Boxing Archives - Page 56 of 183

The electric atmosphere at the T-Mobile Arena crackled with anticipation in April 2023. In a clash dubbed “the face of American boxing” fight, Gervonta Davis delivered a signature performance, etching his name in the history books. The 29-year-old champion wasted no time, sending Ryan Garcia to the canvas in a stunning second-round display of dominance.

This fight had everybody sitting on the edge of their seats. But Garcia, known for his resilience, weathered the storm. The fight remained a tense chess match until the seventh round when Davis unleashed a perfect uppercut that sent a jolt through Garcia’s ribs and ended the fight with a resounding thud. Now, Garcia looks forward to a rematch and has called out his former rival for a fight at 140.

Ryan Garcia feels peeved yet again

Names like Teofimo Lopez, Devin Haney, and even Conor Benn have danced around the rumor mill as potential opponents for a fight against ‘Tank.’ Yet, negotiations seem to have stalled, leaving the date and the challenger shrouded in mystery. As of now, Davis is preparing for his fight against Frank Martin.

However, after Martin, his prospects of fighting Ryan Garcia are getting higher. Furthermore, Davis has been called out by Garcia just now. Ryan Garcia, who’s preparing for his fight against Devin Haney, seems to want a rematch against Gervonta Davis next. He recently posted pictures of P Diddy lifting Gervonta Davis and other controversial pictures. He wrote, “Abdul Wahid wtf is this????”

He also posted another tweet where he directly called out ‘Tank’. He stated, “But for real if your weird a#s wants to fight at 140 shut the f#ck up and fight stop f#cking running around like a b#tch and fight forreal. I’m out here fighting for the 140 pound title he out here kissing dudes and Loving on P diddy wtf is his problem.” However, Davis also hinted regarding a fight against Garcia.

Gervonta Davis drops a clue

Gervonta Davis has thrown boxing fans into a frenzy with a recent social media post featuring a photo from his fight with Ryan Garcia. Whispers of a rematch quickly swirled through the boxing world, fueled by the lingering animosity between the two fighters. However, a closer look throws a wrench into these plans.

Garcia has a scheduled fight against Devin Haney on April 20th. Not only that, even Gervonta Davis might be taking on Frank Martin around June 15 in Houston, Texas. Interestingly, the photo also had the location set in Houston, Texas as well.

The Baltimorean had his last fight at Toyota Center in Houston, so he might plan two consecutive fights in the same venue. What are your thoughts about this? Tell us in the comments section.

BOXING

Conor McGregor responds to Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury comparison

Conor McGregor has admitted frustration in being unable to demand his fight date in the way Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury can.

UFC legend McGregor has faced frequent delays to his comeback fight against Michael Chandler but will now seemingly return in the summer. McGregor and Chandler’s fight was announced a year ago as the rivals coached against each other on season 31 of The Ultimate Fighter to promote their showdown.

Combat sports reporter Ariel Helwani quizzed McGregor on his uncertain return date by asking him on The MMA Hour: “Anthony Joshua doesn’t wait for the call from Eddie Hearn, Tyson Fury doesn’t wait for the call from Frank Warren. Conor McGregor shouldn’t wait for the call from anyone, the date should be built around you.

McGregor responded by saying: “It’s fair enough, I have two fights left on the contract and we’ve got to do something else or do we? I don’t know, surely. Nobody brings the figures I bring, or ever, all of these things will I’m sure be worked out and ironed out with my management staple Paradigm Sports in our next stage of relations.”

McGregor has out-lined his three-fight plan for this year, which starts with a bout against Chandler, a trilogy fight with Nate Diaz in September and a boxing return against Manny Pacquiao in December. The former two-weight champion insisted he is hoping to stay with the UFC despite not being offered a new deal.

“There’s been no talks about no deals,” he added. “Usually Lorenzo [Fertitta] would have had something tasty on my plate well ago, Lorenzo would have re-signed me two fights ago even. I know they know I’m up, but what way do you approach it? I’m a billionaire, Mr B. So what way do you come at someone like me?

“I just ride the wave and then I don’t know after that, but that’s my catalogue and my life. The UFC is what made me and gave me this, I love the company with all of my being. It’s the best and most iconic fighting organisation there’s ever been and I’m all over it, I f****ing love that. I’d love to carry it on, I hope.”

