Usyk-Fury: The Story Continues

In chapter one of the story between Heavyweight champions Oleksandr Usyk and Tyson Fury, the focus was centered on the element of history. After all, when the two undefeated champions met in May of this year in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, it was to determine something that hadn't been seen in Boxing in twenty-five years albeit and unfortunately temporarily. An Undisputed World Heavyweight champion and the first champion to successfully unify all five recognized world championships under one fighter.

As most know, despite the historical significance of the occasion, there was the knowledge going into the event last May 18th that the new Undisputed championship would not last long. This was due to a pre-ordained rematch clause between Usyk and Fury and the International Boxing Federation being due its mandatory title defense in the rotation amongst the various sanctioning organizations immediately following the bout. Nevertheless, that knowledge did little to quell what truly was a special moment in the sport’s history. 

In a competitive bout, it was Oleksandr Usyk who would emerge victorious in becoming the Undisputed Heavyweight champion of the world by defeating Fury via twelve round split decision. For Usyk, there was added significance as the victory also cemented his future Hall of Fame status as the only man in history to fully unify both the Cruiserweight and Heavyweight divisions. While Usyk would relinquish the IBF world championship shortly after defeating Fury, clearing the way for IBF number one contender Daniel Dubois, a former Usyk opponent, to officially become IBF World Heavyweight champion, the victory over Fury was simply the conclusion of chapter one. 

Now comes chapter two as Usyk, the unified WBO/IBO/WBA/WBC world champion prepares to meet Fury once again at the same site of their first meeting, the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on December 21st. A rematch that can be seen worldwide on DAZN Pay-Per-View. In some ways, this rematch is also a rarity.

It is rare even in an era where there are theoretical pre-agreed rematch clauses before an initial high-profile bout such as Usyk and Fury to see the rematch come to fruition without complications whether it be due to injuries or one fighter choosing a different option, which often can lead to legal entanglements. In this sense, the fact that this rematch comes in a rather streamlined way is quite refreshing. Although the undisputed championship is not at stake this time around, the winner of this fight will be viewed as the number one fighter in the division with an obvious path to reunify the title against Dubois or whomever the IBF champion might be down the line. 

What stood out in the first encounter was, despite being the naturally shorter fighter, it was Usyk who forced the action for most of the first six rounds by coming forward and forcing the naturally bigger and heavier Fury to fight at a much quicker pace than is typically his norm. Usyk was also able to establish angles and land short, but crisp combinations on Fury, which were often highlighted by an overhand left thrown from the southpaw stance.

Despite the significance of the occasion, an argument could and perhaps should be made that Fury perhaps gave away some of the early rounds by taunting Usyk, playing to the crowd, and attempting to bait him into making a mistake. Tactics, which Usyk did not fall for. By the midway part of the fight, Fury began coming forward more, landing punches to the body of Usyk and stunning him with a right hand in the sixth round. To Usyk’s credit, he was able to take it well and there was decent back and forth action that followed between the two fighters. 

It would be in round nine, however, that a controversy would emerge. A combination of punches by Usyk sent Fury staggering around the ring and seemingly made him defenseless for several seconds while Usyk pressed forward. Where the element of controversy comes in is in the decision of Referee Mark Nelson choosing to rule a knockdown against Fury when under similar circumstances a referee might have stepped in and stopped the fight. While some have made an issue of this in the months since the first encounter, this observer needs to point out as I have many times over the years that referees are human like the rest of us, and decisions regarding whether a fight should be stopped under circumstances like the one Fury was in comes down to split second judgments. Perhaps given the magnitude of the event and likely knowing that his call would be questioned either way, Nelson decided to rule a knockdown rather than stopping the fight outright to give Fury every chance he could to show he could continue. It proved to be the appropriate call as Fury was able to recover and finished the fight. The knockdown, however, likely put Usyk over the top in winning a very close twelve round split decision and emerging ever so briefly as the Undisputed Heavyweight champion of the world. 

Now, as this rematch approaches, the obvious question is what could be different this time? The answer for your truly all boils down to whether Fury will be focused and not give away what ultimately proved to be crucial rounds in addition to the knockdown ruled against him later in the fight. There are two things to keep in mind here. One the champion Oleksandr Usyk has always been all business and did not allow himself to be baited into verbal exchanges before the first fight and did not take the bait when Fury spent time showboating in the early rounds. Fury thus must keep in mind that this time, he is the challenger and the onus is on him to turn things in his favor.. Will he be more aggressive in the early rounds and take an overall more serious approach in this fight as compared to the last time he faced Usyk and in his outing before that where former UFC Heavyweight world champion Frances Ngannou nearly upset him in a non-title bout?

For Usyk, the question will be whether he can deal with a more aggressive Fury out of the gate. The champion is known for his ability to use angles and out box his opponents and it will be interesting to see if Usyk will somehow be more technical in his approach than he was in the first encounter. Although the possibility exists that Usyk might be looking to make a statement this time seeing as he was able to nearly stop Fury last time, one should not expect an approach that would be over aggressive and one where Usyk tries to use his power to try and get Fury out of there. Usyk must remember that he is a master boxer and has an advantage in terms of hand speed that worked to his benefit in the first fight. One might argue that his timing and ability to catch Fury was what led to him nearly getting a stoppage in the first fight and the more sensible approach might be to try and set traps and look to counter Fury.

It does not take hype to say what this fight is about here. The Boxing world is waiting to see what happens the second time around. Will it be a repeat of what happened in chapter one or will Tyson Fury put forth a performance which would likely lead to a third encounter down the road? All questions will be answered Saturday, December 21st.

“And That's The Boxing Truth." 

Usyk vs. Fury 2 takes place on Saturday, December 21st at the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The fight as well as it’s full undercard can be seen worldwide on DAZN Pay-Per-View for $39.99 beginning at 10:30AM ET/7:30AM PT (*U.S. Times Only*). For more information about DAZN including schedules, list of compatible streaming devices, platforms, Smart TVs, availability around the world, local start times in your area, to subscribe and order this special pay-per-view event please visit: www.DAZN.com.  

