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“[Gervonta Davis’] Side Showed No Interest”: Vacating His 4-Belt Undisputed Lightweight Title, Devin Haney Reflects Upon Past Failures and Reveals Future Plans

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Gervonta Tank Davis

After almost a year and a half since he became the Undisputed Lightweight Champion, Devin Haney is vacating all four Lightweight belts ahead of the Regis Prograis fight. Despite the fact that there remains unfinished business with Gervonta Davis, Haney feels his achievement in the Lightweight division is sufficient.

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In this context, before his debut fight at 140 lbs, ‘The Dream’ also declared that he wanted to move up to the weight class currently dominated by Terence Crawford. Additionally, in a bold statement, he implied facing ‘Bud’.

Why is Devin Haney vacating all four Lightweight belts?

On the 5th of June 2022, having defeated George Kambosos Jr., Devin Haney became the Undisputed Lightweight Champion of the world. Following this victory, twice, he defended his Undisputed title – once in a rematch with Kambosos Jr. and then against Vasyl Lomachenko in May this year. After Haney defeated Lomchanko, the boxing world desired to see him against Gervonta Davis. However, since Gervonta Davis’ side has shown zero interest in Haney, ‘The Dream’ feels it is appropriate he moves up to 140 lbs.

“I’ve outgrown the division, so now I make my quest to 140 to become a two-division champion,” ‘The Dream’ added confidently. In this context, Haney also implied that he would like to challenge someone like Terence Crawford by moving up to 147 lbs.

Haney wants to challenge Terence Crawford

Although the Regis Prograis fight has yet to take place, Haney, “the hope for America” in Teofimo Lopez‘s words, is almost assured of his victory. As per his statements, after the Prograis fight, Haney would not accept another match at Super Lightweight. Instead, he will gradually move up to Welterweight. “And after this fight, I look to become a three-division champion and move up to 147,” he announced.

Given the fact that he wishes to win a title at 147 lbs, it is a no-brainer that he would face either Jaron Ennis or Terence Crawford. “I made history in becoming undisputed, and that was a milestone for me,” Haney added. “But now I’m at the point in my career where I want to make the biggest and the best fights happening in the world. I’m a pay-per-view fighter,” he concluded. With that said, why do you think Davis’ side showed zero interest in ‘The Dream’? In addition, do you think Haney is serious about ‘Bud’?

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BOXING

“Email Champ”: Divided Fans Demand Gervonta Davis vs. Shakur Stevenson Title Unification Bout After Devin Haney Relinquishes His Undisputed Crown at 135

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Gervonta Tank Davis

In the fast-paced realm of boxing, where stories unfold with each jab and hook, the spotlight now shines on Gervonta Davis. Picture this: a fighter on the brink of not just one, but two world championships. Devin Haney‘s decision to vacate all of his lightweight world titles has set the stage for Davis’s potential ascent from the WBA ‘regular’ belt holder to the coveted position of WBA lightweight world champion. It’s a tale of determination, strategy, and the pursuit of glory in the squared circle. But hold on, the plot thickens.

Enter Shakur Stevenson, a rising force in the boxing universe. The suggestion is bold yet captivating — pass the belt to Shakur. The claim? He could send Tank to Dreamland within a mere two rounds.

Fans are hungry for Gervonta Davis vs Shakur Stevenson

Imagine the anticipation, the clash of titans, and the stakes involved. Tank versus Shakur in a WBC and WBA unification bout, a spectacle that promises fireworks and the crowning of an undisputed lightweight world champion.

The prospect of such a showdown sends ripples of excitement through the boxing community. Fans, hungry for thrilling matchups and undisputed champions, eagerly discuss the potential battles that could unfold in the quest to unify the division.

The atmosphere is charged with anticipation, and the call for unification resonates loudly. But it’s not just about the belts; it’s about the energy, the passion, and the respect for the sport. An invitation echoes through the boxing world — an email to the champ. “Let’s keep that same energy,” it declares, acknowledging the intensity that defines the sport. In the world of boxing, respect is earned in the ring, and maintaining the same level of commitment is key to leaving a lasting legacy.

There were callouts for Gervonta Davis to fight against his long-time rival Devin Haney. Fans posted a succinct moniker “Email Champ” that was once bestowed upon Haney.

As the discussions and speculations continue, the narrative of Gervonta Davis, Stevenson, and the lightweight division unfolds like a gripping chapter in a compelling book. However, the bout with the ‘Email Champ’ still looms at large. How did that moniker come to be anyway?

