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Laila Ali Says She Would ‘Think About’ Fighting Claressa Shields for 8-Figure Payday

Ali says she’d come out of retirement to fight Shields if she was offered around $15 million.

Laila Ali might be interested in putting on her boxing gloves once again to fight Claressa Shields — provided her price is met.

Over the weekend, Ali responded to rumors that she’s preparing to fight Shields. Ali, a former world champion, retired in 2007, but she made it clear she would consider coming out of retirement to fight Shields if the money was right.

“[U]nless somebody has $15-$20 million, don’t even call me about this,” Ali said in response to an interviewer’s question about the rumors. “Unless somebody calls me and says they have it, we’re not going to have a conversation. I’m not trying to come back and fight, but if someone offered that kind of money, I would actually have to think about it.”

She added before walking away, “Do I look like I could fight again? I think so too.”

A fight between the two would likely draw a ton of interest. Shields is a multi-world champion and has been ranked as the pound-for-pound best active female boxer, while Ali is a legend who was also a multi-champion and considered one of the greatest female professional boxers of all time.

The reporter who asked Ali about the rumors suggested that Saudi Arabian sports promoter Turki Al-Sheikh would put up the prize money for the fight. Al-Sheikh, who also serves as the chairman of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s General Entertainment Authority, is responsible for making Saudi Arabia the go-to place for some of the world’s biggest boxing matches.

Gervonta Davis has been released on bail.

Gervonta Davis found himself in hot water again after he was arrested on July 11 in Miami Beach on charges of assaulting his ex-girlfriend.

Reports emerged that Davis slapped his former girlfriend in the face and hit her on the back of the head which left her with a cut inside her lip. Her mother also recorded a video where the WBA lightweight champion was seen throwing objects at the victim.

The incident occurred on Father’s Day, June 15, when Davis went to pickup his children from his exes home in Coral Gables. The former couple shares two children together.

Davis was released on bail Saturday morning and cameras were there to capture the first images of him since his arrest. He was seen walking out covering his face with a t-shirt, while multiple police officers escorted him to a vehicle, which can be viewed below.

Fans have reacted on social media to his arrest and release, with many taking a firm stance against it.

“face of boxing don’t wanna show his face “

– @NewSalvage:

“He’s a disgrace to the sport of boxing.”

– @dribblingheads

However, Davis still had some supporters in his corner.

Davis needs to stay away from that women she wants to destroy him and the worst part nobody is on his side because his a violent boxer.

Although Gervonta Davis is one of the biggest superstars in boxing, he’s certainly no role model outside the ring, often finding himself in trouble with the law. And this most recent incident put his rematch against Lamont Roach in jeopardy.

Their first encounter ended in a majority draw as ‘Tank’ took a deliberate knee but didn’t have a knockdown scored against him. Considering the controversy surrounding the fight, the rematch is massive for both fighters. Roach has claimed that the fight is still on course despite the recent turn of events.

American boxer Gervonta Davis (30-0-1, 28 KOs), a world champion in the lightweight division, has been arrested in Florida.

He is facing criminal charges for committing domestic violence. The amount of bail will be determined later.

For reference, Gervonta was scheduled to hold a rematch fight against Lamont Roach on August 16 this year in Las Vegas.

As a reminder, in May 2023, a Baltimore court sentenced Davis to three years of probation, 90 days of house arrest, and 200 hours of community service for a traffic incident that occurred in November 2020.

Gervonta Davis allegedly punched ex after expressing ‘insecurities about the sexuality of their son’

Victim reported “approximately 10” prior undocumented incidents

MIAMI — More legal trouble Baltimore native and world boxing champion Gervonta Davis.

Davis was arrested Friday morning in Miami Beach, Florida, on a domestic violence warrant.

ESPN reports Davis allegedly slapped and punched the mother of his children in the head while exchanging custody last month.

According to a police report obtained by ESPN, the Father’s Day assault occurred after Davis expressed “insecurities about the sexuality of their son.”

The boxer’s ex-girlfriend told police she sought treatment at the hospital afterwards.

