Boxing fans were treated to a riveting evening of action-packed bouts in Smith vs Eubank 2, with Jack Cullen and Frazer Clarke stealing the limelight with their extraordinary performances. In the buildup to the much-anticipated Smith vs Eubank 2 fight, Jack Cullen took center stage against Mark Heffron. The stakes were high, with both contenders setting their sights on the coveted British and Commonwealth super-middleweight titles. Cullen, demonstrating immense skill and precision, landed a powerful left-hook on Heffron in the third round. The punch sent Heffron spiraling to the canvas, and though he tried to recover, the impact was too much. Overwhelmed with emotion, Cullen reflected on his childhood dream of achieving such a title, and the realization of that dream was evident in his jubilation. This match proved that in boxing, moments can be transformative, with dreams realized in mere seconds. On the same Smith vs Eubank 2 night, Frazer Clarke, Great Britain's 2020 Olympic Bronze medalist, also captivated the audience with his performance against David Allen. The match was set at Manchester's AO Arena, with both fighters showcasing sheer determination and skill. Clarke, tall and dominant, used his left jab effectively, keeping Allen on the defensive for most of the early rounds. Allen, not to be outdone, tried to adopt a more defensive stance, but Clarke's relentless offense put him on the back foot. However, the sixth round brought tension and drama. Clarke, after being penalized for low blows, shifted his strategy, targeting Allen's head. This sudden change in tactic took Allen by surprise. As the round concluded, Allen's discomfort was evident, and upon returning to his corner, it was clear he couldn't continue. Later, it was revealed he had suffered a perforated eardrum. This setback marked the end of Allen's four-fight winning streak, while Clarke, continuing his unbeaten journey, advanced his record to an impressive 8-0. The evening was a testament to the unpredictable nature of boxing. Each match, each round, holds the potential for surprise and drama. As both Cullen and Clarke move ahead in their careers, they'll undoubtedly look back on this night as a pivotal moment in their journey.

Adam Azim showcased his endurance by fighting through a ten-round bout for the second time in a row. After ending a consecutive six-fight knockout spree seven months prior, Azim was tested again, this time by Ukraine's Aram Fanyan. By the end of their match, the judges favored Azim with scores of 100-90, 99-91, and 98-92. This bout, featured on Sky Sports Box Office, took place at the AO Arena in Manchester, England. With this win, Azim's record improved to 9-0, with 6 of those being KOs. Earlier in the year, he had marked his first ten-round distance bout by outclassing Santos Reyes at the OVO Arena Wembley. A scheduled bout in June had been deferred because of an infection Azim had from a training injury. Despite the delay, he celebrated his 21st birthday and returned to the ring as planned. During the fight, Azim maintained his stance, keeping Fanyan at bay, who was constantly looking for opportunities with his signature left hook. While Fanyan managed to land a few good punches, Azim remained largely unshaken. Instead, he focused on his own strength, emphasizing his powerful jabs and dodging Fanyan's attempts. The bout had its intense moments. In the third round, Fanyan's left hook had Azim slightly wobbly, but he recovered swiftly. As the rounds progressed, Azim was cautious, avoiding any undue risks, especially given Fanyan's deceptive power. There were several noteworthy moments, including Fanyan's attempts to overpower Azim with wild right punches and Azim's continuous effort to leverage his jab. By the eighth round, both fighters intensified their strategies. Azim amplified his offense, while Fanyan used his left hook to push back. The ninth round had its dramatic moment when the referee warned Fanyan for an improper move, leading to some discomfort for Azim, though it was short-lived. Both boxers displayed their skills, but it was Azim who had the upper hand. With this bout, Fanyan's impressive ten-fight winning streak came to an end, and his record adjusted to 23-2 with 5 KOs.

Mikaela Mayer, after her latest win in Manchester against former European champion Silvia Bortot, has her eyes set on a match against IBF welterweight champion Natasha Jonas. Mayer's performance stood out during the Smith vs Eubank 2 event, with her securing victory in all ten rounds according to referee Steve Gray's evaluation. Mayer, who formerly held the super-featherweight champion title, recently shifted to the super-lightweight category. Now, she's focused on climbing the ranks in the welterweight division. She mentioned that she's gearing up to move from 130 to 147, acknowledging the challenges of the transition after maintaining her former weight for years. Mayer is confident in her readiness to face Jonas. Adding to the anticipation, Jonas, who became a two-weight world champion in July by defeating Kandi Wyatt, was present during Mayer's recent match. From the ringside, she too showed enthusiasm for a potential match against the 2016 Rio Olympian Mayer.

“I’m ready for that fight, yeah,” Mayer told Sky Sports post-fight. “I’ve been preparing my body to go up, it’s a big jump going from 130 to 147. It takes time to do what I did [by] keeping my body down at that weight for so many years, but I’ve already been working on it and I’m prepared to go to 147 and take on Natasha Jonas right away. “That’s definitely the one I want next, and from what I hear she’s game and wants it too.”

