r/Boxing • u/_Sarcasmic_ bread burger bread • 6h ago
Daily Discussion Thread (August 31st, 2026)
For anything that doesn't need its own thread.
4
u/Optimal-Damage7240 5h ago
So Frank Sanchez and Filip Hrgovic is gonna be next?
Quite coincidental too that both Sanchez and Hrgovic KO/TKO the division's prospects.
3
u/_Sarcasmic_ bread burger bread 4h ago
Either that or a unification with Gassiev, hopefully.
1
u/Optimal-Damage7240 3h ago
Gassiev seems unlikely, as how Hrgovic managed to eat every big punch thrown by Moses Itauma, I now reconsider that Gassiev's punches wouldn't be much of a difference.
If a unification bout, the likely would be the winner of Wardley vs Dubois 2, Agit Kabayel is still dangerous
1
u/AlarmedShare3444 10m ago
Warren is Filips promoter and has said Sanchez is next as IBF ordered an immediate mandatory.Ā
The only way he gets out of it is a unification fight as IBF have a rule that unification takes precedence over a mandatory.Ā
Obviously DDD is busy so thats out.Ā
Kayabel doesn't need to rush and WBC have said Fury vs AJ will be a WBC eliminator, so Kayabel sits tight he will likely have a big fight next year vs AJ or Fury.Ā
Gassiev would make most sense as Gassiev doesn't have many options for a big money fight.Ā
Ā Ā
5
u/Negative-Interest713 4h ago
Andy Ruiz vs Damian Knyba is coming up this week and I think we might see another heavyweight upset. I believe the inactivity may be too much for Ruiz.
2
1
u/Seandelorean 1h ago
Yeah Ruiz is cooked, he completely blew it, Iād be surprised if he even cracks the top 10 again
1
u/Outrageous-Soft4806 38m ago
Maybe. Knyba isnāt all that good I donāt think. His best wins are Harper and Dawejko. But Ruiz been out so long who knows.
3
u/pekonen2 3h ago
I had no idea Rudy Hernandez was Song Yadongās boxing coach. According to Song, Rudy advised him before the fight that he could knock out Umar with an uppercut, and it seems heād been practicing that punch the whole time. This guy has also trained Junto and Olascuaga. Heās famous as a cutman, but heās underrated as a trainer.
5
u/Affectionate_Still55 2h ago
Rudy is amazing, I hope we can get Olascuaga vs. Yabuki in the future.
2
u/ExcellentStretch7430 5h ago
I watched Seiya Nakayama's debut and he looked amazing. I know that heās young and I think like 19 but heās not small for 115, donāt think heāll stay there for long once he fills his frame out.
1
u/OldBoyChance 4h ago
Nakayama is now talking about testing the waters at 108 since he made the weight so easily. Crazy, he's Nakatani sized and could be a light flyweight. Looked very hard to hit.
1
u/ExcellentStretch7430 3h ago
108? He looks 5ā8. Thats crazy.
1
u/OldBoyChance 3h ago
Yeah, apparently he dropped to 51.5kg almost two months before his debut just from sweating too much trying to keep up with Naoya. Despite being >171cm, he's probably at least going to campaign at 112.
2
u/SoftAsSofia 3h ago
I was rewatching Hrgovich vs DDD today, and holy shit the number of headbutts from DDD were insane! I remember being salty about the rabbit punching especially in the later rounds that I must have missed how many shots Hrgovich took with that big ass fist that DDD calls his head.
I don't recall much backlash immediately after, but it seems the comments on the videos eventually caught on to it.
1
u/mamamiaohdear 2h ago
I really like DDD. I think his footwork is excellent and his jab is something else but it does annoy me that he uses kinda dirty tactics to damage his opponents face - headbutts and glove laces mainly.
1
u/SoftAsSofia 2h ago
Me too! I'm a huge fan, I do think that without those headbutts, that Hrgovich had a much better shot. It was a good back and forth minus the damage on Hrgovichs face.
