RYAN ROZICKI REGAINS FIRST IN WBC'S CRUISERWEIGHT RANKINGS

Cruiserweight contender Ryan Rozicki poses in a brief break from a 2025 training camp

After an unfortunate 2025 that may have been even worse than his 2024, Ryan Rozicki is entering the second month of 2026 in a better position – as the WBC’s first-ranked cruiserweight.

That spot most recently belonged to Noel Mikaelyan, a former cruiserweight titleholder who won back the WBC belt in December, topping Badou Jack via unanimous decision in their rematch. Jack had won a disputed split decision in their first meeting last May.

Mikaelyan’s ascension left a vacancy, and Rozicki, who had been seated at No. 2, moved up to fill it in the WBC’s latest ratings update, which was released on February 3.

Rozicki, 20-1-1 (19 KOs), had previously been ranked No. 1 through last April but was bumped down when Mikaelyan lost to Jack. 

Rozicki was originally supposed to be Jack’s opponent on that May 3 date in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Rozicki was also originally supposed to face Mikaelyan in 2024. Both of those bouts would have been for the WBC cruiserweight title.

This will require some explanation, though that explanation might cause more confusion rather than less. 

Jack initially won the WBC cruiserweight title by defeating Ilunga Makabu in February 2023. He went more than two years without defending it, however – and without fighting altogether. Instead, he was named “champion in recess” as he pondered a move to the bridgerweight division. 

Mikaelyan won the vacant WBC title in November 2023, also with a win over Makabu. But he was unable to defend against Rozicki in 2024 – the bout was postponed on several occasions, and then Mikaelyan pulled out one last time. Jack, meanwhile, wanted to return to the ring. So Mikaelyan and Jack changed places, Jack being reinstated while Mikaelyan became the “champion in recess” ahead of their initial bout last year.

Rozicki was out for the entirety of 2025, pulling out of the Jack bout because of a biceps injury, and then another injury caused him to withdraw from an October bout in his hometown of Sydney, Nova Scotia, Canada, against Akani Phuzi.

Rozicki is scheduled to return on March 7 in Sydney against the 12-4 Gerardo Mellado.

Last June, Michal Cieslak defeated Jean Pascal to win the WBC’s vacant interim belt at 200lbs. Rather than Cieslak getting the next shot at the primary title, however, the WBC had ordered the winner to defend against Yamil Peralta. 

If that remains the case, then Rozicki may indeed get his shot at the title – that’s if he can finally get Mikaelyan in the ring.

Rozicki is followed in the WBC’s cruiserweight ratings by Peralta, Chris Billam-Smith, Mateusz Masternak, Leonardo Mosquea, Jack, Makabu, Brandon Glanton, Kevin Ramirez, Yuniel Dorticos, Viddal Riley, Floyd Masson, Aloys Youmbi, Mike Perez and Efetobor Apochi.

- David Greisman

BRITISH CRUISERWEIGHT CHAMPION VIDDAL RILEY SIGNS WITH MISFITS BOXING

Viddal Riley bolsters MF Pro stable with huge plans for 2026 in the works

British champion declares joining MF Pro as a ‘new dawn’ as KSI hails ‘full circle moment’

MF Pro says the sport has entered a New Age of Boxing after it launched with the stunning signing of cruiserweight superstar Viddal Riley.

MF Pro is a new promotion which emerges from crossover boxing colossus Misfits Boxing but is focused on developing a new generation of world champions in the professional ranks – and it is fast assembling one of the most exciting rosters in the sport.

British champion Viddal was one of the hottest properties in the sport when he became a free agent this year, and his move to MF Pro has sent shockwaves through the boxing community.

The 28-year-old joins other electric MF Pro talents such as Amir Anderson, Ashton ‘H2O’ Sylve and J’hon Ingram, who are already familiar to fans of the crossover code, while the brilliant David ‘Dynamite’ Lopez makes his promotional debut at MF Mania in December.

But the addition of London’s Riley, a supremely classy and hard-hitting 13-0 fighter who is already breathing down the necks of the world’s elite, accelerates MF Pro’s plans to disrupt the professional ranks in a way that has never been done before.

