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Aug 04 2023

'If we're going to argue, we're gonna fight' says Nate Diaz before Diaz vs Paul Clash

Nate Diaz emerged from one of the six bedrooms of an extravagant villa overlooking the posh Bel-Air Country Club, making his way down a spiral staircase. He sported a casual outfit, including a Mike Tyson T-shirt, faded jeans, and black Travis Scott Nike Air Jordan sneakers. Diaz added a touch of style by briefly trying on a black baseball cap with a white "R" for his sponsor, Represent, as well as a pair of black Ray-Ban sunglasses. After seeking opinions from his team members, including Zach Rosenfield, the president of Real Fight Inc., and cinematographer Elijah Gutierrez, Diaz decided against wearing the hat and shades. Settling into a white chair on the stone balcony of the rental home, Diaz prepared for a video interview before Paul vs Diaz fight. From this vantage point, he could see the pool area with a small waterfall and hot tub below, as well as a lush, 18-hole golf course further down. The interview revolved around Diaz's upcoming Paul vs Diaz fight, his first outside of the UFC in 17 years, in which he would be facing popular YouTuber-turned-prizefighter Jake Paul. The two men were 50-50 partners in the upcoming pay-per-view event, but Paul had expressed disappointment in Diaz's lack of trash talk to promote the fight. However, Diaz wasn't interested in engaging in a war of words. He believed that his fighting prowess over the years was enough to promote the Paul vs Diaz fight, and he didn't feel the need to resort to childish arguments. For Diaz, if they were going to argue, they might as well settle it inside the ring.
"I think my fighting from over the years promotes my fights," Diaz told ESPN. "I'm not gonna get in a little-kid argument with the guy and act like [it's] any realer than it is. Don't get no realer than this anyway. "If we're going to argue, we're gonna fight."
Both Diaz and Paul had unconventional paths to this point in their careers. Diaz was one of the biggest MMA stars of his generation, known for doing things on his own terms. Paul, on the other hand, disrupted boxing with his major events outside the traditional promotion formula. Their distinct approaches and the genuine animosity between them led to this pivotal moment in their careers. Initially, Diaz and Paul had various options for potential fights, including matchups with Floyd Mayweather and Logan Paul for Diaz, and Mayweather, KSI, and a Tommy Fury rematch for Paul. However, fate brought them together due to their shared heated history and the potential for a high-stakes matchup. This 10-round Paul vs Diaz boxing match on August 5 in Dallas would be a landmark event in the genre of crossover boxing that Jake Paul had pioneered. The outcome of this bout could significantly impact the future of both fighters' careers and the trend of influencers in combat sports. Nakisa Bidarian, co-founder of Paul's Most Valuable Promotions, even speculated that this could be Paul's final boxing match, with the possibility of retirement if he were to lose to Nate Diaz.
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Aug 04 2023

Jake Paul Explained Why he Opted Shane Mosely for Paul vs Diaz Fight

Jake Paul made the decision to make changes to his coaching staff following his defeat to Tommy Fury, enlisting the services of his former coach, Shane Mosley, to prepare for his upcoming Paul vs Diaz fight against Nate Diaz. In his last bout with Love Island star Tommy Fury, Paul experienced his first loss in his professional boxing career. Despite scoring a knockdown in the final round, he ultimately lost the fight by split decision. Now, he is determined to return to the winning path as he prepares to face UFC legend Nate Diaz this Saturday. Shane Mosley, a former world champion, previously trained Paul for his professional debut against fellow YouTuber AnEsonGib back in 2020. However, they parted ways after that fight due to Mosley's busy schedule. Nevertheless, they have reunited ahead of Paul's highly anticipated Paul vs Diaz  showdown with Diaz, and the YouTube sensation has spoken highly of Mosley's coaching abilities. Paul stated why he decided to bring Mosley back into his team We had originally worked together for my first professional fight, but he was super busy after that. After losing, I went back to the drawing board and reassessed everyone on my squad. I wanted to bring back some of the folks I had previously worked with; it's been an outstanding camp; he's been here the entire time and has been incredibly helpful, as he told Stephen A Smith. The upcoming Paul vs Diaz clash is generating enormous excitement, and the fight will be available for viewers to watch live on DAZN PPV on August 5. Fans are eager to see who will come out victorious in this highly anticipated grudge match.
"We had originally worked together for my first professional fight but he was super busy after that. When I lost, I went back to the drawing board and re-evaluated everyone in my team. I wanted to bring back some of the people I had originally worked with, it's been an amazing camp, he's been in this camp the whole entire time and has been very helpful."
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Aug 04 2023

Crawford Reveals His Next Opponent - Aiming Three division Undisputed Glory!

Terence Crawford, the undisputed boxing champion, spoke with TMZ Sports today about his latest triumph and prospective opponents. Although the boxing world views Crawford's last victory as a dominant, effortless victory, the champion retains a modest demeanour. He stated:
“I don’t feel any different than yesterday to be honest. I’ve got a lot of people hitting me up but at the same time, the way I feel is no different than yesterday. “The fight is never easy, no matter how it looks to the general public. The fight is won in the gym, that’s where the hard part goes on. This fight was extremely hard, and I went through a lot of pain and suffering to get to that point.”
During the debate, the topic of 'who's next' naturally came up, with conjecture about future rematches and new opponents. Crawford's contract requires him to fulfil certain commitments, including agreeing to a rematch if it is in his best interests. In reaction to this, he said:
“That’s my obligation in the contract and I have to honor that. I want to thank Errol Spence, because without him really wanting to fight and doing what he can do, along with me to get this fight done, we wouldn’t be fighting. “I would definitely choose Charlo. It’s a meaningful fight; there’s more history, more on the table.”
Additionally, he put a kneel to the rumors of his potential fight with Canelo:
“Canelo is two, three, even four weight classes above me, depending on which fight you’re talking about. So, to be honest, Canelo doesn’t really interest me because of the size factor. “Canelo fighting at his weight doesn’t present the right kind of challenge I’m seeking. I’ve been asked this question many times before, and I’ve always had the same answer. I’m firm on my stance. “I stated and said that I will retire from boxing before I let boxing retire me. I feel as if I haven’t been fully appreciated in the sport of boxing in my career for some time, and I felt like once I retired, that’s where I would get my props. “That was a dope feeling. Shout out to Eminem for coming out and supporting me and showing me so much love. I never knew he was a big Terence Crawford fan.”
The most interesting part of the discussion, though, was when Crawford explained his life outside of the ring. Specifically, the role of father. When asked about his dedication to his children, he stated:
“No matter what I’m doing in life, I make sure that I’m there for my children.”
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Aug 03 2023

