Naoya Inoue has responded to the controversy ahead of Fulton vs Inoue title challenge with a statement of his own. The boxing community engaged in a heated debate after Wahid Rahim, the head trainer of WBC/WBO junior featherweight titlist Stephen Fulton, accused Inoue of using a hand-wrapping technique that allegedly creates a simulated cast around his fists. Rahim raised these claims during a pre-fight press conference before the highly anticipated match. During the last press conference before the Fulton vs Inoue fight, Inoue chose not to delve into the matter but later took to his social media platforms to share his perspective in both Japanese and English. He offered some advice to the opposing camp, urging them not to dwell on the issue and simply focus on the fight ahead.

“Don't suck it up. Just Fight.”

The bout between Fulton and Inoue is set to headline a major event, streaming live on Lemino in Japan and on ESPN+ in the U.S. The majority of experts have predicted Inoue, the unbeaten former three-division champion, to come out victorious and potentially become a four-division champion. Interestingly, Fulton did not address the hand-wrapping allegations himself, and it was Rahim who spoke up on his behalf. The trainer claimed that Fulton had asked him not to raise the issue, but Rahim felt it necessary to ensure his fighter's safety. The controversy involved the threat of not allowing Fulton, who is fighting in Japan for the first time, to enter the ring if the hand-wrapping matter wasn't resolved. However, it is worth noting that the technique used by Inoue—wrapping his hands with tape on the skin, followed by gauze, and repeating the process—is within the rules of the Japanese Boxing Commission. This method is also allowed in several commissions in the U.S., although some refer to it as 'stacking.'

“Japan has its own local rules. Even in the United States, there are local rules depending on the state, and the [wrapping] method is different. Our fight will be held in Japan on 25th, so of course I will follow the Japanese rules.”

In response to the debate, Inoue emphasized that different regions have their own specific rules when it comes to hand-wrapping, and he intends to follow the Japanese rules for his fight on the 25th. Inoue is no stranger to championship glory, having previously held titles at junior flyweight, junior bantamweight, and bantamweight. His remarkable knockout victory over Paul Butler in December of the previous year made him the first boxer to fully unify the bantamweight division in the multi-belt era and the first Asian fighter to achieve such a feat at any weight class. A win in the upcoming Fulton vs Inoue match would grant him the distinction of being Japan's first boxer to claim unified title status in two or more weight divisions.

Dillian Whyte, the well-established heavyweight contender hailing from London, continues to feel undervalued by the boxing world, especially when it comes to high-profile matches such as Joshua vs Whyte. In a recent conversation, Whyte expressed his dissatisfaction regarding his perceived lesser importance within the boxing industry. He particularly underscored how the importance given to him was not up to par when compared to fights like Joshua vs Whyte. Despite this, he maintains a strong belief that he belongs to the echelon of elite fighters in his weight class. Whyte has previously aired several grievances. One of the most prominent of these is his longstanding resentment over the missed chance to compete against Deontay Wilder during Wilder's reign as the WBC champion, believing it had as much potential as the iconic Joshua vs Whyte showdown. Moreover, Whyte displayed discontent with the publicity efforts surrounding his bout against Tyson Fury, the WBC titleholder, last year at Wembley Stadium, London. He felt that it did not garner as much attention or hype as a Joshua vs Whyte match would have. As a form of protest, he declined to appear at the fight's press conference and largely abstained from promoting the event on his social platforms. However, as the rematch of Joshua vs Whyte approaches, the resilient boxer finds himself once again in the spotlight. He is gearing up for this significant challenge, squaring off against Anthony Joshua on Aug. 12 at London's O2 Arena. Joshua previously bested Whyte with a seventh-round knockout during their inaugural match in 2015, thus creating the legacy of Joshua vs Whyte. Whyte, however, remains optimistic and resilient, acknowledging life's ups and downs. He humorously compared his ability to make the best of tough situations to being a "lemonade master" when life gives him lemons. Even though Whyte anticipates public skepticism and excuses if he defeats Joshua in their rematch, he maintains a positive outlook. He believes that even if he wins the Joshua vs Whyte rematch, he may still not receive the recognition he believes he deserves from some observers. Regardless, he is focused on proving his worth in the ring.

“I’m used to ups and downs in my life,” Whyte told BBC 5 Live Boxing. “Obviously, it’s a shame being one of the top fighters in the world, I’m still struggling like I was [earlier in my career]. It’s the same. “It’s been tough. I haven’t been treated the way I should’ve been treated and getting the right respect. It’s life, man. When life gives you lemons you make lemonade. I must be a lemonade master by now. “I’m a happy soul, anyway. Even if I beat AJ, I’m still not going to get the respect I deserve. If I beat him, they’re gonna say, ‘Oh, he was diminished. He was losing his mind. He was this, he was that.’ There’s going to be some nonsense being said.”

In the boxing results of the junior middleweight bout Bohachuk vs Allotey, Bohachuk  has secured a knockout victory, advancing his pursuit of a world title opportunity. This past Saturday at Chumash Casino Resort, the Bohachuk vs Allotey match concluded abruptly. Bohachuk, originally from Ukraine and currently based in Los Angeles, successfully ended the bout against ex-world title contender Patrick Allotey in the first round. Bohachuk's formidable knockout power done the job for him. With his win in the Bohachuk vs Allotey fight, he expanded his record to 23 wins, 23 by knockouts, with just a single loss. Bohachuk demonstrated a calculated approach in the Bohachuk vs Allotey bout. From the outset, he kept Allotey on the back foot with relentless jabs. His offense culminated in a forceful right cross, causing Allotey to fall onto the canvas face-first within the final minute of the round. Despite Allotey managing to rise after the nine count, referee Jack Reiss called a halt to the Bohachuk vs Allotey bout at 2:33, to Allotey's surprise. Following a few moments of reflection, a visibly disheartened Allotey finally removed his gloves under the supervision of a California State Athletic Commission official. Bohachuk, who ranks second in the WBC, is slated to return to the ring on November 10 at Madison Square Garden, New York City, according to promoter Tom Loeffler.

