Anthony Joshua hasn’t had the best of weeks.
After going in as favourite for his fight against Daniel Dubois, the former two-time unified world heavyweight champion was stopped in brutal fashion.
It was a stunning display by Dubois, the current IBF world heavyweight champion, as he dominated Joshua in a manner that no previous boxer has been able to.
In a thoroughly deserved victory, Dubois showed that he should not have been underestimated as he had been.
For Anthony Joshua, it asked more questions for him at this stage of his career.
Does he want to continue boxing?
Or should this be the end of the road for the Olympic gold medalist?
The latest news emerging for Joshua is likely not what he wants to hear right now.
That’s because the British Boxing Board of Control has handed out a 28 day suspension to Anthony Joshua.
Before anyone panics, this is a pretty standard procedure to British boxers when they suffer a stoppage defeat.
This rule is primarily there for the safety of the boxers.
Boxers face further medical examinations before they may re-enter the ring and that’s what is happening with Anthony Joshua at this moment in time.
The good news is that the suspension finishes on October 19 and it’s highly unlikely that Joshua plans to fight before that period in any case.
The British heavyweight is likely to look at 2025 as the next time for when he is set to step back in the ring and get his career back on track.
It is believe that his options will largely centre around the result of Oleksandr Usyk’s rematch against Tyson Fury on December 21.
Sandy Ryan lost her WBO welterweight title to Mikaela Mayer by majority decision last night.
In a fantastic main event in New York, the Derby based boxer lost the title she won in April 2023.
But that’s not what many boxing fans are talking about this morning.
Tensions had been building up in the lead up to the fight.
Los Angeles based boxer Mayer accused Ryan of poaching her long-standing coaching team, which Ryan denied.
In response, Ryan had said she did not respect her opponent, accusing her of talking trash.
But it all took a dramatic twist when Sandy Ryan was splashed with red paint ahead of the fight.
Ryan went in to battle at Madison Square Garden as scheduled, despite her trainers advice to pull out of the contest as a result of this incident.
Just now, the boxer has taken to social media to make a statement about what happened last night.Brian Norman Jr. vs. Derrieck Cuevas World Title Fight In Jeopardy After Injury Reported
Writing on her Twitter/X profile, Ryan has come out with some fighting talk that seems directed to her assailant.
Sharing an image of the paint on her body, Ryan states that the matter is now with the police.
“Still trying to come to terms with what happened last night, I know I shouldn’t have fought after I was attacked leaving my hotel but I couldn’t let them win like that. I was fighting off empty and still felt I won the fight. We have obtained the CCTV and are in contact with the NYPD. Pretty obvious what happened and the truth will be set free shortly. You tried to ruin my career but trust me it’s only just begun”.
It’s quite clear that Sandy Ryan is confident that she knows who is behind the attack.
With police now involved, it seems like a criminal charge is heading towards someone very soon.
Ryan will likely be looking to get a rematch with Mikaela Mayer soon and will be hoping to have a more serene build-up to that fight.
With everything that has happened so far, it’s likely unlikely that the tension between the fighters is going to be lowered any time soon.pic.twitter.com/O2nr5A1DB8
— Sandy Ryan (@sandyryan93) September 28, 2024
Boxing is an incredibly dangerous sport.
Many remarked that the sport is an artform when done correctly.
But that doesn’t diminish the fact that it’s an incredibly dangerous way to make art.
There have been countless examples of boxers who have suffered when entering into a boxing ring.
A recent example of this can be seen through current International Boxing Federation (IBF) heavyweight champion Daniel Dubois.
In 2020, Dubois stepped into the ring with fellow British heavyweight Joe Joyce.
Joyce stopped Dubois in round ten and it subsequently emerged that he’d suffered a fractured eye socket and also sustained nerve damage in the fight.
Medical professionals had subsequently informed Daniel Dubois that he could have lost all sight in his eye if he’d continued fighting.
It was no joke.
Boxers, when they do step in the ring, know the risk they’re taking.
Yet, it’s still jarring to see a strong fighter suffer in a serious way.
Last night, a fighter who was making his professional boxing debut had a serious scare.Oscar De La Hoya Guns For Shane Mosley Ahead Of Return To Boxing This Weekend
Hasnan Ali, a 22-year-old tipped for big things in the sport, made his professional debut on the Charlie Edwards vs Thomas Essomba card.
Ali had no opponent until 24 hours before the fight when Tommy Sams stepped in for the bout.
Sams had an undefeated 3-0 record, but had only one fight since 2019.
A stunned York Hall then watched as Sams dismantled Hasnan Ali within 40 seconds.
Following a flurry of shots in the opening round, Ali’s legs buckled as he looked out on his feet from Sams’ onslaught.
The referee stepped in to stop the fight and grant Tommy Sams the victory.
Shortly after the bout ended, images were captured of Hasnan Ali getting treated with an oxygen mask by medics.
Fortunately, the youngster was eventually able to get back to his feet and return to the changing room.
Hasnan Ali will look to forget his debut fight very quickly and hope that his future efforts in the ring turn out to be much more successful for him.WHAT A WAY TO CAP OFF THE NIGHT
The undefeated @sams_boxer beats the debuting Hasnan Ali in devastating fashion.
A true blink and you miss it match.#EssombaEdwards | @WassermanBoxingpic.twitter.com/jLaPmXxCWI
— Channel 5 Sport (@Channel5Sport) September 27, 2024
The drama between Ryan Garcia and Devin Haney began during 2023 but throughout 2024 it has blossomed into one of if not the fiercest rivalry in the sport, as a result of their controversial encounter back in April. Now, Haney has decided to take legal action against his foe, suing Garcia for battery, fraud and unjust enrichment.
Haney signed for the contest as the undefeated WBC super-lightweight champion and as one of the pound-for-pound superstars of the sport – largely expected to dominate against Garcia, who had acted in a concerning manner during the build-up, some suggesting that he had been admitted into a mental health institute just weeks prior to the fight.
At the weigh-in for the event, Garcia’s preparation was brought further into question as he hit the scales four pounds heavier than the super-lightweight limit, forgoing the opportunity to challenge for the WBC strap and being forced to pay a significant fee to Haney.
However, Garcia silenced his doubters inside the ring as he dropped Haney for the first, second and third time of his career on his way to a jaw-dropping majority-decision win in what many assumed would be named as the performance of the year.
