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Netflix makes exciting Tyson Fury announcement after huge success with reality show

By Al Faqiih September 2, 2025

Netflix has revealed plans for a new, feature-length documentary offering unparalleled insight into legendary boxer Tyson Fury.

The forthcoming film pledges to lift the veil on Fury’s ascent to stardom and his remarkable return to the sport.

The heavyweight champion himself will be delivering extensive interviews, whilst director Lucy Wilcox has also secured access to his close-knit circle of relatives, friends and associates to present a revealing portrait of his journey.

A summary for the planned documentary vows to chronicle “the intimate and remarkable journey of an extraordinary fighter who, against all expectations, battled through impossible odds to achieve one of the greatest comebacks of all time.

“A disruptor in and out of the ring, the film explores his personal battles, controversies, complex relationships, and transformative moments that have made him a defining force in modern boxing”, reports the Express.

Including previously unseen material and personal revelations from the boxer himself, Fury is being billed as the “definitive” documentary about one of boxing’s most significant figures.

The revelation follows hot on the heels of recent confirmation that Netflix is currently working on a second series of the fighter’s reality programme, At Home With the Furys.

Netflix are maintaining secrecy around additional information about the production, and no launch date has been confirmed yet.

All3Media’s Optomen are behind the documentary, the firm responsible for the reality show alongside last year’s Becoming Madonna. Director Wilcox, known for previous works such as The Undercover Police Scandal: Love & Lies Exposed and Paddy and Christine McGuinness: Our Family and Autism, is at the helm of this project.

George Waldrum, who brought us The Twister: Caught in the Storm, is serving as the executive producer, with Nick Hornby and Tina Flintoff as the creative directors.

Stranger Things – Free Netflix subscription

Sky is giving away a free Netflix subscription with its new Sky Stream TV bundles, including the £15 Essential TV plan.

This lets members watch live and on-demand TV content without a satellite dish or aerial and includes hit shows like Stranger Things.

Fury is set to face off against heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk in April next year at the iconic Wembley Stadium in London.

However, after suffering consecutive losses against Usyk, Fury confessed just last month that he feels “too old” to make a comeback in boxing.

In response to Sky Sports’ query about his return to the ring in early August, he stated: “Never. Really! Too old, look at my beard, all grey. Boxing’s a young man’s game.”

The sports star was spotted filming a segment for At Home With the Furys at Doncaster Racecourse, where he watched his racehorse Big Gypsy King compete in the Unison Campaigning For Public Services Handicap over seven furlongs.

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Anthony Joshua to take a softer touch before targeting Tyson Fury showdown

By Al Faqiih September 1, 2025

Anthony Joshua hopes to look good in his next outing before going for another big one.

Anthony Joshua is facing his latest career setback after being knocked out by Daniel Dubois last year. While Joshua has no immediate plans of retiring from the sport, and still has ambitions to conquer, his Matchroom promoter Eddie Hearn emphasizes to Sky Sports the importance of them matching Joshua correctly in this next outing so they can try to make a big for him next summer.

“We’ve got to choose carefully for the next fight and I think the best way in all of this is just to be honest and say the next fight will be a comeback fight to build into a roll of the dice next summer,” Hearn said. “We want that to be against Tyson Fury. If it’s not, it’s going to be a massive fight.”

Hearn would admit that those plans to fight Fury are still largely up to what Fury will be willing to entertain by next summer, and while they will still aim for a top-15 kind of opponent for Joshua in the interim, they will not be looking at fighters nearing the top of that list, excluding names like Dubois, Usyk, Itauma and Parker as he says another loss for Joshua at this stage would be devastating.

If Joshua gets through his next scheduled fight with flying colors, the plan will be to throw him back in what Hearn says could be one last roll of the dice for Joshua, but believes opportunities for Joshua will be available as he expects Usyk’s undisputed hold on the world titles to soon fracture.

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Jake Paul vs Gervonta ‘Tank’ Davis size: Weight, height for David vs Goliath fight

By Al Faqiih September 1, 2025

The anticipation is palpable as Jake Paul gears up for his second ring appearance this year, ready to take on the WBA lightweight champion, Gervonta “Tank” Davis. The showdown is set to unfold at the State Farm Arena in Atlanta on Friday, November 14, and will be an exclusive broadcast on Netflix.