BOXING

Ryan Garcia Caught in Crossfire as Gervonta Davis (Now Abdul Wahid) Warns Frank Martin

Ryan Garcia can’t catch a break! The Victorville native just became an unwitting victim to Gervonta Davis’ warning shots at Frank Martin. Davis last appeared in the ring in April last year against Garcia, and now, multiple sources suggest he would fight ‘The Ghost’ on June 15. So, Davis turned to social media today to issue a warning to Martin.

Despite his nearly a year-long hiatus from the sport, Gervonta Davis had a stable of fighters to choose from. At first, it seemed like a fight against Conor Benn was imminent, but despite Eddie Hearn’s offer, Davis saw Martin as a worthy adversary. However, the question is, how did Garcia come into this equation?

Gervonta Davis confirms fight date!

Turning to Instagram, Davis shared a still from his last fight against Garcia! The image captured the very moment when referee Thomas Taylor had stopped the fight, seeing Garcia’s discomfort because of the body shot landed by Davis beforehand. Meanwhile, Davis captioned the post simply with “June,” seemingly confirming the month for his next fight.

The image and the caption were, of course, a subtle warning for his upcoming opponent, showcasing what Martin should expect when he enters the ring against Davis. Martin and Davis are expected to headline on Amazon Prime Video pay-per-view, a second for them in partnership with PBC. Meanwhile, the Baltimore native got roped into the whole boxing vs. MMA debate.

Can Gervona Davis survive in the octagon?

In the recent past, Francis Ngannou’s venture into the sweet science has given rise to a raging debate about boxers against MMA fighters. While everyone would agree Davis would dominate most MMA guys in the ring, Tyrone Woodley thinks Davis has zero chance in the octagon against Demetrious Johnson.

In a recent Instagram post, the retired mixed martial artist spoke about the fantasy matchup, claiming, “I don’t think Gervonta Davis could defeat Demetrious Johnson. I think he would be too much to deal with.” He further added, “I think Demetrious is too skilled. I don’t think he can beat him. He would be on him like white on rice. That would be a fight I would actually watch.”

After what seems like a finalized deal between Gervonta Davis and Frank Martin, the former has issued a strong warning and a prediction for his next fight! Even though Martin doesn’t have as impressive of a resume as Davis, he is an undefeated boxer. So, it would be interesting to see how Davis deals with Martin in the ring come June 15. Do you think Davis would walk through Martin? Let us know in the comments section below!

BOXING

Gervonta Davis Might Find It Hard To Break His Own $22.8 Million Record if He Fights Ryan Garcia Again

Gervonta Davis vs. Ryan Garcia, again. But in 2024. Things haven’t changed drastically since last April, when ‘KingRy’ took a knee and never got up. There have been rematch talks, but those never got the full swing. What if they roll it back later this year? Would you splash the cash to see them exchanging blows once more? There are enough ifs that might spell disaster for the probable rematch and your pocket.

What do you need for a thrilling rematch? Unfinished business, the right money, a perfect time to schedule the fight, and the hype from fans. Even if one is missing, you could guess the outcome of the mega-event. It seems Davis vs. Garcia is headed the same way if the fight is made and might be a fader event to their first match, which sold 1.1 million PPVs and collected $22.8 million in revenue.

Gervonta Davis vs. Ryan Garcia: timing might spoil the fun

Since ‘Tank’ put Garcia, 25, on the canvas last year, he has been away from the boxing ring. It will be almost 14 months when, and if, he unloads those heavy punches against the rumored Frank Martin in June. Meanwhile, Garcia made some hard calls, made a switch, returned to the winner’s column against Oscar Duarte, and now stands close to realizing his championship dream against Devin Haney.

So what’s the holdup? Well, both are spearheading their careers in different divisions now. Davis, at 29-0, is living a champion’s life at 135 and feels comfortable where he belongs. On the other hand, Garcia, at 24-1, is already eyeing a future at 140 pounds and might be unwilling to come to Davis’ terms of catchweight and rehydration clause. He believes he paid the price for accepting terms favorable to Davis. So, he will be reluctant to rush recklessly into the opportunity to avenge his defeat.

