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‘My balls got too heavy’ – Ryan Garcia bizarrely celebrates missing weight for Devin Haney fight and Gervonta Davis reacts

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Gervonta Davis

Ryan Garcia has taken to social media with some strange posts after missing weight for the Devin Haney fight on Friday.

The rival American boxing stars were set to clash for Haney’s WBC super-lightweight world title, live on talkSPORT on Saturday night, but the belt will now not be on the line for the challenger to win.

Haney successfully made the 140lbs super-lightweight limit at the official commission weigh-in, which took place behind closed doors on Friday.

Garcia however weighed in 3.2lbs over the limit at 143.2lbs.

Usually when a fighter is slightly overweight, they are given extra time by the commission to make the agreed limit.

However, the New York Commission have on this occasion refused this for Garcia because of how far over 140lbs he was.

This briefly threw the fight into late chaos, with both camps having to negotiate a deal to allow it to proceed as a non-title bout, which they have now successfully done.

Haney revealed that Garcia had honoured their press conference bet and paid him $500,000 per pound he was overweight – a total of $1.5million.

However, reports have suggested the fighters are only keeping up that appearance as part of the amended contract, and Garcia will actually cough up $600,000, along with 2 per cent of his PPV upside.

Garcia took to social media after the debacle.

“Actually 1.5M,” he tweeted alongside two crying emojis, “I don’t know. Three pounds is nothing stop crying.”

Garcia then followed up: “I feel great and I got a three pound advantage, let’s gooo hahahahaa. Winners do what they have to do I’m still sharp.”

He later added: “F*** ALL THAT, VIVA MEXICO, WE’RE LEAVING WITH HIS HEAD. BELTS WILL ALWAYS BE THERE.”

And said: “Why would I force myself to make weight so I can be weak? Nah, I’m here to win. That’s it.”

Garcia concluded: “My balls got too heavy, and back gained to much muscle from carrying the promo, and my fingers got stronger from all the tweets damn.”

Meanwhile, Haney said: “He’s very unprofessional. I told him yesterday his antics would betray him and this is just the start.”

Gervonta Davis, who knocked out Garcia last year, also gave his thoughts on people’s reactions to the situation.

Davis tweeted: “When I fought him we made it cool to go against him crazy. Now everybody’s writing him off. Clowns!”

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BOXING

Derek Chisora names the fighter he thinks would beat both Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk

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Oleksandr Tyson

Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk will meet on May 18 for the undisputed world heavyweight championship, live on DAZN PPV, with the winner expected to take on Anthony Joshua at some point in the near future.

Former Fury and Usyk opponent Derek Chisora believes Joshua should be favoured against either man.

Speaking to Crypto Casino LTD, Chisora explained that “AJ” is a different fighter under Ben Davison, who took over as Joshua’s trainer last year.

“I’m picking AJ over Fury all day long if it gets made,” Chisora said. “He’s a friend and we went to the same amateur club, but his power will be too much for Fury, he’d have so much ferociousness saved for that fight, and you must remember that Ben Davison knows Tyson Fury very well, so I think AJ [wins].”

Chisora even chose Joshua over Usyk in a potential future bout, despite the fact that AJ lost back-to-back fights against the Ukrainian in 2021 and 2022. However, Chisora was also quick to laud Usyk for his successes.

“AJ would wipe the floor with Usyk under Ben Davison, I don’t think it would go six rounds,” Chisora said. “He chucked a couple jabs against Otto Wallin [in December] and everything else was power and he’s mixing up head and body.

“That said, with current records and past performances, right now the best heavyweight in the world is Usyk, gold medalist and undisputed cruiserweight champion. He came up at heavyweight and has taken over, and in one more fight he can prove he is the pound-for-pound the best fighter and make history for Ukraine.”

