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Next Floyd Mayweather? Curmel Moton Just Knows He’s Ready for the Hype

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Curmel Moton

Without saying it, Curmel Moton said it.

“There’s a lot of hype around me, and I’ve got big shoes to fill,” Moton told Boxing Scene on Friday. “I’m ready for it, and that’s why I’m putting in all the work.”

Piling the daunting pressure of being the “Next Floyd Mayweather Jr.” on a 17-year-old is beyond unfair.

Yet, Moton, of Las Vegas, is off to a 2-0 start and embracing the grind that it’s going to require to transfer his limitless skills to the type of accomplishments his mentor achieved during his Hall of Fame career.

So many career-makers around the sport understand completely what’s coming.

When undefeated and top-ranked Phoenix middleweight Elijah Garcia fell ill on Friday, his fight was scrapped from the subscriber-only opening portion of Saturday’s Amazon Prime Video pay-per-view card, headlined by the Tim Tszyu–Sebastian Fundora two-belt junior middleweight title fight at T-Mobile Arena. Replacing it on the bill will be Moton’s bout against Antony Cuba (7-0-2, 3 KOs).

Moton told Boxing Scene that the plan is for him to be inserted in swing bouts on as many PBC Amazon Prime Video cards as possible, to both ensure his activity and position him for the type of exposure so many believe he deserves.

Not long after Moton turned 5 years old, his father, Curtis Moton, introduced his son to boxing, moved the family to Las Vegas and started showing his son Mayweather fight videos.

“That made me dream,” Moton said. “I wanted to be a world champion, and I took it from there.”

By age 8, Moton was led inside the Mayweather Boxing Club and had the good fortune of observing Mayweather go through his entire routine while he was preparing for what would become the most lucrative prizefight of all time, his 2015 bout against Manny Pacquiao.

“I was just studying him and watching how he did his camp,” Moton said. “Not long after that, I started training at the gym and started sparring some of the kids they had in there.

“And I whupped on them. Word got back to Floyd. I became cool with everyone around the gym, and then I started going to tournaments and bringing [belts] back to the gym.”

Mayweather took notice. One day, he saw Moton carrying the belts and summoned the young fighter to his luxury car, handing him a hat. Mayweather then began sponsoring Moton in prestigious tournaments, paying for his flights, Moton said.

Mayweather followed a similar trek, so he knows with 20-20 hindsight exactly how to advise his protege.

“Believing in myself, listening to my team, dedicating myself and working hard,” Moton said of his mentor’s lessons. “It’s not that hard. My dad makes sure I stay on the right track. Without him, it’d be more difficult, but I know what I want to do. I don’t want to let anyone down. I know I need to focus.

“I want to be a world champion one day, so I’m on the right track.”

How is the process going? Moton has sparred against multi-division world champions Gervonta “Tank” Davis and Shakur Stevenson, top contenders Richardson Hitchins and Kenneth Sims, and former featherweight titleholder Robiesy Ramirez.

Leonard Ellerbe of Mayweather Promotions told reporters Friday that he and Mayweather aspire for Moton to join Wilfred Benitez as one of only a few teenage world champions.

“That’s happening,” Ellerbe said. “We’re waiting for the right opportunity, sizing guys up.”

Ellerbe said he seriously explored trying to match Moton against featherweight titleholder Leigh Wood.

“You don’t need 18-19 fights [to fight for a title], like when Floyd was coming up,” Ellerbe said. “All these guys he’s sparred say [Moton’s] the real deal.”

After Saturday, it’s back to the gym.

“I’m working hard on improving every day and definitely sharpening my skills,” Moton said. “I’m all around the board, working on everything. In this sport, you know what it takes. You’ve got to dedicate yourself. It’s a lifestyle, not just a sport. I’m ready for it.

“The plan is to get on as many of these [Prime Video] cards as I can and keep moving up through the ranks.”

What’s clear so far is that it’s going to be a rapid ascension.

