The Undisputed

Kirby, Liverpool’s Nick Ball defends his WBA featherweight (9st/126 lbs) title against Ireland’s T J Doheny in his home city tonight.

Billed appropriately ‘A Hard Days Night’ in tribute to The Beatles, it’s not expected at face value to be that, but, a further opportunity to showcase ‘The Wrecking Ball’s’ skills and legitimacy to fight current Pound-for-Pound elect and elite multi-weight champion Naoya Inoue.

Shown live in the UK on TNT Sports it pits a 28 year old champion against a 38 year old challenger.

Ball (21-0-1, 12 KOs) has been excellent to date and despite dropping a disputable draw to Rey Vargas he bounced back to win his ‘world’ title. This is the one Barry McGuigan famously held in the mid-1980’s defeating Eusebio Pedroza.

Doheny (26-5, 20 KOs), based in Australia, and a former IBF 122lbs champion, was stopped last September in seven rounds by Inoue in Japan, and this fight will provide a good yardstick as to Ball’s potential to secure a lucrative fight with the Japanese.

There was controversy at yesterday’s weigh-in with Doheny tipping the scales at 4 ounces over, which he promptly shed to save the fight and event. There was a tasty exchange with Ball not taking too kindly to this indiscretion.

It promises to be an excellent clash with both fighters come-forward and skillful having fought at world level, but expect Ball to come though with ‘flying colours’ with age and ambition likely being the defining factors.

The main event is ably supported by local favourite Andrew Cain against former WBC champion Charlie Edwards in a very competitive fight at bantamweight world level.

Expect fireworks in both main fights.

Southampton, England’s Ryan ‘Piranha’ Garner showed the predatory fish’ clinical ruthlessness on Saturday (1 Mar) in front of a packed-out nearby Bournemouth International Centre.

In an excellent stand-out display he captured the vacant European belt by dominating Spain’s Salvador Jimenez over twelve entertaining rounds on a unanimous decision, winning all.

A Queensberry promotion, shown live on TNT Sports, a raucous atmosphere was created by Garner’s supporters, also in allegiance to a shared passion for their soccer club Southampton FC. Sitting ringside was the current incumbent of the SFC manager role, Croatian Ivan Juric, who must have been impressed with finally seeing some new sporting success for the city.

The 27 year old Garner (now 17-0, 8 KOs) has had a stop-start career with many lengthy periods of self-inflicted inactivity, but, to his credit, has retained his undefeated record. Over the twelve rounds the ‘Piranha’ took all of the fight out of the previously undefeated Jimenez with an aggressive, almost punch-perfect display. There were no legitimate knockdowns in a thoroughly entertaining fight.

On Saturday’s victory the opportunities are lining up for Garner in a stacked domestic 130lbs (9st, 4lbs) division. His dream is a fight at St. Mary’s stadium, the home of his beloved football club, ideally in defence of his European or, at another title level. As he also holds the WBC International title that now looks more a reality.

Jimenez dropped to 14-1-1 (6 KOs) on his first venture outside of Spain and was brave throughout.

It was a double celebration for the City of Southampton as Commonwealth light-heavyweight champion Lewis ‘The Saint’ Edmondson successfully defended his title over twelve rounds against Bristol-based Nigerian Oluwatosin Kejawa. Again, there were no knockdowns in another clear unanimous decision.

Edmondson (now 11-0, 3 KOs) started strongly and although lowered the pace in the later rounds was dominant. It was his first defence of his title and in a stacked domestic 175 lbs (12st, 7lbs) division big fights await.

The 23 year old Kejawa (11-1, 5 KOs), at times, impressed in his first test and will undoubtedly come again.

‘The Last Crescendo’ – A fan’s perspective.

Give or take a few pence I handed over my extra £20 to a satellite network for another afternoon and evening of world boxing action. This time for once, not reluctantly, but with the promise and anticipation of “the best card ever” and, most certainly this century.

My first dilemma was where, and with whom, should I watch it.