Police reportedly noted “approximately 10” prior physical altercations between the former couple that went undocumented.

Davis does, however, have a documented criminal record.

He was arrested for alleged domestic abuse in December 2022, and again in 2020.

Charges were ultimately dropped in both cases.

Davis also pleaded guilty to a serious hit and run crash that took place in Baltimore.

He was sentenced to 90 days of house arrest followed by three-years of probation for that incident.

Davis is next due in a Florida courtroom on July 29. He’s currently free on $10,000 bond.

From “Kid Dynamite” to a cannabis tycoon, take stock of the tumultuous journey of Mike Tyson, a boxing legend whose life story packs more punches than his knockout record.

Who is Mike Tyson?

Michael Gerard Tyson is an American former professional boxer whose career spanned from 1985 to 2005 and briefly in 2024.

Known by his nicknames “Iron Mike”, “Kid Dynamite” and “The Baddest Man on the Planet”, Tyson is widely regarded as one of the greatest heavyweight boxers in history. He achieved the status of undisputed world heavyweight champion from 1987 to 1990.

Tyson’s early career was marked by a series of devastating knockouts. He won his first 19 professional fights by knockout, with 12 of those victories coming in the first round.

In November 1986, at the age of 20 years, 4 months and 22 days, he became the youngest boxer ever to win a heavyweight title. He was also the first heavyweight boxer to simultaneously hold the WBA, WBC and IBF titles, unifying them in succession.

In June 1988, he became the lineal champion by knocking out Michael Spinks in 91 seconds.

However, Tyson’s career was not without its setbacks. In 1990, he suffered a stunning upset loss to Buster Douglas, losing his undisputed heavyweight championship.

In 1992, he was convicted of rape and served three years in prison. After his release, he made a comeback, regaining the WBA and WBC titles in 1996, making him one of the few boxers to have regained a heavyweight championship after losing it.

His 1997 rematch with Evander Holyfield ended in disqualification after Tyson bit Holyfield’s ears. Later in his career, he lost to Lennox Lewis in a world heavyweight title fight.

In November 2024, his fight against Jake Paul became the biggest boxing gate in US history outside of Las Vegas.

Known for his ferocious boxing style and intimidating presence, Tyson was ranked 16th on The Ring magazine’s list of 100 greatest punchers of all time and first on ESPN’s list of “The Hardest Hitters in Heavyweight History.”

He has been inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame and the World Boxing Hall of Fame.

Outside of boxing, Tyson has appeared in popular media, including the films Rocky Balboa and The Hangover.

Mike Tyson Age

Mike Tyson was born on June 30, 1966. Tyson is 59 years old as of July 2025.

Mike Tyson Height

Mike Tyson is 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m) tall.

Where is Mike Tyson from?

Mike Tyson was born in Brooklyn, New York City.

He grew up in the Brownsville neighbourhood, an area known for its high crime rates. His early life in this environment significantly shaped his character and later boxing career.

Mike Tyson Amateur Career

Mike Tyson’s amateur career was marked by significant success, showcasing his raw talent and power.

He won gold medals at the 1981 and 1982 Junior Olympic Games, defeating Joe Cortez and Kelton Brown, respectively. In the latter bout, Brown’s corner threw in the towel in the first round, highlighting Tyson’s dominant style.

In 1984, Tyson secured another gold medal at the National Golden Gloves held in New York, beating Jonathan Littles.

However, his amateur record was not without its setbacks. He fought Henry Tillman twice, losing both bouts by decision. Tillman later went on to win heavyweight gold at the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles.

Despite these losses, Tyson’s amateur career demonstrated his potential and set the stage for his explosive professional boxing journey.

Mike Tyson Biography

Mike Tyson

Michael Gerard Tyson was born on June 30, 1966, in Fort Greene, Brooklyn, New York City.

He had an older brother Rodney and an older sister Denise, who tragically died of a heart attack in February 1990.

Tyson’s mother, Lorna Mae (Smith) Tyson, born in Charlottesville, Virginia, faced challenging circumstances.

Tyson’s birth certificate listed Purcell Tyson as his biological father, a humble cab driver from Jamaica.

