Tag

Boxing

Browsing

A rival of ‘Canelo’ Alvarez regrets facing him and Terence Crawford must be trembling

The Mexican fighter is preparing to defend his undisputed super middleweight championship against Terence Crawford

Undisputed super middleweight champion Saul “Canelo” Alvarez is one of the most successful athletes worldwide, where any opponent looking for a fight against the Mexican will know that it will be a good business in exchange for some blows for an hour of fighting. Originally from Guadalajara, he has faced great rivals and has dominated the 168-pound category since 2021.

It should be remembered that on May 3, the Mexican had his last fight, which took place in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, where he faced William Scull for the unification of the four super middleweight titles. Alvarez put his three championships (WBC, WBA, WBO) on the line, while the Cuban put his International Boxing Federation (IBF) title on the line. With his unanimous decision victory, Canelo is the monarch of the four major organizations worldwide.

Who is the fighter who regretted taking a beating from Canelo?

In statements collected by The Ring, Jermall Charlo said that his brother, Jermell, told him that it was a mistake to move up in weight to fight Canelo. He also added that he did not understand why he did it and that it was very hard to watch that fight.

My brother was the one who fought Canelo, not me. He told me that his mistake was to think that moving up in weight meant getting bigger to beat Canelo. I didn’t understand why he did it. I wasn’t a fan of that decision. I didn’t like it. It was very hard to watch that fight. One of the hardest things I’ve ever been through, honestly

Canelo Alvarez and Terence Crawford 

The Mexican and Jermell fought on September 30, 2023 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada, where the Jalisco native won convincingly after defeating the American by unanimous decision. It was the moment when Canelo was the master of the category. However, there are those who claim that the Mexican puts his rivals in their place and convinces them with the large sum of money he has generated around him.

Canelo focused on his fight against Crawford

For now, Canelo is focused on his fight against Terence Crawford, which will take place on September 13 at the Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nevada, where he will put his four super middleweight world titles on the line. This fight is one of the most anticipated in 2025, and has been dubbed “the fight of the century” because expectations are high, as both Saul and Bud Crawford have remained in the top 10 best fighters of the last decade.

However, the fight has also been criticized because of the weight difference between the two, as the undefeated boxer, Terence Crawford, will have to move up two divisions as Jermell Charlo did in 2023, from super welterweight to super middleweight.

Anthony Joshua in race against time for final legacy fights – Deontay Wilder next before Tyson Fury showdown?

Promoter Eddie Hearn revealed Anthony Joshua is expected to retire in 2026; that leaves the former world heavyweight champion with only three or four fights left in his career; but Hearn hopes they could finally be against long-time rivals Deontay Wilder and Tyson Fury

Anthony Joshua will retire next year, says promoter Eddie Hearn. It leaves AJ in a race against time to secure the final fights he needs for his legacy.

Joshua has been a major star in British boxing but so far has not managed to secure fights with his key rivals, Deontay Wilder and Tyson Fury.

Over the years, the heavyweight trio had opportunities to fight each other, potentially with the undisputed world championship on the line. That would no longer be on offer and Joshua, Wilder and Fury have now all lost their most recent fights.

Fury retired after losing for a second time to unified champion Oleksandr Usyk, while Joshua needs to rebuild after a crushing knockout defeat to Daniel Dubois last year.

Joshua has had a successful operation on his elbow and is looking for a comeback fight before the end of 2025.

“Deontay Wilder fights next week. I know he’s a name that’s been mentioned,” Joshua’s promoter Eddie Hearn told Sky Sports.

“There is a potential that AJ could fight Deontay Wilder in October, November, December, and then fight Tyson Fury, and then he’s kind of got the full set in terms of every elite heavyweight of this generation, he’s faced in the ring.

“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.”

He believes Fury could still come out of retirement to box Joshua. “If we don’t make the Tyson Fury fight, it would be a big shame,” Hearn said.

“So, for me, the Tyson Fury fight has to happen. I think there’s no excuse now why that shouldn’t happen.

“I think people are tired of hearing about it. Let’s just get them in the ring. To see those two in the opposite corner would be an iconic moment for not just British boxing, but British sport.