I chose loyalty and my preferred anchor team and commentators (not all members it must be said) over the younger, new era of presenter. I chose the one with an element of female appeal, but also an excellent boxing knowledge at that.

As a big all-round sports fan, on an afternoon of unprecedented finish and start of notable sporting events I chose to abandon the further humiliation of my lifelong football team, the England cricket team again throwing away a good score to the Australians and the start of England v Scotland in the Six Nations rugby at Twickenham.

Every multi-sports fan will have had these ‘difficult’ choices to make. Me being a big fight fan above all else, and knowing the magnitude of the Riyadh Season event, I knew where I was focusing from 5pm GMT, or as near as I could !

Succumbing to the hype and shelling out my ‘hard earned’ has sometimes resulted in my immense disappointment. This time I trusted my knowledge and instinct, and tried to pass on the word to as many as I could in advance of ‘The Last Crescendo’. This was in my view not to be missed.

So, more importantly, how did the event unfold ?

It would be impossible to capture it succinctly in this piece, but I will try…

In so doing I’ve decided to hand out in an Academy Award fashion, the ‘Oscar’ winners of the night.

Fight of the night – Amazingly, the first up on the main telecast of the seven fight card (forgetting the earlier prelim largely for a Saudi audience). The winner being the all-British light-heavyweight contest between world ranked Joshua Buatsi and Callum Smith.

A fight so intense and gruelling, that one was almost exhausted on its conclusion just watching it ! Such stubbornness and craft was exhibited by both boxers that it beggared belief and just shaded the man event delivered at the end of the night. Smith winning by unanimous decision (119-110, 115-113 & 116-112).

Knockout of the night – The shot that Joseph Parker landed on the top of the head of Martin Bakole in round two, not only completely discombobulated the 22 stone Congolese behemoth, forcing him to reel backwards and thump to the canvas, but brought back memories of Mike Tyson chasing Trevor Berbick around the ring to wrestle the WBC heavyweight championship in November 1986 and announce his era on the world title scene.

Rocky Balboa ‘bravery award of the night’ – goes to English lightweight contender Josh Padley who accepted a fight on three days notice, downing his tools from his day-job installing solar panels on someone’s roof, to answer His Excellency Turki Alalshikh’s call to save this part of the promotion. I’m sure he was handsomely rewarded but the grit he showed to compete with and last eight completed rounds with an established world champion with an elite amateur pedigree was mindboggling. Hats off to him.

Disappointment of the night – Hamzah Sheeraz. For the best part of twelve rounds I sat shouting at my TV to get the impressive to date Londoner to engage and cash in on his opportunity to win the WBC middleweight title and defeat Carlos Adames. This, one of the ‘blue riband’ belts in boxing, previously held by ‘Sugar’ Ray Leonard and ‘Marvelous’ Marvin Hagler no less.

The fight was declared a split draw 115-114 to Sheeraz, 118-110 Adames & 114-114 even on the official cards. On mine, I had the champion Adames a clear winner as he made the fight with his largely accurate high tempo aggressive approach throughout. Being ‘old school’ I still feel the challenger has to take the title, not back off to secure or steal a points win.

My disappointment was closely followed by the performance of WBC lightweight champion Shakur Stevenson labouring to a ninth round TKO over the aforementioned Josh Padley. I’ve given the greater credit rightly to Padley but no doubt, despite boxing slickly the highly decorated and talented American should’ve closed the show a lot earlier.

Breakout win of the night – German heavyweight Agit Kabayel. I hesitate to use the word prospect for an already top ten world ranked heavyweight. But the manner in which he broke down the favoured Chinese man-mountain Zhilei ‘Big Bang’ Zhang was highly impressive. His sixth round KO of his opponent elevates him higher into genuine world heavyweight contention. Zhang must consider at 41 years old whether it’s wise to continue.

Event of the night – Artur Beterbiev v Dmitry Bivol. This was always going to be the main course of this sumptuous feast, and didn’t disappoint.