'I guess it’s a good thing' - Chris Eubank Jr reacts to UKAD's statement about Conor Benn

Chris Eubank Jr holds the belief that Conor Benn's situation, involving a doping scandal last October, has been overshadowed by lawyers, verdicts, and promotional statements. The two fighters were slated to face off in a highly anticipated grudge match, reminiscent of their fathers' rivalry in the '90s. However, the fight was called off when news broke about Benn failing a drugs test. Benn has maintained his innocence and recently received some relief when the UK Anti-Doping Agency lifted his provisional suspension, allowing him to re-apply for a British boxing license. Eubank Jr sees this as a positive development as it paves the way for a future fight between them in the UK, which he prefers over fighting in the Middle East.
“I guess it’s a good thing because now the fight can be made at some point, which it will. I don’t know when, but it will happen at some point in the UK, which is important. There was a lot of talks of it happening in the Middle East and that was something I didn’t really want to do because it’s such a huge fight out here.”
Nonetheless, Eubank Jr remains firm in his opinion about Benn's situation. He asserts that regardless of legal proceedings and statements, Benn's claims of being absolved are not convincing. Eubank Jr is convinced that Benn was caught twice for a reason and believes the public will not forget it. Despite the controversy surrounding Benn, Eubank Jr is open to a future fight with him as he considers boxing to be a business. Currently, Eubank Jr is focused on preparing for a rematch with Liam Smith, whom he defeated earlier this year after their initial fight got canceled due to the Benn situation.
“Lawyers and court hearings and essays and Eddie Hearn saying all the things he’s saying – it doesn’t mean anything. The fact is you got caught twice and no-one’s ever gonna forget it. It doesn’t mean that you didn’t do what you did, cause you did do it.” You want to say ‘I’m absolved and it was all a big misunderstanding’, nah that’s bulls**t. Boxing’s a business and I still wanna fight him, so the fight will be made at some point.”
Ultimately, the marketability of a potential future fight between Eubank Jr and Benn will depend on the outcome of Eubank Jr's upcoming match against Smith, scheduled for September 2.
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Aug 03 2023

Derek Chisora vs Gerald Washington in the Undercard of Joshua vs Whyte 2??

Reports suggest that British heavyweight Derek Chisora is set to face Gerald Washington on the undercard of the Anthony Joshua vs. Dillian Whyte 2 fight on August 12th at the O2 Arena in London. This addition to the card seems like a strategic move to attract older British fans to purchase the event on DAZN for £26.95. Chisora, at 39 years old, will be taking on the 6'7" former world title challenger Washington, who has been inactive since January 2022 and holds a record of 2-5 in the last five years. Washington's recent lack of success makes him a suitable opponent for Chisora, who has struggled in his own career. Chisora has lost four out of his last five fights since 2020, with his only win being a controversial split decision over Kubrat Pulev last year. Some fans and experts believe Pulev should have won that fight. Chisora has been a familiar face in the boxing world for a long time, and matching him against the 41-year-old Washington could entice fans who are on the fence about purchasing the Joshua-Whyte II event. However, it's clear that this matchup isn't the marquee fight that promoter Eddie Hearn needs to draw in a wider audience. Hearn said:
“We are waiting for the board approval for the Derek Chisoa fight. We wanted to announce it a few days ago, but we were calling the board, waiting for approval, and will likely announce it anyway, subject to board approval today or tomorrow. “Yes, the plan is to have Derek Chisora fight on the main card. No, it’s a much better fighter than Mariusz Wach and quite a tough fight,” said Hearn, sounding mysterious. “I’ll wait for it to be announced.”
Eddie Hearn confirmed that the Chisora-Washington fight is still awaiting board approval but expressed that it would be a tougher challenge for Chisora than his previous opponent. Other fights on the Joshua-Whyte 2 card include Filip Hrgovic vs. Demsey McKean, Johnny Fisher vs. Harry Armstrong, George Liddard vs. Radek Rousal, Maisey Rose Courtney vs. Gemma Ruegg, and Campbell Hatton vs. Tom Ansell.
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Aug 03 2023

Is Mayweather Coming out of Retirement for Fight Against Crawford??

Over the weekend, a rising star in boxing emerged as the best fighter in the world. Fans immediately started speculating if Terence Crawford could have defeated the legendary Floyd Mayweather and put an end to his undefeated 50-0 record. Crawford's impressive victory over long-time rival Errol Spence Jr. in their highly-anticipated undisputed welterweight title clash, where he claimed all four belts in the division, fueled these discussions. Although Mayweather retired six years ago and is now 46 years old, fans engaged in fantasy fight hypotheticals to ponder the outcome of a bout between Crawford and Mayweather. However, trainer Calvin Ford, who works with Gervonta Davis, reminded everyone of Mayweather's previous statement. Mayweather once mentioned that he would consider coming out of retirement if Crawford defeated Spence.
“The question is, is Floyd going to come out of retirement and fight Crawford? I remember a statement where he said that if Terence beat Spence, then he would come out of retirement.” “That’s a good one because you’ve got the old great against the new great. The pay-per-views would be stupid!”
The potential matchup between the old legend and the new superstar is tantalizing, and pay-per-view numbers would likely be off the charts. Even two-division world champion, Carl Frampton, chimed in during the live broadcast of the Spence-Crawford fight, predicting that a prime Terence Crawford would have the upper hand against a prime Floyd Mayweather in a welterweight bout. Despite the rumors, Mayweather has been actively participating in exhibition bouts, having fought in seven of them since retiring from professional boxing. Four of those exhibitions took place in the last twelve months. Speculation will continue to swirl about whether the five-division world champion could handle Crawford, but the big question remains: would Mayweather be willing to risk his flawless 50-0 record at this stage of his career? It might all come down to whether the financial incentives are too appealing to resist.
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Aug 03 2023

