Boxing
DAZN News Daily Round-Up: Sanchez still next for Hrgovic, Ruiz eyes new glory
Taylor vs. Pili live on DAZN - Saturday
DAZN News rounds up the biggest boxing stories on Monday, August 31.
Hrgovic stuns Moses to become IBF champion
Watch: Croatian upsets Briton to earn heavyweight crown
Sanchez doubles down on Hrgovic
Frank Sanchez has doubled down on plans to face IBF champion Filip Hrgovic, with manager Mike Borao insisting the mandatory bout takes priority.
The Croatian dismissed the Cuban in the aftermath of his upset win over Moses Itauma, but appears as if he must wait to take a unification challenge.
"Per the IBF, no intervening bout, including unification bouts, are permitted prior to the satisfaction of Frank Sanchez's mandatory," Borao told Sky Sports.
"That said, Queensberry is going to be our partner on Frank's next bout, and we will discuss that in the coming days with Frank and George Warren."
Ruiz eyes two-time champ status
Andy Ruiz Jr. insists he can still become a two-time heavyweight kingpin, with the star vowing to "die trying" ahead of his encounter with Damian Knyba.
The Mexican-American star famously handed Anthony Joshua a first career loss in 2019 to earn WBA, IBF and WBO honours with a legendary upset win.
Having lost those belts in an immediate rematch, Ruiz has endured a stop-start seven years since - but told the Mr. Verzace Podcast he can still return up.
“I still need to do things that I said I was going to do," he said. "I want that WBC belt, to become a two-time heavyweight champion so I’m gonna die trying.”
Martinez puts rivals on notice
Lester Martinez's rivals will be afraid to step into the ring with the WBC interim super-middleweight champion, insists his trainer Brian "BoMac" McIntyre.
The star scored a tenth-round win over Luka Plantic to tee up a shot at the winner of Christian M'billi and Canelo Alvarez's upcoming contest for the full belt.
But McIntyre doubts many rivals will be in a rush to share the canvas with his man, with Boxing Scene quoting his glowing praise for the Guatemalan contender.
"The world can see how good Lester is, how smart he is, that granite chin he’s got," he said. "Do those guys really want to step in the ring? I don’t see it.”
Ring MagazineWatch Garcia vs. Benn in the UK only on DAZN
Britain's Conor Benn looks to become a world champion for the first time against US superstar Ryan Garcia on Saturday, September 12. Watch the fight exclusively in the UK & Ireland on DAZN PPV or included in our Ultimate Tier subscription.
