September has come to a close, Billie Joe Armstrong has shaken off the cobwebs, and it’s time to crown the winners and losers from a packed month in boxing.
Over 30 days of thrilling action both in and out of the ring, we saw Katie Taylor’s farewell celebration, a lightning-fast Garcia vs. Benn showdown lasting just 265 seconds, and Dana White aggressively maneuvering himself toward a role in the much-anticipated “Battle of Britain” between Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua.
So, where do these figures rank on our list? Keep reading to find out.
WINNERS
Katie Taylor
The beloved Irish star ended her boxing career on her own terms this September, headlining a poignant event at Dublin’s iconic Croke Park.
In her final fight, Taylor bested France’s Flora Pili to secure the undisputed world super lightweight titles, wrapping up a legendary career after 27 professional matches.
The setting was unforgettable for one of Ireland’s greatest athletes. Speaking to the jubilant crowd after the fight, she exclaimed, “Croke Park! We did it! I don’t know any other country that could sell 80,000 tickets. The people of Ireland gave me a dream ending to a dream career. Nothing can top this. This was the pinnacle of my career.”
Ryan Garcia
September may mark the biggest triumph of Ryan Garcia’s career so far.
All eyes were on his welterweight battle with Conor Benn, and Garcia dismantled his opponent during an electrifying two-round fight.
Garcia is within reach of becoming boxing’s new superstar face. If he can continue headlining events on key Mexican holidays, maintain discipline outside the ring, and attract top contenders for world title matches, his rise to superstardom could be unstoppable.
“King Ry” has expressed a desire to stay busy and might fight again before year’s end. If he can secure three wins in 2026—after first winning the WBC welterweight title from Mario Barrios and defending it against Benn—he’s likely to enter the Fighter of the Year conversation.
Given Garcia’s drawing power, plenty of opponents will be vying for bouts with him.
Eddie Hearn
Promoter Eddie Hearn had plenty of reason to smile in September.
He first basked in national acclaim following Katie Taylor’s historic night at Croke Park. Then, he pulled off a coup by bringing the Fury vs. Joshua heavyweight clash to the UK, defying those who wanted Madison Square Garden to hold the bout.
Finally, Hearn enjoyed some schadenfreude watching his former client and now rival, Conor Benn, suffer a decisive defeat to Ryan Garcia.
Though often seen more in front of a camera than off, it’s clear Hearn was a big winner throughout September, as he continued to shape boxing’s narrative.
Takuma Inoue
Once was enough to savor, but Takuma Inoue repeated his feat this September.
Ten months after besting Japanese star Tenshin Nasukawa for the WBC bantamweight crown, Inoue defeated him again via unanimous decision at Tokyo’s Toyota Arena.
This rematch was tougher; Inoue was knocked down in round seven but managed to secure a narrow points victory, effectively halting Nasukawa’s hopes of facing Takuma’s older brother, Naoya Inoue, in a much-anticipated domestic superfight.
Post-fight Inoue declared he wasn’t content with holding just one belt—he aims to collect more.
Pat Brown
Pat Brown’s momentum surged throughout September as the charismatic Mancunian steamrolled his way to the British cruiserweight title.
Brown improved to a perfect 7-0 with all wins by knockout, dispatching John Hedges at the Co-op Live with devastating body shots inspired by Ricky Hatton, ending matters in the sixth round.
Though the cruiserweight division is deep with talent, his promoter Eddie Hearn boldly claimed Brown could dismantle reigning Australian world champion Jai Opetaia if they meet next year.
Still, patience may be key, as the lessons from Moses Itauma’s late-August defeat remind us that time is on Brown’s side, and his journey is worth watching closely.
LOSERS
Conor Benn
Conor Benn’s hunt for the WBC welterweight title came to a harsh end after lasting only a round and a half against Ryan Garcia.
His night in the Las Vegas spotlight served as a reality check when the referee halted the fight following Benn’s beaten state against the ropes and a knockdown from a powerful right hand.
Now 30, Benn faces uncertainty about his future path—whether to try again at welterweight, move up a division, or rekindle rivalry with family adversary Chris Eubank Jr.
While still a notable name, Benn’s choice to bypass British and European competition for larger paydays puts Zuffa Boxing in a tough spot as they strategize his fights and marketability over the coming years.
Andy Ruiz Jr.
Andy Ruiz Jr.’s comeback after two years out ended disappointingly in September, but the bigger story lies in who defeated him.
Damian Knyba, a Polish-born New Yorker, was widely regarded as an underdog going into the heavyweight clash, highlighting boxing’s dwindling enthusiasm and confidence in Ruiz.
Ruiz lost by unanimous decision, marking the third defeat of his career.
Despite this, Ruiz remains determined to continue boxing and has already received a call-out from one fighter you’ll read about shortly: Dave Allen.
Dana White
Dana White’s role in the upcoming Dec. 11 heavyweight fight between Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua unraveled quickly under media scrutiny in September.
Known for claiming he was instrumental in making the fight happen, White appeared frustrated and evasive at a recent press conference, revealing limited knowledge about the details of the event.
His repeated, vague responses didn’t do his reputation any favors, especially for a billionaire accustomed to control.
In truth, White likely has no legitimate role in promoting the fight; Netflix and TKO want him involved to some extent, but not at the risk of breaching contracts and jeopardizing the bout’s success.
Dave Allen vs. Thomas Carty
Thomas Carty seemed unwilling to engage in heavyweight boxing during his September bout.
Just 82 seconds into his fight at Dublin’s Croke Park under the Taylor-Pili card, the 30-year-old southpaw appeared to jump out of the ring, prematurely ending his bout against British journeyman and comedian Dave Allen.
Though Carty took a significant blow to the back of the head, his dramatic exit resembled a football-style dive more than a natural reaction.
Carty collapsed into the laps of photographers and officials, giving Allen a no-contest but an unexpected boost for an unlikely Wrestlemania 43 main event.
Thankfully, Carty was not seriously hurt. Allen still seeks a win to add to his record, but this fight might best be remembered as one that barely happened—comparable to the infamous David Price vs. Kash Ali clash.
Hamzah Sheeraz
The saying goes if it looks like a duck and quacks like a duck, it probably is one—and former WBO super middleweight champ Hamzah Sheeraz faced that criticism in September.
Sheeraz relinquished his world title rather than face the mandatory challenger Janibek Alimkhanuly.
Alimkhanuly’s status as contender is controversial after a positive meldonium test last December, leading to a 12-month suspension from the WBO.
Sheeraz publicly condemned the WBO’s decision as “disgraceful,” yet he has repeatedly sought a fight against Saul “Canelo” Alvarez—another fighter with prior drug test issues.
Though Janibek is dangerous, Sheeraz appears to have weighed the risks and chosen an easier path under the protection of Turki Alalshikh.
Fan Take:
This September recap is a critical snapshot of boxing’s shifting landscape—highlighting emerging stars like Ryan Garcia and marking the end of a legendary era for Katie Taylor. For fight fans, these moments underscore the sport’s constant evolution and the high stakes behind every decision, matchup, and promotional battle, shaping what the future of boxing will look like.
Source: sports.yahoo.com
