By Matthew Brown 02/22/2026 Follow Brunch Boxing on Twitter/X Though his life ended far too soon, his courage, his championship run, and the respect he earned from fans and fighters alike ensure that Davey Moore will never be forgotten. David Schultz “Davey” Moore was one of the finest featherweights of his era and a proud champion from Springfield, Ohio. Born on November 1, 1933, Moore rose from humble beginnings to become the undisputed featherweight champion and one of the

By Matthew Brown 02/21/2026 Follow Brunch Boxing on Twitter/X Few fighters represented the toughness of the lightweight division in the 1940s better than Bob Montgomery, the relentless champion known to fans as the Philadelphia Bobcat. With an aggressive style, iron durability, and a willingness to fight anyone, Montgomery built a career that placed him among the greatest lightweights in boxing history. In one of boxing’s toughest eras, he stood his ground against everyone an

By Matthew Brown 02/20/2026 Follow Brunch Boxing on Twitter/X “Steel Will” Will Grigsby carved out one of the most unique careers in modern boxing history, accomplishing more in a short number of fights than many fighters do in twice the time. As a three time world champion and one of the finest pound for pound fighters his state ever produced, Will Grigsby remains a fighter whose skill and accomplishments continue to earn respect long after the final bell. Born on March 19,

By Matthew Brown 02/20/2026 Follow Brunch Boxing on Twitter/X The World Boxing Organization has suspended its middleweight champion Janibek Alimkhanuly for one year, retroactive to December 2, 2025, according to WBO President Gustavo Olivieri. Despite the suspension, Alimkhanuly will retain his status as champion. In a formal notice issued by Olivieri, the WBO World Championship Committee confirmed that it unanimously resolved to suspend Alimkhanuly from participation in all

By Matthew Brown 02/20/2026 Follow Brunch Boxing on Twitter/X The war and the wait continues. Today’s court proceedings between Oscar De La Hoya and his company Golden Boy Promotions and its unbeaten star Vergil Ortiz Jr. ended without resolution. After hours of arguments inside a Las Vegas federal courtroom, U.S. District Judge Cristina D. Silva took the matter under advisement and indicated that a written order will follow in the coming days. At the center of the dispute is

By Matthew Brown 02/20/2026 Follow Brunch Boxing on Twitter/X Imane Khelif is pushing back against critics and political figures who have questioned her identity and eligibility, making it clear she is prepared to undergo genetic testing in order to compete at the 2028 Olympic Games. The Algerian gold medalist found herself at the center of controversy after a viral social media video cast doubt over the women’s boxing tournament at the Paris Games. The clip showed two fighte

By Matthew Brown 02/19/2026 Follow Brunch Boxing on Twitter/X Heavyweight boxing has known many feared punchers, but few carried the reputation of Cleveland “Big Cat” Williams. Born June 30, 1933 in Griffin, Georgia, Williams became one of the finest fighters never to win a world title. He was powerful, intimidating, and often avoided, a man whose name alone made contenders think twice before signing a contract. Cleveland Williams remains one of boxing’s great what if stories

By Matthew Brown 02/18/2026 Follow Brunch Boxing on Twitter/X From penitentiary to pugilism, “Big” Ron Lyle remains one of the most menacing heavyweights the sport has ever seen. Never a champion, yet a hard night’s work for every great fighter who laced up the gloves against him. He turned professional at 30 and finally walked away for good at 54. His life was as punishing and dramatic as any fight he ever had. Ron Lyle was born Ronald David Lyle on February 12, 1941 in Dayt

By Matthew Brown 02/17/2026 Follow Brunch Boxing on Twitter/X Vernon Forrest lived and fought with purpose. Known as The Viper for his sharp counters and venomous right hand, he was taken in the prime of his life. He was more than a champion. He was a pillar in his community, a philanthropist, and a man who never forgot where he came from. The loss still aches. A champion in the ring. A servant in his city. A man who fought through illness, injury, and defeat, and rose each t

By Matthew Brown 02/16/2026 Follow Brunch Boxing on Twitter/X Joseph Saddler, known to the boxing world as Sandy Saddler, was one of the most feared featherweights to ever lace up gloves. Born June 23, 1926 in Boston and raised in New York by West Indian immigrants, Saddler turned professional in 1944 at age 17. Over a twelve year career that lasted until 1956, he built a staggering record of 145 wins, 16 losses, and 2 draws with 104 knockouts. He was stopped only once in 162