Renaissance of “Email-Champion”

Devin Haney earns the moniker “Email Champion” due to the unconventional nature of his championship journey. After becoming the WBC champion without defeating the reigning titleholder, Vasyl Lomachenko, the revelation of his new status came not through a traditional announcement but via email.

People claim that Haney earned the nickname “Email Champion” because he secured the title without winning in the ring. They believe he learned about being the champ through emails from the boxing organization rather than winning fights. Despite facing criticism, Haney is determined to prove he deserves the top spot by challenging the best in the division.

Whether Tank’s return is against ‘Sugar’ or ‘The Dream’, one thing is certain. The bout is going to be nothing short of electrifying and will undoubtedly set the ring ablaze

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BOXING

Gervonta Davis And Lomachenko Will Benefit As Devin Haney Set To Vacate Titles

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Gervonta Davis

Devin Haney will vacate the remaining three lightweight titles he holds having ‘outgrown’ the division.

The undefeated and formerly undisputed star has his debut in the super-lightweight division in December against Regis Prograis.

Although the fight has been signed for some time, Haney had only lost one of his belts – the WBC – and was apparently considering appealing to hold on to the rest in case he should decide to return to 135.

Now, he has said there’s nothing left to do at lightweight an interview with ESPN.

After he battles for Prograis’ WBC 140 Title, the field opens up down at 135.

Gervonta Davis is currently the WBA Regular Champion, meaning he will either be elevated to super champ or fight for it, but more likely the former.

The IBF is now set to be contested for by Vasily Lomachenko, who is slated to face fellow former champion George Kambosos Jr in Australia in early 2024.

The WBC belt – taken from Haney separately earlier in the year – was fought for and won by Shakur Stevenson recently, who out-jabbed Edwin De Los Santos for it this month.

Lomachenko is also highly rated with the WBO, but, should he indeed fight for the IBF, the next two contenders are Isaac ‘Pitbull’ Cruz and Denys Berinchyk.

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BOXING

Ryan Garcia: I Did Go In Ring With Rib Injury For Gervonta Davis Fight; I Wasn’t Gonna Pull Out

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Gervonta Ryan

Ryan Garcia has admitted seven months after his seventh-round knockout loss to Gervonta Davis that he entered the ring that night with a rib injury.

Davis landed a body shot to Garcia’s right side that sent Garcia to one knee in the seventh round. Garcia couldn’t answer referee Thomas Taylor’s count and lost by knockout with 1:44 to go in the seventh round April 22 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

Showtime’s microphones picked up Garcia telling former trainer Joe Goossen that Davis hit him in the same area where Garcia suffered a sparring injury two weeks before he faced Davis. Junior welterweight Tsendbaatar Erdenbat revealed on social media after Davis defeated Garcia that the two-time Olympian from Mongolia hurt Garcia with a left hand to the body during a sparring session.

Garcia confirmed to Showtime’s Brian Custer during the most recent episode of his “The Last Stand” podcast that his rib injury sent him to the hospital and limited him in training before he battled Davis in their Showtime Pay-Per-View main event.

“I did go in the ring with a rib injury, a separated rib from sparring,” Garcia told Custer. “I was dehydrated and it was like one of the first shots of sparring. I didn’t even get hit hard. My rib just [sunk] in and I had to go to the hospital, spent there some time, and I couldn’t even run. I couldn’t do anything. It was about two weeks before the fight. There was nothing that I could do. I decided that I wasn’t gonna pull out. Too much time [had] been put into this and too much things went into making this fight happen. I wasn’t gonna pull out.”

The 25-year-old Garcia (23-1, 19 KOs), who will oppose Oscar Duarte on Saturday night in Houston, also attributed his weakened physical condition on fight night to the rehydration clause in his contract that prohibited him from weighing more than 146 pounds at a second-day weigh-in the morning of their fight. Garcia weighed 144.9 pounds the morning of April 22, slightly more than Davis, who came in at 144.1.

Garcia agreed to a catch weight of 136 pounds as well, which he believes gave Davis (29-0, 27 KOs) a significant advantage over him.