Until a failed drugs test tainted all fond memory of the fight.
The result of the battle was eventually altered to a no-contest after it was confirmed that ‘King Ry’ had tested positive for Ostarine on both the day of the weigh-in and on the day of the fight – the perception of the brutal beatdown of Haney changing overnight from an offensive masterclass to a stomach-churning what-if.
We are now five months on from the bout but today it has been announced that Devin Haney has decided to sue Ryan Garcia for battery, fraud and unjust enrichment. In a 16-page document, Haney’s attorney Pat English explained his client’s case, as per Boxing Scene.Oscar De La Hoya Guns For Shane Mosley Ahead Of Return To Boxing This Weekend“[Haney] at no time agreed to engage in a bout against an individual who had taken a performance-enhancing drug. His consent was limited to a bout held fairly and under the rules and prohibitions set forth above. Thus, the fighting (touching) by Garcia was non-consensual. Devin Haney suffered damages in that he suffered physical injury, reputational damage which will amount to millions of dollars, and emotional and mental distress,”
“Specifically, Ryan Garcia advanced his reputation at the expense of Devin Haney. This translates to significant loss of future earnings for Devin Haney.
“Ryan Garcia additionally received millions of dollars to which he was not entitled. It is against equity and good conscience to permit Ryan Garcia to retain what is sought to be recovered in this action.”
Meanwhile, Bill Haney, father and trainer of the former two-division world champion and plaintiff, who vacated his belt earlier this year, added that this lawsuit is “for the good of the sport”.
“Devin is the face of boxing because he has challenged the franchise in many ways – by working with multiple promoters, by crossing the sides of the street (among broadcasters), and now he’s challenging PED use. This is all for the good of the sport.”
Ryan Garcia is yet to comment on the lawsuit but is already being linked to a return to the ring once his backdated 12-month ban ends on April 21, 2025.
#DevinHaney #RyanGarcia #BoxingLawsuit #PEDs #BoxingIntegrity #BoxingNews #NoContest #LegalBattle
A few months ago, Brian Norman Jr. was being heavily linked to a unification showdown against welterweight poster boy Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis but the fight failed to materialize. Instead, the undefeated WBO champion opted to move on and fight an alternate opponent, although it appears as though that fight may not happen either.
IBF world champion, Ennis, appears to be the man to beat at 147lbs at the moment – supported by both a significant promotional backing and global respect from fans. However, when Norman Jr. was upgraded to full WBO champion it seemed as though he would be the welterweight to put this theory to the test and attempt to expose his ‘overrated’ fellow title-holder.
Talks between the American duo commenced shortly after, but Matchroom Promoter Eddie Hearn revealed that Norman Jr. was asking for too much money for the clash, amazed that the 23-year-old would turn down such an opportunity if his beliefs regarding Ennis’ ability were sincere.“It’s frustrating. You hear everything that Brian Norman Sr. his saying and none of it really makes sense. This is a really simple situation, the first offer that was made to Brian Norman Jr. was nicely over $1 million, they said that was ‘nowhere near’.
“We’ve made two more offers, quarter of a million dollars [more] every time now, to levels that Brian Norman will never see. We keep getting told that we are close, then we go back and make another offer, then we are told by his team that we are not that close and I start to think ‘Brian Norman, do you want this fight? Or are you clout-chasing, or as the others might say over here, capping?’.
“Do you want to be great, Brian Norman? I’m not being funny but who is Brian Norman? I know that Brian Norman is a good fighter, but nobody knows who Brian Norman is. We are giving you a bucket load of money and the opportunity for you to unify the division against [someone who is], in my opinion, one of the top pound-for-pounders in the world.
“You say that Boots is overrated, you say that he’s not the bogeyman, so why would you not take this bucket load of money to prove that you’re the best welterweight in the world?”
Shortly after Hearn’s comments, the IBF ordered Ennis to fulfil his mandatory defence and rematch Karen Chukhadzhian for an event that has since been officially announced, whilst Norman Jr. moved on for a supposed first defence of his world title against Puerto Rico’s Derrieck Cuevas.
Yet, it appears as though Norman Jr.’s first outing as a world champion may have to wait, after Sports Illustrated’s Chris Mannix declared that ‘The Assassin II’ has suffered a hand injury – throwing the contest into doubt.Tony Bellew Confident That Anthony Joshua Trumps Daniel Dubois In Rematch Despite Damning DefeatBrian Norman, who is scheduled to defend his 147-pound title on November 8th, has a hand injury and his status for a scheduled fight against Derrieck Cuevas is questionable, sources told @SInow.
— Chris Mannix (@SIChrisMannix) September 27, 2024
“Brian Norman, who is scheduled to defend his 147-pound title on November 8th, has a hand injury and his status for a scheduled fight against Derrieck Cuevas is questionable, sources told @SInow .”
Mannix went on to detail that the November 8th event has sold well and would be expected to go ahead without Norman-Cuevas, with Keyshawn Davis’ lightweight clash with Gustavo Lemos being the headline attraction.
#BrianNormanJr #DerrieckCuevas #JaronEnnis #BoxingNews #WBOChampion #Welterweight #BoxingCommunity
Shane Mosley
De La Hoya collided with ‘Sugar’ when he was the reigning WBC welterweight champion back in June 2000 but it was the American who came out on top and edged a split-decision victory to claim a famous win between two of the sport’s most respected pound-for-pound contenders.
Feeling as though he had done enough to win in their first encounter, De La Hoya demanded a rematch with Mosley and would get his shot three years later. Mosley stepped through the ropes without a win to his name in his last three contests but challenged for De La Hoya’s world titles once again – the Mexican holding the WBA, WBC and The Ring super-welterweight marbles at the time.
Once again, De La Hoya felt as though he was hard done by on the judges’ scorecards as he lost a unanimous-decision this time around, although the decision was deemed even more controversial than that of their first affair.
It was later revealed that Shane Mosley had taken performance enhancing drugs during the build-up to the rematch, although the 1998 Fighter of the Year maintained that he believed he was taking vitamins.
Mosley would eventually hang up the gloves in some 14 years later in 2017, following a forced cancellation of a bout against Russia’s Magomed Kurbanov due to a botched elbow surgery, as per ESPN.