WBO Will Strip Jermell Charlo of his Junior Middleweight Title Post Canelo vs Charlo Fight

Jermell Charlo's reign as the undisputed champion at 154 lbs is about to end as the WBO has decided to strip him of his junior middleweight title. However, he will still be allowed to enter the ring for his upcoming Canelo vs Charlo bout against Canelo Alvarez on September 30, where they will compete for Canelo's undisputed title at 168 lbs. The WBO's ruling is that Charlo can be announced as their champion for the fight, but he will be stripped immediately after the official announcement. This situation was somewhat expected when the Canelo vs Charlo fight was announced, as the sanctioning bodies seemed willing to play along with the marketing of "Undisputed vs. Undisputed." However, it was always anticipated that Charlo might have to relinquish one or more of his junior middleweight belts to make the fight happen. While the decision may seem amusing, it is now clear that Tim Tszyu will be elevated from interim champion to full champion status once Charlo is stripped. It's worth noting that even if the Canelo vs Charlo fight doesn't take place on September 30 for any reason, the WBO will still strip Charlo of his title, and Tszyu will become the full titleholder. Tszyu has been the WBO's mandatory challenger for quite some time and has held the interim belt since his victory over Tony Harrison on March 12. He followed that up with a dominant win over Carlos Ocampo on June 18, defending his interim title. Tszyu has been vocal about Charlo being stripped, and it seems he is getting what he wished for. The WBO's decision appears to be the right one considering Charlo's inactivity and failure to defend any of his titles since unifying the 154 lb division by defeating Brian Castano in May 2022. As of now, there's no word on what the other sanctioning bodies will do, but it is possible they might wait until after the Canelo vs Charlo fight to decide whether Charlo will vacate voluntarily or be stripped of his remaining titles. The situation with Tszyu has been widely publicized, prompting the WBO to make their stance known publicly.
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Jul 31 2023

Callum Smith vs Artur Beterbiev Delayed!!

In the highly anticipated showdown for the unified light heavyweight championship, Artur Beterbiev was set to defend his WBC, WBO, and IBF titles against British contender Callum Smith on August 19 in Quebec City, Canada. However, fight fans were left disappointed when the much-awaited encounter was postponed due to an unexpected setback for the champion. Top Rank announced that Beterbiev had been diagnosed with a bone infection in his jaw, which resulted from dental work he underwent. The timetable for his recovery remains uncertain, leaving boxing enthusiasts eagerly awaiting news of a rescheduled date. Artur Beterbiev, a 38-year-old Russian native, is renowned for his ferocious power, boasting an impressive 100% knockout rate. His latest victory came in a thrilling eighth-round TKO over Anthony Yarde in London. As the current WBC, WBO, and IBF champion, Beterbiev had been eagerly anticipating the opportunity to defend his titles in front of his adopted hometown crowd for the first time since December 2021. Beterbiev's injury also raises questions about a potential clash with Dmitry Bivol, ESPN's top-ranked boxer at 175 pounds. The boxing community has been buzzing with excitement about the prospect of an undisputed light heavyweight title clash between the two champions. With Beterbiev's recovery uncertain, it remains to be seen how this potential mega-fight will be affected. Callum Smith, a former super middleweight champion, has made a successful transition to the light heavyweight division. After securing the World Boxing Super Series title with a seventh-round TKO victory over George Groves, Smith's only defeat came against the formidable Canelo Alvarez in a unification bout. Since moving up to 175 pounds, Smith has won two bouts by stoppage, establishing himself as a serious threat in the division. With Beterbiev's injury sidelining the scheduled bout, boxing fans will have to wait for the two powerhouses to step into the ring and settle their differences. The fight is expected to be rescheduled later this year or early in 2024. While the delay might be disappointing for some, it only adds to the anticipation and excitement surrounding this potential clash of titans. The postponement of the Artur Beterbiev vs. Callum Smith light heavyweight championship bout was undoubtedly a setback for the boxing world. Beterbiev's bone infection in his jaw, stemming from dental work, has put his defense on hold, leaving fans eager for an announcement of the new fight date. Meanwhile, Callum Smith, the mandatory challenger for Beterbiev's WBC title, stands ready to seize his shot at light heavyweight glory. As the situation unfolds, boxing enthusiasts worldwide are keeping a close eye on the recovery of the reigning champion and the eventual rescheduling of this exciting showdown that could potentially lead to an undisputed light heavyweight champion.
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Jul 31 2023

Errol Spence Jr.'s Eye Injury Raises Concerns After One Sided Crawford Defeat - Spence vs Crawford