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BOXING

Real Reason Logan Paul Agreed to Fight Floyd Mayweather

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Floyd Mayweather

After Floyd Mayweather agreed to fight Logan Paul on June 6, 2021, at the Hard Rock Stadium, ‘The Maverick’ took to X and declared his mother was “terrified.” However, besides being 19 years younger than Mayweather, Paul had a six-inch reach advantage against ‘TBE’. But, while Mayweather had 50 pro wins, Paul had only two matches against fellow influencer KSI. Hence, when the duo stepped inside the ring, Mayweather out-landed Paul by 27.3%. But, in a recent interview, Paul claimed Mayweather was “beatable“!

However, when Paul was asked to replace a fighter Mayweather was going to face on top of the Burj Al Arab in Dubai on six weeks’ notice, ‘The Maverick’ also rejected the offer. Now, in light of this incident, Logan Paul revealed why he agreed to fight Mayweather in 2021. Here is what he said.

Only force that motivated Logan Paul to risk everything against Mayweather

Although no winner was announced, ESPN had scored Logan Paul vs. Floyd Mayweather 78-74 for ‘TBE’. Meanwhile, after the match, Logan Paul claimed that Mayweather had not paid him for the contest. Therefore, although Paul stated he could beat the 50-0 boxer in a rematch, he felt he had a “bigger fish to fry“. Anyway, speaking to Graham Bensinger, Paul said “respect” motivated the WWE wrestler to agree to a boxing match against the boxer who held 15 major world championships

“I think there’s a video of my initial reaction somewhere. And I just remember thinking ‘If I can just survive with this guy, my life will be drastically different forever’. I think my whole life I’ve craved respect,” said Logan Paul.

“And I don’t feel like I got that respect that I wanted from making media online. And I knew that if I could weather eight rounds with Floyd Mayweather, you’d have to respect me. You may not like me, but you have to respect me,” added ‘The Maverick’.

In this connection, it is worth mentioning that in the same interview, Paul said he would only rematch ‘TBE’ to beat him. “I already fought Floyd Mayweather. If I did it again, it would be to beat Floyd Mayweather. Which I think is doable, I just need to train proper,” he had said.

Anyway, do you think Logan Paul surviving eight rounds against Mayweather is commendable? In your opinion, can Paul defeat Mayweather should they agree to a rematch? Let us know in the comments below.
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BOXING

Tyson Fury vs Oleksandr Usyk undercard revealed with two world title fights and Gypsy King’s sparring partners in action

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Oleksandr Usyk

THE UNDERCARD for Tyson Fury’s historic undisputed title fight against Oleksandr Usyk has been announced.

Fury and Usyk meet in the first ever four-belt unification bout on May 18 in Saudi Arabia.

Providing chief support on the night are cruiserweight rivals Jai Opetaia and Mairis Briedis.

Opetaia beat Briedis for the IBF title in 2023 and a rematch was then called.

But Opetaia opted to instead fight on Anthony Joshua’s undercard in December and as a result lost his belt.

So the title he was harshly forced to vacate will once again be on the line when he shares the ring with Briedis again.

Also defending his IBF super-featherweight world title is undefeated Welshman Joe Cordina against Northern Irishman Anthony Cacare.

Heavyweights Agit Kabayel and Frank Sanchez collide in a WBC eliminator as they look to rise the ranks for a shot at the strap.

Moses Itauma – the 19-year-old dubbed Britain’s answer to Mike Tyson – returns against Ilja Mazencev.

And New Zealand cruiserweight David Nyika also faces Michael Seitz.

 

Opetaia, Seitz and Nyika are all former sparring partners of Fury.

Other undercard bouts are former light-heavyweight world champ Sergey Kovalev in action against Robin Safar at cruiseweight.