It ended up being twelve rounds of the most intense and elite boxing action, to surpass, if that was possible, their first meeting in October 2024.

By a strange twist of fate the judges returned scores of 114-114, 116-112 & 115-113 were identical to those returned four months ago, but on this night with the other fighter being the victor on majority decision.

Winner of the night – Undoubtedly Dmitry Bivol – the new undisputed light-heavyweight champion of the world.

Also now, The Ring magazine #4 pound-for-pound fighter, leapfrogging Artur Beterbiev who is relegated to #5. Such was the magnitude of this fight that these are the baubles for the victor.

So exhausted was I on conclusion of the event that I haven’t seen fit to watch a replay of the main fight. I trust my round-by-round scoring on the night by giving Beterbiev a one point victory on winning the last round (115-114). I had the fight dead-even going into the final three minutes and believe the bearded Russian shaded it. I will reserve my final judgement until watching and analysing again, at length, and listening to the multi-fallout from such a magnificent fight.

If, on re-watching and evidence being shown, I will happily concede that “I was wrong” and take my lumps and have great pleasure in accepting the verdict and champion.

I look forward to finding the time and inclination to watch it again. It will happen today I’m sure. But lastly congratulations to all involved in the show which indeed reached all expectations and more !

Whichever promoter, media outlet or punter is telling you, the hype is along the same lines – “This is the greatest fight card ever put together” and one “not to be missed”.

The Don King or Bob Arum extravaganzas of the 1980’s and 90’s may hold this honour, and certainly for the last century, but this is definitely the best we’ve witnessed in the new millennium.

Top to toe it’s a seven fight card to savour, with world sanctioning body title fights and eliminators abound and almost all ‘pick ’em’ fights. Just run through the above.

So, tomorrow (22 Feb) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia the ‘Last Crescendo’ happens and it should be sumptuous.

Two fights have fallen by the wayside in fight week.

First, world title contender Floyd Schofield mysteriously withdrew citing illness and WBC lightweight champion Shakur Stevenson will defend his title against Briton Josh Padley. Then yesterday, IBF heavyweight champion Daniel Dubois succumbed to a virus and his original opponent Joseph Parker will now face Martin Bakole in an international contest. This weakens the card somewhat, but it’s still a cracker !

Top billing is the much anticipated rematch of elite Russian boxers Artur Beterbiev (21-0, 20 KOs) and Dimitry Bivol (23-1, 11 KOs) for The Ring magazine and undisputed light-heavyweight championship of the world.

Last October’s first encounter was one of the top fights of 2024. Again, all 12st, 7lbs (175lbs) world belts will be up for grabs in a battle for ultimate supremacy.

The, now 40 year old Beterbiev, won the first match by majority decision (114-114, 115-113 and 116-112) after twelve intense rounds of top quality boxing action.

The debate still rages among some observers who really won. To us Bivol seemed to lose it down the stretch after making a promising start. We considered Beterbiev edged the championship rounds (10-12).

It was such a spectacle and good fight, along with differing views on the victor, that the rematch was apparently agreed within 24 hours of the final bell and decision.

The man from the former Soviet province of Dagestan, although losing his 100% KO record, became the first undisputed champion since Michael Spinks back in 1983 when the division was arguably at its most hot. We’re almost at those same levels again for this blue riband and original boxing weight category.

The bearded Beterbiev holds stand out victories over Britons Callum Johnson, Smith and Anthony Yarde, stopping them all inside the distance. He has been dropped, but he’s done the stopping in the end !

He’s an intimidating character inside the ring with a confident calmness outside of it. In boxing exile, fighting out of Montreal, Canada, he is excellently trained by Canadian Marc Ramsay, one of the best in the sport.

Going into the first fight Beterbiev sustained a number of injuries and had his knee reconstructed in the process. This did not have any detrimental effect in that contest but could still be a telling factor in the rematch.

Bivol, 34, is of mixed Russian/Korean heritage from the province of Kyrgyzstan. He, like his opponent, had an excellent Soviet amateur schooling, but is not as decorated as Beterbiev – a world champion and London 2012 Olympic medalist.

