New York is the epicenter of boxing once again.
Hours after, Katie Taylor bested Amanda Serrano in front of a sold-out crowd at Madison Square Garden in New York, savants of the sweet science will turn their attention toward Louis Armstrong Stadium in New York, New York as thousands take their seats to devour a stacked card. In the borough known as Queens, some future and some current kings of boxing will look to steal the show. Champions Alberto Puello and Shakur Stevenson will look to defend their WBC titles against hungry challengers Subriel Matias and William Zepeda. Meanwhile, two one-time title challengers, Edgar Berlanga and Hamzah Sheeraz will meet in a super middleweight clash that seeks to bring some clarity to the crowded division. Not to be forgotten, highly touted prospects Mohammed Alakel and Placido Hoff will showcase their talent in front of U.S. fans.
Hamzah Sheeraz (-155) v. Edgar Berlanga (+125)
Def Pen Unofficial Scorecard: Sheeraz def. Alvarez (TKO, 5)
Commentary: A set back can put you into position for a comeback. Earlier this year, Carlos Adames brought the fight to Hamzah Sheeraz in his first title opportunity and while the fight ended in a draw, much of the public felt he lost. However, Sheeraz didn’t run or hide from the challenge. Switching trainers and moving up to a new division, Sheeraz accepted the second biggest challenge of his career — fighting Edgar Berlanga in Berlanga’s hometown in primetime. As it turned out, it wasn’t that big of a challenge. He dropped Berlanga early and often en route to fifth-round stoppage. Now, it doesn’t feel like Sheeraz will fight Alvarez before the end of the year, but a title opportunity could emerge in 2026.
Result: Sheeraz def. Alvarez (TKO, 5)
Note: Odds obtained from Draftkings Sportsbook at 3:00 p.m. Odds are subject to change as bout nears. If you or a loved one struggles with a gambling addiction, please call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit https://www.ncpgambling.org.
Shakur Stevenson (-1200) v. William Zepeda (+700)
Def Pen Unofficial Scorecard: Stevenson def. Zepeda (UD, 12 — 117-111)
Commentary: He isn’t home, but he’s close to it. His hands aren’t what they used to be, but they’re good enough to get by. It wasn’t as dominant of a performance as one would hope, but it was more than enough to get the job done.
In the lead up to the fight, it was safe to imagine that Stevenson would have preferred an additional month or two to let his hands heal before stepping to the ring. Still, he got the job done. While Zepeda did land more punches on Stevenson than any of his previous opponents, the defending champion still outlanded him by nearly 50 punches despite throwing more than 100 fewer shots.
Things got a bit frustrating for the titleholder in the third and fourth round as Zepeda managed to unload on the Newark native in the corner, likely giving him the two rounds he won on two of the three judges scorecards. However, from the fourth round on with an exception in the seventh, Stevenson was sharp, quick and accurate.
With Gervonta Davis’s immediate future in the sport on hold and Keyshawn Davis moving up to the super lightweight division, Stevenson stands alone as the best lightweight in the world. Fights with Floyd Schofield Jr., Abdullah Mason and Sam Noakes could be in the future, but for now, the Newark native can celebrate, rest and get ready for another big fight in 2026.
Result: Stevenson def. Zepeda (UD, 12 — 118-110, 118-110 and 119-109)
Note: Odds obtained from Draftkings Sportsbook at 3:00 p.m. Odds are subject to change as bout nears. If you or a loved one struggles with a gambling addiction, please call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit https://www.ncpgambling.org.
Alberto Puello (-125) v. Subriel Matias (+100)
Def Pen Unofficial Scorecard: Matias def. Puello (115-113)
Commentary: Contrary to popular belief, one of the things I enjoy most about being a writer is being proven wrong. It’s like uncovering a treasure or a prize that you didn’t know existed. Like many others, I began watching this fight with two things in mind: knockouts and decisions. It felt as if Matias had no other way of winning than stopping Puello late in the fight, which was a difficult, but not impossible task. In the opposite corner, experience told the public that Puello’s best opprtunity to win would be by decision, something he’d done in more than half of his pro fights thus far.
In the first two rounds, it felt as if Puello and Matias were headed toward an ending in which the reigning champion would outbox the Puerto Rican challenger en route to a wide decision. The then-WBC Super Lightweight Champion was dictating the pace, clinching wisely and hitting Matias cleanly in the head multiple times. Then, the challenger did what he does best — come forward. From round three on, Matias was unforgiving in his pursuit of Puello. While he was still getting hit and ultimately, cut on the eye, he began dictating the pace. Puello wasn’t moving back because he wanted too; he was moving back because Matias gave him no other option. From round three through the end of round six, it felt as if Matias would prove my pre-fight prediction to be true. Then, before Matias could get the stoppage in rounds seven through ten, Puello got a second win and began digging it. He wasn’t nearly as fresh as he was in rounds one and two, but his legs gave him the boost needed to move when needed and put some distance between himself and Matias at time. However, because they have the same reach, he did have to stay in range where Matias could get to him.
By the end of round twelve, it was anyone’s guess as to who would get the decision. Ultimately, the judges rewarded Matias’s pressure, punching power and toughness. Next up, Puello is set to fight Dalton Smith in Saudia Arabia on November 22, 2025.
Result: Matias def. Puello (MD, 12 — 115-113, 114-114, 115-113)
Note: Odds obtained from Draftkings Sportsbook at 3:00 p.m. Odds are subject to change as bout nears. If you or a loved one struggles with a gambling addiction, please call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit https://www.ncpgambling.org.
David Morrell (-600) v. Imam Khataev (+400)
Def Pen Unofficial Scorecard: N/A
Commentary: Def Pen will not provide commentary regarding the opening bout of Ring III. David Morrell should be commended for his bravery, skill, and devotion to the sport of boxing. Ring Magazine should be applauded for their commitment to host major boxing events in and around the city of New York. However, it is the belief of our combat sports team that Imam Khataev should not be sanctioned to fight after reportedly testing positive for a banned substance in April 2024, according to the International Testing Agency (ITA). Khataev has been suspended by the ITA until 2027, but the bout was allowed to proceed by the Association of Boxing Commissions (ABC) and the New York State Athletic Commission (NYSAC). Def Pen‘s combat sports team respects the decision of ABC and NYSAC, but does not believe competitors should be allowed to step into the ring after testing positive without serving a suspension.
Result: Morrell def. Khataev (SD, 10 — 95-94, 93-96, 95-94)
Note: Odds obtained from Draftkings Sportsbook at 3:00 p.m. Odds are subject to change as bout nears. If you or a loved one struggles with a gambling addiction, please call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit https://www.ncpgambling.org.