However, the man Tyson knew as his father was Jimmy Kirkpatrick, a pimp from Grier Town, North Carolina. Kirkpatrick abandoned the family around the time Mike was born, leaving Lorna Mae to raise her children alone.

The family initially lived in Bedford-Stuyvesant, but financial difficulties forced them to move to Brownsville when Tyson was 10 years old.

He grew up in neighbourhoods with high crime rates. His first fight, as he recalled, was against a larger youth who had harmed one of his pigeons.

Tyson frequently engaged in petty crimes and fights, leading to 38 arrests by the age of 13.

He was sent to the Tryon School for Boys in Johnstown, New York, where his boxing talent was discovered by Bobby Stewart, a counsellor and former boxer.

Stewart introduced Tyson to Cus D’Amato, a boxing manager and trainer. Tyson dropped out of high school as a junior, but later received an honorary Doctorate in Humane Letters from Central State University in 1989.

Kevin Rooney also trained Tyson, with occasional assistance from Teddy Atlas until D’Amato dismissed Atlas when Tyson was 15. Tyson’s mother died when he was 16, and D’Amato became his legal guardian.

Tyson’s amateur career was notable. He won gold medals at the 1981 and 1982 Junior Olympic Games, defeating Joe Cortez and Kelton Brown respectively.

In 1984, he won the gold medal at the National Golden Gloves in New York, beating Jonathan Littles. However, he lost twice to Henry Tillman.

Tyson made his professional debut on March 6, 1985, at the age of 18, defeating Hector Mercedes by TKO.

He won 26 of his first 28 fights by knockout, 16 of them in the first round. His first nationally televised bout was on February 16, 1986, against Jesse Ferguson, who he defeated by TKO.

In July, he defeated Marvis Frazier by knockout. In 1986, he also defeated Jose Ribalta. Cus D’Amato died in November 1985.

On November 22, 1986, Tyson won his first title fight against Trevor Berbick, becoming the youngest heavyweight champion in history at 20 years and 4 months old.

He added the WBA and IBF titles in 1987, defeating James Smith and Tony Tucker. He defended his titles against Tyrell Biggs, Larry Holmes and Tony Tubbs.

On June 27, 1988, he defeated Michael Spinks in 91 seconds.

However, Tyson’s personal problems began to surface. His marriage to Robin Givens was ending, and he parted ways with manager Bill Cayton and trainer Kevin Rooney.

In 1989, he defeated Frank Bruno and Carl “The Truth” Williams. On February 11, 1990, he lost his undisputed championship to Buster Douglas.

After the loss, Tyson defeated Henry Tillman and Alex Stewart. He then defeated Donovan “Razor” Ruddock twice in 1991. A scheduled fight with Evander Holyfield was postponed due to Tyson’s injury.

Tyson was convicted of rape in 1992 and released in 1995. He won comeback fights against Peter McNeeley and Buster Mathis Jr. In 1996, he regained the WBC title against Frank Bruno and the WBA title against Bruce Seldon.

On November 9, 1996, Tyson faced Evander Holyfield, losing by TKO. In their rematch on June 28, 1997, Tyson was disqualified for biting Holyfield’s ears. His boxing license was rescinded in July 1997 and restored in October 1998.

In January 1999, Tyson defeated Francois Botha, but legal problems arose again. He was imprisoned for assaulting two motorists.

He returned to boxing, defeating Julius Francis, Lou Savarese, and Andrew Golota. His victory over Golota was changed to a no-contest after he tested positive for marijuana.

In 2002, Tyson fought Lennox Lewis for the heavyweight championship, losing by knockout.

He defeated Clifford Etienne in 2003 and later filed for bankruptcy in August 2003.

In 2004, he lost to Danny Williams. On June 11, 2005, he retired after losing to Kevin McBride.

In August 2007, Tyson pleaded guilty to drug possession and driving under the influence.

In his 2013 autobiography, he admitted to using other people’s urine to pass doping tests.