The tall, orthodox Bivol does though hold a points victory over Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez, one of the modern greats.

He lost his undefeated record and WBA title to Beterbiev last time out after 12 successful defences. His win over ‘Canelo’ in May 2022 finally elevated him into the ‘Superfight’ category and won him The Ring 2022 Fighter of the Year.

Bivol is an excellent boxer and the more stylish of the two. He tends to box at range and probe to victory before unleashing his heavy artillery. Beterbiev, by contrast is equally talented, but likes to get amongst it by smothering his opponent with his work rate and power punches. Fighting him is likened to fighting someone in a phone booth and this was illustrated in their first match.

The big questions as we approach the opening bell are; 1) Will this be repeat, or revenge ? 2) Will the injury record and ‘Father Time’ finally catch up with Beterbiev ? 3) Can Bivol take Beterbiev’s power again, and 4) Has Bivol learnt from the first fight enough to box his way to victory.

We could go through each contest in turn with an argument for each fighter being victorious, such is that they are so evenly matched, however we will relent and just cautiously predict the winner and outcome. Here goes;

Bivol win on points, Parker on points, Stevenson by KO, Sheeraz on points, Ortiz Jr. by TKO, Zhang by KO and Buatsi on points. Each one of these could easily go the other way and that’s the rarity and beauty of the card.

The whole bill will be shown live in the UK on various platforms as a pay-per-view/box office event, and available worldwide via the DAZN streaming service.

Again, it forms part of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s Riyadh Season and is multi-promoted, including Top Rank Inc. and British-based outfits Queensberry, BOXXER and Matchroom Boxing.

Make a date and watch with interest. It should be a helluva afternoon into the late evening.

First bell of the seven fights is at 16:00 GMT. Enjoy !

Tokyo 2020 Olympic silver medalist Keyshawn Davis delivered an emphatic destruction of 2012 Olympian (and fellow silver medalist) Denys Berinchyk in the ‘small room’ at Madison Square Garden, New York City, Valentine’s night (14 Feb).

Although the Norfolk, Virginia fighter had been arriving over the last two years, this was his coming out performance, finally delivering on that early promise.

At only age 25 and arguably in the most star-studded and deepest division in boxing – lightweight (9st, 9lbs/135lbs)- with the frame to move through the divisions; the world is really the brash, talented and charismatic fighter’s oyster.

As earlier reported on these pages, shades or Sugar Ray Leonard or Pernell ‘Sweet Pea’ Whitaker are recasting over boxing.

Davis, now 13-0 (9 KOs), could be the second coming of either, although clearly having his own personality and style. An orthodox fighter with an outstanding amateur pedigree and Friday winning a first professional ‘world’ title with relative ease.

With an alleged racist grudge going into the fight the brave and tough Ukrainian lost his WBO title in his first defence, and with it his undefeated record.

Berinchyk, now 19-1, 9 KOs, was dropped by a Davis left hook in the third round and, taking further punishment, was finally stopped by a stunning right-left body combo on 1:45 of the fourth. The body shots were Davis’ route to victory hurting him throughout and, Davis also appeared to break the Ukrainian’s nose as blood heavily streamed out some time before the referee’s final stoppage.

Post-fight, ecstatic with his dominant showing and new ‘world’ title, Davis bragged “I want anybody who has the balls to step in the ring and fight me. There are two 135lb champions (likely referring to either Gervonta Davis or Shakur Stevenson as other champ Vasiliy Lomachenko is also a Top Rank Inc. fighter), that I would love to fight. If they have the guts to step in the ring with ‘The Businessman’, tell them to send me a contract, or I can send them one”. Promoted by Top Rank he’s in the right camp to make either of those two fights a reality, and then possibly move through the divisions.

