Welcome to Ring Kings Weekly, your go-to source for the most significant happenings in the world of boxing. This week, we witnessed a flurry of action-packed events, title changes, and historic announcements that have set the stage for an exciting year ahead.
In a stunning display of skill and power, Ryan Garcia, aged 27, outclassed Mario Barrios, 30, at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. Garcia’s right hand sent Barrios to the canvas in the first round, setting the tone for the rest of the fight. Garcia’s unanimous decision victory earned him his first WBC World Title. Post-fight, Garcia wasted no time in calling out Shakur Stevenson, hinting at a potential showdown in the future.
Meanwhile, Richardson Hitchins, 28, fell ill after making weight, leading to the cancellation of his bout with Oscar Duarte, 30. Promoter Oscar De La Hoya has called for an investigation into the matter, emphasizing the need for fighter safety and well-being.
Gary Antuanne Russell, 29, successfully defended his WBA Super Lightweight Title, while Andy Hiraoka, 29, suffered his first professional defeat. Russell has set his sights on facing champions Dalton Smith or Richardson Hitchins before potentially squaring off against Shakur Stevenson in the future.
In a rematch that had fans on the edge of their seats, Leigh Wood, 37, defeated Josh Warrington, 35, by a wide unanimous decision. Both fighters hinted at potential retirement, with Wood expressing his desire to spend more time with his family.
The boxing world also bid farewell to featherweight legend Ruben Castillo, who passed away in Bakersfield, CA. Castillo’s legacy as a four-time challenger for the WBC Featherweight and Super Featherweight Titles will forever be etched in the annals of boxing history.
Claressa Shields, 30, continued her dominant reign as the Undisputed Heavyweight World Champion, successfully defending her title against Franchon Crews-Dezurn, 38. The pre-fight weigh-in brawl added an extra layer of intensity to this highly anticipated bout.
Zuffa Boxing made waves this week by signing UK star Conor Benn to a one-fight deal. The move has sparked controversy, with Eddie Hearn of Matchroom Promotions expressing his disapproval, citing his long-standing support for Benn during his suspension and failed drug tests.
In other news, Carlos Adames, 31, is set to defend his WBC World Middleweight Title against Austin ‘Ammo’ Williams, 29, at the Caribe Royale Resort in Orlando on March 21. The fight was rescheduled after Adames fell ill ahead of the initial weigh-in.
Lastly, the highly anticipated rematch between Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao has been officially announced. Their first encounter in 2015 remains the highest-selling boxing PPV in history. Mayweather is also finalizing an exhibition fight with Mike Tyson in Congo, while Pacquiao is scheduled to face Ruslan Provodnikov in a 10-round welterweight exhibition match.
Stay tuned for more updates and in-depth analysis on Ring Kings Weekly, your premier destination for all things boxing.
Team_TBE Boxing
🛒 Premium Recommendations
Apple 2024 MacBook Pro Laptop with M4 Max, 16‑core CPU, 40‑core GPU: Built for Apple Intelligence, 16.2-inch Liquid Retina XDR Display, 48GB Unified Memory, 1TB SSD Storage; Space Black Visit the Apple Store
STEPR+ Stair Master with 27" Touchscreen, Commercial Grade Stairmaster Machine for Home, 140 Steps/Min, Bluetooth & WiFi Stepper Machine, Resistance Band Attachments, Mobile App, 375 lb Capacity
As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. Prices and availability subject to change.