Michael Conlan declared his return to form with a dramatic stoppage of Jack Bateson at the 3Arena in Dublin on Friday night, capturing the vacant WBC International featherweight title in front of a raucous Irish crowd. The Belfast man, fighting in the capital for the first time as a professional, delivered a thunderous fourth-round finish that sent a message across the featherweight division.

The contest began with Bateson, from Leeds, attempting to use mobility and patience to settle into hostile territory. His disciplined approach in the opening two rounds prevented Conlan from finding early rhythm, with both men probing behind the jab and trading single shots. Bateson even appeared unshaken when a flash knockdown was ruled in the third round after a tangle of legs combined with a short right hand.

But the fourth round brought a decisive shift. Conlan’s educated lead hand pierced Bateson’s defence and created the opening. With just seconds remaining in the session, the 33-year-old unleashed a perfectly-timed right hook that floored his opponent heavily. Bateson bravely beat the count but was in no state to continue, forcing referee Robert Pavis to wave the bout off at 2:50 of the round.

The victory, Conlan’s twentieth in the paid ranks, was not only about adding silverware to his collection but also about proving that his comeback was real. Following consecutive defeats in 2023 and a less-than-convincing return against Asad Asif Khan earlier this year, the former world title challenger knew he needed to deliver a commanding performance. On this Dublin stage, he did just that.

Conlan’s display was a reminder of the talent that once carried him to Olympic bronze and world championship gold as an amateur. He switched stances with ease, mixed attacks to body and head, and crucially showed the sharpness and spite in his punches that many wondered if he still possessed. The crowd responded in full voice, their roar growing louder with every crisp exchange.

For Bateson, the defeat is a harsh setback. The Yorkshireman, now 20-2-1, boxed with intent and discipline but could not withstand the Irishman’s precision at the pivotal moment. Having suffered a technical draw last year, this stoppage loss leaves questions about how quickly he can rebuild momentum.

As the dust settled, Conlan’s celebrations were filled with pride and emotion. Nearly a decade after his last appearance in Dublin as an amateur, he finally graced the professional ring in the city — and left it with his hand raised, a new belt over his shoulder, and the sound of an adoring crowd echoing into the night.

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Riyadh, Saudi Arabia — Britain’s lone male world champion Nick Ball retained his WBA featherweight title on August 16, 2025, after a tense and disputed points victory over Australia’s Sam Goodman. The three scorecards read 118–110, 117–111, and 115–113, handing the Liverpudlian his third successful title defence, though debate raged immediately about the margin of victory.

The bout, staged on the undercard of Moses Itauma’s clash with Dillian Whyte, saw Ball enter as a heavy favourite. Undefeated and nicknamed “The Wrecking Ball” for his aggressive style, the 28-year-old was expected to overwhelm Goodman. Instead, he met a challenger who not only stood his ground but boxed with composure, skill, and heart over twelve gruelling rounds.

Goodman, stepping up in weight after being side-lined from a showdown with Japanese superstar Naoya Inoue, brought height and reach advantages. Using a sharp jab and clever footwork, the Australian neutralized much of Ball’s forward pressure in the early and middle sessions. Several ringside analysts, including DAZN’s Andy Lee, had the fight even after ten rounds. Goodman’s movement and body work impressed many observers, particularly given he reportedly fought the last five rounds with a shoulder injury.

Ball, however, produced the heavier shots throughout. His power right hands in the fifth and ninth rounds visibly staggered Goodman, and his uppercuts in the later stages slowed the challenger’s rhythm. By the championship rounds, Ball pressed the action and threw in greater volume, ensuring he finished strong. Both men traded fiercely in a thrilling twelfth round that brought the crowd of Riyadh to its feet.

When the decision was announced, Goodman appeared dejected, lowering his hands after hearing the wide tallies. Social media quickly lit up with claims of unfair judging, with many insisting the Australian had done enough for at least a draw. Still, the official result preserved Ball’s undefeated record, now 23-0-1 with 13 knockouts, and kept Britain from going without a male world champion for the first time since 1987.

Promoter Turki Al-Sheikh praised Goodman’s display, hinting at more opportunities for the Central Coast fighter on future Saudi cards. Meanwhile, Ball expressed interest in unification bouts with WBO champion Rafael Espinoza or even a showdown with Inoue, a clash that would generate global intrigue.

In Riyadh, Ball retained his belt—but Goodman left with his reputation enhanced, proving he belongs among the elite at featherweight.