In Manchester, UK Saturday night (15 Feb), a tough contest resulted in Britain’s Jack Catterall, now 30-2 (13 KOs), failing in his attempt to become the WBO mandatory contender at junior-welterweight (10st/140 lbs) losing by split decision (all cards each way 115-113) to Mexican-American Arnold Barboza Jr. (32-0, 11 KOs). It was a fight that was competitive throughout but never really caught fire.

The impressive Barboza, fighting in a hostile away environment, now moves onto world title contention. Catterall must regroup.

Rising Briton Adam ‘Assassin’ Azim scored a major victory on Saturday (1 Feb) stopping former IBF champion Sergey Lipinets in the ninth round in a ‘crossroads’ fight, and importantly, secured a ‘crossover’ to world level.

With fellow Pakistani-heritage and former world champion’s Amir Khan sitting ringside, along with Shawn Porter from the US, it was a statement victory in good company.

The 22 year old Azim dominated the tough and always advancing Lipinets through the completed rounds with strong hooks, uppercuts and impressive body attacks.

Azim looked to win every round on skill, power and output, but was on a tightrope coming into the ninth as he was earlier penalised for repetitive low blows, being deducted a point in both the fourth and seventh by referee Steve Gray, and forcing Azim to share them.

Another low blow could have been catastrophic as the small, compact physique of Kazakh Lipinets caused Azim to stray low on numerous occasions.

What was impressive was the manner in which Azim controlled the tempo of the fight remaining composed (albeit with the help of cornerman Shane McGuigan) between rounds. This bodes well for his future steps up the world ladder.

Azim, fighting out of Slough, England clearly possesses the power to take out opponents with his record lifted to 13-0 (10 KOs). Lipinets durability and ring-savvy brought him to the ninth round, but he was dropped twice en-route. The finish in the end was inevitable when Steve Gray called a halt after a relentless spell of Azim pressure.

Lipinets’ record dips to 18-4-1 (13 KOs) but, although on the slide, on this performance he was brave throughout and although battered and bruised will be a test for anyone who aspires to world level should he wish to continue in the higher echelons.

Azim captured the IBO super-lightweight championship. The first, of many more significant ‘world’ titles, on Saturday’s evidence.

The show was promoted by BOXXER and this could be a step to the eventual crowning of its second male world champion after Chris Billam-Smith was crowned WBO cruiserweight champion in 2023.

Azim is arguably in one of the toughest divisions in boxing (10st/140lbs) but should he continue in this vein there are big matches out there for him. Brits Josh Taylor and Jack Catterall are in the world top ten.
Although he called out Dalton Smith in a big domestic match post-fight, world level beckons on this performance.

Promising junior-welterweight (10st/140lbs) contender Adam ‘Assassin’ Azim takes his first major step up to world level as he meets former IBF champion Sergey ‘The Samurai’ Lipinets at the OVO Wembley Arena, London, England tonight.

So far Azim’s progress to this level has been impressive with his most recent victory against fellow British contender Ohara Davies being a standout performance. Davies, who’d fought in good company before, was dispatched emphatically inside eight rounds and subsequently retired from the sport.

Slough, west London’s Azim (12-0, 9 KOs), was British fighter of the year in 2024 and has delivered all asked of him to date. At only 22 he’s an excellent prospect for challenging world honours. Trained by respected Shane McGuigan he combines good boxing skills with a concussive array of shots. He’s looking as though he can only get better, but first has to come through the 35 year old Lipinets.

Lipinets (18-3-1, 13 KOs), from Kazakhstan, an ex-professional champion has had a number of world title fights which built on his good amateur background, representing one of the top boxing nations in the world.

He rose to win a version of the world title and has fought in good company at that level. He holds a win over former ‘world’ champion Lamont Peterson who once beat Britain’s Olympic medallist and double world belt-holder Amir Khan.

The Kazakh also defeated quality American Mikey Garcia.

Tonight’s meeting, in boxing parlance, is a ‘crossroads’ fight, with one fighter moving on and up, and the other disappearing from contention. Whether Lipinets is ready to surrender that higher status at the moment will be determined. We expect him to put up a sterling effort for the first five or so rounds, and then be overwhelmed by Azim’s youth and superior power down the stretch.