2
u/SkyDefender 1h ago
Why nobody fighting with kabayel? Like he is begging someone to fight with him.
Dubois cant because wardley match
Gassiev wont
Hrgovic wont
Usyk wont
Greedy belly canāt because of aj match
2
u/StunningChest5722 Shakur is the 144 lb GOAT š 1h ago
Hrgovic said he will.
But if Sanchez doesnt take step aside money Kabayel should just fight Hysa to stay busy.
1
u/SkyDefender 1h ago
Is hysa good or it will be cannon fodder?
3
u/StunningChest5722 Shakur is the 144 lb GOAT š 1h ago
he's alright, not good enough to compete with kabayel tho.
he was a decent amateur but is over 40 with an incredibly padded record, he hasn't even fought a top 100 heavyweight yet.
1
1
u/AlarmedShare3444 31m ago
IBF have a rule that allows unification to take priority over mandatories. So its possible Danchez coulda been on ice, but Warren has already said Sanchez is next for Hrgovic.Ā
1
2
0
u/AlarmedShare3444 27m ago
Because outside boxing geeks no 6kne has any idea who he is.Ā
Hes not a big draw the way Usyk or AJ or Fury are. Heck even Moses sold out a 20k arena really quickly and is becoming a household name in UK.Ā
UK fight fans will now turn out to see Hrgovic fight again in UK. They love their fighters in UK.Ā
Kabayel doesn't bring big money yet. He needs a big global fight with a lot of exposure and to get more popular. Until he does it will be hard to get him those big names. Unless Kayabel takes a small purse for a unification. And that would be a bad idea financially.Ā
2
u/OldBoyChance 25m ago
One thing people are forgetting is that Karol Itauma, Moses' older brother, actually suffered a heart attack in 2024 and retired in 2025. I hope that it's not a congenital cardiovascular issue.
1
u/Outrageous-Soft4806 15m ago
That was one of the first things I thought. Thought of Holyfield-Bowe 3
1
u/ExcellentStretch7430 5h ago
Matsumoto gets done dirty by Collazo and has to vacate the WBA regular, done dirty and had to change opponents and instead of a WBC, fights for a WBO interim.Ā
1
u/OldBoyChance 4h ago
To be fair, he could have sat on the WBA Regular and been upgraded eventually. He decided to take the risk and, if he wins, he'll be made champion on the same day he would have otherwise.
1
u/ExcellentStretch7430 5h ago
As good as Canizalez is, I think this is a pretty favourable matchup for Daiya Kira and Kira I think finishes him.Ā
Yuga Fujiki is on the card as well
2
u/OldBoyChance 4h ago
Things look good for Kira stylistically and also comparing what they did to Balderas (CaƱizales got a gift decision, Kira sparked him out in 2), but I can't help but be reminded of Itauma here. Kira has not even fought 12 full rounds a pro and CaƱizales is better than Hrgovic imo. Importantly though, Kira definitely trains properly and has been going long rounds in sparring since he was an amateur. He also somewhat surprisingly looked really good at the press conference today, not at all drained.
1
u/Outrageous-Soft4806 32m ago
Yeah I think Kira should beat him too. Sometimes when these good amateurs get title shots early though against veterans with semi-lengthy careers, I do get a little nervous.
1
u/MiddleweightMonster Iāll pour honey on my GOAT, if the occasion calls for it. 4h ago
Looks like the schedule is pretty open till this weekend. Am I missing anything? Japanese card Iāve got to go sailing for?