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Most Valuable Prospects 10 Results From Orlando, FL

Press Release: December 14,  2024 By Most Valuable Promotions - 

MVP’s Javon Walton Dominates Erik Henley with Majority Decision Win, Undefeated Dainier Pero Delivers 1st-Round TKO Victory

MVP's latest signee, Tamm Thibeault, makes history as the first woman to make her pro debut under men’s rules—four three-minute rounds—delivering a dominant unanimous decision win over Natasha “The Nightmare” Spence

WBA Recognizes Jake Paul, Amanda Serrano, and Christy Martin for Their Groundbreaking Impact on Women’s Boxing at Most Valuable Prospects 10, Honoring Paul as Most Influential Promoter of 2024, Serrano as Lifetime WBA Ambassador, and Martin as WBA Honorary Lifetime Champion 

Credit: Joseph Correa Most Valuable Promotions 

ORLANDO, Fla. – December 13, 2024 – In the main event of MVP’s Most Valuable Prospects 10, 28-year-old Antonio Vargas (19-1, 11 KOs) proved why he is the WBA’s #1 bantamweight contender as he became the new WBA interim world bantamweight champion following a tenth round TKO of 24-year-old Nicaraguan sensation and the WBA’s #9-ranked contender Winston “El Fantasma” Guerrero (22-1). Vargas dropped Guerrero early with a counter uppercut-left hook combination, but Guerrero came back in the second round, knocking Vargas down with a powerful overhand right. From there, Vargas took control, wearing Guerrero down with body shots and dominant combinations. In the 10th round, Vargas landed a devastating right hand that sent Guerrero to the ropes, finishing the fight with a flurry of punches, securing the TKO victory. MVP’s tenth installment of the Most Valuable Prospects series, presented by CELSIUS Live Fit Essential Energy, took place at the Caribe Royale Resort in Orlando, FL, live on DAZN with Boxlab Promotions serving as the official licensed promoter.

 

In the co-main event, MVP’s Javon "Wanna" Walton (2-0-1, 1 KO) returned to the ring against the experienced Erik Hanley (1-2, 1 KO) in a 4-round super featherweight bout. Wanna came out firing hard punches from the opening bell, showcasing his superstar potential with quick-twitch explosiveness, speed, and power, highlighted by a ferocious left hook. Despite Hanley’s toughness and ability to absorb punishment, Wanna’s relentless pressure and aggressive combinations overwhelmed his opponent. Walton dominated throughout and earned a well-deserved win by majority decision (40-36 x2, 38-38).

Post-fight, an emotional Walton spoke to ringside reporter Sibley Scoles, expressing his gratitude to MVP, his family, and his fans for their unwavering support following a tough global debut in March 2024 and recent injuries. Jake Paul joined him in the ring, noting that Walton, like himself, started his career in the spotlight and rose to the occasion. Paul praised Walton’s ability to handle pressure and highlighted the significant improvement he's shown, emphasizing the display of power, aggression, and skill that made his performance so impressive.

In a sensational heavyweight battle, undefeated Cuban Olympian Dainier "The Fear" Pero (10-0, 8 KOs) made his fourth Most Valuable Prospects series appearance of 2024, capturing the vacant WBA Continental USA Heavyweight title with a TKO win over Walter Burns (8-3, 6 KOs). The 25-year-old Pero delivered a devastating display of power, knocking Burns down twice with thunderous head shots in the first round before finishing him for good at 2:50 of round 1. The victory, his sixth straight by TKO, capped an unstoppable year for Pero, who went 5-0 with 5 KOs in 2024, solidifying his status as a leading candidate for Prospect of the Year. Following the bout, Pero thanked MVP, Boxlab, and his supporters.  

Tamm Thibeault (1-0), two-time Canadian Olympian, amateur world champion, and MVP’s latest signee, made history tonight as the first female boxer to make her professional debut under men’s rules—four three-minute rounds—in the Most Valuable Prospects 10 main card opener. Facing the WBA’s #10-ranked contender, Natasha “The Nightmare” Spence (8-7-2, 6 KOs), Thibeault delivered a commanding performance that showcased her immense potential as a future champion. Utilizing her impressive height, reach, and fluid movement, Thibeault combined strength and technical precision to dominate from the opening bell. Demonstrating the power and skill that made her an unstoppable force in the amateur ranks, she earned a unanimous decision victory (40-36 x3) to begin her professional career with a powerful statement.

Thibeault celebrated her victory alongside her new MVP teammates Jake Paul and Amanda Serrano in the ring, marking a momentous occasion for women’s boxing. Paul praised Thibeault as “the future” of the sport, while Thibeault expressed gratitude to Serrano for breaking barriers and inspiring a new generation of female fighters. Serrano reflected on the empowerment of being a female fighter in this historic era.

Credit: Joseph Correa Most Valuable Promotions 

Following the bout, WBA President Gilberto Mendoza joined them in the ring to recognize their contributions. Mendoza thanked Jake Paul for his unwavering commitment to women’s boxing, presenting him with the title of Most Influential Promoter of 2024. Amanda Serrano was honored as a lifetime WBA ambassador for her groundbreaking achievements and dedication to the sport. Boxing legend and former women’s champion Christy Martin was also celebrated, receiving the title of WBA Honorary Lifetime Champion for her decades of contributions to women’s boxing.

In the preliminary card headliner, 24-year-old Orlando talent Jeovanny Estela (14-2, 5 KOs) faced Jocksan Blanco (8-0, 4 KOs) in an eight-round bout for the WBA Continental USA super welterweight title. After a hard-fought battle that went the distance, an emotional Blanco secured the title with a majority decision victory (76-76, 77-75 x2).

Additional action on the preliminary card featured the undefeated Armenian prospect Gurgen “Big Gug” Hovhannisyan (7-0, 6 KOs), who battled Samoan fighter Patrick Mailata (6-3, 3 KOs) in an eight-round heavyweight bout. In a back-and-forth affair, Mailata landed some devastating shots in round 6, wobbling Hovhannisyan. However, the resilient Hovhannisyan regained his composure and demonstrated why he's one of the most exciting up-and-coming heavyweights, finishing strong with his jabs to secure a hard-fought majority decision (76-76, 77-75 x2).

Opening the preliminary card, Dominican prospect Hendri “La Bazuca” Cedeño (15-0, 11 KOs) continued his undefeated streak as he faced Mexican fighter Luis “Matador” Hernandez Ramos (23-6, 20 KOs) in an 8-round super lightweight bout. The 26-year-old Cedeño continued to showcase his rise in the division against the formidable 28-year-old Ramos, securing a unanimous decision victory (78-74, 79-73 x2).

The WBA recognized 103 years of progress ahead of the preliminary bouts, thanking fans and fighters around the world for their support. Current and former boxing champions were in attendance to celebrate, including Miguel Coto, Felix Trinidad, Nonito Donaire, Franchon Crews-Dezurn, Bernard Hopkins, Juan Manuel Marques, Caleb Plant, Jose Valenzuela, Erislandy Lara, and Alycia Baumgardner. 

Opening the night, 32-year-old Venezuelan Fradimil Macayo (18-1, 14 KOs) took home a second-round KO victory over seasoned Colombian veteran Oscar “El Guerrero” Escandon (27-9, 18 KOs) in an 8-round lightweight clash.