"Serhii is prepared for a world title opportunity"

Tom hinted towards a potential showdown of Bohachuk with Jermell Charlo or a match for the vacant WBC world title. Meanwhile, the outcome of the Bohachuk vs Allotey match has given Patrick Allotey his fifth loss. The Ghanaian boxer's record now stands at 42 wins, 32 by KOs. In the undercard match, Omar Trinidad emerged victorious against Roberto Meza, enhancing his record to 13-0-1, 10 KOs. The boxing results further confirmed that Umar Dzambekov overcame Kwame Ritter, taking his record to 6-0, 4 KOs in the process. In the bantamweight category, Narek Abgaryan achieved a sixth-round knockout victory over Manuel Manzo, updating his record to 16-1, 7 KOs. Daniel Barrera triumphed over Eduardo Alvarez in the opening round of their flyweight bout, while Jorge Maravillo emerged victorious against Terry Fernandez in an off-air contest.    

Ringside observer Shakur Stevenson was among several spectators who voiced disappointment with the outcome of the Kambosos vs Hughes match, going so far as to label George Kambosos Jr’s majority decision triumph a miscarriage of justice. In Stevenson's words, he firmly believed that it was a case of gross misjudgment. He felt that Maxi outboxed his opponent and was the superior contender. He emphasized that there needs to be stricter scrutiny of judges' evaluations. He suggested that the judges should be as focused as the fighters themselves and should require more rigorous training for their role.

“I thought it was a robbery. I thought Maxi boxed well and I thought he was the better fighter. I think that the judges should be held to a higher criteria. I think they should be as focused as the boxers, and I think they need (to do) a lot more to become a judge. “I feel like they’re not watching the fights and they’re not really paying attention to the fights, and I think it’s messing up boxing.”

Stevenson expressed his concern after Kambosos vs Hughes match that the judges were possibly not as attentive to the matches as they should be, which could potentially harm the sport's integrity. On the subject of possibly taking on Kambosos (21-2, 10 KO) in the future, Stevenson (20-0, 10 KO) downplayed the idea, implying that Kambosos might not be the caliber of adversary he's seeking. Stevenson voiced his ambition to square off against the crème de la crème of the boxing world, expressing doubt that Kambosos currently belongs in that echelon. He named fighters such as Lomachenko, Devin Haney, and Gervonta Davis as his desired opponents while talking to media after Kambosos vs Hughes bout. If Stevenson were to face Kambosos in the ring, he confidently predicted that he would outclass him. However, he maintained his belief that Kambosos doesn't compete at the same level as him. He finished by saying that if circumstances left him with no other option and Kambosos became his next hurdle, he wouldn't hesitate to defeat him too.

“I wanna fight the best of the best, so as of right now, Kambosos is not on my level. I want to fight the Lomachenkos, the Devin Haneys, Gervonta Davis,” he said. “Those are the fights I’m looking for. If you see me fighting Kambosos, you know I’m gonna stop him. That’s how I feel about it. I don’t feel like he’s on that level. “But if I don’t got no choice, and he’s the next step, I’ll beat him up, too.”

In an electrifying Kambosos vs Hughes showdown on Saturday night, British southpaw Maxi Hughes faced a heartbreaking defeat in a majority decision against the former unified lightweight champion from Australia, George Kambosos Jr. This 12-round main event was aired on ESPN from the FireLake Arena in Shawnee, Oklahoma. Despite Hughes's strong efforts, in the Kambosos vs Hughes match, judges Josef Mason (117-111) and Gerald Ritter (115-113) awarded Kambosos victory in seven and nine rounds respectively. However, Judge David Sutherland deemed the match a draw with a score of 114-114. In the statistical count from CompuBox during the Kambosos vs Hughes bout, Hughes was credited with landing eight more punches overall than Kambosos (98-of-338 to 90-of-471), but Kambosos took the lead in power punches (65-of-204 to 53-of-158). Hughes, on the other hand, led in jabs (45-of-180 to 25-of-267). Post the Kambosos vs Hughes fight, Kambosos asserted his victory, stating his dominance over most rounds. This win ended Hughes's seven-fight winning streak and handed the IBO lightweight title to Kambosos. Kambosos now stands at number two in the IBF’s 135-pound ratings, which could see him fight Argentina’s Gustavo Lemos for the unclaimed championship, should Devin Haney decide to move up to the 140-pound category.

“We won the fight by many rounds,” Kambosos said. “That’s no discredit to Maxi Hughes. He had a couple good rounds, but a couple good rounds don’t win you the fight. We won a majority of the rounds.”

This Kambosos vs Hughes match marked Kambosos's first win since his upset victory over Teofimo Lopez in November 2021. Although Kambosos had been defeated by the undisputed lightweight champion, Devin Haney, in 2022, he returned to the ring as the favorite against Hughes. In spite of Hughes being the underdog in seven of his past eight matches, he had a six-win streak before the Kambosos vs Hughes bout. After the match, Hughes expressed his disappointment, yet maintained respect for Kambosos's victory. Regardless of the outcome, Hughes demonstrated his worthiness to compete in the top league during the challenging fight.

