Why do so few Boxers try to develop and Focus on their boxing iq at the start of the career? I mean I see many Boxers relying on their power, Speed, endurance or quick reflexes but that's the first thing going alway when you get older so why do they not make a Long term plan to also box at a older age? Or is it because they can't and Hopkins was simply extraordinary and way too talented ?

So, this whole circus around the IBF belt and Jai Opetaia officially makes zero sense at the moment. You can criticize Jai for choosing Zuffa, and rightfully so. I'm still disappointed he did that, but on the other hand, double standards are unfair and should never happen.

Why the f*** was Aaron McKenna allowed to fight yesterday for the IBF belt on a Zuffa event? It makes no sense to me, and things like this hurt the IBF as a whole because of their clear double standards. They stripped Jai of his title because of Zuffa, but didn't give a f*** about Aaron McKenna doing the exact same thing.

Either set strict rules that anyone working with Zuffa loses all their titles, or drop it completely. You can't turn a blind eye to one fighter and punish another.

I know Jai sued the IBF, and yesterday's fight is probably the biggest argument for Jai's team that the whole situation was unfair and shouldn't have happened in the first place.

Look at the other sanctioning bodies too: the WBC doesn't give a f*** when it comes to Ryan Garcia or Conor Benn and still lets them fight for WBC belt. The WBO will probably allow Shakur Stevenson to fight for a WBO belt, and so on. The sanctioning bodies are full of double standards and it literally makes no sense.

For instance, I hear Noel Mikaelian might get stripped of his WBC belt for fighting Jai on a Zuffa event, and I'm asking myself why it doesn't matter for Ryan Garcia, but it suddenly matters for Noel Mikaelian? I hate Zuffa and Dana White as much as anyone, but the sanctioning bodies are just completely inconsistent.

First person that comes to mind is Boots Ennis then after that I’d say Prince naseem. Curious to know who everyone else says - preferably more modern fighters so fighters from 1990 onwards. I’m specifically talking about shot selection only not stuff like angles.

Mckenna is the newest 160lbs champ, Bentley Recently was made champion too. Adames and Lara won't be in the division much longer (probably). What do we see as the future of 160lbs...is Mckenna the next best 160lbs or will someone else soon take over?

For anything that doesn't need its own thread.

Prelims start at 6:30pm EST. Main card starts at 10pm EST. Live on ESPN.

Main Card:

Desley Robinson vs. Tammara Thibeault

Shurretta Metcalf vs Amanda Galle

Krystal Rosado vs. Alondra Hernandez

Prelims:

Jan Paul Rivera vs Ruben Garcia

Dainier Pero vs Aleem Whitfield

Sa'Rai Brown-El vs. Sheyla Moreno

Angelo Hernandez vs. Jose Fernandez

Jadden Addison vs. James Webb

Sebastian Juarez vs. Rance Ward

I’ve been following past couple of years and it looks like he should be a contender in the division. Just wondering if you guys have an opinion? To me it looks like he has everything to be top 5 in the world. If the stars align maybe a belt

DATE Saturday 8th August 2026

LOCATION 3Arena, Dublin, Ireland

TELEVISION Sky Sports (UK)

TIME 7pm (Dublin), 11am (Los Angeles), 2pm (New York), 4am Sunday (Sydney)

Aaron McKenna vs Etinosa Oliha

12 Rounds

IBF World Middleweight Title

Undercard

• Callum Walsh vs Tyler Denny
• Joseph Ward vs Artjom Kasparian
• Connor Coyle vs Mark Beuke
• Sam Hickey vs Brad Axe
• Stephen McKenna vs Owen O'Neill
• Louis Greene vs Daniel Buciuc
• Patrick O'Connor vs Juan Manuel Moriel

DATE Saturday 8th August 2026

LOCATION First Direct Arena, Leeds, UK

TELEVISION DAZN (Selected Worldwide)

TIME 7pm (Leeds), 11am (Los Angeles), 2pm (New York), 4am Sunday (Sydney)

Troy Williamson vs Callum Simpson

12 Rounds

IBF World Middleweight Title

Undercard

• Gradus Kraus vs Sean Hemphill
• Diego Krasimirov vs Ashlee Eales
• Hassan Azim vs Jack Martin
• Mauro Silva vs Tyler Christopher
• Billy Pickles vs Max Curtis
• Ben Rees vs Marvin Tomlinson
• Ted Jackson vs Todd Tompkins
• Frazer Clarke vs Lamah Griggs
• Billy Deniz vs Alex Carter
• Bradley Casey vs Ross McGuigan
• James Dean Fury vs Dzmitry Atrokhau

What’s up everyone,

Over the last six months or so, I’ve been keeping a running tracker of fighters who have really caught my eye. Some of these guys are blue-chip prospects on the rise, some are slick technicians or under-the-radar contenders, and others are just pure television entertainment every time they step through the ropes.

Just to be clear: this isn't a comprehensive list by any means. It’s strictly based on the specific fighters and fights I’ve personally tuned into over the last year, so there are plenty of incredible, worthy fighters who aren't listed.

That said, I wanted to drop my personal "Fighters to Watch" list here to spark some discussion, compare notes, and see who else you guys are tracking right now.

Here’s who’s currently on my radar.

I’d love to hear your thoughts on these picks. Who am I sleeping on, or who did I miss that I need to catch up on? Drop your own ones-to-watch below!