Moreover, when both make a call on their rematch, the lightweight division’s landscape will appear different. Either both Americans will stand tall as champions and create an organic demand for the rematch, or one will have to kick-start his career after a defeat and the demand for a rematch dies off. That’s not it. The fans don’t want to relive the short, lopsided fight of 2023.

The punctured buzz and no wave of excitement

The way Garcia went down when Davis landed heavy body blows was disheartening for the fans. They wanted a competitive fight with high-paced action. But in return, they had a one-sided affair. There is neither some unfinished business nor some controversy that could warrant a rematch.

The gulf of skills between the two fighters was apparent that night, and it doesn’t appear Garcia would have bridged it within two years. While the Victorville native has exhibited improvement under Derrick James‘ tutelage, he is far removed from a finished product. Therefore, the fans haven’t exactly flooded the internet and demanded an immediate rematch between the two.

BOXING

Anthony Joshua teases next fight with cryptic Instagram post and sparks fears over Tyson Fury v Oleksandr Usyk showdown

ANTHONY JOSHUA has teased an imminent fight announcement – just weeks after his destruction of Francis Ngannou.

The Watford warrior made light work of the former UFC heavyweight champion earlier this month, brutally knocking him out in the second round of their Saudi showdown.

AJ, 34, is now in prime position to face the winner of the historic undisputed heavyweight title fight between Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk in May.

But the London 2012 gold medallist has hinted that he may be back in the ring sooner rather than later.

On Friday night, AJ posted a photo of himself on the phone to his Instagram story with a caption suggesting he may have received a “call” about his next fight.

It read: “Incoming call from @258management. AJ: ‘How can I help?’ @258mgt: ‘They want you to fight.’

“AJ: ‘I will get ready.'”

Joshua’s cryptic post spread like wildfire on social media, with some boxing fans fearing it meant bad news for the previously postponed Fury vs Usyk.

One asked on X: “Fury or Usyk is dropping out of the fight?”

Another said: “Which ones pulled out? Fury or Usyk? I’ll go the latter this time?”

And another said: “Fury out again? Usyk AJ 3?”

Most fight fans, however, were convinced AJ is teasing a rematch with the resurgent Joseph Parker, who has won his last five on the bounce.

One said: “It means he’s fighting Joseph Parker in July.”

Another said: “Means Parker 2 man I’ve tried to deny it but that’s probably what’s happening.”

And another said: “Joe Parker if [Deontay] Wilders taking on [Zhilei] Zhang.”

Former two-time heavyweight king AJ faces a long wait to face the winner of Fury vs Usyk as the pair have a rematch clause in their lucrative contract.

He could find himself fighting for the IBF heavyweight title later this year as the sanctioning body is set to strip the winner of Fury vs Usyk of the belt.

That stripping will take place in order for their long-time mandatory challenger – Filip Hrgovic – to vie for the strap.

BOXING

Anthony Joshua could fight Filip Hrgovic or Daniel Dubois for IBF heavyweight world title if Tyson Fury vs Oleksandr Usyk winner vacates as expected

Anthony Joshua will likely have a close eye on Filip Hrgovic and Daniel Dubois if they fight on June 1.

It’s now being widely reported that the Croatian IBF mandatory challenger will risk his position to take on the young Brit in Saudi Arabia this summer.

It’s claimed this bout will take place as part of a mega card alongside Dmitry Bivol vs Artur Beterbiev, Deontay Wilder vs Zhilei Zhang, and the planned Queensberry-Matchroom 5 vs 5 event.

And it will be of keen interest to AJ, as he may well end up facing the winner for a vacant heavyweight world title.

Of course, all four belts will be at stake when Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk meet to crown an undisputed champion on May 18.

However, after that it is known that the IBF will finally order their overdue mandatory fight.

Hrgovic earned his place as their mandatory challenger by beating Zhilei Zhang in 2022 and has been patiently waiting for his shot ever since.

However, as Fury and Usyk have signed a two-way guaranteed rematch clause, it is expected that the winner will likely vacate the IBF belt, and just take the WBA, WBC and WBO crowns into the second fight.

This will leave the IBF to order Hrgovic to face the next highest available contender for their vacant heavyweight world title.

At present, this is Joshua.

Dubois has the chance to crash the party though.

If he beats Hrgovic on June 1, then the IBF would likely order AJ vs Dubois for their vacant heavyweight world title instead.

Time will tell how the situation plays out.