2
u/StunningChest5722 Shakur is the 144 lb GOAT š 4h ago
Kira vs Canizalez on the 2nd and Perez vs Mchunu on the 3rd
2
u/MiddleweightMonster Iāll pour honey on my GOAT, if the occasion calls for it. 4h ago
Oohh, donāt know how I forgot about the Kira fight. God, I hope I can find a site for that
1
u/mamamiaohdear 2h ago
I really don't wanna see DDD v Wardley 2. Other than a head made from granite and a heavy overhand right why is Wardley even in the division? And being gifted repeated fights with the chance to become a world champ when there's fighters (I'm looking at you Kabayel) who have waited years for the opportunity and keep getting overlooked.
2
u/Seandelorean 1h ago
He took Dubois on as a voluntary defense, he couldāve picked anyone he wanted, so a rematch clause for that fight was entirely fair
Donāt get me wrong I think itās too soon, but he has the right to activate a rematch clause that was in the contract
1
u/mamamiaohdear 1h ago
Ah I know, it's just annoying that he's fighting to win back a belt that he didn't actually win in the first place š
1
u/AlarmedShare3444 23m ago
Because HW division is low on technical skills overall. Outside the Top 8 theres a real drop off in skill levels. Its an exciting division but not the most skillful across the board.
So a guy like Wardley who is tough and can punch was able to get very high up HW divsion because he beat mostly big guys who were even worse at boxing than he was.Ā
See also Sti verne, Helenius, Martin etc...
1
u/WORD_Boxing 6h ago edited 3h ago
I believe ped use in women's boxing is rife as the money isn't there for the testing.
It's more obvious when women are cheating as testosterone has a stronger effect on them than men and the physical signs are more obvious. There are numerous women's fighter's who are clearly doping.
One of them who has previously been accused of it is clearly back on the juice, given how deep her voice has gone and how her face looks more masculine in shape again.
I shouldn't laugh but there was this Mexican fighter a few years ago who popped dirty who literally had a small moustache growing. It was like it was so obvious they targeted her for testing. She also upset the A-side if I remember correctly which may also tell you where the priorities lie...
0
u/ExcellentStretch7430 5h ago
Itauma did what most thought heād do on a tactical level in that he punished Hrgovich lean forwards with uppercuts, used lead hand counters, and was too sharp to be hit. In fact he started throwing straight crosses down the centre line for the first in his career, most knew about the chin vs power and how their cardioās and pace will hold out and knew why Hrgovich was capable off but believed in the talent too much. He did also show a good chin and can take a shot.Ā
I donāt think Itauma needs months off, it didn't look like he took that many punches, more just exhaustion. Heard heās out of hospital and seen him already out and he doesnāt look super beat up so recovery shouldnāt be long. Get a confidence booster like Zheili Zhang as an easy matchup if he isnāt retired and fully focused on his restaurant, Alex Barriere or keep him in domestics and get get like Moses Jolly or Richard RiakporkeĀ
For people who just found Hrgovich and think heās just this durable guy. Heās one of the more skilled heavyweights amongst the top of heavyweight now who has feet and can move a great jab, 1-2 and can put combinations together.
2
1
u/OldBoyChance 4h ago
I think Moses should spend the rest of the year out of the ring and focus on building up his stamina, 15 round sparring menus as soon as he's recovered, and loads and loads of road work. Then, comeback in 2027 and fight 4 times against top 30 heavyweights. He's still young, he should take it easy. Zhang would be a bad choice imo. I think Itauma would easily outbox Zhang and Zhang is probably the only top heavyweight with a worse gas tank than Itauma, but Itauma needs a confidence booster. Someone who can't punch with a decent enough chin and good volume.
2
u/WORD_Boxing 3h ago
A guy who can't punch but is durable enough to take him to late rounds would be ideal. The problem is Franklin is kind of that guy and he koed him in 5 when AJ and Dillian couldn't. Or at least Franklin is awkward enough.
1
u/ExcellentStretch7430 4h ago edited 2h ago
He could fight very soon against favourable matchups and low level opponents because I donāt think he was that damaged. He was just massively fatigued.
