WBC headlines this week amid shifts in heavyweight boxing and legacy events, while continuing to regulate title fights and fighter safety.
Conor Benn and Ryan Garcia have formalised a September 12 title clash in Las Vegas, promoted by Zuffa Boxing. Both boxers carry past doping and controversy but remain two of the sport’s biggest stars, driving a high-stakes, high-profile bout ahead of Mexican Independence Weekend.
Hannah Rapp, 26, was struck by a reversing car while riding with a cyclist in Brazos County, Texas. She has died at a local hospital. A 31-year-old man, Charles Medina, has been arrested on a manslaughter charge as investigators pursue a full probe.
Errol Spence Jr. has announced his retirement after losing to Tim Tszyu in Sydney, capping a career that saw him hold WBA, WBC and IBF belts and go 28-0 before facing Crawford. Tszyu earned a unanimous decision win, outlanding Spence and signaling the end of an era.
British heavyweight Moses Itauma will headline London’s O2 Arena on Aug. 29 for the vacant IBF heavyweight title, facing Filip Hrgovic. The title win would crown Itauma as the youngest world heavyweight champion since Mike Tyson. The bout is part of a broader heavyweight landscape shaped by Usyk’s vacating of belts and ongoing negotiations for future super-fights.
Raven Chapman has undergone emergency brain surgery after collapsing during a training session in Denmark. She has been taken off sedatives and awaits medically supervised repatriation to a UK hospital for rehabilitation; a GoFundMe has been established to support her recovery.
Prichard Colón has died at 33 after a career hallmarked by a 2015 coma following blows to the head during a fight with Terrell Williams. He remains 16-0 before that bout; the incident triggered lawsuits and sparking renewed focus on safety in boxing.
Katie Taylor has reached the final fight of her celebrated career, aiming to become a three-time undisputed world champion against Flora Pili at Croke Park. A sell-out crowd of 80,000 is expected as Ireland celebrates a pioneer of women’s boxing.