Fury’s friend and training partner Isaac Lowe take son Hasibullah Ahmadi and Mark Chamberlain fights Joshua Oluwaseun

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BOXING

FURY V USYK: STACKED CARD CONFIRMED FOR RESCHEDULED UNDISPUTED HEAVYWEIGHT TITLE CLASH IN SAUDI ARABIA

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OLeksandr Usyk and Tyson Fury
There’s a stacked card confirmed for the undisputed heavyweight clash between Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk on May 18.
The Briton – the undefeated WBC champion – and his Ukrainian rival who holds the remaining three major straps, finally meet in Saudi Arabia in two months.
The pair had been set to fight on February 17 but a cut to Fury’s eye led to the bout being rescheduled to give him time to heal.
Saudi Arabia has fast become the venue to hold the biggest fights, and that has also led to some unusually star-packed undercards with Queensberry and Matchroom working together to field their strongest fighters on joint cards.
Fury vs. Usyk is no exception, as the supporting fights have now been confirmed, with plenty of heavyweight talent and some world titles on the line.
Frank Sanchez and Agit Kabayel, both undefeated with 24 wins to their name, put their blemish-free records on the line.
Elsewhere Jai Opetaia will take on Mairis Briedis at cruiserweight to contest the vacant IBF championship, and Joe Cordina will hope to retain his super-featherweight title against Ireland’s Anthony Cacace.
Mark Chamberlain takes on Joshua Oluwaseun, and there is also a chance to see 19-year-old heavyweight prospect Moses Itauma, who takes on Ilja Mazencev.
Elsewhere, David Nyika battles Michael Seitz at cruiserweight and English featherweight Isaac Lowe is set to face Hasibullah Ahmadi.
Lastly, former light heavyweight champion Sergey Kovalev is up against the undefeated Robin Sirwan Safar as he moves up to cruiserweight.

TYSON FURY VS. OLEKSANDR USYK CONFIRMED CARD

  • Tyson Fury vs. Oleksandr Usyk
  • Jai Opetaia vs. Mairis Briedis
  • Joe Cordins vs. Anthony Cacace
  • Frank Sanchez vs. Agit Kabayel
  • Mark Chamberlain vs. Joshua Oluwaseun
  • Sergey Kovalev vs. Robin Sirwan Safar
  • Isaac Lowe vs. Hasibullah Ahmadi
  • David Nyika vs. Michael Seitz
  • Moses Itauma vs. Ilja Mazencev
– – –
TNT Sports presents the premium live sports rights previously carried by BT Sport including the Premier League, UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League, UEFA Conference League, Gallagher Premiership Rugby, Investec Champions Cup, EPCR Challenge Cup, MotoGP, Cricket, UFC, Boxing and WWE. The streaming home for TNT Sports in the UK is discovery+, where fans can enjoy a subscription that includes TNT Sports, Eurosport and entertainment in one destination. You can also watch TNT Sports through BT, EE, Sky, and Virgin Media.
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BOXING

Terence Crawford to Retain WBO Welterweight Title Ahead of Junior Middleweight Title Tilt

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Terence Crawford

Unified welterweight champion Terence Crawford will be allowed to retain his WBO world title, reports World Boxing News.

Crawford, a two-weight undisputed champion is set to move up to 154 pounds to challenge the winner of Saturday’s junior middleweight title fight between Tim Tszyu and Sebastian Fundora in Las Vegas.

Last week Crawford (40-0, 31 KOs) decided to invoke his right as the WBO welterweight titleholder to enforce his right to a mandatory challenge of the organization’s current junior middleweight titleholder, as per the sanctioning body’s rules.

WBO president Paco Valcarcel confirmed to World Boxing News that Crawford would not be stripped of his title ahead of Tszyu-Fundora. Valcarcel cited Crawford’s relationship with the WBO and his status as a two-time undisputed champion as reasons why he will be allowed to retain the organization’s welterweight title while challenging for its junior middleweight crown.

“[B]ased on Crawford’s merits as a three-division WBO world champion and two-division undisputed champion,” Valcarcel said, “we will allow him to enter the ring and participate as WBO welterweight champion against the winner of Tszyu versus Fundora.”

