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The update, reported by Marcos Villegas, indicates Berlanga will remain at super middleweight rather than move up to light heavyweight, which had been suggested by earlier promotional material focused on Zuffa’s 175-pound roster.

That shift stands out. Zuffa has outlined a structure built around eight divisions, which does not include the 168-pound category.

That setup doesn’t match Berlanga staying at 168 for his debut. Berlanga is expected to compete at 168 despite the promotion not formally recognizing the division within its framework.

The alternative would have been a move to light heavyweight, where Berlanga has previously shown the size to compete, having rehydrated into the low 190s for past fights. Remaining at 168 avoids an immediate jump against naturally larger opponents and keeps him aligned with his recent run at super middleweight.

Berlanga was one of the headline additions to the promotion’s early roster alongside Richardson Hitchins, with both expected to debut this summer as Zuffa expands its schedule.

The situation also highlights an early tension between Zuffa’s stated structure and how it may operate in practice. The promotion has presented a reduced number of weight classes, leaving out several divisions that are commonly used across boxing, including 168.

That approach would normally require fighters in that range to either move down to middleweight or compete at light heavyweight.

In Berlanga’s case, applying that structure strictly would have meant an immediate adjustment in his first appearance under the new deal.

Allowing him to fight at 168 keeps him in a division where he has recently competed and avoids forcing a shift before he has even made his debut for the promotion.

The move leaves Zuffa in a position where its early framework is being tested by the realities of integrating established fighters.

If Berlanga does make his Zuffa debut at 168, it would show the promotion is willing to bend its own weight-class setup when a newly signed fighter does not fit neatly into it.

Japanese sensation Naoya Inoue is a modern pound-for-pound great, having ruled in four weight divisions and maintained his undefeated record. As he closes out his phenomenal career, fans have wondered how high he is willing to go.

Inoue won his first WBC world title in just his sixth professional contest, knocking out Adrian Hernandez in round six of their battle down at 108lbs over a decade ago, then defending the belt against Wittawas Basapean five months later.

In December 2014, Inoue moved up to the super-flyweight division and needed just two rounds to halt Omar Andres Narvaez to claim the WBO crown upon his 115lb debut, registering seven title defences before advancing to bantamweight.

At bantamweight, Inoue began to gain global recognition, with two triumphs over the legendary Nonito Donaire forcing the world of boxing to begin to take notice, before capturing the undisputed crown and moving up once more.

As a super-bantamweight, Inoue required only two fights to replicate that feat, knocking out unified champions Stephen Fulton and Marlon Tapales to become a two-weight undisputed ruler and claim the 2023 Fighter of the Year award.

‘The Monster’ has remained at 122lbs ever since, defending all four titles on six occasions, but next month he faces his toughest test yet, tasked with countryman Junto Nakatani at the Tokyo Dome in a fight that has him ‘motivated’.

Speaking on a TikTok live stream ahead of that event, Inoue revealed that he will max out at featherweight, with plans to move up to 126lbs in two fights’ time, as per Yahoo Japan.

“I think featherweight will be my final challenge. After the Nakatani fight, and one other fight I’ve wanted to do, my last challenge will be in featherweight.

“I’m not going to move up right away, so I’d like to decide [a fight] with the [featherweight] champion at that time.”

Though the landscape could change, the champions at featherweight are currently Brandon Figueroa, Bruce Carrington, Angelo Leo and Rafael Espinoza, with Carrington particularly keen on the fight with Inoue.

The build-up to the Conor Benn vs. Regis Prograis fight has been plagued with rumours over whether it will indeed go ahead.

Benn and Prograis are scheduled to do battle in a 150lb catchweight bout as the co-main event to the Tyson Fury vs. Arslanbek Makhmudov card at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Saturday.

It sees Benn begin his return to welterweight following his two epic clashes with bitter rival Chris Eubank Jr in 2025, while Prograis is competing at his highest ever weight after two spells as super-lightweight world champion.

In recent weeks, there were reports that Prograis was injured and may be forced to pull out of the contest, but the 37-year-old said there was no truth to the talk and is set to proceed.

After the final press conference, the American revealed to IFL TV that he believes others were trying to force him out of the fight, and that there is a replacement opponent ready to step in.

