A quiet weekend of boxing saw a standout Stateside showing from a maturing world champion, which signalled the end of an Aussie warrior’s runway. British fighters received career-boosting opportunities. There was a legendary retirement and a blow to boxing fans in the Emerald Isle. Here are the winners and losers in all their glory and abasement.
Boxing winners of the week
Richardson Hitchins
A punch-perfect display from Hitchins, who elevated his status as a world champion by adding George Kambosos’ fast-fading name to his record. Bigger fights await with the likes of Devin Haney or Teofimo Lopez.
Andy Cruz
Next in line for a crack at the IBF title, Cuba’s Cruz is delivering in the ring, displaying an exciting Philadelphia style and channelling his inner wind-up merchant by labelling Keyshawn Davis as his errant son.
Sam Noakes
It’s step-up time for Noakes, who has been paired with Abdullah Mason for the vacant WBO title. “Abdullah Mason does not go 12 rounds with me,” he boomed on Instagram. It’ll be a fun fight for as long as it lasts.
Lewis Edmondson
Ever since he shocked Dan Azeez, Southampton light-heavyweight Edmondson has been making a nuisance of himself calling out rivals. He has snared a crack at the beastly Usyk protégé Daniel Lapin in Wembley.
Japanese boxing fans
Boxing fans seeking good action, located anywhere in the world, can enjoy this one. A quality triple-header on July 30 in Kanagawa sees Daigo Higa, Kenshiro Teraji and Kyosuke Takami all in big bouts.
Vasiliy Lomachenko
Ukraine’s Lomachenko had been absent for a while and fans were half expecting a retirement announcement to arrive. When it finally did, we were able to look back fondly at a fantastic career that spanned both the amateur and professional codes. Loma endured his fair share of setbacks but was a winner every step of the way.
Boxing losers of the week
Kieran Molloy
Whatever the truth is about the Galway fall out, it’s left a lot of people in limbo. Well-supported Molloy lost out on his big homecoming and has parted ways with GBM Sports. The situation was not ideal for anybody involved.
George Kambosos
I’m a little reluctant to claim that the Aussie grafter has lost at anything, seeing as he’s been effectively winning ever since beating Teofimo Lopez in 2021.
However, the body of evidence has now determined that George falls short at the top. Not that he’ll care about what we think. His toughness, determination and marketability have created a long-lasting financial legacy.
Chris Eubank Jr
Missing weight has already cost Eubank Jr a hefty wack of cash. Now, a flippant sauna admission on a podcast has landed him in even hotter (perhaps, steamier) water, likely leading to more losses of the cash variety.
Branden Pizarro
It looked like the setbacks had been pushed into the past for Philadelphia’s Pizarro, who had soaked up a loss and a draw in his early career. Arriving in his home city on Friday night, live on DAZN, with the NABF 140-pound strap around his waist, Pizarro was favoured to extend his winning streak.
Opponent Israel Mercado was 12-1-2 and approaching away man status. ‘Bad Ways’ turned his form around and created some future good times, posting a 10-round majority decision win against the odds. Back to the drawing board for Pizarro.
