BOXING

After more than six years and five successful title defenses, Gary Russell Jr.’s reign as WBC featherweight champion has come to an end. Mark Magsayo defeated Russell to become the new champion Saturday night inside the Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa in Atlantic City, N.

Tyson Fury has been ordered to defend his heavyweight title against Dillian Whyte. The WBC on Tuesday ordered Fury (31-0-1, 22 KOs) to begin a negotiating period to defend his belt against Whyte (28-2, 19 KOs).

Floyd Mayweather Jr.’s influence on Gervonta Davis is undeniable. It has helped the fighter affectionately known as “Tank” become one of the biggest attractions in boxing. But it also has burdened him with a decent amount of criticism from the so-called “hardcore” fight fan.

George Kambosos Jr. turned heads around the boxing world with a sensational upset victory over Teofimo Lopez, with Manny Pacquiao among those to share praise for Australia’s newest world titleholder.

Saul “Canelo” Alvarez is the king of boxing’s super middleweight division. David Benavidez, The Ring magazine’s top-ranked contender at 168 pounds, is confident he can come for the crown. Benavidez (24-0, 21 KOs), who will takes on Kyrone Davis at the Footprint Center in Phoenix on Saturday night, is a potential opponent for Alvarez in a May 2022 bout for Alvarez’s WBA, WBC, WBO, The Ring and IBF titles.