The BOXXER promotion is to be shown live on Sky Sports in the UK and Peacock channel in the USA.

There was some pre-fight drama yesterday when both fighters scaled in above the 10 stone limit. A couple of hours later both met the required limit for the vacant IBO title to still be at stake.

The card also includes the British and Commonwealth super-middleweight champion Callum Simpson (11-0, 11 KOs) who should come through against a big punching Ghananian who is talking a good fight so far. Bar any shocks this could be a fight determined by levels.

The Story told by a Photograph

There is no doubt that photographs tell a story, especially in the sport of boxing.

One of the earliest books with outstanding posed photographs was the Gladiators of the Prize Ring – Heroes of All Nations by Billy Edwards published in 1895.

In the introduction the author writes that the illustrations are taken from authentic photographs or sketches made from life and are clear pictures. These pictures were taken more than 126 years ago.

However, possibly the greatest collection of photos in boxing were those in GOAT: Greatest Of All Time – Collector’s edition signed by Muhammad Ali.

The TASCHEN website lists the undermentioned information: The Collector’s Edition: No’s 1,001 to 10,000

• The “Collector’s Edition” shows Ali’s torso with pink lettering.
• Limited to 9,000 individually numbered copies, each one signed by Muhammad Ali and Jeff Koons.
• Every “Collector’s Edition” comes with the photo-litho Radial Champs (see image, supplied unframed) by Jeff Koons in the size 50 x 40 cm (20″ x 16″).
• Over 3,000 images – photographs, art and memorabilia, much of it published for the first time – from over 150 photographers and artists.
• Original essays and the best interviews and writing on the champ of the last five decades, from hundreds of writers, totalling 600,000 words.
• XXL-format: 792 pages, including two gatefold sequences measuring 200 cm x 50 cm (80″ x 20″) and nine gold-metallic double-page spreads printed in silkscreen, open each chapter.
• Measuring 50 cm x 50 cm (20″ x 20″), GOAT tips the scales at 34 kg (75 lbs).
• Each copy comes in a silk-covered box illustrated with Neil Leifer’s iconic 1966 photo, Ali vs Williams.
• Bound by the official bindery for the Vatican, in pink leather, the colour of Ali’s first Cadillac. The bindery, specialising in the most elaborate and oversized editions of the Bible and the Koran, enforces the strictest standards of quality control and only several hundred copies can be assembled per week.
• Utilising state-of-the-art digital technology, no expense has been spared to restore the original photographic materials to the highest possible standards. The results of this effort create unparalleled intensity and range in the colours, and exquisite tone and density within the duotone images. Eight-colour printing on Galaxi Keramik 200 gsm.

A bookseller in England once advertised a new and unused copy for £4,000. This is approximately 92,000 South African rand at today’s exchange rates.

Photographer Neil Leifer started out as a 16-year-old and went on to capture some of the fight game’s most iconic images, many of them featuring Muhammad Ali. He became the first photographer inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame, in 2014.

My Favourite

Most boxing fans have their favourite or memorable photograph and my first one was on the cover on the local Fight magazine of December 1946 which I purchased for one shilling as a young boy.

The cover picture was of Johnny Ralph on his hand and knees on the canvas.

Ralph subsequently became the heavyweight champion of South Africa and was the idol of boxing fans until he was knocked out by world light heavyweight champion Freddie Mills on 6 November 1948 at Wembley Stadium in Johannesburg.

There was no mention inside the magazine who Ralph’s opponent was, but many years later I found out that Ralph had slipped to the canvas in his professional fight against Big Bill Horn.

The fight took place at the Johannesburg City Hall on 2 February 1946 and Ralph got up to win on a first-round knockout.

Having been associated with the SA Boxing World magazine which later became Boxing World for close on 25 years before it ceased publication in December 2004, I had a special feeling for the magazine, which at the time was the only trade paper and mouthpiece for boxing in South Africa.

