By: Jesús Milano

(October 21st)

WBA Bantamweight World Champion Cherneka “Neeks” Johnson is set to return to the ring on November 14 at the Kaseya Center in Miami, Florida, where she’ll put her titles on the line against Amanda Galle.

The Australian star, who also holds the WBO, IBF, and WBC belts, will once again defend her status as the undisputed champion at 118 pounds, looking to solidify her place among the elite in women’s boxing.

The bout was officially announced this week as part of a stacked MVP Promotions card, which will also feature major matchups like Alycia Baumgardner vs. Leila Beaudoin for the WBA super featherweight title and Gary Russell Jr. defending his WBA super lightweight crown against Andy Hiraoka.

Johnson is coming off a dominant performance last July 11, when she stopped Shurretta Metcalf via ninth-round TKO, extending her winning streak and reaffirming her punching power. She now faces a dangerous challenger in Galle, who brings toughness and momentum into the bout.

A native of Ontario, Canada, Galle has built her reputation as a gritty fighter with victories over experienced opponents like Niorkis Carreño of Venezuela and Alondra Hernández of Mexico. Those recent wins have earned her this world title shot, and she’s determined to make the most of it.

Johnson enters the fight with a record of 18 wins, 2 losses, and 8 knockouts, while Galle remains undefeated with a mark of 12-0-1 (1 KO).

By: Rowerth Goncalves

(October 20th) In a tense and hard-fought battle, Germany’s Sarah “Babyface” Bormann (21-1, 7 KOs) captured the WBA minimumweight world championship by scoring a split-decision victory over Japan’s Yuko Kuroki (25-9-2, 10 KOs) on Saturday, October 18, at the Wandsbeker Sporthalle in Hamburg, Germany.

The judges’ scorecards reflected just how close the contest was: 93-97 for Kuroki, and 97-93, 96-95 for Bormann, giving the German fighter a razor-thin win in front of her home crowd.

It was a true clash of styles from the opening bell. Kuroki showcased her trademark hand speed, accuracy, and slick movement early on, clearly taking the first two rounds with sharp jabs and crisp combinations while keeping Bormann at bay with effective lateral footwork.

But starting in the third, Bormann began to apply relentless pressure. Though her style was more direct and less refined, her body attack slowly wore Kuroki down. The German champion-in-waiting closed the distance effectively, and her aggression forced exchanges that disrupted the Japanese boxer’s rhythm.

At one point, Bormann received a warning from the referee for hitting on the break, as tempers flared and the action became increasingly physical — a source of frustration for Kuroki’s corner.

The middle rounds were evenly contested, with Kuroki trying to reassert her speed advantage while Bormann banked on sheer physicality and endurance. In the ninth, an accidental head clash opened a cut on Bormann’s forehead, adding a layer of drama heading into the final stretch.

Both fighters dug deep in a wild tenth round, trading in close quarters without a clear edge. When the final bell rang, the tension in the arena was palpable. Moments later, Bormann was declared the winner by split decision — a triumph that earned her the WBA world title and reaffirmed her place among Europe’s top female fighters.

By: Jesús Milano

(October 14th) The World Boxing Association (WBA) Championships Committee has ordered the welterweight world title bout between champion Rolando Romero and mandatory challenger Shakhram Giyasov, as confirmed through an official communication sent to both parties on Monday, October 13.

The Committee granted the standard 30-day negotiation period, starting October 13 and concluding on November 13.

Romero, who captured the title on May 2 by defeating Ryan García in New York, must defend it within 120 days from the date of acquisition, as established in Championship Rule C.11.

That period expired on September 1, prompting the Committee to issue the mandatory bout notice for Romero, whose next opponent must be the official challenger, Giyasov. Additionally, Championship Rule C.13 stipulates that a champion cannot engage in a non-mandatory fight within 60 days following the expiration of the mandatory defense period.

If both camps fail to reach an agreement within the allotted timeframe, or if either party refuses to negotiate, the Committee may call for a purse bid in accordance with WBA regulations.

By: Jesús Milano

(October 14th) On Monday, October 13, the World Boxing Association (WBA) Championships Committee officially ordered the mandatory featherweight bout between champion Nick Ball and his official challenger, Brandon Figueroa. The Committee issued the communication for the British champion to face Figueroa in the near future.

As customary in mandatory bouts, a 30-day negotiation period has been granted, running until November 12.

In accordance with Championship Rule C.10, Ball must defend his title against the next leading available contender within nine (9) months from the date he became champion. Having won the title on June 1, 2024, the mandatory defense became due on March 1, 2025, meaning he must now face Figueroa.

The WBA has sent official notification to both parties and will await the outcome of negotiations. Should an agreement not be reached within the prescribed timeframe, the Committee may call for a purse bid pursuant to the Association’s internal regulations.

By: Rowerth Goncalves

(September 15th) Terence “Bud” Crawford (42-0, 31 KOs) carved his name deeper into boxing’s record books on Saturday night at the Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas. The Omaha native defeated Mexico’s Saúl “Canelo” Álvarez (63-3-2, 39 KOs) by unanimous decision (116-112, 115-113, 115-113) to become the first fighter in history to claim undisputed status in three separate weight classes.

Crawford climbed two full divisions to face Álvarez, the longtime pound-for-pound star, and from the opening bell it was clear this wouldn’t be just another fight—it was a chess match at the highest level.

Canelo controlled the early rounds, cutting off the ring effectively and forcing Crawford into defensive mode. Though the Mexican didn’t land many telling blows, his pressure and ring generalship gave him the edge through the first three frames. By the third round, however, Crawford began to let his hands go, showing flashes of the offense that has carried him through an unbeaten career.

From the fourth to the sixth, Crawford’s jab took over. The southpaw stance, the timing, the slick footwork—everything combined to neutralize Canelo’s counters. Crawford’s rhythm, speed, and shoulder-roll defense frustrated the Mexican star, who struggled to find clear openings.

Round by round, Crawford’s intelligence separated him. He varied his attack, mixed movement with well-placed shots, and proved once again why his boxing IQ is among the best of this generation. Canelo pressed forward with his trademark grit, but couldn’t crack the puzzle in front of him.

By the championship rounds, Álvarez fought with urgency, while Crawford—still fresh on his legs—closed strong, slipping punches, scoring clean counters, and making history in the process.

Crawford’s leap up two weight classes was a gamble, but on this night it paid off in full. He walked through fire against one of boxing’s modern greats and came out with his hand raised, becoming the new WBA Super Champion at 168 pounds.

Respect was mutual afterward. Canelo acknowledged Crawford’s brilliance; Crawford acknowledged the risk. But the result is indisputable: the man from Omaha is now a three-division undisputed king.