“I went in for a minor arthroscopic surgery to remove a couple loose bone fragments from my elbow and the surgery turned into a whole ordeal after the surgeon admittedly ‘accidentally’ burned me on my forearm, leading to a sick infection and needing like four or five days of IV antibiotics and two weeks of antibiotics at home. It was crazy and surreal to learn that I could never fight again.”Tony Bellew Confident That Anthony Joshua Trumps Daniel Dubois In Rematch Despite Damning Defeat
However, it was recently revealed that Mosley would return to the ring in a Celebrity Boxing event in Philadelphia – which is set to take place this weekend. On social media, Oscar De La Hoya offered to buy out the whole arena and showed pity towards his former dance partner.🚨‼️Clap back Thursday‼️🚨
Oscar goes in on Sugar Shane.
“He looks like he bathed in Diddy’s baby oil!”#Boxing#BOXINGnBBQpic.twitter.com/kZT2RZUJnc
— BOXING n BBQ (@BOXINGnBBQ) September 26, 2024“Hall of Famer Shane Mosley Sr. is returning to the ring this weekend at Harrah’s in Philly for a Celebrity Boxing match. You look like you have been bathed in [P] Diddy’s baby oil! What the f**k?
“Shane, you talk so much s**t about me but, because I feel so bad for you dude, I want to buy out the arena that you are fighting in. Let me know who I can contact so that I can make this happen and by the way, keep my name out of your f***ing mouth.”
Mosley will fight local boxing trainer Bob Kofroth tomorrow night at The Event Center in Harrah’s Casino, Philadelphia, topping a bill which also features former WBO super-lightweight challenger Hank Lundy, as well as local rapper ‘Freeway’ and Kimbo Slice Jr., son of the fan-favourite martial-artist of the same name.
#ShaneMosley #OscarDeLaHoya #CelebrityBoxing #BoxingLegends #ReturnToTheRing #BoxingNews #SportsEntertainment
Self-proclaimed ‘face of boxing’ Gervonta Davis has emerged as one of the biggest pay-per-view draws in the sport and as a result the opportunity to fight him is one that his lightweight rivals dream of. Whilst lightweight unification contests are continuously pushed back, ‘Tank’ has been linked with a return to the ring against an alternate contender and the trainer of one of his lightweight rivals has now revealed who will be in the opposing corner.
Davis stopped Frank Martin in what was both his first defence of the WBA lightweight title and his lone appearance of 2024 thus far, halting ‘The Ghost’ in the eighth-round of their Las Vegas showdown to stamp his authority on the 135lb division and further the common opinion that he is the man to beat at the weight.
Since then, the Baltimore-born knockout artist has been linked with the likes of Vasyl Lomachenko (IBF) and Shakur Stevenson (WBC) in title unification contests but with both men deemed unavailable for the time being, Davis has recently been touted to appear on December 14th in an outing to keep up his activity.
In an interview with Mill City Boxing, Humberto “Chelo” Betancourt, trainer of Edwin De Los Santos, revealed that the Dominican lightweight was offered the chance to fight Davis but that the WBA champion has decided on a meeting with WBA super-featherweight champion Lamont Roach Jr. instead.“We were getting ready for Tank bro, to tell you the truth.”
“Yes, we were [offered the Tank fight], but did they accept it? No, they didn’t. They denied the fight, I guess they chose Lamont Roach. That’s a good fight, I ain’t knocking them but he is 130lbs going up to 135, like Shakur [Stevenson] says, why not fight somebody that is a natural 135lber?”
Roach has strung together a six-fight win streak since defeat to Jamel Herring back in 2019, that being the lone blemish on his record. ‘The Reaper’ outpointed former ‘Tank’ opponent Hector Luis Garcia to claim the 130lb WBA strap back in November and dominated against Ireland’s Feargal McCrory back in June.Chris Eubank Jr Brands Eddie Hearn And Frank Warren As “Scumbags” At Beterbiev-Bivol Presser
Light-heavyweight fan-favourite David Benavidez appeared on the Tank-Martin undercard back in June and has been linked to a fight on the December bill before Davis’ main-event once again – although rumours of a scrap with David Morrell would supposedly see that fight become a main-event on an alternate date.
Meanwhile, Betancourt went on to admit his interest in a fight between De Los Santos and Frank Martin on the December 14th card, with the latter hoping to bounce back from a first career defeat.
Other reports suggest that a potential Davis-Roach card could take place on December 21st but the fact that this date collides with the rematch between Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk means that PBC would be unlikely to proceed with the idea.
#GervontaDavis #LamontRoach #Boxing #HoustonTX #SuperFeatherweight #FightNight #SportsNews #BoxingUpdate #HoustonFight #BoxingFans #CombatSports #FightLife #Knockout #BoxingWorld #DecemberFight
Anthony Joshua became the latest victim of Daniel Dubois’ extraordinary rise through the heavyweight hierarchy when the IBF world champion proved himself worthy of the mantle with a show-stopping knockout – and what a show it was to stop. Still, former WBC cruiserweight champion Tony Bellew has declared that Dubois would not be able to repeat the feat if the pair were to meet again.
‘Dynamite’ Dubois exploded onto Joshua from the sound of the opening bell onwards in front of a record-breaking 96,000 strong crowd at Wembley Stadium last weekend, stepping through the ropes as an overlooked champion but exiting through them as both a household name and a worthy title-holder.
Just days since the contest and talks of an immediate rematch are already dominating the headlines, many refusing to accept that the long-standing poster boy of British boxing could be battered from pillar to post in such an authoritative manner. Today it has emerged that Turki Al-Alshikh is one of those fans beckoning on a second encounter, and as we have discovered since the Saudi kingpin’s involvement in the sport – his wishes usually come true.
Speaking with Instant Casino, Tony Bellew outlined his belief that tactics were Joshua’s downfall in Saturday’s perceived changing of the guard rather than a decline or deficit in ability, favouring ‘AJ’ to come out on top in the rematch, which he believes will last less time than the five rounds that Joshua was able to withstand at the weekend.“If he takes the immediate rematch, is it one I think he can win? Absolutely. If Anthony Joshua comes out and lets his hands go and meets Daniel Dubois head on and lands first, the fight is over, but he didn’t and that’s not what happened. If Anthony Joshua meets him head on and lets his hands go, it’s George Foreman and Ron Lyle all over again but I’ll tell you something, it’s over even quicker.