Valcarcel indicated that a matchup between Crawford and the Tszyu-Fundora winner must take place within 180 days of Saturday’s fight – effectively, before summer’s end.

“We do not want to get ahead of ourselves,” Valcarcel told World Boxing News.

“But they are aware and cognizant that the winner must fight Crawford next.”

Fundora (20-1-1, 13 KOs) was drafted as a late injury replacement for Keith Thurman (30-1, 22 KOs). Initially slated to meet Serhii Bohachuk in a fight to decide the vacant WBC junior middleweight title on the show’s undercard, Fundora was bumped up to the main event when Thurman fell out.

The WBC ultimately decided to put its title on the line in the fight after Fundora was finalized as the new opponent for Tszyu.

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BOXING

Anthony Joshua Is set for early return after Francis Ngannou knockout

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Anthony Joshua

Anthony Joshua, the former two-time unified heavyweight champion, has hinted at his upcoming bout with rumors that it would happen even sooner than expected.

Though there were first hopes for a longer break, Joshua, whose career has taken off over the last year, is ready to return to the ring.\

After a turbulent 2021 and 2022 in which he lost his belts to the unbeaten Oleksandr Usyk and then was unable to win them back in a rematch, Joshua has painstakingly returned to his previous level of performance.

Anthony Joshua set for return

Many had assumed that Joshua would wait to comment on the results of the May 18 fight between Tyson Fury and Usyk, or that he may face Fillip Hrgovic for the IBF title after that. However, the British boxer has thrown a curveball by agreeing to take on an opponent who has not yet been revealed.

Joshua hinted that he would soon be back in the ring in his Instagram Story.

The British celebrity is seen in the picture talking on the phone and captioning the image with the exchange.

There is a lot of conjecture surrounding Joshua’s opponent as he gets ready for his next fight possibly against Joseph Parker.

Filip Hrgovic will fight Daniel Dubois, while Deontay Wilder will fight Zhang Zhilei.

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BOXING

Tyson Fury’s ‘motivation’ questioned as world champion makes bold prediction for Oleksandr Usyk fight

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Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk

Tyson Fury may be a marginal favourite to beat Oleksandr Usyk – but not in Chris Billam-Smith’s eyes.

The ‘Gypsy King’ failed to impress in a tough last outing against ex-UFC champion Francis Ngannou, where he edged out a narrow points win.

And he will now face the biggest challenge of his career against Usyk on May 18 for the undisputed titles.

But Fury has since admitted he wasn’t at his optimum performance in his preparations to face ‘The Predator’, and has since been seen looking menacing in training footage as he prepares to tackle the unbeaten Ukrainian.

WBO cruiserweight world champion Billam-Smith believes that undefeated Fury could struggle against Usyk due to his rival’s mental strength.

“I think Usyk seems more focused and more on it,” Billam Smith told talkSPORT.com.

“Fury likes to get into peoples heads before the fight, and Usyk has never let anyone in his head which is a factor.

“I just think when it comes to motivation after the last few years, I’m not sure how motivated Fury is anymore, he has achieved a hell of a lot.

“Usyk seems like he could box forever because he loves the sport and loves the lifestyle.

“Whereas Fury seems to be doing it because of what he knows as opposed to still being in it to improve.

“But Fury is 6’9 and a massive guy, and Usyk isn’t the biggest heavyweight so you never know what could happen.

“But if I had to pick up a winner, I’d edge Usyk because of the focus and concentration.”

Fury appears to be in a much better mindset to face Usyk, having made a remarkable transformation since competing in October 2023.

He is looking to become the first heavyweight to reign as undisputed champion in the division since Lennox Lewis in 1999.

Fans fear that Usyk could be in trouble with Fury showing off the best of his ability on the pads, and the British star has more motivation than ever.

A huge rematch appears to be next on the cards if he progresses, while a potential blockbuster with Anthony Joshua could lay in wait early in 2025.