In a series of closing walkout bouts, Melbourne, Florida 18-year-old talent Alex Bray (8-0, 6 KOs) became the new WBA Continental Americas super welterweight champion, defeating Argentina’s Gaston Rios (10-2, 7 KOs) by first round TKO. Kissimmee, Florida’s 25-year-old talent Antreveous Ingram (9-0, 4 KOs) earned a TKO victory over Nicaragua’s Freddy Espinoza (10-8, 7 KOs) at 1:00 in the first round of a super welterweight bout. In a 6-round middleweight bout, Jamar Pemberton (8-1, 5 KOs) vs. Kahlil Mitchell (4-1, 2 KOs) resulted in a majority decision (56-56, 57-55x2) for Pemberton.

The Most Valuable Prospects series is produced and marketed by MVP with Boxlab Promotions serving as the official licensed promoter and is distributed globally by DAZN. The tenth event in the series highlighted the commitment from MVP co-founders Jake Paul and Nakisa Bidarian to showcase the world’s best up-and-coming boxing talent. CELSIUS Live Fit Essential Energy, maker of lifestyle energy drinks, is the exclusive energy drink of MVP and the presenting sponsor of the Most Valuable Prospects series. Most Valuable Prospects is also sponsored by Fansly, Event Ticket Center, Total Wireless, and Undisputed. 

 

For more information, follow on X via @MostVPromotions and @DAZNBoxing or on Instagram via @MostValuablePromotions and @DAZNBoxing.

About MVP:

Most Valuable Promotions was founded by Jake Paul and Nakisa Bidarian in 2021. With the mission to provide more creative control to fighters, MVP works to identify, grow, and maximize return for its own events and talent partners. Since inception MVP has consistently produced the biggest combat sports pay-per-view events. One year into its inception, MVP was nominated as one of the prestigious Sports Breakthroughs of the Year in 2022 by Sports Business Journal. The company signed one of the most decorated Hispanic athletes of all time, Amanda Serrano in its first year. Serrano and MVP made history in April of 2022 when Serrano went head to head with Katie Taylor, marking the first female fight to headline at Madison Square Garden, recently earning a nomination for Event of The Year by Sports Business Journal. Co-founder Nakisa Bidarian was an executive producer of the historic Triller Presents Mike Tyson v. Roy Jones Jr., which is the 8th most bought pay-per-view event in history.  

About DAZN:

DAZN is the home of European football, women’s football, boxing and MMA, and the NFL (excl. USA). We are building the ultimate sports entertainment platform, based on premium sports rights, world-leading tech, and multi-platform distribution. DAZN believes that fans from across the globe should be able to watch, read, bet, play, share, socialise, buy tickets and merchandise, all in one place, with one account, one wallet and on one app. For more information on DAZN, our products, people, and performance, visit dazngroup.com. 

  

Material Courtesy of: Most Valuable Promotions/ Photos Courtesy of Joseph Correa Most Valuable Promotions Used with permission 

The Boxing Truth®️ is a registered trademark of Beau Denison All Rights Reserved.

Can Whyte Continue To Build Momentum?

December 2024 in Boxing has seen the focus firmly planted on the Heavyweight division. With the highly anticipated rematch between undefeated unified WBO/WBA/IBO/WBC Heavyweight world champion Oleksandr Usyk and former champion Tyson Fury still to take place on December 21 in Saudi Arabia, the month of December has seen potential challengers for whomever should emerge from that fight victorious, angling for position. We have seen former two-time world title challenger Kubrat Pulev take his next step by scoring a convincing twelve round unanimous decision over longtime contender Manuel Charr. Now, another former world title challenger looks to make his argument as longtime contender Dillian Whyte will return to the ring on Sunday, December 15th in Gibraltar at the Europa Point Sports Complex to face  contender Ebenezer Tetteh. 

The scheduled ten round Heavyweight bout, which can be seen worldwide on digital subscription sports streaming network DAZN, will be Whyte’s third bout since coming up short against then WBC Heavyweight world champion Tyson Fury in April 2022. Since that loss, where he was knocked out in the sixth round, Whyte has rebounded in his last two fights scoring victories over contenders Jermaine Franklin and Christian Hammer. In his previous fight in March, Whyte scored a third round stoppage of Hammer. 

While the story of this fight is a simple one to describe in a longtime top contender looking to put himself back into the Heavyweight championship picture, the subplot here will be what Whyte’s opposition will be on this occasion. Ebenezer Tetteh will come into this fight with a record of 23-1, with 20 Knockouts, is riding a four fight knockout streak. Tetteh does have power in both hands and should be viewed as a potentially dangerous opponent for the thirty-six year old Whyte. The one blemish on Tetteh’s record, however, came against the one recognizable opponent on that ledger in the form of current IBF Heavyweight world champion Daniel Dubois, who knocked him out in one round in 2019 when Dubois was a rising contender.

This could be interpreted in a few ways. Although Tetteh has bounced back since that setback, he has only fought four times since that loss in 2019. What this fight will come down to is whether or not Tetteh is ready for the step up that he was not ready for when he faced Dubois. There is also the aspect of what version of Whyte will be in the ring.

Dillian Whyte has been in many grueling battles throughout his career and like Tetteh, he is capable of ending a fight with either hand, there have been times where he has appeared sluggish, most recently in his bout with Jermaine Franklin in November 2022, where he won a twelve round majority decision in a fight that some thought Franklin deserved the victory. The question, which will likely follow Whyte for the remainder of his career is not only one regarding consistency of his performances, but also one whether the accumulation of a long career and those grueling battles will show itself.

Whether or not that will happen against  Ebenezer Tetteh remains to be seen. When a notable Heavyweight such as Whyte competes, however, it will draw attention. Especially when the goal of every Heavyweight not currently a world champion or a challenger for a world championship is to get themselves into that position. With Pulev having scored a convincing victory over Manuel Charr, it is now time to see whether Whyte can put forth a performance that might nudge him ahead in the pecking order of potential future world title challengers or if Ebenezer Tetteh will be able to score what some will view as an upset and move his own name into that discussion.

“And That’s The Boxing Truth.”

Whyte vs. Tetteh takes place on Sunday, December 15th at the Europa Point Sports Complex in Gibraltar. The fight can be seen worldwide on digital subscription sports streaming network DAZN beginning at 2:30 PM ET/11:30 AM PT. (*U.S. Times Only.*) For more information about DAZN including schedules, list of compatible streaming devices, platforms, Smart TVs, availability around the world, local start times in your area, and to subscribe please visit: www.DAZN.com. 