“When your attributes stack up better than your opponent’s attributes – when you’re a little bit faster than your opponent, stronger, better technical ability, better footwork, better defence – I don’t understand why you don’t get into exchanges with them straight away.
“If you’re a bit quicker, you’re going to get there first. If you’re a bit more explosive, the shots are going to be more damaging. AJ just didn’t take that approach and that’s on him and the team.”Gervonta Davis’ Next Opponent Confirmed By Rival Trainer After His Fighter Was “Denied”
Should Joshua instead look elsewhere for his return to the ring, Bellew went on to explain that Joseph Parker is the man most deserving of a shot at Dubois’ throne, following on from impressive victories against Deontay Wilder and Zhilei Zhang.“If Anthony Joshua doesn’t take an immediate rematch, I think there’s only one person in the world of boxing who deserves that shot at Daniel Dubois, and I think that’s Joseph Parker. Nobody in the heavyweight division has taken the people on that Joseph Parker has, nobody.
“Joseph Parker has faced two bogeymen who no one wants to go near back-to-back. He fought Deontay Wilder and literally beat him up, and then he went in with Zhilei Zhang against all the doubters. I thought he’d lose twice and he proved me wrong. Give Parker a shot at Dubois.”
Eddie Hearn has revealed that any such rematch between Joshua and Dubois would not be possible in the near future, due to the fact that the two-time heavyweight champion will understandably need sufficient time to recover from the brutal beatdown.
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Last year, Jai Opetaia (25-0) was stripped of his IBF cruiserweight world title for failing to rematch Mairis Briedis and instead facing Ellis Zorro, only to fight Briedis for the then vacant IBF title six months later. Now, Opetaia could wind up being stripped for a second time, should he beat Jack Massey (22-2) next month and refuse an additional title defence in the weeks that follow.
Opetaia opted to go ahead with the Zorro fight on the mammoth ‘Day of Reckoning’ card that featured both Anthony Joshua and Deontay Wilder last year, utilizing his opportunity to appear on the big stage, although it didn’t last long. The Aussie backed up the popular belief that he was the man to beat in the cruiserweight division with a brutal first-round stoppage of the Londoner but did so without a world title to his name.
Soon after, on the Fury-Usyk undercard, Opetaia became a two-time champion and reclaimed his IBF crown with an arduous points victory in the rematch with Briedis, declaring in the aftermath that his focus was on unification bouts and the undisputed throne from there on out.
However, with fellow champions Chris Billam-Smith (WBO) and Gilberto ‘Zurdo’ Ramirez (WBA) set for a unification of their own and Norair Mikaeljan (WBC) fighting at the end of the month, Opetaia has decided to keep up his activity with a voluntary defence of the belt against Jack ‘One Smack’ Massey, on another blockbuster ‘Riyadh Season’ bill.
Now it has been revealed that the IBF have allowed the world title to be on the line for Opetaia’s clash with European champion Massey, but also that the victor must take on the mandatory challenger, Huseyin Cinkara (22-0), no later than January 20th 2025 – likely causing an additional delay to possible unification showdowns, as per Boog Williams.Daniel Dubois Reveals Plans For Next Fight Following Stunning Anthony Joshua KnockoutJai Opetaia is granted an exception to fight Jack Massey on 10/12/24. Winner has the fight the mandatory Huseyin Cincara in 90 days. pic.twitter.com/4msXSxheDi
— Boog Williams (@Ovajay) September 25, 2024“The Jai Opetaia vs. Jack Massey bout must take place no later than October 12, 2024.
“The full executed contracts for this bout must be received by the IBF in fifteen days or no later than or by Thursday October 10, 2024.
“The winner of the Jai Opetaia vs. Jack Massey bout must defend his IBF Cruiserweight title within ninety days of October 10, 2024, or no later than Friday January 20, 2025.
“The IBF will not entertain any additional exception requests to further delay the cruiserweight mandatory.”
Germany’s Cinkara has stopped 18 of the 22 opponents on his undefeated record but at 39-years-old there is a feel that this will be Cinkara’s first and last chance at a world title. Earlier this year, Cinkara halted Armend Xhoxhaj in just two rounds in a career-best win but the timing of his mandatory challenge could see him called up to fight on a much larger platform at the end of the year, with the winner of Opetaia-Massey likely to oblige to the IBF demands and feature on the Fury-Usyk II card on December 21st in Riyadh.
#JaiOpetaia #MairisBriedis #boxing #boxingfans #boxingnews #fightfans #JackMassey #Cruiserweight
Chris Eubank Jr., the former IBO world champion, made headlines at the Beterbiev-Bivol press conference by launching an explosive attack on British boxing promoters. Ahead of his undercard fight on the Riyadh Season event, Eubank Jr. branded Eddie Hearn, Frank Warren, and other top promoters as "scumbags" while explaining why he signed with Ben Shalom's Boxxer.
Eubank Jr. suffered a career setback after being knocked out by Liam Smith in January 2023. However, the 35-year-old redeemed himself by defeating Smith in their rematch later that year. With his eyes on bigger fights in 2025, Eubank Jr. is now set to face Kamil Szeremeta on October 12 on the Beterbiev-Bivol card.
At the press conference, Eubank Jr. didn’t hold back, labeling major promoters in the UK as dishonest. “Why did I choose Boxxer? Because every other promoter out here is a scumbag," he stated. He went on to call out Frank Warren, Kalle Sauerland, and Eddie Hearn, accusing them of exploiting fighters and engaging in shady practices.
In contrast, Eubank Jr. praised His Excellency Turki Al-Alshikh, saying he is a promoter who values fairness and fighter welfare. “He’s not trying to lock fighters into contracts or squeeze them for money. He’s a man of God and cares about putting on the biggest fights," Eubank said.
Eubank Jr.'s strong words sparked a reaction from Frank Warren, who challenged him to face Hamzah Sheeraz next. But before any talks can begin, Eubank Jr. must first secure victory against Szeremeta.
#ChrisEubankJr #EddieHearn #FrankWarren #BenShalom #Boxxer #RiyadhSeason #BeterbievBivol #KamilSzeremeta #HamzahSheeraz #LiamSmith #BoxingNews #BritishBoxing #TurkiAlAlshikh #FightNight #ProBoxing
Vasyl Lomachenko knocked out George Kambosos Jr. earlier this year in one of the standout performances of 2024, regaining a lightweight world title to end an almost four-year spell without a belt to his name. Since then, ‘Loma’ has shut down rumours of a showdown with Gervonta Davis and news surrounding the Ukrainian has gone quiet. Yet, the three-weight world champion could be set to return against a Brit next year.
