Latest news with #cruiserweight
The Independent
2 days ago
- Sport
- The Independent
The safety fears surrounding Antony Joshua's potential Jake Paul fight
Anthony Joshua 's trainer, Ben Davison, has voiced strong safety concerns regarding a potential fight between Joshua and Jake Paul, calling it a 'serious risk'. Davison criticised calls for the fight, highlighting the potential for serious injury and questioning the safety standards within boxing. Jake Paul, a YouTuber-turned-boxer, recently defeated Julio Cesar Chavez Jr and is now ranked No 14 in the WBA cruiserweight division. Joshua is recovering from a knockout loss to Daniel Dubois last September and subsequent elbow surgery, with his promoter hinting at a comeback fight before the end of the year. While a fight with Tyson Fury is being targeted for 2026, Davison suggests Joshua might need a 'tune-up' fight due to his extended time away from the sport and recent injuries.
Daily Mail
4 days ago
- Sport
- Daily Mail
Dwight Muhammad Qawi dead at 72: Boxing legend who fought George Foreman and Evander Holyfield - and served time in prison
Former two-weight boxing world champion Dwight Muhammad Qawi has died at the age of 72. The Camden Buzzsaw held titles at both light heavyweight and cruiserweight and won 41 of his 53 professional fights between 1978 and 1998. More to follow
The Independent
7 days ago
- Sport
- The Independent
Former world champion backs Garner-Bellotti to emulate his own ‘war' in Bournemouth
Former WBO cruiserweight world champion Chris Billam-Smith says it will be a 'great fight' between Ryan Garner and Reece Bellotti at his old stomping ground this weekend, predicting the Bournemouth International Centre to see another 'war' like his own fight against Isaac Chamberlain. Just like Billam-Smith's scrap with Chamberlain, both the European and Commonwealth titles will be on the line between Garner and Bellotti. Whilst perhaps lacking the pound-for-pound power cruiserweights boast, 'CBS' backs the two super featherweights to put on a dramatic show at the BIC, which will be shown live on DAZN. Bournemouth's hometown hero told The Independent: 'It's a great fight. Actually, I know Reece (Bellotti) quite well, as well (as Ryan Garner). He won the ABAs the year I was in it, but he actually won two ABA titles in the end. 'Very entertaining fighter, nice lad, lovely lad, exciting. 'Ryan's obviously an exciting fighter. I think they're very similar in the sense of their work rate and excitement. They always throw lots of shots, big shots, and I think the difference might just be that Ryan's a little bit more well-polished. 'An exciting fight for the fans – they are going to be in for a treat. I think this would be similar to my fight against (Issac) Chamberlain, in terms of the drama and how entertaining the fight will be.' Coming up to the three-year anniversary of the Chamberlain contest, Billam-Smith was still grateful for the opportunity to fight at the BIC, praising members of his team for finally getting a card staged at the venue. He restarted: 'I'm the person who's boxed there, but my team fought tooth and nail to get a show down to Bournemouth, and then obviously, Ben Shalom and BOXXER eventually did it with the Chamberlain fight and that was it. 'I think there's a lot of thank-yous to a lot of people that are to thank for that happening. Yes, I was the fighter, but the McGuigan family pushed really hard, especially Jake McGuigan. 'He put in so much work and promised that it would be a show. Then it was down to me and Isaac to do what we did. We were lucky that week with the weather. 'It's coming up to three years ago now, it will be this time next week, where we were all on the beach, weighing-in and whatnot. 'I think Jake did so much work and just pushed and pushed to get me down here, which is what we wanted for years.' Professional boxing returned to the BIC for the first time 34 years when Billam-Smith headlined a card in his hometown, taking on fellow Brit Chamberlain in defence of his European and Commonwealth cruiserweight titles. What followed was an all-out war between the two 200-pounders, with the second round in particular a topsy-turvy slugfest. Billam-Smith did more than enough, all three judges scoring the contest 117-111, but combined the two boxers put on a proper show. Since then, boxing has become a staple at Bournemouth's premier venue, with Queensberry following BOXXER in organising shows at the BIC. Billam-Smith continued: 'Then obviously me and Isaac as well, putting on the fight we did. 