Canelo Alvarez has brushed off the idea of squaring off against Terence Crawford, even though Crawford has shown willingness to rise to 168 pounds to make the fight happen. Alvarez, hailing from Mexico, believes he won't be recognized for a potential victory against Crawford at the super middleweight limit. This is because Crawford would have to jump three weight divisions to compete in such a bout. Crawford had earlier suggested a match with Alvarez at a catch weight of either 158 or 160 pounds. However, Alvarez rejected that proposal, noting that he can no longer comfortably fight below the super middleweight cap of 168 pounds. Despite Crawford's mention on Joe Rogan's podcast about moving up to 168 pounds to challenge Alvarez, the Mexican boxer remains uninterested. Alvarez compares a potential Crawford fight to Crawford's feelings about fighting Gervonta Davis, a formidable lightweight. Davis would need to climb two weight divisions, from lightweight to welterweight, to challenge Crawford. During an interview on New York's Power 105.1 FM morning radio show, “The Breakfast Club,” Alvarez was questioned about facing Crawford. Alvarez responded:

“It’s impossible because like he say, if he beat Gervonta everybody’s gonna say, ‘Yeah, he’s too small,’ and this and that,” Alvarez said. “So, it’s the same thing. I respect Crawford. He’s a good fighter, but we’re in different weight classes.” When reminded how huge of a fight he and Crawford could put together, Alvarez replied, “Yeah, but I beat him, what are you gonna say? He’s too small. That’s too small.”

Discussing the potential magnitude of a bout with Crawford, Alvarez stated that if he won, critics would argue Crawford's size disadvantage. Alvarez, 33, expressed respect for Crawford and even predicted Crawford's recent win over welterweight opponent Errol Spence Jr.

“I always knew Crawford is a better fighter,” Alvarez said. “I like Spence, too, but if you see Crawford is a better fighter.”

Crawford, 35, hailing from Omaha, Nebraska, dominated Spence in a welterweight title fight, knocking him down thrice before securing a ninth-round victory. Meanwhile, Alvarez is prepping for an upcoming Pay-Per-View match at the T-Mobile Arena against reigning junior middleweight champion Jermell Charlo. Crawford has also expressed interest in taking on Charlo. For this bout, Charlo will climb two weight classes to challenge Alvarez for his four super middleweight titles on September 30th. Interestingly, Crawford has been a unified champion in two weight classes, being the only male boxer to hold the four major belts at both welterweight and junior welterweight.

Prominent UK boxing promoters, Eddie Hearn and Frank Warren, have recently clashed over issues concerning drug testing in the sport. The crux of their disagreement revolves around Alycia Baumgardner, the reigning super-featherweight champion, who had an adverse result in a doping test prior to her title defence. Interestingly, this information was disclosed nearly a month post-fight. Warren voiced his concerns during a media interaction following the Dennis McCann-Ionut Baluta match at York Hall. He expressed reservations about the US testing agency, Drug Free Sport, and hinted at Baumgardner possibly exiting Matchroom.

“It’s disgraceful. For people outside and inside. And what I’m getting sick of is all the nonsense that’s getting spouted out about who’s doing what.” “What concerns me about it, is that first of all Drug Free Sport do not have the same standards, and do not test for substances that VADA and UKAD test for … which is not acceptable. And it’s not good that someone takes a sample and puts it on a shelf for nine days before sending it to a laboratory.” “What I found concerning was apparently she, allegedly, was going to leave Matchroom and go and sign with Jake Paul. So you look into that which way you want.”

In a counter-response, Hearn defended Matchroom’s stance during an interview with Boxing Social. He said:

“He’s criticising someone who’s paying for additional testing, and criticising they only test for certain things, but we’re talking about a positive adverse finding, so they must be doing an okay job. He was completely wrong with everything he said. Alycia Baumgardner has got till April next year on her contract, we’ve also got first/last, we’re also negotiating a new deal.” “You don’t want to be attacked by small hall promoters, but at the same time, that’s their job. You have to be trying to put yourself up with the big boys. It’s obviously an American situation as well, I believe he’s not licensed to promote in America at all.”

Hearn, while speaking to IFL TV, also mentioned Warren's "apparent double standards." He expanded on this with Boxing Social, questioning Warren's commitment to regular testing.

“Someone should ask the question is he paying for additional testing for his fights? I believe Joe Joyce’s fight has it because the management asked for it. But you’ve got to protect your fighters. [Ionut] Baluta last night – was he tested? Absolutely not. And Frank will say ‘yeah he was tested on the night’ but what about the 12 weeks he was preparing? The answer is no because they don’t want to pay for it. That’s $30,000 dollars to test Baluta, and that’s probably more than his purse.”

As for Baumgardner, she is set to navigate the official channels related to her positive test and continues to proclaim her innocence.