Viddal Riley said: “It’s a new time; it’s a new dawn.

“I’ve worked hard to become the best in country and one of the best in the world. Now it’s time to conquer more challenges.

“I am very confident working with a group of people who truly believe in my goal and vision – should only lead to success.”

Riley, an international medal-winning amateur, shot to global prominence when he trained the king of crossover boxing, KSI for his early fights with Joe Weller and Logan Paul.

Viddal – also known as ‘The Rilest’ – launched his pro career in 2018, before becoming British champion at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in April this year, clinically dethroning Chev Clarke on the undercard of Eubank vs. Benn.

And Riley, represented by 258 Management who have a proven track record of taking fighters to world championships, has reunited with KSI at MF Pro, with global domination in their sights.

“Full circle moment,” added KSI

“The first person to train me. The one man I said to the world would be a champion. The one man who gave me one of the biggest victories of my career. That man is now an MF Pro boxer.

“Together me and the team are gonna take his career to higher heights. It’s gonna be a fun and crazy journey, and you’re not gonna wanna miss any of it.

“Welcome home Viddal Riley!”

Amer Abdallah, President of MF Pro, says under the guidance of MF Pro’s elite team, Riley’s career has no ceiling

“What Misfits has accomplished in the crossover boxing space is unprecedented in the sport,” he said.

“The launch of MF Pro now clearly distinguishes the crossover world from the professional ranks, allowing both to run in parallel under one unified umbrella.

“It’s a dynamic the sport has never seen before, and I’m excited to put our vision into motion.”

Amer Abdallah, President of MF Pro, says under the guidance of MF Pro’s elite team, Riley’s career has no ceiling

“What Misfits has accomplished in the crossover boxing space is unprecedented in the sport,” he said.

“The launch of MF Pro now clearly distinguishes the crossover world from the professional ranks, allowing both to run in parallel under one unified umbrella.

“It’s a dynamic the sport has never seen before, and I’m excited to put our vision into motion.”

- Tim Rickson

JAKE PAUL AND JULIO CESAR CHAVEZ JR. MAKE CRUISERWEIGHT LIMIT

Some of Julio Cesar Chavez Jr.’s biggest fights have come against the scale, but the second-generation fighter didn’t have issues making the cruiserweight limit ahead of his 10-round clash against Jake Paul on Saturday.

Paul (11-1, 7 KOs) weighed 199.4 pounds, while Chavez (54-6-1, 34 KOs) tipped the scales at a career-high 198.4 pounds on Friday ahead of their fight at the Honda Center in Anaheim, California.

Paul and Chavez faced off without incident for MVP and Golden Boy’s co-promoted event, which will stream on DAZN PPV beginning at 5 p.m. PST.

Chavez came into the weigh-in having missed weight in high-profile fights (and losses) in recent years against Anderson Silva and Daniel Jacobs, and other times before that, in a career that started in 2003.

Chavez has been competing as a cruiserweight since 2021, and the besmirched boxer is 8-4 dating back to 2012, when he was an undefeated middleweight title holder at the time. But at 39, a faded Chavez is promising a rejuvenated version of himself to regain respect with a turn-back-the-clock-like performance.

Paul, meanwhile, is looking to use Chavez as a stepping stone to get ranked and chase a world title run.

In the co-main event, WBA and WBO cruiserweight champion Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez (47-1, 30 KOs), from Mazatlan, Sinaloa, Mexico, weighed in at 199.8 pounds, while Miami-based Cuban challenger Yuniel Dorticos (27-2, 25 KOs) weighed 198.6 pounds.

Ramirez seeks to cement his status in the division with his first stoppage win in the weight class as a possible unification fight looms against Jai Opetaia.