'With the fans, I think that if that fight had been a messy fight or one that wasn't entertaining, it might not have been as good, it might not have been a buzz that we've had every time since. "The fans as well turned up and put on a show. So there's so many ingredients that go into it, but yes, I a bit of pride, a bit of honour that I'm involved in that, as one of the pieces of the puzzle, which makes it such a great place to box and continue to have shows at.' Having won his world title against Lawrence Okolie at the home stadium of his beloved AFC Bournemouth, Billam-Smith admitted that perhaps he had outgrown the BIC, which holds around 3,200 for boxing events. 'I think so,' 'The Gentleman' responded when asked if the BIC was too small for his fanbase. 'I think it kind of is the case. I mean, it sounds crazy to say - I've seen Oasis at that venue! It's mad to think. 'I mean, last time I boxed there against Masternak, it sold out four weeks early. 'So that shows how much it's grown and how much the fans are behind me down here. We've done the stadium as well, so that was a special night. 'It does seem that the venues down here, well the indoor venue that we have, the BIC is a bit small at the moment. 'Never say never, I could fight there again one day. But I mean, it's very nice to have that problem but at the same time, the stadium, you can't fight at the stadium every three to three to six months either. So it can be difficult.' Whilst Billam-Smith won't be returning to the ring on Saturday night, he will be in attendance at ringside in support of his friend, Garner, and is anticipating an electric atmosphere at the BIC. Having recently travelled to Madison Square Garden in support of gymmate Ellie Scotney earlier this month, 'CBS' believes that Bournemouth's boxing home may even rival the noise made at the historic venue, even if it is far smaller. He shared: 'Well, I was at the Mecca of boxing in Madison Square Garden a few weekends ago - the BIC's a little bit smaller, but the atmosphere is very similar, I will say that! 'But it's amazing. You can see the value in coming down to the coast, putting on shows at the BIC. We didn't realise it until we did it, but it's built for boxing. It really is. It's built for an amazing atmosphere, and that's what it gives you every time. 'I was there in March for Ryan's fight as a fan. Just a spectator, which was an absolute honour and pleasure to be that side of the ropes and just enjoy it for once. 'I had no ties to the show, I know Ryan and wanted him to win, but I wasn't watching my gymmates, where I'm a bit more nervous. 'I just got to be there and enjoy the atmosphere which I once boxed in, and see it on the other side, which is a real honour for me. 'Yes, I was the first one to do it, it's nice and we've done so many great nights there and I love that venue - I loved it before I boxed there. 'So even more so now, the nights I've had there, with the (Issac) Chamberlain war, the (Armend) Xhoxaj knockout, the (Mateusz) Masternak comeback. All those fights they've all been epic in their own right. 'It's great to see other shows there and I'm looking forward to going again on Saturday, then seeing another great atmosphere and seeing the show.' DAZN is the home of combat sports, broadcasting over 185 fights a year from the world's best promoters, including Matchroom, Queensberry, Golden Boy, Misfits, PFL, BKFC, GLORY and more. An Annual Saver subscription is a one-off cost of £119.99 / $224.99 (for 12 months access), that's just 64p / $1.21 per fight. There is also a Monthly Flex Pass option (cancel any time) at £24.99 / $29.99 per month. A subscription includes weekly magazine shows, comprehensive fight library, exclusive interviews, behind-the-scenes documentaries, and podcasts and vodcasts.