Errol Spence Jr. is facing questions regarding the seriousness of an eye injury he suffered during his first fight against Terence Crawford in a Spence vs Crawford bout, where he was dominated and demoralized. Spence had previously encountered a series of injuries, including a detached retina from a car crash in 2019, which limited his activity in the ring to only two fights in four years. After his defeat to Crawford in Spence vs Crawford at Las Vegas, concerns are arising about the extent of Spence's eye injury and its potential impact on his ability to compete in a rematch.
“I didn’t know I had a retina tear. But I do remember when it happened. When the guy hit me, I felt like little I heard a little pop. “Then I went to the corner like man, my eye or whatever, they looked at my eye. Then I actually came back out there and sparred like four-five more rounds. Two days later, I had sparred again.”
Some on social media speculate that Spence may have cashed in on the Crawford fight before his eye condition worsened, raising doubts about his future in boxing. During the fight, it appeared as if Spence had difficulty seeing punches coming from Crawford, and there are fears about his eyesight for the rest of his life, especially considering Crawford's targeted strikes to the affected eye. While Crawford's victory is acknowledged, some observers felt that Spence didn't perform at his best, leading to discussions about the severity of his eye injury. In a previous interview, Spence admitted to experiencing a pop in his eye during a sparring session but continued to train without knowing about the retina tear. Later, doctors informed him that his retina was partially detached, preventing him from fighting at that time.
“I got some good news. I got some bad news. The bad news is that there’s no way you can fight. Then the good news is that it’s partially detached so that they can put it back on. But you know there’s no way you can fight.”
Spence eventually returned to the ring and defeated Yordenis Ugas, but his defeat against Crawford raised further doubts about the true extent of his eye injury. Given these concerns, the seriousness of Spence's eye condition has become a topic of scrutiny in the aftermath of Spence vs Crawford bout.
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Jul 31 2023

'Look at him. He was done!' - says BoMac during the post presser of Spence vs Crawford Fight

Following Terence Crawford's triumphant victory over Errol Spence Jr. with a ninth-round stoppage in Spence vs Crawford bout, his trainer Brian 'BoMac' McIntyre didn't hold back his thoughts about Spence's performance. BoMac criticized Spence, describing him as "slow" and "basic," and he believed that Spence made several mistakes that ultimately played into Crawford's hands, leading to the three knockdowns during the bout. Although Spence did appear sluggish in the Spence vs Crawford  fight, it's important to note that he had to undergo an intense weight cut to reach the 147-pound limit. BoMac chose not to address this aspect as acknowledging it might diminish Crawford's win. Spence had been out of the ring for 15 months, and during that time, he had gained considerable weight, making the weight cut even more challenging. BoMac pointed out that Spence relied on fundamental boxing skills, but his lack of speed and footwork left him vulnerable to Crawford's counters. It seemed as though Spence had pushed himself beyond his limits due to the weight cut, which made him too weak to put up a competitive fight.
“He’s basic. Remember in Spence’s last interview where he said he’s good at fundamentals, ‘I’m fundamentally sound?’ You can break that s**t apart, and then after the first round, he was slow as s**t. He’s got that will and determination, but if you keep going upside his head. He was slow. The counters were as fast as s**t, though. He was basic. “Look at all of his fights. He starts with a jab, and he hardly brings his feet with him when he goes to the body. This is where he f***ked up. His legs were too far apart,” said BoMac about Spence. “So he would bring his height down, and when you bring your height down, you start reaching the fighter because your legs are too far apart. “His feet were slow, his movement was slow, and his hands were slow. So that just made work perfect. In the second round, I said, ‘This [guy] isn’t as fast as you. Any chance you get to counter over the top, make it happen,'”
BoMac suggested that Spence should consider moving up to a higher weight class, as competing at 154 pounds might not be enough to prevent another draining experience. However, Crawford is not willing to fight Spence at a weight higher than 154 pounds, leaving the welterweight division as the only option for a potential rematch.
“He countered over the top with a left hand and then came back with his jab, a 2-1, and that’s when he dropped him.” “Look at him. He was done. Go look at his balance when he got up. He was done. When he got up, and the bell rang, he was still shaky. If Bud would have had another minute, he would have stopped him.”
In his praise for Crawford, BoMac highlighted his speed and excellent counter-punching abilities, which played a crucial role in securing the victory over Spence. He firmly believed that if Spence had not been weight drained, the fight might have turned out much differently. Despite offering some constructive criticism, BoMac expressed unwavering confidence in Crawford's abilities. He credited their strategic planning, which allowed Crawford to capitalize on Spence's weaknesses in their historic bout.
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Jul 31 2023

'It was a beautiful fight' - says Deontay Wilder post Spence vs Crawford Fight

In a thrilling Spence vs Crawford showdown at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Terence Crawford emerged victorious, securing the undisputed welterweight champion title by defeating Errol Spence Jr. Crawford showed his dominance by knocking Spence down three times and eventually achieving a ninth-round stoppage. The historic Spence vs Crawford fight was attended by numerous boxing luminaries who witnessed the action-packed bout. Former heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder shared his thoughts with reporters after the match, praising Crawford's magnificent performance. Wilder felt that Spence, who has struggled with making the 147-pound weight limit, seemed drained during the fight, which allowed Crawford to capitalize on the situation and claim an impressive victory.
"It was a beautiful fight. It seemed like Errol Spence was a little drained tonight, and he couldn’t really do what he needed to do. Bud definitely took advantage of that. He made it look easy. Hats off to Terence, man. He fought a magnificent fight tonight. That's what it's all about. He proved that he was the best of them all. The way he did it, he did it with ease and calmness. He looked like he was in another dimension … I really think Errol over dehydrated himself. You could see it in his skin. You can see it in his eyes, and the way he was moving as well. But he fought the fight, and that's what it's all about – being strong and going all the way to the end.”
Spence has been open about the difficulties of making the welterweight limit in his Spence vs Crawford fight. After the one-sided defeat, he expressed his desire for a rematch with Crawford at the 154-pound weight class. Although Spence can activate the Spence vs Crawford rematch clause within 30 days, Crawford will have the authority to decide the weight for the potential sequel. Despite his defeat, Spence was gracious in his post-fight statements, giving full credit to Crawford for his exceptional performance. He acknowledged Crawford's excellent use of the jab and admitted that his own timing was slightly off during the bout. Spence expressed his eagerness for a Spence vs Crawford rematch, believing he would perform better next time, and hoped that it could take place at the 154-pound weight limit in December or at the end of the year. Both fighters showcased their skills in an exciting match, leaving fans eager to see them square off again in the future.
“He was just better tonight. He was using the jab. My timing was a little bit off. He was just the better man tonight. “He was just throwing the hard jab. He was timing with his jab. His timing was just on point. I wasn’t surprised by his speed or his accuracy. It was everything I thought. “We gotta do it again. I’m going to be a lot better. It’ll be a lot closer. It’ll probably be in December and the end of the year. I say we gotta do it again. Hopefully, it will happen 154.”
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Jul 30 2023