 

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BOXING

What is Terence Crawford’s next fight? Pound-for-pound star looks close to making announcement

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Terence Crawford

Since brutalizing Errol Spence Jr. in an undisputed welterweight title fight last July, Terence “Bud” Crawford has looked on patiently as his elite-level contemporaries have made moves around him.

But according to Lance Pugmire of BoxingScene, initial talks are underway for the pound-for-pound king to make his ring return on Aug. 3 in Los Angeles. And, as expected, he will be debuting in the super welterweight division.

The opponent is to be newly minted WBA champion Israil Madrimov, per the report. In March, the unbeaten Uzbekistani won the vacant title at the expense of Russian fighter Magomed Kurbanov, who was stopped in five rounds.

That fight took place on the undercard of Anthony Joshua vs. Francis Ngannou in Riyadh. It was a statement performance by Madrimov, one which clearly impressed Saudi Arabia’s Turki Alalshikh, who will enter U.S. territory for the first time for the Crawford-Madrimov bout.

The promotion will be handled by Matchroom Boxing’

Madrimov was an accomplished amateur star turned up-and-coming professional.

In 2019, one year after turning professional, the 29-year-old told Boxing Social that he had over 300 amateur fights and six World Series of Boxing contests.

Fast-tracked as a professional, the rampaging pressure fighter was contesting fringe titles almost immediately, and he climbed through the rankings at speed.

As well as the title win over Kubranov, signature wins have come against Emmany Kalombo (UD 10) and Michel Soro (TKO 9).

His professional record stands at 10-0-1 (7 KOs). The only blemish is a third-round technical draw in a rematch with Soro, which ended prematurely when the Frenchman was cut following a clash of heads.

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BOXING

Terence Crawford has held discussions with a potential opponent

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Terence Crawford

WBC, WBA, and WBO welterweight champion Terence Crawford (40-0, 31 KOs) and WBA super welterweight titleholder Israil Madrimov (10-0-1, 7 KOs) have held initial discussions about a potential fight.

According to BoxingScene, the bout could take place on August 3rd at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. This fight could mark the first event in the United States organized by Saudi Arabia’s General Entertainment Authority head Turki Alalshikh.

The deal is reportedly nearing completion, with promotional efforts to be managed by Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom Boxing.

Uzbekistan’s Israil Madrimov claimed the WBA title on March 8th in Riyadh, defeating Magomed Kurbanov via technical knockout in the fifth round.

For Crawford, this would mark his fourth weight division. His most recent fight was in July 2023, where he defeated Errol Spence Jr. by early stoppage in a showdown for the undisputed title.

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BOXING

Why Jermell Charlo Could Scupper Terence Crawford’s Saudi Debut Plans

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Terence Crawford

Boxing star Jermell Charlo could scupper Terence Crawford’s plans for a debut in Saudi Arabia. This week, Turki Alalshikh uploaded a picture of ‘Bud’ to X – formerly known as Twitter – with a shrugging emoji and a boxing glove, which potentially teased a possible link-up between the pair.

Crawford excited boxing fans even more by responding to the original post with two shushing emojis. Despite all the rumours, as of yet, nothing has been signed on the dotted line.

The unified welterweight champion is yet to announce his plans for this year. Speaking to FightHype earlier this year, WBO president Paco Valcarcel believes a possible move up to light middleweight could be on the cards for Crawford.

There were whispers of a potential showdown with Israil Madrimov; however, those plans could now be ruined as Charlo has reportedly thrown a spanner in the works.

According to Dan Rafael, the 33-year-old has activated his WBA junior middleweight champion in recess spot – implying that he’s got some unfinished business in the division.

The move will allow the reigning 154-pound champion to immediately face the newly crowned WBA title holder, Madrimov. The Uzbekistan star, who remains undefeated, captured the WBA belt back in March, defeating Magomed Kurbanov by fifth-round TKO.

Boxing Scene had reported that initial conversations had taken place to stage an epic showdown between Madrimov and Crawford in August.

