WHAT A FIGHT: JODY MORRIS BEATS DAVID BENTLEY IN EPIC CHARITY THRILLER
Jody Morris beats David Bentley in a celebrity charity boxing match. The ex-Chelsea star won a judges' decision in a night of footballers' fights that raised money for good causes.
It was truly "A Night to Remember", as Stack had termed it. Before the event, he made it obvious that the fights that night would be "not about the result in the ring, but the results outside of it." However, his boxers did not appear to understand this, and they did not hold anything back.
From the opening bell, Bentley entered the ring and launched a barrage of powerful strikes, but Morris remained upright and retaliated. Despite being the smaller fighter, the former Chelsea player had the necessary technique to keep up, and he responded with shrewd body shots.
As Bentley waned, he seemed to gain a small advantage going into the final round and kept punching until the very end. The referee's raising of Morris' hand was not surprising, but the bout ultimately came down to the judges' verdict.
Morris remarked subsequently, "I have worked quite hard for the previous seven or eight weeks, and I am glad I did; otherwise, I would have been dead on my feet."
I did not want to become enmeshed in the event. I tried to use what little boxing equipment I had. In there, I felt fine. I did not mind moving forward after capturing a few images from Dave because I was happy with what I was getting.
"The Spurs have been trying for a long time, but the Chels always win. We have played both Arsenal and Spurs in one night, though, since Bentley is Arsenal as well.
"I believe I am better at promoting boxing than I am at boxing," Bentley continued. It is all about raising money for charity, which is why I wanted to step into the ring. Congratulations to Jody.
"Thank heavens I did not fall. No way would I have gotten back up!
Paddy Kenny, the former Sheffield United goalie, was knocked out seconds into a frantic first round, ending the night's first bout between him and Curtis Davies.
Leroy Lita and David Noble, two journeymen, engaged in a full-length fight that was equally chaotic. Noble was left bleeding after Lita, who entered with a little advantage due to his black taekwondo belt, won by unanimous decision.
Anthony Gardner, a seasoned Tottenham defender, also played the full distance alongside Lee Trundle, who was fast out of the gates but soon exhausted. Gardner prevailed by unanimous vote as a result of his careful strategy.
Marvin Elliott defeated Greg Halford late in the evening's penultimate fight. After the first two rounds, there was not much separating the two, but Elliott's attack in the middle of the third round made the judges' judgment simpler than it might have been.
With a £500,000 fundraising goal, the event supported four charities: Play Skill, Willow, Sport In Mind, and Helping Hands.
THE EIGHT-FIGURE GAMBLE: CONOR BENN SIGNS A MASSIVE ONE-FIGHT DEAL WITH ZUFFA BOXING
Conor Benn joins Zuffa Boxing! Discover why he left Eddie Hearn, the details of his 8-figure deal, and Dana White's global plans.
Zuffa Boxing just landed one of the top welterweights out there, Conor Benn. The up-and-coming promotion announced Benn’s signing, adding even more star power to its growing roster.
Benn, 29, is riding high after a huge win over Chris Eubank Jr last November, finally getting his revenge after Eubank handed him his first-ever loss just seven months before. Right now, Benn stands at 24-1, with 14 knockouts. He’s held the WBA Continental Europe Welterweight title, too. There’s no date or opponent set for his Zuffa debut yet, but this is a big move for Dana White and his crew, who are serious about building a roster packed with champions and big names.
“I’m filled with excitement and hunger for what’s ahead with Zuffa Boxing,” Benn said in a press release. “I want the legacy fights, the biggest nights, the biggest stages. I fear no man at any weight, and I’m ready to give the fans the fights they’ve been calling for. I’m in my prime, and together we have bold, ambitious plans.”
Dana White is just as fired up. “Conor Benn is an absolute beast and a superstar,” he said. “He shows up every time and destroys people, and now some of the best fighters in the world are calling him out. He’s ready for a world title next, and I can’t wait to see him compete in Zuffa Boxing. He’s going to be a huge addition to a growing stable of very talented boxers.”
Sports Illustrated reports that Benn’s contract is a one-fight, eight-figure deal, though neither White nor Benn has confirmed that.
This move also heats the ongoing rivalry between Dana White and Matchroom Boxing’s Eddie Hearn. Benn had been with Hearn ever since he turned pro in 2016, but now he’s switched sides. Earlier this year, White and his team also grabbed IBF and The Ring cruiserweight champ Jai Opetaia, another former Hearn fighter.
Lately, Hearn and White have been trading shots in the media, which is wild considering they used to get along before White jumped into boxing. With two big signings already in the bag, Zuffa is out to prove it means business. And you just know they’re not stopping here.
CRIS CYBORG EYES HISTORY: MMA LEGEND SET FOR WIBA WORLD TITLE BOXING MATCH ON MARCH 28
Cris Cyborg makes history! Discover how she plans to hold MMA and boxing world titles simultaneously on March 28 in Brazil.
Cris Cyborg is about to chase a slice of history on March 28.
Since leaving the UFC back in 2019, the former featherweight champ hasn’t slowed down one bit. She grabbed the Bellator 145-pound title, then picked up another belt in the Professional Fighters League. It’s like every time she shows up somewhere new, she leaves with gold.
Now, in 2026, Cyborg says she’s on her retirement tour. But she’s not just coasting to the finish line; she’s still looking to add something big to her legacy. This time, she’s stepping into a boxing ring, not an MMA cage.
It’s been a while since Cyborg lost a fight. That was back at UFC 232 against Amanda Nunes. Since then? She’s rattled off nine straight wins in MMA, but that’s only half the story. She started boxing in 2022, and she hasn’t lost there either: seven wins, no defeats.
On March 28, Cyborg gets her biggest boxing test yet. She’ll fight Paulina Cardona for the WIBA super welterweight belt. Winning would make her the first fighter ever to hold world titles in both MMA and boxing at the same time. Big names like Amanda Serrano and Holly Holm have held this belt before, so it’s not just any title.
Journalist James Lynch broke the news online and pointed out just how rare this accomplishment would be. If Cyborg pulls it off, she’ll stamp her name in the record books, plain and simple.
Let’s talk about her opponent. Cardona’s been in the ring a lot – 68 pro fights, to be exact – but her record isn’t exactly stellar. She’s 27-34-7, has been knocked out 15 times, and has only managed two wins in her last 14 outings. So, yeah, Cyborg’s the clear favourite here, and people are already raising eyebrows about the level of competition she’s been facing in boxing.
Still, history’s on the line in Curitiba, Brazil. All eyes are on Cyborg to see if she can pull off something no one else has done before.