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MVP SIGNS TWO-TIME CANADIAN OLYMPIAN AND AMATEUR WORLD CHAMPION TAMMARA “TAMM” THIBEAULT AHEAD OF PRO DEBUT

Press Release: December 13,  2024 By Most Valuable Promotions - MVP deepens its commitment to empowering female fighters by signing Thibeault, who makes a bold statement for equality in historic first-ever women’s pro debut under men’s rules—four three-minute rounds—at Most Valuable Prospects 10 

Thibeault becomes MVP’s first female Canadian signee and joins “Prince” Lucas Bahdi as MVP’s second Canadian athlete

NEW YORK, NY – December 13, 2024 – Most Valuable Promotions (MVP) announced today that two-time Canadian Olympian and amateur world champion Tammara “Tamm” Thibeault will be the newest signee to MVP’s growing roster of world-class fighters. Thibeault joins MVP just ahead of her highly-anticipated pro debut against fellow Canadian and the #10 WBA-ranked middleweight, Natasha “The Nightmare” Spence (8-6, 6 KOs). Thibeault, a passionate advocate for gender equality in the sport, is making a powerful statement from the opening bell of her professional career as the first female boxer in history to compete in a pro debut under men’s rules—four three-minute rounds—in a middleweight / 160 lbs bout against Spence. The bout will open the main card of MVP’s Most Valuable Prospects 10 on Friday, December 13 in Orlando, FL, available globally as part of the DAZN subscription package, with Boxlab Promotions serving as the official licensed promoter. Jake Paul, Amanda Serrano, and fellow Canadian signee Lucas Bahdi will be in attendance to support Thibeault and fellow MVP star Wanna Walton.  

Originally from Shawinigan, Quebec, Canada, Thibeault began her boxing journey at the age of nine, inspired by seeing her father, a former CFL athlete who took up boxing in his offseason, knock out an opponent during a Provincial tournament. Following in his footsteps, she took up boxing at age 12 and was inspired to compete for Canada while watching the first women’s Olympic boxing competition at the 2012 London Olympics. Since then, the 27-year-old middleweight, a southpaw standing 6 feet tall, has forged an outstanding career in the amateur ranks. A two-time Olympian, Thibeault made her Olympic debut at Tokyo 2020, where she advanced to the quarterfinals of the women’s 75kg (165lb) event, matching Canada’s best-ever Olympic result in any women’s boxing event. She went undefeated until she returned to the Paris Olympics in 2024, earning gold medals at the 2022 IBA Amateur World Championship, the 2022 Commonwealth Games, and the 2023 Pan Am Games. Thibeault, who speaks French, English, and Spanish, recently completed a Bachelor’s degree in Urban Studies from Concordia University in 2023, which she earned over seven years while competing. She currently lives in Sheffield, England, where she is earning a one-year Master’s degree in urban design and urban planning while training at the renowned Steel City Gym. She is now poised to embark on the next chapter of her career, setting a new precedent in the pro ranks as the first female boxer in history to make a pro debut while competing under men’s rules, three-minute rounds, on the main card of MVP’s Most Valuable Prospects 10. 

“I am beyond excited to be part of Most Valuable Promotions,” said Tamm Thibeault. “The moment has come to start a new adventure, and I truly believe that with MVP, I will have the opportunity to bring something great to women’s professional boxing. Amanda Serrano has been an incredible inspiration, championing women’s choice in this sport, and I’m proud to follow her example by competing under men’s rules—with three-minute rounds—against Natasha Spence in my pro debut today. This is only the beginning, and I can’t wait to start this amazing journey!” 

“I’m thrilled to welcome another strong female fighter in Tamm Thibeault to the MVP family,” said Amanda Serrano. “Tamm’s impressive accomplishments at the amateur level speak volumes about her talent and potential, and I’m confident she’s destined to become a future superstar. Most importantly, she shares our vision to uplift female fighters and show the world that women deserve recognition, a platform, and equal opportunity in this sport. By stepping into the ring to compete with three-minute rounds in her first pro fight, Tamm is making a bold statement on equality and setting a powerful example for the next generation of women in boxing. Change is coming.”

"Tamm Thibeault has the skills inside and outside the ring to ensure she has a long and successful boxing career," said Jake Paul and Nakisa Bidarian, co-founders of Most Valuable Promotions. "As a two-time Canadian Olympian and amateur world champion, Tamm has already proven herself as one of the sport's brightest rising stars. Her decision to compete under men’s rules in her professional debut is a groundbreaking moment, and we’re honored to support her as she sets a new standard for what’s possible in women’s boxing. The anticipation for her pro debut on Most Valuable Prospects 10 tonight is just the beginning, and we’re excited to see her continue inspiring athletes worldwide and showcasing her talents in an MVP event in Canada in 2025.

Thibeault joins MVP’s elite roster of superstar athletes and up-and-coming stars including international superstar Jake “El Gallo” Paul, boxing trailblazer and unified featherweight world champion Amanda “The Real Deal” Serrano, prolific top boxing prospect H2O Sylve, MVP’s first homegrown champion, the new WBO Super Middleweight Champion, Shadasia “The Sweet Terminator” Green, multi-talented megastar Javon “Wanna” Walton, India’s most successful professional boxer Neeraj Goyat, and top-ranked lightweight “Prince” Lucas Bahdi. 

Founded by Jake Paul and Nakisa Bidarian, MVP aims to give athletes creative control, and aims to identify, grow, and maximize return for its talent partners and events. Together, Paul and Bidarian have architected Jake Paul’s meteoric rise in combat sports. In 2021, MVP signed one of the most decorated Hispanic athletes of all time, Amanda Serrano, who has since achieved historic milestones, including becoming Puerto Rico’s first-ever undisputed champion and competing in the first unified women’s championship fight contested over 12 three-minute rounds—the men’s championship standard—held in October 2023. Her previous historic clash against Katie Taylor at Madison Square Garden in 2022 earned recognition as Sports Illustrated’s Fight of the Year, The Ring’s Event of the Year, and was further nominated for Event of the Year by Sports Business Journal. The event marked a pivotal point in women’s sports history as the first time women have headlined a main event at the world-renowned venue in New York City. 

MVP’s recent collaboration with Netflix broke records with the Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson mega-event, which is now the most-streamed sporting event ever, peaking at 65 million concurrent streams globally, with 38 million in the U.S. The event drew an average minute audience (AMA) of 108 million live viewers globally, which grew to 125 million (Live+1) over the weekend. Co-headlining the historic card, Katie Taylor vs. Amanda Serrano 2 became the most-watched professional women’s sports event in U.S. history, with an AMA of 47 million viewers domestically and 74 million globally. The event also ranked as the #1 title on Netflix in 78 countries, including the U.S., UK, Brazil, and India, and trended as the #1 topic worldwide on X during the event. Joe Hand Promotions reported that over 1 million viewers watched from 6,000 bars and restaurants in the U.S., breaking commercial distribution records.

For more information, follow on X via @MostVPromotions, @JakePaul, and @TammThibeault or on Instagram via @MostValuablePromotions, @JakePaul, and @tammthibeault.