Anthony Cacace also boasts a memorable performance in 2024 after upsetting the odds to halt IBF super-featherweight champion Joe Cordina in May and on Saturday night he followed up that display with a comfortable points victory over two-time world champion Josh Warrington.
Although, if he is to keep hold of his IBF world title, the Northern-Irishman will be forced to defend the strap in a tricky mandatory defence against Mexico’s Eduardo ‘Sugar’ Nunez before March 21st, 2025.
After witnessing Cacace’s victory over Warrington, a confident Nunez publicly called out the champion on the Matchroom media accounts and declared that it is time to take care of business.Time is ticking, @AntoC6 ⏰
Sugar Nunez is ready 👊 pic.twitter.com/ao8jbsaXVI
“Congratulations, Cacace on your win. You achieved your objective and so did I. It is time to put our cards on the table and take care of business. Everyone knows that the next step is Cacace vs. Nunez. I hope our fight is made soon.”
However, the fighting pride of Belfast has appeared to have eyes elsewhere since the victory over Warrington, instead indicating that he will move up to lightweight in the hopes of securing a mammoth opportunity against IBF lightweight champion Vasyl Lomachenko, in an interview with BBC Sport NI.Josh Warrington Responds To Retirement Talk Following Defeat To Anthony Cacace“If I move up to lightweight, I’m the mandatory challenger for Lomachenko’s title. We’re just going to have to see. It’s all in my hands. I’m in the driving seat.
“We’ll see what the future holds.”
As for Lomachenko, the much-lauded amateur sensation has revealed that he is currently lacking motivation and that he will sit out the remainder of 2024, meaning that he will likely need a ‘tune-up’ fight in 2025 before heading into any possible unification contests against Gervonta Davis or Shakur Stevenson.
At 35-years-old and naturally big for the weight, this current landscape could prove to be ideal timing for Cacace – who could land the opportunity to face Lomachenko in his next outing if he confirms a move up to 135lbs in the near future.
Cacace could possibly even bring the fan-favourite champion to Belfast in a homecoming at the SSE Arena – for what would be ‘Loma’s’ second bout in the United Kingdom – amid rumours that he is keen to return home.
Although, despite the fact that Cacace believes that a move to lightweight would see him become the mandatory challenger, William Zepeda currently holds this position and could intervene, but rumours that the Mexican will opt to pursue the WBC route and face off with Shakur Stevenson will be music to Cacace’s ears.
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#NaoyaInoue #JuntoNakatani #TakumaInoue #SuperBantamweight #Bantamweight #WBC #WBA #BoxingSuperFight #BoxingFans #PoundForPound #KnockoutPower #MurodjhonAkhmadaliev #SamGoodman #JapaneseBoxing #Boxing
Whilst all eyes have been on Turki Al-Alshikh over the last twelve months, other areas of the sport are thriving without his involvement, none more so than the Japanese boxing scene. The proud fighting nation now has it’s own superstar to get behind in, the form of arguable pound-for-pound number one Naoya Inoue, and his stock may be set to rise even further in the near future, with a notable name clearly in his plans..
Debuting at light-flyweight, Inoue challenged for and achieved world honours in just his sixth professional bout before going on to fight in 23 consecutive world title contests, maintaining his undefeated record across four weight divisions and become a two-weight undisputed champion in the process.
Since moving to super-bantamweight, Inoue has majorly impressed with four knockout victories that have seen him finally receive the worldwide recognition that his talent merits, and he is now considered by the majority as a top three pound-for-pounder, at the bare minimum.
However, the one thing preventing ‘The Monster’ from an established position atop the pound-for-pound throne is the lack of reputable names in the lower weight-classes – some arguing that a showdown with Gervonta ‘Tank’ Davis is the only route to being crowned as boxing’s greatest fighter.
Yet, one more realistic name that has been mentioned with Inoue is that of fellow Japanese sensation and current WBC bantamweight champion, Junto Nakatani, who has conquered three weight divisions himself and won the 2023 Ring Magazine Knockout of the Year award for his brutal stoppage of Andrew Maloney.
Amid rumours of what would be the biggest clash in the history of Japanese boxing, Inoue detailed that Nakatani would need to defeat his brother and WBA bantamweight champion, Takuma Inoue, before he would offer him the shot at the undisputed super-bantamweight title, as per Essentially Sports.
“Before he [Nakatani] moves up [in weight] to fight me, he will have to fight my brother Takuma. That’s not easy because Takuma will be a very tough opponent and a thick wall for Nakatani.”Josh Warrington Responds To Retirement Talk Following Defeat To Anthony Cacace
According to talkSPORT’s Michael Benson, Junto Nakatani has now confirmed that he is happy to adhere to Inoue’s two-fight proposal and move forward with a bantamweight unification showdown against Takuma Inoue in order to earn the fight with his world-renowned brother.Junto Nakatani has welcomed Naoya Inoue's challenge to first fight his brother Takuma Inoue in a WBA & WBC bantamweight world title unification fight, then move up and fight him for the undisputed WBA, WBC, IBF & WBO super-bantamweight world titles. pic.twitter.com/uRjI6zoPf6
— Michael Benson (@MichaelBensonn) September 25, 2024
“Junto Nakatani has welcomed Naoya Inoue’s challenge to first fight his brother Takuma Inoue in a WBA & WBC bantamweight world title unification fight, then move up and fight him for the undisputed WBA, WBC, IBF & WBO super-bantamweight world titles.”
Naturally big for the bantamweight division, despite debuting at minimumweight, Nakatani’s move to 126lbs is a natural one and he would enter any encounter with Naoya Inoue as the one with the physical advantages. With both men appreciated for their knockout power, Inoue-Nakatani has to be perceived as one of the biggest possible events in the sport and one that would captivate boxing fans around the globe, as well as those in Japan.
As for the timescale, Naoya Inoue is expected to return against either Sam Goodman or Murodjhon Akhmadaliev in December, possibly opening the door for Nakatani to appear against his brother on the undercard and tee up a meeting for the second quarter of 2025.