One thing for sure is that the boxing world couldn’t possibly be more excited at the prospect of declaring an undisputed champion, with the best fighting the best in Saudi Arabia this spring.

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BOXING

“No Bud?”: Fans React as Errol Spence Jr demands Tim Tszyu vs Sebastian Fundora Winner For Comeback

By
Terence Crawford

Fresh off cataract surgery, Errol Spence Jr has declared himself ready to return and has his sights set on the winner of this weekend’s title fight between Tim Tszyu and Sebastian Fundora. It’s around 10 months since his defeat against Terence Crawford, and the boxing world has heard something about a comeback from Errol. Tszyu, the reigning WBO champion, faces a dilemma. While holding onto his belt offers prestige, a fight with Spence promises a much bigger payday thanks to Spence’s massive PPV draw.

However, pursuing the lucrative fight could come at a cost–Tszyu would likely have to vacate his WBO title as he bypasses the mandatory challenger, Terence Crawford. However, things would completely change if Sebastian Fundora grabbed the victory in the highly anticipated matchup. It’d give Spence Jr. a free pass to make his comeback. But what did he say on social media that has thumb-stamped his return?

Errol Spence Jr. wants to put an end to his hiatus

Taking to social media, the Texan announced his arrival in Las Vegas with a chilling message: “Headed to Vegas. I want the winner. #TszyuFundora“. The accompanying video left no room for misinterpretation. Spence, a fighter nicknamed “The Truth,” used a shark to symbolize his predatory intent. He’s ready to snatch the victor from the upcoming clash between WBO champion Tim Tszyu and Sebastian Fundora.

This cryptic yet powerful declaration throws a wrench into the super welterweight division. Furthermore, this declaration even reached Tim Tszyu, who got excited to see Spence Jr. get back into the discussion of competing inside the squared circle. Speaking to FightHype, Tszyu stated, “Beautiful, he’s finally awake. I thought he was asleep for a long time.”

So, it’s going to be an amazing spectacle since Spence Jr has also announced that he’ll be present ringside at the enthralling Tszyu-Fundora showdown. However, the fans showed a desire for a rematch against Terence Crawford.

Fans want something else from ‘The Truth’

The post instantly caught a lot of attention, since this is after a long time since Spence Jr. has made his return to discussions about his future fights. So, it’s nothing less than a miracle for some boxing fans. The comments were flooded with all the possibilities for him in the future.

One user was excited to hear from Errol Spence Jr, as he’s been waiting for some updates from the former unified welterweight champion.

If Spence Jr does get a fight against the winner of the Tim Tszyu vs. Sebastian Fundora, it’ll definitely sell a lot of tickets. Additionally, it’ll be a great setup fight for one of the most anticipated boxing rematches in history.

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BOXING

“It’s Good”: Sebastian Fundora responds to Possible Errol Spence Jr and Terence Crawford Fight Saga

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Tim Tzyu

The winner of Tim Tszyu vs. Sebastian Fundora is set to face the big sharks of the welterweight class. While the two battle it out for Tszyu’s WBO super welterweight belt and the vacant WBC title, both Errol Spence Jr. and Terence Crawford have expressed their desire to challenge whoever goes home with those titles in their kitty.

On Saturday night, at the iconic T-Mobile Arena of Las Vegas, 20-1-1 record holder, Fundora will fight his Aussie opponent, Tszyu, in hopes of grabbing hold of the titles that he’s been chasing for a while. However, that’s not his only incentive. A fight against either ‘Bud’ or ‘The Truth’ will only push him into the elite fighters’ league of the weight class. Is he willing for such an undertaking?

Sebastian Fundora “want one of the guys”

Ahead of his super crucial fight against his undefeated opponent, the Coachella-based fighter was asked his take on the recent callout he received from former unified welterweight champion, Spence Jr. Extending his response beyond Spence Jr., to even Bud, he noted, “It’s good. It’s good. You know, he’s a big, it’s like Thurman, I want one of the guys, why can’t I get one of those fights?”