 

About Most Valuable Promotions (MVP)

Most Valuable Promotions was founded by Jake Paul and Nakisa Bidarian in 2021. With the mission to provide more creative control to fighters, MVP works to identify, grow, and maximize return for its own events and talent partners. Since inception MVP has consistently produced the biggest combat sports pay-per-view events. One year into its inception, MVP was nominated as one of the prestigious Sports Breakthroughs of the Year in 2022 by Sports Business Journal. The company signed one of the most decorated Hispanic athletes of all time, Amanda Serrano in its first year. Serrano and MVP made history in April of 2022 when Serrano went head to head with Katie Taylor, marking the first female fight to headline at Madison Square Garden, recently earning a nomination for Event of The Year by Sports Business Journal. Co-founder Nakisa Bidarian was an executive producer of the historic Triller Presents Mike Tyson v. Roy Jones Jr., which is the 8th most bought pay-per-view event in history.  

Material Courtesy of: Most Valuable Promotions Used with permission 

The Boxing Truth®️ is a registered trademark of Beau Denison All Rights Reserved.

‘I still feel like I've got more to achieve in this sport’ Andrew Moloney sets his sights on World Championship glory

Press Release: December 12,  2024 By Lewis Moss and Dragon Fire Boxing  -

Credit: Dragon Fore Boxing 

This Sunday at the Melbourne Pavillion, Andrew Moloney looks to get back on track when he takes on the experienced Jakrawut Majungoen.

 

A win for the Aussie has the potential to open doors for the future, as he sets his sights on another world title.

 

In his last fight, Moloney was on the wrong end of a controversial decision at the hands of Pedro Guevara for the Interim WBC Super Flyweight title. The disappointment of this fight resulted in Molony announcing his retirement.

 

Moloney says that although the loss was a very tough pill to swallow, he has moved past that night as he looks to get back on the horse.

“I was extremely frustrated that night” Moloney said. “I really felt like everything we planned on doing in that fight went exactly to plan, I felt like I was in total control.

“My corner would basically tell me to keep doing what I was doing and I was very relieved at the end of the fight as I felt like things went my way.

“To have the decision read out as Guevara winning the fight, I was honestly just shocked.

“On that night, I announced that that would be my last fight. I'd had enough of giving everything to the sport and getting nothing back. Winning that fight for the interim world title would have opened up the doors to some really big fights for me.

“It was a pretty tough pill to swallow, it took a bit of time to move past and refocus on the future in the sport but here we are.

“This Sunday I get a chance to put that behind me and move forward with my career and hopefully open up the doors for some big fights in 2025.”

Going into his previous fight, Moloney revealed that he had torn his bicep nine days prior. During rehabilitation, his focus was a chance at redemption against his Mexican foe.

However, due to the urgent need for a unification fight, the WBC would not allow the rematch to go forward.

While looking at other pathways in the Super Flyweight division, Moloney and his management noticed a lot of movement, Particularly in two of the four sanctioning bodies. 

“I went through a pretty tough week to get to [the Guevara] fight after tearing my bicep around nine days out.” Moloney told.

“Throughout rehab, my whole motivation was to have a rematch with Guevara and my team were in talks with him to organize that rematch.

“Unfortunately, the WBC mandated that he fought for the full world title against Jesse Rodriguez, basically putting a halt on the rematch happening. [It] took a little bit of time to refocus my goals and work out what was next.

“Thankfully, there's been a little bit of movement in the division, particularly in the IBF and a little bit in the WBO as well, where it looks like I could potentially get a shot at a world title in the not too distant future.”

Moloney is ranked the eighth best Super Flyweight in the world by the IBF and seventh in the WBO, with the former having a lot more room for opportunity.

 

In the IBF, the title along with the first and second ranking positions are currently vacant. On the same day that Moloney makes his return, the third and fourth ranked Super Flyweights Willibaldo Garcia and Rene Calixto Bibiano fight each other for the IBF crown.

 

The Aussie says he has his eye on that match up, potentially facing the winner in the future.

“For me, I want to be in the big fights” Moloney told.

“I want to be fighting for world titles, my goal in this sport is to be world champion. I’m trying to plan and map out the fastest route to that and it looks to be the IBF.

“I've watched footage of [Willibaldo Garcia and Rene Calixto Bibiano] and I'm very confident that I have what it takes to beat either one of them, that’s definitely the route I'd like to go.

“I'm hoping that maybe after this fight that I'll be able to be in an eliminator for an IBF title shot, that is, if we can't get the winner of that title fight straight away.”

But before he can think about an eliminator fight, he needs to get past Jakrawut Majungoen, an experienced fighter in the Asian boxing scene.

Having already fought seven times this year and winning five of them by stoppage, the Thai fighter looks to be a good test for Moloney.

“He's a good fighter. He's very experienced” Moloney said.

“He had a very good fight against Daigo Higa quite a few years ago, he gave Higa a very hard fight so I've prepared well.”

“This is a must-win fight for me, so I've prepared very hard. I believe if I fight to my best ability, then I should win this fight no problem.

“But I have to make sure that I'm on my game and I perform at my best.”

Although Moloney has been at boxing’s highest level for a number of years, he is not quite satisfied with his career just yet.

With a world title on his mind, he will stop at nothing to achieve his goal.

“I really still feel like I've got more to achieve in this sport.” Moloney said.

“I've given my life to this sport for 20 years, I'm not satisfied with what I've achieved just yet.

“I really want to get my hands on at least one more world title, that's my complete focus at the moment.

“Hopefully with the way things move after this fight, it won't be too long before I'm back fighting for world titles and hopefully that's next year.”

Despite the disappointment in his last fight, Moloney looks rejuvenated and has a clear focus for the future. On fight night, Andrew will leave no stone unturned to stay on track and retain focus on his world title ambitions.

Material Courtesy of: Lewis Moss/Photo Courtesy of: Dragon Fire Boxing used with permission 

The Boxing Truth®️ is a registered trademark of Beau Denison All Rights Reserved.

Wallace Stop Wellem In 8

The recent times in Boxing’s 175lb. Light-Heavyweight division have centered around Artur Beterbiev and Dmitry Bivol, the two long-reigning world champions of the division, who finally met in October of this year to determine the Undisputed World Light-Heavyweight championship. In what was a highly competitive fight, it was Beterbiev who emerged victorious by a razor thin decision. Both due to the competitive nature of that fight as well as a rematch clause, Beterbiev and Bivol will continue to be the focus as they will meet again in February 2025.