“On top of [the rib injury], I had to cut the weight, so I had everything stacked against me,” Garcia said. “But it wasn’t – I made this not about me. I made it about the sport. And people are gonna say, you know, bad things about that, but for me, I always loved the sport with all my heart. And I was bored of the sport. Don’t get me wrong, the sport was boring. Nobody was fighting each other. It was trash. There was no energy, and then I brought the energy back to life in one night. In Vegas, it finally felt like boxing was back on fire for a day, for a night, finally. Finally, we get to feel that excitement before that bell rings once again, like a Mayweather and Oscar De La Hoya fight or a Mayweather-Pacquiao. That excitement, and that’s what I always wanted to bring to the sport. And I seen that was my opportunity, and I still went with it. So, again, that’s why nobody could tell me who I am, and nobody – they could bash me all they want. They wouldn’t have done that.

“And you see now in people, you know, negotiating for fights, when they bring up rehydration clause, nobody wants to do it, because they know really what it is. And if you don’t know boxing, then you don’t know actually what I did. Not only did I have to cut all that weight, and I been at 135, 132 since I was 17 years old. You know, and I’m not a small guy, so people that know boxing know the risk I took. You know, I put my health in danger. I put a lotta things in danger, but I trusted that it’s gonna better off the sport and I’m gonna be OK because, you know, things are gonna work out and I made a bunch of money. I did good there. I provided life-changing money for my family. I can’t be mad about that. But now, it’s a whole different goal. I got that out of the way. I’m a superstar. I made a bunch of money. What’s next? I wanna be one of the best in the sport. I wanna be the best in the sport and get a title. So, that’s my main goal.”

Garcia’s comeback from his first defeat will begin against the hard-hitting Duarte. The Victorville, California native is listed by most sportsbooks as at least a 4-1 favorite to defeat Duarte (26-1-1, 21 KOs) in part because the Mexican veteran is a lightweight who moved up to the junior welterweight division for this fight and because Garcia represents a steep step up in competition for him.

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BOXING

Hearn Says Joshua More Likely to Fight Wilder Than Hrgovic After Dec. 23

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Anthony Joshua

London’s Joshua will headline against Otto Wallin two days before Christmas in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. On the same card, Wilder, of Tuscaloosa, Alabama, will take on Joseph Parker. Should both Joshua and Wilder win their respective fights, it would set up what many regard as the most exciting heavyweight matchup in the sport.

Hearn, the head of Matchroom, which backs Joshua, previously suggested that Joshua could explore a potential vacant IBF title shot against top-rated Filip Hrgovic of Croatia.

The IBF belt is currently held by unified champion Oleksandr Usyk of Ukraine, who also holds the WBO and WBA belts. Usyk will put his three belts on the line against WBC champion Tyson Fury on Feb. 17 in Riyadh.

Hearn believes that if an undisputed champion is crowned on Feb. 17, the belts are likely to splinter again because of the mandatory demands of the sanctioning bodies, especially that of the IBF. (It has been rumored that Usyk and Fury will enter a rematch.)

In that scenario, a Hrgovic vs. Joshua fight could be appealing as it would afford Joshua to become a three-time heavyweight champion.

But Hearn feels that there would be too much momentum for a Wilder fight in that time frame to consider any other option.

“It’s very likely that after Fury-Usyk 1, the belts will fragment,” Hearn told Boxing Social. “Particularly the IBF. If that fragments and Joshua beats Wallin on Dec. 23rd, it would be Hrgovic against Joshua. But by then it’s very likely that Joshua-Wilder could be contracted and probably will be contracted.

“We won’t be able to U-turn at that point. We’re full steam ahead trying to make the Wilder fight. WBC final eliminator? If that’s what it’s called. I would just call it the biggest fight in boxing at that point. When that fight happens and the only way that fight happens is if they both win on December 23rd on the same card. And if they do win on the same card, on the same night, that fight is the biggest fight in boxing.

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BOXING

USYK TO MY EARS Derek Chisora claims he showed Anthony Joshua the ‘blueprint to beat Oleksandr Usyk’

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Anthony Joshua and Olek

DEREK CHISORA claims he knows the blueprint for how to beat Oleksandr Usyk – and shared it with Anthony Joshua and Daniel Dubois.

The British boxer took on the Ukranian in 2020 but lost by unanimous decision with two close scores.

Derek Chisora shared how to beat Oleksandr Usyk with Daniel Dubois and Anthony JoshuaCredit: Getty

The judges on the night scored the fight 117-112, 115-113 and 115-113 in favour of Usyk.

Usyk then went on to beat both Dubois and AJ, claiming the WBA, WBO and IBF titles from the latter, who he also beat in a rematch.