As the heavyweight bout approaches, Oleksandr Usyk's transition into the division is becoming increasingly evident to fans. The anticipation is palpable in Poland, where Usyk is gearing up to defend his WBA, WBO, and IBF heavyweight titles against the young British fighter, Daniel Dubois. At 25, Dubois will be the latest from Britain aiming to deliver Usyk's inaugural defeat. Usyk, once the undisputed champion at cruiserweight, has gracefully scaled the heavyweight ranks. His debut victory was a TKO against Chazz Witherspoon, then a unanimous decision win against Derek Chisora, and, most impressively, toppling the unified champion, Anthony Joshua. Having successfully defended his titles in a rematch, Usyk is now addressing his mandatory challenges, starting with the towering 6′ 5″ Dubois. A notable observation is Usyk's increasing weight through his heavyweight journey, weighing in at 215 lbs for Witherspoon, 217 lbs against Chisora, and 221 lbs when facing Joshua. While one can only speculate on his current weight based on recent photographs, fan reactions are overwhelmingly positive.  Captioning his photo with, "Every bout is a masterpiece – greetings from Poland", the reigning champion has certainly caught fans' attention. Comments range from praising Usyk's imposing physique in the heavyweight category to anticipating a dominant performance against Dubois. With Dubois' expected weight around 240 lbs and boasting a series of four knockout victories since his only professional setback against Joe Joyce, he steps into the ring with immense confidence, eyeing a significant heavyweight upset. However, the larger boxing community remains skeptical. Many cite Dubois' loss to Joyce as his only testament at the world-class level, raising questions about the upcoming match.

Carl Froch, never one to hold back, has once again voiced his opinion on a fighter he's had disagreements with in the past. Currently, Froch is making waves as a straight-talking pundit post-retirement. His sharp remarks outside the ring mirror his aggressive style when he was an active boxer. Recently, on his YouTube show 'Froch On Fighting,' Froch didn't mince words while discussing internet sensation Jake Paul. He commented, “I appreciate genuine professional boxing. That’s my issue with Jake Paul; while he's successful in his ventures and monetizing his brand, he's no true pro in the ring.” Froch went on to describe him as more of an entertainer than a boxer and recalled previously expressing the same sentiment. He further speculated on the reasons their much-discussed bout never materialized, stating, Even after nearly a decade out of the ring, I believe I could send him flying with just one punch.

“I like proper, professional boxing. Real professional boxing. That’s why I give Jake Paul stick; you’re good at making money and you’re good at what you do, but you’re not a pro fighter.” “You’re just a clown, a performing clown. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again.” “That’s the reason the fight with me never happened! I’m nine years retired and I’ll put him into f***ing orbit – bosh, uppercut, off you fly.” “That’s the level of this boxing game.”

This isn't the first time Froch has criticized Paul, previously expressing his desire to face him in the ring and promising a dominant victory. However, it seems the chances of Froch securing a lucrative match against Paul are dwindling. Paul recently redeemed himself from a February defeat to Tommy Fury by outperforming ex-UFC fighter Nate Diaz in Texas. Now, fans are curious about Paul's next opponent, wondering if it will be a rematch with Fury, a showdown with fellow YouTuber KSI, or another bout against a former MMA athlete.

Tim Bradley, a champion in two different weight classes, has expressed doubts about the upcoming Canelo vs Charlo bout where Jermell Charlo will climb two weight classes to face Saul 'Canelo' Alvarez for the super-middleweight title. While many anticipated a face-off between Canelo and Jermall Charlo, Jermell's twin and WBC middleweight champion, it's Jermell who will make the leap to 168lbs. After an impressive win over Brian Castano, Jermell secured his position as the undisputed champion at 154lbs. This victory has led some enthusiasts to believe he might surprise the boxing community by defeating Canelo, despite Canelo's lackluster performance in recent matches. However, in a recent conversation with Fight Hype, Bradley seemed unimpressed with Canelo vs Charlo bout. He questioned the logic behind Jermell moving up two weight classes, especially when he has faced challenges in his current division. Bradley pointed out that Canelo has previously squared off against heavy-hitters like Sergey Kovalev at 175lbs and came out on top. He doesn't see Charlo's punch making a difference in the upcoming bout.

“That’s a mismatch. How the hell are you going to go up two weight-classes, come on bro. You are going to go up two weight-classes when you have been hurt by guys at 154lbs, you think you are going to be able to take a punch from a bigger guy? Y’all tripping.” “He [Canelo] has fought at 175lbs, understand that, against big huge dude, [Sergey] Kovalev! Freakin’ monster and he knocked him out. Canelo was able to take his punches, you don’t think Canelo is going to take a Charlo, 154lb punch? This [fight] is terrible.”

Despite Bradley's skepticism, the two boxers are scheduled to clash on September 30 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, with Showtime PPV broadcasting the event in the US. A UK broadcaster for the match is yet to be announced.

Back in late 2020, mentioning a future heavyweight title clash between Oleksandr Usyk and Daniel Dubois might have raised eyebrows in boxing circles. However, this weekend will witness this unexpected pairing as the headlining Usyk vs Dubois event in Wroclaw, Poland, broadcasted on ESPN+ for US viewers. Following their respective matches in 2020, few saw them as potential heavyweight titans. Usyk, previously the undisputed cruiserweight king, faced Derek Chisora on October 31, 2020. Though Usyk emerged victorious, many believed his win was unconvincing, raising questions about his suitability for the heavyweight category. Meanwhile, in November 2020, Dubois squared off against Joe Joyce. Despite being favored to win, Dubois suffered a crushing defeat due to a serious eye injury. The aftermath brought about debates on Dubois' future and even his dedication to boxing, given the severity of the injury. But time would change the narrative for both fighters. Usyk stunned the world by defeating Anthony Joshua in 2021, not once but twice, the latter also earning him the Ring Magazine title, and establishing him as one of the best fighters globally. He demonstrated that size wasn't a limitation for his expertise. Dubois, on the other hand, silenced critics by making a commendable comeback, securing wins against formidable opponents like Bogdan Dinu, Joe Cosumano, and, notably, Kevin Lerena. His victory against Lerena, despite a knee injury, showcased his determination and resilience. But a title bout against Usyk wasn't on the horizon until a surprising turn of events. The anticipated matchup between Usyk and Tyson Fury fell through, with Fury choosing to take on ex-UFC champ, Francis Ngannou. Dubois, gearing up for the bout, emphasized the significance of mental strength, saying to Eurosport,

