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On Saturday evening, London hosted the 2024 Ring Magazine awards show. With Saudi Arabian fight financier Turki Alalshikh now in command of Ring Magazine, a who’s who of the boxing world was present, and significant news updates were provided by some of the biggest stars in the sport.
Canelo Alvarez vs. Terence Crawford
Undisputed super middleweight champion Saul “Canelo” Alvarez and Alalshikh had a public feud in 2024 after Alvarez announced his Sept. 14 match with Edgar Berlanga, which clashed with a Riyadh season-sponsored UFC event, UFC 306. Alalshikh vowed to “eat” Alvarez’s event and also accused the Mexican superstar of refusing to work with him because Alvarez prefers to face easier opponents, which would not be possible on Riyadh Season shows.
Alvarez and Alalshikh, however, were pictured together at Saturday’s event and were seen conversing. Alalshikh has made no secret of the fact that he wants to make a fight between Canelo and pound-for-pound star Terence Crawford.
When asked Saturday about a potential Crawford fight, Alvarez said, “[There’s] always a chance there. We’ll see, we’ll see, but there’s always a chance. We’re here to make the best deals.”
Tyson Fury vs. Anthony Joshua
Heavyweight king Oleksandr Usyk holds two wins over British superstars Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury, but a fight between Fury and Joshua is still among the biggest — if not the biggest — bout in boxing.
After Fury’s two losses to Usyk and Joshua’s defeat at the hands of IBF champion Daniel Dubois, all of which happened in 2024, there seems to be somewhat of a consensus that it’s now or never for Fury vs. Joshua.
Luckily for boxing fans, Joshua tends to agree.
“It has to happen this year,” he said. “Especially with His Excellency Turki, DAZN, Eddie [Hearn], Matchroom, 258 [Management] behind me. And [Fury] being managed by Spencer [Brown] and Goldstar now, I think we can definitely make this fight happen.”
Conor Benn vs. Chris Eubank Jr.
Both Conor Benn and Chris Eubank Jr. were interviewed at the Ring Awards event. Benn was hopeful that a fight with Eubank could be agreed upon by the end of Saturday night, and Eubank was also optimistic that their second-generation British superfight would come to fruition imminently.
“That fight will happen,” Eubank said. “We are in negotiations and they are going very well. I think we’re at the last few things we’ve got to smooth out, and then the fight will get made and announced.”
Benn reiterated that he is willing to challenge Mario Barrios for the WBC welterweight championship if the Eubank fight isn’t made.
“We’ll hopefully get the [Eubank] fight done tonight,” Benn said. “If not, there’s Barrios there for the WBC world title — they’re both not bad options. The reality is, I’ve said yes to both; we can make both.”
Ryan Garcia’s plans
Ryan Garcia revealed Saturday night that he is targeting a rematch with Devin Haney or a fight with the WBO super lightweight champion Teofimo Lopez for his return bout in the spring of 2025.
Garcia is currently serving a one-year suspension after he failed an anti-doping test for the banned substance ostarine in the lead-up to his 2024 bout with Haney, which he initially won majority decision only for the result to be overturned into a no contest. His suspension will expire April 20, 2025.
Garcia recently announced the need for surgery on his hand after a planned Dec. 31 exhibition bout against kickboxer Rukiya Anpo fell apart due to the injury.
Matchroom vs. Golden Boy 5 vs. 5
Frank Warren’s Queensberry Promotions and Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom Boxing are expected to have a 5 vs. 5 rematch in May in Riyadh.
On Saturday, Oscar De La Hoya stated that a 5 vs. 5 card between his company, Golden Boy, and Matchroom will also take place in 2025.
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