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Daniel Dubois proved himself to be worthy of the much-lauded heavyweight champion mantle as he blasted through two-time title-holder Anthony Joshua on the biggest of stages at the weekend. With murmurs of an immediate rematch already beginning to do the rounds, as well as a possible undisputed title showdown, ‘Triple D’ has revealed which route he plans on pursuing.
The doubt of both the boxing analysts and the British public lit the fuse of ‘Dynamite’ Dubois during fight week and whilst many critics suggested that the 27-year-old could melt in the pressure cooker that is the Wembley spotlights, the heavy-handed brute instead delivered an authoritative display to shake up the division.
From the opening bell it was one way traffic, Dubois’ right-hand reshaped the usually pristine face of Joshua with a looping right-hand and set the precedent for how the remainder of the bout would unfold. Thereafter, the ruthless IBF champion chased his wounded yet strong-willed challenger around the ring and scored an additional three knockdowns by the fifth round – the fourth and final of which left Joshua face down on the canvas and unable to beat the count of Marcus McDonnell – who gave him every chance.
In spite of the dominant beatdown exhibited by Dubois in front of the record-breaking 96,000 attendees, there are still calls for a rematch between the domestic duo- calls that would be few and far between if the roles had been reversed. Still, the allure of a fight with Anthony Joshua is one that will always be tough to turn down for any lesser supported heavyweight and the determined nature of ‘AJ’ means that he will likely seek the opportunity to level the scores.
Speaking with TalkSport, Dubois admitted that he would ‘go for’ a rematch with Joshua and declared that he wants to improve upon what was not only a career-best performance but one of the most impressive showings from any heavyweight in recent memory.
“Yeah, if that happens down the line then yes.
“If that happens next then yeah. I want to go for it.Ben Whittaker Explains His Viral Showboating: “It’s My Guilty Pleasure.”
“I want to do even better next time. I know where I need to improve as well, so as a champion and a fighter I want to prove people wrong every time and that’s what we have been doing.
“I think I would, I can do a lot better than that. It was a great showing but next time I believe I’ll be more clinical. More sharp, everything.”
Alternatively, Dubois could opt to move on from Joshua and challenge the victor of Usyk-Fury II (December 21st) for the undisputed throne, offering him a chance to rematch the undefeated Ukrainian after their controversial first encounter. However, Dubois refused to reveal which opponent is at the top of his hit-list, instead indicating that he simply wants his next fight to be the one that is the most profitable.
“I would love a rematch but either one [Usyk or Joshua] really, whoever pays me more money.”
Regardless of what comes next for Dubois, the often-criticized knockout artist stepped through the ropes as a ‘paper champion’ on Saturday night and exited the ring as both a household name and a proven, established and confident heavyweight world champion – making him a tough task for any potential opponent.
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In terms of the United Kingdom’s most impressive prospects, Ben Whittaker does not only stand out as one of the country’s most skilful potential superstars but also one of the most famous, consistently going viral for his in-ring antics despite just eight professional bouts. Now, the Tokyo 2020 silver medallist has opened up on why he has made showboating such a recognisable part of his game.
Whittaker made his professional debut in July 2022 and has fought regularly since, seemingly going viral on each occasion and building up a following across the pond for poking fun at his opponents.
Some viewers can’t help but smirk at the confidence and defensive abilities of ‘The Surgeon’ upon watching his fights, whilst others see him as a disrespectful, pantomime villain character – either way, fans seem to make sure they tune in to his fights.
In an interview with Instant Casino, Whittaker appeared to recognise that his showboating is unnecessary but labelled it as a ‘guilty pleasure’, admitting that he enjoys fooling someone defensively as much as scoring a highlight-reel knockout.
“When I first started as a pro, I got more of a thrill making them miss and making them look silly, more than knocking them out. But now that I’ve started hitting people and hurting them a little bit, I kind of like knocking them out as well. So, I’m trying to find a balance. The best of both worlds. But that is my guilty pleasure. Making someone miss. You’re standing right in front of someone and they’re missing and you can see the frustration on their face.
“It’s kind of like when you’re at school and you’re winding somebody up. And for me, it’s great. And I love it. That’s why I got kicked out of school, for being a wind-up merchant, so I took it into the ring.”Who Next For Anthony Joshua? Odds Released After AJ Confirms He Will Fight Again
Whittaker now sits at #11 in the WBC light-heavyweight rankings and is being hotly tipped by many to succeed on the big stage and secure a world title in the future – especially once the titles become fragmented following Beterbiev-Bivol. For now though, Whittaker is remaining patient and is focussed on boosting his popularity and beating those who are put in front of him.
“For me, all I can do is stay on my path really, keep fighting who’s in front of me, keep beating who’s in front of me and the more my popularity grows, the more people will want to fight me. And I think that’s what’s happening now. A lot of people want to fight me because one, they’re getting paid decently or two I’ve got the following. And if they’re fighting Ben Whittaker, they get the reflective glow, don’t they?
“That’s how I see it now. So, for me, I’m becoming the man, who has not even got anything, that people want to fight. So, it’s not too bad. It’s all coming together.”
Next up for Whittaker is Liam Cameron, a fellow Brit who was unfortunate to be on the wrong side of a split-decision defeat to IBF #7 Lyndon Arthur in his last outing. That contest will take place on the high-profile Beterbiev-Bivol undercard on October 12th – where Whittaker will be hoping to boost his world ranking and social media following with a ninth professional victory.
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Keyshawn Davis has made a bold prediction. The 2020 Olympic silver medalist is confident that he will become the “Face of Boxing” within five years, achieving multi-world champion status and becoming a millionaire. While the 25-year-old Davis (11-0, 7 KOs) has undeniable talent, recent performances suggest his journey might not be as easy as he envisions. In tough fights against Miguel Madueno and Nahir Albright, Davis showed vulnerability when dealing with pressure – a flaw that could hold him back as he moves through the ranks.
Davis believes that by the time he’s in his late 20s, he’ll have a record of 20-plus wins with no losses, but critics are questioning his ability to live up to these expectations. Gervonta Davis, Shakur Stevenson, and Vasily Lomachenko are the type of opponents Keyshawn will need to beat to achieve his dream. However, it’s doubtful these top-tier fighters will face him before he’s forced to move up in weight. Additionally, Keyshawn has struggled with pressure throughout his career, an issue that could become a major roadblock as he faces tougher competition.