Weights for the rest of the Paul-Chavez Jr. undercard

Welterweights; 10 rounds

Raul Curiel (15-0-1, 13 KOs) 146.4 pounds; Guadalajara, Jalisco

Victor Rodriguez (16-0-1, 9 KOs) 145.2 pounds; Maldonado, Uruguay

Welterweights; 10 rounds

Avious Griffin (17-0, 16 KOs) 146.8 pounds; Chattanooga, Tennessee

Julian Rodriguez (23-1, 14 KOs) 146.6 pounds; Hasbrouck Heights, New Jersey

Lightweights; 10 rounds

Floyd Schofield Jr. (18-0, 12 KOs) 134.8 pounds; Austin, Texas

Tevin Farmer (33-8-1, 8 KOs) 135 pounds; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

DAZN will stream the preliminary action to its subscribers beginning at 12 p.m. PST, and the non-PPV card will be headlined by former three-division champion and UFC champion Holly Holm, who is making her return to boxing after a 12-year break.

Lightweights; 10 rounds

Holly Holm (33-2-3, 9 KOs) 136.6 pounds; Albuquerque, New Mexico

Yolanda Vega (10-0, 1 KO) 136.8 pounds; Ciudad Obregon, Sonora, Mexico

Welterweights; 8 rounds

Joel Iriarte (7-0, 7 KOs) 146.8 pounds; Bakersfield, California

Kevin Johnson (12-6, 8 KOs) 146.4 pounds; Las Vegas, Nevada

Bantamweights; 8 rounds

Alexander Gueche (7-0, 5 KOs) 124 pounds; Long Beach, California

Vincent Avina (8-1-1, 7 KOs) 120 pounds; Las Vegas, Nevada

Heavyweights; 6 rounds

Joshua Edwards (2-0, 2 KOs) 226 pounds; Houston, Texas

Dominic Hardy (6-3, 4 KOs) 251.4 pounds; Riverside, Illinois

Junior Lightweights; 10 rounds

Victor Morales (20-0-1, 10 KOs) 130 pounds; Vancouver, Washington

Renee Alvarado (34-16, 22 KOs) 129.6 pounds; Managua, Nicaragua

Junior Featherweights; 10 rounds

John “Scrappy” Ramirez (14-1, 9 KOs) 119.8 pounds; Los Angeles, California

Josue Jesus Morales (33-18-5, 14 KOs) 121.6 pounds; Houston, Texas

- MANOUK AKOPYAN

OPETAIA VS NYIKA | IBF & RING MAGAZINE CRUISERWEIGHT WORLD TITLES | AUSTRALIA

 

JAKE PAUL BEATS MIKE PERRY BY WAY OF TKO | BEST PICTURES | PHOTOS BT ESTHER LIN, MVP PROMOTIONS

 

JAKE PAUL REGISTERS SIXTH-ROUND TKO VICTORY OVER MIKE PERRY

Photos by Esther Lin, MVP Promotions

Jake Paul scored a sixth-round TKO victory over bare-knuckle fighter Mike Perry on Saturday in Tampa, Florida, in an eight-round cruiserweight boxing match.

With the win, Paul maintained his Nov. 15 showdown with the 58-year-old Mike Tyson that was originally scheduled for this night. Paul, a social-media star turned boxer, floored Perry three times before the referee halted the bout at 1:12 of Round 6.

"He's tough as nails ... but I just hit too hard and he took a lot of damage," Paul said. "Mike Tyson, you're next. ... It's anyone, anytime, anyplace."

Paul, who was a -475 favorite, as per ESPN BET, said he was sick leading up to the fight and that his knuckle was "basically broken."

Perry, 32, is the latest former UFC fighter to fall to Paul. Paul (10-1, 7 KOs) also defeated Tyron Woodley, Nate Diaz and Ben Askren. Paul, 27, was noticeably bigger and enjoyed a three-inch height advantage. Perry (0-2) of Orlando, Florida, fights at 175 pounds in the Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship.

Paul, of Cleveland, scored a flash knockdown in the opening round with a chopping right hand. He controlled the action from range with his superior jab and footwork.

A jab set up a right hand that dropped Perry 30 seconds into Round 2. Perry rebounded with a strong Round 3 and opened up a cut over Paul's left eye. But by Round 4, it was Paul who once again dominated the exchanges. He rocked Perry into the ropes with combinations on several more occasions before the finishing sequence.

