Spring Boxing Schedule Stacked
Boxing fans are hyped for a loaded spring schedule featuring March 8 (Opetaia vs. Glanton), March 28 (Fundora vs. Thurman, Itauma vs. Franklin), April 4 (Wilder vs. Chisora), April 11 (Fury vs. Makhmudov), April 18 (Smith vs. Morrell), May 2 (Benavidez vs. Zurdo), and May 9 (Wardley vs. Dubois). The packed calendar represents one of the strongest stretches in recent boxing history.
- The March 8th main event between Jai Opetaia and Brandon Glanton will be for the inaugural Zuffa Boxing Cruiserweight World Championship, a new promotional venture led by UFC CEO Dana White. The undefeated Opetaia will also be defending his Ring Magazine cruiserweight title. - The March 28th card is loaded with four world title bouts. In the main event, former unified welterweight champion Keith Thurman challenges Sebastian Fundora for the WBC super welterweight title, aiming to become a two-division world champion in only his second fight at 154 pounds. - Also on March 28th, Isaac "Pitbull" Cruz defends the WBA super lightweight title he won from Rolando Romero, while veteran Erislandy Lara puts his WBA middleweight belt on the line against Michael Zerafa. The fourth title fight sees Julio Cesar Martinez defending his WBC flyweight crown against Angelino Cordova. - The April 4th heavyweight showdown between Deontay Wilder and Dereck Chisora marks the 100th combined professional fight for the two veterans. Wilder is a former long-reigning WBC heavyweight champion known for his formidable knockout power. - Tyson Fury's return on April 11th against Arslanbek Makhmudov comes after a 17-month layoff for the "Gypsy King." Makhmudov, despite a reputation as a power puncher, has been stopped in two of his professional fights. - The April 18th contest between former WBO light heavyweight champion Joe Smith Jr. and David Morrell presents a classic clash of styles. Smith is known for his aggressive, come-forward power, while Morrell is a skilled Cuban boxer with an extensive amateur pedigree. - The May 2nd bout between David Benavidez and Gilberto "Zurdo" Ramirez is a battle of Mexican warriors who have a history as former sparring partners. Benavidez, an undefeated two-division world champion, will be moving up to the cruiserweight division to challenge Ramirez for his unified WBA and WBO titles. - The all-British heavyweight clash on May 9th will see Fabio Wardley make the first defense of his WBO world title against former IBF champion Daniel Dubois. Both men are known for their high knockout ratios, making a stoppage victory highly anticipated.