“It was a bit of a kick in the bollocks, to be honest. Now I feel pretty stupid standing here in a cowboy hat,” he said with a smile. “But yeah, I’m absolutely devastated. Nobody knew who I was. I wasn’t supposed to be in George’s league. I came and showed, I should have had my hand raised. But I don’t want to take George’s moment. “My footwork, making him miss, making him pay, landed the cleaner shots. You know, I don’t want to sound like a sore loser, but when I watch it back, assess it — everybody here now knows who Maxi Hughes. Thank you, Oklahoma. “I thought I was doing enough, listening to instruction. I was just doing what I felt. I don’t know what the judges were seeing, but I did what I was asked. “I want to earn the dollars to provide for my family. Show everybody who Maxi Hughes is and show everybody how good I can be. And earn the money. That’s what I want to do, but we’ll see what’s next.”

Stephen Fulton's coach voiced his apprehensions regarding Naoya Inoue's hand-wrapping method during the concluding press briefing for the upcoming Fulton Vs Inoue fight on July 25th, taking place at the Ariake Arena in Tokyo. Fulton's coach disclosed that he advised Fulton that it wouldn't matter if Inoue were to have "bricks in his gloves" because Fulton would still come out victorious. The trainer, however, highlighted his worry over safety and refuses to ignore this issue. He raised the point that Inoue, the ex-champion of three divisions, known as 'Monster' Inoue (24-0, 21 KOs), typically has his hands wrapped with a substantial amount of tape, which gives the appearance of a "cast." He further stated that his boxer won't participate in the Fulton Vs Inoue fight if the hand wrapping isn't done safely. Inoue, recognized for his ability to knock out opponents with a single punch, could face reputation damage if his victories are found to be aided by excessive hand tape. According to reports, the Fulton Vs Inoue faceoff is scheduled to be the most high-profile boxing event on July 25th. Verifying allegations about Inoue's past use of excess hand tape will be challenging. Nonetheless, Fulton's coach intends to scrutinize the hand-wrapping process on fight day to ensure it meets his safety standards. This raises questions about whether Inoue's prowess will diminish if he reduces the amount of hand tape, and the financial implications for Fulton if he opts out of the fight. Surprisingly, Inoue appeared to take the accusations calmly, unlike many boxers who might react more strongly. Fulton (21-0, 8 KOs) seemed caught off guard by his coach's prepared remarks but didn't voice any objections, suggesting that he was aware of them beforehand. The trainer mentioned the challenges of competing with Inoue on his home turf in Japan. An exciting question emerges: will Inoue's team compromise on the amount of hand tape used? If so, it could potentially alter Inoue's power dynamics in the ring. Lacking Fulton's skillset, Inoue's strengths lie in the velocity, power, and precision of his punches, as he typically seeks a one-punch knockout like Canelo Alvarez. Fulton's coach said at the press conference:

“I talked to Fulton about my concerns, and he asked me not to discuss my concerns. Fulton said, ‘I don’t care if he has bricks in his gloves. I will still win. “As I admire his courage, I have to do my job and look out for his safety. In previous fights, Inoue and his team have wrapped his hands with an excessive amount of tape on his skin and then put gauze and more tape, which creates a cast. “This is not an assumption. I have proof. We could also wrap our hands in the same fashion, but where is the level of safety for the fighter? If this issue isn’t resolved, I will not allow my fighter into the ring. “We are already behind enemy lines. We have made no requests, nothing at all. We have not even asked for a rematch clause. This is the only request that we had made. I would like for the hand wraps to be wrapped in a safe manner, not with tape on the hands or on the skin.”

Dovbyshchenko stops Harris and gave Matty Harris an unexpected defeat in his professional boxing career. Harris had been widely recognized as the next sensation in UK heavyweight boxing, but Dovbyshchenko proved to be an insurmountable obstacle in the preliminary fight of the Lee McGregor-Erik Robles event in Edinburgh. Despite Dovbyshchenko's uneven record, he stopped Harris in his tracks, ending the young Brit's unbeaten run. Harris, a powerful force in the boxing ring, having knocked out his last four opponents in the first round each time, seemed unstoppable until the moment Dovbyshchenko stops Harris. This remarkable track record not only drew a lot of attention to him, but it also won him the chance to spar with unified world champion Oleksandr Usyk, prepping the champion for a possible fight with Tyson Fury. This level of recognition and trust from industry elites signaled Harris's remarkable potential. However, Dovbyshchenko, despite having more losses than wins in his professional career, showcased an admirable degree of determination and resilience. His record of never having been knocked out, even in his recent fight against the formidable Moses Itauma, was a testament to his tenacity. And when Dovbyshchenko stops Harris, it was another testament to this tenacity. During the fight, Harris managed to floor Dovbyshchenko in the second round. The Ukrainian fighter, however, did not yield. His steely resilience ensured he stayed in the game, a testament to the moment where Dovbyshchenko stops Harris, pushing him to reconsider his tactics and deviate from his typical knockout strategy. At a tender age of 23, Harris found himself in unfamiliar territory. He began to falter noticeably in the fourth round, his energy visibly flagging. The fifth round brought further trouble for Harris as he took a series of heavy blows with dwindling resistance. Even though he wasn't in excruciating pain, his energy levels seemed to be running dangerously low. The referee had to intervene in the last minutes of the bout. Harris had been taking the brunt of Dovbyshchenko's heavy blows for three minutes when the referee called a halt to the fight, marking the point where Dovbyshchenko stops Harris for the final time. The fight altered Harris's record to 5-1, marking a surprising defeat that left many stunned. This loss could be seen as a stumble early in his career. However, it may also serve as an useful lesson, emphasizing that power alone cannot guarantee rapid triumphs. Boxing is a test of endurance and adaptation as much as it is of sheer strength, as Harris learned the hard way when Dovbyshchenko stops Harris.    

