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Disappointingly, as we went to press, Benavidez – who talked about dropping back down to light heavyweight to battle Bivol or former champ Artur Beterbiev before and after the Zurdo fight – was closing in on fellow cruiserweight beltholder Noel Mikaelian. There’s nothing wrong with fighting Mikaelian in a title-unification bout, but beating the rugged veteran won’t help Benavidez clinch Fighter of the Year (or attract more fans). Stevenson – The 28-year-old Newark native appears to be in self-created limbo since lifting the Ring junior welterweight belt from Lopez. Stevenson claimed Raymond Muratalla would be “easy work” after the lightweight titleholder called him out following an upset decision over Andy Cruz in January, then immediately added, “but how lucrative is this fight? How much money are y’all gonna pay me for this fight?” during an interview on the Cigar Talk YouTube channel in February. Unless the owner of this publication wants to overpay Stevenson to fight Muratalla, this interesting matchup (which would be for the vacant Ring lightweight championship) is not happening. But make no mistake; unlike Gervonta Davis, Muratalla was serious about challenging Stevenson. Keyshawn Davis looms at junior welterweight, but Stevenson has vowed never to fight the marvelously talented former lightweight beltholder because of their friendship. Haney and Garcia, who both hold welterweight titles, are the highest-profile dance partners for Stevenson. However, the four-division world titleholder wants them to agree to a 144-pound catchweight as well as a rehydration clause limiting how many pounds they put on after the weigh-in. Garcia set his sights on Conor Benn, but Haney called Stevenson’s bluff and agreed to the catchweight via social media. Stevenson accepted the challenge
The Mexican Monster currently eats only once or twice per year.
later this year as planned). Comeback of the Year is probably the appropriate award for whoever wins the biggest all-British showdown ever, but their combined stature and the magnitude of the event (especially if the fight lives up to the hype) will likely inspire fans and media to nominate the winner for the most prestigious of The Ring’s annual honors. Xander Zayas/Jaron Ennis – If the winner of this junior middleweight clash for two world titles, which took place June 27 as we put this issue to bed, can come back in the winter and defeat a fellow 154-pound beltholder, such as Sebastian Fundora or Josh Kelly, he’d be a strong candidate. These are all of the potential nominees I can think of. Each comes with an “if” (or multiple “ifs”), and some have already chosen the path of least resistance. I don’t expect any to exceed two bouts this year, which is an indictment on the business and culture of the sport, but I’m hoping somebody’s next fight is significant enough to give us a legitimate Fighter of the Year frontrunner. Time is running out.
and even posted a pic of a scale reading “144.4” (presumably with him on it), but it looks like his good buddy’s got dibs on Haney. The WBO made Davis the mandatory challenger for their welterweight strap, which Haney holds (even though Keyshawn has never fought above 140 pounds). One potential option for Stevenson could be Lamont Roach, who is scheduled to face William Zepeda for a vacant lightweight belt on August 1. Roach, a straight shooter who doesn’t shy away from challenges, wants to test his skills against Stevenson if he wins. I’m into this matchup, but there’s no guarantee Roach will prevail against the relentless Zepeda, who gave Stevenson a tough fight last year. Stevenson’s situation sucks, but he’s played a part in it. Tyson Fury/Anthony Joshua – One longshot for the award is the winner of this heavyweight superfight (if it happens
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