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Reito Tsutsumi delivered a performance on July 12, 2025, that left no doubt: Japan’s latest southpaw standout is ready to make serious noise in the professional ranks. Fighting in the opening bout at Ring III inside Queens’ Louis Armstrong Stadium, the 22-year-old made short work of Michael Ruiz, scoring three knockdowns before the referee halted the contest just 28 seconds into the second round.

With this emphatic victory, Tsutsumi (2-0, 1 KO) not only picked up the first stoppage win of his career but also silenced any lingering doubts following his distance decision in his May 2 debut. Against Ruiz (2-8-1), a late replacement stepping in on short notice, Tsutsumi wasted no time imposing his presence. From the opening bell, he launched a relentless body attack that pinned his opponent to the ropes and set the tone for what would be a brief but punishing affair.

Late in the first round, Tsutsumi’s focused assault paid dividends. A piercing right to the midsection sent Ruiz to the canvas for the first time in the young southpaw’s career. Ruiz managed to rise, only to be floored again seconds later by a brutal left to the ribs. The bell spared Ruiz further punishment—momentarily.

As round two began, Tsutsumi returned with renewed intensity. A pinpoint straight left hand found its mark on Ruiz’s jaw, sending him down for the third and final time. Referee Eric Dali didn’t need to see more. The bout was waved off at just 28 seconds of the second round, giving Tsutsumi a statement win and a confidence boost heading into the next stage of his development.

Tsutsumi, the younger brother of world-ranked Hayato Tsutsumi, has already drawn comparisons to his sibling for his poise, movement, and ring IQ. With this performance, Reito proved he’s not content to live in his brother’s shadow. If he continues to dispatch opponents in such dominant fashion, his own path to world-level contention could arrive sooner than expected.

Fans and matchmakers alike will be watching closely to see how Team Tsutsumi navigates the next steps. One thing’s clear: the Tokyo prospect isn’t just chasing headlines—he’s earning them.

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In the heart of Manhattan and under the electric glare of Times Square, Japan’s Reito Tsutsumi kicked off his professional boxing career with a commanding unanimous decision victory over Levale Whittington on the undercard of FATAL FURY: City of the Wolves. The six-round junior lightweight contest showcased the 22-year-old southpaw’s aggressive style, technical sharpness, and relentless pressure.

Tsutsumi entered the ring with the confidence of a decorated amateur and fought like a man determined to make an immediate mark. From the opening bell, the Tokyo native took control, targeting Whittington’s midsection with punishing body shots that set the tone for the night. Although Whittington, a durable Chicago fighter, tried to stall Tsutsumi’s advance with jabs and inside counters, he was overwhelmed by the pace and precision of the Japanese prospect.

The second round proved pivotal. Tsutsumi crashed a looping overhand left into Whittington’s chin, sending him stumbling into the ropes—a sequence that had the crowd murmuring about a potential knockdown. The referee, however, ruled it a slip, and the bout pressed on. In the third, another stinging left to the temple had Whittington on unsteady legs, but the American showed grit by surviving the onslaught.

Midway through the fight, Whittington clawed back with measured body work, slowing Tsutsumi slightly and earning some credit on one judge’s card. But the Japanese newcomer regained momentum in the fifth, pinning his opponent to the ropes and firing rapid combinations upstairs and to the ribs.

Tsutsumi closed strong in the sixth, chasing the stoppage with a flurry of power shots. Whittington, though bloodied and bruised, refused to fall and held on to the final bell.

The final scorecards reflected Tsutsumi’s dominance: two judges scored it a clean sweep at 60-54, while a third saw it slightly closer at 58-56.

Now 1-0, Tsutsumi has announced his arrival on the global boxing stage. His blend of volume punching, fearless offense, and crowd-pleasing aggression is sure to attract fans—and future challengers. The rising featherweight from Japan has officially joined the professional ranks, and judging by his debut, he plans to climb fast.

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Liverpool’s Nick Ball tore through twelve punishing rounds to dethrone Raymond Ford and capture the WBA featherweight title in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on 1 June 2024. In a contest billed as a perfect clash of styles—Ball’s perpetual march versus Ford’s nimble craft—the challenger’s determination ultimately outweighed the champion’s early accuracy, earning Ball a split-decision triumph with totals of 115–113 (twice) and 113–115.

Much was made beforehand of Ball once again conceding height and reach, just as he had against Ray Vargas earlier in the spring. His draw with Vargas had shown that, despite being the shorter man, he possessed a knack for unsettling taller opponents through intensity alone. That same approach would prove decisive here.