BOXING

Crawford ‘Smart’ To Force His Way Into The Picture of Tszyu-Fundora

Terence Crawford has been “calculative” in enforcing his status of mandatory challenger to the WBO light-middleweight title held by Tim Tszyu, according to Chris Algieri.

The 36 year old – the undisputed welterweight champion until he was stripped of his title by the IBF for his plans to enter a rematch with Errol Spence Jr – is on course to fight either Tszyu or Sebastian Fundora, who replaced

Keith Thurman as Tszyu’s opponent on March 30 at Las Vegas’ T-Mobile Arena.

That plans for a rematch with Spence Jr had stalled – and that hopes for the fight with Saul “Canelo” Alvarez that he was being linked with ended when Jaime Munguia was installed as Alvarez’s opponent at the same venue on May 4 – had made Crawford’s next move uncertain.

He has since become part of the narrative of a significant title fight, and the retired Algieri told ProBox TV: “I see this as a powerplay [Crawford]. You have a younger guy in Tim Tszyu. He has a title, is younger, and has to move up a weight class [Crawford]. Crawford’s problem was that he didn’t have a dance partner.

“There were no big fights for him out there. We were talking about who he should fight next. Guys like me were saying, ‘Hey, fight Tim Tszyu’. I think it is a great fight. He gets to fight for another title, and if he wins, that is a world title in his fourth weight class. But it is a very tough fight.

“Now, if Tim Tszyu wins, he will have two world titles, or [Crawford] will fight Fundora, who will also have two belts.

“Now, Terence can fight at 154 and possibly win two titles, so this fight makes a lot more sense for ‘Bud’ Crawford.

“The way he [Crawford] has been moving recently has been very, very calculative and very, very smart.

“He does a lot of baiting and switching lately; he has been doing it before. He said they were talking about the fight up at 160 with Chris Eubank Jr, which got people intrigued. People were saying, ‘You are moving up two weight classes to fight a former super middleweight and maybe throw your hat into the ring to fight Canelo?’

“But now that this comes up, Terence is smart for being able to throw in that WBO mandatory position at the winner. Bud now has a lot of options. Two days ago, he had no options, but today, he has all the options in the world, and they all look good in my eyes.”

Algieri, like Paulie Malignaggi, won a world title at super lightweight – the division in which Crawford was once the undisputed champion – and Malignaggi said: “If he wants to enforce that, things will get really, really interesting in this weight class. As I have said previously, we already have a good, fun fight on the undercard, which is [Brian] Mendoza versus [Serhii] Bohachuk, for the WBC mandatory position.

“The winner of the main event becomes the WBO and WBC champion. Mendoza versus Bohachuk is for the WBC mandatory position, and now Terence Crawford is in for the WBO mandatory position. So now, several pieces are starting to move into position in the 154lbs division, which could make things very exciting.

“Now that the WBC has entered the fray and put their vacant WBC title on the line for this fight, along with the WBO, we are starting to get some unification into the mix.

“The fight between Tszyu and Fundora is going to be a very fan-friendly style to watch.”

BOXING

Why my mum doesn’t watch my fights –Joshua

Former heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua says his mum doesn’t watch his fights because she doesn’t enjoy boxing, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.

An emphatic knock-out victory against Cameroonian Francis Ngannou earlier this month appears to have set Joshua on a path to facing the winner of the Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk’s clash for the undisputed heavyweight championship.

Joshua has been on a comeback trail since losing his belts to Usyk in a pair of fights in 2021 and 2022.

Despite that setback in Joshua’s career, TalkSPORT quoted his net worth to be in the region of £150m before he took to the ring against Ngannou, a bout where he is widely reported to have earned £40m.

From the mega net worth, the British-Nigerian has been able to take care of his mum but he admitted to Good Morning Britain that his mum can’t watch him on a fight night.

“Sometimes she doesn’t show up, she stays behind and she prays a lot. She says she can’t really watch her son because she doesn’t enjoy it,” the 34-year-old former world champion said.

“It’s tough for her, of course, but she enjoys the fruits of her labour. I take care of my mum a lot, I love her dearly.”

He added that he still lives with her as his work schedule would not enable him spend enough time with her if he moves out.