Former heavyweight contender David Price has shared his prediction for the upcoming Usyk Vs Dubois title fight. The highly-anticipated bout is set to take place in Wroclaw, Poland, on August 26, and it represents a significant challenge for Dubois in his career. Price, who faced formidable opponents like Alexander Povetkin and Derek Chisora during his own boxing career, believes that Usyk's skills and mobility will be too much for Dubois to handle. Despite Dubois' impressive comeback after being stopped by Joe Joyce in 2020, Price doesn't see him being able to land clean and often on the skilled Ukrainian southpaw.

“I can’t see it no. I can’t see it. I think Usyk will find it too easy to land on Daniel Dubois. Again he’s another where his attack is the best form of defence but I don’t think he’ll have what it takes to land clean and often on Usyk.”

According to Price, Usyk's superior movement and activity in the ring will likely lead to him landing more frequently on Dubois in the Usyk Vs Dubois bout, possibly leading to a late stoppage. While acknowledging that it's a massive opportunity for Dubois, Price believes Usyk is on another level and continues to improve as a fighter. Price wishes Dubois luck and encourages him to give his all in the Usyk Vs Dubois bout, regardless of the outcome. He emphasizes that as long as Dubois goes into the ring and performs to the best of his abilities, he will come out a winner.

“Usyk’s too busy, too mobile, and I think he’ll land too often on Dubois and I think he’ll probably stop him late. It’s a massive opportunity for the lad and he’s done great to come back from where was with Joe Joyce fight, but Usyk’s the next level and we haven’t seen anything that he’s starting to fade or get old or water, he’s betting better all the time. Win, lose or draw, so long as [Dubois] goes into that fight and comes out knowing he’s given everything and performed he’ll come out a winner no matter what. Good luck to him.”

The Usyk Vs Dubois fight will be available for viewers in the UK on TNT Sports Box Office (formerly BT Sport) and on ESPN+ in the US. Boxing fans around the world are eagerly anticipating this clash of two talented heavyweights.

During the press conference for the Happy Punch event, Hotdog controversy occurred involving 36-year-old American right-wing YouTube personality, Alex Stein, and Muslim YouTuber MoDeen. Stein was set to fight MoDeen on the prelims, but things took a heated turn when Stein threw hotdogs at his opponent, knowing that pork is considered haram in the Islamic faith and forbidden. The Hotdog controversy sparked outrage as MoDeen reacted furiously and had to be restrained by security. Chaos ensued, and the press conference descended into disarray. Stein taunted MoDeen verbally, making insensitive remarks about pork and hotdogs. After the incident, clips of the confrontation went viral on social media. Stein attempted to defend himself by claiming that the hotdogs he threw were actually turkey, not pork, as he had implied during the altercation. Turkey is not considered haram in Islam. However, Misfits Boxing, the event organizers, swiftly made the decision to remove Stein from the fight card due to the controversy. Stein expressed disappointment on Twitter, stating that his fight was canceled over the misunderstanding regarding the type of hotdogs.

“My fight got cancelled over turkey dogs!!!”

MoDeen also expressed sadness over the situation, as he had hoped for the opportunity to face Stein in the ring and teach him a lesson. He later learned that the hotdogs were indeed turkey and not pork, but it was too late to salvage the fight.

“I feel heartbroken because my fight is getting cancelled because of someone else’s actions, and I’m not getting the chance to smash this guy’s face in. We found out it was not pork, it was some chicken or whatever, so that’s calm. As long as it wasn’t, then that’s not that deep. They told me the fight’s cancelled. I wanna smash his brain, but they’re telling me it’s cancelled. That’s not fair.”

Despite the Hotdog Controversy, the Happy Punch event proceeded as scheduled in Nashville, but with one less fight on the prelims portion of the undercard. The altercation between Stein and MoDeen served as a reminder of the importance of respecting religious beliefs and cultural sensitivities in sports and public events.

Jake Paul, who has had seven fights and 34 rounds in his professional boxing career since January 2020, admits that his first loss to Tommy Fury in February felt like starting over. Despite the setback, he sees the defeat as a chance to improve and demonstrate his boxing abilities in the upcoming Jake Paul Vs Nate Diaz bout. On August 5, Paul (6-1, 4 KOs) will face MMA star Nate Diaz in a 10-round, 185-pound bout at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, available on DAZN pay-per-view with ten-ounce gloves. Reflecting on his loss to Fury, Paul acknowledges that he made fundamental mistakes and is now going back to the drawing board to work on his skills. He recognizes the learning process and the need to strengthen his basics in boxing. In his previous fight, Paul lost to Fury via a split decision, despite knocking down the British boxer. Prior to that, Paul's wins came against MMA personalities like Anderson Silva, Tyron Woodley (twice), Ben Askren, basketball player Nate Robinson, and YouTuber-turned-boxer Ali Eson Gib. Now, Paul faces Nate Diaz (22-13 MMA, 13 submissions, 5 KOs, 4 decisions), a 38-year-old making his professional boxing debut. Despite the loss to Fury, Paul believes the experience was valuable in making him a mentally stronger and more mature fighter. Jake Paul is eager to prove himself once again in the upcoming Jake Paul Vs Nate Diaz match against, as he continues to pursue success in the sport of boxing.