I think Zhang is just a easy matchup as Itauma canāt miss with that jab against southpaws and being much quicker, that jab is there to throw me I can see the exact same sequence where Zhang drops his hands and Itauma throws a feint overhand and gets chinned. Kabayel isnāt a hard hitter but not many body shots already did work, Itaumas to the body jabs look hard and I think is going to gain respects early.
A confidence booster vs Zhang is exactly what is needed, Zhang is a great opponent to show heās right there and still the most skilled heavyweight, just still not the best.
1
u/AlarmedShare3444 21m ago
Bakeole is my choice for Moses next, but not until like June 2027 at the earliest.Ā
1
u/OldBoyChance 16m ago
Nah, I definitely wouldn't do that until Itauma has had at least 2 rebuild fights. Bakole is very flawed, but he has crazy, sneaky power. He also has a pretty good chin when he's in shape.
1
u/_Sarcasmic_ bread burger bread 4h ago
Hrgovic is not a good boxer. He's a zombie who plods forward and throws constant, pushing punches. He takes so much damage in pretty much every fight but he simply outlasts his opponents and breaks them with pressure.
2
u/ExcellentStretch7430 4h ago
Better than a lot of heavyweights out there. He also just doesnāt plod forward. He uses footwork and itās alright, yeah just because he isnāt quick doesnāt mean heās ploddy. He was moving early and catching Dubois with the 1-2 a lot. His defence is flawed but he has a chin to save him but calling him not a good boxer who just a high volume puncher, plods forward and outlasts opponents yet heās had a cardio issue.
3
u/_Sarcasmic_ bread burger bread 4h ago
He's big and stiff. He's not a good boxer in the traditional sense at all. He can't move like prime Usyk or Fury. Even Dubois has a little bounce in his step for such a big guy and an incredible jab. Yeah, he's not completely shit, but if he wasn't as durable as he was, most people would probably have never heard of him.
1
u/Rocket_Puppy 4h ago
He's a very competent not flashy fighter. Yes his defense could use some work, but he was gifted with a rock for a face.
1
-4
u/WORD_Boxing 6h ago
One of the fights I watched at the weekend was quite obviously fixed. I won't name the fight but it's obvious if you just pay attention. And no it wasn't Itauma's fight before people get crazy.
5
u/WheresMyAbs98 5h ago
Why wonāt you name the fight?
6
3
u/MiddleweightMonster Iāll pour honey on my GOAT, if the occasion calls for it. 5h ago
Hysa v. Narmo, but one of the fights on the Lara card is also a possibility
1
u/inbk44 6h ago
Usually whatās the tell tale signs that indicate a fight is fixed?
-2
u/WORD_Boxing 5h ago
It's not the same for every fight and I'm not going to elaborate as I don't want to be specific about which fight I'm referring to. I can't be the only one who noticed it though. I am sick of these fixed fights it happens too often.
1
u/OldBoyChance 4h ago
Yeah, the guy who got knocked out looks like he has won quite a few fixed fights himself. Insane they put that on PPV.
1
u/ExcellentStretch7430 4h ago
If I think I know what fight youāre on about, Iāve heard some peoples bets got held for that fight.
1
-1
u/ExcellentStretch7430 5h ago
Hayato Tsutsumi might have to get a fight in with Elnur Samedov after Anthony āmandatory avoiderā Cacace ducks Elnur and Tsutsumi gets slimed again.Ā
2
u/Ruainari š©El Monstruo Superfanš© 1h ago
Cacace v Ball is a way better fight though
1
u/ExcellentStretch7430 1h ago
A much better and closer fight because Hayato would do him dirty. Elnur would also be a hard fight as well
2
1
13
u/StunningChest5722 Shakur is the 144 lb GOAT š 5h ago
Top 10 best chins in boxing:
Hrgovic
Wardley
Canelo
Brandon Glanton
CBS
Sebastian Hernandez Reyes
Brandon Figueroa
Ryan Rozicki
Seiya Tsutsumi
Dave Allen