The Independent
24-07-2025
- Sport
- The Independent
Ex-cruiserweight world champion drops verdict on Jake Paul taking ‘shortcut' towards title shot
Chris Billam-Smith understands why governing bodies have offered Jake Paul a "shortcut" by ranking the American, but the former WBO cruiserweight world champion has called for boxing 's top organisations to 'hold some integrity'. YouTuber-turned-boxer Paul was ranked by the WBA at cruiserweight last month, placing the American at 14th in their ratings following his victory over Julio César Chávez Jr at the end of June. Former WBC super middleweight champion Chávez Jr had only fought once in the four years before his fight with Paul, leading many to question the merit of ranking Paul, whose record now stands at 12-1 (7 KOs). Following backlash on social media and from boxing pundits, the WBA have stated they will review Paul's ranking. Paul's current status as a top 15 boxer makes 'The Problem Child' eligible for a title shot with WBA and WBO champion Gilberto 'Zurdo' Ramírez. Billam-Smith, 21-2 (13 KOs), sits at number nine in the WBA rankings and is currently awaiting another world title shot after losing his belt to Ramírez in November 2024. He beat a fellow top 10 cruiserweight contender in the form of Brandon Glanton back in April, but right now things have gone quiet for Billam-Smith. WBC champion Badou Jack has been ordered to rematch Noel Mikaelian, whilst a unification bout between Ramírez and Jai Opetaia looks likely in the near future. Rated at number one with the WBO, third with the IBF, and fourth with the WBC, 'The Gentleman' has found himself waiting in the wings at 200lbs. When asked if Paul's presence in the cruiserweight title picture hindered matchmaking, Billam-Smith told The Independent: 'Yeah - I spoke to certain governing bodies. 'Look, obviously they all want to rank him because the governing bodies get paid sanctioning fees, a percentage of purses. So at the end of the day, professional boxing is a business and I understand everyone's reasons for ranking him, but you have to hold some integrity. 'He has to build, he has to be a decent level cruiserweight before you can rank him in the top 15, which means he can get a title shot. That's my view. I think you need to hold some integrity. 'I understand people aren't going to agree with it, but that is the way the business is. So until the business changes from its roots, from where it is now, to a complete earning-your-right business, then we can't argue that. 'But there's a lot of fundamental changes that would need to happen for that to be the case.' Whilst Billam-Smith does not entirely disagree with ranking Paul, he believes that there has to be enough merit to warrant the American's inclusion in the sanctioning bodies' ratings. 'I have no issue with him getting ranked,' he continued. 'Well, not no issue, but I just understand it. I have no issue with Jake Paul, because he's obviously going to want to maximise everything for him. 'If he can take a shortcut because of his name, and his fanbase, and the money he brings in, credit to him. 'He might not be there on a boxing level, but on a business level, he's done really well. So we've got to respect that. But I think there has to be some merit in ranking him. 'I know the WBO are kind of holding back on ranking him because they can't rank him on (the fact) he beat a career middle/super middleweight, who hasn't boxed in years, in Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. So it's a fine line between that.' Having worked his way up the ranks in Britain to get his own title shot, Billam-Smith is again building towards another world championship fight. Rather than be bitter at Paul or the nature of boxing, the Bournemouth fighter reiterated that he understood why the American would potentially get a shot at a champion. He restarted: 'At the moment, right now, I'd be disappointed in him getting a shot before me. 'Just because of who he's boxed – he hasn't beaten anyone, until he gets even a half-decent win, you can half-understand it and kind of meet in the middle of business and that. 'I understand it – I'm not naive enough. As much as it shouldn't be that way, I understand it is that way. So you can't be too crazy about it. But ideally I get myself a world title, and then he gets a good win under his belt, and then I get the payday! 'But look, that's the way the business is and everyone's out for their own, to do the best for themselves. From the champions' point of view, if they get matched against him, they've earned their right to take that shot. 'So as frustrating as it would be for me, you ask them and look at it from everyone else's point of view, why would they fight me who's a hard fighter, when they could probably have an easier fight for more money? 'In this business, it's very unforgiving. It makes sense.' An Annual Saver subscription is a one-off cost of £119.99 / $224.99 (for 12 months access), that's just 64p / $1.21 per fight. There is also a Monthly Flex Pass option (cancel any time) at £24.99 / $29.99 per month.
Yahoo
20-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
World cruiserweight champion Ramirez undergoes surgery
World cruiserweight boxing champion Gilberto Ramirez will be sidelined indefinitely after undergoing shoulder surgery for an injury suffered in a victory last month, his promoters announced on Sunday. The 34-year-old Mexican southpaw underwent a successful operation on Saturday, Golden Boy Promotions said without disclosing which shoulder went under the knife. The injury came in a unanimous 12-round decision over Cuban Yuniel Dorticos, a former world champion, on June 28 at Anaheim. "After getting three medical opinions and a lot of thinking, I've decided to undergo my shoulder surgery," Ramirez said in a statement. "I've been dealing with this injury since my last fight and pushing through it just isn't the smart move for my health or my career. Surgery isn't something any fighter wants to hear, but this is the right call to make sure I heal properly and come back at 100 percent. "I'll be out of the ring healing until I'm cleared by my medical team, but I'm already locked in on therapy and the road back. "I'll be back stronger, sharper and hungrier than ever." Ramirez, 47-1 with 30 knockouts, took the World Boxing Association crown in March 2024 by unanimous decision over Armenian-born Frenchman Arsen Goulamirian. He then won the World Boxing Organization cruiserweight title last November in Saudi Arabia by unanimous decision over England's Chris Billam-Smith. js/bsp