“First things first. Our comeback begins October, November, December, and then hopefully Mr Fury is ready to rumble in 2026.”

However, Hearn does not expect Joshua to box beyond next year.

“2026 could be his last year in the sport,” the promoter said. “What else do you expect? I mean, that’s three or four fights away. He can’t go on forever but he’s motivated, physically feeling good now to return to camp and ready for one little last roll to this incredible career. Hopefully that involves a fight with Mr Fury.”

Is world title dream over?

Deontay Wilder and Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury

Dubois brutally ended Joshua’s bid to become a three-time world heavyweight champion last September.

He fights Usyk in an undisputed heavyweight title fight in July. As Joshua has lost to both men previously he would not be favoured to beat either Usyk or Dubois in a potential 2026 bout.

But once an undisputed champion is crowned next month, heavyweight world titles could become vacant – it is always hard for one man to meet the mandatory commitments of all four sanctioning bodies.

“Anything’s possible in the division,” Hearn said. “There’s a great crop of young heavyweights coming through.

“With AJ’s profile, he can land whatever fight he wants.”

But he added: “The fight that he wants is Tyson Fury. We know right now that’s not available so we’ll do our thing.

“We know that older generation of heavyweights, which is Usyk and Fury and AJ, are in their final run. But don’t rule them out just yet.”

Claressa Shields, the heavyweight championship boxer, will defend her title July 26 in her hometown of Detroit.

According to BoxingScene, the undefeated boxer who deems herself “the G.W.O.A.T. (Greatest Woman Boxer of All Time)” will battle IBF light heavyweight titleholder Lani Daniels at Little Caesars Arena.

“The girls at the higher weight classes are fighting each other,” Shields told BoxingScene. “It was so hard for me to get fights at 154 pounds, 160 pounds, and 168 pounds.

“I don’t think any of my fights at heavyweight have been hard to make, to be honest with you,” she added. “I am just fighting who will fight me. It just has to have some history on the line. I want to fight for some belts.”

With an undefeated record (16-0, 3 knockouts) and the mouth to match, Shields has already accomplished a lot but wants more. She is the undisputed heavyweight champion and is considered the best pound-for-pound female boxer. And let’s not forget that she is a two-time Olympic gold medalist and a three-division champion.

“I think a lot of these girl fighters are good, but I think I will be the one in the history books because of my longevity, the Olympic gold medals, and how I continue to fight the best,” Shields said. “I think I have one of the biggest spots in women’s sports ever.”

Daniels sports an 11-2-2 (1 KO) record. She is coming in with a seven-fight winning streak and hasn’t lost a fight since 2022.

“She is a two-time world champion, and she is coming to fight,” Shields said. “I am looking forward to being inside the ring with her and being challenged and seeing if someone could take me off my GWOAT status.”

Mike Tyson Names The Welterweight Champion Better Than Floyd Mayweather: “He’s The Best”

At the height of his career, Mike Tyson was the most formidable heavyweight on the planet.

Tyson exploded onto the scene when he was just 18-years-old back in 1985, winning his first 19 bouts via stoppage with 12 of these victories coming inside the opening round.

He captured world honours for the first time just 18 months after his debut, defeating WBC heavyweight champion Trevor Berbick in the second round of their bout to become the youngest heavyweight champion of all time.

Tyson followed this historic victory up with wins over WBA champion James Smith and IBF champion Tony Tucker in the year that followed, achieving undisputed status just one month after he tuned 21-years-old.

He suffered the first defeat of his career in 1990 when he was stopped by James ‘Buster’ Douglas in what is often regarded as being the biggest upset in boxing history.

Another retired American great who had an exceptional professional career is Floyd Mayweather, who remained unbeaten for the duration of his 50-fight tenure.

In a YouTube interview, Tyson gave his assessment of Mayweather’s credentials before admitting that he believes there is one welterweight champion in particular that was even greater than the retired pound-for-pound star – Sugar Ray Robinson.

