RYAN GARCIA GETS TITLE SHOT DESPITE LOSSES ON FEBRUARY 21
Ryan Garcia will challenge Mario Barrios for the WBC welterweight title on Feb 21. The controversial title shot comes after Garcia's loss and a year-long suspension, sparking merit debates.
An Unmerited Title Chance
Discussions Were Already Progressing
His initial professional loss was to Gervonta Davis.
JUAN CARLOS GUERITO OUTPOINTS BARKER SSEWANYANA TO SECURE PROFESSIONAL DEBUT SUCCESS
Recap the undercard results from Riyadh's Night of Champions. Juan Carlos Guerito and Sultan Almohammed scored wins, while Julio Porras Ruiz drew with Pius Mpenda. Mohammed Alakel remained undefeated.
In the opening bout at the ANB Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Mexican newcomer Juan Carlos Guerito triumphed over Uganda's Barker Ssewanyana, who entered the ring with a record of 1-1-1.
Guerito started the match with intense aggression, delivering powerful punches throughout, with a particular focus on landing left hooks to the body. Ssewanyana lost a point in the fourth round due to holding, resulting in Guerito dominating the scorecards with a 40-35 decision.
Sultan “El Nino” Almohammed, originally from Syria and now competing out of Saudi Arabia, unexpectedly prompted India’s Umesh Chavan to turn away in the first round, leading the referee to call off the match. Although Chavan’s record now stands at 3-2-1, he protested against the stoppage, which occurred after Almohammed landed a significant body shot just before Chavan was unable to continue. Almohammed improved his record to 2-0 (1 KO) following this bout.
Mexican super middleweight Julio Porras Ruiz, who had been unbeaten, experienced his first setback, bringing his record to 13-0-1 (9 KOs) after falling to Tanzania's Pius Mpenda, who holds a record of 11-4-2 (5 KOs).
Ruiz, with a height advantage, attempted to find his rhythm with his jab early in the fight but was hit by several solid blows, ultimately failing to impress before a 57-57 draw was declared.
Saudi fighter Mohammed Alakel started strong against the 34-year-old Jiaming Li from China, landing clear shots in the opening round. Alakel's jab was effective as the fight progressed, and he enjoyed significant success.
Li managed to avoid severe trouble by utilising a high guard and only attacking sporadically, but a frustrated Abel Sanchez, Alakel's trainer, demanded more from him.
In the fifth round, Li briefly lost his balance due to a jab, which he claimed was merely a slip, but there was little argument against the validity of the punch that caused it.
As the fight drew to a close, Li attempted to exchange blows with Alakel, who was successful across all areas and earned a unanimous decision with scores of 60-53. Alakel's record now stands at 7-0 (1 KO), while Li's falls to 7-6 (4 KOs).
These four matches served as preliminary events leading up to the Night of Champions Ring 4 show, featuring key matchups such as Sam Noakes facing Abdullah Mason, Jesse Rodriguez against Fernando Martinez, Devin Haney challenging Brian Norman, and Anthony Yarde taking on David Benavidez.
SHOCK: CANELO ALVAREZ CONFIRMS CRAWFORD REMATCH NEGOTIATIONS ARE GO
Canelo Alvarez has requested a 2026 rematch with Terence Crawford after losing their first fight. Negotiations are underway, but questions remain over the financial backing and fan interest.