Boxing

Madrimov issues warning as Crawford dares to be great in a fourth weight class

Israil Madrimov poses on July 30, 2024 in Santa Monica, California.

Preparing for his first world title defence this weekend against a pound-for-pound star in Terence Crawford, WBA light-middleweight champion Israil Madrimov warns the formerly-undisputed welterweight king – you’re entering a new division at championship level. At 36 and inactive, are you ready for this? Continue reading “Madrimov issues warning as Crawford dares to be great in a fourth weight class”

Boxing

Crawford cranking up legacy before 154lb debut vs. WBA world champ Madrimov

Terence Crawford celebrates during SmackDown at CHI Health Center on July 26, 2024 in Omaha, Nebraska.

Having become undisputed welterweight world champion this time twelve months ago after dismantling Errol Spence Jr, three-division titlist Terence Crawford has some newfound shine behind him. He looks to make it a fantastic fourth next weekend at Los Angeles’ BMO Stadium against a new titleholder – by no means an easy task – in the form of heavy-handed Uzbek Israil Madrimov. Continue reading “Crawford cranking up legacy before 154lb debut vs. WBA world champ Madrimov”

Boxing

Tim Tszyu readies return in IBF world title eliminator on September 22 in Australia

Tim Tszyu speaks during a Tim Tszyu Fight Announcement at Tszyu Fight Club on July 18, 2024 in Sydney, Australia.

Former WBO light-middleweight world champion Tim Tszyu expects to make his return down under on September 22, as the 29-year-old targets erasing the sour taste in his mouth after a contentious majority decision defeat by Sebastian Fundora in March. Erickson Lubin was targeted before news of an injury this week, though there’ll assess options for an alternative in two months’ time. Continue reading “Tim Tszyu readies return in IBF world title eliminator on September 22 in Australia”

Boxing

Crawford again the buzzword, as Ennis stops Avanesyan in Philly homecoming

Jaron Ennis’ new promoter Eddie Hearn insisted the prime priority is for the 27-year-old to unify a welterweight division devoid of longtime champions Errol Spence Jr and former undisputed king Terence Crawford, as the appetite for the Philly fighter to finally face the latter has again intensified following his fifth-round TKO win over former Crawford opponent David Avanesyan on home turf.
Continue reading “Crawford again the buzzword, as Ennis stops Avanesyan in Philly homecoming”

Boxing

Bohachuk-Ortiz on Aug. 10: Tszyu’s cut created this, but we’re richer regardless

Serhii Bohachuk faces off against Vergil Ortiz Jr at the Vergil Ortiz v Serhii Bohachuk kickoff presser at Golden Boy Building on July 11, 2024 in...

44 knockout wins in 46 combined bouts. Both look to make a splash on the world championship scene come Aug. 10 at Las Vegas’ Mandalay Bay, a week after now-former undisputed welterweight king Terence Crawford goes for more greatness in a fourth weight division vs. WBA titleholder Israil Madrimov. Tim Tszyu might now be a spectator, but who said the 154lb division was dead? Continue reading “Bohachuk-Ortiz on Aug. 10: Tszyu’s cut created this, but we’re richer regardless”

Boxing

Claressa Shields accepts she must find new challenges, with fresh heavyweight move

Professional PFL fighter Claressa Shields is seen on her mobile phone following the Women's Lightweight fight between Savannah Marshall and Mirela...

Claressa Shields is a three-weight boxing world champion, two-time Olympic gold medallist and juggling two combat sports as she hopes to conquer MMA as she has done boxing over the past decade. Yet the 29-year-old knows lapping the field isn’t an exciting prospect for fans to watch, so new and unknown challenges like Canada’s Vanessa Lepage-Joanisse are her next port of call. Continue reading “Claressa Shields accepts she must find new challenges, with fresh heavyweight move”

Boxing

As Nathan Heaney rumours fade, Carlos Adames now targets Janibek unification

Carlos Adames celebrates after his unanimous decision win against against Sergiy Derevyanchenko after their middleweight bout at Staples Center on...