The old adage goes, "If it's not broken, don't fix it," and that seems to be Jermell Charlo's mantra. With a commendable track record that could well pave his way to the Hall of Fame, Charlo has consistently proven his mettle in the junior middleweight category, boasting impressive victories and multiple title streaks. However, come September 30th, Charlo is set to momentarily leave his familiar domain of 154 pounds to square off with Canelo Alvarez. But the leap of two weight classes and an additional 14 pounds doesn’t seem to faze the boxer from Houston. There's no denying that facing Canelo presents a significant step up in competition for Charlo. But despite the mounting pressure and the monumental challenge ahead, Charlo remains unfazed. Many speculate he should restructure his training for this bout, but Charlo dismisses such suggestions. Speaking candidly on Cigar Talk, Charlo remarked:

“Maintain the routine that has been working. It’s just about adjusting to a new weight. No overhaul needed.”

His belief in consistency and familiarity as his winning formula isn't unfounded. Over the years, especially in the 154-pound category, Charlo has demonstrated a consistent strategy, albeit with minor tweaks when necessary. For instance, his initial face-off with Brian Castano resulted in a split decision draw, only for Charlo to turn the tables in their subsequent bout. Similarly, in 2018, Charlo faced a setback against Tony Harrison but bounced back with a decisive victory in their rematch. Ultimately, it's Charlo's unwavering faith in his preparations and his relentless dedication that fuels his confidence, irrespective of who he's up against or the weight class. As Charlo puts it:

“The key isn't to overcomplicate things. Commit, work tirelessly, and remain focused on the goal.”

Terence Crawford and Errol Spence are reportedly gearing up for a rematch. Bryan ‘Bomac’ McIntyre, Crawford’s coach, recently disclosed to Pro Boxing Fans that Spence has invoked the rematch clause. Although confirmed, the exact date of the match remains uncertain. It could potentially be scheduled in the last part of this year or early in 2024.

“Spence activated his rematch,” said McIntyre following a question. “That’s confirmed, but we don’t have a date and stuff like that.”

While the location hasn't been finalized, the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, which hosted their initial bout on July 29, is a top contender, with the MGM Grand Garden Arena also in the mix. The forthcoming face-off is expected to be at junior middleweight (154-pound cap). Previously, Spence has mentioned his struggle to meet the welterweight limit, hinting that his initial bout with Crawford would mark his final fight at 147 pounds. Their previous encounter was among the most awaited bouts in recent times. Crawford showcased his prowess by knocking Spence down thrice, eventually securing a win in the ninth round. This victory was significant for Crawford, not only maintaining his unblemished record (40-0, 31 KOs) but also earning him the title of Ring Magazine welterweight champion. In addition, Crawford unified the championship, integrating Spence’s WBC, IBF, and WBA titles with his existing WBO title. Despite his commendable track record, Crawford was only slightly favored over Spence in their initial meeting. After his defeat to Crawford, Spence, hailing from Desoto, Texas, now has a record of 28-1, with 22 KOs.

John Fury, the father of renowned boxer Tyson Fury, has shared his concerns over his son's upcoming match against the former UFC heavyweight champion, Francis Ngannou. The two are set to face each other in a ten-round non-title match in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on October 28, under conventional boxing rules. The bout aims to identify the unofficial 'baddest man on the planet.' While Ngannou is stepping into a boxing ring for the first time, he carries a reputation as one of the most potent strikers globally from his time in the UFC. John Fury remarked in an interview with Seconds Out, sponsored by Freebets.com,

"He's world champion at his game, he's taking on the best in the world, taking it seriously, and I do believe he's going to bring the smoke. I'm expecting Tyson to come out with a broken leg or a broken arm."

Another intriguing aspect of the fight is that Ngannou has sought guidance from boxing legend Mike Tyson, interestingly, the inspiration behind Tyson Fury's name. Discussing this, John said:

"Keep in mind he's got Mike Tyson there, and he wants to impress Mike Tyson." He further emphasized that the influence of Mike Tyson in Ngannou's corner might be a significant advantage, noting, "He couldn't have a better mentor in his camp than the great Mike Tyson, I'm sure Mike will show him the boxing moves he needs."

Overall, while Tyson Fury is preparing for this unique face-off, his father remains concerned, suggesting the intensity of the upcoming battle:

"Exhibition or not, they're going to be fiercely competitive."