Mike Tyson Bite

Evander Holyfield versus Mike Tyson II, billed as “The Sound and the Fury,” and later infamously known as “The Bite Fight,” took place on June 28, 1997, at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Paradise, Nevada.

This professional boxing match for the WBA World Heavyweight Championship became one of the most notorious in boxing history due to Tyson biting Holyfield’s ears.

The rematch followed their first encounter seven months prior where Holyfield, despite being an underdog, defeated Tyson by TKO.

Initially, Mitch Halpern was assigned as the referee, but Tyson’s camp objected, citing concerns about headbutts in the previous fight. Halpern withdrew, and Mills Lane was brought in as a late replacement.

Holyfield dominated the early rounds. In the first round, Holyfield stunned Tyson with an overhand right. In the second, an accidental headbutt from Holyfield opened a cut over Tyson’s right eye, exacerbating Tyson’s frustration. Tyson had complained about headbutts in their first fight.

The third round descended into chaos. Tyson started without his mouthpiece, returning to his corner to insert it. He then bit Holyfield’s right ear, tearing off a piece of cartilage which he spat out. Mills Lane stopped the fight temporarily.

After consulting with officials and a ringside physician who cleared Holyfield to continue, Lane deducted two points from Tyson.

Lane explained his decision to Tyson, who claimed the injury was from a punch, a claim Lane refuted.

Later in the match, Tyson bit Holyfield’s left ear. Lane did not immediately notice this second bite and the fight continued until the round ended.

Upon discovering the second bite, the match was stopped. Tyson was disqualified and Holyfield retained his title.

The incident led to Tyson losing his boxing license, though it was later reinstated. The fight’s bizarre conclusion cemented its place in boxing infamy.

Mike Tyson vs Jake Paul

Mike Tyson and Jake Paul

The professional boxing match between Jake Paul and Mike Tyson, held on November 15, 2024, at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, garnered significant attention.

Streamed live on Netflix, the event drew an estimated 65 million concurrent viewers. Paul emerged victorious via unanimous decision in the eight-round contest.

Originally scheduled for July 20, the bout was postponed due to a medical issue affecting Tyson.

The fight was initially discussed as an exhibition, but it was later sanctioned as a professional contest by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulations. This decision led to slight modifications in the rules, including eight two-minute rounds, 14-ounce gloves and the absence of headgear.

The pre-fight buildup included three press conferences held in New York City and Irving, Texas. Tensions escalated at the final press conference when Tyson slapped Paul after Paul stepped on his toe.

Netflix also produced a three-part documentary series, “Countdown: Paul vs. Tyson,” which premiered in the weeks leading up to the fight.

On the night of the event, Paul entered the ring first, followed by Tyson. The fight commenced with both boxers adopting orthodox stances.

However, Tyson appeared to tire quickly, a pattern that persisted throughout the match. Paul won the fight by unanimous decision.

After the match, Tyson expressed his intent to continue boxing and called out Logan Paul, Jake’s brother.

Reported purses for the fight were significant, with Paul expected to earn $40 million and Tyson $20 million. The judges scorecards were all in favour of Paul, with scores of 79-73, 80-72 and 79-73. The event became one of the most talked about boxing matches of the year.

Criticisms

The event was not without its controversies. Netflix faced widespread criticism for technical difficulties that disrupted the livestream, with numerous viewers reporting buffering and outages.

Additionally, allegations of the fight being staged surfaced online, fuelled by a purported fight script and Paul’s post-fight comments about “pulling his punches”.

Most Valuable Promotions refuted these claims, citing the illegality of fixing a professional boxing match.

Mike Tyson Boxing Record

Professional Record: 50 wins, 7 losses, 2 no contests, with 44 wins by knockout.

Amateur Record: Although it is more difficult to give a precise number, Tyson had a successful amateur career, winning multiple Golden Gloves titles and Junior Olympic gold medals.