However, my favourite photograph will always be the cover picture of the first issue of the South African Boxing World, as the magazine was known then and which appeared on bookstands in July 1976.

The cover picture on the magazine was taken from the fight between Richie Kates and Victor Galindez for the WBA light heavyweight title held at the Rand Stadium, Johannesburg on 22 May 1976 and will always be deeply etched in my mind.

I attended the fight which was one of the greatest to take place on South African soil with Galindez retaining his title with a dramatic fifteenth-round knockout. There was only one second left in the final round.

Shortly afterwards I was on a business trip in Cape Town and during the lunch break I wandered into a bookstore and there it was on the shelf, a new South African boxing magazine with the Galindez vs Kates picture on the cover.

I immediately wrote to the then-editor of the magazine, Chip Wilson, congratulating him and wishing him every success for the future.

This photo, also used on the cover of the autobiography of world class South African referee Stanley Christodoulou, is the one that begins this article.

A year or so later Bert Blewett took over the editor’s chair and under his guidance the magazine became highly regarded worldwide until he resigned in August 2004.

But let’s get back to the photograph of Galindez and Kates. The photo is most striking with blood streaming down the face of Galindez from the gash over his right eye.

There is no mention of who took the photograph but inside the magazine there are several action pictures taken from the fight, and it mentions pictures by Bill Handley and Tony Stapelberg.

Reading through Fight magazine in 1946, this started my love affair with the fight game, firstly as a collector, commentator, boxing writer and historian.

This love affair has become a passion that is not easy to define, but I enjoy every minute of my involvement with the sport and its people and would not change it for anything else.

This fight with the Arnold Taylor v Romeo Anaya epic, must rank together with Galindez v Kates as possibly the two greatest fights in the history of South African boxing.

The cut eye, the drama of the fight and the blood-stained shirt of referee Stanley Christodoulou, possibly one of the greatest in the history of the game, come flooding back to me every time I pick up the first copy of South African Boxing World.

Speaking to many collectors of boxing memorabilia, there’s always a special photograph that tells the story.

South Africa’s top collector of boxing photographs must be ex-fighter Jeff Ellis, who has an estimated 30 000 photos in his collection and spends most of his day scanning photographs and placing them on his computer. A pastime all boxing fans and aficionados would surely enjoy in their retirement !

As oft’ uttered “A picture can say a thousand words”. No more so than in the sport of boxing.

Hail to the King !

Lineal and unified world heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk successfully defended his sanctioning body titles on a 116-112 three judge unanimous points decision last night in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. In a captivating fight he defeated former WBC champion Tyson Fury, the slight underdog going in.

The Ukrainian champion raised his record to 23-0 (22 KOs) with a technically flawless performance to ultimately outwork the four stone heavier and six inch taller Briton.

It was his second defeat of Fury (34-1-2, 22 KOs) who looked good, but was not quite good enough.

Fury again made a superior start winning the opening round, before Usyk, commanding the centre of the ring for most of the middle rounds, eventually took control as the fight developed. The challenger had his successes, but they weren’t prolonged enough or consistent.

It lacked the drama of their first encounter back in May, with no knockdowns on this occasion. The majority of rounds were close and tight to score but, although we had it a round or two closer, the final outcome was correct in our view.

Usyk now moves onto whatever challenges remain, but his legacy as a supreme champion and operator are secured. Among his accomplishments are Olympic gold, and undisputed professional titles at cruiserweight (200lbs/14st,4lbs) and heavyweight. He has beaten all comers in getting there and remains undefeated.

A defence and chance to regain the IBF title from Britain’s Daniel Dubois who he defeated by KO in 2023 would appear his most likely option if he were to continue, but he is a future hall-of-famer regardless.

Fuelled on by the military tension in his country of Ukraine, who continue to defend their homeland, he has no more to win inside the ring to secure his already iconic status among his compatriots and the boxing fraternity. The choice is his.

Just enjoy a special boxer whilst you can.