Trainer Brian McIntyre doesn't subscribe to the idea that Errol Spence Jr.'s loss to Terence Crawford was solely due to his weight cut, as he points out that the responsibility for that lies with Spence's own coach, Derrick James. Crawford, under the guidance of McIntyre, emerged as the unified welterweight champion in July by stopping Spence in the ninth round at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. Though Spence refrained from making excuses for his performance, speculations have circulated post-fight suggesting that his longtime adherence to the 147-pound weight limit may have drained him. A rematch is now being planned after Spence invoked his rematch clause, with the inclination for the rematch to occur at 154 pounds. Adding fuel to the weight-drain theory, James, Spence's trainer, recently indicated that a rematch at 154 pounds would yield a different outcome. In response to James' remarks, McIntyre expressed his disagreement, stating in an interview with RingIQ TV, "I would say that's an excuse. He had the same time to weigh in as Bud [Crawford]. He was aware of the fight months before it happened, so if he struggled with his weight, that reflects poorly on Derrick James' coaching." McIntyre emphasized that everyone had ample time to prepare for the fight and stressed that he wasn't seeking excuses. He asserted that Spence had no justifications, unlike others.

“I would say that is [an excuse],” McIntyre said of James’ comment in an interview with RingIQ TV. “Again, you know, he had to weigh in the same weight as Bud. He knew about the fight months before, so, I mean, if he was weight drained, that’s just bad coaching on Derrick James’ part. “We all had the right amount of time to prepare for this fight. I’m not looking for no excuses or anything of that nature. Errol had no excuses; everybody else did.”

Crawford, who holds the authority to determine the weight for the rematch, has indicated his willingness to fight Spence at the 154-pound limit.

The highly anticipated match-up between former heavyweight champions Andy Ruiz Jr. and Deontay Wilder seems to have hit a wall. The World Boxing Council's order for their final eliminator has been withdrawn due to extended and unsuccessful negotiations. Fans are left disheartened as it appears the two fighters will not be meeting in the ring anytime soon. The main reason for the breakdown is disagreements over the fight purse. Ruiz is still holding out hope for the bout. He mentioned his expectation of being paid $10 million to face Wilder, a figure that he disclosed during an Instagram Live session. He expressed his discontent, stating that the offer he received was similar to what he made in his previous fight against Luis Ortiz in 2022. Ruiz argued that with every win, especially after defeating Ortiz, his compensation should increase.

“They’re trying to pay me what I made for my last fight. It doesn’t make sense. You’re climbing up the ladders and then you get a big task. You’re supposed to beat him. I beat [Ortiz] and the purse is supposed to go higher and higher and higher. That’s the way it goes. If you don’t know, then don’t say s***.”

For reference, Ruiz was reportedly paid $1 million for his bout with Ortiz, which he secured with a unanimous decision, knocking down the Cuban fighter twice. On the other side, Wilder's team feels that Ruiz's financial expectations are unrealistic, suggesting he's asking for too much. Wilder has hinted at the possibility of Ruiz being side-lined in the future because of these demands. As it stands, the spotlight now shifts towards Wilder potentially facing Anthony Joshua in 2024. However, excitement for this Saudi Arabia proposed match-up has also dimmed, with updates becoming less frequent.

In the lead-up to their Saturday night clash, both Chris Eubank Jr and Liam Smith brought a palpable intensity to Friday's weigh-in. Smith successfully weighed in at 11st 6lbs, while Eubank met the middleweight limit at 11st 5lbs 5oz. After the weigh-in formalities, a tense face-off ensued, with neither fighter willing to back down. Kalle Sauerland, Eubank's promoter, intervened to separate them gently, allowing for photos to be taken. In that charged moment, a brief exchange of words occurred before they parted ways, knowing that the next time they meet would be in the ring on Saturday night. Eubank emphasized the significance of the impending fight, especially due to his previous loss to Smith, where he was stopped in the fourth round. He stressed the immense importance of securing a victory in this rematch.

"This fight is a do-or-die situation. It holds tremendous weight in my career; everything is on the line."

Eubank's determination was evident as he continued:

"Pressure has been a constant companion since day one—from within, from my father, and from the fans. It's what has propelled me forward. I welcome the pressure."

He confidently predicted an intense battle, stating:

"This will be an all-out war; he won't make it to the twelfth round."

In response, Smith promptly fired back, challenging Eubank's assertion:

"He won't even reach the twelfth round because I'll stop him again."

Smith expressed his disbelief at Eubank's statement, considering his past victory.

"After I halted him in only four rounds, his claim sounds unbelievable."

The verbal exchanges between the two fighters amplified the anticipation for their rematch, promising an explosive showdown inside the ring.

