WBC lightweight champion Jorge Linares, (39-3, 26ko) defends his title against Mexico’s Ivan Cano (23-6-2, 15ko) at home in Venezuela tonight, in what will be only his 4th fight in his native land over the course of his 13 years as a professional.
The Golden Boy promoted Linares – who resides in Japan – has said he is relishing the opportunity to box in front of his home fans and has promised that after he beats Cano tonight, he will continue to dominate at 135 lbs for some time to come.
IBF super-middleweight champion, James DeGale, is relishing the task of beating former champion Lucien Bute in his Canadian backyard on November 28, claiming that when he does so he wants the big names in the division next.
DeGale, newly signed to Al Haymon and coming off of his triumphant title win over Andre Dirrell in Boston back in May, is venturing out of the UK once again to fight the 35 year old Bute, who was knocked out by Carl Froch back in 2012 and is fighting to save his career against the Beijing 2008 gold medalist.
He may be fighting on at the ripe old age of 43 after losing large chunks of his prime due to jail time, yet American heavyweight contender Amir Mansour (22-1, 16ko) is not giving up on chasing that dream heavyweight world title opportunity, and is intent on working on one more step toward it by defeating unbeaten Californian Gerald Washington (16-0) this coming Tuesday (13th) on Fox Sports 1 (US).
For the last few days a persistent rumour has circled on social media that oft criticised WBC heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder was seeking to squeeze in a fight with countryman and former Wladimir Klitschko foe, Bryant “By By” Jennings.
Wilder is due to face mandatory challenger Alexander Povetkin in his next bout, and with Povetkin himself fighting next month in Russia against Mariusz Wach, it’s reported Wilder’s team – including elusive ‘adviser’ Al Haymon – are keen on him squeezing in one more voluntary defense before that time, however, should it happen, that WILL NOT be against Jennings.
British super-middleweight contender George Groves has officially stated that he is on the lookout for a new trainer after splitting from Paddy Fitzpatrick in the wake of last month’s WBC title loss to Badou Jack.
In a bizarre twist of fate, the Sauerland promoted fighter conceded to Sky Sports that he would be receptive to the idea of working with former Carl Froch cornerman and Team GB head coach, Robert McCracken, despite the perceived history of ‘bad blood’ between the two camps.
The hotly anticipated welterweight showdown between WBA (reg) champion, Keith Thurman (26-0, 22ko), and friend and old amateur rival Shawn Porter (26-1-1, 16ko) is moving closer to being a done deal according to multiple sources, including ESPN.com’s Dan Rafael.
According to Rafael, a December 12th date is being touted, at an as yet undisclosed location/venue, with Showtime being the favourite to broadcast the fight between the two Al Haymon advised fighters.
Ahead of his hotly anticipated Oct 17 middleweight unification with IBF champion David Lemieux, murderous punching WBA (sup) champion Gennady Golovkin, has stated it doesn’t matter what style is presented to him, he can beat them all.
Fans are expecting fireworks from the two massive punchers’ when they meet at Madison Square Garden on HBO PPV, with Golovkin stating that he believes he is the more complete fighter and will be able to adapt to the aggressive, swarming style of Lemieux, before gradually overcoming it.
Smith fights as chief support on the Queensbury Promotions Terry Flanagan/Diego Magdaleno ‘World War III’ card against Thompson, whose team has promised that Saturday’s clash will show up the ‘difference between an A and a B fighter’, claiming their man has been sparring the likes of Andre Ward and Errol Spence in preparation.
WBO/WBA/IBF light heavyweight champion Sergey Kovalev, has had his scheduled November 28th homecoming in Moscow, Russia postponed as his team at Main Events reportedly chase down a huge showdown with WBA (sup) 168 lb boss Andre Ward, according to multiple sources.
Kovalev, last seen making short work of French challenger Nadjib Mohammedi in July, now has a likely January date on HBO, meaning that the turnaround time between the November Moscow date and that next outing is simply too short.
Whomever ends up in the opposite corner if/when he eventually returns from injury next year, Filipino superstar and multi-weight world champion Manny Pacquiao has given the clearest indication yet that he is ready to call time on his epic 20 year professional boxing career.
Pacquiao, who turns 37 in December, has been recovering from the shoulder surgery he underwent in the wake of May’s disappointing fight with Floyd Mayweather, and is set to return in the first part of next year according to promoter Bob Arum, before re-emerging himself in his burgeoning political career in his native land.