“Floyd’s a great fighter don’t get me wrong but listen Sugar Ray Robinson had 47 fights, he lost one then he had a 78 fight winning streak. Don’t tell me about he’s [Mayweather] the greatest fighter with 50 and 0, you’re great no doubt about it but no.”

Gervonta Davis Calls Out Undefeated World Champion In New Weight Class: “Be Ready”

Gervonta Davis looks to be targeting a showdown with an unbeaten world champion who is coming off an impressive stoppage victory.

The 30-year-old from Baltimore, Maryland has enjoyed an impressive professional career to date, remaining unbeaten through 31 outings since his debut back in 2013.

He currently reigns as the WBA world lightweight champion, winning the title back in 2019 when he defeated Yuriorkis Gamboa. ‘Tank’ has made a handful of successful defences along the way, beating the likes of Leo Santa Cruz, Mario Barrios and Rolando Romero.

His most recent defence came on March 1 when he fought to a split decision draw against countryman Lamont Roach Jr, although the result could have been very different had referee Steve Willis ruled an official knockdown during round 9 when Davis touched the canvas.

In a social media exchange with reigning IBF world light-welterweight champion Richardson Hitchins, who made the latest defence of his crown against George Kambosos Jr on Saturday night, ‘Tank’ sent a stern message to his countryman which could set up a clash with the unbeaten 27-year-old from Brooklyn.

“When I see you be ready.”

Hitchins stopped Kambosos with a devastating body shot in the eighth round of their battle at the Madison Square Garden Theatre in New York City to make the second successful defence of his IBF crown.

The 27-year-old could be made to wait for a bout against ‘Tank’ Davis however, with a rematch against Roach expected to take place in August after the events of their controversial first encounter. An official announcement is expected to be made in the coming weeks.

Anthony Joshua was such a student of the game he would ask amateur boxing hopefuls for advice, reveals Galal Yayai

ANTHONY JOSHUA was such a student of the game he would even ask amateur boxing hopefuls for advice.

AJ only started boxing at 18 but just four years later he won Olympic gold for Great Britain in London.

And after turning professional, he won the unified heavyweight world titles under the mentorship of GB head coach Rob McCracken.

Flyweight Galal Yafai – who won gold in Tokyo in 2021 – spent time with AJ at the GB’s Sheffield HQ and was blown away by his eagerness to learn – from all comers.

Yafai told SunSport: “It’s quite crazy really and it’s not a disrespectful thing, but sometimes he’d ask someone who’s like a young kid who’s just getting on the team, who’s not even on the full podium squad that’s on like an academy, which is like the younger team.

“He’d ask them questions and I’d be like bloody hell, why are you asking him, him a question?

“They just get on the team, he should be asking you, you’re the Olympic gold medalist, you’re the unified world champion.

“But yeah, he’d always ask questions even from people – I don’t want to say below him – but that are new to the team, way less experienced, not even just a little bit like way less experienced.

“But he’d always give time, he’s always good to myself and everyone around.”

Joshua, 35, parted ways with McCracken after losing to Oleksandr Usyk, 38, in September 2021.

Anthony Joshua

CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS

He has since been cornered by Robert Garcia, Derrick James and most recently Ben Davison.

AJ has been out the ring since September when he was knocked out by Daniel Dubois, 27, before undergoing elbow surgery.

He is yet to return to camp and Yafai – who faces Mexican Francisco Rodriguez Jr on Saturday – warned not to rule out a reunion with McCracken in Sheffield.

Yafai said: “I was there when Josh was there and he became like part of the family and it was quite surreal at one stage because he was one of the most famous people in Britain, especially sportsman, but he became just someone that you’d see every day in the gym when he was in camp anyway.

“So I almost became numb to it but he was a great fighter and a superstar. He helped everyone in in British boxing and I looked up to him when I was coming through.

“If he ever came back Sheffield it’d be good to see him around but I don’t know that’s something that him and Rob would have to go through but crazier things have happened.”

Yafai bids to earn a shot at unified WBA and WBC champion Kenshiro Teraji – but first has to get past veteran Rodriguez Jr.