In a recent interview, Davis stated, “In five years, I’ll be the Face of Boxing, I’m dead serious.” Despite his confidence, many experts remain skeptical, pointing to his lackluster performance in his fight against Madueno, where Davis was visibly rattled by the pressure. Rather than outbox Madueno, Davis turned the fight into a rough, foul-filled contest. This led many to wonder if he has the mental fortitude to handle future challenges, especially in a more competitive welterweight division.
Top Rank, Davis’s promoter, is heavily invested in his career, hoping he can become a major star. However, questions remain about how far Davis can go. Critics have also noted that Davis’s old amateur nemesis, Andy Cruz, is a potential threat. Cruz beat Davis multiple times in the amateurs and could derail his professional rise if they meet again. Gustavo Lemos, Davis’s next opponent, is another tough test, and a poor performance could further dent Keyshawn’s ambitions.
While Davis has a clear path laid out in his mind, he’ll need to prove himself in every fight if he’s to back up his bold prediction of becoming the “Face of Boxing” in five years. His ability to handle pressure, stay focused, and rise to the occasion will determine if he can reach the heights he’s aiming for.
#KeyshawnDavis #GervontaDavis #ShakurStevenson #VasilyLomachenko #AndyCruz #GustavoLemos #TopRankBoxing #FaceOfBoxing #OlympicSilverMedalist #WelterweightDivision #BoxingFuture #BoxingProspects #Boxing2024 #BoxingSuperstars #BoxingFans
Chris Algieri believes that Anthony Joshua may be past his prime, labeling him as "damaged goods" after his recent loss to Daniel Dubois. According to Algieri, the 34-year-old Joshua has lost the reflexes and timing that once made him a dominant force in the heavyweight division. The former two-time champion was knocked down four times by Dubois, highlighting his inability to dodge incoming shots effectively.
Joshua’s promoter, Eddie Hearn, mentioned that they’ll wait to see the outcome of the Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk rematch on December 21st before deciding Joshua’s next move. While Hearn hopes for a fight with Fury, Algieri doesn’t see Joshua competing at the championship level anymore. He believes that Joshua can no longer keep up with top heavyweights like Fury or Usyk and would likely struggle even in a rematch with Dubois.
Algieri points out that Joshua hasn’t been the same since his shocking knockout loss to Andy Ruiz Jr. in 2019. He suggests that Joshua has been declining for years and has only stayed competitive due to careful matchmaking by Hearn. In his fight against Dubois, Joshua misjudged Dubois’ reach and paid the price with a hard knockdown late in the first round. After that, Joshua’s game plan crumbled, and he was forced to fight defensively.
Despite these setbacks, Joshua’s team is weighing their options, but many experts, including Algieri, believe his days at the top may be over. At 34, Joshua’s reliance on his athleticism could be catching up to him, causing a faster decline than other fighters.
#AnthonyJoshua #ChrisAlgieri #DanielDubois #EddieHearn #TysonFury #OleksandrUsyk #AndyRuizJr #JoshuaVsDubois #HeavyweightBoxing #AJ #BoxingNews #JoshuaDecline #BoxingFans #JoshuaVsFury #JoshuaVsUsyk #JoshuaComeback
Anthony Joshua remains determined to become a three-time heavyweight champion despite his recent loss to Daniel Dubois. Although Joshua was knocked out by Dubois in the fifth round after being hurt early on, the British boxer isn’t giving up on his goal. Joshua’s promoter, Eddie Hearn, has hinted at the possibility of a major showdown with Tyson Fury, regardless of the result of Fury’s rematch against Oleksandr Usyk on December 21st.
For Joshua, the ideal scenario would be Fury defeating Usyk, setting up a potential clash for three heavyweight titles. Fury’s unorthodox style and dangerous punching power present a challenge, but Joshua seems eager to face him. If Usyk wins the rematch, however, Joshua’s dreams of becoming a three-time champion may have to wait a little longer.
Joshua’s loss to Dubois marked a significant setback, but his resilience was on display as he managed to get up from three knockdowns. He admitted that his game plan fell apart after being hit early in the fight, but he remains focused on the future. Joshua reflected on his career, saying, “Look what we’ve achieved in the space of eleven years; it’s phenomenal. It’s far from over yet.”
Joshua’s optimism shows that he still believes in his ability to reclaim the heavyweight throne. Despite the tough road ahead, he is ready to make the necessary adjustments and work toward his goal of becoming a three-time heavyweight champion.
#AnthonyJoshua #DanielDubois #TysonFury #OleksandrUsyk #EddieHearn #BoxingNews #HeavyweightBoxing #ThreeTimeChampion #JoshuaVsFury #JoshuaVsDubois #BoxingFans #JoshuaComeback #BritishBoxing #AJ #BoxingLegends #FuryVsUsyk
In a fight that had fans on their feet, James Bernadin claimed a hard-fought split decision victory over Matt Conway after eight grueling rounds at the Wind Creek Event Center in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. The crowd witnessed one of the best club fights of 2024, with both fighters delivering a thrilling performance. The bout headlined a seven-fight card promoted by King’s Promotions.
The fight began with an intense pace, as Bernadin and Conway traded punches from the opening bell. Bernadin displayed his power early on, landing harder shots, but Conway proved to be a tough competitor, absorbing the punishment and fighting back with resilience. By the second round, Conway’s right eye began to swell, eventually closing as the fight progressed. However, Conway’s determination only grew stronger as he pushed forward, unleashing flurries of punches.
In the final rounds, the two fighters went toe-to-toe, much to the delight of the enthusiastic crowd. The eighth round was particularly electric, as both men gave it their all, earning a standing ovation from the fans in attendance. After a close contest, Bernadin was awarded the split decision, winning with scores of 78-74, 77-75, and 76-76, improving his record to 13-2-1.
Conway, who fought valiantly despite the injury, saw his record drop to 22-5. The fight will surely be remembered as a classic for both fighters and the fans who witnessed it live.
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Former boxing rivals Ricardo “Finito” Lopez and Hideyuki Ohashi are set to reunite in a special ceremony in Tokyo, Japan, after 34 years. This reunion will take place today, a day before a unique promotion featuring all minimumweight and strawweight competitions at the Korakuen Hall. This special moment marks their iconic clash in 1990, when Lopez dethroned WBC 105-pound titleholder Ohashi at the same venue.