“Losing was something that was definitely not fun or easy. But I think it was good for me for the long run and it made me a stronger man and built a stronger foundation,” said Paul. “It made me have to look at everything, including myself to reassess and reconfirm my beliefs about what I am doing in this sport. I learned a lot about myself, my mental strength, and what I am capable of pulling through. Now I feel that I am even more mature in many ways because of the loss.”

John Fury, the father of heavyweight champion Tyson Fury, had suggestions for Dubois for the Usyk Vs Dubois bout and has provided some strategic advice for Daniel Dubois ahead of his upcoming unified title challenge against Oleksandr Usyk. While there were previous talks of Tyson Fury facing Usyk in an undisputed clash, those negotiations fell through, leading to Usyk's decision to take on his WBA mandatory challenger, Daniel Dubois. John Fury expressed his belief that Usyk's team made a mistake in not accepting the fight with Tyson, and he sees an opportunity for Dubois to cause an upset in the Usyk Vs Dubois. He believes that Dubois, being an 18-stone, six-foot-five heavyweight with knockout power, has a chance to defeat Usyk. According to John Fury, the key to victory for Dubois lies in having the right tactics and game plan, as well as showing courage and determination during the fight. He emphasizes that trying to outbox Usyk would be a mistake, as Usyk's skills are best suited for that style of fight. Instead, Fury advises Dubois to be aggressive, use his size advantage, and deliver sustained, powerful attacks to overcome Usyk in the Usyk Vs Dubois.

“Daniel Dubois can knock him out, so Usyk has dropped a clanger [by not accepting Fury fight]. Going up against an eighteen stone, six-foot-five heavyweight, who can punch, for peanuts compared to what he would get against Tyson? I don’t know where they [Usyk’s team] are going with that. Craziness.” “They’ve [Dubois’ team] have got to have the right tactics, the right game plan and some b***ocks. That’s all that’s needed to take the cruiserweight down. But, if you try and box him, you are playing into his hands, fighting his fight. You’ve got to get rough and tough with him and you have got to be able to sustain attacks and then you beat Usyk, easy.” “Without sustained, two-phased attacks, power shots and bullying him, using your size, forget about it. If you’re going to try and out-jab him, a cruiserweight, forget about it, you’ve got to hit him with everything but the kitchen sink and keep it going.”

The highly-anticipated Usyk Vs Dubois match is scheduled for August 26 in Wroclaw, Poland. UK viewers can watch it live on TNT Sports pay-per-view, while US viewers can tune in on ESPN+.

Conor Benn is dropped from WBC world rankings. His return to the rankings had caused controversy as he still hadn't resolved his issues with the UK Anti-Doping Agency (UKAD) or obtained a British boxing license after failing drug tests last year. Benn had been temporarily suspended from fighting by UKAD when he tested positive for the female fertility drug clomiphene twice before a planned match against Chris Eubank Jr last year. However, the WBC reinstated him after accepting his explanation that his "highly-elevated consumption of eggs" was a reasonable cause for the failed test. Recently, Conor Benn is dropped from WBC rankings due to his extended period of inactivity in the ring. No specific date has been set for his return to boxing. WBC president Mauricio Sulaiman mentioned that Benn can contact the WBC to explain his case and possibly appeal his ranking situation.

"The WBC ratings committee decided to remove Conor Benn due to the 15-month inactivity which is part of the ratings criteria. It seems there is no scheduled fight at this moment but Conor may contact the WBC to explain his case and his ranking situation may be addressed as a rating appeal [in] its process."

Benn had expressed his relief at being reinstated by the WBC in a post on his Instagram account, though he also seemed to disagree with some parts of the sanctioning body's statement. He mentioned feeling frustrated with the ruling, as it led to further questions and negative speculation.

"The manner in which I've been cleared has seemed to create further questions and add further fuel to baseless negative speculation"

It has been a while since Conor Benn's last fight, which was a stoppage victory over Chris van Heerden in April 2022. Altough, he showed pure dominance in the fight, he was unable to carry this momentum and inactive since been. On the other hand, Chris Eubank Jr, who was initially set to face Benn, has since moved on from that saga because of the problems around Conor Benn. Eubank Jr suffered a loss to Liam Smith in January but has a rematch scheduled with him on September 2 at the AO Arena in Manchester.

In an upcoming crossover Fury Vs Ngannou bout scheduled for October in Saudi Arabia, Tyson Fury is set to face Francis Ngannou, a former UFC Heavyweight Champion. However, the announcement of this matchup has not been well-received by boxing fans, who perceive it as a departure from the true essence of the sport. On the other hand, the boxing community is eagerly anticipating the welterweight bout between Terence Crawford and Errol Spence Jr., which is regarded as a significant clash between two top fighters. The contest between Crawford and Spence represents a fight for legacy and promises an intriguing level of competitiveness. In contrast, the Fury Vs Ngannou bout is primarily seen as a lucrative spectacle that deviates from traditional boxing, leading many to believe it will be one-sided. Crawford shares this sentiment, as he recently expressed his belief that:

"Ngannou stands no chance against Fury, giving him zero possibility of victory."

It is worth noting that although the fight will be officially sanctioned and recorded on the fighters' records, Fury's WBC world title will not be at stake. The sanctioning body has granted him "special permission" to temporarily set aside his champion duties for this event. Ngannou, known for his knockout power in MMA, will be making his professional boxing debut against Fury. He follows in the footsteps of Conor McGregor, who faced a similar challenge against Floyd Mayweather in 2017, ultimately being outclassed. Ngannou is reportedly seeking guidance from former heavyweight champions Mike Tyson and Lennox Lewis as he prepares for the fight on October 28. In the Fury Vs Ngannou event that Ngannou surprises the odds and emerges victorious, he claims there is a rematch clause in place. However, if Fury wins as expected, boxing fans will likely anticipate negotiations between Fury and Oleksandr Usyk for a potential undisputed bout, assuming Usyk still holds the other three world titles.

