
Ngannou or MMA? Paul targets boxing return this year
Jake Paul wants to box at cruiserweight before the end of the year but has not ruled out a heavyweight fight against Francis Ngannou, his business partner says.

Jake Paul wants to box at cruiserweight before the end of the year but has not ruled out a heavyweight fight against Francis Ngannou, his business partner says.

David Benavidez defeated Gilberto Ramirez by sixth-round KO at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas to win the WBA and WBO cruiserweight titles. Benavidez (32-0, 26 KOs) became the first fighter to win world titles at super middleweight, light heavyweight and cruiserweight, achieving the three-division championship in his cruiserweight debut. Ramirez (48-2, 30 KOs) was making his first defense of his unified championship.

David Benavidez defeated Gilberto Ramirez via sixth-round stoppage at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas to win the WBA and WBO cruiserweight titles, becoming a three-division world champion. The Mexican Monster dominated with superior hand speed, forcing the fight's conclusion at 2:59 of round six. Benavidez called out Canelo Alvarez, who was ringside, and also staked his claim for a fight with Dmitry Bivol.

Gilberto Ramirez defends his WBA and WBO cruiserweight titles against two-division champion David Benavidez on Saturday at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. Ramirez (48-1, 30 KOs), a former super middleweight champion, has gone the distance in all four of his cruiserweight bouts. Benavidez (31-0, 25 KOs) moves up to cruiserweight seeking to become a three-division champion after holding titles at super middleweight and light heavyweight, coming off a TKO of Anthony Yarde in November. The card also features Jose Armando Resendiz defending his WBA super middleweight title against Jaime Munguia.

David Benavidez (31-0, 25 KOs) makes his cruiserweight debut challenging WBA and WBO champion Gilberto Ramirez (48-1, 30 KOs) at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. The former super middleweight and light heavyweight champion Benavidez moves up in pursuit of becoming a three-division champion, while Ramirez makes his fifth fight at 200 pounds. Three former champions unanimously predict Benavidez will win, citing his superior speed and high-volume punching as the deciding factors against Ramirez, who they believe lacks the speed to counter Benavidez's relentless pressure.

Former world cruiserweight champion Chris Billam-Smith will headline Zuffa Boxing's first UK show, facing Canadian Ryan Rozicki at Bournemouth International Centre on 6 June. The 35-year-old from Dorset, who signed a multi-fight deal with Dana White's Zuffa earlier this month, returns after more than a year since his victory over American Brandon Glanton at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Rozicki carries a 21-0-1 record with 20 knockouts and this marks his first fight outside Canada.

Lawrence Okolie has tested positive for a banned substance in a VADA test, forcing the cancellation of his heavyweight bout against Tony Yoka in Paris on Saturday. The British fighter, the WBC's No.1 contender, claims the adverse finding resulted from treatment for an elbow injury sustained during training camp. The fight was scheduled as a major heavyweight matchup in the French capital.

British heavyweight contender Lawrence Okolie has returned an adverse finding in a VADA anti-doping test ahead of his scheduled bout against French fighter Tony Yoka in Paris on Saturday. Okolie, the WBC's No. 1 ranked contender whose title is held by Oleksandr Usyk, claims the positive result is due to treatment for an elbow injury sustained during camp. The event is now in doubt.