After their historic bout, Lopez went on to defend his title 21 times, cementing his legacy as one of the greatest fighters in the sport. On the other hand, Ohashi transitioned into a successful boxing promoter, establishing his own gym and training five world champions, including the formidable Naoya “The Monster” Inoue.
The reunion ceremony is organized by Hachioji Nakaya Promotions, and the event will feature prominent figures from the boxing world. The reunion is not just a reflection on the past but a celebration of both fighters’ contributions to the sport, particularly Ohashi's role in shaping Japan’s boxing scene.
The event will also honor their respective achievements, with Lopez's incredible defense record and Ohashi's success as a trainer and promoter. Fans from around the world will witness this emotional reunion, marking a significant moment in boxing history.
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The proposed Anthony Joshua coronation soon turned to a night of despair for the two-time world champion, his team and his backers as Daniel Dubois stamped his authority onto both his domestic rivals and the heavyweight division as a whole with a show-stopping knockout against Great Britain’s long-standing poster boy.
However, ‘AJ’ has now confirmed that his time in the ring is not over yet and as a result there are already names being touted for his next outing and William Hill have now released their odds for whom his next opponent may be.1. Daniel Dubois – Evens
After Joshua suffered a shock defeat to a third opponent of his career, the immediate assumption was that he would once again force a second meeting with his rival, as he did with both Andy Ruiz Jr. and Oleksandr Usyk following those other shortcomings. As expected, Eddie Hearn confirmed that there was a rematch clause in the fight contract and that he expects his man to trigger it, but Dubois’ promoter Frank Warren has since suggested otherwise – thrusting what was originally an inevitable rematch into doubt, although it remains as the most likely outcome.
Defeats are no longer a new experience for Joshua but the brutal manner of the damning loss to ‘Triple D’ presents him with a new mental obstacle to overcome – this being the first time he was truly knocked out and not halted on his feet. That fresh hurdle could act as motivation for Joshua and whet his appetite or it could convince him to steer clear of a man who could simply be his hard-hitting kryptonite.2. Deontay Wilder – 4/1
The one that got away. Hopes of Deontay Wilder seemed dead once ‘The Bronze Bomber’ was trumped in back-to-back outings against Joseph Parker and Zhilei Zhang – not just losing but failing to come close in either contest. Like Joshua, Wilder has refused to hang up the gloves and with both men coming into what was recently deemed as ‘the biggest fight in boxing’ off of the back of defeats, the long-awaited encounter would be seen in a different light but would be a captivating one nonetheless.
A below-par Wilder could represent the perfect route back to the forefront of the division for ‘AJ’ and tick off a name that has long been on both his and Hearn’s hit-list. Yet, the fearsome punch power of the American could also be a recipe for disaster.3. Tyson Fury – 5/1
Tyson Fury fumed that Dubois’ demolition of Joshua had cost him £150 million shortly after his promotional stablemate had been declared the victor but that may not prove to be the case. Eddie Hearn has maintained that the illusive all-British dust-up could still happen despite the Saturday night blow out, alluding to a similar scenario to that of the possible Wilder clash mentioned above.
‘The Gypsy King’ is scheduled to meet with unified world champion Oleksandr Usyk in December in the sequel to what was an instant classic earlier in the 2024 calendar but he will step through the ropes as the underdog and will find himself on a two-fight winless streak if he cannot crack the code of the pound-for-pound number one.
The Fury-Joshua rivalry will never truly be settled until a victor is resolved and a grudge match could ensure either in the United Kingdom or Saudi Arabia could be around the corner if Fury is unable to reclaim the heavyweight marbles later this year.4. Jarrell Miller – 10/1
Joshua’s rivalries with both Deontay Wilder and Tyson Fury are ones that are often glorified and encouraged by the masses to season what would already be a salivating event. Jarrell Miller on the other hand, is a rival that is truly hated by ‘AJ’ on a personal level.
‘Big Baby’ Miller was poised to take on the Briton and after an intense build-up, it was clear to see that the loudmouthed American had brought a different side out of Joshua than the polished professional that we have become accustomed to – instead Joshua simply wanted to take his head off and silence the New Yorker for good.
Unfortunately, the then lauded knockout artist that was a rising Anthony Joshua never got the opportunity to put his pitiless plan into action as Miller failed a drugs test and faced a four-year ban from the sport. Meanwhile, Joshua moved on and was matched with Andy Ruiz Jr. – becoming the victim of one of boxing’s most famous upset wins.
Miller has now served his ban and his back boxing on the big stage, putting up a respectable display in a defeat to Dubois that has aged like a fine wine and then controversially drawing with Ruiz, with many viewers feeling as though he had done enough to get his hand raised. Eddie Hearn has previously ruled out the prospect of staging Joshua-Miller but now that fight could be the best option to rebuild his fighter.5. Manuel Charr – 12/1
Finally, Syrian-German Manuel Charr has long called for the opportunity to face Joshua and was named as Regular heavyweight world champion in an eyebrow-raising move from the WBA – considering Charr has not fought since 2022 and just thrice since 2017. Still, with a unified title contest on the horizon, it is likely that belts will be vacated during 2025 either through a lack of interest in fighting mandatory challengers or through retirements, leaving Charr well poised for an unlikely title shot.
As a result, Joshua may opt to challenge for Charr’s WBA (Regular) strap in the hopes of being upgraded to world champion shortly afterwards or to position himself for a vacant title fight against heavyweight bogeyman Martin Bakole, who is ranked as the number one contender with the sanctioning body.
All will likely become clear within the next few weeks as further details surrounding a possible rematch between Joshua and Dubois are confirmed but it has been revealed that ‘AJ’ is not ready to walk away from the sport just yet, in spite of the uphill battle that he faces if he desires to mount a return to the heavyweight throne.Daniel Dubois Knocks Out Anthony Joshua In Stunning Victory To Retain IBF Heavyweight TitleOther Options:
Michael Hunter – 10/1
Filip Hrgovic – 10/1
Joseph Parker II – 14/1
Andy Ruiz Jr. III – 14/1
Zhilei Zhang – 16/1
Martin Bakole – 16/1
Derek Chisora – 16/1
Jared Anderson – 20/1
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