Outside of the top of the division where the focus remains on Beterbiev and Bivol, however, there are prospects and contenders looking to position themselves for potential lucrative bouts against either later in 2025 and beyond. One such fighter is rising prospect Conor Wallace. Wallace, a native of Newry, Northern Ireland, now based in Queensland, Australia, has quickly emerged as a fighter to watch and could well find himself in the mix among the top contenders, or Beterbiev, or Bivol sooner rather than later.

After establishing a record of 14-1, with 10 Knockouts, Wallace concluded his 2024 on Wednesday night when he faced the unbeaten, but largely unknown Asemahle Wellem at the Fortitude Music Hall in Queensland Australia. Despite coming into the fight with an undefeated record of 7-0-1, with 3 Knockouts, Wellem, a native of South Africa, was a bit of a mystery in the sense that there was not  footage that this observer could access prior to this bout of his previous fights, and all one could really go on without the benefit of film study, was simply the statistical figures in his record as well as the knowledge per that record that Wellem came into this fight off of a draw in his last bout in March against a fellow undefeated fighter named Selemani Kidunda in a fight fought in the 168lb. Super-Middleweight division.

Often when there is not much known about a fighter going into a bout, it can be difficult to get an idea as to what type of fight one could expect. Wellem would turn out to be a fighter who was quite awkward, but one that ended up providing Wallace with what turned out to be a significant test.

The early rounds saw both fighters looking to establish position, Wallace, a southpaw seeming to be the naturally bigger fighter and attempting to keep Wellem at distance with his longer reach. As tends to happen when a southpaw faces an orthodox fighter, there was no shortage of trips, unintentional, and perhaps intentional grappling between the two fighters throughout with Wallace often getting the worst of it in hitting the canvas and at times appearing to be thrown akin to what one would see in the sport of Judo. This was not aided by what appeared to be moisture on the canvas, which had both fighters having trouble periodically maintaining their footing.

Wellem did succeed for a time in being able to keep Wallace from finding a rhythm by frequently changing the levels of his attack from the head to the body as well as not over playing his hand in only taking opportunities as they came rather than being overly aggressive. As the fight progressed, Wallace managed to gradually apply tactical pressure, which opened up opportunities to land his left hand from the southpaw stance. This did not prevent him from getting caught in the fourth round and appearing to be hurt by a right hand by Wellem. Wallace would respond by landing a left hook to the body that forced Wellum to take a knee moments later. 

Perhaps because he had now felt the power of his opponent, Wellem would resort to a dirty tactic in the fifth round when while being separated by the referee, he hit Wallace in the back of the head, which caused an immediate point deduction for not only hitting on the break, but also hitting his opponent in the back of the head. The subject of potential scoring of the fight, however, would prove to be a moot point as Wallace continued to apply pressure and gradually land hard punches that affected Wellem.

In the eighth round Wallace would drop Wellem for the second time with a straight left hand. Although Wellem showed his mettle by getting up, he was clearly hurt, and Wallace sensing his opponent was in trouble, went for the finish. A follow-up combination sent Wellem down for a third and final time as the bout was promptly stopped. The fifthteeth victory in the career of Conor Wallace and his eighth straight win since suffering his only career setback in April 2021, earned him the WBA’s vacant Oceania Light-Heavyweight title, one of the regional championships used to elevate fighters into the world rankings who compete in the Asia-Pacific region of the world, not unlike fighters who win British titles in the United Kingdom or European championships throughout Europe, which all serve as a route for fighters to elevate themselves into the world rankings. 

More importantly, this win will serve Wallace well in terms of his development in the long-term. He did face an opponent here in Asemahle Wellem, who presented an awkward style that for a time proved difficult to combat. Furthermore, Wellem did test Wallace's ability to cope with being hurt and was not cooperative and kept fighting after being knocked down initially. While fights like this often serve better than a quick knockout in the long-term as far as a fighter’s development is concerned, the ability to cope with what some might view as an unexpected test and still accomplish the task of victory will also serve Wallace as he looks to progress against theoretically tougher competition with the goal of eventually challenging for a world championship.

“And That's The Boxing Truth." 

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Pulev And Bentley Score Big Wins In Europe

Saturday, December 7th saw two interesting bouts take place that shined the spotlight on Boxing’s European scene. In the long term, each outcome could also lead to something significant for the winners in terms of the world rankings in 2025. The first of these two bouts took place in Sofia, Bulgaria where top Heavyweight contenders Manuel Charr and former two-time world title challenger and hometown favorite Kubrat Pulev met in a scheduled twelve round bout where an Interim/Regular championship designation in the WBA Heavyweight ratings was at stake.

Outside of the designation, what looked over this fight in reality was an opportunity to become a mandatory challenger in the WBA ratings, which could lead to an opportunity to face the winner of the upcoming rematch between Unified World Heavyweight championship Oleksandr Usyk and Tyson Fury, which will take place in Saudi Arabia on December 21st. 

While this fight was fought in relatively close quarters as both fighters were content to stay within punching range from start to finish, it was Pulev who was able to dictate the fight. In simple terms, Pulev’s approach in this encounter had an emphasis on fundamentals. By working behind a consistent jab and frequently throwing right hands, either straight right hands, or right hooks, he was able to establish a pattern for the combat that Charr was simply unable to break.

A pattern of being put on the end of Pulev’s longer arms and being unable to get his punches off first. The success Pulev had in being able to land his right hand behind the jab eventually opened a cut over Charr’s left eye midway through the scheduled twelve round bout. Although the pattern did not change as the fight progressed, the close parameters in which the fight was fought did allow for some heated exchanges throughout. Though Charr was able to have some success periodically in landing counter hooks on Pulev, he simply could not change the ebb and flow of the combat, nor was he able to consistently use head movement to try and avoid the right hand of Pulev. It was Pulev’s fundamental approach that ultimately resulted in his winning a wide and convincing twelve round unanimous decision on the official scorecards.  What may be ahead for both Pulev and Charr will be discussed at the end of this column. 

The second bout that took place during this day saw the action move from Sofia, Bulgaria to London, England where British Middleweight champion Brad Pauls made the second defense of his title against former British Middleweight champion Denzel Bentley in a twelve round bout. While British championship honors were on the line in this bout as well as bragging rights in terms of the British Boxing scene, the stakes of this fight were increased as the vacant European Middleweight championship was also on the line, which could serve as a springboard to a potential shot at a world championship.

What stood out to this observer was Bentley's ability to control distance and be a sharpshooter in the first four rounds. Bentley did this by putting an emphasis on lateral movement and keeping Pauls on the end of his jab, throwing right hands to the head and body, then using his legs to avoid Pauls.

This made things difficult for the British champion, but he did begin to close the gap in round five by becoming a bit more aggressive and gradually closing the distance between himself and Bentley. Pauls did this by trying to apply pressure and push Bentley back towards the ropes and corners of the ring. Although it was a gradual process, Pauls approach allowed him to incrementally pick up his punch output and he was able to land some solid hooks and straight right hands. 