Chisora, 39, has now revealed that he tried to help his compatriots against Usyk, only for them to struggle to put the plan into action against the brilliant technician.

Speaking on Up Front with Simon Jordan, he said: “I showed everybody the blueprint, but people chose not to be the way I was.”

Chisora has revealed what that advice was, adding: “Be fit, use your size, that was it. I went to AJ I was like ‘make sure you do this after sparring,’ he didn’t do it.

“I said the same thing to Daniel Dubois, he didn’t do it.

“The thing is with Usyk, when he starts moving his hand up and down, you’re in trouble.

“When he moves his hand up, just hit him. I knocked him down and they never give it to me.”

Chisora also revealed that he is a fan of Usyk and hailed him as “amazing”.

He added: “He’s good man, he’s amazing.

“But if you let him be amazing he’s gonna walk all over you.”

Usyk’s next opponent is Tyson Fury, with the fight expected to take place on February 17.

However, it has been reported that the bout is at risk of being pushed back.

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BOXING

Anthony Joshua or Deontay Wilder? Carl Froch predicts who will headline Day of Reckonin

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Anthony Joshua and Deontay
A huge heavyweight event takes place next month.

Anthony Joshua and Deontay Wilder will appear on the same bill for the first time on December 23 as they look to build huge interest in a potential clash next year.

The longtime rivals have been on a collision course for the best part of a decade, but who will close the show next month as both fighters possess huge profiles.

Joshua will face Sweden’s Otto Wallin on the card, and he’ll be fully aware of the threat possessed by Wallin due to his stellar effort against Tyson Fury in 2019.

Deontay Wilder and Anthony Joshau

Wilder takes on former world, champion, Joseph Parker, and if victorious, it clears the way for a major showdown in 2024 between Joshua and Wilder.

“I have got to say Anthony Joshua. Anthony Joshua is the big name, he is the big news, he is the former two-time world champion, and he is rebuilding, people are interested in what he has got to do,” said Froch on his YouTube channel.

“Deontay Wilder, obviously he lost to Tyson Fury twice and gave him a draw in one of their meetings. Although he is a big name, he is in against Parker and all eyes are going to be on AJ-Wallin.

“I’d say Anthony Joshua-Otto Wallin will be the bill topper, that will be the last fight of the night.”

 

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BOXING

“He’s Got the Size, the Power, the Strength”: Ricky Hatton Makes His Case for Who Anthony Joshua Should Fight Next Between Francis Ngannou and Deontay Wilder

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Deontay Wilder and Anthony Joshua

In his time, Ricky Hatton was one of the UK’s biggest draws. He participated in some of the most significant fights of the modern era. It includes the losses to Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Manny Pacquiao. It’s been over a decade since ‘The Hitman’ retired. Now a well-known trainer, he still retains a respectable presence in the British boxing scene. More often than not, he offers his thoughts and opinions on the most current happenings in the sport.

Sportslens reached out to the former two-division champion to gauge his perceptions of Anthony Joshua‘s next fight. Whether he feels that the former heavyweight champion should settle for a Deontay Wilder fight or pursue Francis Ngannou. Hatton, who has in the past stood as a cornerman for Tyson Fury, revealed what he reckoned would be the most judicious course of action for Joshua.

Anthony Joshua on par with ‘The Predator’

Ricky Hatton said, “I think Francis Ngannou,” when the reporter asked Deontay Wilder and Francis Ngannou who would be his picks to go against Anthony Joshua. The former world champion explained that the former UFC heavyweight champion might not be a heavy hitter in Wilder’s league. But he is not way off the mark when it comes to power punches.

Anthony Joshua and Deontay Wilder

Then Hatton took up Joshua’s case and said, “But I think, you know, AJ’s got, you know, fantastic boxing ability. He’s got the size, the power, [and] the strength.” He reasoned that ‘AJ’s amateur exposure should give him an edge over Fury to withstand the Cameroonian-French fighter’s punishments.

Hatton continued, “I think just the fact that Wilder has that such massive one dynamite punch, you know what I mean? And technically, he’s not even in the equation with AJ when it comes to skill and boxing ability, and talent. But he can hit, you know what I mean? And he’s technically crap Wilder, but when that right-hand goes, he only needs one of them.”

Ricky Hatton thinks Joshua is on a different level than Deontay Wilder. However, according to him, if Wilder manages to land one clean right-hand on Joshua, then it’s game over for him. Francis Ngannou, on the other hand, is the current hot property for all fans and followers. So if he steps into the ring and performs better than he did against Fury, then boxing lovers might finally get the bout they had been waiting for such a long time.