While the specifics of the match, such as the weight and number of rounds, have not been revealed, one thing is certain-these two fighters are known for their versatility, having fought in vastly different weight classes.

In his most recent bout, Paul, weighing in at 199.4 pounds, emerged victorious by unanimous decision against Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. in a 10-round cruiserweight bout held in June. This win bolstered Paul’s record to 12 wins and 1 loss, with seven knockouts.

Davis last weighed in at 133.8 pounds during a lightweight title defense fight against Lamont Roach Jr., where he was unexpectedly handed a majority draw in March. Despite the draw, Davis retained his WBA lightweight title and now boasts a record of 30 wins, 1 draw, and 28 knockouts.

Here is everything to know ahead of the must-watch Paul vs. Davis event.

Jake Paul height and weight

Jake Paul stands at 6 feet 1 inch and weighed 200 pounds in his last fight, which was a straightforward decision victory over Julio César Chávez Jr.

Gervonta ‘Tank’ Davis height and weight

The WBA lightweight world champion Gervonta ‘Tank’ Davis stands at 5 feet, 5.5 inches and weighed in at 133.8 pounds.

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Women’s light heavyweight Che Kenneally yearns for shot at Claressa Shields

By Al Faqiih August 25, 2025

Che Kenneally thought she was going to get into a fight on July 25, but when Alrie Meleisea withdrew from her bout with the WBA light heavyweight champion the Aussie may have gotten something better.

A career-altering fight with one of the sport’s pound-for-pound best, Claressa Shields.

There aren’t any contracts signed or advanced talks happening for a Shields-Kenneally matchup, but after “The Fight Mum” saw the Meleisea bout scrapped, she got on a plane to Detroit for Shields’ July 26 title fight with Lani Daniels. And during a media workout, the two prospective rivals met.

“It was definitely worth the trip over,” said Kenneally. “I was looking at just getting my name out there, letting the world know that The Fight Mum does exist and I’m a world champion. I did want that media coverage with Claressa Shields, but I also was there to support women’s boxing.”

There was no pushing and shoving, no insults and nothing to go viral about that meeting. And that’s the way Kenneally (5-0, 3 KOs), mother of 3 1/2-year-old Havana, wanted it. She’s a fighter, and with a world title in her possession she could be an attractive foe for a belt collector like the G.W.O.A.T. They also have shared a promoter — Salita Promotions.

Shields is now a free agent but appears to be on good terms with Salita.

“Salita Promotions signed me as a fighter and that was my first time meeting them,” Kenneally said. “I wanted to have that face-to-face interaction and let them get to know me and who they’re working with. So there were a lot of great things that came from that. And it was great to see first-hand Claressa’s weaknesses.

“You know how they say, never meet your idols you’ll be disappointed? It was one of those moments for me. I looked at her and I was like, ‘What the hell? She’s just a human.’ And I just pointed out so many things that I can beat her on and that she falls short in. She’s got a lot of flaws and I’m going to capitalize on them, and I can’t wait to have that fight. And I can’t wait for everyone to see ‘The Fight Mum’ in action and show everyone that she is in the wrong weight division. She doesn’t belong in my division, and I’m going to let everyone know that and I’m going to show everyone that.”

Bold words from a fighter with just five pro fights. And while Kenneally has been boxing since childhood, it’s hard to match up with Shields’ amateur resume, which includes two Olympic gold medals. But, as the old saying goes, that’s why they fight the fights, and the time may be right for the 30-year-old from the Gold Coast to make her move.

Shields, also 30, has not been tested since her 2022 war with Savannah Marshall (another Kenneally target), and as she’s moved up in weight for her last three fights she really hasn’t been tested in wins over Vanessa Lepage-Joanisse, Danielle Perkins and Daniels.

Perkins, a then-unbeaten former college basketball player, was expected to give Shields a fight in February, based on her athleticism and a solid amateur background, but it didn’t play out that way. Some might say that Shields is just steamrolling, yet she may be getting bored. And what better time to catch a fighter slipping than when they think they can’t lose?

“The girls that are fighting her are out of their weight divisions,” said Kenneally. “I think they’re just lazy. They should be two weight divisions lower. I’m an athlete. I’ve called myself a professional athlete since I was 10 or 11. I’ve been doing athletics internationally since I was 11. Shotput, discus, hammer, high jump, long jump, triple jump, I’ve competed in all those sports and won all those sports worldwide in the throwing events,and I played rugby. So I am an athlete.