Mike Tyson Titles

Major world titles

WBA heavyweight champion (200+ lbs) (2×)

WBC heavyweight champion (200+ lbs) (2×)

IBF heavyweight champion (200+ lbs)

The Ring magazine titles

The Ring heavyweight champion (200+ lbs)

Undisputed titles

Undisputed heavyweight champion (200+ lbs)

Honorary titles

WBC Frontline Battle champion

Mike Tyson Fights

  1. Hector Mercedes – March 6, 1985 – Win
  2. Trent Singleton – April 10, 1985 – Win
  3. Don Halpin – May 23, 1985 – Win
  4. Ricardo Spain – June 20, 1985 – Win
  5. John Alderson – July 11, 1985 – Win
  6. Larry Sims – July 19, 1985 – Win
  7. Lorenzo Canady – August 15, 1985 – Win
  8. Michael Johnson – September 5, 1985 – Win
  9. Donnie Long – October 9, 1985 – Win
  10. Robert Colay – October 25, 1985 – Win
  11. Sterling Benjamin – November 1, 1985 – Win
  12. Eddie Richardson – November 13, 1985 – Win
  13. Conroy Nelson – November 22, 1985 – Win
  14. Sammy Scaff – December 6, 1985 – Win
  15. Mark Young – December 27, 1985 – Win
  16. David Jaco – January 11, 1986 – Win
  17. Mike Jameson – January 24, 1986 – Win
  18. Jesse Ferguson – February 16, 1986 – Win
  19. Steve Zouski – March 10, 1986 – Win
  20. James Tillis – May 3, 1986 – Win
  21. Mitch Green – May 20, 1986 – Win
  22. Reggie Gross – June 13, 1986 – Win
  23. William Hosea – June 28, 1986 – Win
  24. Lorenzo Boyd – July 11, 1986 – Win
  25. Marvis Frazier – July 26, 1986 – Win
  26. Jose Ribalta – August 17, 1986 – Win
  27. Alfonso Ratliff – September 6, 1986 – Win
  28. Trevor Berbick – November 22, 1986 – Win
  29. James Smith – March 7, 1987 – Win
  30. Pinklon Thomas – May 30, 1987 – Win
  31. Tony Tucker – August 1, 1987 – Win
  32. Tyrell Biggs – October 16, 1987 – Win
  33. Larry Holmes – January 22, 1988 – Win
  34. Tony Tubbs – March 21, 1988 – Win
  35. Michael Spinks – June 27, 1988 – Win
  36. Frank Bruno – February 25, 1989 – Win
  37. Carl Williams – July 21, 1989 – Win
  38. Buster Douglas – February 11, 1990 – Loss
  39. Henry Tillman – June 16, 1990 – Win
  40. Alex Stewart – December 8, 1990 – Win
  41. Donovan Ruddock – March 18, 1991 – Win
  42. Donovan Ruddock – June 28, 1991 – Win
  43. Peter McNeeley – August 19, 1995 – Win
  44. Buster Mathis Jr. – December 16, 1995 – Win
  45. Frank Bruno – March 16, 1996 – Win
  46. Bruce Seldon – September 7, 1996 – Win
  47. Evander Holyfield – November 9, 1996 – Loss
  48. Evander Holyfield – June 28, 1997 – Loss
  49. Francois Botha – January 16, 1999 – Win
  50. Orlin Norris – October 23, 1999 – No Contest
  51. Julius Francis – January 29, 2000 – Win
  52. Lou Savarese – June 24, 2000 – Win
  53. Andrew Golota – October 20, 2000 – No Contest
  54. Brian Nielsen – October 13, 2001 – Win
  55. Lennox Lewis – June 8, 2002 – Loss
  56. Clifford Etienne – February 22, 2003 – Win
  57. Danny Williams – July 30, 2004 – Loss
  58. Kevin McBride – June 11, 2005 – Loss
  59. Jake Paul – November 15, 2024 – Loss

Mike Tyson Wife

Mike Tyson has been married three times. His current wife is Lakiha “Kiki” Spicer, whom he married on June 6, 2009, in a private ceremony in Las Vegas.

His first marriage was to actress Robin Givens. They wed on February 7, 1988, in Chicago. Their marriage was tumultuous, marked by allegations of violence and spousal abuse.