The tempo appeared to be shifting slightly in the champion’s favor after eight rounds simply because he was able to adapt and change his approach. As the fight entered the tenth round, it appeared as though Pauls was potentially in the driver's seat, but just as the momentum seemed in his favor, he was forced to take a knee when Benley landed a jab that appeared to land on the eye. Pauls was able to get up, but in what appeared to be a close fight developing, the knockdown would prove to be crucial.

Following the knockdown, Bentley appeared to regain control of the contest in terms of being able to dictate the tempo as Pauls tried to reestablish what had been working for him prior to being knocked down. He was not able to, however, and Bentley was able to secure a convincing unanimous decision victory by sweeping the final three rounds of the bout. In terms of scoring, Bentley won by margins of 117-110, 116-111, and 115-112 on the three official scorecards. Bentley being able to score a 10-8 round in round ten because of the knockdown, as well as sweeping the final two rounds of the twelve round championship bout ended up sealing his victory.

For Bentley, what might come next could be a world championship fight in 2025. Not only because he won the European Middleweight championship by defeating Pauls in addition to regaining the British Middleweight championship, but more specifically because Pauls was recognized as the WBO’s number one contender heading into this bout, which now in theory puts Bentley into the number one mandatory challenger position for current unified WBO/IBF World Middleweight champion Janibek Alimkhanuly. Whether or not Bentley gets that fight or might possibly look into a potential rematch with Pauls, which would draw much interest in the United Kingdom might come down to what the WBO and IBF decide what's next for Alimkhanuly in terms of his mandatory defense obligations.

As for the winner of the Heavyweight bout that took place on this Saturday in Europe, Kubrat Pulev might now be on a short list of potential challengers for the winner of the rematch between undefeated unified WBO/IBO/WBA/WBC world champion Oleksandr Usyk and former two-time Heavyweight world champion Tyson Fury. Obviously, we will not know the outcome of that rematch until they meet on December 21st, but in reality both Pulev and Charr, who fought for the first time in two years when he faced Pulev after a lengthy period of inactivity caused in part by legal entanglements involving the WBA, could still have room to maneuver with no shortage of contenders, former world champions, and also current IBF world champion Daniel Dubois all lurking in the Heavyweight division. The attention, however, will move to Usyk and Fury before all the above likely decide what is next for them as they look to improve their position in the crowded Heavyweight landscape.

“And That's The Boxing Truth." 

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INTERNATIONAL SUPERSTAR JAKE PAUL SET TO JOIN UNDISPUTED THIS DECEMBER

Press Release: December 5,  2024 By Most Valuable Promotions and Steel City Interactive -

Credit: Most Valuable Promotions 

The Problem Child DLC Expands Fighter Roster with Seven Boxers and Alternate Outfits.

5 December 2024 - Global boxing superstar and serial entrepreneur  Jake ‘El Gallo de Dorado’ Paul has officially joined the roster of the hit boxing video game Undisputed.

In the debut DLC since the game’s full release in October, the high-profile influencer-turned-boxer will be available as a playable character with three in-game outfits, bringing his fight style and personality to the most authentic boxing game from 12 December 2024. 

 Trailer now live HERE

Paul was put through his paces at the Sheffield, UK studio to ensure his in-game character reflected his signature style, combining his real-world fighting skills with his unapologetic, bold persona. 

Steel City Interactive conducted a full motion capture of Jake Paul, resulting in a lifelike appearance with precision perfect punches, defence and footwork. His trademark flamboyant attire completes his virtual look. 

“I’ve been breaking barriers and making history in real life, so it’s only fitting that I bring the same energy to Undisputed. This isn’t just about being in a video game; it’s about inspiring a new generation of fans to step into the ring—virtually and in real life. The Steel City team nailed every detail, from my moves to my swag, and I can’t wait for players to test their skills as ‘El Gallo de Dorado.’ Just like in the real ring, I’m here to take over,” said Jake Paul.

“Jake’s influence on modern boxing is undeniable. His meteoric rise has introduced a whole new generation to the sport, especially those who have followed him from a YouTube phenomenon to a legitimate boxing contender,” said Ash Habib, Founder and CEO of Steel City Interactive. 

“His inclusion in Undisputed represents our commitment to featuring fighters who bring something new and exciting to the sport, pushing boxing inside and outside the ring.”

Undisputed is known for its authenticity to the world of boxing and detailed recreation of the sport. In addition to Paul, The Problem Child DLC roster is expanded further to include two specialised packs comprising of six current boxing superstars and legends of yesteryear:

Pack 1 - Mexican Legends 

Marco Antonio Barrera

Erik Morales

Juan Manuel Márquez.

Pack 2 - Hard-hitting Heavyweights

James 'Buster' Douglas

Otto Wallin

Zhilei Zhang. 

New outfits:

Each new fighter comes with an alternate outfit. There are also two new cosmetic packs that include alternate outfits for Deontay Wilder, Roy Jones Jr., Sunny Edwards, Terence Crawford, Vasilii Lomachenko and Seniesa Estrada. 

In addition to the paid for DLC fighters and outfits, all existing and new players will also receive free content and game updates including:

 - Two brand new ‘Ring of Fire’ outfits for Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk in anticipation of their rematch on the 21st December. 

 - Two new venues, new animations for knockouts and knockdowns, movement up and down in weight class for Career Mode, audio and UI changes

This debut DLC represents the first of numerous planned content drops  comprising of free, paid and game enhancements. More detail to be revealed soon. 

Undisputed is available to purchase on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S and PC Steam. 

 Material and Trailer Courtesy of: Most Valuable Promotions and Steel City Interactive Used with permission.

The Boxing Truth®️ is a registered trademark of Beau Denison All Rights Reserved.

Pauls-Bentley Headline Queensberry Unofficial Debut On DAZN

One month ago, the Boxing world was buzzing as it was announced that Hall of Fame promoter Frank Warren and his Queensberry Promotions promotional company had signed a multi-year landmark worldwide broadcast deal with digital subscription sports streaming network DAZN to officially begin in April of 2025. While some Boxing fans here in the United States may remember several cards promoted by Warren held in the United Kingdom being televised by the now defunct Showtime Sports many years ago featuring fighters such legends as Nigel Benn, Frank Bruno, Prince Naseem Hamed among others, as well as other events sprinkled among different networks as time has gone on, even with the advent of streaming, there has not been one consistent broadcast outlet for the UK-based Queensberry Promotions in this country. While some events have been aired through digital subscription sports streaming network ESPN+ in recent years, it has been periodic access at best for U.S. Boxing fans. 