From the opening bell Ball pressed forward, compact and coiled, refusing to give Ford any peace. Ford tried to manage the distance with quick counters, sharp straight shots and brisk footwork, but Ball’s bursts—often delivered in clusters of three, four or more—forced the American to work far harder than he wished.

Ford enjoyed bright spells in the first third of the bout, finding space to dart in body shots and well-timed left hands. Yet Ball’s tempo never dipped. His crouched stance made him an elusive target for clean returns, and his uppercuts from close proximity repeatedly split Ford’s guard. By the fourth and fifth, the champion found himself under heavier fire, marked around both eyes and spending too long trading rather than dictating.

Ball’s corner urged him to maintain the ferocity, and he did, turning the middle rounds into his most productive spell. He harried Ford to the ropes, chopped at the torso, and unsettled the rhythm Ford needed to box at his preferred pace. Ford responded bravely, landing a superb sweeping hook in the seventh that bloodied Ball’s nose and appeared to shift the momentum. For a brief moment the American looked poised for a resurgence.

But Ball, as ever, refused to yield. Rather than retreat, he advanced through the crisis, welcoming the exchanges and smothering Ford before the champion could capitalise on his success. Although Ford produced some eye-catching uppercuts in the eighth and ninth, Ball’s sheer volume and physical insistence kept eroding the champion’s control. Ford’s movements became more conservative, his footwork gradually less reactive, and the challenger sensed it.

The championship rounds featured enthralling back-and-forth turns, but Ball remained the busier man, pinning Ford repeatedly with looping hooks and surging bursts. When the final bell sounded, both fighters bore clear signs of the evening’s brutality, but it was Ball who had imposed his identity on the match.

After twelve relentless rounds, the judges confirmed what many observers suspected: the belt had changed hands. Nick Ball had realised his world title dream, while Raymond Ford, valiant but overwhelmed, relinquished his crown only months after winning it.

In the end, the verdict reflected the story of the contest: in a hard, unforgiving championship fight, Nick Ball simply forced more of the action than Raymond Ford.

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VERONA, NY — In a battle that delivered every bit of drama a championship bout should, Raymond Ford snatched victory from the jaws of defeat with a jaw-dropping stoppage of Otabek Kholmatov with just seven seconds left in the 12th and final round, capturing the vacant WBA featherweight crown in what is now hailed as the Ring Magazine’s 2024 Fight of the Year.

Fighting under the bright lights of the Turning Stone Resort & Casino, the two young warriors put on a display that reminded boxing purists why the featherweight division has long been revered for its blend of speed, grit, and fireworks. Ford, the rising American southpaw, entered as a promising contender. Kholmatov, the undefeated Uzbek powerhouse, was the betting favourite and started the fight like one.

From the opening bell, Kholmatov used sharp timing and slick footwork to dictate the pace. He found success early with his left hand, peppering Ford with clean counters while gliding around the ring. By the mid rounds, Kholmatov appeared to be pulling ahead, his offense flowing freely and his movement seemingly too much for Ford to overcome.

But championship fights are won in the deep waters — and that’s exactly where Ford thrived.

After falling behind on the scorecards and absorbing punishing shots, Ford began to shift the momentum with relentless pressure and a granite chin. Kholmatov, though still dangerous, began to show signs of wear. Unknown to many at the time, the Uzbek had torn his ACL during the fight — a brutal injury that would have stopped most men in their tracks.

Still, he battled on.

In the championship rounds, Ford turned up the heat. A cut under Ford’s eye threatened to derail his night, but the Camden native answered with a ferocity that had the Verona crowd roaring. Then came the 12th. With the clock ticking down, Ford unleashed a final flurry — an uppercut followed by a barrage that drove Kholmatov to the ropes. With the Uzbek barely standing, the referee waved it off at 2:53, sealing a sensational TKO victory.

Ford’s heroic comeback not only earned him his first world title but also secured his place in American boxing history as Matchroom USA’s first world champion. With whispers of a move to 130 pounds, the future looks bright for the undefeated 24-year-old.

Boxing fans won’t soon forget this one — a true classic that proved once again, it’s never over until the final bell.

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Leigh Wood produced one of the most dramatic reversals seen in a British world title fight as he stopped Josh Warrington in the seventh round to retain the WBA featherweight crown at Sheffield Arena on October 7, 2023. What unfolded was a bruising, momentum-heavy contest that swung sharply on a single moment of precision and resolve.

