a day ago
5 things to watch in boxing: Albert Ramirez's light heavyweight push, latest on Eubank-Benn 2, Junto Nakatani and more
Yikes, talk about a sparse schedule.
Boxing appears to be taking its traditional summer break very seriously this year, and who could blame it?
But for those on the outskirts of the boxing circus looking in, this weekend could prove the perfect opportunity to put themselves in the shop window for future opportunities.
Let's set the table for some of the biggest things to look out for across one of boxing's quietest weekends:
Mirco Cuello and Sergio Rios try to 'KO a las Drogas' in Libya
The interim WBA featherweight title is on the line in Benghazi, Libya, as part of the WBA's ongoing mission to "KO Drugs" — something that has managed to pass me by despite celebrating its — checks notes — 30th anniversary this year.
Mirco Cuello and Sergio Rios put their unbeaten records on the line in what has to be regarded as the fight of the weekend in an Argentinean-Mexican scrap at 126 pounds.
Cuello comes into this fight as a huge betting favorite (-2500 at BetMGM) following an impressive final-round TKO of Christian Olivio in February, notching his 12th stoppage victory in just 15 contests, whereas Rios fights outside of Mexico for the first time as a pro, and, most remarkably, for only the third time in 20 outings against a fighter with a winning record.
Nick Ball — who defends his WBA title at featherweight against Sam Goodman in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, next weekend — will be in line for the winner of Friday night's headline attraction, as the only current male world champion hailing from the United Kingdom.
Junto Nakatani looks to move to super bantamweight — is an opponent on the horizon?
In what could be the first significant move toward an all-Japanese superfight with Naoya Inoue (30-0, 27 KOs), Junto Nakatani (31-0, 24 KOs) has signaled his intention to leave the bantamweight division behind.
The unified champion at 118 pounds is a world champion in three different weight classes and an inclusion within a majority of pound-for-pound top 10 lists, but what awaits the 27-year-old is one of the biggest fights the sport could wish for against the 'Monster.'
'We are currently adjusting to move up to the super bantamweight division for the next match. I think I will relinquish the bantamweight title soon,' Nakatani said, as reported by Yahoo Japan.
So, keep your eye on Nakatani making this news official by dropping the IBF and WBC titles, and plotting his path toward Inoue in the first half of 2026. Murodjon Akhmadaliev is next up for Inoue, so Nakatani will need to choose his first opponent at 122 pounds carefully in preparation for his superstar countryman.
Albert Ramirez moves closer to light heavyweight title shot
Don't worry — if Cuello and Rios don't "KO Drugs," then Albert Ramirez has another chance to deliver a vicious left hook to narcotics on the Cuello vs. Rios undercard.
The Venezuelan southpaw has moved to 21-0 (18 KOs) having fought twice in 2025 already, and now challenges London-born Jerome Pampellone in the peculiar setting of the Martyrs of Benina Stadium in Benghazi, Libya.
Ramirez is close to a title shot in the light heavyweight division, aiming to bag the WBA's interim title this Friday against the 19-2 (12 KOs) Auckland resident.
Will the titlists at 175 pounds, David Benavidez and Dmitry Bivol, be watching? Maybe. Ramirez is a hard-hitting lefty who is moving through the levels quickly, but his ceiling is still a bit of a mystery having competed across seven countries as somewhat of a professional nomad.
Vartan Arutyunyan continues heavyweight climb
Unbeaten southpaw Vartan Arutyunyan could prove to be one of the hidden gems of the heavyweight division.
The 25-year-old has built a 10-0 (7 KOs) record under the radar since turning over in 2019 and heads back to Yekaterinburg, Russia, this Saturday night for an eight-rounder against compatriot Vitaly Kudukhov (7-2, 3 KOs).
The 6-foot-2 heavyweight sparred with Anthony Joshua in the run up to the Briton's first encounter with Oleksandr Usyk and was described as a 'little Mike Tyson' and a 'powerhouse' by Joshua's team.
It's still early, but in an aging heavyweight division there is plenty of room for some young(er) blood.
Will Chris Eubank Jr. vs. Conor Benn 2 fall through, again?
Ok, sorry for trying to squeeze the jam out of your doughnut (is that still a saying?), but just because Turki Alalshikh's Ring Magazine has posted Chris Eubank Jr. vs. Conor Benn 2 is happening on Nov. 15., doesn't mean it's gospel.
We've been here before. An original date of Sept. 20 was declared in early July without any knowledge from either Eubank's or Benn's teams, only for the former IBO middleweight champion to refuse acknowledgement of the proposed date.
Alalshikh, Riyadh Season and Sela then distanced themselves with any involvement of trying to make the rematch, claiming they weren't a 'charity' and taking aim at Eubank in the process. But as if by magic, it appears we've gone full circle. Bridges have been mended and 60,000 expected fans are preparing for a cold November night inside Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
We are still awaiting official confirmation on any possible stipulations that this rematch will include, including what weight Eubank and Benn will be required to make.
The rematch is probably more on than off, but would anyone be surprised if there's another big stumbling block on the road to Nov. 15?
