BoxingScene’s latest news cycle delivered a mix of upcoming fight stakes, a major undercard disruption, and a headline bout confirmation, with stories spanning welterweight ambitions, title pathways, and promoter moves.
Among the key items, Harlem Eubank outlined a “dream” as he prepares for an important Saturday test against David Papot in a bout tied to his welterweight title aspirations. Elsewhere, Jermall Charlo’s planned appearance in Australia was scrapped after he was denied a travel visa, while Ryan Garcia vs Conor Benn was confirmed for September 12, 2026, in Las Vegas with Garcia set to defend his WBC welterweight title.
Fight announcements, cancellations, and title implications
Eubank’s matchup with Papot was framed as a meaningful hurdle on the road toward welterweight title goals, and BoxingScene also noted that “big names might lie ahead” for the winner of Eubank-Papot. The Saturday bout is positioned as a pivotal step for Eubank if he is to keep pushing toward championship opportunities.
In Australia, visa issues reshaped a July 26 card: BoxingScene reported that Jermall Charlo was denied a travel visa and removed from his scheduled fight against Koen Mazoudier. A related update noted that Errol Spence Jnr has landed in Australia ahead of his July 26 bout with Tim Tszyu, while Charlo remains stranded in the U.S. due to ongoing visa issues. BoxingScene also reported that Spence is demanding a new weight limit for the Tszyu showdown as the date approaches.
One of the biggest confirmed future matchups in the roundup was Ryan Garcia vs Conor Benn, announced for September 12, 2026, at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. BoxingScene stated that Garcia will defend his WBC welterweight title against Benn.
On the elite end of the sport, Terence Crawford’s comments also made news. BoxingScene reported that the former five-weight world champion said he would have delayed retirement for a Saul Alvarez rematch or for a chance to win the undisputed middleweight title at 160 pounds.
In the featherweight picture, BoxingScene reported that negotiations are underway for an IBF-ordered 12-round eliminator between Luis Reynaldo “The Twist” Nunez and Toshiki Shimomachi to determine the No. 1 spot in the IBF’s ratings. Another featherweight storyline saw Brandon Figueroa discuss his hopes that a successful first defense of his WBA featherweight title against Tomoki Kameda could open the door to a showdown with Naoya Inoue.
Women’s boxing was also featured, with BoxingScene reporting that unified WBA and WBO featherweight champion Amanda “The Real Deal” Serrano will defend her belts against No. 2 WBO contender Lucrecia Manzur on August 21 at Pechanga Resort Casino in Temecula, California, while aiming for a women’s KO record.
Additional scheduled bouts and previews included Immanuwel Aleem planning an upset against undefeated Diego Pacheco on July 18 on a Matchroom Boxing card from Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, California, live on DAZN. BoxingScene also reported that WBA No. 9-ranked heavyweight Dainier Pero is set to face Aleem Whitfield on August 8, 2026, live on ESPN from the Caribe Royale in Orlando, Florida.
Promotional moves, weigh-ins, and other notable headlines
BoxingScene’s news list also included several promotional and event updates. Vergil Ortiz Jnr and Golden Boy Promotions reached a settlement that eliminated their competing lawsuits, a development that raised the question of whether a fight with “Boots” Ennis could be next.
At ProBoxTV’s San Bernardino event, BoxingScene reported that Bryan Flores and Jonathan Navarro made weight for their contracted 142-pound super-lightweight bout, which tops Saturday night’s card at the National Orange Show. The same card also includes Uruguay’s Oscar Bonifacino facing Spain’s Raul Escudero, while Vladimir Hernandez is set for an “all-out war” against unbeaten Kevin Anton. Another ProBoxTV preview had Yusniel Abrahante targeting an upset over Luis Coria on Saturday, July 18.
In signing news, BoxingScene reported that world-ranked junior-welterweight Ernesto “Tito” Mercado joined Salita Promotions/Wynn Records and will face Emmanuel Tagoe in the co-main event of Claressa Shields’ middleweight title fight against Kaye Scott on August 15 in Atlanta. BoxingScene also reported that former featherweight champion Luis Alberto Lopez has signed with ProBoxTV and is being targeted for a September 11 card in the greater San Diego area.
Other headlines included Tyson Fury’s claim that more than $250,000 was raised through ticket sales for his upcoming fight with Mariusz Wach in Pattaya, Thailand, and a feature on Troy Williamson targeting titles after a career revival following big 2025 wins over Mark Dickinson and Callum Simpson. BoxingScene also reported that former WBC featherweight champion Jose Legra passed away at age 83 in Madrid, Spain.
Rounding out the news, BoxingScene reported that Michael Zerafa has an opponent for his August 12 Matchroom debut—Venezuela’s Alejandro Ortiz—at The Star in Queensland, Australia, while Victor Ortiz is returning to competition this weekend with a bare knuckle debut in California.