Nathan Heaney speculation in the rearview mirror, Carlos Adames prepares to make the first defence of his newly-elevated WBC middleweight championship this weekend against former light-middleweight title challenger Terrell Gausha on a stacked Las Vegas bill, but insisted fans want to see him in a unification bout against WBO and IBF titleholder Janibek Alimkhanuly before long. Continue reading “As Nathan Heaney rumours fade, Carlos Adames now targets Janibek unification”

Boxing

Mayer rematch? Ben Shalom: Natasha Jonas’ future is up to her, after SD10 win

Natasha Jonas poses with Mikaela Mayer after winning the IBF Welterweight Title bout at the M&S Bank Arena, Liverpool. Picture date: Saturday January...

Natasha Jonas has had a month to rest, relax and savour her latest win, a main event matchup vs. former unified world champion Mikaela Mayer, but the IBF welterweight champion revealed post-fight that 2024 would likely be the final year competing, and she wanted to finish on a high. There are options aplenty, but her promoter Ben Shalom confirmed they remain in the Scouser’s hands. Continue reading “Mayer rematch? Ben Shalom: Natasha Jonas’ future is up to her, after SD10 win”

Boxing

Tszyu gets inactive Thurman; Romero-Cruz compelling on Prime Video debut

Keith Thurman waits for the second round bell against Mario Barrios during a welterweight bout at Michelob ULTRA Arena on February 05, 2022 in Las...

The light-middleweight world champion will prepare to face a faded former titlist from the division below on March 30 with many already overlooking the challenge, though more intrigue surrounds what may happen two weight classes below in the night’s co-main event during Prime Video’s boxing debut.

Continue reading “Tszyu gets inactive Thurman; Romero-Cruz compelling on Prime Video debut”

Boxing

Tszyu-Lubin plans for March light-middleweight world title fight fall through

Tim Tszyu does his walk to the ring before the WBO super-welterweight world title bout between Tim Tszyu and Brian Mendoza at Gold Coast Convention...

WBO light-middleweight world champion Tim Tszyu still wants to box and defend his title again in March, but it won’t be against Erickson Lubin after reports claimed negotiations reportedly broke down between them – though the latter was unaware when addressing the news on social media. Continue reading “Tszyu-Lubin plans for March light-middleweight world title fight fall through”

Boxing

Ortiz calls out WBO light-middleweight champion Tszyu after anticlimactic R1 KO

Vergil Ortiz Jr. Lands a punch on Fredrick Lawson on January 06, 2024 at The Theater in Las Vegas, Nevada.

On what was supposed to be a showcase night for Oscar de la Hoya’s Golden Boy Promotions kicking off 2024, we saw one new signee flattened inside a round in the co-main event before veteran referee Tony Weeks produced another controversial early main event stoppage – this time souring Vergil Ortiz Jr’s long-awaited return against overmatched opponent Frederick Lawson.
Continue reading “Ortiz calls out WBO light-middleweight champion Tszyu after anticlimactic R1 KO”

Boxing

After 17-month layoff, serious health concerns and more – Vergil Ortiz Jr is back

Arnold Barboza Jr., Ohara Davies, Vergil Ortiz, Oscar De La Hoya, Fredrick Lawson, Bernard Hopkins, Ismael Barroso and Raul Curiel pose for the media...

Primed for a welterweight world title shot, Vergil Ortiz Jr was searching for answers after a prolonged health scare saw him withdraw on multiple occasions from career-altering bouts. A rhabdomyolysis diagnosis wasn’t heeded but eventually, he came to the conclusion 147lbs wasn’t a sustainable weight cut any longer – so now it’s onwards to the light-middleweight division.   Continue reading “After 17-month layoff, serious health concerns and more – Vergil Ortiz Jr is back”