Earlier on social media, 34-year-old Spence Jr. noted that he was flying to Vegas where the weekend entertainer is slated to happen. He also relayed that he’s eyeing a fight against the winner of it. He wrote, “Headed to Vegas. I want the winner!! #TszyuFundora,” but Tszyu didn’t bat an eye. The Texan was meant to fight Bud in a rematch in December. However, he opted for eye surgery, letting the rematch period elapse.

His opponent, the 2x undisputed champion, Crawford exercised his rights as the WBO welterweight titlist to be nominated as the mandatory challenger for the WBO super welterweight titlist. Meaning, yet again, the winner of Tszyu vs. Fundora.

“He’s finally awake”

Responding to Errol Spence Jr.’s challenge for a fight, the Sydney-origin fighter seemed excited for the potential fight. During an interview with Fight Hype TV, he remarked, “Beautiful, he’s finally awake. I thought he was asleep for a long time.”

On his social media, he also had a similar take on the callout. In a confident tone, he wrote, “Beautiful … these are the types of moments I’ve always wanted.” He also added, “Big moments to be getting the big names into a fight.”

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BOXING

Anthony Joshua’s company banks enormous earnings after the British heavyweight goes undefeated in 2023

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Anthony Joshua

Anthony Joshua’s company, Sparta Promotions Limited, has profited from a growth in equity in the past year after the British heavyweight enjoyed a lucrative 2023.

The 34-year-old boxer fought three times during the calendar year, beating Jermaine Franklin, Robert Helenius and Otto Wallin to bounce back after suffering back-to-back losses to Oleksandr Usyk in 2021 and 2022.

According to Forbes, Joshua, who has a whopping 16.9m followers on Instagram and is one of the most well-known athletes on the planet, placed 28th in the rankings for the World’s highest-paid athletes in 2023.

The outlet, Joshua currently boasts a net worth of approximately £41million ($53m) and has continued to add to his gigantic fortune in 2024, banking a another £39m his fight against Francis Ngannou in Saudi Arabia.

That came even before he had stepped into the ring where he would go on to deliver an emphatic second-round knockout to beat the former UFC heavyweight champion.

But 2023 was a very lucrative year for the British fighter, who’s company have recorded profits of £35.9m.

Adding to that, amid all his sponsorship deals, partnerships and business operations, Sparta Promotions have grown in equity once again, with the company’s value rising to £129m.

That’s nearly a £30m rise its equity valuation for 2022, with the former heavyweight champion paying almost £7m in tax last year.

‘When I first started, the aim was to become a multimillionaire,’ he told GQ in 2017.

‘But now there are ordinary people, grandmas and granddads, who are worth millions just because of property prices. So the new school of thought is that I need to be a billionaire.

‘Being a millionaire is good, but you have to set your sights higher. If I’m making £10million from my next fight, my next target has to be making ten times that. And if I get to £100m-150m, why not go for the billion? I know self-made billionaires. It’s hard, but it’s possible.’

His story is a rags-to-riches tale of a man who grew up on a council estate before rising to stardom after success in the 2012 Olympics.

Joshua boasts a collection of luxury cars worth around £1m which includes a £150,000 Range Rover SVO – which was custom made with his name inscribed in the tread plates – and a £93,000 white Jaguar XJR. He has over a dozen properties in his portfolio including a £1m north London house.

He owns his own clothing line, AJBXING, and has partnerships with Jaguar Land Rover, William Hill, Hugo Boss and Under Armour.

For boxers, the financial benefits of fighting in Saudi Arabia are clear to see with Tyson Fury also banking £39m for his ‘Battle of the Baddest’ clash against Francis Ngannou last year.

AJ, meanwhile, proved that he was well and truly back to his best with his sensational knockout against Ngannou at the start of the month.

He is now plotting his next move, with Frank Warren revealing that he could be set to face Tyson Fury next March in Saudi Arabia, after the Gypsy King has fought Oleksandr Usyk twice.

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