In this aspect, the announcement of Warren joining DAZN on a global scale, which will include the United States as well as the United Kingdom, which will also put Queensberry Promotions on the same broadcast platform as its longtime promotional rival Matchroom Boxing and its current head Eddie Hearn, something that should also be viewed as a significant positive for the sport as both have shown a willingness to co-promote in recent years, the global agreement for Queensberry Promotions does not indeed begin until next April. For Boxing fans in the United States, however, there will be something akin to a soft launch of this new agreement and new era for the sport as Queensberry Promotions will present a Boxing card on December 7th, which can be seen on DAZN from the Wembley Arena in London, England. 

Headlining the card will be a twelve round bout for the vacant European Middleweight championship and British Middleweight championship as current British Middleweight champion Brad Pauls will defend his British crown against former British Middleweight champion Denzel Bentley. This is an encounter between two rising stars in the Queensberry stable with bragging rights in terms of the British championship scene on the line. 

Pauls, who will enter the bout with a record of 19-1-1, with 11 Knockouts, will be making the second defense of the British Middleweight crown. The champion is coming off back to back fights with former British Middleweight champion Nathan Heaney, where he earned a draw in the first bout and a twelfth round stoppage in the rematch in July to win the title. 

Ironically, it was Heaney, who became British Middleweight champion himself by defeating Denzel Bentley in November of last year. Bentley, who comes into this bout with a record of 20-3-1, with 17 Knockouts is coming off two knockout wins in his two outings since that loss to Heaney including a second round stoppage of Derrick Osaze in his last fight in August. While this has all the appearance of an evenly matched fight on paper, some may give a slight edge to Bentley in terms of punching power. Nevertheless this figures to be a competitive bout between champion and challenger.

What is also at stake here in this fight in addition to the British Middleweight championship is the vacant European Middleweight championship. A championship that not only serves as an elevation for fighters moving up into the world rankings, but one that has been held by former world champions Alan Minter, Darren Barker, and Sumbu Kalambay among others. Will Pauls or Bentley be the next European Middleweight champion to eventually become a world champion? Only time will tell, but challenging for the European crown represents a crucial step towards that ultimate goal. We will see who will be able to make that step on Saturday, December 7th.

“And That's The Boxing Truth." 

Pauls vs. Bentley takes place on Saturday, December 7th at the Wembley Arena in London, England. The fight as well as it's full undercard can be seen in the United States on digital subscription sports streaming network DAZN beginning at 1PM ET/10AM PT (*May be available on DAZN in other countries check schedule for availability in your country.*) 

(*Check your local listings internationally.*)

For more information about DAZN including schedules, list of compatible streaming devices, platforms, Smart TVs, availability around the world, local start times in your area, and to subscribe please visit: www.DAZN.com. 

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Will Charr Or Pulev Be In Position For Usyk-Fury Rematch Winner?

The month of December has been looked forward to by Boxing fans due in large part to the much anticipated rematch between undefeated unified WBO/IBO/WBA/WBC Heavyweight world champion Oleksandr Usyk and former two-time World Heavyweight champion Tyson Fury. A rematch that could in some ways signal the end of an era, or perhaps potentially lead to a third chapter between the two future Hall of Famers.

While there is still much to be resolved between Usyk and Fury as well as unanswered questions as to what may follow after that fight, it is worth remembering that the politics that be in the sport is one reason why that second bout between Usyk and Fury is for a unified portion of the World Heavyweight championship and not the Undisputed championship, which was determined in their first fight earlier this year. Such political aspects also inevitably also create scenarios where others in a division are looking to maneuver themselves into position to potentially face the winner of a rematch. 

One such scenario could be taking shape as Heavyweight contenders Manuel Charr and Kubrat Pulev will meet on December 7th in Bulgaria as each look to put themselves into a position to challenge Usyk or Fury. As simple and straight-forward as that should be for anyone to understand, this fight, which will be broadcast on digital subscription sports streaming network DAZN, will have an Interim/Regular championship designation in the WBA’s Heavyweight ratings, a designation held by Charr.

Although in reality this fight is simply two contenders looking to take the next step towards a shot at a world championship between one fighter in Charr, who has held an Interim/Regular label for several years, but has never fought for a world championship, and Charr, a longtime top contender who has fought for a world championship twice, the fact that there is an Interim/Regular label attached here does not mean much in the overall picture. The story, however, of this encounter should be whether either fighter will be able to make a strong argument for himself as being the next potential challenger for the winner of Usyk-Fury 2.

Both Charr and Pulev have been top contenders in the Heavyweight division for many years, but the question that should surround this fight is whether inactivity will be a factor. Specifically, the inactivity of Charr, who will be competing for the first time in two years following several legal entanglements involving himself and the WBA as well as visa issues, which has prevented him from traveling for competition.

Frankly, it would take likely several columns to go over each specific issue Charr has had to deal with in recent years, which have included fighters petitioning the WBA for fights with Charr among other issues which have led those aforementioned legal entanglements, so out of respect for the reader, this observer will move forward to simply discussing the issue of inactivity 

Charr’s last fight took place on December 21, 2022 when he scored a second round knockout of Nueri Seferi. While Charr fought three times that year, which is fairly more active by today's standards for a top contender or world champions, now he finds himself in a position where the subject of “Ring Rust" is very real simply because he has been inactive. 

In contrast, Kubrat Pulev, a former European Heavyweight champion and former two-time world title challenger is coming into this fight off of two straight wins and last fought in March of this year in scoring a twelve round unanimous decision over Ihor Shevadzutskyi. Pulev will also have two other advantages going into this fight in addition to being the more active of the two fighters.

Pulev is the naturally bigger fighter standing nearly 6’5 and has a near eighty inch reach. While Charr is only giving up two inches in reach, if Pulev can establish the tempo of the combat and keep Charr at distance with his longer reach, it could pose difficulty for Charr as the fight progresses if he cannot get inside of Pulev’s reach. 

Although the weight of the two fighters is likely to be similar as both have tipped the scales in the 240lb. range in their recent fights, it will likely come down to who is able to implement their tactics between two boxer/punchers. Some may argue, however, that whom will take the next step towards a shot at a world championship may not be necessarily determined by who wins and who loses, but rather whether the winner will be able to put on a quality performance in order to drum up the type of buzz that will support the victor as the next challenger for Usyk or Fury. We will have to wait and see if Manuel Charr or Kubrat Pulev will be able to make a strong argument for themselves.

“And That's The Boxing Truth." 

Charr vs. Pulev takes place on Saturday, December 7th in Sofia, Bulgaria. The fight can be seen worldwide on digital subscription sports streaming network DAZN beginning at 1PM ET/10AM PT (*U.S. Times Only.*) For more information about DAZN including schedules, list of compatible streaming devices, platforms,Smart TVs, availability around the world, local start times in your area, and to subscribe please visit: www.DAZN.com. 

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