Leading up to his bout against Daniel Dubois, Oleksandr Usyk found himself amused by the speculations surrounding the match. A significant talking point was the fact that Dubois's coach, James Ali Bashir, previously trained Usyk for about three years during his professional career. Many believed that Bashir would share insights into Usyk's vulnerabilities with Dubois. However, the match in Wroclaw, Poland, saw Usyk, aged 36, emerging victorious by stopping Dubois in the ninth round, successfully defending his WBO, WBA, IBF, and IBO titles. Although Usyk's performance was dominant, there was a tense moment in the fifth round. Dubois managed to land a right-hand body shot that sent Usyk to the canvas. But referee Luis Pabon ruled it a low blow, offering Usyk a recovery period, a decision that sparked debate among spectators. Post-match, Usyk expressed his views on Bashir's association with Dubois. While he acknowledged Bashir's reputation and integrity, he felt that his former trainer's knowledge about him was superficial. Usyk conveyed that, despite their professional relationship, Bashir didn't truly understand him on a personal level. Usyk then humorously mentioned that if anyone truly knew him, it would be his wife, not his mother, emphasizing how close their bond is.

“James Ali Basher is a great person,” Usyk told SecondsOut. "He’s a famous person. He’s a good man. But he wouldn’t teach Dubois any secrets because he knows none of them. Though we worked together for long time, he couldn’t [teach] me [anything personally]. “He didn’t know me [personally]. That’s why he couldn’t tell that corner any secrets that I have because he just doesn’t know them. I will tell you the person who knows me real, who knows me like I am. I wouldn’t tell you it’s my mom, but it’s my wife. She knows who I am.”

Joseph McNally has disclosed that the forthcoming rematch between Liam Smith and Chris Eubank Jr. has not undergone VADA testing. This highly anticipated match is set to occur on Saturday at the AO Arena in Manchester, England and will be broadcasted exclusively on Sky Sports Box Office. Smith triumphed over Eubank in their initial encounter in January at the same location, ending the fight within four rounds. The rematch, initially slated for June 17 and later July 1, will now take place on September 2. The topic of doping has dominated the discussions leading up to this fight, especially given the recent doping controversies surrounding heavyweight Robert Helenius and super-featherweight champion Alycia Baumgardner. McNally, Smith's trainer at the Rotunda gym in Liverpool, commented that Smith hasn't undergone any doping tests by the agency in preparation for his bout with Eubank Jr. In response to McNally's claims, Eubank Jr., aged 33, took to social media to support clean athletes in the sport, prior to defending his 32-3 (23 KOs) record against Smith. McNally retorted by questioning Eubank Jr.’s reference to getting tested by the UK Anti-Doping agency, stating he hasn't seen any VADA involvement in this bout's preparation.

“Chris [Eubank Jr.] made a comment, he was giving the likes of Conor Benn and Robert Helenius and others a bit of sh!t because he’s just had a p!ss test,” McNally said in an interview with ESBR Boxing. Eubank Jr., 33, took to Instagram to slate the names McNally had mentioned, stating that “there’s still clean athletes representing the sport we love”, ahead of putting his 32-3 (23 KOs) record on the line against the Liverpudlian again. “Listen,” McNally continued, “I ain’t seen no VADA for this one. “VADA hasn’t walked into my gym and tested Liam Smith once so what’s [Chris Eubank Jr.] bragging about getting tested by [UK Anti-Doping] for?"

It's worth noting that Baumgardner faced controversy last month following her title defense against Christina Linardatou, and Helenius entered his match against Anthony Joshua on short notice after securing a victory in Finland just a week prior. McNally expressed frustration at the perceived inadequacies of the UKAD testing procedures. He emphasized the seriousness of the sport and how crucial clean competitions are, given the stakes and potential risks involved for the athletes.

“UKAD’s testing is a load of sh!te and it is disheartening and we’re seeing it a lot more because they’re getting caught. “It’s a f------ travesty for the sport because people’s lives are on the line in there and it just shouldn’t be happening.”

Last weekend in Poland, Daniel Dubois clashed with Oleksandr Usyk for the WBA Super Champion title. While Dubois sought the victory, he was halted in the ninth round, allowing Usyk to hold onto his title. Dubois' camp is now looking into contesting the result, pointing to what they perceive as an unfairly adjudged low blow. Despite this contention, many in the boxing community doubt that their appeal will gain any traction. Traditionally, once the primary fighters within the WBA face off, the 'Regular' title is considered redundant. However, a recent twist has come to light. Only days after Usyk's victory, the WBA declared that, due to an ongoing legal dispute, Mahmoud Charr (formerly known as Manuel Charr) would be reinstated as the Regular Champion, placed just below Usyk. This announcement explained that Mahmoud Charr had been lobbying for this reinstatement since 2021. Charr lost his "champion in recess" designation in December 2021 because he hadn't competed within the designated timeframe and couldn't finalize a match with Trevor Bryan. But after two years of legal wrangling, the WBA has now reinstated his status. The WBA has established conditions regarding this decision. Firstly, Charr has to compete against Jarrell Miller, who holds the 5th position in the division, before October 14. After this bout, the winner will then face another contender, as determined by the WBA.