“I’ve been brought up doing athletics and doing things that all contribute to boxing. My whole life has been sports. People say I haven’t had many fights, and I haven’t been in the game for long, but I’ve done so many other sports that have contributed to why I am good at boxing and why I am powerful.”

And at 6 feet, Kenneally could pose some stylistic problems for the 5-foot-9 Shields. Perkins is a 6-foot athlete who wasn’t able to trouble Shields, but the Aussie is confident that she’s the one who will put a mark in the multi-division champion’s loss column. For now, though, Kenneally just wants to fight anyone.

She’s gone more than a year since her last bout in 2024 against Angie Paola Rocha, and that fight only went three rounds. So getting a fight, any fight, is of the utmost importance. And Kenneally promises that she won’t get caught napping by an unheralded opponent while looking ahead to Shields.

“I just want to fight anyone, and I’ll fight anyone,” she said. “[Shields] is the biggest name in women’s boxing at the moment, and I want the biggest fights, but I know, and everyone’s told me, that I have to work my way up there. But there’s no one who wants to fight me, no one in my division that will step in the ring with me. So I’ll just keep going for her and I’ll take out whoever’s in my way and I’ve come to terms with that. We train for Claressa Shields, and anyone underneath that is just a steppingstone.”

At least there are some solid stones available. For the Rocha fight, Kenneally weighed 170 ¼, which means a drop to super middleweight isn’t out of the question. Trainer/manager Fidel Tukel even said they would meet Shields at 160 if necessary. But at 168, there’s Marshall, Shadasia Green and Franchon Crews-Dezurn, and Perkins would be a solid test at light heavyweight.

In other words, the future could be bright if Che Kenneally can get a big fight.

But in the meantime, it’s work, work, work for “The Fight Mum,” who hopes to be back in action against someone in October or November.

“I enjoy being in the gym,” she said. “I love training. It’s like my second home, so it’s not a chore for me to get in here. But I’m the world champion and I have a reputation to uphold and a standard that expected of me. So I have to stay in the gym to stay ready and to take last-minute opportunities when they do come up or they’re given to me. That might be my only opportunity to get a fight and I don’t want to be turning anything down because I haven’t been in the gym. So I think that keeps me going.”

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“I Take the Blame” – Amir Khan Ends Anthony Joshua Feud, Calls 2017

By Al Faqiih August 25, 2025

“I Take the Blame” – Amir Khan Ends Anthony Joshua Feud, Calls 2017 Affair Claim “Sad Mistake”

Nearly a decade after accusing Anthony Joshua of having an affair with his wife, former unified light-welterweight champion, Amir Khan has admitted he was wrong and has since reconciled with the two-time heavyweight champion.

The explosive allegations, made by Khan on social media in 2017, caused a bitter fallout with his wife

and dragged Joshua into the headlines. At the time, AJ denied the claims, posting:

“Bantz aside, I hope you guys can resolve your situation, or this is a hack as we have never even met!”

Khan, then embroiled in a public spat with Makhdoom, doubled down on the accusations, telling fans at the time:

“Everything you saw on social media today is real. Nothing’s been hacked. But yeah, what’s done is done. Everything I posted on social media today was true.”

The pair later reconciled, and Khan now concedes his comments were a mistake.

“I Take Full Blame” – Amir Khan on Drama with Anthony Joshua

Speaking to Covers, the 38-year-old reflected on his relationship with Joshua:

“We’re both professional people, and we just moved on. It was all just a mistake, and it was all just rubbish, really.

“There was nothing true there. And, yeah, at the end of day it was a bit silly that I threw him under the bus over a message which wasn’t really him.”

“He was just coming up in the ranks then as well and, really, it was a bit sad that I did that at the time.

“So, I take full blame for that little issue me and AJ. But the good thing about it was nothing was true and, obviously, me and him have made up and he came to my event in Ghana.”

“We spent some time together, we chilled together, and we speak to each other on the phone here and there, on WhatsApp, so, we have a very professional relationship now and we keep it good.”