“I’m good to fight. When I came here, they tried to put somebody else in. I know what’s going on. They might have a replacement right now. People, as soon as I got here, they said: ‘You sure? You good? You okay? We got somebody already.’

“I know they already have a replacement for me already. People were trying to slide in somebody else. That’s what’s going on. They don’t want me to get that opportunity.”

It’s unknown who Prograis is referring to, but barring any last minute issues, he will indeed be the one stood opposite Benn come fight night on Saturday, with ‘The Destroyer’ looking to make a big statement ahead of his return to 147lbs.

Benn, 27, faces Regis Prograis this weekend, knowing a loss could cost him his place as Garcia’s challenger. He is taking that risk anyway.

“I could have waited for Garcia,” Benn said to the Ring. “Do I wait or do I stay active? I like that risk.”

The decision cuts against the usual approach. Mandatory challengers often sit tight and protect their position. Benn is doing the opposite, putting it on the line against a former world champion.

He made his target clear if he gets through Prograis.

“I want the biggest fights. There isn’t any bigger fight than me and Ryan.”

A win over Prograis would keep Benn in position and strengthen his case for the fight with Ryan. A loss, however, could remove him from the mandatory spot and delay any title opportunity. The risk is clear, but Benn has chosen activity over waiting.

Ryan’s next move remains open. He has been linked to other options for his first defence, which leaves the WBC with a decision if Benn comes through on Saturday night. Conor’s approach puts the focus on performance first, rather than relying on his ranking to secure the shot.

Ryan won the WBC welterweight title earlier this year against Mario Barrios and has been linked to other options, including Teofimo Lopez and a later rematch with Devin Haney. Benn’s route is more direct. Win on Saturday, then force the issue.

The outcome leaves the WBC with a decision to make. If Benn comes through, the sanctioning body would be expected to move on the mandatory.

The approach is simple for Benn. Stay active, take the risk, and try to fight his way into the shot rather than wait for it.

 

Ryan Garcia has finally achieved world honours and now looks to secure a significant during the second half of the year.

Garcia trumped Mario Barrios to get his hands on the WBC welterweight world title back in February. He has since been linked to a rematch with Devin Haney, but that seems set to marinate for a while longer, with Teofimo Lopez instead being touted as a possible first defence.

Garcia does have a mandatory challenger in Conor Benn, however, who fights Regis Prograis on Saturday night at a catchweight of 150lbs in an attempt to drop fully back down to welterweight.

Speaking to the Ring ahead of his return, the Brit made it clear that he was looking to enforce his position should he get the win.

“I want the biggest fights and I don’t think that there is any bigger fight out there than me and Ryan. I have got Regis in front of me, who is an absolute handful, and, no doubt, I have prepared for him as if I am preparing for the unified world champion.”

Benn then went on to explain why he opted to accept a fight with Prograis, rather than wait for a showdown with Garcia, admitting that he ‘likes the risk’ of losing his position as mandatory challenger and was keen for activity.

“I could have waited until July, August, September for Garcia, or whenever he is ready, I could have waited. Do I wait or do I stay active? Do I run that risk fighting a two-time world champion? I like that risk.

“I am in this game to fight and I believe that, on my best day, I beat anybody. So, although he is a southpaw and fights nothing like Garcia, it’s just being active, getting me out. After this fight, get me straight back out again.”

Benn-Prograis is the co-main event of the Fury-Makhmudov bill on Saturday night. Should Benn come through, he is expected to call Garcia out post-fight, leaving it in the hands of the WBC to order the fight.

Fury, 37, brought up the possibility of a third fight during a recent interview but quickly moved away from confidence and into grievance. Rather than revealing adjustments or a path to victory against Usyk, he focused on judging.

“They may as well just give him the decision before we go in there,” Fury said to the InsideRingShow about a trilogy against Usyk.

Fury sounds like a fighter who has conceded the outcome before the first punch is thrown. When a fighter says the decision is already made, they are admitting they no longer believe their performance can change the result.

Given the way Fury looked in his loss to Usyk in their rematch in 2024, it’s understandable why he’s already sounded like a defeated fighter. He was totally dominated by Usyk in that fight. It didn’t help that Fury came in at a flabby career high of 281 lbs.