“You have to be prepared for the long haul in a fight. Either you're all in or you're not."

Going into the Usyk vs Dubois fight as an underdog, Dubois has teamed up with Don Charles, who previously trained Chisora. Charles shared with Talksport about preparing Dubois with intense training sessions at high altitude in Spain, hinting at the strategy to use brute strength against Usyk. Who knows what the outcome will be of Usyk vs Dubois bout? In the world of boxing, the unexpected can become the norm.

Hall of Fame promoter, Mr. Frank Warren, was recently interviewed about the upcoming matches and fighters. When asked about his well-being, Warren responded positively, expressing excitement for Daniel Dubois's upcoming match against Alexander Usick. He praised Dubois's strength and believed that he has the tools to win those three belts. The promoter has been confident since before the fight was announced, especially when Dubois secured his mandatory position. Discussing Dubois's training in Spain with Don Charles, Warren felt that the preparations were adequate for the biggest fight of Dubois's career. For Warren, Dubois's temperament will be tested as he steps into the lion's den. However, he's confident Dubois can handle the pressure. On another note, he also mentioned Hamza, highlighting that he's fighting a Ukrainian and mentioned a potential high-profile match between Hamza and Denzel Bentley in the future. The conversation then shifted to Anthony Yarde and Joshua Buatsi. Warren revealed that they tried to make the Buatsi fight on a few occasions. While Yarde will be fighting in September, Warren is looking to get him into a position to challenge for a world title again. He believed that at the time, Matchroom wasn't keen on the Buatsi fight, but now that Buatsi has chosen to fight another domestic opponent, it's a possibility. Regarding Anthony Joshua's recent performance against Robert Helenius, Warren wasn't particularly impressed. He described it as a boring fight but acknowledged Joshua's knockout win. When asked about the anticipated Deontay Wilder fight in Saudi, Warren admitted he would fancy Wilder to win but doubts the fight will happen. He cited various delays and mentioned that while they wanted to fight Usyk in December, several obstacles prevented it. During the discussion, Warren couldn't resist taking a few jabs at rival promoter Eddie Hearn. When asked about his recent podcast with Simon Jordan, which Hearn referred to as a "loving", Warren quipped:

"Did it look like a loving to you?"

and further commented on a recent event as a

"snorefest."

He also called out Hearn on the "porky pies" (a rhyming slang for lies) he's been telling about the Usyk and Tyson situation.

"It's not the truth."

Towards the end of the interview, the topic of David Adelaide versus Fabio Wardley came up. Warren is confident that the fight will take place and believes it will be featured on a Queensbury card on TNT Sports. Before ending, there were some light-hearted comments about Warren's loquacious nature and a joke about bouncers.

"Right, the bounces Copeland, this is no good for me."

Jordan Flynn and Kane Baker met once again in the boxing ring on Saturday, August 19, at Utilita Arena Birmingham as a Yafai vs Frank Undercard. This eagerly anticipated rematch was part of the NXTGEN main card and could be watched live on DAZN. These two super featherweights first clashed in April, with Flynn managing a close win with a score of 77-75 after eight rounds. This second bout, which acted as an eliminator for the British super featherweight title, also went the entire ten rounds, resulting in a draw. Throughout the match, both fighters showed their mettle. In the second round, Flynn, from Oxford, Oxfordshire, showcased his skills and put Baker on the canvas for an 8-count. However, their fight wasn't without incident. The fifth round saw the two boxers clashing heads, leading to a deep cut on Baker's left eyebrow. Flynn's rapid hand movements and precise jabs were evident in the ninth round, proving a challenge for Baker. But the climax came in the final, tenth round. The referee, in a surprising move, deducted a point from Flynn. This decision affected the overall outcome, with the bout ending in a 94-94 draw. Flynn's record now stands at 9-0-1 with 1 KO, still remaining unbeaten. On the other hand, Birmingham's Kane Baker's record is now 19-10-2, with 1 KO. This exciting match-up is surely going to be a talking point in the boxing community for a while, with fans eager to see if a third bout will provide a decisive winner.

