Deontay Wilder has parted company with long-time co-trainer Mark Breland after a 12-year association.
Breland threw in the towel with Wilder shipping heavy punishment in his rematch with Tyson Fury in February, much to the annoyance of the ‘Bronze Bomber’ and his head trainer Jay Deas.
In the immediate aftermath of that emphatic seventh-round defeat, a disappointed Wilder considered Breland’s future before allowing him to return to the fold. But now Breland is out for good, despite being widely praised for his intervention.
Wilder camp member Malik Scott, a former opponent, will now have a more influential role.
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Fright night is now fight night. Halloween will feature a triple threat of boxing entertainment after the WBA 130lbs and 135lbs clash between Gervonta Davis and Leo Santa Cruz was officially moved back a week.
In separate promotions, October 31 will also showcase the rearranged heavyweight showdown between Oleksandr Usyk and Dereck Chisora plus the return of the ‘Monster’ Naoya Inoue against Jason Moloney.
Davis-Santa Cruz, a four-fight pay-per-view card at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas, will be the first major boxing event with fans in attendance in the US since Covid-19 intervened in March,
The show will also feature WBA Regular 140lbs champion Mario Barrios defending his crown against Ryan Karl and former champion Regis Prograis against the unbeaten Juan Heraldez, as well as lightweights Isaac Cruz and Diego Magdaleno in an IBF title eliminator.
“October 31 is going to be the biggest fight of my career,” said Santa Cruz. “I’m going to fight a very tough opponent, maybe the toughest opponent of my career. Two titles are going to be on the line [controversially at two weights] and this will be my first time headlining a pay-per-view. So I’m going to do everything that I can to put on a good show. Davis is known for his power. But I think with my experience and ring IQ I can break him down. He’s probably going to be very aggressive in the early rounds. But if I do what I’m supposed to, and execute our game plan, I will win.”
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‘Qazaq style’ returns on October 9 when emerging middleweight star Janibek Alimkhanuly faces Argentine contender Gonzalo Coria at the ‘Bubble’ in the MGM Grand Las Vegas Conference Center, Las Vegas, next weekend.
The 10-round bout will be the co-feature of the vacant WBO featherweight title fight between former 122lbs champ Emanuel Navarrete and unbeaten Californian Ruben Villa. Both fights will be televised live on ESPN in the US, beginning at 10pm ET.
Alimkhanuly (8-0, 4 KOs) is aiming to be the next middleweight sensation from Kazahkstan. Read more about his rise here.
“Janibek is a future world champion and I expect him to take advantage of the ESPN platform,” said Top Rank chairman Bob Arum.
Main image: Gervonta Davis.