Jared Anderson, the undefeated heavyweight boxing sensation, has hinted at an unexpected turn of events in the eagerly anticipated Fury Vs Ngannou bout. Tyson Fury, the current WBC world champion, will be up against Francis Ngannou, with the face-off scheduled for October 28 in Saudi Arabia. Ngannou, an ex-UFC heavyweight champion, is all set to make his debut in professional boxing through the Fury Vs Ngannou clash. This ten-round, non-title confrontation harks back to the cross-disciplinary contest of 2017. It was then that Floyd Mayweather, out of retirement, clinched a tenth-round TKO victory over Conor McGregor, a UFC stalwart. McGregor had an explosive start, but he seemed to lose momentum in the later rounds, giving Mayweather the upper hand. Despite Ngannou being widely regarded as the underdog in the Fury Vs Ngannou match, Anderson thinks the MMA veteran has a real shot, thanks to his punching power. During a discussion with Sky Sports, Anderson commented on the Fury Vs Ngannou encounter:

"It's a heavyweight fight. He has a puncher's chance at the end of the day. If he lands that punch, Tyson might not get back up. I do believe if he thinks correctly and he goes back to watch the Conor McGregor fight with Floyd [Mayweather], he's going to try to last as long as he can and somebody who does that is going to have his power throughout the entire fight, like Charles Martin did."

Earlier this month, Anderson came out victorious from his toughest challenge to date, securing a unanimous decision over former IBF world champion Charles Martin in a ten-round battle. Always looking for more opportunities to spar, Anderson is already lined up to square off against Andriy Rudenko next month, on August 26, in the aftermath of the Fury Vs Ngannou event. Anderson said:

"If I could fight every month I would. In my opinion, I don't think it's an old-school mentality, I think it's a mentality everyone should have." "I think people get better as they go through the necessary fights and bright lights and everything. People have got to experience fans, crowds, lights, stuff like that enough times to know that they can be very comfortable under them. So I feel like if you fight more you will perform better."

Former Super-Middleweight world champion Carl Froch recently shared his thoughts on two highly anticipated upcoming boxing matches. While Anthony Joshua is set to rematch Dillian Whyte, the heavyweight champions Oleksandr Usyk and Tyson Fury will not face each other as talks for an undisputed clash fell apart. Instead, Usyk will defend his heavyweight titles against his WBA mandatory challenger, Daniel Dubois, in Poland. On the other hand, Fury will enter the ring against former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou in a controversial crossover bout that has faced criticism from the boxing community but is expected to be a commercial success. During an interview with talkSPORT, Froch expressed his enthusiasm for one of the fights. He stated:

"I can’t see him [Usyk] walking onto, what would probably have to be, a sucker punch from Dubois and getting beat. But, it’s heavyweight boxing, it’s a two-horse race, anything can happen. This fight is definitely more exciting than watching Fury and Ngannou, who is making his debut."

While Usyk will put his three heavyweight titles on the line against Dubois, it is unlikely that Fury's WBC crown will be at stake in his match against the Cameroonian. Ngannou has confirmed that the fight will be added to both fighters' professional records and dismissed any rumors of a "no knockdown" rule. In the event of a significant upset, it is believed that a rematch clause is in place for a potential future encounter between the two. While talking to talkSPORT, Froch further added about Fury-Ngannou fight:

“He [Fury] sent me a message saying, ‘Listen, it’s about the money. It’s the biggest fight in heavyweight boxing,’ that’s what he said to me. I said, ‘You’re gonna be getting paid more for this fight than any other fight you would’ve taken? A bigger fight than Oleksandr Usyk?’ He was like, ‘Yeah, it’s a bigger fight, I’m getting paid more than I would’ve got.”

A few months ago, the highly awaited world heavyweight championship unification match between Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk was put off owing to a breakdown in negotiations between their respective camps. The match was initially set for April 29 at Wembley Stadium. Fury, the WBC champion, hoped to take all three titles now held by Usyk, who is the WBA, IBF, and WBO champion. Negotiations between the two camps were stymied when Usyk's side asked for a 50-50 split of the payment, which Fury openly refused on social media. The fundamental cause of the delay seems to be the demand for an equal share. Usyk's promoter, Alex Krassyuk, claimed that they were not seeking a precise monetary amount, but rather a split, which did not work out when Fury demanded more money. Usyk's team eventually agreed to a 70/30 split in Fury's favour after first requesting a 50-50 split. However, Fury refused to commit to a rematch clause. As the talks progressed, Usyk's side made a final offer of a 60-40 split, with the winner receiving the greater part. Unfortunately, Fury refused the offer, forcing the highly anticipated match to be cancelled.

Oscar De La Hoya, the renowned boxing champion and promoter, expressed his contentment with his current status, not with standing ongoing legal and verbal disputes with Ryan Garcia, a fellow boxer, and Eddie Hearn, a boxing promoter. De La Hoya aired his thoughts on The MMA Hour recently, expressing no plans to back down from either conflict, instead insisted that Garcia should honor his boxing contract. A legal face-off is imminent between De La Hoya and Ryan Garcia, a former Golden Boy Promotions star. Garcia lodged accusations against De La Hoya for breaching his boxing contract, subsequently leading to De La Hoya's federal lawsuit seeking to uphold the boxing contract. De La Hoya clarified:

“I’m not suing him for money, he’s not suing me for money. I just want him to honor my boxing contract. That’s it."