Respect Between Champions

Khan revealed a heartfelt moment with Anthony Joshua in Dubai following AJ’s defeat to Oleksandr Usyk:

“We have mutual friends, and the last time I sat with him in Dubai; it was after his loss against Usyk and out of the blue he just says: ‘Oh bro, one thing I want to say to you is you were an amazing fighter, Amir.’

“It was quite shocking hearing that coming from one of the heavyweight greats in AJ. He said, ‘I was watching one of your fights, I think against Judah, and bro, you boxed so well. He was a great fighter.’

“It’s nice to hear that from another champion, especially after we had issues. When another fighter of his calibre acknowledges your career, it goes a long way.”

“AJ Put Boxing Back on the Map” – Khan

Khan, who burst onto the global stage by winning Olympic silver in 2004, credits Joshua for carrying British boxing after his own career slowed:

“Definitely, yeah. We must respect each other at the end of the day because, look, what you’ve done for boxing is massive.”

“In 2004, boxing was lit up by me coming back from the Olympics and then after my career went down a little bit, AJ lifted it back up again in 2012.”

Joshua Plots Comeback Fight and Fury Showdown

Meanwhile, Joshua is preparing for a return to the ring later this year as he continues his bid to reclaim heavyweight glory.

Promoter Eddie Hearn confirmed AJ will fight again in October, November, or December following elbow surgery:

“He is motivated. Physically feeling good now to return to camp and ready for one little last roll to this incredible career,” Hearn told Sky Sports.

“Hopefully that involves a fight with Mr (Tyson) Fury. But first thing is first, AJ will return during that period this year and obviously he must win and that performance will tell us a lot about the future of Anthony Joshua.”

Joshua’s long-anticipated clash with Tyson Fury could take place in 2026, a year Hearn has hinted could be AJ’s final in professional boxing.

Two Careers, Two Legends

Khan retired in 2022 with a 34-6 professional record and world titles in two weight classes, while Joshua remains one of Britain’s most iconic fighters, a two-time heavyweight champion, and Olympic gold medalist.

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Claressa Shields Tells Rick Ross That Laila Ali Is “Scared” To Fight Her

By Al Faqiih August 25, 2025

Meanwhile, Ali clarifies how all of this started and gives an update on when she’ll answer the burning question.

Claressa Shields is continuing to egg on Laila Ali until she finally picks a date and time to square up. Rick Ross is even ready to see these ladies in the ring, as he reposted an article about Ali updating fans on the proposition and asked Shields to “make it happen.”

The 30-year-old fired back, “[She’s] scared, Boss!!!”

Meanwhile, this fight is the furthest thing from Ali’s mind. During a recent interview with Good Day D.C., the retired fighter clarified her comments about wanting to fight Shields.

“I was asked an impromptu question by one of the boxing blogs like ‘Would you come back?’ And I said for $15-20 million, I’d have to think about it. Not that I want to. I’m not over here thinking about it. You see I’m hosting shows. I got my Laila Ali lifestyle brand, my spice blends. You know, my family. All these things going on and all of a sudden, I start getting all these offers,” she explained.

Ali is admittedly “flattered” by the interest and confirmed that she’s gotten “multiple” $15 million offers. However, it’s something she’s still “thinking about.”

She continued, “My main purpose right now is to promote [‘Chef Grudge Match’]. That’s my main focus and very soon, the world will know my answer to that in detail because I haven’t answered the question. There’ve been some lies that I responded and I actually haven’t responded purposely […] I call the shots. I do what I wanna do how I wanna do it, but I understand the excitement.”

Ali trolled fans on Instagram earlier this month when she “addressed” Shields’ request to fight. “Nobody calls shots on me. I do things when, and how, and where I like to do them!,” she teased.

When Ali named her price to potentially come out of retirement, Shields came forth with the demanded amount.

“That’s what I’m talking about. That’s what I like. Laila, I’m here with my team. I got some great news for you. We got the $15 million!,” Shields declared. “Let’s make a fight between me and you. The best versus the best. The greats versus the greats. The GWOAT versus Muhammad Ali’s daughter, Laila Ali. Let’s make it happen […] We got the venue, and we got the dates. Now all we need is Laila Ali. Is you gonna make the fight happen or what? You asked for $15 million and we delivered.”