“As part of a court settlement, the World Boxing Association (WBA) Championships Committee has reinstated Mahmoud Charr as regular champion of the organization’s heavyweight division. After the fight in which Oleksandr Usyk defeated Daniel Dubois, the Ukrainian had remained as the only heavyweight champion. However, the organization is forced to make the decision to reinstate Charr as regular champion in order to continue with the normal operation of the body. Charr lost his status as champion in recess in December 2021, after not having fought in the scheduled time and after the impossibility of agreeing a fight with Trevor Bryan. After two years and a judicial process in between, the WBA has decided to reinstate the regular champion status to the boxer. After a thorough study by the WBA on the best way to execute this move, the WBA set two key conditions. First, Charr must face Jarrell Miller, 5th rated boxer of the division before October 14. And second, the winner of this matchup must face the next available contender, which will be determined by the body.”

It's worth noting that since 2017, Charr has only had three bouts, with none of his opponents ranking in the WBA’s top 15. Similarly, the directive for Charr to compete against Jarrell Miller has raised eyebrows. Miller is infamous for his past doping controversies, particularly leading up to a canceled bout with Anthony Joshua. Like Charr, Miller's recent record is sparse, with only three fights since 2018 and none against high-ranking WBA heavyweights. To conclude their announcement, the WBA asserted that their decision aligns with the best interests of the boxing community.

Roy Jones Jr. has shared his insights on Chris Eubank Jr's tactical choices leading up to his rematch with Liam Smith. Many critics believed Eubank's defensive approach in their first meeting was a misstep. Speaking with Sporting Post, Jones expressed that Eubank could increase his odds against Smith by adopting a more aggressive strategy. Jones elaborated on the thought, explaining that Chris recognized the flaws from their last duel. He conveyed hope that Eubank would heed Bomac's guidance to adopt a more confrontational style in the rematch. Highlighting Smith's direct approach in the ring, Jones suggested that Eubank needs to match that intensity and bring back his old combative spirit. Jones also pointed out that merely relying on boxing techniques might not be sufficient against a fighter like Smith, especially if one hasn't been committed to the boxing craft for a lifetime. He mentioned how even formidable fighters, like Canelo, eventually decided to confront Smith head-on after some initial defensive moves. Jones felt that Chris has an advantage in physical strength and was taken aback by Smith's knockout in their previous bout, suspecting that an elbow injury on Eubank's part might have influenced the outcome.

“Chris knows what he has to do in this fight, he knows what he has to do, and he knew after the fight with Liam what he should have done.” “Hopefully he will listen to Bomac, and hopefully Bomac will get it across to him that you have to go out there and make it a fight and you can’t be moving around and boxing because Liam’s a straightforward guy who is going to bring it to you.” “I think he wins the fight. You don’t need to box Smith, you need to go out there and fight. You need to be the old Eubank and get down, right, dirty and fight.” “You can’t box Liam Smith if you haven’t been a boxer your whole career. Even Canelo boxed for a little while, then met him head on. I never thought Liam could hurt Chris, which tells me the elbow had a lot to do with it, so if he meets him head on, he’s the bigger stronger fighter.”

The rematch is eagerly awaited, especially after the surprising outcome of their first match. Given the heightened stakes, there's speculation that the defeated party might contemplate retirement.

Over the past weekend, the boxing community remains divided over a controversial call in the Daniel Dubois versus Oleksandr Usyk bout. Dubois delivered a punch that seemed to hit the lower region of Usyk's belt, causing him to drop to the floor. Referee Luis Pabon instantly deemed the punch unlawful, giving Usyk an extended recovery time of over three minutes. Jack Reiss, a respected referee known for officiating the first Tyson Fury vs. Deontay Wilder title bout, shared his perspective on low blows during the DAZN Boxing Show. He explained that using the belly button as a reference for a low blow is problematic since it varies in position among individuals. The accurate indicator is the hip line. A punch is legal as long as most of the glove doesn't fall beneath this line.

“Everybody’s belly button is different, some are lower and some are higher. So you can’t use the belly button. The hip line is the low blow point – the belly button has nothing to do with it. A low blow is any time the majority of the gloves is below that hip line. On the hip line is legal, and it doesn’t become illegal until a majority of the glove starts to get below it. This is why we identify the hip line for everybody before a fight – this is the line, don’t hit below this.”

Following the disputed punch, Usyk took charge of the match, gradually weakening Dubois and securing a win in the ninth round. Looking forward, Filip Hrgovic is positioned as the primary contender for Usyk's combined world titles. Hrgovic has firmly stated that he will not stand down to let a match between Usyk and Tyson Fury take place, although such a bout seems improbable at the moment.