He strongly urged Garcia to fulfill his contractual obligations and expressed his desire for Garcia's success. De La Hoya showed regret over the deteriorated relationship following Garcia's defeat to Davis, with Garcia alleging a lack of support and accusing his team of betrayal. De La Hoya, in response, publicly advised Garcia to show resilience instead of expressing disappointment. De La Hoya confessed to feeling disheartened but recollected former Top Rank promoter Bob Arum's advice not to take such setbacks personally. Currently, the legal conflict seems to be at a deadlock, with De La Hoya blaming Garcia's inner circle for creating a rift. However, he still holds onto the possibility of conducting business with Garcia in the future:

“Yeah, absolutely. I still have several years in this contract.”

Meanwhile, De La Hoya's ongoing feud with Eddie Hearn, head of Matchroom Boxing, revolves around their shared contracts with DAZN, the streaming platform caught in the middle of the antagonism. Over the past year, the two have clashed over various professional matters, including the subject of Canelo Alvarez and potential bouts. De La Hoya declined to divulge the root cause of the discord but criticized Hearn's understanding of the American market and his promotional strategies:

“Just let me do my job here, and let me take care of business. Because obviously he doesn’t know the market here."

Despite criticizing Hearn's approach, De La Hoya did not entirely shut the door to future collaborations. He suggested that Hearn could learn from the way co-promotion was handled in the past on platforms like HBO. He expressed his confidence in navigating the U.S. market and indicated a willingness to work with Hearn provided he understands and adjusts to the market's nuances.

The recent news suggested the resolution of Connor Benn's anti-doping case was to be determined by the end of the previous week. The path for Connor Benn's Ring Return was to be cleared. In the months leading up to his expected fight with Chris Eubank Jr., Benn had tested positive for 'clomifene' in July and September 2022. This incident cast a cloud over Connor Benn's Ring Return. There have been ongoing disputes in the nine months following the test, with recent reports suggesting a video conference was organized by the National Anti-Doping Panel. This conference's primary agenda was to determine if the UK Anti-Doping agency holds jurisdiction over Benn since he abandoned his British Boxing Board of Control license last October. This decision would greatly affect the prospects of Connor Benn's Ring Return. Raising more questions, Benn's legal representatives have expressed doubts over the legitimacy of UKAD's rulings on samples provided to the Voluntary Anti-Doping Association. This unresolved debate is a major hurdle to Connor Benn's Ring Return. Despite the uncertainty regarding Connor Benn's Ring Return, his promoter Eddie Hearn continues to discuss potential future opponents, including former undisputed champion Josh Taylor. When asked about the possibilities for Benn if he is cleared, during an interview with IFL TV, Hearn said:

“September. If he’s cleared he will fight September 23rd. A f***ing massive fight."

Hearn further speculated:

“It might be Manny Pacquiao. Or it might be Josh Taylor. I am particularly fond of the Josh Taylor fight. Do we postpone it until October? Perhaps. Eubank is prepared to fight on September 23rd."

Numerous fighters worldwide have called out Connor Benn. Even if a match with Chris Eubank doesn't materialize, it's not the end of the world. It will still be a thrilling fight and a significant one for both fighters. However, until Benn gets clearance, the specifics regarding Connor Benn's Ring Return remain unclear.

Oleksandr Usyk, the unified heavyweight world champion, has unveiled that his unique fighting style has been heavily influenced by one of Britain's most venerated fighters from his amateur days. This unique style has been a critical component in Usyk's rise to the top. Best known for his tireless handwork, quick footwork, and smooth boxing maneuvers, the Ukrainian southpaw has made a name for himself for his nimble ring movements. These techniques have been instrumental in his meteoric ascent, earning him an Olympic gold, all world cruiserweight titles, the Muhammad Ali Trophy in the World Boxing Super Series, and now, three out of the four major heavyweight belts. Being part of a rare league of boxing champions alongside Evander Holyfield and David Haye, Usyk has been characterized by him achieving unified cruiserweight titles and later securing a heavyweight belt. In a discussion with Steve Bunce from BT Sport Boxing, Usyk disclosed how he mimicked the style of 'Prince' Naseem Hamed. This emulation has played a significant role in Usyk's rise to the top.

“As amateurs, we copied his moves. We faced disapproval in the gym since we were banned from doing so. They stated that it looked like we were losing our focus, our concentration, and that we seemed out of control. However, I continued to include these movements, even during competitions.”

A Boxing professional who sparred with both Usyk and Dubois predicts a knockout. Upon sharing this news, 'Prince Nas' laughed and questioned,

“Who’s going be able to copy them moves?”

Undoubtedly, Usyk is one of the most agile and difficult heavyweights ever to grace the boxing ring. His next challenge is defending his triple world titles for the second time against Daniel Dubois in Poland, another milestone in Usyk's rise to the top. In 2018, Usyk etched his name in history by becoming the undisputed cruiserweight champion, securing all four major titles in the World Boxing Super Series. In the final match, he confronted Murat Gassiev, who held the IBF and WBA titles. Usyk dominated the fight, clinching a unanimous victory. This triumph cemented Usyk's rise to the top, making him the first cruiserweight in boxing history to hold all four major world championships—the WBO, WBC, WBA, and IBF titles. His ultimate dream remains a head-to-head battle with Tyson Fury for undisputed supremacy, despite the ongoing tension between both teams. Meanwhile, Fury is gearing up for a fight with former MMA champion Francis Ngannou, as Usyk's rise to the top continues.