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Who is Anthony Joshua? Meet Britain’s game-changing two-time

By Al Faqiih August 25, 2025

Who is Anthony Joshua? Meet Britain’s game-changing two-time heavyweight champion

Anthony Joshua has been at the top of the British heavyweight boxing scene for over a decade now, and as he comes into the twilight of his career, he is aiming to become a three-time heavyweight champion.

Joshua is one of Britain’s biggest boxing stars, and alongside Tyson Fury, he has made a name for himself as one of the top attractions in world boxing.

His losses to Daniel Dubois and Oleksandr Usyk have been a slight setback for the former two-time champion, but he is looking to bounce back from his defeat and injury to fight as early as December.

While Jake Paul ‘mismatch’ talk will be over with for now, the fighter can focus on climbing back to the top of the heavyweight division one more time.

Here is everything you need to know about Anthony Joshua, the two-time heavyweight champion and British star who changed the game in Britain.

How old is Anthony Joshua?

As of August 2025, Anthony Joshua was born on October 15th, 1989, making him 35 years old.

What is Anthony Joshua’s record?

28 wins

4 losses

0 draws

25 knockouts

What is Anthony Joshua’s height and reach?

Anthony Joshua stands at six feet and six inches, or 1.98m tall.

He has an 82-inch, or 208cm, reach.

What is Anthony Joshua’s full name?

Anthony Joshua’s full name is Anthony Oluwafemi Olaseni Joshua.

What is Anthony Joshua’s weight?

Anthony Joshua weighed in at 252 pounds for his last fight against Daniel Dubois in Wembley Stadium (114.3kg).

What is Anthony Joshua’s net worth?

According to estimates by Forbes in 2024, Anthony Joshua is estimated to be worth $83 million (£62 million).

The estimates break down that Joshua has earned $75 million from boxing matches and $8 million (£6 million) from endorsements.

Who is Anthony Joshua’s promoter?

Anthony Joshua is promoted by Eddie Hearn of Matchroom Boxing, and they have been together since 2013.

What is 258 Management?

258 Management is the management company that manages Anthony Joshua, for whom he is also an Athlete Advisor.

They have signed talents such as Viddal Riley and many more fighters.

What titles has Anthony Joshua won?

The list of titles won by Anthony Joshua is as follows:

WBA (Super) heavyweight championship
WBO heavyweight championship
IBF heavyweight championship

Anthony Joshua’s DAZN contract

Anthony Joshua signed an exclusivity deal with DAZN in 2022 following the conclusion of his contract with Sky Sports.

The deal was estimated to be worth around £100 million ($134 million) and will likely last until the end of his boxing career.

Anthony Joshua’s Olympic gold medal

Anthony Joshua won his Olympic gold medal at the 2012 London Games, which made him a massive superstar in the UK.

The British fighter beat Zhilei Zhang before dispatching Ivan Dychko in the semi-final to obtain his place in the Olympic final.

He faced and beat former champion Roberto Cammarelle on points to become an Olympic gold medallist.

Anthony Joshua’s X and Instagram accounts

Anthony Joshua’s Instagram page, @anthonyjoshua, features a mix of promotional advertisements with brands he endorses, training footage/photos, and general life updates.

His X account, @anthonyjoshua, posts very similar content but is usually just photos from training or attending events.

Who is Anthony Joshua’s coach?

Anthony Joshua’s current coach is Ben Davison, who trains him and future heavyweight star, Moses Itauma, in the Ben Davison Performance Centre in Essex.

Anthony Joshua has also worked with many coaches across his career, including Rob McCracken, Derrick James, Angel Fernandez, and Robert Garcia.

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Floyd Mayweather’s forgotten advice to Gervonta Davis comes to

By Al Faqiih August 25, 2025

Floyd Mayweather’s forgotten advice to Gervonta Davis comes to the fore ahead of Jake Paul fight

The ground between Gervonta Davis and Jake Paul is generating a lot of expectation, now, a new protagonist enters this story, Davis’ former champion and mentor, Floyd Mayweather

Who could have predicted that the decision Floyd Mayweather made one day in 2015 would change the boxing world forever? Signing a young, promising boxer like Gervonta Davis, who had less than 10 fights at the time, was certainly a risky gamble. But it turned out to be one of Mayweather’s best investments.