At the Utilita Arena in Birmingham, the boxing results were nothing short of spectacular. Galal Yafai, the 2020 Olympic Gold Medalist and WBC International Flyweight champion, made headlines. He knocked down Tommy Frank in the mere first round, and as the boxing results showcased, Yafai's unrelenting drive forced Frank's corner to end the fight early. Another highlight from the Yafai vs Frank night’s boxing results was the clash between WBA International Welterweight champion, Cyrus Pattison, and Conah Walker. The fight was an explosive showdown of ten rounds. Pattison displayed elegance in the fourth and fifth rounds, while Walker knocked down Pattison multiple times, demonstrating raw power. The boxing results were finalized when Pattison’s corner called it quits after eight rounds, marking a win for Walker. In a much-anticipated rematch, boxing results confirmed a draw between Super Featherweight Jordan Flynn and Kane Baker. While Flynn managed to knock Baker down in the fourth, an unexpected point deduction in the last round led to an inconclusive end. The boxing results for the heavyweight clash at Yafai vs Frank bout between Solomon Dacres and Chris Thompson weren’t as electrifying as expected. Although Dacres did have a few good hits, the fight's energy was muted. Nevertheless, Dacres was declared the winner based on judges’ decisions. On the super lightweight front of the Yafai vs Frank bout, boxing results indicated a strong win for Khaleel Majid against Alessandro Fersula. Majid's prowess was on full display, notably knocking down Fersula in the initial round. In the middleweight category, Aaron Bowen's match with Wilmer Baron ended swiftly. Bowen won by second-round knockout of Baron, demonstrating his powerful skills. Promoter Eddie Hearns offered praises for the night's fighters. He singled out the Pattison-Walker bout, describing it as a true "war", solidifying its place in memorable boxing results.

At Birmingham's Utilita Arena, a surprising outcome was witnessed in the co-main event of Yafai vs Frank as Conah Walker, with a record of 12 wins, outboxed the previously unbeaten Cyrus Pattinson over eight rounds. In the initial rounds, both fighters had their moments. Pattinson felt the sting from a body punch in round two, which slowed him down. Walker's left eye, however, wasn't spared and started showing signs of a cut. By the third round, a combination from Walker brought Pattinson to the canvas. Although Pattinson tried retaliating, he found himself in trouble multiple times during the round. In the fourth, Pattinson tried to reset and focus on boxing. But, by the fifth round, he faced another knockdown, although it looked more like a misstep. Round six saw the fighters engaging in toe-to-toe exchanges. Pattinson began with the upper hand, but Walker soon responded with power punches, leading to another questionable knockdown for Pattinson. The seventh was marked by Pattinson standing his ground but absorbing significant punishment. By the eighth, Pattinson looked fatigued, struggling to defend against a barrage from Walker, leading his corner to intervene before the ninth could begin. In the heavyweight category of Yafai vs Frank card, Solomon Dacres managed to secure a decision victory over Chris Thompson over ten rounds. It was a straightforward match, with Dacres being the more active fighter. Junior welterweight Khaleel Majid secured a win over Alessandro Fersula in eight rounds. The referee's final score was 78-73 in Majid's favor. A notable moment was in the first round when Majid floored Fersula, though Fersula managed to continue. Meanwhile, super featherweights Jordan Flynn and Kane Baker gave the audience a treat with an evenly contested bout at Yafai vs Frank that ended in a draw, scoring 94-94. An interesting twist was Flynn losing a point, which impacted the final score. This was their second meeting, with Flynn having won their first bout. Elsewhere in the Yafai vs Frank event, fighters Sahil Khan, Abraheem Sulaimaan, Muhammad Mustafa Ali, and Aaron Bowen also recorded victories.

At the Utilita Arena in Birmingham, a big boxing match happened. It was organized by DAZN and Eddie Hearn from Matchroom Boxing. Everyone was excited about the Yafai vs Frank Main Event where Galal Yafai was fighting. Galal had won a gold medal in the 2020 Olympics and was the current WBC International Flyweight champion. Galal, from Birmingham, had won all 5 of his previous matches. He was up against ‘Super’ Tommy Frank from Sheffield. Tommy had a good record with 15 wins. But, Galal was very strong and fast in the Yafai vs Frank bout. Right at the start, in the first 30 seconds of the match, Galal hit Tommy with a strong punch to the face. The referee, named John Lathan, started counting because Tommy fell down. Tommy tried to get back up and keep fighting. Galal was ready. He signaled Tommy to come back and fight. Galal kept going despite Tommy, hitting him many times. Tommy's team saw he was having a tough time. They decided to stop the fight for Tommy's safety. They threw a towel into the ring, which showed their concern towards their fighter getting beat up. The bout was stopped after 1:40 of the first round after the Tommy's corner threw in the towel. Galal Yafai, 30, rose to 5-0, 4 KOs with the victory, his third successful defence of his championship. Frank, 30, fell to 15-4-1, 3 KOs, and lost his second defeat in a succession.

Prominent boxing promoter Eddie Hearn, of Matchroom Boxing, was far from impressed with the boxing showdown between Jake Paul and Nate Diaz earlier this month. The bout, which went for ten rounds, ended with Paul securing a unanimous decision victory, marked by scorecards of 97-92 and 98-91 twice. The judging indicated that Paul was mostly in control during the fight, and even managed to knock Diaz down in the fifth round, though Diaz recovered and continued the bout after the knockdown.

Following the fight, Hearn expressed his disappointment during an appearance on "The MMA Hour." In Hearn's view, the only reason the fight wasn't stopped earlier was because, in his opinion, Paul lacks the ability to strategically dismantle an opponent in the ring. While Hearn acknowledged Diaz's toughness, he was critical of the overall quality of the bout, describing it as being at a "low, low level" in terms of standard. “I’m watching that thinking this is so bad,” Hearn said this week on “The MMA Hour.” “The reason that Nate didn’t get stopped is because Jake doesn’t know how to break a fighter down, cut off the ring, beat him up, and stop him. But I give my props to Nate – super tough. But you’re talking about low, low level in terms of standard.”