The reporter later asked whether he thinks Anthony Joshua still had his heart set on succeeding and winning belts. To this, the former light welterweight champion replied that according to him Joshua still has it.

A future prospect

Incidentally, as they are lined up, Anthony Joshua and Deontay Wilder will be meeting in Riyadh on December 23. But they won’t be going against each other. While ‘AJ’ has been matched up against Sweden’s Otto Wallin, Wilder will fight Australian heavyweight Joseph Parker. Reportedly, there is a high chance of the two squaring off during the early months of next year. Soon after the October 28 Fury-Ngannou fight, Eddie Hearn sounded very excited about a Joshua-Ngannou match-up. However, as of now, given all the excitement and attention surrounding the Wilder fight, a fight with ‘The Predator’ appears to have been put on the possibility rack.

Do you agree with what Ricky Hatton said? Please share your views with us in the comments below.

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BOXING

Joshua offered Dubois fight

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Anthony Joshua

Two-time heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua could make an appearance in the ring once more in 2023 as Tyson Fury’s agent, Frank Warren, has suggested Daniel Dubois as a potential opponent for Joshua’s next fight.

Joshua has picked up two straight wins in 2023 after suffering consecutive losses to Oleksandr Usyk as he looks to work his way back to taking on the heavyweight elite in the coming months.

The 33-year-old has been linked to a 2024 showdown with Deontay Wilder but with that fight still not confirmed, it’s possible that the British-Nigerian could explore a number of different possibilities and Warren believes Dubois would be ideal.

The British contender travelled to Poland last month but was stopped by Usyk.

Despite the defeat, Dubois emerged with his head held high and he counts himself unfortunate to have tasted defeat after a shot he landed was called low by the fight’s referee.

Anthony Joshua

“I’ll tell you a good fight if that doesn’t happen,” said Warren when speaking to IFLTV on the potential clash between Joshua and Wilder.

“You know what would be a good fight in the UK and people would buy tickets to watch it, and we’ll see who is the biggest puncher and who has got the biggest heart? Him (Joshua) and Daniel Dubois.”

“That would sell out anywhere. You can’t say it’s not going to sell. It would sell. It’s a big fight.”

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BOXING

Why Gervonta Davis’ coach rules out Shakur Stevenson super bout for now

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Gervonta Davis and Shakur Steveson

Bad news for boxing fans. Although they had been toying with the idea of seeing Gervonta Davis take on Shakur Stevenson inside the ring, it seems that won’t happen, at least in the near future.

Davis’ coach Calvin Ford has rejected the possibility of a mega-fight with Shakur Stevenson, saying that Tank wouldn’t be paid enough.

Ford is not interested in seeing his fighter face the likes of Stevenson, Vasiliy Lomachenko, or Frank Martin, but he would welcome a rematch clash with Isaac Cruz.

From a career standpoint, fighting the Mexican would be a safer bet, as Davis has already defeated Pitbull, although it has been one of Tank’s hardest fights to date. Gervonta earned a hard-fought unanimous decision to defeat Cruz when many expected a routine knockout win.

Avoiding Stevenson: a money issue or a defeat fear?

It seems obvious that although Ford speaks about Stevenson not putting in the big money numbers for him to face Davis, there might be a ‘fear factor’ of a first-ever defeat for the Baltimore-bred star.

Stevenson is considered by many as the future of boxing, as he’s one of the most complete boxers, all divisions included.

Gervonta Davis

“If you look at the numbers they’re putting out, it doesn’t make sense,” said Ford to Fighthype.

“Once they understand the business, you can’t go in there asking for a whole bunch of money. Shakur got offered some money from Devin Haney. Do you see the way he turned it down? Tank isn’t taking a pay cut”, he added.

“I wouldn’t say it’s his biggest fight [Shakur]. His biggest fight is every fight. Y’all see that. It’s just another fight we got to look at”, Ford continued.

However, he also said that although it may be too soon for Stevenson to face Davis, a fight between them seems inevitable and a matter of time:

“It’s going to happen one day. We just got to be prepared for it when it happens”.

While Cruz is Davis’ likeliest opponent, Stevenson has shown lots of interest in fighting the current undisputed lightweight champion Devin Haney and the two-time Olympic gold medalist and former three-weight class world champion shortly.

 

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