Isaac Cruz defeats Giovanni Cabrera via split decision - Spence vs Crawford

In an action-packed WBC and WBA Lightweight Title Eliminator, Isaac "Pitbull" Cruz of Mexico emerged victorious with a narrow split decision against the previously undefeated Giovanni Cabrera. The judges' scores were 115-112 and 114-113 in favor of Cruz, but one judge saw it differently, giving Cabrera a score of 114-113. Cruz, known for his aggressive style, initially started the bout calmly, while Cabrera, a southpaw, used his height and jab to keep Cruz at bay. As the fight progressed, Cruz found his rhythm and began landing powerful hooks, disrupting Cabrera's tempo. Despite losing a point in the eighth round due to headbutts, Cruz asserted his dominance, though he acknowledged Cabrera's skills and constant clinching, which annoyed him. Cabrera managed to regroup in the later rounds, putting up a strong fight and decisively winning at least two of the final three rounds on all cards. However, Cruz's lead in power punches landed (152-55) and his higher precision with 31% of his blows finding the target compared to Cabrera's 13.5% ultimately secured his victory. Post-fight, Cabrera remained convinced that he had done enough to secure the biggest win of his career. On the other hand, Cruz expressed his desire for a rematch against undefeated superstar Gervonta Davis, as he believes his performance in both the opening and closing rounds warranted a victory.
“I dominated tonight, even though I hold my opponents in high regard, and he proved his skills today,” stated Cruz. “His constant clinching did annoy me a bit, felt like he was treating me to a birthday hug fest. “Cabrera’s tall frame didn’t bother me as much as the fact that I was coming off a significant period of inactivity,” admitted Cruz. “Regardless, I don’t make excuses, and I triumphed.”
Both fighters displayed mutual respect, and Cruz stated that he would be ready for any future opportunities, including a chance to prove himself against Gervonta Davis once more.
“I have immense respect for Gervonta, and I believe I will get a chance to prove myself again,” responded Cruz. “When the opportunity presents itself, rest assured, I’ll be ready.”
Isaac "Pitbull" Cruz's hard-fought victory over Giovanni Cabrera adds another chapter to his boxing journey, and he looks forward to future challenges and opportunities to showcase his skills on the grand stage.
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Jul 30 2023

'A rematch at 154 lbs' - said Spence during the post fight presser of Spence vs Crawford

In a one-sided Spence vs Crawford bout, Errol Spence Jr faced his first defeat at the hands of Terence Crawford, who dominated the fight and claimed the undisputed welterweight championship with a ninth-round stoppage. Spence (28-1, 22 KO) stated his desire for a rematch at the super welterweight limit of 154 pounds during the post-fight presser. He did, however, agree that at the end Crawford will decide as he is the winner of their fight. Spence intimated that if the rematch takes place at the welterweight limit of 147 pounds, he might not consent to it. He accepted the loss with grace, giving full credit to Crawford for his performance. Spence admitted that he had an off-night, and Crawford was the better fighter that evening. He recognized that his timing was off, which prevented him from capitalizing on certain opportunities. Regarding the potential rematch, Spence mentioned that he would discuss it with his management, but his preference lies in competing at 154 lbs. He acknowledged the difficulty of cutting weight to make 147 lbs but refrained from making excuses for the loss. He commended Crawford's power but attributed some of his difficulties to his own mistimed shots.
“It’s something I’ve got to talk to my management about, but hopefully it’s at 154. ... (The weight cut) is always difficult, but I don’t make any excuses. The better man won tonight.”
Despite some swelling, Spence stated that he didn't experience any vision problems during the fight. He felt physically capable and believed he could do enough to win, but Crawford's superior performance proved otherwise. Looking ahead, Spence expressed determination and resilience. He stated that he wouldn't dwell on the loss and would move forward to improve and grow as a fighter. He remained open to a rematch with Crawford and found solace in delivering an exciting fight to the boxing public. Spence acknowledged that he didn't perform at his best and believes he is much better than what he showed in the ring that night. He credited Crawford for being sharp and prepared, acknowledging the champion's 100 percent readiness for the fight. When asked about his thoughts after the second-round knockdown, Spence humorously remarked that his mindset was simply to fight back and defend himself. He expressed respect for Crawford's sportsmanship, with the latter praising him after the fight.

“Nothing really surprised me. He’s just like I thought. My timing wasn’t good today.

“I felt a little off physically, but most times I get through it. I thought it was going to be like the other times, but I couldn’t kick it up a notch.

“I got a feel for his power in probably the first or second round. He’s a strong dude, but everybody at the top level has some type of power. I think because my timing was off, he was catching me in between shots.

“No. I didn’t have any difficulty seeing at all.

“I felt cool. I felt I could do enough to win the fight. I felt good, like I said I’m not here to make any excuses. I’m a grown man. I agreed to the weight and to get down to it, and that’s what I did. No excuses. Hats off to the champion tonight.

“I’m not gonna stew over it at all. I did what I was supposed to do, regardless of the outcome. I promised everybody I was going to do it and I did it as a man. I’m not gonna sulk over this, I’ll get right back and get to it, hopefully at 154 lbs.

“Definitely. It was exciting. It’s something that I wouldn’t change for nothing. I’m definitely open to the rematch, and hopefully it’ll be at 154 lbs.

“I know I’m a lot better than what I showed tonight. I know that a lot of things were off with me. Even though Terence did what he was supposed to, he was sharp and he was on-point, and he made sure he was 100 percent ready in this fight.

“He just told me to keep my head up, I was off. He was trying to console me like he’s supposed to.

“Shit, uh, just fight back, I mean [laughing] — I mean, what you mean what was going through my mind? It’s a boxing match, so I was trying to block the shots he was throwing and come back with shots. Nothing really was going through my mind. Just the same stuff.