Fury is moving away from the Invincible King to the persecuted outsider. This is a defensive mechanism. By framing himself as a victim of a system that “won’t let him win,” he creates a narrative where he can lose without actually being “beaten.”

“If I won 11 of 12 rounds, they’re going to give it to him by split decision,” he added.

By claiming he could win 11 of 12 rounds and still lose, he is setting up a situation for his fans to dismiss a future defeat as a robbery rather than a decline in his own abilities.

Once a fighter starts looking at the judges instead of the man in front of them, it’s usually because they’ve realized they can’t solve the puzzle with their hands. Fury sounds like a man who has looked at the mountain three times and decided it’s too high to climb.

“If it’s a fair fight with a fair result, then I’ll fight him anywhere,” Fury said.

In the context of a man who has already lost twice to the same opponent, that qualifier, “If it’s a fair fight,” serves as a very convenient escape hatch.

In Fury’s current headspace, a “fair result” likely only means a result where his hand is raised. If he loses a close decision in a third fight, he can simply point back to this quote and say, “See? I told you it wouldn’t be fair.”

By saying “I’ll fight him anywhere” but then immediately shackling it to a “fair result,” Fury is creating a circular argument. He is basically telling the world: I’ll fight him, but only if I’m guaranteed not to get ‘robbed.’

It’s a classic defensive crouch. He’s protecting his legacy by implying that Usyk’s 2-0 lead isn’t a reflection of skill, but a reflection of a rigged system.

Since moving up to heavyweight, Richard Riakporhe has become acutely aware of the pronounced power he now possesses in each fist.

He was, of course, a destructive puncher at cruiserweight, only now there is an extra 30-odd pounds that can be utilised to generate the force required for a dramatic finish.

Combining that with his natural speed, too, Riakporhe has become almost fearful of the devastating effects his punches might have on future opponents.

In fact, before steamrolling Tommy Welch in his last outing, ‘The Midnight Train’ had envisioned the outcome being far worse than just a second-round stoppage.

Speaking with Boxing News, he reflected on his emphatic performance last November while, at the same time, expressing concern for his opponents’ safety.

“I’m definitely feeling way more powerful. When you have more weight on you, and you’re turning into the shots, it’s going to be way more impactful.

“That’s why, when I’m preparing for a fight, I always pray for my opponents. I don’t want to get myself in a situation where serious damage is done.

“Before my last fight, I had a dream that I did some serious damage to my opponent, so I was happy that he left the ring in one piece.

“I know what I do in the gym; I know what I’m capable of. That’s why you see me calm and collected throughout these processes.”

Sticking with this routine, the next person for whom Riakporhe must say a prayer is Jeamie TKV, who he will face on the undercard of Tyson Fury vs Arslanbek Makhmudov on April 11.

But while acknowledging his concussive knockout power, the Londoner ultimately believes his speed represents a key advantage over heavyweights such as TKV.

“[Speed is] all I really focus on. The other day I was sparring Pat Brown, who’s a super-fast cruiserweight, so to be able to mix it with him gives me more and more confidence.

“I always tell people that it’s good to have power, but power is overrated. Speed and timing is everything.

“When you’re fighting someone with speed, and you can’t do anything to counter them or respond, it almost feels like you’re disabled; it’s like you’re handicapped.”

Since moving up to Scotland, where he trains with head coach Billy Nelson, Riakporhe has noticed several differences to his previous set-up in Loughborough.

More specifically, there is less of an emphasis on video analysis and more of an old-school feel to his camps, encouraging him to make adjustments on the fly.

“Once you understand how to adjust, you can deal with most things. For me, it’s not complicated.

“In this day and age, a lot of people are using video analysts and are waiting [for their opponent to throw] one type of shot, so they can react and respond to it.

“But what if they’re waiting for the shot and the shot never comes? That’s why I like the old-school kind of vibe: just going in there and dealing with what’s in front of you.”

Standing in front of Riakporhe at London’s Tottenham Hotspur Stadium will be TKV, who claimed his British title with a split decision victory over Frazer Clarke in November.

Having previously held the Lonsdale Belt at 200lbs, Riakporhe looks forward to replicating his success in the land of the giants.

“I can add something else to my legacy: becoming a two-weight British champion. That’s something to rant and rave about, for sure.”