The move by Charlo blocks His Excellency’s reported plan to schedule the clash between Crawford and Madrimov.

Alalshikh has become a bit of an influential figure in the sport of boxing, putting on sensational cards for the last 12 months. The Chairman of Saudi Arabia’s General Entertainment Authority is also playing a key role in Tyson Fury’s heavyweight showdown with Oleksandr Usyk on the 18th of May.

Most recently, he financed Anthony Joshua’s mouthwatering showdown with former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou back in March – with the Brit going on to secure a sensational second-round knockout.

A one-of-a-kind boxing event was announced Monday as a squad of fighters representing Queensberry Promotions take on boxers from Matchroom in a unique five vs. five event – which includes Deontay Wilder – to take place June 1 in Saudi Arabia.

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BOXING

Wilder fired up for potential Joshua clash

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WBC heavyweight chaWilder fired up for potential Joshua clashmpion Deontay Wilder is sure that a fight with Anthony Joshua will happen in the future despite recent setbacks, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.

The American heavyweight faces Zhilei Zhang June 1, six months on from his shock defeat to Joseph Parker. The loss to Parker in December derailed a planned fight against Joshua, but Wilder says the long-awaited bout can still happen.

“People are always going to want to see that fight no matter what,” Wilder told BBC Sport.

“I put it in the high 90s (percentage chance of happening).”

Wilder’s trainer Malik Scott has backed his fighter to reassert himself among the likes of Fury, Usyk and Joshua, but insists he must stop Zhang in style if he is to have any chance.

“It’s really do or die now, he has to get this done and in his position he can’t get it done just any way, he has to get it done in a violent manner,” Scott told Sky Sports.’

“It’s right back there,” he said. “That’s where heavyweight boxing is great because you do that and you’re right back in the mix.”

Joshua and Wilder both fought on the same night last December, with a view to meeting in April 2024, but the British-Nigerian was forced to face former UFC champion Francis Ngannou instead, after Wilder’s defeat.

Wilder says the loss was in part down to his 14 months of inactivity leading up to the Parker fight, but said a big win will resurrect interest in the contest.

“I always said it before, it’ll be a shame if we never fought,” Wilder said of Joshua.

“It only takes that one fight, that one night. June 1st is going to be that night, that one fight. Deontay Wilder knocks (Zhang’s) head off and the world goes crazy. And there we go again, Wilder versus Joshua. They want it (again).”

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BOXING

Deontay Wilder Remains Hopeful Of Landing Anthony Joshua Showdown After ‘Knocking Zhang’s Head Off’

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Anthony Joshua and Deontay Wilder

Former WBC heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder, 43-3-1 (42KOs), marks his return on June 1 against Zhilei Zhang, 26-2-1 (21 KOs) as a member of team Matchroom in the lauded Matchroom vs. Queensberry series, serving as the undercard to the highly anticipated undisputed clash at 175lbs between Artur Beterbiev and Dmitrii Bivol.

On December 23 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Wilder, who had been inactive in 2023, lost to former WBO champion Joseph Parker on points. In defeat, Wilder saw the opportunity to secure a much-awaited fight with Anthony Joshua go up in smoke.

A victory against Zhang will see the American return to the division’s top table and be placed back into the conversation for a Joshua fight and the other remaining heavyweight contenders who are not named Tyson Fury or Oleksandr Usyk.

Wilder was in London this past Monday to announce his fight against Zhang. He told the gathered press that his love for the sport had returned and vowed to demonstrate why he is statistically the hardest-hitting heavyweight in the sport’s history.

Trainer Malik Scott reaffirmed Wilder’s thinking in an interview, saying he and Wilder were ashamed of the performance against Parker. The former world champion predicts he will be victorious against Zhang by knockout, which will reignite interest in a Joshua fight.

Speaking to the BBC, Wilder explained that it would be a shame if he were not able to face his British rival before the pair retire.