“I still live with my mum. I realised that when I started training – which I do away from home a lot – that if I’m away for 10 months of the year and then when I get back I’ve got to do commercial work I realise that if I was to move out I’d never actually see my mum.

“I’m away in various parts of the world for a lot of the time, but my actual base is at home with mum. So, I can still wake up and see her and spend time with her when
I can.”

BOXING

Anthony Joshua teases next opponent in cryptic social media post

Anthony Joshua has teased that his next fight is in the works, just weeks after easing past Francis Ngannou in Saudi Arabia. Joshua looked back to his best earlier this month, securing victory over Ngannou with a spectacular knockout in the second round.

It appears he is already prepping for his comeback to the ring, after teasing fans on social media on Friday. Posting a photo on his Instagram story whilst on the phone, Joshua added the caption: “Incoming call from @258management. AJ: ‘How can I help?’

“@258mgt: ‘They want you to fight.’ AJ: ‘I will get ready.'” It remains to be seen which fighter Joshua is referring to in his story, with his two big heavyweight rivals Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk facing off against each other in Saudi Arabia in May.

Having lost two Usyk twice previously, Joshua has turned his attention to Fury, calling out the Gypsy King following his win over Ngannou. “In terms of Usyk and Fury I am only a phone call or a tweet away,” he told Sky Sports.

“I’ll fight Fury in his back garden, it does not matter to me; whenever, whoever, it doesn’t matter to me.” It appears he will have to wait to take on his fellow countryman in the ring though, with Fury and Usyk set for a rematch in October as part of their contract.

Alluding to this, Fury told DAZN in the aftermath of the Joshua-Ngannou clash: “I think there’s quite a long way to go. For some reason, over the last five years, there’s always been some s*** that gets in the way of it. This time the s*** is the undisputed heavyweight championship of the world, so that’s on the back burner for now.

Great performance from AJ, fantastic, but, unfortunately I’ve got bigger fish to fry in Usyk on May 18, then we have a rematch in October. After that, if he’s still available and I’m still available, let’s get it on.”

And according to Fury’s promoter Frank Warren the eagerly anticipated bout could come in 12 months. “Next March, if Tyson does what I believe he’ll do and AJ continues to win, I’m sure that’ll set up a big fight,” he told Sky Sports. “It’s like going back to the late 60s, 70s, that’s what’s happening now. These guys are all fighting each other.”

BOXING

Tyson Fury vs Anthony Joshua date and location revealed as Frank Warren leaks ‘massive, massive purses’

FANS may have to wait to see Tyson Fury lock horns with Anthony Joshua.

The Gypsy King’s promoter, Frank Warren, has revealed the pair won’t be coming to blows this year.

Fury is set to take on Oleksandr Usyk in the first undisputed heavyweight fight in over 20 years this May.

And despite the charismatic Brit already saying he will fight AJ if he beats Usyk, Warren has suggested that the proposed fight will have to wait until 2025.

The 72-year-old promoter has revealed that he expects the loser of the Usyk vs Fury fight to trigger their “rematch clause” due to the size of the purse on offer – subsequently delaying any fight between Fury and Joshua.

Speaking to Sky Sports, he said: “These guys are getting massive, massive purses for these fights.

“The loser I’m quite sure will trigger the rematch clause because of the finances that are involved.”

Before adding: “Next March if Tyson does what I believe he’ll do and AJ continues to win, I’m sure that’ll set up a big fight.”

But British boxing fans will be disappointed to learn that Warren thinks it is highly unlikely the fight between the two Brits will take place on home soil.

Instead he explained that the highly-anticipated head to head would likely be scheduled in Saudi Arabia with the fighters able to earn more money in the Middle East.

He said: “I’ve got to be honest, I think that’s where it will go [Saudi Arabia], of course, I’d like them in the UK.

“I look back when I was younger – all those many, many, many years ago – I look at all those really great fighters like Muhammad Ali, George Foreman, where did they put their big fight on?

“The Rumble in the Jungle [in what was then Zaire]. Where did George Foreman fight Frazier? In Jamaica. The Thriller in Manila. That’s what happens. Because they went where the money is.”

Joshua showed he is back to his best when he knocked out Francis Ngannou earlier this month and fans are hoping that a fight with Fury will follow soon.

However Fury will have to ensure he is able to beat Usyk first if they are set up the fight which has been on the cards for years.