This weekend witnessed the inaugural event of the Riyadh Season WBC Boxing Grand Prix, marking a new chapter in global boxing championships. Held at BLVD City Global Theater in Riyadh, this multi-stage competition will span five events throughout the year, culminating in December with the crowning of champions who will also receive the prestigious José Sulaimán trophy. The first stage showcased thrilling matches across featherweight, super lightweight, middleweight, and heavyweight categories, delivering knockout performances and nail-biting decisions.

Featherweight Battles: Rising Stars and Stunning Knockouts

The featherweight category saw an electrifying start to the championship series, with several standout performances setting the tone for future rounds. Hector Munguia’s sixth-round TKO victory over Idris Gbadamosi exemplified raw power, while Yusuf Adeniji’s strategic win against Carlos Arteaga highlighted the tournament's innovative scoring system. Other highlights included Bekizizwe Maitse's unanimous decision triumph and Zholdas Zhengissov's dramatic right hook knockout.

Beyond individual victories, the featherweight division demonstrated both technical prowess and physical endurance. Matches like Enoch Tetteh versus Tyshawn Denson tested judges’ evaluations under pressure, showcasing how closely contested these bouts were. Ayubkhon Bakhtiyorov’s decisive early stoppage added further drama, illustrating that every fighter brought their A-game to Riyadh. These results not only advanced participants to subsequent stages but also underscored the competitive spirit driving this championship.

Super Lightweight Showdowns: Intensity Meets Skill

In the super lightweight category, fighters delivered nothing short of spectacular displays, blending intensity with refined skillsets. Alan Dutra’s KO of Criztec Bazaldua stood out as one of the year’s finest knockouts thus far. Meanwhile, Jerald Into’s hard-fought split decision win over Ahmad Muhammad Jones highlighted resilience amidst challenging circumstances. Young talents such as 17-year-old Orlando Barajas Tirado made waves with promising performances against seasoned opponents.

These encounters ranged from brutal clashes—like those between Ntethelelo Nkosi and Marwan Mohamad Madboly—to tightly contested tactical duels involving Misael Cabrera and Joseph Abudy. Each match contributed uniquely to the overall narrative of this grand prix, reinforcing its status as a premier platform for discovering new boxing sensations. With diverse fighting styles on display, fans were treated to a feast of combat excellence spanning multiple continents.