While TKV represents a strong opponent, Riakporhe equally believes that Clarke, his former stablemate, would have defeated the 32-year-old if not for his apparent lack of top-tier preparation.

“I feel like Frazer would have done much better if he didn’t have certain issues in camp, but even though he fought a completely different gameplan [to what he should have], it was still such a close decision.

“So I see [TKV] as another opponent in the Riakporhe story. He’s a durable opponent – someone who shouldn’t be taken lightly – but it’s about how Riakporhe deals with him.”

At heavyweight, Riakporhe is just one win away from landing a major opportunity, but must first become a two-weight British champion against TKV this Saturday.

Conor Benn’s controversial departure from Eddie Hearn and Matchroom Boxing had opinion split. Now fan-favourite, Nigel Benn has shared his thoughts on his son’s move.

Hearn stood by and defended Benn after he failed two doping tests when originally scheduled to face Chris Eubank Jr back in 2022. The promoter eased ‘The Destroyer’ back into the pro game as investigations were ongoing before two fights with Chris Eubank Jr last year saw him become a household name.

However, back in February, Dana White’s Zuffa Boxing made the shock announcement that Benn had become their marquee signing, leaving Hearn, who had promoted him for the entirety of his professional career up until that point, without one of his biggest names in the UK. The British promoter has since taken issue with how it was handled, claiming Benn did not speak to him personally about the decision.

On the other hand, Benn has said that he was presented with a deal he could not turn down, and chose the benefit of his family over anything else during what can be a very short and unpredictable career. Many fighters have sided with him on this view.

Speaking with Boxing King Media, beloved two-division world champion and father of Conor, Nigel Benn, claimed that it is Hearn who has now ‘burnt the bridges’ and possibly scuppered any chance of a return to Matchroom, by calling his son ‘a dog’.

“He [Hearn] can call Conor a dog, who he really cares? He is a dog because your golden ticket has left you and [all] you have got [left is] Anthony Joshua? Good luck to you.

“We are not going to sit here worrying about you. We are going to watch Conor build up his bank balance and enjoy his life. We’re not going to be thinking about Eddie, if he wants to call Conor a dog, then so be it, but I’m not going to go there.

“I did like Eddie, and I still do like Eddie. I’m not going to go through that childish thing of ‘he is a dog, he left me and never phoned me’. F**k, it happens. Stop pretending that nothing like that has ever happened to you, Eddie.

“How many fighters have you dropped away on the sidelines? But I’m not going to go down that road. I don’t need to. Conor has just moved on, he [Hearn] is actually the one that has burnt the bridges. Will Conor come back now? Who knows.”

Benn’s one-fight Zuffa Boxing deal lands on the Tyson Fury-Arslanbek Makhmudov card this weekend at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, facing off with two-time super-lightweight world champion Regis Prograis in a 150lb catchweight contest.

When asked to engage more directly with Benn, Prograis dismissed the idea of building the fight through verbal exchanges, saying he had no interest in playing that role.

“They ain’t paying me enough. I ain’t got to talk s***. You talk it,” Prograis said when the subject of promoting the fight was raised at today’s press conference.

The two-time former world champion kept his focus on the fight itself rather than the buildup, taking a noticeably different approach from the usual pre-fight pattern where fighters attempt to generate attention through confrontation.

Prograis did acknowledge the matchup itself, pointing to the difference in experience between the two fighters. He stopped short of dismissing Benn, but made clear that the British contender has not yet reached the level he has competed at.

“I’m not going to say he’s not world class. He hasn’t been there yet,” Prograis said.

The contrast in approach was evident throughout the press conference, with Prograis avoiding extended exchanges while Benn and his team focused on the significance of the fight and what could follow.

Benn has positioned the bout as a key step toward a world title opportunity, with a shot at Ryan Garcia already in play. He has also indicated he is targeting a stoppage in his return to welterweight after competing at higher weights in recent fights.

The focus remains clear for the former two-time 140-lb champion Prograis. He enters the fight as the more experienced fighter at world level and is treating the contest as a chance to reestablish himself without relying on promotion outside the ring.

The fight takes place Saturday, with both fighters coming in with different approaches to the buildup, but the same objective once the action begins.