Popular heavyweight Dave Allen has helped both Oleksandr Usyk and Tyson Fury prepare for fights in the gym. In fact, the Doncaster man even retired following a particularly bruising sparring session with the Ukrainian, although that devision has since been reversed. With his latest win over Daniel Dubois, Usyk has called out Fury once more for an undisputed fight. Speaking to Boxing UK, Allen said that his team should hold out for that or nothing.

“I think Usyk wants Fury for definite. I think he wanted around this time period. Usyk knows he’s ain’t getting no younger. He is a naturally smaller man – I think he’s coming to the end of his tether. I think the best Usyk has probably been and gone now. But the kind of fella he is, he wants to fight for undisputed. I think he’ll be pushing for the Fury fight. It’s probably the biggest money as well. I think, at this point now, there are many heavyweights out there that will fancy their chances with him. Naturally smaller guy, 37 next. If I’m looking after Usyk, I’m saying it’s Fury or nothing at all at this point.”

As for a prediction, Allen is backing Fury to win a competitive fight after watching Usyk’s outing against Dubois.

“We have to appreciate Usyk while he’s here, because I don’t think he’ll be there for too much longer. I think he’s come to the stage where he’s there for the beating.” “It’s difficult. Tyson’s not getting any younger. He’s doing his Netflix documentaries, fighting Ngannou next. If he doesn’t put Ngannou in a couple rounds we’re gonna say he’s not the force of old. You’re only as good as your last fight.” “Usyk is there for the beating for definite … I guess we’ll come back to this conversation after the Ngannou fight, but as it stands Fury has to be favourite. He’s bigger, he’s stronger, he’s a good body puncher. Usyk is a genius and, at the very least, he’ll give anyone in boxing history a lot of problems.”

Unfortunately for fans, a fresh mandatory has been called for the Ukrainian, who holds three of the four major belts in the heavyweight division. The IBF’s Filip Hrgovic is now next up, and has no intention of waiting for Fury to get a shot first.

Promoter Eddie Hearn has expressed his belief that Oleksandr Usyk displayed a subpar performance against Daniel Dubois, despite securing victory in each round. In Poland, the Ukrainian defended his WBA, IBF, and WBO heavyweight titles against the 25-year-old British boxer. Following a contentious low blow ruling in the fifth round, Usyk rebounded to achieve a stoppage win in the ninth round. After the knockdown, Usyk seemed to adopt a more aggressive approach, deviating from his usual emphasis on movement, a style less observed since his transition to the heavyweight division. Speculation arose regarding whether this change was due to frustration over perceived low blows or a desire to avoid body shots from Dubois. Hearn, however, offers an alternate perspective. During an interview on the Matchroom YouTube channel, Hearn questioned whether Usyk was truly in optimal fighting condition for this title defense. Hearn observed what he considered sluggish footwork and signs of fatigue from the outset of the match. He even suggested that Usyk appeared to have aged in the ring. Hearn pondered whether the pressure of fighting in his home country might have affected Usyk, given his limited experience in such circumstances. Hearn raised further questions about the possibility of an injury or physical ailment impacting Usyk's performance. He found it puzzling that Usyk, who typically favors a more mobile style, chose to fight in a smaller ring. Hearn speculated that such a choice could indicate an issue with Usyk's movement or strategy, which is unusual given his history. Despite these concerns, Hearn acknowledged that Usyk did manage to win every round. In a subsequent conversation with Boxing Social, Hearn expressed surprise upon learning that the ring size was 20x20, not as small as he initially believed. He maintained his stance that Usyk's performance appeared less polished and dynamic than in previous outings.

“I thought Usyk didn’t look himself from the first bell. I thought his feet looked slow, I thought he looked tired, I thought [it was] like he’d aged. Was it the pressure of fighting pretty much at home? He hasn’t done that very often at all? Was he injured? … Why use a small ring? Whenever I see a fighter that like to move use a small ring it tells me they’ve got a problem. It tells me they don’t wanna move a lot. Which is very unusual for Usyk, cause if you’re fighting Daniel Dubois I think you’d like a bigger ring. “Was there an injury? Was there an operation? I don’t know. Listen, he still won every round.”

Hearn's observations could potentially offer insight to future opponents, starting with IBF mandatory challenger Filip Hrgovic. The Croatian heavyweight has shown no willingness to step aside to accommodate a Tyson Fury undisputed fight. This opens the door for challenging bouts on Usyk's horizon.

