Boxing Archives - Page 125 of 183

FRANCIS NGANNOU has called Anthony Joshua out for a fight following his narrow defeat to Tyson Fury in October.

The former UFC heavyweight champion told Joshua that the fight could be “in the ring or in the octagon”

His call out of Joshua follows his earlier proposal to fight Deontay Wilder.

Speaking on the Club Shay Shay podcast, Ngannou said: “Anything that he wants. Ring or octagon. The good thing is I’m the one that can go everywhere comfortably.

“My comfort zone will be the octagon, but I’m going to the ring and putting them in a bad spot in the ring.

“I have my territory [in MMA] where they cannot mess with me. If they come, they will need something like some favour, like, ‘I’ll give you this, we’ll take kicks out.’

“I have to give him something, but when we step in the ring, they don’t give me anything and I still get them in trouble.”9[

Joshua will fight Swede Otto Wallin on December 23 in what is expected to be a tough match-up for the Brit.

Wilder fights Joseph Parker that same night with the card in theory serving as an eliminator.

Many are expecting Joshua and Wilder to fight each other if they both win their bouts.

December 23 was set to be a bumper night of boxing with Tyson Fury meant to be fighting Oleksandr Usyk to decide the undisputed heavyweight champ.

But a cut to the face Fury sustained against Ngannou put a stop to that and fight fans will now have to wait until February to see the two rumble.

Ngannou has called out several high-profile boxers after more than holding his own against Fury in October – with many feeling he actually won the bout.

BOXING

Johnny Nelson Makes Bold Claim About Anthony Joshua’s Three-Time Champion Goal

Former cruiserweight champion Johnny Nelson believes Anthony Joshua is near the end of his career.

Joshua has endured a challenging couple of years since winning back his IBF, WBA and WBO world titles from Andy Ruiz in a rematch of their first fight in which he was on the wrong end of a shocking upset.

His first fight after that in December 2020 was what many saw as a laboured knockout win over the ageing Kubrat Pulev in the ninth round. He then took back-to-back losses over 24 rounds to talented Ukrainian Oleksandr Usyk and had something of an outburst in the ring afterwards which suggested his mental state was unsettled.

Since then he has had routine if unsensational wins against Jermaine Franklin and Robert Helenius, both of which have set him up for this third and final fight of 2023 against Otto Wallin.

It comes on a huge card in Saudi Arabia alongside the likes of Deontay Wilder versus Joseph Parker, Daniel Dubois versus Jarrell Miller and several more and will be Joshua’s first fight under latest trainer Ben Davison.

Speaking to Boxing King Media, Sky pundit Nelson has now said he thinks Joshua choosing Davison could be a bad sign.

Nelson then said he is worried Joshua is underestimating his opponent with this move and that it could lead to the end of his career.

Joshua will be hoping that Nelson is wrong and that he can get through Otto Wallin and finally secure a huge fight with Deontay Wilder in 2024, although a common opponent of both men, Eric Molina, advises against that.

BOXING

LIVE VIDEO: Devin Haney Drops, Bloodies, Dominates Regis Prograis To Capture WBC Title

San Francisco – For the WBC junior welterweight title, Devin Haney (31-0, 15 KOs) became a two-division world champion by dropping and dominating Regis Prograis (39-2, 24 KOs).

All three judges had it 120-107.

They were picking their spots in the first round. Prograis was going after the body, while Haney was working a jab and using movement. In the second, Haney connected with the accurate shots of the round as Prograis was unable to land his big shots.

In the third, Haney landed a straight right hand shot that sent Prograis down. It was more of a flash knockdown, but a clean drop. They eyes of Prograis were swelling up from the jabs. During the fourth, Haney was boxing the ears off of Prograis. The fifth saw Prograis start to really come forward and applying pressure on Haney, who was picking him off with punches. Haney was starting to dig to the body. In the sixth, an accurate right hand stunned Prograis and opened up a cut on his nose.

Haney fully dominated Prograis in the seventh with landed shots. There wasn’t much in return from Prograis. More of the same in the eight. During the ninth, Prograis tried to charge and go after Haney, but he was being tagged by accurate shots. More one-sided action in the tenth, with Haney controlling everything. The eleventh saw Prograis taking a lot of big swings, but unable to connect on much.