He said: “I’d expect it, but you never know in boxing. Rodriguez is a top five competitor.

“He’s a former champion, he fought the best of the best, so it’s not an easy fight. People don’t really know him too well but I can’t look past him.

“He’s a really good fighter and that’s the thing nowadays, if people don’t know who you’re fighting, they don’t think they’re that good, which is the biggest mistake someone can make because he’s a really good fighter but he’s just not hugely well known here.

“I’m not looking past him. He’s a great fighter and hopefully I can get rid of him Saturday.”

Anthony Joshua will return to boxing in 2025 and Tyson Fury fight hinges on his performance

The boxing world is waiting for dominos to fall in the heavyweight division. Oleksandr Usyk is one month away from fighting for the undisputed titles against Daniel Dubois, in a rematch from 2023. Meanwhile, the industry awaits Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury‘s next move.

Fury is technically retired, but it has seemed like a sure thing that he will fight Joshua at some point soon. Nothing has come to fruition yet, and Joshua needs to move forward with a tune-up in order to stay active. Now, we know when that will happen, as promoter Eddie Hearn has told everyone that Joshua will fight at the end of this year. His potential opponent: Deontay Wilder.

Tyson Fury could fight Anthony Joshua twice in 2026

While revealing Joshua’s return date, Hearn also let loose that Fury won’t be his opponent this year. Despite that, 2026 could be a huge year for both fighters.

Hearn was asked if Wilder could be an option for Joshua for his next fight. Hearn likes the idea and thinks it can happen.

I don’t see why not… We want to fight Fury. And the plan is for us to fight in October, November, or December, and then fight Tyson twice. Or certainly once. And I can’t see that fight not happening. As long as AJ comes through at the end of the year.

It sounds like it all hinges on Joshua’s performance at the end of this year. A good performance, against Wilder or someone else, should trigger the Fury bout – potentially two of them. But if Joshua fails to perform, we may be looking at the end of both Joshua and Fury’s careers.

Amir Khan Delivers New Verdict On Tyson Fury vs Anthony Joshua Fight: “He Has The Power”

There is still hope that Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury will manage to come together in the ring, and now Amir Khan has given his verdict.

Fury and Joshua will go down in British heavyweight boxing history as two of the biggest stars of their generation. Fury began his professional career first while Joshua was busy winning an Olympic gold medal at London 2012.

When Fury left the sport with issues outside of the ropes after dethroning Wladimir Klitschko, Joshua took the reigns and became a unified world champion by beating the likes of Charles Martin, Joseph Parker and Klitschko. He didn’t lose until 2019 when he was stopped by underdog Andy Ruiz Jr.

‘AJ’ avenged that loss but was then beaten in 2021 and 2022 by future undisputed king Oleksandr Usyk.

It was also Usyk who handed Fury – who returned to the ring to defeat long-reigning champ Deontay Wilder twice – the first and then second losses of his career.

His failed attempt to become undisputed against Usyk in May 2024, then the loss in the rematch, meant he announced his retirement back in January and, for now, put an end to hopes of a showdown with Joshua.

Speaking to The Stomping Ground, former world champion Khan made his case for both men should ‘The Gypsy King’ return.

“It’s a hard fight to call cause styles make fights. Joshua has so much power, strong, Fury boxes so well. I would love to see the fight, it is a 50-50 fight. Both guys have been put down. What a fight it would be.

“But one thing about Fury, Fury is just a hard ba***rd, isn’t he, he’s solid. If you don’t knock him out, he keeps getting back up. He’s one guy you’re going to be in a hard fight with. When you’re in the ring with Fury, you’re going to have to dig deep. When you’re in with ‘AJ’ he has the power to knock out anyone.”

Joshua is set to return following minor elbow surgery later this year and is being linked with the likes of Wilder, while as of writing, Fury remains adamant he will not be making a comeback.

We all have favourite fighters from different eras, and many of us imagine who’d won if they ever faced off. Carl Froch recently told Foot Italia and delivered his brutal verdict on who would have won between a prime David Haye and Anthony Joshua.