Not one to stay silent, Diaz took to social media to fire back at Hearn in his own unique and defiant style. In his response, Diaz boldly claimed that he could defeat any fighter in Hearn's roster, regardless of weight class. He warned Hearn to only mention his name positively or risk finding himself in Diaz’s crosshairs. Diaz also advised other fighters to keep their promoters in check to avoid disrespectful comments.

Eddie Hearn I’ll beat all ur fighters asses Lightweight middleweight Heavyweights any weight all of them will get fucked up And unless it’s complimentary keep my name outta your mouth cause u might get it also And fighters check your promoter so he doesn’t get u guys punked 👋

At age 38, Diaz's future in combat sports remains an open question. He is currently a free agent, able to sign with any promotion of his choosing, after his exit from the UFC earlier this year.

In a highly competitive McCann vs Baluta clash at York Hall, London, Dennis McCann (14-0-1, 8 KOs) and Ionut Baluta (16-4-1, 3 KOs) battled to a nine-round technical draw, with the vacant WBO Inter-Continental Super Bantamweight title on the line. The judges' scorecards were divided, with one in favor of McCann at 86-85, while the other two scored it a draw at 86-86. The opening round saw back-and-forth action, with both fighters enjoying success. Baluta's left hand caused issues for McCann in the second and third rounds, leading to a high-intensity exchange between the two. As the fight progressed, Baluta continued to challenge McCann vigorously, resulting in a closely contested battle. The seventh round marked a turning point, as a head clash left McCann with a significant cut on his forehead. Seizing this opportunity, Baluta pressed the action, showering McCann with punches. In the eighth round, a big hook from Baluta visibly rocked McCann, who bravely fought back. In the ninth round of the McCann vs Baluta, due to the worsening condition of McCann’s cut, the fight was stopped, and the result was determined by the judges' scorecards. In another contest at McCann vs Baluta bout, British and Commonwealth Featherweight Champion Nathaniel Collins (13-0, 7 KOs) made quick work of Raza Hamza (17-2-1), putting him on the canvas with a strong right hand within seconds of the first round. Hamza was unable to recover, prompting the referee to end the bout in under 30 seconds. Competing for the vacant WBC International Super Featherweight title, Ryan Garner (14-0, 8 KOs) enjoyed a decisive victory over Juan Jesus Antunez (12-2). Garner scored a knockdown in the third round, and soon after, unleashed a flurry of punches that compelled the referee to stop the fight. In the women's bout at McCann vs Baluta, Raven Chapman (11-0, 2 KOs) successfully defended her WBC International Featherweight title, earning a ten-round unanimous decision over Lila dos Santos Furtado (9-1). The judges scored the fight 97-92, 96-93, and 98-91 in favor of Chapman. The undercard of the McCann vs Baluta event featured decision victories for Joel Kodua, Khalid Ali, and Umar Khan.

In a captivating fight at York Hall in London, Dennis 'The Menace' McCann and Ionut Baluta ended up in a majority draw. This bout was for the vacant WBO Intercontinental Super Bantamweight title and drew significant attention as McCann, a skillful southpaw, found himself at odds with Baluta's relentless attack, characterized by powerful hooks with both hands. While McCann was leading at the halfway point of the match, an accidental head clash in the seventh round resulted in a cut on McCann's forehead. This injury hampered his performance, with blood obscuring his vision, allowing Baluta to capitalize and win the subsequent rounds. This turn of events led to the fight concluding in a draw. The final scores were revealing – McCann was ahead on one card with a score of 86-85, while the other two judges scored the fight 86-86. Since the cut McCann sustained resulted from an accidental clash of heads, the match went to the scorecards. After the fight, both McCann and Baluta expressed their willingness to face each other again. Promoter Frank Warren echoed this sentiment, indicating that a rematch is highly probable. Warren commended both fighters for their performance, noting that McCann matured significantly through this bout.

"It's an obvious rematch."

"I had Dennis just a bit in front, but you have to take your hat off to both of them ... Dennis  came of age tonight.

"Baluta was trying to old man him, but I thought he dealt with him. If it had been stopped the round earlier, he would have won."

Warren told TNT Sports and was at pains to add how impressed he was by his fighter. Baluta furious at outcome of McCann fight:

"We'll have a rematch and I'll win"

In earlier action, Nathaniel Collins swiftly defended his British and Commonwealth Featherweight titles, stopping Raza Hamza in just 24 seconds. Collins, a southpaw, initially targeted Hamza's body but then switched his focus to Hamza's head, landing a decisive shot that Hamza couldn't recover from, sending him to the canvas. Collins now has an improved record of 19 wins, 6 losses, and 8 KOs. Frank Warren, Collins’ promoter, is optimistic about Collins' future, foreseeing significant bouts in Scotland for him. In another remarkable fight, Ryan 'The Piranha' Garner, from Southampton, demonstrated that he is a force to be reckoned with by defeating Spanish boxer Juan Jesus Antunez in three rounds. Garner, now with a record of 14 wins and 8 KOs, displayed strategic aggression from the beginning of the fight. His effective combination of a right hand and left uppercut brought Antunez to the floor, and the referee had to intervene following a subsequent flurry of punches from Garner. This win earned Garner the WBC International Super Featherweight title. The night also featured a notable title fight in which Raven Chapman secured a unanimous decision victory over Brazilian Lila Furtado, thereby retaining her WBC International Featherweight crown. Chapman, whose record now stands at 7 wins and 0 losses, managed to knock Furtado down in the second round, likely assisted by a clash of heads. The majority of the rounds in this fight were competitive, but Chapman consistently performed slightly better, earning her the win.

