What is going on in the boxing world today? DAZN News takes a closer look at some of the stories people are waking up to today. Wednesday, January 28.
Boxing has a new world champion after Christian Mbilli was upgraded to WBC super-middleweight ruler after Terence Crawford recently vacated the belt following his retirement from the sport.
Mbilli had been ordered to enter negotiations with Hamzah Sheeraz to comets the vacant title, but with Sheeraz now heading towards a showdown with Diego Pacheco for WBO honours, Mbilli is now on top.
In September, Mbilli faced Lester Martinez on the Crawford vs Canelo Alvarez, with the bout being scored a draw following a terrific effort from both men.
That big event exposure did not hinder Mbilli in the slightest and it now looks like that he will become a regular fixture on such shows in his new role as champion.
Super-middleweight is opening up since Crawford's retirement and with Mbilli now champion, the Canadian based Frenchman will be confident he can become the world’s best fighter at 168lbs.
Has Keyshawn Davis’s career taken a different turn?
The American star posted a picture on Instagram alongside Eddie Hearn and Frank Smith with a caption that read, “Let’s show the world fellas.”
Davis appears on the undercard of Teofimo Lopez vs Shakur Stevenson on Saturday night, live and exclusive on DAZN PPV, and his career has been guided expertly by Top Rank so far.
Is that relationship about to come to an end or is Davis just showing some appreciation to Matchroom’s main men as they handle the promotional responsibilities for Saturday night’s show in New York City?
Sam Jones has been busy in recent weeks trying to land huge fights for Jack Catterall and Conah Walker.
At one point, it appeared that world titles could be secured for two members of his stable with Devin Haney possible for Catterall and Lewis Crocker seemingly an easy choice for Walker.
With the IBF forcing Crocker into a mandatory fight against Liam Paro, Walker requires a different opponent, but could that man be Catterall?
There has been some talk that the pair, both central parts of Jones’ management stable, have been approached about a possible fight, but Jones is not a fan of the idea.
Mark Robinson / Matchroom Boxing
“Matchroom would like Jack to fight Conah Walker, who I obviously look after as well, which puts me in a very awkward position. But at the same time, if that’s the fight that Eddie wants to make, it’s a great fight,” said Jones when speaking to BoxingScene.
“As a fan it’s a great fight. But they’re both going to have to be heavily compensated for it. Conah is coming off an enormous win in Monaco [over McCormack] where he was the underdog and Jack is in a position now, probably only for the second time in his career, where he’s No. 1 and he’s going to get a world title shot.”
Nothing is agreed as it stands, but Jones sitting ringside with his head in hands is a realistic possibility at this point.
Teofimo López and Shakur Stevenson headline the Ring VI fight night in New York, exclusively on DAZN PPV, this Saturday, January 31.
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