Anthony Joshua, in his pursuit of Joshua's redemption, has recently spoken about his strengthened bond with his latest coach, Derrick James. He expressed that had they collaborated earlier in his career, his performance as a boxer would have been even more impressive. The realization of the missed opportunity has fueled Joshua's determination to make a triumphant comeback and achieve Joshua's redemption under the guidance of James. Joshua began his professional career with Rob McCracken by his side, a partnership that remained more or less consistent until he lost the combined heavyweight titles to Oleksandr Usyk in his 26th match. In a recent interview with the Boxing News Podcast, the two-time champion reflected that his evolution as a boxer had halted since his inaugural defeat against Andy Ruiz Jr two years earlier. However, with Joshua's redemption on the horizon, his partnership with Derrick James has brought renewed hope and confidence.

“When I looked at Mayweather he had two phases of his career – Pretty Boy and then Money May. And he just became smarter, so I was just trying to get smarter as a fighter, that’s all. Once I faced defeat at the hands of Ruiz, I acknowledged my health setbacks, but it was becoming increasingly clear that at some point, I might falter. Why? Because I didn't feel like I was progressing. I was engaged in fights but not gaining knowledge. Thus, after the first showdown with Ruiz, I decided to overhaul my approach. I entirely transformed my fighting style – maintain distance, dodge, strike, and avoid being hit. This strategy was then incorporated into my subsequent matches with Usyk. He is the ultimate expert in that arena.”

Post his second loss, Joshua made the switch from Robert Garcia to Derrick James in Dallas, confident that he had finally found the right fit. This new collaboration will play a crucial role in his journey towards Joshua's redemption. Joshua compared his training under the Texan coach with that of McCracken's.

“Yes [I wish my path had crossed with Derrick James earlier.] Rob’s a really good coach, the only thing I’ll say though is look at Froch’s nose. He just didn’t teach me defence. And in heavyweight boxing, the level of competition I was facing at that stage of my career, I was getting hit way too much with clean shots. During the preparation for the Ruiz fight in Miami, I was training with Solomon Dacres and Lewis, the tall six foot five individual, whilst Ruiz stands at only five foot. Meanwhile, Rob was in Japan for the Olympics, returning just seven weeks before the match. This level of involvement just doesn’t cut it for me. Derrick to me is like Rob but seems to be more committed … Rob was overly dedicated to the Olympic team, not the professional one. I devoted my prime years to Rob, and now I have to strive to reclaim them.”

Joshua's next match under the guidance of James is scheduled for August 12, where he will be pitted against Dillian Whyte. This bout presents a significant opportunity for Joshua's redemption, as he aims to prove his mettle and reignite his career under the tutelage of his new coach.

The reigning WBO welterweight champion, Terence Crawford, is confidently predicting his victory over Errol Spence Jr in their upcoming showdown. Crawford while talking about his Spence fight, displayed confidence, backed by his record of 39 wins and no losses, including 30 by knockout. He believes his many years of studying Spence's boxing style will give him the upper hand in their anticipated fight. This welterweight clash will be aired on Showtime PPV from the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. Crawford on Spence fight often emphasizes the rematch clause in their agreement. This clause permits the defeated boxer to demand a rematch, irrespective of the outcome of their July 29th bout. Meanwhile, Spence is sure his performance against Crawford will be such that a rematch would be unnecessary. He predicts that Crawford will refuse a rematch as the encounter will likely drain him of his competitive spirit. In the wake of the Spence fight, Crawford made reference to past performances of Spence's previous rivals. Fighters such as Yordenis Ugas, Danny Garcia, and Shawn Porter found it challenging to regain their previous status after battling Spence. Crawford on Spence fight, highlighted the magnitude of the event during the All Access: Spence vs. Crawford, Episode 2:

"This is the fight that everybody has been yearning for years. It’s one of the biggest fights in the past decade that I can think of. So yeah, it’s pretty big. Since I was a little kid, my dad always told me you don’t have no friends in the ring, and you don’t play boxing. So when I go in the ring, it’s simple. I’m going to win."

Crawford's previous victories over lesser-known fighters raise questions about his performance against Spence, a well-respected contender. Crawford on Spence fight, stated his competitive nature:

"This is the biggest fight of my career today to date, and you’re not about to be like, ‘Oh, man, I beat you. No. I’m going to be like, ‘I beat you’ because that’s how competitive I am. It’s not fun to me, losing. That’s what makes the game fun, winning. I’m prepared to do whatever I have to do on July 29th to make sure that I bring all those titles back to Nebraska."

Crawford further dispelled rumors of dodging this fight during a commentary on the Spence match:

"This is a fight that I’ve wanted for a long time. This is a fight that a lot of people have been saying that I’ve been running from, scared of. We’re here now, and I’m going to show the world that I’m the best fighter in the world.”

It is uncertain whether Crawford will decide to engage Spence directly, like Ugas, Porter, and Garcia did, considering Spence's evident dominance in the ring. On the other hand, Spence believes a unique quality separates certain boxers from others, stating:

"It’s something that certain fighters got, and other fighters don’t got, and it shows in the ring."

As they prepare to fight for welterweight supremacy, both undefeated fighters exhibit immense confidence. In his final commentary, Crawford on Spence fight, talked about the fight as an opportunity to solidify his status as one of the world's best fighters. Meanwhile, Spence views the match as his chance to prove himself as the world's top pound-for-pound fighter, stating:

"I have all the ability, and I’m going to beat one of the best fighters in the world. That will settle the deal of who is the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world once I beat Terence Crawford."