In November 2022, the WBC ordered a final eliminator Wilder vs Ruiz bout between Deontay Wilder, the sanctioning body's top-ranked heavyweight, and second-ranked Andy Ruiz Jr. The winner of this Wilder vs Ruiz fight was set to become the mandatory challenger for the current champion, Tyson Fury. Initially, there was significant excitement about this match-up, but negotiations did not lead to a confirmed fight. After a quiet period, negotiations between the two parties reignited in the early summer. During these talks, Ruiz Jr.'s team claimed that they received an unsatisfactory offer from Wilder’s team for the Wilder vs Ruiz, which led to another breakdown in negotiations. Today, the WBC released an official statement declaring the initial order for the Wilder vs Ruiz final eliminator bout to be null and void due to the inability to finalize the fight. The statement read:

“The WBC Board of governors has ruled to cancel the order which was issued during the last annual convention calling for a final elimination bout between Deontay Wilder and Andy Ruiz jr to determine the mandatory challenger of the division. The WBC will evaluate the current situation in the division in order to review the viable options and if necessary, issue a new ruling during the WBC annual convention to be held in Uzbekistan in November.”

While Ruiz Jr. is currently without a confirmed opponent, Deontay Wilder is reportedly in advanced negotiations to face Anthony Joshua in early 2024. This potential bout would pit the WBC’s first-ranked heavyweight (Wilder) against the third-ranked heavyweight (Joshua), offering an alternative path to establishing a mandatory challenger for Tyson Fury. In a notable departure from traditional title defenses, Tyson Fury is set to face MMA star Francis Ngannou in a crossover boxing match. This event is slated for October 28 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, rather than Fury defending his title against a ranked boxing contender in 2023. Saudi Arabia is also the anticipated location for the potential Wilder-Joshua fight, should that bout reach a final agreement. The American boxer, Wilder, has not ruled out the possibility of another fight before this proposed match-up with Joshua.

Victor Conte, despite serving time for his involvement in the BALCO scandal, remains defiant, as highlighted in the latest episode of Netflix's sports docuseries "Untold," titled "Hall of Shame." This episode revisits various figures in track, football, and notably baseball who faced controversy due to performance-enhancing drugs. Conte insists that the sports world was already saturated with the use of prohibited substances before BALCO shifted its focus in 2000 from supplements to "the clear," a steroid that was uniquely undetectable by testing methods. He argues that he was equalizing competition rather than giving players and clients an unfair advantage, stating in the documentary that under such circumstances, he believes his actions weren't cheating. The documentary’s soundtrack, which features playful and lighthearted music in its initial segments, seemingly underlines Conte's perspective, portraying him as someone who takes pride in his role within sports and his proximity to success, even if he hasn't personally received any accolades. However, "Hall of Shame" does not shy away from presenting contrasting views. It effectively demonstrates how steroids significantly impacted athletes’ performances, exemplified by sprinter Tim Montgomery's improved time in the 100 meters after using these substances. Montgomery, openly discussing his use of performance enhancers, remarks on his desperate drive for victory. A significant part of the documentary centers on baseball legend Barry Bonds, one of BALCO’s most famous associates. The film acknowledges that Bonds was likely on a trajectory towards the Hall of Fame even before his sudden surge in home run prowess. While Bonds consistently denies using performance-enhancing drugs, the enduring questions surrounding his achievements have so far prevented his induction into the Hall of Fame, despite his extraordinary career. The documentary skillfully communicates the pressures and incentives that athletes face, and how the desire for victory can overshadow reservations about employing artificial, chemical aids. It briefly highlights the commercial and social rewards reaped by athletes, such as Marion Jones, who was the only athlete to face imprisonment in relation to the BALCO case after she pleaded guilty to perjury. The director, Bryan Storkel, juxtaposes Bonds' home run race with the memorable and eventually tarnished competition between Mark McGwire and Sammy Sosa, illustrating how this chapter impacted the perception of America's beloved sport. IRS investigator Jeff Novitzky is featured in the documentary to provide additional context. He labels Conte as a “snake-oil salesman” and criticizes the reckless administration of performance-enhancing drugs, likening the athletes to unwitting test subjects due to the unknown long-term effects of these substances. The "Untold" series is known for its exploration of the darker or more unconventional aspects of sports, with episodes in this season also focusing on figures like Jake Paul and Johnny Manziel. While "Hall of Shame" doesn't provide an exhaustive account of the BALCO story, it captures Conte's apparent indifference to the line between infamy and fame, placing him firmly within the focus of the episode.