By Matthew Brown 02/15/2026 Follow Brunch Boxing on Twitter/X They called him the Cleveland Spider Man. Jimmy Bivins was one of the most avoided and most accomplished contenders of his era, a durable and skilled craftsman who fought from 1940 to 1955. He never wore a recognized world championship belt, and somehow never even received a world title shot. Yet few fighters in history faced such sustained elite competition and emerged with so many significant victories. The Cleve

By Matthew Brown 02/14/2026 Follow Brunch Boxing on Twitter/X They called him “The Mayor of North Philadelphia,” a fitting title for a man who carried the pride of his neighborhood into every ring he entered. George Benton was more than a gifted middleweight. He became one of the most respected teachers the sport has ever known. His life traced the arc of resilience. He rose from segregated streets, climbed to the top of the rankings, endured injustice and violence, and ultim

By Matthew Brown 02/13/2026 Follow Brunch Boxing on Twitter/X They called him The Toronto Terror. In an era that limited opportunity for Black heavyweights, Larry Gains built a career that forced the sport to reckon with his greatness. Twice World Colored Heavyweight Champion. Canadian and British Empire champion. Leicester hero. The Toronto Terror never received his shot at the world crown, but his record and resilience secured his place in boxing history. Born Lawrence Samu

By Matthew Brown 02/12/2026 Follow Brunch Boxing on Twitter/X Tiger Flowers stood at the intersection of faith, skill, and history. Born Theodore Flowers on February 14, 1895, in Georgia, he became known across the boxing world as the Georgia Deacon. From 1918 to 1927, he built one of the most remarkable careers of his era and became the first African American world middleweight champion. Flowers began his professional career at age 23 after working as a stevedore on the Geor

By Matthew Brown 02/11/2026 Follow Brunch Boxing on Twitter/X Two time WBC lightweight champion Stevie Johnston was one of the finest technicians of his era. Known as “Lil’ But Bad,” the Denver southpaw blended speed, balance, and ring IQ into a style that frustrated elite opponents. At both amateur and professional level, Johnston proved he belonged with the very best. Slick, clever, and precise, Stevie Johnston could box from the outside or trade in close quarters when requ

By Matthew Brown 02/10/2026 Follow Brunch Boxing on Twitter/X He never wore a world championship belt as a fighter. Instead he forged champions with knowledge, discipline, and belief. In the long story of boxing, that legacy endures. Charles Henry Blackburn was born on May 20, 1883 in Versailles, Kentucky, the son of a minister. Known to history as Jack Blackburn and to Joe Louis as Chappie, he built a life in boxing that stretched from the bare knuckle grind of the early 190

By Matthew Brown 02/09/2026 Follow Brunch Boxing on Twitter/X Holman Williams was one of the finest pure boxers of his era, a master technician who built a reputation on skill, intelligence, and precision. Fighting from 1932 to 1948, Williams became a leading contender in the welterweight and middleweight divisions but never received the world title opportunity his talent deserved. His legacy stands as a testament to brilliance that could not be denied, even if it was too oft

By Matthew Brown 02/08/2026 Follow Brunch Boxing on Twitter/X Joe Jeanette was one of the toughest heavyweights of the early twentieth century, a relentless inside fighter whose endurance became legend. From 1904 to 1919 he faced nearly every top contender available to him and built a record of 106 wins, 20 losses, 12 draws, and 2 no contests, with 68 knockouts. Only two men ever stopped him inside the distance, once early in his career and once near the end. He was born on A

By Matthew Brown 02/07/2026 Follow Brunch Boxing on Twitter/X Harry Wills fought in many great battles, but history remembers him most for the championship opportunity he was denied. A boxing lifer once said that many powerbrokers believed Wills would have beaten World Heavyweight Champion Jack Dempsey, and that fear kept the fight from ever happening. Born in New Orleans, Louisiana on May 15, 1889, Harry Wills, known as the Black Panther, stood as one of the most dominant he

By Matthew Brown 02/06/2026 Follow Brunch Boxing on Twitter/X Leavander Johnson was a determined lightweight fighter from Atlantic City whose career was defined by perseverance, hard work, and an unforgettable championship victory. Born on December 24, 1969, Johnson built a reputation as a tough and fearless competitor who never stopped chasing his dream of becoming world champion. Johnson turned professional in 1989 after a strong amateur career that included more than 130 b