“He just said good fight, much respect, and that’s about it.”

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Jul 30 2023

'We've got to do it again' - says Spence during the post fight interview of Spence vs Crawford

Terence Crawford delivered an outstanding performance against Errol Spence Jr in Spence vs Crawford at Las Vegas, securing the undisputed welterweight championship in a dominant display. In the ninth round, Crawford unleashed a flurry of punches that left Spence wobbling, prompting the referee to step in and stop the fight. In the Spence vs Crawford, Crawford scored three knockdowns, the first of which came in just the second round, with the next two occurring in Round 7. Despite Spence's bravery throughout the bout, Crawford's skill and superiority were evident, leaving his opponent with little chance to turn the tide. After the fight, Crawford showed respect to Spence and expressed his willingness for a rematch, acknowledging the support from fans for both fighters.
“It was a good stoppage. I was on the verge. The referee did what he was supposed to do to protect the fighter. “If the fight happens again I am pretty sure the support will come out again for both of us.”
Spence also expressed his openness to a rematch, believing he could perform better in a second encounter.
“We've got to do it again. I would be a lot better.”
With the victory, Crawford not only added the WBC, WBA, and IBF titles to his existing WBO belt but also extended his knockout streak to 11 matches, making it the second-longest active stretch. At 35 years old, Crawford has already achieved success in multiple weight divisions, having won titles in super lightweight and lightweight before moving up to welterweight in 2018. He became the first male boxer to achieve undisputed champion status in two divisions during the four-belt era. Reflecting on his journey, Crawford shared that he had once only dreamed of becoming a world champion. He overcame skepticism during his rise but has since proven himself as a remarkable athlete.
“I only dreamed of being a world champion. I’m an over-achiever. Nobody believed in me when I was coming up, but I made everybody a believer. I want to thank Spence and his team because without him none of this would have been possible.”
Spence admitted that Crawford was the better fighter that night, commending his opponent's powerful jab and impeccable timing.
“He was just better tonight,” Spence said. “I make no excuses. He was throwing a harder jab. He was timing with his jab, and he had his timing down on point.”
The Spence vs Crawford event drew a star-studded crowd, with notable personalities like Cardi B, Andre 3000, Mark Walhberg, Damian Lillard, and Jerry Jones in attendance. Boxing legends such as Mike Tyson, Evander Holyfield, Floyd Mayweather Jr., and Manny Pacquiao also graced the occasion. As Crawford made his entrance to the ring, Eminem's song "Lose Yourself" played, setting the stage for an electrifying showdown in front of a sold-out crowd of 19,990 at T-Mobile Arena. Terence Crawford's victory in Las Vegas marks a historic moment in boxing, solidifying his place as one of the sport's great champions. The welterweight division now recognizes him as the undisputed king, and fans eagerly anticipate the next chapter in his illustrious career.
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Jul 30 2023

Terence "Bud" Crawford Stops Errol Spence Jr- Spence vs Crawford!!!

Las Vegas witnessed history on a thrilling Saturday night as Terence "Bud" Crawford STOPS Errol Spence Jr. to become the first two division undisputed welterweight champion in the four-belt era. With a spectacular TKO victory over Errol Spence Jr., Crawford added the WBA, WBC, and IBF titles to his WBO crown, solidifying his status as the pound-for-pound king. Entering the T-Mobile Arena for Spence vs Crawford with an undefeated record of 40-0 and 31 knockouts to his name, Crawford faced a formidable opponent in Spence Jr., who held an impressive record of 28-1 with 22 KOs. It was a battle between two of the world's best fighters, with Crawford ranked No. 1 and Spence Jr. holding the No. 4 spot on ESPN's pound-for-pound list. From the opening bell, the Spence vs Crawford fight lived up to its hype. Both fighters showed their skills and determination, engaging in a high-paced exchange of power punches and combinations. In the closing seconds of Round 2, Crawford stunned Spence with a short counter right hand, sending him to the canvas. However, Spence quickly got back on his feet, displaying the heart and resilience that made him a champion. As the Spence vs Crawford progressed, Crawford's prowess became evident. In the fourth round, he delivered a crushing looping left hand that visibly hurt Spence, causing blood to trickle from his nose and swelling around his left eye. Crawford's power shots and well-timed combinations continued to find their mark, putting Spence on the defensive. Round 7 proved pivotal as Crawford showcased his dominance. He scored two knockdowns in the round, first with a powerful right uppercut that cracked Spence's chin and then with a looping right hand. Spence tried to fight back, but Crawford's precision and control were simply too much to handle. Round 9 became the climax of the battle, with Crawford unleashing a relentless assault on a visibly weakened Spence. Backed against the ropes, Spence had no answer to Crawford's heavy shots. The referee wisely intervened to stop the fight, sparing Spence further punishment. Crawford's victory was a testament to his technical brilliance, ring intelligence, and formidable power. His ability to read the fight, adapt, and deliver precise blows from all angles left Spence Jr. struggling to find an answer. The victory not only cemented Crawford's legacy as an undisputed champion, but it also solidified his position as the best pound-for-pound boxer on the planet. His performances inside the squared circle have been nothing short of mesmerizing, earning him respect from fans, critics, and fellow fighters alike. With the welterweight division now under his complete control, the question arises: who can challenge Terence Crawford? The landscape of boxing eagerly awaits new contenders to step up and face the undisputed champion. Whether it's a unification bout or a superfight against another elite fighter, fans can be sure that Crawford will always bring his A-game to the ring. As the world revels in the glory of Crawford's historic achievement, his legacy is etched in the annals of boxing history. He has proven time and again that he is not just a boxer but an artist in the sweet science. Terence "Bud" Crawford is a force to be reckoned with—a symbol of excellence and a true champion. In the aftermath of his sensational triumph, the world eagerly awaits the next chapter in the career of the undisputed welterweight champion. One thing is for sure: whenever Terence Crawford enters the ring, it's guaranteed to be an electrifying spectacle—a display of skill, courage, and sheer determination that only a true champion possesses. In the bright lights of Las Vegas, Terence Crawford has risen to greatness. The undisputed king of the welterweight division now reigns supreme, and his legend will continue to grow with every step he takes in his remarkable boxing journey.
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Jul 29 2023