The meteoric rise of the Baltimore southpaw to stardom is undeniable, and Mayweather played a key role in that journey. However, in recent years, their relationship has deteriorated. Since their split, the two have traded subtle online jabs at each other, hinting at a rift that goes beyond business.

Boxing Pro shared a TikTok video on X with the caption: “Gervonta Tank Davis simply followed Floyd Mayweather’s lead #TBE #TankPaul”. The video showed a young Davis on Mayweather’s private jet, sitting next to his mentor, listening intently. In the video, Mayweather gave him some advice: “If you do well, they have something to say. If you do badly, they have something to say. So do what makes you happy. Because you see this jet? You see this private jet we’re flying in? I got it because I did what I wanted.”

For Money Mayweather, the key to all his success was living life and running his career his way. As he told the young Davis: “I made over a billion dollars, you know why? Because I did what I wanted to do. I will always tell Tank: ‘Do what you want to do’.”

Tank Davis faces a wave of heavy criticism

Now, Gervonta Davis is under the microscope from boxing purists for accepting a bizarre matchup against Jake Paul, with a staggering 30kg weight difference. If the 30-0 boxer really follows Mayweather’s advice, this suggests that he wants to retire undefeated, move on to exhibitions and maximize his earnings. However, the danger is that, unlike Mayweather, who left an untouchable legacy, Gervonta Davis risks leaving with unfinished business. By choosing this path, he could avoid high-risk matchups with Shakur Stevenson or even a rematch with Lamont Roach. The decision has drawn heavy criticism. And now, a veteran journalist has gone so far as to condemn the spectacle, calling it a heartbreaking symbol of the collapse of American boxing.

“In general, Jake Paul’s fights are s***. Everyone knows the truth. If they were the same size, Gervonta would knock him out quite easily. But they are not. There is a huge difference. […] Again, who has more boxing skill? Gervonta by a long shot,” said veteran journalist Luke Thomas.

To put it in context, Gervonta Davis was already a rising star at the age of 18, after winning the National Golden Gloves Championship in 2012, while “The Problem Child” was at that time gaining followers on Vine, accumulating 5.3 million followers and more than 2 billion views by 2015, with no connection to boxing. Although Paul has improved in recent years, a fight with Gervonta Davis does not help him in any way to advance in his quest for a world title. On the contrary, it seems more like an attempt to make money than a quest for greatness. For Thomas, that is why it represents the collapse of American boxing.

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Anthony Joshua’s dream to fight in Africa may materialise sooner-rather-than

By Al Faqiih August 19, 2025

Anthony Joshua’s dream to fight in Africa may materialise sooner-rather-than-later as Matchroom maps multi-fight footprint across the continent

Anthony Joshua could finally realise his long-stated ambition to fight in Africa after Matchroom CEO Frank Smith flew to Ghana to hold exploratory meetings in Accra and open discussions over a broader, multi-event partnership designed to develop elite boxing across the region.

Smith travelled to Accra earlier this month to scope out potential venues and met with local promoters, including Legacy Sports, who staged Amir Khan‘s event in the country earlier this year.

Smith told Daily Mail Sport that the Accra Sports Stadium is currently being evaluated as a potential venue for AJ and other Matchroom fighters – claiming the infrastructure is already in place to deliver a major event.

Smith also explained how discussions have also extended beyond boxing, with Matchroom exploring concerts and cross-entertainment ventures to maximise the long-term impact of a partnership.

‘Hosting an AJ fight in Ghana is a very realistic opportunity if the Jake Paul fight doesn’t happen next,’ Smith told Daily Mail Sport. ‘We looked at stadium options and logistics. From what we’ve seen, we could pack out 50–60,000 including the pitch at Accra Sports Stadium.’

The Matchroom CEO went on to add: ‘This isn’t only about AJ. It’s about a long-term partnership to grow boxing in Ghana, Nigeria and across Africa – something that outlives his career.’

Ghana’s boxing scene has roared back into global view this summer. On June 13, 2025, Amir Khan co-promoted the ‘Battle of the Beasts’ card at Bukom Boxing Arena in Accra alongside Legacy Rise Sports, drawing a high-energy crowd and widespread local coverage.

Though the venue was smaller than what Matchroom will be pushing for, the night drew an electric atmosphere, sparking renewed belief that Ghana could handle boxing at the highest level.