“I always said it before; it’ll be a shame if we never fought each other,” Wilder told the BBC.

“It only takes that one fight, that one night. June 1 is going to be that night, that one fight.

“Deontay Wilder knocks [Zhang’s] head off and the world goes crazy.

“And there we go again, Wilder versus Joshua. They want it [again].”

Reflecting on his defeat to Parker, Wilder insisted he remains a better fighter than former foe Parker and that the New Zealander was the better man on the night.

“That monster wasn’t there no more,” said Wilder

“It was one of those boring fights [vs. Parker] where if anyone did any action, they won.

“That’s how I look at that fight. Joseph Parker is definitely not better than Deontay Wilder. He was just the better man on the night.”

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BOXING

Devin Haney Will Eclipse Gervonta Davis as Face of Boxing, Says Father

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Gervonta Davis

Bill Haney – Devin Haney’s father, trainer and manager – is predicting that his son will overtake Gervonta “Tank” Davis to become the unofficial “face of boxing” after, he says, Devin beats Ryan Garcia on Saturday.

Davis and Saul “Canelo” Alvarez have consistently been the top two draws in the United States over the past few years, and they have jockeyed for position to claim boxing’s top billing – at least on U.S. soil.

Haney (31-0, 15 KOs) is attempting to further catapult his career and star power by besting Garcia (24-1, 20 KOs) in order to join the conversation.

“Gervonta Davis might be over with after this fight,” Bill Haney told BoxingScene.

“After we dismantle and beat up a healthy Ryan Garcia at 140 pounds and do some numbers, it might be over with for the former face of boxing, Tank Davis, who says that he can’t get the fight. How are you going to be the face of boxing and you can’t get the fight that you want? Devin has crossed platforms. We dealt with Stephen Espinoza at Showtime. We dealt with Eddie Hearn with Matchroom and DAZN. We dealt with Bob Arum and Top Rank and ESPN, and now we’re with Oscar De La Hoya and Golden Boy and DAZN.

“We did what it takes to make the [Garcia] fight happen. We broke down the myth that there were sides of the street. We do it for the people. The people put the target on their backs, and we delivered the fights.”

Haney-Garcia will be held at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York.

Davis has a strong track record at the venue, and Haney-Garcia will ultimately be compared to the big business Davis did there in his May 2022 knockout win over Rolando “Rolly” Romero. Additionally, David helped drive 1.2 million PPV buys and $22.8 million in ticket revenue for his own fight with Garcia last year.

“The [PPV numbers for Haney-Garcia] don’t have to be close to [Davis-Garcia],” said Bill Haney. “They have to beat the current numbers in 2024. We know the world of the fire sticks happen. We can’t judge the past. Let’s talk about and beat the 2024 numbers. If we beat any number in 2024, then that says Devin is the face of 2024. We don’t go on 2023.”

According to Davis promoter TGB, Davis-Romero was a sold-out show that broke the all-time gate record for a boxing match at the Barclays Center. The announced attendance of 18,970 also set a new record for boxing in the venue.

Haney-Garcia, meanwhile, has seen a lack of demand lead to price drops in tickets in recent weeks.

“Clearly whomever scaled their fight didn’t know what tf they were doing and it will ultimately cost the fighters a bunch of money,” Leonard Ellerbe, Davis’ promoter, recently posted to his X social media account – a reference to the light business Haney-Garcia has done thus far.

Haney agreed to a 55-45 revenue split in favor of Garcia for the gate, sponsorships and PPV percentages.

The heavily favored Haney is expected to beat the enigmatic Garcia and defend his junior welterweight title.

With Garcia as his dance partner, Haney should also improve on the subpar PPV figures from his fights against Vasiliy Lomachenko and Regis Prograis in 2023.

Whether or not the former undisputed lightweight champion Haney can lure Davis in for a dance after Garcia remains to be seen.

Although Davis has fought once before at 140 pounds, in 2021 against Mario Barrios, Tank insists he’s a 135-pound fighter.