In the twelfth and final round, Prograis was coming forward and looking for a miracle punch. Haney was hanging back and outboxing Prograis.

BOXING

LIVE NOW: Devin Haney defeats Regis Prograis via unanimous decision to win WBC super lightweight world title

Devin Haney passed his 140-pound division debut with flying colors by defeating Regis Prograis for the WBC super lightweight title via unanimous decision in front of his hometown San Francisco, California on Saturday.

Haney flawlessly swept Prograis, 120-107, across all three scorecards.

With the dominant win, Haney improves his undefeated record to 31-0.

DEVIN HANEY returned to the ring TONIGHT to face Regis Prograis in a super-lightweight title clash – as ‘The Dream’ became a two-weight world champion.

Haney absolutely dominated the bout, winning all 12 rounds and getting the win via unanimous decision. Prograis’ team nearly threw in the towel during the fight.

The 25-year-old has now won all of his 31 professional bouts, previously beating Vasyl Lomachenko by unanimous decision.

Also, on the huge San Francisco bill, Ebanie Bridges lost her title to Miyo Yoshida in her first fight since last December

BOXING

Watch: Floyd Mayweather Enjoys Family Night With Daughters and Grandson at His $4.5 Million Investment

In a wholesome scene that transcends the intensity of the boxing ring, Floyd Mayweather recently visited a place where people least expected him to show up—a roller skating rink. However, it was a family affair he was attending to. Set against the backdrop of Mayweather’s latest venture, a $4.5 million investment in the Crystal Palace Skating Rink, Mayweather took his family on a memorable night out on the town.

The 25,900 square feet expanse of Crystal Palace Skating Rink, rechristened as Skate Rock City, is not just a property for Mayweather. In his latest outing, “Money” took his daughters, Iyanna and Jirah, and his grandson, Kentrell Gaulden Jr. on a tour of his newest acquisition. Judging from the few videos posted online, it looks like a good bit of fun.

Floyd Mayweather Jr enjoys the simple pleasures of life

In a video posted on his Instagram, Floyd Mayweather can be seen standing on the sidelines of the skating rink with a Gucci duffle bag, dancing to Drake’s For Free, while watching his daughter and grandson skate away on the ice. The happiness on his face was palpable. Mayweather captioned the post, “Family night with my daughters and grandson ice skating!” Casting aside the stoicism associated with his boxing persona, he may not have hit the rink, but he sure did bust a move or two and enjoyed the simple pleasures of a family man.

In another video from the same place, he can also be seen enjoying hot cocoa and fire-roasted marshmallows with his grandson. Mayweather secured the Crystal Palace Skating Rink, nestled at 4680 Boulder Highway, in 2021

The glitzy unveiling of Skate Rock City marked a significant milestone for Mayweather, who has long harbored a keen interest in acquiring a roller rink. Hailing from Grand Rapids, Michigan, the boxing maestro orchestrated the purchase through a limited liability company named Michigan Skating, showcasing his strategic business acumen. Floyd Mayweather’s influence in the real estate market has expanded tenfold in recent times.

Money’s many diverse ventures

A while ago, he joined forces with former MLB star Alex Rodriguez to invest in CGI Merchant Group’s $650 million Hospitality Opportunity Fund. The consortium’s ambitious plans include a $375 million investment in the Trump International Hotel in Washington, D.C.

Mayweather is not only making waves in real estate but also leaving an indelible mark in other realms. The renowned boxer recently unveiled his ownership of The Money Team Racing in the NASCAR Cup Series, contributing to diversifying his investments. “My focus is on creating generational wealth and doing it with partners that share my values and drive for excellence.” Only recently, he announced that he’s taking his fitness brand, Mayweather Fitness, public by allowing his fans to invest in it.

This partnership, spanning various real estate strategies and asset classes, reflects Mayweather’s focus on excellence and shared values. As Mayweather continues to build his business empire, his impact resonates not only in the world of sports but also in shaping the future of investments and wealth creation for a broader audience. As of now, as a proud father and grandfather, Floyd Mayweather is enjoying some family time.

BOXING

UFC champion Tom Aspinall’s verdict on fighting Tyson Fury and boxing debut

UFC interim world heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall has revealed he has no interest in fighting Tyson Fury but a move into boxing could be on the cards later down the line.