"You did a great job, you were way too fast for me and I couldn't adjust," Perry said. " ... He's not sitting there waiting to be hit like me."

Perry's lone previous boxing match was a fourth-round KO loss to journeyman Kenneth McNeil in May 2015. Perry made his UFC debut one year later. His MMA record is 14-8. All eight of his defeats took place in the UFC (he had 14 fights total in the Octagon and never challenged for the title.)

Perry's BKFC record is 5-0 and his last fight was in April.

Paul, meanwhile, will move onto an eight-round heavyweight bout with Tyson on Nov. 15 in Arlington, Texas, where they'll wear 14-ounce gloves.

Tyson withdrew from the marquee event -- it will be streamed on Netflix -- after he suffered an ulcer flare-up on a flight in May.

Saturday's win was Paul's second fight of 2024. He scored a first-round KO of journeyman Ryan Bourland in March in Puerto Rico.

"In two years I will be the cruiserweight champion of the f---ing world," Paul said. "I'm way sharper, cleaner. I think he hit me with like one shot tonight. ... It's back to the drawing board and I'm going to just keep getting better."

Serrano scores TKO 2, moves onto Taylor rematch

Amanda Serrano scored a second-round TKO victory vs. the overmatched Stevie Morgan in the junior welterweight co-feature to set up a Nov. 15 rematch with Katie Taylor.

Serrano, a former seven-division champion, landed at will against Morgan, who was fighting on the top level for the first time. Puerto Rico's Serrano (47-2-1, 31 KOs) stunned Tampa's Morgan (14-2, 13 KOs) on several occasions and teed off on her fellow 35-year-old until the referee stepped in.

"I think these girls mistake my kindness for weakness," said Serrano, ESPN's No. 3 pound-for-pound boxer. " ... If you not on my level, that's what happens. ... I know she didn't have the experience, I know this might have been a little too much for her."

Serrano was fighting for the first time since October, when she outpointed Danila Ramos. Serrano suffered an allergic eye reaction to hair braiding gel that scrapped her Puerto Rico homecoming main event in March.

Serrano now moves onto the rematch with Taylor for the undisputed junior welterweight championship. They met in April 2022 at New York's Madison Square Garden in the biggest fight in women's boxing history.

Taylor (23-1, 6 KOs) won that fight by split decision to retain the undisputed lightweight championship. The rematch was originally scheduled for May 2023 in Dublin before Serrano suffered an injury.

Taylor, a 35-year-old Irishwoman, is ESPN's No. 3 pound-for-pound boxer.

"Can't wait to go in there with you once again," Serrano said. " ... This time it's going to be a lot different."

- Mike Coppinger, ESPN Boxing Insider

A GUIDE TO THE NEW YEAR: FIVE FIGHTERS TO WATCH IN 2024

Jaron Ennis, right, could be fighting top opponents now that he has the IBF welterweight world title. Patrick Smith/Getty Images

Boxing's pound-for-pound best delivered some worthy performances in 2023.

Artur Beterbiev kicked off the campaign by keeping his perfect KO ratio intact with a thrilling TKO defeat of Anthony Yarde to retain three light heavyweight titles.

Three months later, a well-placed body shot by Gervonta Davis stopped Ryan Garcia in the year's biggest commercial fight. In July, Naoya Inoue dominated Stephen Fulton in his 122-pound debut and displayed his generational talent, before unifying titles to become undisputed champion in a second division with another impressive KO win over Marlon Tapales on Dec. 26.

And Devin Haney won every round and even dropped Regis Prograis to become a two-division champ on Dec. 9.

The best performance of all, of course, belonged to Terence Crawford, who dismantled Errol Spence Jr., in a tour de force victory to cement welterweight supremacy.

But what about all the fighters that sit just outside ESPN's pound-for-pound top 10? There are many boxers with a genuine opportunity to inch closer to that recognition in 2024.

Here are five such boxers we believe are appointment viewing in 2024 (in no particular order):

TALE OF THE TAPE | CANELI VS. MAKABU