Ringside Revelations: Latest Boxing News

For the second time in nine months, Masamichi Yabuki has finished with a flourish - this time making the first defence of his IBF flyweight crown against Felix Alvarado.

Junto Nakatani beat Sebastian Hernandez by unanimous decision in a Fight of the Year contender to potentially set up an all-Japanese super-fight with Naoya Inoue in 2026.

Junior lightweight prospect Reito Tsutsumi revelled in his Riyadh debut against a tough Leobardo Quintana and answered some pressing questions encouragingly en route to a fourth-round finish, as the 23-year-old seeks to make a world rankings splash in 2026.

Bozy Ennis expects protege Andy Cruz to shine against Raymond Muratalla on Jan. 24, the two-time Olympic champion's first shot at a major pro title.

Artur Beterbiev has enjoyed watching Terence Crawford's career. The future first ballot Hall of Famer rarely had a close fight and reigned over several weight divisions as a three-time undisputed champion. Yet, the former five-division belt holder recently decided to call time on his glittering career.

Whenever Inoue and Nakatani are in the same room, there is no communication, no acknowledging each other’s presence and you could cut the atmosphere with a knife. With both fighters’ crosshairs locked on alternate targets this weekend on DAZN, neither man will discuss the potential superfight in depth.

The IBF has a rehydration clause that doesn’t allow fighters to weigh more than 10 pounds above their weight class on the morning of the fight. The two fighters had yet to conduct the second-day weigh-in before Garcia wasn't cleared to fight.

The lineup to support the Shakur Stevenson vs. Teofimo Lopez main event at Madison Square Garden on is incredibly strong.

Michigan heavyweight Jermaine Franklin has the type of clever, slick pressure fighting style that time forgot but tells The Ring he needs to be adaptable when heading back to British shores next month for his January 24 headliner against 20-year-old rising star Moses Itauma.

Katsunari Takayama will be remembered as a fighter who won five world titles in boxing's smallest weight class, but also one challenging the establishment in Japan. Here, he tells The Ring of the best he faced during a 24-year career, with one standout name above all.

Junto Nakatani shouldn't receive too much resistance from Sebastian Hernandez on Saturday, which could set up a showdown with countryman Naoya Inoue.

Picasso, who is rated No. 3 by The Ring at 122 pounds, has earned this shot. The Mexican slugger has scored victories over former world title challenger Azat Hovhannisyan and Kyonosuke Kameda in the lead-up to this fight and is unfazed by Inoue’s fearsome reputation.

The pound-for-pound talents from Japan have reached the final step on a treacherous path where many potential big fights have gone down, only to never happen or be delayed beyond when they should have first taken place after an unexpected loss.

Terence Crawford called time on his legendary career earlier this month and Jim Lampley believes there'll be no reversing the decision.

Naoya Inoue and Alan Picasso faced off for the first time this week at Thursday's Final Press Conference ahead of Saturday's 'The Ring 5: Night of the Samurai' extravaganza in Riyadh. (photos by Mark Robinson)

Tim Tszyu banked 10 valuable, albeit anticlimactic rounds in his debut under new head trainer Pedro Diaz with a wide points win over Anthony Velazquez last week. His manager, Mike Altamura, tells The Ring why he's preaching patience as bigger fights and enticing opportunities await the former WBO world champion in 2026 - though it must be on their time.

Kenshiro Teraji seeks world title honours in a third weight class this weekend and told The Ring while he could still make 112 pounds, already has his sights set on a mouthwatering 115-pound matchup against Ring and unified king Bam Rodriguez.

As the chatter gets louder amidst dangerous challenges, Inoue’s father and trainer, Shingo, is also increasingly talking about the “r” word as well while they prepare for Picasso.