In a notable television interview with Barbara Walters, Givens described her life with Tyson as “torture”. They officially separated on February 14, 1989. Tyson admitted to punching Givens during their marriage. They had no children.

Tyson’s second marriage was to Monica Turner, from April 19, 1997, to January 14, 2003. Turner, who worked as a paediatric resident at Georgetown University Medical Center, filed for divorce, citing Tyson’s adultery. The couple had two children.

Tragically, Tyson and Spicer lost their four-year-old daughter, Exodus, in May 2009, following an accident involving a treadmill cord.

Eleven days later, Tyson and Spicer married. They have two children together.

Tyson also considers his second wife’s oldest daughter to be one of his own. In addition to his biological children, Tyson regards her as a daughter.

Tyson currently resides in Seven Hills, Nevada.

Mike Tyson Children

Mike Tyson has seven children, as reported by People.

Mikey Lorna Tyson:

  • Mother: Kimberly Scarborough

Ramsey Tyson:

  • Mother: Monica Turner

Amir Tyson:

  • Mother: Monica Turner

Miguel Leon Tyson:

  • Mother: Sol Xochitl

Exodus Tyson (deceased):

  • Mother: Sol Xochitl

Milan Tyson:

  • Mother: Lakiha “Kiki” Spicer

Morocco Tyson:

  • Mother: Lakiha “Kiki” Spicer

Mike Tyson Net Worth

Mike Tyson’s net worth is $30 million, as reported by multiple sources. Tyson’s net worth has fluctuated significantly throughout his career, reflecting both his immense earnings and substantial financial challenges.

At the peak of his boxing career in the late 1980s and 1990s, Tyson was one of the highest-paid athletes in the world, earning over $300 million.

He commanded substantial purses for his fights, including multi-million dollar paydays for high-profile bouts against opponents like Michael Spinks and Lennox Lewis.

However, Tyson’s extravagant lifestyle, legal troubles and financial mismanagement led to significant losses. He faced numerous lawsuits, including a high-profile divorce and a rape conviction, which resulted in substantial legal fees and settlements.

In 2003, despite his massive career earnings, Tyson filed for bankruptcy, reporting debts of approximately $23 million.

Following his retirement from boxing, Tyson has diversified his income streams. He has appeared in films and television shows, including notable roles in “The Hangover” franchise, and has engaged in various business ventures.

He launched a cannabis business, Tyson 2.0, which has contributed to his financial recovery. He has also participated in exhibition boxing matches, further adding to his earnings.

Mike Tyson Instagram

Mike Tyson’s Instagram account (@miketyson) showcases his multifaceted life.

He frequently posts training videos, showcasing his enduring passion for boxing and fitness, often displaying impressive power and speed despite his age.

Furthermore, the boxing legend’s feed highlights his various business ventures, particularly his cannabis company, Tyson 2.0.

He shares glimpses of his personal life, including moments with his family and appearances at various events.

Tyson also uses the platform to promote his podcast, “Hotboxin’ with Mike Tyson,” featuring clips and guest announcements.

His posts often blend nostalgia for his boxing prime with his current entrepreneurial and personal pursuits, offering followers a mix of inspiration, entertainment and insight into his evolving persona.

According to Jake Paul, a fight with Anthony Joshua will happen in 2026, with the Nigerian-born boxer threatening to kill him.

Jake Paul believes that a possible bout with Anthony Joshua will occur in the near future.

Paul, who transitioned from being an influencer to a professional boxer, has voiced his goal of becoming a world champion.

In order to accomplish this, he has issued challenges to a number of well-known boxers, such as Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez, Gervonta Davis, and Anthony Joshua, among others.

During a recent interview with IFN Boxing, Paul was questioned about whether there was a fighter from the UK he had a particular interest in facing. Paul answered:

Jake Paul on Anthony Joshua

He said, “Anthony Joshua, baby! It can happen.”

“He said he’s going to do two more fights, I’ll do two more fights and then we’ll [fight] in 2026.

“But he’s down. He said he’s going to k*ll me, and that I’m going to have to fight for my life.

“And I was like, ‘Alright. Let’s get it, big boy!