Rising Above Controversy: Conor Benn's Road to Redemption

Welterweight boxer Conor Benn announced on Friday that he is now free to resume his fighting career. His provisional suspension by UK Anti-Doping (UKAD) has been lifted by a National Anti-Doping Panel. However, UKAD has stated that they might appeal this decision and have a 21-day window to make their determination. The reason for Benn's suspension was due to him testing positive twice for the female fertility drug clomifene in July and September. Benn's legal team does not dispute these test results. The main issue is how the substance entered his system on two separate occasions during different testing procedures. The World Boxing Council (WBC) had previously suggested that overconsumption of eggs could be a possible explanation for the positive tests and restored Benn to its ratings in March. However, they later removed him due to inactivity. Benn has consistently maintained his innocence, asserting that he is a clean athlete. He rejects the theory proposed by the WBC and stands by the Doping Panel's decision to lift his temporary suspension, viewing it as a vindication of any wrongdoing on his part. After one year and three days since his first positive test, 26-year-old boxer Conor Benn expressed relief and commented on the challenging time his fans, sponsors, and coaching team endured. He stated that he has now been vindicated for the second time after a hearing with the National Anti-Doping Panel and UK Anti-Doping (UKAD). Benn has consistently maintained his innocence throughout the process.
“After a hearing with the National Anti-Doping Panel and UKAD, I have now been vindicated for the second time. “Hopefully, the public and various media members can now understand why I have maintained my innocence so strongly all the way through. “The UKAD process has now formally ended. I remain free to fight. Naturally, I am pleased that I can now put this behind me once and for all.”
In response to Benn's statement, UKAD released its own statement, acknowledging that Benn is no longer provisionally suspended under the UK Anti-Doping Rules. However, UKAD has decided to appeal the ruling, as it is allowed to do so within 21 days of receiving the decision.
“In April 2023, UK Anti-Doping (UKAD) took the exceptional step of publicly disclosing details of Mr. Conor Benn’s provisional suspension and charge. This followed reports from the media and comments made by Mr. Benn himself. “UKAD’s statement also confirmed that the case would follow the Results Management process in accordance with the UK Anti-Doping Rules. “UKAD notes that Mr. Benn has made further public comments today regarding proceedings before the independent National Anti-Doping Panel. UKAD can confirm Mr. Benn is no longer provisionally suspended under the UK Anti-Doping Rules. “The UK Anti-Doping Rules detail limited circumstances in which UKAD is able to make public disclosures about ongoing cases. “They also set out a clear process within which cases can be heard, and decisions can be handed down by the independent National Anti-Doping Panel. “Where case decisions are handed down by a panel, the Rules provide all relevant parties with a right of appeal. “Under the Rules, UKAD has 21 days from the date of receipt of a decision to file any appeal. UKAD carefully reviews all decisions in its cases before deciding whether to exercise its right of appeal. “UKAD is not able to make any further public disclosures in accordance with the UK Anti-Doping Rules at this time.”
It remains uncertain whether Benn will attempt to reapply for a British Boxing Board of Control license, given his past comments against the Board. The Board will likely wait until after any appeal to make any decisions related to Benn's licensing. Benn's promoter, Eddie Hearn of Matchroom, plans to stage a comeback event for Benn in September, hoping to feature him against significant opponents. A potential clash with Chris Eubank Jr. didn't materialize, as Eubank is set to face Liam Smith again in Manchester on September 2.
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Jul 29 2023

Caleb Plant Punches Jermall Charlo Backstage During the Spence vs Crawford Weigh-ins

During the weigh-ins for the Spence vs Crawford fight at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, an unexpected altercation occurred backstage involving Caleb Plant and Jermall Charlo. The highly-anticipated welterweight boxing match has drawn considerable attention, attracting celebrities and fellow fighters to the event. After the official weigh-in event, a video went viral on social media showing Caleb Plant punching Jermall Charlo on the face, backstage. Security quickly intervened, escorting Plant away while Charlo tried to remain composed. The reason behind Plant's actions remains unclear. Conor McGregor, known for his active presence on social media, also reacted to the incident in a since-deleted tweet. He encouraged Charlo to confront Plant, expressing his confusion over how the situation was handled.
“Get right back here this second Sir, you’re going nowhere till we settle this dispute here and now. Wtf is going on there? Clean cracked and let’s him walk out? No. Nope. Nah. Not a fuckin’ hope”
Plant's last fight was against David Benavidez in March, which he lost by unanimous decision. On the other hand, Charlo holds an undefeated record (32-0) and won his latest bout against Juan Macias Montiel in June 2021. Despite the attention garnered by Plant and Charlo's altercation, the main event Spence vs Crawford on Saturday remains the focal point in Las Vegas. Errol Spence Jr. reacted to the incident happened backstage during the Spence vs Crawford weigh-in on twitter:
"Caleb & Jermall promoting the #SpenceCrawford fight tomorrow in there own way .."
Terence Crawford and Errol Spence Jr. have the chance to solidify their legacy by becoming the undisputed welterweight boxing champion. Fans eagerly await the outcome of this highly-anticipated matchup between two top fighters.
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Jul 29 2023

'Crawford will box Spence's Ass off' - says Freddie Roach before Spence vs Crawford

