Rolando Dy has named a surprising dream opponent after retaining his bare knuckle title, but no offer is on the table. Devin Haney and Shakur Stevenson have also encountered a fresh financial obstacle, while heavyweight fight week grows more intense.
1. Rolando Dy says a Fundora crossover is his dream
Rolando Dy is open to returning to conventional boxing for a chance against WBC junior middleweight champion Sebastian Fundora, telling The Philippine Star that he would accept if a real offer arrived. This is an ambition, not an active negotiation, and the distinction matters because Fundora defends his title against unbeaten mandatory challenger Ermal Hadribeaj in Las Vegas on Saturday. Dy is coming off a successful defense of his BKB super welterweight championship, dropping Scott McHugh three times in the second round before the corner ended the fight 47 seconds into the third. The Filipino champion now stands at 7 wins and 1 loss in bare knuckle competition, with 6 knockouts. Dy said he is likely to defend that belt again early next year, with Adel Altamimi mentioned as a possible opponent but nothing finalized. A Fundora fight would require Dy to switch rules and enter a different title process, so for now it is a personal target rather than a booked crossover.
2. Money becomes the latest Haney Stevenson obstacle
Devin Haney and Shakur Stevenson publicly agreed to a 145 pound catchweight, but the proposed fight is still unsigned and financial terms have emerged as the latest obstacle. Ring reporter Mike Coppinger said money is the main holdup while expressing confidence that a deal can still be completed. That is the significant change from our earlier coverage of the proposed Atlanta date, when November 28 was being discussed as a target rather than a confirmed booking. Boxing News now considers that date extremely unlikely. No rehydration clause was mentioned when the fighters agreed on weight, although that condition had been an earlier point of disagreement. Haney is the WBO welterweight champion after defeating Brian Norman Jr., while Stevenson owns the WBO junior welterweight title after beating Teofimo Lopez. Their names and technical reputations make the matchup attractive, but weight agreement alone cannot settle purses, promotional control, distribution and the remaining contract details.
3. Dubois and Wardley trade words before their heavyweight rematch
Daniel Dubois and Fabio Wardley faced off at the talkSPORT studio ahead of Saturday's WBO heavyweight championship rematch at The O2 in London, with Wardley questioning Dubois' claim that he was overweight and underprepared for their first fight. A correction is necessary from yesterday's brief framing: this is their second meeting, not their first. Dubois survived two early knockdowns in May before stopping Wardley in the eleventh round and taking the WBO belt, making the rematch about adjustments as much as power. Wardley believes small repeated mistakes cost him the first contest, while Dubois has promised another knockout and says he is better prepared. The champion's path has repeatedly shifted through illness, setbacks and title opportunities, as recalled in our earlier background on a major Dubois withdrawal. Wardley's damaged nose and scar tissue are legitimate concerns after the punishment he absorbed, but speculation about his future should not be mistaken for a retirement decision.
4. Fury and Joshua could walk after 1 in the morning in Cardiff
The Tyson Fury against Anthony Joshua event may require a ring walk after 1 in the morning on December 12 in Cardiff, even though the broadcast is promoted for December 11 in North America. Organizers have asked Cardiff Council to extend the permitted finish for boxing and wrestling events from 1 in the morning until 3, with Principality Stadium potentially remaining open until 3:30. The request remains subject to approval, with officials and the public able to comment until November 3. The unusual timing targets evening viewers in the United States, where a 1 in the morning Welsh ring walk would be 8 in the evening on the East Coast and 5 in the afternoon on the West Coast. Netflix is scheduled to broadcast the fight. The bout is confirmed, but the late local schedule is not final until the request is decided.
Upcoming Boxing Events to Watch
Dates below refer to the local date at the fight venue.
| Date | Matchup | Title at Stake | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| October 17, 2026 | Daniel Dubois vs Fabio Wardley | WBO heavyweight title | The O2, London, United Kingdom |
| October 17, 2026 | Sebastian Fundora vs Ermal Hadribeaj | WBC junior middleweight title | The Chelsea at The Cosmopolitan, Las Vegas, United States |
| October 24, 2026 | Dalton Smith vs Alberto Puello | WBC junior welterweight title | Utilita Arena Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom |
| October 24, 2026 | Emanuel Navarrete vs O'Shaquie Foster | WBO, IBF and WBC junior lightweight titles | Frost Bank Center, San Antonio, United States |
| October 31, 2026 | Canelo Alvarez vs Christian Mbilli | WBC super middleweight title | Kingdom Arena, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia |
| October 31, 2026 | David Picasso vs Carl Jammes Martin | To be confirmed | Kingdom Arena, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia |
| November 26, 2026 | Masamichi Yabuki vs Miel Fajardo | IBF flyweight title | Ebara Wave Arena Ota, Tokyo, Japan |
| December 12, 2026 | Tyson Fury vs Anthony Joshua | WBA super heavyweight title | Principality Stadium, Cardiff, Wales |
| December 12, 2026 | Dmitry Bivol vs Callum Smith | WBA, IBF and WBO light heavyweight titles | UMMC Arena, Yekaterinburg, Russia |
The immediate focus is Saturday's heavyweight rematch, where Wardley must prove he can protect a fast start without repeating the mistakes that Dubois punished in May. Do you see Dy's conventional boxing dream as a realistic future route, or should he remain focused on defending his BKB crown?
Story 1: The Philippine Star
Story 3: talkSPORT