that the fight had been agreed and signed.

Ennis, 36-0 with 32 knockouts, won the WBA and WBO belts by stopping Xander Zayas in June. Kelly, 19-1-1, won the IBF title by beating Bakhram Murtazaliev in January and made one defense. Matchroom hopes the winner will face WBC champion Sebastian Fundora in an undisputed-title fight in the summer, Uncrowned reported.

Tyson Fury says Anthony Joshua left their sparring session after two rounds

Tyson Fury said a sparring session with Anthony Joshua ended after two rounds, according to Boxing News. Fury described himself as a professional at the time and Joshua as an amateur, disputing accounts that either fighter had beaten the other up.

Joe Joyce, who has sparred with both heavyweights, described Joshua as strong, competitive and dedicated in the gym. Joyce said Fury’s footwork made him difficult to hit and that Fury’s experience in the sport gave him a wealth of knowledge, The Independent reported.

BBC invites fans to vote for greatest all-British boxing fight

The BBC is asking readers to choose the greatest all-British fight staged on home soil from five featured contests. The vote closes at 12:00 GMT on Nov. 11, with the results due to be revealed on a BBC Radio 5 Live show that evening.

Among the fights discussed are Joe Bugner’s controversial points win over Henry Cooper and Chris Eubank’s ninth-round stoppage of Nigel Benn in their first bout. The BBC also featured the Lennox Lewis-Frank Bruno heavyweight fight and Carl Froch’s rivalry with George Groves.

Frank Warren says Denzel Bentley owes him “40 grand”

Promoter Frank Warren said on talkSPORT Boxing that former fighter Denzel Bentley owes him “40 grand,” and suggested Bentley could repay it from his recent purse. Warren cited the title opportunities he secured for Bentley while they worked together.

Bentley told The Ring he had asked Warren for an advance after going a year without a fight, with the understanding that it would be repaid from his next purse. Bentley said he appreciated Warren’s personal support but felt undervalued and wanted more chances to earn. Warren did not specify a currency, Boxing 247 reported.

Willy Hutchinson calls out Anthony Yarde after winning world title

Willy Hutchinson called out Anthony Yarde as the opponent he wants for his first defense of the WBC light-heavyweight title. Hutchinson won the vacant belt by unanimous decision over Joshua Buatsi in their rematch in Manchester, Seconds Out reported.

Hutchinson said he had respect for Yarde but wanted the fight next. Yarde has previously challenged for world titles against Sergey Kovalev, Artur Beterbiev and David Benavidez, without winning one, Seconds Out reported.

Abraham Pérez retains interim WBA flyweight title with decision over Yankiel Rivera

Abraham “Super” Pérez defended his WBA interim flyweight title with a unanimous-decision win over Yankiel “El Doctor” Rivera in Albuquerque, the WBA reported. The judges scored the 12-round bout 118-109, 120-107 and 118-109 for Pérez.

The WBA said Pérez controlled the fight with footwork and a jab, countering Rivera’s pressure with body hooks and uppercuts. Rivera’s attacks slowed as the fight progressed, while Pérez stayed composed through the championship rounds.

William Camarón Zepeda to defend WBC title against Jadier Herrera

WBC lightweight champion William Camarón Zepeda is scheduled to defend his title against undefeated Cuban Jadier Herrera on March 29, the WBC reported. The proposed locations were Cancun, Toluca or Azteca Stadium, but Herrera turned them down; Zepeda said New York or Las Vegas would suit him.

Zepeda described Herrera as a fighter who comes forward and attacks rather than relying on movement. He also said a rematch with Shakur Stevenson was on his mind, but that the title defense comes first.

Katie Taylor says she is interested in mentoring young boxers

Retired three-time undisputed champion Katie Taylor said she would be interested in becoming involved in amateur boxing as a mentor to young athletes, the WBC reported. Taylor said she saw encouraging youngsters as a privilege and would see what opportunities arose.

Taylor also said she had seen no evidence that three-minute rounds in women’s world-title fights would lead to more knockouts. The WBC says women’s world championship bouts will continue to be scheduled for 10 two-minute rounds.

Lester Martinez seeks a fight with Canelo Alvarez

WBC interim super-middleweight champion Lester Martinez is seeking a fight with Canelo Alvarez during the coming year, the WBC reported. Martinez said facing Alvarez would be a dream and an honor for him and Guatemala.

Martinez made the first defense of his interim title by stopping Luca Plantic in the 10th round. Alvarez became WBC super-middleweight champion by beating Christian Mbilli by unanimous decision, the WBC reported.

Frank Martin stops Tarik Zaina in Top Rank debut

Frank “The Ghost” Martin stopped Tarik Zaina in the seventh round in his Top Rank debut at the Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, 3Kings Boxing reported. Martin landed a counter left, followed with punches that sent Zaina to the canvas, then forced the referee to stop the fight with another barrage.

Martin, 20-1-1 with 14 knockouts, said he hopes to earn a world-title opportunity in 2027. The report listed possible opponents including the winner of a scheduled Lindolfo Delgado-Arthur Biyarslanov fight and champions Shakur Stevenson, Dalton Smith and Gary Antuanne Russell.

WBC president highlights fighter safety and weight cutting

WBC president Mauricio Sulaiman said the organization is reviewing the year’s events and planning its work for the coming year at the WBC’s 64th convention in Acapulco. He said fighter safety remains the priority.

Sulaiman said the WBC is examining gradual and safe weight loss, citing concerns about weight cutting and dehydration. He also said the organization is monitoring behavior at press conferences, weigh-ins and after fights.

O’Shaquie Foster targets undisputed super-featherweight status

O’Shaquie Foster said he wants to become undisputed champion after beating Emanuel Navarrete and adding the IBF and WBO belts to his WBC title. The WBA belt, held by Anthony Cacace, is next on Foster’s list, the WBC reported.

Foster said he was healthy and focused after fighting Eduardo Hernandez with a foot injury. He said his ambition is to reach the next level by becoming undisputed.