From the opening bell, the all-English clash carried the intensity expected of two fighters forged in front of passionate home crowds. Warrington set about the task with urgency, forcing the pace and dragging the champion into close-range exchanges. His pressure paid dividends early, as he found regular success with hooks and body shots, unsettling Wood and steadily building an advantage on the scorecards.

Wood, meanwhile, appeared caught between tactics. Rather than fully committing to a boxing-and-move approach, he stood his ground for long stretches, trading with a challenger who was thriving on volume and aggression. By the middle rounds, Warrington’s work rate was telling. He was landing more frequently, particularly in bursts at close quarters, and his confidence grew as Wood absorbed punishment.

As the rounds ticked by, signs of wear began to show on the champion. A cut developed, and Warrington’s persistent attacks suggested the fight was slipping away. The judges reflected that narrative, with all three having the challenger comfortably ahead at the time of the stoppage. Statistically, Warrington had also landed significantly more punches, underlining his control of the contest up to that point.

Yet Wood has built his reputation on resilience and timing, and that quality resurfaced when it mattered most. Late in the seventh round, with the fight seemingly heading in only one direction, Wood found space for a perfectly judged shot. It was a single, decisive blow that instantly changed the complexion of the night. Warrington was visibly shaken, his legs betraying him as he attempted to steady himself.

Sensing the moment, Wood followed up with urgency and accuracy. Warrington, courageous as ever, tried to ride out the storm, but the damage was done. The referee stepped in at the end of the round to bring proceedings to a halt, sparking wild celebrations among the Sheffield crowd and sealing a comeback that will be replayed for years to come.

The victory capped a remarkable run for Wood in 2023. Earlier in the year, he had endured disappointment when stopped by Mauricio Lara in February, losing his world title. He responded emphatically in May, outpointing Lara over twelve rounds in Manchester to reclaim the vacant WBA belt. This latest triumph reinforced his ability to recover from adversity and deliver when the pressure is highest.

In a fight that showcased grit, heart and elite-level drama, Leigh Wood halted Josh Warrington, closing the show with a finish that defied the scorecards and reminded everyone why boxing’s finest moments are often written in seconds rather than rounds.

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Steppin’ into the ring in Belfast, it was a clash of styles and a clash of spirits as IBF featherweight champ Luis “El Venado” Lopez squared off against local hero Michael “Mick” Conlan. This bout had all the makings of an instant classic – the crafty, hard-hitting Mexican champion taking on the slick, speedy Irish challenger in front of his raucous hometown crowd.

From the opening bell, the intensity was palpable. Conlan looked to establish his jab and movement early, while Lopez pressed the action, looking to land his heavy-handed counters. The two gladiators went toe-to-toe, trading blows in the center of the ring. Conlan’s quick feet and sharp southpaw lefts found the mark, but Lopez responded with thudding body shots and sneaky uppercuts that began to take a toll.

By the third round, the tides had turned. Lopez’s relentless pressure and ferocious combination punching started to break down the defences of the game Irishman. A thunderous uppercut halfway through the fifth frame left Conlan crumpled on the canvas, forcing his corner to throw in the towel. The crowd sat in stunned silence as Lopez celebrated retaining his IBF title in emphatic fashion.

Make no mistake, this was a gruelling, hard-fought battle between two elite featherweights. Lopez showed his class, digging deep to weather the early Conlan storm and then unleashing his devastating arsenal to score the dramatic stoppage victory. Conlan, for his part, gave it his all, but in the end, the champion’s superior power and ring generalship were too much to overcome.

As the two warriors embraced in the centre of the ring, it was clear that respect had been earned on both sides. Lopez proved he’s no paper champion, successfully defending his title on foreign soil against a top-tier opponent. Conlan, though falling short in his world title bid, cemented his status as one of the featherweight division’s premier talents. This fight was a true testament to the grit and determination of these two warriors, and fight fans were the real winners on this night in Belfast.

The post Luis Alberto Lopez vs Michael Conlan 27.05.2023 appeared first on Greatest Boxing.

The Armory in Minneapolis once again roared with the sound of leather and adrenaline as Linden’s own Mikel Spencer delivered another electrifying display, dispatching Margarito Hernandez in a mere two minutes and eighteen seconds of the opening round. The bout, staged under the Premier Boxing Champions banner, proved that Spencer’s rise through the professional ranks is no passing storm—it’s a statement of intent.

Having already tasted success in the same venue earlier this year, Spencer stepped through the ropes with the poise of a man on a mission. The young super lightweight, unbeaten in his first two contests, carried himself with calm assurance as the crowd settled in. The first bell rang, and within moments it became clear that Hernandez was in deep water.

