Image source, Getty Images

After a week of soap opera and verbal back-and-forth between Matchroom chief Eddie Hearn and Zuffa Boxing's Dana White, we were hit with a huge plot twist last night.

Conor Benn, who has been with Matchroom since turning professional in 2016, was confirmed as the newest signing for Zuffa Boxing.

Hearn admitted he was "devastated" by the news and said Benn had refused to speak to him over the phone.

• Read more about Benn's move

We've still got plenty of time until the main event so - while keeping an eye on this live text - why not take 32 minutes to listen into the latest episode of the 5 Live Boxing with Steve Bunce podcast.

Leigh Wood, Josh Warrington, Eddie Hearn, Molly McCann, Ishmael Davis and Bilal Fawaz all pop in for a chat.

Something for everyone!

Image source, Getty Images

Whether it's two fighters with a grudge to settle or a personal journey - boxing is a sport overflowing with remarkable stories.

Bilal Fawaz falls into the latter category.

The 37-year-old will return to one of his four jobs in the hours after challenging British light-middleweight champion Ishmael Davis in tonight's co-main event.

"I'm an Uber driver. I'm a personal trainer. I'm a fitness instructor. And I'm a professional boxer. That's four jobs," Fawaz tells BBC Sport.

"I was doing Uber the day I came here. I trained clients before I left London. I pay for the car on a subscription every week and if I don't work, money goes out and nothing comes in.

"So on Sunday after the fight, when the kids are asleep, I'll jump in the car, make £70 or £80, park it, sleep, drop them to nursery and train clients again."

But behind his story of grafting to make ends meet lies a much darker one - a childhood marked by abuse, years in the care system and a life spent proving he belongs.

BBC Sport first told Fawaz's story in 2018, revisited it in 2022, and yet he remains in limbo as an English champion still without a passport.

• Read Fawaz's remarkable story

Sadly, it feels like we are coming towards the end of an era in British boxing with a changing of the guard beginning to take place.

The loser of tonight's bout could opt to call it a day and the likes of Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury - aged 36 and 37 respectively - are also edging towards hanging up the gloves.

Let's not even get started on 42-year-old Derek Chisora.

There are some bright British hopes on the rise, though, with heavyweight Moses Itauma seemingly at the front of that queue. Fellow heavyweight Leo Atang also enhanced his reputation earlier with a first-round stoppage win.

So, where does British boxing go from here? Who have you seen either in the amateur ranks or having recently turned over that gets you excited for the future?

Get in touch using the contact form at the top of this page.

Dave Allen said at Thursday's news conference that he planned to come out looking for the knockout and he wasn't lying.

We're flying through this card.

On that note, let's crack on with the rest of the card as heavyweights Dave Allen and Karim Berredjem get at it.

Oh!

It's all over.

Allen stops Berredjem in the first round!

Image source, Matchroom

If you missed it earlier, it's probably worth reminding you that the WBC light-welterweight title was only made available tonight due to Katie Taylor being named a 'Champion in Recess'.

Taylor, who said she wanted to take some time away from boxing in September, will be first in line to have a shot at the belt when she chooses to return.

The Irishwoman also holds the IBF, WBO and The Ring titles.

Ryan v Taylor in a unification bout? Yes, please.

New WBC light-welterweight champion Sandy Ryan speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live: "It feels great. It's even better when it's not an easy road."

"I knew Zamora was going to be tough, but my lord she is tough.

"I think I broke my right hand in round three and from there it became a bit more messy.

"I made it hard work for myself, but it's because she's tough as well."

Image source, Getty Images

Few among Sandy Ryan's present counterparts have won world titles at two weight classes.

But she joins Terri Harper, Natasha Jonas and Savannah Marshall in achieving that feat.

Where does Ryan rank among the current crop of British fighters?

Get in touch using the contact form at the top of this page.

Stacey Copeland
Retired boxer on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

That pretty much went the way we thought it would. We knew Ryan had the superior ability but she does love a scrap and doesn't have to be asked twice!

Zamora dragged Ryan into it and was really dangerous at times.

Sandy Ryan is now a two-weight world champion.

What a moment for the Derby fighter who considering retiring from the sport after losing successive fights against Mikaela Mayer in 2024 and 2025.

Ryan lost her WBO welterweight title against the American but is back at the top table now.

Sandy Ryan is the new WBC light-welterweight champion!

Two judges scored it 97-93 in her favour with the other seeing it as a 95-95 draw.

Image source, Matchroom

Steve Bunce
Boxing expert on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

I'll tell you what we were given in the last round, we were given the women's last round of the year. You can close that competition now!

This could go either way.

For me, Zamora took most of the rounds in the first half of the fight but Ryan responded well in the second half.

Cast your vote below to let us know who you think won.

Ryan chooses to engage rather than stay on the outside where she has had the majority of her success.

Zamora digs another heavy hook into Ryan's body. But the Derby fighter responds with a clean left on the chin.

They both end the round swinging.

What a fight!

Image source, Matchroom

Final round for the vacant WBC light-welterweight title.

What do they have left in the tank?

Richie Woodhall
Former boxing world champion on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

Fitness-wise, you've got to give Zamora a 10/10. She just keeps coming forward.

This is going to be extremely tense if we go to a decision.

Ryan gets behind the jab and works smartly through the two minutes.

I've got her trailing 5-4. Could we be set for a draw?

Richie Woodhall
Former boxing world champion on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

Zamora, this style of hers, is scrappy but effective.