Alycia Baumgardner was found to have tested positive for Mesterolone in an anti-doping test conducted by Drug-Free Sports just three days prior to her bout with Christina Linardatou. In a separate incident, Eddie Hearn had a heated exchange with Simon Jordan following a debate on TalkSport, which has since become a trending topic under the hashtags #shorts and #boxing. Additionally, Jessica McCaskill appeared as a guest on 'ThaBoxingVoice' show last night. During her appearance, she seemed to imply that Eddie Hearn's Matchroom Boxing might have had a role in the unfavorable test result associated with Baumgardner.

“So let’s do the math, like, really quick. Okay? Alycia signed a multiple-fight contract with Matchroom in, what, beginning January 2022? Multiple fights. She had four fights. She has a mandatory now. Who is Choi? Right?” “When you have a mandatory, you don’t necessarily have to have a promoter. Mine went to a bid. And what happened to my fight? I was supposed to fight, like, June 24 or something like that. I signed my contract. My opponent signed my contract, and they asked me to sign a Matchroom, re-up with them for three more fights.” “I was like, let’s finish this mandatory and figure out what’s going to happen. What happened? Because I did not sign the contract. They took my opponent and gave her to Terri Harper. So at that point, I had no fight.” “So at that point, I had to sign back up with Matchroom for a couple more fights with her. She got a fight choice, and they’re not saying, hey, Alycia signed another multiple-fight contract.” “They’re saying, Alycia pop hot. So maybe she’s not signing the contract. Maybe she likes putting Matchroom in a corner somewhere, and they don’t like that. So all of a sudden, quote, unquote, she pops hot” “The most wild thing I’ve ever seen in my life”, Eddie Hearn told October Red Boxing, “I mean they’ll be hearing from us today. “Essentially Jessica McCaskill said and I don’t mind repeating it because he’s one of the most bizarre things ever, Alycia (Baumgardner) had one fight left on her contract so maybe this was Matchroom trying to disrupt it.” “I mean firstly that is the most offensive thing I think I’ve ever heard in my life and secondly the most defamatory thing I’ve ever heard in my life.” “You think a global business of our size that has aspirations to float in an IPO…what sort of process happens you go to an agency that represents the MBA the NFL the NCAA NASCAR the LPGA and make up a test result?” “I know we live in a world of conspiracy theories but that is the most ridiculous thing I’ve ever heard in my life and I’ll be speaking to Jessica because it’s bang out of order you know.” “And if that’s your line of defence that’s worrying you know you have to defend yourself here not say ‘well I think Matchroom just made it up’, I mean what? Absolutely baffled.” “Rick Ramos is a wild guy he says some crazy stuff and it’s like a conspiracy they’ve got this conspiracy thing in boxing you know she said that ‘I was in a purse bid situation and they gave my opponent to Terri Harper, no what actually happened was we lost the purse bid and someone else won the first bid and didn’t put the fight on so the fight becomes null and void and in the meantime we offered her the fight against Harper at short notice because there was no fight with McCaskill.” “So again I have to deal with them appropriately because I’m not having people talk about my family business like that and it’s wild, absolutely wild. “It’s one of the most comical things I’ve ever heard in my life. This is a terrible situation for us, for the sport, for Alycia.”

After becoming the undisputed super middleweight world champion in November 2021 by defeating Caleb Plant, Canelo Alvarez has experienced mixed results in his subsequent fights. In May 2022, Alvarez took on Dmitry Bivol in the light heavyweight division but suffered a loss. However, by September 2022, he bounced back with a victory against Gennadiy Golovkin, marking their third fight. Following this win, Alvarez underwent surgery on his left wrist. In May, Alvarez faced John Ryder, delivering a win through a unanimous decision. While he managed to wound Ryder, many were surprised that he couldn't secure a knockout. Now, Alvarez is set to fight Jermell Charlo at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on September 30. This Canelo vs Charlo bout will be available on Showtime pay-per-view, with both fighters competing in the 168-pound category. During a press meet at The Beverly Hilton, Alvarez addressed the murmurs about his recent performance, admitting that he wasn't at his peak in his last two fights. He believes that his injured hand was a factor. Despite this, Alvarez is confident and promises to give his best in the upcoming Canelo vs Charlo fight. Alvarez expressed his gratitude for being part of significant bouts and anticipates a thrilling night for the fans who've eagerly awaited this Canelo vs Charlo match. Earlier this year, Alvarez, who's been a champion in four weight classes, penned a three-fight contract with Premier Boxing Champions.

“We’ll see if it’s true that I’ve lost a step. We’ll see. I understand what the people said and I agree. I didn’t look my best in my last two fights, but I know why and I’m ready for this fight. We’ll see what happens. We’re going to see something different,” Alvarez said during a press conference at The Beverly Hilton. Alvarez said fighting with an ailing hand prohibited him from performing at a peak level. “I’m going to bring my best like always. I’ll bring my skills and my experience into the ring. I’m just going to do my best and that’s it,” said Alvarez. “I’m very happy to be involved in big fights like this. I hope that everybody enjoys this fight because it’s going to be a great night for the fans and for everybody who has wanted to see this fight for a long time.”