Aspinall shocked the MMA world in November when he defeated the much-fancied Sergei Pavlovich at Madison Square Garden. The victory saw the 30-year-old become Britain’s first world heavyweight champion in UFC.

The Atherton-born fighter has had quite the 2023 in both UFC and further afield. In September, Aspinall joined Fury’s camp as his sparring partner ahead of the WBC champion’s narrow victory over Francis Ngannou.

During the camp, Fury told reporters Aspinall could have become a pro boxer if he had chosen that camp. However, speaking to MEN Sport, the new heavyweight champion insists he has no interest in fighting his friend in a professional bout.

“Oh I have no particular interest [in fighting Tyson],” he explained. “I am heavyweight champion at the moment but I am nowhere near satisfied.

“I have way, way more work to do in the UFC and I want to do that first. I always take it one fight at a time. I don’t know what my next fight is or when it is yet but when I get news on that, I won’t think any further on than that. That is the way my mind works and I don’t think beyond stuff.

“I will probably like to do it (boxing) before my career is over, while I am still young and healthy. If I don’t, I am happy just fighting in the UFC for the rest of my career. There is some big fish to fry in the UFC so I will be focusing on that before I do any of that other stuff.”

BOXING

Why Teofimo Lopez Want To Face Terence Crawford Next

Teofimo Lopez was never going to blend in, even if he tried.

Currently, he finds himself in a position of power. With the WBO super lightweight title in his possession, Lopez believes he’s calling the shots. Could he take on the winner of the upcoming showdown between Regis Prograis and Devin Haney? Sure he could but it’s unlikely. How about Subriel Matias? The IBF champ may have the sort of power that can knock down a building but Lopez isn’t exactly interested.

So who would Lopez like to line up against? Well, if the decision were his and his alone, he would take on a man he considers the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world.

“Crawford,” said Lopez on The Porter Way Podcast when asked who would be his ideal dance partner.

The 26-year-old was never interested in feasting on nondescript opponents and bottom feeders. In just 14 fights, the talkative New Yorker took on an undefeated Masayoshi Nakatani. After picking up the win, he violently ripped the IBF lightweight title away from Richard Commey.

If that wasn’t enough, Lopez brazenly placed a target on the back of former pound-for-pound star, Vasiliy Lomachenko. If you thought Lopez would sit back and enjoy his accolades, you simply don’t know him.

Roughly three years after taking out Lomachenko, Lopez eventually moved up in weight and unseated Josh Taylor. Still, even with the big-time wins he has under his belt, Crawford, without question, would be the best fighter he ever shared the ring with.

The 36-year-old is coming off arguably the biggest win of his career, a lopsided beating against Errol Spence Jr., allowing him to become a transient undisputed welterweight champion.

Normally, Lopez sticks his chest out and brags about what he’ll do to a particular opponent. This time around, considering who Crawford is, he took the respectful route. Although winning is normally at the top of his to-do list, for Lopez, it isn’t about knocking Crawford off his throne and claiming it for himself. Instead, it’s all about the schooling he would undergo in a possible matchup with him.

“I love challenges. How else am I gonna learn? How else am I actually gonna be great?”

BOXING

“That’s Not an Option”: Canelo Alvarez Debunks All Rumors of Cutting Weight Below 168Lbs to Fight Terence Crawford

Following David Benavidez’s victory over Demetrius Andrade, Canelo Alvarez was asked if he would ever consider facing Terence Crawford.

Although not in Middleweight, Canelo Alvarez just might face

‘Bud’ Crawford on one condition

Following his victory over Errol Spence Jr., in an interview at The Breakfast Club, Crawford, who wishes to hold titles in multiple divisions, claimed he was open to fighting Canelo Alvarez either in Super Welterweight or in Middleweight. “Probably 160 or something like that, 158. Yeah, 158, 160, that would be great,” said Crawford. In this connection, on being asked if he could lose eight pounds to face ‘Bud’ Alvarez answered in the negative.

“That’s not an option for me. 164 lbs is not an option for me. Right now that’s not in my plans,” Alvarez said. However, he did not entirely kill the prospect of a fight with Crawford in the ring. “But, we’ll see. You never know in boxing. If it’s a good fight for the people. If it’s a fight that’s big and generates a lot of things, maybe, we could see it happen,” added Alvarez as per the translation by Fight Hub TV.