Khan has since doubled down on his African push. On October 1 he will take boxing to Nigeria’s Independence Day celebrations in Lagos, co-promoting the DAZN-broadcast ‘Chaos in the Ring’ card with Balmoral Group Promotions.

While Smith insists no opponent has been identified for a AJ’s potential fight in Ghana, French heavyweight Tony Yoka has sought to insert himself into the frame.

In an interview with L’Equipe earlier this month, Yoka said a fight with Joshua on African soil was ’90 per cent done’ and that Matchroom were flying to Ghana to inspect facilities and secure a venue.

However, Smith dismissed those claims, stressing that Matchroom has not begun opponent discussions and insisted they are prioritising the logistics of an African fight night first.

‘We haven’t really even looked at opponents,’ he said. ‘Taking AJ to Ghana is about putting on a huge event and a moment that lives on. He could fight anyone there and it’d be massive.’

For now, Joshua’s immediate focus appears to be elsewhere. Matchroom promoter Eddie Hearn has spoken openly about negotiations with YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul, and admitted there is a ‘very good chance’ the fight happens next.

Hearn has argued, controversially, that Joshua vs Paul could eclipse even a Tyson Fury fight in terms of global commercial appeal.

Smith echoed that sentiment, saying the Paul talks are currently ‘the focus’ for Joshua’s next bout. But with no venue holds, sanctioning body approvals or official broadcast announcements yet in place, the Ghana plan has emerged as a compelling alternative.

The timetable also points towards early 2026. Joshua underwent surgery earlier this year and, according to Smith, is unlikely to fight again before December. ‘Honestly, it would be a struggle this side of the year,’ he said. ‘Early part of next year is more realistic.’

Whether the Ghana moment comes next or after a detour against Jake Paul remains uncertain. What is clear, however, is that the wheels are now turning. With Ghana building momentum as a genuine fight hub and Nigeria entering the fray, Africa may deliver a spectacle worthy of the sport’s greatest nights.

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As Claressa Shields Explores Free Agency, Salita Wants Crews-Dezurn Rematch

By Al Faqiih August 19, 2025

Claressa Shields has entered the free agency phase of her career.

Shields and promoter Dmitry Salita have been a tandem since her second professional fight in 2017. But now, Shields (17-0, 3 KOs) is testing the market after cruising to a unanimous decision win against Lani Daniels, defending her heavyweight titles last month in Detroit to the tune of a near $1.5 million gate.

“Claressa is a free agent and she’ll explore the market to do what she has to do. I am completely OK with it,” Salita told The Ring.

“We have a great friendship and working relationship. I am grateful that she trusted me with her career. What we’ve accomplished is absolutely historic and incredible. We broke a lot of glass ceilings together for women’s boxing with a lot of records along the way.”

Shields, 30, a two-time U.S. Olympic gold medalist, ensured her amateur success translated to the pro ranks by becoming a four-division champion.

But she’s running out of viable dance partners. Shields has been trying to convince Laila Ali, 47, to come out of retirement in recent weeks by offering a $15 million purse.

Shields also has disdain toward Alycia Baumgardner but called the undisputed 130-pound champion a “non-factor” despite her being open to a reasonable catchweight clash.

Elsewhere, there are options such as WBA and WBC super middleweight champion Franchon Crews Dezurn and the newly crowned WBO and IBF 168-pound champion Shadasia Green.

Salita prefers Shields to slug it out in a Crews Dezurn rematch, having fought during their pro debuts in November 2016. Shields won their four-rounder by unanimous decision.

“Franchon is an elite fighter and one of the most accomplished champions in the sport,” said Salita. “When she and Claressa faced off in their pro debuts, a rare and risky move, they laid the foundation for two historic careers.

“That fight showed who they are – fearless competitors. Now, years later, a rematch between two world champions is more than just a big fight, it’s the toughest, most meaningful challenge out there for Claressa, and a major moment for women’s boxing.

“Claressa is a smart businesswoman and has her own brand at this stage of the game, and she’ll make whatever the right decision is for herself. She’s in a leadership position where the promoter doesn’t need to pay her, she pays the promoter. She’s the boss, the one who generates ticket sales and revenue. She’s Mayweather, Canelo for women’s boxing. She’s the straw that stirs the drink.”

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