Attention all boxing enthusiasts! We've got an exciting line-up for you this week, despite the quieter Thanksgiving weekend. The world of boxing never sleeps, and we're here to keep you in the loop with all the latest news and previews.
First off, let's talk about the highly anticipated interview with Lamont Roach Jr., the junior lightweight champion. Roach is set to face Isaac "Pitbull" Cruz for the WBC interim junior welterweight title on December 6th, and this fight is shaping up to be a real thriller. But here's where it gets controversial... Roach was initially supposed to rematch Gervonta Davis, but Davis pulled out, leaving Roach in the lurch. Now, he's moving up a division to take on Cruz, and we can't wait to hear his thoughts on this unexpected turn of events.
In other news, we've got a recap of some smaller fights and a world title card from earlier in the week. The action-packed card featured Takuma Inoue's victory over Tenshin Nasukawa, claiming the vacant WBC bantamweight title. Ra'eese Aleem also pulled off an upset, becoming Angelo Leo's mandatory challenger after outpointing Mikito Nakano in an IBF featherweight eliminator. And in a stunning knockout, former world amateur champion Tomoya Tsuboi advanced to 3-0 with an eighth-round victory over former titleholder Carlos Cuadras, who announced his retirement.
We also pay our respects to Vanes Martirosyan, a 2004 U.S. Olympian and three-time world title challenger, who passed away after a brave two-year battle with skin cancer at the age of 39. His legacy will forever be remembered in the boxing community.
Additionally, we have an update on WBC junior welterweight titlist Subriel Matias' upcoming defense against Dalton Smith. The fight, initially delayed due to an adverse finding in a VADA test, is now likely to proceed on January 10th in Brooklyn, New York, as the finding fell below the allowable threshold in the state.
And for those who love a good boxing preview, we've got you covered! We'll be taking a look at some upcoming fights, including Ben Whittaker's first fight under his new deal with Matchroom Boxing/DAZN, Frazer Clarke's bout against Jeamie "TKV" Tshikeva for the vacant British heavyweight title, and Manny Pacquiao Promotions' first American card, where Manny "Jimuel" Pacquiao Jr. will make his professional debut.
With over 26 years of full-time boxing coverage under my belt, I invite you to join me on this journey by subscribing to my paid newsletter. Your support will not only grant you full access to all my posts and comments but also help sustain independent journalism. So, if you haven't already, consider upgrading your subscription and becoming a part of this boxing community.
Don't forget to check out our YouTube channel for a variety of boxing content, and stay tuned for our weekly previews and recaps. Leave your thoughts and comments below, and let's spark some engaging discussions! We want to hear your opinions on these exciting developments in the world of boxing.
Remember, boxing is more than just a sport; it's a community, and we're here to celebrate and analyze every punch, every story, and every moment. So, join us, and let's keep the conversation going!
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Roach photo: Ryan Hafey/PBC