BOXING

“Where’s the Money?”: Gervonta Davis Makes a Cryptic Post After Bashing Devin Haney vs. Regis Prograis Ticket Price

Devin Haney, gearing up for a showdown with WBC super-lightweight champion Regis Prograis on December 9, will be vacating the rest of his three undisputed lightweight titles. This decision paves the way for Gervonta Davis, the current WBA Regular titleholder, to become the official WBA lightweight champion.

However, Davis has conveyed his reluctance, emphasizing that he “doesn’t want” to attain the WBA lightweight title through Haney’s relinquishment. So, the feud between ‘Tank’ and ‘The Dream’ is currently the hottest topic in the lightweight division. Davis even commented on the Haney-Prograis event’s ticket price, and now he’s left a cryptic message for the former undisputed champion.

Gervonta Davis sends an indirect message to Devin Haney

Devin Haney revealed in one of the interviews that Gervonta Davis, often expressing his indifference towards championship belts, has emphasized his focus on financial gains rather than pursuing titles. At the time, Devin Haney speculated that Tank wouldn’t be particularly interested in the lightweight belts at 135 pounds.

According to Haney, Davis’ true motivation lies in seeking lucrative opportunities and maximizing earnings. So that’s the reason he was quite adamant that the fight would be happening without any obstructions as such. Now, Davis might have proved his claim, through his recent tweet. Davis wrote, “Where’s the money..”

Now this could mean a lot of things. It could be a dig at Haney for the Prograis fight not having good enough purse money. Or, it could be his desire to find an opponent that has potentially paid him a hefty purse, or it could be something entirely different. Well, the fight thing makes a bit more sense, since he also commented on the ticket price of Haney-Prograis on the same day.

Davis slams the low ticket price of Haney-Prograis

Gervonta Davis has already delved into the anticipation surrounding the fight between Devin Haney and Regis Prograis. Expressing his thoughts on ticket prices, Davis noted that with tickets priced at $57, it’s no surprise that the event sold out. Even though Haney’s clash with Prograis is yet to take place, Davis is already setting the stage for their potential showdown.

However, ‘Tank’ is adamant about not conceding that Haney could be a bigger draw than him. In the now-deleted post, he wrote, “Tickets $57 dollars, it should be.” He’s even refused to accept the WBA lightweight title relinquished by the San Francisco native.

Well, it will be a great showdown if Haney and Davis decide to take on each other down the road. The fans would witness one of the biggest fights in the history of boxing. What are your thoughts about this? Let us know in the comments section.

BOXING

Francis Ngannou’s emphatic response to Anthony Joshua saying he’d knock him out

Former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou has revealed he is open to fighting Anthony Joshua in a boxing ring in a recent interview after his debut against Tyson Fury in October.

Ngannou made his professional boxing debut against the WBC heavyweight champion and almost pulled off the biggest upset in history. He seriously impressed the boxing community and, despite losing by a controversial split decision, there was no doubt that he could have a promising future in the sport. It’s worth remembering that he did in fact drop Fury in the third round, something that a lot of experienced boxers have failed to do.

Ngannou was on Shannon Sharpe’s Club Shay Shay podcast when he was told that Anthony Joshua said he would knock him out if they were to ever share the ring together, but it didn’t seem to bother the MMA fighter-turned-boxer.

Francis Ngannou on Anthony Joshua’s KO claim

“Even Tyson Fury said the same thing and Tyson Fury is better than Anthony Joshua, so what do I care about what people say?” he responded. He also had his doubts over whether AJ really meant what he said and whether the Brit could really pull off a knockout.

“I’ve been in this game so long. I’ve seen so much. I’ve heard what people intend to do. There’s a difference between wanting to do and being able to do,” he said.

Ngannou is also confident that it doesn’t matter if it’s in the ring or the Octagon, he can take Joshua on in any sport. “The good thing is I’m the one that can go anywhere comfortably,” he said. “My comfort zone will be the Octagon, but I’m going to the ring, and I’m putting them in a bad spot in the ring.”

Eddie Hearn has interest in Ngannou vs Joshua

The interest isn’t one-sided either, as Eddie Hearn, Joshua’s promoter, has said that he is willing to consider the fight after Joshua’s victory against Robert Helenius back in August.