Valenzuela and Torres set the tone

Jose “Rayo” Valenzuela vs. Diego Torres was a top-notch ten-round welterweight contest that made sense on paper. Valenzuela, 26, a former WBA belt holder, is trying to stabilize himself after losing to Gary Antuan Russell. His style relies on speed, angles and consistent attack, but at this level the gap has closed.

Torres brings a different danger. The Mexican fighter has 19 knockouts in 22 wins and fought four fights with pressure and finishing instincts. Things can get uncomfortable quickly if Valenzuela can’t control distance early on.

Bokhachuk and Butayev clash

The co-main event features Serhii Bohachuk and Radzhab Butaev, two former title holders who punch first and ask questions later. Bokhachuk has long been known for his volume and power, while Butayev has the stamina and willingness to deal that rarely results in quiet bouts.

Both fighters benefit from the caution here. Ten rounds will favor whoever can maintain the rhythm without bloodshed in the exchange. Fans would call it a brawl. Trainers would call it a gamble.

Gvozdyk and Karadzic race against time

Oleksandr Gvozdyk vs. Radivoje Kalajdzic looks like a crossroads, but a short one. Gvozdyk is now 38 years old, his WBC dominance long behind him, and is clearly in the final stages of his career after returning from retirement. He’s 4-1 since 2023, with a loss to David Benavidez serving as a reminder of his current lead.

Karadzic knew this was his chance. His three losses came against Artur Beterbiev, Marcus Browne and David Morel Jr. This resume tells you the level he has achieved and where he has fallen short. The win over Gvozdyk put him in the spotlight again. Failure kept him where he was.

What does this say about Zuffa Boxing?

This card answers a simple question. Zufa’s construction speed is not slow. It favors big-name names, ten-round fights, and competitive matchmaking that treats losses as part of the business.

There are no leashes on the line. That’s the point. These are positioning battles, not rituals. Paramount+ is coming to life. Warriors get exposure. The structure is geared more toward action than protection.

The risks are obvious. When you skip the padding, you skip the excuses. If these struggles fail, the experiment will appear weak. If they succeed, Zuffa Boxing will start to look less like a curiosity and more like a timeline.

This card won’t answer whether Zuffa Boxing can reshape the sport, but it will show how quickly it can separate boxers who still belong in the sport from those who no longer do.