Anthony Joshua vs David Haye: Froch Delivers Brutal Take

Froch Explains Why Joshua Would Have Struggled

The legacy of David Haye (28-4, 26 KOs) and Anthony Joshua (28-4, 25 KOs) is secure, with both winning world titles and being involved in many memorable fights. “Hayemaker” may have lost his last two fights to Tony Bellew but he entertained for many years, scoring noticeable wins over Derek Chisora, John Ruiz, Nikolai Valuev and Enzo Maccarinelli. Rumours swirl that we could see Joshua back in the ring in 2025, but whether he returns or not, his career has been exceptional, being a unified heavyweight champion on two occasions. His most memorable wins came against Wladimir Klitschko, Dillian Whyte, Joseph Parker and Andy Ruiz 2.

When asked to predict the hypothetical bout between Haye and AJ, Froch spoke about the strengths of both: “AJ has got a good one-two, and he was good under Rob McCracken. But David is a very clever, very cute fighter with explosive speed and power.”

Anthony Joshua vs Davis Haye

Carl Froch and Anthony Joshua

law nation sports: kenny stills nfl highlights, touchdowns & big plays

After speaking about the strengths of Haye and Joshua, Froch revealed his pic for the fantasy matchup: ” I think he’d beat AJ. David Haye would have knocked out AJ. Haye would have only struggled against AJ if he was still trained by McCracken, he was at his best after beating Wladimir Klitschko. McCracken shouldn’t have let AJ go near Usyk though. But fair play to AJ, he wanted to fight him and dared to be great.

It remains to be seen what AJ still has left, but at his best, he was destructive, beating many good fighters. He’d have undoubtedly tried to control Haye and make him feel his power. Haye, in his prime, was elusive and dangerous. He carried freakish power and could land big shots from a variety of angles, and we feel the sharpness of Haye would give him the edge over AJ.

Carl Froch contradicts past Anthony Joshua comments as he blasts the boxer’s CV

Carl Froch has been an outspoken pundit since retiring from the sport in 2014, and this time he’s aimed his comments at Anthony Joshua.

The 2023 Hall of Famer left the sport after a knockout victory over bitter rival George Groves at Wembley Stadium, but since then, he’s taken to punditry, where his opinions have often been rather bold.

One such name that has been the focus of his criticism is former unified heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua.

Joshua and Froch are former gymmates who both trained under Team GB coach Rob McCracken.

Following his loss to Daniel Dubois, the former super middleweight felt the Watford fighter had ‘gone backwards’.

Carl Froch doesn’t believe Anthony Joshua has a ‘Hall of Fame’ career

Now, in his most recent comments, he has responded to claims that AJ has a Hall of Fame career.

Speaking on Froch On Fighting, he said: “He’s had a great career. His legacy will be bringing boxing back to the forefront.

“Bringing boxing to the mainstream audience, which is great, but he’s not had a Hall of Fame career in terms of who he’s beaten.

“Something that Eddie Hearn said about Anthony Joshua, he said he’s fought everyone? No, he hasn’t.”

He listed opponents such as Charles Martin, Francis Ngannou, Robert Helenius, and others as doing ‘no favours’ for his résumé.

The former world champion also slammed Joshua’s signature win against Wladimir Klitschko as the long-reigning title holder was ‘old’.

Carl Froch and Anthony Joshua 

Froch contradicts original AJ comments from two years ago

However, these new comments on his opponents contradict the opinion the ‘Cobra’ held in 2023.

Prior to the Wallin fight, not only did the 47-year-old respond to claims he ‘hates’ AJ, but also his career.

On the TalkBoxing podcast, he said: “There is a misconception that ‘The Cobra’ is an AJ hater.

“People are forgetting me, and Anthony Joshua are friends; we used to train together.

“I’ve got nothing but respect for him because he’s had a fantastic career – check out his CV. He fought Oleksandr Usyk when he didn’t need to.”

It is hard to see whether these changes in opinions are the ones he holds towards the Olympic Gold medallist or his promoter, Eddie Hearn.

But the British boxing legend will no doubt scrutinise his former stablemate closely upon his potential in-ring return later this year.