Being 33 years old, Alvarez has several possible notable matches lined up with fighters associated with PBC. This includes names like David Benavidez, Errol Spence Jr., David Morrell, Jermall Charlo, and Demetrius Andrade. Alvarez mentioned that although he may appear easy to defeat outside the ring, the experience is different when fighters face him inside it. Regarding the Charlo brothers, Alvarez expressed his respect for both but feels Jermell has faced tougher competitors and is the superior fighter.

“I always say that outside of the ring, I look like I’m an easy opponent. But when fighters step in the ring with me, it’s completely different. It’s not the same watching me from outside the ring as it is actually being inside the ring with me. I’m a different guy,” said Alvarez. “I think both Jermell and Jermall Charlo are great fighters. No disrespect to Jermall. But I think Jermell has had better opposition in his fights. I think he is the better fighter. That’s just what I think.”

Tim Bradley believes that Jermell Charlo, the 154-pound undisputed champion, is taking on a task too big for him by moving up to 168 pounds to challenge Canelo Alvarez for his undisputed championship on September 30th. According to Bradley, this Canelo vs Charlo fight is heavily in favor of Canelo, who has a record of 59 wins, 2 losses, and 2 draws, with 39 of those wins by knockout. He thinks that Charlo, with a record of 35 wins, 1 loss, and 1 draw (19 KOs), will struggle to handle Alvarez's power. This is because Charlo has previously had trouble with fighters in the 154-pound division. Bradley points to Canelo's experience fighting at 175 pounds, noting that he has won against former unified light heavyweight champion Sergey Kovalev and lost to WBA champion Dmitry Bivol. In Bradley’s view, Charlo likely won’t be able to hurt Canelo with his punches. However, Charlo has stated that his strategy isn't to knock out Canelo. Instead, he aims to outbox him and secure a win through a judges' decision. Charlo believes attempting to knock out Canelo would be unwise, given that Canelo has previously withstood powerful hits from fighters like Gennadiy Golovkin, Miguel Cotto, Bivol, and Kovalev. Charlo also argues that Canelo's past performances against these fighters don't matter much now because Canelo has aged and isn’t the same fighter he was in 2018 and 2019, when he secured victories over Golovkin and Kovalev. Charlo suggests that the Canelo who lost to Bivol and had close fights with a 41-year-old Golovkin and John Ryder is different from the earlier version of Canelo. Bradley might have also considered the potential for controversial judging in this upcoming Canelo vs Charlo fight. It should be noted that in Canelo's fight with Bivol, the judges scored the fight 115-113 in favor of Bivol, three times, despite many viewers believing that Bivol won far more decisively. The implication is that Charlo might need to win very convincingly to avoid a similar situation with the judges.

“That’s a mismatch. How will you go up two weight classes?”

said Tim Bradley to Fighthype about the Canelo vs Charlo fight being a mismatch in favor of the Mexican star.

“You’ve [Jermell] been hurt by guys at 154, and you’re going to go up two weight classes? Do you think he’ll be able to take a punch from a bigger guy? “Anybody that says, ‘Oh, he’s 6’0,” y’all tripping. You’re not just talking about height. No, we’re talking about boxing. That’s what we’re talking about. It’s different. “We’re talking about boxing. He’s [Canelo] fought at 175. Understand that. Canelo Alvarez fought at 175 against big huge dudes. It was Kovalev. He’s a freaking monster. “I don’t give a damn. Kovalev can still punch. His timing and quickness make his s**t so hard, and he’s heavy-handed, and Canelo was able to take his punch. Don’t you think Canelo can take Charlo’s punches at 154? Man, this is terrible,” said Bradley.  

Matchroom Boxing faces another controversy with another doping scandal involving one of their boxers, this time a reigning champion. The World Boxing Council (WBC) disclosed to World Boxing News that the undisputed women’s super featherweight champion, Alycia Baumgardner, tested positive in a doping test. According to the WBC, they were notified of a discrepancy arising from Baumgardner's anti-doping test related to her July 15, 2023, match against challenger Christina Linardatou. This particular test was carried out by Drug-Free Sport and was separate from the WBC Clean Boxing Program.

In light of this, the WBC confirmed they would conduct a thorough investigation, as per their rules and guidelines. “The sample collection that resulted in the adverse finding occurred in relation to the July 15, 2023, bout between champion Baumgardner and challenger Christina Linardatou. The adverse finding in question arose from a sample collection and anti-doping test administered by Drug-Free Sport. It was not part of the WBC Clean Boxing Program. “Accordingly, the WBC will initiate a notification, investigation, and results management procedures for WBC World Championship bouts consistent with the WBC Rules & Regulations.”

This is the second doping issue for Matchroom in recent weeks, following heavyweight Dillian Whyte's exclusion from his rematch with Anthony Joshua. Coupled with another incident involving Conor Benn, Matchroom has now faced three such controversies in a year that have necessitated inquiries. Matchroom Boxing responded to the news, stating, “Given the recent developments, the fight has been called off. We will be conducting a comprehensive investigation.” They also mentioned that updates regarding Joshua’s return and other planned fights would be provided soon. Whyte, known as "The Body Snatcher", expressed shock at the doping allegations against him. He emphasized, “I was surprised to hear about the VADA report of a positive result. I can say with certainty that I haven't consumed the substance in question.” Whyte highlighted his consistent participation in VADA testing for all his fights, and his previous experience where he was falsely accused. He asked for time to prove his innocence. Similarly, Baumgardner has rejected the charges against her.