Eddie Hearn, Joshua’s promoter, has seen his views on crossover fights and influencer boxing change over time.

Hearn, who was a vocal critic of celebrity or influencer boxing at first, has recognized its commercial success and broad appeal in recent years.

YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul claims that a fight with former heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua is being planned for 2026 — and says Joshua told him he wants to kill him in the ring.

Fight Could Happen in 2026

Speaking in an interview with IFN Boxing, Jake Paul said he’s confident the fight will happen after both fighters complete two more bouts.

“Anthony Joshua, baby! It can happen,” Paul said.
“He said he’ll do two more fights, I’ll do two more fights, and then we’ll fight in 2026.”

Paul added that Joshua, who was born in Nigeria, made a chilling statement about their potential match-up:

“He said he’s going to kill me and that I’ll have to fight for my life,” Paul claimed.
“And I was like, ‘Alright. Let’s get it, big boy!’”

Paul’s Goal: Become a World Champion

Jake Paul has made it clear he wants to become a boxing world champion, and has challenged big names like Canelo Alvarez, Gervonta Davis, and now Anthony Joshua.

Changing Opinions on Influencer Boxing

At first, Joshua’s promoter Eddie Hearn was a strong critic of influencer and celebrity boxing. But over time, Hearn has changed his opinion, admitting the fights bring in big money and attract huge audiences.

If the fight happens, it would be one of the biggest crossover boxing events yet, pitting a former world heavyweight champ against a viral internet personality-turned-professional fighter.

DORAL, Fla. – American boxer Gervonta Davis was arrested Friday morning, nearly a month after he allegedly assaulted his ex-girlfriend on Father’s Day outside her home in Doral, police said.

According to an arrest report, Davis, 30, who currently lives in Coral Springs, was taken into custody in Miami Beach before being transported to the Doral Police Department.

The report states that the incident in question occurred on the night of June 15.

According to police, Davis and the victim were in a romantic relationship for about four years and share two children.

Police said Davis went to the victim’s home to pick up their children for Father’s Day, but a verbal altercation between him and the victim ensued, which escalated to a physical altercation.

According to the report, Davis told his ex-girlfriend to remove their children from his car as he no longer intended to take them, but when she leaned forward to retrieve their daughter from the backseat, Davis struck her in the back of the head and then slapped her in the face, causing a minor cut to the inner area of her lip.

Police said the victim then sent a text message to her mother, informing her that Davis was assaulting her and asking her to come outside.

The victim’s mother then exited the residence and saw her daughter visibly distressed and crying while arguing with Davis, the report stated.

According to the report, the victim’s mother filmed part of the altercation on her cellphone, which showed Davis throwing a small box at the victim.

Police said Davis refused to fill out a Miranda warning form and sign it at the police department Friday.

He was arrested on a battery charge.

Davis had nothing to say as bonded out of the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center just before 6 p.m. Friday under highly unusual circumstances: Three Miami-Dade Corrections and Rehabilitation Department officers escorted him out, keeping reporters at a distance.

Local 10 News is asking the agency whether this is a new MDCR protocol or just preferential treatment.

WBA lightweight champion Gervonta “Tank” Davis, 30, was arrested on Friday morning in Miami Beach, Florida, on a misdemeanor battery charge stemming from an alleged domestic dispute with his ex-girlfriend of four years.

The arrest comes nearly a month after he allegedly assaulted the mother of two of his three children on Father’s Day outside of her home in Doral, according to an incident report by the Doral Police Department.

According to the report, Davis’ ex-girlfriend told police she was involved in a verbal dispute with the boxer over “personal matters and Gervonta having insecurities about the sexuality of their son.” Davis had arrived at her residence at 5:04 p.m. ET on June 15 to pick up his children when the situation escalated. After putting both children in Davis’ car, she alleged Davis punched her “on the rear of her head with a closed fist” and slapped her in the face.

She was able to regain custody of her children, which upset Davis further, according to the report. She said Davis revved the engine of his vehicle in a threatening manner, but she was able to remove herself from the situation without further incident. Afterward, she went to a local hospital for medical treatment.