From the outset, Spencer’s timing and precision set the tone. His jab was crisp, his footwork sharp, and he wasted no movement. Hernandez, a seasoned fighter from Wapato, Washington, tried to meet fire with fire but found himself outmatched by the speed and power surging from the Michigan prospect. A thunderous combination midway through the round rocked Hernandez to his core, and moments later, a clinical flurry sealed his fate.

Referee John Shirley had seen enough as Hernandez wilted under relentless pressure, calling a halt at the 2:18 mark of the first round. The crowd erupted—some stunned by the speed of the finish, others nodding knowingly that they were witnessing a star in the making.

This triumph marked Spencer’s second knockout in his first three professional outings, reinforcing his reputation as a fighter who doesn’t linger when an opening appears. His first encounter at The Armory had been a learning experience; this time, it was a showcase of how swiftly he’s evolving into a polished professional. The local support from Minnesota’s fight fans was evident, their cheers echoing as Spencer raised his gloves in victory.

Behind the spectacle was a refined display of discipline and precision. Spencer’s combinations weren’t wild but purposeful, each punch thrown with conviction. His command of distance and control of tempo gave him full authority over the ring—an impressive feat for a boxer still early in his professional journey.

As the ringside officials confirmed the result, there was no need for argument or replay. It was a clear, decisive stoppage, a masterclass in controlled aggression. The Linden fighter has now made The Armory his proving ground, a place where his power and poise have found a perfect stage.

In a sport built on grit, timing, and the will to dominate, Mikel Spencer continues to demonstrate all three in abundance. And on this brisk night in Minneapolis, Margarito Hernandez became the latest to experience the full force of Mikel Spencer’s rising momentum.

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Emanuel Navarrete produced a performance of grit and resilience to retain his WBO featherweight world title at the Pechanga Arena in San Diego on 20th August 2022, stopping a dangerous Eduardo Baez with a vicious left hook to the body in the sixth round of a compelling main event.

The Mexican champion arrived in San Diego having previously outpointed Joet Gonzalez over twelve rounds at the same venue in October 2021, and was widely expected to make a routine third defence of his title. What transpired was anything but straightforward.

Navarrete had already attracted scrutiny before a single punch was thrown, requiring a second attempt on the scales after initially exceeding the 126-pound featherweight limit. The champion eventually registered 125.8 pounds, matching his challenger, though questions about the weight reduction and a ten-month absence from the ring hung over him as he made his way to the ring.

Those concerns appeared well-founded in the early rounds. Baez, making his maiden world title challenge, had clearly prepared meticulously for the occasion, reportedly working with a sports psychologist and drilling lengthy sparring sessions specifically designed to replicate Navarrete’s renowned work rate. The challenger arrived with a disciplined body attack that he executed with impressive regularity, accumulating an extraordinary 25 shots to the torso inside the first three rounds alone.

Navarrete looked unfamiliar with his surroundings. His trademark relentless aggression was replaced by hesitancy, and the awkward, looping windmill attacks that had dismantled previous opponents lacked their usual venom. Baez, ranked number eight by the WBO and written off by many as little more than a credible opponent, was exploiting the champion’s rustiness with composed, purposeful boxing.

By the halfway stage, two of the three ringside judges had Baez ahead on their scorecards by five rounds to nil. The unthinkable was becoming conceivable.

Yet world champions possess qualities that seldom show themselves until adversity truly bites. As the sixth round commenced, Navarrete rediscovered his authority, launching a sustained assault that had Baez suddenly back-pedalling rather than dictating. The decisive moment arrived at the one-minute mark of the session when the champion drove a perfectly placed left hook into the challenger’s midsection. The punch produced a delayed but absolute reaction — Baez crumpled to one knee, the agony registered plainly across his face as referee Mark Chinook completed the count without interruption.

There was a rich irony in the manner of the conclusion. It was Baez’s own persistent body attack throughout the early rounds that had kept him competitive, and it was precisely that same weapon, deployed with far greater precision by Navarrete, that ultimately ended his brave challenge.

Speaking after the final bell, Navarrete was candid about the difficulties he had faced, acknowledging that both the lengthy lay-off and the arduous weight reduction had complicated what should have been a more comfortable evening’s work.

In the final analysis, Emanuel Navarrete demonstrated the championship qualities that define the very best fighters — the capacity to find a winning solution even when things are going badly wrong. Eduardo Baez, meanwhile, can reflect with considerable pride on a performance that pushed a world champion to the absolute limit and exposed genuine vulnerabilities that had not previously been seen.

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