“I don’t know [what’s going to stop a Haney-Davis fight from happening] because it wasn’t the money,” Bill Haney said. “I said there was $20 million on the table, [chairman of the Saudi Arabian General Entertainment Authority] Turki Alalshikh said there was even more. He said, ‘Let’s talk about it.’ I think Tank said something about some Ferraris. His Excellency sent over some boxing gloves, and I haven’t heard anything from there.

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BOXING

I was knocked out by Gervonta Davis, but fighter I KO’d in 98 seconds hit harder, his punches were like rocks

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Gervonta Davis

Ryan Garcia has told talkSPORT.com that Gervonta Davis is not the hardest hitting boxer he’s faced.

The 25-year-old is set to challenge Devin Haney on Saturday night, live on talkSPORT, in what will be the second PPV fight of his career.

The first, of course, came against Davis, better known as Tank, last year.

Both men put their unbeaten records on the line with Tank coming out on top.

The renowned power puncher floored Garcia with a stiff right hand in round two, then stopped him with a body shot in round seven.

However, despite this result, ‘KingRy’ is adamant that he’s faced other opponents with more power than Tank.

When asked who’s hit him the hardest, Garcia told talkSPORT.com: “That’s probably Romero Duno.

“Even though I knocked him out in a minute, when he touched my back it felt like I was getting hit by a rock.

“And then Oscar Duarte, he hit hard.

“He had hands of stone, that s*** hurt.

“So those are the two hardest punchers that I remember.”

Discussing how most people would have assumed his answer would have been Davis, Garcia said: “People that criticise that comment have never boxed a day in their life, they don’t know s***.

“You don’t even need big pressure to knock somebody out. You need 6lbs of pressure.

“The only difference is if you don’t see the shot coming – that’s when you get dropped or hurt or whatever.

“He’s good at disguising his punches, but when I saw them they did not hurt at all.”

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BOXING

Terence Crawford and Turki Alalshikh tease link-up as American boxing star eyes next fight

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Terence Crawford could be the next major boxing star heading to Saudi Arabia.

Saudi boxing chief Turki Alalshikh posted a picture of ‘Bud’ to his social media earlier today with a shrugging emoji and boxing glove, appearing to tease a possible link-up between the pair.

Crawford stoked the flames further as he responded with two shushing emojis.

Alalshikh is the most influential man in boxing right now and has been putting on cards for the last 12 months that would otherwise be the stuff of fantasy.

The Chairman of Saudi Arabia’s General Entertainment Authority is the driving force behind the upcoming undisputed heavyweight showdown between Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk on May 18.

And most recently he funded Anthony Joshua and Francis Ngannou’s crossover clash in March.

Alalshikh seems set on working with all the top names in the sport so it makes sense for him to be eyeing up a deal with the pound-for-pound king of boxing, Crawford.

The 36-year-old has been out of action since July last year when he stopped Errol Spence to become the first undisputed welterweight champion of the four-belt era.

He has been linked with several different opportunities over the last few months but it is proving to be a nightmare for Crawford to get anything over the line.

The first fight to fall by the wayside was a rematch with Spence.

Big Fish’ activated the two-way rematch clause in their contract shortly after the conclusion of their inaugural encounter.

However, esteemed boxing journalist Dan Rafael reported in February that the fight is unlikely to take place due to a ‘variety of reasons’, including Spence enduring a lengthy stint on the sidelines after undergoing cataract surgery.

Crawford’s attention then turned to a bout with newly-crowned WBC and WBO super-welterweight champion Sebastian Fundora.

But again that bout has hit a snag following reports suggesting Fundora and Tim Tszyu are targeting a rematch for November in Las Vegas.

It is presently unclear which fight is in the pipeline for Crawford although hardcore boxing fans would love to see him in a blockbuster dust-up with Jarron ‘Boots’ Ennis next.

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