A note on the report suggested that there had been “approximately 10” undocumented physical altercations between Davis and his ex-girlfriend.

Davis was taken into custody in Miami Beach before being transported by the Doral Police Department. According to Miami-Dade County’s inmate report, Davis was being held at Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center with a $10,000 bond but has since been released. He has a court hearing slated for July 29.

The star boxer has had numerous run-ins with the law over the years that included domestic violence and multiple traffic offenses. His last run-in came in December 2022 when he was arrested for allegedly striking a woman with a “closed hand type slap.” The charges were later dropped.

Davis reportedly had been linked to a rematch with Lamont Roach Jr. in August after the two battled to a controversial majority draw in March. However, Premier Boxing Champions has yet to formally announce the fight.

Deontay Wilder’s fiancée receives temporary restraining order over domestic violence allegations, per reports

Telli Swift, the fiancée of Deontay Wilder, was granted a temporary restraining order against the former heavyweight champion boxer due to a litany of domestic violence allegations, according to TMZ and USA Today.

Swift reportedly applied for the TRO in Los Angeles last week and was granted it by a judge on Monday. The order requires Wilder to stay at least 100 yards away from Swift and their daughter and will remain in effect until June 25, when the two parties are scheduled to appear before a judge.

In the application, Swift — who has been in a relationship with Wilder since 2015 and got engaged to him in 2018 — reportedly accuses Wilder of choking her at least five times since 2018, once in front of their daughter and her son, and slamming her son’s head against a car.

She also reportedly claims Wilder took her laptop without her consent and sent disturbing messages to her contacts, used their home surveillance system to spy on her and threw her out of their Atlanta residence in April despite her having recently undergone invasive surgery. That’s in addition to allegedly ridiculing her constantly, threatening to destroy her belongings and expecting intercourse “three times a day.”

Swift was apparently frightened that Wilder could become violent when he returned home after his fight in Saudi Arabia last Saturday. Via TMZ:

“I believe Deontay is capable of being physically violent towards me upon his return in June because he has expressed that he is furious with me since April and has been physically abusive with me in the past,” she said.

She also believes his mental health has deteriorated alongside his career since his losses to Tyson Fury, via USA Today:

“At that point, he struggled to get fights that could advance his career and he was emotionally unstable,’’ Swift said in the request for a restraining order. “He would cry and yell often in our home.’’

Since losing to Joseph Parker in December, Swift said, “Deontay has been more emotionally abusive to me than anytime in the past. I have been suffering in silence despite Deontay becoming increasingly aggressive and controlling, because I did not want him to experience any further mental health struggles.’’

It’s worth noting that the process to obtain a temporary restraining order in California essentially consists of one party filing a statement about why they think the other is a threat and a judge granting it based on what the filer claims. The subject of the temporary restraining order, in this case Wilder, does not need to be present for the initial filing, only for the subsequent court date in which he may argue his case.

This isn’t the first time Wilder has been accused of domestic violence, as he was also arrested on strangulation charges in Las Vegas in 2013.

Deontay Wilder
Deontay Wilder and Tyson Fury during the WBC Heavyweight Championship bout at the Staples Center in Los Angeles. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Saturday December 1, 2018. See PA story BOXING Los Angeles. Photo credit should read: Lionel Hahn/PA Wire

 

Deontay Wilder’s career hit rock bottom last weekend

The restraining order was granted two days after Wilder’s loss to Zhilei Zhang in the Queensberry vs Matchroom 5v5, which left the heavyweight at a dire point in his career.

Once an undefeated WBC heavyweight champion and one of the sport’s most popular boxers thanks to his elite punching power, Wilder lost his belt to Fury in 2020 and has now lost four of his last five bouts. The Zhang fight represented a chance for Wilder to remain in the elite ranks of the heavyweight divisions.

Instead, Wilder looked slow and tentative all the way up to the fifth round, when Zhang caught him after an awkward spin and left him flat on the ground. Many watching, including Wilder’s mother, believed it could be the final fight of Wilder’s career.