Legendary boxing coach Freddie Roach is eagerly anticipating the highly anticipated Spence vs Crawford welterweight world title fight in Las Vegas. Both fighters are undefeated belt holders and considered among the best in the world. When asked if the winner of this Spence vs Crawford bout would become the pound-for-pound number one, Roach didn't believe it would reach the same level as the Sugar Ray Leonard era but acknowledged that both fighters are exceptional in their own right.
“No because it’s not like in the Sugar Ray Leonard era yet, I don’t feel, but they are great fighters.”
Roach then shared his breakdown of the Spence vs Crawford fight, favoring Crawford to come out victorious. He praised Crawford's boxing skills, mentioning how he adapts and switches stances in the early rounds to assess his opponent before employing an effective boxing strategy.
“Errol Spence is probably a little bit of a better puncher, but I like Crawford to win the fight. He’s a very, very good boxer, he knows what to do, and in the first, second and third round he’ll make a couple of switches, you know, southpaw, righty, just to get a feel for his opponent, then he’ll decide what he’s more comfortable with then from that point on he’ll box his a** off. He’s a great boxer.”
Crawford playfully confronted Roach about calling him a "bum" at a recent boxing event, to which Roach jokingly responded that he sometimes forgets his name amidst so many great fighters.
“It’s funny, I sat with him at the Hall of Fame dinner recently and he said to me, why do you call me a bum sometimes? He said, I’m the greatest fighter out there, and I said, ’cause sometimes I forget your name! “It really depends on is it the right time or the wrong time, because he has to make that move when it’s available then he can take advantage of it. If he does that correctly, like he usually does, he will have success. But if he doesn’t Spence will be all over him with big punches. He can knock you out with one punch also. The best thing about this fight is it’s two of the best fighters in the world fighting each other. This is what will keep boxing going”
Regarding Crawford's edge, Roach highlighted his versatility and ability to capitalize on the right opportunities. However, he also warned that Spence's power could be dangerous if not handled correctly. The Spence vs Crawford fight has generated immense excitement due to the matchup of two top-tier fighters, and Roach believes it will be a bout that keeps the sport of boxing alive. With both fighters having strong support, it's evident that the Spence vs Crawford matchup is evenly matched. Even Spence himself believes this fight will be talked about for decades to come.
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Jul 29 2023

Devin Haney Ducks Shakur Stevenson!!

Devin Haney, the 24-year-old boxer, is considering whether to give up his 135lbs undisputed title and move up to a higher weight division. He became a four-belt champion after defeating George Kambosos Jr last year and successfully defended those titles in a rematch. Following another successful defense against Vasily Lomachenko this year, the WBC ordered Haney to choose between facing mandatory challenger Shakur Stevenson or moving up to fight the super-lightweight champion, Regis Prograis. Haney has been in talks with Prograis's team to arrange a fight, but if he moves up in weight, he would typically have to vacate his lightweight belts. However, he has reportedly requested to retain at least the WBC belt. Haney said:
“I’m a free agent, and everything is aligned for me to become a two-division champion against arguably the #1 guy [Regis Prograis] at 140 for me to showcase my skills at a much stronger weight. “Weight won’t be my focus in camp. I’ll be able to be comfortable and go into the fight 100%. God willing, that I’ll be able to hold onto my 135 belts while I’m at 140 and come back and defend my undisputed belts. “I’m just that kind of guy, that kind of fighter. I want to fight the best. I fought a future Hall of Famer [Vasily Lomachenko] in my last fight, and now I’m going up to fight another champion. Champion vs. champion. It’ll be a good fight for boxing, and I’ll showcase my arsenal.”
This decision doesn't sit well with Stevenson, who deserves a title shot regardless of who holds the belt. He expressed his frustration on Twitter, feeling that it wouldn't make sense for Haney to move up and still keep the belts.
“I respect the WBC and Mauricio but come on now y’all can’t allow him not to fight me move up in weight and hold the belts.. That don’t even make sense!”
The WBC has faced criticism for allowing heavyweight champion Tyson Fury to take a break from boxing and face an MMA star, Francis Ngannou, which some fans feel is holding up the division. If Haney is allowed to keep his belt while pursuing titles in a higher weight class, it might face similar criticism. The outcome of Haney's petition to retain the belt is uncertain, as the board of governors will need to vote on it. We'll have to wait and see how the situation unfolds in the coming days.
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Jul 28 2023

'I wanted to leave' - Garcia fires back at Joshua's criticism

Robert Garcia, Anthony Joshua's former coach, has responded to the criticism that he didn't teach the fighter anything during their training camp. Joshua sought Garcia's assistance after his first defeat to Oleksandr Usyk, with hopes of avenging the loss. However, despite an improved performance from Joshua, Usyk again emerged victorious via split decision. Following the rematch, Joshua parted ways with Garcia and joined forces with Derrick James. Joshua has since stated that he didn't feel like he was learning during his time with Garcia. However, Garcia disputes this claim and believes that the positive feedback from boxing experts after the Usyk fight proves otherwise. Many acknowledged that Joshua looked better in the rematch, showing improvements in his aggression and landing effective body shots.
“Every fighter, every person has an opinion. I remember after the fight with Usyk I heard nothing but good things from boxing people. Everyone calling me like ‘you know what, he looked better than the first time, he was a little more aggressive, he landed some good body shots.’ So I know that I did my job. I know that he did look better than the first time.”
Garcia also revealed that there were issues with the training camp's setup from the start, and he nearly left before even starting. Despite these challenges, he decided to stay after discussions with Joshua's team. Garcia expressed that fighters may change their opinions, and if there were indeed communication issues between Joshua and his management team during their time together, it could have affected their collaboration. Garcia also hinted at other people involved in the camp who contributed to the challenges he faced.
“Fighters come from saying one thing to another. If we really had that situation, then the problem is he doesn’t have a communication with his management team, because when I first got to camp, I wasn’t very happy with what I seen going on in his training camp. I told his team ‘fly me home, I don’t want to be part of this’ and they convinced me to stay. So, if that was the case, I think Anthony should have said ‘let him go, cause I don’t wanna work with him.'” “I knew it’s not gonna work out because the way camp was going with other people that were involved, I don’t need to say any names.”
Since parting ways with Garcia, Joshua has had one fight under Derrick James, securing a win. Garcia wishes Joshua the best with his new trainer and looks forward to seeing him in action against Dillian Whyte on August 12.
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