Zhilei Zhang, the current WBO interim-heavyweight champion, held a press meeting in New York City with Chinese media representatives to discuss his upcoming rematch against fellow Olympic silver medalist Joe Joyce. The Zhang vs. Joyce rematch is set to take place on September 23rd at the Wembley Arena in London, Joyce's hometown. The event will be broadcasted live on ESPN+ in the US, Douyin in China, and TNT Sports in the UK. Zhang provided a brief update on his training camp, emphasizing that he's well-prepared for the challenge. He mentioned that while Joyce is known for his activity and power, his sparring partners, such as Alonzo Neal, Dmytro Bezus, and Mariusz Wach, offer a diverse range of skills that have helped him in his preparation. Neal, a 2023 National Golden Gloves finalist, showcases impressive punching output, Bezus, with a record of 10-1, possesses significant power, and the veteran Mariusz Wach brings a substantial size advantage to the training camp.

“People say Joyce is so active and hits hard, but when it comes to sparring, I am working with Alonzo Neal, who throws more punches than Joyce, Dmytro Bezus who hits harder than Joyce, and Mariusz Wach, who at 300 pounds is bigger than Joyce.”

In April, Zhang claimed the WBO interim-heavyweight title by defeating Joyce in the sixth round. Zhang's left-hand shots caused severe swelling on Joyce's right eye, leading the ringside doctor to stop the fight in Zhang's favor. Although Zhang had aspirations of moving forward to challenge WBC champion Tyson Fury after this victory, Joyce triggered a rematch clause in their contract, delaying Zhang's pursuit of Fury temporarily. Zhang expressed his readiness to face Joyce again, displaying confidence in his ability to make history once more. Beside Zhang was his trainer, former light heavyweight and cruiserweight Shaun George, who indicated that the training camp is progressing optimally. He assured that they're finding the right balance between intensity and pacing. George emphasized Zhang's determination and adaptability to whatever Joyce brings to the rematch. Zhang also shared his thoughts on a recent heavyweight title fight between Oleksandr Usyk and Daniel Dubois. The fight stirred controversy due to a disputed punch that knocked down Usyk, which was ruled a low blow by referee Luis Pabon. Zhang sympathized more with Usyk's situation and criticized Dubois for not capitalizing on the opportunity to press his advantage.

“I watched the fight and that punch was a little bit low. It landed below Usyk’s navel. After the fight resumed, Dubois did not use his physical advantages and Usyk was able to regain his rhythm. Dubois basically quit. I think Dubois needs to work on his heart.”

In one of boxing's most memorable upsets, a young 22-year-old Mike Tyson, then the undefeated heavyweight champion, was shockingly defeated by a vastly underestimated Buster Douglas in Tokyo. Now, 33 years later, Tyson finds himself intertwined in another potential epic surprise, albeit from a different perspective. He's mentoring former UFC champion Francis Ngannou as he prepares for a monumental boxing match against the undefeated WBC heavyweight champion, Tyson Fury. Making his boxing debut, Ngannou (with a 17-3 MMA record and 12 knockouts) is being guided by Tyson in what could be a historic match-up. Should Ngannou defeat Fury (boasting a 33-0-1 record with 24 knockouts), Tyson believes it could eclipse his own stunning loss to Douglas in terms of magnitude. Discussing the upcoming fight on The Jim Rome Show, Tyson emphasized Ngannou's power.

“Fury faced a knockdown early in his career, but he's yet to meet someone with Ngannou's power.”

Emphasizing Ngannou's prowess, Tyson mentioned the fighter's agility, speed, and dedication to representing his nation.

“Tyson’s never been in the ring with somebody that can punch this hard. “[Ngannou] asked me to go all-out aggression. He’s moving his head. He’s getting it together, and he’s determined to do this stuff for his country, his people, his patriotic pride. This is really interesting. I’m very excited about doing this.” “[An Ngannou win over Fury] – that would be a bigger upset than Douglas-Tyson.”

Drawing parallels to the boxing world, Tyson recalled the unexpected performance of Conor McGregor, an MMA fighter, who managed to go almost the distance against boxing legend Floyd Mayweather.

“Considering McGregor's impressive performance against someone as skilled as Mayweather, why can't Ngannou challenge Fury?”

In a chat on his podcast, Hotboxin', Tyson praised Ngannou's aptitude and potential after their training sessions, noting the fighter's swift learning curve.

“This is what you have to look [at] when you think about him fighting Tyson Fury — Conor McGregor went 11 rounds or 10 rounds with Floyd Mayweather, the greatest fighter of his generation, if not all-time. If that can happen, why can’t [Ngannou] give Tyson a capable fight?” Tyson wondered. “Floyd Mayweather is the greatest fighter in the world as far as technique and style. So why doesn’t he have a chance if McGregor did well and did a great account of himself? Everybody respects him for his effort. Nobody said, ‘He’s a b!tch.’ No one is saying that. “[Ngannou and I] worked out and I saw a lot of good qualities. He pretty much just needs to shake off some of the cobwebs and then it’s full speed ahead. You learn pretty quick, too, which I was really impressed with.”

As for Ngannou, he recognizes the importance of strategy. Citing renowned trainer Teddy Atlas's wisdom on having an efficient "delivery system", Ngannou believes that possessing power, like his knockout punch, is one thing, but effectively deploying it is crucial. He remains confident, with Tyson's guidance, about finding the perfect strategy to challenge Fury.

“If I land a bomb on Tyson Fury, I think the lights turn off for him,” Ngannou said. “But now the problem is how to sharpen the weapon properly to land that bomb, because it’s good to have a bomb, but the great Teddy Atlas always says, ‘delivery system.’ You have to have a proper delivery system. That’s something that’s always stuck in my mind. You have to have a bomb, that’s cool, but how to have a good delivery system to aim and shoot [is more important], and that’s why Mike Tyson is here.”

Their bout, a highly anticipated match-up, will take place on October 28 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, available on ESPN+ pay-per-view.

A significant moment in the boxing world occurred when Daniel Dubois, a British heavyweight contender, seemingly floored reigning Ukrainian champion Oleksandr Usyk in Poland with a powerful body punch. However, referee Luis Pabon deemed the punch, which landed right on the belt line, as a low blow in the fifth round. Instead of being declared a knockout, the fight resumed. After the controversial decision, Usyk (21-0, 14 KOs) managed to regain his composure. He subsequently brought down Dubois (19-2, 18 KOs) in the eighth round and officially stopped him in the ninth, retaining his WBO, WBA, IBF, and IBO titles. Later on, Dubois commented on social media, praising Usyk for being a formidable opponent but jestingly remarked on the decision, implying he felt hard done by it. Dubois' coach, Don Charles, expressed greater displeasure, insinuating that some underhanded tactics played a part. He conveyed profound disappointment with the referee's decision, believing Dubois had secured a knockout. Charles emphasized Usyk's religious displays, urging him to uphold honesty in the sport, implying the champion may have played a part in influencing the controversial call.

“I’m devastated. Devastation is an understatement. The fighter, Daniel Dubois, was robbed of his moment. The team, the family, family friends, the country — robbed last night,” Charles told IFL. “We knew we had to end the fight in six rounds, which we managed to do in the fifth round. That was a knockout. That wasn’t even a TKO — it was a KO. “There is only one God. Usyk is always seen making cross signs and praying. I want to know which God [he] is worshiping because you don’t lie in the name of God. “Usyk, stop cheating and be fair. If you’re a religious man like you claim, do not cheat in the name of God.”

However, Usyk responded, clarifying that had the referee counted, he would've continued the fight. He also criticized those who resort to unfair means for victory, emphasizing the importance of integrity in the sport.

“For me, 100%, if the referee started to count, I would have definitely jumped up,” Usyk told Boxing King Media. “I would be on my feet. It would be hard for me to recuperate and come back to my normal state, but there is no doubt that I would be up. “It’s not a good thing when people try to get the victory using those dirty tactics. You cannot win by being dirty. You have to be clear."

Charles wasn't done with his criticisms, specifically targeting referee Pabon. He questioned Pabon's ability to officiate high-level matches, suggesting that if one can't perform their job correctly, they should be reassigned to lesser roles.

“If you’re not good to do your job, you should get demoted,” said Charles. “If you’re not competent, you should be demoted to a lower level because he’s not good enough to referee at that level.”

At the post-bout conference, heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk, holder of the IBF/WBA/WBO titles, humorously suggested a street fight as a rematch against Daniel Dubois. This follows Usyk's triumph over Dubois with a technical knockout in the ninth round at Stadion Wroclaw, Wroclaw, Poland. A central controversy stems from the fifth-round body shot knockdown that was deemed illegal by the referee, Luis Pabon. Had it been ruled legal, Dubois could have emerged as the new champion. Replays suggest that Dubois's right hand might have landed legally on Usyk's midsection. Following this, Usyk was allotted a full five-minute recovery. Observers noted he seemed more winded than in pain from a typical low blow. During the press conference, Usyk humorously suggested;

"I'm up for a rematch tomorrow, not with boxing gloves, but a real street fight."

Dubois' trainer, Don Charles, expressed his disappointment, saying:

"Usyk pretended he was hit low and the referee bought it. We genuinely believe that we were robbed of a legitimate win."

Promoter Frank Warren voiced similar concerns, pointing out that the stadium went silent when he suggested showing the controversial moment on the big screen. Charles further mentioned the need for technology, like VAR, to prevent such controversies, drawing parallels with its successful use in football and tennis.

"We've invested a lot in this, and feeling cheated doesn't sit right. We should be celebrating with the belts right now."

Warren remained optimistic about the possibility of an official rematch.

"We're not here to complain, we just want fairness. I'm confident that a thorough review will either label the fight a 'no-contest' or call for an immediate rematch."

When questioned about the potential location for the rematch, Warren humorously remarked that if they win the bid, he'd consider hosting it in his garden.